Apple iPhone Gear

Just Mobile AluCube Mini Joins the Tangled Cable War

Just Mobile makes some great accessories that always combine style and function. They have just rolled out their latest offering and it brings simplicity of style to the fight against tangled, loose and lost cables. At first pass the Just Mobile AluCube Mini is an accessory in search of a purpose. The more I thought about it, however, the more I thought this might be a useful accessory. Then I sat down at the kitchen island, saw the jumble of iPhone, iPad and MacBook air cables and realized that this is a great little accessory. Here’s what they have to…


Sculpteo 3D Printing Engine iPhone Case review

Shark Tank is my new favorite show. It continues to entertain and surprise me and last week was particularly interesting because, this time, everyone who came on the show actually seemed to WANT a deal. (Shocking but true… some don’t really seem that interested.) One “contestant” who stepped into the tank but didn’t get a deal was a young entrepreneur who is building his business of unique, customizable clothing. I have to admit I am a big fan of items you can design and personalize so I was sad to see him not get a deal. That’s why I love the…


Native Union’s Curve Twin Handset Perfect for Multi-Device Professionals

We’ve previously reviewed a number of products from Native Union, and we have been impressed by the design and utility of them. That’s why Judie and I made sure to set aside time to visit the Native Union booth at CES. We are glad we did, because a couple of the items that were in the pipeline for 2012 really impressed us. One of them, the $59.99 Curve Twin, is finally available and for those of us who use multiple mobile devices; it promises to be a great accessory. As the Press Release notes, Universally appealing to anyone who uses…


Feeling Blue? Element Case’s Vapor COMP Epiphany is for You

It is no secret we are huge fans of Element Case’s products. From their Joule iPad stand, to the Vapor Pro iPhone stand, to the upcoming Vapor Dock, the company’s products all have style and refinement that enhances the experience of using your iPhone or iPad. The Vapor COMP Epiphany iPhone Case is no exception, and a limited number are now available. The Vapor COMP Epiphany features styling of a timeless classic with a durable powder coated frame in Epiphany Blue and a crystal clear polycarbonate cap that has been back painted with white acrylic urethane paint. You have your…


Bodyguardz mykase Turns my iPhone into a Gear Diary Phone

Back in January we posted a look at Bodyguardz new mykase for iPhone 4S. The case allows you to protect your iPhone while changing the look to fit your mood thanks to an innovative swappable back plate. Here’s the video look at it in action. Well the mykase is even more customizable than that. You see, the company now allows you to purchase one-of-a-kind custom back plates that you can make yourself right on their website. The customization engine is easy to use and walks you through the process step by step. You can upload a favorite image, adjust it to…


Phiaton PS 20 BT Stereo BT Headset Bring Advanced Technology

Phiaton’s PS 20 BT Stereo Headset may look like any other pair of Bluetooth headphones but they pack in a huge amount of new technology that makes them stand out fro the crowd. The PS 20 BTs have Bluetooth 3.0 capability and use the 2.4GHz frequency for things such as pairing and taking phone calls but for activities that use heavier data they switch to Wi-Fi (802.11). That, for example, allows “more information to be sent to your listening device, providing drastically improved sound quality”.



Kanex AirBlue Portable Bluetooth Music Receiver Review

Update: This contest is now closed, and the winner has been announced on Facebook. Thank you for playing, and keep an eye out for more Gear Diary giveaways! =) Whether it is via AirPlay or through my Sonos system, I’m into wireless music these days. I love not having to physically dock a device in order to get the music flowing. More than that, I love being able to keep my device with me and then, regardless of where I am in the house, change the track or the volume. The problem is that the least expensive Sonos speaker component…


The CalypsoPad Cradles Your iPhone in Buttery Leather

If you hate putting your iPad in a case, but seeing it lay on a table completely naked (and vulnerable!) while charging makes you feel skeevy, then have I got a solution for you! Say hello to the gorgeous new CalypsoPad, a handmade iPhone desk accessory. Made of the finest premium Italian leather, the CalypsoPad manages to combine form and function; I like that there is a molded area to hold the iPhone, and the magnetic latch on the cable means it will be simple to remove the phone with cable when needed. Available in “Owami Peak” (beige) and “Karoo Slopes” (black with…


Slim One Keyboard for iPhone and Mac Review

One of my students asked to interview me the other day. He’s writing a school paper on why Apple is so successful, and his mother suggested that with my “Apple obsession” I might be a good person with whom to speak. She’s actually right, since I am, in many ways, the poster child for what Apple has done during the past few years. You see, I never thought I would use a Mac. In fact, when I met Elana she was in art school and was using a Mac. It was only when her computer died that I convinced her…


