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!

I checked out the HP TouchPad the day it was released and… didn’t walk out with one. I’m impressed with WebOS but I found the tablet a bit too laggy for my taste. Well the speed issue is about to be resolved with the new version of the HP TouchPad 4G that is coming to AT&T Mobile. The updated version will have a built-in 4G connectivity and a faster 1.5GHz processor (the current version has a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon).

According to David Gee, vice president, Marketing and Enterprise Solutions, webOS, Personal Systems Group, HP, “TouchPad 4G is ideal for anyone who needs maximum flexibility for productivity on the go,” “It’s particularly well suited for users who rely on… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Otterbox, makers of tough as nails type case for various wireless devices announced their latest case last night during one of the CES 2010 events.

The new case, called the Tandem series, will initially launch for the Palm Pre device with other models to follow.

The two piece case features polycarbonate pieces that have been reinforced to provide shock and impact protection.  The Palm Pre version slides open and closed effortlessly allowing you to use the keyboard without removing the case.

So how does the Tandem Series work?

The first shell attaches to the front of the smartphone and the second shell attaches

Most of you are probably familiar with Zagg and their uber-popular protective skin called the “Invisible Shield”.  Dan reviewed one for the  iPhone here.

I for one have really been looking forward to the release of the company’s new product, Zagg Skins and today’s the day.

Zagg Skins combine the toughness of the Invisible Shield with high resolution graphics which is sure to result in one of the best choices for protective skins on the market.  You can choose from a variety of pre-desgined skins or upload your own photo or image and create your own… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

One of my big complaints about cell phones and mobile devices generally is that the batteries are never able to adequately handle all of the advanced features which tend to be included.  The Palm Pre is a perfect example of this, with its WebOS interface, and always connected email (not to mention Internet, Wifi, 3G, and Bluetooth).  Generally, if I do not have a charger handy, then I am going to lose my phone before my day ends.  Add to that equation the fact that I love to go camping overnight, and the battery is quickly unveiled as typically inadequate.   So, I was pretty excited to hear that Kanex released a high capacity battery.  They sent me one to check out (and keep) and I thought I would share my impressions with all of you.

Got a Palm Pre?  Want to keep it in pristine condition so it doesn’t end up looking like this? Proporta has just released a stylish case that aims to protect your precious Pre (say that five times fast!) while not adding any unnecessary bulk to the device.  If you need an attractive, shatterproof case that gives you access to all the Pre’s controls  yet still coddles the device with a soft-touch backing, you’re gonna want to check out the Proporta Crystal Case with Soft Base Fee.

Full features, price, pics and purchase link are available after the jump.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

With the approach of the 3-day Memorial Day weekend that unofficially kicks off summer, I figured it would be a good time to take a peek at a tool to encourage some of us pasty-white technophiles out into the actual outdoors. Although my legs have often been described as “cadaverous,” I realize that I probably need to break down and put on some shorts and get some fresh air for a change.

But when I’m in the great outdoors, I don’t want to be totally disconnected from the grid and I want to know where I’m going. Enter the Universal Bike Mount Holder for iPhone / iPod / PDA / GPS from USB Fever.

Something strange is happening to me. I was having lunch with a friend last week when he suddenly looked up from his plate and said, “I just realized that you drove up to meet me at a vegetarian restaurant driving your new hybrid car with your bicycle on a trunk rack on the back. Who are you and what have you done with my beer-drinking buddy, Chris?!”

Sure, part of my attitude change has come from the upward spiral of fuel costs. I just couldn’t afford to drive a Tahoe anymore so I traded it in on a Camry. I really think that the Greening of America is getting to me. I’m not a fanatic about it, and I don’t know what my carbon footprint is. But when I encounter a choice between doing something that is more socially responsible than the same old, same old, it’s becoming more natural (no pun intended) to take the greener option.

The folks at CREDO Mobile are trying to make it easier to go green with regard to your telecommunications. So if you’re a lazy environmentalist like me, take a look at their latest developments along with an update to my review of the CREDO Solio Charger after the jump.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Introduction
Last fall, the Palm Centro was launched upon the U.S. on the Sprint network. Judie did a review of it and covered everything from the unboxing to her impressions of the device. Rather than repeat covering the basics of this device, I’m going to recommend that you take a look at her review here and here for a basic overview of using the Centro. Today, I plan to talk about the Centro on AT&T’s GSM network, AT&T highlights and additions to the Centro, and my impressions of the device and service.

Most import, for some folk, is the fact that Centro appears on the AT&T network in a brand new color – Glacier White. You’re either going to love the white with green combination or you’re going to hate it. I actually find it kind of interesting.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Well here ya go, the unboxing of the device that never was: The Palm Foleo

Ah a new toy that was never meant to be. What to do, what to do…I know, Play Time.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Big news from Jeff Hawkins and Palm, Inc.�today.

Watch this.

Your comments?… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Clinton has just posted a comprehensive review at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! covering two of the power management tools offered by Pocket PC Techs, the Lil’ Sync Penguin and Lil’ Sync Pro Cable.

It does look a bit like a penguin, doesn’t it? But under its plastic cap is a car charger and on its back is an electrical plug. How does this doodad power your Pocket PC? By adding this…… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Here’s a chance for you to answer a few questions and perhaps win a Proporta case…

Judie shared a cool e-mail the other day.� One of the biggest problems with surfing on your device is the lack of sites that are optimized for a QVGA width screen. Many of the sites that I surf to don’t have a mobile page that is optimized for a mobile device screen. PDAHomepage brings a lot of them all together, and allows you to view them at your convenience.

“PDA Homepage is an online PDA friendly portal which links to almost a thousand PDA Friendly websites on the internet. It links to websites that most people never even knew existed such as mobile youtube. This website keeps the pocket pc/PDA user informed about the changing nature of handheld based internet without the need of them spending hours finding that

Let’s say that the place where you need to use your Palm Treo 650 or 700 series is not in an office in the middle of the city; perhaps it is at a bivouac in the middle of a desert, in an arctic outpost, or maybe on board a crabbing vessel in the middle of the Bering sea. These are not the places where a stylish wrap will protect your PDA adequately, these are the type places that call for an OtterBox 1920 Palm Treo Case.

This thing is a beast!