Reviews

Alarm Clock Pro For iPhone/Touch Review

It is truly amazing how dependent I have become to my iPhone.  There seem to be an endless number of tools no longer needed because of the abilities of this little device and the number keeps growing.  When I first started using an iPhone, I decided to set an alarm for the morning and abandon my old alarm clock.  In fact, the alarm clock I used was a gift from my younger brother when I went off to college back when I was 18 years old.  The clock was nothing fancy, but it always worked and I had used it…


PC/XBOX360/PS3 Game Review: Dragon Age: Origins Golems of Amgarrak DLC

Last month I reviewed the Leliana’s Song DLC and the month before that I reviewed the Darkspawn Chronicles DLC, with each one representing very different types of gaming experiences within the context of the Dragon Age universe: one was combat driven and narrow, and the other was a character study that got us behind the scenes with one of the main characters from the main game. I also noted that a high-level combat-centric module Golems of Amgarrak was arriving. Now that I have completed playing through the newest DLC (and with only a week before the final DLC release) I…


Gear vs Gear- Zagg Z-Buds, Apple’s In-Ear headphones, and Etymotic HF2 headphones

Pictured from left to right; Apples white In Ear Headphones (IEH), red Zagg Z-Buds, and the blue Etymotic HF2 buds. I’ve owned a pair of Zagg Z-Buds for about 1.5 years now and they had been my earbud of choice until I won two new sets of buds from Gear Diary last winter. (Thanks so much, Gear Diary!) Now that I’ve had several months to use them all, I’m prepared to give you all a brief review of all 3; Zagg Z-Buds, Apple’s In-Ear headphones (IEH), and Etymotic HF2 headphones. All of these were tested for the first half of…


iPad Accessory Review: The Aligata Nude Beauty Leather Envelope

I’ve made no secret about how much I love the look of natural, undyed, full grain leather, and now Aligata has introduced yet another iPad accessory to satisfy my craving. With no velcro, clips or snaps, the Aligata Nude Beauty iPad Leather Envelope is simplicity defined. This case is nothing but gorgeous raw leather — and just because I love the look — contrasting yellow stitching. When natural leather is left untreated and undyed like the Nude Beauty cases from Aligata (and the Black Espresso and Nippon leathers, for that matter), they will show every nick, stain, mark, scar or water drop that occurs;…


Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500M Watch Review

Anyone who knows me personally knows that long before I struck up a love affair with gadgets my heart belonged to watches. As early as junior high school I had a fascination with time pieces and started a blossoming collection. Back then I could only afford Swatches and Casios, but as I grew older and as my income increased I began to acquire more valuable pieces including Rolex, Cartier, Panerai, and more. I’ve sold off most of them because in this economy it’s just too hard to hold onto so many valuable things, but I have never lost my addiction….


Gear vs Gear- Incipio Pearl Metal feather and the Incase Clear Snap Case for iPhone 4

Let me start off by saying, I usually love to carry my iPhone naked. (well always with a skin/screen protector on it…old habit from the stylus driven Windows Mobile and Pocket PC days). To me, one of the main reasons for getting the iPhone (any version) is that it is light, small, compact, awesome looking and feels great in the hand. Why would I want to hide all of Apple’s hard design work behind a case? Well I work outside quite a bit, and I get dirty … so sometimes I like to keep my phone protected. So to keep…


Handy Runner GPS Fitness Tracker Android App Review

I’ve searched long and hard for a decent GPS tracking app when I run. Every app I liked had inconsistencies; Cardio Trainer offered great feedback but seemed to stop tracking roughly a mile into every run, RunKeeper overshot all my runs so 1.5 miles became 7.5, and BuddyRunner undercut all my runs by almost a 1/2 mile. However, I kept hunting, and I recently stumbled upon an app that interfaces with the RunningAHEAD training log. Not only does HandyRunner automatically update my log, but it’s also far more accurate than any program I’ve tried so far! HandyRunner is fairly simple…


iPad Accessory Review- Lapworks’ iPad Space Dock

I have had the opportunity to look at, and review, a wide range of iPad stands and today we’ll take a look at yet another one. Lapwork’s iPad Space Dock (we reviewed their Recliner for iPad a few months ago) is one of the smallest and low profile stands we have seen. If it looks a bit familiar that might be because it looks strikingly similar to Element Cases’ Joule for iPad that Judie first posted on back in April. There are some notable differences and we’ll get to those in a bit. The Space Dock is so low-profile that…


iPod/iPhone Accessory Review- Gear4’s StreetParty 4 Speaker System

There are lots and lots of speaker docks. Some are huge and offer big sound. Some have tons of bells an whistles. And some, like the StreetParty 4 I have been using for the last two weeks, make their mark by being small, easy to use and easy to carry. Sure, with such a small dock you give up something by way of full, rich sound but you more than make up for it in convenience. So if you are looking for a system that will replace your huge, expensive home system you can stop reading this review right now….


