ARTICLE – It’s been a while since I posted a “what’s in my bag” post. In this article, I’m showing you what’s currently in the bag that I grab when I leave the house. I didn’t edit the contents at all. I just dumped everything that was in the bag and took the picture that […]
What’s in my bag and the EDC gear that I’m updating this summer 2024 Read More
ARTICLE – I’ve had multiple security cameras on my property for years. I started out with Wyze cameras and replaced them with the Vivint smart home security system back in 2020. I still use the Vivint system, but sometimes its notifications aren’t immediate, and I wanted a setup that would allow me to watch what’s
ARTICLE – A week ago, I posted an article about my experiences transferring an eSIM from my iPhone 15 Pro Max to a brand new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Long story short, it was easy going making the swap from the iPhone to the Samsung but when I tried to switch back, chaos ensued. I
eSIMs are annoying episode #2 – or why I kicked my iPhone to the curb Read More
ARTICLE – May I vent for a few minutes? First of all, let’s go back in time when I was happily hating on the iPhone and loving Android. Back then, I was happy using the Pixel 2 XL, and later the Huawei P30 Pro as my daily driver. Every year when the new iPhones would
eSIMs are annoying for people like me! Read More
ARTICLE – Isn’t it funny how set in our ways we can become after using a certain platform for several years? I’m talking about computer platforms and more specifically mobile OS platforms. It took me 3 tries over a couple of years to switch from Windows to Mac OS and now that I’ve been using
I’m switching back to Android. Probably! Maybe. I’m thinking about it. Ok, not sure yet. Read More
ARTICLE – Twenty-five years ago today on 2/27/1998, Steve Jobs ended the production of the Apple Newton. Did you own the original Newton aka MessagePad or one of the later models like the MP100, MP110, MP120, MP130, MP2000, MP2100, or eMate 300? I had a MessagePad 2000 long enough to post several Newton accessory reviews
25 yrs ago today, Apple discontinued the Newton. What devices do you miss? Read More
ARTICLE – I’ve started reading comics again. But instead of buying them from a shop, I’m using the Hoopla app on my iPad Pro to check out digital copies from my library for free! Right now I’m reading two comic series. The first one is called Eight Million Genies by Charles Soule who has written
Reading and drawing comics on my iPad – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – Today I posted episode #7 of the Gadgeteer Video Podcast and to go with lucky number 7, the topic of the podcast was my 7 favorite minimalist wallets. Let’s check them out. 1. IDENTITY Card wallet The IDENTITY Card wallet was my favorite for a very long time because it has the smallest
My 7 favorite minimalist EDC wallets – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – This year we were very much looking forward to finally getting away for a real vacation by flying to Sanibel Island Florida (our favorite place on the planet). We usually go every fall but we haven’t been there since 2018 because in 2019 we were remodeling our house and had moved into an
The gear I am (was) taking with me on vacation – Julie’s Gadget Diary Read More
ARTICLE – When I retired from my day job with Cummins Inc. after 34 years this past March, I made a list of all the new things, changes, and updates that I wanted to do with The Gadgeteer. One of the things on that list was to create a video podcast. It’s amazing that in
I just posted episode #1 of The Gadgeteer video podcast – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – In order for this story to make a little more sense (and so you won’t think I’m a complete moron), you first need to go read my DirecTV cord-cutting article from yesterday. But if you don’t want to read that article (it’s really good by the way…) here’s a quick summary… Once upon
I almost fell for a DirecTV phone scam! – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – I’ve been a DirecTV customer for close to 30 years but earlier this week I called them up and asked for a divorce. Why did I break up with DirecTV and what did I replace it with? Let me give you a little history before I answer those questions. First of all, I
I finally cut the cord with DirecTV! – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – Multiple times over the years I’ve tried to switch from Android to an iPhone and it just never worked out. But recently I’ve made the switch in a big way and of all things, I have COVID to thank for it. How did a global pandemic make me switch back to an iPhone
I’m all in with Apple – Julie’s gadget diary Read More
ARTICLE – Did you watch Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) keynote yesterday? Even though the iPhone and iPad haven’t been my primary devices in several years, I am always interested in everything new with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS (since my main computer is a MacBook). I was overjoyed to see that with iOS version
ARTICLE – See anything different in the screenshot above of the Google Messages app? It’s those 3 little dots at the bottom that bounce up and down when the person who you’re texting is replying to you. That’s right, iPhone snobs will no longer be able to gloat about how great their blue bubbles are
Julie’s gadget diary – Android users now have a coveted iPhone feature Read More
ARTICLE – The Pixel 2 XL was my all-time favorite smartphone for a couple of years and I kept going back to it each time I’d try the newest flagship from various other phone makers. I purchased the Pixel 3 XL last year but promptly returned it because it felt almost identical to the 2
Julie’s gadget diary – The Pixel 4 XL makes me want to switch to an iPhone Read More
ARTICLE – It’s been a few weeks since I wrote a gadget diary post about being selected to join T-Mobile’s invite-only (right now) Home Internet pilot program and I thought it was time to post a follow up to let you all know how it’s been working out for me so far. What did they send
Julie’s gadget diary – T-Mobile Home Internet part 2 Read More
ARTICLE – I came home yesterday afternoon to find a postcard in my mailbox inviting me to join T-Mobile’s new Home Internet pilot test which started rolling out back in March. I remembered reading about their invite-only service for existing T-Mobile customers but forgot all about it until yesterday. For a little background, I live
Julie’s gadget diary – I am now a T-Mobile Home Internet pilot tester Read More
ARTICLE – As Britney Spears would say, “oops, I did it again…” I ordered another phone. This time it’s the Huawei P30 Pro. I know that my score sheet for buying new phones and actually keeping them has been pretty embarrassing for the last year and a half. The last phone that I bought and
Julie’s gadget diary – I ordered the Huawei P30 Pro Read More
ARTICLE – I feel like I’m Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day. Every time I want to upgrade to a new phone, I get all those exciting newphonia feelings until I actually get the phone in my hand and something spoils it for me. That’s what’s happened with the Samsung Galaxy S10+ when I
Julie’s gadget diary – The Samsung Galaxy S10+ let me down and I’m sad Read More