GeekSugar

How-To: Turn Your iPod Touch Into a Phone

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:00:40 PST

If you're on a budget, a data-heavy smartphone package may not be the best situation for your pocketbook (especially now that both Verizon and AT&T have changed their data and text messaging packages), but sacrificing efficiency for a dumbphone may not be an option either. Thankfully, you have a third option: an iPod Touch. If you think that an iPod Touch can't suffice for a cheap alternative to a full-fledged iPhone, you may be surprised. Check just two ways you can function on the fly with an iPod Touch as your cellphone.

Apps and WiFi - Your iPod Touch may be WiFi-only, but that doesn't mean you can't make calls. Apps like Skype and Fring will allow you to make calls over a connection, while Google Voice will even let you get voicemail messages, send SMS text messages, and forward calls from your home line to your new (albeit slightly jimmy-rigged) cell.

Find out how else you could create an iPod Touch workaround after the break.

Video Call Your Android and iPhone 4 Friends With Fring

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:47:08 PDT

You've got an iPhone 4 and want to use FaceTime, but don't have a WiFi connection. What to do now? Well, you can download the newly-updated Fring App (Free) and video chat all you want since it now allows video calling over 3G on any phone, by taking advantage of front-facing cameras (like the one on the EVO 4G).

Take note that chatting over 3G will impact your data usage (unlike the FaceTime feature), so be sure to monitor how much data you're pulling down each month. Fring is available in the Android Market as well, so gather up your Droid-loving friends and start chatting!

Download of the Day: fring

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:00:05 PDT

Fring is an easy to use peer to peer communications program that allows cell phone users to talk for free via WiFi, 3G or GPRS. You can IM and talk via your handset's internet connection to other mobile phones and services like Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, SIP and Twitter - at no extra airtime cost. The main fring screen is a simple contact list that displays your contacts and their status. This list can include your Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk contacts, your fringster friends and if you want, people who are stored in your phone's contact list. This service is still fairly new so the audio quality isn't the greatest, but I'm sure this will improve with time. For more info and to download, click here.
Between fring and Eyejot, keeping in touch is becoming ridiculously cheap. To learn how to post your favorite sites to the Download of the Day group,

read more
I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Download of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Download of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the download, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Download of the Day group and share information about all your favorite downloads! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Wear It Now: 15 Fantastic Fringed Dresses

Marisa Tom — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:29:39 PST

Suffice to say, fringe is having a moment. From '20s glam to funkier boho tiers to full on '80s rocker vibe, the flapper-derived trend was seen on the runways of Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, Gucci, and more. Whether you wear your tassels at the hem, in a capped shoulder detail, or bedazzled along the neckline, this distinct trimming adds flounce and fancy to every garment. And depending on how you spin it, fringe can also inject an extra dose of edge and texture into your final look. To do right by this ultracool style, we've picked out 15 evening-ready frocks that just so happen to feature accents of that unmistakable Spring '12 fringe. Get ready to shimmy and shake - click through to see our editors' picks at every price point.

Source: Vogue Germany

Must-Have Outerwear: Watch the Entire Altuzarra Runway Show

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:47:44 PST

Joseph Altuzarra's nomadic Fall 2012 collection, complete with fringe and coin detailing, inspired us, but we were wowed by the impressive collection of outerwear. Long, fur-lined trench coats, cropped blazers, and a fabulous printed parka graced the runway. See the entire collection from one of New York's hottest young designers.

Altuzarra Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:27:47 PST

Just when we thought we couldn't swoon any more over Joseph Altuzarra's creations, the designer sent us on a dizzying trip around the world via brightly hued Moroccan-chic knitwear, chunky fringe, plush shearling, and quirky coin embellishments. From 1940s Parisian silhouettes to ultra-tailored naval coats and equestrian-inspired jodhpurs, to the whimsical markings of a visit to a Marrakesh marketplace, this collection was all about mixing it up. The result? A sultry blend of super-structured jackets, pants, and fur-lined outerwear paired perfectly with eclectic fringe-laden skirts, Indian-braid schoolboy sweaters, and coin-infused cocktail dresses. Slick, tasseled, patent-leather ankle boots and knee-high riding boots completed each look - a fitting accessorized finish for the well-traveled style setter who knows where she's going next.

