This ranks up there as one of the more original and also humorous cases I’ve seen for the iPhone. Case-Mate says it knows times are tough and it’s because of that that they’ve decided to release the Recession Case. Made from what looks to be simply cardboard the case simply locks around your iPhone. Priced at only .99 cents for one and a special Bailout Bundle of $7.99 for 10 it comes with free shipping. Just don’t spill anything on it. Check out the case for yourself here Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Wow, that didn’t take long. Apple has released its first update to its Snow Leopard Operating system. Mac OS 10.6.1 update addresses the following issues. What’s included? *Improves compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems *Addresses an issue in which some printer compatibility drivers might not appear properly in the Add Printer browser *Addresses an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly *Addresses an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock *Resolves an issue in which the… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Motorola announced the addition of a new smartphone handset running the Android operating system. The Motorola CLIQ features a custom user interface called MotoBlur. The handset will be available on T-Mobile exclusively later this year. This announcement realizes the move for Motorola to Android for their smartphone handsets. More details after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This morning I had downloaded some music and movies to my PSP for an upcoming business trip, and checked the ‘Network Update’ and saw that there was a new update available. Naturally I updated, as I am not a believer in ‘custom firmware’ on philosophical grounds. The new version is 6.00, and as you install the update you get to look at the release notes (word to Sony – I LOVE this!) Here is some of what was in the notes: * Games can now be grouped and displayed in folders based on their expire date under [Game]. * Under [Settings], [Network Update] has been changed to [System Update]. Under [System Update], you can now choose how Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As I’m sure many of you know Apple have announced their latest refresh of the iPod Touch and iPod nano lines, and while neither were really overhauled the nano picked up a few more features than its big brother. It’s been widely speculated that the iPod line-up would gain cameras, but the rumours were only half right, with the Nano squeezing in a VGA 30fps camera, whilst the Touch had to make do with a performance boost and higher capacities. The look hasn’t really changed much, with the same basic design of the 4th generation Nano. It is still super slim and super light, but fits a slightly larger 2.2″ display, which is wider and has a higher resolution than before. Now at 376×240 instead of 320×240, widescreen videos are bigger and result in less black bars than before, however it is still a very tiny screen, and if you are looking to watch anything longer than short TV episodes or podcasts I’d recommend picking up a Touch.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Anyone with a MacBook knows that the MagSafe Power Adapter’s block has an elegant winding device built right in – there are little wings that flip up from the block itself to hold the cable. This works very well as long as you are only winding the thin power cable that comes from the block itself. The remaining removable portion that goes from the block to the wall outlet is a much bulkier cable, and it generally has to be looped over itself and tied off somehow. That’s where quirky‘s PowerCurl comes in. PowerCurl wraps both cords (plug end & MagSafe end) around the device and allows for easy and quick cord wrapping. The Curl, as we like to call it, makes it easy to unplug and pack up quickly saving you the trouble of untangling your extension cords the next time you need to set up shop. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Oh the joy of acquiring a new iPhone – it’s shiny, sexy, has tons of apps and full of user interface goodness until the unthinkable happens: It is that precise moment with joy turns into sorrow, followed by denial, anger, rage, resentment, depression and reality that $99, $199, or $299 just left your bank account. There is a case for those moments when the law of gravitational pull yanks the shiniest gadget (the iPhone) out of one’s hands. I am talking about the OtterBox Defender case for the iPhone.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We Love Updates… Navigon’s iPhone app got a significant update recently that adds a key feature that had, until now, been missing. That feature… Instead of hearing “In 500 feet turn left” you’ll now hear “In 500 feet turn left on Gear Diary Lane”. It looks and works great. Here’s a taste. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It hasn’t been but 24 hours since Apple announced the release of the new 5th generation iPod Nano. Scosche has just announced the release of their kickBACK case for the new product. The case is a polycarbonate and rubber hybrid case with an open face design.  It includes a clear screen protector.  The newly designed kickBACK features a cutout for the new Nano’s camera lens as well. It also features a kickstand back which allows you to view content on the Nano’s wide screen hands free. The case is offered in clear with black rubber for $24.99 or… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As Larry just posted, Apple actually approved the Rhapsody app for streaming music if you have a RhapsodyTo Go account. So now we have RhapsodyToGo available in the US and Spotify available in much of Europe. That’s awesome, and a bit of a surprise but still… I don’t quite get it. Rhapsody to Go is $15 a month. That comes down to $180 a year or $360 over the contract-life of the iPhone. (As if iPhone ownership weren’t costly enough already.) Worst of all at the end of that year you own NOTHING! Contrast that to the Simplify Music app at $5.99 and the whole “rent your music” concept kind of falls apart. Here’s why…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

With recent announcements by both Sprint and T-Mobile that they were offering the new HTC Touch Pro 2, it was only a matter of time before Verizon Wireless jumped into the fray! And today we got that news, with Verison announcing the HTC Touch Pro 2 available to order on Friday September 11th online and in stores. The device is largely the same as seen on the other carriers, with the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack as seen on Sprint but not T-Mobile. The major differentiation is price: while Sprint and T-Mobile each wants $350 after $100 mail-in rebate and two-year contract, Verizon is only charging $199! Keep reading for more details!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Tomorrow is the anniversary of 9/11. To honor the tragedy, the FDNY will be launching its newest fireboat, 343, in Panama City Florida. The ship is named 343 in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who were killed in the line of duty on 9/11. 343 will arrive in NYC sometime this December and be officially assigned to Marine 1 on the Hudson River in Manhattan. The new boat, which cost an estimated 27 million dollars, is 140 ft. long, making it the country’s largest fire boat.  It can pump 50,000 gallons of water per minute, which is 20,000 faster than older ships of its type. The FDNY… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Need a bag to help you zip through airline security? Well if you believe in miracles you might check out this Targus 16″ Zip-Thru – on sale for $32 (normally $80). Features leather-wrapped handles, an ergonomic, non-slip shoulder strap, and a trolley strap for attaching to rolling luggage. Great for the HP HDX16t Premium Laptop also on sale for $749 at over 50% off. Targus 16″ Zip-Thru via GearSponsor Logicbuy (Daily Deal Site)… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Another month, another Evernote update. Not that we are complaining. Those of us who use Evernote as our “catch everything and put it just a few key taps away” can’t help but appreciate the regular updates the company releases for all its native applications. Today the update makes Evernote’s Mac client fully compatible with Snow Leopard. iSight notes now work as they should (they are an awesome way to quickly grab a shot of a receipt or physical note) and the Safari clipper works properly once again. Perhaps best of all, this update removes one of my biggest pet peeves with Evernote. Until now, if the Evernote window was closed… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

What’s going on at Apple? First they release Home Sharing in iTunes 9.0 which allows you to share your music, videos, apps etc. with 5 other computers in your household and now this morning Rhapsody gets approved in the iTunes App Store. With a Rhapsody subscription you can listen to any song in their catalogue via your iPhone as well as access your playlists and library.  Plans start at around $12 per month and give way to millions of songs. The app itself is free and if you’re not a subscriber to the service you can try the whole thing out for… Continue reading on Gear Diary …