GadgetMan | Geekscape

Geekscape Tech Review: Boogie Board’s Scribble n’ Play

by GadgetManDecember 7, 2016

I don’t know if you have ever heard of Boogie Board, but they make a lot of eWriters. These are not to be confused with eReaders, but this is definitely made for younger users. However, I figured that older readers will love this product because it is just nifty.

You should be able to write or draw on the Scribble n Play with anything like your fingernail, and it leaves a rainbow trace. I didn’t know how to describe it any better than that. Other Boogie Board products like the Jot and Sync allow for sketching, but only in black and white. Boogie Board says that it allows for drawing in color, but it is more like drawing with color.

By the way, your drawing can be erased at the touch of a button, like other Boogie Board products. If you want to save your drawing, there is an eWriter app that is available only for Apple products. You can save your creation, and upload it to the cloud, sharing it with everyone. I checked, and I couldn’t find it on Google Play.

Of course, you don’t want to use your fingernail when drawing on this, so it is fortunate that it comes with four styluses (or whatever the plural of stylus is). These are the yellow things that fit on the sides of the Scribble n Play, and they have four different points. One is a small point like a Sharpie, the other is a Magic Marker, another is a like a small comb, and the last is a wide tip.

The only downside is this: I found out that the styluses have these side marks, but they don’t really do anything. Like they have these waves, but if you press them on the board, they don’t make waves. You’re going to have to try it out to see.

The Boogie Board Scribble n Play has this rubber blue band so you can strap it to your hand (see the right of the image above), which is another great feature. If want this for whatever reason, then the Boogie Board Scribble n Play is for you, and it can be purchased for $34.99 on the Boogie Board site.

Also, do you want to hear more about the latest in technology? In early January, there is a big event in Las Vegas known as CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I want to go and report on it, but I need some help. I have a new GoFundMe site that will “Send Mark (me) to CES 2017”. Please click here and make a donation.

Geekscape Tech Review: STM Dux iPad Pro Case

by GadgetManDecember 7, 2016

Welcome again to the wonderful world of STM, and this is the second product from the company that I will be reviewing this week. This time, it is something for everyone’s favorite iPad tablet with the STM Dux case for the iPad Pro.

The STM Dux is a rugged case, and it only protects one side (the back), but that’s good enough for US military standards. The material is described on the STM website as translucent, but if they are referring to any part not the edge, it looks more transparent than anything.

The Dux rugged case is made to just snap right on the iPad Pro, and it not only protects the device but has a place to hold the Pencil. I’m talking about that cool accessory that Apple just released, but it will hold a regular pencil too. The STM Dux iPad Pro Case is made to work with Apple’s Smart Cover as well as the Smart keyboard.

So yes, the STM Dux iPad Pro case is just what you need for some protection, and it is available for the 9.7 inch version for $59.95 on the STM site in black only. By the way, there is also an iPad Pro Case as the Dux Plus, but that is another story, and I won’t tell it.

Geekscape Tech Review: Titanfall 2 Wired Controller, Talon Wireless Controller, and Wired Marauder SRS Headset

by GadgetManDecember 6, 2016

Well, here is another time that I get to write about PDP products, and this time, I’m going to talk about PDP’s gaming accessories for the Xbox One. Two of them are the Titanfall 2 related, and one is the Wireless Remote.

I’ll start with a Titanfall 2 related product with the controller. It is a wired controller, but it features a detachable cable. You will notice that wonderful military camo color paint job, but it is more than just the new coat of paint.

The Titanfull 2 controller has a soft-touch finish as well as some responsive analog sticks. You can also get a gaming advantage with up to 6 different actions. By the way, you can adjust the game and chat audio levels without interruption.

Let’s see, what else does it have? Well, it has the dual rumble motors and impulse triggers, not to mention a 3.5 mm headset jack. But enough about that, doesn’t it look sexy? By the way, it is also good for the PC as well.

Yeah, you know that you want to put this in your hands. You can purchase it on the PDP site for about $59.99.

As for the Talon Wireless Remote, I will have to say that this is worth owning as well. After all, the Xbox allows for a lot of control for video content, so it is actually much better to have a remote control.

I know that there are times when the Xbox controller can get bumped and then your video skips…a lot. You might as well have better control of your streaming video, Blu-ray, or whatever you are watching.

The best part about this is that no setup is required, and it comes with the 2 AAA batteries that you need. By the way, you can control the channel and volume of the TV with this, and it has a soft rubber texture. It also has some great motion-activated backlit buttons.

So yes, there are a lot of great features, and it can be purchased on the PDP site for $19.99.

Let’s close with the Wired Marauder SRS Headset. I would imagine that Titanfall 2 has been doing pretty well since the end of last month, and so it makes sense that there are all kinds of accessories with that theme from this very popular gaming franchise.

This headset has 40 mm Neodymium dynamic haptic audio drivers, as well as the obligatory flexible boom mic. Like the LVL 5 Plus for the PS4, it has very easy to access controls at the ear cup. Speaking of ear cups, these are quite comfortable and the headband is adjustable as well.

By the way, it has the PDP trademark lights, and look at the Titanfall paint job (similar to the controller). The Titanfall 2 Marauder SRS Headset for the Xbox One is available for $69.99 on the PDP site.

Geekscape Tech Review: STM Haven 15-inch Laptop Backpack

by GadgetManDecember 6, 2016

With the holidays almost upon us, perhaps one good gift idea is a laptop backpack. I have seen a lot of great products from STM, and I will be reviewing at least one more. For now, I want to talk about the STM Haven for 15-inch laptops.

The Haven is great for travel and allows devices to stay suspended inside. Part of it is the slingtech protection. It has a whole lot of space for a laptop, and the same place has a pocket for a tablet.

Then the Haven has a whole different pocket available for books and stuff, as well as an an outer and inner pocket for cables and such. There is even a place for a water bottle or something like it.

One thing that I noticed about the Haven is there are holes in it that are presumably designed to pass through headphone wires. The Haven is definitely designed to be a backpack for the information age, and since practically everyone has a laptop.

So, if you are looking for a good gift for someone who travels a lot, the I would recommend the STM Haven laptop backpack. It is available on the STM site for $99.95 in black, frost gray, moroccan blue, and steel.

Geekscape Tech Review: PDP Afterglow AG 9 (PS4), Afterglow LVL 5 Plus (PS4), and Titanfall 2 Backpack (with OGIO)

by GadgetManDecember 5, 2016

If you have heard of PDP, then you know that they make some great video game accessories. These particular accessories, made for all three consoles, have a habit of glowing, which has become their trademark. I’ll talk more about them tomorrow, but today, I’m going to cover two headsets for the PS4 and a specially made Titanfall 2 backpack made in partnership with OGIO.

I’ll start with the Afterglow AG 9 wireless headset, and it has powerful 50 mm drivers with two distinct audio modes of Bass Boost and Pure Audio. It also has a unique headband design for adjusting for comfort, and it has the blue lights. The wireless capability is achieved thanks to the included USB transmitter.

Another feature is the boom microphone that is flexible and removable. Yes, it is made for making conversation online while you are playing on the PS4.
You should be able to purchase the Afterglow AG 9 on the PDP site for $99.99.

As for the Afterglow LVL 5 Plus, it has 40 mm Neodymium drivers as well as a dynamic haptic driver. This great sound will be on your on your head in the form of a comfortable headband design, and you can drown out the rest of the world with some over the ear cups.

While I’m on the subject of ear cups, PDP was smart enough to put the volume and mute right on the ear cup of the Afterglow LVL 5. There is also a nice and adjustable boom microphone.

You should be able to find the Afterglow LVL 5 Plus on the PDP site for $49.99.

Oh, and by the way, both PS4 headsets have the lights. They are blue because it is the PS4. I think the model for the Xbox One is green. I wonder if the color of the lights is some kind of standard for gaming systems.

Time to change gears and talk about something Titanfall 2 related. This Licensed Titanfall 2 PDP product is also an OGIO Backpack, and I have to say that it is not necessarily for hardcore Titanfall fans only. PDP apparently had some kind of partnership with OGIO, who makes some really great backpacks.

Most backpacks designed for laptops usually do 15-inch ones, but this one is good for 17-inch laptops, and the padding will keep not only your computer safe, but you can slip a tablet in there as well. Yes, a lot of backpacks have this, and this is just the first zippered area. The second zippered-off area is good to stuff quite a few things in.

Then there are two zippered pockets on the outside, and they can store a lot of pens, calculators, as well as accessories to your laptop and tablet. Hey, you got to put those charging cords and other things somewhere.

Yes, you could just get an ordinary laptop backpack for that, and there are a lot to choose from. However, does your backpack have Velcro patches from Titanfall 2? I’m just going to say no.

Now, I couldn’t find the Titanfall backpack on either the PDP or OGIO site, but I was able to find it on Amazon for $90.22.

Geekscape Tech Review: Jabra Sports Pulse Special Edition and Halo Smart Wireless Earbuds

by GadgetManDecember 5, 2016

If you aren’t familiar with Jabra, then you are probably familiar with their black and yellow look. They also make a lot of Bluetooth-related products, and we had a chance to try out the Jabra Sports Pulse Special Edition and Halo Smart Wireless Earbuds.

The Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition is another one of those wireless earbuds that goes around your neck. It is billed as “the world’s first sports headphones with automatic fitness testing”.

The Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition has a built-in heart rate monitor in the ear. It is apparently made with US military standards, which means that it can withstand war or the worst workout, maybe both. The Sport Pulse Special Edition also has passive noise cancellation and enhanced bass.

The Sport Pulse Special Edition has automatic VO2 Max tracking, which is “a scientific way to measure your absolute fitness”. It is a way of getting the maximum rate of oxygen that the body consumes during exercise, and helps determine the endurance level. So it has some VO2 Max levels for enhancing the user’s performance, as I don’t know much about this until I read about it. I think this is what makes this the Special Edition, but i’m not really certain.

These can do music and take calls for about 5 hours. That might not sound like much, but how long is your workout, anyway? By the way, you can integrate with apps like Endomondo, Strava, MapMyFitness, Runkeeper, and Runtastic. There is also a Jabra Sport Life app that will plan and monitor your exercise performance.

In case you are worried about the earbuds falling out, that won’t happen as it has a perfectly secure fit with COMPLY isolation foam ear tips. I am told that it has a 3-year warranty against sweat, so it must be resistant against some wetness and weather as well.

If this sounds like something you want, then head over to Jabra site and pay $159.99 for them.

As for the Halo Smart Wireless Earbuds, they are also one of those that wrap around the back of the head. I am told from Jabra that this style will soon be replaced with the wireless earbuds (coming next year from Jabra).

I am told that the Jabra Halo Smart can be worn all day, and part of it is the design. There is some kind of bendable design to make it easy. I will have to admit that I’m sort of becoming immune to the feeling of headphones in my ears, as I have them practically in my ears all the time.

Of course, you can be listening to music and take phone calls. It is definitely made for the Siri and Google Now era as there is a special button devoted for it. I suppose if these are comfortable enough to wear all day, then you might as well have your personal voice assistant to talk to.

The Halo Smart Wireless Earbuds allows for 17 hours of talk time or 15 hours of music on a full charge. There is an app that tells you how much battery life is available.

Another feature is that the Halo Smart Wireless Earbuds is wind and weather resistant, but that is all the information that I have about it. It doesn’t sound like you can dip them in water, and believe me, I am not testing that.

You can purchase the Jabra Halo Smart on the Jabra site in Black, Black with Blue, and Black with Red for $79.95.

Geekscape Tech Review: Nite Ize INOVA STS PowerSwitch, Nite Howl Glowing Collar, and Radiant 300 Rechargeable Lantern

by GadgetManDecember 2, 2016

This is yet review of Nite Ize products, and it is an illuminated one. Yes, its time for a glowing review of the INOVA STS PowerSwitch, the Night Howl Dog Collar, and the Radiant 300 Rechargeable Lantern.

The first is the Nite Ize INOVA STS PowerSwitch, which is a lantern made for the cranium. When the INOVA STS PowerSwitch is attached to your head, you can swipe your finger to turn it on or off. If you swipe to your left you get a white light, swipe left again and you will get a blinking light. Should you swipe to the right, you will get the same results, but with a red light. I had a difficult time getting it to work at first, but I have a hunch that repeated attempts could make it easier.

As for the power, it has a Lithium Ion battery that is rechargeable, or you also have the option of 3 AAA batteries with a maximum of 280 lumens. By the way, it is also IPX7 waterproof.

I would have to say that the INOVA STS PowerSwitch is quite a deal, and it can be purchased on the Nite Ize site for $59.99 along with the accessories of Battery Pack ($24.99), Bike Mount ($6.99), Headlamp Bracket and Strap ($6.99), along with Helmet Mount ($6.99).

This next item is definitely is a very useful light on the head, but only if you are a dog. This is the Nite Ize NiteHowl glowing collar.

It is made for dogs with 12-27 inch necks, and you literally have to cut it with scissors or knife to adjust it. It is designed to pop one end in and out for putting on your dog, and the glow can be blinking if you like. It does operate on batteries, so it can’t glow forever.

However, it is handy to have what looks like a lightsaber around your furry friend’s neck. Like most dog owners, I let my dog out in the dark of night, and now I can see her a whole lot easily. It helps when it comes to wiping her paws as well. I am amazed how easy it is to lose the rag to wipe my dog’s paws.

You can get the NiteHowl glowing collar in Green, Blue, Red, or Orange for about $12.19 on the Nite Ize site.

I will end with the Radiant 300 Rechargeable Lantern. The Nite Ize Radiant 300 Rechargeable Lantern has a one button operation. By clicking it once, you will get a bright white light, and clicking it a few more time will turn the luminosity down. If you hold down the button, then the light will glow red. It shines very brightly, and it has an optical diffuser made for a uniform beam pattern.

What makes the Nite Ize Radiant 300 lantern great is that it is rechargeable, and there are USB ports for charging the lantern as well as a way to allow the lantern to charge mobile devices.

Yes, this is a very useful tool to have in this mobile age, and it is available for $44.99 on the Nite Ize site.

Geekscape Tech Review: Netatmo Healthy Home Coach and Presence

by GadgetManDecember 2, 2016

I don’t know if you have heard of Netatmo, but they make some great connected devices. I had a chance to try out two devices from them with the Healthy Home Coach and the Presence.

Netatmo’s Healthy Home Coach is this copper can that you see here on the left side. This Healthy Home Coach bills itself as a “Smart Indoor Climate Monitor”, and it appears to be targeted to families. The Healthy Home Monitor is like a thermometer/barometer/monitor for your home, as it measures its health in four ways. If you want any updates on the four of these areas, just tap it on top.

1) Air Quality: This is for the one who is concerned with indoor air pollution, as well as just poor ventilation in general.

2) Humidity: If you are concerned about the humidity of your house affecting your skin or creating mold, this will tell you if you need a humidifier or not.

3) Temperature: Just like it reads, this will allow you make certain that your house is at the optimal setting of warm or cool, whichever you like.

4) Noise: This is for monitoring the sound level in your house, which will literally help you sleep better at night.

Netatmo seems to imply that this is good for a baby’s room, and you definitely want to be concerned about that if you have a child in the house. However, the Healthy Home Coach is made for all rooms, and you can even connect them together with the help of the application. Best of all, there is an easy set up via Wi-Fi, and there are no subscription fees.

You should be able purchase the Healthy Home Coach on the Netatmo site for $99.99. Don’t be surprised if you see other devices like it in the future.

Okay, now it is time to talk about the Netatmo Presence. It is a private security monitor that is made for an era where a lot of people have them. Not only is the Netatmo Presence affordable, but it is quite easy to install. Just think of it as another outdoor light.

Yes, all that white space on the Presence is made to be a floodlight, and it is a smart one. You can program it to switch on when it detects either a person, car, or animal, or maybe just all three from up to 65 feet or 20 meters. By the way, the application allows for clicking the light on from a smartphone or tablet.

While we are discussing the application, it keeps track of the animals, cars, or people that will be passing by. Since this is a security camera, you can record the footage on the included SD card. You can also store the videos automatically on a personal DropBox cloud or a personal FTP server. If you want to see what happened during the day, there is a timelapse feature, and the videos are full HD quality with a pinch-to-zoom for details.

I am told that the Netatmo Presence has some “bank level” security, but I am not certain how good it truly is. Anyway, this is quite a product, and would make an excellent gift for anyone who wants a bit more security for the holiday season. The Presence can be purchased on the Netatmo site for $299.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Nite Ize Steelie Vent Mount, PowerKey, and QuikStand

by GadgetManDecember 1, 2016

If you check out Nite Ize, they make some very good accessories. This is one of a two part series about Nite Ize products, and I will focus on the Steelie Vent Mount, the PowerKey, and the QuikStand.

The first is actually two items made to be combined into one, and I wanted to make certain that you see what they do together. This is the Steelie Freemount and the Vent Mount.

The Vent Mount is what it sounds like, a way to mount a smartphone to the vent of your car. This Vent Mount can clamp on to those Venetian Blind things on your car’s ventilation system. (Yeah, I don’t know the proper name for it.) This section has a steel ball on it, and it magnetizes to the Freemount. It fits like a magnet to a ball (yeah, I couldn’t think of a good analogy), but this makes it very adjustable.

The Freemount has a ring that sticks on the Vent Mount and there are clamps to hold the smartphone. It fits like a…I don’t know, I am really having trouble coming up with good descriptors today. Anyway, you can then easily adjust the angle of viewing in case you want to use your GPS or whatnot.

I believe that the complete set of Freemount and the Vent Mount can be purchased on the Nite Ize site for $39.99.

I’ll continue with the PowerKey. I realize that this looks like an ordinary keychain, and it could easily be used as one.

However, what you don’t see is that this thing is a charging/sync cord, and the keychain part is just a shell for it. (Hey, that’s a good descriptor!) The PowerKey Mini Power Cord is made to just join with a USB port, which can be found just about everywhere these days.

So, it certain is useful, isn’t it? That’s right, it is good for Apple Lightning cable for $17.99 and Micro USB for $14.99. In spite of the differing prices, they come in the same colors of Blue, Lime, Smoke, and Orange right here.

As for this last product, the QuikStand, it resembles a razor blade, at least in the packaging. However, you can see what the product actually does in the picture to the left, because it is a stand for a mobile device.

Best of all, you can fold up this stand into something the size of a credit card, and it can even fit in your wallet. Then, when you are ready to watch video or do some video chatting, you can just prop up that mobile device and get to work. The QuikStand is pretty much adjustable, so you can manipulate the touchscreen at multiple angles.

The QuikStand makes a great stocking stuffer, and it can be purchased for a low price of $9.99 right here.

Geekscape Tech Review: Reticare Screen Protectors, Reducing Eye Damage on Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, and more!

by GadgetManDecember 1, 2016

It’s time to talk about something potentially uncomfortable in the mobile age. The issue is that we are living in a world of screens on our smartphones, tablets, and computers, but we are not thinking about the effects of it. Fortunately, there is Reticare, which provides eye protection for tablets, smartphones, laptops, monitors, and so much more.

I first encountered Reticare at CES 2016, and I allowed the spokesperson the time it took to discuss the problem with our modern age. I seemed to recall that I took several minutes there, which is rare for any booth that I visit at CES. I guess I knew that I wanted to write about it there, so I made certain to stay and listen.

The issue is that new digital device screens emit 5 times more high energy light than previous ones, and this high exposure to light increases eye strain and increase risk factors to the retina. This can lead to eye strain and even do some irreversible damage to your retina.

Blocking this high-energy light will improve cell survival, and so this is what Reticare is for. As you can see, it is a cover for the iPhone, and it is also available for tablets, laptops, and monitors.

Reticare might sound like a sugar pill for this problem with so many screens, but it is a result of scientific work conducted by University of Complutence Madrid, led by Dr. Celia Sanchez-Ramos, an award winning scientist and an expert on macular degeneration, along with 140 prestigious scientists.

I wish I could say that I saw improvement with Reticare, but the issue is that Reticare is made for long-term improvement. This is something that really needs to be proven to see if it works well. I am told that it reduces risks of sleep disorders, eye strain, and macular degeneration.

The issue is that isn’t your iPhone worth the $19.99 for a decent screen protector that might protect your eyes as well? I would definitely say that it is worth it, and can be purchased for $19.99 on the Reticare site. Oh, and there are Reticare protectors available for tablets, laptops, monitors, and more devices, all at varied prices and various sizes.

Geekscape Tech Review: iHome FIT Wireless (iB73), Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (iBT9), and Vanity Speaker (iCVBT5)

by GadgetManNovember 30, 2016

If you are not familiar with iHome, I believe they probably started with making docks for the iPods, back when that was a thing. They now make accessories for all kinds of tablets and smartphones, and I had a chance to review three of their products with the iHome FIT Wireless (iB73), the Vanity Speaker (iCVBT5), and the Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (iBT9).

I’ll start with the iHome Fit Wireless. This product, also known as the iB73, is one of those Bluetooth 4.0 earbuds that goes around the neck. It is probably not the first Bluetooth product of its type for iHome, and these type of models are being phased out by the wireless earbuds that have already started to hit the market.

