My favorite browser, regardless of platform, is Google Chrome and I wondered how long it would take for Google to release Chrome for Android. Well, the wait is finally over. Sort of.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

  ioSafe is known for keeping your data SAFE. How safe? Well, first we took the initiative to burn and water-soak a drive, and the data was still recoverable. Then, starting with CES 2010, ioSafe decided to show everyone that their drives are capable of withstanding burning, soaking, dropping, and crushing. In 2011, we upped the ante again and took shots (yes, using a gun) at an ioSafe drive, and the data saved on the ioSafe drive came out unscathed. Well, we wondered what they would do next and, at CES 2012,  we found out. Honestly, what we saw shocked us …… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Image courtesy of 1SaleADayWhen Dan and Judie reviewed the HTC Flyer, they had mixed feelings on it. I also had one which we gave away to a lucky reader. For me, the main feature I wanted it for was the stylus, but that didn’t live up to my expectations. Otherwise, it is a very impressive Android tablet. So much so that Francis ended up getting one in the form of an HTC Evo View 4G when 1SaleADay offered them up in December. Well, they are back at it again, today only! The HTC Evo View 4G is essentially an HTC Flyer but also includes Sprint 3G (EVDO) and 4G (WiMax), in addition to… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

We know that Dan is a big fan of the Sonos Wireless HiFi system based on his reviews last year of the PLAY:5 and PLAY:3, as well as his recent video showing how easy it is to set up the system. One thing that holds some people back from a Sonos system is the cost associated with it. Even though these are high-performance systems, the initial entry cost may be high enough to cause some hesitation in the purchasing process. (Though Dan has said to me that it is well worth it.) Well, Target is sweetening the deal for a limited time, so if you haven’t yet made the jump and are interested, read on.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Photo courtesy of OhMiBod) (Not safe for work) You will often find new, interesting, and even innovative products at CES. Most products have a large, almost universal appeal to consumers. Sometimes you end up with more niche products. This is one of those cases. As Francis and I walked the floor we happened upon something I did not expect to see at CES. It seems better suited for other events which are hosted in Las Vegas.… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Things are winding down at CES 2012, which was nice for Francis and me, as we were able to walk around more freely due to less traffic and spend more quality time with some vendors. Luckily for us, we were able to stop by and visit our friends from myCharge and PowerBag. We have reviewed the PowerBag Messenger and PowerBag Backpack in the past, and Dan mentioned how useful a PowerBag can be. They also have a great brand called myCharge, which is a set of portable batteries for recharging mobile devices, including iOS and Android devices. The team at myCharge was nice enough to provide… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Dan recently reviewed the Drobo data storage system from Data Robotics. I have owned one for several years and also love it for its flexibility. Imagine my surprise when I found out that for today only, you can get a new Drobo for 50% off! This offer applies to the standard Drobo only, not the other products in the Drobo line, such as the Drobo S or Drobo FS. Pick up a Drobo for 50% off the normal $399 price, bringing the price down to $199, today only. Simply use the discount code FRIDAY13 and the 50% discount will be applied. Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Well this is a bit different… I have seen other forms of live advertising in the past, but Lenovo just took it to a new level. We have all heard of blazing fast computers and internet speeds, but what about typing on top of a car? Continue reading on Gear Diary …

I don’t know about you, but for me, trying to get into and keep on a fitness plan is difficult. Unless you have motivation, it can be difficult to keep with it. Personally, one way I have found that works to keep motivated is to have a training partner, or use statistics to track my progress. Well, the iBike POWERHOUSE does both! The iBike POWERHOUSE is a fitness tool which combines an iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S or an iPod Touch with a hardware device which: A weather-proof / shock resistant patented smart case and sensors The iBike POWERHOUSE app Goal-specific plans developed by world-class fitness expert Hunter Allen You simply start… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Poor T-Mobile. They are now the only major mobile carrier in the US not carrying the iPhone. With the release of the iPhone 4S, now AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint have the iPhone 4 and 4S. Which leaves T-Mobile as the odd man out. But T-Mobile is trying to fight back. First, they issued a press release stating that they would love to carry the iPhone, but it is up to Apple. In the same press release, they explain reasons they feel their network is superior. Don’t get me wrong – I really love T-Mobile, as does Francis. Their “4G” network speeds are currently unmatched and very reliable, but Verizon is quickly gaining… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

There are several new features in Apple’s iOS 5. One of my favorites is the updated Messages application. Previously, Messages only allowed sending of SMS and MMS messages. As part of iOS 5, though, Messages can now send SMS and Text messages to phone numbers (as it always could), but can also send iMessages over a network connection, bypassing your text message plan. How do you tell which one you’re using? Well, turns out Apple made it easy to tell when you are sending each message type, visually. They use two visual cues: color and the message in the input box. Text Message Text Messages (SMS, MMS) use a Green conversation bubble and the message… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Image courtesy of Apple) The world is a big place. At the turn of the century trying to visit loved ones who lived halfway across the world took months. Now, we can fly from one side of the globe to the other in less than a day. And even when we aren’t physically technology enables us to feel as if we are. I was reminded of this when FaceTime and iOS brought me closer to my wife AND saved us money in the process. My wife and I live in the midwest, but she is from Thailand. She is visiting her family for an extended period of time and we wanted to keep… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

When the Amazon Appstore for Android was announced, it was met with much fanfare. Several high-end applications were available free for a day or launched exclusively on Amazon’s Appstore, including FlexT9, Swiftkey, and FieldRunners, to name a few. Heck, we even mentioned an application which alerted you daily on what the free deal of the day was! However, not everything was perfect with the Amazon Appstore for Android. Still, it really seems to be catching on as another viable alternative for the Android Market. Or is it? As Michael mentioned in his post “Has the Amazon App Store Changed You Android Shopping Habits Yet?“… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

(Image courtesy of Wacom) While the iPad has become synonymous with the term “tablet”, there has been other digital tablet technology, such as the Tablet PC and the Livescribe Pulse Pen which came out before and is surviving, albeit in more of a niche market. So it is rare for me to see any new devices, especially in the analog-to-digital space. While I love handwriting recognition on the Tablet PC and touch typing on the iPad, there has always been an appeal to writing on actual paper. The Livescribe handles this well, but requires the use of their special (Anoto-based) paper which has a series of microdots on it… Continue reading on Gear Diary …

Ever since it was launched, we have extolled the virtues of the Amazon Android App Store, as well as pointed out a few issues with it. Like it or not, Amazon’s Android App Store has been well-received by Android users, especially since they have a different paid application available for free every day. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get busy. So I don’t check the Amazon App Store every day. Which means I could miss out on such gems as Nuance’s FlexT9 keyboard for free. Well, an enterprising developer came up with a solution for those of us who are too busy… Continue reading on Gear Diary …