tech photos

Looking for a completely unique way to tote your iPhone in style? Casetagram turns those gorgeous, filtered shots stored in your Instagram account into an iPhone 4 case that's decidedly you.

The process for creating a case all your own is simple; sign into Instagram via the Casetagram website, your photo library will then populate allowing you to easily drag and drop pictures into the layout grid of choice. There are four layout styles to choose from including even square grid photos, Swiss cheese circles, polka dots, and various sized squares.

Each snap-on case is $35 and includes free shipping worldwide. Check out some of the Casetagram options and examples in the gallery.

Halloween hasn't even passed, and it's already time to start thinking about those December holidays. Every year Hallmark rolls out a dozens of limited-edition ornaments, many referencing pop culture icons like TV show characters, superheroes, Star Wars, and Pixar films. For avid collectors this is one purchase that cannot wait until the season's in full swing.

Hallmark even offers exclusive ornaments at industry conventions like the recent New York Comic-Con, where the goods sold out in a flash. Check out this year's selection of geek-related Hallmark goods, and be sure to snag the ornament of choice before they're gone.

Wear your geek badge with pride in honor of the few Binary Days, which is a date made up of all zeros and ones, on this year's calendar. Tracing back to code used in ancient days, the current form of binary code is used to represent symbols, letters, and instructions in modern computing systems. In honor of all things zero and one, check out a few of our favorite binary things.

Today's Apple "Let's Talk iPhone" event at the company's Cupertino headquarters brought the introduction of the latest iPhone — the iPhone 4S. Though it's not the completely overhauled iPhone 5 many people were hoping for, the technology inside the iPhone 4S has received a dramatic revamp that includes the same dual-core A5 processor chip of the iPad 2; iOS 5 software; a faster 8MP camera; a 1080p HD resolution video camera; an updated antenna that works on both the GSM and CDMA networks for worldwide use; a 64GB capacity option; improved battery life for eight hours of 3G talk time; and, most noteworthy, Siri, an intelligent assistant operated by voice controls. We can expect deep Twitter integration in the iPhone 4S, as well as a Notifications center, new iMessage app, and Reminders app within the device.

The iPhone 4S comes in both black and white at a suggested retail price of $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model, and $399 for the 64GB model. Available for pre-order on Oct. 7, the iPhone 4S will hit US stores on Oct. 14 on three carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

If daydreams about life in Middle Earth keep you distracted from work, get away from the grind completely on a Lord of the Rings-inspired vacation. Since the film trilogy was filmed in director Peter Jackson's native New Zealand, the picturesque countryside is the top destination for fans. Off-the-beaten-path hotels, tours, and even a volunteer opportunity will have you feeling at one with J.R.R. Tolkien's vision.