GadgetReview

4Bugs 200 is a picture hunt game from Root9 Media.  I had previously reviewed their Yeti Sports game and I’m here today to talk about Bugs4.  Sort of a weird name for a picture hunt game, the Bugs are merely the character that you represent when playing by yourself or in multiplayer.  You end up seeing them a bunch during scoring screens and they always look pretty happy regardless of how bad you are at the game. …Continue reading: 4Bugs 200 Game Review (iPhone/Touch)

EZ Grill, easy review.  So even though America is wholly embracing this green revolution for the most part, throwing stuff away is still a huge part of our culture.  To add to this national pastime comes the EZ Grill, a portable and disposable solution for those looking to grill on the go. …Continue reading: EZ Grill Review

Finding the perfect iPod speaker system can be a daunting task at best.  With so many choices to choose from and seemingly hundreds of new brands emerging all over the place, it can end up being quite the process.  What most docks have forgotten however, is old media.  While some of us may have totally abandoned CD’s, there are probably more than a handful of us that still use them here and there, depending on the scenario.  I actually still use CD’s when taking a shower using and old CD player boombox I’ve had for over a decade stuffed on a shelf in my bathroom. …Continue reading: JVC UX-LP5 iPod/CD Player Stereo System Review

I’m an avid bike rider and attend the good old gym on a regular basis. One thing I’ve long failed to do is keep track of my workouts – I don’t even have a little black book to record my mileage or ’sets’ completed. Enter the Garmin Forerunner 310XT.

The Forerunner 310XT is Garmin’s first fully fledged GPS watch to offer not only a myriad of workout and tracking options, but is waterproof up to 50m. Aesthetically it’s a bit on the large side, but that lends itself to a reasonably large screen, all things relative of course. The wrist band is finished in bright orange, so there’s no mistaking this thing for anything but a workout watch, although I’m relatively confident that runners and triathlon nuts could get away with wearing it year round, though they might be a bit hampered by its 20 hour battery life.

And despite that sounding like a short battery life I assure you it’s not, especially if you use the Forerunner 310XT specifically for your workouts. To streamline the charging process Garmin has included a clothespin like charger that grasps the 310XT at two contact points, making charging the device a snap (pardon the pun). …Continue reading: Garmin Forerunner 310XT Review

During my quest for the ultimate earphone I have had the chance to review several pairs from companies I had not previously heard of.  Being pleasantly surprised on many an occasion, The Cresyn C750E’s are just that. Having a solid sound and a comfortable fit, I am compelled to recommend these earphones to anyone looking for a great package at the $100 price range.

Judging today’s current batch of earphones you are not only looking at sound but you are also grading how they fit and what features they flaunt.  I can say right off the bat that the Cresyn C750E’s possess all of the above.  Embracing a sturdy fit and competent sound reproduction in a lightweight and compact package, the Cresyn C750E’s easily rank as some of the better earphones I’ve used all year.

In comparison to other earphones I’ve unboxed, the Cresyn C750E’s was pretty basic.  Three sizes of inserts and a nice feeling carrying case.  That’s it.  Not that the Cresyn C750E’s needed anything else anyway. …Continue reading: Cresyn C750E In-Ear Stereo Earphones Review

Do you love magic?  Do you have an iPhone?  If so, get yourself over to the iTunes app store and plunk down $2.99 for what might be one of the more novel and original applications to hit the iPhone.  Called Rising Card, the application is based off the classic and popular trick performed by hundreds of magicians around the world.  It works like this: the magician tells you to think of a card and say it aloud.  The magician then magically makes your card slip out from the deck using what appears to be a set of invisible strings.

*Warning: Spoiler alert ahead*

Now you, the every day joe, can perform this trick on unsuspecting relatives, friends or complete strangers.  Upon initial launch of the app you’re presented with a set of instructions explaining how it works.  I found these a bit overwhelming so you might want to opt for the video tutorial, which requires a WiFi or 3G connection.  After the initial launch you have the option to officially launch the application, which will hide the instructions unless you hold down the ’settings’ button presesnted on the fake screen.

Fake screen you say?  Yup. The Rising Card iPhone app uses a fake screen to make your subject think you have yet to launch the application, but more on that in a sec.  One you fire up the app you’ll have to perform a secret move to fully launch- you swipe down on the screen with two fingers.  What will appear to be the app shutting down is in fact the fake screen launching. Each ‘application’ in the fake screen represents a card number while the 4 favorite buttons represent a suit.  So, while your mark says the card aloud you punch the card’s info in accordingly.  In order to truly dupe them into thinking you haven’t done anything underhanded, you’ll want to choose the suit first and then with a flick of a finger swipe left or right on the appropriate card.  This will give the appearance as if you haven’t launched an application yet, but be careful not to let them see you select the suit, otherwise they might get suspicious.  After that hand them the iPhone and tell them to launch the application, which unbeknownst to them is already running.  Then they just need to shake the phone to reveal their card.

While I did enjoy the application I did receive some skepticism from fellow techies.  They weren’t all that convinced that the app holds all that much allure since the mark has to say their card aloud.  Also, the app does require some knowledge of how the iPhone works otherwise the least suspecting could be the most skeptical – the faux screen is what sells it and if they’re not familiar with the iPhone’s app environment they might just assume that you punched something in.  Still, nothing beats the fake screen move and if the ‘pledge’ is presented correctly I truly think you’ll have some people begging you for the answer.

Read

By now we all know what a behemoth the Madden franchise is and the impact it has had on sports gaming in general.  Some cherish it and some loathe it, but it’s the only licensed NFL game available, so play it you must.

I remember a time when football gaming was competitive.  Visual Concepts and Sega had released ESPN NFL 2K5 for $20 and EA Sports must have been straight spun.  But alas, no more.

Soon after that I read in utter dismay that EA had monopolized football gaming through an exclusive and costly NFL license.  In the years that followed, all the Madden reviews that I read couldn’t help but mention that EA was just dialing in their biggest and most lucrative franchise and that the series never really stepped it up from year to year.

While I agreed with these reviewers whole heartedly, I never stopped playing Madden.  It was firmly lodged in my gaming subconscious from the days of the early 90’s on the Sega Genesis to the late 90’s on the Sega Saturn to every other console after that.  I would never abandon it.  I loved NFL 2K5 for the strides the developers took to give EA a run for their money in regards to gameplay, presentation, and fun-factor.  But by no means was there ever a “bad” year of Madden, and it was often just a case of misallocated focus.  But, in the end, it was never the best it could be.

With that said, Madden 2010 is by far the most impressive rendition of football gaming EA Sports has created in years, but one can only hope and wait for what will someday be a truly complete and epic John Madden NFL Football experience.  Fingers crossed right?

**Before I get started on my review of Madden 10 I just want to note that I have been playing on an 2005 Xbox 360 that has already seen the three red lights.**

Presentation:

Receiving a positive and fresh overhaul this year, the whole look and feel of Madden NFL 2010 has a TV style sheen to it.  Each game information about the stadium is given and there are some animated tie-ins that show tailgating, consumerism, and social banter.  The in-game advertising is present once again but it would have been nice to have more of a variety instead of the same brands we’ve seen for years.  And I’m not talking about Snickers.

I would have liked to see some major networks (ABC, NBC, FOX, EPSN, NFL Network) involved in the process with each game being broadcast by the corresponding network with all the appropriate graphic, such as that stupid FOX football robot dancing around (never gonna happen).  Now that’s what should be the future of Madden, right? I swear I just cursed myself.

There could even be the specific announcers for each network.  While this review is traveling down a wish list path already, I can’t help but think about all the possibilities.  If EA truly wanted to champion an all great version of Madden NFL Football they wouldn’t have to make one every year.  They could release roster updates and other downloads, and a perfect game of Madden wouldn’t require you to buy one every year.  Would you pay $100 for a Madden NFL game that lasted you 3 or more years?  Not that EA would ever do this (-$$$), but it’s not a bad idea to ponder from a non-technical/financial standpoint.

At the end of the day – let’s make that day be Sunday – the TV-style presentation is truly evident and a nice leap in the 2010 version.   But with EA’s big slogan of the year being, “If It Happens On Sunday, Then You’ll See It In The Game”, what happens if I see it on Monday Night Football? …Continue reading: Madden NFL 2010 Game Review (Xbox 360)

Going to the gym can be such a drag.  It’s like going to work, only shorter, smells worse and costs you money as opposing to earning it.  So what’s one to do when it comes to at home fitness.  Well, if you have ever remained awake beyond the hours of 1am and onward, then you probably pretty familiar with the endless array of get in shape quick exercise tools.  I think it all started back in the mid 90s with that stupid ab crunch machine that was crafted of a few pieces of plastic and a rubber band, or perhaps that sea saw like bike that used your own body weight to shed those unwanted pounds.  So the inevitable question comes to mind?  What’s a guy like me  to do whose in his early 30s who wants to maintain his physique but not attend the always cumbersome gym on a daily basis?  Enter the Perfect Push Up and Pull Up.

Now before you throw your skepticism blanket down consider that push ups and pull ups have been the corner stone of muscle building since time began.  Which means that these two products have immediate credence no matter how apprehensive you are.  But unlike most late night infomercial exercise equipment, the manufacture makes no quibbles about get in shape quick schemes with these products.  Nope, you’ll need to dedicate yourself and really try if you want the Perfect Push Up and Pull Up to make a difference.  After all, the push up and pull up are not only the corner stone of muscle building, but tend to be a pretty big indicator of one’s muscle strength. …Continue reading: The Perfect Push Up And Pull Up Review

Finding a good armband for your MP3 player can be a tricky thing.  Does it stay fastened to your arm without sliding?  Does it get in the way of what your doing?  I have tried a couple of arm bands in my day and I always ended up going with an around the hip accessory (tucked into my waistband) just because it worked better for what I was doing.

ArmPocket is an Eco-Friendly company that makes a variety of quality and utilitarian armbands for your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch.  To say it right now, the ArmPocket Sport 20 is the best arm band I have used yet and I highly advise you to check it out if you are looking for a competent and fairly priced exercise accessory.

Let’s start with features.  Assuming that you don’t have any other storage on your person, the ArmPocket Sport 20 has got you covered.  In the main chamber there are two elastic slots for an ID and credit card and it is big enough to hold an energy bar or gel in addition to your MP3 player no problem.  On the outside there is also a small loop to hold a keyring. …Continue reading: ArmPocket Sport 20 Review

Computer speakers are another one of those gadgets/accessories where there are literally countless options for you to choose from.  Most everyone who has a desktop or laptop computer can greatly improve the sound of their set-up with one of these after-market speaker kits.

Hercules has been around for a while now but they have yet to make any huge waves here in the US.  Hopefully this review will help!  The XPS 2.1 50 speaker system sports some versatile features out of the box, and for it’s price range (around $60), it sounds really nice. …Continue reading: Hercules XPS 2.1 50 Speaker System Review