Smythe Richbourg

A gadget nerd from childhood, Smythe has always been drawn to solving everyday problems with clever tools. An Apple fan since his Mac Plus in 1987, he's usually pretty current with devices. Sometimes, however, he still misses his Newton 2100 MessagePad.




Muemma Arina Bluetooth Speaker review

Arina 5 e1465372337685

Bluetooth speakers are all over the map, it seems. You can get small ones that recharge, large ones that have battery or plugin power options, weatherproof, multi-speaker, and ornate ones that try to blend in to your more formal living areas. Firmly in that latter category, the Arina, from Muemma, is both a Bluetooth speaker

Muemma Arina Bluetooth Speaker review Read More

Tashtego Roll-up Travel Kit review

TashtegoRollup 3

Packing for travel is a pain sometimes. You need clothes, various charging cables, and, of course, your toiletries. I generally pack fewer items in this category than my Lovely Bride, since I’m willing to wash my hair with whatever soap is available and use one lotion for skin, hair, and face. (Coconut oil is wonderful!)

Tashtego Roll-up Travel Kit review Read More




The Duke Adjustable standing desk review

TheDuke 8

Standing desks have been around for years, but they are making a comeback, due to some recent studies. The studies revolved around the dangers of sitting for prolonged periods. I’ve recently seen news reports of schools that are replacing traditional desks with standing desks, and the energizing effect they’ve had on students. So, with my

The Duke Adjustable standing desk review Read More




Tenda AV1000 Gigabit Powerline Adapter starter kit review

tenda powerline 2

When you want a truly fast network connection, nothing beats a wired connection. The only issue with that is, traditionally, you either have to cut into walls and woodwork, or you have to leave wiring exposed and lying about. There is a third way, however – Power-line Communication. “Power-line communication (PLC) is a communication protocol

Tenda AV1000 Gigabit Powerline Adapter starter kit review Read More

Mujjo Leather iPhone case review

Mujjo 3

Ah, leather! Such a nice feel, and so easy on the eyes. I have always preferred it to the various synthetics. I especially like the finishes that are less polished and lend themselves to natural wear and “character building.” Recently, Mujjo has expanded their line of cases to include Apple’s newest iPhones, and they offered

Mujjo Leather iPhone case review Read More




Spyder Digital Research Commuter 3-in-1 universal charger review

Spyder3n1 1

We all have battery chargers by now, right? Some are large, some small, some include cables to connect to phones or tablets. But one thing almost every charger I have seen has is this: you have to carry along a phone charger or a device capable of charging the battery to top it off. (It

Spyder Digital Research Commuter 3-in-1 universal charger review Read More

IK Multimedia iRig acoustic guitar microphone review

IKMultimedia 5

I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for more than 40 years. Same guitar, but I’m hopefully a little better for the years of practice. A decade or so ago, I had my guitar retrofitted with an internal pickup, since I was playing regularly into a sound system. Recently, however, I’m more interested in getting that sound

IK Multimedia iRig acoustic guitar microphone review Read More




Qicent Surge Supressor with USB surper charger review

Qicent 1

This is another product category that has moved from being a geeky thing to perfectly normal for people in all walks of life. In the last year, I have seen power cords and surge suppressors that have several USB plugs for charging phones or tablets in coffee shops, malls, bars, and waiting areas in healthcare

Qicent Surge Supressor with USB surper charger review Read More

Inateck keyboard case for iPad Air 2 review

InateckHinge 7

Cases for iPads have run the gamut, from heavy-duty armored monstrosities to the barest wisp of a cover. Many folks, unable or unwilling to retrain their typing skills to use a glass virtual keyboard, swear by their keyboard case. Inateck has made cases for iPads that include keyboards for years, and they have recently created

Inateck keyboard case for iPad Air 2 review Read More




Aootek LED desk lamp review

Aootek LED 1 e1453882333315

LEDs are working their way into everything – vehicle headlamps, flashlights, outdoor lighting, holiday decorations, kids toys, and our light sockets. With the advent of computers in offices over the past few decades, desktop task lighting has grown and expanded, so it’s only natural that the cool, low-energy, relaxing light of these devices should invade

Aootek LED desk lamp review Read More

RBH EP-3 Sound Isolation Earphones review

RBHep3 5 e1452675306229

When I want to listen to music, I prefer over-the-ear headphones, but those are not really a good fit when out and about. I’ve used both of Apple’s earbuds/pods that came with the iPhone’s I’ve owned over the years, plus many others, trying to find that sweet spot of durability, good sound, and sound isolation.

RBH EP-3 Sound Isolation Earphones review Read More