Yesterday Carly shared one of what I consider to be the more important posts in recent memory (a close second to Michael’s post the other day). Carly related the story of a woman running with headphones on who “turned left abruptly, and went directly into the path of an oncoming bicycle.” The post highlights the potential danger of running or biking with headphones on. Increasingly we are (finally) talking about the issue of distracted driving. The fact is, distracted exercise is also an issue, and it is one that Larry has warned me about numerous times. Well, along similar lines I want to offer a friendly warning, and I want to do… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

… and it will cost you. Nothing is more tiring than the journey anymore; getting to airports hours early, waiting in long lines, being herded like cattle through security only to find that there are no seats left for your oversold flight at the already over-packed gate … ugh! But the ends justify the means, right? And whether it is for vacation or business, we continue to endure the pitfalls of modern day travel. With that in mind, I found this product interesting when it landed in my email this morning; the TRIP is a carry-on suitcase that carries everything, fits in a plane’s overhead compartment, and as long as you weigh under… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There seems to have been quite a bit of talk and writing about how we should be reinforcing positive body images to young kids, girls in particular. So much talk and focus on how unhealthy it is for girls under 21, who are still changing physically, to be looking for plastic surgery … and also so much focus on the unhealthy sizes of fashion models. There has even been quite a bit of recent focus on the impact of Photoshopping advertisements by companies like Ann Taylor and others. That is all good, so what is the problem? Apparently the workplace has missed the memo, as a PsycNet new study from PsycNet of more… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Considering I am a huge fan of classic role-playing games, greatly enjoy the whole Dungeons and Dragons universe, have read and enjoyed some of the popular book series from author R. A. Salvatore including the Icewind Dale Trilogy and the Cleric Quintet, and have been intrigued by the recent announcement of the upcoming online-but-not-MMO computer game Neverwinter … you might say I was a ready-made target for the new book Gauntlgrym: Neverwinter Book I. Naturally I wanted to read it on my iPad, because as many others here have noted – it is just a great way to read things. CarlyZ has talked time and again about the pricing issues related to the Agency Model… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Scoche’s switchBACK g4 is a neat polycarbonate case with interchangeable backs for the iPhone 4. What makes it special is that it includes a kickstand back in gloss black that makes it easy to do FaceTime video conferencing or viewing media in landscape handsfree. It also includes two smooth backs in Dark Chrome and Blue Chrome. The switchBACK g4 itself features: Includes one kickBACK back (Gloss Black) for landscape viewing and two smooth backs (Black Chrome & Blue Chrome) Lay on the table design protects screen from scratches Open design allows complete access to all connections and controls The case has an MSRP of $34.99 and can be ordered on Scosche’s Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The weekend is here and it is time to have some fun. Todays Gear Deal is about having some fun AND saving some money in the process. According to LogicBUY- Dell is running a limited time sale with 10% off coupon code on select consoles, video games and accessories including LCD Monitors & other peripherals. While supplies last. Ends October 14 or after limited uses uses. FREE shipping on orders over $50. Xbox 360 Slim models – new design: Xbox 360 4GB Slim Console $199.99 $179.99 Xbox 360 Slim 250GB Console $299.99 $269.99 Xbox 360 Elite 250GB Slim Console with Madden NFL 11 $349.99 $314.99 Xbox 360 Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Since winning a recent bout with back-pain I’ve begun, at the recommendation of my chiropractor, carrying my wallet in my front pants pocket. It lives in the right side of my trousers while my iPhone lives in the left. That presents a problem when it comes time to place my keys somewhere. I don’t want to put my keys in the same pocket as my iPhone for fear that they will scratch it and there isn’t much room left in the pocket where my wallet is stored. The result? I often times carry my keys on my belt or ask my wife to stick them in her purse for me. Neither solution is optimal. When… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

