GeekSugar

Daily Tech: Google Calendar Gets Hiding and Snooze Features

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:15:52 -0700

Google Calendar has just implemented a handy snooze button for notifications you want to disappear momentarily - Lifehacker
Check out an in-depth review of the Apple iMac - Gizmodo
Carve your very own 3D pumpkin using a game called Pumpkin Chop on Xbox Live Indie Games - Kotaku
A database marketing firm says that Facebook accounts for 25 percent of US online pageviews - The Silicon Alley Insider
A university in Australia has introduced a mandatory Twitter course for its journalism students - Switched
Wal-Mart is expected to roll out tech-support services by the beginning of the holidays - CrunchGear

A Place For Everything and Everything in Its Place: BackPack

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:25:49 -0700

OK, so I know aesthetics aren't everything, but even though I bought myself a nice-looking external hard drive to back up all my data, sometimes I just want to find a safe place to keep it out of the way and off my clean desk. If this sounds familiar to you, and you have an iMac or a cinema display, listen up: the BackPack is here to save you.

The BackPack attaches to the backside of your iMac's stand, and is height adjustable, so you can secure two or maybe even three shelves on the back of your machine. Store your external, your phone or iPod while they charge, or even a USB hub for more plug-in ports. And don't worry about scratches - there's no drilling or screws involved. I'm all about saving and utilizing space to the max, and for $30 bucks, you know I've got this on this year's back-to-school list.

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Daily Tech: Amazon Announces Kindle App For the iPhone

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:03:41 -0800

I'm loving the fact that Amazon has just launched a free Kindle application for the iPhone or iPod Touch. - MobileCrunch
Eric Schmidt, Google's CEO, recently bashed Twitter at a Morgan Stanley technology conference, saying it was a "poor man's email system." - Valleywag
Check out an unboxing of a brand new iMac. - Engadget
A recent survey showed that 97 percent of Germans aged 19 to 20 would rather keep their cell phones over their partners. - Switched
Comcast is currently testing out a WiFi service at about 120 New Jersey Transit rail stations. - CNET

Daily Tech: Apple's 24-Inch iMac Is Now on Sale For $1,499

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:01:42 -0800

Apple's website was down for a few hours this morning and when back up, showed off some great deals. The 24-inch iMac is now only $1,499 and comes with double the RAM and hard drive. - Gizmodo
PadMapper is a cool new site that uses maps to show off Craigslist rental properties. - MakeUseOf
The 65,000-square-foot roof of Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ, has been covered in solar panels and is now capable of producing 412 kilowatts of electricity. - Forecast Earth
Eye-Fi's new Explore Video ($99) and Share Video ($79) cards make it easy to upload video content wirelessly. They will start shipping by the end of the month. - Engadget
Check out a video demo of Amazon Video On Demand on the Roku box. - CrunchGear

iMac Supply Diminishes, New Models on the Way?

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:00:28 -0800

Here's an interesting rumor that I hope comes true. Apple stores across the country are expecting limited quantities of 24-inch iMacs, which means that a new model could be debuting soon. The upgrade will most likely include new dual-core or quad-pro processors. Stay tuned for more updates.

Oh and if you're wondering about the status of those beautiful 17-inch MacBook Pros, they are now being shipped out to customers.

Inside Scoop: Apple to Unveil New iMacs Next Week!

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:15:04 -0700

Our Apple tipsters haven't let us down before, so we know that this hot-off-the press news is likely fact and not fiction. Stay tuned, because next week (most likely Tuesday) Apple will be introducing new iMacs to their product line-up! The new and improved iMacs are said to be at the same price point as the current models and will probably receive a speed bump as well as a hard-drive increase. Yay! It's about time!

iMac Concept Video Spreads Holiday Cheer

GeekSugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:10:48 -0800

Reminiscent of Hollywood Squares, this light animated concept commercial was created by Mark Richardson of Ragus Media. The video showcases thirty iMacs getting festive to some holiday tunes-quite impressive for us Mac geeks! According to Gizmodo, Richardson added in the light effects with Maxwell Render (a light simulator), which allowed for manipulation in real time on the production system, a quad core Mac Pro. Watch and be amazed, it's the perfect Christmas treat!

ChroMac Sculpted Aluminum For iMac's

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:00:52 -0700

It's not everyday I come across fun customization accessories for desktops, but rest assured they do exist. Just like these colorful iMac covers by ChroMac which wrap around the outside of your white iMac. These metal-plated cases are available in 11 different color coatings including 24k gold, platinum, chrome, and lime green and cost around $500 each. Wondering why so expensive? Each cover is said to contain high end finishes and materials commonly found in Gulfstream jets and luxury cars and are designed by top metalworkers and custom craftsmen. via technabob

Apple Takes Down "You Can't Be Too Thin" iMac Ad

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:31:48 -0700

Apparently I wasn't the only person bothered by the online ad for Apple's new iMac that read: "The new iMac. You can't be too thin. Or too powerful."

After some scolding by the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, who asked Apple to rethink the campaign, Apple has taken down the ads, which now just read "The all new, all-in-one iMac." Prior to the edit, the Alliance sent out a strongly worded press release noting that one can be too thin:

"What kind of message is Apple sending our youth with an ad campaign of this nature?" The truth is one CAN be too thin. According to the American Psychological Association, in the United States alone 7 -10 million individuals are struggling with eating disorders. Of that 10 to 20 percent of them will not survive their struggle. Eating disorders not only have extreme physical and mental repercussions - including the highest mortality rate among all psychological disorders but they also act as a barrier for personal growth, achievement, education, and success. We live in a society in which Messages from the media are influential and they do make a difference.

The release goes on to quote the Executive Director of The Alliance, who notes she's also a recovering anorexic and exercise bulimic. read more

"I must say that I find the new IMAC campaign troubling and extremely triggering," said Johanna Kandel. "Apple's revamping of the Duchess of Windsor's adage draws a direct connection between being thin and being powerful. While this concept may work well from a technological perspective, it can become deadly in the eyes of an individual that is genetically predisposed to developing an eating disorder."

I'm honestly a little surprised Apple made the edit, and even more surprised that the tagline was approved by what must be a near endless board of marketing and ad consultants. What do you think, did Apple make the right choice?

Source

Apple Ads: How Far Have They Come?

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:00:11 -0700

A scan of an Apple-1 print ad from July 1976 popped up on the internet last week causing us to take a little trip down memory lane. The ad (seen at right or via link below) even features a painfully obvious typo in the opening line. "The APPLE-I System if (sic) a fully assembled, tested & burned-in microprocessor board using the 6502 microprocessor." While I couldn't find another Apple print ad to compare it to, I did find the iMac online ads for a little perspective.

While the Apple-1 ad is a tad messy and decidedly low tech, the new iMac ads haven't won any points with me either. read more

Sure, the new iMacs are all snazzy and take inspiration from the iPhone, and yes, they are thin, but am I the only person on the planet who is rather troubled by the accompanying slogan: "You can't be too thin. Or too powerful"? I know ads are all about hyperbole, but does saying "You can't be too thin" play into America's already troubled body images? I'll take low tech ad campaigns over that any day.

Check out a larger scan of the Apple-1 ad on Boing Boing.