GeekSugar

Cover Your Phone With Will and Kate Commemorative Cases

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 06:30:13 PDT

ICYMI, the royal wedding is happening this Friday. We're pulling an all-nighter here at Sugar HQ to watch it live (check out our royal wedding live stream guide!). If you, too, have been sucked in by the romance of it all, you can show your support with a Will and Kate Barely There iPhone case from Case-Mate. Choose from one of four different styles for your iPhone 4 or 3GS, and keep track of the royal wedding madness thanks to the variety of different apps available for your iOS-running smartphone. Check out all the styles in the gallery, and hopefully we'll see you online in the wee hours of Friday morning to celebrate the nuptials!

4 Free Alternatives to Siri

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:13:34 PST

Didn't get an iPhone 4S this holiday? Don't worry - there are other voice-recognition apps on the market that can stand up to Siri's voice-controlled awesomeness on your devices. In fact, a few of these apps are available for Android and BlackBerry users as well. Check out some download-worthy and free Siri alternatives below.

Vlingo - Vlingo doesn't just take voice commands to make calls, SMS, emails, search the web, or get directions, it does something Siri can't - interfaces with your Twitter and Facebook accounts to let you update with your voice . . . and it really works, even without workarounds.
Dragon Go - Available for iPhone and iPod Touch owners running iOS 4.0 or later, this app works similarly to Siri in that it will interpret and take commands from your voice. You can ask for directions, to draft an email or SMS, and get show times to upcoming movies in your area by directing you to external websites.
Google - Google Mobile's voice abilities let you find information available on Search. For example, you can search with your voice for movie times, photos, websites, nearby restaurants, and more.
Voice Control - Your iPhone's included voice search isn't as powerful as Siri (or any of these other apps), but it does the trick when making calls, searching music on your phone, and getting the time. It's a good start, anyway.

4 Black Friday Deals That Aren't Really Deals

Emily Co — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:03 PST

As I was scouring through many of the Black Friday ads for the best deals, I noticed that there were no "before" prices cited on the ads. Sure, it's a chance for shoppers to get a good bargain, but retailers need to make money as well. A good number of the deals I looked through weren't exactly what I would call a deal. Here are some things you shouldn't buy at the Black Friday sales.

Kindle

Office Depot, Office Max, Radio Shack, Staples, Target, and Walmart are all selling the latest versions of Kindle. They are the same price as the Kindles sold on Amazon, and Target even charges a higher price for it. And not to mention, you'll be paying sales tax with the purchase of a Kindle at one of these retailers. Don't bother getting a Kindle from these stores; instead, buy yours on Amazon.

Apple products

So far, there doesn't seem to be any good Apple product deals around. Best Buy is selling the Apple TV for $90, which is the same price that Amazon is selling it for online. The two iPhones that they are selling are older generation phones - the iPhone 3GS (Free) and the iPhone 4 ($99) - which you can buy at the AT&T stores. Even the Apple store doesn't usually offer deep discounts for its products during its Black Friday sale.

DSLR Cameras

The DSLR cameras are items you should stay away from when you're rummaging through the stores. In fact, I found that many of the cameras sold have the same price, or have a very minor discount. For example, Best Buy is selling the Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP DLSR camera and camera bundle for $480, while Amazon is selling the same camera for $488 (the price fluctuates; at one point I saw it for $452). You can buy a good camera bag that's worth $15 on Amazon. Although the bundle is a little more expensive when you buy it on Amazon, the price difference is very minor in proportion to the base price. I have a feeling that the price will continue to rise and fall, so keep watching the product listing.

Read on for more nondeals.

Daily Tech: Superhero License Plates Take Australia

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:45:59 PST

DC Comics license plates exist in Australia - The Mary Sue
Disney and YouTube team up to create original web series - Tecca
Don't believe these popular animal myths - Cracked
Siri hacked to work on iPhone 3GS - SlashGear
How to unlock the iPhone's secret panorama camera mode - Dvice

Siri Officially Dead For iPhone 3GS and 4 Users

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:10 PDT

It was fun while it lasted: the voice recognition software known as Siri has been shut down for iPhone 3GS and 4 users, making Siri exclusive to the iPhone 4S. Though the iPhone 4S was seen as somewhat of a disappointment to some who say the improvements just weren't enough, Siri exclusivity may have helped Apple's record-breaking sales figures: over four million 4Ss were sold during the first three days of availability.

