“Gadgets” collection
Explore a curated selection of personal technology and innovative gadgets designed to improve daily productivity and entertainment. This collection features detailed evaluations of portable electronics, charging solutions, and versatile tools that provide genuine real-world utility.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →July 1, 2009
5 “Hidden” iPhone 3.0 Firmware Tricks
I have been playing around quite a bit with my new iPhone 3GS and the apps and firmware therein. I can't say enough positive things about the release so I wanted to write about a few items that people might not know about because they are buried away or not immediately apparent. I'm sure there are many people who have…
Read more →June 30, 2009
My Wife’s Father’s Day Shopping Challenge
It's been well over a week since Father's Day crossed our paths. I pretty much killed myself trying to get reviews out on some of the products that I have received over the past couple of months that I thought would be good gifts for Father's Day. Since Father's Day has passed, I have been slowing down a bit. However,…
Read more →June 22, 2009
Restore Missing iPhone Applications after 3.0 Firmware Upgrade
I was excited like many others to get the new Apple iPhone firmware 3.0 update last week. Installation was not an issue for me, even after coming from a jailbroken 2G (original) iPhone. That is, until I started looking for some of my applications. For some odd reason, there were several of my applications that had just disappeared. I finally…
Read more →June 19, 2009
Find Your Way with the Magellan RoadMate 1470
The last gadget that I'm going review right before Father's Day is upon us (see my other Father's Day reviews here) is something that every Dad would love to receive. But heck, if you are reading this review after the "magical" day, just know that you can bring a smile to any dad's face and even a tear to his…
Read more →June 18, 2009
Sennheiser’s MM 50 iP Headphones are Music to my Ears
I have been using the Apple-issued iPhone headphones for over 2 years. Only for a brief period did I use some Sony Headphones with an adapter for the microphone. The Sony's got a bit beaten up in my daily transportation routine so I was back to my standard issue Apple headphone. Music sounded great, clear, clean and crisp...that is, until…
Read more →June 16, 2009
Bippity Boppity Boo, Here Comes a Disney Netbook for You!
A member of the Disney Public Relations team contacted me tonight about an exciting announcement that just so happened to be geared towards me, my family and my audience, a Netbook affectionately known as the Disney Netpal. Being the father of 3 daughters, one who is denying she is still in the princess stage yet still seems to dress and…
Read more →June 15, 2009
Polk Audio I-Sonic ES2 – A complete iPod Entertainment System
Polk Audio, who has always been a maker of quality audio products ever since I can remember, has a real winner on their hands. Over the past few weeks, I have been able to test the Polk Audio I-Sonic ES2 and have found it to be a gadget truly worthy of praise. It is a multi-functional device that handles not…
Read more →June 10, 2009
iPevo Kaleido R7 – A Higher-Tech, WiFi-Connected Digital Picture Frame
One of the biggest sellers for Father's Day in recent years has been digital picture frames. I got one a few years ago and it's sitting on my desk, scrolling through the same set of great pictures as when I first got it. I haven't gotten around to changing the picture set, mainly because that would mean I would have…
Read more →June 8, 2009
Places to Get Info LIVE on WWDC 2009 (Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference)
In the past, I have compiled a list of sites that will have streams of information related to the Apple World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2009). Today, I'm a bit behind but am still hoping to get a list published quickly. The WWDC 2009 takes place in San Francisco from June 8-12, 2009. The Keynote starts at 10:00 am Pacific…
Read more →June 1, 2009
A High-Tech Nest for your iPod – the iPort FS-22
Have you been using your iPod or iPhone to its fullest potential? Do you tune out the world when you listen to it? iPods are traditionally very isolating and closed, a singular experience. You put on your headphones and off you go to musical solitude. Of course there are some stand alone speaker systems that you can get to move…
Read more →May 26, 2009
A Mouse for the Rest of Us – Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
I have big hands and big feet, you know what that means, right? You guessed it, big shoes and computer mice that just feel too small when you use them. That is, until I tried a Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000. At almost twice the height of regular mice, the 6000 truly makes those of us with large hands…
Read more →May 18, 2009
3 Unique Features in the Belkin Laptop Cooling Hub
How often do you come across a product that actually has 3 completely distinct and unique features built into it? And does all three quite well? When I started playing around with the Belkin Laptop Cooling Hub, I was actually pretty surprised by the features that it had. For starters, it is designed to help drop the temperatures of laptops.…
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