GeekSugar

Cool Download: Digsby

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:01:24 PDT

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get lost when I'm forced to log in and tab through my multiple email accounts and instant messenger clients - all while trying to keep up on my Myspace and Facebook pages (not to mention Twitter that's a full time job in itself) throughout the day. What can I say, I'm addicted to staying connected!

So imagine my utter relief when I found Digsby - a life saving application that gathers up all those different accounts, and keeps them neatly in one convenient spot. No more expose-ing to find the right open window, browser tabbing, or multiple chat alerts to sift through. To find out why I heart Digsby right now, just

read more. Not only can I chat with pals on different accounts from one place, but Digsby will merge those who use more than one account - say Google Talk and AOL - into one contact, so I don't have duplicate buddies to deal with. Plus, I can view my emails and Facebook updates right from Digsby. It really is the bee's knees so to speak, but right now it's only for you lucky PC users. But hang tight the rest of you, the awesomeness of Digsby will be coming to Mac and Linux soon! Source

15 Ways to Annoy Your Boss

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:11:08 PST

Whether you're hoping to get ahead at work or just trying to build healthy relationships, it's important to understand how your boss works - what she appreciates, what she respects, and what she can't stand. Create a strong connection with your manager and avoid irritating her by steering clear of these 15 ways to annoy your boss:

Arrive late, coffee in hand. If you waltz into the office 20 minutes late, clutching a Starbucks cup, chances are it's not going to be well-received. If you're running short on time, skip the coffee shop and head to the office coffeemaker instead.
Dress inappropriately. Your boss doesn't want to feel like your parent, so she won't be thrilled if she has to regularly address your workwear. Keep things professional and remember to err on the conservative side.
Regularly bring up your accomplishments. Patting your own back is fine every once in a while, but high-fiving yourself for every little victory is sure to frustrate both your co-workers and your boss. Save the boasting for your year-end review and always note your successes with a purpose - as in, say, while negotiating salary.
Say you'll "try" instead of you "will." When you're asked to finish something, that means you're expected to finish it. Form your responses carefully, as even small tweaks can have a huge effect. Instead of saying, "I'll try to get to that," nod and assure your boss by saying, "No problem, I will get to that as soon as I've finished this."
Ask personal questions. Your boss will offer personal information as she sees fit, so refrain from asking anything too intimate. Small talk is fine, of course, but remember to maintain professional boundaries during conversation.
Tattle on other employees. Most information finds its way through the grapevine, so chances are your boss will find out about any significant scandals from someone else. Nobody likes the office tattler - and telling your boss someone else's secrets would say more about your character than theirs, anyway.
Reply to all her tweets. You may be Facebook friends, but that doesn't mean you need to "like" every status or comment on every one of her pictures. Keep the interactions minimal so that you don't aggravate her with hourly notifications that say you've commented on five more of her Instagram photos.

Keep reading for more ways to annoy your boss.

The Stresses of Smartphones

Kelly Schwarze — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:29:17 PST

A smartphone is supposed to keep you connected with the world at your fingertips, but is it just stressing you out? A new study from the University of Worcester suggests staying connected is stress-inducing for those that feel they can never sign off.

Study volunteers admit their constant checking, rechecking, and triple checking for new notifications has them experiencing phantom vibrations, believing their phone is chirping for attention even in those rare moments it's not. Most of the participants originally began using smartphones to keep up with work on the go, which quickly spiraled into 24/7 replies to emails, tweets, and Facebook messages.

Companies are starting to react to the pressures of work-life balance in the face of technology. Volkswagen, for example, shuts off its BlackBerry email server outside of office hours so employees can recharge without a mobile distraction. Are you feeling the stress of being tethered to a smartphone?

Christmas List Giveaway

Sponsor — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:00:00 PST

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The Christmas List Giveaway (the “Contest”) is sponsored by Sugar Publishing, Inc. (owner and operator of FabSugar.com & BellaSugar.com), having an address of 111 Sutter Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104 (“Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY:
Open only to permanent legal U.S. residents physically residing in the fifty (50) United States of America and the District of Columbia. Employees of Sponsor and its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies and any other entity involved in the development or administration of this Contest, and their immediate family members or household members are not eligible to participate in or win the Contest. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and complete relevant tax forms as a condition to the delivery of the applicable prize. Void where prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply.

