GeekSugar

Get Into Spring With the Solar-Powered MZH-1200 iPhone Charger

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:30:44 PDT

Even though the official date is a few days away, it's already Spring at Sugar HQ! I'm loving how sunny it is, especially since it means that all my solar-powered gadgets are gonna get their fill of all-natural juice.

Adding to the list of solar-powered gizmos is Muzatch's MZH-1200 iPhone Power Station ($50). At about half the size of an iPhone and weighing in at a mere 9.8 ounces, it's perfectly sized for travel. A drawback for some and a plus for others is that the MZH-1200 is powered entirely by solar energy. Not bad if you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, but not good if you get stuck in the dark with it. Probably best to keep this baby in the sunlight whenever possible.

Find out how the MZH-1200 works when you

It's easy enough to use: plug it right into the charge port of your iPhone, and four LED lights indicate that it is in charge mode. The MZH-1200 contains a 1,000mAh battery, and at full throttle, it brings your battery life to the halfway mark. Not ideal if you run out of juice on the daily, but, hey, sometimes we gotta make sacrifices for the planet! The retro-looking design is available in blue, black, silver, white, and green and is iPod compatible.

Volvo Adding Touchscreen "Infotainment" System to XC70

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:35 PST

Volvo may make one of the safest cars on the road, but now one model in particular may just be the smartest. Announced earlier today at the Chicago Auto Show, Volvo is said to be showing off a new RSEi-500 "infotainment" system in its XC70 wagons, which boasts a full touchscreen PC running Windows XP, along with WiFi, a 500GB hard drive, and 3G connectivity - all accessible from the backseat of the car.

The RSEi-500 will be able to connect to the Internet via a WiFi signal or a 3G data card, so you can check your favorite websites, email, social networks, watch TV and movies, and even download your favorite tunes while hitting the road. Bonus features include USB ports, AV cables for portable gaming consoles and iPods, as well as data transfer abilities so you can bring along photos and music wherever you go. This system sounds like it would be a dream for geeky road trips, and you could essentially leave your laptop safely at home while you hit the road with your backseat PC.

Tech Travel Toys and Tips to Take With You This Weekend

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:25:00 PDT

Are you heading out of town for the long weekend? I've got my bags packed, but, before I jet off, I've got to make sure those travel websites are bookmarked, my phone is filled with handy apps, and I've brought along my travel-gadget gear. What are you missing? Here's my roundup to make sure you've got all the travel basics covered!

10 Travel Apps You Need Right Now	iPhone Apps to Have Handy During Road Trips With Kids	5 Geek Essentials For International Travel
Tech Travel Tips to Remember	How to Take Your Fave Shows on Your Travels	5 Helpful Airport Websites

Travel Digital Photo Display And Alarm Clock Combo

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:55 PDT

What's trendier than a sleek digital photo frame? Maybe a TravelFoto Desktop Digital Photo Display/Alarm Clock from Mustek?

The device has a 128x128-pixel display that is a tiny 1.5-inches, so it will really only be practical as a travel or temporary alarm clock (no one wants to strain their eyes that much everyday!). It can fit 70 photos in its flash memory so you can carry your favorite photos with you around the world.

It's not the sleekest thing ever, but it will only set you back $39.99. Mustek will start shipping the device in August.

Source

Sexiest Toothbrush Ever?

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:30:13 PDT

They call it the "sexiest travel toothbrush on earth" (or at least Design kingpin, Josh Spear does) and despite not being sure what makes a toothbrush sexy, I'm pretty convinced. The OHSO was engineered to be the ultimate travel toothbrush, as in useful and durable. According to the company's CEO it's loved by "travelers, rock stars and road warriors."

It's self-dispensing so toothpaste is stored in the handle for safekeeping. The window shows you how much paste is in the chamber and when you turn the knob clockwise the paste is dispensed though the rubber nozzle on the bristle head. Sexy, right? Even sexier? It kinda resembles the OhMiBod.

I'm into it because it's refillable and works with any type of toothpaste. Also it was designed not to leak - except for the small nozzle tip, toothpaste is never exposed to the air. So it should never "gum up" in the chamber. For a video about how it works and a photo gallery,

View 4 Photos ›

Comes in chrome or clear for $19.95.

A Guide to Wedding Festivities

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:19:28 PDT

When a couple decides to get married, they aren't just signing up to host a wedding, they are also committing themselves to a lot of parties that happen along the way. An engagement party, shower, and bachelorette are all commonly associated with weddings. But with so many parties, it's hard to keep them all straight! That's why I've created this handy guide that explains everything you need to know - from the proper time to host a shower to the first person to toast at the wedding. Read on for all the details.

How Women Should Save at Every Life Stage

Wise Bread — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:15:50 PDT

We all face different money issues at every life stage, so figure out what you need to save for with this helpful Wise Bread guide.

The recession has pushed almost all of us, regardless of age, a decade behind in building personal wealth. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re in your 20s and haven’t paid off student loans, or in your late 30s or early 40s and still paying off debt or saving up for a down payment. If your retirement account isn’t where you’d like it to be in your 50s, do the best you can to build it up. What matters is doing the best you can to make sound financial decisions so you can enjoy the important things in life without worrying too much about money. Here are few tips for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s on saving and building wealth.

In Your 20s

I can’t stress this enough - start saving early. Even if you think you’re broke, give up lattes twice a week and put the $25 a month you save into a retirement account. The hilarious truth of the matter is that the earlier you start saving, when you can least afford it, the harder that money works for you to earn interest. Investing just five percent of a $40,000 salary annually from age 25 to 65 can pay off big in the long run. Assuming a six percent rate of return, at age 65, you’d have $479,241 in your 401(k), thanks to the magic of compound interest. Invest 10 percent of a $40,000 salary, and that number grows to $830,678 by age 65.

On to credit card debt, especially important in your 20s. I know about this one first hand. I thought I had a great handle on my credit card spending in my early 20s. So great, in fact, that over the next several years I didn’t bat an eyelash at charging multiple plane tickets to Europe, rounds of drinks with friends, and several pairs of new shoes.

Several years later, I was still paying it off. The only way I dug myself out of debt was to get a second job in addition to my full-time job while I was finishing school. That meant a 60-plus-hour workweek, no social life, no excess spending, little sleep, and a lot of headaches for over a year. Trust me, you do not want to put yourself through the stress that excess debt causes. Before you whip out the credit card to travel or go out or buy a new gadget, ask yourself if you really need it. Force yourself to spend responsibly. If you want to travel, set aside 10 percent of your earnings and take one great trip a year.

Read on to find out more.

Pack a Tech Suitcase: San Francisco

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:46:13 PDT

Our Summer travel series is going bicoastal! Last week we told you what gadgets and apps to bring along for a NYC vacation, and now we've got our sights set on the city by the bay: San Francisco! If you're headed way out west this Summer, be prepared for anything with these tech, gadget, and app essentials.

Practice Digital Eco Living Right at the Source

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:33:31 PDT

With Earth Day a few weeks away on April 22, we have all things green on our minds. In the tech world there's a lot to consider; our favorite gadgets and smartphones are notorious energy hogs, requiring frequent recharging. Ease the guilt this month by cutting electricity right at the source - the power outlet. The Mushroom GreenZero Wall Travel Charger for iPhones ($35) and micro USB devices ($30) automatically shuts off when a product is fully charged, stopping out of control vampire energy.

Even when a phone or tablet has completed the charging cycle, since it usually remains plugged into the wall until used, energy consumption continues. The Mushroom GreenZero isn't available until May in most major retailers, so bookmark it now as part of the Earth Day to-dos. Plus, is it crazy to find a wall charger adorable?

Savvy Links: The Best Bargains You've Never Heard of

Emily Co — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:20:50 PDT

The best bargains you've never heard of - Real Simple
Women may out-earn men in the next 25 years - The Jane Dough
Is your landlord sizing you up for higher rent? - LearnVest
Travel gadgets, sites, and services to save money, time, and hassle - Tecca
What I refused to sacrifice as a woman in tech - HuffPost Women
6 ways to cut down on office drama - The Grindstone
5 hidden cash hot spots - AllYou
Beat the cost of being single - Bankrate
25 tasty ways to enjoy beans and rice - Wise Bread