MacBook Gear

Blue Microphone Nessie USB Microphone Review – Plug & Play with No Need for Post-Production Manipulation

A few months ago, we reviewed the Spark Digital from Blue Microphone. It impressed me with its design, features and quality. (I also really liked the way it looks.) The Spark Digital has an MSRP of just under $200. That’s not a bad price, but it also puts it a bit out of reach of most consumers looking for a budget speaker. That’s why the Nessie from Blue Microphone intrigued me. Judie and I first saw it at CES 2013, and we were impressed with the design, the quality, the onboard technology and, perhaps most of all, the price. The…

Reviews

Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 150 AW Review- Perfect Size, Great Price

Over the past year we’ve reviewed a number of different camera bags from Lowepro. We’ve looked at everything from small sling bags to large backpacks and I have been consistently impressed by the design, build quality and price point of each. When I was heading to CES 2013 I knew I needed a large pack that would allow me to carry my 15″ MacBook Pro along with my Canon T3i and numerous accessories. I went on the hunt for the right bag and ended up with the Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 250AW. It’s a phenomenal bag but is a little…

Reviews

Skooba Design Skooba Satchel V.3 Mini Review – A Small Bag That Means Business

When I moved to using my 15” MacBook Pro with retina display as my only computer last year, I found I needed a properly sized bag in which to carry it. My initial plan was to only carry an iPad, but that quickly disappeared as I found myself increasingly in need of a full computer and all of its power. I went on a hunt, and I found a number of terrific options. They have served me well for the last year or so, but now that I am back using two different laptops; my 15″ computer is my desktop…

Gear Bits

Leap Motion – the Future Remains a Work in Progress

ARS Technica has a hands-on look at using the Leap Motion Controller. If you aren’t familiar with this device, which just began shipping this week, it is a small box that connects to your Mac and allows your hands to act as input devices for your computer. Now in and of itself, that isn’t so interesting. After all, it is your hands on a mouse or trackpad that currently allow you to input and control your computer. The difference here is that the Leap Motion Controller allows you to simply wave your hands in front of the screen and control…

News & Features

Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 Promise Big Sound from Small Towers

I didn’t think I would see the day when I wanted to return to having a pair of computer speakers, but a new computer and Logitech’s new Bluetooth Speakers Z600 may change all that. Yes, now that I once again have a MacBook air my MacBook Pro will likely become more of a desktop computer than anything else. Suddenly I want good desktop speakers again. The timing is perfect since Logitech’s new Bluetooth Speakers Z600 are about to hit the market. Tall and thin, the stereo speakers are designed to look good when sitting next to today’s stylish computers. And…

Reviews

Tenba Discovery Photo/Tablet Daypack Mini Review

If you’re looking for a thin and light camera backpack that not only protects your gear, but also has enough room to let you carry your tablet or 11″ MacBook air, then you’ll want to check out the Tenba Discovery Mini Photo/Tablet Daypack. The Discovery Mini Photo/Tablet Daypack is a great way to take your camera gear on the road for the day but it also converts into a standard backpack in a matter of seconds. That flexibility, combined with the bag’s subtle but effective design and $109.95 pricetag combine to make a compelling way to carry your small DSLR…

Reviews

Booq Boa Squeeze Graphite Backpack Review – Looks Cool, Gets the Job Done

I was on a train headed to Washington DC last year and saw someone getting off the train wearing a most unusual backpack. Instead of a square or sack-shaped backpack this one was curved. Moreover it was entirely black… my favorite. I sped up to get a closer look and was not surprised to discover it was made by booq. A bit more research when I got to my hotel revealed it was the booq Boa squeeze. I almost bought one at the time but never followed through. Then we got word that a new version, the booq Boa Squeeze…

Reviews

Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard Strikes All the Right Keys

I have been using Apple’s Bluetooth Keyboard pretty consistently ever since I made the move to Mac. I have used one with my various iMacs, and I also use one at home with my laptop, since I elevate the computer on one of a number of stands and use a separate keyboard and mouse. This arrangement is not only better ergonomically and puts less strain on my neck, but it also keeps the computer off the desk or countertop surface just in case something spills (I started doing this after I dumped an entire glass of Crystal Light into my…

Reviews

JBL SoundFly Air Review – It Takes Off with Sound

The other day I came home to find that our router was blown. For some that might not be a big deal, but for me it was no small issue since it meant no television, no phone service, and no internet connection; I was in my car and on the way to buy a new router within minutes. The new router cost me an unexpected $200, but I was up and running in no time. Once I had everything working again, I discovered an added benefit — our WiFi network no longer faded and dropped the signal the way it…

Reviews

Innoio and Texas Instruments Partner for SmartBeam Pico Projector

In Brief: The SmartBeam Pico Projector from Innoio is one of the latest handheld projectors powered by Texas Instruments DLP Pico technology. At 45mm on each side the SmartBeam is tiny. And yes, despite its small size the projector puts out 35 lumens at a resolution of 640 by 480. That means the small projector can push out the equivalent of a 60” screen. This isn’t going to be one of my typical reviews. While I could go through the general description of the Innocube SmartBeam and then hit up the specs that really would not do it justice. Instead…

News & Features

ChargeDr USB Charge Booster Makes the Most of Charging Opportunities

How many times have you tried to charge your iPad off of a laptop’s USB port, only to not see the charging symbol, because the USB port was underpowered? Or even worse — have you ever plugged your iPad in to a spare wall charger only to find out (hours) later that your iPad had barely charged because you were using an iPhone’s lower-powered wall charger? Urgh. Digital innovations has just come out with a powerful tool that can help with situations like these; the ChargeDr. USB Charge Booster. It may not look much different from the average thumb drive, but the…

Reviews

My Macbook Case MacBook Pro Rubberized Case Review

Currently, I’m sporting a brand new Lifeproof case for my iPhone 5 and a Smart Case cover for my iPad, but unfortunately, I’ve neglected by MacBook Pro…until now! When I first received a My Macbook Case MacBook Pro Rubberized Case, I was very pleased with the shade of blue and the overall look of the case. The packaging was very simplistic, as both the top and the bottom cases were wrapped in a thin plastic bag. Once I removed the plastic, I noticed that the case itself was extremely lightweight. While I was happy that the case would not add…

Reviews

HEX Cabana Sonic Backpack Review – Lets You Carry Your Gear in Style

A few weeks ago we looked at the HEX Cabana Messenger Bag. (Read the review.) It offered an unusual pocket for accessing your iPad on the go, and it mixed purposeful gear transportation with casual style. It was a nice bag that, while not my style, I could see many others enjoy using. (Keep an eye out for our upcoming “bag-a-day giveaway”; the HEX Cabana Messenger Bag will be one of the bags we offer up!) This time out, we are looking at another member of the HEX Cabana Collection. The HEX Cabana Sonic Backpack is a light, casual backpack…

Reviews

Twelve South PlugBug World Review

It’s become a yearly occasion that in late February I’ll attend Mobile World Congress, and as a result I now have a yearly ritual of assessing my charger and adapter stockpile about a month before leaving. This year I traveled with a new tool in my arsenal, the Twelve South PlugBug World. What sets this charger/adapter apart from all of the others I own is that it plugs into the stock MacBook Pro power block, and it includes a built-in high-power USB charger that is perfect for quickly topping off my iPad mini. The fact that it can be configured…

Crowdfunding, Reviews

Nifty MiniDrive Kickstarter Project Finally Ships

Judie and I were on the phone together while ordering our 15″ MacBook pro with Retina display laptops, so we could discuss the specific specs we wanted. At the end of the day we both went for the fastest processor (Core i7) and most RAM (16GB) we could get. Judie had just about convinced me to go for the largest amount of storage (768GB) despite the huge up-charge to move from 512GB, when we realized that the storage upgrade would delay the laptops for weeks. We both settled for 512GB laptops, and we have been quite happy with the machines….

Reviews

Plantronics Calisto 620 Review

I was already working on this review of the Plantronics Calisto 620 portable wireless UC speakerphone when I went to Florida for the day and found myself using it. That experience alone was enough for me to give this Bluetooth speakerphone a rave review. It was small and light enough that I easily carried it in the small carry-on bag I used during the trip. And it was so simple to set up that I didn’t even have to stop showing the video I was sharing with people with whom I was meeting. They said, “Dan can you make the…

Reviews

HEX Cabana Messenger Bag Review

We’ve looked at a lot of messenger bags over the years but we have never seen one quite like the HEX Cabana Messenger Bag. The HEX Cabana Messenger Bag looks like a simple cloth messenger bag made from a striped cloth that offers interest without overwhelming the eye. It is a simple cloth messenger bag made from a striped cloth that offers interest without overwhelming the eye but it has a trick up its sleeve behind its front flap. You see, the HEX Cabana Messenger Bag was made with the iPad-lover in mind. It not only lets you carry a…

Reviews

Trina Turk MacBook Case Review – Bright & Cheerful Protection

I’ve been guilty of playing it safe bland by keeping my mobile devices inside black, brown, and beige accessories … not that there’s anything wrong with that. But every now and then I do like to carry something that pops a bit more, and that’s where the Trina Turk for M-Edge MacBook Case comes in. For those who didn’t know, Trina Turk is a California designer who is known for splashy graphic designs that are heavily influenced by her appreciation for the 1960s and ’70s era. Trina opened her first retail boutique in 2002, and now she has seven; you can also find…

Reviews

Jabra SPEAK 510 UC Review: Conference Calls Anywhere & Anytime

I find myself doing far less talking on the phone these days. That is part of the reason I’ve pretty much dropped my use of landlines. At home and work I only use my cell phones or, at times, I use Line2 or Skype on my tablet or computer. I honestly cannot remember the last time I picked up my desk phone in the office. People pretty much all know to reach me on my cellphone. Period. And while my iPad serves as a decent speakerphone and my MacBook Pro with retina display has dual array microphones, they aren’t terrific…

Reviews

Plantronics Blackwire C720 Headset Review

I’m always impressed by Plantronics headphone offerings. Time and again they are able to combine excellent functionality with comfort; they even mix in a bit of style in the process. The Plantronics Voyager Legend is an amazing headset, and you can read our review here. We have a review of the UC (Unified Communications) version coming soon. Plantronics doesn’t just do Bluetooth headsets of course. They have a long history of offering wired headsets for use with phone systems and computers. Their new Blackwire C720 headset falls into that category but takes things to an entirely new level by combining…

News & Features

The Leap Motion Controller Is a Tiny Gadget Poised to Change Computing

The Leap Motion Controller is small but powerful. It has yet to ship but, if it works as advertised, it will change computing forever. That’s not hyperbole. I mean, seriously, the Leap promises to let you scroll by simply waving your hands, use your finger as a gun while playing a first person shooter or draw by waving a pencil IN FRONT of the screen while never actually touching it… how cool is that? Sure, it looks and sounds a bit like Microsoft Kinect on speed, but that’s not a bad thing. Here’s how the company describes their invention. For…

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