3 out of 5 stars

Owning an expensive gadget without some sort of protective case could be considered blasphemous to some.  Granted I normally go unsheathed when it comes to my iPhone 4, but when I got my iPad I wanted some level of protection for my new fangled gadget of awesomeness.  As I sought out a case that would suite my needs, I generally tended to favor the cases that had the most features.  The TuffWrap from Xtreme Mac is not one of those cases.

Bare bones in its entirety, the TuffWrap is a basic as all hell sleeve that provides a smooth grip with some level of shock absorption.  The review version I received was a stark ivory white color and looked quite attractive.  It features some recessed grooves for extra grip around the sides but I really didn’t notice either way.  The whole case feels much more slippery than the aesthetic would indicate, and adds a tad bit more weight to your iPad.

All the ports lined up nice and flush and the skin was easy to remove and put on.  All the edges of the case are angled down towards the iPad giving the TuffWrap a firm hold on the tablet.  Obviously there isn’t much else to talk about here.  There’s no way to balance the iPad in Portrait or Landscape mode so you’re on your own for that.  The overall fit of the case is a little bit sloppy in that the sides (in portrait mode) stretch too easily depending on how you grab it.  Additionally, it’s really hard to toggle the Mute/Side Switch button as that groove could have been wider to allow at least a thumbnail into the space.

Thankfully you can find it online for just over $10, so it may be worth your while to check it out.  In conclusion, the Xtreme Mac TuffWrap is an decent sleeve if you’re in need of a no frills cover for your iPad.

But it here for $12!

3 out of 5 stars

With the seemingly endless array of iAnything products to choose from, it’s nice to see some alternative ones pop up here and there.  iSkin’s 3 Degree is just that.  Sort of a secondary case in my opinion, the 3 Degree would be great for those on the go especially when travelling by air as the case easily doubles as a slick little head pillow.  

Made from Premium Italian Micro Nylon, you’d hardly believe from the exterior that it has anything at all to do with an iPad.  But it does.  Ultra slick and plush, the 3 Degree easily fits the iPad 1 or 2, and uses a heavy gauge retro zipper to seal the enclosure.  While the padding is surely sufficient, it’s not going to be strong enough to withstand any type of heavy puncture or great fall.  It will however, pack away real snug in a backpack or duffle bag.

The zipper clasp has a nice feel to it and the extension also has a sturdy adhesive effect, making it easy to grasp and use.  With the iPad inside, the 3 Degree is fairly lightweight and makes for some aesthetically pleasing “Pillow Talk” if you will.  Of all the iPad cases available, I prefer mine with more features and a bit more ruggedness, but those looking for something different might want to check this case out.

The biggest problem with the 3 Degree is the ridiculous price tag:  $80!!!  You’ve got to be kidding me.  What fool is going to shell out that amount of money for something this featureless?  It’s more worth $30 to be fair and I couldn’t find it on Amazon for cheaper.  In the end, the case is kind of cool but is destroyed by its price.  It does fit the iPad and another additional case if small enough, in “case” you’re wondering (see 1st pic).

Additional features include a small pocket on the inside of the case for prescription medicine, and it has a small hole at the end of the zipper to attach a key ring or lanyard.

Buy the iSkin 3 Degree iPad Pillow Case here for $80!!!

3.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Solid build & very comfortable
• Heart Rate Monitor is exceptional
• Depth of analysis is staggering

Cons:

• Overly difficult interface
• Buttons press to easily
• Can get pricey

If you’re the type of training athlete that obsesses over statistics and the finest of details, than the Suunto t3d is for you.  Capable of compiling all of your training minutia and interacting with several Suunto peripherals, the t3d is quite the comprehensive beast.  While the t3d might be best suited for cardio related activities, I found it to be a bit troublesome when wearing gloves or engaging in any sort of wrist movement because the buttons were easily pressed when I didn’t want them to.

Build, Feel, & Aesthetic:

The watch is relatively lightweight and comforts the contours of my girl wrist with ease.  I wore the t3d across a variety sporting activities and never felt like its presence was a nuisance.  Beyond the overly sensitive buttons, the face of the watch was ultra resilient when it came to smashing into things and I never felt like I had to “watch” out for it.  As far as looks goes, the t3d gives the impression of a high end sports watch without the need for any undue flair or peacocking.  The band is comprised of your familiar sports resin, and the clasp works really well with fastening the strap and removing the watch with a quickness.  To be noted, battery removal is also very simple thanks for the hatch like mini manhole cover that easily unscrews with the help of a nickel.

Modes & Use:

While the t3d has a bevy of modes to help you reach your training targets, by far the most impressive aspect was the real time heart monitoring.  The t3d syncs directly to the accompanied HRM belt and the results are swift and quite pleasing.  The band fits directly around your solarplexis and can be adjusted to fit your measurements accordingly.  I tested the real time accuracy during football sessions on the beach and playing basketball at the park.  The response time was great and it really helped let me know how hard I was working.

Unless your are a real athlete that demands a absurd amount of training data, you may find the t3 to be a bit daunting.  The average person that exercises regularly won’t even need all that the t3 offers.  Add on the companion website MovesCount and you’ll be blown away by how much detail is involved in nearly every aspect of a real athlete’s training regimen (see pic).

My biggest gripe with the t3 is the navigation interface.  It’s just not all that intuitive and somewhat cumbersome.  You really have to learn it to make it work for you.  I’ve tried learning it and I still got confused and couldn’t get to where I needed to go when I needed to get there. Some people may be OK with the trial and error like schematic but I just got annoyed.

Conclusion:

While this watch may be a tad over indulgent for the average exerciser, the t3d is the most comprehensive training watch I have ever seen.  If you’re looking for a watch to really dive into, I’d easily suggest the t3d.  If you are looking for a more clearly defined sports watch without the maze of menus I’d look elsewhere.  The MovesCount companion website is quite detailed and implements the whole community and social media aspect to your training, which really adds to the completeness of the package and should certainly not be overlooked.  Depending on how many peripherals you want to add into the mix, the price could get up there.  The MoveStick wireless data transfer stick is alone around  $70!  Add in the price of the t3d and you’re looking at around $200.  But what’s really the price of physical perfection?

Buy the Suunto t3d here for $114!

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Easy To Set Up
• Convenient
• Sturdy

Cons:

• Power Button Is Janky
• Glare And Resistance Issues With Gloves On
• Could Be A Bit Cheaper

This is my second outing with BioLogic’s Bike Mounted Case for the iPhone 4.  The first time around I enjoyed the accessibility and ease of use, but was not all that fond of the durability having to do with the main latch.  Now in its second iteration, the Biologic Bike Mounted Case has learned from its previous design flaws and is a much better product for it.  While some things still need attention, this new version is the one to get, though you don’t have much choice if you have a 3Gs or any older iPhone.  

The aesthetic of the mount is largely the same as the first iteration with an all black gun metal finish and easily smudged faceplate.  The biggest change in this version besides the adherence to the iPhone 4 measurements is that they moved the main hinge from the bottom to the right hand side of the case.  This is a much better design and makes the whole case feel more more secure and of better construction.  The mount can still swivel at 360 degrees and the touch resistance felt about the same as the first one, which was pretty responsive.

The main problem that continues to plague this product is that the rubberized power button still doesn’t work all that well.  Sometimes it requires concerted directional presses to activate, and other times it gets stuck and holds the power button down until it wants to shut off the phone.  It’s pretty annoying to the point where I actually avoided it altogether.  Beyond that, everything else about the mount performed as expected.

The attachment band was secure and tight and removing the mount was easy as long as you remembered which way it came off.  The home button had a little latency to it but it wasn’t nearly as shoddy the power button.  There are sealed transparent ports for both of the iPhone 4′s cameras but I always ended up removing the phone when I wanted to take a picture rather that removing the case from the mount.  There is also a sealed port for the headphone jack that peels back.  I preferred using headphones that were closer and on my body rather that using the Biologic Case as I felt it slightly awkward and more dangerous to be tethered to the bike in case I needed to take evasive action.  There’s also a small port at the bottom of the case to snake a connection cable but I’m having trouble finding the practical application for it.  It’d probably be just as much trouble weaving the cord through the case than to just take the phone out to charge it.

I enjoyed the mounted case best when documenting long bike trips (EveryTrail Pro), or using it to store my phone when I didn’t want to lug my bike bag around with me and didn’t need my lock.  What you have to consider when looking at this product is that if you wear gloves for biking, you’re going to have to take them off to use the touch screen.  Also, when wearing sunglasses it is often hard to see the screen during times of bright daylight.  While not submersible, the case is extremely weather resistant, so those riders in Portland and rainy places should not worry about that type of protection with this case.

At $65, the Biologic Mounted Case might be a deal breaker for some, and I’d like to see the price at around $40 to make it more appealing for those on the fence.  For future versions I’d like to see the mount rotate forwards and backwards making the camera ports a bit more useful when you’re trying to take in the scenery to show your friends all the cool places you’ve riden to.  Good job Biologic, but let’s turn that golf clap into stadium applause.

Buy the BioLogic iPhone 4 Bike Mounted Case here for $65!

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Fully charges the iPhone 4
• Buttons work well
• Decent aesthetic

Cons:

• Heavy and bulky
• Pricey at $99.99
• Case shows smudges easily

Mophie must have taken my last review to heart.  Not more than a few months later, they’ve released the Juice Pack Plus for the iPhone 4 and I can easily say that it was the right thing to do.  Now packing a 2,000 mAh battery, it finally recharges the iPhone in full.  They also eliminated some of the design flaws found in the first iteration, such as the deep groove that resided over the power button.  There is now a flush button that resides atop the power button that makes using it a snap.  This same design change also applies to the volume buttons.  Where there was once an open hole in the case, there’s now a pair of buttons (+/-) that sit flush on the case and respond quickly and gently to the touch.  There is still the exposed port for the volume/vibrate switch, but it’s large enough, making it easy to toggle.

Beyond that, the silver band that was wrapped around the body of the Juice Pack has changed to a gun metal black color, and the case itself is just a tad different from the dry matte finish of the band.  Other than that, the design hasn’t changed much.  However, the matte finish of the body is still rather smudgy and the whole case adds a fair amount of bulk and weight to your precious iPhone 4.  The on/off switch and USB input are still situated in the bottom left and right hand corners, and the LED display is at the bottom of the case.

The battery power is easily the most redeeming aspect of the Juick Pack Plus.  Without a doubt, it fully charges the iPhone 4.  The 2,000 mAh battery finally “packs” the punch it should and makes the Juice Pack Plus worthy of your attention.   On the day-to-day, the case was too heavy for me to use, but I liked having it laying around fully charged, especially when occasionally travelling and in need of a charge.

At a price of $99.99, some might be deterred given all the other options available on the market today, but the Juice Pack Plus is a solid contender if you’re looking for a charging experience without the hassle of wires.  However, the case could use a visit from Jenny Craig, but other than that I found it to perform as advertised (unlike the other one), and its aesthetic is complimentary to the beauty of the iPhone 4.

Amazon has the Juice Pack Plus for $99.99.

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Mega-Cheap
• Quality gameplay and visuals
• Fun!

Cons:

• Doesn’t bring destruction 2.0 or multiplayer classes
• Multiplayer connectivity
• Iffy replay value

I still can’t believe I can play an online First Person Shooter on my iPhone 4.  My how mobile gaming has changed.  EA’s response to Gameloft’s Modern Combat series is a valiant one.  While perhaps not quite as polished as the aforementioned game, Bad Company 2 for the iPhone is a quality title, especially now during EA’s holiday sale where each game is only 99 cents.  Make no bones about it, this review will inevitably be a direct comparison to Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus as I have played both games.

Graphics and Presentation:

EA did a great job bringing a taut first person world to the iPhone 4.  The retina display is positively a spectacle to behold.  Draw distances, while generally pretty short, look beyond crisp and clear.  The guns all look realistic in comparison to their console counterparts and enemy soldiers and vehicles also look great up close and from afar.  Backgrounds look decent given the scope, and all the colors pop on the retina display.  Gunfire is also quite competent looking with stray bullets hitting the environment and making their presence known.

The explosion and soldier animations sort of look like they’re running at half speed  but I’m willing to make the concession due to the technical achievement of games like these. The detail of the level design isn’t quite as cultivated as MC2BP, but it still deserves an honorable mention nonetheless.  Some of the major specifics found in the console versions of Bad Company are not present in the mobile game such as destruction 2.0 and classes in multiplayer, but that is pretty much to be expected given the platform.  Also to be noted is that the environments are mostly recycled throughout the game as you progress from woodlands to snowy woodlands to desert locales.  However, it must be said that the game tries to change it up as much as possible and there are other areas such as night levels as well as other indoor scenarios.

The menus and presentation are spot-on and use some of the same images found in the console versions.  Not much can be said negatively about menu performance and you can tell that EA didn’t want the consumer to see the as a game cheap knock off of the Modern Combat series.

