Reviews

Review: Belkin Conserve Valet

As time goes on I seem to gain more and more devices that charge off of a USB port. My phone, my iPod, Bluetooth Headphones, Kindle and even the Zi8 that I recently reviewed all charge off of a USB port. So it just makes sense to start to see devices like the Super Travel A/C USB Wall Charger I reviewed a while back. That’s fine for travel and works well. However, it sure would be nice to actually have a place to manage the cables as well as to hold the devices as they charge. That’s why I was…

Reviews

iPhone Case Review: Speck ToughSkin Case for iPhone 4

klutz noun \?kl?ts\ Definition of KLUTZ : a clumsy person Are you a klutz? Do you have a tendency to not look where you are going and trip over the smallest of things? Do you drop your iPhone more than your iPhone drops calls? (Okay, we know THAT’S not possible but still…) If you answered yes to any or all of these questions this is the iPhone 4 case for you. Yes, Speck has produced an iPhone case for the klutzes among us. It offers amazing protection and a good bit of varied use scenarios. Here’s a close look at the Speck…

Reviews

GarageBand for iPad Review

GarageBand is part of Apple’s iLife suite, originally envisioned as a sort of musical ‘scratch pad’ with a limited tool set but plenty of software sound capabilities. Several years and iterations later it offers a fairly robust solution for musicians … to the point that any musician working with a Mac absolutely owes it to themselves to have a copy. When GarageBand for the iPad was announced it looked cool … but does it perform? The Hype: GarageBand turns your iPad into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio — so you can make music anywhere you…

Reviews

Review: Applecore Cable Management in Action!

The other day I e-mailed Judie and asked, “How do you keep all your various charging and syncing cables organized?” Her answer was short, to the point, and said everything that needed to be said. “What makes you think that my cords and cables are organized in any way shape or form?” Yes, if you have multiple devices, cable overwhelm can be a bit of an issue. So how does one deal with it? I have tried a host of different solutions which include everything from having specific cables taped underneath my desk and available if I simply reach for…

Reviews

Google Docs for Android Review

Have you ever wanted to make a quick note or change to a document on the go? Many folks swear by Evernote, but sadly it is blocked by my work so I stick with Google Docs. So when a native Android app arrived, I hopped right on it. So far I have only messed around a bit, but have a clear impression. The Hype: Create, edit, upload and share your documents with the Google Docs app. * Designed for Android to save you time finding your docs * Edits to your documents appear to collaborators in seconds * Make quick…

Game Diary, Reviews

Madden NFL Football Nintendo 3DS Review

Handheld football gaming experience improves with smooth circle pad controls and touch screen play calling/creation with Madden NFL Football 3DS.

Gear Bits, Reviews

PPC Techs Apple iPad Black Universal Capacitive Stylus Review

Steve Jobs was clear when he introduced the iPad that using a stylus was a “no-no”. Instead, he encouraged all of us to use our built-in pointers; you know, those things called fingers. Well that has worked pretty well for me over the last year. In fact, it has worked so well that I have increasingly tried to touch the screen of my MacBook Air only to be reminded that, oh yeah, it has a trackpad, not a touchscreen. There are, however, times when you might want to use a stylus. No, the iPad will never be as stylus-friendly…

Reviews

Crackle (multiple devices) Review

There seems to be another new ‘streaming video’ site popping up every week, but the mantra is all-too familiar: too little content that you want to watch, or just as likely plenty of content but it is just the same stuff you can get on every other site. Enter Crackle, the streaming video site cooked up by the folks at Sony Pictures. Is it any better? Let’s look and see! The Hype: Crackle is the place to experience pure entertainment: full-length movies, TV shows, and original series from genres that embody cool — all uncut, uncensored, and unbelievably free. We’ve…

Reviews

iPad 2 Case Review: Yoobao Executive Genuine Leather Case for iPad 2

I have a new favorite case for my iPad 2 and, to be honest, it comes as a surprise to me. The case isn’t from a brand name. It doesn’t have a striking style. Isn’t one of the many luxury cases we have the good fortune of reviewing here on the site. No, this iPad 2 case is a relatively inexpensive, unassuming case for my constant companion and yet it has, for now, risen to the top of the heap. The case in question is the Yoobao Executive Genuine Leather Case for iPad 2 and it comes to us via…

Music Diary, Reviews

Riffs and Pixels: Griffin’s GuitarConnect Cable for iOS devices

I procrastinate. Yes, I’m one of THOSE guys. I might put off my research paper a few days to, you know, let it “mature.” I also might put off writing a killer guitar tune because I’m not in the creative mood. Sure, THAT’S the reason. Actually, it’s because I’m not as proficient with musical notation as my high school music theory teacher would like (unfortunately, that man is also my cousin). I’ve been playing guitar for over 23 years now, and I still have yet to write the next big rock hit. So what gives? I’m happy to say that…

Reviews

Review: Lowepro Compuday Photo 250 Backpack

I love gear bags, especially backpacks. The great thing about a gear bag is that I can carry more of my stuff. I have a backpack for my DSLR as well as a backpack for my MacBook and all of the items that go with it. Just the other day we took a short family trip and my wife was amused that I had to carry two backpacks with me. She asked why I did not just find one that could fit all of my stuff I was taking. Well, lucky for me, I was able to review the Compuday…

