Reviews

E FUN NEXTBOOK Next2 eBook Reader/Tablet Review

Last year it seemed like the hot new item was ebook readers. Everyone and their brother seemed to be offering one, but those projects quickly gave way to a veritable army of Android-based tablets after the iPad was released. Some of these are relatively generic tablets, but lately, we’ve seen a rash of tablet-esque devices designed around the reading experience. One of the newest (and most budget-conscious) of these devices is the E FUN NEXTBOOK tablet, a reading-oriented tablet with Borders eBookstore integration. Is it worth pursuing over a NOOKcolor or an iPad? Read on for my full review! Let’s…


PC Game Review: Red Faction Guerrilla

GamersGate offered a sweet deal where you got copies of both Red Faction and Red Faction II for free with a Red Faction Guerrilla pre-order. Red Faction was a 2001 game that gained tons of attention during previews for its destructible environments, and Red Faction II was the critically pummeled 2004 follow-up. So by the time I received my review copy of the game I had replayed both of the original games on my netbook, which allowed me to put those games into proper perspective as I played the new addition to the series. The Hype: Set 50 years after…


PSP Game Review: Sudoku (PSP Minis)

Given that the PSP Minis are meant to be bite-sized games with a smaller scope and focus, Sudoku seems like the perfect candidate … well, other than all of those ports of iPhone games. The game itself is a classic Japanese number puzzle that is simple to understand conceptually, but challenging and wonderfully addictive. The Hype: This one is bound to keep you coming back for more, even if you aren’t into Sudoku or maybe just never played it before. Life time statistics for each difficulty will have you comparing your skills with friends and family. Newspaper mode is a…


2011 BMW 335i Convertible

The calendar says we haven’t hit the first official day of winter yet and your mind may be displaying visions of sugarplums in preparation for the quickly approaching holiday season. But should there be an interest in a convertible in your near future – especially a convertible with a German accent – you might want to start thinking about cheaping-out on gift giving this season so you can save your pennies in time to enjoy topless cruising weather when the northern hemisphere welcomes the return of the sun’s warmth. BMW makes a very nice little hardtop convertible on the 3-series…


Dizzypad-Frog Jump Fun for iPhone/Touch Review

It seems that most of my Blue Plate Specials as well as other games I purchase are puzzle games.  When I am not playing puzzle games, they are often racing or shooting games and almost always contain insane graphics and loud explosions.  Very seldom does a cute game catch my eye.  I saw that Dizzypad was on sale for free and thought it looked interesting, so I downloaded.  To my surprise, I was instantly hooked.  Let’s take a look. Escape into your own tranquil pond to see how far you can jump your dizzy frog from pad to spinning pad….


Dial2Do & Plantronics Bring Advanced Hands-Free Voice Control To Your Phone

During last year’s CTIA conference I saw a voice service from a company called Dial2Do.   There have been, and continue to be, a sea of voice applications — ranging from offerings from Vlingo, DriveSafe.ly, to Google’s own Android integration of voice-to-text, voice search, and application control.  So what is special about Dial2Do?   Their service can be used with any bluetooth-enabled phone and does not rely solely on an application running on your mobile phone. Plantronics recently partnered with Dial2Do, branding their joint service as Vocalyst and featuring it on two of their latest bluetooth headsets:  the Plantronics Savor M11o and…


The PHOSPHOR World Time Curved E Ink Watch Review

Let’s face it, thanks to cellphones and iPods, wrist watches have, for many, been relegated to the role of fashion accessory. Sure, they still tell time the way they always have but almost all of us have a cellphone with us constantly and even the most rudimentary phone has a clock built into it. The result? For many of us watches are jewelry. That does not, however, mean watches can’t be bold, interesting and desirable. They can be and, with their line of E Ink watches, PHOSPHOR is out to show just how big, bold and technologically savvy a watch…


Silicon Power Armor A80 Waterproof & Shockproof Hard Drive Review

If you’re anything like me keeping your data safe and secure is of the utmost importance. I’m talking about keeping it safe from hackers though. Sure that’s important but what I’m talking about it keeping it safe from life. With three kids at home I’ve got thousands and thousands of memories, in the form of digital pictures, stored on various hard drives. From time to time I take one of the portable hard drives with me, to a family members house, or on the road. Life has a tendency to throw bumps and bruises our way from time to time…


JAVOedge Editor Axis iPad Case Review

I reviewed the JAVOedge Axis case for the iPad back in July of this year. The case, which allows the user to view their iPad’s screen in either the portrait or the landscape position, is still one of the more unique designs on the market. The newly released Editor Axis Case builds on the original design and adds a few welcomed changes as well. The Editor Axis case is made from a synthetic leather that’s pebbled. In addition to looking good the pebbled texture offers a nice feel and added grip. It features a magnetic closure flap that secures the…


2011 Ford Explorer: The SUV for the 21st Century?

When an automaker has 96 percent name recognition in a vehicle, it is no wonder you keep that name the same despite changing the game. Ford has done that with the 2011 Explorer. The marque is third in consumer recognition behind the tying Mustang and F-series pickups and once sold upwards of 430,000 units in a single year for this popular sport utility vehicle. Waking up from dreaming of the good old days Ford found consumers are not drawn to the platform as they once were, no more moths to the flame so to speak. Today, Ford explains, buyers are…


Tethering Data with Your Phone; How Much Is It Worth to You?

