GeekSugar

More Details About Apple's New Nanos!

GeekSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:30:35 -0700

If the name of Steve Job's latest presentation - Let's Rock - led you to believe that he would be unveiling new iPods, you would be right! But not only were we the first to see the new Nano design at the Yerba Buena Center For the Arts today in San Francisco, but we also got a sneak peek at some new yet-to-be-released games to hit the App Store, the details on the newest upgrades to iPod Touch, and the scoop on what the cool new features will be for iTunes 8.

The big news of the morning obviously was the new Nanos! This generation will be smaller, packed with more features, and more cost effective. Oh, did I mention the colors? The new Nano will make your plain old black and white versions green with envy. Not to mention purple, pink, red, blue, yellow, orange, and grey.

How much will the new Nano set you back? To get pricing, more product details, pics, and to find out what else is coming up in the world of Apple, just read more.

Also being included in the newest iTunes release, the Genius Playlist creator will analyze the current track you are playing and toss together a cool playlist based on the features of that song, giving you a mix of similar songs to listen to without having to hunt and peck through your music. Other goodies include an accelerometer, a built-in voice recorder, and a "Shake to Shuffle" feature. Yes, you really can shake it!

Thankfully, Steve wants us to save a little dough while enjoying our tunes! The new Nano will come in two versions: 8GB for $149 and 16GB for $199. Plus, they are available this week for you to pick up. My wallet already feels a little lighter. What else did Steve announce today? Here's a rundown:

iPod Touch will be smaller, sleeker, and louder with an on-board speaker. Plus, the Nike + iPod transmitter will be built right into the Touch - no more lame transmitter sticking out the bottom! The iPod Touch will come in three models: 8GB for $229, 16GB for $299, and $32GB for $399.
New games hitting the App Store include Spore Origins, Need for Speed: Undercover, and Real Soccer 09.
The iPod Classic will get a hefty storage bump, going from 80GB to 120GB with a $249 price tag.
iTunes will now offer HD TV shows, including those from NBC for $2.99
The update for your iPhone to 2.1 will fix bugs and dropped calls and will back up iTunes faster.

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Macworld Announcement: All Bets Are In

GeekSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 08:57:55 -0800

As you saw in yesterday's video my friends and I have been bombarded with everyone's predictions as to what Steve Jobs will announce at today's keynote address. In fact, things around the Moscone Center in San Francisco (where the Macworld convention is being held) are getting downright silly - despite the massive signs foreshadowing today's earthshaking announcement.

Gizmodo thinks we'll be getting "airport extreme."
Engadget puts their "smart money" on an iPhone or an Apple phone by any other name.
Sixty-six percent of geeksugar readers think it's an iPhone so I'm crossing my fingers and going with you guys. How chic would a phone from Apple be? Too chic!

Join me at 9 am PST in a SugarLive! chat to discuss the announcement and goings on at Macworld.

What Does Apple Hold In Store For Us?

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:38:24 -0800

The 2007 MacWorld Conference is less than a week away, and Apple has already started building hype for what may, or may not be, their major announcement. Apple posted a compelling greeting on their homepage saying: The first 30 years were just the beginning. Welcome to 2007.

The image alone has caused a blogging frenzy, with some wondering if Apple will unveil iTV,
iPhone, or a new Ultraportable MacBook Pro. What do you think it will be?

The Webby Awards Name Top Internet Moments of the Decade

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:28 -0800

The 2000s were an important decade for the Internet. It was a platform for endless amounts of innovation, a ton of new ideas and content, and it brought lots of change. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to whittle down all of the important things that have happened into a list of only 10. Thankfully popular awards organization the Webby Awards took the initiative to do it themselves and released a list of the Top 10 Most Influential Internet Moments of the Decade.

Among them: Craigslist's nationwide expansion in 2000, music-sharing site Napster's shutdown in 2001, Facebook opening to non-college students in 2006, and the Iranian election protests (a.k.a. "The Twitter Revolution") earlier this year. The list is pretty comprehensive, though I think they should add "the launch of GeekSugar" in 2006! The full list includes some major high-profile announcements as well as some that set the stage for further development and change.

David-Michel Davies, the executive director of the Webby Awards told CNN:

"Maybe in twenty years we'll look back and some of these might change. Something might become more important. I think history and time always gives you more insight into what moments or sites or companies shaped the landscape."

Indeed! It's fun to look back at the moments that shaped Internet history over the past decade, and exciting to think of what's to come in the next 10 years.

T-Mobile Announces Some Pretty Impressive New Plans

GeekSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:15:13 -0700

For the 16 percent of you who are on the T-Mobile phone network, have I got some exciting news for you! And this news is equally amazing for those who have a contract ending soon with another carrier, or those who are still seeking the perfect cell phone plan. T-Mobile has just announced some new phone plans called the Even More and Even More Plus plans.

With the two-year commitment Even More plan, customers get a subsidized phone, and you can add unlimited services which start at $59 a month, and $99 for unlimited message and text. And with the Even More Plus plan, you don't get a discounted handset, but you aren't locked into a contract (yes you read that correctly), you can get unlimited voice for $49 a month, or $7 a month for everything (texting, data and voice). Oh, and if you aren't a big web browsing phone junkie, you can get unlimited texting and talking on either plan for $49 a month.

Digg Partners With Toms Shoes For Charity

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:50:26 -0800

Internet giant Digg recently announced they have joined forces with TOMS Shoes, the charitable shoe company who donates one pair of shoes to a child in need each time a pair is purchased. According to the Digg blog, the special-edition shoes were designed by a Digg designer, and feature the company's logo on the interior, zigzag stitching, and an orange sole.

Digg Founder Kevin Rose and TOMS Chief Shoegiver Blake Mycoskie announced the partnership via video, explaining the TOMS Shoes One to One program (one pair donated for each pair bought). The shoe company already operates exclusively on this business model, but this is the first time they're partnering with a social media company to reach a new audience. I already own one pair of gold, sparkly TOMS, but I think I want another pair! It's a great idea - and a feel-good way to kick off the holiday season.

Would you sport a pair?

Google Increases Online Storage Limit, Drops the Prices

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:43:13 -0800

A couple of years ago, Google announced its new online storage plans, which allowed users to upload more photos, save more emails and more. And I have to tell you, when I paid the $20 way back then to get 6 GB more of storage, I thought life couldn't get any better.

Well now, Google has just announced some pretty amazing storage plans that make it even easier to back up all of your photos, documents. . . and you don't have to worry about cleaning out your inbox (although I do encourage you to do so anyways!). So now with my $20 a year, I can get 80 GB worth of storage - magical I tell ya.

To see a chart with all of the new (and old!) storage prices, just read more.

YEAR	STORAGE AMOUNT	PRICE
2007	6 GB	$20 / year
	25 GB	$75 / year
	100 GB	$250 / year
	250 GB	$500 / year
2009	20 GB	$5 / year
	80 GB	$20 / year
	400 GB	$100 / year
	1 TB	$256 / year
	80 GB	$20 / year
	80 GB	$20 / year

Go here if you'd like to purchase a new storage plan!

Hello Lova: Sprint's New BlackBerry Curve 8530 in Royal Purple

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:47:37 -0800

I've seen pink BlackBerrys, gold BlackBerrys, white BlackBerrys, red BlackBerrys and then all of the standard-colored BlackBerrys, but royal purple? This is a delightful treat. The new BlackBerry Curve 8530 should be coming to Sprint some time this month, but we still don't know specifics about price (Verizon is charging $100 after a mail-in rebate, so you can expect something comparable).

Granted, it may not be the high-end BlackBerry Bold 9700, but it still offers the new trackpad, a QWERTY keyboard, WiFi functionality, and a 2-megapixel camera and camcorder.

If the new royal purple doesn't exactly do it for you, you can pick one up in black.

Google Makes Holiday Travel More Tolerable With Free WiFi

GeekSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:43:08 -0800

Here's one holiday stress relieved: Google recently announced they'd be sponsoring free WiFi in airports across the country this holiday season, from now through January 15. Google VP, search and user experience, Marissa Mayer says, "We're very happy to extend our Holiday WiFi gift to the millions of people who will spend time in airports over the next few months."

Which I translate to, "Happy Holidays, here is something to keep you sane when your flight is delayed for the third time. Love, Google."

Plus, they're spreading the cheer. Once you log in using the free wireless, you're given the option to donate to one of three non-profit organizations. At the end of the promotion, Google will match all donations up to $250,000. A full list of airports with free WiFi is available at freeholidaywifi.com.

What will you do with free airport WiFi?

Best Buy to Get Nokia's Booklet 3G on Nov. 15

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:32:19 -0800

The wait is almost over for Nokia's mini laptop - the Booklet 3G. With features like Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, a 10.1-inch display, Windows 7, and 12-hour battery life, this tiny yet tech-filled netbook has been inching its way to the top of many holiday wish lists this year.

Well now you can really start saving up your pennies, but it's just been announced that the Booklet 3G will be coming to Best Buy stores on Nov. 15 and will cost $300 with a two-year AT&T data contract or $599.99 without. Amazing.