Reviews about interesting gadgets, gear, mobile technology and lifestyle products.
For those long-time readers, you might remember my rant/question about Comcast charging too much for their multimedia services (i.e., HDTV, phone, and internet) last year. Well, I am finally getting around to cutting the cord. We will be keeping Comcast high speed internet but our household is giving up cable TV and switching home phone […]
Verizon’s Wireless Home Phone Connect Review Read More
I’ve long been a proponent of Voice over IP (VoIP), having dumped the phone company over 7 years ago. During this period I’ve used 2 major vendors and only switched to the latest one because my former VOIP supplier was getting greedy. The price performance has been outstanding and the quality has been more than acceptable. I’ve
magicJack PLUS Review Read More
The Sewell MiniDeck is a small USB display adapter with drivers for OS X and Windows. You connect one end into USB and the other end into a monitor, and just like that you end up with another display without having to add a video card. The connected display won’t support 3D acceleration, but it
Sewell MiniDeck USB Display Adapter Review Read More
The first thing a gadget lover usually does after purchasing a new tablet is to protect it from scratches and bumps. Recently I purchased the Blackberry Playbook. It’s a sturdy 7 inch tablet that came with a neoprene sleeve in the box. But I was looking for something a bit more heavy duty. I needed
OtterBox Blackberry Playbook Defender Series Case Review Read More
Wireless keyboards and mice can be a real boon to a lot of users. They can offer freedom of movement, supplement smaller keyboards on laptop, etc. You can find an amazing range of options now- ergonomic, enhanced, bare basics, and more. They are also considered a security no-no. The Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 addresses this
Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 Review Read More
After reading Julie’s (very favorable) reviews of the Col. Littleton wallets, iPhone wallet (No. 50), and pocket for the iPad (No. 5) and Janet’s announcement that they would be creating a new bag to carry not only your laptop but your iPad as well, I knew I wanted to see it in person. I don’t
Col. Littleton No. 42 Courier Bag for Laptop and iPad Review Read More
I have a habit of spilling my sodas on my desk, so you can imagine that I don’t like just laying my iPhone on the desktop as I sync it. I don’t usually have anything to drink sitting on my nightstand, but I don’t like just laying the phone on the tabletop because I’m blind
Sinjimoru Sync and Charge Stand for iPhone and iPod Review Read More
Back in the day, all touchscreen devices came with a tiny little stylus that was hard to hold and easy to lose. Eventually capacitive touchscreens that respond to the touch of your fingers evolved, and most people rejoiced. Not everybody, though, because some people like using a stylus because they don’t want to smear their
Monteverde One Touch Stylus Pen Review Read More
I’ve seen these little toy helicopters for a while now, but as much as I like toys, I never bought one. Why? Well for one thing, I was always afraid I’d “shoot my eye out” or it just wouldn’t work. I mean, how well could something so TINY work after all? Enter the Swann series
Swann Emergency Strike Remote Controlled Helicopter Review Read More
LED flashlights continue to amaze me. I’ve been using them for half a decade now, and they are still getting better – more light from fewer diodes and smaller power requirements, for longer times. The WorkStar 220 from Maxxeon is no exception.
Maxxeon WorkStar 220 LED Flashlight Review Read More
After I finally got an iPhone, I was torn between the desire to leave it uncovered so I could see its beauty and the need to protect it from bumps and scratches. I bought an Apple Bumper Case the same day I got my iPhone 4, but I’m always willing to try out a new
Snugg Silicone iPhone 4 Case with Jibitz Pop Out Letters Review Read More
Audyssey is a company that develops audio technologies for various makers of stereo receivers, televisions, recording studios and major cinemas . So while you may have never heard of Audyssey, you have most definitely heard them. First, let me digress a little from this review with a little anecdote: Once I found out that I
South of Market Audio Dock iPhone Speaker Review Read More
Back in the 70s, American Tourister had a commercial showing a piece of their luggage being thrown about by a gorilla to demonstrate how tough their product was. Here at the Cloninger household, we have a similar test for earbuds. We throw them in our teenage daughter’s room. So far, none have emerged intact –
JLab Audio JBuds J4 Rugged Metal Earphones Review Read More
Is their anything more exciting than a cordless phone system? OK, I can think of a few things, but this new DS6421-3 system from VTech offers up some very cool additions to this old product segment. Even if you have cut the cord, and no longer have a land-line, you can use this system. It
VTech DS6421-3 Cordless Phone and Answering System Review Read More
I used to think my cable box offered all the programming I needed. As cable prices keep rising, I’ve come to the conclusion that those multi-media boxes and an $8/month subscription to Netflix are a better deal. While I haven’t gotten rid of cable yet, I have pared down some of the programming from Time
Apple TV (2nd Generation) Review Read More
I am currently in my forth decade of running…..tens of thousands of miles. But I have never run a marathon and prefer to run by myself versus running with the masses in organized races. Well, as the story goes….my wife is turning 40 next year and I have agreed to run the DisneyWorld marathon with
Sennheiser/Adidas MX 680i Sports Earbuds for iPhone & iPod Review Read More
I’m reviewing an iPhone 4 case from Mivizu called the Sleek Leather Case in Black Stone. It is part of a collection of cases from Mivizu with 11 different finishes, including carbon fiber, that center on a flip cover case design. I spent a week with this as my only case to get a proper
Mivizu Sleek Leather Case in Black Stone for iPhone 4 Review Read More
Tom Bihn makes great bags, and I can say that with absolute confidence. My husband has a Tom Bihn Empire Builder bag that he has used every single day for the past 8 years. After seven years, we bought him a new Absolute Shoulder Strap, but the bag itself looks as good as the day
Tom Bihn Breve for iPad and iPad 2 Review Read More
Are you a marine in need of carrying all your weaponry? Or are you a Gadgeteer in need of a awesome gear bag for all your tech toys? Either way, Maxpedition’s Multi Purpose Bag would be perfect for you! Maxpedition’s Multi Purpose Bag is made of light-weight ballistic nylon fabric coated with Dupont’s Teflon to
Maxpedition Multi Purpose Bag Review Read More
One of the problems with laptops is their tendency to overheat, which can damage internal components. Their small size doesn’t allow a lot of venting nor big cooling fans to keep down heat. And their portability often means that people are using them places that can block the cooling vents – like on laps or
ChillBed Laptop Cooling Stand Review Read More