Gear Diary » HP Palm Phone and Tablet Gear

ePillow Tablet Pillow review

Dan Cohen — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:00:14 +0000

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! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Zippier HP TouchPad Launching on AT&T Mobile Network

Dan Cohen — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:03:15 +0000

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 launches new case at CES 2010

LarryGreenberg — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:00:44 +0000

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

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Zagg Skins now ready to order

LarryGreenberg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:25:17 +0000

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 ...

Review: Kanex High Capacity Battery for the Palm Pre

Doug Goldring — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:08:11 +0000

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.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Protect That Pre! New Proporta Crystal Case Does It In Style

Jason Reese — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:21 +0000

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 ...

Universal GPS/Phone Bicycle Device Holder from USB Fever-Takin’ Your Tech into the Wild

Chris Chamberlain — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:11:55 +0000

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. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

New News Is Good News-CREDO Mobile Update

Chris Chamberlain — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:35:07 +0000

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 ...

AT&T Palm Centro Review

Christopher Gavula — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:28:28 +0000

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 ...

The Device that never was: Palm Foleo

Torturous Trevor the Technoholic — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:27:59 +0000

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 ...

The Palm Foleo: The Perfect Companion for Your Smartphone?

Judie Stanford — Wed, 30 May 2007 18:10:51 +0000

Big news from Jeff Hawkins and Palm, Inc.�today. Watch this. Your comments? Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Clinton Reviews Pocket PC Tech’s Lil’ Sync Penguin & Lil’ Sync Pro Cable

Judie Stanford — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:05:26 +0000

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 ...

Which Do You Prefer?

Judie Stanford — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:46:13 +0000

Here's a chance for you to answer a few questions and perhaps win a Proporta case... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Ultimate in PDA Portals – PDAHomepage

Christopher Spera — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:47:34 +0000

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 Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Otterbox 1920 Treo Case Review

Judie Stanford — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:45:49 +0000

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! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Been to Any Good Yard Sales Lately?

Judie Stanford — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 05:36:56 +0000

Chris is having one...but he won't let you buy anything. Instead he is giving away all of the cases pictured here. Head over to his site if you would like to try for one - it's easy, just pick the case you want and put its number in�the contest's comments' section.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

A Sweetheart of a Vaja Case

Judie Stanford — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:32:51 +0000

I just received an email from Palm, and included was an offer for a black or rosa Valentine's Day edition Palm Treo 680 or 750v Vaja i-volution case. Accents are in sterling silver, and there is a special sterling heart on the front; say it with me now...awwwww! ;-)

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Fabric Bluetooth Keyboard Giveaway!

Mitchell Oke — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:52:46 +0000

Since Judie has posted her review, and doesn't feel that the Fabric Keyboard is for her, she has decided to offer it to Gear Diary readers. All you have to do is answer one simple question and the keyboard is yours!

"What is the famous Star Trek saying that was never actually said on screen?"

Beam Me Up Scotty!

Congratulations Bob Russell!! You were first to comment with the answer, and have won yourself one slightly used (but excellent condition) Fabric Bluetooth Keyboard!!

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Get Ready for Spring with Vaja’s New Caddie Case Line

Judie Stanford — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:01:48 +0000

Here's a new drool-worthy collection from Vaja which features similar stylish perforations to those which pepper the new line of Vaja Messenger bags. Take a look... Vaja is proud to announce Caddie, its latest and exclusive collection:

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The i.Tech Virtual Keyboard (VKB) Review

Judie Stanford — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:00:40 +0000

[Ed. note: this review picks up where the Unboxing left off. If you haven't already read it, read the i.Tech Virtual Keyboard Unboxing first.] This past month with the i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. During this time, I have managed to learn way more about Bluetooth Stacks and Windows XP Service Pack 2 upgrades than I ever wanted to know...but I'm getting ahead of myself already, and we wouldn't want that... ;-) As many of you will recall from my previously posted unboxing, the Virtual Keyboard (VKB) is a futuristic gadget that uses a red laser to beam a virtual keyboard upon any flat surface. Its body is primarily composed of matte black plastic, and its shiny plastic front is where all of the magic happens. The VKB measures 3.7? tall x 1.4? wide x 1.1? thick , and it weighs 3.1 ounces. On its front is a long black glossy panel which covers the keyboard sensing receiver window. Directly above this area is the red clear plastic covered keyboard projection window.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

A Holiday Wonder

Judie Stanford — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 05:34:28 +0000

Mitchell and I will soon be doing reviews on the Spectec SDIO WLAN 802.11b and the miniSDIO WLAN 802.11b�cards, which just arrived today. Although this was exciting enough in and of itself, since we are each using�a non-WiFi enabled Palm Treo�these days (750v for Mitchell, and 700wx for me), there was something else on the Spectec site that caught my eye...something that�prompted me to post this entry�late on a Saturday night when I was essentially done posting�for�this holiday weekend... Feast your eyes on this - the Spectec SD/SDIO GPS Receiver. Even the most jaded gadget hound must acknowledge the amazing bit of technology presented here: a 20 channel GPS tracking device in an SD card, with a slot to hold up to a 2GB microSD! :shock: This card supports Palm, Pocket PC, & Smartphone. It is WAAS enabled and uses SiRF Star III.

