December 17th, 2008

Review: Waterfield Cargo Mambo Combo Messenger-Style Laptop Bag

This is one tough, yet elegant bag that will carry your gear in style. I have a lot of bags, a whole closet full of ‘em. Although I usually don’t get bags in the $200+ dollar range, (I’m kinda cheap that way), this bag is worth the price if you need an incredibly well made bag that can go from casual to client meeting. → Read More

December 17th, 2008

2008 People's Choice survey: Mid-week results

Well, it seems you guys really like Firefox, the Tivo HD XL, and long walks on the beach. I’ve been going over the results so far and you have been a busy bunch, offering opinion after opinion and excoriating a few devices that deserve a good shellacking. Here’s what we know so far: → Read More

December 16th, 2008

Review: Official PS3 Bluetooth Headset

This is the Official PS3 Bluetooth headset that was released with SOCOM: Confrontation earlier this fall. It is made specifically for the PS3 but also works on any other Bluetooth device. Voice quality is great and battery life, build quality and ease of use are good, making this a formidable headset. Click on for the entire review. → Read More

December 16th, 2008

Review: Philips Streamium NP1100 network music player

Quick Version: In a world chock full of streaming music devices, the Philips Streamium NP1100 blends into the crowd as a straightforward, easy-to-use network device. → Read More

December 16th, 2008

Review: Iomega StorCenter ix2 Network Storage

Reviewing a NAS is probably not at the top of my list of things to do, but the Iomega ix2 is a dead simple network storage solution that works well. The model I reviewed is the 2TB variety and I finally caved and started backing up my files. Even though I set it up RAID 1 style, 1TB was ample enough to handle all of my content with plenty of room to spare. I wouldn’t recommend this to the more… → Read More

December 15th, 2008

Review: Sleeptracker Pro

Quick Version: If you’re a light to moderate sleeper and you can’t seem to wake up on the right side of the bed, the $179 (MSRP) Sleeptracker Pro might be just what you need. → Read More

December 15th, 2008

Review: Microsoft Bluetrack mini

I’ll keep this short, since the mouse is small. Not as small as this one, but small nonetheless. Check out what’s nice and what’s not about this little traveller. → Read More

December 15th, 2008

Review and Giveaway: The Anchor Bay DVDO Edge video processor

The Quick Version: The DVDO Edge will restore amazement and wonder to your high definition TV. It’s that good. → Read More

December 14th, 2008

Review: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player

For months now, I have been trying to play .MKV and other video files on my living room front projector. At first I tried to connect a laptop directly to the TV. But this didn’t always work, the audio was crappy, and it was awkward to have a laptop connected to the projector. I started using my XBOX 360 to play video files. At first I wanted to stream the files across my network. This worked… → Read More

December 14th, 2008

Review: Targus File Share Cable for Mac

Guest review: John Ha I recently bought a Macbook to replace my aging Windows XP laptop. I figured that, like any new computer migration, I would load the applications I needed and then copy the data from my old laptop to the new one. I have a large USB thumb drive and a couple external hard drives, so no sweat – just use them to migrate everything. So when my brother told me he would lend… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Why we need to go digital this holiday

What I’m about to say will anger a lot of CE manufacturers, but this has been the laziest year in consumer electronics to date and I’m recommending that rather than spending money on the boring stuff that has come out in 2008 we all spend our money on digital media – games, music, audiobooks, ebooks, and the like. And I don’t mean digital Blu-Ray and game disks, either. I… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Quiksilver Opus jacket

Quicksilver isn’t known for their technical wear outside of the water, but the Opus is one bitchin’ jacket with a couple nerdtastic components. It’s made from Schoeller fabric and Quiksilver’s own Quik Repel material; it’s water-resistant and shields the body from low temps and wind. I did a little bit of research into Schoeller and they seem to be pretty big in the performance/technical… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Samsung CLP-315 color laser printer

Ask any geek of a certain age and predilection what they dreamt of back in high school and they’ll say, in order, a date to the prom and a color laser printer. Now that everyone with $100 and a pulse can get a fairly nice inkjet printer, Samsung is offering the CLP-315, a $184 color laser printer that is about as big as a standard all-in-one printer but with the added benefit of printing at… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Energizer 15-minute charger

There are only a handful of gadgets in my possession that can’t be charged over USB: TV/Cable/Blu-ray player remotes and my DSLR. My Xbox 360 controller was a battery hog once upon a time, but the Nyko Charge Base took care of that. The remotes aren’t as taxing on batteries as my SLR — that puppy is constantly draining my supply of batteries. I could always cut back on the amount of… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Nyko Charge Base 360

What’s worse than having your Xbox 360 controller die during the middle of a game? Not being able to find replacement batteries, of course. Rechargeable batteries are a viable option, but those don’t seem to last as long as we’d like, right? They can be spendy as well. → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Last minute gift ideas: The UroClub

