Apple iPhone Gear

POP – The Intersection of Charging and Design, Kickstart This!

Project Title: POP – The Intersection of Charging and Design Status: Raised $5261 of $50,000 goal Closing Date for Funding: September 1, 2012 URL of the Project: Find it here. From the Creatives: The batteries in our mobile devices have not been able to keep up with the increased usage. As a result, we often find ourselves looking for places to charge. But many times, convenience and charging do not go hand in hand. At the Edison Junior Design Laboratory, we developed the perfect solution to this problem. POP, aka “Portable Power”, is a rechargeable portable battery with retractable cord…


TopKase Introduces Aegis Aluminum iPhone 4/S Case

I’ve seen a lot of clever iPhone cases in  my day, but TopKase’s Aegis Aluminum iPhone Case strikes me as one of the more interesting and potentially rugged case line developments of late, turning a bare iPhone 4/S into an armored tool, and adding a bit of techno-cool to your cellular repertoire. Let’s face it, how accessories look for Apple products is almost as important as how they work, right? This case offers both style and substance. The case is constructed from an inner metallic plated sub frame with a tough outer anodized aluminum cover. This together with its 8…


Gear-vs-Gear, the Phiaton PS 20 BT vs the Jabra Clipper, Bluetooth Headset Head-to-Head

It is time for another Gear Diary “Gear vs Gear”. Today’s competitors are the Phiaton PS 20 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headset and the Jabra Clipper Bluetooth Stereo Headset. Both let you cut the cord. Both let you listen to music and make/take calls. Both let you clip the battery, microphone and controls to your shirt so you don’t have a heavy portion hanging off your ears. And both… quite honestly, are good options. Yes, in this head-to-head both decisions are good but, in the end, you’ll want to purchase just one so the question remains… which one? Here’s our video look…


Satechi BT MediaRemote Review

Let’s begin this review with a summary of it: Do you need this Bluetooth accessory? NO! Do you want this Bluetooth accessory? MAYBE! Do I recommend you purchase this Bluetooth accessory? ABSOLUTELY! When I first saw the Satechi Bluetooth MediaRemote I really didn’t understand why I would want to having something like this. After using it for a time however I really find it to be one of the more useful accessories I have purchased in a quite some time. Yes, this was no review sample. This is something I purchased on a whim and am glad I did. As…


iLuv FitActive Sports Headphones

If you read the site you might recall that I’m married to a woman who doesn’t like headphones and earbuds. Yes, Elana finds earbuds to be quite uncomfortable and, if used for too long, downright painful. There is one exception – well until now just one exception – that is YurBuds. I learned about YurBuds at CES 2011 and while the headphones look kind of funny they are incredibly comfortable – even for Elana. In fact, she tried them on when I got home and then just kept using them. You see, not only are they comfortable but they stay…


WINGStand for Apple iPad and Bluetooth Keyboard Review

I have tried, reviewed, and stopped using so many keyboards and keyboard cases designed to work with the iPad that, quite frankly, I’ve lost count. Each time however I have returned to using the on-screen keyboard or dictating- as I am right now. It’s not that the different keyboards didn’t work – quite the contrary – in fact, some of them were rather good. It is simply the fact that I’ve been spoiled and none of those keyboards were as good as the keyboard on my MacBook Pro or iMac. In other words, in my experience even the best external iPad…


SMS Audio Street by 50 Wired Headphones review

Last week we posted a review of the a-JAYs ONE+ headphones. (Read it.) They sport a flat, tangle free cable, a selection of different ear cups, an in-line microphone and audio controller and, the most unusual package I have seen in a pair of headphones. At under $70 they were definitely a step up from something like Apple’s standard earbuds but they were far from my favorites as they included as many negatives as they did positives. One of those issues was the complete lack of a carrying case. That, however, was nothing compared to the static introduced when the…


G-Form X-Protect Case For iPhone Review

iPhone protection has become such a priority for many owners. It seems like every friend who tells me they are finally getting the iPhone always asks, “what case should I get” in their next breath. Protecting an expensive device that is with you virtually every waking moment is important not only because of the price, but also for fear of begin without the phone. There are many options on the market with varying levels of protection and style. I like a case that brings style along with protection, but without making the phone the size of a shoe box. The…


Braven 600 Takes on the JawBone JamBox, and…

Back in December we did a post and video comparing the Spar Zephyr 300 and the JawBone JamBox. (Read the post.) The Spar speaker promised excellent audio and the ability to double as an external charger. Unfortunately it didn’t deliver on the audio front. I returned it and let the company know why. They were gracious about it, refunded my purchase immediately and then shared their own disappointment with how the speaker turned out. I went bcd to using my JamBox. They stopped shipping. Fast forward and a few weeks ago Spar rebranded as BRAVEN and released not one but…


Sneaker iPhone Case Review

There are so many options when it comes to phone cases. A quick google search for iPhone 4 case will bring literally thousands of links to styles and colors of cases. With everyone walking around with the same phones, the case is what separates people and shows their style and individuality. With that said, there is a fine line between cases that are all style and cases that are all protection. I think it is important to bring the two together and get some style while effectively protecting the phone. Musubo has designed many cases that fit these requirements, and…


a-JAYS ONE+ Headphones Review

In recent years we have seen an increasing number of headphones that use tangle-free, flat cords. They really do help you avoid having to deal with the tangled mess that is wired headphones. Plus, they look and feel neat. That’s why I was excited to review the a-JAYS One+ headset when it was offered to me. After all, not everyone can afford $150 for in-ear headphones, and that’s what I’ve been reviewing lately. At $59.99, the a-JAYS ONE+ look like a bargain. I was even more excited when I saw the box. It is unusually done in oval-shaped plastic., and…


