GeekSugar

Vogue Wants To Get Digital

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:23 -0700

This month's Vogue has more than Iron Woman Gwyneth Paltrow - they have a spread called "Let's Get Digital," that seems to be aimed squarely at me and my geeksugar loyalists! They mix Logitech with Lanvin, iPhones with Armani, Blackberrys and Balenciaga - what I've been striving to do for years: meshing a look that loves fashion as much as technology. Check out the slideshow to see the geek chic intersections!

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Sony's Party-Shot Dock Plays Photographer For You

GeekSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:30:40 -0700

As much as I love playing photographer at a good soiree, I feel like I end up missing some good moments with a camera in front of my face. So imagine my curiosity when I learned about the Sony Party-shot camera dock. It literally takes the photos for you. Skeptical? I was too . . . at first. Until I learned how.

I've used a digital camera that incorporates face and smile detection technology, so I can attest to its ability to capture shots when I'm not really paying attention. It's this technology that makes the Party-shot camera dock so effective. Just set up the dock with your SC-WX1 or DSC-TX1 Cyber-shot camera and let the gadget do all the work. Great for candid and natural-looking shots, the Party-shot detects smiles and faces as it swivels and tilts 360 degrees to get the best shot around. The Party-shot hits stores in September for $150, but will you be in line?

5 Adorably Low-Tech Pocket Cameras

GeekSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:47:36 -0700

It goes without saying that I love my high tech toys, but sometimes it's good to think outside the digital box and get back to your roots. Your film roots that is. This Fourth of July weekend, I'll be taking in all that the city has to offer while snapping up pics with my digital, but it would be fun to have a sprinkling of low-tech snapshots to add to my photographic collection. And since I'll be toting around my DSLR, I don't want to add any more weight to my camera bag. A solution? A cute-as-a-button pocket camera that satisfies my need for film pics, and lets me maximize space in my bag. We all know Urban Outfitters is great for off-the-wall cameras, so I've made it easy for you and got all of these great cameras from UO for easy shopping cart check out. I can't decide, so I'm picking out two. Enjoy!

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Tech Dating 101: How Can I Tell If He's Into Me Online?

GeekSugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:02:55 -0700

Trying to navigate the the online dating scene and feel like you're swimming upstream? Get your digital dating questions answered in geeksugar's Tech Dating 101 series, where I share my take on topics like gadgets in the boudoir and texting during a date. Today I'm tackling how to tell if someone is using the Internet to flirt with you, or just playing the friend game.

Unfortunately, it's often easier to figure out that he's just not that into you than it is to establish his intentions are of the Don Juan variety. If he doesn't IM you back after an hour and you know he's online, he doesn't see you as a priority. If you've had the "relationship talk" and he hasn't changed his relationship status, he's hesitant to announce he's off the market. But, just like happy hour flirtation, it's important to look at the whole picture if you think he wants to get fresh: Is he single? Is he dropping flirtatious hints and innuendos? Is he singling you out specifically or playing the field? And most importantly, is his aim true?

If you suspect a certain someone is trying to bust a virtual move, play PI and track his online interactions, both with you and others. If he's hitting up your Facebook wall weekly, sends you personal emails and links, shares items with you via his reader because he "thought you'd like this!" and Tweets back, chances are high he's interested in you on some level. He wants to know what you think about things. If he's spamming every girl he knows, he's just fishing around and looking for someone to take the bait. For a list of questions you should ask yourself when trying to categorize his intentions as romantic or purely platonic, read more.

Does he comment on all your status updates, blogs, or Flickr photos? If he doesn't comment (or "like") everything, does he comment more than other friends or potential lovas? Weigh his interactions with you against your BFF and a casual acquaintance for perspective.
Does he comment on obscure things? If he's dropping links, hints, and comments on random social network sites you've signed up for, or random pics you uploaded a year and a half ago then he's intentionally seeking you out.
Does he tweet back more than once or twice a week? Most people don't tweet back unless they truly appreciate a Tweet, or want to engage with you.
Is he following and friending you everywhere? If he's suddenly taken an interest in all your online activity and started following you everywhere, he's trying to get to know you and wants to monitor your activity. Use your commonsense based on his attitude in person to measure what this means.
Does he use a flirty tone and sexy humor? Come hither phrases and sexy talk are innuendo, whether online or not. If it sounds like flirtation when you read it out loud, it's flirtation. Men don't use words like "baby," "cute," "hot," and "sexy" unless they mean it. Well, they do, but they always mean it on some level.
Does he send you special private messages, notes, or links? Maybe he's not interacting with you on Facebook because he doesn't want your friends in common, his ex, or (yikes!) his current girlfriend to know he's singling you out, but if he's instant messaging or sending you links and private messages daily, and even weekly, stop and consider his intentions. You may just be online buddies, but his tone and the content he sends you will speak volumes.
Does he retweet, reblog, or reuse your "material"? This can be the ultimate compliment, but also a telltale sign of his intentions. If uses your material, but gives you credit (say by calling out your name) he's OK with letting people know he watches you. If he uses it without crediting you he's clearly figured out how awesome you are, but is timid about calling out his discovery. Beware the man who hides his online interaction with you. He may be running a messy game.

