GeekSugar

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.

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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.

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Colorful, Lightweight Laptop Stand Travels Anywhere

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:33:14 -0800

I'd like to say that I do most of my work sitting upright at my desk, but in reality, that's not always the case. You're more likely to find me curled up on the couch working on my computer, or propped up watching a movie in bed. I've also created makeshift work spaces in airports while waiting for flights, my kitchen floor, and even on the city bus. Of course, with all of this mobility comes poor posture, and more often than not, a hot lap.

The Lightweight Laptop Stand ($26) is perfect for use anywhere, and since it is so light, it's simple to toss in your bag and take anywhere. My favorite is the bright orange, but it also comes in fun pink and more serious gray or black.

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Do You Store Your Contacts' Data Anywhere Else?

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:47:05 -0700

Last weekend's server crash resulting in T-Mobile Sidekick users losing all of their data left a lot of Sidekick users understandably angry. At first, T-Mobile considered recovering the lost data unlikely, but now it seems that most of the data has been recovered and will be restored to Sidekick users shortly.

Part of the problem: Microsoft offers no digital backup for the Sidekick. My iPhone's address book is backed up on my computer, but (similar to my Moleskine addiction) I also keep a paper address book for important phone numbers - just in case. What about you? Do you have your contacts' information stored somewhere so you won't lose it?

College Claims Facebook Reduces Dropouts

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:30:44 -0700

In general, people seem to agree that Facebook can be a big time-waster... even causing some students lower grades than their less-frequent Facebook-using friends. Now, the BBC is reporting on a Gloucestershire College claim that Facebook is actually cutting down on student dropout rates. They claim that the social aspects of Facebook - allowing students to bond with each other and with professors and faculty members - is helping to create a closer-knit community at the school.

Media-focused classes use closed Facebook groups to get assignments and seek help from fellow students or teachers. The benefit: the school is using an accessible and familiar platform to connect students instead of requiring them to learn a new program. Mobile technology also means that students are able to stay connected even when they're away from their computers, encouraging even more participation.

Another college in England says that Facebook is a useful tool in reminding students of deadlines and due dates. I wish my college professors had done the same! I'm fairly certain that I would have paid more attention to a Facebook notification informing me that my English paper was due the next day than the note scrawled onto the dry-erase board hanging beside my desk.

Ask a Geek Girl: What's With Carbonite and Should I Sign Up?

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:05:32 -0700

Dear GeekSugar,
My mom called me the other day freaking out about a Carbonite commercial, saying I should back up my photos before disaster strikes. I've actually seen the commercials late at night (I have to admit, I find them pretty funny), but can't really wrap my mind around why the service is. I have thousands of photos stored on my laptop and do worry it will quit on me one day and I will be left without copies. Should I use this service? Thanks for your help.
- A Fellow Geeky Gal

Dear Fellow Geeky Gal,
I pleased to hear I'm not the only person who is endlessly entertained by late-night cable commercials! You ask a great question because I've been seeing the company name everywhere. Carbonite is a web service that claims to "automatically and securely back up the irreplaceable contents of your computer" for the yearly cost of about $55. It works for PC and Mac users, but has slightly different set up depending on your system. To find out if I think you - and other readers like you - need it, read more.

Before you sign up, I'd suggest perusing the Carbonite website and looking at the demos to see if it fits your lifestyle. Everyone's backup needs are unique. I like to be selective about which files I backup (I only save the most important stuff like pictures, a small number of documents, and music I can't live without), so I don't need the "automatic" program to do it for me. Given you seem most concerned with backing up your photos, I think you should investigate a photo-hosting service before you back up your entire computer and then come up with a plan for backing up your important files. I adore Flickr ($25 a year) for its networking, geotagging, and general photo fun, but also use Picasa for its free simplicity. If you want to back up more documents, check out my guide to backing up data for a peek at a few devices that may be more cost effective for you. You might also check out MobileMe, a service that allows you to sync all your photos, email, calendar, contacts from your Mac (iCal, iDisk, Address Book, and Mail) or PC (Microsoft Outlook) to your iPhone over the air (it costs about $100 a year).

Cheers to planning to back up your data, not matter which route you pick! Anyone who has ever lost their hard drive or even a few files can tell you it's a devastating experience.

