Apple iPhone

App Update: Amplitube 2 For iPhone

Reviews

App Update: Amplitube 2 For iPhone

I recently reviewed the Amplitube application along with the iRig hardware.  Check out the full review here.  The Amplitube app is a robust guitar effects studio used on IOS devices.  Version 2 has just been released and adds some exciting functionality to an already great app.  The ability to use my iPhone or iPad while playing the guitar has been a wonderful experience.  I can play privately in my home without annoying my family with the loud music and am totally mobile.  If I wanted to play silently in the past, I had to connect headphones to my amplifier which…

Fusionwerkz RAW iPhone 4 Case Review

Reviews

Fusionwerkz RAW iPhone 4 Case Review

When Fusionwerkz reached out to us at Gear Diary to see if we’d be interested in reviewing their RAW case for the iPhone 4 I was admittedly a little hesitant. After our experience with the Element Vapor Case I was worried about how the RAW, which is also an all aluminum case, would affect the iPhone 4’s reception. The case arrived a few days ago and I’ve been using it ever since. The RAW is made completely in the USA and crafted from 6061 T4 aluminum. That’s “Greek” to me but I do know this – it’s super light weight…

Flight Control for iPhone/Touch Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Flight Control for iPhone/Touch Review

The addition of GameCenter on my iPhone has definitely sold me on several games.  Casual and puzzle games seem to be much more enjoyable when I get to compare my friend’s scores and talk a little trash (or hear some).  It seems like the most enjoyable of these games are puzzle style games that can be open ended.  The latest games my friends and I have been locking horns with is Flight Control.  The game is super addictive and will become surprisingly competitive. Flight Control is a line drawing game that is simple to play, but will prove to be…

Case-Mate Fuel Lite & Max Review: Packing Serious Power for the Power User

Reviews

Case-Mate Fuel Lite & Max Review: Packing Serious Power for the Power User

I think those of us Gear Diary writers who own the iPhone 4 have been pretty impressed with its battery life. Unlike the iPhone 3G or 3Gs, on most days we’re able to make it through an entire day without a recharge. However, on days when we’re out and about for extended periods of time or just really relying on our phones recharging sometime during the day becomes a necessity. And for us specifically CES is fast approaching and that’s one week where an extra battery, or two, or three, for your phone becomes a must have. Case-Mate recently released…

iPhone 4 Jazzin' Up Photography

How to Do It Yourself!, Reviews

iPhone 4 Jazzin’ Up Photography

All images by author I finally upgraded to the iPhone 4 from Apple and my “hand-me-down” 3GS went to my new bride Tish. When Apple first began to release details of its latest phone I was eager to test the higher resolution 5 megapixel camera (versus 3ish of the previous phone). And with the last iOS update this new device now has the capability of HDR or High Dynamic Range photography. What a pleasant surprise. What is HDR? An easy explanation would be to think of it as “high-def” photography as the range of colors and tones displayed is greater….

Apolis Global Citizen Transit Issue Smartphone Wallet iPhone 4 Case Review

Reviews

Apolis Global Citizen Transit Issue Smartphone Wallet iPhone 4 Case Review

Companies like Apolis don’t come around very often.  After I had agreed to review their latest offering, a wallet style case for the iPhone 4, I went to read up and learn more about the brand.  What I read really made me stand up and take notice.  Work conditions at the Chinese factory that produces the iPhone have been all over the news of late and details on the numerous suicides by the Chinese workers are shocking.  We’ve all read the stories about the less than stellar work conditions in factories that product sneakers and other brand named clothing too….

Review: Duracell myGrid Charging Pad

Reviews

Review: Duracell myGrid Charging Pad

Our world seems to become continually more mobile.  With all of these mobile gadgets comes a need to charge and charge often.  Unfortunately, devices have not adopted a standard for charger connectors so that leaves many of us with a ton of plugs throughout the house.  We have a vase on the kitchen counter near a set of wall plugs that holds all of the various charging cords while keeping them hidden.  Basically, I throw the rats next of wires in the vase so my wife does not kill me due to the mess.  Duracell has released an interesting product…

Halloween Edition, GhostCamPro for iPhone Review

Reviews

Halloween Edition, GhostCamPro for iPhone Review

We are all feeling the financial pinch!    Blue Plate Special is a weekly review of bargain apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Nothing over $.99. With Halloween quickly approaching, I decided it would be appropriate to find a spooky app for this week’s Blue Plate.  There are many applications with a Halloween theme, but some of my favorites utilize the camera.  We have had loads of fun with Haunted Face which Dan showed here last week so I was looking to add to my camera arsenal.  GhostCamPro will make any picture into a creepy experience by adding a ghostly…

ADT PULSE Interactive Security System Review

Reviews

ADT PULSE Interactive Security System Review

When the new ADT PULSE system became available in my area I immediate jumped at the chance to have it installed in my home.  PULSE not only allows for the ability to arm and disarm one’s home security system from anywhere in the world, it does much more.  The new ADT PULSE system is all about home automation.  It includes lighting, temperature control, video, and more. As a kid this sort of thing seemed like something that would exist in the far, far future, maybe not even in my lifetime.  But it turns out that future isn’t far off at…

OtterBox Impact Series iPhone 4 Case Review

Reviews

OtterBox Impact Series iPhone 4 Case Review

No matter what level of protection you need for your iPhone 4 OtterBox has you covered. The company realizes that all iPhone users are different and use their phones in different environments. It’s because of this that they offer three different levels of protective cases for the iPhone 4. Their Defender series offers the maximum amount, followed by the Commuter which offers a mid-range level of protection followed by the case we’ll look at today, the Impact series. The Impact series case is a slim fitting, silicone based case that is meant to protect your device from life’s bumps, scratches…

Rocketeer for iPhone/Touch Review

Reviews

Rocketeer for iPhone/Touch Review

The last two weeks, I reviewed apps that were kind of off beat and different from the usual Blue Plate Special choices.  As I searched and scraped apps this week, I ended up returning to a familiar genre.  I have the biggest game of our season to date so things are a little stressed.  Getting a minute to escape is important to keep my insanity, so I was continually drawn to finding more games.  I stumbled across an interesting game that is currently on sale for free!  I recommend picking it up quickly if you plan on trying it out. …

Blue Plate Special Silly Edition: Flip/Bubble Text for iPhone and iPad.

Reviews

Blue Plate Special Silly Edition: Flip/Bubble Text for iPhone and iPad.

We all use our iPhones and iPads for many daily tasks.  Besides gaming, most of these tasks have become quite practical and serious.  Sometimes it is fun to just be silly for no good reason with your i device so this week I am bringing you the Silly Edition of the Blue Plate.  This app really has no great value other than it is just kind of fun.  If you ever get bored with the default text the iPhone allows then it is time to try Flip/Bubble Text for iPhone and iPad.  Basically, the app allows users to type anything…

A Smartphone User's Worst Nightmare...

News & Features

A Smartphone User’s Worst Nightmare…

(image courtesy Foxnomad) Warning: The image in this post may be very disturbing for iPhone owners everywhere. It’s a nightmare for any smartphone user, really. The devices are so powerful, yet so, so fragile… This is my coworker’s iPhone. I don’t know all the details, except that he dropped it while it was out of its bumper case. While neither of us are physicists, we theorized that had it had the bumper on it, the damage might have been less severe (or nonexistent). Luckily for him, the camera still works so he won’t need to run out and replace the…

Default Case: A "Case" Of Good Customer Service

Editorials

Default Case: A “Case” Of Good Customer Service

A few of the iPhone case manufacturers could learn a thing or two from Default Case. Just a few days ago I told you about Default Case. The new iPhone case company has decided rather than spend a ton of money on advertising they’d instead offer up their entire line of cases for both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G/3Gs for only a penny (plus a small shipping fee.) I went ahead and ordered one. I mean at only a penny why not? My case arrived today and I couldn’t help but notice the similarity between it and a case…

Man Uses iPhone To Stop Thieves From Miles Away

Editorials

Man Uses iPhone To Stop Thieves From Miles Away

Image courtesy of ABC News. The other day Gizmodo posted a story about how via an iPhone Photobomb, a user was able to track down a purse nabbing thief.  ‘m not sure if the story below trumps that one but it’s cool nonetheless. Check out the video below! Vince Hunter, a Dallas resident, was on vacation hundreds of miles away in Connecticut.  Vince had recently installed web cams throughout his home and using an iPhone application he was alerted via a text message that motion had been detected inside his house.  He logged into the iPhone app and discovered that…

Review: BodyGuardz Premium Scratch-Proof Transparent Film For iPhone 4

Reviews

Review: BodyGuardz Premium Scratch-Proof Transparent Film For iPhone 4

You placed an order and patiently waited.  Now that iPhone 4 is in your hands, you are scared to actually use it and risk scratching the beautiful screen or the cool new glass back.  Adding a case will help, but it will also cover up some of that gorgeous Apple design and make the device larger than intended.  Even with the case, the precious screen is still vulnerable.  Luckily, BodyGuardz have a scratch-proof film to protect virtually any device.  So what is BodyGuardz? BodyGuardz are transparent skins custom designed to perfectly fit many devices.  The material is used on automobiles…

Apple's Upcoming iTV "Changes Everything"? I Think Not

Editorials

Apple’s Upcoming iTV “Changes Everything”? I Think Not

I love Apple’s products. I really do. And as more and more of my family and friends are making the move to Apple’s offerings they too are realizing how great they are. I was chatting with a good friend last night. He and his wife both swapped their Windows boxes for MacBook Pros in the last month. I asked if they could see going back to Windows and both immediately offered a “NO!” loud enough to wake their four kids. Apple’s products are great! They are a pleasure to look at. They are a pleasure to use. BUT PLEASE, enough…

A Tale Of Two Customer Service Experiences Done Right

Editorials

A Tale Of Two Customer Service Experiences Done Right

In a world that often seems filled with poor customer service, companies that just don’t seem to care and story upon story of people being mistreated during shopping I wanted to share two positive experiences I had. Last week one of the premier iPhone accessory manufacturers, Incase, announced the immediately availability of their first two cases for the iPhone 4. Incase is regarded as one of the best when it comes to iPhone cases and I was definitely looking forward to the release. I jumped on over to the Incase website and begun the process of placing an order for…

X Games 16 Mobile App for iPhone/Touch Review

Reviews

X Games 16 Mobile App for iPhone/Touch Review

It is no secret that I am a sports nut.  It is how I make a living and sports have been a daily part of my life for many years.  Most of these sports are the usual, football, basketball, baseball/softball.  I played these sports, I coach these sports and I am a fan of these sports.  One thing people do not know about me is that I was a skater in the mid to late 80s.  My buddy had a 12 foot half-pipe and we skated everyday.  In fact, I made the varsity baseball team as a freshman and my…