Trends: Global traveler, fringe, coin embellishments, equestrian-inspired silhouettes, fur-trimmed collars, quirky updates on the Fair Isle print.
Colors: Earthy brown, black, navy, ivory, gold, and bright pops of Moroccan oranges and reds.
Key Piece: The vibrant coin-sashed orange dress embodied Altuzarra's worldly take on his Fall '12 lineup.
Accessories: Chunky cummerbund belts, patent-leather ankle boots, and knee-high riding boots, complete with slick tasseled add-ons.
Who Would Wear It: The downtown cool girl with a flair for spontaneity, like Kate Bosworth, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Olsen.

Alexander Wang Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:42:08 PST

Alexander Wang staged a dark and dramatic show tonight at Pier 94, setting the mood for a high-impact show complete with a tricky "runway" configuration, strategically placed mirrors, and our favorite highlight of the night, a surprise appearance from Gisele Bundchen. "I personally think he's a great guy, a great person, and he's always so sincere," said Bundchen. "He asked me and I'm very happy that I was able to be here." The show kicked off with a vast array of structured, lacquered wool coats paired with laser-cut fishnet turtlenecks - pulled over part of the face to look like a mask - and waxed suede manipulated to look like leather. The latter was used to create black- and oxblood-hued military-inspired dresses and sexy front-slit skirts. Then came the fringe, thus far a burgeoning trend on the Fall runways, juxtaposed on crisp collared shirtdresses and tops. The surprise closer of the evening featured top models like Karolina Kurkova and Bundchen facing the mirrors - then peeling off their half-masks. Mystifying? Yes, but there's no confusion when it comes to Wang and his modern way of thinking.

Trends: Lacquer, laser-cut details, fringe.
Colors: Black, oxblood, white.
Key Piece: A cropped hoodie jacket, leather minidress, any of the botanical ombré pieces.
Accessories: Lacquered and leather knee-high boots, stacked ankle boots, leather gloves, leather duffel bags, small crossbody bags.
Who Would Wear It: Downtown girls like Alexa Chung, Zoe Kravitz, and Erin Wasson.

Jen Kao Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:10:50 PST

The East and West collided together at Jen Kao's Fall showing, resulting in an unapologetic mashup of sexy fringe, baseball caps, and ombré lace dresses. While it might sound a little disjointed, Kao managed to pull it all together creating a carefree attitude with her mixed bag of offerings. Printed floral dresses were decorated with fringe, pleated leather and silk maxi dresses were styled with baseball caps, and crochet dresses were layered over silk printed tops. The results? A rebellious kind of beauty any cool girl - like front-row attendee Zoe Kravitz - would love to wear on any given day.

Trends: Fringe, Asian-inspired floral prints, lace, pleats, brocade.
Colors: Blue, black, brown, gray.
Key Piece: We love how Jen Kao added a cool ombré effect to her lace shift dresses.
Accessories: Patent loafers, low-heel ankle boots, sporty caps.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave a unique, edgy touch like front-row attendee Zoe Kravitz.

Nicole Miller Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:31:42 PST

Topping her graphic prints, fringe-trimmed dresses, and flares with floppy hats, Nicole Miller zeroed in on '70s boho-glam for Fall 2012. There was barely a look that didn't hit the runway with a hat to top it all off, adding to the drama and unifying every style with a nod to that confident '70s woman. But it's not just a single trend of the decade we see - Miller's collection offers a taste of all the essential elements in velvet flares, striped and colored leather jackets, bold abstract prints, and fringed dresses and tops you could see on any of the era's rocker chicks.

Trends: '70s, fringe, colored fur and leather, florals and abstract prints.
Colors: Burgundy, black, brown, yellow, and green.
Key Piece: The velvet flares, floppy hats; the orange and yellow shift with black cutout sleeves.
Accessories: Black, tan, and leopard-print hats, leather messenger bags, jeweled clutches, and buckled or lace-up ankle boots.
Who Would Wear It: The girl with an appetite for drama in the everyday; the boho rock chick.

What to TiVo: Friday

BuzzSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:59:00 PST

8:00 Shark Tank (new)
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do? (new)
10:00 20/20 (new)
11:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (repeat, with guest John Krasinski)

8:00 A Gifted Man (new)
9:00 CSI: NY (new)
10:00 Blue Bloods (new)
11:35 Late Show With David Letterman (new, with guest David Spade)
12:37 The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (new, with guest Chelsea Handler)

8:00 Kitchen Nightmares (new)
9:00 Fringe (new)

8:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (new)
9:00 Grimm (new)
10:00 Dateline NBC (new)
11:35 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (new, with guests Rachel McAdams and Cee Lo Green)
12:35 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (new, with guests Dwayne Johnson, Katharine McPhee, and Neal Brennan)

8:00 Nikita (new)
9:00 Supernatural (new)