Even the geekiest of us have technical breakdowns. There's no question too easy or too techie, so join our Ask a Geek Girl Group and share your concerns and quandaries. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

I Don't Need a Bird to Love the Music Cage

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:33:33 -0700

Let me start off by saying that this is not a birdcage. Although I wouldn't mind the sound of a little bird tweeting to wake me up in the morning (instead of my annoying alarm clock), this is something way geekier.

Called the Music Cage, this speaker plays your tunes wirelessly over a computer or a Bluetooth connection via your mobile phone. You can prop it up on a nice side table, or let it hang from your ceiling like you would a real, very classy birdcage. Although Nendo, the Japanese company that brings this unique piece of gadget artistry doesn't say what the little switches are for on the front (I assume one of them is the power switch. Just guessing here.), I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one to find out.

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Not Using Paperless Billing? T-Mobile Will Charge You $1.50

GeekSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:45:24 -0700

I've already told you how I've tried to move all of my bill-paying online because it's not only easier, but the greener option as well. How would you feel if a company started charging you for not paying a bill online?

On Sept. 12, T-Mobile will start charging a $1.50 mandatory fee to customers who still use paper billing. I'm all about doing what's best for the environment, but this imposed $1.50 charge for each account per month is a dirty way to go about it.

Just think of all of the people who don't have access to computers - or who don't know how to use a computer or the Internet, for that matter - and are stuck with this fee unless they opt into paperless billing through their T-Mobile accounts. In my opinion, they should reward those who pay their bills online with something like more monthly minutes, not tack on a fee for those who are helpless and don't have a say.

Daily Tech: Posterous Posts iPhone 3GS Videos to Social Sites

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:15:15 -0700

Upload your iPhone 3GS videos to Twitter and Facebook with Posterous. - Mashable
Rain gutters are an ingenious way to hide cables and cords near your computer. - Lifehacker
Seagate has debuted some new external drives for Mac users. - CrunchGear
Memphis hospital confirms that Steve Jobs had a liver transplant. - The Silicon Alley Insider
The latest Gmail mobile version for the iPhone offers swipe gestering to archive messages.- TechCrunch
ThisMoment.com is a new service that allows people to share meaningful moments in their lives and put them into a timeline. - All Things Digital

iPhone OS 3.0 Details

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:34:46 -0700

To say that the iPhone is the most popular smartphone on the market is kind of an understatement - after just two generations, Apple has sold more than 40 million iPhones, and users have downloaded one billion-plus apps from the App Store. And the newest iteration is going to be even better, with more than 100 new features, including the expected cut/copy/paste and MMS support, tethering (which connects your iPhone to your computer via wireless and Bluetooth), and even more that you may not have expected.

Like the one called Find My iPhone. Available for Mobile Me customers, this feature helps you (duh) find your phone on a map by logging into Mobile Me. You can also activate a locator signal (even if your phone is in silent mode) so someone in that area can find it and return it. Plus, if your phone really is lost or stolen, you can wipe the data clean so no one gets your personal data.

There's plenty of other features coming with iPhone 3.0. To check them out, just read more.

Landscape for all standard applications like text messaging
Spotlight
Download movies, TV, and audio books in iTunes
Parental controls that let you limit your kid's activity in iTunes, App Store, and Safari
A "shake to undo" feature
30 languages now available
Form autofill in Safari
Peer-to-peer support for games and music
Push notifications

Found: John Connor's Handy Mobile Computer

GeekSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:46:05 -0700

In the future . . . you must carry an Ultra Mobile PC! Even after "Judgment Day," it's good to see that the Resistance can still get their hands on some hot gadgets to fight the good fight. I saw Terminator: Salvation last week and was happy to see the Sony Vaio UX ($2500) make a cameo just as John Connor rushes to save the world (don't worry, I won't reveal any spoilers!).

Hitting the scene at CES back in 2007, the Vaio UX is not a smartphone - it's a micro computer. It's built with a solid-state drive, Bluetooth, GPS, Wide Area Network 5 (WAN5) technology (to get a wireless signal faster and farther), USB 2.0 ports, and two cameras designed to make video conferencing easy while on the go (or, in this case, on the run).

I was hoping to find a picture of this bad boy in full cinema action, but no dice. I guess you'll just have to go see it in theaters for yourselves!

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.