Gear Diary » April Fools

First Look at Apple’s New Pen Based Tablet!

Michael Anderson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:00:10 +0000

With Steve Jobs no longer guiding the helm of day-to-day operations at Apple, it was unclear what would become of the company. Would they manage to continue to produce innovative technologies like the Apple ][ and Macintosh ... or would they succumb to producing generic grey-box computers that look like everything else on any given desktop workplace? Well, based on a product introduction held in London (you can see the video for it here), we know that Apple will not give up its industry-leading technology advancement position anytime soon! Here is the product - called 'Newton', this device allows you to use a pen-like stylus to interact with a software system and Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Work Gear Review: Parker 51

Dan Cohen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:00:23 +0000

Every now and then a product comes along that is, to use a word, magical. The new item does something new and, in doing so, promises to "change everything". That's the case with the brand new Parker 51. The Parker 51 is not like anything you have seen before. It promises to solve many of the issues that have a long plagued those of us who use a traditional fountain pen. It employs brand new technology and is a taste of the future, NOW. At least that is what Parker is telling us. Does it live up to the hype? Let's take a closer look Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Music Diary Notes: The Brave New World of Digital Music

Michael Anderson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:00:29 +0000

I have talked a lot about business models in the music industry, about popular, indie and niche genres, sales trends, and more ... but today I have the great fortune to talk about an invention that will undoubtedly revolutionize the world or recorded music: 'digital' music stored on a 'compact' disk. What is this all about? Let me tell you! Digital Music We live in a world of digits - all of the information on our mainframes and personal computers and even our pocket calculators are stored as a series of 1's and 0's. This 'binary' format can represent just about anything, if you can afford the bits! For example, the screen Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Games News: Basilisk Games Announces Eschalon: Book Zero

Michael Anderson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:15:22 +0000

I give indie games developers loads of coverage - they are hard-working, dedicated, and customer-focused, providing a service to long-time gamers that EA and others have long since abandoned. One such developer is Thomas Riegsecker of Basilisk Games. I love his Eschalon games, and am hotly anticipating the release of Book III. But today Thomas surprised everyone by going back the series origins and introducing Eschalon Book Zero. And while the other games have targeted the gamer who has a love for the classic PC RPGs such as Baldur's Gate and Wizardry, the new game targets another abandoned gamer - the classic console gamer. As each new console generation comes along, the old Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Games Review: Atari C-100 Pong Home System

Michael Anderson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:00:43 +0000

As anyone who has whiled away the hours playing Dungeon or Trek on your PDP-10 or S/360 knows - video games are fast becoming a BIG DEAL! Atari has caught on to this phenomenon, and already released the exciting Pong arcade game a couple of years back. But now they are ready to take it to the next level - with the C-100 Pong console they are bringing all the thrill of pong into your HOME! The Hype: Pong is a two-dimensional sports game that simulates table tennis. The player controls an in-game paddle by moving it vertically across the left side of the screen, and can compete against either a computer controlled opponent Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gu Energy Announces “DermaCharge” Topical Electrolytes

Carly Z — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:27 +0000

I am training for a half-marathon that's coming up like a freight train (three weeks!) So I am on the prowl for easy to use energy food while on my long runs and during the race. Unfortunately, many energy gels upset my stomach, so imagine how excited I was to see that Gu Energy has a new line of osmos-based energy gels! Now I won't need to worry about water to wash down a gel, or get my hands all sticky trying to eat and run! Here's an excerpt explaining all the science behind skin-based energy gels, though I strongly encourage you to visit Gu's official DermaCharge site. They are giving away a trial of their Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

First Look: The Omega Constellation Time Computer I Takes Horology to a Whole New Level

Judie Stanford — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:00:47 +0000

It just doesn't get any better than this! Geeks and Watch aficionados alike have been eagerly waiting the Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology found in the Omega Time Computer, and it is finally here -- just in time for Father's Day and graduation! Available in 14K white or yellow gold-filled, or 18K solid gold for those who want the very best, the Omega Constellation LED Time Computer I has a gorgeous and futuristic red LED dot display, and it is accurate to within five seconds a month. What is an LED and how does it work inside this watch?

A light emitting diode is a semiconductor diode. The dimensions are

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Exclusive: Fire Goes Mobile! This is Hot!

Dan Cohen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:15:01 +0000

Fire! It cooks our food and warms our caves. Fire! It keeps the predators away and let's us see when the flaming ball of light goes away for a time. Fire! It can be hard to start and, once going, an ever-present job to keep stoked. Fire! We don't want to live without it but living with it can be a pain. Until now! Yes, for the first time starting a fire is as simple as rubbing one magic stick on a piece of black paper. It is magical. It is revolutionary. It is the most important Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Paperback Books

Carly Z — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:00:41 +0000

There's been a huge leap forwards in book technology, and here at Gear Diary we have an exclusive first look! It's exciting, it's svelte and pocketable, it's shiny and colorful and new...yes, I'm talking about the paperback book! Sure, we're all familiar with the usual hardcovers and scrolls, but this is a breakthrough. Now you can carry two, even three titles with you for the same space and weight as a hardcover title. But is the smaller size and convenience worth the tradeoff against the heft and comforting size of a hardcover? Read on to find out! My first impression upon opening the review sample Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

First Look: I-Mate JAM Pocket PC

Dan Cohen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:30:06 +0000

I have seen the future of mobile phones and it comes from... Dubai!?!? Yes, this phone comes from the up-and-comer I-mate, a company that is set to take the mobile world by storm and promises to be on top for decades to come. When I first took the Jam out of the box I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking at. Is it a big phone or is it a small computer? Well, in actuality it is both. The i-mate™ JAM is

the smallest Windows Pocket PC available. It includes GPRS for Internet or remote office access, and features Bluetooth, Windows Pocket PC Second Edition, 64MB RAM, an SDIO/MMC slot, a 64k colour transreflective

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

New Calculator, “The Abacus” Announced!

