GeekSugar

New App Lets You See the World in a Whole New Way

GeekSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:33:23 -0700

Obviously, I'm all about apps. Apps that help me take better photos, look better, and even find a cab in New York (it's possible). So if I had an app that turned my phone into a virtual Looking Glass - that let me see anything from apartments for rent to how high a building is just by holding up my phone to the horizon - I'd be all over it. I'm sure you will share my enthusiasm when I tell you that this type of technology is totally within our reach with an app called Layar.

Layar allows you to see things like apartment rentals, ratings on restaurants, available jobs, and where you can go to get medical care within your preferred provider network, all just by holding up your phone in video mode. Points of interest pop up as you scroll from building to building. Really, it's kinda hard to explain this "augmented reality," so I will allow the video demo to take care of that.

To see more about how this groundbreaking new app works, just read more.

I'd Take My "Looking Glass" With Me Everywhere

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:29 -0700

I have come to realize how handy it is to have an iPhone attached to my hip at all times. Because of its fast Internet and cool apps, I can find almost anything, anytime, anywhere. But realistically, as awesome as it is, my iPhone can't tell me absolutely everything. It certainly can't show me how to get to my three o'clock meeting via a 3D-floor plan, scan objects for fingerprints, and wirelessly transfer photos from my computer.

But if this picture into the future above is any indication, we might be able to learn things we never have before with something called a "Looking Glass" – similar to the "Magical Windows" discussed months ago – which seems to be a mobile computer complete with a camera, scanner, touch screen, WiFi accessibility, and photo analysis - all in one sleek device in a form we all know and (most of us) love.

View 3 Photos ›

To see why I would be the first on my block to pick up my own "Looking Glass", read more.

Just imagine sitting down to lunch with the girls, and whipping out your "Looking Glass" to find out how many calories are in that basket of onion rings, or holding up the device to the stars, and having it tell you what constellations are in your sky. Amazing, right? I thought so, too. Here's to the future.

Source

The Cover Up App Masks Unpleasant Restroom Sounds

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:50:16 -0800

Picture this: You just had the date of your dreams, so when he invites you to his place for a little night cap, you immediately say yes without hesitation. After a glass of wine, your stomach starts rumbling and you realize that extra spicy Tandoori chicken dish maybe wasn't the best ordering option for your first date. Next thing you know, you're in his bathroom, wondering how you'll be able to drown out unwanted restroom noise.

Not to worry! There's an app called Cover Up that is said to help women "save face in those potentially awkward situations in the office place bathroom, public restroom or at the new boyfriend’s house." For only 99 cents, you can choose from a variety of sounds (including running water, hand-dryers, and blow dryers) which are launched when touching any of the makeup compact areas - and yes, the makeup brush controls the volume!

You can have a peek at what the app looks like on your phone, when you read more.

Have No Fear: White Plastic MacBooks Not Going Anywhere

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:45:02 -0700

With the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air all starting to use the same design - aluminum exterior with edge-to-edge black glass, there was a certain amount of fear the white plastic MacBooks were going to be discontinued.

I certainly thought it was only a matter of time, but Apple Insider has assuaged all our fears and reports that Apple is going to keep the white polycarbonate design and refresh them soon to boot, according to a source.

The $999-priced 13-inch laptops are doing exceptionally well in sales, and I love its look, even if it doesn't "match" the rest of its brethren. Perhaps a face-lift will give it a tiny shift toward looking similar (but like I said, tiny). Now if only they'd do the same for the BlackBook.

Laptop Screens: Do You Like Matte or Glossy?

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:50:27 -0700

There was quite a moan when Apple introduced its new MacBook Pros last October - not over the lack of Blu-ray support or the price, but over the screen: new MBPs were presented with the glossy screen.

The missing alternative was the matte screen, which also happens to be antiglare, which the glossy glass LCD screen is not. For those who missed the matte, your agony is over, since Apple has added it back as an option for some of the Pros, depending on the size (albeit for an extra $50).

Whether you like matte or glossy usually comes down to what you're doing with your computer, and aesthetics - while I prefer the slick look of the glass (even the controversial corner-to-corner design), the matte screen does seem to be easier on the eyes.

What do you prefer?

Looking Glass

kristyrk — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:19:27 -0700

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I See Myself Loving the Four Eyes USB Flash Drive

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:05:27 -0700

Aw, yeah. Right when I think I have seen every novelty USB drive (and really started to get tired of them, to tell you the truth), I see this: the Four Eyes USB Flash Drive ($36) from Fred Flare.

Made to look like the black plastic glasses that launched a geek-is-chic craze in accessories (which I'll always associate with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo), the drive holds 2GB and is still thin enough to tote around with you - Fred Flare even recommends using it as a bookmark. Because reading has always been geek chic too, of course.

Try On Ray-Bans Virtually With the New Online Mirror

GeekSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:05:45 -0700

The trendy and hip sunglasses company Ray-Ban is attempting to make the sunglasses shopping experience a bit easier with their new Ray-Ban Virtual Mirror download. Using 3D technology, this cool tool is similar to the IBM Virtual Mirror since it allows you to try on the goods without needing to be in the store. Now there's no guarantee how accurate this new service is, but at least it will let you know if those black Audrey Hepburn glasses are going to look chic or just cover half your face.

Holga Goes 3D With the 120-3D Stereo Camera

GeekSugar — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:23:35 -0700

After I wondered whether 3D might not still be cool, I have a definitive answer: it's hot, hot hot! Not only are the hottest movies coming in 3D, but now it seems like the new thing is to make your own 3D images.

You can use this iPhone app to do so, or you can spring for the
Holga 120-3D Stereo Camera ($120).

Besides looking like a bizarre double-lensed camera for a two-headed alien, it lets you produce your own 3D pics.

Bust out your chicest red and blue glasses and go to town.

Hello Kitty's Geek Chic Tee: You Certainly Are

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:33:24 -0700

Normally, the gadgets and tech accessories featuring Hello Kitty are a little sweet for my taste; I don't want anyone mistaking me for an underage girl by the looks of my HK Laptop.

Thankfully, the purveyors of the girly cartoon cat have made something a little more grownup: the Hello Kitty Geek Chic Tee (on sale for $10).

It's obvious why I like the shirt - its message and geeksugar's tagline are one and the same - but I'm finding myself utterly charmed by Kitty wearing her black-rimmed nerd glasses. I have some of my own, and maybe I'll be rocking them with this top.