To tether or not to tether, what to do? There has been a long-standing debate and rather good argument over whether tethering your phone is legal, ethical, or financially worth it. Most platforms today have programs available that allow you to tether a wired or wireless device to you phone without buying another data plan. Most wireless carriers do offer tethering at an additional cost, but even then they limit you data speed and connection options. These days almost everyone that has a phone capable of tethering and has an additional device or two that could benefit from sharing their…


Ingear Hybrid Shell iPhone 4 Case Review

Hybrid cases are amongst the most popular style for the iPhone 4. And I understand why. The combination of silicone and plastic that they provide offers the end user both grip and protection in what’s usually a pretty cool looking package. The Hybrid Shell case from ingear is no exception. The case, which offers maximum protection by providing a hard front frame along with a softer back is available in five different color options. The back portion of the case remains the same gray color no matter which you choose. But what does change is the frame. In addition to…


Five Minutes Hands-On with the Archos 70 Android Tablet

Archos has been experimenting with Android for a while now.  Dan did not like the Archos 5 and from what I have read from across the internet that was universal.  A friend of mine purchased a Archos 70 to use as an adjunct to his Sprint Hero since he still has a year on contract.   I was able to play with it for a few minutes, and what follows are some of the impressions I got while using it. The thing that most impressed me was how thin this thing is.  It’s thinner than an iPad and a lot…


iPad Accessory Review: Skadoosh Stand for Apple iPad

We’ve reviewed numerous iPad stands here on Gear Diary, but of all the stands I have personally had the chance to review, the oddly named Skadoosh Stand for iPad just might be the most substantial and flexible of them all. The Skadoosh has a unique design that is rather unique and, as a result — well lets put it this way — this is the first time I’m traveling since I got my iPad, where I had no second-guessing about iPad stand I wanted to bring along. To start with the conclusion, I like this stand so much, and am…


iPad Accessory Review: Altec Lansing Octiv Stage iPad Speaker MP450

The saying goes that the cloths make the man. Along the same lines one could argue that apps and accessories make the iPad. Think about it… the iPad is a pretty remarkable device in and of itself but the “magical” experience truly takes off when Cupertino’s tablet is used in conjunction with some amazing apps and accessories. One of the key accessories for any iPad enthusiast is the iPad dock. The right dock can make it easier to watch video on the iPad, work on the iPad, charge and sync the iPad and much more. We’ve already had the opportunity…


Ingear Slim Nylon iPad Case Review

Do you like to use your iPad in its out of the box, naked form factor? Or do you choose to protect your Apple tablet with something as slim as just a full body skin? Even if you answered yes to either of those questions you probably still want some sort of case to protect your device while transporting it though. The ingear Slim Nylon case for the iPad is just about the slimmest, sleekest, case I’ve seen. The Slim Nylon Case includes a screen protector and installation card. A rare but very welcomed addition with iPad cases. This horizontal…


NOOKcolor First Impressions

What happens when a NOOK, an iPad and a Droid meet and have a three-way lovechild? NOOKcolor! Luckily for us (and all of you!), B&N has sent Gear Diary a NOOKcolor to review. Read on for my first impressions of this color eBook reader! My first thought when I opened the shipping box was, “Wow. B&N really took presentation seriously.” The NOOKcolor comes in a sturdy well-designed box, but instead of opening from the top or front, it opens from the bottom with a neat magnetic closure. Instead of being something you might open and toss away, it makes it…


GloveTips Review: Make Any Pair Of Gloves Touch Screen Compatible

In the North East, during winter, using our touchscreen enabled devices outside becomes difficult. No, not because the screens don’t function well in cold temperatures. Because we are often times wearing gloves! Imagine the situation. Your iPhone is buried deep in your pocket. A call comes in. You fumble for your phone and try to “slide to unlock” with your gloved hand but the screen doesn’t recognize your finger’s movement. Sure you could take your glove off but do you really want to do that when it’s 20 degrees out? There’s got to be a better way right? We’ve all…


PC Game Review: Call of Duty Black Ops

Since the second game in the series, Treyarch and Infinity Ward have alternated development duties for Call of Duty games: Infinity Ward did the excellent first two games as well as Modern Warfare 1 & 2. Treyarch, on the other hand, did the worst-in-franchise Call of Duty 3 and the underwhelming World at War … and has now returned for Call of Duty: Black Ops! Have they finally abandoned their bottom-feeder ways? Read on and find out! The Hype: Call of Duty: Black Ops is a first-person shooter with stealth and tactical play aspect that puts players in the role…


Bright Night StrideLight Lighted Jacket Review

One of the best things about running is the simplicity. Get up, tie your shoes and go! That works when it’s summertime, but lately it seems I need to load down with more and more gear just to get out the door. Shoes, running tights, long-sleeved shirt, jacket, wool hat, gloves…and since I run early in the mornings, a headlamp too. I’ve been testing a new piece of gear for my runs, one that combines warmth AND safety…but how well does the Bright Night StrideLight Lighted Jacket hold up against my runs? Read on to find out! My first impression…


Ingear Jazzy Case iPhone 4 Case Review

The Jazzy Case from ingear is a stylish TPU (thermoplastic) style case for the iPhone that combines a good amount of shock and impact protection along with a sophisticated pattern printed on the back. Roll all that into a price tag that’s under $15 and you’ve got another WIN from ingear. The Jazzy Case comes packaged with a front screen shield for your iPhone. It also includes a small cleaning cloth and a card to help you install the screen shield. The case is available in four color variations. Black: Blue: Pink: Orange: The TPU material allows the case to…