Let’s talk about the iPX5-rated water resistant and sweat-proof design. Yes, it is definitely designed for those with active lifestyles, and the custom fit ear cushions should keep the iHome iB73 in your ears.

As far as the amount of time you will have to listen to your tunes, I am told that you got about 8-10 hours on a full charge. Of course, it includes the micro USB cable and a handy travel pouch.

The iHome iB73 also has that built-in microphone for a switch so you can take phone calls. The controls are located very close to the ears, by the way. It’s odd design, but at least your fingers will find it quickly.

You should be able to purchase the iHome Fit Wireless on the iHome site for $79.99 in blue, red, or green.

Then there is the wireless, waterproof, and shockproof Bluetooth speaker. That’s about the best name I can give this product, besides its name of iBT9. If you want to know what this Bluetooth speaker is good for, just imagine taking this to the beach. That seems to be the thing that I always say when I see speakers like this.

I’ll just get this out of the way and say that I have seen this product before from Fugoo and others, but this does not make the iBT9 inferior. The iHome Waterproof speaker is understandably waterproof and dustproof, and it is also made to be shockproof.

You can stream your tunes to it via Bluetooth, so make certain that your tablet or smartphone has a good playlist. I’m told that you have nine hours with a full charge.

The iBT9 has the usual stuff like an aux-in jack, and a USB port for charging other devices. So it is part speaker and part mobile battery.

You should be able to pick the iBT9 up at the iHome site for about $99.99.

I’m going to end with the most unusual: the iHome Vanity Speaker or iCVBT5. The iCVBT5 is essentially made to be that one vanity mirror that we all have. It has the 1x and 5x magnification settings, and it also has some bright LED action going on around it.

The issue is that this vanity mirror is a speaker. You can pair it with a mobile device via Bluetooth or just a wired connection. The iHome Vanity Speaker is something that should be wireless, but it does require plugging it into the wall. I’m not certain if you should use it by your bathroom sink if you are worried that the cord could get wet. What is interesting is how the iHome iCVBT5 has a USB port, so you can charge something while you’re looking at yourself.

The one drawback for the iCVBT5 is that the box says full spectrum color, and I thought that meant you could make the LED light on it any color. That might be a great feature for the next version of this product, but sadly, the only color of the light is white.

Still, the iHome Vanity Speaker is a very, very useful item for any home in any room. It is available on the iHome website for $99.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Brydge 9.7 Keyboard for the iPad Air and iPad Air 2 and the Brydge 12.9

by GadgetManNovember 30, 2016

I realize that what you are looking at in the image looks to be an overhead view of a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. However, if you look closer at the shots from different angles, this is an iPad on a Brydge keyboard.

Yes, this is a Brydge, and it is spelled as incorrectly as a super-hero of the nineties (because poor literacy is kewl). When I saw this product on display at CES with an iPad in it, I thought I was looking at a small MacBook, and perhaps this is the point of this product.

Yes, there are some people that want a Bluetooth 3.0 keyboard when they type on an iPad, and might welcome the set-up of a laptop. This is the beauty of the Brydge, as it can turn an Apple tablet into a laptop, or the next best thing, at least. It’s great for someone who is more productive when hearing the clickity-click of keyboard buttons, rather than being dependent on touchscreen technology. So it is perfect for the older generation, like me. By the way, the hinge can go back 180 degrees, better than most laptops.

The good news is the Brydge keyboard has 3 month’s of battery life on a single one hour charge via included micro USB cable. It really is a wondrous product for those who wish to transform an Apple tablet into an Apple laptop, at the lowest possible price.

Yes, there is a lot of good reasons to purchase a Brydge 9.7, and it can be found on the Brydge site for about $129.99 in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.

In addition to the Brydge 9.7, I was also pleased to try out the Brydge for the 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Other than the bigger width, I wasn’t certain what I was expecting. The 12.9 inch iPad Pro fits right in the clamps, and it then folds up together.

Part of the surprise was the light weight, because an iPad Pro 12.9 and the 12.9 inch Brydge actually weigh less than the 13-inch MacBook Pro. That’s good engineering, considering that the keyboard is all aluminum.

So, how good is the battery life of the Brydge 12.9? Like the model for the 9.7 inch iPad, it is good for 3 months on a full charge, and can be charged via the included micro USB cable. As an added bonus, the keyboard has backlit keys.

The Brydge 12.9 is available on the Brydge company website for a price of $189.99. It is available in Silver, Space Gray, or Gold, and both of these products might be marked down for the holiday season.

Geekscape Tech Review: Prong PWR Case for the iPhone 6 and 6S

by GadgetManNovember 29, 2016

If you aren’t familiar with Prong, it was founded by two people who wanted to cut the cord when it comes charging your phones. It was them who came up with a case that can plug into the wall, and I believe the design has been copied (I mean, imitated) by many.

You read the title correctly, and this is a report on an accessory for the iPhone 6 and 6S. Yes, I realize that there is an iPhone 7 out now for the last few months, but Prong does not currently have a product available for that, and probably won’t until after the holiday. For those who have the iPhone 6/6S, this is easily one of the better accessories that you can buy for it with the PWR Case by Prong.

Prong has created a mobile battery charger that is also a case. This is not a new idea, but what makes this different is how is how it works. A lot of battery cases and chargers are big and bulky, and the Prong PWR Case is no exception. As you can see, you can disconnect the case charging case and still have a smaller case for your iPhone 6/6S. You can see how it looks on the left and right sides.

I hope that isn’t complicated, but this has an iPhone case that has a transparent backing. As for the backup battery, it has these fold-out prongs so it can fit nice in your wall. By the way, there is a built-in Micro USB port in case you want to recharge it that way, too. Then it has some great four LED lights that I swear are a standard for a mobile battery, because every mobile battery that I have reviewed in the past has them.

As for how much power it can give, it varies: it can do 2X Battery Power for $99.00 or 2.3X for $119.00. If you want it for yourself, you can get it on the Prong site.

Geekscape Tech Review: Thinium ReCHARGE+

by GadgetManNovember 29, 2016

This is the Thinium ReCHARGE+, and it is made for micro USB Android phones.This particular charger is not made to be a charger and case like other products, but is a decent enough mobile battery. I have been noticing a particular trend in mobile batteries to have these prongs that fold out so you can plug it into the wall, and that certainly makes the Thinium ReCHARGE+ the charger for everybody.

The Thinium ReCHARGE+ is essentially a plastic rectangle that has some great stuff on it. It has this micro USB that can just pop out at the bottom, and then you can plug in the ReCHARGE+ to charge it up. I used these image progressions to show how it works, and it is pretty cool how it pops in an out like that. By the way, there are some suction cups included to make certain that your Android phone stays in one place.

To recharge the ReCHARGE+, you just extend the USB connector and plug it into a USB port, because every device has one these days. By the way, the ReCHARGE+ has a USB port for charging other things. So if you have the other electric devices, and you have the USB cord, then you should use it.

