Author - Ripper71

NuGuard GripStand 3/GripBase Bundle Review (iPad)

2014/02/08

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

It has taken a number of years to accept the degenerative disk disease that has developed throughout my spine. That, coupled with bone spurs, mean I can just about get a full day out of bed if I push myself – then I can expect at least a couple days in bed to recover. I often have to use a cane to get around and generally require high doses of medications to keep the pain in check. In other words, I am physically challenged now which often has me trying to find ways I can improve the quality of my life without increasing my pain level. One of the most straight forward methods is to use portable devices for gaming, social interaction and writing. For this, I often turn to my iPad. However, the iPad, particularly in the writing department, can be a slow, cumbersome process. When it comes to entertainment, like watching Netflix, I find myself propping it on pillows and adjusting my body around the device which is not an optimal solution. When I told the folks at NewerTech about this, they sent us a NuGuard GripStand 3 and NuGuard GripBase right away. Time to find out if it will help me be more comfortable in using my iPad!

NuGuard GripStand 3 Features:
The NewerTech NuGuard GripStand 3 is a multipurpose tool for your Apple iPad 2nd, 3rd & 4th Gen. The hard plastic protective shell grips your iPad 2nd, 3rd or 4th Gen snugly while enveloping it in a shock-absorbing inner rubber liner. The removable, desktop stand can be swiveled 360° and positioned at virtually any angle for viewing or typing. The desktop stand also doubles as a highly effective one hand grip so you can use your iPad 2nd, 3rd & 4th Gen while standing or walking. Take presentations to the next level, the NuGuard GripStand 3 handle can even be rotated to use as a hook to hang your iPad 2nd, 3rd or 4th Gen on the wall in either landscape or portrait orientation.

– Use the desktop stand as a handle to carry your iPad 2nd, 3rd or 4th Gen like a briefcase. Or, when travel bag space is a consideration, just twist the desktop stand to remove it.
– Also includes a nylon strap to securely mount your iPad 2nd, 3rd & 4th Gen to a headrest for easy viewing.
– GripStand 3 fits seamless with Apple’s SmartCover

NuGuard GripBase Features:
When you want to turn your iPad 2nd, 3rd & 4th Gen into a desktop workstation, the GripStand’s shell locks into the GripBase to provide a fully adjustable viewing angle in landscape or portrait modes along with 360° rotation. The wide, weighted base makes it virtually impossible to knock over and perfect for high traffic areas.

Hands On:
I had been looking for an iPad stand that was on a clamp mounted base with an arm so I could swing it out over in front of me when I was in bed. At first, I wasn’t sure if this particular system would really fit my needs. The GripStand was very easy to put my iPad into and take out of if needed, and the stand converted into a briefcase like handle, which worked great with my needing to use a cane and the handle not requiring a flat surface. The GripStand even comes with a nylon strap so that you can velcro it onto the back of a seat and use it on the move. It converts between a handle and stand so quickly and easily that it almost seemed effortless.

Still, when in bed, it could sometimes be a little harder to get into just the right position for typing on it. That is where the GripBase came into play and really surprised me. It was easy to assemble and attaching the GripStand case to the GripBase attachment head was not only easy but the grip on the case was secure enough that I didn’t have to worry about it coming off. Keeping the iPad slightly elevated the GripBase could be spun 360 degrees, rotated 360 degrees, adjusted to any angle and secure enough once you get it to that angle that it will stay in place during use.

That is where the system really proved itself useful to me. The weighted base made the iPad stay securely in position not just on my nightstand but also if I put it on the bed or a pillow on my lap. If I used my wireless keyboard with it, I could adjust it like a monitor but since my keyboard has been a little unreliable the fact that I could just turn it landscape and type on the keyboard without the whole thing shifting under my hands was the real saving grace. I could even play touchscreen games easily, especially those ones where you wish you had one arm to hold the iPad and two more to play the game.

Last Call:
I’m really grateful to have the NuGuard GripStand/GripBase Bundle to help with my physically-challenging needs. This bundle takes my iPad from being a mostly game and entertainment platform and allows it to become a work system akin to a laptop, maybe better since the screen is far more adjustable. I recommend it for anyone who has an iPad and wants to be able to work in different environments but I seriously recommend it for those who just can’t sit at a desk, it can be a life changer.

[easyreview title=”NuGuard GripStand 3/GripBase Bundle Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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Trident Kraken A.M.S. Case Review (Mobile)

2014/02/08

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

I have tried many phone cases of the last year and there are a few favorites that I rotate between depending on what my usage plans are. If it is a situation where I will want heavy duty protection I always go to the one which I risked my phone the most to test: The Trident Kraken A.M.S. case.

