I usually put into context how long I’ve been a gamer by saying that I was anticipating the release of Wolfenstein 3D in 1993 and was already a fan of the franchise. Huh? You didn’t realize there was a Castle Wolfenstein franchise before the release of the seminal first person shooter (FPS)? And wait, how does this all relate to the ‘modern gaming’ promised in the title? Don’t worry … I’ll get there!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Update: The poll is now closed and an independent entity has chosen the winner! I randomly mouse pointed to (eyes closed) AprilDay@555.com. His/Her Name is listed as A, Robinett. (Response #87 FYI). I appreciate all who entered by answering our poll; keep you eyes peeled for the next Gear Diary give away! In an attempt to learn more about you – our readers, we have put together a poll. Now obviously we want to make it worth your time, so in return for you putting your info in, we’ll add your name… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you’re like me and think that all Instant Messaging is for teens and time wasters – then it’s time to take another look. I’ve recently been converted to instant messaging believer by IM+ which makes an astounding Mobile Messenger that I use on my BlackBerry (an iPhone version is available as well) to connect to Google Talk, MS Live and Facebook (ICQ, Jabber, MySpace, AIM and Yahoo are also supported). What sold me on IM+ is that the service offers push notifications. That means I don’t even have to be logged into instant messaging to allow people to send me a message. When I’m offline the messages are forwarded to my email and the sender receives a notice that it may take… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’m not a big TV watcher so I missed this CBS show called “I Get That a Lot” which filmed celebrities working in ordinary jobs and playing tricks on customers. This episode with Jessica Simpson gets going about halfway through when she drops a new MacBook Pro on the floor on the way into the back room, mutters “don’t tell anyone you saw that” and comes back to inform the customer that his computer “can’t be fixed because we think it’s been dropped”. Kudos to Jessica Simpson who does quite a remarkable job. List of Top 2009 April Fools Day Web Pranks Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Lots of things have struck me as really odd about BlackBerry App World. First, App World didn’t launch with some MAJOR programs on deck such as Slingplayer. Second not only doesn’t the App Store automatically detect an update is available for any programs you’ve purchased – the store can’t even update itself! Instead the App World relies an end user to navigate the web and find a new version of App World (isn’t App World suppose to shield users from that!). Most peculiar is the payment method. Paypal only. I’m sure lots of corporate expense accounts are setup for that payment method. … The wackiest part is that BlackBerry has their very own “on deck” payment program called BlackBerry Wallet. They’re currently… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Since the announcement of the Palm Pre back at CES 2009, I have been anxiously waiting the release of this device. I was so excited by the “newness” Palm was supposed to present, that I also followed the event from blogs, and I think it was worth it. The user interface (UI) of the Pre is not the only cool thing about this smartphone, but since its presentation it has been one of the most discussed topics. Enter TealPoint Software: after some time the well known software house has released its TealOS, a Palm OS launcher application which simulates part of the Pre UI behavior, e.g. the so called cards, the wave launcher and the way you interact with them. I am not a fan… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Although it runs Windows, and I happen to be a Mac guy, I have been very happy with my HP 2140. It’s incredibly light, remarkably sturdy (thanks to its aluminum body), and it actually gets decent run time with the three cell battery and even better with the six cell. Since I swapped out the hard drive in favor of an SSD drive, the diminutive notebook has no moving parts and requires less care than most other notebooks. (Despite this I still tend to be exceptionally careful with my devices.) One of the problems with the HP Mini note is that, in what has become an almost universal practice, it doesn’t ship with even so much as an inexpensive slipcover. Yes, the device is sturdy, but I still wouldn’t want to throw it in a bag naked. Thanks to my friends over at Waterfield, I don’t have to.