I was reading Engadget this morning and found out about Bug Labs new Bug 2.0 platform of their hacker friendly do it yourself device.  They have upgraded the processor in the BugBASE to a Cortex A8 Processor, plus they have added Android support to Bug 2.0.  Now you can build your dream Android device. In case you don’t know what the BugBASE and the Bug Labs kit is, it is a modular system for creating new devices.  The kit comes with some modules you can plug into it that add features like a GPS, Wifi and more.  Check out my earlier post on the original Bug Labs kit.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Welcome back to the GearGames weekly video game release feature here at Gear Diary! This is another interesting week, as we have the reboot of a video game based on two movies based that had in turn spawned a series of movies. And yet based on early looks it looks like it might all work. The other big release of the week is one of the few times a PSP game is one of the top releases, with the latest entry in the SOCOM franchise SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, which is actually pretty solid based on my time with a pre-release copy of the game.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The long awaited update to the iPhone SlingPlayer app is finally live. As expected the app once again enables streaming using ATT’s 3G network. You may recall that AT&T said they would allow the app through after working with Sling Media to optimize the app. Sling replied that there was no such tweaking neccessary. Hmmmmm. Someone isn’t telling the truth… Regardless, the update is here and it is live now… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Think the iPad is the biggest threat to the netbook market? Think again. The biggest threat to the netbook market are deals like the one our GearSponsor! This deal will let you grab a new 14″ Lenovo G460 for under $680. The system sports a Core i3 processor running at a zippy 2.13 GHz, 4GB DDR3 memory, a 320GB Hard Drive, a DVD+/-RW optical drive, a 6-cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. The Lenovo G460 has an MSRP of $849 but with this GearDeal you can get it for $679.15 shipped. That’s not much more than you’ll pay for one of the higher end… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Belkin International makes a huge range of computer accessories, including routers, bluetooth devices, cases and cables for all sorts of devices, and laptop cooling pads.  In April they will be releasing an improved cooling pad that boasts a new wave-shaped design and Belkin’s “patent-pending AirFlow Wing” that enhances circulation, moving more hot air away from your laptop, which is, after all, why you purchase a cooling pad.  Here are the details that Belkin is touting: –  Patent-pending AirFlow Wing for better cooling and quieter operation –  Patented wave design enhances cooling capabilities –  Single-fan design optimizes cooling with low power consumption –  Includes USB cable and… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

You still have a chance to win this month’s software giveaway by WebIS! A total of 9 copies of Pocket Informant (3 for each category) will be up for grabs! And it will be ending today, February 15th, 2010 at 11.59pm CST. To be entered for drawing, simply post a comment telling us how Pocket Informant will change your daily task management. Don’t forget to mention which platform would you like to be entered for drawing. This is a really good chance to try to get your hands on Pocket Informant by WebIS. Good luck!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We have all seen them and most use them daily.  The old office cooler.  The place where office rumors are spread and the big game or reality show is discussed.  There is something about that cool clean water that makes the day seem to go by faster.  What about having on in your home?  Some people might, but the main reason for not having one is that they are not exactly attractive.  For those who agree with this, Primo has released a new era of water coolers for the home.  The unit Primo allowed me to review has a stylish design with stainless steel front panels and bottom loading concealed bottle placement.  Primo has provided a great option that adds style and class to any room in the home or office. Review after the break…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Hard Candy, a company that has been making MacBook and Netbook cases to protect your valuable nerd investment, has added a new line, available for pre-order–iPad cases.  (And no, I don’t know what’s up with that Stepford Wives chick, either.) Now, Hard Candy says that these cases are “Engineered to be First to Market,” but if you’ve been reading GD regularly you probably know that the market is already pretty crowded, and we’re only a couple of weeks out from the iPad announcement.  Still, they have some nice cases, all in the $40 range or so, and they are definitely worth checking out.  After all, it’s better to have lots of choices than too few, right?  So surf on over and give them a look. More info after the jump.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Just what’s needed to brighten up a dreary cubicle and provide entertainment when your warden supervisor isn’t looking –  Zibits, a new series of miniature remote controlled robots that are about 2″ tall, move in “several directions including  a full 360º rotation”, and that are equipped with “robotic lights and sounds”. Zibits will show up at Toys ‘R Us in mid-March for less than $10. Zibits Miniature Robots Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As I have previously noted, one of the best iPhone applications/services that I’ve been using was discovered by Judie a few months ago. The application is Tripit. I find it invaluable and can’t imagine travel without it. And that is after only a month and a half of use. Tripit allows me to collect all of my travel information in one simple place. Once that has been done, the service keeps me up-to-date without my having to think too much about my trip. It reminds me when I need to check in with my airline. It tells me if there are any changes to my flight. And it gathers all of the relevant information for an upcoming journey. I’ve recently begin using the service Reqall again and come to the realization that it does for my day-to-day life what Tripit it does for travel. It collects all the relevant bits of information and removes the need to think too much and takes the quess-work/memory out of the important tasks. Reqall is one of the two of the applications that had me most excited when the iPhone was finally able to accept third-party apps. At the time I did a compare [...]

(all images courtesy WMExperts) WMExperts has new screenshots for HTC’s Sense UI…and there’s a surprising tab included. Apparently, HTC and Borders/Kobo have teamed up to provide a portal to eBooks, right on the today screen. All of this is just a rumor, of course, but it puts Windows Mobile back in the eBook game. Until now Windows Mobile has been all but ignored as eBooks have gained momentum. B&N and Amazon, and Kobo currently do not have a Windows Mobile apps. But, if this leaked screen is true, that is about to change.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Well over nine months ago I had a chance to see a beta version of Zinio’s iPhone application. Their goal was to bring electronic magazines to the iPhone and the iPod touch in the same way that they have developed an excellent electronic reader for computers. Zinio works on PCs, does a good job on Macs and is fantastic on tablet PCs! So why not apply years of experience to bring eMags to the hottest mobile platform. The only problem was…it was awful. Seriously… the Zinio iPhone app was a train wreck– a horrific attempt to port a large screen application to OS X iPhone. There was too much information for the small screen, the images didn’t render quite right, it was slow and clunky and was a terrible user-experience. I came to the conclusion that the small screen of the iPhone and the iPod touch didn’t lend themselves to electronic magazines whatsoever. Zinio would have to wait until (if) Apple devices to release a large-screen tablet. I told the company that their attempt was a good try but a total fail in my opinion and didn’t think much more about it. Months went by and I didn’t hear anything [...]

Remember ages ago when Gear Diary participated in the “Take All the Action With You”  giveaway sponsored by the NBA and HP“? That was last May, so if you’ve forgotten, you certainly aren’t the only one. Anyway. One of our readers was a winner of the NBA All Stars game in Dallas package, which means that I was, too. So today Kevin and I are driving to Dallas to check into our hotel. We’ll catch part of the All-Star Jam at the Dallas Convention Center this evening, and then we will attend the All-Star Game tomorrow night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. I’m not sure why, but our winner opted not to go. We’re still… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(image courtesy Smashwords) Smashwords today on their blog revealed some interesting statistical data; that people are cheapskates. I know, you’re shocked. Try to keep it together for the rest of this post. Apparently, in a wide ranging study (353 people!) only 15% paid. Everyone else downloaded the book for free. Smashwords explained their take on this data:… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Weather Underground or wunderground.com is one of the first websites I have ever used for looking up the weather.  Well, now they have a new interface for getting your weather information with fullscreenweather.com.  Fullscreenweather.com is a mashup with Google Maps and takes the full browser window for displaying the weather info layered on top of Google Maps.  I recommend maximizing your browser window to get the full effect.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …