GeekSugar

Daily Tech: The $150 Samsung Highlight Is Here

GeekSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:20:03 PDT

Coming to T-Mobile, the Samsung Highlight is a full touchscreen smartphone - Tech Ticker
Check out 64 modern gadgets redesigned for 1979 - Gizmodo
Honestly, how did Animal Crossing make the cut for one of the most boring video games? - Switched
The Woz appears in old Geeks on Board footage - Boing Boing Gadgets
Steve Jobs gets the go-ahead to dismantle his Spanish colonial mansion - CNN Money

Animal Crossing City Folk For the Wii: New Features, Still Cute

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:30:12 PST

I'm obviously a big fan of Animal Crossing - having spent hours on end playing Wild World on my DS - I'm happy to say I've already put in some good time with Animal Crossing: City Folk, since its release on Sunday. It's the same game you know and love from before (which could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it), but thankfully there are a few awesome new features on the Wii version that you won't find on any of the other consoles.

One of which is the Wii Speak adapter ($30) that lets you chat with others from around the world via your WiFi connection. Just attach the USB speaker into the Wii and you're off. But the coolest thing about this version has to be the DS import feature. Instead of making a brand new character in City Folk, you can transfer your town from your DS and start where you last left off. I'm totally stoked about that since I've upgraded my house quite a bit. Plus, working for Tom Nook to pay off my mortgage wasn't easy - who wants to start that all over again from scratch?

Animal Crossing City Folk is now available online ($50) or in stores. But here's a tip: pick the game and microphone bundle from Amazon for $70 - you'll save ten bucks!

Walk, Don't Talk: Follow My Lead to Keep Other Dogs at Bay

PetSugar — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:40:42 PDT

If you've ever dealt with a pup with leash aggression, I know this issue tugs at you. Even the most wiggly, happily wagging tail dog can turn into a whole different animal when approached by another pet on leash. While it's easy to say - directed at the dog, but loud enough for the other person to hear - "No, we can't say 'hi' right now" - there are a few nonverbal signals you can give, or read, when it comes to an on the street meet 'n greet:

Shorten a leash. The quickest way to let a stranger know to keep her dog away is if you quickly shorten the leash, either a retractable, or grabbing the standard lead in a spot closer to the dog's collar with the opposite hand (as seen here). Likewise, you can simply scoop up a small pooch. Both signals let others know that you would prefer to keep your pet closer to you.

Change hands. If you're walking with a dog closest to other pedestrians, simply position the dog on the opposite side of the approaching dog so it's harder for the pup to see and attempt to tug towards the other dog, putting more distance between them.
Cross the street. Another option is to cross the street entirely, or walk and stop in between parked cars until the person passes by, eliminating any contact whatsoever.

Geeks We Love: Maia Kayser, Lead Animator at ILM

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:02:44 PST

ILM lead animator, Maia Kayserr, sat down with me last week to give us an inside look at the making of Rango, and while it seems that this particular project was unique in the way it was made, the life of a feature film animator is one that requires a lot of skill, patience, and a good sense of humor.

Maia was first interested in studying medicine, but after seeing Jurassic Park, she was turned on to a career in animation: "I was really fascinated with the idea of making something look so real, basically giving it life on the screen." So she headed to school in Germany to study computer arts; 10 years and 14 films later, Maia got the chance to head up the animation team for the character Beans, and says that Rango has been the most fulfilling experience of her career thanks to the solid relationships that have developed between team members. Find out what she has to say about becoming an animator, "cartoons" for adults, and whether or not ILM will be working on more animated films in the future after the break.

Gnomeo & Juliet: Family Film Tops the Clever Chart

Heather Maddan — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:29:05 PST

Go gnome this weekend! I'm not a fan of watching movies more than once, but I've already seen Gnomeo & Juliet twice (Disney flew me down for the premiere). And I can't wait to take my kids and see the animated musical again from their perspective. As a mom, I take a chance every time I head to the theater with my three children - ages 6, 4, and 1 - and cross my fingers that my littlest guy sits still. If any film can create the glue to keep him in his seat, it's this movie. Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, this quirky 3D version involves British garden gnomes, Elton John cameos, and an upbeat soundtrack, but it also artfully delivers the message that love conquers all in a more positive and age-appropriate fashion than the penned original. Gnomeo & Juliet does so by being clever.

The highlights of this movie are all in the details - from the clinking sound that occurs when the adorable gnomes touch to a well-choreographed, romantic ninja scene. The film fully embraces the entire family because as much as it caters to children with its animated eye candy, there's also plenty of over-their-heads innuendo to keep adults laughing heartily. I don't want to give anything else away, but if you're looking for a feel-good and engaging family flick, buy tickets.

Heidi the Cross-Eyed Opossum to Predict the Oscars

Angela Tafoya — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:05:00 PST

Following in the footsteps (in this case, paw prints) of a furrier web sensation, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum is the latest, loveable animal to capture our hearts. With over 300,000 Facebook fans and a YouTube song, it’s no secret that this marsupial is a pro at looking cute, but can she master the art of prediction?

Taking cues from the late Paul, the psychic octopus, Heidi will (like many of us) attempt to predict the Oscars. She will make her selections on the Jimmy Kimmel Show Feb. 27. Will you be tuning into Heidi’s predictions?