Volvo, that Swedish car company whose memorable commercials included stacking car on top of car, etc., is expanding its crossover utility line with a smaller version of its venerable XC90. The new cute ute, dubbed XC60, offers up everything big brother 90 does while allowing the automaker an appearance into the quickly expanding small premium utility segment that features standouts such as the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Mercury Mariner.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This Sony PSP 3000 is about $50 less than what you’ll find at comparable online sites. Most of the reason this is so cheap is that it’s a refurbished unit. At this low cost this Sony PSP 3000 makes a suitable replacement for the PSP your son or daughter left out in the rain (or lost) during their vacation. The price includes shipping and expires 8/28/09. Sony PSP 3000 (refurbished) – $99 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We are all feeling the financial pinch!  Blue Plate Special is a weekly review of bargain apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Nothing over $.99. From the developer: This app has more or less the same features of the built-in Contacts app but it adds the features to manage contact groups. NOW with Quick Actions to send email to all group contacts or to call, email or SMS a contact. And it works with the same archive so everything you do in ABContacts Lite will be visible in Contacts and Phone app and conversely. You don’t need to use your computer and than sync the phone to create groups and assign or remove contacts to groups. Since you can even manage contacts, with the same user interface of the built in Contacts app, you can even use ABContacts Lite as your only Contacts application. The app is available in English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano, Português. FEATURES: Create, rename and delete group of contacts; Edit groups membership of a contact; Quick action to send an email to all group members; Assign and remove contacts to groups with a fast and simple interface; Create, edit and remove contacts with the same [...]

Today is day fifteen of HP and Microsoft’s ‘Back to School and Better Together’ Giveaway, which means that Mocha Dad 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 Mocha Dad Timbuk2 bag to carry their loot! … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Starting the coming Friday , August 28th, toy retailer Toys R Us will be trying its hand at its own version of the government’s arguably successful “Cash for Clunkers” program. No, the retailer won’t be accepting old cars. It will however be accepting old strollers, cribs, car seats, high chairs and more. Starting Friday and over the next three weeks, the store will offer 20 percent discounts for 16 manufacturers’ products in exchange for the used merchandise. Toys R US CEO Gerry Storch says the program is slated to end Sept. 20, but could be extended. The company says it hopes to take in older merchandise that might… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of the most difficult times of the day is when I try to get the kids to brush their teeth. Mine have grown crafty in their 9 year old age. Instead of taking time to brush they take a swig of minty mouthwash, wet their toothbrush and fool dad into believing that they’ve just spent the last 45 minutes in bathroom brushing. Now you can do away with the hijinks and lure the kids into a fun(ner) toothbrushing experience. Using either Toothpaste Oscar or Pete the kids can see the toothpaste travel through the character’s mouth and onto the brush. And, yes I bet this does drip all over the sink once it’s done – but I’ve long since… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s the year 2009. Shouldn’t we have adopted a universal charger for ALL cell phones and ended this nasty requirement of buying a new charger for each device? We’ve been successful at landing men on the moon (that happened July 20, 1969) – and yet the cell phone companies in the year 2009 are not willing to give up their fat charger add-on sales profits able to agree on one universal type charger connection. This ten connector USB Mobilephone Charger contains tips compatible with : – Nokia 2.06mm (or 2mm) – Nokia 3.5mm – Sony PSP – Motorola (V3 series) & HTC and other phones using USB Mini 5 pin as a charging port – Micro USB (for Motorola V8…) – LG – Samsung (20P (s)) – Samsung… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Text-Expander is one of my “must-have” Mac utilities. The app quietly sits in the toolbar waiting for me to either make a common spelling mistake or to key in one of the shortcuts I have pre-programmed. When I do it quickly replaces it with the proper spelling or phrase. For example, when I type “ggd” TextExpander replaces it with “Gear Diary”. Honestly, I don’t know how I could do without this application. Well, now they have released a version for the iPhone and iPod touch. I grabbed a copy as soon as it went live and am happy I did. They have done an excellent job in creating the iPhone app and, for the next few weeks, it is on sale for just $1.99. The iPhone has become an increasingly powerful productivity tool. This moves it one notch higher!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Let’s have a show of hands.  How many of you watch the Today Show in the morning.  It is pretty hard to miss, since it is about five hours long, yet I manage to do so since I leave the house before 6:00 each morning.  So, I rarely get to watch the show upon which this app is based.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Imagine a speaker that can go anywhere, play anything, and do it all without wires.  Now, give it a fun shape and some wireless controls.  There you go, now you have the Cyfi, which is a fantastic portable wireless speaker.  This is exactly what I need for activities like camping, hiking, or even just sitting on the deck enjoying the day.  Sound good?  I thought it might.  let’s take a closer look. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s a neat looking product for those who value aesthetics, clean lines and cool-looking accessories. The BookArc is designed to hold any and all MacBooks vertically for use with a keyboard, monitor and mouse.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Today is day fourteen of HP and Microsoft’s ‘Back to School and Better Together’ Giveaway, which means that Building Camelot 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 Building Camelot Timbuk2 bag to carry their loot! … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Dear AT&T, You’ve been making some neat moves lately. The new Visual Voicemail for BlackBerry… NICE. Working with Sony on a eReader with integrated connectivity… well-played. And reports that you are finally expanding your service so you actually live up to your ads… About frigging time. And what you have been doing for iPhone users… just awesome. Oh no, wait a sec. That’s just wrong. You continue to treat iPhone users like 2nd class citizens. How so? You ask… BB owners can use applications like Slingbox and Truphone over 3G but iPhone users? Nope. And even though the app got updated to use 3G, Qik can’t stream on the iPhone the way it does from a Blackberry. No doubt you are behind THAT one too. Nice. And although they have to pay through the nose, every other smartphone offers some kind of tethering plan. iPhone users… nope. Oh but you have done some things… like trying to change the Terms of Service on our contracts, then recanting then trying to again. Between you and Apple I’m not really sure who is worse these days. And while we’re talking do me a favor and check the date. My calendar tells me [...]

No Star Wars fan’s desktop is complete without this miniature R2D2 desktop trash bin. Instead of throwing your minor trash into the big R2D2 trashcan – use this mini version instead. Only 9.8 inches high this easily fits on your desk and features a removable interior can with handles for easy trash removal. Could also be filled with sand and used as an ashtray or used to hold pencils, pens and other assorted desk items. R2D2 Desktop Trash Can Continue reading on Gear Diary …

While on vacation in Maine a few weeks ago I happened to break my sunglasses.  Luckily I was near a place that sold them and was able to pick up a replacement pair. The pair I ended up with are Oakley Monster Dogs. They’re not my first pair of Oakley glasses.  I’ve owned a few. Oakley has been around for a while and always seems to be at the forefront of the sunglasses market with its innovative frames. A brand of choice among active individuals they have stood the test of time. This got me thinking.  How has the Oakley frame changed over the years?… Continue reading on Gear Diary …