Okay, so not everyone loves their iPhone and iPod touch. There are, in fact, people who really love their Microsoft Zune HDs. I wanted to know WHY a reader would choose the Zune HD over the iPod touch… so I asked.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The iPhone has become a remarkable productivity tool for many of us. We use it to write, manage our lives, and much much more. As I’ve written previously, it can also be used for brainstorming. One of the best applications that I have found for putting a variety of thoughts on “paper” (uhm, “screen”…) is Instaviz. Instaviz really shows how flexible the platform of the iPhone can be, even on such a small screen. Here is a quick video of it in action. If you would like to give the application try here is your chance. In the App Store it costs $9.99. We, however, have… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Our GearSponsor has found a great deal on the amazing Logitech Performance Mouse MX. This rechargeable mouse offers hyper-fast scrolling, super accurate tracking and it even goes where other mice can’t… it works on GLASS!! Designed for right-handed use, it has an MSRP of $99.99. On the web it goes for $89.99 but LogicBUY tracked it down for just $59.99 after 20% off and a $20 rebate. It even includes free shipping. Logitech Performance Mouse MX via LogicBUY Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you use a Symbian S60 device, then you probably know about Handy Shell. I took a look at it over the summer, and found it to be an overall great way to replace the default Symbian user interface. Epocware has updated Handy Shell with a few new tricks, most notably a “3D Cube” that animates switching between the screen views. Handy Weather is still tightly integrated, and sports some new features as well; hourly updates are now supported, and there is an option to set your favorite cities, making switching between them for weather updates even easier.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Another day, another Direct2Drive Holiday Deal! Now in time for Christmas they are back – they are featuring a game a day for now until Christmas! Deals so far have been great, and it just keeps rolling today! Game #20 is the excellent Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. No Twitter announcement today, just head to the site! This special includes the original game released earlier this year for a solid 50% off – $19.95 rather than $39.95! But be quick – this deal ends at noon EST on December 21st! Source: Direct2Drive Continue reading on Gear Diary …

For anyone trying to learn a foreign language, you know how valuable having a dictionary to reference can be. Pleco Chinese Dictionary has a rich history, dating back to Palm OS and more recently, Windows Mobile. I know several people who have been keeping an old Palm or Windows Mobile device around, just for Pleco Chinese Dictionary. Well, Pleco has announced the release of Pleco Chinese Dictionary for iPhone, after over a year in development.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

About a month ago, we were sent the Wizcom Readingpen TS to review. With two middle school children I had some curiosity about how it might help them read easier. The concept of the pen is simple – scan across a word or sentence. The pen converts the  information to spoken words  and if needed provides the definition, synonyms and Spanish version of the word. This is useful for anyone needing a little extra help with difficult words while reading a book. How does it work in practice?… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We recently released the introduction of the Camber Netbook Case-Sling from Everki (you can read the release here).  Everki was kind enough to supply a Camber for me to review.  This new case is super compact fitting netbooks up to 13″.  The product is slightly too small to hold a 13″ MacBook Pro (they actually are 13.3″), but a version to accommodate the macbook is in the works for 2010.  As the computing devices we use get smaller, so do the ways we carry them.  See how the Camber stacks up after the break. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I love Scottvest’s products, and during the last few weeks I have had the good fortune to update my SEV wardrobe quite a bit. Last month I reviewed the Evolution Jacket. It was the first SEV product I had seen in some time and I was impressed by how far the line has come. It just looks and feels more refined than ever and, thanks to more than a few tweaks, the system for carrying and organizing your gear is more usable than ever. Early last week Scott Jordan, the company founder and CEO, was kind enough to send me the company’s latest jacket for review. The Soft Shell Jacket is currently only available in one color but if my reaction to it is any indication, it will be a huge hit and the options will be expanding. Let’s take a look.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I got a $100 Amazon gift certificate from Kerry for Christmas (thank you Kerry!!), and for half a second I was tempted to blow it immediately on Kindle titles from authors I already follow. After thinking about it, I instead sent out a tweet asking for suggestions. One of them came from @Merecal … “Weird name” I thought to myself, but I didn’t yet understand. I went to the site and saw a full list of books – many by authors that I follow, and many of them not yet available. I looked at the titles and saw ‘bindings” specified as Hardcover and Mass-Market Paperback, and I still didn’t understand — I was looking for eBooks, not dead tree. Their misquote of the Foo Fighters song Miracle on the bottom of the page only added to my confusion.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Update: This contest is now closed, and the winners are @texchainsaw, @MissingLynxx, @miketemporale, @acekillerpc, @bunny3gdrumming, @jewelzz_, @megalithic, @lisasvance, @plooneytunes, @theclaimguy, @stevenshytle. It seems like ages ago that I got my first SeV Tec Hat, and since then mine has come along on trips to Thailand, Mexico, Big Bend, Schlitterbahn, and even just the backyard. It’s almost a given that if I am outside doing anything, my hair is in a ponytail and I’ll be wearing my stone colored TEC hat. I love that there are two pockets which can hold a spare bit of cash, my ID, and a key — which is especially handy when I am hiking, hanging out at the beach, or whatever. The TEC hat can even handle going through the wash without shrinking or losing its shape. Scott Jordan just gave me twelve of them to give away; one of them went into our HUGE Holiday Grand Prize giveaway (along with many other goodies!), but there are still eleven of them that need new homes. How can you win one of them? Read on …… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There’s more information now available on the Camangi WebStation, a 7″ tablet running Android that looks to be just one of a slew of new, touchscreen tablets coming to market. Judie and I both made an educated choice to order one. Thing is, in this case the “educated” and the “choice” parts had nothing to do with one another. You see, we (a) both have some degree of education, (b) we both made a choice to order the device and (c) we both knew next to nothing about it when we did. But every now and then you just have to take that leap of faith. I received word last week that the tablets should be on the way any time now. While we wait there is much more information, and a new promotional video to enjoy.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(image courtesy of Lexcycle) Teleread is reporting that Stanza (iTunes link) has been updated to Version 2. This app is a huge favorite among iPhone users, as it gives you access to public domain books as well as a few smaller eBookstores. They’ve added some major interface tweaks and a very cool way to change the font by using what appears to be a pinch and open motion! Apparently being purchased by Amazon did not affect the feature set, as it still has access to Fictionwise. This isn’t quite as insane as Barnes and Noble’s tail biting circle of stores, but it’s still a… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Photo Credit: NokiaExperts) Nokia is shutting down its stores in New York and Chicago, but before they go they are holding one last weekend sale!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

SPB Software is offering a very special sale this holiday season: 50% off their entire catalog!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …