The gold connectors on the bottom of the Google Nexus One are to be used for dock accessories, including a Desktop Dock and a Car Dock, but those accessories were nowhere to be found. Today, the Desktop dock is now available for order.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Across the blogosphere, millions watched with bated breath today as Apple unveiled their latest — the obviously (yet unfortunately) named iPad — to a crowd who seemed to be enthusiastic and yet instantly critical of the ~10″ tablet. Gorgeous UI, large vivid screen, the ability to run existing iPhone apps, and a new iBook store are huge selling points for some. The absence of a camera and multi-tasking are among the possible deal-breakers for others. Not immediately obvious are exactly who the iPad’s intended customers might be — other than users who don’t mind carrying yet another device. Join Dan, Larry, Carly and me, with guest commentary from Patrick, as we dive into our first impressions of what Steve Jobs is calling… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Looking at the initial reactions to Apple’s announcement of the iPad one can wonder if everyone is actually looking at the same device. Some are excited but many are rather critical already. The issues… no flash, no multitasking, no camera and the need for attachments in order to do many of the things you might want to do. Oh, and that big bezel is being called “ugly”. Initial thoughts… if you are looking at this as a netbook replacement/killer you will be disappointed. If you are looking for an ebook reader or media device it is pretty darn awesome. More soon… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I am married to someone who has a unique gift (well many actually but there’s one in particular that that’s relevant to this post). Most of the time she only needs to meet someone once in order to remember them, remember enough details to contact them again in the future and to be able to share that information if need be. And if she has a chance to sit with someone for a half hour … she pretty much knows their entire life story — accurately and pretty much forever. I don’t have that gift. As much as I try I’m not great with names until the second or third time I’ve met someone. (After that, however, I am fine.) And the details? Let’s just say that where Elana excels in this area I am fortunate to be married to her and to have tools such as Evernote to make up for this personal limitation. Two new apps for the iPhone and the iPod touch understand people like me.  They try to make it easier to remember people we meet personally and in business and to refresh our memories so that we can contact them again in the future. The two [...]

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. Puzzlings first came on my radar as it quickly rose to the top of the app list.  I heard several podcasters proclaim their addiction to the game so figured I better check it out.  To my surprise, the game had become free when I decided to download.  As my reviews have shown, I am a sucker for a good puzzle game.  Puzzlings is what I would call a strange game with a great puzzle aspect. Read more after the break…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Yes, we’re counting down to the big announcement/ announcements. Judie, Larry and I (along with just about everybody else) will be listening in as Apple (likely) once again transforms computing. We’ve just installed a live blogging system (Yeah Judie!!!) which will make it possible for us to not only to post the news in real time as it is announced but to also add some of our commentary along the way. Watch this space starting at 1PM EST for the first Gear Diary LiveBlogging Event! (Also, we will be recording our second podcast shortly after El Jobso finishes. Look for it later tonight.)… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you ever eat this is a GearDeal for you. Our GearSponsor has tracked down a way to save huge on every $25 Gift Certificate you buy from Restaurant.com. Seriously, that means a $25 Gift Certificate will cost you just $2. That’s one tasty deal! Restaurant.com Gift Certificates via LogicBUY.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I know, I know.  Today is supposed to be Apple Tablet Day.  We arent supposed to talk about ANYTHING else.  Yeah, right. I dont think so. So, here are some news items about another “Jesus phone-like” device, the Google Nexus One: 3G fix for Nexus One coming:  According to a post over at Boy Genius Report, Google is in the process of testing and releasing a software fix to the issue of 3G connectivity with the Nexus One.  While, Kevin Tofel of JKontheRun was able to fix the issue for himself, the rest of us will wait for the OTA download. Nexus One Censors? The folks at the Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Maybe you haven’t heard of Gunnar Optiks, the digital eye-wear that eases the strain from long hours behind a computer (or marathon gaming sessions).   These spectacles have earned high praise from Major League Gaming,  the Consumer Electronics Show and even Gear Diary’s own Larry Greenberg. In fact, Larry’s post back in June is what prompted me to order my own pair of Phenom Gunnars soon thereafter to deal with long hours spent behind a computer screen that used to lead to headaches and severe eye-strain.  