Posts about a variety of topics which are not news and are not reviews.
It’s the beginning of a new year, which for a lot of people, means that it is time to start a new journal or diary. I’ve been wrestling with the decision of whether to stay traditional and keep my journal in a Moleskine, Rhodia or similar notebook, or go digital and use a diary app […]
Starting a New Journal – Which Format Do you Use, Digital or Analog? Read More
In a few hours, 2011 will become a memory as we say hello to a brand new year. We posted over 400 reviews this year on topics that ranged from apps to flashlights and smartphones to wrist watches. Let’s take a look at the 25 most viewed reviews on The Gadgeteer in the past year.
The Gadgeteer’s Top 25 Reviews of 2011 Read More
A few years ago, most of the people reading this article probably carried two devices with them every day in their pocket or bag: a mobile phone and a PDA. PDAs aka Personal Digital Assistants were the norm back then, while smartphones were still just a glimmer in eye of Steve Jobs and the Google whiz
Is there still a market for PDAs? Read More
Dear Gadget Diary, Gadgets have been keeping me busy the last couple of weeks with the iPhone 4S and now the Kindle Fire. I’ve only had the Fire for a few days, but my initial impressions are that it’s no iPad. But for $199, it’s a nice little tablet. I don’t want to make any
Julie’s Gadget Diary 11-20-11 Read More
When I reviewed the Apple Cards app, I was disappointed to receive a card missing the letterpress design elements I had selected. Someone at Apple read the review, and they launched an investigation into why I had received the wrong design. Someone at the printer checked my order file and determined it was okay. Apparently,
Update to Apple Cards iPhone / iPod App Review Read More
Dear Gadget Diary, My smartphone (which happens to be the iPhone 4 at the moment) was my BFF this past Saturday. The first thing I used it for was Google Maps to navigate to the GRT Glass Design Studio on the East side of Indy for an art workshop that Jeanne and I attended. Google
Julie’s Gadget Diary 10-10-11 Read More
I’ve been accused of being an Apple fangirl, but you’d be surprised to know that I’m a recent convert. There were years that I had nothing but contempt for Apple products. I thought they were over-priced and ugly. I thought people who said you could just open them up and get down to work were
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Read More
So, the Amazon “Kindle Fire” tablet is now reality and I believe it will be a big seller. At $199 it is within shouting distance of that “no brainer” gadget purchase price. Best of all, for us consumers, Amazon is forcing the rest of the tablet market to prove their value and “reason for being”.
Kindle Fire – A Tablet for the Masses? Read More
Almost two months ago, a close family member suffered a devastating stroke. It was a Sunday night, and he and his wife were planning to watch The Amazing Race – or whatever reality show is on that night. (To protect their privacy, I’m going to call them George and Gracie.) George was the type of
Using the iPad 2 in Stroke Recovery – My Family’s Experience Read More
Dear Gadget Diary, Happy first day of Fall! Things have really cooled off here and the leaves are even starting to change a little. I have had the GardenWatchCam snapping pictures of my woods line for at least a week now. I’m looking forward to the time lapse video I’m going to see once the
Julie’s Gadget Diary 09-23-11 Read More
Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, sent me an email apologizing for the way Netflix communicated their most recent price increase. Some of you (okay maybe 20 million of you) also received a similar message. Mr. Hastings opened up and told us about his deepest fears and then he broke the bad news…it would be better
Dear Netflix – Think of the Children! Read More
Every Netflix subscriber – and most everyone else who reads or hears the news – learned a couple of months ago that Netflix was drastically increasing their rates. (Scroll down to July 12th’s entry.) Instead of $7.99/month for one DVD at-a-time or $9.99/month for one DVD at-a-time plus unlimited streaming, the DVD mailing service would
Netflix Announces They Are Splitting into Two Services Read More
Dear Gadget Diary, It’s been a gorgeous early Fall Saturday here in Southern Indiana. We went to the local Farmer’s Market this morning to check out the fresh produce, baked goods, crafts etc. Then we headed out to our small municipal airport for breakfast / lunch at the Hanger 5 restaurant. I brought along my iPhone
Julie’s Gadget Diary – 09-17-11 Read More
It all started 7 years ago when I started my third business, a computer retail and service store. I was happy with my other two businesses which uses Verizon Business for our phone services. So I decided to use them again for the computer store. I ordered a few phone lines, fax / credit card
My excruciating experience with Verizon Business Read More
One of the first places many folks in gadget circles may have gotten a glimpse of their first gadgets may have been a local Best Buy Superstore. They are located in just about any city of decent size, and usually carry many small electronics, in addition to larger things like computers, TVs, car audio, and
A Cure for Best Buy’s Ills? Read More
I use my iPad 2 a lot. I recharge it almost everyday because I’ve run the battery from 100% to less than 10%. It’s not unknown for me to recharge it twice per day or continue using it after it’s been plugged in. Most of the time I’m using it, I have my Smart Cover
You Get What You Pay For – Buying Cheap Accessories on eBay Review Read More
I’m not sure why I’m writing so much about the HP TouchPad lately. I like the device and I like webOS, but the tablet is really my wife’s. I’m kind of stuck on my Android-powered, Asus Transformer. Nevertheless, the story of the HP TouchPad seems to be continuing with more twists, turns and odd occurrences than
As the TouchPad Turns… Read More
Dear Gadget Diary, Yesterday was chemo day. The treatments take about 5 hours, so I had to figure out something to take with me to keep me occupied and entertained for that whole time while sitting in a chair with an IV hooked up to the port in my chest.
Julie’s Gadget Diary – 08-19-11 Read More
I thought I’d start up a new feature where I talk about the gadgets, gear and other ‘stuff’ I use on any random day. Think of it as a gadget diary of sorts… I probably won’t do a post every day (Ok, I know I won’t post one everyday), but I’ll do my best to
Julie’s Gadget Diary – 08-11-11 Read More
Last week, I was invited to Dearborn, Michigan as part of a media event called Forward with Ford, sponsored and funded by Ford Motor Company and their various partners. This is the first such event Ford has done, and the first media event I have been to, so be easy on us both as the
Forward with Ford Event Trip Report (Overview) Read More