GeekSugar

Would You Get a MySpace Credit Card?

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:01:06 -0800

What's in your wallet? Could be a credit card with your social network on it, if you so please.

CitiBank has collaborated with MySpace to offer a credit card that will have a rewards program with things like access to MySpace events and free music downloads.

My days of decisions to apply for a fun rewards credit card are pretty much over; on that note, the age range that this is probably meant for is that of kids who still primarily use MySpace.

I have fun on my social networks and all, but I don't think I'll be combining that with my financial life anytime soon. What about you?

Would you open a MySpace credit card?

Trend: Upgrade Your Credit Card with CreditCovers

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:07:15 -0700

Do you ever look at your credit card and thing, "golly, this thing is boring. I really need to bling it out so it looks more exciting!" Enter CreditCovers, which are trendy "skins" for your credit cards. In fact, the covers work for any kind of plastic - credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, cash cards, loyalty cards, store cards and gift cards. Think about it," says the website. "There are three things you probably never leave the house with: your cell, your ID, and your credit card. You don't let your mom choose your clothes, so why would you let your bank choose how your cards look? Why not have some cool, original art on your cards - a different CreditCover for every card!"
Note: They're not slipcovers, they only apply to the front of your cards, not the back, so they won't mess up your magnetic strip. All styles cost $4.99.

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iPhone/Credit Card Case Combo: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:43:58 -0700

I'm digging the metallic blue hue on this iPhone case (it also comes in a number of other colors), but this particular case provides more than just protection to your mobile: it also holds your credit cards and cash! The Case-Mate iPhone Credit Card Case ($30) is great for when you're headed out for a night on the town and just want to take the necessities: phone, ID, and a few bucks for a cab. Not sure how I'd feel about toting around my credit cards out in the open like that all the time, but I guess when you have limited space in a tiny clutch, it could be a lifesaver.

Oh, Good. Another In-Flight Fire Hazard to Worry About

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:45:02 -0700

In-flight fires caused by gadgets are back in the news after a recent piece in the New York Times warned of yet another risk: fires caused by the rechargable lithium batteries in handheld credit-card machines used by flight attendants to ring up purchases. The Federal Aviation Administration considers the batteries hazardous, and requires special training for flight attendants on airlines who carry spare batteries (some airlines, like Delta and JetBlue, don't carry spare batteries at all).

No fires from the readers have been reported, but according to the same article, in the last two years, a portable DVD has caught fire on a plane, a flashlight placed in a storage compartment exploded, turning into a projectile, and eight people were injured when a battery fell against a metal seat frame and exploded.

The best way to keep devices from overheating, or worse, catching fire? Keep them out of overhead compartments, and turn them off completely before storing them for flight. Do you take special precautions when flying with gadgets?

Shop Tommy Hilfiger on Your iPhone

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:33:29 -0700

I love shopping, I love my iPhone, and I love any application that makes it easier for me to shop on my iPhone. Tommy Hilfiger just released an iPhone app making it unbelievably easy to shop for men, women, and children's clothes, right from your phone.

My favorite part is how closely you can zoom into an item to check it out. One tap adds selected items to your cart and another brings you directly to the check out. The app also allows you to create an account and stores your credit card and shipping info.

Use the app to search by price, category (including sale items!), or size, and browse through top-selling items. And, since there's nothing worse than finding out an item you must have is out of stock, the app allows you to register to receive a push notification when you're able to purchase it. That's one notification I'd be delighted to receive!

And if you can't get enough mobile shopping, check out more great shopping apps: ShopStyle Mobile, Gap's StyleMixer, even Ikea!

Good Idea/Bad Idea: USB Card Swiper For Online Shopping

GeekSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:48:56 -0700

Online shopping just got a whole lot easier - or more dangerous, depending on your shopping self-control (personally, I identify a little too well with a certain fictional character).

The SmartSwipe USB Card Reader ($87) plugs into your computer's USB port, and from there, when you want to check out at an online store, you swipe your card, just like you'd do at a department store counter.

SmartSwipe's main selling point is in its security - but the fact that you don't have to key in your credit card number makes an online impulse purchase way too easy. I want this - but think it's a bad idea for me.

What about you - is the SmartSwipe Card Reader a good idea or a bad idea for you?

MP5-DS Docking Station Is Science Geek Chic, Half Off

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:05:43 -0700

I totally fell in love with the Sonic Integrity MP5-DS iPod docking station when I first saw it back in 2007, and now my friends, it's on sale. I loved the science behind the MP5, being that it's a tube amplifier system, which generally produces more rich and warm sounds than regular amp systems. Pack on a set of 50-watt speakers and you're ready to pump up the jams from an iPod dock that's kinda reminiscent of an old school science experiment.

When the MP5-DS first hit the market, it came in at a whopping $750 bucks (way out of my price range), but now that it's half off at $370, I'm getting closer and closer to making it my own. Still, way too pricey for my blood, but it's nice to know that with enough patience you can achieve anything - even if it's achieving a larger total amount on my credit card. Don't tell Savvy I said that.

Do You Buy Gadgets Because They Come With a Rebate?

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:45:11 -0700

Love a good deal? Canon has added a few amazing rebates on their DSLRs and lenses, and I automatically thought: I could use a new lens for my canon SLR.

Was I shopping for one? No, not really. But I can't turn down a good deal, and gadget rebates are a huge temptation, much like passing a department store with a huge sale sign.

The thing is, I love them when there's a rebate on something I was already planning to buy - it's like icing on the cake. But sometimes a rebate is all I need to get my credit card out (bad habit, I know). That said, I've never been shopping for a gadget and had my heart set on a brand when a fabulous rebate swayed me the other direction.

What about you? Do rebates sway you into a buying a certain brand or product?

10 Recession-Approved Gadgets

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:05:01 -0700

Although we are in the midst of some scary financial times, the earth does not stop spinning, and the gadgets won't stop coming. So instead of depriving yourself of a new gadget (or two) this year, save up your dough (be careful with those credit cards!), and splurge on one of these "recession-approved" gadgets. Why are they recession approved? Because they either do more than one duty, make your life much easier, or will cut costs in the long run. Which gadget would you choose?

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Speak-er Speech Bubble Speakers Are Totally Hot

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:35:13 -0800

Can you hear me now? It's rare that I come across something that has me tossing all reasoning out the window, and immediately reaching for my credit card. When I first saw this pair of six-watt Speak-er speech bubble speakers ($120), I knew I had to have them. Unfortunately for us, they are going to be sold in limited quantities and won't be sent out until April! I want them now!

I guess I'm just hoping that maybe, just maybe, out of all the geeks in the world that will have these on their wish lists, that I can get my hands on a set of these babies. A girl can dream, no?

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