GeekSugar

Let Your Cables Stand Out: The NUD Cable Collection

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:30:10 PDT

If you're obsessed with going wireless because of a few unattractive power cables, then maybe these will help you ease up on your cord management obsession. The NUD Collection of cables and lights is an eye-catching group of textile-wrapped cables which come in different (read: fashionable) colors and textures, meant to draw attention rather than blend in.

Currently available only for geeks living in Europe (lucky dogs, you!), the NUD cables come with porcelain lightbulb holders (so you can hang your lights in style), in power brick form with multiple outlets, and as extension cords, keeping your behind-the-TV outlets looking fresh. All the NUD cables come in varying lengths from one to 10 meters (that's three to 32 feet for the rest of you), so you can style your room around your power from now on, instead of the other way around.

Check out a few more images of these oh-so-stylish power cables when you read more.

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Nicole Kidman Crowned New DS Spokeswoman

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:45:00 PDT

Who says Oscar winning actresses can't be gamers? Nintendo has picked Nicole Kidman to lead a print and television ad campaign for "More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima: How Old Is Your Brain?" The game launches across Europe on the Nintendo DS on June 29, which just happens to be the iPhone release date in the US. According to Nintendo, Kidman was chosen by Nintendo because of her universal appeal to mainstream audiences of all ages and backgrounds, as well as her reputation for being intelligent, entertaining and genuine. As you can see from the video, Nicole's "brain" seems to be much older than her real age.

Kidman is quoted as saying: "I love the concept that Nintendo is reaching out to new audiences with their self improvement products like Brain Training. Most importantly, I’ve quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind feeling young." What does Nintendo have to say about the move?

Why Are Phones From Other Countries So Chic?

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:00:48 PDT

I am constantly in awe of technology, specifically cell phones from Asia and Europe. Perhaps I've just grown up thinking of Asia and Europe as fashion epicenters and far more trendy than the US, or maybe I'm just jealous I can't get an 18-Carat Gold Nokia 8800 Sirocco phone, which is available only in Europe, or a LG Candybar Shine, which is only available in Russia. It seems my desire for unattainable cell phones is pretty common.

MSNBC brought up the fact that it's all too easy to feel a little green about non-American cell phones, because they often seem inferior to more glitzy, technologically advanced phones from overseas. One reader even told MSNBC: "The U.S. cellular phone system is ridiculous. …It is an embarrassment to compare your new phone with [those of] your friends from Europe or Asia." Here's more:

So what gives? Why are things in the States so different? Unfortunately it's not an easy question to answer, and if I had the time and the column space I could write a thesis detailing the many reasons. But I have to go for brevity here, so I've simplified it into three main points: competing network, carrier control, and cultural differences. Each of these factors plays a big role in explaining why U.S. users remain a bit behind our overseas friends.

What do you think? Does the technology and appearance of iPhone, BlackBerry (yeah, it's made in Canada, but close enough!) and Helio make up the difference?

18-Carat Gold Nokia 8800 Sirocco

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:08:40 PDT

Nokia has unveiled the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Gold phone and let's just say it's the perfect match to the dashing Vertu Ferrari 1947 cellphone.

Encased in an 18-carat gold plating, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Gold has the look of a luxurious Faberge egg that's been melted onto a sleek slider phone. It's available in select markets - as in not in the US - with an estimated retail price of EUR $1,000 (or $1,351.80 USD).

It boasts a high-resolution camera (2 Megapixel) an "intuitive and ergonomic keypad," color screen (up to 262K colors) and a wide array of messaging functionalities. The elegance of the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Gold is also complemented by a coordinating desk stand and color-matching Bluetooth headset. Now if only I could get a room at Le Petit Trianon and my own royal jeweler.

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LG Shows Off 'Candybar' Shine Phone

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:04:51 PDT

LG has introduced a 'candybar incarnation' of its Shine slider phone, reports Reg Hardware and like the glamorous ISSE Monaco Phones from Nokia, it will only be available in Russia for a while.

It's unclear when the Shine Bar - as the non-slider is known - will make it to the rest of Europe and beyond, says Reg Hardware.

Expect it to pack in a 262,144-color, 240 x 320 display; a two megapixel camera with auto-focus; Bluetooth; 50MB of user-accessible memory; and a Micro SD slot for up to 2GB of add-in storage space.

For an up close look at the phone,

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Meryl Streep Inspires Herself in Golden Globe Press Room

Molly Goodson — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:04:38 PST

Meryl Streep stepped into the Golden Globes press room following her big win for The Iron Lady during this evening's show. On stage she couldn't give the speech she had planned since she forgot her glasses at the table, and while she almost gave it to the press room instead, she refrained. Instead, Meryl talked about women who inspire her, taking on the role of Margaret Thatcher, and what she's working on now. Check it out:

On what she would ask Margaret Thatcher: I would be interested in what she thinks about Europe right now and the debt crisis and whether her views about any of that have evolved. It's interesting how it's coming to the same path. It interests me.

