Misc Gear

MyTVChoice Review – How to Watch Live TV Without Commercials

Are you a sports fan who can’t stand sitting through annoying TV commercials? Or are you afraid of your children seeing some of the more explicit commercials airing these days? MyTVChoice monitors the live broadcast and automatically switches to a “safe” channel whenever your preferred program goes to commercial. The MyTVChoice service costs $9.99 per month. Hardware MyTVChoice comes with a free gateway device, which is powered by an AC adapter plugged into the wall. You’ll want the gateway to have a clear line of sight to your cable box since it is what will eventually change the channel automatically for…

Gear Bits

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a…Flying Car!

I have a 32 mile, 50 minute commute to work. Even the slightest delay on the roads, will cause me to be late. What could improve my commute, you ask? Well, the answer is a flying car! Terrafugia, a Massachusetts company, created the TF-X which is described as a cross between a Google self-driving car, a helicopter, and a plane. Supposedly, I only need to wait another eight years until I can pay a projected $270,000 for a brand new TF-X. When the flying car concept was first founded by MIT in 2006, developers announced that we would be driving…

Gear Bits

Redverz Gear’s Series II Expedition Tent Includes a Garage

I’m not big into camping, but Redverz Gear’s Series II Expedition Tent could change all that. Its design shelters riders, bikes, and assorted other gear under a single roof. Made from expedition-grade ripstop nylon, the sleeping bag’s double wall design eliminate’s condensation. The bay can be used for cooking, hanging, storage or even as a dressing room. $449. Get it. via WERD

News & Features

Back to School Time! Classrooms Have Definitely Changed

Summer is officially over in Texas! That’s right, back to school. The classroom you remember as a kid has greatly changed. An article at Edudemic discusses 5 big changes in the classroom. As a tech geek, I find the changes exciting, and I welcome new methods. These changes are coming slowly to my school, but the ball is rolling. The five items becoming outdated according to the author are: Paper Parent teacher conferences Impersonal professional development Attendance Traditional age based learning Today’s student will likely have a much different experience than most adults remember in their education. What are your…

News & Features, Yum Log

Coravin Help You Preserve That Fine WIne

If you’re a wine drinker that occasionally can’t quite finish that great bottle, you’ve probably been confronted by the problem of vino that just isn’t so keeno the next day. Luckily, Coravin is here with a novel new solution. Thanks to the manufacturer’s ingenious invention, it’s argon to the rescue! I recently got a note from a p/r agency that read, in part, “Don’t you hate it when you just can’t drink all of that bottle of great wine and worry that it will go bad before you can finish it?” Wait, what? “Can’t drink all the bottle?” I am…

Gear Bits

TheQ Camera Creates Instantly Shareable Photos

It’s nearly impossible to take a picture any more without immediately thinking, “this needs to go on Facebook (or Tumblr, Twitter), so why not just get a camera that can take a great photo and immediately post it for you to the social network of your choice? Say “Cheese”, and preorder the $199 socially acceptable theQ Camera. Every aspect of the pocket-sized camera can be controlled, from the social media settings through to the built-in photo filters. In addition to the one-button upload for social sharing, theQ users receive unlimited storage on their theQ LAB personal photo archive page. TheQ camera…

Gear Bits

Purse n’ Boots Keep Your Money and Gear Safely Stashed

Ladies, how often have you wished that you had a pocket when one wasn’t available, or wished you could go without a bag when carrying one wasn’t practical. If you are wearing a pair of Purse n’ Boots by Elizabeth Anne, you’re set! Pockets inside the boots hold your cellphone, passport, money, and other similarly sized items; these are brilliant! Built in cell phone, credit card and passport pockets (new) Holds everything from your ID, passport, makeup, cell phone, cash and change The first boot in our catalogue with a cushy, comfortable flat heel Ideal for dancing, travel, shopping & riding Fully functional riding heel for horse lovers…

Gear Bits

The Fail Button Perfectly Punctuates Failure

Experiencing more than your share of “brilliant” moments lately? Have you heard the classic trombone “wa – waaaa” in your head at least once? Then why not share the FAIL? Archie McPhee’s big blue FAIL button is perfect for those times when it all goes wrong. Of course, with this kind of luck yours won’t be handy when needed. =P $12.03 FAIL button via Archie McPhee’s Geyser of Awesome

News & Features

eBay My Gadgets Lets You Track and Sell Your Gadgets With Ease

eBay’s new My Gadgets website lets you quickly gather all your gadgets in one place and then see just how much it is actually worth. Better still, with My Gadgets selling the items you no longer use is easier than ever! All of this is possible Thanks to eBay’s extensive database of electronics and a well-designed web portal. Click here. Last night Judie posted about eBay’s new My Gadgets portal. As she was sharing the news, I was in Manhattan for the eBay My Gadgets Announcement Party. While there, I had a chance to talk a bit about Judie and…

Events, News & Features

eBay Launches My Gadgets, a Way for You to Catalog and Value Your Gadget & Tech Collection

If you have been keeping up with Dan’s and my eBay posts and the massive contest connected to the products we’ve reviewed, then you know that eBay has been in the process of launching their now-live site, My Gadgets, where users can “easily catalog their tech collections and see the current value of each of their tech items.” My Gadgets helps users organize and save all of their gadgets and tech items in a single location; the idea is to make it easy for users to “view the individual and collective values” of their items, “based on eBay’s unique data on current sales…