I highly recommend the Thinium ReCHARGE+ if you have an Android phone or any other remote device, then it really comes in handy. It is available on the Thinium site for about $69.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: MOXYO Mia Lightning Cable, Avenue Premium Earbuds, and USB Portable Powerbank

by GadgetManNovember 28, 2016

It seems like there are a lot of companies that can make a profit by simply selling accessories, and BGZ brands MOXYO is on its way. Today, I’ll be reviewing three different accessories including the Mia Lightning cable, the Avenue Premium Earbuds, and the USB Portable Powerbank.

I suppose that this first item isn’t that remarkable, but MOXYO knows how to make the Mia rechargeable Lightning cable interesting. It is a durable wire that has a six foot cable (or 3 foot, but the one I tried was double).

This is the Mia, which is a Charge and Sync Cable with a Lightning cable. In case what you are wondering why it is called the Mia, it apparently stands for Miami International Airport. Just to let you know, we’re going to see a lot of weird naming things happening.

You should be able to purchase it on the MOXYO site for about $24.99.

Continuing with the Avenue earbuds, it also has an unusual name. In case you are wondering why it is called the Avenue, it is apparently a reference to the Avenues of downtown Salt Lake City.

Yeah, I don’t know what’s up, but the MOXYO Avenue Earbuds have 8 mm drivers with high end brushed aluminum housing for higher clarity audio. There is a soft touch, tangle-free flat cable, and it has one of those microphones with a call/pickup button.

What is interesting is how inexpensive they are for just $29.99 at the MOXYO site.

This last MOXYO product isn’t anything that I haven’t seen before, and society as a whole need more of them. After all, the problem with most smartphones and tablets is you need one of these mobile batteries, especially for activities like Pokemon GO and so forth.

The Portable Powerbank has a 2600 Amh in it, and it is made to give a smartphone for at least one full charge. It is designed to be cylindrical, so it can fit in your back pocket.

By the way, it comes with a 6-inch micro-USB charging cable, and it even comes with a full charge with it. I would imagine that might have been a little difficult to make this product with this full charge, but what do I know?

If you want the Portable Powerbank, it can be purchased on the MOXYO site for $24.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: MyCharge Razor Platinum, Portable Charger for MacBook

by GadgetManNovember 28, 2016

If you have never heard of MyCharge, then you should know that they are creators of some great mobile batteries. This time, the MyCharge Razor Platinum isn’t just your average mobile battery, but this one is capable of charging a laptop.

I am told that the MyCharge Razor Platinum is the first portable charger that can do a laptop, specifically an Apple laptop. The MyCharge Razor Platinum is 8 times as powerful as a battery, and the USB-C port delivers a 36 W output can charge a MacBook in about 100 minutes.

On the reverse side, you can recharge the Razor Platinum via the MacBook 29 Watt adaptor in just two hours. By the way, it also charges any tablet, smartphone, or other device Razor Platinum standard USB-A port.

So, is there a power trade-off going on here? This Powerbank recharges up to 50 percent faster than competitors. By the way, you can charge the powerbank and connected device at the same time, hence the image on the right of the featured image.

If you want to get this, it is available on the MyCharge site for $99.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Pelican Protector and Voyager Cases for the iPhone 7

by GadgetManNovember 25, 2016

We had a chance to try out two of Pelican products, and they are well-known for making products that give many devices (including tablets and smartphones) all kinds of protection. Even though what you are seeing here is the Pelican Protector and Voyager Cases (from order of left to right), and although they look very similar, they are quite different.

The Pelican Protector for the iPhone 7 has all the drop resistance, shock protection, as well as the non-slip grip. What is interesting is how this particular case feels a bit smoother than its Voyager companion, but it doesn’t come with the screen protector. Oh, by the way, it has the same guarantee for life that is associated with Pelican products.

Apparently , there is an absorbing TPR rubber lining that can protect the device. Just squeezing it without the iPhone 7 feels like I have a stress ball in my hand.

It is a pretty great case, and it comes in Black/Gray, Pink/Gray, or Aqua/Gray. I found it on Amazon for about $39.99, and it is also available at Best Buy and the AT&T store.

As for the Voyager for the iPhone 7, it has a similar design and a soft touch over-mold. That means that it won’t slide out of your hand so easily, and I’m not certain if that is an issue with a naked iPhone 7.

The Pelican Voyager also has a rigid polycarbonate shell, and it has a decent screen protector. If you are thinking that it is good for protection, you would be right, and I’m told that it is good for military specifications. In fact, it has a lifetime guarantee. In addition to this, it also has an easy to use holster as well as a swiveling belt clip.

All and all, the Pelican Voyager is also a great product, and you can find it on Amazon for a price of $49.99, as well as places like Best Buy and AT&T. You can find out more information about it and its colors here.

Geekscape Tech Review: LifePrint Photo and Video Printer

by GadgetManNovember 25, 2016

I first saw the LifePrint Photo and Video Printer when I was at CES 2016 last January in Las Vegas, and I thought it was hands-down the coolest thing that was at the show. By the way, I am hoping that I can go in the next few months for CES 2017, but that is another story.

Before I talk about the LifePrint Photo and Video Printer, I felt it was just much better to link to this promo video from Lifeprint instead. LifePrint began as a crowdfunded project, but it has become a way to make the printed photo relevant again.

In case you are one of the rare ones who would rather read text than watch a video, here is what the LifePrint can do. It uses the power of augmented reality in order to turn an ordinary photo into a video.

It is pretty simple to make this work, as the LifePrint App (for Apple and will soon be available on Android) collects all photos and videos from the camera, and this includes anything on Apple Live Photos, Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, Facebook, GoPro, and Twitter.

Once you have chosen your video, you can essentially create your “cover”. This is the one still image that will serve as your photo for your augmented reality video. If you want to, you can even touch up the photo using the editing tools on the application.

From there, you can print your photo on the LifePrint printer, and then view it through LifePrint’s viewer. Your still shot will be still no longer, and your memory from that photo will spring to life, as a video!

This is something that you just have to see in order to believe. Lifeprint has made a comparison to Harry Potter, and if you remember seeing the moving picture newspaper headlines from any one of those movies, the comparison is pretty honest. Of course, Harry and his wizard friends didn’t need a smartphone or tablet to make this magic work.

Now, here is the interesting part: you can print your cover photo from other LifePrint Photo and Video printers around the world, provided they are on your network. This I didn’t get a chance to try out, as I don’t know anyone who has one of these yet. I have hunch that will change as LifePrint has the potential to be next thing in social networking.

The LifePrint Audio and Video printer is quite small at 5 x 3 x 1 inches, and can print 10-15 photos (2 x 3 inches) per charge. It takes 1 hour for a full charge, and has a 30 second printing time.

It is interesting that LifePrint realized in advance that people will use LifePrint for turning possibly non-X-rated photos into X-rated videos. It says on their site that their printer is straight up sexy, but that is not what they mean. Let’s hope that this doesn’t become an issue, as people already talk about sexting so much that it’s a big hot button issue.

The LifePrint Photo and Video Printer can be purchased for $129.95 on the Lifeprint site, and it requires some special photo paper to work (with a 110 pack costing $49.95). While I’m talking about the other accessories, I should bring up the other specs.

What I’m Thankful For: Lego Technic/Mindstorms

by GadgetManNovember 24, 2016

I hope that everyone is sitting around a table being thankful for what they have. I am, of course, thankful for people in my life who love me and have made a difference, but I’m not going to ignore something that really helped me grow up. Yes, I am talking about Lego the “toys you grow up with”, and it was the subject of three books that I have written.

I’m sure that everyone has a pleasant Lego memory, and I’ll share mine when it comes to Technic and Mindstorms. It happened over thirty years ago when I got set 948 for Christmas, which was a few years after Lego started its “Expert Set” program. Before that, I was used to playing with the usual blocks, slates, and the usual Lego bricks.

However, these Lego sets were full of holes. Then you could put these axles and connector pegs in the holes, and make all kinds of weird things. It also had these gears, and the Go Kart that you could make had rack and pinion steering.

It was as if that someone gave me the ability to make technology, and the only thing that stopped me was the fact that I couldn’t buy more Expert set pieces. I went through a phase when I stopped building with Lego, and then I started up again, probably when I was too old.

High school ended, then college, and sometime during that time, Lego rebranded their Expert Sets into Technic. The pieces also went from being bricks into beams after about a decade, and I started collecting those. They also added some terrific motorized pieces as well.

What is really interesting is how you can use these Technic-al pieces to build just about anything. A while ago, I noticed that Apress had several books about their programmable Lego sets with Mindstorms, but not much on the Technic.

It’s really interesting that I essentially was given an assignment to write a book about Lego. This was back when I was writing books for a living, and I was pleased to rekindle my love for Lego Technic. What I really enjoyed was how the motors could really spring something to life, as I didn’t have the Lego motor as a kid.

There was something really healing about building a machine that could not only go, but could steer as well. We live in a world with so many problems, and it is nice just to sit down, create your own problem specifically so you can find a solution for it.

My first book, Practical Lego Technics, was really all about introducing readers to building the most basic structures in Lego Technic. I was able to craft cars, planes, cranes, forklifts, and helicopters.

The next book that I wrote was Lego Technic Robotics, which was actually two chapters from my first book that I just couldn’t fit in. I really enjoyed creating constructions that would move like robots, and managed to created robot arms, and then I managed to figure out how to make a Lego creation that could walk. It was something that I was never able to really perfect as a kid, and it felt like an accumulation of something very important.

Then, when I was at CES one year, I was introduced to Lego Mindstorms, the EV3 (or third) version. I have to admit that I liked how the motors were programmable, and they can do so much more than Technic. Not only do you have to learn how to build, but you have to learn to program as well. It’s a little tricky, and I can see why some kids have groups for these. I was pleased to work with Lego directly to receive the first review units of Lego Mindstorms, and so I wrote my last book for Apress with Beginning Lego Mindstorms EV3.

Sadly, I can’t spend my time playing with Lego all day, and I always thought that the creations I made could be much better if I only had more time. I don’t really even have the time to dabble in it today, but it is something that I encourage from anyone.

Geekscape Tech Review: Beyerdynamic Byron Wired Earbuds, Custom Street Headphones, and iDX 200 iE Earbuds

by GadgetManNovember 23, 2016

If you haven’t heard of Beyerdynamic, then your ears are missing out. I got a chance to try out three of their latest products with the Byron Wired Earbuds, the Custom Street Headphones, and the iDX 200 iE Earbuds.

I’ll start with the Byron Wired Earbuds. These premium earphones have some seriously powerful neodymium speakers for some serious sound and bass. They come with some silicone eartips for comfort and isolation, and it has a carrying bag included for even more classiness.

There is a 3-button remote control and a hands-free microphone. I don’t think I need to tell you how good the sound is, but it has a 9.0 mm speaker diameter if you want the tech specs.

Normally, I don’t included any pictures of the packaging on my reports, but the Android logo is featured prominently in the corner of the packaging on this Beyerdynamic product. I guess I can see why, as the iPhone 7 is missing that headphone jack, so why not promote some earbuds designed for mobile living to the Android devices that can accept something with a headphone jack?

You should be able to purchase the Byron earbuds on the Beyerdynamic site for about $49.95.

As far as the Custom Street Headphones are concerned, I’m going to start by telling you that I have no idea why it is called the “Custom Street”. I suppose that if you were designing a street, you would have a lot of variations. In this case, the Custom Street has a lot of options, and I guess it’s really street.

For example, there is a customizable style as you can take out these little circles on the side to make it look very different each time. There is also a Custom Sound Slider, allowing the user to switch from several different sound profiles like “Heavy Bass” or “Analytical”.

You can also change out the cable so it is a device for DJing, an extra pair of headphones, and you can also add a gooseneck mic as well. By the way, it comes with a mic on it so you can do some phone calls.

The Beyerdynamic headphones come with a case and can be found on the Beyerdynamic website for $149.00.

I am very pleased to try out these new earbuds with the iDX 200 iE. These are some pretty great looking earbuds in a market that is very crowded with them, and the cans in the ears are nice and metallic with titanium.

If you are wondering whether or not this pair of high-quality earbuds come with a microphone, then fear not. After all, that is kind of a standard feature these days, and it has a 3-button remote that is good for all Apple and many Android devices as well.

What is interesting is how the cables are flat, and they are flexible as they are detachable. The cable length is 40 cm and it can be extended with a 90 cm cable. In case you are worried about it not being comfortable, well, it has 7 sizes of silicone eartips along with 3 pairs of Comply eartips.

The sound is good, and worthy of having the Beyerdynamic label. If you want to try these out for yourself, I have so far been only able to find them on Beyerdynamic’s Europe site for €199.00.

Geekscape Tech Review: Bodyguardz Pure 2 Premium Glass Screen Protector and Ace Pro Case, for the iPhone 7

by GadgetManNovember 23, 2016

If you are not familiar with the Bodyguardz line, they are the ones that make a lot of great screen protectors, great cases, and a lot of other great products as well. It was started in 2002, and has become one of the fastest-growing companies in 2016, according to Fortune 500.

I had a chance to try out two of their new products for the iPhone 7, which includes the Pure 2 Premium Glass Screen Protector and Ace Pro Case. These two things are practically made for each other, and I can’t help but wonder if this is part of the plan.

Apparently, this Pure 2 screen protector is made from a tempered glass known as Aluminosilicate. I never heard of this particular material, and I don’t think it was just made up for product. This is much better than the soda-lime glass in other screen protectors. This Aluminosilicate, which I hope I didn’t misspell, is 5 times more scratch resistant, with a 25 percent increase in drop performance, and 25 percent lower visibility of scratches.

Best of all, it is very easy to apply. It is available to purchase on the Bodyguardz site for about $39.95.

As for the Ace Pro Case, it has Unequal Technology for the Apple iPhone 7. I am not certain what makes it Unequal, but I will have to say that the case is a lot more pliable than it looks.

I mean, you would think that case would be a hardcase, but it’s not. Actually, I just checked on what is Unequal, and this is apparently what athletes use on the field for impact protection.

Well, it certainly protects the back of the iPhone 7, as well as the sides of it as well. There is also some raised bezel made to protect the front of the device.

If you want the Bodyguardz Ace Pro Case, it come in a lot of color schemes like Smoke/Black, Clear/Gray, Pink/White, Blue/White, and a strong women edition for about $34.95 on the Bodyguardz site.

