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Latest Gear Live Videos
Vaja iVolution Top SP Flip Holster for the iPhone reviewed
Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Design, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews,
Surrounding the release of Apple‘s iPhone there was a flurry excitement surrounding various cases to protect and showcase a consumer’s shiny new obsession. A number of cases including simple cloth slipcovers, protective rubber enclosures, and elaborate leather constructions flooded onto the market, each with different plusses and minuses.
Gear Live has previously reviewed several of the high-end leather cases by Argentinean case manufacturer Vaja, and given our extremely positive experiences in the past, we jumped at the opportunity to check out their new iVolution line of iPhone cases. The iVolution line has a number of different styles of cases and holsters, and we selected the fully-enclosed protection offered by the iVolution Top SP Holster. Click through the jump for the full in-depth review.
Click to continue reading Vaja iVolution Top SP Flip Holster for the iPhone reviewed
Gallery: Vaja iVolution Top SP Flip Holster for the iPhone reviewed
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Skitch: Micro-review 5 minutes in
Posted by Sparky Categories: Design, Internet, Product Reviews, Software,
The geniuses over at Plasq have created another application, and while it hasn’t won any awards yet (it’s still in beta) but it’s certain to do so shortly. Skitch allows you to show the world something on your Mac effortlessly rather than try tell them about it in writing or sending massive and unmanageable screenshots. I’m 5 minutes into my experimentation with it and I already can tell this is one of the coolest applications I’ve played with in a while. It makes image capture and annotation a breeze, and does it all with a highly polished elegance.
Skitch allows you to capture screenshots, windows, webcam images, and all sorts of other media into its editing window. Once you have a base image it’s easy to annotate and edit the image with text, handwriting, or other shapes then one click saves it up to the Skitch site on the web for easy sharing. If you don’t want to go the upload route it’s easy to drag your creation into any other application on your Mac, or just save the finished file to disk.
Stay tuned for a much more in-depth review over the next couple of days so stay tuned and check back for more info on this delicious little software treat.
UPDATE:As amazing as the Skitch application is that’s not everything Plasq is throwing on the table with Skitch. Now that I’ve spent a few more minutes with it the service side of Skitch is starting to shine. The ability to save and upload one of your creations (skitches?) to the Skitch service with a single click is wonderfully simple and well implemented. Once the upload is complete you are taken to a webpage for that creation where you can share it with friends as simply as pasting a link into an IM, e-mail, or forum and you can instantly share what you just created. Check out the Skitch page for the photo above.
UPDATED UPDATE: Gear Live’s in-depth review of Skitch has posted - check it out!
Read More 
| Skitch by Plasq
Gallery: Skitch: Micro-review 5 minutes in
V-Moda Vibe Duo Earphones/Headset for iPhone Review
Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews,
We picked up a pair of the new V-Moda Vibe Duos and took them for a spin. The Vibe Duos sound great (almost as good as the Etymotic ER-6s), and feature a microphone for making hands-free calls on the iPhone. They also feature cloth-wrapped cords, durable metal construction, and extended plug (for easy use with the iPhone’s recessed headphone jack) all add up to a stunning package. Check out after the jump for our full review.
Click to continue reading V-Moda Vibe Duo Earphones/Headset for iPhone Review
Gallery: V-Moda Vibe Duo Earphones/Headset for iPhone Review
Unboxing Flip Video
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Videos,
It’s no top of the line model, but we still dig our new Flipvideo. Going through video withdrawal, we purchased one on a whim and set out to test our new toy. It is so simple to operate that we are eternally grateful to puredigital. The MSRP for the cam is $149.99, but we managed to purchase one on Amazon for $130.00 with free shipping. We figure we had better invest the savings into rechargeable batteries as this puppy only comes with 2 standard AA’s. Details to follow.
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Gallery: Unboxing Flip Video
The Gear Live iPhone Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews,
Now that we’ve spent two weeks with the iPhone, we are now ready to hit you back with our in-depth review and impressions. Needless to say, Apple generated a lot of hype with the iPhone, and many feared it would flop in the face of near impossible levels of pre-release fanaticism. Thankfully I am glad that after a full weeks usage I can attest: Apple actually pulled it off. They lived up to or exceeded every single promise they made about the iPhone.
As a preface, our impressions are quite favorable overall, but the iPhone does have a few flaws. Regardless of those flaws, we think this will be an industry-changing phone and will raise the bars for Microsoft, Symbian, Motorola, HTC, Samsung, and other competitors in the mobile marketplace. We expect them all to produce better phones featuring integration, ease of use, and stability all orders of magnitude ahead of what they now offer.