Hands On:
First thing that needs to be noted is that because I am using the iPhone 4s I am using the older model Trident Kraken which has been greatly updated for 2014 for new model smartphones. Here’s the difference:

New Kraken
The new Kraken A.M.S. is now 20% slimmer, featuring over-molded shock-absorbing TPE and hardened polycarbonate in the interior and exterior of the case. Perseus A.M.S. not required.

Old Kraken
This Kraken A.M.S. is an upgradable case, that transforms the light-duty Perseus A.M.S. case into the heavy-duty Kraken A.M.S. case. Perseus A.M.S. required.

So if you are working with an older phone like mine you may have to go with the Perseus/Kraken combo which I personally like for a couple reasons. When taking a heavy impact I found that the rigid Kraken case would often pop apart as if redirected the impact of the shock protecting the phone. The Perseus case would stay on no matter what keeping the phone nice and clean. The other reason I liked the combo was it gave you three choices on how to use the cases, just the Perseus, the Perseus with the front plate of the Kraken, or all three pieces. Admittedly since this was the case I used when I wanted crazy heavy duty protection I usually used all three which was probably the reason for doing away with the combination as well as enabling them to slim down the case so much which can be considered bulky on older models.

Regardless of which model you get, you can count on profound protection to rival any other high end phone case on the market. I compared it with one of the most popular cases and found that the Kraken with the rubberized interior and corners was easier to remove from your pocket than others that have their rubber portion on the outside. The corners of the rubber still stick out from within to provide corner shock protection but the hard shell is able to pop apart pulling the kinetic energy of impacts away from the phone. The Kraken corrects a basic issue with iPhones which is redirect the speakers at the bottom towards the front. These redirection ports also decrease the size of the ports to better protect the phone from water and dust damage at that location, an area not protected or redirected by most phone covers. Probably my personal favorite feature is it has a built-in front screen protector that has the best touch sensitivity of any I have seen on the market. I suppose that after time and impacts this screen could be damaged enough to lose effectiveness but I haven’t had that problem in the year I have used this model.

I could get into the science of why this case works so well but that would get boring. Instead if you look up “Trident Case test” on YouTube you will find all kinds of crazy tests the cases have been put through. My personal favorite was backing over it with a Mustang while the phone’s camera is on so you see the wheel come crashing down on it. The case took some damage but the phone was in perfect shape. The tests were so convincing that I decided to test the case on my own and purposely dropped my phone and send it skidding across a gravel parking lot. My friends all gasped and went diving for the phone and were stunned that not only was the phone fine but their wasn’t a single scratch on the case.

If all of this wasn’t enough the phone also comes with a hip clip and a metal kickstand. The newer model of Kraken cases improved some major issues in the older clip which I treat with far more care than the phone case but it is still functional as long as you are careful not to hit it on things (I just keep my phone in my pocket, my keys can’t scratch it). The metal kickstand is probably the best kickstand for a phone on the market and you can remove it to use brackets, clips or even a tripod mount in the clip’s place making the phone mountable just about anywhere.

Last Call:
I recently got a new older model of the Trident Kraken A.M.S. case but not because of product issues, it was simply so that I had more color options. My last one was a fairly bright blue which looks nice and like a lot of protective cases on the market but my new one is a nice simple black which if anyone has seen me dress in person knows is the color I tend more towards. When I get a new phone I plan to get the newest Trident Kraken case and review it for you folks and no doubt put it to good use. My old phone will be handed down through the family and you can bet that the Kraken A.M.S. case will be handed down with it which should be testimonial enough.

[easyreview title=”Trident Kraken A.M.S. Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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NuGuard KX Phone Case And Screen Armor Review

2014/02/08

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

There are three phone cases I rotate through depending on my current needs. If I plan to be in a situation where I am liable to drop my phone, I tend to go with my bulky/rugged case. If I will be running around but less likely to drop my phone, I go with a medium case. If I am planning on business travel, I go with a case that combines simple elegance with a slim design that can still handle unreasonable levels of damage and that case is the NuGuard KX case for the iPhone 4s.

Description:
Offers X-treme protection against accidental drops, impacts and scratches without sacrificing looks or adding bulk! The KX uses state-of-the-art X-Orbing gel technology to absorb and evenly distribute kinetic energy for ultimate protection! This patent pending design allows for protection against accidental drops, impacts and scratches with a lightweight & thin design versus the added bulk found in other more expensive cases that attempt to provide this level of protection! Hyper-advanced X-Orbing gel made in U.S. Additionally goes great with NuGuard KX three-layer screen armor.

