GeekSugar

Personalized "i" Gadget Covers: Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:18:11 PDT

I'm into monogramming so I instantly fell for the iPhone iPod Personalized Holder, $9.99. Created by Etsy user JTstitches, the holder is one in a series of personalized gadget holders with machine embroidery of music notes and your "iName." The cases have a velcro closure and are made of black cotton fabric (other colors available).

Asthma Pod: Why This 'Pod' Craze Has Gone Too Far

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:01:33 PDT

We already knew the "i" craze had passed the point of no return, but it looks like "pod" mania may be gaining speed in the race.

Yesterday I learned about the Apod, or Asthma Pod, which is a colorful plastic case that clips around your standard asthma inhaler. They cost about $20 (or £10 because it's a British company) and come in 7 colors. So why am I so bent out of shape? For the most part the devices are cute, brightly hued plastic that will hopefully make asthmatic children everywhere feel better about their illness, however, the name alone makes me worry and wonder about the day the "pod" epidemic will end.

From the Laserpod, "pod" Hotels to EnergyPods for midday napping, there really is no logic to the over usage of the word "pod," which sprang to popularity with the lionization of the iPod. Will three out of five plastic items that are shaped like a bean or iPod be labeled "i-something" or "pod" from here until eternity? Will we wake up one morning and find out "pods" are suddenly as uncool as Walkmans? Most importantly, when will it end?

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How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

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

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

Relive Apple's Early Days With A Retro iPhone Case

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:15:09 PST

When we imagine old technology gadgets, it usually involves rooms full of bland, boxy computers with a fraction of the computing power of today's smartphones. When an Apple enthusiast looks back to the devices of yesterday, it's a trip down memory lane revisiting the industrial design that gave Apple its cult following. Those nostalgic creations are now available as cases for the iPhone 4 with Schreer Delights's line of retro Apple iPhone cases ($45).

The iPhone 4's hypermodern design is beautiful, but your phone is secretly coveting a vintage makeover, as seen in the gallery.

Cool Concept: The Cryoscope Weather Forecaster

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:59:25 PST

I know we're inching closer to a future resembling a Star Trek episode when concept gadgets like this Cryoscope weather cube are dreamed up. The haptic weather forecasting device works by the user touching its exterior aluminum cube to physically feel how the temperature will be outside.

Connected to the Internet, the cube translates web reports of the weather by pumping heat either in or out of the cube. Watch the Cryoscope's creator Robb Godshaw explain the inner workings of this magic weather cube in the video above. Do you think it's too early to add to my Christmas wish list?

6 Strategies to Save More This Year

Kiplinger — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:27:21 PST

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

Saving doesn't come easily for us young adults. Entry-level salaries don't give you a lot to work with. And, well, we also tend to spend what we make - and then some - on the latest gadgets and flashiest fashions.

But don’t worry. We’re not doomed to frivolity and the wreckage it can make of our finances. Here's how you can start saving smart throughout 2012:

Periodically calculate how much you spend. What better time to review your budget than at the start of a New Year? “It’s really hard to [track your spending] each month, so aim for just once or twice a year,” says Jill Boynton, a certified financial planner in Newington, New Hampshire.

Just be sure when you do it that you track everything. Boynton recommends filling out a spreadsheet with a month’s worth of spending. Or you can try an online budgeting tool such as Mint.com (See our slide show: Which Budgeting Site is Best for You?). But note: Mint works best for those who deal mostly in plastic as opposed to cash. When you make an ATM withdrawal, the site labels the transaction as “Cash & ATM.” Unless you diligently manage your cash transactions (you can manually edit Mint’s labels), you can easily lose track of where the money goes.

The drudgery of tracking spending can pay off when you find surprising expenses you could easily cut. At the end of 2011, I crunched my own numbers and found that I shelled out about $200 a month at Starbucks and other restaurants. I’m sure I could cut that by at least half. That’s like finding a $100 bill every month in my back pocket.

Read on for more strategies.

Savvy Links: The 5 Weirdest Office Gadgets You Didn’t Even Know You Wanted

Emily Co — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:13:11 PST

The 5 weirdest office gadgets you didn’t even know you wanted - The Jane Dough
10 smart things to do with $25 - Wise Bread
Your tax refund could be delayed - LearnVest
Unique Valentine's Day gifts under $20 - AllYou
4 ways to turn your iPad into a handy kitchen accessory - Tecca
Use this tool to figure out if you should pay off debt or invest - Real Simple
Changing the work-life balance game - HuffPost Women
6 offbeat IRA investment ideas - Bankrate
The professional implications of a “naturally frowny face” - Corporette

32 Cases to Spice Up Your iPhone's Routine

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:21:00 PST

Your iPhone is glued to your hands, whether during the morning commute, lunch break, or wait at the doctor's office. So let a bit of personality shine alongside its sleek industrial design. Just as you would any other accessory, try swapping the tired basic iPhone case for an updated splash of polka dots or portrait of a favorite comic-book character. It's a fun and rather inexpensive way to make the popular gadget all your own.

Vintage Typewriters Bring Major Style to Decorated Spaces

Elka Karl — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:08 PST

No matter how high tech your life gets, some classic gadgets should always be welcome in your abode. Let's face it - no matter how sleek and pretty an iPad looks, a vintage typewriter or phonograph is always going to qualify better as an interesting decor accessory. Keeping this in mind, I've rounded up some inspiring ideas for decorating with a vintage Underwood or Empire, as well as an excellent resource for finding your own gorgeous vintage typewriter. See how they can be used in any room in your home, as well as at a wedding, when you keep clicking.