[image courtesy of ZDNet] HTC just keeps bringing their “A-game” by putting out great looking phones.  Whether you prefer their Windows or Android devices, chances are you’re eyeing an HTC model.  Now they’ve announced the upcoming HTC Smart, marketed as the “budget-friendly smartphone.” The phone sports the customizable HTC Sense user interface that will give  users easy acces to social networks, texts and email.  It’s also going to be running the Brew Mobile Platform (hmm, where did we hear about that one)? Full Press Release follows.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

While the Google Chrome browser hasnt been out very long, it already has a loyal following.  More and more Mac users are giving Chrome a shot, to see if it can replace Firefox or Safari. The biggest complaint  thus far has been a lack of bookmark and extension sync.  Well, not anymore. According to Lifehacker, Google just put out an update bringing extension and bookmark sync to Macs.  Mac users can also join the extension support from Chrome extension gallery. Chrome for Mac is finally catching up with all the functions the Windows users have had for a while. For a full list of all the updates, visit the Dev Continue reading on Gear Diary …

LAS VEGAS, NV CES South Hall Upper Level Booth # 30913 – (January 6, 2010) – Technocel, a leading accessory solution provider with over 11,000 products for the wireless market, reveals their latest line of cases for iPhone, Palm and BlackBerry users including Slider Skins, the Holster/Shield Combo and the Rib-Cage™. Providing a stylish design that blends into your handset, these cases are currently available for MSRP $19.99 (Slider Skins), MSRP $39.99 (Holster/Shield Combo) and MSRP $29.99 (Rib-Cage Shields) at www.technocel.com> and Sprint stores. “We are happy to release a line of new protective case options for iPhone, Palm and Blackberry users” says Rami Rostami, Technocel CEO and Founder. “We designed these accessories with materials that will protect your mobile devices as well as blend perfectly into the handset design.” Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Spring Design’s Alex Dual screen eReader is finally coming closer to a release.  This is probably the first eReader with a fully functional web browser with the exception of Flash since Android doesn’t have it yet. Alex™ features a 6″ E-Ink EPD display and 3.5″ color LCD display, earphones and speakers. A removable SD card will free up library space on the device while letting users archive content for future reference. The enhanced Android OS is optimized to support integration between the color and monochrome displays while preserving battery life. Users can capture and cache web content from their online experience on the LCD screen, and toggle to view it on the EPD screen without taxing the battery Continue reading on Gear Diary …

All sorts of great gadgets are being announced this week! But when you inevitably load up with chargers, a laptop, your new ereader, two smartphones and a hard drive, how are you going to carry it? (Hint: Cargo Pants are not the answer) Targus has you covered with two new laptop cases. Whew! now you don’t need to practice awkward juggling! Full press release and details after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As more of our devices now also carry our music and audio files, the area of connectible audio devices are increasing.  iHome has become a force in thie field providing home, portable and computer solutions for all of our audio needs.  Some of the familiar products are getting a nice face lift as well as new products being released from CES.  Keep an eye out for these new products soon. RAHWAY, N.J., January 6, 2010 – From high-tech kitchens to cozy guest rooms, iHome is debuting a smart new line of speaker solutions for every room in the house during CES 2010.  The three new iPhone/iPod docking systems include the iP39 Kitchen Clock Radio, iP90 Clock Radio Audio System, and the iP42 FM Clock Radio. Read the full release from iHome after the break. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

These days everyone’s releasing products that are geared to be much more environmentally friendly.  Cobra Electronics announced that they would be launching their own “greener” line of GMRS/FRS two-way radios.  The new models tout longer ranges and additional cellphone-like features, such as VibrAlert® to notify you in noisy (or all-quiet) environments and Rewind-Say-Again™to replay missed calls.   The company is also doing away with unnecessary packaging with a 50-60% reduction in plastic. Full release information follows.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Hurray for heavy-handed (and not data-based) tactics from the movie industry once again. If you have been reading all of Caryl Z’s excellent ebook posts recently you have seen how the industry is trying to limit consumer choice and delay the move to new technology in order to maximize profits. The same is true with the movie industry – they estimate that that sell 75% of their DVD’s during the first four weeks after release, and want to make sure that the rush during that time is for sales rather than rentals or streaming views.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Photo courtesy of Delorme & SPOT DeLorme and SPOT today unveiled the latest in GPS satellite communications and messaging. The DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w paired with SPOT Satellite Communicator is the first available handheld device that is capable of sending customized text massages far beyond the reaches of today’s cellular technology. The pairing of DeLorme’s GPS technology and SPOT satellite messaging functionality allows the user to send free form text messages to users or groups worldwide. The product is scheduled to be available this Spring, with no word of pricing yet. This device looks to be the perfect travelling companion. Whether your scaling the Alps, sailing the Bermuda Triangle, or getting lost in the Rockies, this rugged little GPS device can track your progress or get your out of a rocky situation. The GPS alone is at the edge of tracking technology with a dual core processor, 3-axis electronic compass, sensitive barometric altimeter, and easy GPX file transfers. Be sure to stuff this little beauty in your rucksack before you take off on your next adventure. See more after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The beautiful Zikmu wireless speakers designed by Philippe Starck have announced some upgrades at CES 2010. The elegance of Black, the purity of White, the sobriety of Grey and the fancy of Yellow, magnified by the smart and aerial design from Philippe Starck. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of PRLog Altec Lansing has been building digital powered audio systems for PCs and portable audio devices for more than a decade. Today they announce three new products to be shown at CES this week. The new products include an iPhone/iPod/MP3 docking station, a 2.1speaker system, and a new line of headphones called the MUZX DNA. All three products will be available to purchase in the near future. See more details on the new offerings after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Judie spent some time with the Plastic Logic Que (lucky her!) Check out her photos and the official press release, plus be sure to watch her twitter stream for more news out CES! Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Last fall ARM Holdings announced the Cortex A9 dual-core processor, a 40nm technology chip dubbed an ‘Atom beater’ based on fitting two cores in the space and power consumption of a single-core Intel Atom chip. The chip is designed to scale to 2GHz and perhaps further with a 32nm shrink, but as of now initial production samples are just coming out of TSMC in Taiwan. Now we have some actual data to start to make that comparison. The video below shows a *500MHz* test bed with no graphics processor compared to a full Atom-based netbook. While it is true that browsing and rendering aren’t really an optimal test of a processor, it at least shows how… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s no mystery that I’m a fan of casual gaming.  So I was excited when recently I was given a copy of Mr. Puzzle Genius 3D Puzzle for iPhone.  This game looked like it might be a real challenge with possibly lasting play value. So did it hold up to the hype? Let’s take a look…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Hacker’s desk, 40 hours into a 72-hour project.  Look familiar? I’ve been trying to think of a clever opening sentence for this post, and coming up flat.  You know: “It’s like the Manhattan Project, except for nerds!”  No, no; the Manhattan Project people were nerds. “It’s like the Manhattan Project, but not!”  No, that’s just stupid. “It’s like the Mojave Experiment, but with good software!”  Better, but how many people know what the Mojave Experiment really was, anyway?  Besides, do iPhone hackers really want to be associated with a Microsoft disaster? You get the picture; it just wasn’t coming.  So forget it.  Forget the metaphors, the clever comparisons, and the over-intellectualizations: … Continue reading on Gear Diary …