GeekSugar

Daily Tech: Geek Out With OK Go's Latest Video

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:15:27 PST

OK Go's latest video is geek-tastic - Urlesque
Microsoft tells XP users not to touch their F1 buttons - Switched
How-to: deck out an old record cabinet - Unplggd
This interface for your skin gives new meaning to touch typing - Gizmodo
ASUS finally joins the ereader ranks - Oh Gizmo!
The Sofa boat was not made for you - Dvice

Apple Suing HTC For Infringing on 20 Patents

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:00:40 PST

Apple has thrown down the gauntlet to HTC today, filing a lawsuit claiming that the company is infringing on 20 of its patents, including the iPhone's user interface, hardware, and pretty much anything pertaining to its multitouch technology. It wasn't too long ago that Apple itself was involved in a legal battle regarding multitouch - only that time, another company claimed Apple was the one doing the infringing. However, Steve Jobs isn't letting HTC slide on this case. He says:

"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

If Apple does win this case, it could mean that Google's new Nexus One (along with other Android handsets) would be pulled from the shelves, and the only new innovations in multitouch technology would be coming from Apple's camp in Cupertino.

NVISION 08: Touchscreen Magic With Jeff Han

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:02 PDT

If you don't know who Jeff Han is by now, then listen up! Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008, Jeff is on a mission to change your relationship with your computer - in a very good way. Jeff was one of the guest speakers at this year's keynote address at the NVISION 08 Conference in San Jose, CA, and spent some time showing off his uber-cool touch screen technology to the audience.

Originally unveiling his work back in 2007, Jeff is the founder of Perceptive Pixel and has been a trailblazer in multi-touch technology with clients ranging from the CIA to CNN. His work with touch technology has produced something totally reminiscent of that scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise is fiddling around in midair on his holographic computer screen! Check out the video above. It's about three minutes long, but totally worth it!

Would You Buy a Microsoft Surface?

GeekSugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:00:15 PDT

I'm definitely excited to play with the Microsoft Surface, and I think it's a great idea that AT&T is using it to feature phones. I remember when they announced the Surface and everyone kind of balked about the price (10,000 bones), especially considering the ads and videos on the website that depict regular people using it for pictures and art.

Otherwise, the price and functionality make sense as a commercial product for AT&T and the Starwood Hotel chain, but are any regular people going to buy this thing for personal use when a consumer version is released in 2010? Even rich people? Tell me, if money weren't an object, would you buy a Microsoft Surface?

Microsoft Surface Coming to AT&T April 17th

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:36:07 PDT

Looks like Microsoft's high-tech interactive touch table won't be making its debut in Starwood hotels this Spring, but it will be available for the public to play with on April 17 in AT&T stores. According to Engadget, these $10,000 tables will initially be installed in NYC, San Francisco, Atlanta, and San Antonio AT&T stores.

AT&T is hoping that the tables will educate customers about all the handsets for sale (info about the phone is displayed when set on the table), and they'll also be able to purchase ringtones, graphics and videos directly from the table and drag them on their phones. Now that is something I can't wait to test out!

The Microsoft Surface Gets Celeb Attention and First Game

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:45:05 PST

One of the most popular exhibits at CES this year was definitely the Microsoft Surface- a multi-touch interactive surface computer that is full of amazing features. Crave reports that the Surface was making its rounds at Caesars Pure Nightclub, with celebs like Jason Alexander and Shannon Elizabeth checking out its high tech functionality.

Set to be released by commercial partners like Starwood hotels this Spring, the Surface is already gaining lots of momentum. Not only is it receiving celebrity attention, but Firefly, the first game for Microsoft Surface has just been announced. By utilizing multi-touch, up to four players can collect colorful insects and put them into glass jars. The object is to be the first player to collect three fireflies of each color, while preventing opponents from doing the same.

