Product Review “Coleman: Evanston Screened 8 Tent & Sunridge Rectangular Sleeping Bags”

I grew up in Long Island, NY and never camped as a kid (or at least that I ever remember). I do remember going for the first time (as far as I was concerned) when I was around 18 with my girlfriend (now wife) and her family. It was fun but I never really got into the whole idea of camping. I do love the idea of experiencing the great outdoors but I never had the urge to do it again. After moving to Orlando, FL and starting a family, we have have a two year old and things start to change.

The last few years, I was looking around Orlando and see tons and tons of amazing places to camp and new experiences to share with my daughter and wife. So the next thing, I knew I would need is the goods. I needed a good tent that we could use on this new planned adventure. My wife (who did camp as a kid) would always tell me that her parents would fight more when putting up a tent then any other time. So I knew I needed something that wasn’t going to make us get a divorce.

I started with Coleman since they are the first brand that comes to my mind when I think about outdoor equipment. They recommended to me the brand new Coleman Evanston Screened 8 Tent. This tent is absolutely amazing. I called it the spa of tents. First of all, the thing has two rooms, which is unbelievable and can easily sleep eight people comfortably. You have the part where you sleep and then a sort of sitting area like a covered porch, so you can enjoy the fresh air still without the bugs.

So back to the setup for the tent, which scared me but let me tell you this thing was easy as pie to setup. I had my wife time it and it took ONLY 20 minutes to the entire tent up…and that is with unpacking for the first time and figuring out what was what. I know when we attempt this for second time, we can probably cut that time in half. I mean 20 minutes is absolutely nothing. This baby is a dream to put up and it literally looks like a mansion of all tents when it is up.

Then of course the dismantling also was thought to be a problem. Are we really suppose to put this giant tent into this little carrying bag? But no joke, this thing was a piece of cake to take down and store with no problems at all. Since we are in Florida, it does rain from time to time. So this tent is designed to hold up to the weather. IT comes with Insta-Clip™ Pole attachments that stand up to high wind and the WeatherTec™ System’s patented welded floors and inverted protected seams help ensure (actually in fact it it guarantees to keep you dry) you stay dry. I can’t wait to do this again and throughout the years and getting a chance to explore all over. I tell you one thing, I will never do it without a Coleman EVER!

I thought to myself, I got the tent but what were we going to sleep on that is when Coleman again recommended to me another one of their amazing products. The Coleman Sun Ridge Sleeping Bag is perfect choice if you are looking for a great sleeping option. This sleeping bag allows you to sleep comfortably outside even when it’s 40⁰ F. You may not think Florida gets cold but it certainly does especially in the early months of the year, so this is going to come in very handy.

The bag itself has a designed, patented zipper system that takes the fabric away from the zipper to avoid snags and zips up all the way every time, which is always pain when using a sleeping bag. It also features a Thermolock system that reduces heat loss through the zipper. Of course it is important to be able to easily pack it up as well. This bag as a Roll Control™ loop fasteners that makes it super easily to put away and store. I can honestly say that our first family camping experience was outstanding and it was all due to Coleman products. I look forward to our next adventure!

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: 8, coleman, evanston, product, review, screened, ...

Product Review “Nerd Block – September 2014”

Nerd Block is a monthly subscription box any nerds out there…and for under $20. The Nerd Block Classic has been called “Comic Con in a box”. I have been following Nerd Block for a while now but I never checked it out till now. What the hell was I thinking? I am really missing out here!  So this is the first time that we have received Nerd Block (and hopefully not the last).

Nerd Block contains licensed merchandise, which is hand-picked by the company team of super-nerds. The products range from all genres from movies, television, video games, internet, and more! Some of the brands that you can expect from Nerd Block: Nintendo, Star Wars, Jinx, Marvel and DC Comics. Plus who can say no to Nerd Block motto “GEEK TESTED. NERD APPROVED”

There are 5 different blocks to subscribe to with Nerd Block:
Nerd Block Classic “Comic Con in a box” $19.99/mo + S&H
Nerd Block Jr. Boys “Awesome nerd gear for kids aged 6-11” $13.99/mo + S&H
Nerd Block Jr. Boys “Awesome nerd gear for kids aged 6-11” $13.99/mo + S&H
Horror Block “The Pop Horror Subscription Box!” $19.99/mo + S&H
Arcade Block “The Video Game Subscription Box!” $19.99/mo + S&H

Click here to sign up your own Nerd Block subscription!

