Keefer Madness

Alternate OS's: Chrome OS

// May 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Computers, Misc Reviews, Reviews, Software

Think about how much of what you do on your portable devices is Internet related. Then, in 2011 think about how much of your data isn’t even stored locally — email, photos, calendars, notes, the list goes on and on. Google’s Chrome OS embraces this cloud-based concept.

A few months back when installing Parallels (to run Windows 7) on my work iMac, I saw there was an option to install Chrome OS. While I had heard about the OS being run on Google branded mobile devices (not to be confused with Android OS), I hadn’t had a chance to play with it, but was intrigued by the concept.

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Griffin Slap Review: Retro Meets Techno

// April 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Misc Reviews, Reviews

Remember back in the 80′s one of the many goofy gimmicks — the slap bracelet? It was the metal bracelet wrapped in a loud color or pattern. Fast forward to 2010 with Apple’s release of their 6th generation iPod Nano — a tiny little square of a music player that features a touch interface and a representation of an analog watch.

Soon after the 6th gen iPod Nano’s release, it was only natural that a bunch of third party accessories were released that allowed the Nano to highlight that analog watch screen — bands, cases, etc.
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AirCurve Play Acoustically and Affordable Amplifies iPhone 4

// February 1st, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, iPhone, Misc Reviews, Reviews

I first heard about the Griffin AirCurve with an older model – one designed for an older version of the iPhone, but I never saw, nor heard it in person. It was a curious device, able to passively amplify the iPhone’s tiny little speaker to a higher volume without power – AC or battery.

The next time I heard about the AirCurve was more recently – when people who had upgraded to Apple’s iPhone 4 found their beloved AirCurve’s passive amplification didn’t work with the fourth iPhone model, as speaker location had moved, as had the contours of the new phone. People found ways though to modify both pieces to make them work. I still hadn’t heard, nor seen a Griffin AirCurve.

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iPhone 4 Case Review: Unique Finish, Colors Make Griffin Outfit Ice Nice

// October 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // iPhone, Misc Reviews, Reviews

When the iPhone 4 came out, cases that both fit it and were also attractive, were few and far between. Fast forward a few months later, and there are quite a few, though a lot are your basic glossy or matte black.

Enter the Griffin Technology iPhone Outfit Ice line of snap-on cases. The Outfit Ice comes in multiple colors, which includes a jet black, but also red, blue and pink. My review unit was the red, or “true red,” as Griffin labels it.

The company describes the Outfit Ice as, “a hard-shell polycarbonate case with soft micro-textured finish.” The finish is what stands out as a different to me. It’s a satin-like finish, that is really smooth, but not to the point that it’s slippery or clumsy in your hand. Sadly, this unique finish is also the only complaint I have with the case. The satin-like finish shows off fingerprints and the oils of your skin even worse than the glass of the iPhone itself. Unfortunately, I found it more difficult and time-consuming to keep it clean than the phone.

After a few weeks of use, the oils and fingerprints didn’t affect the case as much it did initially. Partially, the change was that its sheen was became slightly “worn in” as it spent time in my pocket, and against my ear. Overall, I like the case and appreciate its unique color and finish, without being overdone.

For full disclosure, Griffin Technology provided this case for review, and I will honestly continue to use it in rotation with two other cases I purchased.

iPhone Apps I've Kept on My Phone – Part II

// October 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Apple, Internet / Web, Misc Reviews, Reviews

In case you missed my post just a few days ago, I started writing up the applications that have made it onto my iPhone and stuck. Sure, many an application have come and gone, but there are 14 applications that have stood the test of time and have proved quite useful.

8. Ambiance – This was one that if it was any more than a buck, I wouldn’t have done it, but for $0.99, I thought it was worth a shot. It’s basically a set of looping ambient sound effects including rain, city traffic, crashing waves and a whole slew of others that you can use as background noise whether you’re trying to take a nap, or trying to concentrate on work. The developer has multiple times added new sound effects. All of the sound effects add up, and the app is pretty big. But you can customize which sounds you want on the phone to drop the app’s file size. You can also set sleep timers to have it play for an allotted period of time.
Cost: $0.99

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iPhone Apps I've Kept on My Phone – Part I

// October 10th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Apple, Internet / Web, Misc Reviews, Reviews

Like the majority of iPhone and iPod Touch users, I’ve used the iTunes App Store a ton, downloading and installing a ton of applications.

Most stayed on my iPhone only a few days, or in some cases, only a few minutes. There are a ton of apps available from the store – both free and pay. A big bit of them are junk. Below is my list of applications still on my phone – the ones I use regularly, and a quick review of their utility and/or amusement.

All in all, I’ve got 14 applications installed on my iPhone presently. Below are the first 7:

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TiVo Makes TV More Efficient

// July 19th, 2003 // No Comments » // Misc Reviews, Reviews, TiVo Bytes

I’ve had my TiVo now for about four months. I was psyched from the day I got it setup, but wanted to wait to write a review until I made sure my love of this technology wasn’t because it was the newest gadget in my arsenal. Well, four months later, it’s still being used daily and makes me wonder how I ever watched television without one.
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