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Robin Williams Loves Playing Online Video Games

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:45:32 -0700

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien, Robin Williams seemed to talk tech more than anything else. After admitting that he's as far removed from modern technology as they come, I couldn't help but be surprised when he talked about one of his favorite hobbies - playing online video games - who knew? Find out what kind of games he's addicted to below!

And to hear what Robin has to say about Twitter and modern technology, just read more.

Surfing the Web Slows Down Dementia

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:22 -0700

Spending an hour or two a day online might not be so bad after all. A new study suggests that spending time on the Internet increases brain activity in areas of the brain related to memory and cognition.

The study followed 24 volunteers between the ages of 55 to 78. Half of the participants were familiar with the Internet, while the other half had little to no Web experience.The study showed that amongst the participants, surfing the web stimulated the brain more than reading a book. Results also showed that the positive effects extended long after the web activity ended. Brain activation patterns of patients that had little knowledge of the Internet was that over time their grew with their experience.

Researchers speculate that not any old surfing will do.The lesson here is that it's important to keep the mind engaged and challenged whether it's surfing the Internet, doing crossword puzzles, or even playing video games.

Daily Tech: Google to Launch an Online Bookstore

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:20 -0700

Google to launch an online service that will let readers buy electronic versions of books and read them on cell phones, laptops, and possibly e-book devices. - AP
BlackBerry Storm 2 announced. Here are 5 reasons why it's better. - PC Mag
How WiFi direct could be the death of Bluetooth - PC World
Parenting with Google Wave - Wired
What's wrong with buying speakers online - Crave
How do you define a digital home? - Unplggd
Gamer Mom takes a look at the art of video games - Green Pixels
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Daily Tech: The Giorgio Armani Phone Is Back. . . and Better Than Ever

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:10:22 -0700

Daily Tech: New EcoATM Will Pay You For Your Old Gadgets

GeekSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:15:42 -0700

New EcoATM kiosks will take your old electronics to be recycled and then provide you with an in-store payment - CNET
Samsung's new Behold II with Android has just been announced on the T-Mobile network - MobileCrunch
Twitter's cofounder Biz Stone talked to Martha Stewart about how Twitter got its start - Mashable
Thousands of Hotmail accounts have been hacked and are being posted online - BBC News
Check out five of the most energy efficient LED desk lamps - Unplggd
President Obama has banned all federal employees from texting while driving - Ars Technica
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Daily Tech: Step Right Up and Get Your MMS on Your iPhone

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:03:53 -0700

Go to iTunes to get the latest AT&T iPhone update, which will enable MMS - Gizmodo
On Oct. 12 Nintendo will be releasing a Wii Sports Resort bundle with an additional MotionPlus add-on - CrunchGear
This $30 tapstick case adds buttons to your buttonless iPod Shuffle - Wired
Here are some photos from Conflux, the annual art and technology festival in NYC - Switched
Check out the 10 most watched online videos from this past Summer - Silicon Alley Insider
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Eidos Pulls Out All the Stops For Batman Arkham Asylum

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:05:25 -0700

Although I haven't had a chance to dive into the full release version of Batman: Arkham Asylum since it landed in my mailbox on Monday, I did get a taste of the action while at E3. From the 15 minute demo that I witnessed, I can tell you that the game is kinda creepy, but totally awesome. . . especially when you're playing in combat mode.

But before I can divulge any details about the game, I have to give some props to publisher Eidos - Arkham Asylum came packaged with my very own emergency straitjacket kit! You know, just to make sure that if things get out of hand while I'm playing, someone can subdue me properly. Nice touch!

Batman: Arkham Asylum starts with you trapped in (what else?) Arkham Asylum, trying to track down The Joker who is plotting your demise with the help of a gang of fellow inmates. Combat is in a free flow style, which means if you combo moves and hits, you can max out your experience and kick major butt with power moves. The controls were nice and smooth, and were easy to get the hang of. But some of the best parts about the game are the stealth and detective modes. Learn more about these features and others when you read more.

In detective mode, you can see through walls with a special visor to detect heat signatures, fingerprints, and even smell cigarette smoke and alcohol on the breath of your enemies before they can see you. In Stealth, you can use your silent skills to take down The Jokers' posse without others seeing or hearing. Plus, using your batarang and working with the architecture of the building - like perching on ledges and hanging upside down on poles like a bat - helps you take down your enemies faster, while racking up the skill.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is available now online and in stores for your Xbox 360 and PS3.

Meet Matchmaker Amy Andersen, Part I

TresSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I'll admit it: one of my guilty TV pleasures is The Millionaire Matchmaker. I find the orchestrated pairings entertaining and stomach-churning at the same time. Of course, there are other matchmakers hard at work without reality TV contracts.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, Amy Andersen works with 800 singles, half of whom are women. Amy's company, Linx Dating, doesn't call itself a "millionaires" club; instead it fashions itself as a service for both "successful" men and women. Of course, you have to pay to play. Amy's fee starts at $6,000 for eight hand-picked matches. $30,000 gets you 15 introductions, a nationwide search, and a cocktail party. Amy also offers date coaching, image makeovers, wardrobe overhauls, fitness training, and networking cocktail parties.

