Julie Strietelmeier - The Gadgeteer

Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Grain Audio headphones, INNORI power bank and more – Weekly roundup

Wow, where did the last seven days go? Another week, another batch of juicy gadget related news and reviews. If you don’t visit regularly, I have the perfect way for you to catch up. Just click through and you’ll be presented with a lovely list of every thing we’ve posted this week. Yes, you’re welcome. […]

Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Grain Audio headphones, INNORI power bank and more – Weekly roundup Read More

StikBot review

StikBot is the world’s first social media sharing toy. What exactly does that mean? StikBots are posable figures that kids and adults can use to create stop motion videos that are then shared to sites like YouTube and Instagram. It’s a fun idea to get kids interested in film making, but are StikBots the way to

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Amazon opens new Handmade shop

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 8, 2015 / News / Amazon, Shopping / 1 Comment

In another move to become the ultimate one-stop shop and storefront for everyone, Amazon has introduced a new Handmade shop for artisans and unique product shoppers. Makers can now apply to offer their handmade jewelry and home products to Amazon. Navigating through Handmade offers the same experience that you’re used to with Amazon. You can

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Julie’s gadget diary – I almost pre-ordered a Microsoft Surface Pro 4 today

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 7, 2015 / News / gadget diary, Laptops and Gear, Microsoft, Tablets, Ultra Portables / 18 Comments

Yesterday Dave Rees and I were chatting on Google Hangouts while we were watching Microsoft’s new hardware event. Microsoft announced three new Lumia Windows phones, a preview of HoloLens virtual gaming gear and a new fitness tracking band that all looked somewhat interesting to us. But, what Dave and I were most interested in was

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Wristouch offers premium quality watch bands for your Apple Watch

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 7, 2015 / News / Apple Watch, iOS, Watches and Clocks / 1 Comment

Wristouch is your one stop shop for premium quality watch bands for your 42mm sized Apple Watch. They offer nine different styles that include seven metal bands which include one with a Camouflage pattern that has been printed directly on the steel band. Wristouch also offers two bands made of rubber in either black or

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MOTA solves your GoPro’s #1 problem

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 6, 2015 / News / Batteries and Chargers, Camera gear / Leave a Comment

People love their GoPro action cams, but there’s one thing about them that they don’t love and that’s running out of juice just when the action heats up. The MOTA Wireless charger for GoPro looks like a great solution for on the go charging. It’s a ruggedly built stand alone wireless charging dock for the

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Ulla turns any bottle or glass into a hydration reminder

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 6, 2015 / News / Health and fitness / 1 Comment

There are a lot of people who believe the 8 glasses of water a day rule is silly. They say don’t worry about it and only need to drink when you’re thirsty. Others feel differently and say the more water you drink (within reason of course), the healthier you will be. What do you think,

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 5, 2015 / Reviews / Android, Samsung, Smartphone / 12 Comments

Samsung’s newest top-end smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. How much has it evolved since the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was introduced last year? Should Note 4 users consider upgrading? Those are just a couple of the questions that I’ll answer in this review. Let’s get started.

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This WildCard slices, dices and opens your beer

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 5, 2015 / News / Crowdfunded, Pocket Gear, Tools, Wallets / Leave a Comment

From Zootility, the same company that brought us the PocketMonkey multi-tool and the Headgehog pocket comb multi-tool, comes the WildCard. The WildCard is a credit card sized multi-tool made of 420 blade steel that is currently seeking $20,000 from Kickstarter. It is sized to fit in a credit card slot in your wallet and features a traditional knife

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Print your snapshots instantly with the Polaroid Snap Instant Camera

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 4, 2015 / News / Camera, Camera gear, Photo printing / Leave a Comment

When we want something, we want it now. The new Polaroid Snap Instant Camera can provide instant gratification by printing your pictures right after you take them. This pocket-sized 10MP camera is basically the Polaroid ZIP Instant Photoprinter that I reviewed a couple months ago with a built-in camera. The Snap camera features a f2.8

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Carry your books in style with the new Saddleback Leather Book Bag

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 4, 2015 / News / Bags / Leave a Comment

The new Book Bag from Saddleback Leather Company is a small (9 ½ W” x 7 ¾” H x 2 ½” D) full-grain leather bag with a pigskin lining. The interior has two pockets, one has been designed to carry your everyday essentials like your phone and a pen, and the other is large enough

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Eating bugs, Google’s new Chromecast devices, magic rings and more – Weekly roundup

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 3, 2015 / News / weekly roundup / Leave a Comment

Did you know that insects are the food of the future? Did you know that there’s a ring that you can program to unlock your phone, your front door and text your significant other? No? That’s because you missed some of our posts this week. It’s ok, I know how busy you are, but it’s

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Protect your iPhone 6/6s with the Advent $1500 Titanium bumper case

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 3, 2015 / News / Bumper case, Cases and Covers, iOS, iPhone / 1 Comment

From the “Are you kidding me?” files comes the Gray International Advent bumper case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. This case looks very slick with its two-piece design that only requires friction and no screws for assembly. There’s a black rubber bumper that is first installed around the iPhone’s edges, then the aerospace

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The Setgo Jump Jet messenger bag is expandable

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 3, 2015 / News / Bags, Messenger bag / Leave a Comment

Messenger bags are my favorite style of gear bags. I’ve been carrying one for years. They are great because they are roomy enough to hold a lot of gear. But for those times when you don’t need to carry everything but the kitchen sink, they can be a little too spacious. The Setgo Jump Jet

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Add a hands-free light to your tools for less than $8

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 2, 2015 / News / Do-It-Yourself, Tools / 2 Comments

It seems like every time I need to fix something with a tool, it’s in the darkest area of my home or garage. I have several flashlights that can help in these situations, but holding a light in one hand while trying to use a screwdriver with the other hand can sometimes be a little

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Kisetsu Natsu wallet review

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 2, 2015 / Reviews / Wallets / 1 Comment

REVIEW – I’m always looking for ways to minimalize my every day carry. My latest challenge is to find a new wallet that gives me easy access to several credit cards and cash, while remaining pocket friendly. I’ve been testing the Kisetsu Natsu wallet for a couple weeks and am ready to tell you all

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Saddleback adds the Copper Pen to their product line

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 2, 2015 / News / Pens / 3 Comments

Saddleback has started offering two new writing instruments to their product line. The Copper Pen comes in a simple and fancy version. The pen itself is the same, but the leather holder/protector is different between the two versions. The 5 ⅛” long Copper Pens feature a hand-hammered barrel made of 100% copper which will develop

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NFC Ring 2016 review

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 1, 2015 / Reviews / Crowdfunded, Jewelry, NFC / 21 Comments

The NFC Ring is back with a new Kickstarter campaign, an updated look and improved tech under the hood… or I guess I should say under the band since it’s a ring. Smartphones are cool and smart watches may be fun, but a smart ring is the ultimate in geek gear. Let’s check out what’s

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Jabra Sport Coach Wireless Earbuds review

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 30, 2015 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth, Bluetooth headphones, Health and fitness / 5 Comments

Most people will agree that working out isn’t exactly fun, but add some music and it becomes more bearable. Add a pair of Jabra Sport Coach sweat-proof wireless earbuds and a virtual coach who talks in your ear and you might just start looking forward to your next workout session. Let’s find out.

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WallJax is an easy way to add a wireless charging shelf to your wall

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 29, 2015 / News / Batteries and Chargers, Wireless charging / 4 Comments

I’m a huge fan of wireless charging (otherwise known as Qi charging) and own several wireless chargers for home and office. Not long ago I gave Jeanne my older Samsung Note 2 smartphone and a TYLT VÜ Wireless Charger. The charger works great, but we keep it on the kitchen table, which doesn’t look very

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