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Come on, man. The UroClub is a screw-top container shaped like a golf club that you urinate into behind a built-in privacy towel. NO! It’s a simple three step process, according to the UroClub web site: “Unscrew the UroClub’s triple seal, leak proof cap, clip the privacy towel to the UroClub and your belt or waist band, discreetly relieve yourself and then get… → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Targus USB Hub for Mac

Yeah, I know, it’s a USB hub. But this little guy from Targus is pretty neat. It’s geared towards the Mac crowd with its color scheme, but that shouldn’t deter Windows or Linux folk. → Read More

December 12th, 2008

Review: Sonos Bundle 150 with loudspeakers (and more)

We’ve reviewed a lot of home audio solutions, and they all offer different benefits and drawbacks. The big trend is “music everywhere”, whether through powerline networking or wirelessly. Most of these products require a specific music source to feed into the system. Sonos brings something rather more complete to the goal of “music everywhere”. Read on for the… → Read More

December 11th, 2008

Review: EOS wireless audio system

Short Version: The EOS wireless audio system is dead simple to set up and use, although a high price tag and so-so sound quality might keep some people away. → Read More

December 11th, 2008

Review: Griffin PowerDock 4

Short Version: Are you an iFamily? Got lots of iDevices between you, your iDo, and maybe some iKids? Is your house sooooo big that it’s just too much trouble to walk to where your computer is to charge said iGadgets? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Griffin PowerDock 4 is 4U. If you are Brady-sized, you will need two of these. → Read More

December 11th, 2008

Review: Samsung SBH-700 Stereo Bluetooth Headset

Short Version: I love wirelessness. I was using Bluetooth to connect handhelds, phones, and headsets since ~2004. While smart phones have mostly killed the PDA, their media capabilities scream for a good set of wireless headphones. Sadly the Samsung SBH-700′s are not those headphones. While the specs sound impressive, talk time up to 9 hours, play time up to 7 hours, standby time up to 140… → Read More

December 11th, 2008

CrunchDeals: Buy two watches, get one Free at BuscumDucis.com

Sven at BD is offering a special deal for CG readers: buy two watches, get one free. You can get a couple for your employees, your groundskeepers, or your massage therapy team. Do it! Do it now! They’re honestly nice watches and you basically get a one-of-a-kind with these with a nice Swiss movement. Product Page → Read More

December 11th, 2008

Review: JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones

Short Version: The first time you put on noise canceling headphones, you can’t believe your ears. When you flip the noise canceling circuitry on, it’s like hitting a mute button on the world (note: does not work on significant others, only constant noise. And no, your SO’s blathering does not count as a constant din.) I never realized how loud my office was until I put on these… → Read More

December 10th, 2008

Review: Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro

Quick Version: The QuickCam Vision Pro from Logitech is perhaps the easiest-to-use webcam I have seen in a while. There is no software required to run it, so you simply plug it in via the 6-ft USB cable, and you’re good to go. It works automatically with MSN Messenger, Yahoo, Skype, and other applications. → Read More

December 10th, 2008

Review: Xbox 360 VGA HD AV cable, Viewsonic VX2240w LCD monitor

I know, I know. The VGA HD AV cable has been out for three years, but I was in between TVs and only had a monitor to game on. I’ll keep this review short and sweet. → Read More

December 10th, 2008

Review: Dirt Devil AccuCharge 15.6 Volt Stick Vac

Short Version: The Dirt Devil AccuCharge 15.6 Volt Stick Vac is a powerful, cordless, rechargeable vacuum cleaner that really, really sucks. It’s priced quite nicely at $65.99, too. → Read More

December 10th, 2008

Review: Casio G-Shock Classic, Gulfman, Riseman and MT-G

Casio’s G-Shock recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and for good reason, they’ve been constructing solid time pieces that are technically sound and built like tanks. Types like John won’t be giving up their fancy Omegas or whatever other watch that has a ginormous face, but they’re not meant to. Come along as I take a look at five unique pieces with varying degrees of functionality. → Read More

December 10th, 2008

Review: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

Quick Version: The Logitech Illuminated Keyboard sports a sleek design combined with a number of functional enhancements that make it a cut above most others. While the illuminated keys are the main feature, the first thing you’ll notice upon removing it from the box is how extremely slim the keyboard is. It’s a good 75% slimmer than your traditional keyboard, and has a modern shape and style… → Read More

December 9th, 2008

Review: Mophie Juice Pack for the iPhone 3G

Mophie’s Juice Pack for the iPhone 3G is without a doubt a must-have if you can swallow the high price tag of $100. But I’d gladly pay the extra $100 knowing that I can leave the office or my apartment and gallivant around town without fear of having to find a power outlet by mid-day. → Read More

December 9th, 2008

Mini-Review: Acme Made camera case

There isn’t too much to talk about here, but this gorgeous little case from Acme Made deserves a look from anybody looking for an expensive but lovely little gift for a spouse or lady friend. Pictures and such after the break. → Read More