This sort of "high-end" matchmaking can be controversial, so I thought it would be enlightening to ask Amy to share her take on matchmaking and modern love.

Why do people come to you for your services?

Amy Andersen: People come to me because they are educated and hardworking, (typically) young professionals who are interested in finding a like-minded, quality match. Often our clients have dabbled in online dating (to mixed results), most have attempted the bar scene to unpleasant outcomes, and due to their success and taking their professional careers seriously, they refuse to date their colleagues. Thus, the resources shrink, and choices become limited and sparse.

To find out what qualities Amy's clients look for in a date, and to see how she would answer critics, read more.

What are the top qualities a man looks for in a woman?

AA: I would say being physically fit is way up there -and keep in mind, fitness can be wide ranging; she doesn't have to be an Ironman triathlete, just someone who cares about her health and enjoys fitness - along with being confident and happy with who she is. It's also important she has a life outside the relationship - in other words, not clingy. Being warm and nurturing is also way up there!

What are the top qualities a woman looks for in a man?

AA: A woman looks for good DNA! She wants a man who is going to be a good provider - so she looks for financial stability. Our clients are not looking for a guy jockeying between jobs and floating around trying to figure out what to do with his life. She also looks for physical appearance, often wanting him to be fit or tall. And finally someone who is a good communicator, not a game player.

What would you say to critics who think you're setting up gold-diggers with men who want trophy wives?

AA: We couldn't be more opposite of matchmakers who only represent men and simply have women in their databases. Unlike The Millionaire Matchmaker or other firms, we represent both men and women, and not just average but exceptional professionals. So many of our female clients are just as, if not more, successful than their male counterparts. A critic could speculate that men gravitate toward the network to meet a highly affluent woman! It really could not be further from the truth that we work with gold diggers. Everyone in Linx is an equal, and each client pays for the service. Thus there are not unusual expectations, or women desiring rich men, or men desiring a casual hookup.

Can money buy you love?

AA: Money can buy you the option to meet someone great, but it can’t buy you chemistry which leads to love. That is left up to two people and fate.

Come back tomorrow to find out what Amy thinks about "hooking up" and traditional gender roles.

Ask Savvy: Recruiter Asked For My Facebook, Should I Send It?

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:30:17 -0700

Dear Savvy,
I was considering applying for a job in the online social media industry, but got turned off when I noticed the listing asks for a cover letter, resume, writing and blog samples, and a Facebook page link. I'm fully aware that employers use Facebook and Google to research candidates, but I don't like the fact that they want to scope me out before they meet me. I'm smart, qualified, have relevant experience and I have a fairly normal Facebook, but would feel funny sharing it with a potential employer. Do you think my application will get put to the bottom of the pile if I don't play the networking game with the recruiter?

Savvy says: Oh! The modern dilemma! To see why you should share if you dare, read more.

For those of us who hunted for jobs pre-social networking a recruiter asking for a Facebook link or online profile may seem odd. Especially given we hear stories like the one about the girl who tweeted herself out of a job or tales of recruiters judging applicants based on drunken photos on Flickr, Facebook, Myspace or even Google Image.

The chance of being selected or rejected based on your photo seems harsh, but if you are applying for a social media industry job the recruiter may just want to know how active you are online. If you really don't have anything to hide (think lingerie parties or pukey pics), and already use Facebook as a networking tool, then play with your privacy settings so that the hiring manager can't see anything you don't want them to, find a professional profile photo (or a cute pic of your puppy or favorite beach) and send her the link. Recent studies show your online reputation could actually help you get a job, so spend some time cleaning up your Internet act and just click send. If you still feel Facebook shy, you might consider sending a link to your Linkedin account to reaffirm your professionalism, but show you are comfortable networking online.

All that being said, if you don't feel comfortable sharing, then don't. It's your right to keep your private life private and if your resume and cover letter impress, you'll still get a call from the recruiter. I can't imagine anyone in her right mind would fault you for not sharing your Facebook.

Note: This advice is tailored specifically for this reader who is applying for an Internet job. I do not recommend sending a link to your profile unless you are applying for a position where your Internet activity counts as experience or expertise. A good hiring manager will know how to use Google to find all the pics, status updates and online profiles you have ever set up if her heart desires.

Photo courtesy of FX

Kate Hudson Lets Off Some Steam With A-Rod in Miami

PopSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:30:51 -0700

Kate Hudson kicked off her weekend in Miami with a night out at the Fontainebleau hotel on Friday. She went a little more casual for a baseball game yesterday, when she brought Ryder along to see Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees play the Marlins. Alex's team lost the game by one run, and some of his fans are upset because he was out late with Kate the night before. He didn't seem too broken up about the controversy last night as he snuck out of the Casa Tua restaurant after dinner with Kate. You guys also don't think they make a great couple, but that doesn't seem to deter Kate as she continues traveling around the country to see him take the field.

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Startraks Photo, Bauer-Griffin Online and Mavrix Online