Reviews

Music Diary Reviews: Corporate Boardroom Edition

Music Diary, Reviews

Music Diary Reviews: Corporate Boardroom Edition

Over the last few months I have done short reviews on more than 30 CD’s in two articles here and here. As I mentioned before, the response has been amazing! I continue to get emails and more unsolicited (but always welcome) invites to listen to music. But I also have been called out as an elitist. Because I love jazz and modern classical music and tend to prefer rather esoteric styles in those genres, and because I have always had a fondness for highly skilled artists who polish their technical abilities to better serve their craft, I am often seen…

DS Game Review: Puzzle Quest 2

Game Diary, Reviews

DS Game Review: Puzzle Quest 2

The original Puzzle Quest was a revelation, what I called “Casual Meets Hardcore and Loves It!” back in 2007. The game featured a solid RPG story and progression mechanic with an enhanced ‘match 3’ puzzle mechanic for the combat system. It was smart, fun and tremendously addictive! The follow-up, which I reviewed here, was “a decent game, it just pales in comparison to the original.” Now we get the ‘true’ sequel – does it live up to expectations? Read on and find out! The Hype: Puzzle Quest 2 marks the return of the world’s leading puzzle adventure series and its…

iPad Accessory Review: the River Garden Oberon Design iPad Cover

iPad Accessory Review: the River Garden Oberon Design iPad Cover

Of all the cases that I tried when I was using the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX, there was one brand that always stood out — not only because their Kindle covers were functional, but because they were also absolutely gorgeous. Of course I am talking about the cases made by Oberon Design, the California based company which is well known for their leather folios and journals … and now for their eReader covers. When I eventually let go of both Kindles because Kevin and I had purchased iPads, I knew that as soon as an Oberon style iPad Cover was…

QRANK for iPhone/Touch App Review

Game Diary, Reviews

QRANK for iPhone/Touch App Review

I am currently back hard at work. We have begun football season and are in the middle of 2-a-day workouts which takes pretty close to every waking hour of the coaches. With that said, many of my usual daily entertainment is left behind for things like eating and showering because the loss of free time. QRANK has stepped in to the rescue. It is a daily short quiz that includes current events and common knowledge subjects. The quiz is entertaining, challenging and only takes a few minutes to complete. Open QRANK each day to complete the daily quiz and compare…

iPad App Review: The Chalkpad

iPad App Review: The Chalkpad

I am a huge fan of diagramming applications. As a coach, I spend countless hours diagramming. X’s and O’s are much more than people think. Not only do we draw plays and defenses to explain to our athletes, but they are used heavily in planning. Football is a game of leverage and numbers. As a defensive coordinator, it is my job to devise a plan to out leverage the offense and get at least one unblocked defender to the point of attack according to the tendencies I have. The way these theories are tested is through diagramming. I spend hours…

Home Tech Accessory Review- IDAPT i4 Charging Station

Home Tech Accessory Review- IDAPT i4 Charging Station

I have way too many devices that need to be charged on a regular basis. There’s my iPhone, my iPod touch, my LiveScribe Echo smartpen, an assortment of Bluetooth headsets, the Motorola headset I use for running and more. The result is a jumble of wall chargers and a tangle of cables that is annoying, collects dust and just looks terrible. That’s why I was excited to check out IDAPT’s latest Universal charger, the IDAPT i4. The i4 looks similar to the i3 but with one significant, and useful change, it now has a USB port on the side that…

StarTech Standalone IDE/SATA Hard Drive Duplicator Review

StarTech Standalone IDE/SATA Hard Drive Duplicator Review

As a Systems Administrator I spend of a lot of time building and distributing workstation images. After the initial build is completed and tested the worst part of it all (for me at least) is the distribution to all the machines that need it. There has been cases where I had a few hundred machines, and then sometimes it’s as little as 12-15. Either way, my favorite methods of imaging machines are the ones that are the most hands off. I’ve been through my share of software solutions that work very well, but the worst part is all the setup…

Speck GeoMetric iPhone 4 Case Review

Speck GeoMetric iPhone 4 Case Review

The Speck GeoMetric case for the iPhone is the first case I’ve come across with a textured, dimensional pattern which offers a very unique feel in your hand. Made from the ever-popular TPU (themorplastic polyurethane) the case soft and flexible but stays form fitting just enough the hug the lines of the iPhone perfectly. The GeoMetric is currently available in one color, what Speck calls “DeathRock Black.” Someday I’ll have to ask Speck who comes up with the interesting names they choose for their colors. Speck doesn’t include a screen shield with the GeoMetric. If you desire screen protection their…

Sena Sarach Ultraslim for iPhone 4 Review

Sena Sarach Ultraslim for iPhone 4 Review

Yesterday we took a look at Sena’s Argyle for iPhone 4. Today we’ll take a look at another of their pouch-style cases- the Sena Serach Ultraslim for iPhone 4. If you use your iPhone with just a Clear-Coat type film on it (or nothing at all) this might be just the right protection for those times you toss your iPhone in a pocket or briefcase. It is slim, good looking and highly protective of the delicate device. Let’s take a look. From Sena- The Sarach UltraSlim case is a part of the unique Sarach Designer Series by Sena. It is…

Honda Accord Crosstour and Acura ZDX crosswhatevers

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Honda Accord Crosstour and Acura ZDX crosswhatevers

“But, what are they?” As if to corner the market on producing the most polarizing vehicles for the 2010 model year, Honda and its luxury division Acura have each released a new vehicle that almost forces consumers to scratch their heads faster than the heartbreak of psoriasis. No definitive term has surfaced yet to identify the niche segment the new Accord Crosstour from Honda and ZDX from Acura occupy yet automotive history has seen similar units before. When I first gazed my attention to these marriages of sedan and crossover utility vehicle I was served with an image circa 1981-82…

Toyota Tacoma now calling Texas home

News, Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Toyota Tacoma now calling Texas home

Big news for Texas and Toyota yesterday. OK, the news actually came out a while back that the automaker would shift midsize pickup production to their full-size truck plant in San Antonio but it was guns blazing Friday as Governor Rick Perry helped kick off the official celebration.

D2u Transcriber iPhone App Review

D2u Transcriber iPhone App Review

I’m rather keen on apps and applications that take my speech and convert it to text for me. I love the time-saving, the convenience and the fact that I don’t have to put more stress on my hands when I am writing a lot. Most recently I have been testing d2u. d2u is an iPhone app combined with a professional transcription service. While in a different league than Dragon Dictation and Vlingo due to its price per minute, it is also in a differently league due to the remarkable accuracy. To review the app and service I have been using…

Android Device Review: the AT&T HTC Aria Mobile Phone

Android Device Review: the AT&T HTC Aria Mobile Phone

With all of the current buzz over Android phones with ~4″ screens like the Incredible, Xperia X10, Galaxy, Desire, and EVO 4G, it’s easy to forget that sometimes less can be more; sometimes less is actually more desirable. Take the HTC Aria for instance. Measuring a diminutive 4.1″ long x 2.3″ wide x 0.46″ thick and weighing 3.8 ounces with battery installed, the Aria is the perfect size to tuck into a smaller pocket or the smallest of evening bags. Its matte black plastic backside is covered in that wonderfully grippy material which rejects fingerprints and offers a bit a traction…

RoadID Wrist Sport Band Review

RoadID Wrist Sport Band Review

About a week ago, my fiancee came home, walked the dog, and headed out for a bike ride. After she was riding for about an hour, she started to, for lack of a better word, “bonk”. It was hotter than she thought, she didn’t bring a snack, and she was almost out of water. Luckily she was able to call me to pick her up at the trailhead, but the incident worried me. What if she hadn’t stopped herself and started walking, or the heat snuck up on her more and she’d passed out? The next day, I went online…

iPad Case Review- ZAGG LEATHERskin

iPad Case Review- ZAGG LEATHERskin

The other day Larry pointed out that, without my even thinking about it, I have a tendency to pull my iPad out of its case whenever I am using it in one place for an extended period. That makes it all the more important for me to make sure I have some permanent protection for the back of the device. Up until now that protection has come in the form of a Clear-Coat skin that I’ve had on the back, the screen, and the sides of the device since I first got it. It does a great job of protecting…

OpenAppMkt for iPhone App Review

OpenAppMkt for iPhone App Review

Remember back in the day when the iPhone did not have an App Store? I actually joined the iPhone party in the modern era with thousands of native apps to choose from. In those early days, the only way to utilize the phone beyond the provided Apple apps was through Web Apps. Because of the thousands of app possibilities, I have not previously had much of an experience with these types of apps. Actually, I never even knew how to find Web Apps for my phone. Well it seems that developing Web Apps for IOS 4 can bring some pretty…

PDair Aluminum Metal Case for Apple iPad Review

PDair Aluminum Metal Case for Apple iPad Review

Dan: iPad cases come in all types of materials. Ya got yer leather cases, ya got yer plastic cases, ya got yer cases made from cloth, and ya’ve got yer cases made from leatherette (aka plastic that kinda sorta looks like leather). But this is the first case we have checked out that’s made from… metal. Yup, this PDair case is made from shiny aluminum so you know it going to offer some serious protection. Judie: I’ve been a fan of metal cases all the way back to my first Rhinoskin Ti Slider when I was rocking a Palm III series; I even…

Charge Your Mobile Devices with the Power of the Sun

Charge Your Mobile Devices with the Power of the Sun

External batteries are great, but they’re only as good as the mAhs they possess; once you deplete them, until you find yourself near a charging source they become useless. The Monaco Mobile Power Solar Charger from Wireless Ground takes care of that problem by harnessing the power of the sun to recharge itself. You can use the battery to recharge you device and then recharge the battery on to go so it’s ready to be used again. In addition to the battery itself you’ll also get some tips to charge with. The Monaco comes with a USB out cable which…

PSP Game Review: Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip!

Game Diary, Reviews

PSP Game Review: Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip!

It was with some surprise that I realized that while I was greatly enjoying what I consider the best PSP game since 2008, Persona 3 Portable, I had actually been spending more time playing Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip! What is it about this game that seems to refuse to let me stop playing? Read on and find out! The Hype: The ear-deafening cheers from the crowd have died down, as you bounce the ball in preparation of your serve for championship point. You toss the ball into the air and strike it with the sweet spot of the…

iPhone & iPad App Review: Card Shark Takes a Bite out of Boredom

iPhone & iPad App Review: Card Shark Takes a Bite out of Boredom

Feeling a bit bored? Try a daily dose of Card Shark! This card game app works on both the iPad and iPhone size devices. Out of all of the solitaire type card games I have tried, this one is by far the best I have come across in quite a long while. Part of its attraction is the fact that Card Shark offers 48 versions of card games and the developer is adding more on a regular basis. Some of the versions as shown in the below screenshot are FreeCell, GoFish, BlackJack, and my Favorite TriPeaks. There are many card…

SGP Skin Guard Review

SGP Skin Guard Review

Many of us like to keep our iPhones as sleek as possible. I personally prefer to use my iPhone 4 naked. But I also know that it’s just not practical to do so. I want to keep my iPhone looking as new as possible not only because I enjoy looking at “minty-fresh” gadgets but I also realize that in under a year Apple will be most likely be coming out with the next generation iPhone and I’ll most likely be selling this one to finance the new. The better condition a phone is in the more money it fetches in…

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