GeekSugar

Tech Dating 101: My Embarrassing Video Chat Story

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:47:36 PDT

Major win for technology and dating: iChat with video, Google video chat, and FaceTime. My guy and I both have packed schedules, and between our work and our families on opposite sides of the country, there are some weeks we see more of each other via video chat than we do in person. When we're at home (or at least, away from other people), video chatting is fun. But there are some days when one of us is stuck somewhere (like an airport) for hours, and we need to sneak in some chat time. Convenient, yes. But the embarrassment factor? High.

So in this installment of Tech Dating 101, read my story and share your own after the break

Will There Be Video Chat on the Next iPhone?

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:00:13 PST

Obviously, I was a little surprised at the lack of a camera on the iPad, mostly because it could serve as a great device for video chatting, but I didn't really consider the benefits of that ability on the iPhone. However, there's been some pretty compelling evidence uncovered over the weekend which could suggest that video chat capabilities will be coming stocked with the next iPhone. This means a forward-facing camera would have to be installed before it hits shelves, which is historically released each Summer.

I'm getting pretty excited about this possibility, since iChat is a great way for me to keep in touch with my family, and virtually hang out with my pals when we're far away from each other. If I didn't have to whip out my laptop every time I wanted to see someone's smiling face, it would be even easier! What do you think - are you on board with an iPhone coming with video chatting, or do you see it as a waste of time?

Do You Ever Watch TV Shows With Faraway Friends?

GeekSugar — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:00:00 PST

There are times that I'm so engrossed in my technology-filled life that I forget that not everyone has the same geeky habits and quirks that I have. After reading this article about friends watching TV together in different time zones, I had one of those reactions. Call me an early adopter, but I've been doing this since high school, when my then-boyfriend and I used to watch Dawson's Creek together on the phone.

But, like so many other things, technology makes co-watching TV shows even easier, thanks to DVRs and services like Hulu, which allow you easily to watch the same show with a friend from virtually any two locations. Then, add services like Skype, which allow you to talk to friends in real time while you're watching. Not to mention there's no danger of someone else in your house complaining that you're hogging the phone line during your favorite show (or picking it up every five minutes until you promise to hang up).

I love doing this with friends who don't live in my city. Usually, my friends on the East Coast will DVR a show and watch with me when it's live in PST here in California. We'll iChat - sometimes with video, sometimes without - and talk as the show progresses. It's an easy (and fun!) way to feel in touch even when there are thousands of miles between us. Do you ever do this?

Cheap Ways to Chat With Mom on Sunday

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:00:44 PDT

Sometimes the best things in life are free, so if you won't be able to see your mom this Mother's Day, why not surprise her with a phone call or video chat session? Even if you can't be with her, she'll still be able to hear your voice and see your smiling face. And just think, you won't be spending a small fortune on a gift she'll never use anyway!

Source

Geek Tip: Download Chax to Improve iChat

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:36:26 PST

Spend all day on iChat like me? You're bound to be annoyed by some things that it does, like making you accept every chat invitation or file transfer from your contacts.

Solving your problems is Chax, a free Mac download that rights all those wrongs. After downloading it, check your preferences and you'll see a whole new list to enable or disable to your liking, like the two instances I mentioned above.

Twilight's Carlisle Cullen Is a Mac Who Uses "The iChat"

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:00:00 PST

Carlisle Cullen - that's the actor Peter Facinelli for all you non-Twilighters - told Us Weekly at the movie's premiere, how hard it was to be away from his family in L.A. while filming Twilight, and what he had to say pleased me greatly.

"I have a Mac computer, and we do the iChat, so sometimes I can eat dinner with my family," he says.

Exhibit A: He's a Mac (like our Bella) and Exhibit B: He calls it "the iChat."

That's it, he is not allowed to be more adorable. I might explode.

Source

Do You Video Chat With Distant Relatives?

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:00:54 PST

I'm lucky enough to live in the same city as my parents and in-laws, but some of the moms at Sugar HQ live thousands of miles away from their tots' grandparents. To break the distance barrier, they use the web cams in their computers to iChat with their parents on a regular basis. They say the online video conversations allow their children to keep up their relationships with their grandparents and satisfy the grandparents' desires to see their loved ones on a more frequent than possible basis.

According to an article in The New York Times, there has been a 20 percent growth in video calling over the last year and that number is only expected to grow as more computers contain built-in web cams.

Do you keep in touch with family members via a web cam?

Abigail Breslin's iPod Touch Is Lost But Not Found in NYC

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:30:01 PDT

The not a girl, but not yet a woman Abigail Breslin - who is eternally seven in my mind - made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last Thursday and had some sad news - she lost her iPod Touch the other day in NYC. Here's what she had to say about the ordeal. . .

And to watch a video of Abigail discussing her love for her computer and video chat

Geek Tip: Work Together With Screen Sharing

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:05:53 PDT

The first time I used iChat's Screen Sharing feature was to help my mom figure out how to attach a photo in an email. Apparently, this whole technology thing still keeps my parents entertained, 'cause they told all of their friends what went down the next day. Since then, I've used screen share to collaborate on stories, photos, and of course, help my parents figure out how to spin up their www, aka, check their emails.

A sweet little feature from OS X Leopard, is screen-sharing capabilities, which are just a click away in your system preferences (under sharing). They'll allow you and the other user to share a screen, while letting you both participate. In the past, if someone "shared" your screen, you wouldn't be able to click around on your own. But Screen Sharing not only lets you iChat, but share ideas at the same time.

It comes in pretty handy on those times when you and a co-worker need to flesh out a design, approve photos, or even troubleshoot, but aren't in the same office. I know I get good use out of it with my family alone! Just call me Geek, IT Specialist!

Kyra Sedgwick Tech Talks With Conan

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:00:50 PDT

Just like Justin Timberlake who said he uses iChat to stay connected while on the road, Kyra Sedgwick also confessed her love for iChat on Conan O'Brien recently. When asked how she keeps in touch with her husband in NYC while in LA she said that she prefers iChat over using the phone-"Lets just say I'm really grateful for Steven Jobs, he's kept my marriage together." She also mentions how she hasn't mastered the art of text messaging, thinking that 'lol' meant lots of love instead of laugh out loud-too cute! Check out the video below!