GeekSugar

Cell Phone Camera Tip: Remember Restaurant Menus

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:05:19 -0700

I have a habit my boyfriend hates, but it's really hard to stop. Every time I pass a restaurant on the street, I have to stop and read the menu. I can't help it. I've learned to do a really quick glance for the most important things - type of food, prices, all while keeping pace with my impatient boyfriend.

Then it struck me the other day when a menu caught my eye, doy, I'll just take a pic of it (my cell phone's camera never stops being useful). I get to satisfy my street menu urge, and even better, when I plug my iPhone into my computer, iPhoto '09 and Picasa geotag it, so I know exactly where I saw it.

P.S. Menu type too small? Snap a pic of the restaurant's sign and look it up on Yelp later.

Use Your Cell Phone's Camera to Make Your Life Easier

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:35:38 -0800

Having a cell phone with a camera isn't just a fun feature - it can make your life easier and help you remember little things you'd otherwise forget. From remembering where you parked to what products you use, check out my slideshow of the best cell phone camera tips.

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Cell Phone Camera Tip: Replace Your Toiletries Right

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:34:16 -0800

Ever stood in the aisles of Sephora trying to remember the name of the shade of foundation you always use? Or in the aisles of Walgreens with instructions from your boyfriend to buy him a new stick of deodorant, but can't remember what brand he uses?

These things you see every day aren't necessarily all things you commit to memory, but with your cell phone, it's a nonissue.

Before hitting the drugstore or department store to replace an empty makeup or other toiletry need, snap a picture of whatever detail you tend to forget. Then at the store, your preferred brand, variety, or shade is right at your fingertips.

Cell Phones to Require Click Sound For Built-In Cameras?

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:05:38 -0800

As I was reading a PhoneScoop article about a bill called the Camera Phone Predator Alert Act which would require camera phones to have some sort of audible sound or click when a picture is being taken, I had mixed feelings about the entire thing. Basically the new bill, under the Consumer Product Safety Commission, would prohibit cell phone owners from silencing their phone's camera for "safety" reasons. Although not a ton of details were revealed about the law, I understand why it's being considered - so creepies can't take creepy pictures. I mean, I'm sure there's a laundry list of more reasons, but that's what tops the list in my opinion.

But I have to say, there are numerous times when I'm shopping in a store, and I want to take a pic of an item to see if a friend or family member approves of the new top, lamp, lipstick hue, etc., and I love how my phone doesn't embarrass me or "out" me to retailers with an annoying sound (the flash, that's another story). But I guess if it did make some sort of a sound, that wouldn't be the end of the world. In six months we'll be picking "camera tones" instead of "ring tones." What are your thoughts?

Source

Cell Phone Camera Tip: Snap Your Suitcase Contents Pre-Flight

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:30:30 -0800

Even the most forgetful can benefit from the camera on their cell phone; you can use it to remember where you parked, or, some new prospect you met last night when your memory was a little clouded.

My next tip is one that's great for traveling, especially if - like me - your suitcase rarely ends up meeting you at your final destination. When you're frazzled and filling out those lost baggage forms, sometimes you forget things you packed, especially things you packed that would be right on top and identifiable. Which, if you've been in the situation, you know you need to fill out.

Save yourself the hand-wringing and take a shot with your camera phone of your packed bag, just before zipping it up. Whether this will get your bag back to you sooner, who knows, but the less stress incurred while flying, the better.

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Cell Phone Camera Tip: Never Get Beer Goggles Again

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:00:44 -0800

Drink responsibly. Flirt responsibly. The term "beer goggles" can mean nothing to you, if you take care in making a digital memory of the person you met last night - the person you thought was amazing at the time, but then got home and realized that you couldn't really remember his face.

Even if you're not drinking, your short-term memory could still be clouded by a heady initial meeting. Snap a shot for evidence that you weren't making things up. And there's no need to be awkward about it - ask them to pose for a picture with you, so you're not creepily just circling your iPhone near his face pretending to be checking a text message.

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Cell Phone Camera Tip: Remember the Wine For Later

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:00:03 -0800

This is a great use of your cell phone's camera for the holiday season, since many people go out to dinner, parties, and drink wine while out. There have been many times where I tasted a new bottle of wine, decided I loved it, and tried to remember what it was called so I could purchase it later.

I never remember. I blame my bad short-term memory and the actual wine drunk.

So now I have taken to snapping a shot of the wine's label with my iPhone or BlackBerry. Now I never forget my new favorites!

Cell Phone Camera Tip: Remember Where You Parked in a City

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:21 -0800

Last week I told you about my geek tip for remembering where you parked in a huge parking structure or mall lot by taking a pic with your cell phone's camera, but needing to know where you parked isn't confined to being in a parking lot. Have you ever tried to park in a big city, for instance?

I happen to live in a very busy neighborhood where parking places are scarce. Once you find a place to park your car, you're pretty far away from your destination. Before leaving your car in no man's land, snap a picture of the street signs (preferably the intersection) with your cell phone's camera.

Check it on your way back, and forget about wandering the streets like some sad, lost tourist.

Cell Phone Camera Tip: Remember Where You Parked

GeekSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:30:27 -0800

Your cell phone camera is not just for making sure you get proof of celebrity sightings; you can exploit this feature of your cell phone for simple, everyday things, like using it to capture appointment cards.

Today's tip is simple but lifesaving: When you park in a large parking structure, like at the airport, take a photo of the lot's place marker (like where it says "A2", for example).

If there isn't anything like that to mark your spot, then take a pic of any nearby landmarks. Never feel like the idiot who lost her car again!

Source

Geek Tip: Keep Track of Appointments With Your Cell Phone's Camera

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:01:50 -0800

How did I not think of this sooner? I've always got several annoying pieces of 2"x3" card stock in my bag with my doctor, dentist, or beauty appointments.

One day, I'll have the time and memory to input appointments into my calendar the second I make a new one, but until now, it's appointment card city for me.

There had to be a better way - and there is! The answer was also inside my bag. From now on, I'm taking photos with my iPhone's camera of all my appointment cards. From there, I'll either email them from my camera roll, or just leave them there, because unlike a piece of flimsy paper, I know where to find it!