HOW TO ENTER:
No purchase is necessary to participate in the Contest. To enter, you must log into your profile at any PopSugar Network site (or register for a profile at http://www.onsugar.com/user/register), navigate to Sponsor Post in FabSugar’s eBay Scout Community (http://ebayscout.fabsugar.com) and leave a comment as described on the entry page between 10:00 am PST on December 12, 2011 and 11:59pm PST on December 18, 2011 (the “Entry Period”). Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. Normal time, toll, connection and usage rates, if any, charged by your Internet service provider will apply. All entries become the property of the Sponsor. One entry per person.
By registering and leaving a comment, you will be agreeing that your registration and any other information collected in connection with the Contest may be used by Sponsor in accordance with Sugar Publishing, Inc.’s Privacy Policy and may be shared with Sponsor’s affiliated business entities, and that you automatically opt-in to receive email, text messages or other communications from Sponsor. You may subsequently opt-out of the receipt of such email or communications by following the directions in the email, communications or by contacting Sponsor directly.

All registrations must include entrant's valid email address. The email address provided by online entrants will be the identity of the entrant and, if selected for a prize, the identity of the winner. We expressly reserve the right to disqualify any entries that we believe in good faith are generated by an automated program or via scripts. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules.

PRIZES:
At the end of the Entry Period, there will be one (1) drawing in which one (1) potential winner shall be selected from all eligible entries received during the Entry Period by employees or representatives of the Sponsor to receive the prize one (1) $100 eBay gift card (retail value = $100). Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding with respect to all matters related to the Contest. All prizes will be awarded. In no event shall the Sponsor be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Contest Rules. No substitutions (including for cash) are permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. To receive a complete list of winners or a copy of the Official Contest Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, Sugar Publishing, Inc., 111 Sutter Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104. Specify winner's list or rules on your request.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for prize delivery.

SELECTION:
The winning entry will be chosen at random. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting the entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. The Contest will be conducted under the supervision of the Sponsor. The decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest. The winners will be notified by email and/or by private message through the winner’s onsugar.com account; Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Contest winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such Contest winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. Sponsor reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the email and/or mailing address provided by winners during their entry to the Contest. Each entry submitted in response to the Contest and in accordance with the rules will constitute an official entry. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules. All entries become the property of the Sponsor.

General Conditions and Releases:
An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Contest if he or she fails to comply with each provision of these Official Contest Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Participation in the Contest is at entrant’s own risk. Sponsor shall not be liable for 1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the contest entry form, 2) entries and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind, 3) any electronic miscommunications or failures, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate in the Contest, 4) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Contest or 5) any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof, which shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of the prize. Sponsor does not make any, and hereby disclaim any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, your entry constitutes your permission to use your name, photograph, likeness, voice, address (city and state) and testimonials in all media, in perpetuity, in any manner Sponsor deems appropriate for publicity purposes without any further compensation to such entrant. By entering or accepting a prize in the Contest, winners agree to be bound by these Official Contest Rules and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. When applicable, the winner (or, if the winner is a minor, the winner's parent or legal guardian) may be required to execute and return to Sponsor within ten (10) business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. Winner may be required to furnish proof of identity, address and birth date in order to receive a prize.

By entering, an entrant agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor and its respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives from any damage, injury, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability (collectively, “Claims”) that may arise from their acceptance, possession and/or use of any prize or their participation in this promotion, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, regardless of whether such Claims, or knowledge of the facts constituting such Claims, exist at the time of entry or arise at any time thereafter. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Contest will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Contest Rules in any way or at any time. Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Contest should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest. In the event of cancellation or suspension, Sugar shall promptly post a notice on the Contest entry page to such effect. This Contest shall be governed by California law. By participating in this contest, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Contest and that venue shall be only in San Francisco, California.

LilSugar’s Huggies® Holiday Prize Package Giveaway

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:10:51 PST

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ONLINE ENTRY ONLY AND INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED. AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM MAY BE REQUIRED

LilSugar’s Huggies® Holiday Prize Package! (the “Giveaway”) is sponsored by Sugar Publishing, Inc. (owner and operator of lilsugar.com) and having an address of 111 Sutter Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104 (“Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: Open only to U.S. citizens and permanent legal U.S. residents at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry who physically reside in one of the fifty (50) United States of America or the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, all U.S. territories and possessions and all overseas military installations. Employees of Sponsor, and their respective parents, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and any other entity involved in the development or administration of this Giveaway (collectively, “Sweepstakes Entities”), and their immediate family members or household members (defined as spouses and biological, adoptive or step-parents, legal guardians, children, siblings, or grandparents, their respective spouses and any dependent under federal income tax law) are not eligible to participate in or win the Giveaway. The winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and complete relevant tax forms as a condition to the delivery of the applicable prize. Void where prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply.

