Gizmo5 is a web based calling service similar to Skype. In the past users connected Gizmo5 with the older Grandcentral (now Google Voice) online calling service to create a completely free unlimited incoming and outgoing phone service. When Google bought Grandcentral the integration to Gizmo5 was interrupted. Google Voice already provides free incoming and outgoing calls – except you must provide your own phone number to initiate or receive the call. Now you can once again use a free Gizmo5 number to serve as your phone line to receive or make calls on Google Voice by configuring Gizmo5 to automatically accept and make phone calls without any need to purchase calling credits. Gizmovoice instructions to setup Gizmo5 with Google Voice… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Ahhh, another fun loving weekend coming to a close.   Maybe you missed some of this past week’s reviews and highlights — like what do you do when your netbook bites the dust when you’re travelling internationally; or whether an HP has the goods to replace Judie’s MacBook Air.  Now, before you get another “case of the Mondays” take a break and catch up with the Gear Diary team.  Click on for some of last week’s best…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

iPhone owners have anxiously awaited the ability to run turn by turn GPS applications. AT&T has introduced a subscription solution, Tom Tom has announced a version coming soon and Navigon released their North American version last week.  G-Map from X-Road (read Chris G full review from April here) is yet another option and is notably less expensive than the others. G-Map downloads maps directly to the phone so, unlike AT&T’s offering, a data connection is not required. Price points vary as there are several purchasing options. $34.99 buys either a U.S West or U.S. East version. Six regional versions are available for $19.99.  For this review I used the $19.99 G-Map TX.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea over two years ago.  Obstructive Sleep Apnea is where your airway closes off while you sleep causing you to stop breathing.  CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure is the best therapy for the moment.  It uses a blower and a mask system to blow air into you as you breath in.  This helps keep the airway clear so that you don’t stop breathing and you don’t wake up. As a Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferer there are many frustrations.  The first one is the mask and you just kind of have to get used to that.  Next is the hose.  I was constantly rolling over on top of the hose at night and either feeling the ribs of the hose or waking up with a imprint on my are from laying on it.  Well, my friend Bret from Pur-Sleep has come up with something that resolves this issue with the CozyHoze Boss Management System. What this is, essentially, is 2 spring loaded pulley like devices with a velcro strap that goes around the hose and a hook that attaches to the wall.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We love our iPhones. As great as the device is however there are a few “must-have”  accessories that make it even better. The fact that the 3GS kept the same design as the iPhone 3G meant we could continue to use our favorite iPhone accessories. That doesn’t mean a few new favorites haven’t crept in along the way though. Without comparing notes Larry and I each picked what we consider to be four “must-have” accessories. Was there overlap or are the lists completely different? Read on to find out what made each list and why… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Welcome back to the GearGames weekly video game release feature here at Gear Diary! If you haven’t played Wii Sports … you need to get out more. A huge seller, with nearly 50 million copies sold, it was only a matter of time before a follow-up came along … and here it is: Wii Sports Resort along with the Wii Motion Plus. Early reviews have been very positive, and this seems sure to sell millions and suck away hours with what seems like a simple collection of trivial mini-games.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Today’s the day Walmart places it’s $298 laptop on sale. This device is notable because it’s not your typical stripped down Netbook with tiny screen (this model has a 15.4″ screen) and missing features (there’s a CD/DVD Writer included, 3GB RAM and 160 GB hard drive). To be sure this is not going to be the world’s speediest computer. However for someone who wants to use the Internet on a screen larger than the typical 10″ found on a Netbook – at a price that is no bigger than the typical Netbook – this may be the answer. There’s some question whether the Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit) that’s pre-loaded will be eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Is there someone in your life who just can’t bear to leave their cellular phone behind? Here’s a gift sure to compliment their favorite phone. It’s a paper notebook that’s fashioned to look as if it was a cell phone SIM card. Why risk storing all your personal contacts on the cell phone that you might lose or drop in the ocean. Instead store those contacts on a SIM card – fashioned as a notebook. There’s also a companion SIMBOOK Address book available separately. SIMBOOK Notebook Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  I love coffee.   Anyone that knows me well would have you believe I have a thermal stainless steel coffee tumbler surgically grafted to my hand.  It’s my American Express – I don’t leave home without it.  I don’t fiddle around and mess it up with cream, sugar, or milk.  A cup of coffee, if done just right, is best au naturale.   The saddest part of all this is that I’ve become accustomed to good coffee. I rarely order any at a restaurant since it’s usually weak, not made very well, and, to be blunt, tastes like dishwater. Over the years I have tried many different methods of brewing the perfect Cup o’ Joe at home.  In my experience, the regular “set it and forget it” coffee makers just do not cut it.  Sure, they may be a little more convenient, but the quality of brew they produce is — in my personal opinion – just plain awful.  Continually running out to the local Starbucks for a cup (or 10) of coffee was just out of the question.  First, it wasn’t convenient to drive out any time I had [...]

Hard as it might be to believe you can currently grab an iPhone 3G for $49 with contract. Sure it is just an 8GB refurb but still… under $50 for an iPhone 3G running OS 3.0 is a darn good deal. Grab it HERE. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Larry recently reviewed the Dexim AV Dock.  In his review he noted that, pre-Apple TV, he used the video-out functionality on his iPhone quite frequently and found the constant plugging and unplugging of cables to be a pain. That made the Dexim AV Dock a winner for him. I don’t use the video out functionality that often. As a result, I don’t want or need a permanent solution. That’s why the Scosche ShowTIME cable is perfect for me.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

You can buy cheaper bags than Timbuk2 though I’d argue that you get what you pay for. Timbuk2 bags actually offer protection against the elements. I was in New York last week and it rained poured the entire day. My Timbuk2 Blogger bag kept my MacBook Pro bone dry for the entire 8 hours. If you’ve got something worthwhile to protect you may want to head over to REI where they’re having a promotion that will score you 50% (or more) savings on a selection of Timbuk2 bags. Check out the cargo totes which are usually available in a wide selection of colors. REI Deal of The Week – Timbuk2 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Walmart is set to release a super cheap 15″ laptop tomorrow (July 26) for $298. This machine will come with a 2.1 GHz AMD Sempron SI-42 CPU, 15.6″ 1,366 x 768 pixel display, Microsoft Vista Home Basic, 3GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive (5,400 rpm), 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, 6-cell battery and CD/DVD drive. This price point is expected to produce a quick sellout from people accustomed to paying more than this for a less full featured Netbook. If you are wondering whether this bargain priced laptop might qualify you for a free Windows 7 upgrade you may want to take a glance at PC World’s site. They’ve dug up a document from the HP web site that appears to indicate… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Handerpants are gloves made to look like underpants. I’m not really sure why someone needs underpants for their hands though I think these are the perfect gift to for toll collector or parking lot attendant in your life who is looking for something a little different to keep their hands warm during the winter months. Handerpants – $11.95… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photos by Kevin As many of you know, two different MacBook Airs in a row have performed as my main computer for over a year. I can get away with using what others have called an “oversized netbook” because I don’t do a lot of processor-intensive computing beyond basic video and photo editing, and much of what I do can be done “in the cloud.” I would be lying if I didn’t say that part of the Mac’s attraction for me has always been hardware based. From the first time I laid eyes on Mitchell’s MacBook Pro, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would break down and buy one. Sure enough I did, and then that purchase was followed by the first generation Air, which was later replaced by a second generation SSD Air. While I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Mac OS, there have been some features and programs that I missed from when I was using Windows. As a result, I have XP installed on the Air, using VMware Fusion for access. Make no mistake about it – there are certain Mac features that I absolutely love – like the backlit [...]