Click to continue reading The Gear Live iPhone Review
Gallery: The Gear Live iPhone Review
Early iPhone Review Roundup
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Videos,
Alright kids, we know it hurts, but Walt Mossberg, David Pogue, Steven Levy, and Edward Baig have all had their iPhone units for a couple of weeks now, and the embargoes were lifted earlier today. So what does all that mean? We have the first four iPhone reviews available for public consumption, and they all pretty much leave us with the same feeling - the iPhone is definitely a game changer, and is an amazing experience. However, the fact that it is on EDGE instead of 3G HSDPA sucks, and the software keyboard takes a few days to get used to. Of course, that is a very, very short summary. All in all though, Apple looks to have another winner on it’s hands. You can check out the reviews at the following links:
- Wall Street Journal iPhone Review
- New York Times iPhone Review
- New York Times iPhone Video Review
- USA Today iPhone Review
Gallery: Early iPhone Review Roundup
Tom Bihn Smart Alec Laptop Backpack Review
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,
Quality and Convenience. These are the words that immediately come to mind about Tom Bihn’s Smart Alec laptop backpack and accessories. Available in 4 color combinations, this bag is as stylish as it is functional. But let’s start with Quality. The large, roomy (18.5” x 11.75” x 7.75”), Smart Alec is made of 1050 denier Ballistic and 1000 denier Cordura nylons, and is lined with 500 denier Dupont Cordura nylon. Translation? This bag is strong, and seemingly indestructible, exemplified by their lifetime guarantee. Plus, both the back of the backpack and the straps are heavily padded. My first time out with Alec, I was carrying at least 10 pounds of laptop and other stuff—and yet Alec was surprising comfortable on my back. If you plan on using the Smart Alec as a laptop bag, I highly recommend the Brain Cell, a soft, lightweight but tough-as-nails shell for your computer, with 8mm of durable foam padding. The Brain Cell (which, with its two mesh pockets and shoulder strap attachments can itself be used as a laptop bag) is of the highest quality and durability. The Brain Cell even attaches to the interior of the Smart Alec with “Annex Clips”, further securing your precious PC. I actually dropped Alec twice—with my laptop inside—and wasn’t even remotely concerned about damage to my Gateway. That’s how confident I was in the Brain Cell (my laptop is just fine, by the way).
Click to continue reading Tom Bihn Smart Alec Laptop Backpack Review
Gallery: Tom Bihn Smart Alec Laptop Backpack Review
Tom Bihn Imago is Useful as Well as Ornamental
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Cameras, Design, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,
I now know why other Gear Livers were raising such a fuss. Tom Bihn’s Imago Messenger Bag, featured here in steel/cork/deep blue, is amazingly functional while being way more than aesthetically pleasing. At a size of 14.5 x 12.25 x 3.5-inches and a weight of only 1 lb., 9 oz., you can fit a laptop (preferably within one of their cells,) and/or a camera with all your accessories inside its roomy olive interior with two pockets. Then again, maybe you can just share the Designer Bag with your cat. There is also a zippered pouch in the front, a pocket in the back, and a ring to clip your car keys (hooray!) or one or more of their organizer pouches. Check out more details and images after the jump.
Click to continue reading Tom Bihn Imago is Useful as Well as Ornamental
Read More | Tom Bihn
Gallery: Tom Bihn Imago is Useful as Well as Ornamental
Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 Impressions
Posted by Rob Stevens Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Product Reviews,
Sweet Mother of Pearl…what is it with companies and these ridiculously long product names. Let me tell you, there’s a reason why “Flickr” is popular, and it’s probably because it’s easy to say. Now that I’ve gotten this out of the way, on to Microsoft’s new ergonomic desktop mouse.
Strangely enough, it wasn’t that long ago that Microsoft’s mice were considered to be the most ergonomic that you could get, but in reality, while they were more comfortable to hold, they were never truly ergonomic. I’ve been using computers from a young age, and as a result, I have a fair amount of RSI built up in my wrists, mostly the right wrist. I can’t use a non-ergonomic keyboard for long without experiencing pain, and that’s why although I’ve tested a great many keyboards in the past, I keep coming back to Microsoft’s Natural series of keyboards. Finally, they put a mouse through the same ergonomic design process as their keyboards and what came out was one of the goofiest looking mice ever made.
Click to continue reading Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 Impressions
Gallery: Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 Impressions
Presto Pizzazz Pizza Cooker Review
Posted by Sparky Categories: Features, Smart Home, Product Reviews,
Recently Gear Live picked up a Presto Pizzazz Pizza Maker from Amazon. It’s the best of “Buy now from TV” come to life - nearly instant pizza, with no muss, no fuss. It’s designed to cook 7 to 12 inch pizzas from start to finish in under 15 minutes. Click through for our impressions of setting it up and using it.
Click to continue reading Presto Pizzazz Pizza Cooker Review
Gallery: Presto Pizzazz Pizza Cooker Review
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