Geekscape Tech Review: Case Logic LoDo Large Backpack

by GadgetManNovember 22, 2016

When it comes to technology, there are all kinds of non-technological accessories available for them. We are going to look at a lot of them before the holiday season, and now we are going to review a device made for holding a laptop with the LoDo Large Backpack, made for holding some kind of 15.6-inch laptop.

Not only can you hold an Apple laptop in there, but there is a pocket there for an iPad there as well. There is a mesh pocket inside with a zipper for the accessories, and the top can be strung tight.

The material is pretty soft, and I am told that it has a high quality cotton canvas exterior. Whatever it is, it feels pretty good, and the straps make it a comfortable load.

You will notice that there are two buckles there to hold it shut, and the two pockets on the back of this backpack as well. The pockets have snaps, but they are magnetic closing as well. The top also has a zipper pocket that is designed to hold a cellular phone.

If this sounds like something that you want, head on over to the Case Logic site and lay down $84.99 for it.

Geekscape Tech Review: Henge Docks Clique for the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad

by GadgetManNovember 22, 2016

If you are not familiar with Henge Docks products, they really make a lot of great accessories. For example, they have Vertical Docks, Horizontal Docks, and Mobile Docks, and they are great for Apple products. Henge Docks are the natural creators of the Clique, and it works well with some Apple accessories.

Basically, the Henge Docks Clique is essentially a stand made to hold Apple’s Wireless Keyboard with the Magic Trackpad (1st Generation). This is an issue for people who have this, and it is nice that these important controls are all in one place.

There is another way to use this, which is on your lap. Fortunately, there are external power buttons that enable the keyboard and trackpad to be powered on or off without the need to remove these devices from the dock.

This is something that Mac users can really get their heads behind, and in front of. It is available on the Henge Docks site for just $25 USD.

Geekscape Tech Review: RhinoShield Crashguard Bumper Case and Screen Protector

by GadgetManNovember 21, 2016

So, we are definitely going to review a lot of great iPhone 7 products for the holiday season, and I was glad to review Rhinoshield products. I had a chance to review both the CrashGuard Bumper Case and the Screen Protector for the iPhone 7.

I had to admit that I had to try hard to find some interesting picture for the Crashguard Bumper Case. I settled on the image that you see here on the left, because the bumper case is really just a an edge that you just slide your iPhone 7 into. It is light, and it is designed to protect your edges. It makes the edges soft, and it makes it great for holding.

So, let’s talk about the screen protector…it is designed to protect your screen. The image on the right is supposed to be that, but screen protectors don’t photograph well because they are so…transparent. Man, it is difficult to find the right words for this article.

Seriously, the screen protector is made for impact protection, and you can smack it with a hammer, and you just should do that to test to see how well it works, honestly. I mean, everyone has a friend that has a cracked screen, and yet their phone still works. I might as well put a video here for it:

Anyway, if you have an iPhone 7, and you want this type of protection, head on over to the Rhinoshield site and lay down $24.99 for the CrashGuard Bumper Case and $29.99 for the Screen Protector (front and back protection).

Geekscape Tech Review: LAZY-HANDS Grips for both Phones and Tablets

by GadgetManNovember 21, 2016

The LAZY-HANDS Grips are proof that sometimes the simplest and non-technical ideas are the best kind. I have seen all kinds of cases for smartphones and tablets that allow you to operate them with one hand, but they are pretty expensive.

I get the feeling if a big corporation thought of the LAZY-HANDS grips first, then they would charge overwhelming prices for them. However, it was the inspiration of a couple in Colorado who realized that it is difficult to hold a mobile device like a Kindle. I applaud Christine and Danny Potter for their ingenuity, who decided to harness the power of Velcro for easy grips with the LAZY-HANDS Grips.

All that is required for the LAZY-HANDS Grips is to just to stick on the Velcro loop tape, and then you have the knuckles with the hook tape. Just to let you know, the finger holders are pretty small on my fingers, and I don’t think I have big hands. Because you know what they say about guys with big hands…I’ll move on, because I think we’re all sick of that suggestive joke.

As you can see from the picture, there are LAZY-HANDS Grips that are good for smartphones. You can see the Heavy-Duty 4-Loop grips made for tablets like the Microsoft Surface, and they basically work the same way as the LAZY-HANDS Grips for the smartphones. Yeah, there’s a bigger patch of Velcro there, but you got the knuckles.

You can get the 3-Loop Phone Grip for $10.99 and the Heavy-Duty 4-Loop grips for $20.99. There are also some other things that you can get on the LAZY-HANDS site. In fact, you can use the special savings word of GEEKSCAPE to run from today through December 5th. It will grant a 25% discount on all products from $9.99.

The lesson to be learned here about the LAZY-HANDS Grips is that we should shave with Occam’s Razor more often, and that the simplest and non-technical solution is sometimes the best. Also, it is important to go to every corner of CES. I actually believe that the first stop I made at CES 2016 was at a booth for LAZY-HANDS Grips, and hopefully, we will be reporting on CES 2017 soon.

Geekscape Tech Review: Ditto Wearable from Simplematters

by GadgetManNovember 18, 2016

The issue with having a smartphone is that you can get filled to the brim with notifications. With all the the texts, alarms, and emails that you can get, you will probably unlock into your phone with quite a bit to see before you can access your favorite apps. You could shell out a few hundred dollars for a smartwatch, or you could just pay a fraction of the cost for a Ditto device from Simplematters.

The Ditto is a small device that you can clip to yourself or just put on the included armband, and it will vibrate when you get a notification. Do you need to buy a smartwatch for that? Seriously, why wasn’t the Ditto invented first?

Ditto can work for over 60 applications, and you can set up customized vibration patterns for whatever notification that you want. There are even silent alarms and loads of customization aboard. Also and by the way, Ditto is waterproof.

By the way, you can also tether the phone to the Ditto, so you won’t be losing that smartphone again with Ditto reminding you. By the way, Ditto wirelessly connects to your smartphone from 50-100 feet away, and it doesn’t need charging thanks to its battery that lasts 3-6 months.

It can be picked up at the Ditto site for $39.95. As you can see by the image, you can get it in black or white, but you can also get it in clear. I was thinking about putting captions that said “Ditto” under the black model and “ditto Ditto” under the model in white, but I wasn’t certain whether that joke would work. Did it? Leave a comment if you get it.

Geekscape Tech Review: OnanOff Sound Cover

by GadgetManNovember 18, 2016

There are a lot of great tech companies out there, and I don’t blame you if you haven’t heard of OnanOff, but they make a lot of great products. I will quickly summarize this Sound Cover by saying that it is a speaker made for tablets, and it is stated that it can boost the iPad volume by 400 percent.

I have to admit that I thought the Sound Cover would be something else, but when I reviewed it, it did more than I thought. I thought the OnanOff Sound Cover was a speaker that can mount itself on the back of an iPad.

You can see in the image on the left is the Sound Cover as seen from the back, with the iPad is on the table, screen up. The shot on the right is what is actually on the front, and it is just a speaker.

