Reviews

Nokia 6220 Classic Review

Nokia 6220 Classic Review

Nokia’s latest model for the mid-range market looks to be a cut-priced N95. While it misses out on the larger screen and WiFi radio, it holds onto the 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss camera, HSDPA radio and built-in GPS, at around half the price of the N95. The recommened retail for the 6220 is $689, but as is often the way with these things it will likely be cheaper in-store. I’ve been using one as my main phone for the last week, and I am very impressed…almost. Unlike the N95 the 6220c is a regular candy-bar phone, no funny business there….

The Cricket Laptop Stand Review

The Cricket Laptop Stand Review

If you use a laptop as your main machine, chances are that you catch yourself slumping in front of it more than you would care to admit. The key to ergonomic bliss is to lift the laptop so that the monitor is across from your line of sight, not under it, and to attach an external keyboard. While a larger stand (perhaps one with extra USB ports and other attachables makes great sense at home, a simple laptop riser and portable keyboard are necessary to replicate the experience on the road. For times like that, the Cricket Laptop Stand might…

The Echo Mirrored Screen Protector from Proporta-Paris Hilton's Must-Have iPhone Accessory

The Echo Mirrored Screen Protector from Proporta-Paris Hilton’s Must-Have iPhone Accessory

My girlfriend and I eat a lot of spinach. [ed. note-this is my official entry into the 2008 “Most Unexpected Opening Sentence in a Tech Review” competition.] We joined a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, last year and receive a bushel of whatever is fresh off the farm every week from spring until fall. A side effect of this is the fact that until the succulent peppers and tomatoes start to ripen in July we often find ourselves buried under mountains of greens-chard, kale, collards, spinach and the like. We’ve learned to blanch them, sautée them, bake them and eat…

AOC Rivio 2230Fm 22" LCD Review

AOC Rivio 2230Fm 22″ LCD Review

There is no shortage of widescreen LCDs available these days. 19″ Widescreens have become the norm, and 22″ Widescreens are not much more. Manufacturers need to do something to differenciate themselves from the others, be it with available connections, built-in card readers and USB hubs, contrast ratios, viewing angles, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. AOC have decided to do something a little bit different. Their latest model, the 22″ 2230Fm, makes it possible to do away with the PC altogether, and brings new meaning to “Digital Photoframe”. It is a good looking screen, something I can’t say for the AOC screens I…

Review: Stereo Bluetooth Headset from USB Fever

Review: Stereo Bluetooth Headset from USB Fever

USB Fever also sent me a Bluetooth headset. Is it as good as my Insignia headset? How does it stand up to the Jaybird? We’ll find out! The USB Fever Stereo headset is a simple affair; it wraps around the back of your head like a lot of Bluetooth headsets do. Initially, I had to struggle to get these on. It’s a bit weird, as the cable which connects the two buds is springy: it kept springing out of my hand all of the time when I tried to put them on. The upside is once they are on, this…

Jaybird JB-200 Bluetooth Headphones and Adapters

Jaybird JB-200 Bluetooth Headphones and Adapters

Bluetooth stereo headphones are really starting to proliferate. Not all headsets are created equal, that much is certain. While I do like my standby headphones, the Insignia Bluetooth headphones, sometimes I wish I had a lighter set for when I am working out; this set fits the bill nicely. Jaybird sent me the JB-200 headset with adapters for the iPod and for standard stereo headphone jacks. The JB-200’s come with a nice dock. To charge the headphones, you plug the USB cable into the USB charger; I have also tried a standard USB port and the Ted Baker charging kit,…

One+ Months Later With the i-mate Ultimate 8502 and 6150

One+ Months Later With the i-mate Ultimate 8502 and 6150

Travel at the end of June kept me from posting my follow-up user experience with both the i-mate Ultimate 8502 and Ultimate 6150; now that things have calmed down it is past time to write about a subject which, to put it bluntly, I have been dreading… the i-mate 8502 the i-mate 6150 Don’t get me wrong; all of the warning signs were present nearly from the beginning: First of all, i-mate was a company who promised a line-up of devices which looked truly impressive in pictures and print. But then delay after delay occurred; several of the more exciting…

Agent18 FlowerVest for iPod Touch Review

Agent18 FlowerVest for iPod Touch Review

As part of her transition to the iPhone after years as a devout Treo user, my wife has been using an iPod Touch for the last month. At first she was using a hard-shelled case I had “laying around” to protect it. That changed last week when I received a box from our friends at Agent18 containing two of their new FlowerVest cases for the iPod Touch. “Hmmmm,” I thought to myself upon opening the box, “a flowered case… how am I going to review that?” “Nice cases,” said my better half, “I’d love to use one of those.” So…

The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 Review

The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 Review

Is the LifeCam the webcam to end all webcams? I went into this review wondering what Microsoft would try to do to set its webcam apart from the countless others on the market.