On taking on the role: Coming into this I had a very reductive view of Margret Thatcher. I did what we all do to political leaders we don’t agree with, turning them into something more than human and less than human at the same time. It was interesting to me to look at the human being behind all that, to look at the life that was so groundbreaking, in the winter of that life. To find a compassionate view of someone with whom I disagree.

On what inspires her: I’ve never really gotten to the bottom of me and all the contradictions and conundrum that I find in my own personality and I feel like I find myself, or parts of myself, and I find some understanding of being alive from the characters I play. I’ve probably only gravitated towards characters I do feel something of me in.

What is your passion project right now: I’m very interested in the stories of women, the untold stories, and I’m trying very hard to get congress to let us purchase land on the National Mall for the first women's museum. There are so many stories, I could go on for hours.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - Haven't We Already Played This Game?

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:30:00 PST

Giving the people more of what they want is usually the principle behind sequels, and it definitely holds true for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but a good sequel takes what works and makes it better. Though this follow-up to the 2009 hit retains the chemistry of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, it disappoints by failing to add anything to the franchise. This time, Holmes is as intelligent, stubborn, and incorrigible as ever, but Watson is trying to evolve by getting married. Unfortunately, Watson's marital status is just about the only development for either of the main characters.

This time, we follow Holmes and Watson as they trace a series of crimes to Holmes's infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), who has been leaving clues around Europe that he's laying the groundwork for war. Holmes is hot on his trail, while a batch of assassins are hot on Holmes and Watson's trail, leading to a game of cat and mouse that could be fun to watch, if the story was told in an engaging way. Unfortunately, plot points are withheld until the last moment, and the twists are so convoluted that you're lost along the way. It's a shame, because the film could have been a satisfying sequel, but instead it feels like a half-baked shadow of its predecessor. To find out what I mean, just keep reading.

Know Your Ingredients: Maggi Seasoning

Susannah Chen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:52:41 PST

For years, I'd heard bits and pieces about a flavoring agent called Maggi Seasoning, but it wasn't until recently that I had a chance to see how it's put to use. You may not be familiar with the ingredient itself, but this dark, vegetable protein-based liquid is used to add oomph to scores of popular products worldwide.

Maggi (pronounced "maggie") looks a whole lot like soy sauce, but it's, in fact, not an Asian sauce at all: the sauce, now owned by Nestle, was invented in 1886 in, of all places, Switzerland, where it was originally used as a substitute for meat extract. Today, the European pantry staple is popular not only in Europe, but has also turned up in corners of the world like Mexico, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The formula, which consists of wheat gluten, water, salt, and wheat bran (among other things) is highly seasoned and therefore used sparingly, but it's commonly used to add a boost of flavor to everything from gravies and salad dressings to matzo balls and bánh mì. Have you ever cooked with Maggi seasoning?

Link Time: Nigella Lawson Covered in Caramel

Susannah Chen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:59:26 PST

Nigella Lawson covered in caramel. That is all - Eater
Holiday traditions in the White House - The Daily Meal
Burger King will be offering free Whoppers for the holidays - Nation's Restaurant News
Two hangover cures to get you through the holidays - Grub Street SF
Parisian dining-in-the-dark restaurant Dans Le Noir is coming to New York - Diner's Journal
Doner kebab is always better in Europe - Food Republic
Chicken Vesuvio is an Italian-American specialty found only in Chicago - Saveur

How to Travel Cheaply in Europe

LearnVest — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:15:51 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

I recently embarked on a 16-day adventure through Europe: five nights in Paris, two nights in Milan, two nights in Rome and five nights in London. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? It doesn't have to be. Here are my secrets on how I saved tons of money on this vacation!

Rewards Programs. About a year in advance of the trip, I applied for a Marriott Rewards credit card (I pay off the balance each month and just accumulate points). The person I went with travels for work on a weekly basis and only stayed in Marriott hotels for a year. Between the two of us, our hotel stays were free for this trip. Even further, with Gold Status we got free breakfast every morning, and unlimited bottled water and snacks. Goes without saying that this was a huge money saver!
Fly Round Trip. I started scoping out flights months in advance, and what I noticed is that round trip flights to Europe were way cheaper than flying to one country and then home from another. So I booked a round trip to London, which only cost about $600 per person (including taxes and fees). The trip started in Paris, which meant getting on another (separately booked) flight from London to Paris once we arrived, but then I ended our trip in London for easy access going home.

Read on for more tips on traveling cheaply in Europe.