GeekSugar

Mercury in Retrograde: AKA Why Your Email Went Missing

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:01:05 -0700

You might think I'm a little hippie-dippy for this (or uh, a San Franciscan), but I put a lot of stock into the Mercury retrograde. Hear me out: an astrological occurrence that happens three times a year (we're currently in one; it's from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15 this year), when Mercury is in retrograde - meaning, the planet stops, slows down, and seems to go backward - crazy things happen.

When I explained to a second person recently what was going on in the sky, as they complained of odd feelings and things going haywire, I had to find out more. I discovered that the root of what the retrograde effects is communication, and of course, that means tech. To find out what happens, just read more.

Apparently, this is the time when emails are said to go missing, phone calls and messages don't get received, computers malfunction or telephone lines go down. Of course, there's no hard evidence to say that Mercury in retrograde is the reason your boss never got your "I'm sick" email, but it's not a terrible excuse.

Tell me: have you noticed any weird things going on with your tech or communications lately?

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New Mercury Free MacBook Pro Unboxed!

GeekSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:26:38 -0700

I got my hands on the new MacBook Pro first thing this morning and saying everyone around me is gushing and jealous is an understatement. Unlike last year's model, the new MacBook Pro has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display. I am a little shocked to report that there seems to be a visible difference between the two displays, and it's not just due to the fact that my old laptop is covered in fingerprints and a bit of dust. The screen seems much brighter.

The new MacBook Pro's mercury-free status is a huge jump for Apple, who has been a consistent low ranker on Greenpeace's Electronics Guide and has taken some blows for not being as green as it can be. I'd write more, but I'm kinda busy obsessing over my new love.

For larger images from the official geeksugar MacBook unboxing as well as the line in front of the Apple Store, read more

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The MacBook Pro comes in 15 and 17 inch models and features a 2.2GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The models are one inch and either 5.4 or 6.8 pounds (depending on size). Prices start at $1999.

Do You Care How "Green" Your Gadgets Are?

GeekSugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:07:17 -0700

This past week, it was all about the iPod at Apple's "It's Only Rock and Roll" event. And although I was wooed by the exciting announcements, I was relieved to hear that Apple has made the new Nano environmentally friendly. From the MacBook Pro - which is rated EPEAT Gold, features a mercury-free LED backlit display, and is made from highly recyclable aluminum - to other gadgets like the new Nano, Apple is continually striving to be green with its environmental status reports for each gadget.

Samsung is another company that's working toward being greener with its environmental initiatives like recycling programs, and by introducing products like the Reclaim cell phone, which is built-in solar made from 80 percent recyclable materials.

As someone who's trying to lessen my environmental impact on Mother Earth, I do take into consideration what a product is made of before buying it (including my gadgets), but I can't say that's the only reason that sways my purchasing decision. What about you?

Queen Gets Their Very Own SingStar Game

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:45:00 -0700

Any excuse to re-enact the "Bohemian Rhapsody" car scene from Wayne's World, and I'm all about it. Starting today, you'll be able to channel your inner Freddie Mercury (and Garth and Wayne) thanks to SingStar Queen ($28). This 20-track game features all of the hits from the English rock band, including "We Are the Champions," "Under Pressure," and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." It also features a voice control menu which allows players to choose songs in the carousel from their microphone and multiple game-play modes including solo and freestyle. And I thought the Britney Spears song pack was going to be a trip!

Macworld 2009: The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Is Unveiled

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:01:14 -0800

They always manage to save the best for last - don't they? Phil Schiller just announced the new MacBook Pro, which is the world's thinnest 17-inch notebook, measuring in at .98-inches thick, and weighing only 6.6 pounds. On the side of the laptop, you'll find a Mini Display port, a Firewire 800, digital audio in/out ports, three USB ports, Expresscard, and the standard Ethernet and Magsafe. An optional add-on? You can pay an extra $50 for an antiglare screen if you really want to pimp it out.

Other great features include the glass trackpad, which includes four-finger gestures functionality and multibutton support. It even comes with the longest-lasting battery ever, which is said to last up to eight hours on a single charge. The sad part? It's built-in, so you're stuck with it. And for eco-chic peeps, it's EPEAT Gold, and arsenic, BFR, mercury, PVC free, and comes with 34 percent less packaging that's highly recyclable. The new MacBook Pro's will start shipping late January and will cost $2,799.

