GeekSugar

January Jones Goes Mad For Macs at LAX

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:06:09 -0800

I'm so used to seeing the cast of Mad Men interact with such awesome vintage tech that I almost didn't recognize January Jones in her natural state (you know, not as Betty Draper), and toting a laptop as she went through LAX security on Sunday. The amazing season finale of Mad Men was packed with lots of retro typewriters, phones, and office tech, but January takes it to the 21st-century off set with her shiny new MacBook Pro - a powerful alternative to the MacBook Air I'd wire her with.

Unfortunately, we have to wait until next year to see what's next on the Mad Men tech horizon, but in real life, a girl's gotta stay connected - even if her day job is to play a woman who doesn't know what a cell phone is . . . yet!

5 Helpful Airport Websites

GeekSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:50:56 -0700

Taking flight this Summer for an action packed vacation? Or maybe you're off to visit friends and family? Whatever the case, I'm going to make sure to equip you with all the geeky tools you'll need to have an amazing and stress free vacay. I've already listed tech travel tips to remember before you leave the house and websites to visit before you bon voyage, but what about those few hours before you jet off? Here are some of my favorite websites that you may want to check out before flying up up and away.

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Clear Lanes Airport Security Pass Is Bankrupt, Closing Doors

GeekSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:54:37 -0700

Did you have aspirations of being a Clear pass holder - the paid service that let you breeze through airport security? Every time I went to the airport and saw the empty Clear Lanes line - contrasted with the long line of all us regular peoples, I promised myself: One day, I'd have a Clear pass. Well, my dream will never come true, because Clear and its parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc., have just filed for bankruptcy and are closing down.

On their website, they assure their current customers (whoever you lucky dogs were) that your information will remain secure, but that they won't be able to issue refunds. And you'll have to go back to waiting in the security line with us regular folks and our cats.

Flying with NWA This Holiday Season? Use an E-Boarding Pass!

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:25:49 -0800

Earlier this year, Northwest Airlines announced that they would be offering E-Boarding passes to select cities offering nonstop flights.

Wondering how it works? When you check in to your flight on nwa.com, just select the E-Boarding Pass option from the drop down on the "Completing Your Check-In" page. From this page, you will be prompted to enter your cell phone information, and your E-Boarding Pass will then be sent to your phone. Once you get to the gate, you will have to show your screen with the 2D barcode and scan it right there.

So far, people have reported that it works great - minus the TSA part since they usually check your paper boarding pass with your ID as you walk through the security X-Ray Machine - something they'll have to work on improving.

Do You Use Airport WiFi?

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:03:48 -0800

One thing that makes me happy is free WiFi in airports. Something that doesn't make me happy is when I have to pay $9.95 for one hour of Internet use in most airports across the United States.

Once in a while I'm fortunate to be armed with a wireless broadband card so I don't have to stress about whether or not an airport has free WiFi, but quite often, it's just me and an expensive connection. Traveling is stressful enough without having to dig deep in your pockets to pay hefty WiFi rates. So I'm curious to know what you do - Do you pay the rates or turn to some other means?

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Find Out Which Airports Offer Free WiFi For Holiday Travels

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:52:01 -0800

Last year around this time, I brought you a list of some airports in the US that offer free WiFi. Since many of us will be traveling this holiday season - with laptops and cell phones attached at our hips - it's helpful to know which airports won't be charging hefty rates for Internet use.

Many new airports have been added to the WiFi FreeSpot directory, so I suggest heading on over the site to see if the airports you'll be visiting this year will give you net access for free.

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Do You Trust Checkpoint-Friendly Bags?

GeekSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:04:29 -0800

Ever since the concept of a checkpoint-friendly bag came onto the scene, I've been underwhelmed. So far, the bags produced haven't been so stylish, including these newly-released checkpoint-friendly bags by MobileEdge "for her."

The main reason I'm wary to purchase a new bag is that I just don't believe I'll get through the security line without having to remove my computer from one of these special bags. And I would not be about to argue with airport security either with a, "Oh no, you don't understand, this bag is checkpoint-friendly!"

Adding fuel to my theory is that the TSA approved some common styles of laptop bag for this purpose, but at no time on my recent flights has anyone assured me that I could leave my computer in its sleeve.

Therefore, I don't necessarily trust that I'd be able to breeze through airport security, laptop in laptop bag the whole time - not quite yet, anyway. Do you?

You May Already Have an Airport Security-Friendly Laptop Bag!

GeekSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:02:34 -0700

It turns out that you may not have to sacrifice style for convenience after all. After announcing that the TSA would approve certain laptop bags that you wouldn't have to take your computer out of in the airport security line, the first prototypes were underwhelming, and had me thinking I'd just continue to take my laptop out of its bag. But now it seems that's unnecessary, because the TSA has approved a few common laptop styles that you won't have to remove your laptop from!

They are: Butterfly style, trifold style, and sleeve style, and this policy went into effect on Saturday.

The TSA specifically says no to backpack and accordion styles, and of course, gives the stipulation that carrying these styles doesn't guarantee that you won't have to pull your laptop out of its bag. But still, baby steps.

Is Airport Security Getting the "Go Ahead" to Search Devices For Illegal Content?

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

What is seriously up with airport security anyways?! First they get permission to seize and search your laptop or any other electronic device when crossing the border; then they make the only "TSA approved" laptop bag the ugliest laptop tote on planet earth; and now they're going to be able to search your gadgets (iPod, cell phone, laptop) for illegally downloaded media content?!

According to the Telegraph, leaders of the G8 are meeting this week to decide whether or not to ratify the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which is aimed at preventing piracy. And if it gets the go ahead, customs agents would be able to search media players for illegally obtained content - ouch! This reminds me of Napster days where people would be downloading songs and all of a sudden a lawsuit would arrive on their doorstep, and sometimes handcuffs - double ouch! What do you guys think about all of this? I'm starting to think airports are becoming the "privacy free zones" - as soon as you step into them, anything is fair game!

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Have You Ever Had a Gadget Stolen?

GeekSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:00:16 -0700

A new study has found that the airport is one of the most common places for laptop theft - over 10,000 are stolen every week! It makes me even more Mama-bear protective than I already am over my precious computer. Can I please get this laptop bag with a lock?

Even though it's one of my biggest geeky fears, I've never been a victim of laptop theft, or cell phone, iPod, or portable game system (great big knock on wood). I also know I'm incredibly lucky, because many of my coworkers and friends have had laptops, cell phones, or other gadgets stolen, and I sympathize like no other. So what about you? Ever had your gadgets stolen?

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