MilestonePod is a really interesting device for runners and walkers. On first glance, it looks basic. It doesn't look high tech at all. By design, it's simple. It's attached to your shoe, and it's always tracking your runs/walks. You can then sync the device over Bluetooth to their iPhone or Android apps. There is no start or stop button. You simply get moving, and the device tracks your steps. At $25, MilestonePod is a really in-expensive fitness tracker for runners of any kind.
Ever since I saw the Apple Watch for the first time, I knew that it would be a popular item for accessories. Even before Apple announced their third party band program, Monowear Design was already planning out their strategy. With a successful Kickstarter campaign, they began manufacturing a host of bands. While these bands are not officially "Made for Apple Watch" according to Apple's program, I can confirm they work well. Monowear sent me a few bands to sample, so I wanted to run through my thoughts on them.
After using the Apple Watch for a few weeks now, I can say that a quality charging stand is a must have accessory. While an iPhone can easily lay flat on a nightstand, the watch tends to want to move around. The charging disk included with Apple Watch is also weighted, so it often falls to the floor in the morning. With HiRise for Apple Watch, everything will stay in place.
Nikon's upcoming "prosumer" mirrorless camera, perfect for capturing selfies and action shots.
The Active Rhino Adjustable Running Belt is designed to store your phone, keys, wallet, etc while you are working out. I've never been a big fan of iPhone arm bands since most of them require me to take my case off. I also feel like they start to weigh me down on long runs.
The same Field Notes cover we know and love, now available in three colorways.
Twelve South has just announced they are working on a HiRise Stand for the Apple Watch. Like the HiRise Dock, it uses your existing charging cable. It takes just a second to insert the watch into the dock, and it works with any style band. It will be available in silver or black.
Just because you are on the go doesn't mean that you should go without making backups of your hard drive. While I love Backblaze for offsite backups, Apple's Time Machine is a pretty robust program for onsite backups. It even backs up iCloud Drive documents with the most recent Yosemite update (10.10.2). If you need a durable external drive for travel, Transcend's 2 TB USB 3.0 external drive would be a great addition to your hard drive collection.
We've written a lot about Baron Fig products in the past, but they've always had one negative: their products weren't free. Today, we are solving that problem. We have three Baron Fig Confidant notebooks (Dot Grid, Ruled, and Blank) and three Baron Fig Apprentice packs to giveaway. If one of your 2015 goals was to write more, these giveaways will get you on the right path.
It's Monday (yes, that day), so that means we have another giveaway. Today, it's the Poetic Slimline Case for Apple iPad mini 2. This iPad case provides protection for the front and back, while also remaining easy to take off and on. Like the Smart Cover, this case works with the magnets inside the iPad to wake the device when the flap is opened.
A super durable sleeve for iPads of all sizes that can also carry the rest of your small, everyday gear.
Portable USB batteries are great, but what happens if they run out of power? That is where FlameStower comes in. Instead of having to use a portable battery, the heat from your campfire is converted into electricity to power your electronics. You just slide the FlameStower into your fire and your phone or camera can charge. It outputs 2.5 Watts, so it can charge an iPhone completely in about 3 hours.
Great way to manage headphone cables and more.
I know that Beats products have long had the reputation of being about "brand" and not performance. I'd being lying if I said I wasn't impressed by the recent Lebron James commercial about the Powerbeats 2, though. I've recently picked running back up as a hobby, so I wanted to get some bluetooth headphones to run with. I debated between the Powerbeats 2 and the JayBird BlueBuds X headphones. After much research, I decided to purchase the Powersbeats 2.
A blanket so portable it fits in a pocket is an incredibly useful proposition. Whether you're heading out for a picnic, photo shoot, trip to the beach, or a million other outdoor activities, the amount of stuff that can be carried is usually extremely limited. Matador makes two pocketable blankets that fill this need and will keep you covered with very minimal space sacrificed in the process.
Lets face it, we've all got a lot of devices that charge with USB. The Photive 50 Watt 6 Port USB Desktop Rapid Charger is aiming to simplify that setup. The USB ports will recognize what is plugged up and provide the fastest possible charging speed. This is really handy when you need a quick charge to your iPad.
Leatherman's subtly-different Style CS and PS multitools are great in a pinch.
A great and affordable way to prop up an iPad or Kindle.
The BookBook has been a fairly popular iPhone case in years past. A number of my coworkers love them. It's a handsfree wallet case with a removable shell. It's all wrapped inside a vintage leather book. It includes pockets for cash and cards. It also folds out into a stand for Netflix and FaceTime. Buy it for $59.99 for the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus.
The room I record my podcast in at work is fairly small, but it has concrete walls. I'm not an audio engineer, but even I know that audio and concrete don't mix. I considered building a contraption to shield my mic using foam and a large box, but then realized that someone probably is selling exactly what I want. A quick search on Amazon resulted in quite a few options. I ended up choosing the Monoprice 602650 Microphone Isolation Shield.