Tell me that this isn't the coolest gadget you have seen all day? ;-) Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Stubbs McTreo

Judie Stanford — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:23:57 +0000

I really enjoy using my Sprint Treo 700wx, but I'll admit that the short antenna is not among its best features.�Since Sprint isn't about to release a 700v, I'll just have to deal with it - right? Well maybe now I don't have to. :-) PDA Columbia had a post tonight that caught my eye. It showed a Treo 650 that had been transformed. Take a look...

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Christmas Specials From PocketPC Techs

Judie Stanford — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:33:22 +0000

While I was gone, Martina with PPCTechs sent some info that I am sure will be much appreciated, so I wanted to get it posted ASAP. Be sure to scroll to the end to find an impressive discount on all accessory purchases! I am often asked which screen protectors I most recommend, and the WriteSHIELDs are always on the short list. If you need accessories for your device, be sure to take a look. :-)

So�without further ado...� Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Unbox.it Tears Open the Ety8 Bluetooth Earphones

Judie Stanford — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:29:08 +0000

Chris at unbox.it has posted pictures and commentary from Vincent's unboxing of the brand new Etymotic Research ety8 In-The-Ear-Bluetooth Earphones.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The i.Tech Virtual Keyboard Give-Away

Judie Stanford — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:22:45 +0000

**This contest is now closed, and the winner is Civisi. Thank you for participating and please watch for more contests soon!** How would you like to score a lightly used* i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard?

Thanks to the generosity of Golan Technology, one lucky Gear Diary reader will do just that; here's how... Reply in this thread with the name of your favorite Science Fiction movie or book, and include a sentence or two telling why it's your favorite. Added later: TV shows are fine! Keep them coming!! :-) The i.Tech VKB review is slated for posting on January 15th, so I'll plan on announcing the winner at 5:30 pm, US Central Standard Time on January 16th. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The i.Tech Virtual Keyboard Unboxing

Judie Stanford — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:58:35 +0000

The i.Tech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard has been on my list of must-try items ever since I first heard about it - which if I remember correctly was in 2003! The first time I saw pictures of a keyboard which worked by beaming a red�laser display on any flat surface, my inner geek did a happy dance! This is a product that looks like came straight out of a Philip K. Dick novel, out of a Star Trek episode, out of a...you get the picture. ;-) Like many new technologies, the VKB had a few false-starts and took longer to appear than I had hoped. I've�read the horror stories from its early days (2004 - 2005)�- of typing without tactile feedback, of not having the proper driver for the necessary device, of needing to get the angle "just so" for the keyboard sensors to pick up correctly, and worse - that the product would only work in optimal lighting. Well, there was only one way to find out if this keyboard was the hotness, or just a cranky diva in disguise - I would need to try one for myself!

Recently Golan Technology, the US distributor of the VKB, offered me the chance to�try out�this futuristic keyboard. A full review is scheduled for January 15th, but in the meantime I wanted to share the unboxing photos with you... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Judie Stanford — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:29:05 +0000

This just came�in from Kat at Proporta...

Proporta is feeling particularly festive this Christmas holiday...and as it is the season to be giving, if you do not have a Promotion Code, Proporta is giving you the opportunity to add 1 of 3 products to your basket - absolutley free. Simply click on the 'To Checkout' button and make your selection. You can choose between Cable Tidies to help you keep all your cables in check, an Aluminium SD Card Holder�to keep your memory safe or Mobile Device Cleaning Fluid. Merry Christmas from all at Proporta :-) There are Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Gomadic Sync and Charge Retractable Cable Review

Judie Stanford — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:33:02 +0000

Shortly after buying a Treo 700wx I decided to ditch the bulky power and USB cable set that came with the device. I wanted to trade them for something much more compact, and the obvious choice - since I already had a collection of Gomadic tips - was to try the Gomadic Sync and Charge Retractable Cable system. Knowing that this same gadget would work with any of the other tips I already owned was a major selling point. Measuring approximately 5" when retracted, the body of the charger is made of glossy black plastic. The center compartment which houses the wound cable measures about 1.75" long x 1.25" wide x 0.5" thick. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Vaja I-volution For Palm Treo 700 Series Case Review

Judie Stanford — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:15:23 +0000

It wasn't long after I received a Palm 700p review unit that I knew I would be buying either the Palm OS version or the WM5 version of the Treo to use as my mobile phone. Other than which OS to go with, my next decision was what case. I'll admit it, I went right to the Vaja'site, and I literally swooned when I saw the T7 Silver. However, reality eventually set in once I saw the price for that intricate piece of sterling silver accented leather-art. Luckily, there was a very similar case available with a more wallet-friendly price - the i-volution for Palm Treo 700 Series. As with all Vaja cases, the first thing that greets the owner upon opening the box is the yummy smell of perfectly tanned Argentinean leather. The second thing that the owner will notice is the case's complete attention to detail. Everything is laid out perfectly, and all has been created with a good experience in mind for the owner.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Gomadic Double Chargers With Tip Exchange Technology Review

Judie Stanford — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:03:50 +0000

Over the last year I have grown incredibly spoiled when I travel because I no longer need to pack a tangle of "spaghetti"; instead, I bring along a set of Gomadic Charging Cables. The same single cable charges my PDA, mobile phone and digital music player. It can charge Sarah's phone and Sarah's digital music player, too; all it takes is the proper tip for each particular device.

For those unfamiliar with Gomadic, I'll state the premise in a nutshell: They sell cables with plugs on their ends which will accept their specially made tips; these tips fit many of today's popular consumer mobile devices. Gomadic's "Tip Exchange Technology" means that the same cable can be used for years - and as devices are added to the user's collection, new tips can be purchased to swap out with the old. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...