Gear Diary » Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 La Plata Time Rings are a Low-Tech Puzzle for these High-Tech Timeshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/14/la-plata-time-rings-are-a-low-tech-puzzle-for-these-high-tech-times/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/14/la-plata-time-rings-are-a-low-tech-puzzle-for-these-high-tech-times/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:30:18 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=183642

You can only sling so many angry birds at chortling pigs before your mind goes numb and you want something ... different. Sometimes the simplest things can captivate the imagination; a case in point would be this lovely low-tech and natural puzzle made from a slice of cypress.
The puzzle is made from the wood of Cypress trees, that died naturally and it does keep me wondering about the history of the tree and its surroundings. Unfortunately I didn’t find this object too near to the region of the Patagonian Andes lakes, where it actually comes from. I simply never been there, although it is said to be an incredible area. I came across the ‘Time Rings’ puzzle while switching planes in La Plata, Buenos Aires, almost 1000 miles up north.
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/14/la-plata-time-rings-are-a-low-tech-puzzle-for-these-high-tech-times/feed/ 0 Checking Out Windows Phone Speed, Apps, Camera, Music Player and Gameshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/09/checking-out-windows-phone-speed-apps-camera-music-player-and-games/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/09/checking-out-windows-phone-speed-apps-camera-music-player-and-games/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:00:51 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179112

Judie: Our saga began when Dan and I received HTC Titans at a Microsoft sponsored dinner while attending CES; it's hard to believe that on the 11th it will have been one month ago. You can catch up on our previous posts before starting with this one by clicking the following links: Considering the Move from an iPhone 4S to Windows Phone Titan Comparing the iPhone 4s Hardware to the HTC Titan and Dipping into the Windows Phone User Interface In that month, my iPhone has never left my gadget drawer. Although I can think of a few times I wished I had it -- mainly when writing up a cool accessory I had just discovered that was 'iPhone only' or when feeling the absence of a favorite app -- not once have I missed it enough to retrieve it from the drawer. That's better than I can say for any other phone running any other operating system that I have tried in the past ... but I'm not sure if I'm ready to list the 4S on eBay just yet! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/09/checking-out-windows-phone-speed-apps-camera-music-player-and-games/feed/ 14 iPhone Backs from The Brooklyn Bakery Store Will Make You Swoonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/iphone-backs-from-the-brooklyn-bakery-store-will-make-you-swoon/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/iphone-backs-from-the-brooklyn-bakery-store-will-make-you-swoon/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:15:08 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=182700

If you hate putting your iPhone in a case, but you still want it to look unique and interesting, then you might want to consider one of the imaginative adhesive leather backs from The Brooklyn Bakery Store. Made to resemble natural and unnatural skins, these leather objects of art will really make your iPhone stand out. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/iphone-backs-from-the-brooklyn-bakery-store-will-make-you-swoon/feed/ 0 Get a Grip on Alder & Co’s Maple Salad Handshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/get-a-grip-on-alder-cos-maple-salad-hands/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/get-a-grip-on-alder-cos-maple-salad-hands/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:02 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=182670

I think that we can all agree that sometimes it's the little things which make a meal special, and these solid Vermont maple 'Salad Hands' by Alder and Co. look like they could instigate a few appreciative comments from around the dinner table. For $34, they can handle your greens. alder-and-co-maple-salad-hands-2 alder-and-co-maple-salad-hands alder-and-co-maple-salad-hands-3 Alder & Co. — Maple Salad Hands Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/07/get-a-grip-on-alder-cos-maple-salad-hands/feed/ 0 At the Las Vegas Speedway with a 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport and an LFAhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/05/at-the-las-vegas-speedway-with-a-2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-and-an-lfa/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/05/at-the-las-vegas-speedway-with-a-2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-and-an-lfa/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:59:05 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=182342 This is not the car I was driving when I won my title ;)

How did you  spend your Saturday? I spent it behind the wheel of a 2013 Lexus GS 350 F, ultimately winning the title of "Fastest Woman in Vegas" while driving on a closed course at Las Vegas Speedway. The GS350 really impressed me because it was the best of both words -- fast and sleek like a sports car, but large enough for a family and totally decked out. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/05/at-the-las-vegas-speedway-with-a-2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-and-an-lfa/feed/ 4 Off to Vegas for the Lexus GS Superbowl Eventhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/03/off-to-vegas-for-the-lexus-gs-superbowl-event/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/03/off-to-vegas-for-the-lexus-gs-superbowl-event/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:51:48 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=182102

