AC/DC has a new deluxe collector’s box set that offers something you won’t get by downloading mp3 files off the Internet. The case is a vintage AC/DC guitar amp – complete with the original logo that was spray-painted onto the rear of Angus and Malcolm’s speaker cabinets in 1975. The “head” of the amp has a handle that lifts the top off to reveal the contents housed within. Inside the head is also a WORKING ONE WATT GUITAR AMPLIFIER! That’s right, one watt of pure AC/DC makes this box a truly unique collector’s item. You can PLAY the box set while LISTENING TO the box set! ACDC (due out 11/9/09) via OhGizmo and Dvice Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It wasn’t that long ago that I expected TiVo to go the way of the Dodo. It increasingly looked like its time had come and gone as cable companies added DVR functionality to their set top boxes and more and more of us started using our computers to watch and record tv content. Then TiVo started adding services such as Netflix streaming and in the process it got a new leash on life. Now TiVo is adding yet another service to its growing list of new functionality. In addition to Amazon, Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, and Jaman support for Blockbuster On Demand will be live some time today. The service will be… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of JS Online As a marathon runner myself (I’m currently training for what will be my 11th marathon) I took special note of this story. There has been much debate over the last few years regarding the use of iPods (or any Mp3 players) by runners during races.  Many argue the use of headphones impairs a persons hearing so much during a race that it makes them unsafe.  They might not be able to hear directions from an on course marshal or warnings from a police officer.  It also sometimes causes a problem with other runners trying to pass them.  They sometimes can’t hear runners coming up behind them asking for them to move over etc.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I was reading through my feeds this morning, and I came across posts on talkandroid.com and Phone Arena regarding Verizon’s Third Android handset.  This hand set, according to Unstrung.com, will be available in early 2010 and will include a surprising new feature.  That feature is full MiFi support built into the phone.  This is a shock, to me, coming from Verizon.  I remember back when I first had a phone with Bluetooth, it was impossible to tether across Bluetooth unless you hacked your phone. This also is to be the first hand set developed under Verizon’s Open Development program. The Open Development program is Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Based loosely upon the popular Guitar Hero game series – DJ Hero features a variety of music across genres – tracks that you love and reflect who you are. Using an authentic (looking) turntable controller, you spin and scratch more than 100 songs into unique mixes. The game is not due out until 10/27 yet pre-orders are being accepted on a number of sites. Gearsponsor Logicbuy has a roundup of the coupon codes they’ve found that save you money on your DJ Hero. Most sites offer free shipping as well. DJ Hero Coupon Codes Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Buying a product without much information is always risky: whether it is food, a gadget, an appliance, or a car. Or, in this case, a video game. It is easy to let your personal excitement over a product or franchise or advertisement cloud your judgment and let you convince yourself that you are making a sound decision. But shouldn’t folks who spend loads of time analyzing and reviewing and writing about technology and video games and so on do a bit better at blocking themselves from making those impulse buys? Read on and see!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Early this week it was Geohot who released his blackra1n tool for jailbreaking any device running the newest iPhone OS 3.1.2.  However, at present, blackra1n is only available for computers running Windows. Now the iPhone Dev. Team has upgraded its Pwnage Tool to work the same way.  The newest release, Pwnage Tool 3.1.4, is available for computers running Mac OS and will jailbreak any device running iPhone OS 3.1.2 (except the new 3G iPod Touch)  as well. Summary: The iPod Touch 3G is NOT supported The iPhone 3Gs is now supported out of the box with Pwnage Tool 3.1.4 (or if Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you’ve been paying attention to T-Mobile’s problems with Sidekick backups this week, it’s probably made you think at least a little bit about how you back up your own mobile data.  Of course, given the Sidekick’s problems, it’s also possible that you may be a little tentative about the cloud at the moment. If you’re willing to give the cloud a chance, then Best Buy’s new venture may be of interest.  In conjunction with Dashwire, Best Buy is introducing its own cloud backup service, called mIQ.  mIQ works with Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Symbian S60 operating systems.  The service goes active today (October 12), and you can sign up for a free… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We’ve mentioned WildCharge – the company that allows you to use inductive charging with nearly any mobile phone or other power hungry gadget – before on Gear Diary, but tonight I realized we hadn’t given any coverage to Powermat, another company with a similar premise (but a better looking design). What premise would that be? Why the one that says plugging your devices in to charge them is so passé; the idea that all you should have to do is lay your gadget on a mat to charge it, even if the trade-off is having to keep your phone in a special case so that you don’t have to fumble with cables. Using this system is definitely a convenience thing, but if you’ve ever fumbled in the dark to stick a charger jack into the bottom of your device only to have to turn on a light in frustration, or if you are tired of traveling with multiple cables, then you might appreciate this way of doing things. Let’s peek at the company’s offerings, shall we? Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photo credit: (from a second story)Mike Bailey-Gates Well, well, well.  Things sure seem to have gotten all topsy-turvy lately.  Cats and dogs are living together in harmony, robots are putting out fires, a GSM Kindle is coming and our own resident Windows Mobile fan, Clinton,  got an iPhone.  If that wasn’t enough, T-Mobile Sidekick users got a not-so-sweet surprise when they discovered that Danger / Microsoft lost their data.  Ooops. Yes, it was quite a week for security as Hotmail users were encouraged to change their email account passwords after a little breach; while a new trojan horse made its way out to steal more than just your online banking login.  Yep, there were quite a few highlights from the week.  Let’s take a look …… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I get asked an awful lot to name my favorite mobile device.  My answer is usually the same.  Well, I like this device for these things, or another device for those other things, but favorite device really depends upon what you want to do.  I never found a device which was perfect for all things.  Until now. Today, I am ready to name my favorite mobile device, and it is probably not what you expect.  This one does not have a screen or a keyboard.  It does not make phone calls.  It does not access the Internet.  What it does is provide you with instant access to everything…from every device.  That is why the Mifi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is my new favorite device.  Let’s take a closer look. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am not one of those guys who thinks that everything goes better with Bluetooth. At the same time, I do see the usefulness of Bluetooth in a variety of items. I like using Bluetooth headset, have had some positive experiences with Bluetooth stereo headphones, and I swear by the Bluetooth speakerphone in the car. I had not, however, ever tried a Bluetooth portable speaker before taking a look at the TENQA SP-99 Bluetooth speaker. Am I sold on this Bluetooth gadget? Let’s take a look…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

A recent study by the Rotman School of Management indicates that being near products that are considered “green” can make people behave nicer to each other, but when they actually purchase these green items the products actually have the opposite effect. The researchers found that buying green products leads people into behaving less than nice towards each other, even making them more apt to steal and lie.  It seems buying such products makes people believe they’ve earned “moral credentials” and gives them a “license” to act in a questionable fashion. The study conducted three different experiments.  The first showed people perceived green consumers to be more cooperative, kinder etc. than those people who… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s been a bad, bad week for data of all types, it seems… Macrumors is reporting on a new bug in Snow Leopard that wipes out user data. … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There are plenty of iPhone video stands on the market.  Many however are plain old black and somewhat unexciting. iBend has announced the release of their new Artist Series stand for the iPhone and iPod Touch.  Not only are the stands the thinnest around but they’re probably the most colorful too.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …