Articles - The Gadgeteer

Don’t wear pants? Then use SmartKlear and NASA technology to clean your phone’s screen

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 27, 2016 / Articles, News / iOS, screen cleaner / 9 Comments

SmartKlear is a screen cleaner that uses carbon pads wipe the crud off your smartphone’s display. It’s exactly like a Swiffer mop for your smartphone only it’s tiny and isn’t like a Swiffer mop at all. Sorry SmartKlear and all those other screen cleaning gadgets out there… but how many people are THAT worried that […]

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Julie’s gadget diary – I may have found my next travel companion

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 21, 2016 / Articles / Android, gadget diary, iOS / 53 Comments

I’m not a frequent traveler, but we do go on at least two vacations a year which usually involve air travel. Preparing for these trips involves decisions about the gear to take with me and I always have the same dilemma each time: weight and bulk vs. usability. I know vacations are for relaxing, but I’d

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Julie’s gadget diary – What comes after the smartphone?

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 13, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 11 Comments

I’m sure you guys are getting tired of my whining about how the current crop of smartphones isn’t as “fun” as devices were back in the good old days of PDAs when new features and technology was being developed every few months. I even get tired of listening to myself because I’m starting to remind

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Julie’s gadget diary – Now that the Note 7 is toast, which smartphone is the next best choice?

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 11, 2016 / Articles / Android, gadget diary, iOS / 19 Comments

After almost two months of spontaneously combusting drama, it’s official. Samsung has finally stuck a fork in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and it’s been declared dead. My guess is that we’ll never see another new Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone model because that name just has too much negativity attached to it. So, what do

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Juile’s gadget diary – Why can’t Apple and Google be more like Sony used to be?

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 9, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 26 Comments

I wrote a gadget diary post a few day ago talking about the Google Pixel XL that I have on order. Mark Ryan left a comment that really resonated with me. He said: I have to say that both Apple and Google are really lost when it comes to mobile phone innovation. Pixel is not

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Julie’s gadget diary – Naked or cased?

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 7, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 18 Comments

As I wait for my Pixel XL to arrive, I have been thinking about whether or not I want to buy a case for it. I’ve been using a thin snap-on case for my Nexus 6P for the past year. I’ve been using a case not because I particularly like cases or am afraid of

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Julie’s gadget diary – Yes, I ordered a Pixel XL, are you surprised?

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 4, 2016 / Articles / Android, gadget diary, Google / 37 Comments

As details about Google’s new Pixel flagship phones trickled out over the past few days and weeks, I’ve been consistently saying to friends that I would not (probably) be buying one. I’d already gone through the whole spontaneous purchase experience with the iPhone 7 only to return it a week later due to not loving

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Julie’s gadget diary – My iPhone 7 saga has ended (for now)

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 25, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary, iPhone / 27 Comments

I decided not to write a traditional smartphone review because you can read any one of the eleventy billion iPhone 7 reviews on the internet right now. I thought it would be more interesting to write about my experiences using the iPhone 7 and trying to adjust to iOS after using Android for the last several years.

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Apples or Pixels, which will it be?

By Dave Rees / September 21, 2016 / Articles / iPhone / 11 Comments

Julie and I have been discussing what new smartphones are on the horizon for years now. Always hopeful of the next one peaking our Gadgeteer interest enough to pull the trigger. Most recently we focused on the iPhone 7/7+, both of us drinking the Kool-Aid Tim Cook was pouring during the announcement event. I, like

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Julie’s gadget diary – I’m starting to rethink my iPhone 7 purchase

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 18, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 51 Comments

It’s been two days since I stood in line at my local Verizon store and walked out with a new 32gb Apple iPhone 7. The phone was intended for Jeanne, but I planned to use it for a few days to help me figure out if I want to buy another iPhone 7 for myself

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First impressions: Apple’s watchOS 3

By Smythe Richbourg / September 17, 2016 / Articles / Apple Watch / 4 Comments

I upgraded my first generation Apple Watch the night after updating all my iOS devices to iOS 10. (For those who have never done it, you have to have the watch charged to at least 50% and it has to be on the charger. Also, your phone has to be on wifi.) While the initial

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Julie’s gadget diary – iPhone 7 procurement mission completed

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 16, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary, iOS / 17 Comments

If you’ve read my recent gadget diary posts about pre-ordering the new iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll know that I made a mistake doing that through Apple’s site and will end up sending back the iPhone that’s heading to my doorstep as I type this. I’ve spent the last week trying to figure out a way

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Julie’s gadget diary – Be careful how you order your new iPhone 7

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 12, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 5 Comments

Last Friday (9/9), I got up before 3am EST so I could pre-order an iPhone 7 Plus through Apple. I was really surprised and happy when I saw that I could order one for $419 because I’d been saving my Verizon upgrade for years for just such an occasion. Well, if things seem too good

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Julie’s gadget diary – Is there such a thing as being bi-OS?

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 12, 2016 / Articles / Android, gadget diary, iOS / 19 Comments

Last week I ordered a cute little Android pin from Dead Zebra. When it arrived, there were a couple of Android stickers also included in the package. I was so excited that I took a picture and shared it with Dave Rees (my Gadgeteer BFF). What he said next made me both laugh and think.

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Julie’s gadget diary – Here we go again, I want an iPhone 7

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 7, 2016 / Articles / gadget diary / 32 Comments

As I was watching the end of today’s Apple Event and listening to Sia sing Chandelier, I had a feeling of deja vu because just like last year, I was having the overwhelming desire to buy the new iPhone 7 and maybe even an Apple Watch. After the Apple event last year at this time,

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Picas photo filter app, a fitness tracker in your glasses, creepy movies and more – Friday links

By Julie Strietelmeier / September 2, 2016 / Articles / friday links / Leave a Comment

I hope everyone has had a great week this week. As we head into the Labor Day holiday weekend (if you’re reading this in the US), it’s time to stop thinking about work and start thinking about relaxing. I have just the thing to help. Here are a few interesting links to share that I’ve

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Julie’s gadget diary – I think I have a bag problem

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 28, 2016 / Articles / Bags, gadget diary / 28 Comments

A few days ago my post about the new Pad & Quill bags on Facebook prompted a challenge from reader Robert Grenader to share a picture of my bag collection and he would do the same. Robert has shared his picture and here’s mine. Click through for a list of all the bags and what

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Final Fantasy?

By Smythe Richbourg / August 28, 2016 / Articles / iOS / 3 Comments

I have this conversation from time to time with people when they see the name of my iPhone: “Final Fantasy?” “Yeah.” “What’s that mean?” “Well, when I got this phone, it completely checked off everything on my whiz-bang gadget list. I don’t have anything else that I really want a phone to do.” Sometimes I

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Samsung S7 vs iPhone 6s, NFC payment rings, new Netflix shows and more – Friday links

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 26, 2016 / Articles / friday links / 3 Comments

If you’re watching the clock till it’s time to start the weekend, I have something a little more “productive” that you can do. Click through to see a short list of five sites, products and other interesting things that I have collected this week.

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Big savings on Jaybird X2 earbuds, Verizon iPhone 6 Plus, help choosing a fitness tracker and more – Friday links

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 19, 2016 / Articles / friday links / Leave a Comment

It’s Friday and you’re probably worn out from working (or playing hard) all week. Here is some quick news to help you unwind and even some deals that can save you a few bucks!

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