GeekSugar

5 Must-Have Gadgets For Moms

babysugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:50 PDT

From cell phones to cameras, mommies can hardly get by without their electronics these days. They can save her from getting lost, keeping up with her schedule and maintaining her savvy aura. While they may put a dent in the wallet, there are five wired gadgets that every woman should treat herself to when she welcomes a baby into her world.

The Hotness: Hokkaido DVD Player

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:00:09 PDT

If Phil Bartoszewicz had his way, the days of storing those boring black-cased DVD players in your attractive entertainment center would be over. He would ensure that everyone had access to DVD players that blend in with your stylish decor. And that's exactly what he's done with his concept design called Hokkaido: a stand alone optical DVD player with a retro touch, but obviously modern in its design. Sleek and geek chic, that's how I like my components.

Seriously, can someone please give this guy a job so I can claim a Hokkaido for myself? Oh, and just one tiny suggestion? Make it Blu-ray compatible, please. Thanks.

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Portable DVD Player Takes Old Concept For A Spin

GeekSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 06:00:56 PDT

Remember the concept for the tiny clip-inspired portable music player that supports CD and MP3 files?

Turns out there is a pretty similar concept out there by designer Yeon-shin Seung that plays DVDs. You insert your DVD the same way you would on the CD and MP3 player, but a little display pops up to reveal your content.

I love the design and idea, but don't think it's all that practical or ready for mainstream consumers, who generally purchase portable DVD players for children and travel. No one needs their DVDs exposed while dealing with tippy cups of orange juice and Cheerios. For a closer look at the device,

Insignia Portable DVD Player Reviewed

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:00:38 PDT

I've never been the target customer when it comes to portable DVD players because I hardly ever watch movies on small screens and when I do, I'm happy just using my laptop. Having recently spent some time with my friend's four-year-old, I learned that some people - particularly those who haven't lost their two front teeth yet - rely on portable DVD players for entertainment in planes, trains and other boring locations.

I got a chance to take the Insignia 10.2" 16:9 Widescreen LCD Portable DVD Player for a spin and was pleasantly surprised. I often think of Insignia as an "inexpensive" or "affordable" alternative to more pricey gadgets, but I was immediately intrigued by the player's compact size, light weight and sleek body.

To check out additional pictures of the player and read my full review, read more I was most impressed with the player's design and usability. It features a fool-proof control wheel (yes, it vaguely resembles the iPod's clickwheel), as well as a small remote that fits into the body of the device for storage. It weighs 2.6-pounds, which is notably lighter than my laptop. While I'm still not sure I would travel with a portable player instead of my laptop, I see where this could be good alternative for keeping yourself or the kids entertained or even as a gift for a Luddite who wants to watch DVDs but doesn't want to deal with connecting a player to a TV (say maybe your great-grandama...). The Insignia DVD player plays DVD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and JPEG formats, which means you can watch videos stored on your iPod on a slightly larger screen. You can also connect to video game consoles. It ships with an A/V cable, car power adapter, AC/DC adapter and remote. At first I thought the price tag of $190 was a little steep, but discovered most of the other portable players on the market are 8-inches or less. For comparison, the Panasonic 8.5" Portable DVD Player with 12 Hour Battery is $260.

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Coolest Portable Digital Video Player In the World?

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:01:38 PST

I know people often expect the "best" gadget in a category to be universal, however it seems each country's portable player tastes are as unique as their native cuisine.

This month's WWD Magazine featured a fun insert with a list of the coolest portable digital players from around the world. Italians pick the Zen Vision M by Creative as the coolest portable player.

The Zen Vision, $374, has long played second or third string to the iPod and other portables in the US, but apparently, Italians love the player's 2.5-inch high res LCD screen and the freedom to download videos and music in various formats.

Japan picked the Phillips PET725/44, Australia goes ga-ga for the fifth generation iPod, Brazil likes the Philips PET725/44, Japan loves the Sony DVP-FX810 and the US apparently adores the Panasonic DVD LS 91. To each his own, right?

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Geek Gear: Top Portable DVD Players

GeekSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 07:00:17 PST

Gotta love the fact that portable DVD players give us the luxury and freedom to watch our fave videos anywhere and at anytime! From planes and trains to automobiles, these tiny little gadgets are sure to keep us entertained for hours.

Polaroid 7" Portable DVD Player
This smokin little DVD player is the perfect gift this holiday season! With a clear display for a smaller size. With outstanding picture, great sound, a rechargeable battery and the fact that it includes headphones and a car charger adapter, this affordable little player is hard to pass up!

Get one at Amazon for $130.

For two more suggestions,

read more Philips PET1002 This fabulous portable DVD player has a sleek 10.2 inch widescreen and gets rave reviews for its excellent image quality. With a gorgeous black case, a battery life of over four hours, dual headphone jacks, and a car power adapter included, this player definitely got my thumbs up. Another bonus? Play home-burned discs, MPEG-4 and DivX video files and JPEG photos in this tiny but mighty machine. Get one for about $300 at Amazon.
Toshiba SD-P2500 This cool little 8.9 inch player has an outstanding picture and a bigger screen than most portable DVDs. With two headphone jacks, you and a friend can both enjoy your daily dose of Sex and the City! Purchase a five hour optional battery and add to the three hour battery included and you are good to go for over eight hours! Get one at Amazon for $400.

12 Clever Yet Pretty Media Storage Ideas

Sara Yoo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:00:32 PST

Thanks to the rapid proliferation of media technology, it can feel as though new gadgets are determined to overthrow our homes. We shove them in cabinets only to find cords sprouting from every hinge; we cringe at the futuristic flat screen looming over Louis XVI chairs. Make peace with your televisions, DVRs, game systems, and DVD players with these pretty and functional storage ideas that will make them feel just as much a part of your home's decorating scheme as your entertainment center.

Source: House to Home

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

Moneyball

Brad Pitt takes on the role of Oakland A's manager Billy Beane in this big-screen adaptation of Michael Lewis's book by the same name. The film follows Beane as he uses unorthodox methods in an attempt to put together a winning 2002 team on a small budget. The film is a delight, thanks to an all-star cast and a smart script by Aaron Sorkin. Pitt turns in a charismatic performance, and Jonah Hill really shines as the straight-laced whiz kid who inspires Beane to look at baseball stats in a new light. DVD extras include bloopers, deleted scenes, and featurettes (including commentary from the real Billy Beane and some MLB players).

95%

What's Your Number?

Anna Faris leads this romantic comedy as a woman who decides to track down her former lovers when a magazine article suggests she's had too many sexual partners to ever settle down. Chris Evans plays her charming, womanizing neighbor who helps her with her quest. The film is chock-full of rom-com clichés, but Faris and Evans make a cute onscreen pair, and there are tons of fun celebrity cameos. The DVD includes some deleted scenes.

24%

One more new release when you

read more. Killer Elite Jason Statham stars as a former British special ops agent who is pulled back into action when his mentor (Robert De Niro) is taken prisoner by a band of assassins. His hunt to take down their leader (Clive Owen) takes him on a dangerous chase around the world. Bonus features include a bunch of deleted scenes. 25%

5 Carry-On Packing Tips You Should Know

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:01:43 PST

If you're heading back home from a long holiday vacay, you've probably already given airport security some thought. If the thought of long TSA lines triggers a migraine, these tips from the TSA will teach you how to properly pack your gadgets, accessories, and chargers and help you speed through the X-ray line.

Pack in layers. Layer clothes, electronics, then clothes again inside a carry-on so the TSA agent can quickly see what's in there. This strategy also works better than the cram-everything-in-your-bag strategy once you unpack at your destination.

Check out the rest of the tips, including how to wrap your cords, and what kinds of bags are TSA-friendly after the break.

Simple Tips For Staving Off Holiday Sugar Cravings

Heather Dale — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:29:20 PST

You know you're getting into the holiday spirit when the movie Elf is on repeat in your DVD player. If this is the case, let's just hope you aren't influenced by Will Ferrell's bad dietary habits, which include copious amounts of candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! We may not be guzzling down bottles of syrup, but when confronted with tables full of cookies, candies, chocolates, and cake, what's a girl to do? Other than exercising some restrain, here are some helpful tips that will help curb your sweet tooth during the holiday season.