HOW TO ENTER: No purchase is necessary to participate in the Giveaway. To enter you must navigate to the Giveaway entry post (http://www.lilsugar.com/TBD ) and submit your email between 6:00am PST on Saturday, December 3, 2011 and 11:59pm PST on Friday, December 9, 2011 (the “Entry Period”). By entering online, you will be agreeing to receive Sponsor emails.

There is only one (1) entry per person.

Normal time, toll, connection and usage rates, if any, charged by your Internet service provider will apply. All entries become the property of the Sponsor. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. By submitting your email in accordance with the entry process, you will be agreeing that your registration and any other information collected in connection with the Giveaway may be used by Sponsor in accordance with Sugar Inc. Privacy Policy, a current copy of which can be found here: http://www.sugarinc.com/privacy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, information collected from entrant will only be used for direct marketing purposes if entrant consents to use in such manner. Sponsor expressly reserves the right to disqualify any entries that it believes in good faith are generated by an automated program or via scripts. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these Official Giveaway Rules.

PRIZE: At the end of the Entry Period, there will be one (1) drawing in which one (1) potential Grand Prize winner shall be selected from all eligible entries received during the Entry Period by employees or representatives of the Sponsor to each receive the Grand Prize of one (1) $500 Babies-R-Us gift card (Retail Value: $500.00), one (1) changing table (Estimated Retail Value: $350.00), one (1) Diaper Deko Plus (retail value: $40.00), one (1) set of Diaper Deko Refills (Retail Value: $30), and fifteen (15) packs of Huggies (Retail Value: $450.00); Total Estimated Retail Value: $1,370.00). If potential Grand Prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding with respect to all matters related to the Giveaway. All prizes will be awarded. In no event shall the Sponsor be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Giveaway Rules. No substitutions (including for cash) are permitted, except that Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. If required by Sponsor, the winner must complete and return to Sponsor an IRS Form W-9 that reflects winner’s taxpayer identification number or social security number. The winner will receive from Sponsors an IRS form 1099-MISC at the end of the calendar year, and a copy of such form will be filed with the IRS. To receive a complete list of winners or a copy of the Official Giveaway Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, Sugar Inc., 111 Sutter Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104. Specify winner's list or rules on your request. Please allow 6-8 weeks for prize delivery.

SELECTION: The winning entry will be chosen at random. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting the entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. The Giveaway will be conducted under the supervision of the Sponsor. The decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to this Giveaway. Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Giveaway winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such Giveaway winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. Sponsor reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the email and/or mailing address provided by winners during their entry to the Giveaway. Each entry submitted in response to the Giveaway and in accordance with the rules will constitute an official entry. One (1) entry per person. Duplicate entries will be void. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Giveaway Rules. All entries become the property of the Sponsor.

GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RELEASES: An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes if he or she fails to comply with each provision of these Official Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Participation in the Sweepstakes is at entrant’s own risk. By receipt of any prize, the applicable winner agrees to release and hold harmless Sweepstake Entities. Releasees shall not be liable for 1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the on the contest entry form) entries and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind, 3) any electronic miscommunications or failures, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate in the Sweepstakes, 4) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Sweepstakes or 5) any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof. Releasees do not make any, and hereby disclaims any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, the acceptance of the Grand Prize by the winner constitutes his/her permission for the Sponsor to use his/her name, address (state) biographical information and testimonials for advertising and/or publicity purposes in connection with this Sweepstakes only, worldwide and in all forms of media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, without further compensation.  By entering or accepting a prize in the Sweepstakes, winner agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. The winner will be required to execute and return to Sponsor within five (5) business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and (where imposing such condition is legal) and any additional documents required by Sponsor in connection with the possibility of receiving the Grand Prize. Winner may be required to furnish proof of identity, address and birth date in order to receive a prize. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Sweepstakes will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Rules in any way or at any time. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, cancel or suspend this Sweepstakes should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control corrupts the administration, security or proper play of the Sweepstakes, or for any reason that Sponsor believes in good faith would be fair to the entrants and the conduct of the Sweepstakes. In the event of cancellation or suspension, Sponsor shall promptly post a notice on the Contest entry page to such effect. This Sweepstakes shall be governed by California law. By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Sweepstakes and that venue shall be only in San Francisco, California.

