PopSugar

Ernarae's Blinged-Out Homemade iPhone Case

Geek Community — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:31:51 -0800

Check out this blinged-out iPhone case that reader ernarae created:

It took me three hours to make this, with a mix of Swarovski crystals and rhinestones. It was worth the wait, I had to wait overnight before I could put it on my iPhone.

Have you seen any outrageous cell phone bling lately? Do you have a totally tricked-out phone? We'd love to see pics of your rhinestones, charms, and other accouterments! Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account. Then join the Cell Phone Bling group and share your photos with the community. Your bling could end up on the GeekSugar homepage. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

New York City 911 Centers Can Receive Cell Pictures and Texts

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:15:35 -0700

I go out running alone a lot and watch too much Law & Order: SVU for my own good so I'm always thinking about how I'd be able to get to my cell phone to call 911 from the trunk of a speeding car. Crazy, but true. That's why this advancement from the New York City emergency line is a pretty useful piece of safety technology. The 911 line is now equipped to receive texts, cell phone pictures, and video as calls of distress.

While other cities are already able to accept texts (this I didn't know!) officials say they believe that New York is the first city with the image capabilities. Mayor Bloomberg had this to say about it: "This technology should put a scare into every would-be criminal because the chances of getting caught in the act is now better than ever." Not to mention the increased accuracy in providing descriptions - how often have 911 operators heard, "um, he's a guy with brown hair?" Now they'll be able to see him. By next year, callers' images will be made available to patrol cars and will be accepted as evidence.

The cost of the upgrade? A mere 18 months and $250,000. Since crime in New York is down 3 percent, it seems like a smart investment - and more security than either Stabler or Benson could provide.

Source

Jonathan Adler Brings the Gossip Bench Back!

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:30:09 -0800

Before the advent of cordless phones (and cell phones and Bluetooth), a telephone was a stationary thing. Back then, the place to answer calls and chat was called "a gossip bench" - see photos here. This long-lost breed of furniture is one part table (to hold your telephone) and one part chair or bench. While the piece is much less essential to any wireless gossip queen, it's no less lovely. I'm glad to see that Jonathan Adler has brought it back with the new Claude Modular System ($1,145 for shown). As always, Adler's put his signature Hollywood Regency meets midcentury modern in white twist on it, bringing an antiquated design into the retrospective future. While the shape of this piece is oh-so handsome, I'm really loving that tangerine-colored cushion. What do you think?

Weight Loss Through Text Messages

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Has your fitness buddy been slacking off a bit in the motivation department? Maybe you're looking for something new to get motivated during the day. If so, you may want to try Sensei ($5.75/week), a new way to transform your mobile phone into a personal health coach that adjusts to your lifestyle and schedule.

Using the information collected as you sign up for the program, Sensei puts your personalized program to work for you. From this you'll be getting advice and feedback throughout the day. Best of all, with a click on your phone, you can change your program from anywhere. I suggest trying the free three-day trial to see if it's even something that motivates you - also, I don't suggest Sensei unless you have unlimited text messages with your cell phone plan since you'll be getting your tips and advice in text message form.

If this sounds like something that would work for you, try it out at Sensei.com.

NY Tote Comes With Pockets, Pockets and More Pockets!

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:29 -0700

Cell phone - check, iPod - check, keys - check. . . the New York pocket man tote by Parcel can hold it all and then some! With seven outer zipped pockets that spell New York, you can stow away all your gadgets and trinkets in the pockets, and use the main bag for your laptop, books and wallet!

When I first spotted this bag on Fred Flare, I had no idea that it said New York. But after close examination, the letters became visible and then I realized each letter was its own pocket! Wanting to scoop one up? Each bag is priced at $35.

View 3 Photos ›

LG Unveils Its First-Ever Netbook

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:44:41 -0800

I'm sensing a trend here. Just recently we heard about Dell computers developing an Android handset, and now LG Electronics - a company mainly known for its cell phones and televisions - has sexy new slim portable hard drives and its first-ever netbook! Note to self: companies are branching out into all gadget areas!

The LG X120 has already debuted in other countries, but it's said to be making its way to the US before the holidays. What's so great about this netbook compared to all of the others on the market? Well, it only weighs 2.8lbs (which is on the lighter scale of netbooks), it features a 160GB hard drive, a 10.1-inch screen, LED backlighting, and it comes in stylish white. Not to mention, it fits most budgets, coming in at $180 with a 2-year AT&T data plan.

How to Shop For a New Cell Phone

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:13:00 -0700

I was pretty set on buying a new iPhone 3GS as soon as I could, but that doesn't mean I'm unfamiliar with the anxieties of choosing a phone. Remember when you had maybe three phone options to choose from? My first phone was a clunky Nokia with a changeable faceplate - my toughest decision was figuring out which color to choose! Obviously, your phone choices could be limited by your wireless carrier and contract obligations.

An article in the New York Times this week gives great cell phone purchasing advice. (Hint: their advice is to do the exact opposite of what my less-than-tech-savvy mom did last week: purchase a phone online sight-unseen because it was pink.)

To read a quick summary of their recommendations, read more.

Compare phones, plans, and companies online. Go beyond provider websites - try a site like GotReception to check coverage in your area and LetsTalk to enter your phone preferences and narrow your selection. The article also recommends visiting a review site like Cnet to check out reviews of any phone you choose.
Come up with a list of two or three models you're interested in and go check them out in person. The article suggests checking both big-box stores like Best Buy and individual carrier stores for best results. Take each phone for a trial run in the store. Do you like the keyboard? Is photo quality important?
After deciding which phone is for you, purchase it online. That way, you'll be able to compare a few different sites' prices and rebates.

A High-Tech Way to Prevent Cell Phone Driving Distraction

GeekSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:05:12 -0800

A few months ago, I told you about a new program available for pre-order that turns off your cell phones once the key is in your car's ignition.

Now, there's another similar service to keep you safe and free from distraction while driving. ZoomSafer is a free service that uses your phone's GPS system to monitor your driving speed and prevent you from placing or receiving calls or texts when traveling over 10 miles per hour. The application is programmable to allow exceptions, like calls from certain important numbers. And an added bonus for parents or employers who want to monitor the driving habits of kids or employees on the job: if the system is overridden and a call is placed or text message sent, the account administrator receives an automatically-generated email alerting them to the phone's usage.

Right now, the service is only available for BlackBerrys, but will work with select Windows and Android phones early next year. I think this kind of service is a good idea to prevent distractions, especially for people without the willpower to simply ignore the phone while behind the wheel.

Whoa, Talk About Cell Phone Bling!

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:42:50 -0800

I'm all for a little glitz and glam, but I think that this Rhinestones For My iPhone case ($20) might take the cake for most blinged-out iPhone case I've seen. Honestly, it's a little too adorned for my taste, but there's at least one upside: finding your phone in a jam-packed purse just got a little easier.

Have you seen any outrageous cell phone bling lately? Do you have a totally tricked-out phone? We'd love to see pics of your rhinestones, charms, and other accoutrements! Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account. Then join the Cell Phone Bling group and share your photos with the community. Your bling could end up on the GeekSugar homepage. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Geek Tip: Take a Self Portrait With Your iPhone

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:50:24 -0800

One of my favorite iPhone features is its camera. It's of impressive quality for a cell phone camera, and has gotten successively better with each generation of iPhone released. Add the plethora of accessories meant to enhance the iPhone's camera and applications to enhance your photos, and my iPhone can produce better photos than my camera. But even with all of the additional bells and whistles, there was one thing I thought my iPhone camera couldn't do: take self-portraits. In fact, I thought the only real way to take a self-portrait was with a mirror, with the back of the iPhone in full view.

Sure, we joke about the famous self-portrait photos that show up all too often as Facebook profile pictures, the telltale extended arm in the photo holding the camera above eye level. But taking a self-portrait with an iPhone seemed nearly impossible; holding the phone in one hand, trying to tap the right place on the screen where the camera button is located, nearly dropping the phone on the ground. (Not that I've, um, tried this or anything).

But the iPhone self-portrait is possible! To find out how, read more.

The iPhone camera doesn't take the photo when you press the camera button, it snaps the image when you release it. So, in order to take a self portrait, open the camera function and place your finger on the camera button, but don't release. Then, you can turn the phone around, extend your arm, and take the shot. No more blurry photos or iPhone-in-the-mirror shots. Even more helpful? Make sure your phone is out of silent mode, so you'll hear the "click" of the shutter's release. Smile!

Do you have a helpful iPhone tip you'd love to share? Join our iPhone Tips group where you can share your tip and tell us why you love it so much. And your handy tip or trick 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.