Tag: iPad

Nerdminator Level

ASCII Shooter — Perfect ’80s Flashback When You’ve Got Two Minutes to Burn

James Floyd Kelly

Remember Robotron or Berzerk? I have fond memories of those two video games even though I wasn’t very good at either of them. In both instances, you’re placed right in the middle of a wave of enemies that are threatening you from all directions. I could hold my own in Robotron for maybe 10-15 minutes of gameplay, but I never lasted more than a couple of minutes with Berzerk. Still, I played them often, usually when I had one token left and maybe five minutes left before my parents picked me up from the arcade. If you’re looking for a similar style of game, let me point you to ASCII Shooter.

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Thins and waterproof, Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Review: Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Brad Moon

When it comes to mobile devices, I’m pretty solidly in the Apple camp. Between iPods, iPhones and iPads, Apple has a pretty solid “in” around our house. I do own Android versions like a Nook tablet, but they tend to not see the same kind of use that the Apple gear does. Having just spent a week playing with a Sony Xperia Tablet Z, I have to say, the next time I’m shopping for a tablet that’s not an iPad, this thing will be at the very top of my list.

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Kobo Aura HD: The best e-reader on the market

Kobo Aura HD Review: Amazing Display Makes This the Ultimate Device for E-Book Fans

Brad Moon4

It’s no secret that I’ve become a real fan of e-readers over the past few years. There’s a lot to like about the switch to digital books — no ruined covers, no misplaced novels, no worries about beach damage and new books on demand thanks to Wi-Fi and online bookstores. I was running out of room for bookshelves, too. I used to write about the e-reader industry extensively, and besides testing dozens of models, I count six among my personal collection, including units from Kobo, Sony, Amazon and B&N. But tablets have slowly been taking over from the old school E Ink e-reader in my life. I do much of my reading at night, and since e-reader lighting has ranged from bad (clip-on lights) to iffy (built-in lights that tend to be uneven and spotty), an iPad and Nook Color have largely taken over around here. However, I just wrapped up testing on a new device that’s completely changed that equation. The Kobo Aura HD is the e-reader that will make you think twice about using a tablet for consuming digital books. This is the best device you can buy today for reading e-books.

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Two Activities

Two Fun Digital Activities For Youngsters

James Floyd Kelly

I’ve got a three year old son who is into everything — books, games, animals, trains, dinosaurs, Lego, dump trucks, pirates… the list is growing as I write. He’ll bounce from one interest to another, and there is simply no predicting what will spark his interest or hold is attention. The same goes for my six year old boy. I’ve added two new digital activities to the household that recently caught their attention.

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GeekDad Review: Philips Hue

Brad Moon6

I bit the bullet and bought a Philips Hue connected LED light starter pack back in November of last year. At the time, with a ton of favorable buzz and availability exclusively through Apple (you can now buy Hue gear through Amazon), the bulbs were in short supply. Online lead times quickly stretched into the two month range. My local Apple Store have two kits on the shelf, so I hustled down, pushed through the people standing in line for the iPad Mini launch and snagged a starter pack. I haven’t reviewed the Hue system until now for two reasons. First, there’s a lot of technology packed in one of those bulbs and I wanted to have some sense of durability and reliability — I’ve had more than my share of cool gear that packs it in after a few weeks of use. Second, I wanted to see how a Hue bulb performed under extreme conditions, namely being installed in an outdoor light fixture through a Canadian winter. The verdict? A few quibbles such as price and current availability limited to a single bulb form factor aside, Philips Hue is a showcase for what LED technology and home automation can offer.

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Ogio Brooklyn Image: Dakster Sullivan

OGIO Manhattan Bag Review

Dakster Sullivan1

Bags are one of my geeky pleasures. Lately, I’ve been checking out the Ogio: Brooklyn. It’s a simple messenger bag and thanks to my geeky button collection, I was able to give a little bit of a face lift. Underneath the Superman, Flash and Batman buttons is actually three regular buttons that once you undo, lets you access a hidden pocket under the flap.

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