It looks like lots more NOOKcolor info is pouring in, with a B&N walkthrough as well as an Engadget hands on! The B&N walkthrough makes the NOOKcolor look very, very cool. The host is a bit perky, but it hits all the highlights and definitely shows off the slick UI. Engadget also seemed to like the device, though they did comment the software seemed unfinished.They did seem to like the hardware, which is a big positive. B&N may not be a hardware company, but they did a great job with the famous original nook hardware, and it sounds like that build quality is still there for its color cousin! Click to see the Engadget video. Finally, Dictionary.com just announced they… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

OK, so I generally put out my ‘deals’ post on Friday for the weekend sales … but there are so many things going on mid-week I can’t wait! Here are just a few things I have seen! Torchlight Sale: It has been a full year since Torchlight came out, which I reviewed here. One year ago on the fateful day of October 27, 2009, a day that will live as a legend in our mind, a barely heard-of studio launched its first title: Torchlight. Word of Ember blazed to life! Dungeon-crawler fans rejoiced, and our moms were proud. Because of you, Torchlight found a home and became a success. Because you Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I love it when MacBundle puts out a new collection – you get the opportunity to grab a bunch of apps for a low price. Some you might not use, but others are gems that will justify the entire purchase by themselves! Well, they are back – but with a smaller group of apps they’re calling a ‘Nano Bundle’ – 6 apps for $9.90! They have the list price at over $200 – a great savings. And once again, if you make regular use of even just a single app … for $9.90 this is a great deal. Here are the apps included in the Nano Bundle: * Punakea: Spotlight-integrated file tagging * Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Bunch of quickie news items today, from all over the place. Some are rumors, some are actual news items … but all of them are interesting (at least I think so)! First off, Good Old Games takes the next leap in their additions to the Atari catalog with Neverwinter Nights Diamond. I already wrote about NWN in my review here, and also the Premium Modules. The Diamond version includes the main game, both expansions, and the Kingmaker Premium Module (which I believe also includes Witches Wake and ShadowGuard). Of course as always there are extras, including: * Bonus content included for FREE with the game: * 3 manuals (212 pages) * Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The IOS has become an exciting platform for many musicians.  As a guitarist, I am truly blown away at what I can accomplish with my guitar and iPhone together.  I have reviewed many iPhone guitar applications and have liked all of them.  One in particular is AmpliTube by IK Media.  Read the full review here. The developers have officially outdone themselves with a major update and overhaul of the popular app.  Check out the new features that push the envelope for similar apps and make this a true studio in your pocket. October 2010, Modena, Italy – IK Multimedia is pleased to announce AmpliTube® 2 for Continue reading on Gear Diary …

They may not have a flashy color device, but Kobo is still grabbing for their slice of the news cycle. Just like B&N and Amazon, Kobo is now offering subscriptions to various periodicals, including to Kobo’s iOS apps. Sadly, it looks like only iPhone and iPad owners are getting magazine love. If you’re using Kobo apps on an Android or Blackberry device, you’ll just have to hope for a future update. Pricing looks to be comparable to Amazon and B&N, and Kobo is throwing in the same two-week trial as everyone else. While this is important to offer as a me-too item, it seems like periodicals and newspapers have gotten mixed reviews from owners of ebook readers… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As I said in my review, Plants vs. Zombies is a great game … and the only thing better than a great game is a great game for a great price! For a limited time, Plants vs Zombies is on sales – the iPhone version for $0.99 and the iPad HD version for an all-time low price of $4.99! iPad HD version of Plants vs Zombies for $4.99 on iTunes App Store. iPhone version of Plants vs Zombies for $4.99 on iTunes App Store. Not sure what else to say … but there is no better way to celebrate Halloween than by killing some zombies! Source: DealMac Continue reading on Gear Diary …

