Reviews - The Gadgeteer

Squier by Fender Strat Guitar with USB and iOS Connectivity review

Computers and software have transformed the recording industry for even amateur musicians. No longer do you have to rent expensive time in recording studios to make professional-sounding recordings. A quick Google search will find multiple stories about entire albums being recorded on an iPad or an iPhone. If you intend to use only virtual instruments, […]

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V-Tech InnoTab Tablet for children review

By Bryan Sherman / December 9, 2012 / Reviews / eBook Readers, Kid Gadgets, tablets, Tablets, Ultra Portables / 4 Comments

As any self-respecting gadgeteer parent, I put a lot of thought towards the appropriate gadgets for my son. As Christmas approached last year I had decided to get him a tablet, and had my list down to the V-Tech and LeapPad Tablets when V-Tech offered one for a review. Unfortunately (for me) last Christmas was a hot season

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Words to Sleep By eBook review

By Morgan Bornstein / December 8, 2012 / Reviews / eBook reader, Health and fitness, Kindle, Sleep / 2 Comments

Despite your best efforts it’s 2am and you’re still awake in bed, tossing and turning, too tired to get up but too awake to fall asleep. You’ve counted the sheep, sipped warm milk, but nothing seems to help. Author and former Gadgeteer staff writer Cobin Rox might have some words to help you out –

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bubba brands Envy Tumbler and HERO Bottle review

By Julie Strietelmeier / December 7, 2012 / Reviews / Beverage, Home and Kitchen, Travel Gear / 15 Comments

I’m a big fan of drinking… tea that is. 🙂 When I’m not sipping hot tea, I’m gulping iced tea. During daytime work hours, I take my 8 oz glass mug to the hot/cold water dispenser, fill it up and bring it back to the small microwave in my cubicle to get the already warm

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e-pens mobile digipad pro review

By Bill Kuch / December 7, 2012 / Reviews / Android, Notebooks, Pens / 5 Comments

I imagine there are still some people around that actually take notes using paper and pen. I admit I do on occasion in my role as secretary for a local club. For the times I take the minutes, I’ve always wanted a way to convert my pen strokes to digital text so I don’t have

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Hard Candy iPad Mini Shockdrop Rugged Case review

By Janet Cloninger / December 6, 2012 / Reviews / Cases and Covers, iPad mini / 5 Comments

I’ve always had minimal cases on my iPads, and I’ve always liked keeping the iPad as sleek as possible. However, that means I usually need a sleeve when I want to put the iPad in my bag to protect the iPad from being scratched by the other stuff in the bag. I had contemplated buying

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TechSlingers shoulder holster review

By Smythe Richbourg / December 5, 2012 / Reviews / Bags / 21 Comments

Tablets and mobile phones are great tools, and I wouldn’t want to be without either of mine very long. I use both of mine constantly throughout the day, both for work and for personal information. Carrying them around, however, is a pain. Especially an iPad. Shirts and pants have pockets that can handle most smart

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SPIGEN SGP iPhone 5 case Ultra Thin Air review

By Janet Cloninger / December 4, 2012 / Reviews / Cases and Covers, iOS, iPhone 5 cases and covers / 1 Comment

Either Apple was more forthcoming with accessories manufacturers or the rumor mill was extremely accurate, but it seems that there were a lot of cases for the new iPhone 5 available even before it was released. SPIGEN SGP sent a couple of different cases for our review, and we’ll be looking at their Ultra Thin

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Seagull Custom Courier Bags review

By Julie Strietelmeier / December 3, 2012 / Reviews / Bags, Messenger bag / 9 Comments

Messenger bags are my favorite style of gear bag. I have enjoyed carrying a Timbuk2 Laptop messenger bag for years. Even though I love it, I often think of ways I would improve it if given the chance. Because of that fact I’m always on the look out for other bags that tick all the

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Noreve leather case for Asus Google Nexus 7 review

By Ian Lim / December 3, 2012 / Reviews / Android, Cases and Covers, Nexus 7 / 5 Comments

Check out Ebay and you’ll find a plethora of cheap cases for your Nexus 7, like the Smart Magnetic case I initially purchased. Disappointingly, both the original and replacement eBay cases broke in the same place after a couple of months, so my search continued. On the other end of the spectrum are Noreve’s “haute couture” leather cases, which