Kev and I are headed to Las Vegas to spend a day at the Motor Speedway and watch the superbowl, where Lexus will run their first-ever Super Bowl commercial for the 2013 Lexus GS, called “The Beast”.
The :30 second commercial features the all-new 2013 GS as it breaks free from containment, illustrating the company’s move in a new design direction for the brand. The spot also hints at the additional new vehicles Lexus will unveil later in the year, which are waiting in the wings for their turn to burst onto the scene. “The all-new Lexus GS is showcased in this ad because it’s the first model to feature the new look of Lexus and it’s also the first of nine new or updated models we’ll launch this year,” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice president of marketing. “This spot looks very different than anything Lexus has done before and demonstrates to the 50-million-strong Super Bowl audience that 2012 will be a breakthrough year for Lexus.”
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/03/off-to-vegas-for-the-lexus-gs-superbowl-event/feed/ 0 Comparing the iPhone 4s Hardware to the HTC Titan and Dipping into the Windows Phone User Interfacehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/01/comparing-the-iphone-4s-hardware-to-the-htc-titan-and-dipping-into-the-windows-phone-user-interface/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/01/comparing-the-iphone-4s-hardware-to-the-htc-titan-and-dipping-into-the-windows-phone-user-interface/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:00:31 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181747

There's a dramatic difference between 4.7" and 3.5"!

Judie: For those of you who missed it, in our last article, Dan and I talked about the circumstances behind how we -- two iPhone 4S users -- each came into possession of an HTC Titan [you can click here to read it]. We also gave some of our initial thoughts about the operating system and why we might have been hesitant to make the change. In this installment, we dig in further into what we like and don't like about the Titan specifically when it's compared to the iPhone. Because our Windows Phone experience is occurring on the Titan, the hardware is directly influencing how we perceive everything ... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/01/comparing-the-iphone-4s-hardware-to-the-htc-titan-and-dipping-into-the-windows-phone-user-interface/feed/ 15 Considering the Move from an iPhone 4S to Windows Phone Titanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/30/considering-the-move-from-an-iphone-4s-to-windows-phone-titan/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/30/considering-the-move-from-an-iphone-4s-to-windows-phone-titan/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181543 Judie: I recently reviewed the Nokia Lumia 710; even though the lower-end phone's hardware wasn't the greatest, I came away with a new respect for the Windows Phone operating system. About a week later, Dan and I were at a Microsoft-sponsored CES dinner where we were both given an HTC Titan to try. Maybe it's because at 4.7" the Titan's screen was so amazingly large when I laid it to my iPhone with its 4S 3.5" screen, maybe it's because I was at CES and had been looking at new phones for days, or maybe it's because I was looking for an excuse to use something different from the iPhone OS which has basically become Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/30/considering-the-move-from-an-iphone-4s-to-windows-phone-titan/feed/ 40 WeWood Makes Wonderful Wearable Wooden Watcheshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/wewood-makes-wearable-wooden-watches/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/wewood-makes-wearable-wooden-watches/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:20:35 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181478

I love unique and quirky watches, and today I found some that definitely fits the bill. WeWood makes watches that are encased in different varieties of wood; each watch is a piece of art -- almost guaranteed to get a second look! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/wewood-makes-wearable-wooden-watches/feed/ 0 Jerod Gibson’s Wordy Art Prints Bring Movie Phrases to Lifehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/jerod-gibsons-wordy-art-prints-bring-movie-phrases-to-life/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/jerod-gibsons-wordy-art-prints-bring-movie-phrases-to-life/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:15:07 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181432

Pulp Fiction

One of the things I most love about certain movies are the iconic quotes they contain;  phrases like, "Bring out the Gimp!" from Pulp Fiction, "May the Force be with you." from Star Wars, and "I'm not even supposed to be here today!" from Clerks. Say those words, and anyone whose seen the movie will immediately know which one you are talking about. So how could I not be intrigued by the text art created by Jerod Gibson? Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/jerod-gibsons-wordy-art-prints-bring-movie-phrases-to-life/feed/ 0 JumpFromPaper Makes Real Life Feel Like a Cartoon with Seriously Ridiculous Bagshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/27/jumpfrompaper-makes-real-life-feel-like-a-cartoon-with-seriously-ridiculous-bags/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/27/jumpfrompaper-makes-real-life-feel-like-a-cartoon-with-seriously-ridiculous-bags/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:30:41 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181002