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How-To: Create Slideshows and Movies For Your Reception

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:05:10 -0700

If you haven't noticed, it's wedding season here on the Sugar Network and I've been busy telling you how to keep up with your own wedding website, pick out the perfect photographer, and manage all those photos - yours and your guests - after the big day. This week, we're moving into the wedding planning stages, and today I'm talking about slideshows. But this isn't the after-the-event, it-was-such-a-beautiful-day slideshow, this is the slideshow you play during your reception, usually packed with photos of you and your betrothed throughout your relationship together.

Although I've already given you some tips on what you should consider when putting together your slideshows, you may not know where to begin once you have all your photos chosen. If you don't have a Mac (I know I've talked your ear off about the simple joy of iPhoto), you can still make professional-looking slideshows and videos with your PC. Who woulda thought, right?

Find out what software you should consider, and what to do with those stacks of (nondigital) photos when you read more.

If not all of your photos are digital, it's OK - you can scan your photos, get them onto a CD and ready for uploading just by toting them down to your local Walgreens (or similar drug store that offers photo developing). And you're on your way to getting all your treasured pics into a slideshow.

Once you have all your photos uploaded to your computer, all you have to do is choose your software to start putting it all together. With any of these programs, you can arrange your pics, choose your (optional) background music that will play during your slideshow, and will even let you add in video clips if you want to switch things up. My first love is iPhoto, mostly for its ease of use and ability to export to not only a DVD but to your website, mobile phone, and iTunes to enjoy later.

But for you PC users out there, software like DVD Picture Show, My Memories Suite, and MediaShow 4 will get you the same great results, accommodates photos and video clips, and will export online or to a CD/DVD.

Do you have a photo program you'd like to recommend? Let us know about it in the comments below!

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Do You Have an SLR?

GeekSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:32:51 -0700

No product is recession proof, but it's interesting to know that the economy had not yet affected sales of high-end cameras known as SLRs (which stands for single-reflex lens, FYI). Until now, that is - analysts are predicting that SLRs are also about to see an economy-induced drop in sales.

Bad news aside, let's focus on the product at hand - fabulous SLRs. I have a Canon digital SLR, and have always thought of someone's first SLR as a signal of their coming into a serious interest in photography, since you can achieve the kind of quality and artful results you just can't get with any point and shoot camera. And once you convert? You're hooked, and it's new lens and photography tip hunting for you.

So whether it's a vintage film SLR or a modern digital SLR, tell me: do you have an SLR?

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How to Take a Good Profile Picture

GeekSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:02:27 -0700

Say cheese! I remember lining up for school photos and thinking, "I have to look good this year! I just have to!" Digital photography has freed us from those stomach cringing moments (and the desire to burn photos!) because we can always pose again, try better light and edit without wasting film.

Of course, getting that perfect photo is critical in an age of social networking and dating sites. I was cruising the Canon website (cause you know, that's what I do) and I came across the company's suggestions for taking better online dating portraits. It says:

Keep it Simple: Posing, Cropping, Framing, and Backgrounds -Your online dating portrait should be about you. That means no one else should be in the shot, and you should avoid distracting elements that will take attention away from the most important thing in the frame – YOU! Try turning the camera 90 degrees, and shoot a vertical picture. The longer vertical frame is better suited to capture a single person, without too much 'empty space' in the background.

Photo Techniques: Lighting, Lenses, and Camera Settings - One of the biggest mistakes in online dating portraits is poor lighting. Again, the photo is all about letting others see what you look like. The goal is to make sure the image is well (brightly) lit, but with no harsh shadows.

To see my tips for looking good in your pretty profile pic, read more.

Say No to Mug and Lingerie Shots - Profile pics that look like mug shots are the worst! Don't take a picture specifically for the purpose of being your profile image (you know, like the ones where you can tell the subject held out her arm to take the shot?!). Pictures taken in the mirror (unless they are incredibly artistic), or pictures taken on a camera phone are also discouraged. Also, think twice before you use that sexy one of yourself on the beach in Hawaii with a barely-there bikini (especially for a dating profile!).
Act Natural! - Whether you are looking for a dating profile picture, or a pic to use for your Facebook or Sugar account select a fun, natural picture. It doesn't have to be a glamor shot, just an image that shows your personality. Sure it's an ego boost to show off how cute you looked in that bridesmaid dress, but you don't look like that everyday. Try a pic in your natural element. Or a casual photo from your last vacation. I love nancita's carefree and happy look in her TeamSugar profile image.

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Monogrammed Wii Travel Case: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:27:01 -0800

When I get to take tech on the road with me that doesn't usually get to go anywhere, like my Wii, I want to keep it as organized as it is at home.

I love having the idea of a dedicated case - I was pretty tempted by the Travel Bowling Bag - so I almost couldn't type in my credit card fast enough when I saw the Monogrammed Wii Travel Case from PBTeen. No longer the provenance of stuffy yuppies, the monogram is really doing it for me. That's my Wii, it says. Plus, it's on sale for just $13!

But I have to say - why the digital print? I'd love a nice plain solid with my monogram on it. Why must I have some print that, though tech in its own way, makes it look way too busy?

Anyway, let me know what you think below.

No Way! Congress Delays the Digital Conversion Deadline

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:03:21 -0800

I swear I wasn't lying when I told you last week that the bill for the delay of the digital television transition didn't pass in the House of Representatives. But yesterday, in a re-vote (264-158), the House of Representatives approved the bill to push the transition from the original Feb. 17 date until Jun. 12.

What happens now? The bill will get sent on to President Obama for his final approval. And television owners, who aren't ready for the analog TV shutdown, now have four additional months to get a converter box.

Let's hope this is the last we hear about this topic for a while!

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The Practical Girl's Guide to Apple TV

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Call waiting, cell phones, TiVo . . . all technological conveniences that you told yourself (I definitely did) at first you didn't need; until of course, you had them, and they became indispensable.

This is now how I feel about Apple TV. Our friends at Apple sent me the mighty little movie streamer, and I've been learning to live with this new gadget.

For the uninitiated, Apple TV ($229) is a box-top digital media receiver - basically, a home theater enhancer that functions as a movie or music player. To hear my first impressions, and to whom I would recommend an Apple TV, just read more.

First impressions:

First of all, set up of the Apple TV could not be easier. You plug in the HDMI cable (or component, if that's how you roll), and it's just a few minutes to be all set up. It was truly one of the most painless gadget setups I've ever been through.
The most impressive thing about the Apple TV? Its abilities as a media hoster. That's right, hoster, not player, because player is so limiting. The first thing I did was connect my computer and iTunes account to the Apple TV, and bam, all my photos and music were available. The screensaver slideshow of photos (with several photos onscreen at a time) mesmerized my friends and me.
The movie watching experience is great, but I didn't expect it to be difficult. With no skips for obvious reasons, it's as smooth and easy as using a PS3 for viewing Blu-ray movies.
The 160GB of space is awesome; we watched a DVD the other night, and it skipped, so we ripped it to the Apple TV and watched it from there (effectively saving movie night and my nerves). Not only is it a better way to watch, you can rip your DVDs to the Apple TV's hard drive, and then never have to deal with those discs again.
Watching a movie directly from Apple TV is ideal, and way better than renting or buying from your computer (whether you'd watch it straight from your PC or transfer it from there to the Apple TV). Where downloading a two-hour movie onto my computer from iTunes takes me about an hour, it takes about 20 minutes from Apple TV and we were able to watch it before it had fully downloaded.

Who is the Apple TV ideal for?

Movie Junkies. This is the obvious one, but very true. Having the Apple TV means you can rent or buy movies and TV shows from iTunes (stay tuned for my impressions of that) anytime - no having to get out of your PJs or into the rain to get a new movie.
People who want to digitize their movie collection. You have 160GB of space to fill up, so you can divide that among quite a few movies and then sell those discs or just consider the file on the hard drive a back up.
People who entertain a lot. My favorite part about Apple TV is not movie watching, but photo viewing and music playing. Normally we play slideshows on our TV, but we either have to burn a limited number of images to a disc, or run it from the PS3, whose slideshow isn't as cool looking. Apple TV runs my whole photo library and looks amazing doing it.
People who are resisting Netflix, but sick of actual movie stores.
People who want a movie streamer. There are other streaming devices, but Netflix's Roku doesn't do anything besides movie streaming, costs $99 plus a Netflix account, and you could do it with an Xbox, but you'd have to have an Xbox and an Xbox Live Pass. No subscription is necessary with Apple TV.
People who are not ready for Blu-ray (or think it won't stick around). If you rent or buy directly from the Apple TV, movies are available in HD, and they look pretty clear.
Gadget junkies. Enough said.

This is just the beginning of my experiences with the Apple TV, so if you have any questions or curiosities about it, let me know in the comments below and I'll try to cover it all in the followup!