Hands On:
The case itself looks non-descript with light swooshes on it and the words “NuGuard KX”. The inside is lined with felt to keep the phone from being scratched during a fall and to make it easier to remove from the rubber lining of the inside case. The one I am using right now is beige on the outside with a brown interior gel. It looks classy and simple, understated is definitely a word that can describe it since they test it well beyond “military” standards. Military drop standards is about four feet and requires an object to not break after 25 quick successive drops from that height. As a result plenty of cases with the “military dropped certified” isn’t even dropping from the average person’s ear level. So the more serious companies do much less conventional and impressive tests.

NuGuard is famous for dropping their KX line from a 200 foot wind turbine to the ground below without damage. The video is below as well as other tests they have done on their cases to show that even though they have taken the bulk out of the case it will still be able to handle more than an average drop. My confidence is so high about it that last night I was laying in bed and threw the phone across the room where it bounced off a hard surface then went cartwheeling into the bathroom without a single problem or damage to the case or phone. In other words if it can handle a klutz like me you should be fine.

The folks at newertechnology were nice enough to even include their NuGuard KXs Impact X-Orbing Screen Armor. This is a triple layer system protects from fingerprints and smudges on the top layer, extreme impact protection in the middle and a self-adhesive layer. There are videos to show just how crazy they are about testing this as well because though I trust it I still can’t bring myself to hit my phone with a hammer.

Last Call:
NuGuard KX Phone Case and KX Screen Armor are an ideal combination for making your phone look nice and business appropriate while being prepared for the harsh environments life can offer. No bulky industrial looking profile but more protection than the average person would ever need.

[easyreview title=”NuGuard KX Phone Case Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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Product Videos

Monster Jam Review (iOS)

2014/02/02

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

When I was younger, I remember going to tractor pulls and seeing legends like Bigfoot and my favorite, Grave Digger. Well, not only are monster trucks still around but they are now a show of their own and the Grave Digger has spawned a whole family of ‘Diggers. So what better way to pass the time between events at one of the shows (or just standing in line at the DMV) than playing some monster trucks on your phone through a free app called Monster Jam!

Description:
Bringing the family-friendly entertainment of live Monster Jam events straight to your tablet or mobile phone all year round, Monster Jam is an authentic and dynamic mobile gaming experience! Monster Jam will not only allow you to relive your favorite Monster Jam moments but to create your own memorable monster truck stunts using all the biggest names in Monster Jam, including Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Maximum Destruction and Monster Mutt! Smash through barriers in actual Monster Jam® events and races, or freestyle through unique environments and hill climbs!

Features:

16 fan-favorite licensed Monster Jam Trucks recreated in breathtaking detail!
Classic Monster Jam Arenas to compete in, including Anaheim, Georgia and Houston.
Unleash your Truck upon unique and astonishing HD environments such as downtown Tampa, Detroit and Jacksonville.
Unique and distinctive game modes including racing, jump stunts, towing competitions and freestyle!
Experience new content every month when updates bring more trucks, new environments and extra game modes!
Convincingly accurate 3D physics simulation!

Hands On:
I was extremely excited to get into the game and wanted to get behind the wheel of one of the Grave Diggers right away. Well, first you have to start with one of the lesser-known monster trucks and work your way up to the big boys. So, instead I chose Blue Thunder (you can pay real life money or earn some by like the developer’s page, but it still costs twice as much gold for the higher trucks). The trucks take a bit of getting used to, tilting the phone turns the truck and swiping the screen speeds it up. You can also tap powerups on the side of the screen that you purchase with gold. I spent my first few times turtling my truck after which I was able to run around in some fashion though never as neatly as the AI.

The freestyle is particularly fun since you just cruise around jumping and crushing. The races get your heart going because you are doing so many different things on your phone that it is hard to keep track of whether you have the lead. The jump race is great because watching these trucks soar is quite a sight. Probably my least favorite of the events is the pull test which is kind of funny since that used to be one of my favorite in person, maybe it has something to do with seeing the mud kick up so high in at an actual event. It has the simplest controls of the different modes but just felt like you were swiping your phone for a long time. In the virtual world, jumping and crushing cars are the total way to go.

Last Call:
Monster Jam for iOS is a very fun game, especially if you are a monster truck fan. You have to earn or pay your way into a Grave Digger, but you will also have fun in the process. If you want to keep your cash in your pocket this game is completely playable for free, you just have to have patience and earn your way up.

[easyreview title=”Monster Jam Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”3″ ]

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SanDisk Connect 64 GB Wireless Flash Drive Review (Tech)

2014/01/29

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

We at Gamingshogun.com got a double dose of goodness when it came to SanDisk and their new wireless media systems. The GamingShogun himself got some fun time with the SanDisk Wireless Media Drive and I got to try out the SanDisk Connect 64 GB Wireless Flash Drive – which has just about the same functionality at a slightly more affordable price.

