Gear Diary » Apple iPod and Touch Devices

Gear Deal: 10% off all Apple iPads and iPods

Dan Cohen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:45:13 +0000

Today's Gear Deal is something you don't see every day. In fact, it is something you almost NEVER see! Today Only! you can save 10% on all Apple iPads and iPods. In addition, they will ship for free and, unless you live in California, New Jersey, Tenessee or Puerto Rico, there won't even be tax. All this means, for example, that you can get a 16GB iPod Nano for $134.99, a 64GB iPod Touch for $359.99, a 64GB iPad 2 WiFi for $647.99 and a 64GB iPad 2 WiFi + 3G for just $746.99. Yes, all iPods and iPads are 10% off but this is for today only! Click here to visit the deal page Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

DONKEY.BAS Game Review and Giveaway, the Granddaddy of PC Games Comes to iOS

Bryan Eley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:02 +0000

Well, it could be "grandmother of PC games" for all I know. My biology background didn't include methodology for determining software sex identity and their gender bits look the same to me. XVision has released DONKEY.BAS for iOS 5.0+ mobile devices, based on one of the original IBM PC DOS games written by Bill Gates and Neil Konzen. Yes, that Bill Gates. The concept is simple: The player is driving down the road in what appears to be a late 1940s race car, destination unknown. Suddenly, up ahead, a donkey appears in your lane. What to do!? Change lanes before it's too late! Read on to see my review of the game plus a chance for a reader to win a copy of the game! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iGrill + Omaha Steaks’ Steak Time App = Meat Magic

Chris Chamberlain — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:00:28 +0000

Now far be it from me to tell a man (or a woman for that matter) how to use their BBQ grill. Like politics and religion, grilling is a topic where advice is rarely appreciated or even more rarely followed. I'm sure you're great at cooking a steak over charcoal or gas, and I wouldn't tell you to your face if I thought otherwise. A. because you're feeding me and B. because you probably have fire and sharp BBQ tools within arm's reach. Maybe you're one of those people who can judge a steak's doneness by comparing the surface of the meat to the firmness of the fleshy part of your thumb pad. Good for you then. (Please, oh please, don't cut into a steak while it's still on the grill to check whether it's cooked enough. Meat must rest after cooking or you'll just let all the good juices out!) But as techy types, gadget enthusiasts should strive to introduce some rigor into their grilling methods and cook to exact internal temperatures whenever possible. For example, I like my steak to come off the grill at precisely 122 degrees and allow it to come up to a beautiful pink medium-rare while it's resting. You are letting it rest, right? If we can employ some cool new iPhone technology to help out with these methods, so much the better. Enter the iGrill Bluetooth® cooking thermometer from www.igrillinc.com and the free accompanying “Steak Time” app from Omaha Steaks. So shoo the dog out of the kitchen and put your steak on a high counter to bring it to room temperature while we investigate these fun kitchen tools. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

vlock Video Clock for iPhone/iPad: Watch Videos and Time Go By!

Bryan Eley — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:01 +0000

Back in the '70s and '80s there used to be a series of commercials for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that featured a person with a chocolate candy bar and another with an open container of peanut butter. The inevitable collision of the two oblivious eaters resulted in them exclaiming "You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!" and "You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!" resulting in the product slogan "Two great tastes that taste great together."

That's what came to mind as I played with vlock (v. 5.1) from XVision. There are a number of clock apps available for the iPhone and iPad, but vlock offers a different twist. XVision's vlock Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

“You All Know You Want a 7″ iPad.”

Douglas Moran — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:45:04 +0000

That's how today's gear chat on tablet size started--with Francis' assertion that we all knew--even if some of us didn't want to admit it out loud--that we really wanted a mid-sized tablet. You know: something in between the iPod Touch/iPhone and iPad form factors. Something around . . . 7" or so. And then it was off to the races with your tech-happy Gear Diary team:

Francis S: You all know you want a 7" iPad. I still am waiting for Apple to break price structure. I know they probably (almost definitely won't) especially after the Jobs rant over the 7" form factor. I hope and assume

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Tales of Apple Product Obselescence: iPod Touch First Generation

Michael Anderson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:30:37 +0000

I have been highly critical of the impact of Android 'fragmentation', which is something I am acutely aware of as a hardcore gamer who loves playing games on smartphones and tablets but has constantly been thwarted in spite of having a dual-core Tegra 2 device. That criticism has led some to think I 'have it in' for Android. Not true, not true - I have it in for EVERYONE! Look at the way I have taken Apple to task repeatedly, and Sony has also been a frequent target. Today, I have yet another axe to grind with Apple, which is based on my experiences over the last couple of days trying to help out Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Ask Siri anything…as long as you’re in the US

Mitchell Oke — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:15:54 +0000

Having trekked down to the Apple Store this morning, I had no trouble picking up my brand new white 64GB 4S. The feature I was most interested in trying was Siri, the "Personal Assistant" included with every new 4S, but unfortunately between the US and the rest of the world, everything is not equal.