Oregon Scientific Grill-Right Review: Grilling Perfection

Oregon Scientific Grill-Right Review: Grilling Perfection

Every summer, outdoor chefs in neighborhoods are firing up their charcoal, propane, or natural gas outdoor grill. Roll down the car window on any weekend evening in towns across America and most likely the smell of hamburgers, steaks or BBQ ribs will arouse the saliva glands. Whether you are having a neighborhood get-together, summer party or cooking outdoors to avoid heating up the kitchen, undercooked or overcooked food is always a grill master’s challenge. If you cut the meat, the flavor of the juices run out; raising the lid on the grill loses the temperature, and worse, serving undercooked meat…

The Naneu Pro Adventure K3L Camera and Gear Bag Review

The Naneu Pro Adventure K3L Camera and Gear Bag Review

I don’t travel as much as I used to for work. But I still remember traveling enough to know what a pain it has become. With extra security measures and fees, flying hardly seems worth it anymore. Now, when I used to travel a lot, I would frequently have a backpack with all of my necessities and gadgets, and also a separate camera bag with my photography and video gear. This worked fine at the time, but anymore it would create several problems. First, I have considerably more photography gear now than I used to (not to mention nicer and…

The Experience - Online Dating

The Experience – Online Dating

You’re cinematic razor sharp, A welcome arrow through the heart, Under your skin feels like home, Electric shocks on aching bones, Give me a chance to hold on, Give me a chance to hold on, Give me a chance to hold on, Just give me something to hold on, to… – “You’re All I Have”, by Snow Patrol I told you all about my experiences with eHarmony and Yahoo in the last installment, and now it’s time to share some pearls of wisdom and experiences from some of Gear Diary’s brave readers regarding their own online dating processes. These are folks…

Zibra cuts the Wrap Rage and helps you Open It!

Zibra cuts the Wrap Rage and helps you Open It!

Seems like these days every little item you purchase in the store is wrapped in one of those “adult-proof” blister packs. You know the ones, heavy gauge plastic with laser-sealed edges that even the craftiest shoplifters – and consumers – cannot open.

Getting Integrated: Fujitsu's P8010 with 3G

Getting Integrated: Fujitsu’s P8010 with 3G

I am a huge fan of mobile broadband. Since getting on the bandwagon last year, I can’t imagine not having my datacard with me to get online for work, uni or general surfing when out. I started out using my phone tethered via either Bluetooth or USB, which worked ok but wasn’t overly fast, was slightly unreliable and when using Bluetooth resulted in a dead battery after about 90mins. More recently I switched to using a Novatel Merlin XU870 HSDPA datacard which is fabulous. Uber fast connections at the coffee shop, on the train, or (when the cable is out)…

Review: Verizon Wireless Palm Centro

Review: Verizon Wireless Palm Centro

Whether you believe it or not; I, the super duper Linux geek, have never used a smartphone…until now. Yes, during the writing of this review was the first time I have everbeen able to use a smartphone for an extended period of time. Yes, the Centro was covered by Gear Diary when Sprint brought it out and when AT&T brought it out, but here’s my take on the Centro, written as a first time smartphone user.

HTC Diamond Review Part 3 - The Verdict Is In

HTC Diamond Review Part 3 – The Verdict Is In

The Diamond has been with me now for about two weeks and I have reached a verdict: Fail. I had very high hopes for the Diamond; I wanted it to wipe the smile off Apple’s face, and be a proper competitor to the unstoppable iPhone. But alas it isn’t. It has too many flaws to be a competitor, and to be honest it has too many flaws full stop. Performance for me is the big one. As I said in my Part 2 instalment, the Diamond is sluggish and unresponsive doing pretty much anything, be it using TouchFLO 3D or…

Deskinacar and Accessories Review

Deskinacar and Accessories Review

Lee from Deskinacar.com had gone through a lot to get his products to me for review. Anyone setting up an e-commerce site knows the headaches involved, but Lee also had to deal with Mother Nature’s wrath: Lee’s fulfillment center was struck by a tornado, its roof was torn off, and Lee lost a third of his inventory. Sometimes it makes you want to give up if you’re the one suffering from this type of adversity; thankfully, Lee hung in there and I can bring this review of Deskinacar to you. Lee actually sent me much more than the desk in…

Designer Sleeves Review

Designer Sleeves Review

How often have you taken your laptop to work, but then had to go to a meeting where you wanted to bring your laptop but not its full-size bag? Sleeve cases are a awesome item that allow you to keep your laptop protected, but let you leave the bulk at your desk. I was sent a new Designer Sleeve in the Cars pattern to check out… As you can see, it’s very brightly colored. The sleeve is made of neoprene like material; it is a bit squishy and provides some protection, but I still wouldn’t want to drop my laptop…

The Amazon Kindle Review

eBooks, Reviews

The Amazon Kindle Review

I love reading; always have. I remember the joy of checking out books from the library when I was a child: the thrill of finding a book that could transport me to other worlds and situations…and the sorrow when the time eventually came to return “my” book. It was as if I had separation anxiety when it was time to return a title I had really enjoyed. What if I wanted to read it again later? What if I couldn’t remember the title or author? I decided early on that book ownership was key. With that goal in mind, I…

Review: mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower

Review: mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower

When I was a young child my family living room was dominated by a large piece of wooden furniture at least 3 1/2 feet high and 6-9 feet long. Inside was the “Hi-Fi” as my parents’ referred to it. It consisted of three sections. The first section contained the turntable, the second the amplifier (It used VACUUM TUBES!!) and the third a large speaker and storage for some of the many albums my parents owned. Unfortunately, only two of those albums, Meet The Beatles and Simon and Garfukle’s Greatest Hits, held any interest for me. It was big, bulky and…

Review: Proporta Gadget Bag - Asus Eee PC

Review: Proporta Gadget Bag – Asus Eee PC

When Asus brought out the Eee PC, they did think to include a case. The neoprene case holds just the Eee PC itself, but if you need to carry the Eee PC and a few things, you’ll need something else. Enter the Proporta Gadget Bag. As you can see, it’s barely as wide as the Eee PC itself. This case is the most ideal carrying solution that I have found for the Eee PC 701. It is lightweight, very durable, and each compartment is padded so you won’t have to worry about bumps damaging your Eee or anything else.

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