Room in my pockets is always an issue for me, yet I can’t leave home without a flash drive. I have on more than one occasion worn them like a string of shark teeth (ed. note: Or zombie ears!) on a necklace so that I would have all my portable storage where I need it. Yet that never really helps me with transferring pictures and video off my phone, something I am pretty sure the entire Gamingshogun.com gang are guilty of not doing often enough. All this is where the SanDisk Wireless Flash Drive comes into play.

It simply looks like a slightly larger than normal flash drive and acts like one too, you can plug it into a computer and transfer files and charge it via a built-in USB tip. Where it’s different is the functionality it shares with the SanDisk Wireless Media Drive. It becomes a portable Wi-Fi media server for your iOS or Android devices. You can connect to up to 8 devices and you can stream three channels of video at once (that’s two less channels than the Media Drive). It carries a four hour charge and also comes in 32 GB or 64 GB size with expandable memory by SD card. Basically, the trade off between the two is one has a smaller battery charge and less streaming capacity but comes in at a lower price tag.

Whether you choose the SanDisk Media Drive or The SanDisk Flash Drive you are doing yourself a huge favor by entering a whole new world of file transferring and viewing. The device frees up valuable disk space on your smartphone or tablet while allowing you to keep those pictures and videos handy. Just mind the official GamingShogun.com warning and keep your eyes on the road!

[easyreview title=”SanDisk Connect 64 GB Wireless Flash Drive Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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Typo Keyboard Review

2014/01/28

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

In high school I was able to palm a basketball easily. One time in a fight I held a guy by the neck halfway up a wall while I talked to his friends about staying out of it. My nephew used to love that I could hold his entire face and half his head in one hand. In case this isn’t getting the point across I have big hands, and my thick fingers will never be piano friendly. For that matter they have one heck of a time typing on a phone. I use auto-correct like a wing man, it saves my butt on a regular basis but it has even begun to believe that I spell the “tge”. I know I am not alone, there are people out there who have multiple phones of multiple brands so they can text on one and get work done on another. Still certain work has been given up on, just because WordPress is available on a phone doesn’t mean it is usable with that phone’s keyboard. Apparently this isn’t a problem for just us lowly folks because so big wigs have tried to do the best thing since combining peanut butter and chocolate into a little cup. They created the Typo Keyboard.

Description:
An iPhone keyboard case that attaches to your iPhone 5 /5s. Finally keys you can type on!

Features:

Type Faster w/ Fewer Typos: Users report typing 50% faster and with less Typos
Release your Screen: Touch keyboard brings back 40% more screen space for typing
Full Backlit Keyboard: Backlit Keyboard for typing in low light environments
Battery Indicator: See how much battery you have at any time
Quick Currency Keys Access: Quick access to all your most necessary currency keys
TYPO smart Typing: Custom TYPO Smart Auto-Correct Enabled

Hands On:
First thing that has to be addressed is the elephant in the room: this keyboard looks just like the keyboard of a Blackberry. That being said the similarities would make sense since the Blackberry is probably the one that the founders Ryan Seacrest (yes that Ryan Seacrest) and property mogul Laurence Hallier were using as secondary phones when they commissioned the keyboard to be invented. It also makes sense because that is the keyboard people who have used external phone keyboards have gravitated towards, the cool thing about this one is that it is a removable keyboard in case you just want to use your screen or it’s battery runs out.

The keyboard is backlit which is nice for folks used to screen keys but each key has a raised edge on it so that you can quickly and easily locate the right key. Being able to use alt key to get to the numbers is really handy and faster, I even like the relocating of the home button. It doesn’t add that much length to your phone, it frees us a lot of your screen by not having the keyboard on it and the width is actually less than most cases. The keyboard charges separately so it doesn’t drain the phone’s battery and there is an indicator on the screen of how much battery it has left, the battery lasts between 7-14 days depending on usage. Also it is just bluetooth pair and play, so if the battery does die or a friend borrows the phone who can’t stand the keyboard you can turn off bluetooth and take it off. If all that isn’t enough it has it’s own auto-correct that is designed with the keyboard’s most commonly made typos in mind.

Now for the drawbacks. With the home button covered it is less convenient to navigate the touch screen because you have to go to the lower corner of the keyboard then back to the touch screen each time you want to use the home button. Apple’s latest iOS increased the button size to make typing on the touch screen much easier than it used to be making the size difference in the keys nominal. A plus and a drawback is the fact that the keys make noise, if you like the satisfaction of hearing your keys pushed to know you pushed them it is nice, however if you are texting a lot the clicking could get annoying to those around you. Lastly if you have big mitts like me then this keyboard will help a little with your typos and finger placement, but not that much.

Last Call:
If you like typing on a Blackberry better than typing on an iPhone but love all the iOS apps and such then this is the perfect case for you. If you tend to be typotastic or a slow typist then this might help, users have reported a 50% increase in speed with fewer mistakes. If you just have big hands you might want to look into a side slide out keyboard case because the keys aren’t that much bigger. Overall the Typo Keyboard might just be able to cut down the number of phones you have to drag around or improve the usage of the one you have.

[easyreview title=”Typo Keyboard Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

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Anker Astro External Battery Review (Tech)

2014/01/28

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

I was having issues with my iPhone 4S right before CES, problems with battery charging. I took it into the Apple Store where they said it was fixed, and I went home to the same problem. So, thinking maybe part of the problem was the foot-dragging I was doing regarding updating to the latest iOS, I updated and headed off to CES. That’s when I found out my phone was dying. A lot. I was having better charging luck but the charge was being suck down like a milkshake on a hot summer day. As luck would have it, one of our first stops at CES was at the Anker booth where I met my new little buddy, the Astro the External Battery.

The Description on the box says “Scanning the walls for open outlets wasn’t ever fun. The Astro breaks you free from the wall outlet – and the fear of getting disconnected…” I want to say it was only mildly embarrassing scanning the coffee shop for an outlet during lunch or plopping down in one of the corners of the press room where people circled the outlets with their wall warts waiting for an opportunity to plug in and juice up to send out some more pics and tweets. The embarrassment wasn’t mild and it was certainly frustrating. So, when Anker handed me a fully charged Astro and sent me on my way I plugged it into my phone and left both in my backpack, taking the phone out to take pics or send messages or tweets but putting back in when I was done. At the end of the night of heavy use I actually had a higher charge on my phone than I did when the day started and when I plugged it in to charge Astro was still at 3/4 full.

Turns out I was running around with the baby bear of the three Astro batteries, the 2nd gen 6000 mAh version. The larger ones come in 9000 mAh and 12000 mAh flavors. If that just sounds like techy-goop to you think of it as the 6000 mAh providing 3+ charges of your iPhone and about 2 charges on a Galaxy S4. Honestly I just drooled on myself at the thought of having the 12000 mAh in my bag.

Since CES, I have lo0ked up all the optional settings on my iPhone’s latest iOS that I can do without and my battery life has greatly improved. Don’t think that I will ever cover another event or even go on an overnight trip without my little Astro external battery in my pocket though.

[easyreview title=”Anker Astro External Battery Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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The Cordito and Cord Tacos Review

2014/01/23

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

Sometimes it’s funny how a simple solution to an everyday pain in the ass can present itself in such an elegant fashion. What’s great is how Kickstarter can now make even the smallest of those solutions a reality. One huge pain I often encounter is how my ear buds and other charging cables get tangled up in the bottom of my travel bag. In some cases those headphones are more expensive than the device you are playing through them, so it makes me nervous to keep them on me because of it. Or maybe you show up at a meeting and need to use a USB cord to plug into an overhead projector and you pull out a wad of cord you have to untangle before using them. These aren’t far-fetched scenarios and, for some folks, they are daily occurrences. Enter the Cordito and Cord Tacos.

Description:
The Cordito: The Cordito (cord wrap) holds 3 cables & 2 plugs. A gorgeously simple way to wrap your USB cords, earbuds, plugs and go. Made from premium leather and precisely measured to neatly hold your cords. Perfect for traveling. 5.5″ L x 2″ W (wrapped), 12.25″ L x 5.5″ W (unwrapped). Premium leather with metal button enclosures. We’ve update the cordito to include a pocket with a snap for your plugs. Designed to fit the international plugs too!

The Cord Taco: The cord taco will help you clean up all of those wires in your bag, pocket, car or wherever they are. The premium leather greatly changes the look from messy to cool and organized. The taco is made from 100% leather and seals shut with a snap (black or gold depending on color of leather). Works great for earbuds, USBs and other small wires. Each order includes 5 Cord Tacos in the color/s of your choice between tan, black or mixed.

Hands On:
Right off the bat, I have to say the names are corny – albeit accurate. I actually get a craving for mini tacos every time I look at one of the cord tacos. The Cordito is a play on the fact that it is a cord wrap but once you make the connection you won’t forget the name or description.

Once you get past the name though these have a sophisticated, executive look to them and they serve their purpose well. I have had rubber, wind up cord minders that wind up looking like a yo-yo and I have had built in retracting headsets that eventually stop retracting. I also have ear bud holders that go around your neck like sunglasses straps – they look pretty nice actually if I want to keep the ear buds out but they don’t help if I want to put them quickly in a bag! With these “tacos” I can quickly wind them up around my fingers and snap them in, they won’t tangle and the next time I take them out they will be in a conversation piece or at the very least look neater than a big wad of cable.

The Cordito involves a little more time but results in a far better managed set of cables and an even stronger impression of neatness and organization. For example, I have an older iPad that is recommended to use a particular wall adapter with. I can make sure that that adapter is in the pouch so that I don’t have to go digging through my bag or other chargers to find it. We can put two other adapters in the pouch, put the three longest charging cables in the holders and when we get to the room all we have to do is unroll the Cordito and they are ready to go. If we are going to be on a plane we can pack it with our favorite headsets, a headset splitter and a small external battery in case it is a long flight and our electronics need charging. Most of all, who wouldn’t be at least a little impressed if you walked into a meeting with your laptop or iPad, unrolled the leather case, pulled out the USB cord smoothly to plug into the projector and started your presentation? In the case of the Cordito in particular you are buying a sense of style as much as an organizer.

The only thing I would have liked to seen done differently is the having the company’s name embossed in smaller letters on the backs of the cord tacos.

Last Call:
These products started as a $15k Kickstarter that got double it’s funding and has done well enough that it had a prominent place in CES’s North Hall. It is one of those products that afterwards you wonder why someone didn’t think of it before but luckily it’s out there now. The Cordito and Cord Tacos are perfect for executives, businessmen, techies, or anyone who hates getting their cables in a wad.

[easyreview title=”Cordito And Cord Tacos Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

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Star Trek Online: Legacy Of Romulus and Legacy Pack Review (PC/Steam)

2014/01/19

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

The Romulans. Their name is as familiar in the Star Trek lexicon as the Borg or Gorn (nothing can be more familiar than Vulcans and Klingons) and yet few outside of the Trekkie life could tell you anything about them. If you remember Star Trek: Nemesis, you got a look at their ships and would probably say “oh yeah I remember those” if someone showed you a picture – but, they really haven’t grabbed the mainstream’s attention and even some folks who consider themselves Trekkies might have to struggle to tell you anything about them. The time for worrying about that has decidedly come to an end as Star Trek Online has started the Legacy of Romulus storyline to bring you in touch with their culture, their history, and, most enjoyably, their rich assortment of ships.

Description:
Romulus and Remus are gone. You are one of the survivors, struggling to survive in the aftermath of unspeakable destruction. These are dark and dangerous times for your people, as the Tal Shiar crack down on any dissent and mysterious beings unleash terror throughout the far-flung colony worlds.

You will be the one to reshape an empire. Gather allies, go undercover and find the proof that will rally your people to revolt. Together, you will rise up against an oppressive regime and demand freedom. You will fight for your people.

You are the Legacy of Romulus.

New Features:

Play as a Romulan or Reman and immerse yourself in new story-driven missions written exclusively from the Romulan Republic’s point of view.
Romulan captains take command of mighty Warbird Class starships. Push the engines to the limit and unleash the new and devastating powers of the Singularity Core.
Create your first character as a member of the Federation, Klingon Empire, or Romulan Republic and level your captain from 1 to 50.
Denise Crosby returns to reprise her role as Empress Sela. Play a game of political cat-and-mouse as you delve deeper into the intrigue surrounding the destruction of Romulus.
Uncover the horrifying truth behind a mysterious new enemy that seeks to terrorize the Beta Quadrant and exterminate your people.
Join the fight against the Tholians in this new Reputation and unlock exclusive rewards and benefits for maximum level captains.
Customize and rearrange your existing traits. Unlock new advanced traits and abilities, further specializing your captain and crew.
Choose the HUD color palette that works for you. Experience new and improve UI screens with easier to read options and enhanced interactions.

The Star Trek Online Legacy Pack Includes:

D’deridex Warbird Retrofit
Mogai Warbird Retrofit
Dhelan Warbird Retrofit
Premium Romulan Faction Species – Reman
Haakona Advanced Warbird
TOS Romulan Military Uniform
T’Varo Warbird Retrofit
D’ridthau Warbird Battle Cruiser
Valdore Heavy Warbird
Dhael Warbird
T’Varo Light Warbird
Scorpion Fighter
Liberated Borg Reman Bridge Officer
Special Reman Duty Officer Mini-Pack
30 Master Keys
Reman “Nemesis” Uniform
Survivor of Romulus Title
Rihannsu Title
Survivor of Remus Title

Hands On:
Star Trek Online is one of the few “free to play” MMORPGs that has not just survived – but thrived. An outsider would probably point to the huge and loyal Star Trek community as the reason for this and they wouldn’t be completely wrong. The devoted trekkies can be found playing in great numbers. Subject matter alone cannot save a game or keep it thriving though as some games based on some very popular and enduring universes (SWTOR, DC Universe Online) have stumbled and struggled to keep their top titles going. What keeps Star Trek Online going so well is two main things: Dynamic gameplay and great, constantly arriving story lines.

Star Trek Online has both intense space battles as well as ground fights to give you the entire feel of the universe. If it was only a space battle game, there would be plenty of happy players because of all the customization of ships and the number of them available. If it was just a ground battle game, there would be plenty of happy players though I think with the subject matter only having ground combat would have been the death of the game. Smartly, STO gets you in a ship flying around quick, gets you tasting the ground and space combat and does it all while spinning good storylines. You can hop on and jump in a quick space or ground battle but it’s when you really sit down for a full session and take in some of the storyline that you begin to feel like you are participating in an episode and season of Star Trek.

Legacy of Romulus is a great step towards furthering the STO universe with fresh playability and a storyline about a familiar but not overly known race. The writers put a lot of effort into telling this story of the Romulans and making them not just sympathetic enough to want to play but to become passionate about it. I won’t go into story spoiling, that is one of my pet peeves, but I will say is that it is as enjoyable as any of the series were, more so because you become part of it through gameplay. You don’t have to be a trekkie to appreciate it or understand it, you just have to be willing to take the voyage.

Released along with this expansion was the Legacy Pack, a gameplay addition that is not required for the story or free to play action. If you are really serious about this game and want to really feel the power of Romulus you will probably want this game pack. To say “wow!!” about what is included in this package is an understatement. You get 10 ships in the pack, 30 master keys (for unlocking random treasure boxes), special officers for your ship and away team, uniforms and exclusive titles for use in game and forums. Two of the ships you will recognize quick from Star Trek: Nemesis and the ships are a purposely wide variety of types to take on multiple mission challenges as well as PVP and PVE. Having seen pretty much every ship in the game at this point (though only previously able to afford three) I can also say these are some of the nicest looking designs in the entire game, though Romulans have often been known for their sleek ships and strong ale.

Master keys are huge in the game because they open boxes that have random chances of common to rare items, among the rare being ships. If you want to set yourself up with some in game currency quick selling one or two of the 30 keys you get will set you up with some decent dough to start out with while still giving yourself plenty of keys to try your luck with. One of the new improvements is that the latest boxes are just one kind whereas before you got common, uncommon and rare boxes and nobody wanted to waste their keys on common or uncommon so they generally got trashed or dumped in fleet banks (fleets are Star Trek versions of guilds or clans).

STO tries to help players get as original with their characters as possible through customization of ship look, colors, internal builds and names. The strongest point of individuality though is through uniforms , titles and character features so the titles and uniforms in the Legacy Pack will be a popular addition to many player’s customization.

Last Call:
You don’t have to be a trekkie to appreciate the Legacy Of Romulus storyline added to Star Trek Online and if you can afford it I can’t recommend the Legacy Pack high enough. If it is a bit above you budget the Starter Pack will give you a taste of Romulus at a very affordable price but beware… you may find yourself craving more and the Legacy Pack includes everything that is in the Starter Pack so you might wind up buying things twice. If neither is within your price range Star Trek Online is still free to play, fun to play and a great set of stories to take part in.

[easyreview title=”Star Trek Online: Legacy Of Romulus and Legacy Pack Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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The Banner Saga Review (PC Steam)

2014/01/19

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

The only thing we like better than seeing the little guy make their funding through Kickstarter is seeing them then turn out a product that is as good as hoped for, maybe even better. The Banner Saga was a project with a lot of heart and some smart payoff for investors, if you donated $50 you got to design your own crest for the game as well as getting a terrific special edition. 2,735 people went for that donation level alone (with about 1,000 more crests from higher donations) and the $100,000 target was surpassed and hit $723,886. So what made The Banner Saga such a hit before it was even funded and did it live up to the hopes of those who forked out the cash?

Description:
Live through an epic role-playing Viking saga where your strategic choices directly affect your personal journey. Make allies as you travel with your caravan across this stunning yet harsh landscape. Carefully choose those who will help fight a new threat that jeopardizes an entire civilization. Every decision you make in travel, conversation and combat has a meaningful effect on the outcome as your story unfolds. Not everyone will survive, but they will be remembered.

Features:

Player choice that drives your own narrative – Every decision you make in travel, conversation and combat has a meaningful effect on the outcome as your story unfolds.
Over 25 playable characters from 2 different races, human and varl, the horned giants – embark on your epic journey with a variety of characters from 7 different classes, each with unique abilities and upgrade options to fit your play style.
The journey is as important as battle – Your role in building and managing your caravan as you travel the vast frozen landscape is critical to not only your own survival but the survival of an entire civilization.
An epic Viking saga brought to life in 2D glory – Beautifully hand drawn combat sequences and animations, accompanied by an evocative score from Grammy-nominated composer Austin Wintory, will immerse you into a fantasy realm inspired by Norse mythology.
Multiplayer Combat Enhanced – Sharpen your combat skills in the free multiplayer game “Factions.” As you play through the single player game you’ll also unlock new characters to use in multiplayer.
Not another generic fantasy: Drawing heavily from Norse culture while creating its own identity and mythology, The Banner Saga takes a low-fantasy approach to viking themes. Giants: yes. Horned helmets: no.
Strategic combat: Recruit a large roster of unique characters throughout the story, each with different abilities that interact in combat in a deeply tactical way and personalities of their own. The Banner Saga harkens back to classic turn-based gameplay with a strong emphasis on tactics over brute force and endless grinding. Victory or defeat and even the permanent loss of a character depends on which characters you choose to take into battle and what decisions you make afterwards.
Travel across gorgeous landscapes: The choices you make as events arise have a huge affect on how the story plays out- who survives, who dies, and what’s worth saving. Add people to your caravan as you travel, or lose them when tough decisions arise. You’re not just fighting to save nameless strangers, you’re fighting for your neighbors, your family and your way of life. We want you to care what happens to them.
An emphasis on story: Your choices in dialogue and throughout the game truly affect the story and the people around you. A mature story for adults means forming relationships and making tough decisions; not sex, violence and swearing.
Risk in gameplay: A lot of modern games play it safe- you know you’ll defeat the evil and save the day. In The Banner Saga you can’t take anything for granted. We want it to feel like a good tv mini-series; the world doesn’t revolve around you, it’s about how you deal with change.
DRM-Free, and available on PC and Mac

Additional funding allows us to give you:

A bigger, richer world. More characters in combat, more animation, more diverse landscapes, more music, engaging animated cutscenes, and more multiplayer options. We have a huge story we want to tell and this will let us deliver it in the most compelling, meaningful way.
Porting to more devices. Our first release will be on PC and Mac, but funding would allow us to convert the game to iOS, the Kindle Fire, consoles like XBLA and PSN and maybe even portable gaming devices like the Vita.
Localization (translation) in more places. Viking culture is huge in Europe and turn based strategy is big in Japan. We’d love to bring The Banner Saga to both of those places and anywhere else we find significant interest.
The game the way we think it should be. By crowdfunding this project we won’t be tied to publishers telling us to change the giants to orcs or dumbing the story down for children. We think this means a better game for everyone.

Hands On:
Okay, this sounds like a pretty lofty goal for an indie project but the team, comprised of SWTOR heavy hitters Alex Thomas, John Watson and Arnie Jorgensen (who first worked on Justice League America for DC Comics) seemed up to the task. When I started The Banner Saga up I knew I was in for something special. The opening screen harkens back to old cartoons like the Rankin and Bass film, “The Hobbit” and Ralph Bakshi’s “The Lord of the Rings” in its gorgeous, hand-drawn beauty – but with a soundtrack equally beautiful.

Next comes the choosing of the crest that suits you best. If you are one of the approximately 4,000 players who got to design your own crest the decision is easy, for the rest of us it was a bit tough. I found one that looked practically custom-made for me and dove into the game itself.

The beauty of the opening screen follows into the opening cinematic that has you making important decisions right away. Perma-death is always present in this game right from the beginning, as it sets you up for your first battle only minutes in. The fighting gameplay is done in an isometric, turn-based movement/action style similar to Jagged Alliance or Omerta where you first decide where to move your character in a limited distance of squares then decide which action such as attack or defense to take. This portion of the game is also hand drawn and definitely a work of art with character animations and background scenery that matches the rest of the gameplay.

In so many games if your character falls in battle they are fine or just need healing afterwards. In this game your multiple choice decisions can get one of your best characters killed and if they fall on the battleground you have a really strong chance of never seeing them again. It stings the first time you get a scene where another member of your party tells you that the town chieftain died because of one of your choices or that your favorite warrior won’t be joining you on any more battlefields. Heck it stings all the times after that but it also makes you think very carefully about your next move.

Without giving anything away about the storyline, it is very epic in scale while at the same time feeling very personal since your choices decide the ending. This alone adds to re-playability then you add on multiplayer in which you get more playable characters by unlocking them in single player storyline choices and battles and you will definitely get your money’s worth out of this first chapter. The plan is to make the Banner Saga a trilogy which brings up my only real question, since they got seven times the funding they needed, do they consider the other games funded now or are we going to see another Kickstarter in Stoic’s future? Whatever their decision they have already announced that your decisions in this chapter will carry over to the next.

Last Call:
The Banner Saga with it’s beautiful hand drawn art and great storyline harken back to epic hand drawn cartoon movies from over the years while giving a modern take on the turn based strategic fighting game. The story will pull you in, your decisions will weigh on you and your choices in combat will literally mean life or death for the characters. The only complaint about The Banner Saga is not knowing how long it will be for the next chapter.

[easyreview title=”The Banner Saga Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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