Check out the video for our unboxing of the latest Nerd Block:

In case you don’t feel like watching the video, here are the items included in this month’s Nerd Block:
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Papercraft Playset
2. Sounds of the Galaxy Vol.1 T-Shirt
3. Scribblenauts Unmasked Series 1 Mini-Series
4. Giant Microbes STD Plush
5. Stress Brain – Nerd Block Exclusive
6. Marvel Mega Blocks Mystery Figure

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: 2014, block, nerd, product, review, september, ...

Product Review “VTech InnoTab 3S: The Wi-Fi Learning Tablet”

When I was a kid we never used to have cool gadgets like this. My two year old daughter already knows how to use a iPad fully. She can unlock it, swipe through the pages/apps and open/play her games. This is unbelievable that today’s kids has this knowledge. I used to pretend to be superheroes running around in my backyard, but as they say “Kids these days”. I feel old. Luckily, the VTech InnoTab 3S: The Wi-Fi Learning Tablet is not old…in fact it is brand new and really cool. This device is a tablet and also a learning tool for our kids. It comes with a kid-safe WIFI connection, built-in camera/video recorder, eReader, Games, MP3 Player and Art Studio. It comes stocked with 20 apps that are already installed and it also included an expandable memory up to 32GB (along with the 4 GB of internal memory storage).

The InnoTab 3S: The Wi-Fi Learning Tablet promotes learning and as a parent, I am behind that full force. Only with the 20 apps that come pre-installed you are able to download more than 350 educational games, e-books, music and videos. These are specially developed around each child’s unique stage of development, age and interests. Some of the subjects that are tackles with these apps are reading, math, social studies, science, creativity, problem solving and more. Kids don’t need to panic though, these apps are fun and don’t feel like you are being forced to learn and be taught anything.

I am a IT guy, so the specs of this device are pretty cool. There is an improved 180° 2.0 MP rotating camera with enhanced photo features similar to the Kidizoom camera. There is a Kid Connect communication app, which allows a secure communication between a child’s InnoTab and a parent’s smartphone. Kids are allowed to browse the web with a kid-safe internet browser with VTech pre-selected and parent-approved websites. The display is a solid 5″ color touch screen. All I know is that if I was a kid and they had “toys” like this my life would have been shaped much differently so as a parent, I think that this is really cool to be able to assist in the development growth of my child.

Along with the apps that come pre-installed and are downloadable, you can also purchase themed software packs in the stores. Two of the VTech InnoTab Software packs that we were able to test out are “Minnie’s Bow-Toons” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”. In “Minnie’s Bow-Toons”, it is an e-book that tells the story of the TV episode a “Trouble Times Two”. There are three learning games focusing around teaching numbers and counting, shape matching, colors, and patterns. In  “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, you are able to use the touch screen or the tilt-sensor to play three educational games. There is also a e-book that tells a story of Mickey and Donald playing hide-and-seek around the clubhouse. These games are great and filled with fun Disney characters, music and sounds.

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Filed Under: Technology, Toys Tagged With: 3s, innotab, learning, product, review, tablet, ...

Product Review “Epson Expression Photo XP-860 Small-in-One Printer”

Last month, we were given the chance to do a feature review on Epson’s back-to-school printer, Epson Expression Home XP-410 Small-in-One Printer, now this month we step things up a bit with their BRAND NEW latest Epson Expression Photo XP-860 Small-in-One. I was blown away by the XP-410 but wow this XP-860 is absolutely phenomenal. Being in the IT business, I have a lot of exposure to printers and this is easily one of the finest printers that I have recently come across. The XP-410 is definitely still an amazing printer but it is a good option for kids in school etc. This is smart and bold choice for any moderate user.

The Expression Photo XP-860 Small-in-One printer still features that slim space-saving design. It print absolutely stunning, professional-quality borderless photos up to 8″ x 10″ with 6-color Claria® Photo HD Inks. The colors are mind-blowing. I did a comparison between the XP-410 and this one and wow, what a difference. The color is so vibrant and clear. The device comes with a 4.3″ color touchscreen, 30-page Auto Document Feeder, and auto 2-sided printing, copying, scanning and faxing.