Carly Z — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:30:58 +0000

It never fails. You're taking the lunch order for your office, and everything is fine until the total runs past $20. Suddenly you can't just use YOUR fingers and toes, now you need to include your coworkers dirty feet too. And who wants to be near that many stinky toes right before lunch? Luckily, a non-fingers and toes based calculator has been announced, the "Abacus". Way more portable than a stone slate, and you can even customize with multiple colors! Support your favorite March Madness team as you add! Check out the link below for some more information, and then tell us in the comments: how much are you drooling over all that sweet computing power? Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April 1st – Google Had A Good One Today… Or Did They?

Dan Cohen — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:27:52 +0000

Google had a good one today. If you logged into your account you were greeted by an invitation to try the New Gmail Autopilot. Clicking the link brought you to an interesting description of their new "service" that automatically responds to your emails based on Gmail's sampling of your writing style. ...

It was an awefully good one that was pulled off in Google's amazing style. That, however, isn't what got me about it. This is...

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Squeeze Bacon — finally my prayers are answered

Wayne Schulz — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:08:37 +0000

Here's a cool idea that I can see a use for in my house. Every morning when I get the kids up for school they're asking for breakfast food and often that includes some begging for bacon (their favorite). Now I know it's not that healthy - so I try to limit it to only a couple times a month. Lately I've been avoiding making it at all because the mess and cleanup is such a hassle. Will finally! Looks like someone took the concept that was only recently applied to ketchup and applied it to bacon! Instead of messy frying and grease it appears you can now squeeze it out of the bottle to any length and consistency you like. ThinkGeek - Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: The Linux Link Tech Show is now The New Mac Show

Joel McLaughlin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:13:51 +0000

Linux Podcaster Pat Davila of The Linux Link Tech Show (a former Gear Diary Linux/Open Source Podcast of the week) has gone off the deep end and converted the whole Tech Show to Mac OS X. Whatever am I going to do?? Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: Sprint Introduces WiJuice at CTIA – Extends Simply Everything Plan to Include Electricity

Wayne Schulz — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:16:32 +0000

How many times have you been stuck in an airport searching for an electrical outlet. There's always that one outlet -- located way across the hall right next to the busy bathroom exit. Or how about those days you work from Starbucks where the lone outlet is occupied by some guy with a sleeping bag and pillow (a clear sign he's not going anywhere soon). Well rejoice road warrior - because Sprint will soon introduce the electrical equivalent of WIFI. Instead of transmitting a high speed Internet signal, Sprint will transmit electricity - wirelessly. The service has been in closed beta test since early November. Pricing and availability after the break

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: Another Trusted Brand Introduces Dairy Substitute Drink

Wayne Schulz — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:54:16 +0000

On March 14 I wrote about a new line of energy drink carrying the Crayon name. Their press release said some Whole Foods stores stocked the drink. Unfortunately three stores near me didn't carry it. While browsing the store, I did find another brand name many of your probably remember fondly from your school days. Curious? Keep reading.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: HandSolo by Qualcomm: The Future is at Hand

Judie Stanford — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:32:31 +0000

Here's some fresh news from Qualcomm at CTIA. It looks like they have figured out how to make a mobile phone none of us will forget to bring along:

Good Morning, Qualcomm, a leader in developing digital wireless communications products and services, is announcing HandSolo™. It was developed as the first ultra-portable embedded device designed to streamline the way you use mobile technology. Qualcomm engineers leveraged the latest in weightless technology to produce the first ever phone that requires no battery, features unlimited expandable memory, and is completely waterproof. iPhone? Blackberry? The illusive Google Phone? The HandSolo will revolutionize the traditional thought of what a phone can be and is poised as the next technological historic milestone in human history. For more information and to see the HandSolo in action, please visit: HandSoloMobile.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: The MacBook Pro Unboxing

Judie Stanford — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:12:35 +0000

I know, I know...I made you all wait forever for this, and it's really Jerry's fault. He's the one that videotaped me unboxing my gorgeous new laptop, and since it was the first time he had used the camcorder he just couldn't seem to get it right. He was zooming in and out in all the wrong spots, my voice got distorted, somehow or another he managed to make me look really freaking scary. Well, let's just say that it took a LOT of special editing, but I think you will like the results... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: Proporta Introduces Advanced Pane Protector

Judie Stanford — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:01:19 +0000

The lovely Hannah from Proporta has just forwarded their latest offering, and it appears that they have decided to expand their line. I'm considering asking for a review sample...

Sick of having to bring out a whole array of equipment in order to clean your windows? Tired of having buckets, ladders and sponges litter your home and take up precious storage space? The new Advanced Pane Protector from Proporta could be just the thing you need. Cleverly manufactured from a high-clarity plastic, the Proporta Advanced Pane Protector will not only protect your windows from a downpour of hailstones or an influx of seagulls with digestive issues, it’s also washable and replaceable and so can be used again and again and… you get the idea.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

April Fools: When Does an Internet Identity Become Overwhelming?

Jenneth Orantia — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:00:39 +0000

I've been doing a lot of thinking about social networking and online presences. I've been blogging for over five years, and I've loved the whole interactivity of it all, with people providing feedback and comments and contributing to all the various social microcosms around the Internet - a phenomenon that's certainly accelerated with the rapid growth of social networking communities like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...