GeekSugar

The Week in Geek

GeekSugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:15:03 -0700

This week: I discovered my new favorite BlackBerry App, Google labs made my email life a little easier, and Polaroid finally announced its comeback! Read all about these and more in this week's Week in Geek.

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Geeking Out in Japan: A Retrospective

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:50:43 -0700

My two weeks in Japan went by in a flash, but I have the memories to last a lifetime - and now I'm sharing them with you! My trip through the "Electric City" taught me a lot about gadgets in the land of the rising sun, and attending the Tokyo Game Show was one of the highlights of my trip. And even though I didn't get to see the massive Gundam statue in all its glory, I did get to check out the head at TGS. Trust me, this thing is huge! Check out all the geeky sights from one side of the city to the other in this slideshow.

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Portable Chic: My Favorite DS Cases

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:50:29 -0700

Since Nintendo releases a new DS model every few years or so, I gotta keep mine covered and clean (so I can recycle or donate it later once I upgrade). But really, I just want to add a touch of style to my gaming to show off on the bus, plane, or wherever the need to play strikes. Check out a few of my favorite DS cases, including a few I just recently saw at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan!

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Japanese Solar Powered Cell Phones Stream Live TV: Lucky!

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:43:57 -0700

During my travels through Japan, I just had to stop by the Akihabara district. Known as "Electric City," it's packed with blocks and blocks of gadget shops, game arcades, and stores where you can get every kind of cable known to man. It was a geek's dream, and I was living in it.

Cruising around one shop in particular, I noticed how awesome Japanese phones are. Let me start out by saying there aren't many iPhones in Japan - they're way too expensive - and people don't seem to mind. Why? Well, on their slim but lengthy solar-charged flip phones, they can stream TV and watch movies from anywhere in the country. I couldn't help but be jealous of their advanced cell phone tech (and prices - these high tech babies were only about $150 bucks in-store). I say, forget the Solio and give me solar panels on my iPhone!

Check out more pics of the gadgets I found in the Akihabara district of Japan when you read more.

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TGS 2009: Nintendo Announces Wii Price Drop

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:15:59 -0700

You may not be able to get your hands on the black Wii console like the Japanese - I got a chance to see it up close while in Japan this week and can attest to its sexiness - but soon you can get yourself a regular ol' white one for a little less dough.

Announced at this year's Tokyo Game Show, the Wii will be available for $200 starting this Sunday. Perfect timing for the holiday shopping season (and assumed holiday shortage), Nintendo is aligning itself with the entry-level Xbox 360, which while coming in at the same price, boasts lots more features (like Netflix streaming for example). So although the Wii has been one tough cookie to find on store shelves, it's obvious that Nintendo wants to stay competitive. Or maybe there's a new model coming? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Gundam Statue Comes Down as I Hit Japan Running

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:33:18 -0700

My cousin used to be completely obsessed with everything anime, but Gundam was one of his favorite shows. So I thought it totally appropriate to share these images of the 60-foot Gundam statue with you now since I'm heading to Japan this week! I'm crossing the Pacific to check out the Tokyo Game Show, as well as take in all the sights, sounds, and gadgets there are to be seen in the country that brought us ramen and Godzilla.

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The Gundam statue was erected to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the famous anime in the man-made island of Odaiba, just outside of Tokyo. Although I won't be able to see the statue (its deconstruction should already be underway - or is it?), but stay tuned, because I'll be bringing you images from the massive Tokyo Game Show and all the tech goodies I can find!

Daily Tech: HP Launches Its Printer App Studio

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:03:18 -0700

HP's Printer Application Studio is available for those who pick up a web-connected printer later this month - CNET
Walkman surpasses iPod sales in Japan - Wired
AT&T is finally bringing MMS to the iPhone on Sept. 25 - USA Today
Gmail adds four new themes to its collection, including Super Mario Bros.! - Gmail Blog
These 15 iPhone apps will help you with your home design projects - Unplggd
This cute SIM card address book keeps all of your addresses in one handy spot - Gizmodiva

Japanese USB Heated Luchbox Is the Shizz

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:30:30 -0800

I'll admit that I have a slight obsession with Japan, spending time on my days off cruising the aisles of my favorite Japantown shops, but I have never - ever - seen this amazing lunchbox in person, which makes me sad.

The USB powered lunchbox I caught on Tokyo Mango keeps your food toasty warm while you work so you don't have to deal with unevenly heated microwaved eats come lunch time. The box heats up and safely maintains a 140 degree heat via your USB connection, which allows you to eat right at your desk.

And let's be honest, we all eat at our desks more than we should, making the lunchbox even more attractive, since the walk to the microwave is a long one. The only thing I'm missing? A homemade bento box to enjoy. Bummer.

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Website of the Day: Gizmine

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:09 -0800

Ever wish there were an easy way to find and purchase cool little gadgets and gizmos from Japan? I always discover such neat stuff on Japanese websites, but there are two major roadblocks that get in my way - I can't translate the website, and they won't ship to the US. But now I have full, easy access to all things awesome from Japan thanks to a chic new site called Gizmine. Search by categories like price, color, theme, brand, and more. It really is Japanese shopping paradise for geeks and you can get the product sent to you in the US!

To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website 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 Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and “Regular Post.”
Give your story a “Title.”
Fill in the “Body” with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click “Next."
Choose the audience for your story to “Website of the Day” in the drop-down menu
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to “Technology and Gadgets.”
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click “I’m done” to submit content.

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

Geek Out Your Loo With a Robot Toilet Paper Holder

GeekSugar — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Airyusha, the Japanese maker of lifestyle and home furnishing products has gone geeky by creating these Robotan Toilet Paper Holders for where else? The bathroom! I could certainly see myself putting one of these heavy duty ceramic holders in my bathroom, although I'd probably stick with a plain color like white. Other colors to choose from include yellow, red and black and you even get a 100% environment safe recycled paper roll with the holder so you can put your robot to good use right away! Each holder costs $50.