What good is a rugged, waterproof wireless speaker if you have to carry it around with you while on an adventure? That's the thinking behind the Braven BRV-1M ($99.99), an attractive, solidly built outdoor Bluetooth speaker that is designed for on-the-go use. It's waterproof (IPX7) and quite rugged. But unlike most competing outdoor Bluetooth wireless speakers, it has a GoPro mount built-in, so you can easily attach it anywhere a GoPro camera would go, such as on a bike, boat, or motorcycle. I just wouldn't mount it to a helmet since it is somewhat heavy.
Todd Bernhard
Thanks to the iPad, the days of paper-based note taking may be coming to an end. But paper is still with us. I find I need to carry a briefcase or portfolio along with my iPad, to classes, business meetings, and more. That's why I need the Business Leather Portfolio ($49) from Sunrise Hitek. First and foremost, it's a quality buttery soft leather portfolio, with a paper notepad, storage for papers, pens, business cards, and more.
Get a Free Apple TV with DIRECTV NOW
By Todd Bernhard
I switched to satellite-based DirecTV a while ago, when AT&T (owner of DirecTV) offered unlimited wireless data for DirecTV subscribers. It was a good deal, as we were anxious to leave Time Warner but not ready to cut the cable cord yet. But for those who prefer watching TV using apps, the company just announced DIRECTV NOW, an app-based streaming service that includes live TV as well as on-demand shows. It could be a bargain and it just got better.
Samsung's Bad Year Keeps Getting Worse
By Todd Bernhard
If you think the American voters have had a bad year, at least the election is over. Samsung's year seems to be getting worse, not better. Between exploding washing machines and of course, Galaxy Note 7 explosions, the company has had an "explosive" year. Samsung has tried to do the right thing by voluntarily recalling the washers and the smartphones in question. It even took out full page ads in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Washington Journal offering an apology. But the damage is done. Between the fires and battery explosions, airlines won't let you fly with one of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones. How likely is it they'll let the next version fly?
If you play Pokémon Go and struggle making those straight up moves, Catalyst offers a soft silicone add-on aptly dubbed the Tool for Pokémon Go ($9.99). While $10 might be excessive, it is free when you purchase a case from Catalyst.
How to Avoid Losing Those AirPods
By Todd Bernhard
Apple introduced AirPods, its wireless earbuds, to deal with the lack of a headphone jack on the new iPhone 7. But those earbuds come with their own problems. As separate left and right pieces, you could easily lose one (or both) and ruin your day. Many competing Bluetooth earbuds are sold in one piece with a strap connecting both sides. This helps keep them together, and if one falls out of your ear, it might not hit the floor because the other earbud is tethered to it.
Could This App Breathe New Life into Your Older 16 GB iPhone?
By Todd Bernhard
Recently, I wrote about the difficulty in using a 16 GB iPhone and how Apple should really consider making a larger capacity model be the entry-level configuration. Perhaps I would have been okay with 16 GB if I had iMyFone Umate iPhone Cleaner ($19.95).
Updated Pokémon Go App Now Warns Drivers not to Play
By Todd Bernhard
I've tried to not go overboard in writing about the Pokémon Go sensation, but I did point out the dangers in cycling, or even worse, driving, while playing the game. Niantic, the makers of the popular app, have just released an update that addresses this issue, to some extent. The app can detect your speed and if it senses you are driving, it will display a warning message. It doesn't deactivate the game, but it will ask you if you are a passenger.
Review: Moshi's Flexible Case and Mounting System for iPads
By Todd Bernhard
If you want a nicely designed, protective iPad case, there are a lot of options; but not many can also let you mount that iPad and case on a wall or refrigerator. That's exactly what the MetaCover iPad Case ($74.95) from Moshi does. The iPad is safely ensconced in a protective case that can lock in to an origami-like protective cover that supports the iPad's auto-sleep and auto-wake function.
What goes up must come down, and it's happening to Nintendo stock. The hoopla over Pokémon Go has subsided a bit and now investors are paying attention to the fact (and admission by Nintendo) that Nintendo doesn't get all the profits from the app, and may only end up with 10 to 13 percent of those profits, meaning Apple and Google are pocketing more than the video game firm will.