Todd Bernhard

Use the JumpSmart to Jump Your Car, to Charge Your Phone & as a Flashlight

By Todd Bernhard

I have a penchant for old sports cars. Unfortunately that goes hand-in-hand with requiring a jump start every now and then. Over the years, I've tried a number of portable battery packs that have just enough juice to jump start a car, in addition to recharging an iPhone. They are often plastic and don't retain a charge for a long time. Then Limitless Innovation sent me the JumpSmart ($119.95). It looks like a heavy duty (and heavy) flashlight and that's a big part of what it is. The solid metal casing makes it right at home in a Navy Seal's go bag, but it has more tricks in store besides SOS and three other flashlight modes. Heck, it could be used as a weapon, it's that heavy and rugged.

This Protective, Colorful X-Doria Case Shows Off the Colorful XR

By Todd Bernhard

If you bought an iPhone XR, as I did, you probably spent some time deciding on a color (I chose red) and the last thing you want to do is cover that phone in a solid case. At least that's how I felt. Fortunately, X-Doria makes some very protective cases that have a clear back. The company sent me the Defense Air ($39.99) in several colors. I chose the red one, and it looks quite stylish with the red iPhone XR. But X-Doria also offer versions with silver or black or teal. Apple offers the iPhone XR in more colors than that, so I would hope X-Doria would match the others, but if not, you can still mix and match nicely.

OV Pro Smart Headphones Review: Comfort, Noise Cancellation & Voice Control

By Todd Bernhard

Bluetooth earbuds are popular, especially those with active noise cancellation, but their small size mandates short battery life. The OV Pro Smart Headphones ($179) offer a nice compromise, so I was eager to try them when OV Loop sent them. Unlike traditional earbuds, the OV Pro have a neckband that allows for a larger battery life and less weight directly on the ears. This makes them suitable for longer use, plus alternate ear tips are included for a custom fit. The result is 14 hours of battery life and a more comfortable time wearing them for that long.

Review: Play Drums Anywhere on Anything with Senstroke

By Todd Bernhard

The Senstroke Drum Sensors (starting at $190) could have helped back when I had a roommate who played the drums. France-based Senstroke sent me its virtual drum kit sensors and I have a new appreciation for the drums. Instead of bothering others, you can play drums on just about any surface and "hear" the percussion from the companion Senstroke iOS or Android app, including via headphones. The app supports Basic and Expert modes, with the advanced option allowing customization of your virtual drum kit.

Review: PureGear's Cellular-Enabled Dash Cam Delivers

By Todd Bernhard

I have used a number of dash cams and they tend to fall into two categories; namely a sufficient low-end forward-facing camera that, if it connects to to a smartphone at all, does so using a clunky interface; or a high-end, app-enabled, multi-camera, high-resolution device. The PureCam 4G LTE Dual Lens Dash Cam ($249.99) is the high-end kind. PureGear loaned me the device to try and I found a number of distinguishing features.

Affordable Stainless Steel & Sandalwood Luxury Band for the Apple Watch

By Todd Bernhard

For decades Apple has made sophisticated technology combined with high-end design, and brought it to the masses. But with some of its recent moves, the company has veered away from the masses. For example, the HomePod or the Milanese Loop or ever pricier iPhones. But you don't have to settle. You can pair a lower-cost Apple Watch with an affordable Natural Red Sandalwood Stainless Steel Bracelet ($44.99) like the one Supwatch gave me to try.

Review: iBolt's Flexible Mounting Stand for Streaming & Video Recording

By Todd Bernhard

I often create videos and sometimes those videos need to show how to use an app. I could use the iPhone or iPad's screen recording capabilities, but that doesn't show finger touches, etc. Alternatively, I could try to hold one iPhone in my left hand while recording my right hand using an iPad. Or jury-rig some kind of contraption using duct tape. Fortunately, iBOLT send me its Stream-Cast Stand ($79.95).

Tivoo-Max: The Cute Bluetooth Speaker with a Custom Pixel Display Goes Big

By Todd Bernhard

Recently, I had the opportunity to review the Tivoo from Divoom and I really liked it. My only request was for a larger version. I love it when a plan comes together! Divoom sent me the Tivoo Max ($99), which is available as an Indiegogo campaign currently. The Max is a larger version that also enhances audio with 20 watt stereo speakers and a 20 watt active subwoofer.

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