GeekSugar

Has a Gadget Ever Caused You Serious Distraction?

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:44:11 -0700

Reports last week of a commercial plane that missed its destination airport by 150 miles initially raised fears that the pilots had fallen asleep, or, worse, that the plane had been hijacked. But according to the Natural Transportation Safety Board, it turns out the pilots were working on their laptops in the cockpit, causing the error. Before you ask, no, working on a computer while in-flight is absolutely not allowed.

Talk about a scary situation! The pilots didn't realize their mistake until a flight attendant called into the cockpit asking for an estimated arrival time. If you ask me, that's far worse than texting while driving. They tried to contact the silent plane for over an hour with no response. What could the pilots have been doing on their laptops that distracted them from responding to calls for nearly an hour - not to mention flying 150 miles in the wrong direction?

Should Airlines Allow In-Flight Phone Calls Via WiFi?

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:33:00 -0700

In a recent USA Today article, I read about a man who was able to make in-flight phone calls on his iPhone during a flight using WiFi. With WiFi enabled, passengers on one of the 600 WiFi-enabled planes taking off in the US can use any number of video-chatting or voice programs like Skype or Gchat.

According to the article, a survey by the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics found 45 percent of Americans thought voice calls should be banned on flights, while 40 percent said they should be allowed if they don't pose a safety risk.

When we polled you guys, 74 percent of you said you'd switch airlines to have WiFi. I used Google Video chat on a Virgin America flight last month and actually turned my computer's camera so a friend at home could see the clouds out of my window. The person sitting beside me even waved hello! Chatting live at 30,000 feet was a pretty surreal experience - I love Gogo In-flight Internet!

Would You Switch Airlines, Just to Have WiFi?

GeekSugar — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:02:36 -0700

The only airline I frequently fly with that has WiFi service is Virgin with their Gogo Inflight Internet. As for the other airlines that are rumored to be rolling out fleet-wide WiFi, the waiting game continues.

Well according to a new study, 76 percent of fliers would change their airline to have WiFi. And even more interesting is the fact that 71 percent of travelers would rather have WiFi over meal service - say what?! Me loves some Internet connectivity, but getting served a free meal takes the cake. . . well, depending on which airline you fly with.

So what's your take? Would you switch airlines to be able to surf the Internet in the sky?

Mexico Gives Two Thumbs Up to Cell Phones on Airplanes

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:14:50 -0700

I find it interesting that we're allowed to open up our laptops and surf the web in midair, yet the United States still prohibits cell phones from being used once an aircraft is airborne.

Well, a country that once banned mobile phones from airplanes is changing its tune (sorry, it's not the US). Mexico has just overturned its ban on cell phones in airplanes law, although it's not all hunky dory. Cell phones suitable for flights within Mexico must be outfitted with special in-flight phone equipment. Until I find out what exactly this "in-flight phone equipment" is, I'll hold my excitement.

5 Helpful Airport Websites

GeekSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:50:56 -0700

Taking flight this Summer for an action packed vacation? Or maybe you're off to visit friends and family? Whatever the case, I'm going to make sure to equip you with all the geeky tools you'll need to have an amazing and stress free vacay. I've already listed tech travel tips to remember before you leave the house and websites to visit before you bon voyage, but what about those few hours before you jet off? Here are some of my favorite websites that you may want to check out before flying up up and away.

View Slideshow ›

Daily Tech: The New and Improved iMovie Has Arrived

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:32:40 -0800

Now that iMovie '09 is here, find out about all of the features that make it sooo much better than iMovie '08. - Gizmodo
Honda's website has received the highest score on a usability survey for the second year in a row. - Switched
British Airways has announced that they will soon be offering limited cell phone usage on some of its flights between London and New York. No official word on pricing just yet. - The Boy Genius Report
Today Woot is offering the Flip Ultra Series Digital Camcorder for only $80. - CrunchGear
With the new iPhone App, Grocery iQ, customers can search items at supermarkets across the U.S., and organize lists by store, aisle, buying history, favorites, as well as customizing item sizes. - TechCrunch

Flying with NWA This Holiday Season? Use an E-Boarding Pass!

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:25:49 -0800

Earlier this year, Northwest Airlines announced that they would be offering E-Boarding passes to select cities offering nonstop flights.

Wondering how it works? When you check in to your flight on nwa.com, just select the E-Boarding Pass option from the drop down on the "Completing Your Check-In" page. From this page, you will be prompted to enter your cell phone information, and your E-Boarding Pass will then be sent to your phone. Once you get to the gate, you will have to show your screen with the 2D barcode and scan it right there.

So far, people have reported that it works great - minus the TSA part since they usually check your paper boarding pass with your ID as you walk through the security X-Ray Machine - something they'll have to work on improving.

Daily Tech: AT&T to Get the LG Vu in a New Wine Color

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:05:57 -0800

Coming to AT&T stores very soon, is the new Vu (920 version), which comes with MediaFLO, a nice large touchscreen and is available in this beautiful new wine color. - The Boy Genius Report
Yesterday on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Jon talked about the craziness associated with Black Friday, and then showed off his new C-3PO and the Lego Millennium Falcon. - Gizmodo
After my test flight last week, Virgin America has officially rolled out its Gogo Inflight WiFi service on select flights. The remainder of the planes will be equipped with this service in early 2009. - Engadget
Learn how to watch YouTube videos in your Firefox sidebar or on their own in a standalone player window. - Digital Inspiration
It's giveaway time on geeksugar! Be sure to log in and enter our laptop giveaway for your chances to win a Windows Vista powered Sony VAIO CS laptop or a Windows Vista powered Acer Aspire Gemstone Blue Notebook. - geeksugar

Virgin America's New Inflight WiFi and YouTube Live Event

GeekSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:00:30 -0800

OK, I promised you a full recap about my event-filled Saturday - the flight, the WiFi test drive, and the YouTube Live Event - and here it is! Testing out Virgin America's first WiFi enabled plane with Gogo Inflight Internet among other tech enthusiasts was a rush in itself, but heading to the first official YouTube Live event here in San Francisco was icing on the cake to a spectacular day. To see how I made out with the Gogo WiFi service during the flight and to see some YouTube Vlogging stars and celebs I ran into at the event, check out my slideshow!

View Slideshow ›

I'm Going to YouTube Live! And Getting WiFi on a Jet Plane . . .

GeekSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:04:27 -0800

I've got quite the geeky day planned, and I had to share my excitement with guys! First, I'm packing my bags and heading to San Francisco International Airport to board a Virgin America plane - I'm not really going anywhere, per se, but the short flight will be showing off GoGo's new in-flight WiFi! Then afterward, drum roll please - I am hitting up the YouTube Live event!

At SFO, I'll board a Virgin Airlines plane - already my fave airline for its awesome techy features - and test out the in-flight Wifi on a special beta flight.

Afterward, it's off the to the YouTube Live Event, to celebrate YouTube's new webcasting feature, where I'll hopefully rub elbows with Will.i.am and Katy Perry, to name a few! Stay tuned for my recap on how it all turns out!

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