GeekSugar

Ikea's Affordable Cable Storing and Gadget Charging Solutions

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:43:17 -0800

In a world of expensive charging stations, it's a relief that a geek on a budget can head to Ikea to pick up a simple $3 charging dock that will do the job it was meant to preform: hold your gadgets while they're juicing up. Additionally, for all you cable-hiding freaks out there (yours truly, included) Ikea also offers simple and cheap solutions for any cable management nightmare. All of these products are $10 or less, so I know you can scrounge up the scrilla to get organized. Check them out here!

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Ikea Customers Outraged About Font Change

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

My favorite Swedish furniture retail chain Ikea (did you pick up your back to school items?) has just changed its well known futura font to verdana. But why the sudden typeface change? An Ikea spokeswoman said that the change allows Ikea to use the same font in all countries and with many alphabets therefore making it "more efficient and cost-effective." With customers noticing the change in the new 2010 catalog, thousands took to Twitter to air their frustrations with many saying that they feel betrayed because Ikea is emulating other big box corporations which have ugly, basic fonts.

To keep reading, and to see the font differences closer up, just read more.

What's interesting to note is that Verdana was never intended to be used in print, as Microsoft created it as an easily readable font for the web. What do you think? Do you think Ikea's integrity as a design company is being questioned with this new font change? Do you like the change? Personally, Ikea in Verdana is going to take some getting used to - Futura just suits Ikea and its style. Oh, and if you want to check out the 2010 catalog, you can access it in its entirety online here.

Ikea's Back to School Laptop Solutions

GeekSugar — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:06:02 -0700

OK, I'll admit it, for someone who isn't even going back to school, I may be getting a little too obsessed with covering back to school products. But overall, I think it's safe to say I have a laptop obsession in general. . . one can never have enough laptop accessories in my book! My favorite Swedish furniture retailer has spoiled me with two new things this week: a SwedeShop iPhone app and a Dave laptop stand. . . in red! See what else Ikea has cooking for this coming school year.

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Ikea Shopping to Be Changed Forever by an iPhone App

GeekSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:50:40 -0700

Ikea shopping is an experience unto itself; there's the imagining of oneself in the room setups; those amazing meatballs; and of course, tracking your projected purchases via a list and golf pencil.

As Ikea as penciling in the word Malm with its aisle and bin location is, there's a new iPhone app that replaces the old technique. SwedeShop is a virtual shopping list custom built for Ikea, and does a lot for the 99 cents it costs. Record the item you want to buy at the end and its location, then at the end, the app sorts the warehouse locations so you can map out an easy route to your goods.

Also, if you're tempted to spend more than you meant to (those pretty napkins and Scandinavian kitchen gadgets add up), SwedeShop also offers a budgeting feature, and will let you know if the stuff you've recorded has tipped over your set budget.

First Ikea Mobile, now this? Nice geeky work, Sweden!

Maximize Your Dorm Room Space With a Laptop Shelf

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:47:55 -0700

There's no fighting it - back to school time is here. I've already shown you ways to stylishly carry your laptop, ways to make your studying environment more ergonomic, and which gadgets to toss in your new Fall bag, so here's a simple and cheap way to keep your dorm nice and neat.

From Ikea (one of my favorite places to shop, by the way), this PS Laptop Workstation ($60) allows you to get your term paper written without having to use your bed as a work station, and keeps all your desk essentials in one compact space. Plus, you can keep prying eyes away with the included lock, and since it's off the ground (attaching securely to your wall), you'll free up more floor space for that ever-important mini fridge.

Make Your Fourth of July Geeky and Eco Friendly!

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:04:23 -0700

I'm counting the minutes until the grill gets fired up for my family's annual Fourth of July barbecue! Grilling is one of my favorite pastimes, especially since I'm an apartment dweller, but as I discovered earlier this year, that doesn't have to stop me from enjoying a nicely grilled meal. If you're having a celebration this weekend and don't have a patio to park a barbecue, no worries - the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill is here to save you. I know I've mentioned this item before, but it's totally worthy of another spot here. Plus, when used with the Digital Barbeque Thermometer, you'll have perfectly cooked steaks every time.

However, if you will be outdoors this weekend, try to connect with nature and go solar. Not only do Ikea and Amazon have plenty of stylish solar powered hanging and yard lights to keep you partying into the night, but if you invest in a Solio, you can power tunes from your iPod or MP3 player all day long via your eco-friendly DIY Cardboard Speakers.

Turn Inexpensive Furniture Into All-In-One Charging Stations

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:04:05 -0700

I bought this Ikea Aneboda ($40) bedside table over the weekend, and am drafting up plans to turn it into an all-in-one charging station.

I realized after searching and scouring the Internet to track down the best charging station possible, that it probably wouldn't hold everything I wanted to charge, and the ones that might were way out of my price range. I don't see anything that could hold my laptop anyway.

I don't have my plans finished quite yet, but it seems simple to do. Just drill a few round holes in the shelves to allow for cords, one in the back of the pull out drawer for the power strip, and voila! All the cords and plugs will be in the drawer, while I can stream up cords to charge my laptop, cell phone, iPod, camera, DS, and whatever else I can think of to plug in!

Plus, with a new paint job, this charging station isn't just DIY, but it will fit in nicely with the rest of my decor. Have you DIY'd your own charging station?

Must Haves For April

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:46:59 -0700

Happy April Fools' Day! April is definitely a month that's bursting with exciting and new games, gadgets and accessories. One of the hottest new cell phones, cameras, and video games is featured in this month's lineup of Must Haves. So if you're looking for something to add to your tech toy collection, you've come to the right place.

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Higher Priced and Hotter or Cheaper and Chicer?

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:06:48 -0700

The $25 Dave laptop table from Ikea still holds a special place in my heart - as well as a special place in both my bedroom and living room (tee-hee). But look out Mr. Dave, there's a sexier laptop stand in town and he's popping up at Target stores across the country. Unlike the Dave laptop table, the Ergonomic laptop desk from Target is made of metal in a laminate walnut finish, which you'll pay for with the table costing $50. The wood version would definitely look a lot nicer in my living room, but for now, I just can't justify the upgrade.

Ikea Goes Solar For Summer

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:06:18 -0800

Geek is certainly going to be chic this Summer, thanks to Ikea's new lineup of snazzy solar-powered lights.

Perfect for warm Summer nights, backyard parties, and dinners under the stars, Ikea's mix of solar-operated lanterns, lamps, globes, glow sticks, and decorative hanging lights are sure to light up any outdoor space.

The way these lights work is each LED light stores the sun's power in replaceable and rechargeable batteries, so you don't have to worry about cords or access to power outlets. You can view each light on Ikea's site right now, but unfortunately you can't purchase them as of yet. Keep checking back in the next couple of weeks.