GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Shop the Google Store For Google-Branded Swag

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:30:39 PDT

Who knew? Google has been hiding an online store full of Google-stamped accessories and I, the online shopping maven, didn't even realize.

Some stuff makes perfect sense - mugs, cell phone holders, mouse pads, but other stuff is more curious (lava lamps? Huh?). It's more novelty store full of the Google label than anything, but I appreciate it just the same.

I'll probably pick out a few things for myself, so I'll think of them every time I stock up.

The Wannabe Google Store

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:00:50 PST

We all know that the popularity of Google spans world-wide, but why would someone take their obsession to the next level and actually use the Google logo on their storefront exterior? The folks at Engadget outed this textile shop, which is situated in Istanbul Turkey, and is not affiliated with Google whatsoever. It does not sell anything Google related. So what's up with it? Does the store owner honestly think that passersbys will fall for this marketing hoax? I'm sure there will be a Google store someday, which will probably look more like a pimped out Apple store than a tiny hole-in-the-wall boutique. What do you think?

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.

5 Facts on Google's New Privacy Policy

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:35:35 PST

In a policy revision announced this week, Google will be instituting one blanket privacy policy across their many web products with the reasoning that they're building a streamlined user experience. The data from your activity and habits on one Google-owned site will be stored in their servers and shared across all their sites. The legal speak details for Google's new Terms of Service are available on their website, but we've broken down what you need to know and how the changes affect your digital life below.

When logged into any Google product account, the personal information provided will be shared among all of Google's products. Searches and text provided in Google Search may pop back up in YouTube as recommended videos or Gmail as targeted ads.
Those ads across Google services will be more finely targeted than ever, thanks to your activity across the company's network of products, after all the servers see your most visited websites on Chrome and your recurring destinations on Maps. If personalized ads aren't for you, the function can be turned off with the Ads Preference Manager.
Google says your data privacy is secure. They will not sell your personal information or share it without permission, unless with a valid court order.
Google social search elements are still happening. When applicable, Google+ personal results will continue to appear in a search query, with the thinking that a friend's recommendation or recent article share on the social network ties closer to what you're scouring the Internet for.
The Google products policy change goes into effect March 1.

Tell us your feelings on the Internet giant's changes in the comments and watch Google's video explanation of the new policy after the break.

Acer Rolls Out Its Own Cloud Storage and Transfer Service: AcerCloud

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:15:16 PST

Cloud storage comes in handy when you want to access photos, video, and documents away from home. While there are lots of options when it comes to storing your goods in the cloud, Acer is planning to take on the iClouds and Google Docs of the world with its new cloud storage platform called AcerCloud.

Providing a secure and personal connection, AcerCloud connects all of your devices - from mobile phones to desktop PCs - allowing you to see your pics, vids, and Office documents (including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) from anywhere. This free service works with Windows PCs and Android devices starting in Q2 of this year (Windows Mobile compatibility expected in Q4).

In order to access documents and media on the go, you'll first need to download the three AcerCloud apps - Clear.fi Photo, Clear.fi Media, and AcerCloud Docs - on your Android device. From there, you'll have a secure connection between your mobile device and your home PCs or laptops, even if your home computer is asleep or turned off. AcerCloud cashes your media and documents, so you'll always have access. Bonus: if you make changes to any docs from one device, the results are almost immediately available to view on your other devices. Snap a pic from your phone, and you'll instantly see it on your home computer; sorta like Eye-Fi, but with a longer leash.

AcerCloud is free for all Acer customers and is expected to go live in North America and China in Q2, with worldwide availability in Q4.

Lose Weight and Get Fit With Your Phone

Health — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:14:36 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

A sleeker, stronger body could be just a tweet or a Facebook post away
By Jamie Beckman

One of the best tools for peeling off pounds is already in your bag: It's your smartphone or iPad. In fact, all that texting, tweeting, and posting - the average woman spends more than 80 minutes a day on her phone, according to a recent report from the mobile apps analytics firm Flurry - can tip the scales in your favor.

And one in three of us are already using social sites like Facebook to get slender, reports research from the University of Arizona. So go ahead and steal these suggestions from women who took their shape-up viral.

Tweet Your Way Thin
Nancy Tessier, 50, lost 28 pounds by posting all her meals and snacks to Tweet What You Eat (@twye), an online food journal that lets others eyeball your noshes. "Sometimes it was a lot easier to decide not to eat something than to have to tweet it for the world to see," she says.

