I like everything about this USB Powerstick that Joel spotlighted a few days ago. How cool is it that you can plug this USB battery into any computer port. I imagine myself carrying this to client sites where I recharge it in a computer while I work. Then when I leave it could be used to revitalize my cell phone or mp3 player. The only think that really turns me off is the rat’s nest of cables I’d have to be carrying and constantly untangling. Our friends at TestFreak unbox and put this tiny power supply through its paces. I’m impressed that there’s no wall wart to plug the battery into (it plugs into any USB port for recharging) and that they… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The last few years we’ve seen the stunt cars used in the popular Knight Rider TV Show auctioned for thousands. If you weren’t quick enough to get in on the last eBay auction, here’s a chance to own a replica and save over $40,000 off what the “real” thing would cost. This 1:15 scale radio control K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand for those who need it spelled out) features a working red sensor, full function control – forward, reverse, left, right and TURBO BOOST. The red sensor varies with K.I.T.T.’s speed and there’s a speech module that utters “I am K.I.T.T. whom you may regard as the voice of the Knight 2000″. Here’s a quick video of Knight Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Just in time for Valentines Day gift giving are these black Game Boy Advance Cufflinks. These limited edition cufflinks feature a removable cartridge that is a replica of the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. Shipped in a corrugated gift pack (aka box) for only $36. Sure to make your significant other the talk of the next family gathering. Game Boy Advance Cufflinks – $ 36 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Camera Armor announces a line of protective silicone skins for point and shoot digital cameras. They’ve always made protective skins for higher end DSLR cameras as well as sturdy dry bags and now bring their line of protective casing down to the consumer arena. Initially the skins are available at an affordable $14.96 for the Canon SD1100 and Sony SCS-W120. Also available separately is a ToughStrap and SafeGrip. The ToughStrap features an infused nylon web strap, adjustable length of 30 to 50 inches and sturdy metal connectors while the SafeGrip features a reinforced hand strap. Camera Armor Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Hello everyone and welcome to the Nokia Experts site. My name is Matthew Miller and I am also known online as palmsolo, which is an online name I created many, many years ago due to my usage of Palm Pilots and my love of Star Wars and Han Solo. I am a father of three wonderful daughters and a husband to my wife of 15+ years. By day, I am a professional naval architect/ship designer who earned my Bachelor’s degree from the US Coast Guard Academy and my Master’s degree from University of California, Berkeley. I used to write for Geek.com’s PDA section and currently now write for ZDNet on the Mobile Gadgeteer and Smartphones and Cell Phones technical blogs. I started using mobile devices back in 1997 with the US Robotics Pilot 1000 that I used when I flew out onto the scene of maritime casualties to help refloat ships. The Palm Pilot immediately earned a spot in my heart and since then I have personally owned over 100 devices and tried out many more. I am pretty device agnostic for the most part and have AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards that I pop in and out of many [...]

Wow! If you’re using Google for your email and calendar as well as trying to sync to a Windows Mobile or iPhone device – run right now and setup a free beta account at NuevaSync. Using only some behind the scenes server tweaks you’ll soon be wirelessly synchronizing your Google data to your phone (Update: Apparently though tasks and email are listed the service does not yet sync them). The setup is quick. The service free. And synchronization so far is (a) fast and (b) perfect (aka no duplicates). NuevaSync via JAMM and TechCrunchIT Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This seems like an unbelievable jump in storage capacity – though something tells me it’s probably only the beginning. Western Digital has just begun offering a 2 Terabyte 7200 RPM SATA hard disk via Australian online retailers. Billed as eco-friendly the drive reduces power consumption up to 38 percent and saves on average 4 to 5 watts as compared to competitors’ drives. Pricing is $429 AUD (about $280 US) and so far availability seems limited to the land down under though US can’t be far behind. Feature Set: IntelliPower™ – A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate and cache size designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance. IntelliSeek™ – Calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