Reviews

Android Phone Accessory Review: PowerSkin Battery Case for MyTouch 4G

Battery life continues to be the bane of smartphones. The technology hasn’t significantly improved in quite some time, which is problematic because the power and functionality of the small devices has increased exponentially. This results in some state-of-the-art devices with battery life that can only be described as horrific. There are a few options for how one might address the current situation but none of them are particularly good. Manufacturers can slow down their devices so they use less power or they can increase the size of the battery. Neither is a particularly good solution. Users, on the other hand,…

Reviews

Review: ToddyGear Smart Cloths

Did you know the average American family now owns 24 electronic devices? Yup, 24 devices and guess how many of them are covered with smudges, grime and… worse? Pretty much all of them. And when germs are mixed in with the smudges watch out since it has been shown that germs can live on touch screen devices anywhere from 1 day to 1 month. Take, for example, my iPad 2. That’s pretty gross isn’t it?? (And it is the reason I prefer NOT to let others handle my touchscreen devices.) That’s what is great about the Toddy Smart Cloths. The Smart…

Reviews

Einstein’s Pedometer Gets Tested by Gear Diary!

I majored in philosophy in college, and my high school physics class trip to Great Adventure could be summed up as “WHEEEEEEEEEE” rather than “So that’s how Newton’s 2nd Law of Gravity works on ‘Scream Machine.’” So while I understand that Einstein’s theory of relativity involves time and that if you launched into space at the speed of light and came back you’d be less old than if you stayed on Earth, I can’t tell you why. Or whether you get the same benefit going 80 instead of 65 on the highway. However, like all things in life, there’s an…

Game Diary, Reviews

Wii Game Review: Monopoly Streets

As I have said before, my family loves playing board games, and rather obviously I am a big video game fan – something I share with my kids (my wife, not so much). So video-board games seem like an obvious attraction for us. Monopoly Streets is the latest one we have tried, involving family and friends once again to see how it compares to sitting around a table. Read on to find out! The Hype: Monopoly Streets reinvigorates the classic game of fortune in a whole new format. Explore the streets of your favorite town as you journey from the…

Game Diary, Reviews

Clowning-Around for iPhone/Touch

As a huge fan of Angry Birds, I have come to love puzzle/physics games. I really enjoy the thought process to release an item on the screen to begin a series of events that solves a goal. The games take planning, critical thinking and a bit of skill. As I searched the app store Clowning-Around caught my eye reminding me of the Atari 2600 game Circus. Upon further inspection, it actually reminded me of Cut The Rope and Angry Birds all rolled into a cool circus theme. Let’s take a look at Clowning-Around for the iPhone/Touch. Roll up, roll up,…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Chevrolet Cruze a ‘Sound’ Choice

Last summer we got our first drives in the all-new Chevrolet Cruze. Recently we spent a week behind the wheel of a 2LT RS model with the new turbocharged 1.4-liter inline four-banger. (The base engine for American Cruze models is a 1.8-liter producing the same horsepower – 138 – and both are backed by six speed manual or automatic transmissions.) Our tester had the automatic gearbox connected to front drive underpinnings and we found the turbo 1.4 quite satisfactory in rural and urban driving conditions with minimal noise, vibration or harshness transferred to the passenger compartment. Despite being called a…

Reviews

Review: Samson Meteor Mic

About two weeks ago Thomas mentioned a brand-new microphone that was about to be released, the Sampson Meteor Mic. He told me that it not only had a great look to it but that all reports indicated it worked beautifully. It was small, easily transportable thanks to its fold up design, and it looked pretty cool. Most importantly it apparently offered excellent sound quality. I told him I’d have to look into it. I was fortunate enough to have a review unit waiting for me just two days later. I’ve been using it ever since and have been incredibly impressed…

How to Do It Yourself!, Reviews

HDSLR, Part 3: Enter the new Nikon D5100

In part two of this series on using DSLR cameras for capturing high-definition video I teased to the new D5100 camera coming from Nikon. It’s here … and my favorite little camera store here in Dallas had one. Now it’s mine. What drew me to the new unit is the variable-angle LCD monitor which will make shooting my own stand-ups a snap. And the introduction of full-time-servo autofocus (AF-F) to the HDSLR line when capturing video. The D5100 loses the additional memory card slot that the D7000 has and overall it is a smaller and lighter camera than the D7000….

Reviews

Skooba Design Harmony 15″ Tote Review

My office is business formal attire, which means men wear suits and ties and women wear pantsuits/skirt suits. However, men have a leg up here, since men’s suits typically have pockets big enough to hold wallet, keys, etc. Women’s suits, not so much. Apparently, we’re only going to keep the world’s tiniest stick of gum in there. In any case, this means it’s always key to have a nice bag with you at all times. Do you opt for a small purse plus a briefcase, or do you find a bag that’s stylish enough for everyday carrying but roomy and…

Reviews

Spibelt Review

I have made it no secret that I was in search of the perfect way to transport my phone while I run. I’ve tried jackets with zippers, armbands, clips…nothing has been quite right. Until last Saturday, where I saw the Spibelt at a race expo. At first I thought it looked pretty dorky; effectively it’s a fanny pack for running. But I tried it on at the urging of the rep, and immediately fell in love. First of all, the Spibelt looks small but holds a fair amount of stuff. I can easily fit a Gu, my Droid and my…

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