Posting your weight-loss numbers can help, too. The University of Arizona research suggests that women who reveal shape-up victories on a weekly basis trim down faster than those who update less frequently. If you're feeling shy, think up a Twitter handle and upload a cartoon character as your avatar so you can share the skinny without feeling self-conscious.

Health.com: Diet Tricks the Pros Tell Their Friends

Gain a Following
Get some virtual support pronto by following Twitter hash tags like #fitblog. Carla Shorts, 27, started chiming in on #fitblog's weekly live chats - and dropped from a size 12 to a size 6 in just a year. "When my weight loss reached a plateau, having women point out that my 30-minute elliptical routine wasn't going to cut it anymore was key," she says. "I started running and began to lose again."

You can also start your own hashtag, like Sherry Pagoto, 38, from Massachusetts, did with #plankaday, a challenge to spend at least a minute in plank pose each day.

Find more ways your phone can help you lose weight after the break.

25 Easy Organizing Changes You Can Make Today

Wise Bread — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

I have a bad tendency to let things - paperwork, tasks, laundry - pile up. That's why I'm often not as organized as I should be. By the time I go to put things away, I feel like I'm dealing with clutter so powerful it could defeat Godzilla (I've already started on the screenplay for Godzilla vs. That Pile of Stuff I Still Haven't Put Away Since Moving).

Thus, I am a huge proponent of making little steps towards organization. Below are 25 ways to organize your home, your finances, and your life that are quick and easy enough to attempt today. Seriously, start making a dent in your disorganization before it turns into a movie-worthy monster.

Organize Your Stuff

From the fridge to the filing cabinet, here are some ideas for organizing your things.

1. Identify What You Want to Organize

Yes, I am telling you to organize your organizing. Make a specific list of what you want to organize - the bookshelf? Your closet? Your drawers? If you have time, start to formulate a plan. Now, when you have a couple of hours over the weekend, you're ready to attack.

2. Buy Masking Tape and a Marker

Masking tape is a great way to create temporary labels for everything from storage containers in the basement to Tupperware in the freezer. Buy a roll of masking tape and a Sharpie, and always keep them in the same place.

3. Buy Containers and Dividers

If you're planning an organizing project, buy any containers or other organizing tools you need now. Just as with making the list, you're now totally ready to tackle the project when you have a moment.

Read on for more organizing tips.

Download of the Day: Google Shopper

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:33:36 PST

When you're doing the right-before-the-holidays gift scramble, you've got no time to lose wading through crowds looking for the best bargain. Vanquish hours of time spent on the phone calling shops searching for one item. Google's here to save the day and your sanity with the Google Shopper app that identifies local stores with the products you've been searching for.

Free for both Android and iOS devices, use the Google Shopper app to scan product barcodes to look for competitive prices and availability near your location. Or, if you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, use the keyword search to compare the shopping selection of both online and local retailers.

As an added bonus for Android users, hop on over to the latest version of Google Maps for floor-by-floor guides to select department stores. Shop now with a purpose and in the right direction!

Daily Tech: Typing in Color

GeekSugar — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:45:43 PST

Painter replaces typewriter keys for a functional chromatic, manual painting machine - Geekosystem
Do these pop culture visionaries get too much credit? - Cracked
Forget voice control - on to sight-controlled gadgets - Tecca
Performance theaters add "tweet seats" so guests can live tweet a show - Newser
Take a look at Samsung's vision for a transparent, flexible tablet - SlashGear
Google opens the first Android store in Melbourne, Australia - Dvice

Is a Google Music Store in Our Future?

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:27:57 PDT

When streaming music online isn't enough - we're not always connected to WiFi after all - which services do you use to download songs? iTunes and Amazon are popular choices, and now Google is looking to jump into the world of MP3 sales later this year.

Likely connected with Google's Music Beta, the cloud service that lets users access their music library across multiple devices, the Google music store is reportedly still in negotiations with record labels for access to their song catalogs. Google's possible attempt to catch up with the industry's content providers may be directly related to Apple's Fall launch of iCloud, also a service that will let users sync and access their music collection from any iOS device.

If Google does unveil a music store, will you buy songs from it? Or are you happy with your current downloading options?