“General” collection
Access a diverse collection of miscellaneous technology reviews, specialized DIY tool assessments, and unique lifestyle articles. From niche electrical equipment to general digital organization tips, this section covers the broad spectrum of a tech-focused life.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →September 19, 2013
Will You Pledge to Not Text and Drive? Do It Now! #ItCanWait
For the past couple of months, I have been writing and talking about the national campaign where you pledge to not text and drive. It's called It Can Wait (the hashtag is #ItCanWait). There is a website that you can go to to take this pledge of not texting and driving - just head over to www.ItCanWait.com and you can…
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September 18, 2013
Direct Download iOS 7 Final IPSW Links for Latest iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch
The day has finally arrived! Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 7, is now available. Most people can simply connect their iOS device to the latest version of iTunes (be sure to download version 11.1 which is now available as well), update your apps, do a sync, make a backup and THEN install iOS 7. For those people who were…
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September 13, 2013
ODOYO Power+Shell EX iPhone 5 Battery Case is Almost Perfect
A few weeks ago, I published a head-to-head review of four iPhone 5 battery cases (by Mophie, Belkin, MyCharge & XPAL Power). Each of these case+battery solutions had their own advantages (and disadvantages). Unfortunately, I didn't get my hands on the ODOYO Power+Shell EX iPhone 5 battery case in time for that review, otherwise, it would have been the leader…
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September 10, 2013
12 Useful iOS 7 Tricks To Know
With Apple's new iOS 7 for iPhone and iPad GM (Golden Master) now available to developers and the release to the general public just around the corner, I wanted to share 12 useful iOS 7 tricks that you probably want to know. I have been reading public information about iOS 7 as well as using the developer beta for a…
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September 5, 2013
Still Texting and Driving? This #ItCanWait Documentary Will Change Your Mind
We all know that we shouldn't text and drive, but yet even I feel sometimes compelled to glance at my phone. I don't respond to texts unless I'm fully stopped, but even that is against the law in many places. That second that you remove your eyes from the road, you become distracted, and the vehicle you are driving is…
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August 28, 2013
What is a Technology Evangelist?
I often get asked by friends, family, acquaintances and recently, companies that I’m interviewing with – what is a Technology Evangelist? While many within the technology space understand the position, it is still relatively unknown within the job marketplace. In fact, when I first started the position almost 6 years ago, it was definitely one of those niche jobs. Fast…
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August 22, 2013
The Back-To-School Hard Drive Questions: Use for Backups or Media? Size vs. Size?
Schools are booting up in the coming weeks and students are also Ctrl-Alt-Deleting their brains to get ready to upload GBs of essential data into their minds to help them maintain their upgradability down the line. As part of the back-to-school process, parents often need to think about the tech that they will provide their kids. This is particularly important…
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August 15, 2013
Selling Yourself versus Applying for a Job
I recently had an interesting conversation with an ex-coworker around the process of getting hired. What was fascinating was that we both had the same thoughts, his as a result of some advice from a career coach and mine from some introspection. What it all converged on was that there is a big difference between simply applying for a job,…
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August 14, 2013
Head-to-Head: 4 iPhone 5 Battery Cases Reviewed – Mophie, Belkin, MyCharge & XPAL Power
Smartphones these days are big battery consumers. The larger the screen and the more active you are, the more you rely on having a big, hefty battery. There are many smartphones that allow you to simply swap out a used battery with a fully-charged one. The Apple iPhone, unfortunately, is not one where you can easily change a battery on…
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August 12, 2013
This Car Is “Hot” – Review of 2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG “4-Door” Coupe
When I test drove the 2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG coupe (which has 4 doors by the way), the San Francisco Bay Area was going through a bit of a heat wave with temperatures hovering over 100 degrees. While the meteorologists think it was due to a pressure system hovering over the area, I had another theory - it was…
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August 7, 2013
The Job Search Roller Coaster and Getting Social
Why are roller coasters so much fun? Is it because of the rush of speed as you plummet down multiple stories in a seeming free fall? Or is it being thrown into your seat as you race up a hill? Or is it the corkscrew turns that twist your stomach upside-down? Or perhaps it is the adrenaline that races through…
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August 2, 2013
Coffee, Conversations and Commerce – The Barista Banter
There is something to be said about coffee. Not only does it get your brain firing on all cylinders (sometimes over-firing so don’t drink too much), but it also is a conversation starters. In fact, coffee seems to grease the gears of conversation. In recent years, the coffee house has become an “office away from the office” – a casual…
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