GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Grand Central Hangs Up on Awkward Weirdos So You Don't Have To

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:30:53 -0800

There are lots of ways to protect yourself from unwanted calls (and by protect I mean avoid being annoyed). You can have an expiring Numbr, or you can add repeat offenders to a wrong-number contact list. For everything else, there's Grand Central.

Grand Central lets you set up new phone numbers, totally free, to add to your current phone lines. If your cell phone is a different area code from where you live, your Grand Central number can be in your current area code.

Depending on the person you give your "new" number to, you can set it up to ring on your cell phone, your landline, or both at the same time. When you answer, Grand Central's ListenIN feature screens the call by telling you the name of the person calling, and you can choose whether or not to answer or to send to voicemail.

If you, uh, never want to talk to that person again, you can set it so Grand Central tells them that the number has been disconnected. Met someone out and about and not sure if he's okay? Grand Central lets you decide later if you want to let him in or not, no fake numbering required. Genius!

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How To: Silence Unwanted Phone Calls From Randoms

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:09 -0800

This is by far one of the most simplest yet effective ways to stop wrong number calls from invading your cell phone. Thanks to Baby toolkit, if you follow these simple steps, you won't have to deal with Eddy looking for Freddy, or in my case Tifinity looking for Gigi (true story!).

Create a contact on your phone called wrong number.
Whenever a repeat wrong number offender calls, add them to the wrong number contact.
Change the wrong number contact ringer settings to silent.
Whenever one of your wrong number regulars calls, your phone shouldn't make a sound!

And hopefully when they keep getting your voicemail, they'll realize that Gigi has new number!

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Simple Cell Tips That Can't Be Missed

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:00:47 -0800

We may have to wait until 2008 to test out Google's newly announced Android - an open platform for cell phones that includes an operating system, user-interface and applications that promise to make cell phone usage easier - but we can make use of our cell phones' many features in the mean time.

The easiest way to get the best out of your cell is to take care of it and play around with all of its functions. It's not just a texting, call making device, it's an attention worthy gadget. Follow these tips to a more connected life:

Simple Cell Tips, Part 4: Get Help on the Go!

GeekSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:00:55 -0700

Now that you're addicted to using your cell phone for reminders and alarms and working on your text messaging know how you might as well start using your cell phone for information help on the go. There are a handful of great services that allow you access to informational databases and 411-type information without having to pick up the Yellowpages or struggle to use your phone's web browser.

Call GOOG-411: GOOG-411 recently added free Telephone Directory Assistance to its service. Looking for a restaurant? A specific store? Just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 and let Google take care of the rest. Check out a video to see how it works. If you're lost and need map help just say "map it" during your call and you'll get a text message with the details of your search plus a link to a map of your results right on your mobile phone.
Use Google Mobile SMS: Need help with an address or solving a fight but don't want to make a call? You can text message your search to 466453 ('GOOGLE') and Google will text message the results back.
Put your calendar on your phone: While most phones have built in calendars and task managers, they can be hard to organize. You can now access your Google calendar from your cell phone.

Simple Cell Tips, Part 3: Protect Your Phone From Damage

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:00:39 -0700

A recent study by the Pew Research Center, claims that in 2007, 81 percent of the U.S. population owned a cell phone, which is a 20 percent increase compared to 2002. With that in mind I've started a series of Simple, No Brainer Cell Tips that will help you better use your celly and keep it working for longer.

The only thing worse than getting scratches all over your shiny new cell phone is actually breaking it or drowning it to the point of no repair. It can be a pain searching for the right cover, but mom was right: It's better to be safe than sorry. Protect your phone from rain, scratches and toilet water by putting a case, sleeve or protective skin on it.

I like colorful and fun cases, but I use BodyGuardz's clear film for my iPhone. After spending $600 on the device, the BodyGuardz is certainly worth the $24.95 and is slim enough that I can barely tell it's on the phone.

For a selection of my favorite cases of the moment, scroll through the widget below.

Silicon Skin Smoke for Motorola Razr V3, V3c, V3i	Nicole Miller Leather Universal Cell Phone Carry Case
Turtle case for Motorola RAZR	Nicole Miller white leather handheld case
Rivet Cell Phone Holders	LRG's iPhone Case	Breast Cancer Awareness Cell Phone Case

Simple Cell Tips, Part 2: Be a Text Message Champ

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:00:58 -0700

Do you know anyone that functions without a cell phone? I don't and according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, in 2007, 81 percent of the U.S. population owned a cell phone, a 20 percent increase compared to 2002. With that in mind I've started a series of Simple Cell Tips that will help you better use your celly. While we can't all type "supercalifragilistic-
expialidocious" in a record 15 seconds and win $25,000, text messaging is easy enough that there's no valid excuse to be a novice. It's also a fast, discreet and inexpensive way to communicate with friends and family.

First off, you need to learn text language. Your cell phone probably allows you to send SMS and MMS. So what's the difference? read more

SMS: SMS is the abbreviation for Short Message Service and it is the most common type of text messaging. SMS was created as a means of sending messages of up to 160 characters, to and from GSM mobile handsets.
MMS: MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. MMS messages are essentially glorified SMS messages, because they allow you to send a message with pictures, video or audio content to another device. When you take a picture on your camera phone and send it to a friend you are likely using MMS. Some carriers charge high fees for data transfer over their network, so beware of hidden fees when sending MMS.

Why should you use text messages?
While you certainly shouldn't text message while driving, text messages are great for quick reminders, keeping in touch, ordering coffee or even a little innocent flirting.

Composing Messages
To write a text message from a wireless phone, select the text messaging feature on your phones. From there, simply type in a message using the phone’s keypad. Most cell phones allow you to type messages using one of three text modes:

T9Word (T9) Mode: Use this mode to type text using one keystroke per letter. The phone translates keystrokes into common words by using the letters on each key and a compressed database.
Abc (Multi-tap) Mode: Use this mode to type words using the letters on the phone’s numerical keypad. You’ll need to hit each key from one to three times to get the letter you want.
123 (Numbers) Mode: Use this mode to type numbers, using one keystroke per number.

Simple Cell Phone Tips, Part 1: Use Your Alarm

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:00:15 -0700

As you've probably noticed, the pay phone booths of yesteryear have been replaced with free WiFi and cell phone charging stations. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, in 2007, 81 percent of the U.S. population owned a cell phone, a 20 percent increase compared to 2002.

While we all use our beloved mobiles for phone calls, texting and even dating, we often overlook our phone's most simple functions and features. I've detailed some of my favorite cell phone tips in the past, but I decided to share a handful of easy ways to use your celly. For the first part in my new series, read more

You've probably decked out your bedroom with a trendy iPod compatible alarm clock, but you can still use your cell phone's alarm for plenty of things.

Set your phone alarm at night: Consider setting your cell phone alarm clock at night and plugging it in a couple feet away from your bed. It will make you get up out of bed to turn it off instead of snoozing. Hey, you might even be inspired to get up and work out.
Set your alarm for break reminders: Almost 75 million Americans spend their working hours in front of the computer, and according to Northwestern Health more than 50 percent of office workers report some form of eye strain. What's my advice? Take breaks from the computer! My eye doctor suggested I look up from the computer ever 15 minutes if possible and look around the room. While I probably won't do that, I've been setting my phone and computer to remind me to take breaks.
Motivation: If you're sick and tired of working on a certain project move on to something else for a couple of hours and set an alarm to remind you to go back to the project later. You'll feel refreshed and motivated when the alarm rings.

Back to Basics: Guide to Organizing Your Tech

GeekSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:10:00 -0700

There's no doubt about it: Technology is frustrating. When it quits, combusts, and dies at the most inopportune moments, we have to remain calm and remember how helpful it is when it's working. Your cell phone is a mini calendar, alarm clock, inbox, parking space locator and mp3 player all in one. And that laptop - well, it's your key to organization. Be thankful for the gadgetry in your life and make use of its many practical functions.

Guide to Getting Organized Online	How-to Organize Your Networking Accounts	10 Good Reasons to Use an RSS Reader
Functional and Free iPhone Productivity Apps	10 Simple Tips For Getting Organized	Geek Tip: Store Your Go-to Cords in One Place

Geek Tip: Use Q-Tips to Make Your Battery Last Longer

GeekSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:30:12 -0700

From the office of Yes, Really comes this tip for maintaining maximum cell phone and laptop battery life: Real Simple advises you to swipe a cotton swab dipped in alcohol across the battery contacts (make sure it's not dripping with alcohol, I assume).

They say this helps "maintain good battery connections and sustain the charge for a longer time."

Well, hot damn. Anyone ever heard of this? I may have to try it!

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10 Simple Tips For Getting Organized

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:03:52 -0800

While most of us jot down our New Year's resolutions in low tech notebooks and organizers there are billions of helpful websites and handy tech tips that can help us reach our goals.

If you spend your whole day in front of a computer or carry a PDA in your pocket or purse (meaning you have constant web and calendar access) you really don't have an excuse to be disorganized.

Put everything in its place! – This one is a no brainer, but you'll be destined for organization if you create a proper home for your PDAs, iPods, cell phone and chargers. If you don't want to spend any money you can turn a pretty bowl or basket into a simple gadget haven, or if you want to get a little fancier, check out the Smart Tech furniture and charging stations from Pottery Barn. You'll never run around the house looking for your charger again. Okay, maybe you will, but you'll have a better idea of where it might be.
Use your camera phone – I love using my camera phone to make lists, take pictures of items when I am shopping and even to help me remember where I parked in a lot. Think of your picture phone as a notepad without having to carry a notepad. Most modern phones have notes sections, or even text message functions where you can write yourself a quick note and save the message for later reference.
Manage your finances online – We all know we can pay bills online, but did you know you can automatically track and organize your online and offline purchases?
Make the best of your digital pictures! - One of the best things about creating a blog or joining a photo sharing service or other online archive is the fact that it allows you easy access to your photos and memories without taking up all your computer memory. Plus, you can share your experiences with friends and family, or keep items private. Check out my guide to making the most of your photography.
Use your online calendar and PDA – Spend some time selecting an online calendar that can easily sync with your gadgetry and life. Online calendaring makes your schedule easily accessible and will help you keep track of birthdays, special dates and appointments.

To check out the rest of my list of tips (and goals!) for keeping your schedule and life on track this year read more.

Clean out your address book – I tend to hang on to email addresses because people seem to keep them for a long time but I highly suggest cleaning out your cell phone's address book. I programmed my high school boyfriend's number into my first cell phone and have automatically transferred it into more than a decade of phones without realizing it. It's time to let go.
Use an RSS Reader already – An RSS Reader (Really Simple Syndication) is a web feed aggregator, also known as a feed reader, that aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing. Examples of popular RSS Readers include Google Reader, Netvibes, Bloglines and My Yahoo's RSS feature. If you read more than five websites a day and don't have a reader you are in for a treat.
Program your TiVo online - You don't have to panic if you forget to set a season pass for Gossip Girl. If you have a Series2 TiVo box, you can easily schedule recordings anywhere you have access to the web. You just have to set up an online account. By the way, did you know if you have a TiVo Series2 DVR connected to your home network you can take your TiVo recordings "to go" by putting them on your laptop, video iPod, Playstation Portable, Palm Treo, Creative Zen Vision:M, Nokia N80 and Toshiba gigabeat?
Clean up your computer and e-mail – You know you don't need the 6,999 e-mails in your inbox or the 17 photos of Britney getting out of her car. Seriously, you don't. Get rid of them.
Make use of my tips! – As you know, I share geek tips every day. Some of them are simple, some are downright geeky, but 90 percent of them will help you be more organized and make better use of your technology. The rest? Well, they're just fun.

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