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IRL: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 and iBattz's iPhone 5s cases
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. We didn't mean for this week's "IRL" to be all about ruggedized products, but hey, these things happen. After the break, Edgar talks about trading his PowerShot D20 for a Panasonic Lumix TS5, while Darren tests out not one, but two cases designed for the iPhone 5s.
IRL: Wahoo's Blue SC speed sensor for bikes
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Smartphones, tablets, smartphones, repeat. We tend to come back to the same sorts of gadgets here in "IRL," but this week we're shaking things up with a fitness device. Associate HD Editor Ben Drawbaugh is one of the few mountain biking enthusiasts on staff, which means he was one of the only people qualified to test out a bicycle computer, something we normally wouldn't review. After the break, find out if a $60 Bluetooth Low Energy sensor is worth the investment.
IRL: Another look at the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. So you say a phone's too big to live with? Challenge accepted. In this week's issue, Jon takes the Galaxy Mega 6.3 for a spin to see if it's prohibitively large, or just stupidly so.
IRL: Testing the Nokia Lumia 1020's optional camera grip / battery case
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. If you're going to buy the Lumia 1020 for its 41-megapixel camera (and if not that, what the heck did you buy it for?) you may as well spring for the $59 camera grip too. That's what Philip told himself, anyway, after picking up the phone on AT&T.
IRL: Mad Catz's Rat M portable gaming mouse
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. We suppose if there are folks who'd prefer a gaming laptop as their primary PC, then there must also be a market for portable gaming mice. But would you pay $115 for one?
IRL: JBL PlayUp speaker and the BlackBerry Q5 on Telus
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Is it pandering to have one of our Canadian writers play with every new BlackBerry? Perhaps -- not that we could've stopped him anyway. In this week's issue, we have Mr. Jon Fingas sharing his thoughts on the Q5 and its physical keyboard, while Philip splurges on JBL speakers to match his new Lumia 1020.
IRL: Sony's NEX-5N interchangeable lens camera and Mailplane 3
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It's been a while (four months, actually) since we've featured a camera in "IRL," but today we're breaking that dry spell as we explain what it's like to live with Sony's NEX-5N. Meanwhile, Mailplane 3 is great for Gmail power users (or so says Darren), but you'll need to own a Mac -- and, you know, feel OK spending $25 for the update.
IRL: Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight and the PowerPlant portable battery pack
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Does our own self-professed book collector Dan Cooper need an e-reader? No, but he might get one anyway. And do you need a portable charger with 3.6 times the capacity of an iPhone 5? Yes, or at least that's what Darren tells us.
IRL: Motorola's Droid RAZR M and the SignEasy digital signature app
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. You can ask Dana which phone she uses, but don't act all surprised when you find out it's a $99 mid-ranger. You can also ask Darren what he thinks of SignEasy's digital signature app, but he might talk your ear off. Straight ahead: lots of talking, and one long defense of a phone with a mediocre camera and tiny little battery.
IRL: Mint.com and Incipio's Feather case for the Retina MBP
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It's about time you know what a Type-A person our managing editor Dana Wollman is (though a tendency to copy edit other people and benchmark laptops should have already been hints). In this edition, Dana makes a case for the personal finance app Mint.com, while Edgar (maybe a little Type-A himself) deals with a snap-on case for the sake of keeping his MacBook Pro scratch-free.
IRL: TYLT's Energi charging backpack and the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. This week, Darren Murph, the man of many bags, is at it once again, trying out a charging backpack we got to handle for just a few minutes back at CES. In addition, we'll give you a peek at Logitech's suspiciously Surface-like FabricSkin keyboard case. Find it all after the break.
IRL: Optrix XD5 waterproof iPhone case and the RokDock charging stand
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. One of the many perks of being Darren Murph: you get to travel the world, testing ruggedized, waterproof iPhone cases along the way. Meanwhile, our contributor Jason Hidalgo isn't making any excuses for liking a $99 charging dock that doesn't do anything else. Because, you know, CNC-machined aluminum.
IRL: UNDFIND's One camera bag and FIFA 13 for Xbox 360
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Can't bring yourself to spend $300-plus on a leather camera bag? Get a $130 one made out of Neoprene, says Darren. (And he should know: he's tested just about all of them by now.) As for Edgar, he's not recommending you buy anything, per se; he just wants you to know how much he loves FIFA 13.
IRL: Macally Ecofan Pro and the Nexus 4 on Telus
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Is it worth spending $40 on a laptop stand? How about $299 on a Nexus 4? Yes and yes, at least if you ask the Engadget staff. After the break, Don Melanson explains why he splurged on a solid wood notebook stand, and Jon Fingas makes a case for the Nexus 4 as a budget handset.
IRL: Chromebook Pixel and AlienBees' ABR800 Ringflash
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Sure, the Chromebook Pixel is expertly constructed, but you won't find more than a sentence about that here. Nope, we'd rather talk about its blazing fast LTE speeds. As for our copy editor Philip, he doesn't write for Engadget often, but when he does, it's about camera gear.
IRL: BlackBerry Q10 and the Chevy Volt
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Fun fact: IRL was inspired by long-term car reviews -- the sort of detailed write-ups you can't expect after just a week of testing. Appropriately enough, then, we've got some impressions of the Chevy Volt from Engadget Spanish editor Jose Andrade, who's already on his second model. Meanwhile, you'll also find some thoughts on the BlackBerry Q10 from who else but Canadian editor Jon Fingas.
IRL: Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5 and testing Solavei's MVNO
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Welcome back, and happy Monday. After a week of getting hands-on with all manner of laptops, we thought we'd spare you our thoughts on Ultrabooks this time around. Tablets, too. Fortunately, we've got lots of other stuff to wax on about, from a battery-packing iPhone case to Solavei's new MVNO, which piggybacks on T-Mobile. Head on past the break to read more.
IRL: the iPad mini and racing the Lexus IS with Google Glass
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Like every good sitcom family, we've got friendly neighbors who sometimes drop in to say hello. This week, at least, that neighbor is none other than SlashGear Editor-in-chief Vincent Nguyen, who played wingman to Darren Murph as he attempted to use Google Glass to film a first-person test drive in the 2014 Lexus IS. Also after the break, Andy Bowen makes a case for why the 4G iPad mini makes a better hotspot than a run-of-the-mill MiFi device.
IRL: iPod Classic and the WhoSounds TARDIS Bluetooth Speaker
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It wasn't our intention to run a nostalgia-themed IRL on Memorial Day, but here we are. After the break, Dan Cooper relives his fascination with the TARDIS time machine, and Brian swears he doesn't care if you laugh at him for using an ancient iPod.
IRL: Goal Zero Sherpa 50 and the HTC One on Rogers
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. For every Engadget editor who's gotten to test an HTC One (that'd be five of us so far), there are two more waiting to take it for a spin. Well, you can cross Mr. Fingas off the list, at least: he's been playing with the One on Canada's Rogers network, snapping photos in the lowest-lit places Ottawa has to offer. James Trew, meanwhile, is excited to finally use Goal Zero's Sherpa 50 solar charger, mostly because it means England is finally getting some decent weather.
