GeekSugar

Before the Birds and Bees Talk, Have the Telephone Talk

Leta Shy — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:00:31 PDT

The number of kids with cell phones is on the rise; earlier this year a study said that 20 percent of kids aged 6 to 11 have one. That may have some consequences, including the inability to operate a landline! In yesterday's Ask Amy advice column, a middle school secretary wrote in to remind parents to teach their kids how to use that more old-school way of placing a call. The problem? If there's an emergency where cell phone networks are down, or cell phones have no reception, children may not be able to get the help they need. The secretary noted that her school's kids didn't know to pick up the phone receiver, dial one before a long-distance area code, or even to listen for a dial tone. Perhaps most importantly, the children also had not remembered their parents' digits, since they are programmed into their cell phones.

The columnist advised parents to add the "Landline Talk" to the list of chats they need to have with their kids, like the traditional sex, drugs, and predator lessons. Do your kids remember your home or cell phone numbers, and do you teach them how to use a landline?

The Low-Tech World of Jersey Shore

Leta Shy — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:30:03 PDT

They're lovers, fighters, partiers, and coiners of ridiculous terms, but one thing the cast of Jersey Shore definitely isn't is high tech. At least not on the show. As with other MTV reality series like The Real World, the Jersey Shore house is equipped with only one house landline, and the cast members don't use any cell phones or computers during their stay. This has led to a number of made-for-TV moments. Check out my top five favorites from the Miami season after the break.

Do You Have a Landline? One-Quarter of US Households Don't

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:15:01 PDT

You love your cell phone, but do you have a landline? A recent study of over 21,000 households found that one in four households uses only mobile phones - that translates to 52 million adults and 19 million children. Certain expected factors contributed to a household's likelihood of being exclusively mobile. For example, renters are three times more likely than those who own their residences to be mobile-only, and nearly half of 25- to 29-year-olds (the age group with the highest percentage) live in a wireless-only home.

As expected, the least likely age group to be completely wireless is over 65; only 5.2 percent of those surveyed in this group had only a mobile phone. Nearly two years ago, most of you relied solely on your phone, but are you still rocking a landline?

AT&T Wants to Drop Landlines, Not Your Calls

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:30:55 PST

Even though there's been a ton of back and forth between AT&T and Verizon on who has the better cellular network, AT&T isn't letting that stop it from making its next big move: attempting to drop landlines from its service. AT&T filed paperwork with the FCC recently to begin moving all of its service to an IP-based network (or VoIP - like using Skype, only through a home phone), essentially hacking your old telephone jack from the wall.

Personally, I don't see the need for a landline anymore (the only reason I signed up for one was because it got me a cheaper rate on my Internet), and given the fact that only 20 percent of Americans still use landlines (like my grandpa and a family friend who still uses dial-up) I'd say it won't be too tough of a transition. Even grandpa has a cell phone and knows how to use it! Plus, it's pretty costly for AT&T to come out and install the landline in your home alongside Internet and digital TV - would a consolidation of services equal a savings for customers?

What do you think - would you be for an all IP-based and cellular phone network, or would it be too hard for you to give up your trusty landline?

French Fry Phone: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:40:20 PDT

Finally, the Juno hamburger phone has the perfect companion. The French Fry Phone ($20) is unapologetically wacky, not to mention retro (look at it in its corded glory!).

The ideal recipient loves vintage technology, primary colors, and is not afraid of carbs. One question: where's the soda phone?

Would you give this as a gag gift, or plug it into your kitchen outlet?

5 Home Phones Worth Keeping a Landline For

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:05:14 PST

In last year's geeksugar poll, almost 40 percent of you said you'd given up your landline for your cell phone, but the rest of us holdouts see the silver lining: beautiful telephones, with or without cords that make you feel like a glam gal from a bygone era (or at least someone not using up their cell phone minutes). Pretend with me with these retro-glam phones.

High-Heel Phone: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:45:26 PDT

Despite the fact that most of us have ditched our landlines, I can't help but be amused by this High-Heel Phone ($22).

I could make an excuse, like I love it in an ultra-ironic, so bad it's good kind of way, but really it's just that it's totally the kind of "big-girl" thing I would have loved as a kid and I've never really gotten over any of that stuff.

What do you think - retro-cute or '80s in the worst way?

Plus Minus Zero Cordless Phone: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:45:14 PDT

Oh man, I may have to rethink my previous thoughts about doing without a landline. This gorgeous and modern-despite-its-technology Cordless Phone from Japanese company Plus Minus Zero is making me drool in that gorgeous blue.

The phone, coming in at about $298, is too rich for my blood, but man. If I still had that landline hooked up, I know I would if I could. Would you?

Do You Still Have a Landline?

GeekSugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:08:45 PDT

We all know escaping your cell phone contact can be brutal, but cell phones provide some serious (and obvious) benefits. They are portable, relatively inexpensive and most of them offer handy features that make your portable home phone look like a brick. I ditched my landline a long time ago because no one called me on it anymore and I always have my cell with me. Have you pulled the cord yet?
Photos courtesy of ABC

Handy Everyday Gmail Tips and Tricks

GeekSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:01:03 PST

If you've moved to Gmail recently (congratulations!), it's possible that you could get overwhelmed with all of the options, settings, and possibilities at your fingertips. We've got a ton of tips to share, but let's start with a few basic and handy tips that you could use every day. Check them out below!

Make voice calls - You can easily make voice calls in Gmail on the cheap. In the "Chat" section, just click the "Call Phone" button and enter the digits. You'll then be able to make free calls to landlines the US and Canada, and for super cheap you can call cell phones and landlines worldwide.
Search with options - If you haven't discovered the "Show Search Options" link to the right of the Gmail search bar, you're in for a treat. Clicking it reveals a host of helpful options, including the ability to search by sender, date, attachment, subject, and more. It's extremely helpful if you are less than diligent about labeling and filing emails in your inbox.
Use rich text signatures - Tired of those boring text-only signatures or canned responses coming from your Gmail account? Take note: Gmail supports rich text signatures! Add links, colors, images, or formatting to your Gmail account signature, or any other account you've set up to send from Gmail. It's super easy to set up - just head to your settings page, scroll down to the Signature section, and design away!
Use keyboard shortcuts - First, enable keyboard shortcuts in your Settings menu. Then, use these fast and easy keyboard shortcuts to navigate!

See the rest of the list after the break.