Sound:

The sound in BFBC2  is nothing like it’s console brethren, but it hold’s its own on the iPhone’s tiny little speaker.  The same voice actors portray the characters known on consoles and it’s cool that EA went for that level of synchronicity making BFBC2 not a cut and dry name recognition cash grab.  If you’ve played any of the last two Bad Companies you’ll easily recognize Marlowe, Preston, and the gang as they engage in a run of the mill type of military scenarios.  The guns don’t sound all that different from each other and explosions lack the thunderous applause coming from the iPhone’s tiny speaker.  Using headphones will be to your great advantage as all sounds are heightened as long as you don’t mind the protruding plug.  I’ve read some negative remarks in other reviews bagging on the crap sound in this game, but I must say that I found them to be decent across the board.  After all, this game is only a dollar peoples!

Gameplay:

Anybody that’s played a touch screen FPS knows that mobility and run-and-gun style gameplay takes some proficiency.  While a true analog playability is still a ways off for touchscreen controls, BFBC2 plays pretty well.  You’ll find your left thumb slipping around while trying to navigate the terrain leaving you a bit vulnerable at times, but the game doesn’t punish you for it.  Regenerative health keeps you in the game longer than it would on consoles due to the lack of mobility.  The game is linear for the most part and doesn’t really reward for finding empty rooms.  There is a constant arrow at the top of the screen, which lets you know where you need to be going so deviating from the path is rather fruitless.  Gunplay is decent with a nifty auto-aim to help you shift your reticle towards your target.  Toggling the iron sights is helpful as well, but moving it around is painfully slow.  Controlling vehicles is also a bit rudimentary, but it wouldn’t be a Battlefield game without them.

Multiplayer and Replay Value:

Multiplayer is actually pretty fun, when I could stay connected.  Only deathmatch and team deathmatch are offered with just 4 players allowed to occupy games but still, like I said before, I’d never imagine playing games like this on my phone.  The maps are large enough, but the gameplay isn’t like on consoles as there’s not a lot of running for cover once you get shot at and you usually die.  It’s still a good time and when the connection is solid, so is the gunplay and lack of lag.  I did have a problem staying in games over Wi-Fi and 3G, so I hope the performance will improve over time.

The story is nothing to call home about with your crew of rag tag military homies going from here to there trying to blow up stuff and following HVT’s.  Again, you don’t really mind because everything else about the game is top notch.   Helping the replay value is a fair amount of achievements and medals to keep you coming back for more, if you care about that sort of thing of course.

Final Endings:

After the campaign is over, I can’t see myself going back for more, but the whole game only costs a measly 99 cents.  Think about what you spend a dollar on, and you simply can’t beat this value.  While not as awesome as Modern Combat 2, right now it’s at a fraction of the price.  I really enjoyed all this game had to offer.  Who cares about the story and character development when you can fire automatic weapons in lush 3D environments.  As my buddy Shuggies says, “get after it”.

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Fun and easy to get into
• Polished presentation and gameplay
• Decent sound

Cons:

• Non-Working multiplayer
• Battery killer
• Landscape mode can hinder speaker port

When Apps first became available on the iPhone, Tap Tap Revenge was the first “touch” music game to hit the App Store.  Fast forward to now and we have the console heavy hitter Rock Band Reloaded in our grips.  Beautifully designed and dripping with lacquered polish is Rock Band Reloaded, a $7 dollar music game available now.  Besides a couple of minor gripes, this is a great buy for anyone looking to satisfy their hand-eye coordination itch over the holiday season.

Graphics And Presentation:

While there’s not a whole lot going on graphically, Rock Band Reloaded does its best to flavor up the screens with as much as they could given the nature of the game.  The set pieces are fun and keep the background moving but aren’t so busy that they distract you from the business at hand (hehe).  The menues are clean, clear and easy to navigate and all of the touch functions feel smooth and reactive.  Additionally, your touch stroke also feels really natural during play which is really imperative for this type of game.

Sound:

Despite the speaker port being partially obstructed by your right or left hand while playing RBR, the sound is still ever present and clear.  MTV Games and Harmonix did an excellent job picking out the tracks used in the game as most if not all of them have clear cut patterns for the user to latch on to. For example, I generally suck at these type of games, but found it easy to match the onscreen patterns with what was happening musically even on the medium setting. You’ll obviously have a better audio experience using a pair of headphones or earbuds, but it may stifle your playing style and subsequently your score.

Gameplay and Multiplayer:

As mentioned earlier, the touch response during gameplay is excellent and really sells the Rock Band experience on the iPhone.  Whereas Tap Tap Revenge and the first Rock Band was played vertically, RBR utilizes landscape mode and separates the buttons accordingly, therefore making the game extremely playable.  On a negative note my hand did get tired after a couple songs and RBR is a huge battery killer.  If you’re an achievement whore then RBR has you covered – there are various medals and pins being awarded for accomplishing feats and progressing through the world tour.  As far as multiplayer is concerned I can only give it a negative score due to the fact that I couldn’t connect to any gigs and I tried several times.

Replay Value:

With World Tour, Quick Play, and Multiplayer, RBR has packed a lot of value into a $7 game.  Most avid Rock Band players gauge their prowess by points and scores – there’s plenty of that to be had with the Reloaded version.  If you wanna prolong the journey past the included 20 songs, you can log onto the EA store and buy additional song packs.  This is clearly indicated by an alert next to the App icon addressing all the unbought packs.  I’m not sure if all of these tracks can be implemented into World Tour or not so make sure you double check before you buy.

Final Endings:

If you have a fervent penchant for all things Rock Band and have an iPhone, I highly suggest picking up Rock Band Reloaded this holiday season for killing time spent traveling or by the fire with your family.  It addresses the majority of qualms found in the first iteration and is a great overall package in terms of gameplay and presentation.  Chop off a couple points for a non-working multiplayer and short song list and you have yourself a very quality music game that should easily garner $7 from your credit card.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Beautiful graphics
• Effective control scheme
• Fun

Cons:

• Missing vital component (Racer Mode)
• Redundant

Taking full advantage of the iPhone 4′s spectacular retina display, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is one slick looking game.  From the car models to environments and menus, everything about this game screams polish.  While it’s something EA has always been good at, NFS:HP is no different.  With that being said, most people will approach this game with the expectations that it has all the components of its console brethren but alas, that is not the case.  The game is completely devoid of the racer portion in that you can only play as the police, leaving the player feeling a bit taken advantage of. 

Graphics & Presentation: Simply sweet.  The eye popping visuals are easily the game’s biggest selling point.  Only noticing a couple instances of frame dropping slow down, the game runs super smooth and is a true feast for the eyes.  The game features several locales to drive through from lush coastal landscapes to desert canyons and more.  It’s a real treat to see today’s popular high end sports cars draped in police colors and watching them cruise across the many delectable settings is just as arousing.  I could have used some damage modeling and crash effects on both sides of the law, but the slow motion sequences added a nice sense of accomplishment when you take out an enemy racer.  I actually felt like I was playing an updated version of Spy Hunter by the game’s gratuitous use of oil slicks, spike strips, and roadblocks.  The menus also looked great and only complimented the game’s fine tuned visual approach as well as implementing navigation via the touch screen.

Sound: Police radio chatter, sirens, and screeching tires dominate the majority of what is heard in Hot Pursuit.  Aside from that, the soundscape is well balanced with in-game music to fill in the blanks.  Everything came across as crystal clear, though the sound of incoming cash was a bit too shrill for my tastes.  Earphones are definitely the way to go (if you don’t mind the protruding plug getting in the way) and only reinforces the overall sheen of the game’s production value.  The actual soundtrack however, was lame beyond reprieve.  Most every song chosen by the music supervisor was some kind of Killers “new” wave crap that makes my skin crawl.

Gameplay: Dumbing down the controls is the best thing EA could have done with this title hands down.  Offering auto-acceleration lets you keep your hands off the screen as much as possible with the exception of using the brakes or power-ups (roadblocks, etc.).  This really works and lets you pay attention to steering clear of oncoming traffic and utilizing your EMP’s and spike strips.  Something which requires some level of timing and execution.  As with most racing games the steering is controlled by tilting the phone back and forth, so the general control scheme should be familiar to most mobile gamers.

The game features 4 tiers of progression each with different cop related events from checkpoint racing, racing against other cops, taking out a group of racers, or focusing on one particular outlaw racer.  After each event you are awarded with cash points that level up accordingly.  As you progress through the ranks you are awarded with new cars that are generally better than the one you were driving previously.  You also get achievements based on the stuff that you’d do ordinarily so you don’t really have to go out of your way to get them, but they do add cash bonuses to get you closer to the next rank.

Multiplayer & Replay Value: While the different “race” types allow for some variety you’re basically doing the same thing over and over with slightly better cop cars.  There is a local Wi-Fi mode to race against a buddy but I only had one copy of the game so I didn’t try that one.  After maybe an hour of total play time I progressed through to Tier 3 and gained access to most of the cars, so I can’t say that the replay value is all that high.  While absolutely fun, I can’t say that it is worth the $6 asking price.  You’d have to be pretty into mobile gaming in general or just have cash to blow.  In all honesty, I get real excited about iPhone games but I never end up really playing them.  As with Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, play through it for a couple hours and you might be done.

Final Endings: Without the inclusion of the whole racer portion of the game, EA has slightly done NFS:HP a disservice.  Being the law is cool for sure, but being the outlaw is often times more fun.  Everybody knows that.  That option should be there, and it would have definitely garnered a higher score if it was.  The game is really taut for what it is and EA should feel good about the beauty and simplicity of the product, but they should have taken the time to include the other half of the game.

Cons:

• Battery life is not up to snuff
• Smears and smudges easily
• Heavy and bulky

Battery cases are a dime a dozen these days.  Mophie was a front runner in this category a few years back and we’ve just received their newest addition in the Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 4.  A slick aesthetic with deep recessed grooves and considerable weight will instantly give you mixed feelings about sticking the Juice Pack Air in your pocket before you leave the house.  Out of the box, the silver band around the body of the case that mimics the iPhone was unattached, making me want to pick at it like a scab.  Unfortunate review copy perhaps, or just shoddy manufacturing?  Note:  I did receive a replacement unit and the siding was intact.

The features on the Juice Pack Air are implemented with style and grace, though I didn’t prefer how deep the grooves surrounding the buttons were.  They required concerted presses, often times having to go back a second time with the skinny end of my finger or thumb to actually press the button (especially the power button).  Definitely good for accidental presses, they should have been designed with a much more flush approach.  I did appreciate the spacing on the volume switch port as there was plenty of room to get in there without the need of a coke nail, like numerous other cases of this ilk.

The ascending LED’s that denote available power are situated at the bottom of the case and look and feel great.  The on/off button is tucked conveniently on the bottom left hand corner and will instantly become friends with your thumbnail.  The USB charging port is opposite to that on the bottom right and is line with the rest of the tight design finish.  While the black matte backing is a nice aesthetic component to the Juice Pack Air, it scuffed and smeared quite easily.  The sound coming through the ports was decent and actually was better for playing games and such, as your hand didn’t disrupt the flow of sound as it does normally when holding it in landscape mode.

As far as battery performance was concerned, the Juice Pack Air is stated to have a 1,500 mAh capacity.  I simply don’t believe it.  The iPhone 4 has a 1420 mAh battery and both units I tested only charged the phone to about 75-80% which was rather disappointing.  It should have charged the whole way given the specs.  All in all, the Juice Pack Air is a letdown where performance is concerned.  Another method of use which was stated in the instruction manual was to run the battery when your phone was fully charged.  I didn’t like this either as the battery then only lasted around 4-5 hours and it was on standby for the majority of that time period.

If you’re looking for a battery case that’ll save you in a pinch, the Juice Pack Air will be there for you, but don’t expect a full charge.  The protective nature of the case is pretty robust at the cost of bulk and added weight but the look and style of the case are its more selling attributes in the end.  I have had better experiences with Mophie Juice Packs in the past and this definitely isn’t their best effort in terms of battery performance.  I’ve yet to test one, but there has got to be a better case out there for the iPhone 4 that is more well rounded than the Mophie Juice Pack Air.

Buy the Mophie Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 4 from Amazon for $80.

3 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Cheap
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Tepid, stale sound
• Mildly uncomfortable
• Cheap

When it comes to choosing a pair of head or earphones the most important factor is generally price.  Next to that is sound and style.  I still see fools using those crappy Apple Earbuds and I guess some people just don’t care, or they have no discerning audio palette that would even point them in the direction of what good tone is.

SkullCandy broke the marketplace wide open several years back with affordable head and earphones that sounded decent and had skater boy written all over them.  Wicked Audio wants a stake in that same marketplace it seems.  With a wide assortment of products to choose from, I am giving the “Gain” headphones a run for their money.  And their money is around $20.  Entry level at best, these are the headphones you give to your kid or as a gift to some other kid to tote around the skatepark.  The aesthetic is mildy gaudy, oozing with a mild Jersey Shore essence.

The construction is light and airy and the size of the headphone itself is definitely around child size.  I didn’t find them that comfortable during periods of extended use.  They didn’t feel super cheap, and they might even survive some light wear and tear.  Left and Right markings are clearly evident which is nice and there’s some excellent grip action atop the band to help you easily adjust the length of the phones to fit your head.

The sound was shallow at best.  Mp3′s sounded lame and unbalanced.  The stereo field was way muffled, distant, and generally duller than a petrified shank.  There is a decent amount of bass but it cuts out before you really feel it.  I felt like I was trapped inside the shell of rotting tree.  They sounded much better when playing portable video games on my PSP and iPhone 4 as well as podcasts.  Honestly, I’ve reviewed so many headphones and earphones that categorizing Wicked Audio’s “Gain” is too easy.  You get what you pay for.  At $20, these will be fine for some teenager as he/she loiters in front of Hot Topic.

At the end of the day, I like these headphones for what they are, but what they are is not much.  Still, not a bad product given their price point.  You can find them at your local FYE on your way to Hot Topic of course.

While having the perfect set of abs may or may not be a deal breaker for some, carving out this difficult muscle group can be quite the accomplishment.  Especially if you are over 30, just ask The Situation.  To help you achieve said success comes along the Perfect Sit-Up.  From the makers of the Perfect Push-Up and the Perfect Pull-Up, the Perfect Sit-Up effectively isolates abdominal and core muscles to allow you to look and feel the way you’ve always wanted.  Shredded.

The Perfect Sit-Up assembles with ease and doesn’t weigh all that much, but the storage will be up to you.  It breaks down in the same manner as it’s set up although you’ll find yourself wanting to keep it intact as much as possible in order to stay enthused about using the Perfect Sit-Up on a regular basis.  I found the Perfect Sit-Up to be a bit awkward to store in that it couldn’t really sit against the wall without slumping over and took up a fair amount space on the floor (for those of you living in small spaces).  NOTE:  When you buy this product brand new it does come with a wall hanger, my review unit did not unfortunately.

The Perfect Sit-Up was generally pretty comfortable all around.  The head rest was buoyant and felt more satisfying than a sink while getting shampooed at a salon.  The hand grips felt firm and and didn’t get cumbersome after extended use.  The foot clips were smooth, fit fine when barefoot or when wearing sneakers.  The back rest cushion also padded my contours, but made those back fart noises that you may have heard from the mats you use at the gym.

As far as exercises go, I found some to be more effective than others.  Any time where I had to twist my body to do an oblique crunch I felt way too constrained with in the confines of the Perfect Sit-Up.  Just so it’s known, I stand at 5’10″ and weigh around 150lbs.  I totally fit the Perfect Sit-Up no questions asked, (with leg blades fully extended), but was at odds with the design when trying to twist with the machine.

What I also found was that the Perfect Sit-Up made a clicking sound every time I was in mid crunch.  This could either be a indicator that your movement has gone far enough or a problem with my review unit.  I found no mention of it in the directions whatsoever.  I didn’t bother me, but drove my roommate crazy.  Be warned.  Other than the missing “clicking” information, the instructions contained step-by-step directions to get started with more than a handful exercises.  I would have liked a DVD that demonstrated the movements, but I’m sure all of that can be found online.

If you’re new to the whole abs scene, the Perfect Sit-Up would be a great way to get started.  For those of you that already have an established workout, the Perfect Sit-Up isn’t really going to open your eyes to some magical abs oasis.  For $99, the Perfect Sit-Up could be an excellent addition to your home gym and if they had one at the 24 Hour Fitness I go to, I’m sure people would use it.  With that being said, I enjoyed my experience with the Perfect Sit-Up, but wouldn’t call it an imperative piece of equipment in my weekly routine.

Pros:

• Easy to set-up
• Great for beginners
• Most exercises feel right

Cons:

• Some exercises felt awkward
• Not as useful for experienced people
• Weird clicking sound?

Buy the Perfect Sit-Up Here!

Talk about a beast!  This case has got to be the most heavy duty accessory I’ve ever seen for any cell phone ever.  Featuring 3 separate pieces, this case has you covered when you might need it most. Suitable for such scenarios such as Iraq or the construction site, the Ballistic HC will totally transform your iPhone 4 into a raw, ruff, and rugged telecommunications device.  The first layer is a tough as nails case that is very tight and snug thanks to the various rubberized adhesives.  It felt pretty slim and looks kind of like a post apocalyptic American Gladiator outfit.  After that is the more floppy “take it or leave it’ outer case that provides another layer of protection and a considerable amount of bulk.  That’s what you immediately notice about this case is that the whole gleam and beautiful aesthetic of the iPhone 4 quickly disappears when you use the Ballistic HC.  Saying that is to be expected, though, as this case is designed with that in mind.

From there is the hip clip, which is the final layer of heavy duty coverage.  The clip swivels 180 degrees and is built with absolute solid construction.  The only problem with the clip is that you can’t have the phone facing screen outward.  The only way the clip accepts the case if it is facing the screen towards the clip, making using the phone impossible.  In today’s need to check your cell phone every minute lifestyle, this is a major design flaw.  I can see what they were thinking in terms of security, but not giving the option is just plain weak.

The touch resistance through the plastic cover is decent with low latency but you will notice that the lip of the case interferes with texting and typing.  Kind of annoying.  After being accustomed to texting on the iPhone the Ballistic HC will surely throw a glitch into your matrix.  Nothing you can’t get used to for sure, but do you really want to have to?  All the ports on the Ballistic HC are exposed, so any type of water resistance is out of the question.  The overall coverage provided with this case and clip is pretty overwhelming.  No one will even know that it’s an iPhone 4 you’re using until closer examination.  That’s a good and a bad thing for sure.  Part of owning such a beautiful phone is enjoying its sleek aesthetic and ergonomic form factor.  All that disappears when the Ballistic HC is in use.  Granted anyone thinking about this case knows exactly what it does to the weight, look and feel of the phone.

All in all, the Ballistic HC is the most beefcake case I could ever imagine for the iPhone 4.  Besides the facing issue when the clip is used and errant text issues, I’d easily recommend this case to anyone owning a iPhone 4 and doing a dirty job.  Probably great for camping, spelunking, or any other extreme outdoor activity, this case is ready for almost anything you can throw at it.

Pros:

• Great for extreme conditions
• Solid build
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Bulky, heavy
• Typing issues
• Clip won’t face phone forward

Check out the Ballistic HC website here

The first tine I enjoyed the word skins was when Cuba Gooding Jr. said it in “Boyz in da Hood”.  Since then, the word skins has been at the forefront of innuendos across the globe. Well, at least for those of us that use slang.  At any rate, skins have donned a new meaning once the personalized cell phone scene became mainstream.  GelaSkins has been around for a while and I recently got the opportunity to review the iPhone 4 edition.