Asking Siri to find the closest petrol station greeted me with this unexpected rebuff:

Having had a look through the Apple Australia website and rewatched the Siri section of the keynote (link), I can't find anywhere that Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Game System Retro-Review: iPod Touch, the MP3 Player That Killed Nintendo and Sony’s Gaming Systems

Michael Anderson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:00:30 +0000

Last September Apple unveiled the iPod Touch 4th Gen, with super-slim design, dual cameras, and great performance. The Retina screen and top-notch graphics clearly marked the iPod Touch as the 'gaming system to beat' - and games like Infinity Blade still defy the competition a year later! With Apple about to unveil their latest 'next big thing', I wanted to step back and take a look at the iPod Touch, the oversized MP3 player that has changed the gaming industry at a fundamental level. The Nintendo 3DS came out earlier this year, and Michael Siebenaler did a great review here. Even before it was released I had decided I wasn't Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iOS App Review: SigNote Adds Interest and Personalization to Your Pics

Dan Cohen — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:24 +0000

It has been a while since an iOS photo app caught my attention but SigNote did just that! It is a relatively simple app that lets you add personalization to your photos in just a few simple steps. It takes seconds to learn and can be tons of fun. Let's take a quick look via a walk-through of editing a picture and then tell you how you can enter to win a free promo code. Here's what it says about the app in the iTunes Apps Store:

Ever thought about turning your photos into a piece of art?

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Saved by ‘Old’ Technology!

Michael Anderson — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:15:49 +0000

I have said it before and I'll say it again - the iPod Touch is the worst iPod I have ever owned. Why do I say that? Because one of my main listening modes is in the car to and from work and between different offices, and changing anything requires you to look at the iPod Touch - and therefore away from whatever else you are doing! And as Carly mentioned here, that can be a very dangerous prospect. For a long time I used a second generation 4GB iPod Nano, but the screen slowly stopped functioning and then the device totally died last year, and I have been using Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Last Call: Giveaway: Win an iPad 2 Thanks to Vonage and Time to Call

Dan Cohen — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:31:47 +0000

We are getting to the end of our Vonage Time to Call iPad 2 Giveaway. The contest ends tomorrow, Thursday the 18th, so there is still time to enter … But not much.

Want a chance to win an iPad 2? Jump over to the initial post, read the rules and enter. It’s that simple.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Giveaway: Win an iPad 2 Thanks to Vonage and Time to Call, but Time is Running Out!

Dan Cohen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:15:44 +0000

We are half way through our Vonage Time to Call iPad 2 giveaway. The contest ends Thursday the 18th so there is still time to enter … But not much. Want a chance to win an iPad 2? Jump over to the initial post, read the rules and enter. It's that simple. Click here and you'll be on your way! Good luck to all! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Griffin Beacon Universal Remote for iOS

Dan Cohen — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:00:02 +0000

It looks funny. It does exactly what it promises. And, at least for me, it is in the running for "iOS Accessory of the Year". Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit but I'm pretty serious about how cool I think this iOS hardware/app combination is. The Griffin Beacon is the universal remote on steroids. With this odd piece of plastic powered by four AA batteries and a free download from the App Store I have taken my Samsung HDTV remote, my TiVo remote AND my Apple TV remote and put them away. Now all I need is one of my iOS devices and I have total control over the media in my den Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Vonage Time to Call App for iOS

Dan Cohen — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:01 +0000

I used Vonage as my main home phone service for a bit of time a number of years ago. I've since moved on to other solutions (Ooma), but I took note when the company released their new iOS app the other day. I know what you are thinking, "Another phone app for iOS? Who needs it?" Well think again, because I just made a call to Coach using my iPod touch and a headset, and here is what he had to say: "Sounds better than when my wife calls me on her iPhone and you are Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Giveaway: iMainGo: 2 Protective Case and Speaker in One

Dan Cohen — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:00:59 +0000

The end of the summer is fast approaching. It's sad but, unfortunately, it's true. Before we know it September will be here. It is time to get in as much relaxation as we can and one of the best ways to do that is with music. That's where the iMainGo:2 comes in. The iMainGo: 2 is a "protective case that turns your MP3 player into a powerful and portable speaker". Some features include:

It Custom fits and protects all iPods and most MP3’s. It doubles as a premium external stereo speaker system for any device with a 3.5 mm connection You can control and view your device without opening the case You can wake

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Now Shipping: AViiQ Portable Charging Station

Dan Cohen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:17 +0000

I've been working hard to streamline the tech I use. I now I only use a laptop (although I have to admit to using a docking system at home) and am trying hard to keep the cords and peripherals I use in check. With so many gadgets available it is just TOO EASY for things to get out of control. That's why AVIIQ's new charging system caught my eye. Sure it is great if you are on the road but there is no reason you can't use it at home too. We have a review unit on the way but let's take a quick look at the announcement we just received Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Google+ App for iPhone (ONLY) Comes to the iTunes App Store

Dan Cohen — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:30:02 +0000

It took a little bit longer than expected but Apple has finally approved the iOS application for Google's new Google+ service. Here's what the actual application has to say about itself: Google+ for mobile makes sharing the right things with the right people a lot simpler. Title lets you send superfast messages to the people you care about most. And no matter where you are, the steam let you stay in the loop about what your friends are sharing and where they're checking in.

Features: Circles let you share the right things with just the right people Stream is

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Review: Stem TimeCommand Clock-Dock

Dan Cohen — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:00:06 +0000

I've become a big fan of not having to physically dock my iPhone, iPod or iPad in order to get audio from it. That's why I love using the Sonos system I reviewed a few weeks ago. At the same time, there is a lot to be said for a bedside dock/alarm clock. Sure, the Sonos system lets you set alarms, but it doesn't have a clock nor does it charge your power-hungry iOS device. That needs to be covered by something else -- something like a clock-dock (yeah, I wrote "clock-dock"!). The problem is, too often the available clock-dock systems don't offer many features, but they do feature anemic sound. The Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Apple iOS 5.0: Some Thoughts on Why It Won’t Kill Zinio

Dan Cohen — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:00:58 +0000

I spent a good bit of time this week thinking about Apple's announcements this past Monday. Much of what will be coming in version 5.0 of iOS is impressive. There are a number of areas where Apple clearly took plays from Android's playbook (Notifications anyone?) as well as from numerous independent developers. I'm not surprised and, as an end-user, I'm quite pleased. I'm running iOS 5.0 Beta on a few devices, but am going to respect the beta-user agreement and NOT go into any detail. I will say, however, that the new notification system is fantastic and does a great Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

“The iPod touch Effect”, or Why RIM Could Have Been a Contender… but Isn’t: Part 2

Dan Cohen — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 01:00:38 +0000

Last week I wrote a post entitled “The iPod touch Effect”, or Why RIM Could Have Been a Contender… but Isn’t. In it I argued that even it Apple does not currently own the market they are positioned well for the long-term thanks to a little device known as the iPod touch. The Touch, I said, is now used by a huge number of kids who do not yet have a cell phone. Their love of the Touch, not to mention their having invested in apps and ringing up game scores, makes it more likely that they will go for an iPhone when the time comes for them to get a phone Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

“The iPod touch Effect”, or Why RIM Could Have Been a Contender… but Isn’t

Dan Cohen — Sat, 28 May 2011 16:00:39 +0000

Yesterday a post on Cult of Mac related some bad news for the Canadian-based RIM. They noted, "Realizing its failure, the handset maker is ready to surrender to Apple in the consumer ring, and focus on its business roots… an arena which iPhone is also increasingly dominating." Their comment was, in part, based on a report from Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Robison who reported, “We no longer anticipate Research in Motion recovering to participate in the mainstream of smartphone industry growth,” As a result Robison cut RIM's target price from $76 to $46. I expect they are correct in their assessment of RIM's dire circumstances, but I don't need numbers and metrics to make Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iPod touch Accessory Review: mophie juice pack air for iPod touch 4th Generation

Dan Cohen — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:00:33 +0000

When mophie first released their juice pack air for the iPhone it was a revelation. At least it was a revelation for me! For the first time I could wrap my iPhone in a case that brought with it both protection and far far better battery life. A short time later the company updated the juice pack to use a soft-touch material that even made holding the iPhone a pleasure. And that was a few iPhone's ago! Since the first juice pack came out I have had one for every iPhone I have had. In fact, my juice pack air for iPhone 4 is often on my phone and, when it isn't, it Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

USBFever Releases o’ the Week

Douglas Moran — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:15:35 +0000

Your list o' USBFever releases for this week are a wee bit late, and I do apologize. Sometimes, even though it's much less diverting and interesting (although it's not too bad most days!), my day job does take precedence. (Did have a nice discussion with Carly about eBook publishers, though, which will hopefully be up soon!) But enough about me; you aren't here to read about me. I'm boring. It's tech you want to see about. And so, without further ado, here they are, USBFever's releases for this week:

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iOS 5.0 Release Pushed Back to Fall? Just Proves Apple Still “Thinks Different”

Dan Cohen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:00:22 +0000

The blogosphere was buzzing yesterday when word came that Apple might hold off on releasing iOS 5.0 until the fall. What does this mean? Why would Apple break such a long tradition that goes all the way to... January 9, 2007. Okay so maybe it is not such a long-standing tradition, but you know what they say: "Do it once it is innovative; Do it twice and it is redundant; Do it a third time and it is a tradition." By now an annual hardware and OS update is a TRADITION. Why would Apple mess with tradition? But it is not just tradition that is putting pressure on keeping the annual cycle. No, there Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iPad is Apple’s Third Post-PC Device? Try “Apple’s Third Totally Reliant on the PC Blockbuster”!

Dan Cohen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:30:55 +0000

Apple detractors love to talk about the "Steve Jobs distortion field". I have never much bought into that. Sure, Steve jobs is a master showman. And yes, he is most likely among the more arrogant people living today. And yes, he does like to build hype when he brings out a new product or service. And, I will admit, he has been somewhat into overstatement at times. But then again, he's got the stuff to back it up. There is an old saying from here in suburban New Jersey that there are people who "have no cattle but a big hat". :) The thing is, that's not Steve Jobs. No, Jobs and Apple have lots Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Consequences of Distracted Driving

Carly Z — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:00:34 +0000

I got into a fender bender last night. Luckily no one was hurt, and as for the damage to my car (see above), well, that's what insurance is for. In the aftermath, though, I've been doing quite a bit of thinking on how easily I let myself get distracted while driving, not just yesterday but in general...and fortuitously, this afternoon I came across my old iPod shuffle. If you're wondering how I went from distracted driving to iPod shuffle, it's not that crazy a leap. I usually use my Droid for music in my car, either using the built-in music player or Pandora. But if I want to change the music, or figure out why Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

TouchTec Gloves Take Winter MultiTouch to the Extreme

LarryGreenberg — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:30:43 +0000

In case you haven't noticed, it's winter time and that means it's cold! Here today in the Philadelphia area the temperatures are in the low 20s and the wind is whirling around like a scene out of the Wizard of Oz.

We've covered our fair share of gloves that work with touch-screen devices. I've tried some myself with somewhat limited success. The nice thing about trying out several different pairs is that they are usually inexpensive.

These TouchTec gloves however are not. Here's what the company has to say about their gloves:

TouchTec is a patented nano-technology that gives new functionality to a variety of textiles and leather. It enables the wearer of

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Music Diary Notes: Apple Has a Gift Tree … I Have an iPod Tree!

Michael Anderson — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:19 +0000

In the 'last minute gift' email from Apple yesterday they included the image at the top, showing representations of various Apple products on the base of a Mac Pro, with different colored iPod Shuffles as ornaments. It is a cool image that immediately struck me. On reason it struck me was that while I was gathering up gear to stuff in the SeV Expedition for my review video, I took all of our iPods and arranged them in a sort of 'family tree' and took a few pictures. I had thought it might make a good basis for a post ... but until I saw that Apple image I didn't know Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Apple on TV: This Week’s Product Sightings

LarryGreenberg — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:00:28 +0000

Like any good admitted fanboy, I often find myself looking for Apple products on TV. Lately I’ve been spotting more and more iDevices popping up on many of the shows I watch. So I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment entitled “Apple On TV.” The premise is simple. Whenever I spot an Apple product in one of the shows I watch (and I watch a lot of TV), I’ll take a screen shot of it and post it here, in a weekly recap, with a short description. But I need your help too! Although I watch a lot of TV I don’t watch everything. So if you come across an Apple product in one of Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Deal- Apple iPod touch 8 GB (Current Generation) + $25 Amazon gift card

Dan Cohen — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:05:52 +0000

Over the weekend a friend of mine told me he wanted to get an iPad and was looking for the least expensive way to get started. I suggested he look at Apple's refurbished products since they carry a full warranty and, as I explained, "That is the only way to great a meaningful discount on Apple products." Well today's Gear Deal proves me wrong. Why is that? Simple! In today's deal our Gear Sponsor presents a brand new 8GB iPod touch for $19 less than Apple is asking (that's almost 10% off) PLUS you will get a $25 Amazon gift card with the purchase. Effectively that makes this a savings of $44 (almost 20% Continue reading on Gear Diary ...