Events

Innovative Live Advertising from Lenovo

Well this is a bit different… I have seen other forms of live advertising in the past, but Lenovo just took it to a new level. We have all heard of blazing fast computers and internet speeds, but what about typing on top of a car?


iBike POWERHOUSE Brings a Complete Fitness System to the iPod Touch and iPhone

I don’t know about you, but for me, trying to get into and keep on a fitness plan is difficult. Unless you have motivation, it can be difficult to keep with it. Personally, one way I have found that works to keep motivated is to have a training partner, or use statistics to track my progress. Well, the iBike POWERHOUSE does both! The iBike POWERHOUSE is a fitness tool which combines an iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S or an iPod Touch with a hardware device which: A weather-proof / shock resistant patented smart case and sensors The iBike POWERHOUSE app Goal-specific plans developed…


YurBuds Ironman Pro Earbuds Stay In… Even If You Do Backflips!

  Here at CES last year I was introduced to a new earbud company. YurBuds was offering their Inspire earbuds. The bright red earpieces stood out and promised a degree of comfort and “stay-putt-edness” that is in great demand among people who  listen to music while doing a strenuous activity. I was skeptical but ended up impressed by their sound. Elana, who hates in-ear headphones, tried them on and within minutes co-opted the pair the company had given me for review. (The company kindly replaced mine.) A year later Elana’s YurBuds are going strong and she continues to evangelize for them…


Here’s an Original Use for the BenQ GP2

While visiting with Texas Instruments DLP PICO, we discovered that they had a familiar product — the BenQ GP2 — set up to do something we thought was pretty mind-blowing … So you set an iPhone in the BenQ’s cradle, and then you can use another iPhone or an iPod touch (connected by WiFi) as a gaming remote control, with the action being displayed on the wall for everyone to see. That’s a pretty cool and offbeat use for what might otherwise seem like a very straightforward piece of equipment. What do you think? =) BenQ GP2


Embarrasment for Intel After Faking Ultrabook Gaming Demo

We’ve seen it all at CES – vapor-products, stuff we won’t see for months (if ever), dummy products as show-pieces, and more. Now Intel – with the demo for their ‘bet the farm on it’ Ultrabooks … got caught faking a demo when the VLC control panel showed up a few times as shown above. The executive on stage tried to play it off, but the credibility of the entire show was lost. Check out the video: Since the demo – more to the point since being CAUGHT – Intel has admitted that the demo was a video done for…


DLP Pico Engine Powers a Smartphone Projector: From the CES Floor

Here’s another implementation of TI’s DLP PICO chip… This smartphone is also a projector. This “embedded Pico smartphone” is not yet on the market but it may very well be the direction the market is going. (This post and many more being brought to you from CES-stay tuned to Gear Diary for more great coverage all week!)


DLP Pico Engine Powers World’s Smallest Standalone Projector: From the CES Floor

See the device sitting in between the two iPhones? That’s actually the world’s smallest standalone projector. It is tiny but the picture is great. The product isn’t out yet but it is coming… And soon. And it is powered by Texas Industries DLP Pico chip. It is amazing! (This post and many more being brought to you from CES-stay tuned to Gear Diary for more great coverage all week!)


Velocomp Introduces iBike Powerhouse for iPhone/iPod Touch

Since I am one of Gear Diary’s cooking and kitchen gadget reviewers and also write about food for a few other publications, it’s all I can do to keep myself anywhere near fighting weight. One of my favorite exercise regimens as part of the battle of the bulge is cycling, both on the road and in the gym. So that’s why I was excited to see the latest announcement from Velocomp that they have developed an iOS-based cycling computer that interfaces with iPhones and iPods. I usually ride with my iPhone anyway, for safety on the road and for entertainment…


HP Introduces ENVY 14 Spectre With Glass Cover Design

There are some who have already declared this the ‘year of the Ultrabook’. So what is an Ultrabook? Think a Macbook Air … but by PC makers and running Windows. Basically it is a solid-performance ultraportable that eliminates internal optical disks and makes for a thin and light experience with mega-fast boot and wake times and battery life that challenges tablets. What most probably didn’t expect was that HP would walk into CES with a ‘premium Ultrabook’ with some stunning design features … and a price to go along with it! Here are some details from HP: Tough yet beautiful,…


Native Union’s Offerings Another Example of Evolutionary Product Lines (and that’s a good thing)

We’ve become a fan of Native Union products. The extend the reach of mobile devices with a special emphasis on iOs gear such as iPhones and iPads. Last month we reviewed the MMo3i and liked it. It is currently serving me well and one of the company’s   MMo3 Bluetooth handset is currently performing well in Judie’s home. Digital Experience, an annual CES Press event we had a chance to see the company’s latest offerings. There isn’t anything revolutionary here but they are next generation accessories and once you see them you will understand why we are looking forward to…


Portable Sound Labs CES Highlights

I recently reviewed the iMainGoXP by Portable Sound Labs, and found it to be an excellent solution for portable audio for my iPad and Kindle Fire. Now they are introducing a whole portable speaker line-up including some based on BlueTooth wireless communications! Here are some of what they are introducing at CES this week! PSL PipeLine: The device features a stellar base unit with two 2” subwoofers and two detachable speakers. For more sound “Drops” (separate PSL device) can be added, which can be synched to media device and carry sound throughout a home or provide killer surround sound. PSL…


Withings Introduces the World’s First Internet Connected Baby and Toddler Scale

Kev and I have a Withings WiFi connected scale and blood-pressure cuff. My favorite feature of both is that our results are automatically exported to both a password-protected personal page on the Withings site as well as an app on our iPhone or iPad. We are able to monitor our own numbers and when the mood strikes — peek at each others. Withings has just introduced a brilliant product with the same capabilities that should make every new parent happy — their Smart Baby Scale. By using the Withings Smart Baby Scale, parents can access their child’s weight readings from…


Hub Innovations Offers A New Take on Smartphone and Tablet Stands

If you are looking for a smartphone or tablet stand that isn’t a “me too” accessory Hub Innovations may have the right one for you. The comany’s PRIZM stand is a universal travel stand for smartphones, tablets, notepads, books and more. It is a sleek architectural masterpiece, made from aluminum alloys and precious metals. Comprised of two identical parts, no thicker than a pencil, this stand slides together and creates the most versatile stand on the market. Available in two sizes, this universal stand can hold anything from iPads and tablets, books and notepads to smartphones and MP3 players. This…


Telenav Launches Scout, Their Personal Navigator for the Web, Phone and Car

Telenav has just launched Scout, an iPhone app which they are calling the “first daily personal navigator that seamlessly works across the web, smartphones, and in-car systems – offering users an easy and consistent experience no matter where they are. As Telenav explains, Most people still start their searches from their home or office. In fact, according to the same Telenav survey, 75 percent of respondents prefer to use a personal computer over other options to begin their search for local businesses, and 65 percent turn to a personal computer rather than a mobile device to find navigation information. To…


Line2 Taking the iPad to New Heights

I tried Line2 when it first came out and didn’t continue after my trial period. Then Line2 came out with a fantastic iPad app and I tried it again. This time I immediately signed up for the upper lever service for a year. Ever since I have been using it to turn my iPad into a speaker phone. It works great and is one of those apps I use daily. I had a chance to stop by the Line2 table and meet one of their representatives. She asked if I wanted a trial and I explained that I was already…


Case-Mate Phantom for iPhone 4S: Just What Carly Was Looking For?

And the first bit of swag from CES 2011 goes to… Carly. Let me explain. The other day Carly was asking for recommendations for iPhone cases to protect both Sarah and her new iPhones when they go on vacation next month. Yes, our own Carly Z is all grown up and has a real smartphone now. (That was a totally gratuitous iOS-fanboy comment… I apologize but I’m on CES sleep deprivation already. That’s my explanation and I’nm sticking to it.) 🙂 Carly got a lot of excellent suggestions that included OtterBox cases (the classics when it comes to tough protection)…


Garmin’s CES News for Android Users, Golfers, Drivers and … You?

Garmin, who seem to be going like gangbusters lately (including the addition of Navigon to their lineup last year) have released a preview of what they are showing at CES this week.  In their press release they are announcing some new and update products including: – Garmin Smartphone Link is the first Android app that provides live services to a PND utilizing the smartphone’s data connection. – The new nüvi® 3500 series: Garmin’s newest flagship personal navigation devices and the company’s first GPS navigators that combine the ultra-thin form factor with a large, 5-inch glass display. – Garmin® Approach™ G6…


New Alienware Gaming Laptop Cases Unveiled by Mobile Edge

  Even if you don’t have one of those super-powerful Alienware M18x, M17x, M14x, or M11x gaming laptops, you can still carry your all of your gear in style. Mobile Edge has released two new Alienware branded bags, the Orion Messenger and the Tactical Backpack … For the M11x, there are two durable cases offered. The sleek M11x Neoprene Sleeve has easy access carrying handles and an outside zippered compartment for accessories. The semi-rigid M11x Portfolio is ideal for travel with a unique design that allows you to use the laptop while still inside the case. The all new M14x has three case options which…


First Up at CES 2012: CES Unveiled

We’ll be heading into “CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES” shortly. Unveiled is an annual tradition for us and is the first chance to see some of the new items that will be coming in 2012. As the event blurb explains, …see the new year’s products at CES Unveiled with a pre-show look at who will be making news headlines before the show officially opens. Catch all the latest products in one room. Plus, get a sneak peek at the product debuts from our Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honorees. We’ll see some old favorites like…


GearDiaryGo Tip: Don’t Travel Without TripIt

We’ve mentioned this numerous times in the past but it’s worth reiterating, TripIt is probably one of the best travel companions you can have. The service and accompanying smartphone and tablet applications make it easy to arrange your trip, track your plans, and get notified when there are changes. And if you are traveling with a group that is coming from various locations you can link one itinerary with another so you can see where they are and what their plans will be. Ever since Judie introduced me to it two years ago I’ve been a huge fan. In fact,…


SolarKindle Cover Lets You Charge Your Kindle without an Outlet!

Ordinarily, I am skeptical of “solar-powered chargers”, as they seem more gimmick than useful gear, but a solar-powered Kindle charger is a stroke of genius! Kindles don’t require charging more often than once a month or so, meaning finding sunlight to charge isn’t an inconvenience. Plus a Kindle is one of the few devices that might get used regularly on the beach, or camping, or other places where outlets aren’t available, but sunlight is free and plentiful! The specifications on the SolarKindle cover sound very impressive! From the press release: Makes Unplugged E-Reading Come True The first practical solar gadget…