If the price-tag has kept you from  purchasing a pair, now may be your chance to win a free set of MLG Phantoms. Interested?  Read on to enter the February 1st Gunnar Optiks Giveaway … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Motorola has been tearing it up on their comeback this year, and they’re looking to make sure more than just the tech world knows about it. They’ve bought a chunk of ad time during the Super Bowl to promote Moto Blur, but no one knows quite what they’re planning. Well, from the teaser we know it involves some sort of tub, and a woman getting into it. And it IS the Super Bowl, so it’s a reasonable certainty that this is more “sexy misdirection” than “Showtime After Dark”. (courtesy AndroidandMe) What do you think Moto is planning for the Super Bowl? Will it make you run out to your nearest carrier of… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I know, I know…you don’t ever want to hear the phrase “Apple Tablet” again. And hopefully by tomorrow we’ll have some confirmation and the flurry of rumors will finally quiet down for a few days. But until then, here’s more fuel to fire the speculation… Apparently the McGraw Hill CEO needs to use one of his dictionaries to look up the definition of “non-disclosure agreement”…because I’m pretty sure confirming the Apple Tablet to CNBC was not part of it. Check out the above video, about 3 minutes in, for confirmation that you aren’t getting your hopes up for another iPod Hifi. Via TechCrunch Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Being the gadget freak that I am, I like to have gadgets in the kitchen almost as much as I do in the office or on the go.  I am a big fan of drinking tea (both hot and cold), but often I only want one mug of tea at a time, not a whole pot.  I was looking around at tea flavors I wanted to try when I happened upon the Perfect Teamaker from Teavana.  It seemed like the perfect solution, so I promptly added it to my Christmas list.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Almost a year ago I was sent a Nintendo Wii as a birthday present by a good friend. About a month later my then six-year-old niece and nephew heard about it and were excited to send me, via their mom, my sister, a Nintendo Wiifit pack. Some time ago I was sent the “Wii Thrustmaster Motion Plus Elite Fitness Pack”. It contained a number of accessories to work with the Wii fit system. Here is the confession — I played with the Wii for a few weeks and then didn’t touch it again for quite some time. I opened up the Wiifit to see what was inside but didn’t actually use it. I opened up the accessory pack so I could see what I needed to review but didn’t quite get it. (I didn’t get it because I wasn’t actually using the Wiifit system. It’s hard to understand accessory package you don’t actually use the thing being accessorized.) Here’s the next confession- over the 2+ weeks of traveling I did at the beginning of this month I ate and drank pretty much everything in sight. I had a great time doing it but in a few short days I need [...]

Techcrunch posted today on a fascinating rumor/theory about the Apple Tablet. They claim that Barnes and Noble may have struck a deal to be the “official” bookstore for the Tablet ecosystem. This, of course, contradicts reports of Apple dealing directly with publishers, as well as the Macrumors report that Apple did not want middlemen involved in their ebookstore. On the other hand, this jives perfectly with B&N’s “toss it against the wall and see what sticks” business model. After all, they’re running three ebookstores across six readers, so why not add another one in the mix? With how B&N has treated the nook, I seriously wonder if they see an opportunity to team up with Apple as a way to eliminate the competition (Kindle) and phase out the much-maligned nook without anyone noticing or caring. Even if killing the nook isn’t their intention, let’s quickly run down competing devices that use the Barnes and Noble ebookstore and the competition to see who would still stand if this rumor is true, and whether it is a smart move by B&N or a deal with the Devil.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image from Phandroid.com I was reading a story on Phandroid about the supposed HTC Supersonic which may be a future HTC made Android device, or may not.   They had a image that was from the suspect device’s about screen e-mailed to them trying to catch them into posting about it.  However, Phandroid was on the ball and they had someone create a image reporting a device as the HTC Phandroid running Android 3.1.  It was created by editing a file in the /system directory on a rooted device, rebooting it and creating a regular screenshot.  The point is, this screen isn’t valid as proof of a new Android device.  Even if it was just photoshopped, it’s SO EASY to make this kind of  screen on ANY device be it Windows Mobile, Android or yes, the iPhone — even with limited Photoshop skills. The same goes about the bazillion images zooming across the web claiming they are images of the Apple product that we will all find out about tomorrow.  Even those that are very well done are suspect.  … Continue reading on Gear Diary …