“Review” collection
Discover rigorous, hands-on evaluations and real-world testing of the latest consumer electronics and household tools. These “Dad Approved” assessments provide factual, objective insights into device durability, performance, and value to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →April 26, 2013
Comfortable, No-Frills, Good Performing, Family SUV – 2013 GMC Acadia Review
The 2013 GMC Acadia is an SUV turned crossover (I still think of it as an SUV) which I believe is a bit of a sleeper. Probably the most aggressive features of it is the bold front grill with the GMC logo on it. It's strong, as if to say, get out of my way, I'm a GMC and I'm…
Read more →
April 15, 2013
Wii U – Will U? I Will! Why I like the Nintendo Wii U
I'm not a hard core gamer. I do have an Xbox (original & 360), a PS3 and the original Wii. Now I have the Nintendo Wii U. I'm more of a social family gamer, that is to say, I only game with my kids (or occasionally when I have a free moment at night and then it is FPS and…
Read more →
April 8, 2013
The Front of the Line Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
Hollywood is a magical place. It has a 24-hour buzz of excitement, creativity and activity. Most people never get to really understand it unless you "work in the industry." It's the place where actors make it (or don't), where writing comes to life on the screen and where people flock from around the world to experience stardom. Universal Studios Hollywood…
Read more →
March 28, 2013
The Jabra Speak 510 Bluetooth & USB Connected Speakerphone Truly Speaks Great for Itself
As workforces become more distributed to satellite offices, home offices, client locations and even roaming within an organization, technology needs to be adaptable to any scenario. Mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets have untethered our dependence on corded locations, meaning that the worker (or parent) on the go often is not always at the same location. And despite our…
Read more →
March 8, 2013
Hitting the Bull’s Eye – Review of the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Compact Sports Sedan
When I test drove the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye, I turned a few heads. In fact, in a parking lot, I answered a bunch of questions about this new vehicle from Dodge. While compact in size, it was roomy in performance. This isn't the first time the Dart has spun its wheels around the block. It first graced the roads…
Read more →
January 31, 2013
Tired of Coordinating Arrival Times or Notifying If You’ll Be Early or Late? Use Twist! App Walkthrough & CEO Interview
As a parent in a busy family of 5 with 3 kid schedules to coordinate, activities galore and timing managed literally down to the minute, I have often felt a bit overwhelmed trying to let everyone know when I would arrive for a pickup or where I was en route to a variety of destinations. You can't text while you…
Read more →
January 30, 2013
Passionate about Volvo? The 2013 XC60 and S60 Won’t Let You Down!
My family seems to be quite passionate about the Volvo's that I test drive. My wife always asks as to when we might get another one and my kids really had a great time when we went "top down" in the 2012 Volvo C70 convertible. And, a few months ago, I spent some time behind the wheels of both the…
Read more →
January 28, 2013
How To Back Up Your WordPress Blog The Hard and Easy Way (DIY vs. blogVault)
If you are a blogger, probably one of the worst things that can happen to you apart from writer's block is having your blog crash or the server that it is on get corrupted in some way. Technology is imperfect and Murphy's Law always manages to find us one way or another. If suddenly all of your writing and your…
Read more →
December 19, 2012
Boom, Boom, Pow! The Boombotix Boombot2 Rocks Bluetooth Audio Streaming with an Edgy Design
With so many speaker solutions out in the market these days, it's nice to see a company that makes their design a little edgier and with character. Literally. The Boombotix Boombot2 brings functionality and collectible character in their Bluetooth and wired portable speaker, making is a pretty neat gift for kids (and they even have a boring gray version for…
Read more →
December 11, 2012
Saving the Environment & your Wallet – Review the Spacious 2012 Toyota Prius V
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, it seems like almost every third car on the road is a hybrid of some type, and of those hybrids, a huge majority of those are Toyota Prius's. Californians are obsessed with the environment and with driving and many times, the two don't really go hand-in-hand. About 10+ years ago, before gas prices…
Read more →
December 10, 2012
Hmmm, What Wine to Choose? The Kendall Jackson App Can Help You Decide
I love drinking wine...but I'm not in any way an expert. (Well, I am an expert at drinking, just not choosing!) My wife is actually the one who is part of numerous wine clubs and is often the one who gets our wine. Or, I get some recommendations and bottles from my dad who actually has a wine refrigerator and…
Read more →December 5, 2012
Honeywell’s WiFi-Enabled Thermostat is Hot, Cool, Controlled Remotely & Easy to Install
Here is the scenario. It's the early morning in the winter. You are snuggled warm in your bed but outside of the comfort of your blankets, your house is cold. The last thing you want to do it to have to get out of bed and turn on the thermostat to heat the house. So you just hope for someone…
Read more →
