GeekSugar

Michael Phelps Swimming Game: Awesome or Lame?

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:00:03 -0800

Michael Phelps is everywhere but at the pool these days! Among other many recent endorsements, Olympic phenomenon Michael Phelps will be teaming up with 505 Games to develop a video game based on his swimming career.

The game is still in its development stages so I don't want to be too quick to judge, but if you happen to have played Beijing 2008, then you may recall that the swimming meets were kinda . . . boring. You know I love Michael as much as the next geeky gal, but will his game rise above its paddling predecessors and be awesome, or sink to the bottom and be totally lame? Only time will tell. What's your first reaction?

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Do You Use a Console Camera When You Play Games?

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:45:28 -0800

The first time I used a console camera was when my BF brought one home in a Trials of Topoq game bundle, which has you using body movements to direct a ball through a maze. Admittedly, it was the single nerdiest moment in my life, mostly because I'd never used a camera while playing a game before, but more so because the game was totally unlike anything I'd ever seen. Seriously, it's pretty darn nerdy - just check out this review for proof.

But now that more and more games are incorporating the Playstation Eye or Xbox Vision Camera into gameplay, I'm glad we picked one up when we did. SingStar just wouldn't be the same without reviewing the snapshots and "Golden Moments" of me and my girls singing at the top of our lungs to Britney, and Little Big Planet wouldn't feel like home without posting up "Polaroid Stickers" of us all over the game!

Are You Facebook Friends With Your Exes?

GeekSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:44:00 -0800

An essay in this week's New York Times hit close to home. The author, mourning the breakup of a long-term relationship, used Facebook to keep up with what his ex was doing. I've covered this topic before in Tech Dating 101 posts; from using Facebook to get to know a potential date to how and when to change your relationship status. I've even offered my advice for how to cut an ex out of your digital life. He was pretty distraught over the breakup, but still couldn't resist the occasional peek at her page:

"Every once in a while, when I was feeling particularly pathetic, I would log on to her Facebook page and listlessly click through the photos of a life that was, somewhat disappointingly, continuing without me."

While I still feel it's best to avoid an ex on Facebook, especially after a tough breakup, actually pulling the trigger to delete an ex from your list of friends is tough.

Did You Place an Order For the Nook?

GeekSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:10:27 -0800

Well that was fast! According to the Barnes and Noble website, the Nook has sold out for 2009.

The message on the site reads, "The hottest holiday gift is out of stock. Order nook today to be first in line for the new year." None of the new devices have shipped yet, and there's still no word of when buyers can expect the Nook to arrive. I can't wait to get my hands on the new eReader, but I missed out in this round of orders. Did you manage to snag one?

Submit Your Cool Captures to Win a CanvasPop Print!

GeekSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:00:55 -0800

Say cheese! You know those stunning photos I've been asking you to submit in GeekSugar's Cool Capture Group? Well, now when you upload your favorite photos to the group, you are automatically entered in our Cool Capture contest with CanvasPop! Every two weeks we'll be rounding up ten of our favorite photo entries, and polling you guys to see which one you like the best. The entry with the most votes will get their winning photo printed on one of CanvasPop's high quality canvases! I've already told you how cool CanvasPop is, so just imagine - your photo could soon be a piece of artwork on your living room, kitchen, or bedroom wall!

To get started, create a PopSugar Account or login to your account. Then join the Cool Capture group and share your image, the model of camera used to take the photo, and a little about the image - let us know why you decided to take that specific shot! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Remember, you must be logged into your PopSugar Community account to be entered. If you are not already a member, register now. Check out the full list of rules here. Tell your friends about this fun contest here.

AT&T vs. Verizon: Who Will Back Down First?

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:35:33 -0800

AT&T and Verizon clearly don't get along - after several commercials and one lawsuit, the feud doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon. Today in AT&T vs. Verizon drama: a new AT&T commercial features a checklist of reasons AT&T is better than Verizon, and why you, too, should believe that AT&T is the best wireless network in America.

Verizon's response:

"AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon's 'There’s a map for that' advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true, and the truth hurts."

I'm curious if Verizon will launch another counterattack, but at some point, one of these companies will have to give it a rest.

Are You Disappointed the President Doesn't Write His Tweets?

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:33:41 -0800

While traveling in China, President Obama spoke to a group of students in Shanghai, where one of the students asked if he believed people in China should have access to Twitter. (The service has been blocked in China since July). He responded,

"I have never used Twitter but I'm an advocate of technology and not restricting internet access."

With over 2.5 million followers and counting, President Obama is one of the most popular users. New tweets are posted nearly every day, with multiple posts added during important events like House votes or special initiatives. Although the President admitted he doesn't write the tweets himself, he presumably has someone on his staff updating his feed with regularity. With a major to-do list and one of the most high-profile jobs in the world, I'm not surprised the president isn't using Twitter on his own (though I'm sure he could add a Twitter app to his much-loved BlackBerry). What about you?

Do You Use Social Media to Contact Companies?

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:44:18 -0800

I just finished reading an article about a US couple who, because of visa problems, nearly missed their Russian honeymoon. They thought they'd done their research; online travel agency Expedia assured the couple that they didn't need visas to travel to St. Petersburg. It turned out, though, they did. After sharing their experience and anger in real time via Twitter and their blog, Expedia reached out to the couple, reimbursing the cost of their trip, the additional expenses they incurred, and offering a huge credit toward their next trip.

More companies are using social media to respond immediately to problems and interact closely with customers. In fact, some of Sugar staffers used the service to get in touch with JetBlue during a severely delayed flight.

While I agree it's a great way to interact with a company, I can't decide if this will increase their responses or just create a new forum for more people to complain. What do you think?

Do You Delete Old Email Addresses?

GeekSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:14:21 -0800

I have finally gotten used to the weekly, "Did you get my email?" phone calls from my mother. Predictably, every Sunday around late afternoon, she calls to tell me about something cute my nieces have done, or fill me in on the latest gossip about someone I went to high school with. "I wrote this in an email, didn't you read it?" she'd say. Of course, I had never received the email, and just assumed my less-than-tech-savvy mother was doing something wrong. This time though, I asked a question that I don't normally ask: "What email address are you sending it to?" She rattled off an address I hadn't even thought about for at least a year. Oops.

I logged into the old account and, lo and behold, amid a ton of spam in my inbox were a bunch of emails from Mom.

Most of you leave old social networking profiles online even if you don't use them, but what about old email addresses? Do you close old accounts when you open a new one?

Arcade Fingerless Gloves: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:44:57 -0800

This is one pair of gloves I wouldn't call practical - but they're kind of cute. Though they won't keep your fingers warm in the Winter chill, the Snow Day Arcade Fingerless Gloves ($16) will keep your fingers free for texting and, presumably, video-game playing.

The gloves (hmm. . . can I call them gloves if they don't have fingers?) feature vintage video-game designs, like this Space Invaders-themed pair. They're cute, but are they cute enough to make up for cold fingers? What do you think?