GeekSugar

Daily Tech: Is Verizon's New BB Curve Ad Too Sexist?

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:30:11 -0700

If you read between the lines on Verizon's pink BlackBerry Curve ad, you'll notice that they included all the typical sexist stereotypes to try and appeal to women. - Boing Boing
The Sony e-reader will be coming to Target stores Sept. 14. - CrunchGear
Allow me to go "clean up" my Facebook page. Why? Because a new study shows that a huge percentage of bosses screen potential candidates via their social networking profiles. - Switched
Not totally jazzed up about the new Nano 4G iPod but still searching for a new media player? Well here are some alternate suggestions. - Crave CNET
An HTC Touch HD - the entertainment-focused mobile handset - is already in the making! - Gizmodo
It's giveaway time! Be sure to log in to your TeamSugar account for your chances to win geek-chic beach gadgets and accessories! - geeksugar

Who Wins: Microsoft's Seinfeld Ads or Apple's Mac vs. PC Ads?

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:02:31 -0700

Though the second Microsoft ad featuring Jerry Seinfeld is a lot funnier than the first, I can't help but feel that it's still lacking . . . direction? Humor? As a die-hard Seinfeld fan, I'm disappointed that these spots aren't as "Jerry" as his humor on the show was, and even more disappointed because I don't really know what Microsoft is trying to say.

Contrast that with their rival Apple, who've spun the Get a Mac ad campaign off the notion that Mac users are cool and PC users are, well, John Hodgman, and I have to call Apple as the winner again. I get the point, they don't meander, and they entertain me.

Now putting aside your preference for Apple or Microsoft, tell me, which ads do you like more?

The Windows and Mac Guys in '96

GeekSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:04:00 -0700

This ad totally cracks me up! Little did I know that the PC vs. Mac wars started long before the 21st century. I've got proof - this Windows vs. Mac ad from 1996! The descriptions of each one are worth zooming your eyes in to read, for example "The Mac Addict," it says: "The casual 'Seinfeld cut' is in. Of course, Jerry would never use a PC." I can't even imagine who would be their celebrity poster boy for Apple today. . . John Mayer perhaps? Did you know that the latest PC guy is really a Mac user? Oh the drama!

Source

Everex Cloudbook: Your MacBook Air Alternative

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:03:49 -0800

It seems like you guys are torn about the MacBook Air - from the comments on the Air posts, a lot of you love it but wouldn't or couldn't spend over $1800 on it. If that's the case, the Everex CloudBook may be the answer for those of you who like the size and convenience of the Air, but not the price. Everex's machine measures nine inches and weighs two pounds, has 30GB of space and a battery that lasts up to five hours. And it only costs $400! It's supposed to be available by February 15th, at Walmart.com and ZaReason.com.

No, I admit, it is not quite sexy enough to warrant a 3-girls-on-one-machine throwdown, but you can toss that baby into your purse.

Philips Gets Sexy and Sultry In UK Vogue

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:00:21 -0700

In next month's issue of UK Vogue, Philips will be unveiling the Aurea: A light-framed TV, which is said to "seduce the senses and bring emotion, luxury and desire into the functional world of technology." Photographer Vincent Peters, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, and Paris-based jewelry designer, Lorenz Baumer join film director Wong Kar Wai to create a campaign that uses the concept of seduction by light as inspiration, hence giving it the name Seduction by Light. Discussed on Catwalk Queen, this new "tech ad" is definitely a rarity in many high-fashion women's mags. I'm wondering if this will become more of the norm, considering women spent more on technology last year than men!

GeekSugar’s Submit Your Cool Captures to Win a CanvasPop Print Contest

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:23:17 -0800

GeekSugar’s Submit Your Cool Captures to Win a CanvasPop Print Contest

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The GeekSugar’s Submit Your Cool Captures to Win a CanvasPop Print Contest (the “Contest”) is sponsored by Sugar Publishing, Inc. (owner and operator of geeksugar.com), having an address of 111 Sutter Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 (“Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY:
Open only to permanent legal U.S. residents physically residing in the fifty (50) United States of America and the District of Columbia. Employees of Sponsor and its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies and any other entity involved in the development or administration of this Contest, and their immediate family members or household members are not eligible to participate in or win the Contest. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and complete relevant tax forms as a condition to the delivery of the applicable prize. Void where prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply.

HOW TO ENTER:
No purchase is necessary to participate in the Contest. To enter, you must log into your profile at geeksugar.com or any PopSugar Network site (or register for a profile at http://www.onsugar.com/user/register), then join the Cool Capture group and share your image, the model of camera used to take the photo, and a short description about the image (see also detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups ) between 12:00am PDT on Monday, November 23, 2009 and 11:59pm PST on Sunday, December 6, 2009 (the “Entry Period”). Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. Normal time, toll, connection and usage rates, if any, charged by your Internet service provider will apply. All entries become the property of the Sponsor.
By registering and entering your photo(s), you will be agreeing that your registration and any other information collected in connection with the Contest may be used by Sponsor in accordance with Sugar Publishing, Inc.’s Privacy Policy and may be shared with Sponsor’s affiliated business entities, and that you automatically opt-in to receive email, text messages or other communications from Sponsor. You may subsequently opt-out of the receipt of such email or communications by following the directions in the email, communications or by contacting Sponsor directly.
All registrations must include entrant's valid email address. The email address provided by online entrants will be the identity of the entrant and, if selected for a prize, the identity of the winner. We expressly reserve the right to disqualify any entries that we believe in good faith are generated by an automated program or via scripts. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules.
SELECTION:
GeekSugar editors will select their top ten (10) entries from the photos submitted to the Cool Capture group as described on the entry page between between 12:00am PDT on Monday, November 23, 2009 and 11:59pm PST on Sunday, December 6, 2009 (the “Entry Period”). The top ten (10) entries will then be posted for PopSugar community members to vote on their favorite photo. The photo with the most votes during the voting period will be the winner. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting the entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. The Contest will be conducted under the supervision of the Sponsor. The decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest. The winners will be notified by email and/or by private message through the winner’s PopSugar community account; Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Contest winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such Contest winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. Sponsor reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the email and/or mailing address provided by winners during their entry to the Contest. Each entry submitted in response to the Contest and in accordance with the rules will constitute an official entry. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules. All entries become the property of the Sponsor.

PRIZES:
At the end of the Entry Period, there will be one (1) Grand Prize winner who will be awarded the grand prize of up to one (1) CanvasPop print of their choice, including all prints less then or equal in value to the 36x54,1.5” gallery wrap print (retail value: $329). Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding with respect to all matters related to the Contest. All prizes will be awarded. In no event shall the Sponsor be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Contest Rules. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. To receive a complete list of winners or a copy of the Official Contest Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, Sugar Inc., 111 Sutter Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Specify winner's list or rules on your request.
Please allow 6-8 weeks for prize delivery.

SELECTION:
The winning entry will be determjned by user voting after a selection of 10 final entries is made by our editors. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting the entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. The Contest will be conducted under the supervision of the Sponsor. The decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest. The winners will be notified by email and/or by private message through the winner’s teamsugar.com account; Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Contest winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such Contest winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected based on the final user vote ranking. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected based on the final user vote ranking. Sponsor reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the email and/or mailing address provided by winners during their entry to the Contest. Each entry submitted in response to the Contest and in accordance with the rules will constitute an official entry. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be void. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules. All entries become the property of the Sponsor.

GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RELEASES:
An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Contest if he or she fails to comply with each provision of these Official Contest Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Participation in the Contest is at entrant’s own risk. Sponsor shall not be liable for 1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the contest entry form, 2) entries and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind, 3) any electronic miscommunications or failures, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate in the Contest, 4) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Contest or 5) any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof, which shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of the prize. Sponsor does not make any, and hereby disclaim any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, your entry constitutes your permission to use your name, photograph, likeness, voice, address (city and state) and testimonials in all media, in perpetuity, in any manner Sponsor deems appropriate for publicity purposes without any further compensation to such entrant. By entering or accepting a prize in the Contest, winners agree to be bound by these Official Contest Rules and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. When applicable, the winner (or, if the winner is a minor, the winner's parent or legal guardian) may be required to execute and return to Sponsor within ten (10) business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. Winner may be required to furnish proof of identity, address and birth date in order to receive a prize.
By entering, an entrant agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor and its respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives from any damage, injury, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability (collectively, “Claims”) that may arise from their acceptance, possession and/or use of any prize or their participation in this promotion, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, regardless of whether such Claims, or knowledge of the facts constituting such Claims, exist at the time of entry or arise at any time thereafter. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Contest will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Contest Rules in any way or at any time. Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Contest should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest. In the event of cancellation or suspension, Sugar shall promptly post a notice on the Contest entry page to such effect. This Contest shall be governed by California law. By participating in this contest, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Contest and that venue shall be only in San Francisco, California.

AT&T vs. Verizon: Who Will Back Down First?

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:35:33 -0800

AT&T and Verizon clearly don't get along - after several commercials and one lawsuit, the feud doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon. Today in AT&T vs. Verizon drama: a new AT&T commercial features a checklist of reasons AT&T is better than Verizon, and why you, too, should believe that AT&T is the best wireless network in America.

Verizon's response:

"AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon's 'There’s a map for that' advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true, and the truth hurts."

I'm curious if Verizon will launch another counterattack, but at some point, one of these companies will have to give it a rest.

Website of the Day: The Printliminator

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:35 -0700

Do you ever find yourself printing up maps, recipes, or articles from the Internet, but rather than just getting the doc you want, you end up with a page filled with advertisements and graphics? A new site called The Printliminator, which I spotted on makeuseof, is a bookmarklet tool that will help you remove all of the "junk" on webpages before you click print - helping you save ink and paper.

To get started, just drag the bookmarklet into your bookmarks toolbar, and then go to the website you want to print from and click the button. From there you'll be able to select the stuff you don't want included on your page. Be careful what you remove because there isn't a back button (you can always just go back to the site if you want to make changes). If you like this site, another website to help you print clean and easy to read webpages is PrintFriendly.

Have an interesting website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click "New Post" under the website of the day tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Type "Technology and Gadgets" in the Categories box
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Website of the Day").
Choose whether you want the post to be private or public.
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

Does Advertising in Video Games Bother You?

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:15:28 -0700

My usual reaction to advertisements entering my entertainment is one of disdain - that is why I bought a TiVo, after all. But sometimes I have to give credit where credit is due, and video-game advertising is one place where ads manage to be unobtrusive. Much like product placement, which can be annoying, but can also add to the setting (think skating past an old sign on Tony Hawk), if it's done right.

Hearing that Sony has decided to add online-enabled advertising to its PlayStation 3, I'm a little apprehensive - but, if they can manage to do ads that don't scream "Buy me! Buy me!," then I see nothing wrong with the ad industry tapping this market.

How do you generally feel about ads you see in video games?

Source

Good News: Watching Live TV Will Soon Get a Little Quieter

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:44:30 -0700

I'm addicted to skipping through commercials via TiVo, but when I do watch live television, my eardrums get a major blast whenever ads come on. At first I thought it was just me, then I noticed the lack of volume control while at a friend's house watching a Sex and the City marathon. What gives?

Apparently advertisers think that screaming at us about their products will make us want to buy, buy, buy. But all it ever really makes me want to do is mute, mute, mute. Thankfully, us apartment dwellers who can't handle a lot of neighbor TV noise at one in the morning have the government on our side - a new bill is making its way through congress that requires broadcasters and operators to normalize the volume of commercials on TV.

I guess doctors have known for years that excessive TV volume can damage your hearing, so soon, your ears will be saved from early retirement due to insane TV volume. What about you - do you notice the change in volume when commercials come on?