GeekSugar

Play the Cell Phone Text Messaging Game

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:05:36 PST

When I opened my mail the other day, I was totally bummed to find that I had been summoned to jury duty. Not that I don't what to perform my civic requirements and what not, but knowing I can't bring a laptop (or even a book) into the waiting area of the courthouse, I know I will be bored with a capital B.

So when I came across this Interactive Text Messaging Game, I thought it might be just the thing I need. I mean, I've got tons of people around me that are just as bored, and plenty of friends "on the outside" to play, that I just might make it through the day with my patience in tact. Oh, and the fact that it's on sale for $1.99 makes it super easy to add to my cart. Case closed.

iPhone Event Live Updates

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:13:38 PDT

Since news of today's iPhone event was made official, we've been anxiously waiting for Apple's unveiling of an updated iPhone.

Here's the latest from the event:

AT&T Upgrades to Mango: Some Features You'll Love

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:36:02 PDT

AT&T announced today that its entire collection of Windows phones would be getting an upgrade to Mango 7.5 this Fall. Plus, there will be three new Windows phones to choose from - the Samsung Focus S, Samsung Focus Flash, and HTC Titan - later this year.

Though Windows phone users seem to be few and far between, when compared to those smartphone users that pledge allegiance to iOS, Android, or BlackBerry, Microsofts Mango has often tempted me away from my standard iPhone fare. The user interface is quite pleasing (once you get used to not clicking on icons, like you find in most phones these days), and super stylish. Plus, when Mango was first released, it came with over 500 new features. Now that Mango 7.5 is out in the open, check out some of the features that might make you want to switch:

Hands free - When you're driving, Mango can announce an incoming call or text message and will allow you to respond to either without ever picking up your handset. Safe driving FTW!
Threads - Switch between your active texts, Facebook chats, or instant messages in one threaded space, so you can keep the conversation going no matter where it takes place.
Local Scout - Bing will aggregate activities and events that are going on around your current location and allow you to rate each activity.
App Shortcuts - Kind of like multitasking, App Shortcuts are a handy feature in Mango. For example, if you're reading about a movie while surfing the web, Mango will create a quick shortcut to your IMDB app, so you can check out the film's details.
Fast app resume - This feature keeps things moving as it quickly reboots apps that have been recently used.
Turn-by-turn navigation - Bing Maps supports voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, so you don't have to take your hands or eyes off the wheel when you're in a new 'hood.
Kinect support - For the übergamer: you can interact with Xbox Kinect games with your Mango phone.
Bing Vision - Scan QR, Microsoft Tags, books, CDs and DVDs for quick info and pricing.
SMS dictation - Microsoft Tellme technology helps you text on the go by enabling you to speak your texts instead of typing them on your virtual keyboard.

Want to learn more about the three new Windows Phones coming to AT&T? Catch the available specs after the break.

Group Therapy: My Boyfriend Disappeared

Tres Community — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:05:38 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

This is kinda long but I really really need help. I've been with my bf for only two months, but everything was just so perfect. We feel like we are meant to be. He is so great to me. He is always so busy because of work, but he did many sweet things for me. We had so many good times together. I really know that he loves me.

So here is the thing. He came back from Europe last Wednesday night and we met on Thursday night and everything was still so perfect. I could tell that he was so tired because he had been overworking. Then Friday night he worked until 12:50 pm so he didn't have to go back to his office to work again on the coming weekend so we could get together. Then he sent me 2 messages; one said he was just done and going to get a sandwich somewhere and then go home (he lives one hour away from where he works). The other one said he loves me so much. But I was already asleep, so I replied the next morning when I woke up.

He didn't reply the whole day. I thought he was busy, so I texted him again. The second day still no reply. I've been calling him and I emailed him. This is the fifth day no reply. I am really so worried that something bad had happened to him. I tried every way I can but I just couldn't get in touch with him. It is killing me. I don't know what to do.

I met his friend before, but we didn't leave phone numbers or Facebook so I can't contact his friend either. His mother too, I don't have her number. We were eating out that day, I wish I had asked for their numbers!! I went to his house before too, but he came here to pick me up so I didn't pay attention about the exact location.

Or am I stupid? Was that just a game? What should I do? I am just asking for a chance to talk to him and know what happened. Then if he wants to leave, leave in a good way. But in my heart I really believe he loves me so I am very very worried. I couldn't even sleep. Can't contact his friends and family and workplace. What should I do? Please help me. Any advice will be appreciated.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Special Edition Board Games for Girls Who Love Pink

LilSugar — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:16:55 PDT

Playing board games with your children is the perfect way to spend some indoor quality time together this Summer. It helps build important learning and social skills too. Paint the town, or Summer, pink with these special editions of your favorite classic board games just for girls, both big and small.

Scrabble Junior - Pinkalicious Edition ($18): This fun word and picture version of the famous crossword game shows off its Pinkalicious style. Young players match the Pinkalicious pictured words with letter tiles. Older players form their own words on the reverse side of the board. For ages 5 and up.
Hello Kitty Big Roll Bingo ($13): It's Hello Kitty and friends in a kids' first bingo game. Oversized dice reveal the letter and a picture. The set includes an extra die and rules for older players. For ages 4 and up.
Monopoly - Pink Boutique Edition ($20): This Monopoly is dressed up in pink and all about things girls love! It comes in a keepsake box (which doubles as a jewelry box) and includes a pink gameboard, boutiques, and malls instead of houses and hotels, and Instant Message and Text Message cards instead of Chance and Community Chest. For ages 10 and up.
The Game of Life - Pink Edition ($35): Choose a girl and spin the dial to begin your journey down the funky, flowery path, making decisions, and earning money along the way. For ages 9 and up.

