iLuv makes accessory-type gear.  Cases for you phones and tablets; earphones; power adaptors; audio docks; stuff like that there.  And like most tech companies, they have some new items that they are waving in front of our collective noses at CES, like:

• A Kindle audio dock
• New cables with charge and sync features
• New Mac adaptors and cables
• New charging solutions for your favorite gadget

I don’t know what kind of gear you have, of course, nor what kinds of accessories you may need for said gear.  But suffice to say, you probably need something, right?  A new case for your iPad; power converters for your laptop; screen protectors; something… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Every now and then we are invited to review something that just looks… well… ridiculous but we end up agreeing to take a look anyway. When the “ridiculous review item” first arrives and we open the box our first impressions are, for the most part, confirmed. Yes, more often than not the product is silly, looks like a bad joke and poses a bit of a challenge with regard to actually writing the review. Every now and then however, once we actually start using the item we discover that our first AND second impressions were actually wrong! Sure, the item still looks silly but it actually works well.

That was my experience with the ePillow. I’m not fully sure why I agreed to review it since the pictures didn’t impress me but I’m actually glad I did. I’ve used it to watch some movies on my iPad this weekend and I actually found it quite useful. Seriously!

M-Edge makes some awesome cases for the Kindle and other ebook readers. They made the case I had my original Kindle in for many years, and I loved it. We’ve also covered many of their iPad cases here at Gear Diary and they consistently receive high marks for build quality and useful, eye-catching designs. Unfortunately, M-Edge is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon doesn’t feel the same way about their Kindle cases.

According to the Wall Street Journal, M-Edge is claiming some pretty unpleasant business dealings have gone down with Amazon:

M-Edge said in the lawsuit that in November 2009, it signed a three-year agreement to pay Amazon a roughly 15%

A few weeks ago we took a look at the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. While it doesn’t guard from drops or bumps, the Armor does protect the entire back of my iPad from scratches. I like that and now use my iPad sans case more often than ever.

On Cyber Monday the company offered some steep discounts on other products so I ordered a few, including a pre-order for protecting the Amazon Kindle touch. It came in the other day and I just put it on my Kindle. Here’s quick look… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

How much do I love my Oberon Design cover for my Nook Touch? Enough that I was looking forward to a new cover for my Kindle Fire almost as much as I was looking forward to the device itself! From the moment it arrived, I had it the Fire in my large Oberon sleeve waiting for the release of the new cover. It is here now … so does it live up to my expectations? Read on and find out!… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

From the Editorial Staff of Gear Diary: Is there someone in your life who loves to read? If so, here are five gifts with which you can’t go wrong.

Kindle/NOOK: Either one, but this is a must for anyone who loves reading. And the entry-level prices make them an affordable tablet companion even if you already have an iPad.

Kindle prices start at $79.

nook touch is $119.99 in our Amazon Affiliate Store.

eReaders are a bit delicate so you need a sleeve for protections. Carly’s favorite is the Timbuktu sleeve. It is lined in soft fabric… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

(Part 3 of 3)

In part 1 of this 3 part review series we looked at the Speck FitFolio. In part 2 we looked at the Speck BookShield. In this third and final part of the series we will look at the Speck WanderFolio for Kindle 3. Think of the WanderFolio as the big brother of the FitFolio, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what this case is all about. Let’s take a closer look, since this is the most intricate and useful of the three cases we are reviewing.

From Speck

(Part 2 of 3)

In part 1 of this three-part review of Speck’s cases for the Kindle 3 we looked at the Speck FitFolio. This time around we are looking at the Speck BookShield. While the FitFolio takes offers Speck’s take on the tradition folio, the BookShield takes a minimalist approach that, while thin and light, still protects the Kindle’s screen and keyboard.

From Speck:

BookShield is an ingenious and durable Kindle 3 case, fusing a hard plastic screen protector into a rubbery crystal-clear cover. It’s made of a soft flexible plastic that covers the

(Part 1 of 3)

As much as I love my iPad, and I do, there are some tasks for which it just isn’t right. For example, have you ever tried using your iPad in bright sunlight? It stinks. That’s where a simple eReader like the Kindle comes in. It is small, light and it is easy to read in even the brightest sunlight. Better still, at just over $100 it is relatively inexpensive. That means were it to be lost or stolen the hit would be far smaller than if that were to happen to my $829 iPad. As a result, my Kindle gets used whenever we are on a beach vacation. It also… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Charging cables and cords… they’re everywhere. Literally everywhere. Have an iPhone? You need a 5W wall adapter and a USB cable. An iPad? You need a 10W wall adapter and a USB cable. Using a Samsung Galaxy Tab? You’ll need one of their proprietary chargers. Have a Blackberry or Android phone? Most likely you need a microUSB adapter connected to a wall charger. And the list goes on and on.

I hate the mess of cords. That’s why I’ve been so interested in the various conductive charging systems that have been coming to market for the past few years. The issue there? Most of the time they still require a special case to… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

So you’re rocking a new Kindle, Sony Reader, or B&N NOOK. It rides shotgun in your bag, hangs out by your bedside, etc. But what about when you take it to the beach? Or need to bring it in a bag full of gear? Protect it with new Otterbox eBook Reader Cases!

For the Kindle 3:

For the Kindle DX:

For the Sony Reader Touch:

For the B&N NOOK (Original, not NOOKcolor)… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

DODOcase caught many of our eyes a few months back when they brought traditional bookbinding techniques to the creation of an iPad case. The cases are highly functional AND bring some nostalgia along for the ride.

Well, DODcase has just announced their next case and it is for… the Kindle 3. Here’s what they have to say about it…

Made from black faux leather and constructed using traditional bookbinding techniques, DODOcase exterior covers bring the look of a book back to the Kindle. An elastic strap keeps your Kindle sealed tight when you are on the go.

We take luxury and the environment seriously so we make the DODOcase interior from the highest quality

I’m a big fan of the Amazon Kindle 3. It’s become a permanent fixture on my bedside table and I use it almost religiously each night before bed. Amazon’s current version of their e-reader is slim and small. So much so that I think a case actually compliments it. Like the iPod Touch I sometimes find when devices are too slim they become hard to use. While I haven’t tested a ton of Kindle 3 cases I have been using JAVOedge‘s newest offering over the last two weeks and have been quite pleased with the result.

The Charcoal Flip Style Case comes in two color variations, Stone and Dusk. It features a inner sleeve… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

In some parts of the country–not here in Austin, but other places–there’s a hint of fall nippiness in the air.  The sign that winter, basically unthinkable a month ago, is not all that far off.  Time to take your woolen snuggies out of storage, make sure you ScotteVest winter gear is ready to go, and weatherize your gear.

Wait, wait; what was that last one again?

Hey, you need some wool protecting your tender skin from the cold; what about your Kindle 3 or your iPhone?  ”We have you covered!” (sorry), sez Case Closed.  They are now offering

New iPad and Kindle 3 Wool Felt Sleeves, 100% Natural German Wool Felt, All packaging is

I love Amazon’s new commercial for the Kindle 3. It’s funny, a bit on the harsh side, and absolutely true. The iPad is an amazing device and it has taken over so much of what I normally do. Unfortunately when you’re outside in the sun it’s all but useless. It’s hard to read and it overheats relatively quickly in direct sunlight. So if you live in a dark cold climate you have no problems. If you live anywhere on the planet Earth however you will encounter issues relatively quickly. Since I enjoy beach vacations it quickly became clear to me that the iPad wasn’t going to be the right solution for me the next time we… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...