MacBook Pro (late 2013) review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,

A couple of weeks ago, Apple introduced the world to the iPad Air, but during the same event, the new 2013 MacBook Pro lineup was also revealed, going on sale that same afternoon. These new MacBook Pros would ship with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, the new desktop operating system that was also released that same day, completely free of charge. The 2013 MacBook Pro line sees some significant updates--things like a thinner body, Retina display, PCIe storage, and Haswell processors. So, how do all these changes come together at the end of the day, and is the end result enough for you to give it your attention? Does a thinner, lighter, cheaper, and more powerful package add up to more than the sum of its parts? We answer all this and more in our 13-inch MacBook Pro (late 2013) review.

Click to continue reading MacBook Pro (late 2013) review

Xbox One Smartglass for iOS now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Games, New Apps, Free Apps,

Planning on picking up a Microsoft Xbox One this weekend? If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you'll likely wanna grab the new, free Xbox One Smartglass app. The app is similar to the one that's been available for the Xbox 360--it'll allow you to control a bunch of functions on your Xbox One right from your iOS device.

Xbox One SmartGlass is the perfect companion app for your Xbox One, both in your living room and on the go. Connect and control your Xbox One. Stay connected with the games and gamers you like. And add a new dimension to your console entertainment with the mobile device you already own.

In the living room:

• Navigate your Xbox One console using your device’s keyboard and touch
• Control your media and set top box with the SmartGlass remote control
• Browse the web on your TV using your mobile device
• Enhance what you are watching or playing with SmartGlass companions
• Increase performance with faster connections and reliability

In the living room and on the go:

• Search, browse, and pin content to play on your Xbox One console
• Track achievements, get game help, message friends, and watch game clips

You can download Xbox One Smartglass now.

Unboxing Live 123: SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Features, Videocasts, Wearables,

We give you a look at SOL REPUBLIC's first over-ear headphone, the Master Tracks, in this episode of Unboxing Live. The Master Tracks include:

• X3 Sound Engines with SonicSoft speaker pads
• Audio cable with built-in three-button remote control
• Sound Track headband
• Slim-fit carrying case

That's all in addition to the great warranty on the headband itself. Check out this episode to see how they look visually, and then head on over to Gear Live for our full SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks review.

You can pick up the SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks on Amazon.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live on YouTube!

Click to continue reading Unboxing Live 123: SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks

2013 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: Rdio streaming music subscription

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Music, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Women, Men, Techies, Teens, Under $100, Under $25, Under $250, Under $50, Under $500,

They say music is the universal language, and as music lovers ourselves, we think it's one of the best gifts that you can give, and we're putting it in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Rather than grabbing an iTunes gift card, or worse, a random CD from the bargain bin, we recommend hitting your loves ones up with Rdio gift subscriptions. Why? It allows the user unlimited access to the entire Rdio music streaming catalog. That means on-demand access to millions of tracks from the web, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, and even your Sonos system. Rdio costs $9.99 per month for full access. We love it--check out Gear Live on Rdio!

We are giving away three 3-month subscriptions to Rdio to our readers as well! To enter, all you need to do is:

• Follow Gear Live on Twitter
• Tweet the following message: "Hey @GearLive - hook me up with that free @Rdio subscription! http://gear.lv/SEjTdi" (Click here to tweet this now!)

Good luck to all entrants, and be sure to look through the rest of our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide for more giveaways!

Read More | Rdio

TiVo Slide Pro remote now available for $49.99

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment,

TiVo has announced its new Slide Pro Remote Pro, the follow-up to its discontinued Slide Remote. So, what makes this version of the Slide so much better? Well, the QWERTY keyboard-toting remote control now sports backlit keys, and is programmable so that you can teach it multiple commands (things like power, volume, changing inputs, and the like.) You don't even have to have one of the new TiVo Roamio DVRs to use the Slide Pro--it'll also work with the TiVo Mini and TiVo Premiere DVRs. The best part? The Slide Pro costs $40 less than its less capable predecessor, coming in at $49. You can pick up the TiVo Slide Pro remote now.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition limited to 350 production units

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition will be the swan song for the iconic line. If you want one, make sure you've got the money in the bank (we're guessing it'll run near $250,000) and get in line--there'll just be 350 units produced for the last of the SLS AMG vehicles, each rocking a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 591-horsepower. You can feast your eyes on one, with its red and black two-tone paint job, at the Los Angeles Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show.

Read More | Mercedes-Benz

Bleeding Edge TV 493: SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer Review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,

In this episode I review the SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer Jacket, a collaboration between SCOTTeVEST and ThinkGeek, and we think it holds up great for multi-seasonal travel. SCOTTeVEST is known for making Technology Enabled Clothing that allows you to carry pretty much all of your gadgets, including tablets and even a laptop if you want to, right in your jacket, thanks to the myriad of pockets they include in their garments. In the case of the Tropiformer, that's 22 pockets, including a pocket specifically for your smartphone that allows you to use the phone right through the pocket. The sleeves on the Tropiformer are also easily removed and replaced, thanks to an ingenious magnet system.

You can pick up the SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer now from ThinkGeek.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel!

Click to continue reading Bleeding Edge TV 493: SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer Review

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Ogio Renegade

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Features, Men, Techies, Under $250, Under $500,

Here's a backpack that's worth of being featured in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide: the Ogio Renegade. If you're like us, packing a ridiculous amount of gadgets with you when you leave the house, the crush-proof tech vault on the Renegade should pique your interest. There are also other compartments that are meant to keep your expensive tech safe, like the paddes camera pocket, tablet pouch, and the armor-sealed laptop area. The Ogio Renegade is as comfortable as it is durable, featuring ergonomic padded straps to make it easy to carry around. They're available in two colors: black and black pindot.

You can pick up the Ogio Renegade for $116 on Amazon.

Read More | Ogio Renegade Backpack

Unboxing Live 122: TiVo Roamio Pro

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Videocasts,

TiVo has released it's new Series5 DVRs in the Roamio line, and in this episode we open up the TiVo Roamio Pro! The Roamio Pro sports 6 tuners, allowing it to record up to 6 HD shows at a time, and has a 3TB hard drive, allowing it to store up to 450 hours of HD content. Even better? The new Roamio Plus and Pro both have TiVo Stream capabilities built right in, allowing you to watch your recordings on your iOS device, and soon, Android as well.

TiVo also redesigned the look and feel of the DVRs, as well as adding a bunch of color to the packaging. We give you a look at it all, as well as the new TiVo RF remote control.

Here are links to all the new TiVos:

• Roamio
• Roamio Plus
• Roamio Pro

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live on YouTube!

Click to continue reading Unboxing Live 122: TiVo Roamio Pro

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Bracketron NanoTek Stand

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Features, Techies, Under $100, Under $25, Under $250, Under $50, Under $500,

Our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide needs more accessories, and we found a cool one for smartphones owners in the Bracketron NanoTek Stand. It securely grips your phone and desk without messy or sticky adhesives, and is forged out of durable, aircraft grade aluminum composite with an elegant matte finish. It'll hang onto your device in both portrait and landscape orientations, and the integrated cable management system keeps your cable handy for easy charging. They're available in both silver and black.

You can pick up the NanoTek Stand for $19.99 on Amazon.

Read More | Bracketron NanoTek Stand