Just as the right side dish can make or break the meal, the right accessory can take a good device and make it even better. Something as simple as a case or an external battery can be the difference between a nice device and a truly great one; between a device that is usable and one that is a pleasure. Accessories have the power to remedy shortcomings, increase usability and, in some cases, save the day or a trip to the repair shop. This post is the first in a series of device accessory posts that begin with the question… You Want Fries With That? Today we’ll take a look at a few netbook accessories from our friends at Kensington.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

TuneWiki gave us a peak at their brand new Beta application for BlackBerry devices.   Who is TuneWiki?  Well, they are a music/media/mobile application development team that won top prize at the AT&T Fast-Pitch Mobile Developer Contest held during this year’s CTIA in Las Vegas.  OK, so What is TuneWiki? TuneWiki is a social media player application that offers song lyrics synchronized to the music playing on select music-enabled mobile devices in real time  (they previously released versions for the iPhone/iPod Touch and Android devices).  Besides having the largest database library of licensed music lyrics, TuneWiki also utilizes Blip Technology (introduced with the Android version of the application) that can be used to post what song a user is currently playing to their Facebook or Twitter accounts.  The media player also utilizes Location Based Services (LBS) on your mobile device to show you a map of other TuneWiki users near your location — as well as  the playlists of those users. So, how does the BlackBerry version stack up?… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Altec Lansing has come out with another set of headphones in their BackBeat line; the Backbeat Pro headphones are their take on musician grade headphones. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The iPhone hasn’t been out even a week yet, and already iSuppli has detailed the cost of putting it all together. According to an article at EETimes.com, the total cost of components is $172.46, not including manufacturing costs. … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I love my Slingbox Solo and use it all the tint on my MacBook. I even use it on my iPhone although I remain ticked that, at AT&T’s insistance it was all but ruined by the removal of streaming over 3G. Amazon has the Solo for just over $150. That’s a good price and about 20% less than I paid just a couple of months ago. Right now though you can grab one for just $99 on Woot. Sure it is a refurb but that is one awesome price. Get one here [Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone] Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of the challenges with any MacBook or notebook PC is cooling. While these devices are made to be a bit more heat tolerant than their desktop tower counterparts, they still can overheat which can cause damage or diminish performance. Getting air flowing through the cooling fans and vents on your MacBook or notebook is they key to avoiding potential disaster and the team at Just Mobile have come up with a sleek, stylish and amazingly simple solution for MacBook users. The CB-200 Cooling Bar is an solid, all aluminum bar that you rest the back of your MacBook onto. This lifts it about an inch from your desk surface, providing plenty of space for the cooling fans and vent to work properly. Although designed with the MacBook in mind, the CB-200 works well with any notebook PC as well and it has a hidden benefit that Mac and PC users alike can benefit from while using it. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Description from the developer: Leave it to The Weather Channel, the most trusted brand in weather, to deliver the perfect  weather application for your active lifestyle! This highly customizable application has everything you need to stay warm, safe and dry whether you’re heading across the country, across town or across campus. Features: • Location-based conditions and forecasts • Fully customizable weather maps • Local, National and International video forecasts • Local and national severe weather alerts • Share Alerts and Forecasts via email • Store and nickname your favorite locations… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

the sexy-licious Nokia N85 Here’s a special for those of you who’ve been eyeballing a particular Nokia model but didn’t want to pay retail. On Thursday, June 25 (AKA tomorrow), Nokia will be offering 30%-50% off select Nokia devices at their Flagship Stores in New York City (11am-4pm EST) and Chicago (10am-3pm CST). According to the info I’ve received, “For those who cannot make it into one of our stores, the sale will also take place during this same time slot (11am-4pm EST/10am-3pm CST/8am-11am PST) on NokiaUSA.com.” Sale pricing and the devices on sale are listed below: Model # / % Off original Price /  Sale Price 5800 30% $280.00 E63 30% $195.00 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Want to unlock your iPhone 3G so you can use it with another GSM carrier?  Need to make cheaper calls while you travel internationally?  USB Fever’s SIM Unlock card may be exactly what you are looking for.  There is no need to Jailbreak your iPhone 3G, void the warranty, downgrade any software/firmware, or breach your service provider’s contract using the SIM Unlock card. This will not work with the 3G S model. USB Fever SIIM Unlock Card – $33.99… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Add some function and style to your desk with this new 4-Port USB Flower Pot Hub from USB Fever.  There’s no need to water these flowers  to keep them looking good on your desk.   Even if the Boss doesn’t allow you to decorate your office or cubicle, who can argue with a nice USB hub? USB Fever 4-Port Flower Pot Hub: $12.99… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Our GearSponsor Logicbuy checks in with a 15% off (expires 6/24/09) coupon code that can be used in the Lenovo store against some pretty sweet laptops. One such deal is this T400s 2.4GHZ Core 2 Duo laptop – aka the thinnest (.82″) and lightest (3.91 lbs) T-series Lenovo Notebook ever. Sample specifications include 14.1″ WXGA LED LCD, 6-cell battery, up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, 2-Megapixel camera and Wi-Fi. Shipping is free and the base specs can be upgraded for those who need more power. More info below. Logicbuy Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The new MacBook Pros will handle a whopping 8GB of RAM. That’s nothing short of amazing. Only problem is, the upgrade to 8GB will cost you $1100 if you get it from Apple. Ouch! Since upgrading the hard drive and RAM are easy enough that even I can do it, I figured I would start looking around for RAM I could purchase and upgrade myself. I went to my normal venders and then to a new one, MemoryAmerica. Their prices alone make the company worth a look if you are in the market for memory. I went looking for some RAM to upgrade my 13″ MacBook Pro. Here are some comparisons-… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s an “App Worth Grabbing”…One of the most amazing iPhone apps I have used is Air Mouse. Air Mouse allows you to use your iPhone or iPod touch’s touchscreen as a multi-touch trackpad. Better still, it employs the devices’ accellerometer to turn the iPhone/touch into an Air Mouse. How does it work? Very well, actually. Air Mouse is currently on sale for free. Grab it now… [Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone] Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This morning I had notification that HTC’s new Android device, the Hero, will soon be available “to people across all major European carriers in July and in Asia later this summer.” Even more interesting was that a “distinct North American version will be available later in 2009.” The HTC Hero features a 3.2 inch HVGA touchscreen that has an anti-fingerprint coating for improved smudge resistance, so it looks like someone has caught on to the to a few of the iPhone 3G S’ tricks. “The white HTC Hero comes with an additional Teflon coating providing enhanced durability and comfort, a first in the mobile industry.” It will also ship with a “five mega-pixel autofocus camera and a 3.5mm stereo headset jack.” Hmmm…so far, what’s not to like? An added bonus is a feature called “HTC Sense”, which is an introduction of a “new mobile experience designed to enhance people’s lives. You as the user are encouraged to customize the information and content you want at your fingertips. From there, HTC Sense will integrate these communications in a way that is unexpectedly intuitive. First implemented on the HTC Hero, HTC Sense will be included on a portfolio of products moving forward.” [...]

Interested in some Turn-Based Strategy or Hack-n-Slash Action gaming on your iPhone or iPod Touch? Look no further! On sale right now at the App Store are two highly reviewed games. Hero of Sparta is a third-person action game where you simply battle your way through waves of enemies. There is a story, but it is incidental to the action. UniWar offers a huge single-player campaign and internet multiplayer for up to 8 players.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …