I decided to check on Always Innovating‘s unique netbook style device, and lo and behold they are now on their way to people who have pre-ordered the device.  They have also added some updates to their gallery. This netbook is running an OMAP processor, 8 GB of SD storage, 802.11 b/g/n, and a unique setup for the USB ports as well with 4 of them being internal and 4 external for a whopping 8 ports! They had this picture of the Touchbook in a box… They also had screenshots of the Linux based OS that is shipping on this device… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The rumor was true … Sony introduced the PS3 Slim at GamesCon in Cologne! The PS3 Slim is scheduled to go on sale worldwide during the first week of September (Sept. 1st in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asia, and Sept. 3rd in Japan) and will retail for only $299/299 euros/29980 yen. It’ll feature a 120GB hard drive, a slimmer design that’s 33% smaller and 36% lighter, and all of the same core functionality of the current PS3. Sony also says it has been able to trim the power consumption by two-thirds, so the Slim will run cooler and quieter, too. There is only one thing missing … PS2 backwards compatibility, which Sony jettisoned after getting enough press touting the feature in the original to erase it as a question in casual shopper’s minds (sorry for the cynicism). But that wasn’t ALL Sony talked about …… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There have been already been apps that let you access NPR’s collection of excellent programming. In fact I have had NPR Addict on my iPhone since it was first released. I just removed it, however, as it has been replaced by the new official NPR app. The free NPR app gives you quick access to a host of NPR’s great programming and it wraps it up in a package that is  fast, slick and easy to use.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Nintendo is notorious about maintaining pricing on their top-line systems. Every now and then we get small sales – but $25 off the new DSi? THAT is a great deal, but it is today only through Dell Home. Grab the deal by heading here and using coupon code 4471L4XSVJX33S. That’s it! The Nintendo DSi was released in early April and has already become a smash hit, selling millions of units worldwide despite a deep recession in the gaming industry. The DSi features dual VGA cameras with editing and Facebook uploading, a SD card slot, a MP3 player, a web browser, and access to the DSIWare store. Source: TechBargains Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Recently, I reviewed SportTap which had become my number one sports app for one reason.  Push!  Sportacular has always been more in depth, easier on the eyes and includes more features for more sports.  (still no racing!!)  SportTap currently only includes MLB scores via push notification.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of the main complaints about RIM’s BlackBerry App World was that there wasn’t a desktop counterpart.  Sure, the mobile application let you wirelessly download applications, but unlike Apple’s iTunes App Store, there was no way to browse, search, or get applications from your computer.  That’s all changed as today RIM launched their BlackBerry App World Web Store. The applications are broken down by category — including Free, Paid, Newest Apps, Business, Entertainment, etc. While this does seem way overdue, RIM is really going full speed ahead lately.   They’ve updated the mobile App World application, continue to expand App World into other countries, announced the end-of-life for their Mobile Data… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The folks at Zumobi are well known for the widgetized apps they have developed, primarily for Windows Mobile.  So, I was pretty interested to find out what they had put together when I saw their name cropping up in the Palm Pre App Catalog.  What I found was Sporting News Pro Baseball.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

all pictures are thumbnails; click them to enlarge Right before I finished up the HP Pavilion dv2 laptop review, I was sent a couple of boxes containing an HP Pavilion dv6z-1299lx and an HP Mini 110-1036NR. Even though I knew the purpose of the experiment which was about to happen, I couldn’t help but wonder why anyone in the world would need two laptops? The answer to that question is actually quite simple…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Since late May, my main phone has been a Nokia E71x. It is my first Symbian phone, but I owned Nokia feature phones before and had good memories of them, so I was quite excited to get to know a smarter, fancier Nokia. I’d read good things about Symbian as well as bad ones. Universally, the hardware was praised, but the software reception was a good more lukewarm. My E71x and I have good days and bad days; last week I was ready to sing its praises to the world, this week I’m a bit more annoyed and seem to be seeing nothing but its flaws. Nokia has been trying harder to muscle into the North American market, most recently by offering some incredible deals on AT&T. So I thought it would be helpful to share the good and the bad sides of my Symbian experience.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photo credit: Photo Giddy Apple fan-boys and girls may be seeing an expensive few months ahead if the rumors are right. Let’s recap… Rumors of an Apple tablet have floated around for years. Lately the drumbeat got louder and louder and louder. People claimed to have see the device. Reports that other companies have slowed or stopped development on next gen devices until they see what Apple brings out spread. (Now there’s an awesome way to ensure you always stay one or more steps behind.)It has been looking more and more likely that a tablet was on the way. Yeah! And there has been tremendous consensus on many aspects of the upcoming device. Save one that is… Many have said the tablet is coming in September while others guarantee that we won’t see it until 2010. Well, the latest rumor, if true, explains why…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The single biggest problem my wife and other family members have is making sure that their data is backed up.  The HP Mediasmart LX195 will help you make sure that data is safe and a while lot more. This server is based on Microsoft’s Windows Home Server.  It’s not my normal operating system of choice, but I think that Microsoft and HP have done a good thing here.  They have done something that is difficult with Linux.  They have made it extremely easy to setup a media server and a backup server all in the same tidy package.  Try as I might, I could not find much to NOT like about this little server.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am a Software Update junkie. I constantly boot my machines and always either check Windows Update, Software Update or Update Manager (Linux).  I don’t know why, but I’m really obsessive when it comes to insuring that I’ve got the latest system software. Today, Apple released yet another update, iPhoto 8.1. While not mission critical, the update adds 3 distinctive features to Apples digital photo editing package.  This update is recommended for all users of iPhoto ‘09: What’s New in this Version This update adds several new print product options to iPhoto “09: – Hardcover books can now be ordered in a new extra-large (10″ x13″) Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I was searching for a Bluetooth speaker system to use with my T-Mobile G1 and lo and behold  I came across the Cy-Fi Wireless Sport Speaker.  This nifty little speaker can attach  to the handlebar of your bicycle or motorcycle allowing you to rock out as you ride. This spacey looking speaker weighs only 5 ounces and is very slim.  You can slip it one of your pockets and use it indoors as well as on the bike.  It comes with a dock, power supply and 2 different brackets.  Probably the most shocking thing is that it comes with a dock!  Not even many cell phones come with them any more.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am a huge fan of IKEA, the Swedish-based furniture and homegoods company.   So, when I go to IKEA I usually have a list of items I want to purchase that I made using the website and the yearly catalog, as well as a running total in my head.  Plus, once  you’re actually in the store, you must keep track of the aisle and bin numbers for the items you want to purchase.  I’ve been half-tempted to set up an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everything I want at IKEA (with blank spaces to fill in the aisle/bin while I’m actually shopping) but today I’ve discovered something a little more helpful.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am slowly making my way to using Google Voice full time. It remains a bit of a hassle to make calls from my iPhone but the upside of using GV far out weighs the downside. The biggest use I have for it is being able to initiate calls from my iMac or MacBook Pro and then, as soon as I finish the call, I can make notes or set a followup task for myself. I hated having to go to the GV website each time, however, so I went in search of a desktop widget that would serve the same function. I found it, and it is fantastic.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …