I have already done a Netbook Gamer for Divine Divinity, declaring it one of my all-time favorite games, so it was only a matter of time before I’d find myself immersed in the sequel, which was released in early January. So does it deliver on all of my hopes and dreams for a follow-up? Read on and find out!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of ERODOV While it seems like I just pounded on Ubisoft for their new DRM scheme … oh wait, I just did … today the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) released the results of a global piracy survey they conducted in December. The results: they found that nearly 10 MILLION copies of games were illegally downloaded during the month! Read on for more details!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Earphones have become a part of all of our gadget lives.  Most of our gear comes with earphones that are mediocre at best.  Third party replacement options can be overwhelming with prices ranging from tens of dollars to thousands.  I enjoy great sounding audio, but cannot justify spending over $100 on earphones that will be tossed in my gear bag and used everywhere.  Arctic Cooling has entered the sub $100 market with a complete lineup of Arctic Sound earphones.  I was provided with the E361 and E352 models, and the E352 review will be coming soon. The E361 earphones are noise isolating in-ear buds that sport an aluminum chassis and large coil drivers to provide an affordable audio solution. Find out how they stack up after the break…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Image courtesy Newegg) Looking for a simple, cheap ebook reader? If you can live without wireless and a 5 inch screen is your sweet spot, check out the Jetbook Lite at Newegg! The Jetbook Lite is unusual for more than just price; unlike the Kindle, Sony Readers, nook, etc., the JBL uses an LCD screen. Therefore it offers a much faster refresh rate, with similar levels of readability. Best of all, the Jetbook Lite supports eReader DRM, so your ebook library from your old Palm OS days can live on! Judie reviewed the Jetbook Lite’s big brother the Jetbook last year, so if you are looking for a… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There has been plenty of talk about DRM here at Gear Diary lately, especially with regard to ebooks. Well before the advent of MP3s and the web there were plenty of piracy concerns, leading early computer game developers to implement security systems such as the code-wheel shown above (and yes, I have several of these, one for each of the SSI ‘Gold Box’ RPG games I own). The ensuing decades have seen a myriad of different anti-piracy methods utilized across various technologies. As a platform with a high rate of piracy on very expensive products, computer games seem to be at the forefront of trying out new anti-piracy methods. Ubisoft recently announced a new DRM method, and today we get more details of how it will actually work.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(image courtesy Kidsbabydesign) Kids! Tired of having to carry a stack of books with you? Think Mom or Dad’s Kindle is boring, but still want to be just like them? Now’s your chance, with not one but two ebook readers available to you! (image courtesy Engadget) First up, we’ve got the Fisher Price iXL. Yes, we stuck the “i” designation in there to help further the illusion this is as cool as an Apple product. Look, we’re even using an icon-based menu screen! And we have ebooks! Plus, what 3 year old doesn’t need to learn how to use a stylus? Play games, read ebooks, listen to music, avoid your chores because you’re busy playing games, just like a grown-up! (via Engadget)… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(image courtesy banklawyersblog) I thought this week might be a good time to step back and just review a few big themes/ongoing news in the ebook world. Some of these have been covered before, but since it can get very confusing very quickly with the changing landscape and players in the ebook world. So bear with me, as we run through a few major ebook areas that have been in the news and muddying the ebook waters this week!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Ask hardcore strategy game fans to name a single ‘desert island’ game, and it is likely to come from the Civilization franchise by designer Sid Meiers. Whether the game would be Civilization II or Civilization IV is open for debate … and believe me, there has been PLENTY of debate on that subject through the years! Now, the next chapter in this classic franchise has been announced, and is coming to the PC this fall!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Good Old Games (GoG) is one of my favorite digital download sites because they take older, classic games, getting them working for modern operating systems, wrap them in a single-file installer with no DRM, and sell them at a reasonable price! Better yet, every week they feature a special offer on a game. This week is a personal favorite – Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity for up to 50% off. I have already done a Netbook Gamer for Divine Divinity, and Beyond Divinity takes the same core engine into a new dual-main character adventure that tends to divide many gamers. But at the prices currently on offer at GoG – $2.99 for Divine Divinity and $499… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’ve enjoyed watching the ways that Monster Cable has found to collaborate with various musicians like Lady Gaga, Puff Daddy Puffy P. Diddy Diddy and Dr. Dre to create custom headsets and earphones. The new designs are funky and fresh, but their stylish exteriors cover earphones that many are saying sound fabulous. Their latest design, in collaboration with Vivienne Tam, marks the introduction of something lovely: the new Butterfly High Fashion In-Ear Headphones, which will go along perfectly with her “Butterfly Lovers” Digital Clutch. Butterfly is a unique collaboration between Monster, a leader in consumer electronics, and renown Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Last week we told you that our GearSponsor, LogicBUY had launched LogicBUY TV. Now, instead of just bringing the best deals from around the web LogicBUY would be bringing news, reviews and more. Well to celebrate the launch they are running a contest to give away an HP TouchSmart tm2. The TouchSmart tm2t , (which lists for $1099.99 but is currently available through the site for $899.99) is a 12″ convertible tablet with a multi-touch screen. With up to 9.75 hours of battery life this multi-touch tablet would make a great work machine. Visit the Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you think you’re the Ultimate Geek because you’re sporting a new Nexus One or can read binary like a second language, think again. Nothing says Super Geek like a Tokyoflash watch wrapped around your wrist. They have some of the Geekiest designs humanly possible with crazy lights and colors.  They’ve recently launched a new campaign on their site so that they can collect user feedback and comments on future upcoming designs. The new blog has over 20 different watches styles for you to look at and then decide which should go into production. The website itself is absolutely beautiful; it has tons of great pictures and renderings showcasing their entire lineup.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s not a big secret.  The ear buds Apple provides with all of its iPods & iPhones aren’t great.  Okay I was being kind, they suck!  They do a decent job of providing sound but they often fit poorly.  Apple used to provide the ear buds along with two sets of those foam covers which help keep the buds seated in your ear but they stopped doing so. While traveling last week I came across the Whoomp Ear Bud Enhancers by Comply. The Whoomps claim to better the fit of your iPod or iPhone ear buds along with offering a softer more comfortable fit and a boost in bass. So do they live up to their claims?  Click on through to find out. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Photo (c) Tim in Sidney/Flickr These days, the things you can follow on the run with your smartphone–your iPhone, your Android, your Nexus–are practically endless.  Weather updates, sports scores and clips, world news . . . heck, there’s even apps for watching your baby in their crib, I bet.  So that got ol’ Doug a’wonderin’–what apps are there that help you keep track of your favorite sport during the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympic games? (And no, I don’t know why the Vancouver Olympics folks decided to emulate Stonehenge for their Olympics logo–these logos seem to be getting weirder by the year.  But look on the bright side:  at least it’s not as lame as the 2012 London Olympics logo.  [And there's a reason I just linked, instead of inserting a picture.  Ugh!]) Well as you might expect, there’s a plethora.  I downloaded three and tried them out, and looked at a couple more, and here’s what I found. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I had a late meeting last night, and since it didn’t kick off until almost 7:30pm, my plan was to stop along the way for dinner. As I headed out the door, my choices for dinner reading material were the Camangi Webstation or my Kindle. I grabbed the Camangi, since I am in the middle of a few books on that device and have not yet started any new ones on the Kindle. Now, the Camangi has a rated standby time of 4-5 days, and around 5 hours of use. I hadn’t charged it in a few days. And you see where this is going…… Continue reading on Gear Diary …