MISCELLANEOUS: The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision of the Official Rules is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules will not constitute a waiver of that provision. When terms such as "may" are used in these Official Rules, Sponsor has sole and absolute discretion. Entrants agree to waive any rights to claim ambiguity of these Official Rules. Headings are solely for convenience of reference and will not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning or intent of the documents or any provision hereof. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any Sweepstakes-related materials, privacy policy or terms of use on the Website and/or the terms and conditions of the Official Rules, the Official Rules shall prevail, govern and control and the discrepancy will be resolved in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.

Facebook is not affiliated with this Giveaway.

Tori Spelling Shares Time Management Tips For Moms

Tori Spelling — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:31:05 PST

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. Having just given birth to her third child, Tori recently shared her tips for trying to make the most of the hours in the day.

Time, there's always too little of it! As moms, we are especially time-strapped. And if we're working, time is at even more of a premium. Given all the demands placed on us, it can be easy to feel like we're just going through the motions, fulfilling our responsibilities without truly enjoying them. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are a few tips for balancing your needs with those of your family and your job:

Batch tasks – This is a great tip for increasing productivity in your work life as well as your personal life. For example, if you find that checking email distracts you while you're working, spend an hour each morning cleaning out your inbox, then turn off your email notifications for a few hours and concentrate on the task at hand. If you have a bunch of errands to run, do them all at once. Spend a Sunday afternoon cooking a bunch of dishes to eat throughout the week.
Overestimate – When planning a complicated day with multiple drop-offs, pick-ups, and to-do items, it's best to overestimate how long each item will take. Take everything into account, from traffic to how long it takes your little tyke to pick out socks.

Delegate – Guys hate asking for directions; we hate asking for help. But you can't be in two places at once, so when your calendar gets insane, make sure to get help from your husband or your close family or friends. Remind yourself that it's okay to give control to someone else you trust.
Quality Time All the Time – Even the most mundane tasks can become "quality time." Try to make your daily tasks fun for your kids by allowing them to participate. For example, when you go grocery shopping, let them take an active role in picking out groceries. Cook dinner together and catch up in the car on the way to school. These little moments are the things your kids will remember when they get older. What are your most cherished childhood memories? Chances are they're simple, everyday activities.
Take Care of Yourself – You don't have to book an expensive massage to take care of yourself, although that's a nice treat every now and then. Taking care of yourself is more about allocating time to do things that make you feel good: putting on your makeup in the morning, going for a jog in the evening (bonus points if you're also pushing a stroller), or painting your toenails before the polish completely chips away.
It's also about making healthy choices that are best for you. For example, going to bed early instead of staying up to answer emails will make you a much more productive person the next day. As they get older, your children will admire that their mother is someone who takes care of herself – after all, you are modeling behavior that you want them to emulate someday!
Remember to Breathe – As busy, multitasking women and moms, sometimes we overlook the simplest way to get through our day: taking a moment to breathe. Pausing to focus on your breath can help you to quell nerves and stress or simply clear your mind. Simple, but effective!

How do you balance it all? Share your time management tips in the comments below.

More great stories from ToriSpelling.com:
'Til Death Do Us Part: Elderly couple dies holding hands
Happy Halloween!
Ask me anything!

Apple Confirms Battery Life Issues, Software Update Fix Coming Soon

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:11:32 PDT

Apple confirmed some users are experiencing "lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices" yesterday, and promised that a software update can be expected in the next few weeks, which should wipe the problem clean. Can't wait that long cause your battery drains too fast? Below, a few tips to save your battery life until the problem is resolved.