Modern Ways to Teach Today's Youth About Sexual Health

Annie Scudder — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:45:21 PDT

Deb Levine, the founder of Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS), kicked off the annual Sex::Tech conference today in San Francisco, an event dedicated to advancing sexual health of American youth. Deb unveiled the findings from ISIS's just-released white paper on how youth and young adults use technology for their sexual and reproductive health. While the teen pregnancy rate is dropping overall, rates among African American and Hispanic youth are much higher. And African American teens, for example, are nine times more likely than Caucasian kids to contract STDs like chlamydia. Deb said that "while we're reaching some youth with messages that work, we're not reaching our most vulnerable youth." Luckily, she proposed some solutions.

For today's youth, sex info is everywhere - on games, Google, Hulu, and in health class. Deb pointed out when it comes to hormone-infused young people, the sexier the information, the more they pay attention. What will they pay more attention to, she asked rhetorically, Our Bodies, Ourselves or Hot Bodies hosted by Mel B?

Obviously some of the information from sexier sources may not be correct, leading to bad decision-making and consequences. But adults and society need to respect youth as consumers; they will seek out the product they want. If sex can be used to sell cars and movies, why not sex health? Deb said adults need to talk to kids, not at kids. After all, they say themselves that not using a condom is "stupid." Deb explained: "Get more sophisticated about the realities of their sex lives. Saying 'use a condom' isn't good enough. If you infuse some humor, everyone ends up on the joke."

ISIS decided to do just that. It partnered with Funny or Die and made a pretty hilarious video of adults giving bad sex advice. "If you run out of condoms, it's OK to use a plastic bag." Or, "Pregnancy only happens if you secretly want it to." It definitely caught my attention.

Based on the research, ISIS also suggests getting smart about Internet search. Teens don't search sexual health, but "I have a rash down there." Sex educators will reach them if they optimize Google search. The goal is to be ubiquitous, reaching youth on Google, games, via text, or on Facebook, to guarantee they get good information.

If you want to see the Funny or Die video just read more.

The Pros and Cons of Google+

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:07:53 PDT

Google revealed Google+ to the world last week, and the new social network quickly became the talk of the Internet. Though most agree that it's not yet a Facebook killer, there are some interesting and noteworthy features included within its white walls. We've been getting to know the pros and cons of Google+ more intimately over the long holiday weekend, so check out our rundown below and don't forget to add your thoughts in the comments!

Pros

Sleek design - Google+ is super easy to navigate thanks to a simple design. Sure, it kinda resembles Facebook with its main news stream and sidebars of information, and it would be cool to customize what you see with Google+ themes, but as is, it's very easy on the eyes.
Drag and drop in Circles - Adding friends and contacts into different Circles is incredibly easy thanks to the drag and drop nature of the feature, and we love how easy it is to share updates and news with just one group of Circles, or all of them.
Huddle - Group texting goes Google with the mobile Huddle feature that lets you message with a Circle of friends, or just a few. If you're not mobile with Google+, you can still use GroupMe and get the same feel.
Integration with +1 - There's finally a reason to +1 things since it not only acts as a bookmarking feature, but allows friends and Circles to see things you like from around the web (under the Buzz tab).
Sparks - Sparks isn't a RSS feed, but it does grab news stories, blog posts, and articles from around the Internet on subjects you're interested in. As I use my Google Reader mainly for work reasons, now I can use Sparks to catch up on my interests during my downtime.
Auto uploads for photos and videos - All of your photos and videos captured on the Google + mobile app are automatically uploaded and stored in your account. Good news is you can customize your settings to choose when and who to share them with at a later time. Auto uploading sounds scary, but Google has made it easy to customize the mobile settings.
The quick share box - When you're inside Google+ or other Google properties (like Picasa, Reader, Gmail, and Documents), you can quickly share info or a link with your Circles by clicking on the "Share. . ." box on the upper-right hand corner of your browser.
No game requests! - A simple joy of using Google+ is the absence of Farmville requests showing up in my inbox and news stream. I'll take that for as long as I can get it.

Check out the list of Google+ cons after the jump.

6 Healthy Ways to Get Revenge on a Cheater

TresSugar — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:00:12 PDT

"Resenting someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." That's some of the best advice I've heard, and it definitely applies to a woman dealing with infidelity. Instead of holding a grudge against the scoundrel, it's best to focus on the wonderful things you have going on in your life after you do some healing.

Just look at Sandra Bullock. She's making her official red carpet return on June 6, when she'll become the first women to accept the MTV Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards. Looking hot and celebrating your accomplishments makes the perfect revenge! Here are some other suggestions:

Ignore him. It might be hard, but block him from your Gchat, try not to respond to his texts or calls, and don't reference him in thinly veiled Facebook or Twitter status messages.
Cash in his gifts. Can't stand looking at that necklace he gave you? Pawn it and buy yourself something else!
Don't let it define you. When your next love interest inevitably asks you why you broke up with your ex, say something like "we wanted different things" rather than blurting out "the asshole cheated on me!" (You can always share that later.) It's empowering to ditch the victim role.
But feel free to share your story. A cheater should expect some consequences for his actions - like a bruised image - so feel free to vent to your friends and family.

To see the rest,