DBEST London Duo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker Set Review

The other day we looked at one of two DBest speaker sets I have been using for the past week and a half. Here’s what DBest has to say about their products: The most important thing in music are not the lyrics, but the way of receiving. The way music is transferred determines how much we like our music. To be short: the better the quality of our speakers, the better we can enjoy music! DBest speakers provide premium sound quality that is considered the finest in the world. This way they can give you maximum pleasure listening to your…


LifeProof Belt Clip, Bike and Bar Mount, and GoPro Mount for iPhone 4S Video Review

; We reviewed the LifeProof case for the iPhone 4 and 4S a short while ago. (You can read the full review here.) The LifeProof case is intended for people who lead a busy, often rugged, life. After all, it is water, crush, dust and… life proof. (It is, however, thin and light enough for any and everyone to use.) Since it is perfect for a variety of activities it only makes sense that the company would offer a number of different cradles for keeping the case… and your iPhone… safe and secure. Here’s a video look at three of…


DBest Solo Bluetooth Mini Speaker Review

Since getting my JawBone JamBox some months ago I’ve had a “thing” for small Bluetooth speakers. Most recently I’ve been using two offerings from DBest. Here’s what DBest has to say about their products: The most important thing in music are not the lyrics, but the way of recieving. The way music is transferred determines how much we like our music. To be short: the better the quality of our speakers, the better we can enjoy music! DBest speakers provide premium sound quality that is considered the finest in the world. This way they can give you maximum pleasure listening…



Metalix Snap-On Cover for iPhone 4S

Qmadix was kind enough to send three of their new iPhone cases for review. I thought we might take a quick look at each one. Here in Part 2 we’ll look at the Metalix Snap-On Cover for iPhone 4S. If you like the look of a metal case but also like the grip offered by a textured rubber case this just might be the iPhone protection for you.


Vibe Flex-Gel Cover for iPhone 4S Qmadix iPhone Case Roundup

Qmadix was kind enough to send three of their new iPhone cases for review. I thought we might take a quick look at each one. In Part 1 we’ll look at the Vibe Flex-Gel Cover for Apple iPhone 4S. If you like a soft colorful case and enjoy seeing the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone this just might be the case for you.


Qmadix Bezel for Apple iPhone 4S

Updated DISCLAIMER: Before we even begin this review let me offer the bottom line on this case. It killed my reception and I found the same thing occurring when I tried it with other people’s iPhones. It is for that reason that we cannot recommend this case.   Qmadix was kind enough to send three of their new iPhone cases for review and we are taking a quick look at each. Here in Part 3 we’ll look at the Bezel for Apple iPhone 4/4S. If you like the look of a metal frame-style case and are looking for an unusual design…


iFrogz Boost Near Field Audio Amplifying Speaker, One of Dan’s CES Faves, Is Available Now!

When we were at CES, Dan couldn’t wait to show me the pre-release iFrogz Boost Near Field Audio Amplifying Speaker that he had scored, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. This little box didn’t need to connect to a mobile phone to produce a much bigger sound; you could simply place any phone on the box, and it would pump up the volume so that it could actually be enjoyed! See what I mean in this video Dan shot … The iFrogz Boost speaker allows users to amplify their device’s sound by simply placing their smartphone, or other…


Plantronics Marque M155 Bluetooth Headset Review

It is not uncommon for us to have an item or two as part of a giveaway but to have four of the same item ready to send to four lucky Gear Diary readers… that IS unusual. The giveaway item is, as Judie posted the other day, the Plantronics Marque M155 Bluetooth headset. Yes, we have two of the M155s in white and two in black to give away and the contest doesn’t end until Sunday. At an MSRP of $59.99 (you can get it for less if you price check on the internet) it is one of the less…


A Quick Look at the Bones Link II iPhone Adapter

Sometimes it is the little things that make all the difference. That’s the case with the Bones Link II. Let me back up a bit. The other day I ordered a 16GB RAM upgrade from Crucial for my new iMac. At under $100 it was a great deal. When I went to check out I was offered the opportunity to buy the Bones Link II iPod/iPhone adapter at half price since I had purchased RAM. Normally it is $11.99 so at half that I figured why not and ordered one. The adapter  is described this way … Here’s a great way to…


The Incipio Stowaway for iPhone 4 and 4S Review

While questions remain about the security of Google Wallet (can you say “hackable??” I knew you could!!), the search for the perfect “iPhone case as wallet” continues. We’ve looked at a number of them and all had their positive attributes. Sadly, all were also hampered by some significant flaws. Has the Incipio Stowaway made the right design decisions? Is this the perfect everyday iPhone case as wallet? Let’s take a closer look.