I love my FlipHD. Although I use my iPhone’s camera to grab video all the time, I still use the Flip numerous times each week. Why? Because it shoots better quality video than the iPhone, and the Flip software makes it so easy to edit clips, convert them into short, polished movies and share the finished product. Now Flip has introduced the next generation Flip MinoHD. It has a sleek new design, offers up to two hours of recording time, and has a large high-resolution screen. Moreover, Flip has also introduced the latest version of their awesome pre-loaded FlipShare(TM) software. It now includes the ability to directly upload videos to Facebook. The original Flip MinoHD offers on hour of recording time and retails for $199. The new Flip MinoHD is priced at $229. Details at the company website.… 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. MobileRSS is a full featured Google Reader client for your iPhone & iPod touch. All you need to use MobileRSS is a free google reader account. We have built a great offline integration that you will find using MobileRSS is a wonderful experience. Two-way sync will help you to keep track of your favorite contents in a simple and elegant way. MobileRSS is designed in a way as the mail app comes with iPhone, very simple to use. ● Stay in sync with Google Reader about everything. (Subscriptions. Folders, Tags, All items, Read items, Starred items, Shared items, Notes, Unread count) ● View up to 200 items from each list when you’re offline, including embedded images. ● One tap to download all items and archive all embedded images. ● Save images into Photos Album. ● Star and share items. ● Mark all items as read ● Create and share notes. ● Share items by email (without leaving app). ● Share items by Twitter. ● Recover screen to last usage Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As the October 22 release date for Windows 7 approaches I’ve been thinking more about what I’ll buy for a new Windows laptop. Like most people I’m not a big fan of Windows OS upgrades on top of an existing Windows version. This is doubly true for Windows 7 which we know is going to require a fresh installation versus having the ability to upgrade a prior version. One interesting laptop possibility is this Lenovo T400s brought to our attention by GearSponsor Logicbuy. The Lenovo ThinkPad T400s is a 14.1-inch LED backlight Laptop with Multi-touch screen and it’s available starting at $2,145 – $146 instant discount – 15% stackable coupon (expires 10/21) = $1,699.15 plus FREE shipping. More details and the link… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As soon as I saw that AT&T would offer up the HTC Pure for $149 under contract I knew that this Windows Mobile 6.5 phone would be destined for freebie status (after contract). Amazon is showing the phone out of stock but they’re probably just waiting for their first shipments. If you still want one after reading our review, head over and reserve it now. HTC Pure – Free after contract Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Samson’s Q3 Handheld Video Recorder with HD Audio is now available at retailers. The Zoom Q3 captures audio at 24-bit/48 kHz adding tremendously to the quality of the video users can take and share. As Mark Wilder, Samson Director of Marketing explains, “While it can be difficult to discern the difference between High Quality and High Definition videos on sites like YouTube, High Definition audio makes a big difference in the viewing experience,” The Zoom Q3 is powered by 2 AA batteries, can record up to two hours in true stereo and clear 640 x 480 resolution refreshed at 30 frames per second. A 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD that displays audio… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There are several unconfirmed reports floating around that Apple is working on an FM Radio application for the iPhone and iPod.  It seems the devices have always had the ability to receive FM Radio but the feature has just never been turned on by Apple.  The latest iPod Nano, the 5th generation, which was released last month, has an FM Radio built it. Its also being reported that users will be able to listen to the radio in the background, while other applications are running just like you can do now with the music on your iPod.  Also it seems reasonable to think that it’ll have some sort of feature like Shazam that allows you to identify the… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of TMZ.com Looks like Maria Shriver, the wife of actor and current Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger is in a little hot water. It seems Shriver was photographed by the paparazzi on two different occasions yesterday talking on her cell phone while driving without using a hands free device.  The problem is that’s against the law, and to make things worse the law was passed by Shriver’s own husband. Arnold alerted his Twitter followers that there would be “swift action” which probably means he’ll just tell her not to do it again.  But later that same day the press caught Shriver… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It seems Apple is shipping the newest 3Gs iPhones with an updated bootROM that is not vulnerable to the exploit that the iPhone Dev. Team takes advantage of in order to jailbreak the phone. One of the iPhone Dev. Team member’s, code named “MuscleNerd”, has confirmed that the loss of the exploit would mean a normal jailbreak would be impossible for the time being. Advice – if your due for a new phone, replacement or otherwise and have to be jailbroken, try to find an older version somehow. I can’t help but wonder if Apple made the change to prevent jailbreaking or it was just the result of the change which was meant Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Buenos Noches. This week I began Unit 3, Lesson 1, and as had happened when I began the previous other two, I was immediately immersed into a new world where unknown words were being thrown at me as if I should understand their meaning and context. But this time was armed with something I hadn’t had before — an ever expanding vocabulary. By paying attention to what was being written or said, even when I couldn’t understand much of it, I was able to pick out words I knew that helped put the unknown words into context, even when their meanings weren’t immediately clear. This made things go a lot more smoothly.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Users of mobile smartphones of almost any platform are familiar with Astraware games, due to their high quality and variety of platforms games are available for. Handmark recently released Android versions of Astraware Solitaire, Astraware Boardgames, and Astraware Sudoku.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The Google Voice service had been operating as a closed invitation only service. Users who joined were provided with a free phone number from which they could direct all incoming calls to any of their regular numbers. That phone number also provided voice mail where the messages were transcribed and also received (and reply to) SMS text messages. Starting today Google is giving existing Voice users three invitations so that they can invite their friends to try the service. When you log into your account the invitations will be listed in the lower left. Google Voice Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am used to getting random spam instant messages through my Live Messenger account, but today has been a banner day, and I say that with total sarcasm. Today I have received at least five random IMs from a different address (which I immediately block after the message arrives), and each one has been completely trashy. I’m posting the least offensive here, and the truly offensive ones after the break. Bear in mind that I have my Live account set so that I am not supposed to get any messages from people who aren’t contacts, and yet…they keep coming, and I can’t make them stop. Once again, I am warning you that the IMs posted are completely offensive, so no freaking out when you see them. Okay? Okay.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Back in August, we wrote about the PlanOn Printstik Bluetooth printer for BlackBerry devices.  This past week, PlanOn provided a review unit on loan, and allowed me to put it through its paces for several days.   Now that the Printstik has been returned, what did I like about it?  What could be improved?  More importantly, is this an item that should be added to your gear for daily use?  Let’s find out…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

At home I’m currently running both a Slingbox and EyeTV.  I use both applications on my iPhone as well to stream both live television as well as watch my recorded programs while away from home.  Monsoon Media is set to become the third (okay fourth if you count ORB) option for live TV on the iPhone or iPod Touch when it launches its HAVA Mobile Player in the iTunes App Store tomorrow. The HAVA Mobile Player though is a little different than both Slingbox and EyeTV in that it doesn’t require a direct connection to a computer.  Once you’ve hooked it up to a cable connection everything can be streamed to your various electronic devices (desktop, laptop, iPhone etc.) via wireless. I’ve been a longtime user of Slingbox but the HAVA device has me really intrigued.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photo credit: Ozyman Technology can be a lot of fun. It can keep us connected with one another, it can transform our work habits, and it can help us become more organized and efficient. It can do all these things, but of all the great uses of technology the one that stands as most important is this: that it can help us solve the problems life throws at us. Dan is a good example of some of the ways technology can help overcome otherwise challenging issues. Back in January he wrote a post entitled A Continue reading on Gear Diary …