BRAVEN Ships Their SIX Series, Speakers That Offer Big Sound and Power on the Go

Some number of months ago I ordered a really neat speaker from a company called SPAR. The speaker reminded me of the Jawbone JamBox. It was small, got loud and could function as a speakerphone as well as an audio device. I was impressed with the small device but there was one problem. The sound wasn’t very good. In fact, it was bad. I emailed the company and had one of the most pleasant experiences I have ever had when returning a product. They took it back, did so promptly and subsequently told me they too were not so happy…


iLuv Premium Audio Cables Review

You know you have hit true geekdom when you get excited over cables. Yes, I hit a new “tech low” (or is it “high”) when I heard about iLuv’s new line of premium audio and charge/sync data cables and I actually got excited about them. (It is like Elana getting excited when she received her first piece of Le Creuset cookware. I just could not understand it.) And while I have to call the company out for Press Release hyperbole such as “iLuv’s audio and data cables revolutionize the market in quality and design” (“revolutionize the market”?? seriously?), now that…


Bracketron iRoom iDock Keycard, the First Motorized, In-Wall iPad Mount for Residential and Commercial Spaces

This is a pretty cool way to bring the iPad into public spaces and add tremendous functionality to it. The iRoom iDock is the world’s first powered, motorized in-wall iPad mounting solution. Intended for commercial and residential use, the $1499 accessory (yes, the accessory is more than the device it accessorizes) looks to offer a great deal. A 2012 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award winner, this in-wall iPad solution is ideal for docking and control in private homes, hotels, yachts, restaurants, hospitals, boardrooms, retailers and more. As Christian Johnson, Vice President of Marketing at Bracketron observed, We have developed…


iLID MK-1 iPhone case/Stand/Wallet Combination Video Look

The iLID began life as a Kickstarter Project. (Here’s the page.) I got in on it later, so I ordered one retail (I ended up with two, so be on the lookout for a giveaway). Here’s what the website has to say about it. The World’s Thinnest iPhone Wallet! The iLID iPhone 4 Wallet Case is the thinnest Wallet iPhone (Patent Pending) in the world. Its ultra-thin 17mm profile means you’ll never be weighed down by an iPhone Wallet again. MSRP: $39.95 What I Like: Light; Not as thick as I expected; Let’s you go out with just your phone; The…


Join the Conversation During and After Apple’s WWDC Tomorrow

Apple’s WWDC 2012 kicks off tomorrow, and the keynote begins at 1pm EST. While we wish we were there, we’re going to do the next best thing —  follow a number of the feeds simultaneously, and offer you the highlights on the day’s doings with a touch of colorful commentary and a full team conversation in the comments section. Of course, the rumors are flying but, as always, until the news is actually announced, it is nothing but rumor. One rumor that does seem likely to come true is that iOS 6 won’t support the original iPad. The rumor certainly…


Satechi Audio Cube Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

I love my iOS devices and use them constantly– but I have one problem. The speakers on the devices are terrible and I love to listen to podcasts, especially when writing for Gear Diary. Headphones or speakers are nearly a must, even in a quiet room. Maybe it is too much blasting of speaker systems in high school, too many car races or too many guns, but, for me, ambient noise washes out a voice on a podcast. Given the choice, I would always prefer to go wireless. (And once you have used a wireless speaker for a time wired…


Ballistics Life Style Case for iPhone 4/4S Review

The iPhone is an elegant device. So much has gone into the design, yet we all seem to cover them with cases. Most cases are used for protection, but there are also people who use them for style. I do prefer to protect my device, but if it is to be covered, I prefer protection also. Large, bulky cases protect the phone well, but I find them to be extremely ugly and hate the bulk. Most options available that keep bulk down provide a limited amount of protection. I recently had the chance to try to try out the Life…


Case-Mate RPET 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC CASE for iPhone 4 / 4S

We recently brought word that Case-Mate was releasing a new line of cases for the iPhone 4S that are made completely from recycled plastic. What is key here is the fact that they don’t just use SOME recycled plastic but the cases are made from 100% recycled materials. That’s a good thing. Let’s take a look at the review sample they sent over. From Case-Mate: One bottle, one case. Do your part with the eco-friendly rPET Barely There case. Molded from 100% recycled material, the translucent, glossy finish showcases more of your iPhone. Its ultra-lightweight, minimalist design delivers a stylish…


DRACOdesign CLEAVE CRYSTAL Bumper for iPhone 4/4S review

So you love the look of those fancy aluminum-frame designed iPhone cases but don’t love the added weight or the impact they can have on the iPhone’s signal strength. Well good news… DRACOdesign’s CLEAVE CRYSTAL Bumper for iPhone 4/4S offers the same great style in a plastic case that is light and has zero (ZERO!) impact on your phone’s signal. Let’s take a look. From DRACOdesign: This crystal edition iphone4/4S bumper, CLEAVE, is an extension of DRACO IV. By using polycarbonate as base material, the bumper is hard on the surface to prevent from scratch with elasticity around the frame…


Sena Lugano Snap-On Case for Apple iPhone 4S/4 Review

Sena makes great cases. We love them. Their leather is gorgeous and the build-quality is always terrific. What is also great about them is that they are continually coming out with new designs and trying to rethink how they approach something as simple as an iPhone case. Case in point (sorry, bad pun), the Sena Lugano Snap-On Case for Apple iPhone 4S/4. It is a simple, low-profile case, a design that is quite familiar, but because this is from Sena it has the added luxury of… leather. Let’s take a look. From Sena: Lugano is the SENA’s Snap-On Case for…