Technology 2014 Summary / 2015 Predications
The future’s so bright in technology gear and various media as 2014 ends and we look on the horizon to 2015.
Smartphones & Gear
iMagbond Is a Most Elegant Aluminum Dashboard Phone Mount #Indiegogo
Most phone mounts I’ve used are not what you would consider elegant by any stretch of the imagination. They are usually made of thick black plastic, and they use a large claw-like clamping system to secure the phone. When your phone isn’t mounted, the equipment is unsightly; the iMagbond phone mount is not.
Velvetwire Powerslayer Kit Review: Beautiful and Smart Charging Solution
I’ve got a tendency to leave my phone plugged in when home, and while that isn’t necessarily bad for today’s Li-Ion batteries, it’s kind of wasteful to use a charger that is trying to continuously supply power to a battery that has already been topped off. I was recently sent a Velvetwire Powerslayer Kit, and it solves the problem beautifully.
BlackBerry Passport Black Friday Deal: Great for Those Expecting Coal in Their Stocking
Here’s one Black Friday offer you should refuse. It’s the BlackBerry Passport at $200 off. If you fall for this deal, you are virtually guaranteed to be the only one amongst your friends to own this BlackBerry device (GSM unlocked – coal colored) – normally $699 now $499 through November 30, 2014.
![Logitech® protection [+] power Case for iPhone Keeps You Charging](https://geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Logitech1.jpg "Logitech® protection [+] power Case for iPhone Keeps You Charging 7")
Logitech® protection [+] power Case for iPhone Keeps You Charging
Life is stressful enough without worrying about your beloved iPhone running out of juice. I have a friend who gets twitchy whenever his power meter falls below 50%. If he was a better friend, I’d give him my Logitech® protection [+] power case, but I like it so much I’m selfishly keeping it for myself.
Anker 2nd Generation Astro E4 13,000mAh External Battery Review
Anker has consistently shown that smartphone and tablet accessories don’t have to be expensive in order to deliver quality. Case in point, the Anker 2nd Generation Astro E4 13,000mAh External Battery. It has an MSRP of $89.99 but, when purchased through our Amazon Affiliate Store it is under $30! That’s an amazing deal!
AT&T Joins the Party – Bumps 10 GB Mobile Share Plan to 15 GB at No Extra Cost
AT&T subscribers can now get 15 GB of data on their former 10 GB mobile share plans at no extra cost. This change is not automatic though – you’ll have to login online starting today (November 18, 2014) and make the change on your account. This move matches Verizon’s data tier which also last month offered 15 GB for $100.
Verizon’s Connection Day Will Celebrate Your Mobile Gear
On November 26, Verizon will celebrate Connection Day, offering free holiday tech gifts to everyone to connect people to their smartphone content including apps, in-flight Wi-Fi access, book downloads, magazine digital edition downloads, and music service trials. MORE Everything customers who register will also get “one-time”1GB sharable data gifts plus an additional 1GB on their next billing cycle.
Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition Coming in December!
Have you heard about the Oculus Rift? Over the past 12 months the virtual reality company has been collaborating with Samsung, and the result is the new Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition which creates a virtual reality experience driven by the Galaxy Note 4, and it will be ready in early December. Why should you care?
IK Multimedia Announces Amplitube and iRigHD-A for Some Samsung Devices!
At the top of my ‘criticism of Android’ list for literally four years now is the abysmal audio support, leading Android music apps to be at best toys while iOS supports full studio production and mastering tools. Android isn’t there yet, but Samsung has led with audio support and IK Multimedia is taking full advantage with AmpliTube and iRig HD-A!
Magnetic Organizational System (MOS) Review: Fab Cables That Stay in Place
I’ve made no bones about my disdain for OEM Apple cables, but I’ll reiterate: they are cheaply made, they fray, they fail, and they are not inexpensive. That’s why I love quality aftermarket cables, and right now I am really digging the Magnetic Organizational System (MOS) I was recently sent. Their quality is outstanding, and the work perfectly.
