GeekSugar

geeksugar's Gift Guide: Great Gifts For Gadget Guys

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:00:08 -0800

Thankfully, I have a gadget guy of my own at home, so this gift guide should be a breeze to present.

It seems there can never be enough trinkets and goodies of the electronic persuasion under the tree, no matter how useless some of them may seem. Does your guy really need a dark room projector? Probably not, but this is Christmas - the perfect time to give the ultimate geeky gift someone would never buy for himself.

Check out my picks for the gadget guy in the widget below, then swing by HolidaySugar for even more gift giving inspiration.

Source

Yahoo! Unveils the Widget Channel For Televisions

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:30:05 -0800

I'm not really a stickler for needing to know what the weather is doing outside at all times. But for those who are (mom and dad listen-up), Yahoo! has designed a Widget Engine that allows TV viewers to access a wide range of information, all from the convenience of their TV screen. During CES last week, Yahoo! showcased the weather widget on a Sharp widget-enabled television. As you can see, a full weather forecast is conveniently displayed to the left of your screen.

These new TV Widgets will allow users to do things like interact with friends, track their stocks or favorite sports teams, or check out the latest news headlines. The Widget Channel was created by Yahoo! and Intel and can work on televisions as well as LCD TV/DVD combinations.

Source

Take Care Of Your E-Waste This Earth Day

GeekSugar — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:00:37 -0700

Today is Earth Day, which means you should take the time to do a thorough E-waste spring cleaning! Did you know that every year more than 3.2 million tons of electronic waste is disposed in landfills? When computers, TVs and cell phones go to landfills, they can leak lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, selenium, chromium, and many other toxic materials into drinking water and have serious effects on our health. Thankfully companies like Sharp Electronics are celebrating Earth Day for the entire month of April. For all customers who buy a new Sharp LCD TV (measuring at least 37 inches), Sharp will recycle their old TV for free. When your new TV is delivered, the company will even pick up your old one. Do your part this Earth Day (and everyday) to preserve and conserve our planet. Below are some tips and suggestions to help you go gadget green this Earth Day!

Reuse and Recycle Your Gadgets Try re-using old computers and cell phones by giving them to a younger sibling or friend. You can even donate them to a local organization or a church or school. Do a bit of research and see if there is a recycling service in your community. If you exercise all of the options above and decide that you must dispose your electronics, make sure that you do not give anything to a recycler who ships waste overseas; as this just transfers the problem elsewhere.
Check out E-Waste Recycling Sites For more info, visit great NGO computer donation and recycling sites like: Used Computer, Share Technology and Earth 911

Source

Waterproof LCD Monitor With Remote

GeekSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:00:47 -0700

Bathroom gadgets are so much fun, especially when you can take them in the shower! Here's another waterproof device that is sure to be a hit with gadget gurus. Featured on 7 Gadgets, this 8-Inch LCD Screen by Sharp comes with 640x480 resolution, an audio/video input for any kind of media source, and a waterproof remote. I can totally picture myself using it to watch all my favorite TV shows and movies while taking a bath. These LCD screens are priced around $240.

View 4 Photos ›

Geek Gift Guide: Top Picks For Your Mom

GeekSugar — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 09:19:19 -0800

Stumped as to what to get your mom this holiday season? No need to panic, I've compiled a list of items I think any mom would love.

The CellStik backup device by Spark is perfect for any mom who has the tendency to 'misplace' objects. Get her one of these gadgets and she'll never lose her mobile contact info again! CellStiks are great because they store all of your cell info in a safe place. They can also be used to add new numbers and edit existing information with your computer, without having the hassle of fiddling with your phone's keypad. Genius!

Get a CellStik for $19.99.

This Audiovox flat panel LCD television is the ideal Christmas gift for any mom. Its space-saving desktop unit is perfect for a kitchen, bedroom or home office. Expect all the features of the larger models, including a sharp, clear picture - without the hefty price tag! Get the Audiovox for $259.95.

Spoil your mom this holiday season with this Beautiful Gina B Bella Bag by Kolobags. Let her choose how she wants to use it...for work or for day trips on the weekend, this lovely multi-functional handbag can do it all. It has two interior pouches, an exterior pocket and a removable padded case to fit any laptop. Get a Kolobag for $278.

Geeks We Love: Jason Chen of Gizmodo

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 10:04:54 -0800

Shows like Beauty and the Geek give male geeks a bad rep. I have news for you folks, not all geeks think pocket-protectors and worn corduroy pants are trendy. In fact, I know plenty of fellas that showcase the very best of geekiness: smarts, passion, chic clothing, success in their field and the ability to program your TiVo, computer or Blackberry when you’re not in the mood. In an effort to celebrate this month of love, I have put together a series of interviews with some of the most interesting geeky guys out there to prove that geeks are just as lovable as A-list actors.

When it comes to guy gadget sites, Gizmodo.com has earned a reputation as a go-to source for all things geeky - combining breaking news, gadget reviews and a saucy grown-up nerd attitude you can’t help but love. The site’s cool content and buzz is created by a team of geeks that are dedicated to keeping the rest of the world updated on the inner-workings of the gizmo world around the clock and not afraid to admit how many hours they spend playing Xbox or cruising the internet. Among these fearless techie leaders is Jason "JC" Chen, a technology writer/associate editor for the site, who is known to make a "Wii in my pants" joke now and again. While Jason is happily attached, he agreed to share some of his secrets with us. So what makes Jason such an alluring geek? read more

GS: So, tell my few readers that haven’t heard of you a little about yourself…
JC: I've been a freelance tech writer for Gizmodo.com for about a year. Before that I was a software engineer working at various startups in the Bay Area, two of which were an online music startup and a network appliance startup. I got in to the business because I love technology, I love writing and I love comedy writing, and after seeing Gizmodo I thought that was the perfect intersection of the three.

GS: Tell me the geekiest thing about yourself:
JC: Getting tickets with a buddy for and then attending the grand opening of the Star Trek ride in Las Vegas. It was pretty awesome, I have to admit.

GS: And what’s the geekiest thing about your significant other:
JC: Other than dating me? Probably being more obsessed than me with World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI when we were playing that.

GS: Wow, sounds like you’ve met your match. When did you guys meet?
At work, about three years ago, back when I was a software engineer.

GS: And now for our High Fidelity moment, what are your Top 5 Favorite Gadgets?
JC: MacBook Pro, Cingular 8525, Xbox 360, iPod, and the Zune

GS: What about the Top 5 Luxury Gadgets You Really Want:
JC:Mac Pro, 30-inch Dell or Apple Cinema Display, iPhone!, Sharp's 108-inch LCD, TiVo Series 3

GS: Your first computer was a:
JC: I'd probably have to say a 286 if we're talking PCs, but I had one of those top-loading Nintendo Famicoms back in the early 80s when I was a kid.

GS: What are your favorite websites?
JC: Penny Arcade, pbfcomics.com, Boing Boing, Digg, TV Squad, Fark, Lifehacker, Kotaku, and of course Gizmodo.

GS: What is your Valentine’s Day plan?
JC: It's still early, I need to have a plan already? No seriously, I have no idea.

GS: Okay, now the age-old question - who makes the final decision when it comes to gadgets for the home?
JC: I do, but she has a lot of say - but can be overridden with a veto!

GS: Who solves tech problems at home?
JC: Me, again. She's not all that technical despite being a software engineer. Once I have something set up the way I like it, I don't like to fiddle around with it for fear of causing me hours of work again.

GS: Are you going to buy an iPhone?
JC: Definitely! I'm going to buy a Zune Phone when it comes out as well. I love smartphones (I have a Windows Mobile smartphone now) so the iPhone looks great. I love not having to carry around two devices when one will do.

GS: How do you feel about people calling you a “geek?”
In my teens I didn't like it so much, but I've come to be comfortable with the fact that I'm a geek. Geeks are becoming kinda cool now, so it's actually working out quite well. No delusions of grandeur though - I'm still a geek.

GS: How many hours do you spend online a day?
JC: I'm pretty much wired all the time with my phone and my laptop, so I'd probably say all the hours that I'm not sleeping, I'm most likely online. I'm probably going to have my face melt off from radiation before I'm 40.

GS: How many hours does your partner spend online a day?
JC: About eight hours a day, and all of that is at work. She doesn't do much online stuff at home.

GS: What is one geeky habit you’re trying to quit?
JC: Playing so much Xbox 360, I'd have to say. My nearly 24,000 Xbox 360 gamerpoints shout to me that I need to play less.

GS: So, are you the Beauty or the Geek in your relationship?
The Geek, for sure.

GS: What has been your (or your significant other’s) greatest contribution to the tech/blog industry – don’t be modest.
JC: Well I did break exclusive Zune images and stories before its release, but I'd have to say the greatest contribution to the tech industry is sticking a Wii, a PS3 and a Zune down my pants.

Want more Jason Chen? Check out his archive at Gizmodo.com! Want access to other Geeks We Love? Check out Om Malik of GigaOM!