Using 5 separate pieces, the GelaSkin adhesive easily adheres to the contours of the iPhone 4 with almost no room to spare.  Readjusting the adhesive is relatively painless and reacted well against even the smallest of fingernails.  On the iPhone 4 you can feels the edges a bit more with GelaSkins attached but it’s nothing you can’t get used to.  As far as protection is concerned, you’re really only going to get the most basic scratch security with GelaSkins.  All the pieces stay on really well and don’t peel off whatsoever.  Except when you want them to of course.

Each piece peels off super smooth and leaves virtually no residue behind.  I had a really streamlined experience with the iPhone 4 GelaSkins and would recommend it to anyone looking to personalize their phone withs some custom skins.  What didn’t really work was the GelaSkins companion App that is supposed to give you matching wall paper.  It didn’t work at all for my skin entitled “Los Angeles” from artist eBoy.  The matching wallpaper was neither featured or searchable, which was pretty disappointing but oh well, maybe they’ll fix it by the time this review goes live.

All in all, GelaSkins is cooler for style than for protection but I’m sure you already have figured that out.  I’m wondering if it would be a better product if there was some “Docking Strip” for the skins when not in use?  For $15, the GelaSkins for the iPhone 4 should last you quite some time.  Right now I have mine hanging up on a cabinet until I want to outfit my phone next.

Pros:

• Super Easy Application
• Attractive Aesthetic
• No Residue Upon Removal

Cons:

• Protects Only Basic Scratches
• Companion App Is Weak

Buy GelaSkins for the iPhone 4 here for $15!

Having already reviewed the Moshi Voice Controlled Alarm Clock some months back, I knew what I was getting into.  This time around I found myself annoyed by Moshi’s inadequacies even though I like some of the core features more than the first iteration.  The whole clock radio aspect really appealed to me and controlling the clock without the voice control ended up being easier than trying to speak to the clock in a variety of stern tones.

First off, the size and visual aesthetic of the clock has bedside written all over it, and fit it nicely with my lamp and other random strewn abouts.  The LCD illuminated at 3 levels of “off-blue” brightness but I found myself desiring the in between.  The low was either too dim and hardly visible where as the brightest setting scorched the cornea and was hard to set morning eyes against.  The buttons had a mildly sticky matte adhesive feel and reacted promptly during times of snooze and other operation.

The IVR006 let you set two alarms using either the alarm or the radio.  Both require only a few button presses and are generally more pleasant than trying to set them using only the voice commands.  When trying to set up the Alarm Clock using voice commands the whole sequence must be spot for the action to actually set.  For example, saying “Hello Moshi” will prompt the clock to ask you another command inquiry and depending on the action itself it can take up to 3-4 accurate phrases to complete.  This can often be a trying task.  Anytime Moshi doesn’t recognize what you say or if she misunderstands completely you have to start the whole sequence from the beginning.  Boo.

Sometimes she simply refuses to hear you.  Other times, I’ll say my dog’s name and Moshi will think I’m talking to her.  No matter how forceful or bold you make your voice  she will shut you down.  Now believe me, If I was hard of seeing I’d be pretty disappointed in this product because the thing is, is that the clock has this ancillary voice recognition meter that is hardly discerning.  I think the idea behind the meter is to keep you aware of the accuracy of your diction but you’re never going to remember that exact pitch that made Moshi listen that one time.  Maybe future iterations will make this feature a bit more useful?

For a clock of this size, the sound wasn’t all that bad given that the positioning of the speakers isn’t of the standard variety.  There’s an AUX input for any MP3 player and I enjoyed the bedside Podcast as I laid down to rest.  The radio also sounded pretty good and was more than I expected.  You can have three radio presets and set any alarm to any one of them.  What I might not of mentioned before is that anytime to set something manually on Moshi you will get a verbal confirmation letting you know that you did it the right way.  I liked that very much considering I couldn’t depend on the actual voice control.

When rounding up this review, I can honestly say that I’m not as impressed with the Moshi IVR006 this time around.  The overall package has more to offer, but the Voice Control just seemed weak and despondent.  It was fun to show visitors’ what Moshi was capable of (when it worked of course) but I found myself totally abandoning the voice controls during my weekly regimes.  The price point is a bit high right now ($70) for me to recommend this clock because it can’t quite perform to it’s true selling point.  Other than that it does have some cool stuff going for it, but right now it’s not a complete product.

Pros:

• Attractive and small
• Radio sounds decent
• Aux in

Cons:

• Poor voice controls
• Weak LCD brightness settings
• Pricey

Buy the Moshi Voice Controlled IVR006 Digital Clock Radio here for $70!

Amplitube has alway been widely recognized as a premier tone shaping plug-in and stand alone application that has pretty much become synonymous with all things associated with digital recording.  IK Multimedia has now taken their tried and true GrooveMaker formula and applied it to Amplitube.  Aimed at guitarists and bass players, Amplitube and the iRig connector effectively transform your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad into a very portable and convenient practice studio. Before I get to into the review, let me first say that this application doesn’t have any multi-tracking.  As much as I wanted it to, it is purely for practicing and jamming along with your favorite MP3′s.

Anybody that’s familiar with the several Groovemaker applications available will feel right at home with Amplitube.  The design is near flawless with it’s ease of use and friendly interface directives.  The sliders feel smooth and navigating the application really couldn’t be easier.  The graphics are representative and clear, never allowing you to feel like you’ve led yourself astray through navigational choices.  For those that may be new to this sort of thing, there is a fair amount of help and a whole demo embedded within the App to get you where you need to be. The iRig 1/4 Inch to 1/8th Inch adapter (purchased separately) is the liaison between your guitar and the iPhone.  Super simple, it plugs right in and works as soon as the App is booted up.  The whole piece has a nice matte finish to the plastic and it is almost weightless.

As far as performance goes, Amplitube is a sure fire winner.  I didn’t notice any such latency and everything about the App responded in a moments notice.  There was some slow down here and there when loading stomp boxes and amps but it it wasn’t too bothersome all things considered.  One thing I did run into was that you need to extend the auto-shutdown time of your phone as I ran into some issues with Amplitube not knowing what was going on.  It does in fact work with the screen shut down (see pic below) but there were times when weird and pervasive digital noise invaded the headphones upon screen shut down.  It was very unsettling, so watch out.  Other than that, I was impressed with how Amplitube dealt with the live conversion from analog to digital and most guitar players will agree that they’d never imagined playing guitar so smoothly on their IPhones.

The biggest disappoint for me was the quality of the sound reproduction.  Way too digital.  For the sake of reference, I was using an ESP LTD Viper 400 with Active EMG 81 Pick-Ups.  A decently “hot” guitar, I was also using a pair of Sony MDR-7504 Headphones as monitors.  At no point was I blown away by the tones produced through Amplitube.  However, knowing what you’re doing will definitely help you get the most out of Amplitube and the iRig.  Trying to get a suitable clean tone while using the Metal Amp isn’t going to work and vice-versa.  You can chain three effects simultaneously in conjunction with an Amp set-up, your cabinet of choice, and either a dynamic or condenser microphone.  I liked the Clean and Metal Amp set-ups the best.  Crunch and Lead Amps were filed in the “whatever” category but it will largely depend on what type of guitarist your are.  I got some real heavy Stoner Metal style tones out of the Crunch Amp but it was rather muddy and useless for more precise and technical playing.  Most all clean tones sounded OK with occasional distortion appearing when the strings were hit harder.

If you want to jam along with some of your favorite songs, you can import up to 20 tunes wirelessley provided that your phone and computer share the same wireless network.  The app gives you and IP address for you to input into your URL, and then you upload the tracks from there.  Overall the process was easy and painless.  The preferred format is MP3 but I had no trouble booting up an Mpeg-4.  Once the track is in the App it just takes a moment to expand and then it’s forever yours.

All the effects sounded as they should with some being better than others.  The wah pedal effect was a bit weak but the envelope filter and octave pedals were killer.  The noise suppressor is totally essential and without it your are going to be hearing your fair share of digital hiss, so you need to incorporate it with all of your set ups.  When it came to distorted tones, the low gain ones were pretty unbalanced even when set at high gain.  During other set up experiments I couldn’t dial in enough treble and everything sounded like it was coming from the neck pick up.  They were all pretty harsh, but I honestly wasn’t expecting all that much given the fact that even my MacBook Pro can’t render live tones all that well (Amplitube Metal w/ Pro Tools LE).  Changing around the cabinets and microphones will definitely provide some much needed “scooping”, but by and large you are going to find a couple key tones and make them presets and stick with them, in which the App can hold up to 36.  It’s quite the astonishing feat that IK Multimedia has succeeded where it has with bringing live guitar to such a small device, and I’m interested in seeing if it will sound any better on the iPhone 4, as I did all my testing on an iPhone 3G and an iPad.  I didn’t notice any differences between the two minus the fact that Amplitube has yet to be optimized for the iPad’s larger screen.

There are several choices one can make when buying Amplitube and the iRig.  The iRig itself will cost $39.99 when it is released in the first week of July, and there will be 3 different versions of Amplitube for you to consider.  The full version with all 11 stompboxes, 5 amps/cabinets, and 2 microphones will run you $19.99, whereas the LE version with 5 stompboxes, 1 amplifier/cabinet, and 2 microphones will cost $2.99.  Lastly, the Free version will contain 3 stompboxes, 1 amp/cabinet, and 2 microphones.  With either the LE or the Free versions, you are welcome to buy stomp boxes at an A La Carte price of $2.99 each.  None of the versions will work without the proprietary conversion of the iRig so you know.  You can also use the headphone input as an out to an amp but that sort of defeats the purpose of the App.  If I were me, I would buy the iRig and start with the Free version, as if I’m just jamming and not recording all I need is a clean and distorted channel without craving such effects as flange, phase, and delay.

My overall impression of IK Multimedia’s Amplitube and iRig for the iPhone is one of vast applause.  Never has digital instrumentation been this accessible and innovative.  Even if the sound reproduction isn’t stellar, the impact of convenience and low to zero latency will surely standout.  I know that Line 6 has a similar product, but I’ve yet to test that one out.  While I would have greatly appreciated the inclusion of multi-tracking or tone sharing, I still think that Amplitube and iRig is a huge step forward for guitarists looking to keep their chops tight no matter where they are.  I can see this as being a great alternative for when you’re home for the holidays, away from your other rig, or practically anywhere you need to get your jam on.

Pros:

• Zero to low latency
• Quality user interface
• Multiple options for the budget conscious

Cons:

• Tone shaping
• No multi-tracking

Some things were meant to go together.  Peanut butter and chocolate is a prime example.  Other things, while sounding good on paper, just don’t work as well when it comes to the final product.  The JakPak Tent Jacket is one of those products.  Extremely niche’ in its approach, the JakPak is really more novelty than practical in all reality.

To start things off, the JakPak is a nice looking jacket.  Bare bones when it come to pockets and features it is largely a shell in its most basic form.  The tent portion is stuffed into the back of the jacket on the outside in a large pouch.  The sleeping bag portion is packed into the inside back of the jacket.  Setting the tent up is pretty simple but I found it difficult to repack smoothly into the jacket.  From there it felt uncomfortable as I could easily feel the tent pole pieces against my back.

Sleeping inside the tent required you to pretend you were a vampire inside a coffin.  I know that being a sexy vampire is all the rage these days, but I tend to roll and shuffle about when I sleep, allowing for maximum “comfortability”.  Since you are basically wearing the tent, moving about doesn’t really work.  There’s room inside the tent-bed for a sleeping bag and as a tent, it is pretty cool, but also really small.  There’s also a little bug netting and if you are ok with sleeping coffin style you may really enjoy the JakPak and what it has to offer.

My main issue with the JakPak is that I don’t understand who it’s really aimed at.  Priced at $250, I don’t see who is going to buy this.  You can get a really nice tent for that price and if you are an outdoor enthusiast you probably already have a decent jacket to begin with.  The other thing is that if you are setting off to go camping you will definitely be bringing other gear with you, presumably in another backpack.

Squashing another backpack against the tent and your back doesn’t sound like a good idea unless you have a really soft fleece to shelter some of the baggage.  Homeless people could use the shit out of this thing since they usually have a cart for the rest of their belongings but they’d obviously never have the funds to buy one.

My best vision for the JakPak is for an organization like FEMA to buy a whole bunch and hand them out in disaster stricken areas.  That or make the JakPak way, way cheaper.  Good idea by all means but the execution is questionable at best.

You can buy one now at the JakPak website and supplies are limited as this product is brand new.  You can get one in two different colors and several sizes.  From the looks of the website, their is a new version that adds some new features that will definitely make this product more appealing.