Casetify Review: Turn Your Photos into Cases
With the excitement of receiving my iPhone 6 plus, I knew immediately I had to put a case on it. It just so happened that a review opportunity arose from Casetify for a custom case made with my photos. Using the Casetify iPhone app, I was easily able to produce my own custom case. Let’s take a look.
CHOETECH 50 Watt 6 Port Desktop Charger with Smart Technology Review
If you have multiple devices to keep charged such as a smartphone or two, a tablet, an eReader and a pair of wireless headphones you will love the CHOETECH 50 Watt 6 Port Desktop Charger. One device will keep you going all day and night and, best of all, it is available on Amazon at an amazingly low price.
No More SIM Swapping with KnowRoaming!
If you travel internationally, then you know that one of the best tricks is to buy a local SIM and swap it out with your home SIM in your unlocked smartphone; then you can enjoy data and local calls at a reasonable rate. Buying a local SIM and making the swap can be a hassle; that’s where KnowRoaming comes in. I met with Gregory Gundelfinger, the CEO of KnowRoaming, at Mobile World Congress this year; that’s where I first learned about this service and how it works. KnowRoaming is coming off of a successful 12 month pre-launch and beta period, and now you can get your money-saving kit for…
Get Your Samsung Galaxy Note Edge on November 14th!
One of the coolest new devices I saw while at IFA was undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. It had a beveled edge on the right side of the main screen which displayed received messages, email, calendar, and other notifications. The Note Edge takes the best qualities of the new Galaxy Note 4, but adds an extra wow feature! The beveled screen will display scrollable messages, “extending the screen with room to do and see more. The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge screen gives access to email, Internet, apps, notifications, news and more without interrupting the content on the main screen.” Users will be able to…
Amped Wireless’ REC15A High Power Wi-Fi Range Extender Review
The REC15A High Power Wi-Fi Range Extender from Amped Wireless extender offers decent range extension that can boost the range up to 5000 square feet. This three-inch tall by five-inch wide extender plugs directly into an outlet and requires some configuration. It works with any Wi-Fi standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and transmits via single band (2.4GHZ) or dual band (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz).
Incipio offGRID Backup Battery LED
I’m hesitant to describe the Incipio offGRID Portable Backup Battery 4000mAh as “cute” but it’s actually kind of cute… for an external backup battery. The bright colors, soft-touch material and cable-holder come together in a rather attractive way. Add in the accessible price of $49.99 and you have an impressive way to stay charged on the go.
Evutec Karbon Osprey S Series for iPhone 6 Review
If you are looking for thin, light and inexpensive protection for your iPhone 6, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Evutec Karbon Osprey S Series for iPhone 6. Evutec isn’t a familiar name to many, but it should be. Their cases are Kevlar reinforced, feather light, supermodel thin, and they offer terrific value.
Google Announces Nexus 6 – Too Big? Too Expensive?
Google today announced their widely anticipated Nexus 6 Android flagship smartphone. They unveiled two additional devices – one a Nexus 9 – a 8.9″ IPS screened tablet sporting 8MP rear camera, 1.6MP front camera. The other a Nexus Player featuring apps, games and more for your TV. Both the tablet and smartphone will run the latest version of Android 5.0 – now known as Lollipop.
The JBL Charge 2 Has Power and Bass to Spare
If you are looking for a Bluetooth wireless speaker that offers a clean yet rugged look and serves plenty of bass for under $150 you’ll want to check out the JBL Charge 2. This is a seriously loud portable speaker. Better still, as the name suggests, this speaker can double as an external battery for your phone or tablet.
The Mogul Mirror Is a Screen Protector That Doubles as a Mirror
Moguls Mobile is a new mobile accessories company that was started by Daymond John, known for founding the FUBU clothing line as well as appearing as an investor on TV’s Shark Tank. Moguls Mobile has an innovative new screen protector that acts as a high-definition mirror while your phone’s screen is off. The Mogul Mirror screen protector retails for $19.99.