GeekSugar

Santa's Techie Friends: 10 Christmas Apps For Techie Tots

Nicole Abbott — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:17:08 PST

With less than a month to go before Christmas day, we know tots are all about the holidays! From interactive storybooks to educational holiday games and puzzles, check out these 10 Christmas apps for your iPhone and iPad - and let your kiddos get jolly with technology!

Do You Let Kids Play With Your Gadgets?

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:30:05 PDT

Apparently, smartphones and iPads are becoming the new babysitters! Used to be that you'd plop your kid down in front of the TV to get some chores done around the house, but now, moms and dads are using today's tech to keep their kiddies occupied at home and on the go. There's plenty of kid-friendly apps available to entertain and teach your kids while you're otherwise unavailable, and maybe it's because I'm not a mom that I get a knee-jerk reaction to this idea. Really? You're letting your 3-year-old play with your $500 iPad? To me, that's crazy talk.

On the other hand, it's a good idea to get the little ones acquainted with tech as early as possible, since it's a sound prediction that kids will be working even closer with computers than we are today. Maybe it's the cheapskate in me that wants to keep little hands far, far away from my expensive tech toys. What about you - do you let kids play with your gadgets?

Source: Flickr user aperturismo

GrooveToons: Surprisingly Normal Alarm Clock For Nano

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:00:19 PDT

It always seems like wacky alarm clocks are a dime a dozen, but I like the GrooveToons alarm clock for nano because it offers a playful package and alarmingly normal function. It doesn't roll off the nightstand like the Clocky or emit a glowing light, it just connects to your iPod nano and wakes you up to your favorite tunes or playlists.

The device, $50, features the usual snooze button and adjustable volume, and offers the bonus of overnight iPod charging. I still can't quite figure out what the little "eyeballs" at the top are, but I suppose they just add to the fun factor?

View 5 Photos ›

Geek We Love: The Father of the MP3 Player Market

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:11:05 PDT

Although Kane Kramer developed the first MP3 player in the 1970s, it wasn't until 20 years later that MP3 players hit the consumer market. For that we have Nathan Schulhof to thank. In the early 1990s, he envisioned a "portable device [that] would allow the selection, retrieval, storage, and playback of audio content delivered to the device via the Internet."

The founder and CEO of Audio Highway, Schulhof has been dubbed the "father of the MP3 player industry" for creating, patenting, and introducing the Audio Highway Listen Up MP3 Player in 1996. The first of its kind to be introduced to the public, the Listen Up Player had a retail value of $299 and held up to 60 minutes of digital audio files. To give you some perspective, today an iPod Classic ($250) stores up to 40,000 songs.

Even though the player was not mass-produced (only 25 devices were made), it still received a lot of buzz and recognition in the tech world. The player won an Innovations Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1997 as well as a People's Choice Award at the second annual Internet Showcase Conference in 1998.

See how Schulhof feels about Apple's success.

6 Apps Worth Downloading Now

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:04:50 PDT

I love a good app for my kids as much as the next mom, but finding a decent one can be worse than a searching for a needle in a haystack. Nobody wants to pay good money for an app that's just going to sit on their iPad while the kids go back to playing Angry Birds. That's why I am excited about six of the apps nominated for Webby awards this year. Of the multitude of apps honored with nominations, seven are designed specifically for kids, and trust me, they are sure to hold your tots' interest much longer than any "try to throw the trash into the trash can" game. Check them out!

Sugar Shout Out: 10-Minute Workout For Tank Top Arms

Kimberly Timlick — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:55:12 PDT

5 Great Tech Finds For Moms and Kids at CES 2012

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:47:38 PST

If you thought the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week was about products for geeks, you were right - geeky moms, that is! The integration of technology and parenting is more exciting than ever before as programmers and engineers are setting their sights on moms who can't put down their smartphones. From wireless video baby monitors that you can view on your phone to plush animals that turn your iPhone into a toy, here are some of the newest tech products for moms and kids!

5 Books For Tiny Geek Readers

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:36:19 PDT

While we'd never forgo classic fairy tales and Dr. Seuss riddles, we think a modern kid needs to be brought up with the right mix of mental stimulation. A proper diet of daily computer programming lessons, alien language tutorials, and the ins and outs of life with the leader of the Death Star is necessary for raising a well-rounded geek. Help your little one get ahead with one of these nerdy literary selections.

6 Tax Breaks For Science and Technology Enthusiasts

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:26:42 PDT

The tax man is sneaking up; with this year's deadline to file income taxes on Tuesday, April 17, don't spare one second to get your finances in order. If you're in fear of owing money, there may be some deductions you never realized were available just by being your science- and tech-savvy self! Check to see if you qualify for any of the six possible tax breaks below, and include them when you file your taxes.

Science museum memberships - As a member of a museum, a portion of your membership contribution dollars should be tax deductible. Check with the museum staff to see how much the membership donations can be claimed with Uncle Sam.
Science education - If you're currently in school there are major tax breaks to be had to offset college costs. There is some upside to cramming all night for the biochem final after all.
Buy a raffle ticket to space in support of charity - As io9 explains, you can buy a raffle ticket for a suborbital ride with Trans Lunar Research, which is a tax-exempt nonprofit. If you don't win, that gamble can be written off as a charitable contribution; if you do win, the value of the journey would need to be reported to the IRS as income.
Computer costs - Had to buy a computer for use in your everyday work life? If that computer is a requirement of your company, then its value can be added to your list of tax deductions.
Science or technology magazines - In any career you'll want to stay up to date with the happenings of your field, and IRS-approved tax deductions on relevant magazines in your industry make it that much easier to do so. Lucky you for getting to keep up with the world of science in and out of the office!
Volunteering at your child's science fair - Just kidding, as far as we know taking an interest in your kid's school science programs won't affect Tax Day, but just having a child will earn you a tax credit.

Source: Flickr User 401K

The Best Retro Bike Accessories For Kids

LilSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:02:36 PDT

Spring is officially in the air, and weekends likely mean getting outdoors more, taking trips to the park, and of course, riding bikes. Add a little pizazz to your kids' two-wheelers this season with some of the best bike accessories on the market, and remind them, it doesn't have to be high-tech to be exciting!