Pros:

• Interesting concept
• Waterproof, breathable

Cons:

• Hard to repack with accuracy
• Confined
• Way too pricey

Buy the JakPak here for $250!

Truth be told, at the end of the day most iPod speaker docks just aren’t loud enough.  Sure they may sound good, but often end up distorted when cranked at a higher volume.  If they even can get that loud.  The JVC RV-NB50 does not suffer this problem.  While not a perfect iPod speaker system by any means, the Kaboom does enough stuff right to satisfy anyone looking to seriously blast some loud music without the loss of fidelity.

To start off with the Kaboom’s visual presence would be the obvious one.  It pretty much looks like a bomb, which must have been the idea since it literally goes off like one.  I personally liked the way it looked, but my roommate and some others thought the aesthetic was too gaudy and didn’t fit into the modern contemporary feel of our apartment.  I mean, most people would say that they wouldn’t want anything sitting around their place that looked like a bomb right?  Especially in these trying times I’m sure!

Apart from the glaring resemblances an aforementioned detonation device, carrying this beast could have been dealt with in an easier manner.  The shoulder strap was uncomfortable and the hand grips on each side of the Kaboom should have been more ergonomic.  The strap used your typical weave, and could have easily had a cushion insert so your shoulders didn’t wear the mark of carrying it around for more than 5 minutes.  The grips could also have easily had some squishy adhesives instead of the open plastic backing that exposed the handles innards.

Function-wise, the RV-NB50 plays MP3 and WMA files from a CD or a USB drive in addition to whatever is on your iPod.  People still do that?  The front side USB input didn’t charge an iPhone, I can tell you that.  The included remote lets you navigate through folders and settings with ease just don’t lose it because you won’t be able do do a lot of stuff without it.

What I found to be the most troublesome aspect of using the JVC RV-NB50 was that it would never recognize my iPhone or iPod touch immediately.  I would have to remove it and place it back in the dock all while futzing with the play/pause button on the face of the RV-NB50.  Pretty annoying really.  I have run into this with other JVC speaker docks and I don’t understand what their problem is.  It also always wanted to put me in airplane mode which just added to the frustration.

Another gripe I had was managing playlists and songs in the RV-NB50.  While the casing surrounding the iPod was clear, you had to unlatch it to change the songs.  Being that it was set so low in the RV-NB50 and depending where you have the boombox situated, changing songs and artists can be a real pain.  The remote lets you get through the menus OK, but it’s much faster on the actual iPod.  What would have made the RV-NB50 crazy awesome would have been a resistive screen that let you touch through to an iPhone or iPod Touch.  Also, the connector is really wobbly and didn’t feel all that secure.

Once you got the iPod playing, however, the RV-NB50 cranked some serious jams.  The bass knob had 6 levels of low end that was easily adjustable and really sounded great across almost all of my MP3′s.  The RV-NB50 had a bunch of preset sound settings that added a nice touch to the sound spectrum.  I noticed that the RV-NB50 would also pick apart your bit rate whenever it wanted to, and really stressed the importance of quality MP3′s, which in the end is a good thing I’d say.  The RV-NB50 really held its quality of sound once the volume was turned up and is easily the biggest selling point of this boombox.

The radio also sounded really nice and clear with the bass adding what most radio signals desperately need.  The LCD display was a bright blue and was pretty easy to read with its everyday clock style digits.

So while facing some serious interface and connectivity issues, the JVC RV-NB50 will still be optimal for any BBQ, beach outing, or any other scenario where you need your tunes to be heard.  Clear and unobtrusively banging, the RV-NB50 is a great addition to anyone who needs loud and responsive music around the house or on the go.  Capable of being wireless, you gotta stuff 10 D batteries up in the RV-NB50 ( buy some rechargeable ones ), and there’s even an separate after market car plug for your next Honda Element adventure.

Pros:

• Excessively loud
• Great bass and overall sound
• Various modes and functions

Cons:

• Whack interface and connectivity issues
• Uncomfortable strap and handles
• Questionable visual flair

Buy the JVC RV-NB50 Kaboom System here for $240!

This handy dandy pop-up coffee table lets you turn your living room into an office in a moments notice.  You can also use the space underneath for extra storage for weed pipes and remotes and stuff.  The spring-loaded tabletop is made from birch veneer with a walnut finish and would be a great gift idea for the Ivy League couple in your life.

Weighing in at 48.5 pounds it should be sturdy enough to hold even the most archaic laptops and that Nordic Beer Stein that you just can’t keep your hands off of.  The table is priced at $200, and while that’s more than I can afford, those looking to condense scenarios may want to go and check this out.

On sale now and some assembly is required.

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Moshi has just announced their newest iteration of their Voice Activated Alarm Clock, which now offers a more streamlined bedside digital clock radio.  With all the features of the original including setting time and asking for the time, it now includes a radio that can be activated just by speaking to the device. The only thing missing is a WiFi connection for weather updates and Internet radio. Based on looks alone this version should appeal to a larger audience. Check out my review of the original Moshi Voice Controlled Clock.

It’s on sale now for $70.

Woodland Hills, CA – May 19, 2010 – Moshi, known for their unique and innovative consumer electronics featuring voice recognition technology, is thrilled to announce the availability of their new Voice Control Digital Clock Radio.  By simply saying “Hello Moshi”, the Digital Clock Radio allows users to activate eleven voice control commands including playing the radio, setting the time, setting alarm, and even snooze.

Similar to the original Moshi Alarm Clock, the Moshi Digital Clock Radio is easy to use and set up.  It is equipped with Technology That Listens™ which means the alarm clock recognizes your voice command without any setup required.  However, the new Moshi Digital Clock Radio allows users to also easily listen to the radio in the morning without having to find buttons while half asleep or away from the clock.

“The Moshi Voice Control Digital Clock Radio provides comfort and convenience to its users,” said Michael Nostrant, President and CEO of Moshi parent company SnS International.  “There is no easier way to wake up or play music other than by saying “Hello Moshi” and having the device submit to your command.”

The Moshi Digital Clock Radio is available now for $69.99 MSRP

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Perhaps one of the more useful Wii Accessories to come out as of late is this new Wii Rowing Machine.  Capable of working with Wii Sports And Wii Fit, there is no actual resistance besides your arms.  Keeping your feet in a secure position, your movements will directly correlate with what’s happening on the screen.  With no weights letting you ramp up your strength, this is really only going to be useful for older people.  In the video you can see how it works and that it’s really just another piece of exercise equipment to keep around your living room.

Amazon has a pre-order up now for only $35.  I’m not as excited as the “reps” in the video.

[via Ubergizmo]

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