For $75 (shipped) from Woot! this Garmin StreetPilot C510 is probably the perfect starter GPS. It’s originally made for the European market but they’ve updated it with 2009 maps on the included 2GB microSD card. You’ll get turn by turn directions and automatic route recalc showing how to get back on track when you miss your exit. Voice navigation is included. Don’t let the fact that this is refurbished sway you from buying because after you use it for a year GPS devices are probably going to have gotten better, faster and cheaper making any replacement less painful. Feeling adventurous? Take a peek at this Engadget hack to add text to voice capabilities for the Garmin c510 or c530. Sellout Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This has got to be one of the most agonizing weeks I have ever spent with any two devices. Why? Because I have had to struggle over which PDA phone I would carry each day – and which would get left behind. Such has been the daily dilemma while acquainting myself with both the HTC Touch HD and the Nokia N85. I know; you don’t feel a bit sorry for me, and it’s okay because I wouldn’t either…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

In a continuing effort to save us from ourselves, the good folks at Google have rolled out a new product aimed at offering late-night drunken emailers the restraint they may be unable to muster for themselves. Behold: Mail Goggles. The basic idea is that after the user sets up a set of parameters for when the application is enabled, they must complete a series of five math problems within 60 seconds to gain access to the send functions of their Gmail account. Kind of like a breathalyzer for your keyboard. Depending on your natural math abilities, you can vary the difficulty from 2nd grade math to grad school. The default time window is Friday and Saturday night, from 10:00 pm until 4:00 am, but you can change that… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Sprint’s just announced that they’ll be saying goodbye to 8,000 of their workers during the first quarter of 2009. This workforce reduction is partly because “Sprint has seen a notable reduction in calls per subscriber to customer care and increased customer satisfaction resulting from customer service improvements.” Of course I guess this reduction in customer service could also be related to the pretty consistent shedding of subscribers during 2007 and 2008. The less subscribers the less calls to complain. Maybe that’s what Sprint meant in the press release? Fourth quarter 2008 earnings are due out Thursday February 19. Sprint Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The Jawbone II bluetooth headset is still priced up in the $80′s and $90′s on Amazon. If you act quickly you can snag one for $59.99 shipped at Newegg. Reviews are somewhat mixed with many folks remarking that the noise cancellation works brilliantly and the sound is amazing. On the down side based on review comments at Newegg, it looks like the ear hook is prone to breaking. Overall not a bad deal for anyone sporting a pair of “scotch tape glasses” and willing to tape their headset to the ear as well. Newegg via Dealnews Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Does your significant other plead with your for “practical gifts”? It won’t get much more practical than this for Valentines Day. Is there a more intimate gift than a roll of toilet paper printed with “I Love You From Top To Bottom?”. Gosh, I’m tearing up just typing that. If you prefer, the site also sells “His and Hers” toilet paper that rips down the middle or if you’re thinking of plopping the question how about “Will You Marry Me” toilet paper. Beware the rolls are a bit pricy at $14.95 plus shipping – but at least they’ll know how much they mean to you! Valentine Toilet Paper – $14.95… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’m a HUGE fan of Windows Live Writer. I use it to write the majority of the posts I make on Gear Diary, as well as my own blog Pocket PC Guru, including this one. It really just makes things so much easier to do and manage; though unfortunately, only on the Windows platform. There doesn’t seem to be a similar Mac-based tool. I’m also a big fan of Windows Live Messenger. The family is also a big fan of Windows Live Mail (formerly Outlook Express). As a quick and dirty mail client, its not bad at all.  I’m actually surprised with it, but that’s a subject for another post… Anyway, I’m passing along the current Wind to the family.  They have… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I recently had the opportunity to review the iVoice’s Baby-ai bluetooth headset. I had not heard of the company previously but was certainly glad to have had the opportunity to see their products in action! I was quite impressed with the diminutive headset. I was taken by its small size and high quality audio. Incorporating the latest technology, it was one Bluetooth headset that actually lived up to its hype. At the same time, I had the opportunity to review their R1 car kit, as well. I was similarly impressed, which isn’t a surprise since it incorporates much of the same technology. Let’s take a look–… Continue reading on Gear Diary …