I used to have a real snazzy printer back in the day that printed photos right at home, which was new and great…but you used to be able to go out for coffee and dessert before it was done printing…then it had to dry. This crazy amazing printer can knock out 4″ x 6″ photos in as fast as 10 seconds. I am amazed at the speed of this device. With the inclusion of another ink cartridge, the photo quality dramatically increases, while it does not compromise on the features included in the Premium XP-820. It also comes equipped with Epson Connect, which allow access to print and scan documents, photos, emails, and web pages from a tablet, smartphone or computer from literally anywhere in the world.

This device also features a dedicated photo tray, a rear paper feed for specialty media, and direct CD/DVD printing. This allows your the creativity to kick in as you can really do some cool things with these features. One of the coolest features though as to be that the XP-860 enables users to edit, scan and share photos directly to Facebook or the cloud with the touch of a single button. With today’s social media obsession, this is a real amazing feature for anyone with a Facebook account. I am going to make it my duty to spread the word about this printer. If I know anyone that needs a printer, this is going to be the one that I recommend.

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: epson, expression, premium, printer, product, review, ...

Product Review “Simon Swipe”

Man o man, I haven’t played the game Simon since the early 90’s. This makes me feel old…but holy cow it is still a ton of fun. In fact, it is much more fan that I even remember despite being in my 30’s. If you know the game of Simon, you will catch up quick. You are challenged keep up with the pace and now the new trick is to also swipe the right combinations. With Simon Swipe you can four games to choose from including classic Simon with 16 levels total. You can swipe solo or get a group and have a party. It’s funny how Simon can still be the life of a party, I have no idea how fun this game would be.

Here is the official pitch “Swipe the lights to conquer the colors! To master this challenging game, you need to tap, swipe, and reverse your way to victory as you try to repeat the pattern of lights and sounds. When you hear the music and see the lights flash, you’ve leveled up and a new pattern will start. If you make a mistake, the buzzer will signal the end of the game and the unit will let you know your score.”

I have to admit, this game was still as challenging. You think it is simple that you just watch the light signal and then copy it. But with this game you can tap, swipe, and swipe and reverse. This game is also still a blast to play the game in the dark  with the music and lights, its like a dance party in your house. Since this has four games to choose from there is also tons of  challenges to keep you entertained. I warn you though The Extreme Game is quite epic and, to use the title, extremely hard…but still tons of fun. The Party Game was my favorite, which allows you to compete against your friends.

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Filed Under: Game Reviews, Toys Tagged With: product, review, simon, swipe

Product Review “Disney Pop-Up Magic Frozen Game”

Since “Frozen” was released last November in theaters, it has flown out of the theaters and take over ever market in the world. “Disney Pop-Up Magic Frozen Game” is the latest game featuring the hit film from Hasbro Gaming. There is nothing special about the game but it is quite fun. It is also very easy for young kids. I have a two year old daughter and she is easily about to play. You have a got a spinner, you move spaces on a board and there is a side game of memory as a bonus. The game board is very “pretty” (in the words of my daughter) with with a pop-up ice palace right in the center.

You can play as Anna, Elsa or Olaf. The little pieces are cute as well. They are fairly detailed and I have a feeling might end up being played it outside of the game as well. Plus with this game you can expand the fun! You can connect the game board to other Pop-Up Magic games (sold separately) to create a longer path to follow. It is actually really cool because you can merge your favorite character with your other favorite Disney characters to create some exciting adventures. So this is a really great feature for a game that is already very reasonable priced. This is a going to be a weekly must play for our family!

 

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Filed Under: Game Reviews, Toys Tagged With: disney, frozen, game, magic, popup, product, ...

Product Feature: yurbuds® Latest Earphones

Every day I spend my business hours sitting at a desk. I ALWAYS have headphones in my ears. I also find that I am going through head phones on a weekly basis. I seem to either have bad luck with any pair I get. Either my ears are hurting from being so uncomfortable or one each just stops working out of the blue from being all tangled. I will be covering two different pairs of headphones from yurbuds®. This a brand that I recently discovered and have been wondering why it took me this long to find them since I have been in love with their products.