In the ebook world, the Kindle and nook are the 100 lbs. gorillas. Everyone uses them as the yardstick; does an ereader offer the same features, does it have a store affiliation, is the screen as sharp, etc. At the same time, there’s still something to be said for simple ebook readers. No bells and whistles, just a thin device and your books. The Kobo Reader aims to fill that gap, with sleek looks, a low price, and basic features. Does it fit the bill, or should you pass in favor of its flashier competitors? Read on for my full review to find out! Hardware: The hardware on the Kobo Reader is very familiar. It’s the… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Ten One Design has just announced their iPhone 4 Pogo Stylus. It is a capacitive touch screen stylus for iPhone 4 that features a unique clip that will double as a stand. As the company explains, “The Pogo Stylus allows for faster typing, greater comfort/control and the aluminum base and advanced technology tip are compatible with other multi-touch, capacitive screens”. The new stylus will be available in four colors: Hot Pink, Black, Cactus and Burnt Orange. The travel clip secures the stylus allowing quick accessibility and doubles as a multi-media stand to prop up the iPhone 4 to watch movies, surf the web or use FaceTime handsfree. Personally I’ve never been huge on the… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

If you read my news items regularly, you know I’m a sucker for adventure games.  As a former athlete well past his prime, my twitch reflexes ain’t what they used to be, and I’ve never had very good small-motor coordination to begin with.  So games that put thinking ahead of reflexes, and have an immersive, engaging environment to boot, are the kind of thing I look for. Like, for example, Coladia’s new release for the iPad:  Secret of the Lost Cavern HD 1.1.  Adventure, history, nice graphics, immersive, engaging environment . . . definitely worth a look if you’re into that kind of thing like I am.  I’m going to give it a look Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The ElementCase Vapor 4 is a beautiful case for the iPhone 4. It looks great. It feels great. And it is, as Judie explained last month, totally unusable. As she explained in that post Larry, Dan & I recently reviewed the Element Case Vapor 4. All of us agreed that it was easily one of the most beautiful cases we had ever used, but we all experienced a significant signal drop when our iPhones were in them. One of the things that ETS Lindgren is able to do is scientifically measure the antenna strength of a mobile phone inside one of their isolation and testing chambers, in this case the ETS-Lindgren Model Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Very much a RPG centric news day, but all good news for a change! And first and foremost – believe it or not the screenshot above is for an upcoming iOS game, not a PC game! I had written about Ossian Studios upcoming The Shadow Sun before, and now we get the first screens. The game looks amazing, and sounds amazing as well based on the early description. From their web site: Today is the first time we have publicly revealed what The Shadow Sun RPG game for iPhone and iPod touch looks like. Using the power of the Unity engine, Ossian is creating a beautiful and immersive 3D world to explore, interact Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Of course, not the whole movie … nor the classic arcade game … but some ‘other stuff’ for a questionable value of $2.99. But for the Star Wars fan with an Android device from Verizon, this might just fit your needs for more cool TESB stuff during the 30th anniversary year. Here are some details from TheForce.net: Looks like the rumor was correct, but with a slight delay. Originally slated to launch on October 4th, the Verizon Empire Strikes Back Android app ended up launching a day late on the 5th. While the app itself is free, the full range of content can be purchased for $2.99 (the charge will be on your Verizon Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Yesterday we reviewed the FREETALK Handsfree headset. For $59.99 (currently just $49.99) the headset offers tremendous comfort, good sound and great value. Well we have a brand new one to give away to one of our readers. If you need a new headset, or just want to try it out for yourself it could not be easier to enter to win. Just retweet two posts from the last week and, in the comments of THE ORIGINAL REVIEW POST, tell us which posts you retweeted and why… The fine print– 1. This contest will be open until October 9; the winner will be announced shortly after. 2. Shipping address must be… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have been lucky in my current job that in addition to making cell phone screens more durable and presentation projectors that can fit in your pocket, I have also been able to work on things with specific objectives of cleaning up the environment. It is satisfying when work you love also benefits the planet. At the same time I have friends who have still been unable to find work that is at the level they had before the recession, some still burning through savings and others working at whatever they can find. So it was interesting to read “Top 15 U.S. metro areas for cleantech jobs”, which looked at the best places to… Continue reading on Gear Diary …