Lower your screen brightness - Just like on your laptop, you can lower the screen brightness on your iPhone to increase battery life. Just head to Settings > Brightness to adjust.
Use WiFi where you can - Instead of downloading apps, making Google Voice calls, or browsing the web over your cellular or 3G connection, find a WiFi hot spot or use your home's WiFi network instead. This will keep your data charges down and will improve battery life since your phone won't be searching for a data signal.
Block GPS tracking in apps - If you're using lots of apps that include automatic GPS location and tagging (à la Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), your phone is working overtime to locate you. If you don't need to geotag your posts and updates, keep the GPS off.
Turn your iPhone's "Fetch" and "Push" off - I have my iPhone set to "fetch" my data every 30 minutes and a ton of apps set to push new messages and alerts as they happen. This is great for keeping up with news and messages when I'm at home, but bad for your data and battery. To turn your "fetch" functions off on your iPhone, just go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, and Calendars > Fetch New Data > Manually. You can also turn off your email and calendar "push" from this screen. To turn off app "push" notifications, head to Settings > Notifications, then switch to off.
Shut down apps often - Do you shut down your apps after you're done using them? If not, you're using up lots of battery by allowing those apps to run. To shut down apps after use, double tap on the home button to get to your app drawer. To close open apps, just hold down on one until you see the wiggle, then click on the "X" to shut down.

Google Rolls Out Gmail For iOS

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:20:41 PDT

Google officially announced its Gmail app for the iPhone and iPad this morning. Now, instead of running your Gmail account through the native mail app on your iOS device, you'll have all your folders, labels, and priority inbox at your fingertips. You can upload pics, get threaded conversations, and keep your inbox organized with the ability to archive, label, star messages, and report spam, even search your emails with an improved search function, and see your inbox on a split screen when you're using the iPad.

The design is clean and simple, so get a closer look at some screenshots in the gallery. Tell us - what do you think of the new Gmail app?

Update: Google has pulled the Gmail app from the iTunes App Store, saying that it was pushed with a notification bug. Google is working to fix the problem.

Battery-Saving Tips For Your iPhone 4S

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:11:25 PDT

Over the past week, iPhone 4S owners have been complaining about poor battery life on their new devices. Apple is currently investigating the issue by reaching out to customers for information, but there are a few things you can do to lengthen the life of your iPhone 4S battery (or any cell phone) in the meantime. See our tips for prolonging your iPhone 4S battery life below.

Lower your screen brightness - Just like on your laptop, you can lower the screen brightness on your iPhone to increase battery life. Just head to Settings > Brightness to adjust.
Use WiFi where you can - Instead of downloading apps, making Google Voice calls, or browsing the web over your cellular or 3G connection, find a WiFi hotspot or use your home's WiFi network instead. This will keep your data charges down and will improve battery life since your phone won't be searching for a data signal.
Block GPS tracking in apps - If you're using lots of apps that include automatic GPS location and tagging (a la Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), your phone is working overtime to locate you. If you don't need to geotag your posts and updates, keep the GPS off.
Turn your iPhone's "Fetch" and "Push" off - I have my iPhone set to "fetch" my data every 30 minutes and a ton of apps set to push new messages and alerts as they happen. This is great for keeping up with news and messages when I'm at home, but bad for your data and battery. To turn your "fetch" functions off on your iPhone, just go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, and Calendars > Fetch New Data > Manually. You can also turn off your email and calendar "push" from this screen. To turn off app "push" notifications, head to Settings > Notifications, then switch to off.
Shut down apps often - Do you shut down your apps after you're done using them? If not, you're using up lots of battery by allowing those apps to run. To shut down apps after use, double tap on the home button to get to your app drawer. To close open apps, just hold down on one until you see the wiggle, then click on the "X" to shut down.

Have any tips of your own to keep your iPhone battery juiced up?

ShopStyle Cotton Look Book Challenge Official Rules

Sponsor — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:00:34 PDT

ShopStyle Cotton Look Book Challenge
Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, RHODE ISLAND, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND ALL OVERSEAS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. A POPSUGAR NETWORK REGISTRATION IF REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ENTER THIS PROMOTION. BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE POPSUGAR NETWORK IS FREE. THIS PROMOTION IS NOT SPONSORED OR ADMINISTERED BY COTTON INCORPORATED.

1. Sponsor and Operator. Sponsor and Operator is Sugar Publishing Inc. (owner and publisher of FabSugar & BellaSugar), 111 Sutter Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104.

