Apple iPhone Gear

Destinator 9 for iPhone Review

The iTunes App Store is filled with GPS applications.  Destinator 9 from Intrinsyc is the latest addition to the category. Destinator has been running on a variety of other mobile devices and GPS units for a while now and it’s achieved a large following. The iPhone version of the application brings a rich, featured filled GPS client complete with real time traffic updates, on-board maps, voice guided directions, extended POIs and more. I recently downloaded the free trial of Destinator 9 from the App Store and took it out on the road for a drive. Here are my thoughts.


V-MODA Remix Headphones Review

Image courtesy of V-MODA There’s some old saying the goes along the lines of “you’re only as good as the people around you.”  I feel the same way towards the relationship between my iPod or my iPhone and the headphones I use with each.  I may have the largest, most comprehensive music collection on the planet loaded on each of them but unless I’ve chosen a pair of headphones that allow me to listen to the music in decent quality what good is it? I’ve carried a pair of V-MODA Vibe Duo headphones religiously for the past year or so. …



The Case-Mate Hug Wireless Charging System Review

While at CES 2010 one of the products which excited me most was the wireless charging system Case-Mate unveiled for the iPhone 3G/3Gs called The “Hug.”  We at Gear Diary are huge fans of everything Case-Mate does both from their products to their customer service.  They are one of the companies that simply get it. While there are a few companies making wireless charging systems for the iPhone the ones I’ve seen are flat out unattractive.  What impressed both Dan and me about the Hug was the fact that it not only charged the iPhone wireless but it looked super…


Clear Coat Review: the Clear Choice for Maximum Protection

There are plenty of choices when it comes to screen and body protection for your electronic devices and I think I’ve tried them all.  Clear Coat might just be the best of the bunch. What is Clear Coat?  Here’s how the company describes it. Simply put, Clear-Coat is the only protection you’ll need for your devices. Forget those awkward, ugly cases! Clear-Coat keeps your device scratch-free without adding bulk or changing the look of your device. Clear-Coat is meticulously designed in-house, and then custom cut for every device. So an iPhone Clear-Coat fits the iPhone perfectly, and a Blackberry Clear-Coat…


Dacha Works Module SmartCase for iPhone 3G and 3Gs Review

Often times case manufacturers work hard at creating cases that look great but in doing so sacrifice how the cases feels when held in your hand.  Ergonomics play a key role in keeping you comfortable while sitting at your desk, on your computer. The Module SmartCase from Dacha Works seeks to create the same level of comfort for your hand while it’s using your iPhone. Dacha Works claims the Module SmartCase is the first all-purpose iPhone case to proactively augment the iPhone form factor to greatly improve the user experience. How did it work out for me? Click on through…


ZAGGsmartbuds – Review

A few months ago I found myself a little bit short in the headphones department. I had given away most of the headphones I had used and reviewed and one of the two pair that I tended to use on a daily basis broke. I mentioned this to Judie and she was kind enough to send me a pair of ZAGG Z.buds that she had reviewed some time ago. When the headphones arrived I was rather impressed. The design was excellent. The heavy-duty, tangle free cord was longer than normal. It included an inline microphone and a volume control and…


The TruePower iV Pro 3100mAh Extended Battery for iPod touch and iPhone Review

Reading, surfing, watching movies, listening to music — these are all activities that I enjoy doing on my iPhone; when I do them I usually have a rough idea of what type of battery life I should be able to expect, and it helps that I can watch the battery icon. However, I’ve recently discovered a game that has singlehandedly wiped out my iPhone’s battery more quickly than anything I have ever seen: Plants vs. Zombies (reviewed by Michael here). You can’t watch the clock or the battery icon when playing PvZ, which usually means that you’ll play much longer…


Case-Mate PWND Case for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

If we believe what Steve Jobs tells us (that argument’s meant for a whole different discussion) the Apple iPhone OS is an built to be one of the best operating systems for gaming.  Any look at the sheer abundance of games in the iTunes App Store and you might just have to agree. Do you do a lot of gaming on your iPhone 3G or 3Gs? If you answered yes, you’ll appreciate the Case-Mate PWND case.  It’s a silicone case that has severely reinforced corners which make it resemble a gaming console remote control.  When playing games that rely heavily…


Innopocket CF Formula Series Case for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

There are plenty of cases out there for the iPhone which bill themselves as being made from “carbon fiber.”  Few however are the real deal, and most are made from imitation plastic.  Such is not the case with the Innopocket CF Formula Series case for the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. The case, which comes in two color variations (Diamond Black & Exquisite Black) is made from 100% REAL carbon fiber. Race fans and car enthusiasts will appreciate the Formula series for its “dream car” material while others will simply enjoy the beauty of the carbon fiber pattern and smooth texture…


Sena Corsa For iPhone 3GS – Review

The first high-quality leather device cases that I used came from Sena Cases. At the time I was impressed by the quality of the leather, the impressive construction that included double or even triple stitched seams, and the overall design of the cases. The company took an approach that ensured cases would be stylish enough to be attractive yet conservative enough to be used anywhere and at any time. Most importantly, they did a great job of protecting whichever device I was looking to use with one of their cases. All this remains true. I was and am a big…


Arctic Sound E361 Earphone Review

Earphones have become a part of all of our gadget lives.  Most of our gear comes with earphones that are mediocre at best.  Third party replacement options can be overwhelming with prices ranging from tens of dollars to thousands.  I enjoy great sounding audio, but cannot justify spending over $100 on earphones that will be tossed in my gear bag and used everywhere.  Arctic Cooling has entered the sub $100 market with a complete lineup of Arctic Sound earphones.  I was provided with the E361 and E352 models, and the E352 review will be coming soon. The E361 earphones are…


Whoomp! Review: Boost Apple’s Ear Buds for Even Less

It’s not a big secret.  The ear buds Apple provides with all of its iPods & iPhones aren’t great.  Okay I was being kind, they suck!  They do a decent job of providing sound but they often fit poorly.  Apple used to provide the ear buds along with two sets of those foam covers which help keep the buds seated in your ear but they stopped doing so. While traveling last week I came across the Whoomp Ear Bud Enhancers by Comply. The Whoomps claim to better the fit of your iPod or iPhone ear buds along with offering a…


Trexta Racing Series Case for iPhone Review: makes me go vroom vroom

Snap on back covers are a popular category in the over-crowded iPhone case market.  These simple to put on cases mostly protect the back of the iPhone and keep the phone’s profile slim. Trexta has been making accessories for wireless devices for over ten years but just recently began doing so for Apple devices. Their racing series case, which is made from genuine leather, is inspired by elements straight from the speedway. Since snap on back covers for the iPhone are available in so many variations it’s important that when companies release new versions they offer something different. Does the…


Review – Danglets iPod Neck & Wrist Strap

Apparently in Japan and some other countries it is very popular to wear your cell phone on a neck strap – especially when using it as a media player. That trend has not hit North America. Now Collins America hopes to make it more popular through the introduction of the Danglet, an accessory that clips into the docking connector of any modern iPod or iPhone device and allows you to keep it readily available around your wrist or neck. So how does it all work?


Thinksound Headphones: Green Sounds Good, Really Good

Going green and buying electronics usually don’t mesh very well.  Thinksound set out to create great sounding headphones that were also friendly to the environment too.  Not an easy task to say the least, but one the company took very seriously. Thinksound‘s lineup currently consists of two eco-friendly headphones.  The company was kind enough to send me both to review. Does being “green” mean you have to sacrifice sound quality? Click on through to find out, but here’s a hint, in a word, nope….


Case-Mate Turtle Case for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

There are not a lot of choices when it comes to maximum protection for your iPhone.  One of Case-Mate‘s newest additions, the Turtle Case, seeks to join the select group. The two-part plastic and silicone construction of the Turtle case means you’ll “have the best armor available for the more delicate iPhone technology inside.”  It features a super tight fit and two levels of shock and impact protection for your phone complete in a stylish design that’s sure to garner some attention. The case comes in four color varieties and is available directly from Case-Mate for $29.99 Click on through…


PhoneSuit Primo “Made For iPod, Works w/iPhone” Battery Review

The iPhone has been great for the aftermarket battery business. I don’t know any power-user who does not carry at least one additional method of charging the device. I’ve tried, and been impressed by many. Most recently PhoneSuit sent me one of their Primo Micro Batteries to try out. The last product from PhoneSuit that I had the chance to review was the Mili. It had a design similar to the original Mophie Juice Pack. I liked it a lot and got a good bit of use out of it before giving it to a friend. The Primo takes a…


Buffalo Dualie Fire Wire 800/USB500GB Hard Drive + iPhone Dock

Here’s another item for the “super-cool convergence item” file I’ve got going. The Buffalo Dualie lets you sync and charge your iPhone or iPod while simultaneously backing up or storing digital assets on the integral 500GB portable hard drive. As an added bonus, it offers a brushed-aluminum and black soft-touch two-tone finish. The Dualie works with both the iPhone & the iPod.  In addition to allowing you to store files to its 500 GB hard drive it also offers two USB ports for your other USB powered accessories.  So you get an iPhone/iPod dock, a hard drive and a two-port…


Customized ZAGGskins for Mobile Devices Review

Since debuting in 2005, ZAGG’s “invisibleSHIELD” has been a very popular protective skin for the wide range of devices for which it is made.  The invisibleSHIELD’s military grade film offers good protection from scrapes, dings, and scratches without adding a lot of bulk to the device on which it’s used. Building on the success of the invisibleSHIELD, ZAGG recently introduced customizable ZAGGskins.  The ZAGGskin line is a range of wrap-around adhesive skins featuring decorative designs.  The skins are only 0.3 mm thick, but strong.  While there is a range of pre-made designs, including some newly released designs for upcoming Valentine’s…


Switch Easy Nude for iPhone 3G/3Gs Review

Want to keep your iPhone’s form factor as close to the way it was when you first pulled it out of the box but still protect it? There are skins that will do it, but these are often hard to install. The Switch Easy Nude case measures at only .08mm of thickness.  It comes in 6 colors and includes two crystal clear screen protectors. At only $19.99 this case offers the absolute closest thing to a naked phone that I’ve seen. Check out my video review below then head to the Switch Easy web site and grab one.