You can’t buy a Palm Pre before Saturday June 6 – and even then the phone could be in such short supply you could find yourself on a waiting list. Most sites have not yet unveiled legitimate reviews however a review posted on web site mydigitalfc carries the apparently genuine byline of New York Times reviewer David Pogue. There’s no word on how this review (apparently an early draft) was obtained and posted to this unrelated site. The article provides a generally positive review whose main negative point seems to be an apparent short battery life on the Pre. So do the Pre’s perks (beautiful hardware and software, compact size, keyboard, swappable battery, flash, multitasking, calendar consolidation) outweigh its weak Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I paid $99 when I bought my Peek Mobile device back in October 2008. Since then the company has added an upgraded version called the Pronto which allows up to 5 email accounts and Microsoft Exchange access. If you don’t need any of the advanced feature, this older style Peek will work just fine. Amazon has it marked down from its normal $49 (Aqua only). Don’t forget that you’ll need to pay $19/month in order to get your email on the Peek and the device is data only – there’s no voice capability. Peek – $19.99 via Boing Boing Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If there’s one thing PDair is not short on it’s cases for the iPhone.  Their catalogue of cases is huge!  From metal to leather to silicone to everything in between they are sure to have a case that fits each individual’s own sense of style. I was recently sent the PDair Luxury Silicone case for the iPhone 3G to review.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

These Shavemate his and hers razors have an interesting new concept. The shaving cream is stored in the handle. While you’re probably not getting a week’s worth of shaves from what is inside that tiny handle – how cool is this for a travel razor? Cost is reasonable (as razors go) – $9.99 for 3 razors via Amazon. Shavemate his and hers via Random Good Stuff Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The developers at Astraware are at it again.  Their newest release for the iPhone or iPod Touch, Phaze, places you in the pilot’s seat of a futuristic speedster spacecraft and allows you to race against opponents along an intergalactic race track. Along the way you steer your ship for the boost pads to achieve warp speed, pick up weapons to blast your opponents and collect power boosts and defensive shields. Phaze game is a fun break from traditional racing games.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s another GearSponsor deal on a big screen (21.5″) all-in-one desktop rig. I happen to like the all-in-one big screen deals because one of the questions I am asked is – “What computer should I buy my parents/kids”. The all in one concept is great because there’s that much less to setup (and support). The keyboard and mouse are wireless so all you plug in is your Internet connection – and away you go. This Lenovo has a 2GHZ Dual-core, 4GB RAM, 640 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW, 6-in-1 media card reader and Vista Premium. Coupon code USPEMAIL62 is valid through 6/6/2009 and takes another 10% off your configuration. LogicBuy Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Vlingo provides voice-control for BlackBerry devices, iPhones, and is currently beta-testing a version for Nokia smartphones (N95, N95 8GB, E51 and E71). I have been using free versions of Vlingo on both a BlackBerry and an iPhone, and have been very impressed. When Vlingo released version 3.0 for the BlackBerry, I immediately wanted to put the update through it’s paces.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

What’s more to say about this 16GB USB Micro USB Flash Drive other than it comes with totally useless software called U3 that will try to boot you into “an imbecile’s guide to flash drive” type interface. It’s worthless and you can trash it pretty easily and be left with a great 16GB drive. For instructions on removing U3 (which I recommend) follow this link. Then you’ve got yourself a deal. Bought mine about two weeks ago at Staples for $20 more than this online price. SanDisk 16 GB USB Flash Drive – $24.99 shipped… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

  Like many of the people here at Gear Diary, I am a gadget freak.  I have mobile gadgets, gadgets in my house, and gadgets in my car.  The problem with all these gadgets, of course, is all the cables and wires that go along with the gadgets.  In the car, at least, Griffin has addressed part of my problem with their TunFlex AUX SmartClick.  It allows you to mount your iPhone on a lighter-based stand, eliminating the power cord.  So does it work well?  Read on…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

More information is trickling in on the Windows 7 launch announced for later this year. Expect the code to be released to manufacturing during the second half of July. Anyone using a BETA of Windows 7 will start to see their computers reboot every two hours starting July 1, 2009. If you’re on the Release Candidate you’ll have until June 2010 to move to an official version of Windows 7 (Starter Edition, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and, for emerging markets only, Home Basic). For now Microsoft has nixed plans to limit Starter edition to running only three applications. Watch for details of the upgrade program which will soon be revealed and will allow customers who purchase a new computer with VISTA to… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Why do you keep having your kids get up from their chair to adjust the flat panel TV for you? Use this motorized mount (fits 23-inch to 40-inch flat panels) and free your beloved children up for better things – like getting you a beer from the fridge. The mount includes a remote control and will even keep you from drunkenly steering the TV too far to the left or right and hitting the wall. Supports up to 66 pounds of flat panel TV. Amazon via FW Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Earlier I reviewed one of the hottest games to come to the iTunes App Store, The Sims 3. If you’ve been playing the game you know the more money you have in the game the more stuff you can buy for your sim and the happier your sim becomes. Well if you’re iPhone is Jailbroken, prepare to bathe your sim in the life of luxury. This YouTube video tutorial, courtesy LivingWithTech explains how you can add $65,535 to your sim’s bank account in a matter of seconds. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Please join me in sending Happy Birthday wishes to Clinton Fitch, Gear Diary team member and owner / operator of Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! Clinton is our resident F1 junkie, and I am sure that in the back of his mind he has visions of the Turkish Grand Prix which starts in just a few days…Go Kimi! And no, I have no idea what that means exactly – but I see it on so many of his Facebook and Twitter posts that it just comes naturally. Please join me in wishing Clinton a very Happy Birthday! Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s amazing that in these troubling times filled with economic uncertainty and unbridled social woe, the petty-minded governments of various countries still manage to find the time and resources to censor media outlets in order to protect their citizenry from the corrupting influence of free speech. Iran briefly blocked access to Facebook, ahead of its June presidential elections. China has upped the ante by blocking, amongst others, Twitter, Flickr and Hotmail. Even Microsoft’s newly unveiled bing search engine hasn’t been spared. The ongoing media blackout occurs ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre this Thursday (June 4). Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As we reported last night, the iTunes App Store was set to release one of its most anticipated titles since its launch.  EA has just released the iPhone/iPod Touch version of the most popular PC game of all time, The Sims3. If you’re not familiar with the game, The Sims focuses entirely on the lives of virtual people called Sims, placing the player in control of their virtual “world” and their daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, reading, and bathingPriced at $9.99 the game is on the pricer end of titles in the App Store. I’ve had some time with the game and am ready to give a brief overview.  Does it live up to the hype? Read on to find out.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …