GeekSugar

Get Nutrition Facts to Your Phone With Diet.com

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:00:46 PDT

Since you're already getting nice and buff thanks to a handy workout program on your phone, why not complement your cell phone workouts with a calorie counter?

With Diet.com's on the go service, you can text certain food items to DIET1 (34381) and receive a text back with the nutritional values of your item. Their database already includes more than 36,000 foods from 1,700 restaurants in North America, so you'll always know whether that BLT sandwich is a go or a no-go for that bikini-ready diet!

Handy Everyday Gmail Tips and Tricks

GeekSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:01:03 PST

If you've moved to Gmail recently (congratulations!), it's possible that you could get overwhelmed with all of the options, settings, and possibilities at your fingertips. We've got a ton of tips to share, but let's start with a few basic and handy tips that you could use every day. Check them out below!

Make voice calls - You can easily make voice calls in Gmail on the cheap. In the "Chat" section, just click the "Call Phone" button and enter the digits. You'll then be able to make free calls to landlines the US and Canada, and for super cheap you can call cell phones and landlines worldwide.
Search with options - If you haven't discovered the "Show Search Options" link to the right of the Gmail search bar, you're in for a treat. Clicking it reveals a host of helpful options, including the ability to search by sender, date, attachment, subject, and more. It's extremely helpful if you are less than diligent about labeling and filing emails in your inbox.
Use rich text signatures - Tired of those boring text-only signatures or canned responses coming from your Gmail account? Take note: Gmail supports rich text signatures! Add links, colors, images, or formatting to your Gmail account signature, or any other account you've set up to send from Gmail. It's super easy to set up - just head to your settings page, scroll down to the Signature section, and design away!
Use keyboard shortcuts - First, enable keyboard shortcuts in your Settings menu. Then, use these fast and easy keyboard shortcuts to navigate!

See the rest of the list after the break.

Geek Tip: Winter-Proof Your Cell Phone

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:41:01 PST

Now that it's gearing up to unleash a wicked load of 4G phones (and soon, an iPhone), Verizon is dishing out the Winter cell phone tips to keep you texting, emailing, and chatting, and at just the perfect time. Although we've been hanging out in the middle of the desert at CES in Las Vegas, it gets pretty nippy out there, and according to Verizon, cold weather sucks down your battery faster than it would in warm temps. Not only that, but your phone's display is more sensitive in chilly Winter weather, which makes it easier to break. Talk about a double downer.

How can you keep your phone working at full speed, and get through Winter in one piece? Find out after the break.

18 Ways to Save (at Least) $1 a Day

SavvySugar — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:28 PST

It's true: the little things add up. As anyone who ever had a piggy bank knows, small everyday actions can help you save big. Hoping to create a financial cushion for yourself this season? Follow these 15 easy tricks to help you save at least a dollar a day:

Hold the milk. In your coffee, that is. If you regularly stop at the coffee shop on your way to work, order it black to avoid any extra costs.
Go generic. At the grocery store, pick the generic variety of different foods to save big on pantry staples.
Keep the change. Sure, sometimes it's annoying to have change littering your purse or jangling in your pocket, but you'd be surprised by how quickly those nickels add up.
Swap soda for water. If you can't give it up altogether, vow to sip water instead of soda during at least one meal each day.
Trade CDs with a friend. Hoping to add the latest Rihanna song to your workout playlist? Reach out to a friend and burn CDs for each other to gather new music for free.
Fuel up for less. Unless it's required for your specific car model, nix the premium gas habit and use gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas in the area.
Find free WiFi. Work in cafés or libraries with free WiFi. Not sure which spots offer Internet? Use the Free Wi-Fi app to scope out local places with wireless access.
Practice your sewing skills. Skip a trip to the tailor and learn to do the simple adjustments yourself, like shortening a hem or taking in a blouse.

Keep reading for more tips to save $1 a day.

Winter-Proof Your Gadgets: 6 Tips You Need to Know

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:21:48 PST

Winter is in full effect, and I don't know about you, but it's getting pretty cold in my neck of the woods. While I do travel with my gadgets quite a bit, I've learned that cold weather is not always tech-friendly. You may not realize it, but freezing temps can be just as dangerous - if not more so - to gadgets than the Summer heat since there are hidden dangers you can't see. Check out these six Winter weather tips that will help ensure your gadgets see the light of Spring this year.

Keep them out of the trunk - Keep your laptops, cell phones, and tablets out of the trunk for extended periods during cold days to prevent damage to screens and to keep your hard drive from freezing.
If you must trunk it, keep it bundled up - If you absolutely must leave your gear in your car in freezing temps, wrap it up in layers - like a jacket or sweater - to keep it warm. You can also find laptop warmers (which are specifically made for laptops) to keep them from getting icy if you live in cold conditions.
Turn them off - Letting your laptop or tablet remain in sleep mode may keep it warmer (since it is still working), but it also increases your chances of damage if you're on the move. Be sure to power down all the way to keep your data safe.
Warm up before booting up - If your machine is on the cold side, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Carry a charger - Cold weather sucks the life out of your batteries, so be sure to carry extra chargers in your car for emergencies.
Watch out for sensitive screens - Cold weather makes a smartphone screen extra sensitive, so be sure to keep it close to your bod if you're out in the snow, or consider a warm accessory - like a smartphone wallet, sock, or sleeve - to keep it cozy.

Cell Phone Safety Tips For Paris Hilton (and You)

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:23:48 PDT

Reality star Paris Hilton reportedly lost two smartphones on a flight from Dubai to Manila over the weekend. Though both phones were located in her carry-on bag, she couldn't find them once it was time to deboard the plane. We've all experienced that sinking feeling when you can't find your cell; it's more than just a communication device these days. It's a device that holds a lot of personal information, especially if you have loaded up on banking, shopping, and instant purchase apps.

Before you make like Paris and lose your smartphone, follow some of these basic safety tips to keep from losing your phone, your personal info, and your mind.

Don't Let Your Cell Go Unprotected

Password-protect your home screen so hackers can't access your private info if lost or stolen. Here's how:

For iPhone: From the home screen, select Settings > General > Passcode Lock
For Android: From the home screen, choose Settings > Security > Screen lock and set an alphanumeric password for your home screen.
For BlackBerry: From the home screen, select Options > Security Options > General Settings > Password > Enabled

Locate and Wipe It Clean

It's a good idea to enlist a service or app that wipes your cell clean of any personal info if by chance it is lost or stolen. Norton Security and Apple's MobileMe app both let you remote lock and wipe your phone of sensitive info, while MobileMe can also locate your device on a map and track it down if you've left it behind.

6 Digital Etiquette Tips For 2012

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:30:55 PST

There's still time to break the bad habits of 2011 and kick off the year with a fresh take on the tech etiquette that may be driving your co-workers crazy and even have consequences to your health. Be a considerate digital user in 2012 by breaking these six technology habits.

Walking or driving while texting - we've seen the ad campaigns warning against distracted driving, but it seems every time we're on the highway, we pass a driver glancing at their phones instead of the road. The same goes for the busy city street pavements you pound during lunch for exercise. If you're texting or otherwise fiddling with your phone while walking, not only are you likely to be walking slow and annoying other pedestrians, your distracted movements may keep you from seeing an upcoming intersection, a clear recipe for disaster. Put the phone away for a few minutes and take in the scenery of the street.
Loud cell phone chats on the bus - the commute to and from work is rarely the highlight of an average day, but we're all in this together. Be kind to the other passengers and leave the loud stories of last night's date or the boss's attitude for when you get home.
TMI overload - your friends love keeping up with your life adventures via Facebook and Twitter, really they do! It's junior's potty adventures or how takeout leftovers made you feel today that gets people hovering their cursor over the Unsubscribe button. Play it safe and avoid talk of bodily functions on social networks.

See the rest of the tech etiquette tips to keep in mind for 2012 after the jump.

Fresh Start Resolution: Make a Phone Call to Lower Your Bills

Emily Co — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:05:46 PST

It's a new year and a new you! We're kicking off a short series detailing 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, whether it be to advance your career or increase your financial cushion. We've already given you advice on kicking your daily deal habit and quitting caffeine, so here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

If you've been putting off calling your provider to negotiate lower rates, stop procrastinating and pick up your phone! Remember, the worst thing that will happen is just hearing the answer "no." Consider calling these companies to negotiate with:

Cell phone provider
Credit card companies
Cable and internet providers

Apart from negotiating better rates and plans, also consider asking to waive any fees or penalties that you've recently been charged with. Now that you're ready to make the call with a list of companies in mind, here are tips on how you should approach the call:

Do your research. Do your research of what their competitors offer so you'll have more ammunition for your phone call. You'll also have more of a gauge of what's considered a good rate.
Be nice but assertive. Don't dance around the issue but be nice when you're explaining the situation to them. Don't get upset if you can't seem to be getting the response you're looking for. You can always try your luck with the manager or call back again.
Ask for options. Tell the provider that you can't afford the current prices and ask them what can they offer to you to help with the situation. Asking an open-ended question is always better than a "yes" or "no" because it'll be harder for the rep to refuse you.
Threaten to cancel. And of course, you can always threaten to leave the service. They'll probably transfer you to a retentions department when you bring up the topic of leaving and those representatives have more authority to offer better rates.

Cross-Country Skiing Tips For Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:51:18 PST

Downhill skiing is a blast, but if you're not in the mood to race against frigid winds or deal with crazy crowded lift lines, try cross-country skiing this Winter. It may not be speedy, but cross-country skiing will tone your upper and lower body, give you a great cardio workout, and burn almost 500 calories in one hour!

Like snowshoeing, cross-country is more social than downhill skiing since conversations aren't limited to just time riding the lift. You get to slush along snow-covered trails and gab while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Plus, there is no expensive lift ticket needed. Some find cross-country more comfortable than downhill skiing because the boots are more flexible and the skis lightweight. Ready to get started? Here are some tips for newbies.

First, find some cross-country trails. Some downhill-ski resorts have groomed trails, but also check out nature centers or parks where you hike in the Summer. You might have to pay a fee (around $15 to $30) to use the grounds. Don't be shy about asking the staff to point you toward the easier trails.
Rent boots, skis, and poles at the place where you're skiing, but if this isn't possible, rent equipment the day before from a gear store; rentals are about $15 a day.
Definitely head out with someone who has some cross-country skiing experience or take a lesson to learn the basic techniques for moving, slowing down, stopping, and getting up hills.

Keep reading for more beginner cross-country ski tips.

Porting Your Number to a New Wireless Carrier? Plan Ahead!

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:13:19 PDT

US regulations enacted in 1996 (and then further in 2003) made it mandatory for cell phone providers to allow customers to hold onto their phone numbers when moving from carrier to carrier. Thankfully, the process is relatively easy and painless, but during a recent (my first) number-porting experience I learned a very important lesson: plan ahead. Find out why after the break.