USA Today reports that an American toiletries company is trialling tubeless toilet paper in an effort to make the world’s most most relied upon bathroom product greener.  The manufacturer Kimberly-Clark will introduce Scott Naturals Tube-Free toilet paper at certain Walmart and Sam’s Club stores throughout the Northeast. If the product, which will be rolled out in stores next Monday, is well-received by consumers, the company may sell it nationally and globally, according to the report. Everything about the tubeless paper will be the same except the absence of the tube.  It’ll still fit over most bathroom spindles and still contain the same amount of paper per roll. The U.S. generates 17 billion toiler paper tubes… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Today’s Gear Deal brings us a 42″ Sharp AQUOS HDTV. This model offers full HD 1080p Resolution along with a high dynamic contrast ratio and fast response time for an awesome quality picture. While it stands on its own it also includes an edge lit LED design for easy wall mounting. Want to know more about it? Here’s a more complete description- Enjoy a breathtaking viewing experience with the AQUOS® LC-42LE620UT 42-inch LCD HDTV from Sharp®. It features an ultra-clear full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant new edge lit LED design. This HDTV utilizes a high-performance LCD panel providing ultra-dark high Dynamic Contrast Ratio and response time of 6.5ms. Incorporates 120Hz fine motion advanced for Continue reading on Gear Diary …

The iPad took yet another step forward as an amazing productivity device this evening when DEVONthink To Go finally made its appearance in the App Store. DEVONthink is a Mac OS X database program that makes collecting, organizing and manipulating all sorts of files easy. As Devontechnologies explains- Meet DEVONthink — designed to manage and keep in order all those disparate pieces of information so important to your work or studies. As you become more experienced with DEVONthink and its easy, intuitive interface you will quickly find more exciting ways of using your data. DEVONthink stores your documents, scanned papers, email messages, notes, bookmarks, etc. in one place. Access live web pages seamlessly from within DEVONthink Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Work in a loud cubicle environment? Want to focus when you’re working at a coffee house? Are you an audiophile with discerning tastes? While Bose has long been known for their noise cancellation headphones, there is another contender for high-end on-ear headphones in the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones. Read on for my impressions of the B&W P5 and how well it handles a multitude of environments. When I traveled extensively for work 10+ years ago, the Bose QuietComfort noise cancellation headphones were the thing to have. They reduced airplane noise, were portable enough, and had decent sound quality. I tried a pair out, but never ended up buying them. Why, you… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Just in time for the upcoming Halloween holiday the folks at Disney Publishing have released their newest read-along story for the iPad.  Mickey’s Spooky Night features a Halloween themed story along with interactive jigsaw puzzles and games too.  The plot of the story surrounds Mickey and his friends as they all get together for a Halloween party, but Mickey and the gang aren’t the only guests at this party — some ghosts have decided they want to join the fun, too. As the story gets read along, you and your child are also tasked with finding the hidden ghosts as the appear on the screen.  When you find one in the story you tap… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Dan in action at my wedding with his handy iPad) A few days before my wedding I received an instant message from Dan (who was our officiant). It’s never good when your rabbi tells you he has a “dilemma” regarding your ceremony…but I had to laugh when his central issue was whether to use an iPad or a Kindle for the service! Never one to choose, Dan had us reading off the iPad for part of it, though he did use the Kindle for the outdoor portion. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen Dan use an iPad for rabbinical business, as he also used to walk us through the ceremony a few weeks… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

As per internet rumor, Barnes and Noble unveiled their newest addition to the NOOK lineup: NOOKcolor. It’s sort-of an ebook reader, sort-of a tablet, and B&N seems pretty excited and confident it’s going to win them marketshare over the Kindle (and possibly the iPad). I’ve been debating with myself about whether this is going to be successful or blow up in their faces, and the only way to settle this is to lay out both sides. The optimist in me thinks this could be a big win for B&N, and the cynical side of me thinks this is an awful idea doomed to failure. The Optimist: 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. With Halloween quickly approaching, I decided it would be appropriate to find a spooky app for this week’s Blue Plate.  There are many applications with a Halloween theme, but some of my favorites utilize the camera.  We have had loads of fun with Haunted Face which Dan showed here last week so I was looking to add to my camera arsenal.  GhostCamPro will make any picture into a… Continue reading on Gear Diary …