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Geneva Sound System Model S review

By Bill Henderson / December 2, 2012 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, iOS / 19 Comments

Red. Red box. Red controls. Red speaker grill. Silver remote with – red buttons. I guess you have to be a confident company to make a speaker as red as the Geneva Sound System Model S speaker. But I have to tell you, the Model S is drop-dead gorgeous. You can’t not notice it on

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Kanex DoubleUp Dual USB Charger review

By Janet Cloninger / December 1, 2012 / Reviews / Android, iOS, Smartphone, tablets, Tablets, Ultra Portables, USB charger / Leave a Comment

In my house, we have a lot of gadgets that need to be charged and a dearth of outlets. Because all of us tend to have the same types of gadgets, we can usually share chargers, which minimizes how many chargers we have to have scattered around the house. Since I now have a few

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Foldable.Me review

By Julie Strietelmeier / November 30, 2012 / Reviews / 8 Comments

Several weeks ago Ian told us about Foldable.Me when he posted a news item about the unique service that lets you create a 3D replica of yourself (or someone else) in foldable card stock. After we posted that news item, the folks that run Foldable.Me offered us a code to try it out ourselves. Ian

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Phosphor E-Ink Digital Hour Watch with Black Polyurethane Band review

By Andy Chen / November 30, 2012 / Reviews / Watches and Clocks / 3 Comments

Phosphor has released quite a few watches over the past few years, including the recently reviewed World Time Sport Watch. Today we’re going to look at one of the original fully-digital models, the Phosphor E-Ink Digital Hour Watch with Black Polyurethane Band. Functionally, it’s identical to the stainless steel version but with a flexible, sporty strap.

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RichardSolo FreeWheelin Audio System for Helmets review

By Smythe Richbourg / November 29, 2012 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth, Bluetooth speaker, Outdoor Gear, Portable speakers / 2 Comments

FreeWheelin attached to clip with round charging cable.

Bluetooth speakers are becoming quite popular, since most folks are carrying their music on their phones or tablets. Sure, plugging in an AUX cable gives a better connection in most cases, but trying to use something while its tethered, or having something fall off the edge of a counter because it was precariously balanced next

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Rickshaw Bagworks iPad mini Sleeve review

By Janet Cloninger / November 28, 2012 / Reviews / Cases and Covers, iOS, iPad mini / Leave a Comment

It appears the potential job that required me to purchase an iPad mini has fallen through, but I’m never giving up the mini now that I have it. Now begins the fun, never-ending search for the perfect case or cover for the mini. I just can’t decide if I want to use the mini cased

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Four DUNU Earphones review

By Bill Henderson / November 27, 2012 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / 3 Comments

After years of reviewing, I have realized an important fact: Many people either cannot afford many of the headphones/earphones I review, or even if they could, there is no way they’re paying hundreds of dollars for excellent sound. I get that. But today, there so many affordable earphones available that can deliver audio which will

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Saddleback Leather medium gadget sleeve for the Google Asus Nexus 7 review

By Ian Lim / November 26, 2012 / Reviews / Cases and Covers, Nexus 7, Tablets, Ultra Portables / 4 Comments

Regular readers of The Gadgeteer will be no strangers to Saddleback Leather Company products. You probably wouldn’t consider their leather products as haute couture, but rather as hardwearing and functional pieces. (Their motto is “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” 🙂 ) While I didn’t specifically purchase their Medium Gadget Sleeve for my Google

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Logitech Harmony Touch Universal Remote review

By Julie Strietelmeier / November 25, 2012 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Universal remote control / 18 Comments

How many audio/video home entertainment components do you own? Do you use a separate remote control for each one? Are you the designated controller in your family because no one else can figure out how to start the TV, satellite and DVR? Have you ever been at work when you get a call something like

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California Headphones Laredo review

By Bill Henderson / November 24, 2012 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / 2 Comments

Everyone who is sick of hip-hop branded earphones that rattle the brain with über bass, mentally raise your hand. The people responsible for California Headphones obviously feel that way because they did something about it with the Laredo (which is reviewed here) and Silverado headphones. Both are specially tuned for rock and country music. Their

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