GeekSugar

Transform Your iPod Into A Translator With iSpeak

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:07:12 PDT

For all the traveling I do, this should be a product that I never leave home without. Who knew that your iPod can be used as a portable translator? With McGraw-Hill's iSpeak you can download 1,500 audio phrases in French, German, Spanish or French right into your iPod! All you have to do is go to 'artist' and choose the theme you want. Then go to "album" and select the topic within the theme. From there you just select the phrase you want to hear and you will not only hear it but you will see it on your iPod screen! These translating travel buddies are only $13 and are also compatible with the Zune and other mp3 players. If you want other languages, expect Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese editions to launch this summer. Now if only I would have had the Spanish iSpeak and my iPod on me when I got lost in Barcelona!

View 4 Photos ›

7 Tips For Being the Best Gift Giver

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:46:41 PST

Like most things, all you need to know to be an amazing gift giver can be found in the words of 30 Rock's Jack Donaghy. "Gift giving is the purest expression of friendship," he tells Liz Lemon. "I'm going to think about what I know and like about you and that will lead me to the perfect gift. And you do the same."

The problem is we don't always know the people we're buying gifts for as much as we'd like, so I've rounded up some advice that will make you the best gift giver under the tree. After all, competition is what the holidays are all about.
Get the tips below.

iPhone 4S Buying Guide: Pros and Cons, and Who Should Buy

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:40:31 PDT

Still debating whether or not to spring for the new iPhone 4S tomorrow? While it does come with some shiny new hardware (and software) inside, not everyone will benefit from an upgrade. Debate no more - here, the pros and cons of the new smartphone, complete with a verdict on who should buy it and who should skip it.

Pros

New camera - The 8MP camera with simple editing features (crop, rotate, enhance, and red-eye reduction), a backside illumination sensor, and larger aperture (for better low-light and white balance correction) make the iPhone 4S's camera one that competes with regular point-and-shoots. It will also come with face detection and image stabilization and the ability to capture HD 1080p video.
Faster processor - The custom A5 chip in the iPhone 4S is the same one you'll find on the iPad 2, which means the iPhone 4S will be faster in processing speeds, games, and downloads.
More carriers - Since the iPhone 4S is compatible with CDMA and GSM cellular bands, you can use it in more places around the globe. Even on Sprint's network, if you're looking for a change.
Siri integration - Apple's new Assistant feature basically turns the iPhone 4S into a voice recognizing personal assistant. The demo during the keynote was impressive and highlighted some interesting uses for the blind, hands-free texting, and more.
Wireless syncing - Raise the roof for wireless sync! This will be an iOS 5 feature that will be compatible for the iPad and iPod Touch as well, but I couldn't help but mention the fact that you'll soon be able to set up your devices and get updates without connecting your iDevice to a Mac or PC.
Airplay - If you've got an Apple TV, the iPhone 4S will allow you to stream what's playing on your device to your HDTV with Airplay, which is built right into the new iPhone.
Fingerprint resistant - The iPhone 4S has an oleophobic coating on its glass exterior, making it resistant to fingerprints by repelling oils in your fingers.

Read through our iPhone 4S cons, who should buy, and tips for upgrading when you read more.

Away We Go: How to Travel (Better) With Friends

LearnVest — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:15:33 PDT

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

You love your friends, imperfections and all, so the only thing better than a trip to Ibiza might be a trip to Ibiza … with them. After all, group travel affords you freedom to do the activities you want, with zero worries about loneliness: Someone will always be game to ski that double black diamond run or dance the night away at that tiki club.

But while traveling with a group can be fun, it can also be fraught. The little differences that might seem small at first-like extra-long showers or reckless spontaneity-can get blown out of proportion after a few days of being together 24/7. Remember that time you tried to split the hotel bill to account for your BFF’s room service? (“But you totally ate some of my calamari!” “Not $20 worth!”) What a headache.

But you can leave the Advil at home, ladies. With our tips on organizing a successful and stress-free group getaway, you’ll come home with both your friendships and your budget intact.

Know Thyself (And Your Friends)

No two friends travel alike, as one woman’s “high standards” can be another friend’s “being difficult.”

You might enjoy getting a manicure with your diva friend, but think twice about inviting her camping. Likewise, if you don’t enjoy drinking, be wary about inviting the party girl on your getaway. Small differences can blow up when deciding how to spend a whole week together.

So, think strategically when planning your trip: Suggest a weekend in Vegas with your diva girlfriend, plan a camping trip with your high school buddies and save up vacation days for that European getaway with your bilingual best friend.

Read on for more travel tips.

Julius Dance Machine Gets the Party Started Anywhere

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 08:17:03 PDT

March is in like a lion, but sunny days will be here soon, meaning long days spent outside with the family. And what is better than background music to go along with your day at the beach? An iPod speaker station is the perfect solution for keeping tots entertained and setting a fun mood.

I tried out the Julius Dance Machine Speaker Station ($100) that Paul Frank had sent over to see if it could, in fact, get the party started. Made for all iPod devices (although adaptors are not included), it easily mounts your iPod and charges it while playing. The speaker dock comes with an adaptor, but also includes a rechargeable battery, meaning it is made for travel.

Who is this designed for? What I liked about this kid-friendly speaker dock was its ease of use - there's only a few buttons, including the volume buttons, which are on the monkey's ears, and the power button at the top of his head.

What sets it apart? At first, I wondered exactly what would make this simple speaker dock a "dance machine," but I quickly realized why it's a good purchase. Moms and dads can take it along to a picnic or kid's birthday party and get up to six hours of playtime on the rechargeable battery.

What did it sound like? The speaker sound was clear, and the volume reached a loud level. I didn't test it outside, but the sound was more than acceptable for such a small speaker station, even though I was at first concerned that some sound may be distorted since the iPod mounts right in front of the speakers. I can imagine that if you were in a noisy area it may not have the power to project far, but its size and portability make it a great option for an impromptu backyard party or a day at the park.

Would I recommend it? I can see how someone who loves the Paul Frank monkey would go bananas over this speaker dock. It's portable, easy to use, and - aside from the impenetrable plastic packaging it comes in - easy to set up.

Download of the Day: My TSA

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:32:25 PDT

If you plan on taking advantage of cheap Summer airfare deals to get out of town this season, then you better be prepared to stand in long security lines. You can help speed up your own TSA checkpoint experience by properly packing your carry-on bag, but you can also save yourself some time and stress by downloading the free My TSA app for your iPhone or iPod Touch.

This handy app can give you all sorts of information, from what you can and can't take on board (with a keyword search in case you don't see your item listed online); a travelers guide that includes rules, warnings, regulations, and packing tips; a checkpoint estimator, which tells you in real time how long it's taking to make it through security lines at your airport, along with flight delay and weather information.