Reviews | Gear Diary

SportBoard for iPad Review

As a coach, it is exciting seeing possibilities new technologies are bringing to the profession. In the past I have reviewed a few iPhone apps that have performed a task, but were definitely limited in their abilities. After the iPad was announced, there was even a discussion about using the iPad to coach basketball on my favorite basketball forum Texas Basketball Coaches or TBC. Even non-tech savvy coaches instantly saw the possibilities of the new device. SportBoard for the iPad allows coaches to use the device to draw basketball plays just like you would on a dry erase clipboard. Draw…

Reviews

Fabrix Cases Magic Sleeve for iPad Review

I’ve been enjoying using my iPad in its naked form. Truth be told I do have it wrapped safely in a full body Clear Coat protectant skin but it’s as close to naked as I’m willing to go. That being said pouch style cases seem to work best for me. I definitely need something to protect the iPad when I’m carrying it around but want something that allows me to keep the device as sleek as possible when I’m using it. Zippered pouches are nice but they require some work when I need the device. The Fabrix Magic Sleeve is…

Game Diary, Reviews

Borderlands: PC/XBOX360/PS3 Game Review

Late last October Gearbox software launched a game called Borderlands. I played it quite a bit at launch, and since then there have been a few DLC add-ons and other attempts by the developers to keep the game fresh in the minds of the typically short-attention-span target audience for this sort of game. As I was revisiting the games of 2009 I thought it would be worthwhile to give this one another go. The Hype: A sci-fi/action RPG from acclaimed developer Gearbox, Borderlands combines the best in first-person action gaming with elements of a traditional role-playing game (RPG). The excitement…

Reviews

Gowalla vs. Foursquare: Which One Is Right For You?

I got hooked on Foursquare, the social networking iPhone OS application that allows you to “check-in” at the places you visit, by Judie back at CES. Judie, Dan and I had a fun time battling for mayorships of various locations in Las Vegas. I’ve been a frequent user of the app. since then too. But a worthy competitor to Foursquare has emerged, so worthy in fact that I find myself using Gowalla more. Both Gowalla and Foursquare are iPhone OS applications that operate on the same basic principal. Using your device’s built in GPS the applications locate you and show…

Reviews

Sound ID 510 Bluetooth Headset and EarPrint iPhone App- Available June 6, but We Already Have a Review

I previously reviewed Sound ID’s last two headsets, the Sound ID 300 and the Sound ID 400. Both headsets were among the most comfortable and best sounding Bluetooth headsets I have used and both packed some nice features into rather small device. Well this morning Sound ID announced their next generation Bluetooth headset, and it is rather impressive. The headset packs in A2DP Technology, advanced noise reduction, multi-point technology and… get this… an iPhone app that works with the headset. The new headset, the Sound ID 510 will be available in black from AT&T (available in the store and online)…

Reviews

M-Edge Latitude Jacket for Apple iPad – iPad Case Review

My in-laws are currently in China touring for the next two weeks. For gear they took a point and shoot camera my mother-in-law’s new Kindle (well new to her thanks to judie) and… an iPad. Now this may not sound like a big deal to you but trust me… it is. You see, my father-in-law doesn’t even check his own email messages. Elana does. and when I got my iPad my father-in-law rolled his eyes and gave me a look that said, “Yet another Apple product Dan? You know there is a twelve-step program for that.” I proceeded to tell…

Reviews

Review: M-Edge Leisure Jacket For iPad

Finding the iPad case that is right for me has proven to be a difficult task. There are so many options and styles, finding the perfect option is truly an exercise in trial and error. I thought I would give the iPad Leisure Jacket by M-Edge a try since it is compact and provides a lot of protection from the environment. The product has left me with mixed results. Kind of an interesting idea that does not work. Features * The Leisure Jacket provides superior protection against sand, dirt, and moisture by utilizing a read-through, clear vinyl cover. * Protective…

Reviews

Gear Diary Deal or Dud #4: Original Space Bag

I’m back with another episode of Gear Diary’s Deal or Dud? This month I take a look at the Original Space Bag. Several years ago these bags were all the rage. You loaded them full of your most bulkiest sweaters, blankets and other items that you used seasonally, sucked all the air out to compress and them and then stored them neatly under your bed. In my continuing quest to create more closet space in my own home I snatched up a new version of the space bag. The Original Space Bag promises to triple your closet space. The one…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Bimmer not a bummer, just different drummer: BMW 335i coupe

Stop the presses. An automotive journalist has been discovered that does not love, love, love the BMW 3-series. What is this heresy? Refusing to drink the Kool-Aid? Next they will be telling us this global warming scare is not all it is cracked up to be and that American automakers will be profitable despite all of the new fuel economy standards around the bend. I was really looking forward to my week in this BMW 335i coupe. I figured all I would have to do is drive it a few days and I would be able to regurgitate every word…

Reviews

Sena Folio for Apple iPad Review

My search for the perfect iPad case came to an abrupt halt last week when I realized that, more than with any other device i have used, the “right” case for the iPad is going to depend on how you use the device and what you are doing with it at that moment. For example, if I am watching a movie on the iPad I want a case with an integrated stand. If I am on the go with it I want a case with built in screen protection while if I am leaving it on the coffee table I…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2010 MAZDA3 and MAZDASPEED3 leave you grinning

