Last weekend my niece and nephew were here for the weekend. (Oh… their parents too.) Within a few minutes of getting here my nephew Joey asked if there was something we could do on my iPhone together. Fortunately I was prepared. I had done a bit of research and found an app that seemed like it would be a home run. That app… MovieMaker. MovieMaker, formally called WatchItChange, is an app that walks you through the process of creating a stop action movie right on your iPhone. I liked the idea since it not only sounded like it would be fun to do with an eight year-old but it reminded me of many of the shows I watched on Saturday morning when I was his age. You know… the kind of movie/show that used to be called claymation. I showed it to Joey, he approved and we were off. Here’s a walk through of the process and the movies we ended up creating together.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

In case you missed it, we’ve been keeping tabs on the latest and greatest updates in gadgets, apps, and technology trends.  Hey, you’re busy.  You got stuff to do.  Now take a break and catch up with us for a bit .  We’ve got the return of Larry G,  Dan wondering how safe are your Amazon eBooks really are, and even a few apps that really “Wowed” the GD Team.  We hope you’ll take a peek at of the past week’s highlights after the jump.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Back in May I wrote this tutorial which detailed the process for using the iPhone application VOIPover3G on your Jailbroken iPhone to get around Apple’s limitation of only being able to use the Slingbox application for the iPhone over Wifi. Once iPhone OS 3.0 was released the VOIPover3G application stopped working.  It was not compatible with the 3.0 update. Turns out that’s not such a bad thing. 3G Unrestrictor is a just released application for Jailbroken iPhones that does the same thing as VOIPover3G but in a much easier to use interface.  And it’s all done on your iPhone (VOIPover3G require editing of files on the iPhone and transferring them back and forth from your computer.) The application could not be any simpler to use. Click through for the tutorial.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s getting easier to find deals on the Nintendo Wii gaming console. The latest discount arrives via GearSponsor Logicbuy who points out that Dell is offering a brand new gaming console with Wii Remote Controller; Wii Nunchuck Controller; Sensor and Wii Sports. Normal price on Dell is $249.99 less a $15 coupon for a net price of $234.99 plus free shipping. Deal is slated to expire 7/26/09. Nintendo Wii… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The guys at Unlimited Case recently released another custom designed case to their ever growing line up of products for the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch. The Snaztech Phantom, for the iPhone 3G/3G S,  is a frosted case that comes in two colors, Artic White and Glacier Blue. Unlimited Case was kind enough to send me a Glacier Blue case for review. Click through to see how the Phantom stacks up.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I was on my way to work when my phone told me it needed a new update.  In checking around the web, I found Brighthand and Phandroid had both reported this as being a security update.  From further Googling, Ionut Arghire of Softpedia reports that the build number on your G1 should change from CRB43 to CRC1 if you have the update applied.  I received mine over the air with no issues.  My phone works just as good now as it did before. This all is in preparation for the next version of Android, version 2.0 (code named Donut), and Softpedia says it’s still rumored to be coming out this… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Welcome back to the GearGames weekly video game release feature here at Gear Diary! Every summer you get a few movie games released on every platform possible – and once again we have one with G-Force. My personal expectations for both the movie and game are quite low – I find that movies as hyped as this never live up to expectations, and games better than movies are exceedingly rare.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’ve been using Evernote’s iPhone app since it first came out and have been happy to see it steadily improve over time. It’s especially useful since it grabs text, voice and picture notes and automatically syncs them with the Evernote servers. From there they are available from any Internet-connected device. For a notetaking app to be truly useful on the iPhone, however, it needs to launch quickly. An update to the iPhone app just went live. It does one thing. What is that thing? It speeds the app’s launch significantly making it better than ever of you need to take a note on the go. Just one more reason that if you have an… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Verizon Wireless has their BlackBerry 8230 flip available through the new Amazonwireless store for free (with 2 year contract) and the best part is you don’t need any rebate to get this price. The flip BlackBerry was a surprise favorite when I tested the T-Mobile version back in March. Sure, the phone has a problem with lagging as you type and the screen is the smallest of any BlackBerry (2.4″ with 240 x 320 pixel 65k color) but what it lacks in size it makes up for in convenience. Throw the phone in your pocket and you won’t worry about mistakenly pressing any keys. For someone looking for a casual BlackBerry (push email) phone without the need for sending lots… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As usual, the past week saw a slew of iPhone app updates. Here are a few worth noting… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Hard to believe that tomorrow will be the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In celebration Fisher Space Pen has released this commemorative pen, a replica of their famed anti-gravity pen, that includes an actual piece of the Apollo 11 spacecraft. There are only 1000 available and the pen sits on a handy ashtray commemorative case fashioned as a space footprint. The presentation case tells the historic story of the Apollo 11 mission as well as other monumental moments in human spaceflight. The iconic photo of Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon is replicated in a resin casting of the footprint inset into the hinged lid. And, an innovative magnetic pedestal allows the pen to sit on Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Mobile Edge has long been known for their competitively priced and stylish laptop bags. With the introduction of their ECO Collection, they’ve also added a new adjective – green! When you purchase a Messenger or Casual Tote from the ECO line, Mobile Edge will include a grocery tote as a lagniappe. Michael will soon have a review of the ECO Messenger ready, but in the meantime, let’s look at the Grocery Tote! We all know the reasons why it makes sense to bring along your own reusable grocery totes – they cut down on plastic bag production and environmental waste, and the additional benefit of… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There are a host of applications that allow you to grab images from your computer’s screen. I’ve tried a number of them and many do a terrific job. For simple screenshots I use Evernote since those images are immediately synced with my online account. For those times when I want to do more with an image such as add text, highlight portions or more there is only one choice… Skitch. Here’s a look…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you’re using a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8900 with an OS lower than 4.6.1.231 – then head to the T-Mobile site and grab this latest operating system update. Sadly the over-the-air upgrade capabilities of the BlackBerry 8900 are not available for this upgrade (why do carriers and manufacturers advertise capabilities such as this if they’re not going to be active?!!). New features include better UMA, better battery life and an improved MyFaves experience. Whatever that means. BlackBerry 8900 OS 4.6.1.231 via CrackBerry Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Mobile Edge, maker of functional laptop cases and accessories, has acquired the Sumo brand of fashionable carrying cases. Along with the acquisition, the Sumo brand is being expanded to include non-computer related bags and accessories, such as trendy totes, duffels and storage cubes. The addition of the new range, to be sold as the Sumo Lifestyle Collection, has more than doubled the total number of items in the Sumo product portfolio. Read the whole announcement at the Mobile Edge Blog Continue reading on Gear Diary …