Reviews

HTC Touch HD = Stands for Hot Damn!!

Only a few days ago Judie posted her first impressions of HTC’s hottest new devices, the Touch HD, and I am lucky enough to be able to follow that up with my own! For several weeks I have had my cursor hovering over a Touch HD in Hong Kong on eBay, but I wanted to try it out before I committed over $1000 to purchasing one. At last, the Touch HD was released here in Australia, and HTC’s local PR agency received their review units! Having gotten my name on the list some time ago, I was set to receive…


2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

In a field already so overcrowded it can make ones head spin just trying to keep up, what’s one more model to further challenge for consumer dollars in the crossover utility vehicle segment? Volkswagen of America recently launched its all-new and highly anticipated compact sport utility vehicle Tiguan. Staying true to Volkswagen’s autobahn heritage, the Tiguan is truly the “GTI of compact sport utility vehicles.”


Mili Power Pack Review

My biggest complaint about the iPhone 3G is its battery life. Sure, the lack of being able to run 3rd part apps in the background stinks and the crippled Bluetooth unnecessarily limits the device, but the battery life is a CONSTANT struggle since I use my iPhone so much during the day. Thankfully there are a host of options available for juicing up the device on the go. This week I’ve been using one of the newest- the Mili Power Pack from PhoneSuit – and I’m more than a bit impressed. Let’s take a look-


Nokia N85 Walk-Around and First Impressions

This has got to be one of the most agonizing weeks I have ever spent with any two devices. Why? Because I have had to struggle over which PDA phone I would carry each day – and which would get left behind. Such has been the daily dilemma while acquainting myself with both the HTC Touch HD and the Nokia N85. I know; you don’t feel a bit sorry for me, and it’s okay because I wouldn’t either…


iVoice R1 Carkit – Review

I recently had the opportunity to review the iVoice’s Baby-ai bluetooth headset. I had not heard of the company previously but was certainly glad to have had the opportunity to see their products in action! I was quite impressed with the diminutive headset. I was taken by its small size and high quality audio. Incorporating the latest technology, it was one Bluetooth headset that actually lived up to its hype. At the same time, I had the opportunity to review their R1 car kit, as well. I was similarly impressed, which isn’t a surprise since it incorporates much of the…


New Twhirl beta turbocharges Twitter – becomes must have Twitter client

If you’re not into the whole Twitter scene – stop reading now. If you’ve tried Twitter and just didn’t get it (which some days I don’t either) – an update to a popular software program called Twhirl was just released that may win you back. This incredible upgrade (beta) to the Adobe Air based Twhirl application now uses Ping.fm (built in) to update ALL of your social network sites in one tweet. It also finds all occurrences of your Twitter @name in a message – not just those at the beginning of a message. But that’s not what I’m most…



TP Link TL-WR941N Wireless N Router Review

Draft N routers have been around for a while.  In fact, right before Thomas from USBfever e-mailed us about this router, I had already purchased a Netgear version.  When this one came out, I decided to check it out to see how well it would work here in the US.



Spb Traveler 2.0 Review

Editors Note: This review appears both here on Gear Diary and on Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! As I have stated many times throughout my reviews here and at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!, I travel quite a bit for my “day job”. Just so everyone is clear: American Airlines Executive Platinum isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It means that you have had a lot of time on airplanes. But I digress…. Understanding this, anytime I am able to find a tool that makes travel easier I’m automatically going to be interested. Once such tool has been Spb Traveler. Traveler…


Hammer Storage Morespace Portable Drive Review

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to review the Hammer Storage Morespace external hard drive.  That was an incredible drive, with just an amazing amount of storage.  My one complaint about that fantastic drive, however, was the size of the drive.  I mean, really, it takes up a sizeable chunk of my desk.  So, you can imagine my excitement when Hammer Storage recently announced the new Morespace Portable Drive.  All of the storage at a fraction of the space.


iPod Touch OtterBox Impact Case Review

This year Santa was good to the Schulz household. He delivered a couple of iPod Touch devices that my twin 9 year olds use for practicing speling (courtesy WordsWorth), drilling on their math facts and sending email to their family. The one accessory that I knew we needed right away to protect these expensive devices was a case. I’m using an OtterBox Impact on my iPhone and I like it so much that I ordered one for my daughter Lauren’s Touch. When I asked her how she liked it, she had this to say: My case is very protective. What…


Boxwave T-Mobile G1 Case Review Roundup

Boxwave sent me three cases for me to try with my T-Mobile G1. First up is the Boxwave Armor Case.  I was sent the black version, which is made of anodized aluminum and has a protective Plexiglas window over the screen.  There are openings for all functions of the phone, allowing you to use the phone while it’s in the case; this makes it convenient when making or taking calls.