Among some of the other iPhone 4S upgrades (like faster dual-core processor and 8MP camera), Siri has been a hot topic on the Internet all weekend, even getting its own Tumblr. More than just entertaining, though, Siri can be put to good use in many ways during your everyday life. Check out some different uses for Siri below.

Forget about computer speak, Siri understands you as you would talk casually and conversationally. Say "Remind me to grab the gift when I get home," or "I'm looking for good Italian food nearby," and Siri responds back promptly. If Siri doesn't quite understand your request, it will question you further until it finds exactly what you are looking for.
If you are driving in the car and can't be distracted with a touchscreen, Siri reads and sends text messages, finds directions, or helps you set or reschedule appointments on your calendar.
Beyond the day-to-day, Siri helps you find apps and answer questions through Yelp and WolframAlpha, a knowledge search engine.
Location software helps Siri know where you live, work, and spend most of your time. Based off of that information, Siri provides you the best options in terms of map routes, restaurants, or other locations.
Siri can quickly call or text your friends. Simply say, "Text Kate I'm almost there" or "Call a cab," and Siri will quickly do so.

To get the most out of Siri, you'll want to make sure you customize your Siri settings. Head to Settings > General > Siri > My Info to populate your personal details.

14 Hot New Cases For the iPhone 4S

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:51:24 PDT

The iPhone 4S is here! If you're waiting in line or impatiently by the door for the delivery guy to show up, you've probably got some time to kill. Maybe you should start thinking about a nice case to keep your brand new iPhone 4S protected. Word to the wise: if you're upgrading from a 3GS, it's a whole new ballgame when it comes to form factor and sensitivity. Protect your new investment accordingly (I'm talking to you, "butterfingers").

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.

4 Reasons to Skip the iPhone 4S

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:41:32 PDT

If newer is always better, why were so many geeks disappointed by yesterday's iPhone 4S announcement? Rumors had been swirling of a fantastic new iPhone 5 for months, so seeing the same ole form factor with a few souped-up parts was a letdown for some. Though there are plenty of reasons to buy the iPhone 4S, here are a few reasons to wait it out for the next version:

No 4G - Still no 4G on the iPhone 4S. This is unfortunate, but you may not have to wait too much longer to get fast download speeds on your iDevice - analysts believe that Apple is waiting for better LTE chips before adding them into the iPhone, which could be as soon as early next year.
No NFC - Mobile payments on the iPhone will have to wait as Apple has excluded NFC (near-field communication) technology on the latest iPhone model. Of course, this won't be a deal breaker for some of you who said you wouldn't use it anyway.
All those leaked case images - We've seen too many leaked "iPhone 5" case images to forget about the wider screen, sleek form, and wider body. I'm betting that the real iPhone 5 is just around the corner.
Other options - Why spend upwards of $199 with a two-year contract when you could spend $99 and get an iPhone 4? Sure, you won't get the 8MP camera and Assistant feature, but it's a really good deal nonetheless. Even better - the 3GS is free!

Are you buying the iPhone 4S?

iPhone Event Live Updates

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:13:38 PDT

Since news of today's iPhone event was made official, we've been anxiously waiting for Apple's unveiling of an updated iPhone.

Here's the latest from the event:

10 Ways to Prep Your Smartphone For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:33:06 PDT

Today's the day gadget geeks are hoping the iPhone 5 is announced, and if you're planning on upgrading to the new device when it hits stores, you can save a few bucks by reselling your old device. Whether you've got an iPhone 3G, 3GS, or 4, here are some tips for making sure your phone is in tip-top reselling shape.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPhone to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPhone after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old iPhone, 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 iPhone 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 iPhone'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.