photo credit: recompose I know I wasn’t the only person who watched in bemused disbelief when news came out early this month that Apple was suing HTC, arguably one of the world’s most innovative smartphone hardware manufacturers, for infringing upon 20 of their patents. Almost immediately, Engadget had a list of every claim where Apple was crying foul, and they were kind enough to translate the jargon-filled legal lingo so that those of us without law degrees could understand that Apple was suing over items ranging from HTC’s use of “List Scrolling And Document Translation, Scaling, And Rotation On A Touch-Screen Display” to “Message protocol for controlling a user interface from an inactive application program” (a type of multitasking Engadget says is directly related to Android more than HTC specifically), to “Automated Response To And Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices”, and a slew of other items. In other words, Apple found it unacceptable that HTC phones scrolled a certain way, could multitask a certain way, could tell when you were talking or when you were looking at the screen and about to tap in info (evidenced by whether the screen would go dark or it would go live [...]

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. The number of puzzle games in the App Store is staggering. I have played or reviewed a fair amount of them myself. Many of the games are very similar with their own different twist. Once in a while we run across a puzzle game that is unique. Finger Physics Free is one such game. Find out what it is after the break.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Now that the Nook has been around for a little while, some really great cases have started coming out to protect it in style.  When I saw the new lines of cases coming out from JAVOedge, I was immediately intrigued and couldn’t wait to get my hands on them!  Judie’s recent review of the new Croc cases for Kindle 2 only made me more eager to review the Nook cases. JAVOedge was kind enough to send me two cases from their Cherry Blossom Collection to review and keep for my Nook–the Flip Style Case in Twilight Purple, and the Book Style Case in Cocoa–as well as a surprise…a Flip Style Case in Cork!… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Looks like you won’t have to resort to wandering airport bookstores for your John Grisham fix anymore! Now just flip a switch on your Kindle or nook, fire up your Sony Reader, or open Shortcovers or eReader on your smartphone…because every book he’s written is now available as an ebook! A few great deals to help you round out your collection: – eReader.com is offering 50-100% rewards on all Grisham titles. Their email said 100%, but the site says 50%, so check before you buy. – Fictionwise also has 100% rewards on Grisham’s books. – Get a $1.50 off any ebook with the code Grisham at… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Now, I happen to be Irish, so I’ve never felt the need to “show my green,” as it were.  But not all of you folks out there are so lucky (our family name in the Old Country was “O’Morain,” for the love o’ Pete), so you might need a little green help.  And Proporta has provided. Proporta is offering a couple of sale deals for their online customers only.  For St. Patrick’s Day, you can show your green with either the iPhone case (above), or their leather wallet.  So if you’re needing to get your Irish on with a new Proporta case or wallet, surf on over and check them out.  The case has an MSRP of around $42, and the wallet $38. Full info after the jump.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Are you trying to justify that iPad purchase? Trying to convince your spouse that an iPad is an absolutely, positively, must-have tool that will enable you to be far, far more efficient, inventive, and creative than said spouse has ever imagined you capable of being? Or are you just looking for something to occupy your thoughts and help while away the long, long, seemingly never-ending, (and did I mention long?) days until that iPad arrives on your doorstep? If any (or all) of the above is true, you should head your way over to Just Another iPad Blog and check out their series counting down the iPad’s arrival, Use Cases for the iPad. … Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Everyone knows that a trip to the airport can be a tedious adventure.  Long lines, security checks and baggage checkpoints can all lengthen what is our fastest mode of travel.  Very few people travel without a computer any more.  Not only do they travel with a computer, but a growing number travel with a netbook or small laptop.  Many of these travelers want something more than just a sleeve for their netbook.  Something that can become a small gear bag.  To speed up the check-in and boarding process, the TSA has set guidelines for check point friendly carry-on luggage.  Mobile Edge has created a nice selection of bags that meet these guidelines and has just expanded their offerings with ScanFast Netbook Cases.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Well Evernote has done it again. Once again they have made an incremental improvement that has the potential to have a huge impact for those of us using the service. Over on the Evernote blog they describe the change saying “Emailing Into Evernote Just Got Better”. That somewhat innocuous title doesn’t come close to capturing the importance of the change. Here’s why… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you ask hardcore PC gamers about what it is they are really waiting for this year and next, Blizzard games holds two of the top slots: the hack’n’slash sequel Diablo III, and the long-awaited follow-up to the iconic real-time strategy game Starcraft. Adding to what feels like an avalanche of great Mac gaming news recently, Blizzard announced they are planning a Mac beta test version for release in April.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

It’s literally one of the first things I do with any LCD type device and for sure the first thing I’ve done with every iPhone and iPod Touch I’ve owned. What is it? Placed a screen shield on the screen to protect it.  In the past I’ve picked one up when I purchased my device at my local Apple Retail Store.  The Power Support Anti-Glare shields that Apple carries in their retail stores is my personal favorite and usually it’s what I have on my devices. If this news is true it looks like I’ll have to start shopping elsewhere for my screen protectors. According to a… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As a fan of language learning, I just discovered something very cool.   Through today, iPhone and iPod Touch users can download Byki’s Irish language app from the App Store for free! Normally, most of the Byki apps are $7.99, so this is an excellent way to see how Byki approaches vocabulary and phrase learning while putting on a little Irish! I have the Byki apps for a few different languages on my iPhone and computer. The Byki language apps are really good at helping you learn vocabulary and phrases from a wide variety of languages and now… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Why carry one camera for stills and a separate camcorder for recording video when you can get both in one small package that is well-priced and easy to use? The Samsung TL210 DualView Digital Camera shoots 12MP stills AND 720HD video. It offers face detection, Smart Auto 2.0, 5x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. It also offers a nifty feature not found in other cameras- a dual-display that puts a 3″ touchscreen on the back and a 1.5″ LCD screen on the front. The TL210 has an MSRP of $229 but our GearSponsor has found it for $199. It ships for free and you’ll only pay tax… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

ZumoDrive is personal cloud based storage that let you access any type of data anywhere you have online access. They offer 2GB of free storage that you can use to store virtually anything you want instant access too. The desktop client supports Mac, PC, and Linux operating systems.  Based off the success of the currently available iPhone app, ZumoDrive is pleased to announce the official release of the ZumoDrive app for all Android devices and the Palm WebOS . With ZumoDrive you never need to worry about running out of storage on your mobile devices again. With and easy to use interface, you have instant access to anything you upload and can stream your music and videos directly to your phone without copying it back down to the device first. With easy file and folder syncing, you’ll never have to worry about being without your favorite files, pictures, or music again.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image Provided by Sharism.cc Imagine not only building your own computer, but making the boards yourself.  Yeah, it’s not something the common person would do, but Qi Hardware’s Ben NanoNote is open in a way most hardware isn’t.  This is a similar model to the OpenMoko Freerunner and has been started by former members of the OpenMoko team. Not only can you download the Linux operating system it runs, but you can also download the Creative Commons licensed schematics for having your own version made for you if you have those kinds of resources.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

One of Gear Diary’s favorite accessory manufacturers, Speck Products, has announced the immediate availability of four new additions to their Artsorojekt line of Fitted cases for the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. I previously showcased some of the Fitted designs here. The four limited edition cases, which are designed by select members of Artsprojekt’s international syndicate of artists are now available in all of Apple’s retail stores. From brightly colored “Waves” and cute “Campsite” by Montreal-based Eve Duhamel to pleasingly patterned “Bosque” by Buenos Aires duo Yo Amo La Leche and enchanting “Chemical Girl” by Continue reading on Gear Diary …