GeekSugar

LG's New OLED TV Makes Your Set Look Seriously Overweight

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:06:58 PST

We kicked off CES press day this morning with LG, who is introducing a wide array of products in the TV, smartphone, and smart appliance categories. The product that caught my attention, though, was the "world's largest, lightest, and thinnest" 55-inch OLED TV, pictured here. It's quite stunning, even from 20 rows back in the conference room where I was sitting, and for good reason: its contrast ratio is 50 times greater than that of LED/LCD display panels.

LG also announced the Magic Remote. This remote will include your usual buttons, a scroll wheel, and voice recognition, but will be boosted by a 3D gesture interface. The 3D interface panel sits on top of your TV, allowing you to use your body to choose channels and programs with a swipe of your hand. Sound familiar? Yes, it's like Kinect for TV browsing.

Sony Develops an Ultra-Thin, Rollable OLED Screen

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:00:46 PDT

Every once in a while, a new technology emerges that completely blows me away and makes me feel like I'm living in the future. This development is one of those things. Sony recently demonstrated a thin, rollable OLED display that is no thicker than a strand of hair. The 4.1-inch display features a 432x240 pixel display and can play video when laid flat or wrapped around a cylindrical object.

If this does go into mass production, the potential uses seem endless. And I'm not sure why, but I can't get an image of the proud parents of tomorrow pulling their rolled-up OLED screens from their wallets to show everyone baby videos.

Hot Gadget Predictions For 2008

GeekSugar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:16:56 PST

Wondering what's going to be hot and not-so-hot in the upcoming year? Here are some of my gadget predictions for 2008!

OLED Televisions: Surprisingly OLED TV's weren't overly popular in 2007, even though they created quite the buzz with their super-slim design, energy saving technology, and exceptional screen quality. I can't help but think they are going to make a huge comeback in '08. Be sure to stay tuned for Samsung's latest prototype, a 31-inch OLED TV.

More Sleek and Stylish Storage Devices: For those of us who carry our portable storage devices on us 24/7, keep your eyes peeled for some fun new USB flash drives in '08. Check out these new flash drives from PQI called the Traveling Disk i201 which come in strawberry, pink, banana yellow, and blueberry blue colors. Storage capacity ranges from 1GB to 4GB.

Portable Media Players: Now that downloading movies off the net has become so quick and easy, more and more people will be investing in portable media players. Philips new flash based personal media player is fresh on the scene and is going to be a hot buy. With 2, 4 or 8GB capacities, a 3.5" LCD display, built-in speakers, and a five hour video life, you can't help but wish you got one for Christmas!

Fashionable and Functional Gadget Accessories: Gel cell phone cases became a growing trend towards the end of '07, so I'm sure we'll see more colors and designs in '08. With the debut of Kodak's chic new camera cases which were also a hit, you're guaranteed to see alot more custom-designed carrying cases for electronics throughout the year.

eReaders: With the release of Amazon's Wireless Reading Device, the Kindle last November, I couldn't help but get absorbed into the eReader frenzy. These handy devices are simple to use, lightweight and can hold over 200 book titles. . .It's time to say good-bye to our paperbacks and hello to the world of electronic-paper in 2008!

Savory Sight: Cacao Nib Caramel Corn

Yum Community — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:02:41 PST

Cacao nibs are showing up all over the place these days. My Fare Foodie puts them to good use in a simple microwave version of caramel corn.

Cacao nibs are all-natural bits of ground cocoa beans that have a nice crunch factor, a major amount of antioxidants, and a subtle chocolate flavor. How about we nibble on these little nibs in a batch of homemade caramel corn? Caramel corn can be kind of daunting since candy thermometers, rapid boiling, and extended baking times are typically involved. For this recipe, though, everything is made in the good ole microwave.

Make a bowl of this sweet, crunchy snack for your next movie night. Find the recipe on her blog and upload your unique recipes in our Kitchen Goddess community group.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Step Up With Their Growing Daughter Faith

Allie Merriam — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:58:33 PST

Nicole Kidman carried her baby daughter Faith Urban yesterday in LA. Along with Keith Urban, the trio browsed for snacks and treats at an LA farmers market. Nicole and Keith were casual in jeans for the outing, but last month were in red-carpet finery for the Golden Globes. We'll see more of Nicole before the cameras as she gears up for the HBO premiere of Hemingway & Gellhorn. She stars alongside Clive Owen in the period piece about Ernest Hemingway and his relationship with journalist Martha Gellhorn. Both Nicole and Clive were recently in Pasadena to discuss the project at the TCAs. Nicole spoke about Gellhorn while there, commenting, "I think I'm attracted to many different roles, but there are times when I feel the need to play someone that inspires me. Martha inspires me. . . I love playing women who defy the odds and burn bright."

Keith, meanwhile, is looking forward to a return to the stage tomorrow. He's performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, in what will be his first live performance since having a polyp removed from his vocal chords back in November. Friday will see him back before a crowd for a second show. Keith and Nicole aren't yet confirmed to attend this year's Grammys on Feb. 12, though they're usually among the stars who turn out for that celebration.

4 Ways to Geek Out Your Moleskine

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:46:40 PST

We're living in a digital world, and I'm a digital girl, but sometimes I just want to write things down with a pen and paper. Not just any pen and paper though - I must use a Moleskine. These paper notebooks have been a favorite among geeks of all kinds - writers, designers, artists, and more - and now they have more than just plain ole black covers. They've been geek-ified. Check out these four limited-edition and specialty covers that you can buy now.

Top 10 Signs It's Time For a New Personal Trainer

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:25:17 PST

If you're spending $50 or more for a session with a personal trainer, they better be awesome at motivating you to get a great workout and reach your fitness goals. But if they're not helping you hit those goals, here are some telltale signs that it's time to find a new one.

You struggle to get through 20 push-ups, and your trainer gets on the floor and says, "Watch how fast I can do 20!"
Your trainer is supposed to be helping you work your upper body by tossing the ole medicine ball, but you catch them winking at a fellow trainer as they launch the 15-pound ball at your face.
You're not sure if they forget to wear deodorant or wash their workout clothes, but every time they reach their arms up to show you a move, you get an overpowering and nauseating whiff of funk.
Your trainer doesn't talk much, but when she does, it's, "Just do what I do. I have to fit my workout in sometime."
In the middle of counting reps while doing crunches, your trainer starts throwing out what seems like random numbers. You look at him puzzled. His response? "That's my phone number. Call me."

Keep on reading for more signs that it's time for a new personal trainer.

Mistakes You're Making on the Pilates Mat

Susi May — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:51:53 PST

Mat classes are the most affordable way to reap the benefits of Pilates. Taught across the country at gyms and private studios, group classes mean you don't have an instructor cuing and correcting your every move. Make the most of your time on the mat and be mindful of these common mistakes I've seen in classes over the years.

Not Going Deep
There are many benefits to Pilates, but getting in touch with the deep abs, aka the transverse abdominals, is, to me, the most important. If the deep abs are working, then all four layers of ab muscles will be working right along with it, making for a very stable torso. In class, use every exhale as opportunity to reengage your abs and pull them into your spine with a little lift up. If the abs are pooching outward, you're only working the top layer of the abs and training them to pull away from the spine - the opposite effect of what you want.

Momentum Is Not Your Friend
Deliberate pauses are built into the choreography of many Pilates exercises to prevent momentum from taking over the motion. The Pilates method was originally named Contrology (the study of control) to emphasize this very concept. Going slowly is key. Jayme Boyle, the group fitness coordinator and Pillates mat instructor at the SF Equinox, explains the importance of forgoing momentum like this: "Slower pace means you’re turning on stabilizing muscles and you’re creating more isometric contractions." And I have to agree. Pilates is not a race.

Keep reading for more common Pilates mat class mistakes.

Samsung's Super OLED 55-Inch TV is Smart

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:35:16 PST

Samsung announced a sexy and sleek 55-inch Super OLED screen at its press conference today. The set comes with a super-slim bezel, a built-in camera, and a microphone for motion and voice control, along with dual processors to run apps, and of course, 3D capability.

Watch Out, Siri: Vlingo May Beat You to the TV

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:10:13 PST

Steve Jobs said he "cracked the code" on TVs, which led analysts to believe that there will soon be a voice-controlled Apple TV set on the horizon. Only thing is - Vlingo may beat Apple to the punch.

Seen at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, Vlingo (most known for its voice recognition software on the Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows, and other smartphone platforms) had a video demo of what its software will soon be able to do on the big screen, thanks to app platforms being stocked in so many "smart" TVs in 2012. It's very Siri-like, as you use your voice to control channel changes, DVR recordings, messages, social media, and more. Imagine Siri partnered with your Xbox Kinect, and you start to get an idea of how it would work. I only wish there had been a live demo to try out, but Vlingo has me very excited for the future of TV. Well, that and the amazing LG 55-inch OLED TV.

See what Vlingo's onscreen action really looks like from the screencaps in the gallery!