Smartphones & Gear


Google Pixel Buds A-Series Review: Rich Sound for Less

As an avid Pixel phone user, I was excited that Google developed its own earbuds. I sat out on their first iteration of the true wireless version but jumped in with the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. The idea of wireless buds designed to work with my phone is an exciting idea for a non-iPhone user. The last week, both my son and I have put them through their paces.


Nomad Leather Loop for AirTag Review: A Simple Yet Essential Accessory

When Apple’s new AirTag’s were released, my Tile Trackers became obsolete. Apple’s approach to locating keys and other everyday daily carries is more tightly integrated with iOS in ways Tile can’t match. But Apple offers no way to attach the pricey trackers to your daily carry. The new Nomad Leather Loop for AirTag elegantly solves that problem.



Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders: Qualcomm and ASUS Debuting a Beast of a Smartphone!

In case you weren’t aware, in March, Qualcomm set up a program called Snapdragon Insiders. It all kicked off with a simple video done by Christiano R. Amon, the President and (at the time) CEO-Elect of Qualcomm. Amon promised access to Qualcomm experts, the latest updates from Snapdragon, and tech-reader collaborations. Months have passed; Amon is now the CEO of Qualcomm, and the Snapdragon Insiders program now has 1.6 million members. To celebrate, today they are announcing their first Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders that utilizes the best Snapdragon has to offer in a mobile experience.


Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review

I recently reviewed the Cleer Ally Plus II wireless earbuds, and they are a fantastic choice for anyone on the go. The Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Headphones provide a more robust sound profile and a staggering 60 hours of battery life for over-the-ear fans. This battery life is with using active noise canceling and with some fantastic audio performance. Let’s take a look.





Nokia G20 Keeps Going and Going with 3 Days of Battery Life!

It can be hard to balance features and reliability with budget-end phones. Plus, all too often, anything that isn’t a flagship can sometimes be forgotten or behind the curve in terms of security updates and other features. Nokia isn’t making you choose between features, security, and budget with the Nokia G20!


Infinix Hot 10S Review: Offers Flagship Features at a Budget Price

Infinix Hot 10S sounds like a chicken wing special from a punk bar in a sci-fi movie. Still, it’s actually a surprisingly compact and powerful Android phone that boasts an incredible battery life, a very impressive camera, and a processor and software set focused on giving you a truly kickass gaming experience on the go!



Anker PowerHouse II 800 Review: Charges So Many Things When Needed!

I used to think that if we had a winter power outage lasting a week or more, Kev and I would be adequately prepared. We’d have plenty of drinking water on hand, piles of cut wood for the fireplace, our food would be safe (because, winter), and portable battery packs would power our electronics. Earlier this year, we got to find out just how unprepared we actually were when Texas got slammed with one winter storm after another, causing a massive power crisis. What would have made a huge difference for us during this disaster? The Anker PowerHouse II 800.



INTELLI ScoutPro 240 Watt Powerbank Review: It’s the Most Versatile Battery Pack I’ve Ever Used

Before smartphones starting touting the massive internal batteries that they have right now, you would never catch me without a small battery pack in my back pocket. While I may not carry them as much anymore due to the pandemic, with the world opening back up, I’ll need something in my everyday carry to keep my devices juiced up, and here’s why I think the INTELLI ScoutPro 240 Watt Powerbank may be the best solution. 



MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G SoC Raises the Bar on Smartphone Power Yet Again!

If you’re a regular reader of Gear Diary, you might find the name MediaTek vaguely familiar. It’s ok if you don’t, though; they’re one of those companies that operate quietly behind the scenes. Their logo may not be splashed all over your phone, but chances are they’re providing some important connectivity options for you. If your next phone has a MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G SoC, you’re definitely going to enjoy the experience!



JBL Charge 5 Review: Delivers Next-Level Sound Anywhere, Anytime

JBL’s portable Bluetooth speakers have always been impressive, and each successive model has gotten better and better. The JBL Charge 5, the latest generation of their wildly popular portable speaker with a powerbank, is their best portable speaker yet. It blasts music, recharges phones, and it’s ready to hit the beach, the mountains, or your next backyard barbecue.


Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G Review: Thin and Light and in Many Ways Just Right

It’s easy to get enamored by all of the flagship phones being released by phone makers, but what if you don’t necessarily need (or want) something with 5G, the fastest processor, or a $1000 price tag but still want a great camera? You have options, and one of them is the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G. This phone packs many features in its thin and light body, and it sells for around $300 — not that you’d ever be able to tell, just looking at it.


Incipio Organicore Cases Save Your Phone and the Earth!

I recently started cleaning out a junk drawer, and I’ll admit, I was pretty ashamed of how many old phone cases I had squirreled away. I can’t tell you where some of those phones are, but if you need a case for a 6-year-old Motorola phone…you should have asked me last week before I tossed a bunch of junk. All joking aside, the reality is that our gadgets have a pretty big ecological footprint. It’s possible to protect your phone and ease your environmental guilt all at once with Incipio Organicore cases.