Okay I’ve been using the iPad for a week now. And I’m adjusting quite well to the on screen keyboard much like I adjusted to the iPhone keyboard. In fact I’m typing this update using the on screen keyboard. I’m also using Pages instead of Notepad. I like it’s interface. The biggest adjustment I need [...]

Okay I’ve been using this bad boy for going on 10 hours of using the iPad in what I would consider ‘normal’ daily use and I’m only at 47% usage of the battery life. Keep in mind though that while doing some driving I played music via my car stereo and my FM transmitter which [...]

One drawback to having a personal music player, that there aren’t a whole lot of convenient options for sharing with others.  Portable speakers and docks are always kinda bulky and not always on the top of my mind if we head out somewhere.  But now the folks over at Unicsen have a product that solves [...]

Wow is this thin.  This is a great case for the Nano 5G, it is cut just right with laser precision so that it doesn’t get in the way of the camera or the mic.  While on the Nano the case adds hardly any weight and it’s great to take all the scuffing so that [...]

It’s been ordered before the 2010 CES rush .  What I like already about this, it should be able to charge my iPhone, touch and nano as well as Matt and Ma’s cell phone, my bluetooth, and the GPS.

Had a monitor go out on me, that will teach me to get a cheap generic, only lasted 3 years.  So here is the new setup.

Okay been really busy with the Alganon and getting the new skin to MyAlganon.com wrapped up.  Now that it’s done I’m catching up on reviews.  And finally the review of the Griffin Clarifi case for the iPhone 3G/3GS.

To start the micro lens is awesome but the case cover is only so so.  Compared to the Switcheasy case this feels like a cheap knock off type case.  I personally haven’t been really impressed with any of the Griffin cases.  If it wasn’t for the Microlens I’d have this bad boy wrapped up in a Switcheasy RebelSerpent.  That being said, the Microlens works incredibly well and is the only saving grace to the case.

With Micro Lens

Without Micro Lens

As you can see from the sample the lens works very well, and lets you shoot text up close and when your not shooting up close simply slide the lens cover to the left and your back to your normal lens.  The case isn’t the worst in the world, it does offer basic protection.  It has “easy” access to the bottom port by sliding off the bottom half of the case (which actually annoys me).

But tie this case in with such apps as Evernote to take pictures of all those business cards that get handed to you and you can search for any text on them.  Even the tiny, tiny 8pt font on some of the cards I tested.

All in all I give the Griffin Clarifi 3 out 5 Ls and can be ordered from Amazon.com

OMG, okay I was looking to pick up an iPhone 3G so I could test some Bluetooth connectivity I’m looking to add into my app.  Well I was plesantly surprised when I picked one up off of Craigslist that was already hacked and ready to go for T-Mobile.  He already had it loaded up on the 3.0 OS and so all I needed to do was configure it and go.  So after updating the Network settings I was able to start MMSing right away!

Not only that but as of Friday I’ve been able to teether on T-Mobile!  Okay it’s not 3G it’s only Edge and is by no means a Speed Demon, but it’s nice to have the feature again in a pinch.  Not to mention that I use to be able to do with my DASH (cough WinMobile) but of course that was TAKEN by the shady characters that took over the station, but that’s another dramatic story for another day.  Another cool feature is the ability to tether via Bluetooth!  While I’m sure that would be a battery drain, its really cool that it’s possible.  Something Apple should consider is the ability to double tap the blue tether bar to quickly jump to turn it off and on.

It appears to me that the iPhone 3G has either much better speakers or at least a little more volume than the original iPhone.  I was hoping to have my Clarifi with Micro Lens case by the time I got to finishing this review, however Amazon seems to be holding out on me >grrrr<.  But out of the box the camera appears to be the same quality of the original iPhone.  (The Clarify is a case by Griffin that adds a macro lens to the 3G & 3G S iPhone)  But by far my most used 3.0 upgrade is the multi-selection of photos, in fact that’s how I get most of my photos into the blog.

I don’t think the 3G is REALLY that much thinner than the original, the tapered feel makes it LOOK thin, but when I popped it into my Treadz case (until my new case comes) and it appears to bulk out more in the center than the original.  But it’s a about the same size as the 2nd Gen iPod touch in the Rebel case.

WOW, the Mobiblu UFO mp3 player is the perfect accessory for a little music at a party.  Simply load it up with music and connect to a large surface and listen to the music radiate from the surface.  This is the first (if not only) NXT mp3 player.  For those of you who don’t know what NXT is.  It’s the same technology you see in the flat panel speakers.  I’ve had previous experience with the Macally Tune Pro for my iPod.

Basically how it works is the UFO comes with a sticker with a metalic side.  Stick it to a table, desk, door what ever you want to turn into a speaker.  Then you attach the UFO player magnetically to the sticker and it sends the good vibrations into the surface and the sound radiates from the surface.  It worked perfectly on my desk and pretty wild having the sound coming out of the desk.  While the Macally version of the speaker I have doesn’t have any “hotspot” the UFO does get hotter closer to the device.

One of the coolest things was taking the UFO player and attaching it to a metallic closed lid trashcan and the sound was great.  I was walking with my Ma the other day and when we stopped to take a little break, I attached it to the utility box and it turned that into a speaker.

The Mobiblu UFO player is the funnest and EASIEST MP3 player without a display I’ve gotten my hands on.  It’s so simple that Ma can use it.  Keep in mind simple and easy to use, usally means some of the extra features aren’t there.  Obviously with no screen the only feedback to what is playing is the actual audio.  It would be nice when your going to sleep to be able to turn off the very cool blue LEDs that light up the bottom.

Next party I have I’ll be using the UFO player to provide the music, it’s a great center piece to making conversation too.

I give this MP3 player a 4 out 5 Ls

The Mobiblu UFO player is available now from UnicSen

One case to rule them all.  Okay maybe that’s a bit much, but I really do love this Rebel Touch case from SwitchEasy.com.  It’s a combo soft and hard shell case that really make the iPod feel like a solid device without adding a lot of bulk.  In Batman-esk fashion the skin slides over the iPod and the shell snaps into place wrapping it’s poly-carbon tentacles around all the important places.  And something that comes with that is missing in most cases is the nifty little port cover I’m sure to loose someday, but I’ll love it while I have it.

I have been a big fan of the iFrogz treadz case, which I have for both my iPod touch & iPhone 1st Generations, mostly because it allows you to set the device on it’s side, so kind of a built in stand.  While not perfect it was a nice feature, but did add a little bulkiness to the touch, not as noticeable on the iPhone.  But >sniff sniff< there is no Treadz style case for the 2ndGen iPod touch so searching through the internet I went until I came across the Rebel Touch.

Switch Easy really goes the extra mile with the port cover, which is a really nice feature that helps “complete” the case. They also provide a stand a little more sturdy than the one that came with the original iPod touch.  Again something I’m sure to loose someday, but I’ll enjoy it while I have it.

The case doesn’t get in the way of working with applications and gives you enough clearance to get to the edge.  I also like that once i scuff up the shell I can order a replacement one, maybe even one of a different color for a few bucks.  The skin is fits nice and tight and doesn’t interfere with the volume or sleep/wake buttons.  There is a nice bevel that should protect the screen if you lay it face down, and they provide a couple of scratch covers for the touch screen.

The only thing that could be done is if they figured out some ingenious way to get a video kick stand built in instead of the one I’ll loose.  The Rebel Touch case is available from http://switcheasy.com/

I give it 4 out 5 Ls and is available now