Epson has just announced their new V500 Office Scanner. The scanner, which will retail for  $349.99 when it is released in September, offers a remarkable 6400dpi resolution. A variety of special photo features include negative, slides and film scanning, special technology for dust and scratch removal in film scans, and special technology for restoring old and faded images, removing dust and reducing grain add to its power. An included 30-page automatic document feeder scan up to three pages per minute. For more information read the full press release that follows…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The Audible team let us know that they’ve just released an upgrade (version 1.4.2) to their popular audio book BlackBerry application.  I just downloaded the new version last night, and want to put it through its paces a few days — so expect a full review later this week.  I wasn’t too excited about the first attempt, but I’m looking forward to using the new version and seeing the improvements first-hand. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Google’s now inviting all military personnel (must have a .mil email address, be in the US and have a US phone number) to apply for a Google Voice account. They’re promising approval within a day or two. The popular Google Voice service is free and provides a replacement phone number for subscribers to distribute to their contacts. Currently in a closed beta the service has been slowly trickling out invitations over the last several weeks and presently has a waiting period of several weeks for non-military users. Google Voice via RWW Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Throwboy pillows are handcrafted pillows, filled with 100% polyester fibers.  The set of 6 pillows each resembles a different Mac OS icon. Each pillow measures 11×9 and is made from 100% fleece. We know your computer is more than a tool. It’s a constant companion, a friend. A gateway to the great heights of “risqué.” The hub to your very life and existence. But we think it should be more. It should be snuggled close to you as you sleep and clutched tightly in your clammy hands during that especially gruesome scene in The Ring. And, since polycarbonate and aluminum hardly lend themselves to cuddly-comfort, we’ve got the solution. Each pillow sells for $29 or grab… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of my favorite navigation applications for Windows Mobile (and personal navigation appliance) has been iGo, sold in the U.S. as OnCourse Navigator. Now it has finally made it’s way to the iPhone after having been demoed for the device some time ago. iGo features full navigation along with 3D support (including elevation) and 3D landmarks! I hope to bring you a review of this title very soon! iGo My Way 2009 is currently available at the AppStore in North America ($79.99), Europe ($119.99), and Western Europe ($89.99) editions… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s hard to believe, but until today the Mac was sans Application Store. Sure you could go to Apple’s listing of apps in the Apple Online Store but that’s not the kind of app store we are talking about. No, we’re talking about an app store that shows nice graphics of applications, allows reviews etc. Well, the App Bodega is open for business and it has a great look and feel.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Windows Mobile users have a brand new 0n-device app store — HandMarket Apps. Handmark’s mobile store platform provides instant access to a wide variety of the best free and paid WinMo content with an easy-to-use navigation bar, quick search capability and user reviews. The HandMarket App store features a customizable user interface for each device style (differentiating touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard handsets).  Users have on-device access to themes, ringtones, apps, and games. The mobile storefront includes both carrier billing support, and standard credit card payment (no PayPal necessary – *cough* RIM *cough*).  The initial launch covers North America only, but the HandMarket App store is expected to begin expanding into other countries in the coming… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Why subscribe to a phone service that carries a recurring fee when you can buy an Ooma VOIP (voice over IP) device for a one time cost of $187 and be done with recurring billing. Actually I don’t mind the recurring billing so much as the enormous pain in the ass it is to get out of those recurring bills. It baffles me that companies can activate your services within 15 minutes of your first phone call – but when you try to disconnect you’re forced to call 4 times, wait on hold 30 minutes each time and then play the waiting game to see whether they’ll actually stop billing. The Ooma Core VoIP Phone System includes the Hub and one ooma Scout… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Nikon has announced the release of the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj. This new compact 12.1mp camera has one new trick up its sleeve. It is a projector as well. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include: 12.1 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO from 64-6400***; a 2.7-inch Wide Angle LCD display; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode. The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Matte Black, in September 2009, for $429.95 MSRP. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This Lego Headlamp with dual action “foot lights” would be the perfect device for a children’s doctor to use in the examining room. If you’re a true geek at heart you could also wear it trick or treating but only if you want your kids to stay way far away! It clips to any headgear you choose and is available for about $13 starting mid September. Nerd Approved Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The CP-X3010N is a 3 LCD projector with some unique abilities.  One of those is the ability to be networked.  With the included software, the projector can become part of a company or college campus warning system, as it allows IT staff to transfer an image to each projector on campus even if it’s not in use.  You can also have it project a text message on each of the projectors.  This can all be done from a central location. The projector has a brightness of 3,000 lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, 16 watts of built in audio, a low noise rating of 29 dBA and a lamp life of… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’m finding this hard to believe but here is the video to prove it. After being outside buried in snow and dirt, rain pouring in it and totally exposed to the elements; I put a battery back into Elana’s Palm Centro and… well look for yourself… … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Puzzle games are perfect for handhelds – I have already gushed enough about Peggle on the iPhone! My Squares! Here & Now! is – as the iTunes App Store listing says – a strategy board game with puzzles. The premise is simple – you want to change as many squares on the board to your color while preventing other players from doing the same.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s my gadget story for the week, maybe the year… The setting- a wintry day at the end of December 2008 in northern New Jersey. It is snowing quite a bit and the snow plow ridge had grown high. The backdrop – I had just undergone serious surgery to fuse my wrist after arthritis had all but destroyed every bit of cartilage. Drugged out of my mind on anesthesia, I still remembered to ask my wife Elana to stop at the bottom of the driveway and get the mail. Who knows, maybe I figured something good to review had come… there are priorities! Elana was driving my car, so instead of having her Palm Centro between the seats where she usually keeps it, she had it on her lap. Of course you can guess what happened — she got out of the car to check the mail, helped me wobble into the house to the couch and a short time later, discovered she could not find her Palm Centro. She looked everywhere for it and eventually came to the sad realization that it had been on her lap and was now buried in a snow bank in front of the [...]

The folks at Astraware have done it again and released another premier game for the iPhone OS. Astraware Casino features 11 casino style games all under one title. Included are:  Texas Hold ‘Em  No Limit Poker, Roulette, Baccarat, Video Derby, Texas Hold ‘Em Limit Poker, Blackjack, Video Keno, Craps, 3 Card Poker, Slots and Video Poker. Read on for my full review of this fun filled game from what I consider to be one of the best iPhone OS application developers.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …