GeekSugar

Yelp Gets a Rival in the Decider, Courtesy of the Onion

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:00:18 -0700

I'm a longtime Yelp user, but lately things are getting a little crowded and messy in there. But it looks like I'll have options pretty soon: The Onion (yes, that Onion) is launching a new website for users to rate businesses, called Decider. It's not satirical, like its founder, but sincere, much like the AV Club.

So far, the only city Decider is in is Chicago, but they are planning to open it up for other cities soon, and so far, I'm a fan. The layout is clean and is sort of a hybrid of Yelp and CitySearch, employing the former's social networking and user ratings, and the latter's more formal elements, such as the editorial descriptions of businesses before the reviews.

I'm not taking sides; I can be a Yelper and a Decider - they just better get to San Francisco quick!

Mr. Jones Watch Makes Decisions For You

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00:47 -0700

You know those days when you just can't make any decisions? White shoes or black shoes? Wheat or sourdough? BlackBerry or iPhone?

The Decider watch from Mr. Jones Watch might be your answer. All you have to do is think about the choice you need to make and then look at the watch to see whether it is displaying "YES" or "NO" (if you are inclined to cheat then you can pull the winding crown out which stops the mechanism giving you an answer with no ambiguity).

The case is made from stainless steel with a two-tone black and red leather strap, with white stitching. It costs £79.99 or $162 (USD). It's decidedly geeky, no? Yes? Maybe?

Source: Core 77

Old-Fashioned Cases For High-Tech Gadgets

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:05:03 -0800

I spotted (and loved) Thomas Paul's typewriter laptop case over the Summer, but just recently found even more retro-inspired cases. The Simpler Times Old-Fashioned Cases ($25 each) are made for a cell phone, digital camera, and MP3 player and feature super-retro versions of the modern-day gadgets they're meant to hold.

Given my love for vintage geekery, I'm definitely a fan of these cute cases. I can't decide which one I want first!

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Fun, Furry Ear Muff Headphones For Winter

GeekSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:47:53 -0800

The weather may be getting chilly, but that doesn't mean you should sacrifice your favorite music! These furry Ear Muff Headphones ($20) keep your ears warm while playing music through their built-in headphones. They also have an extra-long cord, so you can keep your MP3 player in your bag or pocket - which mean no cold hands!

I can't wait to don these during the snowy weather this Winter. I can't decide which wintry headphones I like better; these fuzzy ear muffs or the knit headphones I spotted a few weeks ago.

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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 10 of our favorite photo entries, and polling you to see which one you like the best. The entry with the most votes will get her 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.

Regis Philbin Puts an iPhone on His Holiday Wish List

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:47:33 -0800

Well well well. Back in early 2008, Kelly Ripa tried to get Regis Philbin to join the iPhone club, but he just wouldn't budge. And after almost two years of confessing her love for her iPhone, good ole' Regis has finally decided it's time to ask Santa for an iPhone - which he says he wants to fill with "thousands of apps." I think once he gets the hang of the iPhone, he'll love it. I mean, the guy does know what a search engine is, so maybe he isn't a total Luddite after all? Regardless, just listening to the adorable duo banter back and forth about tech is pretty priceless.

Unfriend: The New American Dictionary's Word of the Year

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:46:25 -0800

The New Oxford American Dictionary just released its annual Word of the Year and it's unsurprisingly tech-related. This year's honor goes to "unfriend," defined as by the dictionary as, "To remove someone as a 'friend' on a social networking site such as Facebook."

The Word of the Year is chosen from newly created words by researchers based on language trends, popularity, and cultural significance. Some popular geeky words that were up for the honor are no stranger to GeekSugar: "sexting" and "netbook" were also considered, along with "hashtag," referencing the popular Twitter "#" character and "intexticated," the state of distraction one experiences while driving and texting.

I think that "unfriend" is a pretty fitting addition to the dictionary. Plus, its inclusion makes it easy to decide between the terms "defriend" and the newly validated "unfriend."

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?

Has Google Latitude Gone Too Far?

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:06:15 -0800

I have mixed feelings about location-based services like Google Latitude, which pinpoints and shares your location in real time, or Foursquare, the application allowing you to "check in" and share your location with friends. Granted, there are privacy settings, but the whole tracking-in-real-time thing creeps me out a bit.

Now it seems Latitude got a little bit creepier. According to a Google blog post, your location history will now be saved to access it later. Useful for remembering where you were last weekend, or for finding that cool restaurant whose name you forgot to jot down; scary for anyone worried about potential stalkers.

I'm not a big user of these services, so I can't decide how I feel about the new feature. What do you think? Is Latitude saving too much information, or is it just another enhancement to their service?

Hugh Jackman Has a Cell Phone Rant - Did You?

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:47:32 -0800

Last weekend I decided to go to the movies alone. Just me, a small bag of popcorn, and a movie I've been dying to see. A movie that was then interrupted by a ringing cell phone. Seriously? I haven't been to a movie in the past year (at least!) that hasn't featured a "Please silence your cell phones" PSA before it starts. I was in honest disbelief that the phone rang so loudly, and grew angrier when the phone's owner didn't attempt to silence it. Thirty seconds after the ringing stopped and as I tried to re-engage in the movie: "Ding!" a voice mail notification. The audience groaned audibly.

The experience reminded me of a TMZ video I'd seen a few months ago. It features the actors Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig in the middle of a performance of their play, A Steady Rain as the show is interrupted by a ringing phone. Hugh (understandably!) went off on a rant, while somehow keeping his composure enough to remain in character. (You can also check out his rant in the second half of this episode of PopSugar Rush).

Do you have a cell phone rant of your own? We have all been there, and the best thing to do when you have a rant is to share it. Join the Cell Phone Rant group and give me your best, most annoying tales of the rude cell phone users in your world - your story could be featured on GeekSugar. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.