3 Carriers, 3 Phones, 1 Winner

Grab yer partner do-si-do. It’s a Gear Patrol phone-down.

2008 has been an amazing year for cell phones. The masses have spoken and features once considered highly advanced such as: touch screen technology, internet connectivity, and email access, are now becoming standard in any smartphone worth its silicone weight.

In a similar trend, mobile software has also exploded as carriers loosened their grips to give 3rd party developers a piece of the mobile app action. The main beneficiaries of all of this is of course is us the consumer, but with so many phones out there now to choose from, making the right decision on your next phone isn’t easy.

To help we’ve put together our take on the three flagship smartphones from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The Blackberry Storm, Apple iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 face-off after the jump.

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No Device Left Un-Oranged

Gear Patrol Custom ColorWare Xbox 360

I hope that I’m not being too presumptuous, but it’s likely that you, the Gear Patrol reader, take some measure of pride in having the latest and greatest bits of consumer technology. It goes without saying that we do, too. After all, why do you think that we dutifully craft these daily digital digests? Sadly, keeping up with the Joneses sometimes conflicts with one of our core Gear Patrol Values: Individuality. These days, camping out to get a new smart phone, personal media device, or video game console simply doesn’t ensure even a modicum of uniqueness or personal expression.

That’s where the good people at ColorWare come in. (See our custom Xbox 360 after the jump)

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We Grab The Keys To The 2009 Toyota Matrix And Head To Hoover Dam To Take Photographs. Let Us Tell You Why.

Let us start by telling you a story about a guy who, a few years ago, was relegated to driving a Toyota Matrix for a business trip. The drive was a 6 hour run from Washington D.C. to Boston and the washboard seats, rental-car ride and dismal stereo managed to be utter joys compared to the ultimate mishap: hitting a pothole greeted this poor man with a dashboard that literally fell off. Glove compartment on floor, instrument cluster hanging by wires and an A/C vent in lap. Loads of fun.

Then again, this poor fellow wasn’t driving a 2009 Toyota Matrix. A car, that besides its namesake couldn’t be more different than the aforementioned rental car. We suppose Toyota wasn’t aware of our story when they handed us the keys to copper orange (of course) and blue 2009 Matrix(ices) while we were in Las Vegas for SEMA. A show best described as a car modifier’s mecca.

We decided to take a break from the debauchery and tear down to the Hoover Dam. Why? For some dam pictures and a surprisingly damn fun ride. Read on…
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Don’t Throw Away That Water Bottle Just Yet

If you do a fair share of traveling you probably know that staying hydrated is important. Outside of Las Vegas, you’re probably not staying in any hotels that take room humidity into factor, an important part of better sleep and avoiding dry/flaky skin.

The Air-O-Swiss Travel Ultrasonic Humidifier allows you to bring along a high quality Swiss humidifier wherever you go by just adding your own water bottle. It uses high-frequency vibrations to generate a micro-fine cool mist that is blown into the room. It’s transcontinental AC adapter and exchangeable plugs ensure you’ll be able to use it in any country.

Editor’s Note: Also works great in the office.

Cost: $60

Also See: Voltaic Solar Backpack | Tumi Packing Cubes | Priority Pass

Throw Down Anytime, Anywhere

A man’s college years are crucial testing grounds for good and bad ideas. Hindsight shows downing six shots of whiskey and streaking the dean’s lawn was a bad idea. Kissing your best friend’s girl afterwards probably was too. On the other hand, filling cups with beer and tossing ping pong balls in them, now that was brilliant.

That’s why the guys over at Pong A Long created the 8 foot portable beer pong table. This 8 foot regulation sized table collapses to become a 2×2 briefcase perfect for toting to your next party or event. So you’ll never miss an opportunity to brush up on your game.

We gave ours a thorough testing at the Far Hills Downs Steeple Chase a couple of weeks back and were pleased as punch. It did reveal though that Patrick’s skills have clearly faded since his school days in the 1940’s.

Next year’s tailgating will prove if an old dog can learn new tricks. Check out a shot of our own table after the jump.

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Prepare Ye For All Out Awesomeness

Hot. Not Gear Girl hot, but hot nonetheless.

Keep your eyes peeled this Friday for something that will strike men’s nerves deeper than anything you’ve seen in a while. Here or anywhere.