Some folks test their gear by putting it in some extreme conditions.   They may drop it from a few feet.  They may splash a little water on it.   Here at Gear Diary, if you are Larry Greenberg, you put it in a car — then you set the car on fire! If your gadget makes it, you have yourself a winner.  If not, well, there’s always a spot on “Will It Grill?”

This week had it all  – from flaming hard drive enclosures to a mobile phone that survived (and still worked) after being left outside for seven months.  Let’s take a quick look at just a few of last week’s highlights.

Drop That Landline!

Wayne first told us about the ooma voice over IP (VoIP) phone system in March.  This week ooma went on sale for $187 (plus no monthly service fee!).  Dan received his ooma system this week and unboxed it for us.  So far, ooma is looking pretty good  – stay tuned to see if this internet telephone service is recommended after long term use by the Gear Diary team.

Serving Your Country?  Google Voice Wants You!

Attention active US military personnel:  Google Voice is offering you a free account with areplacement/permanent phone number for subscribers.  Give your friends and family a phone number they can reach you at regardless of your carrier or wireless contract.

Hey, Speaking of Google Voice….

Don’t worry, we’re not going there again (oops, we did).  Even if you’re still sulking over not downloading GV Mobile to your iPhone before it was pulled, don’t worry.  Wayne showed how you can still use Google Voice to reach your frequent contacts using your iPhone.   You can look forward to GPush to — you guessed it — push your Gmail to your iPhone, kinda sorta.  At least until it gets pulled and reborn as  a web app   We’re joking.

Moving From a Mac To a PC?!?

Make note, it may just happen.  Judie’s was using the HP Pavilion dv2, and it’s gotten some really nice reviews lately. Now she is using the HP dv6 in tandem with an HP mini 110. Is the going to become a replacement for Judie’s MacBook Air?  Hmmmm……stay tuned.

Give It Away, Now!

It just wouldn’t be a good week without a few contests to giveaway some great gear.   The Gadgeteer is turning twelve, and you have a chance to upgrade your tech with some really nice gear  – but hurry! On Monday, August 10th, Julie Strietelmeier will select 10 random winners.  You could be one of ‘em!

Seagate and Roxio are running a back-to-school giveaway for US residents a chance to win a 500GB Seagate FreeAgent Go (value $149.99) external hard drive, a Seagate FreeAgent Go Dock + (value $39.99), and a one year membership to Roxio PhotoShow(value $39.99).  Don’t waste any time, as this giveaway ends Midnight CST on Monday, August 10th.

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