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iPhone App You Need Now: Black Friday

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:05:02 -0800

In case you missed it, it's November, which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner, Christmas will soon arrive and before you can shout "Happy New Year," it'll be 2010. Not to put the pressure on you, but November doesn't just mean turkey and stuffing - it means Black Friday. I predict that this year, good deals and sales will be more important than ever to get people in the stores to shop for gifts, so be on top of it all with the Dealnews Black Friday app.

This app is great because it gives you details on the best sales around right now, as well as confirmed and leaked Black Friday deals from all across the web and on store shelves. Plus, it even counts down the days until November 27 so you know exactly how long you have to plan your in-store shopping strategy. Keeping with the penny-pinching theme, the Black Friday app is totally free.

Daily Tech: The HTC HD2 Is Coming to the US Early Next Year

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:18:52 -0800

The latest from HTC, the HD2, is expected to the US earlier next year - Gizmodo
Wal-Mart confirms that the Xbox 360 will go on sale for $199 this Saturday, and it even comes with a $100 gift card - Kotaku
Did you suffer from a T-Mobile service outage today? T-Mobile says everything should be restored now - Engadget
The iPhone App Store has just surpassed 100,000 apps - The Silicon Alley Insider
A court in South Korea has just ruled that cab drives can continue to have televisions on their dashboards - BBC News
It's giveaway time on GeekSugar! Log in for your chances to win one of these AT&T Smartphones - GeekSugar

Virgin Atlantic Eases Flying Fears With a New App

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:33:59 -0800

I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm one of those people with a fear of flying, but when I hear a weird sound under the wing, or there's a loud clunking noise right before take off, I can't say I easily shake it off.

During a family trip once, my dad ended up sitting beside a woman who was beyond terrified to fly. She was not only crying uncontrollably, but she also clenched both of my dad's hands during takeoff. . .a relaxing way to start the trip for him! Well Virgin's Richard Branson has decided it's high time (ha ha, get it?!) that he fixes this anxiety to fly problem and in doing so, Virgin has just launched a new Flying Without Fear app. The app costs $5, but it's said to include relaxation exercises and fear therapy, and a customized program to prepare you for future flights. It also comes with a fear attack button for emergencies and you get 2,000 bonus Virgin points, just for signing-up!

I'm a bit of a skeptic, but for $5 it's worth taking for a test flight. I can just see it now - everyone being calm and collected until the flight attendant says, "You must now turn off all wireless devices, including iPod Touches and iPhones." Yikes!

Geek Tip: Learn Language Basics With an App

GeekSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:06 -0700

You already know that you can brush up on a language by changing the settings on your gadgets, but what if you need to start from the beginning and learn the basics of a new language? The good news is you don't have to drop a fortune on one of those learn-at-home courses, but instead, you can download the Byki app for your iPhone and study up on the basics of 15 languages so you can be prepared for your next trip abroad.

Using flash cards, quizzes, phrasebooks, and a Perfect Recall program that tracks which words you're having trouble with, then gives you those words more often, you're sure to impress the next time you visit a foreign country. Did I mention Byki is free? That's sure to put a smile on your face.

Five Free Foodie Apps For iPhone

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:05:16 -0700

What do you want to eat? It's an easy question, but sometimes finding the answer is tough. Check out five of my favorite free apps for finding recipes and restaurants, shopping for food, scoring a reservation, and more!

Source

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December Issue of GQ Is Headed For Your iPhone

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:45:15 -0700

I love the Kindle because I can not only read books and blogs, but I can download newspapers and magazines. The downside? They don't have some of my favorite periodicals, and let's face it - it's a pretty pricey gadget whose only function is reading. These drawbacks help make the latest news on digital magazines pretty exciting - Condé Nast will be releasing the December issue of GQ on newsstands and in the App Store. Set to launch in November, GQ will be available as a $3 app, and will contain the same content you'll find in the print version. In addition to the editorial, you can find corresponding videos, photos, and audio right there in the app.

I'm stoked about this because it paves the way for other magazines to follow, so I can catch up on my magazine reading from anywhere. But what about you - would you read magazines on the iPhone?

Connect With More People With Loopt Mix

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:05:00 -0700

I like using Loopt because it connects me to my other Loopt buddies in a snap. Plus, it shows me their reviews and favorites so I know what bar to hit up on my next girls' night out, or where to go for the best cup of coffee in the city. I loved the Loopt update from a few months ago, which made the easy to use app even slicker, but now with their next venture, it will be even easier to meet new people and expand your social circle.

Called Loopt Mix, this app focuses on connecting with the people around you. It gives you more ways to mix and mingle with features like in-app chatting, profile browsing, free messaging, and status updates so you get to know new faces and meet up with cool peeps that share your interests. The app is free, so next time you're worried about why your boyfriend won't do Loopt, dump the dud and find a new partner in crime with the help of Loopt Mix.

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Apple Allows Purchases in Free iPhone Apps

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:28:26 -0700

Ever wish you could try out a paid iPhone app before you bought it? You may be able to soon! Apple recently sent an email to developers stating in-app purchases would be allowed in free apps. While the structure will vary by application, this means that developers will be able to release a free version of their application, and later charge more for a premium download including more content or features.

The only downside I can think of is that this may encourage developers who would have released free applications to begin to charge for premium content. The upside: you'll be able to try before you buy - and maybe even score some apps that you previously deemed too costly.

Pepsi Draws Controversy For Amp Drink iPhone App

YumSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:50:33 -0700

Looks like Burger King isn't the only food brand that toes the line between cutting-edge and crass. PepsiCo, the maker of new energy drink Amp, has gotten flack for its latest iPhone launch.

"Amp Up Before You Score" is a free iPhone application that offers young men pointers on how to get in bed with 24 different types of women. Selections include "Sorority Girl," "Treehugger," and "Punk." Amp fans can then detail their conquests on the app's Brag List.

Backlash soon followed, with many accusing Pepsi of demeaning and objectifying women. Amp tried to appease the furor with an apology on Twitter, although it seemed to only want to heighten the buzz around the brand by introducing the Twitter tag #pepsifail.

What do you think of the move? Check out the video after the jump

Pepsi Apologizes For "Scoring" iPhone App Via Twitter

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:44:00 -0700

I don't necessarily consider myself a feminist, but I know a sexist product when I see one. Remember the Slide to Unlock tee or the stripper pole Wii game? Yeah, those were awesome.

So when I heard about Pepsi's Amp Up Before You Score App that hit iTunes this week, I had to chuckle. I knew it was only a matter of time before the backlash hit - and oh, the backlash did in fact, hit. The app, which is meant to help you "score" with women, categorizes women into different types, and provides pickup lines, tips, and insights to each type - from sporty girls to cougars - and even provides a note section where you can list your successful hookups with names (and whatever details you can remember) so you can brag to your friends later.

Not surprisingly, Pepsi Amp issued an apology on their Twitter account, but have yet to pull the app from iTunes. I'm glad that Pepsi sees the error of its ways, however, maybe it's just me, but doesn't the female public as a whole deserve an apology that consists of more than 140 characters?