Starbucks is entering the iPhone app marketplace with a couple offerings that allow users to view menus and locate a Starbucks near them. These apps seem extraordinarily late to market as a fast search of the app store will uncover dozens of “coffee locators” that have been available for over a year. What could be interesting is a test that Starbuck’s is running on an application called Starbucks Card Mobile which allows those with a Starbucks Card to use their iPhone to monitor their balance and pay for purchases. Hopefully soon our mobile phones can replace the various cards and club member identifications that we all carry with us. Starbucks Card Mobile via WSJ Continue reading on Gear Diary …

OK, so the name alone makes me think of that mind numbing “Jitterbug” jingle (don’t even try to deny that you just blurted out that little tune!). But what we have is Twitterlerts for BlackBerry smart phones, and the app is for Berries running OS 4.3 or higher. Twitterlerts, by Electric Pocket, gives BlackBerry users the ability to receive notifications when any keyword is discussed on Twitter. I find it to be a great tool for marketing research, because you can use it to determine how often a product or company name is talked about on Twitter. For instance, I might set it to track anything Buckeyes or Cowboys, but that’s just me! Users can also… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Scott Jordan is having a HUGE 2009 Clearance Sale! So stop what you’re doing right now, and go check this out – SEV’s latest and greatest stuff is on sale up to 40% off.  40%!  You can’t beat that with a stick. Directly from Scott – Enjoy HUGE savings on our remaining stock of Explorer Jackets (only Smalls remain) and the older version of our Men’s Travel Vests and Women’s Travel Vests. All three of the items are on Closeout for only $40 each!!! (The Explorer was originally $200 and the Travel Vests $100). Because of the huge savings, All Sale Are Final—No Returns or Exchanges. The Travel Vests are the older version, with 2-way main zippers and no clear touch pockets. Click here to see a video about the differences between them and our current Travel Vests. Details on all of the goodies, and the special coupon code, can be found after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As promised the new version of NetNewsWire for iPhone and iPod Touch is now out and available for download. Will it be my new RSS reader of choice? Read on in this first look…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you haven’t written a slogan for our ioSafe USB Hard Drive contest, then you need to stop, check out Larry’s truly awesome video review, and then head over to the contest page and write a slogan for ioSafe.  The contest ends shortly after midnight tonight, Central Time. (Entries logged after midnight Central Time will not be considered.) Again, the winner will receive a 500GB ioSafe with 3 year warranty and 1 year of data recovery. The winner be announced here on Gear Diary on Friday, 25-Sep-09 : we’ll post when the email has been sent out, and the winner will have 24… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I bought myself a new (to me) toy on eBay: a Samsung Propel Pro. It was very exciting to come home from work today and find the small FedEx box on my front steps. I ran inside, booted the phone up and started fiddling, only to notice the previous owner did not fully wipe their contacts from the device. Bad! I googled around, figured out how to hard reset it, and now, freshly reset, I am up and running on my new toy.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Imagine Christmas day coming every single month — except without all the hassle of going out dealing with crowds, carolers, fruitcake, eggnog and extended family staying over at your house for just a few days longer than your sanity can muster.  Just the goodies.  Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, if you are into the latest and greatest mobile phones — and you are tired of being bound by your wireless carrier’s contract determining when you can upgrade or swap out phones, then the service from Rentobile seems to come pretty close to becoming your very own monthly Christmas treat. You see, Rentobile allows you to rent out the latest mobile phones for as long as you want, without the hassle of a contract restricting you to a single carrier or specific phone for one or two years.   That’s right,  Rentobile is essentially  a “Netflix” for mobile phones.  The concept really does sounds like gadget-lover’s dream.  Try out the very latest smartphone, and when you’re done just send it back for another.   Sounds pretty good right? Well, I’ve now been a Rentobile member for six months.  After six months, has Rentobile met my expectations? Continue reading on Gear Diary [...]

Dexim has just announced a new foldable and portable dock for the iPod and iPhone. While that wouldn’t ordinarily be news in and of itself, this particular dock happens to also include a 2000 mAh extended battery that can extend talk time up to eight hours, video time up to 15 hours, or audio time up to 80 hours. There are three different packages available, including a double dock pack so you can either carry a spare or give one to your significant other. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Not all flashlights are created equal.  Back in 1979, Anthony Maglica created Maglite.   Maglite is the bar where all flashlights are measured, for me.  Almost nothing could top it back then.  Well, Paul Kim, the designer of the Icon Rogue series of flashlights may be the new Anthony Maglica.  The Icon Rogue 2 is the best flashlight I have come across in all of my LED flashlight reviews I have done.   It is that good.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

This orange stake looks like any other tent peg. Look closer and you’ll find that there’s a white LED lamp built into the side. Powered by 4 LR41 batteries (included) this peg will help you survive those hurried late night tent setups by illuminating the ground. The manufacturer claims the light will run for up to 5 hours on one set of batteries. Lighted Tent Peg – $3.72 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Travel slipcovers seem like a great idea. They slip over most transit seats and provide a barrier between you and the presumably germ laden seat. The cover includes a headrest pillow pocket to hold your own travel sized pillow. Unfortunately it won’t stop the coughing guy next to you from spreading the flu. If the germs don’t get you the 100 people waiting in the aisle while you unfold and spread this seat cover just might do you in. Transit Cover – $14.99 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Over the last couple of months I have teased about the upcoming release, and even posted a trailer, and now I finally bring the official news: Golvellius, the classic adventure game from 1987 has been released in the iTunes App Store.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I keep thinking that I’ll buy a periodic table shower curtain for the guest bathroom, as it just seems like such a natural place to contemplate science and the elements. While that would be fine for most of the year, there is a certain season when something a little more macabre might be in order; the perfect items to compliment that time of year just showed up in my inbox… Not for the weak of heart, the UK company Spinning Hat has introduced the Blood Bath shower curtain and the Blood Bath bath mat. There’s also a Butcher’s apron and a set of Dead Tired pillow cases. If you have a strong stomach and a wicked sense of humor, you won’t be able to resist.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of the iPhone/iPod Touch games I keep returning to is Gameloft’s Asphalt 4. It is awesome. Great graphics, superb use of the iPhone’s unique features and enough interest to keep playing over and over. Well, the follow-up, Asphalt 5, is on the way. According to Gameloft Get ready to hit the throttle for all of the high-octane excitement of Gameloft’s Asphalt 5 coming to iPhone and iPod Touch soon! The latest entry in Gameloft’s successful Asphalt series, Asphalt 5 pushes the boundaries of handheld racing action on iPhone. In anticipation of the game’s release, Gameloft has just revealed the cinematic trailer for Asphalt 5 to give a preview of Asphalt 5’s racing action, coming soon to the App Store. This is one iPhone game… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

From the days of the cave man, starting fires has long been something man has struggled with.  The Coghlan’s Flint Striker which is a twist  on a fire-starting technology that is almost as old as time.  Even with today’s more modern technology, you  still might want to use one of these instead of matches or butane lighters.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …