GeekSugar

5 Fab Gifts For the Smartphone Photographer

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:54:37 PST

These days, more and more photography enthusiasts are ditching their digital cameras in favor of their camera-equipped cell phone. Heck, even photography legend Annie Leibovitz calls the iPhone the "snapshot camera of today." If someone you love uses their smartphone for photography, consider these five gifts that will enhance their everyday shots.

California Governor Allows Warrantless Searching of Cell Phones

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:18:32 PDT

Here's another reason to password-protect your mobile phone: California's governor just recently vetoed a bill that requires a court-ordered warrant in order to search mobile phones upon arrest. This means that if you get arrested in the state of California, the arresting officer can search your smartphone - which gives him access to emails, call logs, texts, location data, banking apps, and more - without needing a warrant.

Governor Jerry Brown says the issue is too complicated for him to make a decision about and has upheld the supreme court's recent decision on warrentless searches that include mobile phones.

Password-protecting your smartphone isn't just a good idea in everyday practice, but it will also require an arresting officer to obtain a warrant in order for you to hand over the password.

5 Fun Android Camera Apps

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 07:12:12 PDT

Earlier this week I told you about six fun and essential camera apps to download to your iPhone, and today we're tackling the Android platform. Each of these apps are popular, but functional, and all of them are easy on the wallet. Check them out here!

No Price Is Too High For the Right Smartphone

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:37:51 PDT

What kind of factors do you consider when buying a new smartphone? Is it style, apps, or price by chance? According to a recent survey performed by the Silicon Alley Insider, most smartphone shoppers are more interested in platform and features than price. In fact, price is the least important factor in making a decision on a new device.

Other results show (in order of importance) app selection, carrier, and easy data migration rank higher on the list than price. Thanks to fierce competition, smartphone prices have been falling so they're more affordable for the masses, but how much is too much to spend on a phone? These days, smartphones act as our lifeline to friends, family, and our online profiles - what does your smartphone budget look like?

5 Ways to Recycle Your Old Phones

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:48:27 PDT

Get a new phone this Spring? With so many awesome models hitting the scene, I wouldn't blame you. But what did you do with your old device? Don't just toss it away - in honor of April's eco month, here are five super easy ways for you to donate or recycle those babies to help the planet, your fellow man, and your conscience.

AT&T Releases First US 3D Smartphone: LG Thrill 4G

Michele Foley — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:30:12 PDT

AT&T is really trying to up the ante this week. The company already made news on Monday with its $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile; now it's earning bragging rights as the first US provider to offer a 3D smartphone.

The carrier says that its LG Thrill 4G will be out in the "coming months" and will feature a dual five-megapixel camera capable of shooting both 3D photos and high-definition 720p video. Also available to LG Thrill owners is a library of 3D content in the form of photos, video clips, and games by way of the "LG 3D Space." Other specs include a 4.3-inch display, dual-core 1GHz processor, 16GB of flash memory, and HDMI output. Based on what we know so far, it sounds like the LG Thrill is a version of LG's Optimus 3D, which is set to roll out in Europe sometime during the second quarter.

No word yet on how much the phone will cost, but I suspect it won't be cheap. I'm curious to see how the 3D technology affects the phone's battery life (a problem already plaguing the Nindendo 3DS), or if owners will be walking around with motion sickness, headaches, and blurry vision.

Win a Red-Hot BlackBerry Torch From GeekSugar!

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:28:06 PST

Tis the season for all things red and delicious, so it's only appropriate that we'd want to spread the love by giving away something equally as sweet in gadget form. This week, we're giving away a brand-new red AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9800 to one lucky reader! Coming with the latest BlackBerry OS 6.0, you can call, text, and BBM your loved ones, manage your social life on the go with access to tons of BlackBerry apps like Facebook and Twitter, take and share great pics with the crisp 5MP camera, and store it all with 8GB of included memory. What do you have to do to win? It's easy - like us on Facebook, then leave a comment on our wall telling us whom you'd message on Valentine's Day with your new red-hot Torch.

Check out the official rules for more info, but get a move on - the contest ends this Sunday, Feb. 13!

10 Facts About the Kyocera Echo: The Nintendo DS of Smartphones

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:00:51 PST

Yesterday evening, Sprint unveiled the world's first dual-screened smartphone at a press event in NYC. Called the Echo, this device from Kyocera will be running Android 2.2 this Spring and comes with some interesting features; most notably (and obviously), the two displays that can work together to make one big screen or as separate independent screens running two different apps.

Click through the gallery to find out more about this groundbreaking (and very Nintendo DS-like) device!

I Love a Good Deal: Free Phones From T-Mobile's Valentine's Day Sale

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:30:18 PST

Need an alternative to the iPhone madness going on over at Verizon and AT&T? Here's something to smile about: on Feb. 11 and 12, T-Mobile will be hosting a blowout Valentine's Day sale where all phones are free with a two-year contract agreement. This includes all T-Mobile-branded handsets like the myTouch 4G, as well as the HTC HD7, the Samsung Vibrant, and all 4G devices.

T-Mobile is no stranger to awesome sales - its BOGO sale on Black Friday and pre-iPhone 4 madness sales were big hits, and now the company seems ready to lure new customers away from the Verizon/AT&T battleground with its fast 4G network.

5 Ways to Recycle Your Old Phones

GeekSugar — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 04:00:00 PST

Find a hot new smartphone under the tree with your name on it this morning? Don't just toss your old one away - here are five super easy ways for you to donate or recycle those babies to help the planet, your fellow man, and your conscience.