Is it just me or does this BlackBerry Storm 9950 comparison video seem to overplay the screen improvements just a tad. Like a caveman seeing fire for the first time the reviewer spends nearly all of the 8 minute video fawning over how much better the new BlackBerry 9550 screen is because there’s no more need to push twice to register a keystroke. Another way of looking at this is the original BlackBerry Storm push screen was so awful anything would be an improvement. Crackberry Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Looks as if the pocket camera that Wired Gadget Lab called “The Best Pocket Cam We’ve Seen All Year” is up for pre-order on Amazon. Despite an ongoing naming contest for the Kodak Zi8 which was slated to end on 8/24/09, the high definition (1080p) and memory expandable (accepts up to 32GB SD card) is offered for pre-order as the Zi8 on Amazon’s site for $179. Expect delivery September 15, 2009. Based on the phone’s branding it seems that Zi8 has already been decided as a name so you may want to hurry and submit Zi8 as your suggestion here. Judging by these photos it’s all but certain you’d have the winning entry. Kodak Zi8 1080 HD Continue reading on Gear Diary …

RIM recently released the Enhanced Google Mail Plugin for BlackBerry BIS users. This plugin enables some of the most used Gmail-specific features that the native Mobile Gmail client has, including: Archiving messages, starring and labeling messages, reporting spam, local and remote Gmail searches, and conversation view. The advantage of the new Enhanced Google Mail Plugin is that it enables these features in the native messaging interface, which allows for standard push BlackBerry messaging without having to go into a dedicated application.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s a nice little deal if you want to be able to listen to your iPod or iPhone sans earbuds. MacMall is selling the Altec Lansing Orbit Ultra-Portable Speaker System for just $9.99. That’s a full 75% off the List price and a cheap way to get music on the go. Grab it HERE. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

How many times have you been pulled over for speeding and thought “I know my friend _____ got out of their speeding ticket by providing an excuse” – but you just don’t have any why-I-was-speeding-officer excuses handy. And the police are slowly inching their way to your open car window – ticket book in hand. Relax. No excuse for speeding? There’s an iPhone application for that. Ticket Talker 3000 from 76 Gasoline (iTunes link)… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Every year my family takes a week long vacation to visit my mother at her cabin in Maine.  We make it a habit of passing through Freeport, Maine on the way up to her house each year.  Freeport is not only is the home of L.L. Bean but it’s also the home to one of my favorite knife shops, the Freeport Knife Co. I am a collector of pocket knives and I carry one almost all the time either in my pants pocket or my turnout gear.  It’s a tool I end up using several times a day be it to cut the tags off one of my daughter’s new toys or to free a trapped victim from a seatbelt. This year I picked up a few new items during my stop over in Freeport and my favorite of the lot is the Spyderco Native.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

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

I admit it, my iPhone 3GS has spoiled me. Since getting it I have barely used my Pure Digital Flip Camcorders. It’s not because Flip’s offerings aren’t good though. Quite the contrary. Flip’s cameras get the job done and they get it done well. Smaller and lighter than the original Flip or the UltraHD, the Flip Mino brings some style to the boxy camcorders. Sure it is looking increasingly likely that you’ll be able to get an iPod touch or nano with integrated video soon, but at $69.99 this Mino 60 is a steal. Grab it here. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It seems that Apple has been busy lately with the software updates.  They’ve released yet another update to another OS component before they release their newest OS, Snow Leopard. I got notification from Software Update that Remote Desktop Client Update 3.3.1 was released. The package contains two update packages: This article describes Apple Remote Desktop version 3.3, which includes two update packages: * Apple Remote Desktop Client 3.3.1 updates the software that facilitates Remote Management (enabled in Sharing preferences, in System Preferences). * Apple Remote Desktop Admin 3.3 updates the Remote Desktop application, which can be used to remotely Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Here’s a hot deal for someone looking for a mouse that doubles as presentation tool (Bluetooth control of multimedia applications from 30 feet away, laser pointer, slide changer). GearSponsor Logicbuy has spotted this tiny mouse which stores nicely inside your laptop’s Express/54 card slot where it also will recharge. Some of the pricing I found online is as high as $89. Until 8/23/09 you can score a deal on this mouse at only $19.99 shipped from Buy.com. MoGo Mouse X54 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Tonight is Friday, which means it is the start of the Jewish holiday Shabbat, which is the Sabbath.  It begins at sundown on Friday and runs through sundown on Saturday.  Shabbat can be a very ritualistic holiday, with certain prayers and other activities which occur at specified times.  Of course, since nothing can ever be too easy, these times change based upon when sundown occurs.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photo credit: JaeYong, BAE AT&T’s did their very best to make it totally, unambiguously clear that they played no part in GoogleVoice-gate. Yes two apps were rejected after they were approved but it was all Apple. So what can Apple do after being thrown under the bus by their “partner”? Why throw the truth under the bus as well, of course. Seriously, they have some pretty smart lawyers but even I read some of this and thought “you’re kidding right?” Then I read it a second time and the “REAL MEANING” began to emerge. As a service to our readers We have run Apple’s response to the FCC through our Gear Diary Translator. What emerges is a letter that has a far truer ring to it than the one originally submitted. Let’s take a look at the letter without the “Apple-speak”. What was written… “We are pleased to respond to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s inquiry dated July 31, 2009″ What was meant… “WTF? Don’t you know we’re Apple??? Questioning us? Challenging our decisions? Seriously? We’re Apple!” Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The first 45 rpm record was introduced by RCA in 1949.  The small, 7″ vinyl records were a way for artists to introduce their singles. Since iTunes wasn’t around back then you couldn’t easily download one song from your favorite artist, you’d have to buy the whole LP album. The 45 allowed you to purchase a smaller amount of music for a lower price. The 45 would contain the single on the A side and usually a lessor known track on the B side. iTunes recently added a new section for digital 45s bringing the concept back. The section contains a small sampling of 45s, which include two songs for… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If AT&T’s initial response to the FCC over the removal of two Google Voice apps and the outright rejection of Google’s own app from the App Store wasn’t clear enough the first time around they are out to make it perfectly clear… We Did Not Do It!!! Actually their own words went something like this… …let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store. AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other. So maybe AT&T wasn’t behind the GV debacle. Still, by… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

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