Misc Gear

PowerStick PowerTrip Is the Swiss Army Knife of External Batteries

If you are in the market for an external battery that offers decent capacity, doesn’t require an extra cable for charging, includes flash storage for your “must always have” files, and can be personalized — look no further than the PowerStick PowerTrip. This $99 external battery even charges via the sun. It truly is the Swiss Army Knife of External Batteries.


The Bracketron Xolar3000 Lets You Harness the Sun for More Mobile Fun

If you’re in the market for a new external battery, the Bracketron Xolar3000 may be just the thing. The battery packs a 3000mAh battery into a nicely designed, plastic, metal and glass body. Why glass? That’s what really makes this battery stand out. Read on to see what a solar-powered external battery looks like, and why you’ll want one.


VitaClay StoneWare Yogurt Maker Adds Culture to Your Kitchen

Many of us have fond memories of summer days spent cranking the handle of an ice cream maker waiting for a homemade treat, but what about yogurt? While ice cream is great, it’s not nearly as healthy as yogurt. The new VitaClay Stoneware Yogurt Maker and Personal Slow Cooker makes it fun and easy to make your own at home.


Merrell AllOut Fuse Review: Minimalist Comfort on the Trail

When I first encountered the Merrell AllOut Fuse, I was convinced they were the best sneakers I had worn in a long time. They are well constructed, comfortable, and attractive. Plus they can easily handle both pavement and trails. They were perfect … until I went for a run in them.


Car2go Adds Parking for Port Columbus Airport

I recently reviewed Car2go, the convenient car sharing program that has taken Columbus by storm. Today they have added a convenient option for Columbus users in that they can now jump in a car, drive to Port Columbus,  catch the shuttle to the terminal, and then catch their flight with only a $10 additional cost.


Light Up Your World with the Blackfire Clamplight Lantern

It is wet and cold here in the Northeast today but spring is definitely here. That means more time outside. And if you plan to be in the great outdoors at night a good flashlight is a must. The Blackfire Clamplight Lantern is a great option thanks to its bright illumination, accessible price and flexible uses. Check it out.



9 Reasons the Samsung Gear 2 is Google Glass Minus the Glasshole

Judie and I bought Google Glass a few months ago. We enjoyed taking pictures and shooting video with them, but post-CES 2014 we sold ours. The reason? Glass is fun and innovative, but it’s not ready for prime time. My Samsung Galaxy S5 and Gear 2 are. Yes, Gear is Google Glass without the glasshole. Here are nine reasons why.


Spy-Tech GL-200 Real-Time GPS Tracker Quick Look

During CES 2012, I left my gear bag at a hotel after a meeting. I was able to find it using FindMyiPhone and gained a deep appreciation for the power of geo-location. But what if you want to track a car or teen driver and don’t have FindMyiPhone? That’s where the Spy-Tech GL-200 Real-Time GPS Tracker and service come in.



Let Your Pictures Take to the Sky with Eyefi Cloud

I’ve long known Eyefi to be a great way to wirelessly send images from my camera to my computer or mobile device. My Sony RX100 doesn’t have the WiFi of my NEX-6 so an EyeFi card is a must for me when I use it on the go. Now the company is upping the anti with their Eyefi Cloud service.


Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor – Convenient Health Monitoring

For the first few years after I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, I took a medication known for harsh side effects. I was largely unaffected, but I did develop high blood pressure as a result. It is in check but needs to be monitored daily. My latest tool in the battle to stay healthy? The Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor.  


Peacekeeper Mini: Prepare for Absolutely Everything

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, another “interesting” crowdsourced project comes to light. I’m all for being prepared–I keep a roadside emergency kit in my car–but sometimes you can take it just a bit too far. That might be the case with the Peacekeeper Mini, a combination flashlight and pepper spray with bluetooth/GPS “crowd alert” technology.



Heartbleed Security Issue Prompts Password Change Notices

The Heartbleed Security Issue is here. I tried out the Leap Motion controller last year; it’s a “hands free” device (small box) the connects to Mac and PC computers with accompanying software where hand gestures look to replace the traditional computer mouse during interactions. This service recently sent me the following notice regarding the Heartbleed Security Issue:


CONTOUR POV Action Cameras Are Back!

I was a big fan of the CONTOUR ROAM2 Action Camera. It was simple to use, simple to mount and took great video. Sadly the company suddenly closed its doors last summer. I was bummed because I really do love using the review sample. Now the company has relaunched and is once again offering their great CONTOUR POV Action Cameras.


AncestryDNA Test – What Will It Tell Me About My Ancestors?

  Genealogy is more than just a hobby for me, it’s something I tend to get a bit obsessive about. I’ve been curating my family’s tree for over ten years, building upon my maternal grandmother and uncle’s research before me. The latest tool in my arsenal will hopefully be the AncestryDNA test, which I recently completed and sent in for evaluation.


Make Awesome Slideshows and Movies with FotoMagico 4

If you want to bring your pictures and videos to life, but you don’t want to got to school to learn how to create a presentation that doesn’t look like a five year old did it, then you’ll want to check out FotoMagico 4. At $99 the application is pricey, but the ease-of-use and output results are amazing.


Music to Go with Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox

Small speakers like the Jawbone mini Jambox are designed to be taken along on your daily journeys. Protecting the speaker and carrying a few key accessories is important and our friends at Waterfield designs have a stylish new way for you to do just that. The Waterfield Designs CitySlicker for Jawbone Mini Jambox comes in two colors for just $49.


Toshiba TransMemory Pro 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive

When I think back on how much I spent on small amounts of slow flash storage just a few years ago, I cannot help but shake my head. Who could have imagined there would be flash drives offering 128GB of USB 3.0 storage? That, however, is exactly what you get with the new Toshiba TransMemory Pro USB 3.0 Flash Drive.


Phosphor Touch Time Is a “Smarter” Watch

Phosphor launched a line of watches using an E-Ink display some time ago. Now they have released their brand new Phosphor Touch Time. This new line used an LCD display, sports a touchscreen and “smartwatch-like” apps. No, this is not a smart watch, but it is a smarter watch. Lets take a look at this $159 item.