Author: GadgetMan

I have been writing about tech, gadgets, consumer electronics, as well as other geeky things for over ten years.

Geekscape Tech Review: The Apollo Cloud 4TB from Promise Technology

by GadgetMan

Since we are about to be knee-deep in the holiday season, I am going to be reviewing a lot of products that will make great gifts. For those that want the gift of space, I will highly recommend the Apollo Cloud from Apollo Technology. I am not talking about space in the household, but space for all your digital files for the cloud.

Yes, I realize that everyone is on some kind of cloud today. I mean, where else are you going to put all your files, on your computer? I mean, you have files on your computer, phone, tablet, and…oh my gosh.

However, the thing about the cloud is it’s very nebulous, as it is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Now imagine that the cloud could somehow be lassoed down and brought to your house. Promise Technology does this, and this is the Apollo Cloud that you want.

I can think of four reasons why you want it, and there are all terabytes. Yes, this has 4 TB of cloud storage for your files. If you think that you might run out of room, then you have more than 440 hours of HD video, or more than 220,000 photos, or 500,000 songs.

You get the idea. It is a lot of room, and it is easy to set up. All you need to do is plug it into your router, and then plug it into the wall. It’s pretty easy to set up the software after that, and you can just drag an drop your files. If you are concerned about the size of it, it is 5.6 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches.

There is even the option of using hot keys, and I haven’t even figured out that part just yet. I’m going to say that it will be a real time-saver. It is also possible to just connect a USB drive and directly upload files and folders to the Apollo Cloud as fast as one click.

Of course, what good is a device like this without an app? Yeah, it’s got one on the Apple store and Google Play for free, which will really help you manage your files on mobile devices.

You can find out more about the Apollo Cloud on the Promise Technology site here, and it is available on Amazon and the Apple Store. Are you surprised that it is available on the Apple Store? I’m not. I mean, look at how white this thing is, it just fits in with the Apple aesthetic. I found it on Amazon for $249.00 and on Apple for $299.99.

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: HookUpz 2.0 from Carson (IS-200)

by GadgetMan

There are a lot of iPhone 7 accessories and pretty much everything else for the holiday season, and this particular product is from Carson. I seem to remember this company being called Carson Optical, so did the company re-branded or something? This is the HookUpz 2.0, which is clearly a sequel, and I tried to use the best picture that I could to show you what it could do.

Simply put, it connects a smartphone to something optic like binoculars, monocular, spotting scopes, telescopes, microscopes, borescopes, slit lamps, night vision and more. By the way, I’m getting a spellcheck on that word “borescopes”, is that a thing? I guess this makes sense that all of this optical equipment, including borescopes, has to join the age of smartphones somehow.

How does it do that? Well, you put the iPhone 7 or other compatible smartphone (it can do many) or even phablets in this cradle, and then you connect it to the optic thing. The HookUpz 2.0 is made to handle anything with a an outer eyepiece diameter of 25-58 mm.

It looks a little awkward, but you can make recordings that are boosted by your optics on your smartphone or phablet. I am sure that this is a thing, because who wouldn’t want to some more magnification on their smartphone?

You should be able to get the HookUpz 2.0 on the Carson site, for an MSRP of $89.

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: Evoluent VerticalMouse C

by GadgetMan

This particular one known as the Evoluent VerticalMouse C is most certainly worth writing about, especially in a world full of mice. Imagine a movie trailer voice for the last part of that sentence.

You can see in the image that the thing looks like a shark fin or half the Rocketeer’s helmet, but this shape is ergonomically built to hold your wrist. I tried to get as good as a shot of it as I could without 3-D.

Apparently, using an ordinary mouse will twist your arm, but the Evoluent VerticalMouse makes your arm neutral to relieve pain, because you just reach out and grab it.

The mouse is made to keep hold your fingers and its thumb in place. The left and right clicker are there, and on the thumb are two buttons for forward and back on a web browser. What is interesting is that there is a pointer speed indicator, and you can select how fast you want your mouse can be with the pointer speed button.

I have to admit, that the VerticalMouse C took some getting used to. I mean, it is like the mouse has been turned sideways, so it is very strange to get used to. In fact, I feel that my wrist will need adjusting to it, so my muscle memory is about to face a learning curve.

You can learn more information about the product at the Evoluent site here, and it can be purchased at the Evoluent site for $89.95.

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: Black and Decker SMARTECH 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver

by GadgetMan

Considering that we live in an age where “there is an app for that”, it is hard to believe that our power tools haven’t caught up with it. I have to say that this SMARTECH 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver from Black and Decker is definitely made for the mobile age.

The 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver is a connected tool, which uses its SMARTECH batteries to locate, lock, and monitor tools. It uses a SMARTECH application for iOS and Android for Bluetooth controls in order to remote battery locking and unlocking.

It also has one of those battery locate functions, because we all need our smartphones to find our things now. Seriously, I have seen so many products that come out this year that help you find your keys, and I can’t help but wonder if we are headed for an age where everything we own has a smartphone tracker of some kind. I might have a good premise for a science fiction story there.

Also, you know how you use your cordless drill, and there usually isn’t an indicator of how much juice is actually really in the battery? Yeah, you know that is a problem, if you are big into power tools. However, the smartphone app will give you the battery indicator.

So yes, this is a terrific product and it is a keyless chuck for easy removing of bits. Oh, and I don’t know if this is stealing a page form Apple’s playbook, but there is “One More Thing”.

This battery for the drill can also be a battery for devices. Just connect a USB cord to it, and you can get some extra juice for your smartphone, MP3 player, and more. Oh my gosh, this is great, and if you got someone on your Christmas list who is into power tools, then they can probably fix your Christmas lights. Oh, and you can pay them back by getting him or her a Black and Decker SMARTECH 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver

You can get the Black and Decker SMARTECH 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver on sites like Amazon for $74.99. If you want more information, click here, and see if it is something you like.

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: iKlip A/V from IK Multimedia

by GadgetMan

If you aren’t familiar with IK Multimedia, they create some serious music technology products. This particular iKlip A/V is made for those who want to have their own video channel and take it on the road.

As you can see from the picture here, this newscaster (who may or may not be some YouTube celebrity) is being shot on video with a smartphone. The iKlip A/V allows the shooter to capture and monitor pro-quality audio with a high-quality mic preamp and it has a built-in wireless receiver.

You can see that the iKlip A/V has a place to mount your smartphone, thanks to the help of this spring-loaded clip thing that will hold it in place. You can then plug it in for an external microphone better than the smartphone’s mic.

You can see that you can plug in the external microphone, and if you need power, it has 2 AA batteries ready for you. By the way, there is also a headphone jack so you can listen to what is being recorded.

By the way, just having this iKlip Xpand Mini allows for some stability while you are filming. Granted, it doesn’t have any kind of steadicam action, but it is much better than just holding your smartphone and filming. By the way, you can mount the iKlip A/V on a tripod because it has that threaded hole at the bottom.

You should be able to purchase the iKlip A/V on the IK Multimedia site for about $179.99. Also, if you are one of those YouTube stars and use this, and want to share about it, that is what our comment section is for!

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: DCS-2530L Full 180-Degree Wi-Fi Camera from D-Link

by GadgetMan

A while ago, D-Link, makers of some quality networking equipment, made an Outdoor HD Wireless Network Cloud Camera. This particular DCS-2530L Full HD 180-Degree Wi-Fi Camera is a smaller version of the previous model, and I had a chance to check it out for myself.

So what did I think of the 180? I’ll give you a warning that you will be hearing 180 a lot in this review. First of all, it has a 180 degree field of view, which allows a 50 percent more view with a very wide angle lens. Oh, it also has a 1080p HD quality video which gives a lot of great clear video. So, there is a 180 listed twice, because 1080p is kind of like 180. I guess that makes 180 the number of the day or something.

As you might have guessed, the DCS-2530L is made for security, as the Full HD 180-Degree Wi-Fi Camera has night vision for 16 feet with built-in IR LEDs. I don’t know if we are getting to the point where every household needs one of these, but this is a good model for making certain no one is sneaking around your house. In fact, it can see up in 16 feet in the dark, so you can catch any burglars or paranormal activities going on.

The D-Link DCS-2530L also has sound and motion detection for some great push alert notification when loud noises or movement is detected. You can put the recorded footage from the 180-Degree Wi-Fi Camera on a microSD or SDXC, as there is a slot for that.

Do you want to view this on Wi-Fi? That can happen, and there is a remote viewing on the smartphone or tablet. It’s nice, and it has a mydlink Lite app for viewing on a tablet or smartphone.

Now, I just checked out the original Full HD Ultra-Wide View Wi-Fi Camera, and that model had most of the same features. The cool thing is the Full HD 180-Degree Wi-Fi Camera is slightly cheaper at $159.99. You can get it at Best Buy and the D-Link site.

Plan on picking one up? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

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.