The Element LIQUID iPhone Case Review

When I was first contacted about reviewing the Element LIQUID Case, I was really quite excited. I have now been writing about iPhones for over a year and a half, and in that time I’ve written numerous case reviews. I still enjoy doing these reviews, but after a while cases start to look increasingly similar. But here was a case that was anything but the norm — how cool! In addition, here was a case that was not only unique, but it also offered customization and personalization the likes of which is rarely seen; I was anxious to receive the…


i2i Stream, Folding Portable Speakers & AudioWear Lanyard Style Earphones Review

Prior to this review I was not familiar with the relatively new company i2i and their range of products.  I’m certainly glad to have had the chance to change that. The company is best known for its flagship product, the Stream, so we’ll not only take a look at it, but two other solid offerings- the i2i Folding Portable Speakers and AudioWear Lanyard Style Earphones, as well. the three work together to create a nice, wireless system.


HTC Shift – Shifting OS from Vista to XP

While several members of the Gear Diary team have been loading up their netbooks with Mac OS X (and why wouldn’t you, it’s great!), I recently changed OSes on a device that highlighted the shortcomings of Windows Vista: the HTC Shift. I reviewed the Shift last year, and found it disappointing. With its low res screen, pokey keyboard and poor battery life, it was hard to recommend at its staggeringly high price tag. The worst thing though was the performance of Windows Vista. With its paltry 800Mhz processor, it just crawled along trying to run Microsoft’s bloated OS. It’s unfortunate…


The Netflix Player by Roku Review

I know it’s just the first week of 2009, but I suspect that when we are preparing to welcome 2010 in some 360 days, the Roku player that I purchased just over a week ago will be on my list of “favorite gadgets of 2009”.


Digital Innovations dvdDR Premier Cleaner Review

Digital Innovations sent me some accessories which may help keep those holiday gifts working like they did the day they were received.  I was sent an array of products; first, I will cover the dvdDr items. First up are the dvdDR Premier Disc Repair and Cleaning products.  Anyone who has had CDs, DVDs, Video Game Discs or BluRay Discs can attest that they will not read properly if they are gummed up with fingerprints or other foreign material like the goo from your son’s PB&J.  While the time tested – and probably not safe – breathing on the disc and…


Samsung Epix Review

I’ve been a Blackjack user (on and off) since May of 2007.  I absolutely love the form factor, 320×240 screen, QWERTY keyboard, and (nearly) one handed operation. I liked it so much, that I used it for well over 9 months, which for me, is an eternity. I change devices about every 7 months on average.  So how does the AT&T/Samsung Epix (sometimes called the Blackjack 3) stand up?  Let’s take a quick look and see… The Epix and the BJ 1 – The Epix has a bigger screen and slightly more compact keys


PDAir Leather Case for MSI Wind Review

As much as I love my MSI Wind, I am not a fan of the case that was included in the box.  Sure, it is functional.  It protects my Wind, and keep a relatively low profile.  But it is not exactly stylish.  So, I have been watching for an opportunity to upgrade to something a little nicer.  Fortunately for me, our friends over at PDAir were more than happy to oblige with an extremely nice brown leather case.  Hit the jump for all of my thoughts on this one.


iVOICE Baby-ai Review

Bluetooth headsets are commonplace these days — especially since most states have now made it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone. Bluetooth headsets that are both comfortable and sound great, however, are anything but commonplace. More often than not I get a new headset that looks promising, use it for a couple of days, and then discover that there’s something problematic. Perhaps it’s not as comfortable as I’d like, or it doesn’t sit securely enough in my ear when wearing it. Or it may sound great to me, but sound like I’m in a tunnel to the person…