We are hearing reports that the much anticipated TomTom GPS Navigation application is finding its way to European iTunes App Stores. The application appears to be available now in the New Zealand app store. TomTom announced its plans for an iPhone application back at WWDC when then iPhone 3GS was also announced but we have yet to see the actual application. Looks like it’s starting to become available and here’s hoping the U.S. version isn’t far behind. Be warned though, the price is steep.  Priced at well over $100 versus some of the other GPS applications currently available, such as CoPilot Live, which goes for $34.99.  Probably an… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you’ve been holding off on a shiny new LCD then this could be your day. Web site BuyDig has the Toshiba 32V502R for only $389 PLUS the UPS guy will lug it up your driveway to your doorstep for no extra money. Features include: 32 inch screen, dynamic backlight control, cinespeed LCD, 720p, built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners and 2 x HDMI inputs. You know what I always say about HDMI inputs — 2 are better than one! Toshiba Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I had other plans for this article tonight, but as I mentioned earlier, there were a few new releases this weekend, rounding the App Catalog off to an even 35.  So, I thought it would make sense to take a look at one of these new apps.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Today is day four of HP and Microsoft’s ‘Back to School and Better Together’ Giveaway, which means that Study Successful will begin theirs. Up for grabs is a computer combo containing an HP dv6, an HP Mini 110 and Syncables software – which allows you to keep the larger laptop at home but carry the smaller netbook (synced and carrying all of your data!) when on the go. The Winner will also get a customized Study Successful Timbuk2 bag to carry their loot! … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have become increasingly disenchanted due to the nonsense being pulled by Apple and AT&T with regard to the iPhone and applications for it. Time and again they have actively limited the device reaching its potential by intentionally crippling or rejecting apps that make it more useful. When the Google Voice apps were pulled from the App Store — and Google’s own app rejected — I started looking around to see what other device options might be available. Ultimately, the HTC Hero seemed to be the best option. Sure, it lacks the US 3G but then again, I spend the majority of my time in one of three locations and each has high-speed Internet. In addition, since it has the ability to render most flash it meant it could very well allow access of many sites and services that are currently inaccessible to the iPhone and iPod touch. I received the HTC Hero Thursday. It is a nice smartphone and clearly the best Android device yet. I’ve been impressed with how far Android devices have come since I took a look at the G1 last year. The hardware looks great. The device is well built. The special SenseUI HTC has [...]

Many of us around here are angry at Apple over the recent issues with applications being pulled or being released without certain features we know to be possible. One Apple fanboy, angry over Apple’s recent removable of the Google Voice application had enough. His iPhone 3G became the unfortunate receiver of his anger. First he shoots the poor helpless iPhone with a 9mm handgun. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, he douses it with lighter fluid and burns it to a crisp. The whole thing accompanied by a melodramatic tune. For this fanboy, this one was hard to watch. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Is the leaked photo above the much anticipated Apple tablet? According to a story surfacing today it might be. An insider at Apple has revealed some details of the upcoming Apple Tablet to Brian Lam at Gizmodo, and here are the details. The device will look like a giant iPhone, complete with a 10 inch screen, home button and black, resin back.  Of course the design could change at any time. According to the article it come in two variations.  And educational version and a version with a built in web camera. It will be priced somewhere between $700-$900. Word is… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you’ve got money to burn head on over the Japan where you can pick yourself up one of these cases. The so-called JAPAN TEXTURE [JP] series consists of a total of five cases with different designs. Created under the supervision of a historian, SoftBank says each case is covered with special lacquer and gold dust. It takes three to four weeks to make one, which kind of explains the price. The cases are said to show how Japanese warlords from the Sengoku period would probably use their iPhones… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The search function in iPhone OS 3.0 works well. Searching for emails, however, is often a lesson in frustration. More often than not, when I go to search for something I end up seeing this… That won’t be the case any longer thanks to a new version of the iPhone app remail. The application it’s not for everyone but if you find yourself doing a lot of searches in Gmail and having to wait to check the server it just might be the perfect email add on for you on your iPhoneHere’s a quick look…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

When I was younger, my whole family was big into comic books.  We’d buy all sorts of titles.  Although we didn’t think about it much back then, today we recognize the work and effort and artistry that goes into comics.   The problem is, however, comic books have not translated well into electronic formats.  ebooks, in general, have had a difficult time making the transition (mostly due to the policy decisions of publishing houses, i think), but comics have an extra hurdle – the graphics.  Not only are they bigger, but you have difficulty deciding how to handle viewing them.  If you view the whole page (like in a splash page) you risk losing the detail.  If you zoom in for the detail, you may lost the unique flow of the page.  In many ways its significantly more complicated than viewing a text-based ebook. Comics, by Comixology, is trying something  a little different, something they call “Guided View” to help make comic viewing practical.  Read on to see how it works.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you have the travel bug and enjoy sharing your adventures with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, etc., then GPSed is definitely for you.   If you are a hiker, runner, or biker and just want to track your journeys in real-time, then GPSed is for you. In fact, just about anyone needing to show their location via GPS, archive their trips, or keep a log of their where they’ve been on GoogleMaps  will likely find something useful with the many features in Shape Services‘ GPSed. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Agent 18 recently started shipping all their cases with a nice, simple iPhone/touch stand. Now they’ve kicked it up a few notches. They have just announced their new StandHear, a new device stand that allows you watch video on your handheld without it having to be … well, hand held.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

CoPilot 8 has just appeared in the iPhone App store ready to start a price war with other turn-by-turn GPS applications. The price of $34.99 is a more affordable fee for many and is $35 cheaper than the promotional price of Navigon. This GPS navigation system features turn-by-turn voice directions, street maps of USA and Canada that are stored on your iPhone, navigation to an address book contact, LiveLink location sharing and messaging so you can keep track of your CoPilot friends live on-screen (convoy anyone?). As with most GPS turn-by-turn applications this one’s over 1GB so you’re well advised to cable up your device and set aside an hour or two for the download. CoPilot Live North America via… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Dell Small Business has become a pretty good source for discounted electronic gadgetry. This 120 GB Gears of War 2 themed Zune Player is $50 off plus you can snare another 10% with coupon code WKF35JP9FR9BLQ (expires 8/20/09). This special Edition Gears of War 2 Zune video MP3 player features a Crimson Omen etching and is loaded with a special Gears of War 2 media collection (244 pieces of “Gears of War” media including the original game soundtrack, behind-the-scenes videos, game trailers and concept art galleries). Hurry – deal’s gone August 20. Zune 120 GB Gears of War 2 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Once looked upon as one of the few ‘recession-proof’ industries, the video game market has seen sales drop for the fifth month in a row, with the Wii sales hitting the lowest monthly level since the system launched nearly three years ago!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …