GeekSugar

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

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:30:53 PST

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!

Source

How To: Silence Unwanted Phone Calls From Randoms

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:09 PST

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 PST

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 PDT

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 PDT

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 PDT

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?

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 PDT

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.

18 Ways to Save (at Least) $1 a Day

SavvySugar — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:28 PST

It's true: the little things add up. As anyone who ever had a piggy bank knows, small everyday actions can help you save big. Hoping to create a financial cushion for yourself this season? Follow these 15 easy tricks to help you save at least a dollar a day:

Hold the milk. In your coffee, that is. If you regularly stop at the coffee shop on your way to work, order it black to avoid any extra costs.
Go generic. At the grocery store, pick the generic variety of different foods to save big on pantry staples.
Keep the change. Sure, sometimes it's annoying to have change littering your purse or jangling in your pocket, but you'd be surprised by how quickly those nickels add up.
Swap soda for water. If you can't give it up altogether, vow to sip water instead of soda during at least one meal each day.
Trade CDs with a friend. Hoping to add the latest Rihanna song to your workout playlist? Reach out to a friend and burn CDs for each other to gather new music for free.
Fuel up for less. Unless it's required for your specific car model, nix the premium gas habit and use gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas in the area.
Find free WiFi. Work in cafés or libraries with free WiFi. Not sure which spots offer Internet? Use the Free Wi-Fi app to scope out local places with wireless access.
Practice your sewing skills. Skip a trip to the tailor and learn to do the simple adjustments yourself, like shortening a hem or taking in a blouse.

Keep reading for more tips to save $1 a day.

Travel Tips For the Upcoming Holiday Weekend

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:45:22 PST

Traveling this holiday? Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday this year, which makes one big mess at the airport. If you can't take a car or a train, be sure to check out these packing and travel tips to make your life easier while booking flights, getting through security checkpoints, and beyond.

Booking Flights

TripIt - Once signed up for the free service, forward travel confirmation emails to TripIt, which will automatically create a master itinerary of an upcoming trip accessible through the web or a mobile device. The itineraries even include the tidbits we seem to forget like weather updates, local maps, and directions.
Google Flight Search - Book that plane ticket before prices rise any further! Google's flight search engine incorporates travel basics like price point, maximum number of connections, and preferred airline with an easy-to-use interface.
Hotel Tonight - If there are too many relatives in one house, scan the last-minute hotel deals at Hotel Tonight for a chic getaway at a discounted price. Every day three hotels in a city reveal their discounted rates starting at noon, and you then have until 2 a.m. to book the deal and take advantage of a peaceful room.
My TSA - Can homemade fruit cakes go through security? How early should you show up to the airport for a flight on the eve of Thanksgiving? Answer the pressing travel questions that could otherwise cause delays or stress by adding the TSA's free iOS app to your device. The app's airport security line estimator may become the most crucial feature on your phone when planning your airport arrival.
HearPlanet ($3) - Take the time to discover the cultural side of your holiday destination. This interactive app highlights attractions in over 300,000 locations and uses geolocation features so that you don't miss any of the nearby fun, plus it's a great excuse to get out of the house and move around in fresh air.
GasBuddy - Hitting the open road instead of the air? Use the free GasBuddy app to locate the cheapest fuel on the interstate. Show your fellow travelers some love and share the low-price gas station you discover within the app.

Gadget Essentials

iPad or Tablet - If you have the luxury of spending upwards of $500 on a tablet, it's probably the only gadget you'll need to tote during travel season since it can hold your ebooks, surf the Internet, and keep you connected.
eReader - If you're sans tablet, pack up your favorite ereader. Whether it's the latest Kindle or the new Nook Simple Touch, you can read the entire Game of Thrones series without all the paper weight.
Compact laptop - Though the MacBook Air is arguably the most popular lightweight laptop out there, there's plenty of compact PCs and ultrabooks to choose from as well.
Chargers - If you're toting all these gadgets, you're going to (obviously) need some chargers to keep things juiced. Thankfully, many airlines are offering charging stations in the terminal and even seat-side outlets on board, so you can stay 100 percent charged throughout your trip.
Headphones - Keep the roar of 35,000 feet at bay with some nice sound-isolating headphones. If you're going over-the-ear, consider Skullcandy Aviators ($149), which offer great sound and deep bass and are even comfy for those geeks who wear glasses.

Get more tips on how to pack your bag and save some dough after the break.

Lil Links: Sandra Bullock's Priorities Lay at Home

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:32:39 PST

Sandra Bullock says motherhood's her top priority - Celebrity Baby Blog
The five worst celeb dads of 2011 - The Stir
Put your cell phone away at Brooke Shields's table - Celebrity Baby Scoop
How to save on prenatal care - FitPregnancy
Sweet lil necklaces for tiny lil girls - Cool Mom Picks
Working moms multitask more than dads - Parenting
Why trying to conceive is harder during the holidays - The Bump
Why we need to say no to raw cookie dough - Momformation
Doctors' tips for keeping kids healthy - Real Simple
The world's tiniest preemie grows up - Yahoo! Shine