Smartphones & Gear

Scout Comes to Windows 8!

I love my Lumia, but I will be honest — Nokia’s HERE Maps and HERE Drive are not my favorites. They are perfectly fine, but they lack many bells and whistles. It was hard giving up Scout when I left the iPhone, and I am thrilled that Scout is coming to Windows Phone 8! For those who aren’t familiar, Scout is an amazing navigation service powered by Telenav. It helps you map your routes, find points of interest, and monitor multiple choices for the best traffic flow. It also offers additional features like traffic alerts, voice commands, and voice guidance…

News & Features

Ubuntu Edge Fails to Meet Funding Goal: I Told you So!

The Ubuntu Edge failed to meet the lofty 32 million dollar crowd funding goal that Canonical set. I hate to say I told you so, but I did back when the campaign first started. Is this a success for Canonical and Mark Shuttleworth or a failure? Read on for more. The campaign ended a few days ago, and there are many different opinions swirling around the net about this. Some say that it set the crowd funding record. I say it didn’t. Why? It didn’t fund! They raised 12.8 million dollars which is impressive, but because of how they set…

Editorials

Why Does Google Hate Windows Phone?

Whether or not you’re a fan of Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system, there’s one issue both fans and detractors both recognize: there is a definite lack of Google support in the apps. It’s not just the lack of Google Maps, but also the lack of a Gmail app, a Google+ app, and worst of all, no official YouTube app. That last one has been the subject of a fair amount of drama as of late, with Microsoft creating an app, getting it blocked by Google, collaborating with Google, releasing a new YouTube app, and getting it blocked again. So what’s…

News & Features

Windows Phone and Gmail Finally Learn to Play Better

Thanks to the latest Windows Phone update, Windows Phone finally syncs properly with Gmail — bringing along all of your shared calendars and properly formatted emails. No more shredded MIME-reformatted emails! One of the common objections to Windows Phone is the lack of Google services integration. There are some obvious areas where there’s a large Google-shaped hole (the drama around the official/not official/official youtube app is an excellent example), but the biggest sticking point for me as a user of both has been the Gmail experience. However, the latest Windows Phone update has completely revamped how Gmail syncs with Windows Phone…

News & Features

JOBY Goes Small With the GPod Mini Magnetic and MPod Mini Stand

I’ve long been a fan of JOBY’s various flexible tripod offerings. Their GorillaPods are a mainstay in my gear bag. Now JOBY has announced their new JOBY GPod Mini Magnetic and JOBY MPod Mini Stand. The GPod works with cameras. The MPod works with smartphones. Each weighs less than two ounces. Shipping soon you can learn more here.

Gear Bits

Samsung Galaxy Mega Adds a 6.3″ Phablet to the Family

In their quest to dominate the smartphone world by having a Galaxy device in every imaginable size, Samsung today announced the upcoming US availability of the 6.3″ Galaxy Mega phablet. Shipping soon with Android 4.2.2, a 1.7GHz processor, and 1.5 GB of RAM, the phone and its features will be immediately familiar to anyone using a Galaxy device. Check it out.

DRACO HYDRA Aluminum Bumper -for Samsung Galaxy S4

Reviews

DRACOdesign HYDRA Ducati Aluminum Bumper for Samsung Galaxy S4 – Adds Sporty Good Looks and Protection

If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S4, and you want corner protection without covering up your phone more than absolutely necessary, then the $99.99 DRACO design HYDRA for S4 bumper case may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s sleek, made of aluminum, and it manages to make the S4 look even hotter! As you may have guessed by looking at these pictures, the DRACOdesign HYDRA is an officially licensed Ducati product. Available in Meteor Black, Luxury Silver, and the Flare Red I was sent, the HYDRA is composed of aircraft grade aluminum that has been precision-machined in a 5…

Gear Bits

Incipio and Braven Sitting in a Tree…

Incipio is known for making a wide assortment of devices cases. Braven is known for making a growing array of Bluetooth-enabled speakers. We’ve reviewed many offerings from both companies. And, as of today two has become one. Yes, Incipio just acquired Braven. It will be interesting to see what comes from the combination. Check it out here.

Gear Bits

The HTC One Mini Makes Its (Diminutive) Appearance

My phone du jour is an AT&T HTC One. I think that it is the perfect size, but there are some who wish it was just a bit more “mini”. Well, here you go — it’s the HTC One Mini, available exclusively from AT&T beginning August 23rd for $99.99 with a two-year contract.

Reviews

Jabra Style Bluetooth Headset Review – Give Your Conversations Some Style

The Jabra Style is one of the new Bluetooth headsets from Jabra, a company known for its expertise in creating great Bluetooth devices. This stylish headset is great for taking calls, listening to music or podcasts. The $49 headset has Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and is designed for comfort and simplicity — it even adjusts the volume automatically. Check it out. When creating the Jabra Style, the company was looking for something that would look great, fit comfortably and be easy to use. They have pretty much achieved that with the Jabra Style, and the fact that they have been able to…

Gear Bits

iblazr Flash Puts Smartphone Photography in a New Light

If you are serious about smartphone photography you’ll want to check out the iblazr project on Kickstarter. Made from four CREE LEDs, the iblazr flash has its own power source and app. Backing the project, which is already funded, for as little as $39 will get you an iblazr flash when it ships this December. Check it out here.

News & Features, Reviews

DRACOdesign ONE Aluminum Bumper for HTC One – Sexy Curves for My Favorite Android

I absolutely love my HTC One. Unfortunately, it is not the most popular Android phone (even if I think it should be), so my case options have been limited to bulky, plastic, and ugly … until now. I recently received DRACOdesign’s gorgeous $79.99 ONE Aluminum Bumper, and it is now somewhat permanently attached to my phone. Here’s why … I’ve reviewed plenty of aluminum bumper cases over the years, but the majority of them were for various iPhone incarnations, and quite a few of those cases interfered with the iPhone’s antenna causing reception issues. Even so, I really like the…

Editorials, Gear Bits

Dreary New HTC Ad Begs for the Label – Help This Company (Please)!

It was big news that HTC had snagged Robert Downey Jr as a spokesman, hopefully signaling a strong marketing campaign that will turn things around for the beleaguered maker of excellent quality — but poorly selling — phones. Guess what? First ad is crap, and it pretty much begs to be called the ‘Help This Company’ campaign. So here we have HTC, a company that has divided smartphone efforts between Android and Windows Phone, a company that recently narrowed product naming and offerings because they felt they were too ‘all over the place’ … and we are getting an ad…

Reviews

Element Case Atom S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – Carbon Fiber Reinforced Protection

If you need protection for your Samsung Galaxy S4, and you like the look of Carbon Fiber, then the Atom S4 by Element Case may be just what you’ve been looking for. At $59.95, it comes loaded with features including reinforced corners, Element’s Sound Boost System, and an ergonomic design. One of the Samsung Galaxy S4’s biggest flaws is that it doesn’t have the type of solid construction that inspires confidence. Sure, it’s great that the S4 is a thin and light phone — svelte, even — but the device is so slippery that it almost seems to be looking for…

Reviews

Element Case Eclipse S4 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Review – The Case I Would Use If I Owned a Samsung Galaxy S4

If you have been looking for serious protection that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to your Samsung Galaxy S4, then you need look no further than the $79.95 anodized aluminum, carbon fiber, and TPU Eclipse S4 made by Element Case. It even includes a kickstand and sound boost system! The Eclipse is composed of two pieces; an anodized CNC machined aluminum bezel and a TPU main body. The back of the case has an aerospace-grade carbon fiber insert in its middle. I’m not sure that it adds any extra protection in this location, but it certainly breaks up the otherwise monochrome…

Reviews

Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning Review – Connect Any Way You Like

The Soundfreaq Sound Step Lighting dock is priced under $140 and lets you connect to iOS Lightning-enabled device, via Bluetooth, USB and much more. It even includes an FM radio, an IR remote and an iOS and Android app are also available. Best of all, the speaker sounds great. We have seen a huge proliferation in the number of available Bluetooth speakers. Similarly, lightning-enabled docks designed to work specifically with current generation Apple products have been increasing in number. The result is an ever-growing number of choices when looking for a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy your music at home…

Reviews

Logitech Z600 Bluetooth Speakers Review- Multiple-Personalities Never Sounded So Good

Logitech’s new Z600 Bluetooth Speakers are proof the company can not only put out excellent sounding speakers but they can put out excellent sounding speakers that look great AND come in at a surprisingly reasonable price. The speakers, which are available for preorder, have an MSRP of $149.99 and have impressed me more than I expected they would. Let’s take a look at them on video and then dig a little more deeply into some of the specifics. It should be clear from the video that I am really impressed with the speakers. And when I take into consideration the…

News & Features

Learn About Wireless Audio From One of the Experts

Wireless audio has gone from simple convenience to serious audio experience over the last few years thanks to Play-fi, AirPlay and, of course, Bluetooth. Honestly, at this point I wouldn’t even consider an audio system that didn’t offer the ability to cut the cords and go wireless. But while it used to be the case that you had to choose between the convenience of wireless audio and the quality of the music you can enjoy that is far from the case these days. Wireless audio is here to stay and, best of all, it is getting better and better. It…

News & Features

Seidio’s Ledger Cover now Available for Galaxy S4 and HTC One

Seidio has announced a new fashionable way to protect your Samsung Galaxy S4 or HTC One device, the Ledger. This clam shell case offers a sleek and stylish way to protect your Android device from drops and scratches as well as spying eyes. The nice thing about the “book” style of case is that while your phone is sitting on the table, not being used, the cover protects your screen from being read by others when you receive notifications. The Ledger also protects your phone from all angles, leaving no fragile area exposed. The Ledger is crafted from Italian Polyurethane…

News & Features

M-Edge Has Your New Nexus 7 Covered

It’s that classic dilemma – you want to be an early adopter and buy that newly released phone/tablet/laptop/media player, but you also want to protect it in a stylish manner. Nothing deflates one’s pride at carrying around the latest tablet faster than pulling it out of last year’s case. I mean, sheesh, one must have standards, right? Luckily for you, M-Edge completely understands, and, anticipating the new Google Nexus 7, has introduced the Stealth for the updated tablet. The Stealth is a leather folio-style case, designed to be slim and lightweight. It has a magnetic closure and uses M-Edge’s GripTrack…

Gear Bits

Photos Taken with the Nokia Lumia 1020 Are Amazing!

Gear Diary reader, David Min, recently purchased the brand new super camera smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 1020. Because I haven’t yet got mine (yes, I am planning on buying one, too), he sent in some comparison photos so we could see the difference between the Lumia 1020 on High Resolution, the Nokia Lumia at 5MP, and the iPhone 5. All I can tell you is that after seeing these photos, I have no doubt that I will be buying this phone! All photos are thumbnails; if you click on them they will open and enlarge in a new window. Of…

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