With the release of two discs on January 25, Bright Eyes turned this edition of Gear Live Playlist into singer-songwriter central.  We also look at recent releases by Minnesota songster Mason Jennings and Martha Vineyard’s Willy Mason.  Finally, for the collection essential, Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” - one of the most soulful and beautiful albums ever recorded.  Next time, I promise we’ll get a little more testosterone in the Playlist, but for now sit back and embrace your sensitive side.

Click to continue reading Gear Live Playlist: Bright Eyes, Mason Jennings, Willy Mason, Van Morrison

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If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that universal remotes are never truly universal. You can go through hours and hours of setup, and there will be that one little detail that makes it remain undone. Then I heard about the Logitech Harmony 688 remote. Thre is barely any configuration here, as the remote connects via USB through your PC to an online remote code database. After just 48 hours, I have seen the light. Simply put, the Harmony 688 is the absolute best remote control I have had the pleasure to use. Ever. Find out why after the jump.

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There comes a time in a man’s life when you have so much gear, that a regular book bag would prove either too constraining, or too limited.  There are also times when we find ourselves separated from a power source, and unable to charge said gear.  ScottEVest provides a solution for all you gearheads on the go, and today Gear Live puts it through our field test.  Come find out how the Solar SeV Finetex System fares in terms of storage, comfort, and charging functionality in our latest review, by clicking the link below.

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My wife always says that I’m obsessed with wrapping up my earbud phone cords when I’m done with them.  What can I say?  I like things tidy and neat, at least when it comes to gear, considering how expensive things can get.  Imagine my curiosity when I discovered that ZipKord offers a pair of in-ear buds that, get this, auto-retracts the cord for easy storage.  We here at Gear Live had to check it out.

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This week may have marked the passing of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, but the Wu-Tang Legend lives on in their latest greatest hits release. We also take a look at the latest release from the late John Lennon. If you are looking for something truly unique, check out our review of DJ Shadow’s “Endtroducing”. All this and more in this weeks Playlist.

Click to continue reading Gear Live Playlist: Elliot Smith, Wu-Tang Clan, John Lennon, DJ Shadow

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Finally, Verizon Wireless is adding a GSM phone to their product line. In fact, it is the first phone in the United States that can roam on both GSM and CDMA networks. Not bad. The reviewer notes that while it is nice to finally have GSM on Verizon, GSM roaming is going to cost you a pretty penny. It seems Verizon is slowly starting to offer the features that those on other carriers already have, starting with the Motorola V710 with Bluetooth. Now if only they would make these things as user friendly as the other carriers. And what the hell is up with the keypad?

Read More | CNet

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There's something to be said for the promise of convergence. Having one single device that handles multiple tasks will save you carrying space at the very least. At its best, you can save serious dough when a unit is more than the some of its parts. Today, Gear Live takes a look at Archos' latest offering, the AV400, a DVR-like recorder that also allows you to view photos and play music. Click below to see how this $550 device stacks up in terms of functionality and usability.

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Apparently we are flying the Union Jack in this edition of Gear Live Playlist. Four of the five artists are UK acts, including a few rock bands and a couple of British rappers. Yes, I said British rappers, no longer an oxymoron. Both Dizzee Rascal and The Streets are considered rappers, but both artists bend the definition of that word to its limits. The Libertines and Muse both have released solid efforts, and finally, Johnny Cash's "At San Quentin" is a record that everyone needs to own. So, enjoy our trip that begins in the British Isles and ends in maximum security prison, here's Playlist.

Click to continue reading Gear Live Playlist: Libertines, Dizzee Rascal, Muse, The Streets, Johnny Cash

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This has been a pretty exciting week for me. First I was able to snag a hard-to-find Rio Carbon unit. Then I managed to pick up EA's latest racer, Burnout 3 for the Playstation 2 on its release date. After getting tired of waiting for the next Gran Turismo, I decided to give this racer a try. My library really needed a solid traditional racer, and boy does this thing deliver. We know that all of our readers love to play games as well, so click below to read Gear Live's first of what we hope will be many game reviews to come.

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With the portable MP3 player market being virtually flooded with choices, many stick to the brands they know (naturally). Sometimes, however, it can pay to venture out into new territory. You may be pleasantly surprised. We recently tested the JetAudio iAudio 4 Color MP3 Player and came away impressed. If you are looking for a solid flash-based drive, this may be the one. Click below for the full review.

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