GeekSugar

Daily Tech: Canon Debuting New PowerShots This October

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:00:35 PDT

For $400, you can get yourself a shiny and new PowerShot SD990 from Canon which features 14.7 megapixel resolution and a 3.7X optical zoom. - Gizmodo
The state of New York is starting to embed driver's licenses with RFID chips so that authorities can identify citizens when they enter the country. - Crave
New tools like CLHack and CraigsToolbox make it much easier to search Craigslist, since they make the images pop up before you actually click on the listing. - TechCrunch
NBC is kicking online TV viewing up a notch. For the third year, NBC will make new series available online a week before their premieres. - USA Today
A recent study showed that parents want to get more school updates via text or email so they can keep better tabs on their kids. - Yahoo! Tech
It's giveaway time! Be sure to log in to your TeamSugar account for your chances to win geek-chic beach gadgets and accessories! - geeksugar

Daily Tech: Google Gets Its Own Olympics Site

GeekSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:00:44 PDT

Head on over to Google's Summer Games website to check out a variety of GOOG tools that are tracking all of the events in Beijing! - Lifehacker
The $999.99 "I Am Rich" glowing red gemstone iPhone app was purchased by eight people from the iTunes App Store! - Valleywag
Belkin has a new messenger bag that offers practical features and comes in five different color combinations. - Unplggd
Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) chips have been embedded in all Olympics tickets as the Chinese government hopes to crack down on counterfeit tickets. - Crave
A neat travel online travel tool called Schmap, which offers interactive online maps and useful travel tips, has just launched a free iPhone-friendly map on their website. - The Boy Genius Report
It's giveaway time! Be sure to log into your TeamSugar account for your chances to win a white Nintendo DS Lite and a Space Chimps game! - geeksugar

Daily Tech: McDonald's in Japan Tests Out Pay-By-Phone Coupons

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:20:57 PDT

McDonald's in Japan will be implementing a new e-coupon system where customers can pay for their order by placing their phone on a RFID reader. - Wired
Now with Google Earth, you can check out new environmental layers that are based on future climate change estimates. - Gizmodo
Here's an entertaining Saturday night Wii game to play with friends. . . Beer Pong for the Wii! - Kotaku
Weezer has just released its video for its new single "Pork and Beans", and it's entirely based on YouTube. - CrunchGear
It's giveaway time! Be sure to log in to your TeamSugar account for your chance to win a Wii Fit! - geeksugar

Would You Order Food Via RFID?

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:00:41 PDT

We've all agreed that the idea of organizing your wine rack with RFID technology, an automatic identification method that relies on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders, is completely geek chic. We've also agreed that the prospect of H&M allowing shoppers to purchase items via a Semacode bar that is read by a cell phone may revolutionize shopping, but is the notion of ordering food via RFID as intriguing?

This week The Korea Times reported that McDonald's and SK Telecom have unveiled a new ordering system that will allow customers to use mobile phones and infra-red sensors to make orders from their table. The system will send customers a phone message when their meal is ready. Apparently, the "Touch Order" menu is the first in the world to utilize the radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in a self-ordering system at a restaurant. Do you think you would use this service?

Source: Korea Times

Wine RFID Rack: Totally Geeky Or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:30:03 PDT

The WineM wine rack uses technology to keep your precious collection organized and cool. The colored lights provide some chic ambient lighting while RFID technology, much like the tech used by Japanese vending machines and those amazing Mini Cooper billboards, keeps your bottles in order. The RFID information is attached to each bottle of wine via a small tag so your collection can be stored and accessed from your computer. This is perfect for serious collectors, who might keep their wine stored outside their home, or for anyone that doesn't want to take the time to rummage through their collection while getting ready for a dinner party. Is the idea of putting RFID information on your wine totally geeky, or geek chic?
Visit Apartment Therapy to check out a video of how it works.

Japanese Machine Uses RFID To Make Crowds 'Buy Now, Buy Often'

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:30:04 PDT

RFID technology, an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders, isn't just being used to create talking Mini Cooper billboards anymore.

Digital World Tokyo reports that Fujitsu is using a UBWALL machine (pronounced 'U-B-Wall'), which is a giant plasma display panel loaded with RFID and Wi-Fi, to share 'information' with the masses. Apparently, a financial services company is installing the terminals in its branches around Japan in an effort to provide more information about trading, stock prices and branch services. Here's more:

The main draw of the UBWALL is a 50-in plasma screen that displays general information in 'attract' mode until a customer approaches and is detected by a motion sensor. It then switches to offer a menu of services and the option to find out more about them, all navigated through using the touch-sensitive display.

Not sure this would ever catch on in the states, but the idea of a giant plasma information station is pretty exciting.
Source

Mini Cooper Launches Talking Billboards! I Want One!

GeekSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:06:01 PST

Just when I thought Mini Coopers couldn't get any more adorable and innovative, the makers have launched a new ad campaign with special billboards displaying personalized messages to Mini drivers as they go by. How does it work? Mini Cooper drivers in trial cities filled out questionnaires with information like birth dates and special interests - for example "I love beer," "I need to work out after work" and "I love my boyfriend." The drivers were then given a chip with Radio Frequency Identification technology inside and the magic of technology takes over.

RFID is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is an object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Meaning, when Mini Cooper drivers speed past a billboard, it'll flash a personal message, like "Happy Birthday, geeksugar!" For more about this awesome program, just

read more According to the AP, the pilot program is being conducted in four cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Miami. About 4,500 Mini owners, who lived in or near those cities and who were active in Mini chat rooms, were invited to participate. They filled out information on a Web site, including their name, their car's nickname, their profession and details about how they drive. Mini will send them an electronic key fob, which the company calls a Mini motorboard, that works within 500 feet of the billboard. Launched in the US in 2003, the Cooper has overcome harsh criticism from those who said Americans wouldn't like small cars and fostered a real cult following. The second-generation Mini goes on sale next month. Listen to the NPR story. Source