To see players having some Firefly fun on the Microsoft Surface, as well as see a funny Surface video,

read more The Sarcastic Gamer shows us just how neat Firefly really is: Thanks for sharing TeamSugar user CoralAmber!
And a funny Microsoft Surface parody I just had to include: Source

How To Make Your Own Multi-Touch Pad for $2

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:00:18 PDT

Thanks to Amadeo for sharing today's fun, humorous and innovative "How To" video with me. If you've ever drooled over an amazing Multi-Touch device and felt a little pain when you realized they aren't easily accessible, cheer up! You can create your own multi-touch pad with just a plastic bag, some dyed water and a camera (plus a computer of course). I'd say this one is a cross between our usual "How To" guides and a more involved Do It Yourself project, but it's fun nonetheless. Microsoft Surface watch out!

The dyeSight $2 Multi-Touch Pad was created by the people from Medallia.

Richard Chai Love Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:29:44 PST

Inspired by the idea of "handsome femininity," Richard Chai showed a Fall collection that was simultaneously simple, yet statement-making. “I didn’t want to do anything that was tricky,” Chai told The New York Times. “I didn’t want to create looks that were just for the show. I wanted it to be approachable and believable, but also be really aspirational. At the end of the day, it’s pieces that I want people to wear.” Chai's boy-meets-girl vision was interpreted into gorgeous slim-fit striped trousers, structured oversized blazers and coats, cozy knits, blanket-stripe coats, and moody florals. The latter was cut into diaphanous sheer skirts, corduroy pants, and jackets, adding a feminine streak to his city-slicker style. Furthermore, his outerwear was something to contend with; Chai's selection of oversized structured jackets and coats were perfectly tailored and ideal for topping off just about any Fall look.

Trends: Menswear, painterly florals, blanket stripes, boxy blazers and coats.
Colors: Dark red, pinks, gray, black, navy blue, brown.
Key Piece: We loved the multi-colored blanket-stripe dress and trousers.
Accessories: Black ankle booties and lace-up boots.
Who Would Wear It: Downtown girls looking to add a menswear-inspired touch to their look, like Olivia Palermo.

Shopping For Candy-Colored Glass Pendant Lamps

Elka Karl — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:00:02 PST

When Feldman Architecture updated a Victorian home, the kitchen benefitted from the addition of multi-colored, playfully bulbous hanging glass pendants. Similarly, any home would quickly move in a more modern and laid back direction if a few candy-colored pendant lamps were added to its ceilings.

You can actually source lamps like these through a local glassblower. Years ago I bought a rich, gold-hued handblown pendant lamp for an unbelievable $50 from an open studio art crawl event in Berkeley. This lamp has traveled with me through several moves, and remains a favorite home decor piece.

Of course, you can also look to larger retailers to find these glass pendants. I adore the ballooned shapes of the Cisco Glass Jug Lamp ($400, bottom row, middle). Each lamp contains unique variations, since it's blown by hand. Sizes range from eight to 16 inches wide.

In a perfect world, I'd splurge on half a dozen of these Niche Modern Mineret Pendants ($650 each, top row, left). Inspired by Moorish architecture, each handblown piece features a teardrop bottom and is made in New York.

Reminding me of the gold wrapper on a Werther's butterscotch candy, the Produzione Privata Acquamiki Pendant Lamp ($840, bottom row, left) is handmade from Murano glass, and would add a luxurious touch to a lady's dressing room or bathroom. To shop the rest of the look (including a much more economical option when you mouse on the bottom right hand photo), just click on each image!

Flip Out Over Samsung's New Camera

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:10:38 PDT

Recognizing the changing ways consumers are using point-and-shoot cameras, Samsung has introduced the MultiView MV800 digital camera ($280), which comes armed with a three-inch-wide flip-out display. Flip the LCD touchscreen out 180 degrees to expertly frame a self-portrait shot. Adjusting the screen also allows for more graceful low-angle shots on the ground without crouching down and high-angle shots far above your line of sight.

With 16.1 megapixels, 5X optical zoom, 26mm wide-angle lens, and HD video technology, image quality is likely to match the cool body of the camera. The camera packs tons of photo software in its slim body as well. Activate the camera's live panorama by holding down the shutter and capturing a scene; instantly, see the panoramic results. In addition to basic in-camera editing and touch-up functions, there are photo add-ons like Magic Frame, which features 12 templates that place faces in images. One option is adding a friend's face to a panda bear body -a bit random, but it could be fun. The Funny Face feature bends or warps images and Smart Filter 3.0 adds effect filters to a picture, no smartphone app necessary.