The first is the Inspire Duro Performance Fit Sport Earphones, which takes my issues above and makes them a thing of the past. These come with Quik Clik magnet technology, which are tangle-free magnets can be connected together prior storing them away. The cord itself feature a tangle and tear-resistant woven cloth cord providing ultimate durability. These are literally guaranteed never to hurt or fall out. Honestly, I put this to the test also wearing them for 9 hours a day and plenty of moving around at my desk. They are very comfortable, they fit perfectly in my ear and are also sweat and water resistance and ambient noise awareness. Plus the best news of all is that the Inspire Duro come with a lifetime warranty. So this is a no brainer purchase if you spend anytime listening to music with head phones.

The next pair of from yurbuds® are the Focus Pro, like all their products these buds are guaranteed never to hurt or fall out (thanks to Twist Lock). These are also very comfortable if you like having something over your ear for a little extra hold. They feature a three-button sweat and water-resistant microphone. So you are able to control your music, calls, and volume control. The ear loops are definitely not cheap plastic either. They are very soft and moldable to your ear that add extra comfort and support. Attention all Apple users, the Focus Pro was designed  for iPhone, iPod, and iPad and is also fully integrated with Siri® and other voice-control, so if that is your choice of smart device, they should be the headphones for you…much better than Apples crappy pair for sure. Lastly, these are backed by a limited warranty.

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: earphones, feature, latest, product, yurbuds

Product Review “VTech Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset”

When you have a kid, it is very important for parents to buy them the right toys. You want toys that are going to challenge your kid and also teach them in the process. Enter VTech. They are responsible for tons of great learning products for kids. Their products are fun and yet just drive the kids to the next level and keep their minds thinking. Their latest product that I came across is the Go! Go! Smart Animals™ Zoo Explorers Playset. With this playset, you are able explore and learn about animals, colors and more.

There are SmartPoint locations for the rhino and this also recognizes other SmartPoint locations as well. This helps to teaches your child not only the respective animals name but also the colors and additional fun facts. Plus this is also able to be connected to other playsets including Go! Go! Smart Wheels, so it is expandable for your kids. I hope you have a big spot for it though because without being connected to other playsets it already takes up a nice chuck of space.

There are 80+ sing-along songs, melodies, short tunes, sounds and phrases. There are 13 track pieces, which can be put together in multiple configurations. In the week that we had had this, I have reconstructed it twice so far. So you are able to keep it fresh for your kids and they don’t get tired of the same thing. The playset comes with the rhino but there are a bunch of other animals you can purchase including a lion, monkey and zebra to expand this playset.

Parents if you are concerned about putting this big playset together, relax cause is very easy to do and because like I said it has different ways to be setup…you really can’t screw up too bad. I would have liked VTech to have listed a few different ways to setup since the box shows one way and the directions show another. I just winged it. My daughter still has not stopped playing with this playset and I have a feeling we are going to be adding on some of the other sets very soon.

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: animals, explorers, playset, product, review, smart, ...

Product Feature “Cracker Barrel: Animated Haunted Suitcase”


Living in the south, one of the major perks is being able to visit one of my favorite restaurants Cracker Barrel. This place is just not a place to eat though if you have ever been it is also a fantastic old country store. I was recently there and of course the store is all decked out for the Fall and most importantly Halloween! Well I might have discovered one of the coolest Halloween decorations…quite possibly ever. We are talking about the “Animated Haunted Suitcase”.

It is the normal size of your average suitcase. It has some decent weight to it as well. But what you don’t know is that when you pass by it a ghost with a creepy as hell face and hands literally press out of the side of the suitcase and extend out of the suitcase. This amazing trick is achieved by having a thin near-see through black cloth on the one side. You can set the suitcase to go off with the touch of a button or set it to motion sensor. You will hear a haunting string of noises and visuals, and end up face to face with a light up ghoul!

This is no question my favorite new toy this Halloween season. I look forward to providing spooks with this suitcase to numerous innocent bystanders. If you love Halloween like I do, I highly recommend you running out to your local Cracker Barrel and picking this up ASAP! Or if you don’t live by one don’t fear you can order it online here. Happy Halloween y’all!

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: animated, barrel, cracker, feature, haunted, product, ...

Product Feature: Maui Jim Sunglasses

Living in Florida, one thing you always need is a good pair of sunglasses. I am quite sick and tired of buying pieces of garage for sunglasses. I usually end up buying a pair for $10-20 bucks and they literally last me 10-20 days. I finally decided that I am going to hunt down a pair of sunglasses that were quality made and that would last longer than a few measly weeks. When I was looking to find the perfect brand to match my taste, I immediately thought about Maui Jim. I am not a surfer but I do love the island life and this company really embraces that lifestyle. 

I was introduced to two new and hot lines. The first is called Stone Crushers (see above). They are a durable, tough pair of shades that are perfect for all day wear. They are very lightweight and do not weigh down your face. They have a tough grilamid frame with lightweight polycarbonate lenses along with adjustable nosepads. When these hit my face, I heard music like in the movies. It may seem lame but if you saw the last pair with scratched lenses and wobbly frame you would cringe.

This brand comes in three different styles/colors. We chosen the Matte Black style with a Neutral Grey color lens. These special lens are made especially to resist bright, direct sunlight. Being in FL, there is no abundance of that. These also come in the following styles/colors Matte Rootbeer / HCL Bronze and White Pearl / Maui HT, each of these lens have their own unique qualities. Also included are a Maui Jim case and cleaning cloth.

The next pair that we had the privilege to play with is the Spartan Reef line. These glasses are inspired by one of the outer reefs of Kanaha on the Central Maui Coastline near Paia known for producing big surf and long sessions. The style/color that we chose for this line was Marlin / HCL Bronze. The lens specializes for use in everyday variable conditions ranging from from full sun to overcast, which FL can switch from one of the other in a heartbeat. They have a warm, subtle bronze tint.

The design for these include a sleek frame that comfortably wraps your face to provide optimal protection against the beautiful sun. The shape of these are a modified, rectangular frame that aims to complement a range of facial shapes. I have to admit out of the two pairs, I am definitely favoring this pair. They also come in two other style/color including Gloss Black / Neutral Grey and Matte Tortoise Rubber / HCL Bronze. Of course, also included is a Maui Jim case and cleaning cloth.

I would also like to discuss two of the specific features that every pair of Maui Jim glasses  include are PolarizedPlus2 and CLEARSHELL. This is their patented, color-infused lens technology that wipes out 99.9% of glare, 100% of harmful UV and boosts color via specially designed lens treatments. CLEARSHELL is a scratch coating protection, which is something that will really put to the test. It is a silicone-based hard coat that aims to protect your lenses and is applied to front and back of the lens, so you covered all around. So if you are looking for a quality pair of sunglasses look no further than Maui Jim!

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: feature, jim, maui, product, sunglasses

Product Feature: New Balance Fresh Foam 980 Sneakers

Sneakers on Media Mikes? That’s right you are reading correctly. We are in the midst of a huge expansion and New Balance was the first to back us up with this new expansion. If it wasn’t for companies like this, we wouldn’t be able to pursue our plan. When I started Media Mikes in 2010 (then called only Movie Mikes), I emailed for an interview with a little known celebrity named Denzel Washington. He was completely out of my reach and I thought I would have no chance but I ended up getting it and it helped launch the site and set it above every other starter site. Almost five years now have past and we are expanding again!

Anyway back to New Balance’s amazing new sneaker, the Fresh Foam 980 series. This running shoe was only released a few months ago yet is already an award winner. It was awarded “Best Ride” in the Competitor Magazine Spring Shoe Guide (March 2014) and “Best Neutral Running Shoe” by Running Network (March 2014). The cushioning is very impressive. The Fresh Foam 980 is a really stable shoe and yet doesn’t smother you. You have plenty of room to breath through its mesh lining.

If you are looking for a sneaker that has amazing performance in speed, cushioning, stability and control, then you need to look no further. I went on a mission to find a “good pair” of sneakers earlier this year and honestly, I failed miserable. I ended up bunch a brand of sneakers that were “expensive”, so it had to be good right? Wrong! i ended up returning them within a few weeks. I wish these would have been released when I was looking earlier this year. Luckily now, I am able to spread the word and make it easier for others to make a good decision.

Thanks to New Balance, we received these amazing new sneakers in the color Silver with Lime & Navy, which look quite awesome. But it doesn’t end there since they have ten different colors options. There is Blue with Green Gecko & Neon Orange, Dark Heather Grey with Red & Yellow, White with Cobalt Blue & Green Gecko, Black with Lime Green & Blue, White with Neon Green, Orange with Blue, Black with Metallic Silver & White, Lead with Laser Blue & Black and Grey with Black.

There is something about the look that is actually very pretty, as my two year old daughter again. I love the color fad line leading above the sole, it looks so awesome. The soles have a solid strong color, which is just as bold as the shoe is and is made out of blown rubber. So if you are looking to get back to running after the summer and looking for a good sneaker to accompany you, I believe I easily help make your search process much shorter…the hardest part will be to figure out which awesome color you want.

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: 980, balance, feature, foam, fresh, product, ...

Product Feature: What’s the Smartest Newest Smartphone?

When the very first iPhone came out, I traded in my old flip phone for what at the time was the best smart phone on the market. It stood the best for quite a while in my opinion. After the iPhone 4, I lost interest in the future development of Apple and its product. I decided to cross over to the dark side as iPhone users says and go the Android route with the Samsung Galaxy S4. WOW! Was my world expanded! Convinced that I would never switch back to iPhone again, I decided to see what else is out there.

In this article, I will be discussing three new smartphones besides the Samsung Galaxy and the iPhone, which always thought to be the two strongest options in the market. Are phones even phones anymore…the phone part is the bonus with these devices. What is more important these days to be is the speed, the size and most importantly the apps! The first of the three is the LG G3, which I feel is no question the strongest of the bunch.

This is a phone, I would honestly switch over to if I had the option. The device comes with a 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS display. I am a big picture guy, so the camera is very important. This phone is equipped with a 13MP ultra fast laser auto focus camera. This is a big improvement over the Samsung Galaxy S4 camera for sure! I felt that I always got blurry photos but this comes with Optical Image Stabilization, which reduces blurry photos that result from shaking.

The carrier we tested this phone on was with Verizon. With that the LG G3 comes XLTE Ready, which is a good feature and let’s you take advantage of the latest advancement to America’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. It is double the 4G LTE bandwidth in cities coast to coast, which allows you to do much more with your smart device. The device also comes with a Smart Keyboard as well as your own Virtual Personal Assistant. It’s not Siri, I mean what is, but it is quite snazzy.

Finally since I am an IT guy, I can’t help but to throw some tech specs in here. The OS come with Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat). The Chipset includes is a Qualcomm MSM8975AC Snapdragon 801 with a CPU of Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400. Th screen is made up of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Most important, and something an iPhone can not do at all is, expandable memory, this includes the option to expand with a microSD card, up to 128 GB, while the internal options are 16 GB, 2 GB RAM / 32 GB, 3 GB RAM. My only major complaint is the volume button and main button are located on the back. This is annoying at first but you get used to it. Overall a pretty rad phone!

Next up is the Nokia Lumia 1520, which last month was made available at AT&T in matte green! This phone is definitely big and quite bold, especially with that green back cover. The Lumia 1520 also offers the latest Windows Phone 8.1 software update. That is a great thing…if you like Windows. I use Windows 8 for work, so I know how to work it but it honestly fails to impress on the phone. The app store is also terrible. There is a big issue for me since I rely on all my apps to run my day and a bunch of them are MIA.

I see the Lumia 1520 working well with the trendy kids of today looking to have the biggest phone with all the good gadgets. It is a college phone. I wouldn’t recommend this phone for the general office environment for sure. The phone does come with Microsoft Office built in, so you are able to access Microsoft Word, Excel etc. I knew that this phone was going to be the biggest challenge to impress me and I really wasn’t blown away.

The Lumia 1520 does have a wicked camera, which is the best of the bunch. The 20MP camera is quite the powerhouse and using Zeiss optics, it is one of the most sensitive and powerful cameras included in recent smartphones. Though, with my smartphone I need more than just a strong camera to sell me.

Though camera aside when comes to technical it falls behind the top the LG G3. The screen is only Corning Gorilla Glass 2 for its six-inch HD display. It can only be upgraded to up to 64 GB with an additional of an microSD. The internal options are different also giving options of 16 GB (RM-940 only) and 32 GB, 2 GB RAM. Lastly, the chipset is Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 and the CPU is Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400. I would just expect more from such a big phone.

Last one of the bunch this time around is the HTC One (M8) from Sprint. This was a decent phone but not a fan of the service from Sprint at all when the other phones were sporting 4G LTE, this phone barely stayed at 3G, when it wasn’t saying it was roaming. Right away, I was turned off. It also features the worst camera, I have seen on the smart phone in today’s market. There is only a 5MP camera on the front camera, which is laughable in today’s market of 13MP and 20MP camera.

The screen has decent specs though coming wit Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It is expandable with a microSD, up to 128 GB and comes with an internal storage options of 16/32 GB, 2 GB RAM. The OS is Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to v4.4.3 (KitKat). It’s Chipset is Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 and the CPU is CPU Quad-core 2.3 GHz in the US but the Asia and China markets for this phone get a 2.5 GHz Krait 400, so that is a bummer if you are in the US.

So if you read all the above, you might agree with me that the LG G3 is the obvious winner of the trio of alternative smart phones. The Nokia Lumia 1520 has the best camera but suffers from its Windows OS and a terrible lack of apps in their store. The HTC One is a decent phone also but just lacks any wow features that really drew me in despite having terrible service from Sprint. Hopefully next time, we will be able to feature the new Amazon Fire Smartphone and the iPhone 6 in our next Smartphone comparison.

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: feature, newest, product, smartest, smartphone

Product Reviews: Recent Releases from Running Press

What is Running Press you ask? Whenever you go to a book store or any entertainment store and go to check out it is impossible to pay at the check out without passing their products. They consists of little toys, gadgets and mini-books. Check out below some of their recent releases, which I wanted to highlight to all of our fans!



Doctor Who: K-9 Light-and-Sound Figurine and Illustrated Book
Kit includes a miniature figurine of K-9, the Doctor’s trusty robotic canine, complete with audio of his catchphrase, “Affirmative, Master!” and light-up eyes. Also included is a 48-page book on Doctor Who and K-9, featuring full-color photos.

Everyone is in Doctor Who fever right now with the entrance of the new Doctor this month! But let’s not forget the classic characters like “K-9”. He is really cool. I love the “Affirmative, Master!” catchphrase, but I wish he had a few more saying though since my daughter loves to push the button…ALOT!

Elf Snow Globe with Magnets
Buddy the Elf is a Christmas classic! Keep him around all year long with this kit containing a snow globe featuring Will Ferrell as Buddy. Also included are two magnets featuring artwork and two of Elf’s most famous quotes: “I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite!” and “Son of a Nutcracker!”

Fall is here and that means Christmas is just around the corner. What is Christmas without “Elf”!? This is a must own for any Christmas fan…if not then consider yourself a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins! That’s right I said it 😉

Harry Potter Voldemort’s Wand with Sticker Kit: Lights Up!
This commemorative kit includes an 8-inch light-up replica of the wand belonging to the evil Lord Voldemort. The kit also includes a book of photographic stickers highlighting the most memorable battles with the Dark Lord.

Let’s give some respect to the Dark Lord. He is not only bad-ass but also packs a kick-ass wand. This item is some high quality craftsmanship…and looks so dark cool. Did I also mention it lights up?!

Planet of the Apes: Mini Replica of Statue of Liberty Scene
George Taylor’s discovery that the strange planet ruled by apes was earth all along is a classic moment in movie history. Recreate the scene with this kit! It includes: Mini replica of the Statue of Liberty, Audio of the movie’s last lines, Packet of sand with mat, Figurine of Taylor on horseback, 32-page book of quotes and full-color photos

YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP! OH, DAMN YOU! GODDAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! I can listening to this all day long! Great job Running Press, this is like a mini Zen garden…with Apes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Ooze and Illustrated Book
This kit includes a canister of green glow-in-the-dark mutagen ooze, ten temporary tattoos, two magnets, and a 48-page full-color book on the history of TMNT.

TMNT is one hot topic right now. My daughter, who is two, makes it her duty to stick anything she can find in the ooze every night before bed. Super cool for any TMNT fan!! Ninja ninja rap!…sorry…couldn’t help myself!

Transformers: Light-Up Optimus Prime Bust and Illustrated Book: With Sound
This collectible kit includes a miniature bust of the iconic and powerful leader Optimus Prime, with eyes that light up and a sound feature that plays seven of his classic lines! Also included is a 48-page book with quotes and illustrations from the 1980s animation.

