“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 →March 1, 2010
Conquer the Wind & Rain with the Uniquely Designed SENZ Stealth Umbrella
Bring on the sideways rain! I'm even ready for a mini-hurricane to come blowing down the street and try to take my umbrella, rip it up and destroy it! In fact, I'm ready to take on just about anything that Mother Nature can throw my way. The reason I think this way is because of a techy umbrella I have…
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February 23, 2010
How Can Such a Small Speaker Boom so HUGE? Reviewing the iLive IT319B 3.1 Speaker
When I first hooked up the iLive IT319B 3.1 Channel Home Music System, plugged in my iPod and turned up the volume a bit, I was literally floored at how LOUD it was! Event at 1/3 volume (does it go up to 11?) it was shaking the room with thunderous bass and crisp and clean highs. Turning it up a…
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February 22, 2010
Cell Phones, Tweens, Texting & Conversations – Child & Family Cellular Safety Thoughts
If you are a parent of a tween (a pre-teenager), you have probably hit the stage of your child wanting a cell phone. My wife and I broke down (or were gradually worn down) about a year ago with our oldest and she got hers when she was about 10. She wasn't (and still isn't) allowed to take it to…
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February 19, 2010
The Neat Company Gets Your Receipt Pile Under Control & Digitally Organized – MacWorld Expo Interview
I must admit, I am WAY behind on writing about The Neat Company, NeatCo, for short. I received some of their products last year to do an "extended" review of sorts. The idea was that I would integrate their NeatDesk (Mac & PC) and NeatReceipts (Mac & PC) products into my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I think I was a bit overly…
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February 18, 2010
HyperMac Dazzles with Vibrant Colored Battery Assortment to Charge iPods, iPhones, iPads & other Devices
A few months ago, I did a review of a HyperMac battery for charging and powering MacBooks, MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros. I found it to be an extremely useful device to give you an extra hour or so of "away from the plug" time. So, I figured that I would drop by the HyperMac booth at the MacWorld Expo…
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February 17, 2010
Charge Your Gadgets Even When the Power is Out with the Scosche solBAT II Solar Charger
I spent a few hours at the MacWorld Expo 2010 and I saw a lot of innovative and cool products. But many of those devices were really only the "nice to have" kind. However, one device in particular stood out in my mind as something that every household should have: the Scosche solBAT II which is a solar powered backup…
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February 12, 2010
Hands-on Video: Parrot’s AR.drone – iPhone Controlled Quadrocopter Compliments their Vision
MacWorld Expo 2010 kicked off yesterday but even before the Expo exhibit hall opened, I was having fun with a gadget that got a lot of hype at CES 2010 - the Parrot AR.drone, an iPhone-controlled, Augmented Reality "quadrocopter". While not actually a part of MacWorld, the Parrot team was just down the street from the Expo giving hands-on previews…
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January 21, 2010
Microsoft Wants YOU to Test Out Office 2010 Beta on a Loaner Laptop
A very cool program from Microsoft just came across my email and I thought that it was important to share with my readers. Essentially, with this program called the "Microsoft Office 2010 Real Life Stories", you are loaned a laptop PC (a Dell Studio 17 running Windows 7) that has Office 2010 Beta installed on it and all that you…
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January 18, 2010
Reviewing the Nokia N900 – a Smartphone with Lots of Potential
For the past several weeks, I have been doing some on and off testing of the Nokia N900, a smart phone running on Nokia's proprietary operating system, the Maemo 5. I personally have never been a Nokia follower and as I think back, the only Nokia device that I have owned was an old PacBell PCS cellphone from many years…
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January 11, 2010
How to Remove an Old Microwave & Install a New Panasonic Microwave (Model: NN-SD277WR)
Most people don't think of a microwave as a gadget, but I guess if it plugs in, has buttons and a display, it excites me a bit. But before I go in a major analysis of popcorn pop timing (or burning), I wanted rewind back. Here's the story. I had a microwave that was on its last legs, the outer…
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January 6, 2010
A USB Mic with a Great Name and even Better Functionality – the BlueMic Snowflake
Recently, I have tried to move my content beyond just the typed word (although it is my de facto method of doing a review). I have expanded to include videos using a variety of video capture devices (e.g., HD camcorders & screencasting software). Also recently, some other “daddy bloggers” and I have started a regular podcast (see CastofDads.com for the…
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January 4, 2010
Can You Do A Backup Without Touching a Button? ClickFree Can!
Backup solutions abound. Most external hard drives you buy bundle some kind of backup software with them and most of that software works pretty well. But, you have to remember to set up a backup schedule and ensure that you follow that schedule. There are also online backup solutions that you can use like Mozy or Carbonite or iDrive. I…
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