I loved the way "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988) and "Cool World" (1992) mixed cartoon elements into a real-world backdrop. I enjoyed the same effect as a kid, watching older Disney movies such as Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Song of the South. There's just something quirky and irresistible about imagining a world where cartoons can come to life; anything can happen! Evidently the minds behind JumpFromPaper feel the same. Created by Taipei-based design duo, Chay Su and Rika Lin, JumpFromPaper is a bag company that has produced a line of travel, camera, laptop and general gear bags which look like props from a cartoon.
One cozy afternoon, the two girls were chatting, when they got to sketching their dream designer handbag. A surprising idea popped up – “How amazing it would be if a two-dimensional hand-drawn illustration could come to life as a real bag!” They explored every possibility, rendering fantasy handbags in perspective, and giving birth to JumpFromPaper™. Cartoon-like outlines and bright and cheerful colors add a brisk yet funky flavor. And despite the slim appearance, each JumpFromPaper™ bag has a roomy interior to accommodate personal belongings and even a laptop.
This is one of my favorites, the "Cheese" camera bag ...

  Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/27/jumpfrompaper-makes-real-life-feel-like-a-cartoon-with-seriously-ridiculous-bags/feed/ 3 The Phosphor Appear Rose Gold Crystal Watch with Clear Nylon Bracelet Reviewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/23/the-phosphor-appear-rose-gold-crystal-watch-with-clear-nylon-bracelet-review/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/23/the-phosphor-appear-rose-gold-crystal-watch-with-clear-nylon-bracelet-review/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:30:45 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179987

I reviewed the red Phosphor Appear last year, and I had so much fun with it that I bought one in black. Recently Phosphor began combining their popular Appear watches with nylon bracelet wristbands, and the result has been a bit of a transformation. Before, the Appear relied upon a leather wristband that had to be bucked -- in my case on the last hole; now there is a lightweight and fashionable bracelet which can be sized (by removing individual links) to perfectly fit even the smallest wrists.
The bracelet Appear features a modern, fashionable resin band finished with a
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/23/the-phosphor-appear-rose-gold-crystal-watch-with-clear-nylon-bracelet-review/feed/ 5 Wilson Electronics New Sleek 4G LTE Universal Cellular Signal Booster Rocks!http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/wilson-electronics-new-sleek-4g-lte-universal-cellular-signal-booster-rocks/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/wilson-electronics-new-sleek-4g-lte-universal-cellular-signal-booster-rocks/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:01:57 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178468

I'm a big fan of Wilson Electronics Cellular signal boosters, and I got to spend a little bit of time Joe Banos (their CEO) checking out their new 4G LTE Universal Cellular Signal Booster and learning about what's going on in the booster market. Joe sees 2012 as the year that carriers will acknowledge that customers want better signals on their mobile devices by  embracing cellular signal boosting technology. Verizon is the first carrier to get fully on board, and Joe said another carrier is expected to do the same in the next few weeks. Wilson has just released a universal cradle that will take care of mobile users on all carriers, but specifically those Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/wilson-electronics-new-sleek-4g-lte-universal-cellular-signal-booster-rocks/feed/ 0 Here’s an Original Use for the BenQ GP2http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:22:55 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178384

While visiting with Texas Instruments DLP PICO, we discovered that they had a familiar product -- the BenQ GP2 -- set up to do something we thought was pretty mind blowing ...

Click here to view the embedded video.

So you set an iPhone in the BenQ's cradle, and then you can use another iPhone or an iPod touch (connected by WiFi) as a gaming remote control, with the action being displayed on the wall for everyone to see. That's a pretty cool and offbeat use for what might otherwise seem like a very straightforward piece of equipment. What do Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/feed/ 0 Nokia Introduces the AT&T 4G Lumia 900 to the United Stateshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/nokia-introduces-the-att-4g-lumia-900-to-the-united-states/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/nokia-introduces-the-att-4g-lumia-900-to-the-united-states/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:45:49 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177991

This afternoon I attended a standing room only event in the impossibly small Ballroom A at the Venetian. The purpose was to hear about Nokia's latest announcement for North America, and what I was hoping for specifically was news that the Lumia 900 (the North American version of the Euro Lumia 800) would soon be available. I wasn't disappointed. The front of the room was decorated with color tiles on the wall reminiscent of the live tiles in Windows Phone 7; if there were any doubts about what we were there to see, these should have removed them. Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia, came out and mentioned the first pillar of their global Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/nokia-introduces-the-att-4g-lumia-900-to-the-united-states/feed/ 1 Withings Introduces the World’s First Internet Connected Baby and Toddler Scalehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/withings-introduces-the-worlds-first-internet-connected-baby-and-toddler-scale/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/withings-introduces-the-worlds-first-internet-connected-baby-and-toddler-scale/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:15:18 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177941

Kev and I have a Withings WiFi connected scale and blood-pressure cuff. My favorite feature of both is that our results are automatically exported to both a password-protected personal page on the Withings site as well as an app on our iPhone or iPad. We are able to monitor our own numbers and when the mood strikes -- peek at each others. Withings has just introduced a brilliant product with the same capabilities that should make every new parent happy -- their Smart Baby Scale.
By using the Withings Smart Baby Scale, parents can access their child’s weight readings from any connected device, such as an Internet-connected computer or an iPad
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/withings-introduces-the-worlds-first-internet-connected-baby-and-toddler-scale/feed/ 0 HEX Introduces New Fleet Collection; Cross-Body for iPad and MacBook Air 11″ Stands Outhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/hex-introduces-new-fleet-collection-cross-body-for-ipad-and-macbook-air-11-stands-out/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/hex-introduces-new-fleet-collection-cross-body-for-ipad-and-macbook-air-11-stands-out/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:30:55 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177920

I have no doubt that there will be a ton of laptop bag and device case announcements to come out of CES, and at some point they may all start to look the same if there aren't any differentiating features. Fortunately there are some companies with products that are already standing out; HEX is one of them.  A 2012 CES Design & Innovations Award Honoree, Hex has just announced a new 12-piece Fleet Collection. Some of the more notable are the Tote for 15” MacBook Pro and for me, especially -- the Cross-Body for iPad and 11” MacBook Air.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/hex-introduces-new-fleet-collection-cross-body-for-ipad-and-macbook-air-11-stands-out/feed/ 1 HTC Announces Titan II, AT&T’s Tablet-Sized 4G LTE Windows Phonehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/htc-announces-titan-ii-atts-tablet-sized-4g-lte-windows-phone/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/htc-announces-titan-ii-atts-tablet-sized-4g-lte-windows-phone/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:30:31 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177930

Wow, I am glad that I hadn't already spring for a Titan from AT&T; today saw the announcement of the Titan II, and this model appears to be even more impressive than the first!
Today, at the 2012 International CES, HTC introduced the HTC TITAN II as the company’s first Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) device to run on a 4G LTE network. Expected to become available in the U.S. exclusively to AT&T customers in the coming months, the new smartphone is designed to help consumers stay connected while on-the-go with the largest display among Windows Phones, an advanced digital camera and access to 4G LTE speeds. Equipped with a brilliant 4.7-inch super LCD display, the HTC TITAN II offers
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/htc-announces-titan-ii-atts-tablet-sized-4g-lte-windows-phone/feed/ 0 Telenav Launches Scout, Their Personal Navigator for the Web, Phone and Carhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/telenav-launches-scout-their-personal-navigator-for-the-web-phone-and-car/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/telenav-launches-scout-their-personal-navigator-for-the-web-phone-and-car/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:45:06 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177870

Telenav has just launched Scout, an iPhone app which they are calling the "first daily personal navigator that seamlessly works across the web, smartphones, and in-car systems – offering users an easy and consistent experience no matter where they are. As Telenav explains,
Most people still start their searches from their home or office. In fact, according to the same Telenav survey, 75 percent of respondents prefer to use a personal computer over other options to begin their search for local businesses, and 65 percent turn to a personal computer rather than a mobile device to find navigation information. To ensure Scout users have a rich online experience, Telenav is launching
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/telenav-launches-scout-their-personal-navigator-for-the-web-phone-and-car/feed/ 0 New Alienware Gaming Laptop Cases Unveiled by Mobile Edgehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/new-alienware-gaming-laptop-cases-unveiled-by-mobile-edge/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/new-alienware-gaming-laptop-cases-unveiled-by-mobile-edge/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:05:09 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=175127