The packaging says that it is from the iPad Air, so I thought this Sound Cover speaker was designed for the iPad Air, but honestly, the Sound Cover would work for any tablet.

In fact, I tried out the Sound Cover with my Android smartphone, and it worked with the Bluetooth for it. Yes, this speaker works wirelessly, and it works with an included wire too. In fact, out of curiosity, I connected the Sound Cover with my desktop, and I had a great speaker for my computer.

The speaker is very thin, but it has a lot of power to it with a 20 kHz high frequency performance. The front of it vibrates intensely, so it would be a mistake to lean your iPad or other tablet against it. You will notice how the Sound Cover has a backing that can lean out and become a stand, and the design is pretty impressive.

There are some other great features, such as a built-in microphone. It also comes with a travel bag, the 3.5 mm stereo cable, and a USB charging cable. The battery is a 3300mAh Lithium Polymer type, with 15 hours of playtime when fully charged.

In short, it is quite something, and should work with whatever smartphone, tablet, PC, or whatever has a headphone jack. It used to be $199.99, but is now available on the Onanoff site for $129.99 in gold, silver, and black.

Geekscape Tech Review: Nomad Leather iPhone Charging Wallet and Apple Watch Leather Strap

by GadgetManNovember 17, 2016

Okay, today’s review is not just one product, but two. They are both from Nomad, which makes some really high-quality accessories. In both today’s examples, these are high quality leather Nomad products.

The Nomad Leather Charging Wallet

Have you ever had a product that was so useful that you almost felt guilty for spending money for it? This Nomad Leather Charging Wallet is one of them, and it is made for charging an iPhone and holding your money. This particular wallet is made of leather, and I had a chance to try out the Bi-Fold wallet, which has a 2400 mAh battery. There is also the Slim Fold, but I’ll get to that later.

I will have to say that the Nomad Leather Charging Wallet is thicker than a regular wallet, but it should fit in your back pocket. Now, isn’t that the best place for the charger? You can see in the image how the cable is ready to attach and give your iPhone a good charge.

Not only is the charger good, but the leather work is official Horween. It has some fine stitching, and it has space for six cards and dollar bills as well.

You should be able to purchase the Nomad Leather Charging Wallet for about $149.95 on the Nomad site. The Slim Fold, which is one half as much of a wallet (good for storing three cards) but still the same amount of battery charge, and costs $119.95.

Nomad Leather Strap for the Apple Watch

Now that I’m done with the iPhone Leather Charging Wallet, I suppose that it is only justified that we review the Leather Strap for the Apple Watch. I haven’t had too much chance to review a lot of Apple Watch products, but it looks like Nomad has a way to make the Apple Watch a little more fine watch than it is technology. I mean, this is the strap that you wear when you are in your Sunday best.

You know how the Apple Watch comes in Black or Silver? Well, Nomad has created a strap with a silver buckle or a black buckle. By the way, there is a modern build with no stitches, and a traditional build with stitches.

Like the aforementioned iPhone Leather Charging Wallet, it is made with Horween leather. They also have 316 stainless steel, and I am not sure what that is. Either way, they are really great craftsmanship, and it looks like it would make a classy gift. It’s worth selling your hair for, and I don’t even care who gets the O. Henry Gifts of the Magi reference.

Anyway, you can get this strap on the Nomad site for $59.95 for the modern build and $149.95 for the traditional build.

Geekscape Tech Review: Audiofly AF240 Headphones and AF120 In-Ear Monitors

by GadgetManNovember 17, 2016

Oh, there is one of those products that is really gourmet when it comes to sound, and that is Audiofly. I have been following this company for a very long time, and it feels like Audiofly has been continuously improving for the past few years. Now I had a chance to review two new products from Audiofly with the AF240 Headphones and the AF120 In-Ear Monitors.

Audiofly AF240 Headphones Review

I actually think this is the first time that I have ever tried any of Audiofly over-the-ear headphones, but the Audiofly AF240 certainly has a great polycarbonate body with the alloy arms. As for the specs, the Audiofly AF240 have that 40 mm single membrane neodymium driver. What is really interesting is that these are self-adjusting, so it is made to seamlessly fit over your head.

Now, if you are wearing any over-the-ear headphones, then you know the importance of cutting off the rest of the world so you can listen to your audio. Trust me when I say that the AF240 has some serious noise isolating memory foam, so you can keep the 20dB in between your ears and the phones.

So, what else does the Audiofly AF240 Headphones have? Well, let me tell you about the cable, as it is this Audioflex cable that is braided so it is flexible as it is durable. It’s pretty cool, as is the mic and control button, which is compatible to Apple and Android devices.

In addition to these AF240 Headphones with their supreme specs, this also comes with a canvas carry bag with a terrific microfiber lining.

I would say that if you are one of those audiophiles that really wants great sound, and you are willing to pay a little more, head on to the Audiofly site and pay $274.99 for this.

Audiofly AF120 In-Ear Monitors

As for the AF120 In-Ear Monitors, they are not the over-the-ear headband headphones, but the AF120 are something.

So what makes the AF120 something? According to Audiofly, it is because the dynamic driver and the balanced armature driver are stronger together (and I don’t think they stole that from Hillary’s campaign). These hybrid dual drivers are what gives the great and crisp response, and you will again have to take my word for it when I say that the sound for AF120 is great.

The cord of the Audiofly AF120 is something that I am told is built for the road, as well as the stage. With something like this, you want something light as well as smooth near your ears, and the AF120 delivers that.

Included with the accessories are the airline adapter, 1/4 inch TRS jack adapter, and a cleaning tool. There are also three sizes of dome silicon tips, tri-flange silicon tips, and even some Comply Premium Earphones tips. There is also a storage wallet, and it includes all the accessories. Now that is style.

If this is something that you want, you can get the Audiofly AF120 on the Audiofly site for about $199.99. If you that that is charging too much, then you really have to ask yourself where you can find better sounding earbuds. I’m sure that audiophiles know the answer to that one.

Geekscape Tech Review: Wireless Aluminum Keyboard from Matias

by GadgetManNovember 16, 2016

I have reviewed a lot of Matias products in the past, and they are most well-known for their quiet keyboards. Today, I’m trying out the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard, and it is also a decent product.

I’m going to just say this: the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard just looks like an Apple keyboard. This is appearing to look by design, as it comes with a lot of Mac-friendly function keys. Yes, all of those F keys that I just don’t use are easily visible. Also, the charging cord is white, like something Apple, and I am just going to stop making Apple comparisons.

I am told that charging the keyboard for 5 hours will allow the Wireless Aluminum Keyboard to last for a year with a 1,600 mAh battery. The Wireless Aluminum keyboard is good for a Mac, as well as other Apple products, and I just realized that I just broke my promise about mentioning Apple stuff.

Matias’ Wireless Aluminum Keyboard also works on Windows and Android products, and since it is wireless, so it works on pretty much anything with Bluetooth. I often use it on my HTC 10 phone, and it really rocks when it comes to text messaging.

What I can’t seem to figure out is how to just connect it with a wired connection on my PC. Maybe I should put some Bluetooth on it, the PC, that is.

Anyway, it is a pretty cool product, and it is available in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold for $99 on the Matias website.