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What's Going on Here? A Lesson in Magnetics

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:21 -0700

So the other day PetSugar was explaining to me how she lost the top to her earbud and was peeved because she couldn't listen to her tunes at work, when suddenly something happened - her earbuds picked up a paper clip from her desk! Was it due to Mercury being in retrograde? Was it because our office is haunted and the ghost was messing with us and our electronics? Or was there some other reasonable explanation?

I dove into the subject, and it didn't take me long to find the answer. To see what it is, just read more.

Since I am not too versed on the inner workings of sound transmission, I wasn't aware that there are magnets inside all headphones! Magnets help the wire coil inside all headphones stay balanced and produce sound waves, which in turn, gives you your music!

So I guess the next logical question would be, "Is this harming my brain?" From what I can tell, no. In fact, magnets have been used for centuries to help relieve pain, circulatory problems, and even baldness. So next time you find your earbuds picking up a paper clip from your desk, you'll know why!

Enviro-Mac: How Green Are Those Apples?

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:00:42 -0700

In case you missed it (and if you did, where have you been?), Apple announced their newly "refreshed" line of MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs at the 2008 Apple Event on Tuesday. Although I'm stoked about the new trackpad, super-sized hard drives, and upgraded graphics cards, I'm a big fan of how green these new laptops are - and I'm not talking about the color.

Apple seems to have put some hard work into making sure this line of portable computers is the easiest it can be on the environment, and have been able to cut down their excess waste from start to finish. In fact, these are Apple's first products to make EPEAT Gold status - the highest standard you can get for your environmental and energy conservation efforts. To see other eco-friendly facts about this line of MacBooks, just read more.

All of the MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs are made with highly recyclable aluminum and glass, which is free from mercury and arsenic. On the inside, the circuit boards and electrical components are all made without PVC and BFR (Brominated Flame Retardants), which are toxic to the earth, and you!
All new models use their energy wisely: The 15-inch MacBooks consume only 18 watts of power while in idle with the display on. That's 30 percent less than your standard household light bulb!
The MacBooks backlit LED display uses 30 percent less power than before.
Because of the new unibody enclosure, Apple can reuse more materials for other products, reducing the amount of overall material needed.

Since Apple has always strived to be eco-friendly, and has made some impressive energy advancements this time around, I guess my question has been answered: those Apples are pretty darn green!

Apple to Introduce Solar Products?

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:37:46 -0700

After receiving a low green ranking in Greenpeace’s Green Guide to Electronics, Apple has been making significant changes to be environmentally friendly. With the release of the MacBook Air, which includes a mercury- and arsenic-free display, a PVC- and BFR-free circuit board, and an aluminum case (plus less packaging), Apple's green score has already increased to 6.7. And now it has just filed a patent to place solar cells on portable devices.

What this means is that certain devices like the iPod Touch or iPhone could be manufactured to have photovoltaic cells stacked underneath LCD touch screens, enabling these gadgets to get juiced up from the sun! I'd love a solar/regular power option, so on rainy days I wouldn't have to go into panic mode if the sun wasn't shining!

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Do You Worry About Your Gadgets Being Green?

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:00:48 -0700

Greenpeace recently did a study on gaming consoles and found that the level of toxic chemicals used to manufacture them were higher than what's allowed in children's toys.

The study was conducted on a PlayStation 3, an Xbox 360 and a Wii, all bought in Europe (where they don't classify game consoles as toys). All consoles were guilty of containing toxics like Phthalates, bromium, and PVC - which pose a threat to both the environment and sexual development in humans. Who's a little creeped out?

When I have a choice, I do try to seek out electronics that are greener, in general, like the Energy Star designation for appliances. I'm stoked that my MacBook Pro is mercury-free, and it definitely disappoints me to see my favorite brands ranking low on Greenpeace's greener electronics guide. How about you? Do you worry about the eco-ness of your gadgets too?

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Do You Recycle Your Old Cell Phones?

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:21 -0800

Everyone says they're going green these days, but I often wonder how many people are really making an effort to help out mother nature. A recent study performed by iSupply Corp., found that less than ten percent of people who upgraded their phones recycled their old handsets. Additionally, ten percent of people sporting a new cell just tossed their old ones in the dumpster, which equals about 125 million discarded phones a year!

Needless to say, leaving last season's phone for the garbage man to pick-up is bad for the environment, causing mercury and lead to make its way into groundwater. Find out where to drop off your unwanted phones and then tell me, do you recycle your old cell phones?

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