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We just got word that Anagram is now available for both GMail and BlackBerry. This handy little utility is used to read in a signature line from your email and strip out the relevant contact information such as: company name, contact, phone, etc. Then that data is displayed for editing and finally placed into your contact file. I’ve used this previously within Microsoft Outlook and absolutely loved it. Most email software packages allow for saving contact email addresses but they don’t scoop up the important stuff like the name, address and phone number. With Anagram you simply swipe over the contact information, select “Copy to Anagram” (or within iGoogle past the information to the widget). After editing the info (if needed) you upload… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Vincent and his crew at Slashgear are on the ground at CTIA in Vegas where they’ve posted video of the recently announced Motorola Evoke. No surprises here that the Evoke seems to be aptly named – because watching this brings to mind another certain popular keyboardless phone. What a rotten time this must be to introduce phones that get compared relentlessly to a certain phone that starts with i. They’ve also got some good video of the new MOTOROKR S320 Bluetooth headset whose twin claims to fame seem to be cheap and light. SlashGear TV – Motorola Evoke and MOTOROKR S320 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Google had a good one today. If you logged into your account you were greeted by an invitation to try the New Gmail Autopilot. Clicking the link brought you to an interesting description of their new “service” that automatically responds to your emails based on Gmail’s sampling of your writing style. … It was an awefully good one that was pulled off in Google’s amazing style. That, however, isn’t what got me about it. This is… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Sharpcast has just announced the availability of SugarSync for BlackBerry. This free download provides access to a whole slew of SugarSync features. In my day job I provide consulting services on accounting software. Often times my clients can’t locate their original source disks. SugarSync allows me to send them a link to the CD (which I’ve stored on SugarSync’s server) and they can download this instead of having me mail or deliver the CD. Other features include: Remote file access and editing, on-demand synchronization (between desktops), shared folders , photo storage and offline browsing. Pricing starts at $49.99 per year for 30 GB (and is worth every penny). Sugarsync for BlackBerry Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There are a lot of cases out there for the iPhone 3G.  Some are stylish, some functional, others appeal to different age groups, some are minimalistic while others big and bulky.  There isn’t one perfect case for all of us, and that’s a good thing.  This individuality has allowed an influx of case manufacturers to come to market with a variety of choices.  Those of of who can’t decide on just one case are able to own wide array of “outfits” for our phone. One thing is undeniable though.  No case out there offers the amount of protection that the Otterbox Defender series case provides.  Protection isn’t a necessity to all us.  Some don’t fret over a scratch on their phone or a crack here and there.  Others are cautious when it comes to their phone, wrapping it in skins or cases, trying to preserve that new look.  It’s a little like “new car smell.”  You want your device to look the way it did when you first held it, forever.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Now isn’t this sneaky. Disguised as a regular AC Adapter (the plugs are configured for overseas use and I couldn’t find a US configuration) this Quadband World GSM Bug/Audio Transmitter plugs into a wall outlet and looks like it’s nothing more than an adapter. Unbeknownst to the people you’re illegally bugging – their every word is being carried by the Quad Band (800/900/1800/1900) GSM cellular signal to your waiting phone. The plugs actually work – and there’s a battery backup to power the transmitter for about an hour in case the adapter is unplugged from AC power. Pretty sure this one is illegal in all 50 states. Quadband GSM Power Strip Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photo courtesy of Apple Apple recently announced iPhone 3.0 software. While there was an overwhelming and deafening shout of joy over cut and paste finally being available, there was another very interesting announcement that day…3rd party dock connectors that will extend the functionality of your iPhone. Apple gave a few examples, like blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters, but here are some ideas with huge potential accessories for the average users. Dating: -Extra-strong scent sensor that alerts you to pre-set scents in the area (available with upgrade packs) Abercrombie and Fitch Cologne: Frat boy alert Sweat: Jock alert (warning: must be disabled prior to any athletic activity or false positives will occur) Axe body spray and hair gel: Jersey Shore boy alert (may cause resets from overuse if activated within 5 miles of Point Pleasant, Wildwood, or Sandy Hook) Cigar smoke: Hannibal from the A-Team is nearby. Beware of Mr T. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

“Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” was an awesome show, but I’ll save my opinion on that for another time. Announced nearly three months ago at CES, the Palm Pre made a huge splash at the show. Palm had been written off as a failure by nearly everyone except Bono. Innovation seemed non existent, they couldn’t for their life make a device that was thin when thin was in, a new OS was years away, and in the years leading up to a new OS all they could produce was the Centro. Palm, and Sprint for that matter, seem to have placed a lot of faith in the Pre because so far a neither a price nor a release date have been announced, though they say they are on track for Q2. I’m a little nervous for Palm and Sprint. Continue reading on Gear Diary …