News & Features

PetziConnect Lets You Send Your Dog Remote Treats and Praise

Petzila is rolling out the PetziConnect, a webcam and treat dispenser designed to let you interact with your pet, even when you’re not home. Hey, it beats dogTV! My dog routinely outsmarts us. He figured out long ago that he gets treats for two reasons: someone’s at the door, and we don’t want him to eat them, or we’re leaving, and we want him to go lay down on his bed and be a good boy. Bribing him when guests are over is easy since we can keep an eye on him, but the problem with the treats+leaving combo is…

Reviews

Twelve South HiRise Review – A Perch for Your iPhone 5 and iPad mini

Twelve South only makes products for Apple devices, and their newest offering is a fantastic addition to their lineup. The HiRise is under $35 ,and it is a dock that works with both the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini. It also lets you use either device with most cases! Check it out here. The HiRise is an elegant way to raise your iPhone 5 or iPad mini up off your desk or countertop, and it will securely hold, charge and, if so desired, sync with your computer. I love the look of the HiRise and it works exactly as promised. I…

News & Features

MindShift Gear’s Contact Sheet – an Item Photographers Will Want

If you are an outdoor photographer, you may find times when you need a clean, dry place to lay out your gear. MindShift Gear’s new Contact Sheet lets you do just that. Pull out the lightweight tarp and you have a place to work anywhere you go. It is $39.99, and it is available here. MindShift Gear, a new company founded by the creators of Think Tank Photo and conservation photographer Daniel Beltrá, are ready to make a splash in the photographic accessory market. Their first accessory product (they also have two photographic backpacks available — more on them soon) is…

Gear Bits

The Traktorfahrn Tobago Pear Desk Organizer & Tablet Stand

This is the $79 Tobago pear – desk organizer & tablet stand by ETSY seller Traktorfahrn. It will hold your tablet and a few other desktop items, and it is made to work in several configurations. Evidently the maker discovered an unexpected benefit to the stand, too — the solid wood base “amplifies musik if [the] speaker is facing [the] bottom.” Handcrafted in Dusseldorf Germany from pear wood, which has a beautiful reddish grain, the Tobago Pear Desk Organizer & Tablet Stand measures 20 x 12 x 3 cm (7.9” x 4.7” x 1.2”), and it will fit the iPad2, iPad3, Samsung Tablet, ASUS Tablet as well…

Reviews

Waterfield CitySlicker Tablet Case Review – Protect Your 2013 Nexus 7 In Style

If you are looking to protect your 2013 Nexus 7 in style, then you’ll want to check out Waterfield’s CitySlicker Tablet Case for the Nexus 7. It is a gorgeous combination of leather and other materials, holds a few key accessories, and does a great job protecting the latest Google tablet. The Waterfield CitySlicker Tablet Case is a gorgeous case for carrying your 2013 Nexus 7 and a few key accessories. It might be a bit of overkill, but it is so nice to carry that the added bulk and expense may well be worth it. Here’s a look on…

Reviews

RAVPower RP-PB07 10400mAh Portable External Battery Pack Charger Review

External batteries are getting to be a necessity. If you want a great one, the RavPower and its 10,400 mAH capacity is one that you should look at. It’s only $34.99 on Amazon (with free Prime Shipping!). RAVPower was kind enough to send their latest RP-PB07 battery for review. Let’s take a look at it in terms of form and function. Form: This battery is simple in its design. It has a button on the front that allows you to check the current charge. On the back is the product label. The bottom of the battery has 2 USB ports…

Reviews, Yum Log

Yes, Virginia, There Are Some Great Food Products from the Commonwealth

This is a bit of a departure from my normal reviews here at Gear Diary, but I’ve come across some interesting and unique products from the commonwealth of Virginia that are worthy of sharing. Read on if you’re interested in nut butters from Reginald’s Original, hickory syrup from Wildwoods, or the latest release from AOL, Early Mountain wines. In my day gig as a food writer, I get lots of sample products to review. In fact, my UPS and Fed Ex guys must think I’m a lonely old drunk since I have to sign for liquor deliveries a few times…

News & Features

Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini Is a Perch for Your iOS device

I’ve seen and used a variety of different stands for my iPhone and iPad, but none have caught my attention the way the new HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini from Twelve South has. This brushed metal stand has the kind of refined lines that will compliment your iOS device while also adding to its utility. The HiRise is designed to work with Apple Lightning Cable, but it is a BYOC (Bring Your Own Cable) accessory. And, thanks to its thoughtful design, the HiRise works with iPhone and iPad when they are naked AND when they are in most current cases. The…

Reviews

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…

Crowdfunding, Reviews

Capture Camera Clip v2 Review – Carry Your Camera and Never Miss a Shot

The Capture Camera Clip v2 camera clip is one of the more unusual camera accessories we have had a chance to review. An update to Peak Design’s original Capture Camera Clip, the Capture Camera Clip v2 lets you keep your DSLR close by — on your belt or backpack strap. And while this might not look like the best way to carry and hold your camera it actually works well. Currently in the initial funding period over on Kickstarter, the initial goal of raising $100,000 has been eclipsed five times over, and there are still three weeks left before the…

News & Features

Protect Your 2013 Nexus 7 the Waterfield Way!

I broke down and ordered one of the second generation Nexus 7 tablets the other day. As much as I love my iPad, I really wanted to see what the latest generation of Google’s tablet has to offer. Knowing it is on the way, I wanted to make sure I had a good way to carry and protect it. Thankfully our friends at Waterfield have some great cases that will keep the new Nexus 7 pristine when on the go. Let’s take a quick look at just a few of the cases that are sized perfectly for the slightly smaller…

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