iLuv has moved quickly to introduce new procuts for Apple’s newly announced iPods. Here’s all the info.. Personalize and protect your new 5th generation iPod Touch or nano with colorfully designed cases and protective films by iLuv PORT WASHINGTON, NY – (September 1, 2010) – iLuv, the leader in providing the most appealing, innovative, and relevant products for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Macbook, is pleased to announced a new line of stylish cases and a screen protectors for Apple’s new 5th generation iPod Touch and nano. Ranging from colorful and graphic designed silicone and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) rugged cases to clear and glare-free screen protectors, this series of Continue reading on Gear Diary …

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. It is truly amazing how dependent I have become to my iPhone.  There seem to be an endless number of tools no longer needed because of the abilities of this little device and the number keeps growing.  When I first started using an iPhone, I decided to set an alarm for the morning and abandon my old alarm clock.  In fact, the alarm clock I used was a gift from my younger… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Last month I reviewed the Leliana’s Song DLC and the month before that I reviewed the Darkspawn Chronicles DLC, with each one representing very different types of gaming experiences within the context of the Dragon Age universe: one was combat driven and narrow, and the other was a character study that got us behind the scenes with one of the main characters from the main game. I also noted that a high-level combat-centric module Golems of Amgarrak was arriving. Now that I have completed playing through the newest DLC (and with only a week before the final DLC release) I am ready to render my verdict on the Golems of Amgarrak. Read on… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Microsoft has announced that as of November 1st they are increasing the cost of membership for their XBOX Live service by 20%, meaning that a one-year membership will cost $60 rather than $50. All other membership types including monthly, three months, and memberships in other countries have all seen the same increase. My question? Is it greed of recouping for 8 years of constant investment and improvement without a single price hike? Probably some of both – but let’s take a look at some of the upside of XBOX Live: XBOX Live is the de facto standard for console online gaming. Sony now has the Playstation Plus system that has been praised Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(image courtesy Swift Economics) Looks like Borders isn’t immune to the ebook price wars. They announced this morning they are lowering the prices of the Kobo Reader and the Aluratek Libre. Either this was in response to competitive pricing, or they were hoping to deflect the “Build-A-Bear” news! In all seriousness, this does make sense, though I think they should have been far more aggressive. For starters, drop the Aluratek Libre further, from the new $99 price down to $75. And they should have cut the Kobo Reader from the new $129 price down to $99. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never used an Aluratek Libre, but from a hardware standpoint it is strikingly… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have a dear friend who son has Juvenile Diabetes. That makes me more sensitive to the disease, and the fight against it, than I might otherwise be. (Let’s face it, we tend to become sensitive to those issues that strike close to home.) That’s why I was struck by an email we got from a company that creates insulin pump and mobile device cases and accessories AND gives a percentage of their profits to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The company radrr.com was founded by David Winegar. He writes- I am the founder of a new phone/mobile device/camera/insulin pump case company that is producing cases in fun colors and designs. The company Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Even as a man I sometimes find myself uncomfortable and embarrassed in business situations when men who should know better show their respect for their highly educated and proficient female colleagues much as Woody Allen is showing his respect for Scarlett Johansson. Hopefully we are long past the point where someone would actually suggest that by wearing a low cut shirt a woman is ‘asking for’ untoward glances … yet somehow I doubt it. Whether it is to avoid wandering eyes or to simply feel more professional and covered up while still wearing a favorite shirt you would otherwise not wear to work, sometimes women choose to wear a tank top or camisole as… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The Diana camera first appeared during the early 1960s as a inexpensive box camera sold by the Great Wall Plastic Factory. Most were exported to the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the Diana was imported by the Power Sales Company of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. (which happens to be 5 miles from where I grew up.)  Most Diana cameras were given away or sold for nominal sums as novelties or prizes at fairs, carnivals, product promotions, raffles, or other events Fast forward to today and Poketo, designer of limited edition art products, accessories, apparel, and decor, has brought back the Diana, along with some other… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Netbooks and ultra-lights may be taking a hit from some “other” device but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for them. And when the netbook comes from the likes of Lenovo… and has a generous 11.6″ screen.. and a great price too… it is worth a look. That’s the case with today’s Gear Deal. Lenovo’s ultra-light 11.6″ ThinkPad X100e weighs less than 3 lbs. It is wrapped in a Midnight Black / Headwave Red color option so it isn’t all work and no play. It sports an AMD Athlon Neo processor, has a full-size spill-resistant keyboard, a multitouch touchpad, and optional Bluetooth, WWAN and 802.11n WiFi. Of course it has a web camera, can… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I cannot lie.  Yes, I am a grown man and yes I love all remote controlled toys!  There, I said it!  Of course I have two young sons so I can always use them as the excuse to buy or play with anything RC.  At a very young age, I began a long love affair with cars, boats and anything I could control with buttons and sticks.  Fortunately for me, my sons have inherited this love and will play with any of these toys for hours.  Now, mix remote controls and robots and we are on to greatness!  When I first saw the Skitterbots, I immediately thought I had to have one.  They are… Continue reading on Gear Diary …