2. Entry: The ShopStyle Cotton Look Book Challenge promotion (this "Promotion") begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 1, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 31, 2011 (the "Promotion Period"). During the Promotion Period, enter by logging into your profile at shopstyle.com or any PopSugar Network site, then browse cotton on ShopStyle and add your favorite cotton piece(s) to your favorites, using the Look Book Application create your look (including at least 2 cotton or cotton blend apparel or accessory items), enter a title for your look, and check the box for the “Cotton Challenge” group, click Save to enter your look. All entries must comply with the Terms of Use on the ShopStyle website. Multiple entrants may not share the same PopSugar profile or account. Any personal information supplied by an entrant to Sponsor will be subject to Sponsor's Privacy Policy available at http://aboutus.shopstyle.com/Privacy-Policy-7889612. By registering and submitting your entry, you agree that your registration and any other information collected in connection with this Promotion may be used by Sponsor in accordance with its Privacy Policy and may be shared with Sponsor’s affiliated business entities, and that you opt-in to receive email, text messages or other communications from Sponsor. You may subsequently opt-out of the receipt of such email or communications by following the opt-out or unsubscribe instructions in any email or communication from Sponsor, or by contacting Sponsor as provided in the Privacy Policy to opt out. No automatic, programmed, robotic or similar means of entry are permitted. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entries that Sponsor believes in good faith are generated by an automated program or via scripts. All incomplete or non-conforming entries will be disqualified.

3. Eligibility: This Promotion is only open to legal U.S. residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., excluding Rhode Island, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and who are registered members of the PopSugar Network. If you do not have a PopSugar Network profile, you will need to create one at http:// www.onsugar.com/user/register in order to enter this Promotion. Employees of Sugar Publishing Inc., Cotton Incorporated ("Cotton"), and their respective affiliates, officers, distributors, agencies, and prize suppliers, and their immediate family members and persons residing in the same household of such employees are not eligible to enter or win.

4. Odds/ Drawing / Prize Notification: On or about November 2, 2011, Sponsor will select the winning entry in a random drawing held in San Francisco, California. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning a prize. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting the entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. The decisions of Sponsor are final and binding in all matters relating to this Promotion. The winner will be notified by email and/or by private message through the winner’s onsugar.com account. Sponsor reserves the right to determine the method of notification. By entering, entrants give their express permission to be contacted by Sponsor by phone, mail or e-mail. Winner must claim his or her prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. When applicable, the winner (or, if the winner is a minor, the winner's parent or legal guardian) may be required to execute and return to Sponsor within ten (10) business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. Winner may be required to furnish proof of identity, address and birth date in order to receive a prize. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules. All entries become the property of the Sponsor, and will not be returned.
5. Prize. Sponsor will award one (1) prize. Prize is one (1) AMEX $2,000 gift card (Approximate Retail Value: $2,000). Terms and conditions applicable to gift card are established by AMEX. See www.americanexpress.com for details. Purchase will not increase your chances of winning. In no event shall Sponsor be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Rules. No substitutions (including for cash) are permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. All prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians on their behalf. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. Prize is non-transferable.
6. General: An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Promotion if he or she fails to comply with any and all provisions of these Official Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of Sponsor. Participation in the Promotion is at entrant’s own risk. Neither Sponsor nor Cotton shall be liable for 1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the contest entry form, 2) entries and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind, 3) any electronic miscommunications or failures, technical hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate in the Promotion, 4) any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Promotion, or 5) any warranty of fitness or merchantability of any prize or the function or operation thereof, which shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of the prize. Sponsor does not make any, and hereby disclaims any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, your entry constitutes your permission to use your name, photograph, likeness, voice, address (city and state) and testimonials in all media, in perpetuity, in any manner Sponsor deems appropriate for publicity purposes without any further compensation to you. By entering or accepting a prize in the Promotion, winner agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

7. Releases. By entering, entrant agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cotton, and their respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives from any damage, injury, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability (collectively, “Claims”) that may arise from their acceptance, possession and/or use of any prize or their participation in this promotion, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, regardless of whether such Claims, or knowledge of the facts constituting such Claims, exist at the time of entry or arise at any time thereafter. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Contest will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Promotion should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion. In the event of cancellation or suspension, Sponsor shall promptly post a notice on the Promotion entry page to such effect. This Promotion shall be governed by California law. By participating in this Promotion, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Promotion and that venue shall be only in San Francisco, California.

8. Winners’ List. To receive a list of winners after the winner is identified or a copy of these Official Rules (on or before October 31, 2011), send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Prize Fulfillment, Sugar Inc., 111 Sutter Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Vermont residents need not supply a stamp in connection with requests for copies of these Official Rules. Specify winner's list or rules on your request.