  Even if you don't have one of those super-powerful Alienware M18x, M17x, M14x, or M11x gaming laptops, you can still carry your all of your gear in style. Mobile Edge has released two new Alienware branded bags, the Orion Messenger and the Tactical Backpack ...
For the M11x, there are two durable cases offered. The sleek M11x Neoprene Sleeve has easy access carrying handles and an outside zippered compartment for accessories. The semi-rigid M11x Portfolio is ideal for travel with a unique design that allows you to use the laptop while still inside the case. The all new M14x has three case options which include the M14x Neoprene sleeve, the Orion Messenger Bag and Orion Backpack. Both the
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/09/new-alienware-gaming-laptop-cases-unveiled-by-mobile-edge/feed/ 0 Some of the Most Amazing Ukeleles Come from Celentano Woodworkshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/07/some-of-the-most-amazing-ukeleles-come-from-celentano-woodworks/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/07/some-of-the-most-amazing-ukeleles-come-from-celentano-woodworks/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:00:45 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177531 yes, that's a ukelele!

I don't play the ukelele, but I do remember a couple of days spent learning how to tune one back in third grade music class; "My dog has feas", anyone? When I think of the ukelele, this is one of the first images that pops into my head ...

umbrella drinks, anyone?  via NY Daily News

Click here to view the embedded video.

Followed by this one ... Oh Myyyyyy!  =P

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have no intention of picking up a new hobby, even if Eddie Vedder has deemed the ukelele cool enough to release an entire album full of Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/07/some-of-the-most-amazing-ukeleles-come-from-celentano-woodworks/feed/ 1 T-Mobile Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone Reviewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/t-mobile-nokia-lumia-710-windows-phone-review/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/t-mobile-nokia-lumia-710-windows-phone-review/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:00:22 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177280

Nokia has long been one of my favorite hardware manufacturers because they consistently have devices with a better than usual build quality, their phones typically have strong radios, and they usually throw in a few excellent features not easily found elsewhere  -- like the built-in FM radio transmitters and Zeiss optics cameras many of their media phones sport. Like everyone else, I watched with interest when Nokia and Microsoft partnered up in February 2011; I wanted to see what types of designs these two titans would create, and I hoped that this would mean a bigger (and better) selection of Windows Phones from which consumers could choose Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/t-mobile-nokia-lumia-710-windows-phone-review/feed/ 2 Did you get a New iPad for the Holidays? Read This…http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/25/did-you-get-a-new-ipad-for-the-holidays-read-this%e2%80%a6/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/25/did-you-get-a-new-ipad-for-the-holidays-read-this%e2%80%a6/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:30:58 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=176071 Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! 'Tis the season of the "Top Apps of 2011" posts. The timing is great considering how many people just got a brand new iPad this morning for Christmas, or over the last few days during Hanukkah. But here's the thing… The "Top Apps of 2011" list is a FLAWED MODEL. It doesn't really help people who are new to the iPad figure out what apps they want and need to download. Why? Simple, because it isn't about top apps in different categories, but rather what apps are most useful on a regular basis. There may be an awesome productivity app that is good for one purpose but basically useless Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/25/did-you-get-a-new-ipad-for-the-holidays-read-this%e2%80%a6/feed/ 6 The Beyzacases Downtown Series Folio Case for iPad 2http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/the-beyzacases-downtown-series-folio-case-for-ipad-2/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/the-beyzacases-downtown-series-folio-case-for-ipad-2/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:41 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174794

I've always thought there was a certain "something" about a leather folio that made its carrier appear to be smartly pulled together. Maybe it's that a folio limits its owner to only the absolutely essential "stuff" -- all organized and safely zippered up.   Whether it's true or not, folios create an appearance of maximum efficiency with minimal clutter; I like that.  And now that our documents, presentations, pictures, music, movies, receipts -- and just about every other thing possibly imagined -- can be carried digitally, my image of the pulled together professional has become even more narrow. Ask me which person would impress me more: the one carrying a lovely slim designer leather briefcase containing a selection Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/the-beyzacases-downtown-series-folio-case-for-ipad-2/feed/ 0 Rebecca Minkoff’s Offbeat Fashionista iPhone Accessories, Knuckles and Zipped Uphttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/rebecca-minkoffs-offbeat-fashionista-iphone-accessories-knuckles-and-zipped-up/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/rebecca-minkoffs-offbeat-fashionista-iphone-accessories-knuckles-and-zipped-up/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:45:26 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174928

If most of the iPhone 4 and 4S cases you've seen have been too boring, then you might enjoy the "Knuckles" case by Rebecca Minkoff ($58).  You certainly wouldn't have to worry about dropping your phone when it's in this silicone case, and the added benefit (?) is that when you hold the case a certain way, no one will mess with you. An offbeat case deserves an offbeat headset, so while you're at it -- take a look at "Zipped Up", the new wired headset also by Rebecca Minkoff ($48).

Both Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/rebecca-minkoffs-offbeat-fashionista-iphone-accessories-knuckles-and-zipped-up/feed/ 0 The Year in Review with LEGO!http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/17/the-year-in-review-with-lego/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/17/the-year-in-review-with-lego/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:30:32 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174760 Lego Royal wedding William & Kate's first post-wedding kiss

The Guardian UK's Flickr stream has a gallery of curated photos commemorating the events of 2011 through vignettes made of LEGO blocks. Some of them are quite imaginative, and I suspect that you might enjoy them as much as I did ... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/17/the-year-in-review-with-lego/feed/ 0 The Oona Is One Versatile Smartphone Standhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/the-oona-is-one-versatile-smartphone-stand/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/the-oona-is-one-versatile-smartphone-stand/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:30:23 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174422

One of the things that has always bothered me about using any phone other than one of the more popular current models is that accessories are not always easy to find. Sure, you can always find a few ugly cases and screen protectors for just about any model out there, but what about docks and automobile mounting solutions? Not everyone has an iPhone, but to see so many of the accessories that come out you'd think that wasn't the case. For $29.99, you can solve that problem with the Oona (not to be confused with Ooma, heh). Take a look ... Screen Shot 2011-12-15 at 6.38.59 PM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/the-oona-is-one-versatile-smartphone-stand/feed/ 0 Meet the Mutewatchhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/meet-the-mutewatch/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/meet-the-mutewatch/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:30:35 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174316

Are you someone who is not ready to give up your wristwatch in favor of simply checking the time on your mobile phone? I don't blame you if you aren't; I'm not either. As a result I'm always looking at watches, considering ones I might wear and balancing function and geek factor against the watch's looks. The Mutewatch is a design I recently found that looks cool, is simple enough to operate, and adds the function of timers and alarms. The use of "swiping" is cool to see on a watch, and for $259, it's not too outrageous. Take a look ...

Meet the Mutewatch from Mutewatch

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/15/meet-the-mutewatch/feed/ 0 Jawbone Offers Refunds to All UP Ownershttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/09/jawbone-offers-refunds-to-all-up-owners/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/09/jawbone-offers-refunds-to-all-up-owners/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:45:44 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=173459

Did you buy a Jawbone UP? I did, and I have been largely disappointed, but I haven't completely given up on it. Evidently a lot of people are very unhappy with them, and amazingly enough Jawbone has stepped up and offered a full refund to all UP owners who want one, even those who don't have their original packaging or receipt, as well as those who don't necessarily want to return them. This arrived in registered UP users' email today:
UPDATE FROM THE CEO
The UP™ No Questions Asked Guarantee
To the UP Community:Earlier this year, we unveiled Jawbone's vision to help people live a healthier life
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/09/jawbone-offers-refunds-to-all-up-owners/feed/ 0 Phosphor Introduces Four New Blinging Appear Bracelet Watcheshttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/07/phosphor-introduces-four-new-blinging-appear-watches/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/07/phosphor-introduces-four-new-blinging-appear-watches/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:15:12 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=173099

  Those of you who held out on buying a Phosphor Appear watch because the leather strap didn't appeal will be pleased to know that there is a new Appear Bracelet watch available. There are four women’s watch and band combinations: pink with a pink band, amber with a clear band, amber with a white band, and black with a black band. As you'll recall, the Phosphor Appear is the watch that features the cool crystal flipping display feature that makes the time or seconds appear in a mechanized manner similar to those flipping train station signs. You can buy the new Phosphor Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/07/phosphor-introduces-four-new-blinging-appear-watches/feed/ 0