Android Mobile Phone Review: Motorola Droid 2

Just a short time ago Motorola appeared to be on the ropes. That all changed when Motorola found Android.  Less than a year ago Motorola released and sold millions of their first Android device, the Droid on the Verizon network.  Since then, they have brought out the Cliq, Cliq XT, The Flip and the Droid X.  Today I am reviewing the sequel to the Droid, the Droid 2. Hardware The Droid 2 has similar looks to the original Droid.  It is a little less blocky, but it’s almost identical to the original Droid in size, weight and thickness.  The front…


Amazon Kindle 3 Unboxing

Amazon‘s newest e-reader, the Kindle 3, just arrived on my door step. Rather than post a bunch of written text listing the specifications and what not I thought you’d enjoy a peak at the new device on video. Check out my quick unboxing and first impressions including a size comparison to the Kindle 2 from my YouTube channel below.


iPhone Accessory Review- Just Mobile Gum Plus Battery for iPhone

There’s no question that the iPhone 4 serves me far better in the battery department than the iPhone 3GS ever did. Unfortunately, “better” isn’t “good” and I still find my charge running low by the middle or end of the day. As a result, having a backup battery with me at all times is a must. But here is the thing… there are backup batteries and there are BACKUP BATTERIES. The Gum Plus from IntoMobile is a BACKUP BATTERY. It’s big. It’s beefy. And it’s a new fixture in my gear bag. Let’s take a look… From JustMobile- The high-capacity,…


iPhone Accessory Review: The Element Case Vapor for iPhone 4

Judie: Of all the iPhone 4 cases announced in the past few months, there were two which most interested me: the Miniot iWood 4 and the Element Case Vapor for iPhone 4. When the Element Vapor first arrived, I seriously felt that I had wasted my money ordering iWood, because the Vapor was that gorgeous, that nicely made. Everything about it screamed quality, from the machined aluminum its two pieces were composed of to the four little screws which had to be tightened as my iPhone was locked into the bumper-style case. I loved the way the Vapor added a…


First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

I was invited down to San Antonio, Texas recently to get my first experience with this new compact vehicle from Chevrolet that is replacing the Cobalt model. The new vehicle, set to arrive in dealerships in September, is called Cruze. One of my first questions during a marketing presentation was “What is the origin of the name Cruze?” Seems I stumped the panel. No one could give me an answer. Here in front of my computer I search the interwebs and discover that Cruze has been used by GM since 2001 and this “all-new” vehicle is actually the second-generation of…


Hershey’s Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

This week marked the last week of freedom for my kids before they head back to school for the 2010-2011 school year. I wanted to do something fun with them, and since my wife was busy at work we opted for a quick get away to Hershey Park. Hershey Park is an amusement style theme park located 2 hours west of Philadelphia, and it’s built entirely on and around the Hershey Chocolate company. One of the park’s newest attractions is located in its “Chocolate World” and it’s here where you can personally create your very own chocolate bar, watch it…


PC Game Review: Puzzle Quest 2

I recently reviewed the Nintendo DS version of Puzzle Quest 2, and since then the PC version has hit Steam. As I said, the DS game made good as a true sequel to the “Casual Meets Hardcore and Loves It!” surprise hit from 2007. Back then the PC version was the most feature-packed and inclusive version. So does the new PC game live up to the solid performance of the DS version? Read on and find out! The Hype: Puzzle Quest 2 marks the return of the world’s leading puzzle adventure series and its trademark blend of match 3 gem-based…


OtterBox Commuter iPhone 4 Case Review

OtterBox’s flagship case, the Defender, provides an unparalleled level of protection. But not without a price. The Defender is considered by some to be big and sometimes even bulky. What isn’t up for argument however is OtterBox’s quality and the level of customer service they put behind every one of their cases. The company understands that the Defender isn’t for everyone and that’s why they’ve developed three levels of iPhone protection. The recently released Commuter Series case for the iPhone 4 is OtterBox’s mid-level protective case. While the Commuter doesn’t provide the same amount of shock and impact protection as…


Graffiti Ball for iPhone/Touch Review

I was browsing the App Store for possible Blue Plate Specials and I was hankering for something different.  Maybe with the stress of a new football season and the start of school, I just needed something new.  I came across Graffiti Ball while looking at some other applications from Backflip Studios, creators of some fine free games.  Actually, the icon caught my eye and the name sounded pretty different so I decided to give it a whirl.  Turns out, I became addicted fairly quickly to the fun physics game.  Lets take a look. Graffiti Ball uses an interesting style combined…


Review: AmpKit And AmpKit LiNK Turns The iPhone Into A Rockin’ Machine

Agile Partners, my favorite guitar app developers, has teamed up with Peavey Electronics to bring an all in one solution that turns the iPhone into a full functioning guitar studio.  Peavey, who has been making quality guitar hardware for many years, has provided the hardware interface.  In fact, I have a Peavey amp sitting next to me here in my office/guitar room.  Agile Partners, who has revolutionized the guitar app for the iPhone, is providing the software solution.  Together, this brings a full effects and amp studio with recording capabilities straight from the iPhone.  No amplifiers or batteries needed.  Simply…


2011 Subaru Outback: Swiss Army Knife on Wheels

If I were told today that I would have to choose only one vehicle that I would drive for the rest of my life, not knowing what the rest of my life would entail, that vehicle might very well be a Subaru. And tempted as I would be to pick something like the WRX, in the end my decision would probably be the Outback.


Griffin Reveal Etch Graphite iPhone Case Review

The Griffin Reveal case for the iPhone 3G/3Gs was one of my favorites.  The case, which combines a see-through, clear poly-carbonate back along with rubber guard rails has also quickly become one of my go-to cases for the iPhone 4.  The Reveal for the iPhone 4 is currently available in both black & white and I reviewed the case here. If you’re not fan of the see-through back though Grfffin has added a new offering to the Reveal lineup.  The Reveal Etch Graphite combines the same soft rubber rails found on the regular Reveal along with a carbon fiber looking…