As I look at the new front fascia for the 2010 model year MAZDA3 I wonder if designers found a little inspiration from CGI artists working on the latest Alice in Wonderland movie. Perhaps the two parties share a favorite pub and the latter left some napkin sketches lying around as carelessly as an Apple employee? Grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire Cat, the new MAZDA3s still embody that all familiar “zoom-zoom” marketing philosophy while offering value, quality and a truly nice driving experience for the segment. Love it or hate it though, Mazda says the new bold…

Reviews

Flickpad: Fun Way To View Facebook Photos on iPad

Flickpad from Shacked Software is a really fun way to view photos from your Facebook friends on the iPad. The application takes full advantage of the iPad’s multitouch features to allow you to quickly browse through pictures from your friends in a way that’s extremely intuitive and actually a ton of fun. Once you load the app, and after you’ve entered your Facebook account information (only required once) it will show you all your unseen pictures from your Facebook contacts. By default the app loads all new pictures from the day you first launch it but you can move the…

Reviews

2nd Opinion for iPhone/Touch App Review

I am not going to lie…many of the apps on my iPhone are used primarily for entertainment and wasting some spare time. Most of these time wasters are games, but every now and then a non-game entertainment app is discovered. 2nd Opinion is not considered a game, but can be just as addicting. If you like crowdsourcing or answering random questions, this will be quite entertaining. 2nd Opinion is a collection of user asked yes/no questions. The questions can be any subject and can include a photo. As more users download the app, the number of questions rises quickly so…

Reviews

Navigon 6300 Sat Nav Review

Navigon’s latest entry into the increasingly crowded sat-nav market looks to be a cracker with a 4.3” display, Bluetooth hands-free phone and a sleek design that makes it easy to hide away when not in use. In my two week test of the Navigon 6300, it really impressed! Out of the box you get everything you need to get up and running in the car. A very secure windshield mount is fully adjustable to achieve the best viewing angle, no matter what car you are mounting it in, and the power adaptor has a sufficiently long cord should your lighter…

Reviews

Speck Fitted For iPad – iPad Case Review

One of the things I have come to understand and appreciate is that there is no “right” case for the iPad. There are a variety of cases available for it to be sure but none of them is “the right case”. Rather, with the iPad perhaps more than with any other device, the appropriate case depends upon how you’re using the device at a particular moment. Let me explain what I mean. If you are going to be using the device on the go and will be throwing it into a briefcase it makes sense to have a case that is…

Game Diary, Reviews

Drakensang the Dark Eye PC Game Review

Games from European PC developers and publishers often have an uphill struggle to begin with: they lack the entrenched network of marketing and promotion, often struggle to get a community base built up of native speakers on popular game forums, and of course are strapped with an image of lacking polish and suffering from poor language translations. As a result they often fail to gain shelf-space at major retailers, making it even harder for them to gain new fans. So you are forgiven if you have never heard of this game, let alone knew that it has been out for…

Reviews

Review: Math Ninja For iPhone/Touch

Today’s gadgets are often a great source of wasting time, especially for kids. Many complain that all of these games and mindless fun keep the youth from learning the important things. Who wants to study math flash cards when an iPhone or iPod Touch is sitting there loaded with games? As an educator, I love to see games that build knowledge especially in children. I remember the pain I felt when my parents forced me to sit down and memorize my flash cards. I also remember the joy I felt when my friend’s parents would let us play Math Blaster…

Game Diary, Reviews

Eschalon Book 2 RPG First Impressions

A few weeks ago I noted the upcoming release of the sequel to the indie game Eschalon Book 2. As noted, the release was May 12th – same as Steam for Mac … so I’ve been quite busy with all of these new gaming opportunities! I’ve only had a couple of hours to get started, but wanted to give some early thoughts. If you played Eschalon Book 1, the new game will immediately feel familiar. Which is a wonderful thing for me. As background, I thoroughly enjoyed Basilisk Games Eschalon Book I (in fact, if you look on the link…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

MINI Cooper John Cooper Works convertible – Oliver Twist finally gets his wish

All photos by the Author The tide has turned on large, mobile real estate-hogging vehicles here in the U.S. and the new trend is small – OK, mini. And one of my favorite vehicles of the past decade has been the MINI Cooper. It was love at first sight (and drive) when the millennial Cooper hit U.S. shores in 2000. Built by BMW, this is one of my favorite overall vehicles and they offer one of the most enjoyable driving experiences – of any sized car. MINIs are available in hardtop, convertible, supercharged, Clubman and, coming soon, full four-door Countryman…

Reviews

C25K: Week 1

Larry: In case you missed my post from last week, I’ve started the Couch to 5K running plan. Or as a few of us at Gear Diary have turned to calling it, the “Blogger’s Chair to 5K” running plan. This running program helps you get from doing little or no exercise to running a full 3.1 miles in 9 weeks. Each week I’ll be updating the site with a post about the program, how the week went, some of the gear I used and more. Surprise #1: After I posted my initial article I got messages from both Dan and…

Game Diary, Reviews

Steam on Mac First Impressions (also Portal and Torchlight)

At long last Steam has officially arrived for the Mac – and rather than just announce it, I figured I’d give you some quick impressions after using it to download and play a few games. For those who are not aware, Steam is a digital download, automated patch management, and multiplayer matchmaking service … and more. From Valve’s ‘About Steam’: Steam, the world’s largest online gaming platform. Steam turns any PC (and soon any Mac) into a gaming powerhouse by providing instant access to a huge library of titles, and by automatically keeping a user’s games completely up to date….