The newly redesigned Xbox 360 is slimmer and quieter than ever. It features a 250GB hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi with 802.11n, is Kinnect ready and has more ports. The console includes black wireless controller, black headset, composite A/V cable, one month of Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and is backed by 1 year warranty. The Xbox 360 250GB Elite Console has an MSRP of $299.99 but our Gear Sponsor has found a deal for $40 off. That brings the price down to $259.99 and includes free shipping. That’s $10 lower than the last time we had this Xbox as our Gear Deal and did we mention… it is Kinnect-ready? Xbox 360 250GB Elite Slim Console Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I have a number of headsets that I use on a regular basis. Some are relatively inexpensive deals such as the buds Apple includes with each iPhone, and others are far more expensive units such as the Etymotic HF2s I have been using for about two years. When FREETALK reached out and offered a review unit of their new FREETALK Handsfree headset, I was intrigued. Their site describes the unit as “The only headset you’ll ever need“. That is a pretty bold statement to make, and I just had to see for myself if it was anywhere near the truth. I’ve been using the headset for a few weeks, and I am now… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Speck has been making quality accessories for the Apple iPhone since the first generation device was released. Admittedly I was not a huge fan of the 3G version of the Fitted case. However, that all changed when Speck retooled the Fitted for their 3GS release. Speck was kind enough to send me the iPhone 4 version of the Fitted and I’ve had some time over the last few weeks to put the case through its paces. Does the new Fitted retain the same fit and quality that the 3GS version did? Read on to find out. The Fitted case comes in Speck’s standard packaging. Unfortunately there’s no screen shield included with the case… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

On October 27, U.S. Cellular will launch the Samsung Mesmerize (part of the Galaxy S line), their third Android phone. The Mesmerize will retail for $199 after an $80 mail-in rebate. The Mesmerize features a brilliant 4-inch AMOLED touchscreen and a 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird Application processor. It has a virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology, so customers can input text quickly by sliding their finger over the keyboard in one continuous motion. It also features a 5 megapixel camera/camcorder that records video in HD, MP3 player and 3.5 mm headphone jack, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and expandable memory up to 32GB. The All Share application allows customers to send video, audio and pictures to Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Fabrix Cases has just announced its newest creation for the iPad.  Named the “Fabrix Booklet Case” the handcrafted iPad protector comes in three variations, Black, Gray and Tan.  Each case features a steel framed lining with leather and suede to secure your iPad inside.  It also uses a small magnetic closure to keep the flap down when you’re not using your iPad and cutouts for access to all of the iPad’s ports and buttons. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Out with the old and in with the new; say hello to the colorful new Urbanears 2010 Fall / Winter collection. Urbanears headphones have a 3.5mm jack and remote compatible with most devices including Nokia, Blackberry, HTC and iPhone giving them the additional functionality of a headset. In conjunction with the turn of the season, Urbanears has revamped its color offerings. Seven colors have been dropped from the line and are being replaced with seven brand new sleek colors. As seasons and fashions change, Urbanears will continue to introduce and drop colors every six months. … Currently, these colors are exclusively available for the Plattan model. All of the new colors are… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Although it’s just a concept this modular table designed by Roberto Delponte of Stratodesign still makes me want to add it to my living room.  Made from Bonsai wood the table comprises three sections and a removable bulkhead.  On one side of the table there’s a cutout for a flower-pot while the other side houses a touch screen – in this case, the iPad. Via Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely reached the point in my addiction to doing stuff online as much as possible to where I hate going to the bank to deposit checks.  It doesn’t happen all that often any more–what with direct deposit, WiFi access everywhere, lots of banking applications, and other online aids–but it does happen.  And when it does, don’t you just want to say, “Man, can’t I just scan the bar code or some durn thing and be done with it?” Well hey, you’re in luck:  PayPal Mobile says, “Yeah, baby!  We got your back!”  Their latest revision of their iPhone app contains the capability to do something just that easy… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I’ve written about Ooma and my fondness for the “buy it once and never pay for calls again” system numerous times. At CES last year I got to see the Ooma Telo system and, subsequently, I had the chance to review it. At CES they also previewed many of the new services they planned to roll out during the year. That rollout started in April, and then in June they released an iOS app for making Ooma calls on the go. Now another key feature previewed in January is available — Ooma HD Voice. Ooma HD Voice is, quite frankly, the clearest connection you will ever hear over a… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of HDWallpapers Video game developers and production studios and publishers are no strangers to controversy over video game titles and content. In the past few weeks Electronic Arts and Danger Close have been under fire from the military organization AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) about their new Medal of Honor (MoH) title. The new game has a multiplayer mode, where you can choose to be on either the American Force or the Opposing Force — which in the game was formerly called the “Taliban”. When the game was initially announced, AAFES made the call to ban MoH from all military installation sales in the base exchanges and any GameStop’s affiliated… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Do you run with headphones on? Personally I don’t, and I haven’t since I lived in a town that believed sidewalks were optional, and that SUVs have the right of way over the entire road, especially the shoulder where I was running. But I know many friends who do, and I hope they’re careful out there, especially after some recent tragic news out of Dallas, Texas. Over on the Runner’s World forums, someone shared the news about a young woman out running on a multi-use path, who was wearing headphones and turned left abruptly, and went directly into the path of an oncoming bicycle. Tragically, it sounds like… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Everyone has seen pictures of the Apollo capsules parachuting down into the ocean on the way back from the moon.  Russia also uses parachutes to land their capsules on solid ground instead.  Those parachutes are typically used only once.   Well now they gain another use in a unique and one of a kind bag!  They have bags suitable for the iPad, netbooks and laptops and each bag has a piece of fabric form a Russian Soyuz Capsule’s parachute with the rest of the bag being made from recycled PET Bottles like that water bottle you just threw away and a strap made from a recycled seat belt. Prices range from $69 for the ISS Soyuz… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Ronin Headphones In yet another interesting headphone release as of late, iFrogz has brought out two new sets of DJ Style Headphones.  The first is the Ronin; in my opinion it is more modern than the other new release, the Mogul.  Personally, though, I like the new Mogul style the best as it reminds me of headphones from the 80′s with a touch of modern design. Mogul Headphones The Ronin are available for $49.99 and the Mogul are $69.99.  Both are available direct from iFrogz Continue reading on Gear Diary …

For almost a decade I’ve been using a wallet that I purchased from Levenger. The Pocket Briefcase is a large leather folio that allows me to keep credit cards, a license and some cash on one side and a number of the company’s “pocket cards” in the other. It’s a great wallet, and it has served me quite well. Increasingly, however, it has been moving toward being obsolete. You see, the pocket cards that it’s designed to hold made perfect sense for me BiP (Before iPhone). They let me jot quick notes throughout the day. Now that I carry my iPhone everywhere, if I want to jot a quick note I pull out my iPhone… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

On each landing, opposite the lift-shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four I know, I know; it’s kind of a creepy name to have for an app.  But in this case, the reasoning behind it is both sound, and benign (really!):  to let you know when someone uses your iPhone or iPod Touch without your knowing it. “Unneeded,” I hear you cry.  (Also, “Orwellian.”  Yeah, yeah; you in the back there!  Very clever!  Now siddown!)  Do you have kids who like to play with… Continue reading on Gear Diary …