HP iPaq 914 Business Messenger review

Posted by Sparky Categories: Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Microsoft, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,

While at the Connecting Your World event in Berlin Germany, HP we were able to get our hands on one of the new HP iPaq 914 Business Messenger Windows Mobile 6.1 QWERTY phones. We’ve already created a full iPaq 914 unboxing gallery for you to enjoy, but we also wanted to be sure to hit you with a full review of the phone. After a day or so of use, it’s easy to be impressed with this business-centric communications device.

As a phone with iPaq 914 performs admirably, offering great voice quality, and the well implemented Windows Mobile 6 dialer interface. Having quad-band GSM support means the iPaq 914 works virtually anywhere in the globe making it ideal for globe trotters and others needing to keep in touch while on the go.

Featuring HSDPA, EDGE, UMTS, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, the iPaq 914 is well equipped for all sorts of wireless communications. The HSDPA chipset is quick and responsive and loads data quickly.

Click through Gear Live’s full review of the HP iPaq 914.

Click to continue reading HP iPaq 914 Business Messenger review

HP Mini-Note 2133 review

Posted by Sparky Categories: Design, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,

Amidst a flurry of small and seemingly underpowered netbooks, HP has taken a slightly different tact in their release of the surprisingly capable HP Mini-Note device. While its up-to-$850 price tag places it in a significantly different category than the Eee PC and other cheap sub-notebooks, it easily makes up for this price difference with functionality and power approaching that of its larger siblings: full sized laptops.

We’ve got an HP Mini-Note unboxing gallery for you to check out if you want to see how the thing looks from all angles, and of course, you can click through for Gear Live’s in-depth review of the HP Mini-Note 2133’s features, capabilities, and user experience, below.

Click to continue reading HP Mini-Note 2133 review

Review: Virtual Villagers 3: The Secret City

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Product Reviews, Video Games, Videos,

LDW (Last Day of Work) has finally released the latest in their Virtual Villagers series. This time around, VV3: The Secret City goes back to the island of Isola, or rather another side of it with a combination of simulation, adventure, and virtual inhabitants . While this game plays pretty much like its predecessors, such as being able to adjust level of difficulty and speed, there are plenty of new features. Our highlights of VV3 and additional screenshots after the jump.

Click to continue reading Review: Virtual Villagers 3: The Secret City

Read More | LDW

HP Mini-Note 2133 first impressions

Posted by Sparky Categories: Design, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Product Reviews,

I just got my hands on one of the HP Mini-Note 2133 ultra-portable notebook (netbook?) computers. A few first impressions are below, a taste of our upcoming HP 2133 vs. Eee PC 900 Battle Royale:

HP Mini-Note 2133 wins:

• 2133 has a much nicer keyboard
• 2133 has a cleaner design
• 2133 has a faster processor (1.6Ghz vs. 900Mhz)
• 2133 has more RAM (2GB vs. 1GB)

Eee PC 900 wins:

• Eee PC is cheaper ($550 vs. $729-819)
• Eee PC is slimmer and lighter (2133 battery protrudes downward)
• Eee PC has more USB 2.0 ports (3 vs. 2)
• Eee PC is easier to dual boot with Ubuntu

Obviously the HP 2133 has a lot going for it, however it’s significantly more expensive. Stay tuned for more in-depth information about these trendy new netbooks and how they compare for power, usability, and value.

Review: Ipevo USB PoV Webcam

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Misc. Tech, Product Reviews, USB,

Ipevo was generous enough to lend us one of their movable PoV cams that we first told you about it back in December. The $39.99 priced camera came intact with a CD, mounting pieces that are mostly easy to attach, and almost everything we needed to test it out. Unfortunately, the extended instructions were on the CD, so it was a back and forth effort. Our full review after the jump.

(Thanks, Caroline)

Click to continue reading Review: Ipevo USB PoV Webcam

Read More | Ipevo

Review: USB Exercising Mouse

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Product Reviews, Toys, Videos, USB,

This little guy has been out for a while now, but when our English buds from Crazy About Gadgets sent us a USB Exercising Mouse, we just had to put him through his paces (pun intended.) While waiting for the software to upload, we noticed that Microsoft warned us that it had not undergone safety testing by them. (Thanks for looking out for us, but we’ll take the risk.) Full review and video after the jump.

(Thanks, Phillip)

Click to continue reading Review: USB Exercising Mouse

Read More | Crazy About Gadgets

Review: MSN i-Buddy

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Internet, Microsoft, Product Reviews, Videos,

The MSN i-Buddy is an emotional wreck. Connect him to your USB port, then get in touch with someone on MSN Messenger. When that person comes online, your mini-bud goes to work and lets you know. Every time your friend sends you an emoticon, he responds by colors, flapping wings, body movement, and a thumping “heart.” Get two and you have a veritable emoticon party.

We had a lot of fun playing with the gadget and our cat seemed to think he was there just for her. Note that the most response we got was when we were sent an angry emoticon. We thought the thing would fall off our desktop! You can find the i-Buddy at Firebox for $24.95. While they are temporarily out, you can pre-order to receive one from the next batch.

(Thanks, Jen and Kent, and Avril!)

Read More | firebox

Review: MSN Missile Launcher/Webcam

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Microsoft, Misc. Tech, Product Reviews, Toys, Videos, USB,

There is no better way to spend a weekend than by playing with electronic toys. The MSN Missile Launcher/Webcam is no exception. Firebox was kind enough to allow us to get our hands on one. It comes with software that makes it really simple to load and takes only a few seconds. With a toy like this, it is easy to get addicted. We only wish we had two for all out virtual/real warfare. Read our full review and see a short video demo after the jump.

(Thanks, Jen and Kent)

Click to continue reading Review: MSN Missile Launcher/Webcam

Read More | Firebox

Virtual Villagers Trilogy is Not Just for Kids

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Product Reviews, Video Games,

We admit it. We are addicted to the two Virtual Villagers PC games, which originate from San Francisco’s LDW (Last Day of Work Games.) Executive Producer Carla Humphrey told us that there will be a third one out in beta in a month or so. This is one of those games that appears to be created for kids, for it is fairly straightforward, but we are not so sure. They wouldn’t have the patience.

Although you can speed up the scenarios, it is still played in real time, sort of. Twenty two minutes until the next crop is ready to harvest seems a dreadfully long time when your inhabitants are starving. The game can be played in Easy, Normal, and Difficult for leisure gaming or for those who like a challenge.

One of the most intriguing features is that the game can go on even when your computer is shut off unless you put it on pause. If you like RPGs, SIMs, or games that use your mind instead of just your trigger finger, read our review of the first two Villagers after the jump.

(Thanks, Carla)

Click to continue reading Virtual Villagers Trilogy is Not Just for Kids

Read More | LDW Games

Monty the Tengu Review

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Product Reviews, Toys, Videos, USB,

Creator Crispin Jones was kind enough to send us a Tengu, knowing that no one can ever have enough friends, even if they are electronic ones. We nicknamed ours Monty, and from the time we plugged him into the USB port, he was instantly on, albeit asleep. No software is needed to get him to do his thing. We have a full review and video of our 2 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 1/2-inch buddy awake after the jump.

(Thanks, Crispin and Mike)

Click to continue reading Monty the Tengu Review

Read More | Mr. Jones' Tengu