iSkin makes some awesome cases for iPhone, Blackberrys and more and they just introduced a new series of cases– the iSkin solo FX Special Edition (SE) for iPhone 3G/3GS. THe new cases have “a luxurious outer surface treatment, which combines an elegantly understated matte finish with a subtle embossed designer pattern”. Available in Onyx (black), Cosmo (pink) and Ice (white). The cases protect the volume and power buttons and the docking port, headphone and camera access are all accessible. The cases are infused with an antimicrobial product protection to help prevent the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria on the product. Each case ships with two screen protectors- an ultra-clear film and a special FX mirror film. We have one on the way and will have a review soon. The full release follows.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’ve been reading up on the Droid release, and I came across a post on TheUnlocker.com who have learned from Tmonews that an internal web page has been found indicating that the Motorola Sholes and Sholes tablet will both be coming to T-Mobile.  No word on when it is going to get to fans of T-Mobile or even if it’s official. The Sholes/Droid looks to be a winner of a device.  Only time will tell when – and if – this gets to T-Mobile here in the states… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The AT&T Navigator GPS app on my iPhone, that I have been using thanks to the good folks at Telenav, saved me yet again today when I had to make a last minute stop at someone’s home in a part of town with which I am not familiar. I’m loving the service… and you can too. Our huge AT&T Navigator giveaway ends tomorrow night, and three lucky readers will get a full year of service compliments of Telenav. To enter just leave a comment over ON THE ORIGINAL POST Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Anyone who has been around digital music for any part of the last 20 years knows the name Novation. They hit the scene first as a maker of inexpensive and portable MIDI keyboard controllers, but over the years have grown to be SO much more. Now they are out with their latest cool product – LaunchPad. Let’s take a quick look! Here is a snippit from the press release: The Novation Launchpad is an easy-to-use audio controller that plugs into your computer and comes complete with Ableton Live performance software. Launchpad couldn’t be easier to use. It consists of an 8-by-8 panel of simple buttons, each of which can be used to launch an audio event – a sound sample, a rhythm, melody loop, and more. Start a rhythm from the library of provided samples, then layer additional sounds on top, edit to taste and, voila! You’ve created a song. You can even use your computer’s microphone input to add live vocals or other sound sources. Launchpad is a powerful tool designed for real musicians doing live performance of computer-based music. But it’s so reasonably priced and easy to use, Launchpad’s biggest audience will likely come from outside the music [...]

How often do you hear a phone from Verizon getting play on local media?  The Droid is definitely getting that here in Columbus, Ohio.  WBNS 10 TV is running a story about it on their site.  I find it a little interesting that they say the Droid has thousands of applications, while ignoring the fact that it is actually running Android, and Android has been out for about a year now.  They don’t call it Android OS either; they say it runs Google’s software. Also worth noting is that Vincent at Slashgear has posted a full review on the Droid. All in all, the Verizon DROID by Motorola sets the bar for Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have often wanted to buy one of those Ambient Devices Judie blogged about a few weeks ago.  I’ve also wanted a Nabaztag as well, since they are cute and can do some really cool stuff like play mp3 files or provide e-mail alerts.  I don’t want either anymore, thanks to kysoh.com who sent me a Tuxdroid that is not only very cute, but is also based on open source software.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

photos by Kevin One of the things that I love about the Kindle – its eInk screen – is also one of the things that makes using the Kindle a bit difficult when lighting is poor. It seems silly in a way to complain about not being able to read a book in the dark, because it certainly isn’t something anyone could do with the dead tree version, but there are a couple of reasons I think it chafes more than expected when people read from non-backlit devices. I think many who use eReaders have also experienced reading on other mobile devices, which generally use color-capable LCD screens and are easy to read from in even the worst light. It seems only natural then, that when we pick up an electronic device meant to read books from – that it should also be in color, or at the very least backlit. But of course, they aren’t. I’ve just received a brand new Case-Mate Kindle2 cover which not only wraps the eReader in a fine leather hardback cover, it also has an amazing integrated lighting system. The Case-Mate Enlighten won’t be available until mid-December, but I wanted to go ahead and [...]

This 42″ LG Plasma TV is an intriguing deal for a few reasons. First it includes a Panasonic Blu-ray player and hook-up kit – both expensive options that many buyers will need. Secondly it includes free shipping- order it from here just to watch the UPS guy lug all 112 lbs up your steps. The site claims that if purchased separately you could expect to pay over $800 (Amazon lists the TV alone at $605). 42″ LG 42PQ30 Plasma TV with Panasonic Blu-ray and hook-up kit – $619 via GearSponsor Logicbuy Continue reading on Gear Diary …

According to the press release the Freehands Gloves for Techies were created after their designer grew tired of answering his iPhone with his nose. This year the company has added models of gloves that look trendy and you won’t be embarrassed to wear. There are 7 men’s styles and 5 women’s to choose from. Each glove is insulated for winter wear. Pricing ranges from $18 to $40.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you track video games at all, you will know three things: first, as my GearGames Weekly indicates, we had a typically anemic summer release schedule; second, the release of Madden NFL Football signals the start of the Fall game season; and finally, the last few months have seen a virtual defection of games into early 2010 for a variety of reasons, including the most honest assessment that the economy is lousy and they don’t want to risk lousy sales. History is a good teacher in this regard – video game sales are dominated by fourth quarter performance, and the first half of the year was dismal. So the easy assumption is that publishers want the economy to pick up more before trotting out their biggest potential sellers.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you are a fan of modern classical composition, you are likely aware of the minimalist movement and composers such as Steve Reich, Terry Riley, John Adams,and Philip Glass. Glass gained fame in the 70′s for his operatic work ‘Einstein on the Beach’, and has been heard in many films with Academy Award nominations for Kundun, The Hours, and Notes on a Scandal. His work is not nearly as avant-garde as Riley, nor as rhythmically challenging as Reich, nor as epic as Adams, instead offering a combination of stark soundscapes, touching melodies, and passionate movements. This week I got a notice that Amazon had the Philip Glass “The Orange Mountain Music Philip Glass Sampler Vol.I” for… 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. I recently took my oldest son and a few of his buddies to Incredible Pizza in San Antonio for his 5th birthday.  We started with the pizza of course, but the boys could hardly contain themselves just staring into the game room.  Once I let them hit the games, we headed straight for the skee-ball.  They decided tickets were what they were after so they could get some wax lips and parachute men, you know the good stuff.  I can think of no better way to earn tickets in a game room than play skee-ball.  The game has been one of my favorites since I was my son’s age. Now Skee-Ball is available for the iPhone and you will see after the break, it is just as addictive!!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Oh, the HTC HD2…if ever there was a Windows Phone that drew a collective sigh of envy from all who saw it, this would have to be the one. With its 4.3″ capacitive touch display (finger based – not stylus based!), its 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor, and its stunning good looks, the HD2 is a Windows Mobile Dream come true. Unfortunately, the earliest models are European versions, meaning they will not work with US 3G. That’s one of the things that has kept me from ordering, but it looks like I will no longer have an excuse to wait, as the HD2 will be available as a US version in early 2010. You can see a full list of the Euro/UK version HD2′s drool-worthy specs here, but bear in mind that they may slightly change by the time this powerhouse reaches our shores. For Chris Davies’ unboxing and first impressions of the UK model (including a video), be sure to check out SlashGear. You can also see a full review on the HD2 at Mobility Minded.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Gmail is once again having some issues. When I woke up, I noticed that all of my new e-mails were indicating that they’d already been read when I checked from my iPhone. The problem was, I haven’t read any of them yet. I e-mailed Larry to ask if Gmail was down for him too, and he told me that he’d seen on twitter that exchange was having problems. Since I use exchange with Gmail currently, that clearly was the issue. Looking at my iMac, everything seemed to be fine. A few hours later and it still isn’t working properly. I checked in with Larry, and he indicated that his most recent e-mail on the… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am trying to work out Christmas gifts in advance this year; I know, how organized of me…right? Anyway, there are a couple of people I dearly love, but who are nearly impossible to buy for because they have just about everything they have ever wanted. On the one hand, I am so happy that they are in this position; on the other hand, it sure makes buying gifts difficult! When I ask them what they might like for Christmas, I get nothing but blank looks and a scrunchy face as they try to think of something. Hmm. Years ago, Julie made me a photo book after our families took a trip to Scotland together. It is still one of the most thoughtful gifts I can remember ever getting from anyone, so when this Picaboo Photo Books special passed through my inbox, I thought it might be just the ticket. Unfortunately it is only for Windows, so I am not yet sure if I will do it — but maybe one of you can benefit from the deal. You can create and buy one Picaboo Photo Book and get a second copy free when you use the code NVBGF; this [...]