Optimus Prime the coolest dude ever…when it comes to Transformers! This awesome toy plays some great clips. I just wish it would have, I don’t know maybe, transformed a little or something 😉

 

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: press, product, releases, reviews, running

Product Review “Epson Expression Home XP-410 Small-in-One Printer”

It’s September, which means the coming of Fall and also back to school for the kids. Having a teacher for a wife, I learn to stay in line with the requirements in order to get ready for the new year of school. If you are looking for that perfect back-to-school printer, I would look no further than the Expression Home XP-410 from Epson. It is very small in size yet still packs a solid high quality output. It is also great and very user friendly for students of all ages.

In today’s technology everything needs to be wireless, the XP-410 is a complete wireless solution. It comes Wi-Fi Certified, as well as Wi-Fi Direct, and equips with Epson Connect, which is a great solution to wireless printing from smartphones and tablets. If you are on the go and need to print quick, the XP-410 doesn’t even need a computer. You can use it’s supported Android printing (KitKat 4.4), which will allow mobile users to easily print documents, images or web-pages to Android mobile devices. So you can pretty much take the ability to print with you wherever you are.

When you are in front of this one-in-one printer, where you are printing, scanning or copying, the 2.5″ LCD and touch panel is very user friendly and easy to use. When I think about one-in-one printers, I always worry about the ink cartridges. You spend $60 dollars on a printer and then hundreds on ink. Luckily, the XP-410 comes equipped with very affordable individual ink cartridges and give you the option to replace only the color you need. For this unit there are four DURABrite Ultra Ink cartridges (one Black ink cartridge and three color ink cartridges: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow).

Spending all the time on the cool features, I don’t want to forget to discuss the actual printing process. I was very impressed with the remarkable print quality from this device. It is extremely fast and yet still delivers very crisp and sharp color in it’s photos and documents. Also included are better image enhancement tools like red-eye removal, photo restoration and correction of over/underexposed images, which are very handy. Lastly, this printer also allows you to print customized & borderless photos and of course you can also use the built-in card slots for PC-free printing.

So if you are nervous or excited to head back to school, this little handy device will save you a ton of worry. Plus did I mention it runs for around $50-60 dollars, which is quite cheap for such a powerful all-in-one. On the other hand, if you are looking for something with a little more oomph, you can check out the next model up, which would be the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small Wireless Color Photo Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax. Hopefully we will be reviewing this unit next, so stay tuned to Media Mikes!

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: epson, expression, home, printer, product, review, ...

Product Review “Loot Crate – August 2014 – Heroes”

Loot Crate is a epic monthly subscription box for geeks and gamers for under $20. You are getting at least $40+ Retail Value in every crate, most of the contents are exclusive to Loot Crate! So be sure to subscribe to have bragging right against your friends. You also have a chance to win Mega Crate with $750+ Value! This is the first time that we have received Loot Box (and hopefully not the last). I came across an ad on Facebook and couldn’t help but requesting one and helping spread the word.

Loot Crate isn’t messing around with its partners either. They only have the best including Capcom, Marvel, DC Domics, Star Wars and Nintendo. So you are guaranteed to get something amazing each month for sure. This month focus is on Villains, so if you dig that be sure to check out our video unboxing below to check out what great goods is included in August’s box.

There are three ways to sign up for Loot Crate:
1 month plan $13.37/mo + $6 S&H
3 month plan $12.37/mo + $6 S&H
6 month plan $11.67/mo + $6 S&H

Click here to sign up your own Loot Crate subscription!

Click here for our video unboxing of this latest Loot Box:

Since last month’s Loot Crate was Villains, it is only right that this month’s is Heroes! Since the movies this summer have been taken over by the Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you can expect some goodies from them. I AM GROOT! But this is not just stuff you can get anywhere…this is EXCLUSIVE loot only available here! Inside the August pamplet, there is a cool feature article on the “Origin Of Heroes” by Joshua Brown. There is another great article called “What Makes a Hero?” by Candice Shane. This is no three line article either, it is a solid essay like article. Very cool stuff. .

In case you don’t feel like watching the video, here are the items included in this month’s Loot Crate:
1. TMNT Ooze Action Figure – Glow in the Dark Series – Raphael
2. Exclusive Funko POP! Groot – Glow in the Dark
3. TMNT Mask Glasses (I got Michaelangelo)
4. The Flash Shoe Lightning Bolts by Schwings
5. Sonic, Mega Man or Proto Air Fresheners (I got Sonic)
6. Deadpool – Chimichango’s Magnet
7. Bonus Exclusive Digital Loot

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: 2014, august, crate, heroes, loot, product, ...
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