Brad Moon
Editor Computing solutions
I’m a long-time electronics and gadget geek who’s been fortunate enough to enjoy a career that lets me indulge this interest. I have been writing about technology for several decades for a wide range of outlets including Wired, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, MSN, About.com, Kiplinger, and GeekDad. I’m in my 10th year as a senior contributor for Forbes with a focus on reviewing music-related tech, Apple gear, battery power stations and other consumer electronics. My day job is with the Malware Research Center at AI-native cybersecurity pioneer CrowdStrike.
Mac OSX Yosemite: worth the upgrade?
Apple continued its fall tradition of releasing a new version of the OSX operating system that powers its Mac computers and once again, it’s a free upgrade. This year’s version is OSX 10.10 Yosemite. Should you make the leap? I’ve spent the past week test-driving OSX Yosemite on a MacBook Air and put together a guide of how to do it, what to expect and what you need to know before making the decision.
Hexa-Core Processors: Six Cores Are Better Than Four
Multi-core CPUs have been a mainstay in PCs (and mobile devices) for over a decade. The innovation of having multiple cores in a single processor —each able to run software in parallel— has led to significant performance boosts. Quad-Core used to be the high end in consumer PCs, but now Hexa-Core chips are making it into the mainstream through computers like HP’s new Pavilion x360 Convertible. Here’s why you might want a Hexa-Core processor in your next PC.
Tablets: the best choice for whatever you want to do
Tablets are great devices for doing many things. They truly are the embodiment of multi-purpose technology. You can use a tablet to watch videos, play games, read books, surf the web, take photos, listen to music, participate in a video conference or write a report. But there is a huge range of options to choose from and despite the fact that they’re all “multi-purpose” devices, some tablets are better suited from some purposes than others. In this post, I single out tablets that have a reputation for being ideal for different activities.
Introducing the Nexus 9 Tablet
Google and HTC just took the wraps off what is likely to be one of the hottest tablets of 2014: the Nexus 9. Described as “powered by Android, for work and play” the new tablet features a powerful 64-bit CPU, the new Android Lollipop operating system, an 8.9-inch HD display and HTC BoomSound.
Tablets: what display size should I choose?
It was only a few years ago —2010 to be exact— when choosing which size of tablet display was an exercise in simplicity. You really only had one choice. Apple’s original iPad was released that year, it immediately dominated the category and its display was 9.7-inches. Today, the tablet landscape is much more diverse and display sizes are all over the map. Which size best suits your needs? In this post, I’ll break down five of the most popular display sizes and what they’re best suited for.
Kobo Aura H2O: the best e-reader gets better and it’s now waterproof
If you are someone who casually reads e-books, then you probably don’t need a device like the Kobo Aura H2O. A smartphone or tablet will likely do just fine. But if you’re someone like me —an avid reader who’s fully committed to digital— then the new Aura H2O is the biggest news since last year’s Kobo Aura HD. I’ve been using Kobo’s latest flagship e-reader and even gone so far as dunking it in a sink full of water. Read on to see just how good this premium e-reader is.
Pebble Steel review: a good smartwatch gets more style
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve heard of the Pebble (no pun intended). When it comes to the smartwatch category of wearable technology, Pebble is a rock star and with the Pebble Steel, this smartwatch now looks the part too. I just wrapped up a few weeks with the Pebble Steel and here’s what I think of the latest Pebble, from battery life to customization.
MOSS Zombonitron 1600 reviewed: a magnetic robotic kit
When you think of robotic building sets —not just toys you assemble, but kits that allow you to create robotic models that interact with their surroundings— LEGO Mindstorms probably come to mind. There’s a new option, though, a Kickstarter success story that’s now going mainstream. My kids and I had the chance to try out a MOSS Zombonitron 1600 set. Here’s what I we thought about what Modular Robotics calls its “futuristic building blocks of ingenious invention.”
HUNKA JUNK: J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars Clip Has the Web Buzzing
There’s a huge mass of Star Wars geeks out there (myself included) watching every move Disney and J.J Abrams make as a new crop of Star Wars releases draws ever closer. If there’s one thing guaranteed to get the attention of these Star Wars fans, it’s a peek at what Abrams is working on. And if there’s one thing guaranteed to get pop culture geeks in general in a froth, it’s a mash-up between franchises. J.J. Abrams just managed both in one shot with his HUNKA JUNK YouTube clip of the new Millennium Falcon from his forthcoming Star Wars film—with a very unexpected Easter egg.
Motorola Launches Moto 360, Moto X, Moto G and Moto Hint
Motorola kept everyone guessing about exactly when they were going to do their official product announcements at IFA 2014, but it finally happened on Friday. That’s okay, we pretty much knew what was coming. The Moto 360 —the round-faced Android Wear smartwatch that everyone’s been talking about for the past six months— is finally official and coming to Canadian launch partner Best Buy this fall. Also announced were the next generation Motorola smartphones, the Moto X and Moto G and the tiny Moto Hint earpiece.