Could The Microsoft Surface Be On Oprah’s ‘Favorite Things’ List This Year?
November 2nd, 2012 by Tech Staff
Amidst a nasty rumor that Apple declined to gift Oprah Winfery’s audience iPads during one of her last appearances years ago on The Oprah Winfrey show. A new tablet has made it’s way to the famed “Oprah’s Favorite Things” gift guide this year – the Microsoft Surface.
“It feels like a Mercedes-Benz to me, people!” gushes Oprah in the December issue of O, on newsstands Nov. 6. Her “Favorite Things 2012? list was released online Thursday.
“The full-size keyboard built right into the cover makes work easy, the very smart kickstand makes watching a movie or Skyping a friend a delight, the less than a pound-and-a-half weight makes a great alternative to a laptop,” she adds.
This is a HUGE endorsement for the Microsoft brand, and it’s sure to affect upcoming holiday sales for the Surface. Are you interested in the Surface now that it’s made Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list?
Travel Accessories To Help You Pack Light This Travel Season!
July 12th, 2012 by ChristenAs a burgeoning travel diva, I’ve learned the hard way that excessive baggage and baggage fees is not the way to go. But when traveling with office accessories, laptops, ipads, cameras, batteries and more – it’s kinda hard avoiding “Bag Lady” status and to (in my Erykah Badu voice) “pack light”. Luckily, I found some incredible gadgetries online that I would love to have in my carry on for my next big trip. I liked them so much, that I thought I’d share some of them with you below…
Virtual Keyboard Keychain ($99.99)
Get slick and productive with this virtual keyboard keychain, sold exclusively by Brookstone. This tiny and compact keychain is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It will project a keyboard on any flat surface, and works with Bluetooth wireless technology to easily connect to your tablet or smartphone.
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Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter ($49)
Using every trick in the book to milk your laptop’s charge for the duration of a flight? Forget that. Apple’s MagSafe Airline Adapter plugs into the airplane’s seat power port, keeping your MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air juiced for as many movie viewings as you like. (Note: This adapter keeps your laptop powered up but doesn’t charge the battery, so you’ll have to snag an outlet in the terminal if you need to fill up before the flight.)
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Grid-It iPad ($34). Get organized with the Grid-It organization system’s new and improved iPad case. A neoprene pocket protects your tablet, while the gridded straps across the front of the case lets you configure your gadgets and accessories in countless ways. You’ll spend less time organizing and more time enjoying.
Looking for a few more travel friendly gadgets? Check out more findings on Brookstone.com or here.
Two Hot Cooling Gadgets To Battle The Summertime Heatwave!
June 20th, 2012 by Tech StaffHEAT ADVISORY: It’s the first day of summer and the east coast is ushering in summer in with a 95-degree+ heatwave! If you’re looking for hot ways to keep cool, check out these geeky gadgets that will keep you nice as ice this summer!
White iPhone Air Cooler
It looks like an iPhone, but its way much cooler! Press the Home button,the notification “LED” will illuminate in the lower and the 7000 RPM fan starts to spin. The micro-USB port, as you probably see, is used to recharge the battery inside.
WiFi Fan
No power, no space to tote more gadgets in your bag? No problem. You can always cool yourself with this plastic Wi-Fi fan by the whimsical French design company ATYPYK. Available from ATYPYK’s eShop for $12.15 USD (shipping excluded).
Are you planning on visiting the pool or cranking up the air conditioner 24/7 this summer? How do you plan on beating this heat?
Bling, BLING! The Most Expensive Celebrity Tech Toys EVER!
June 8th, 2012 by ChristenBling, BLING! In a world where celebs are notorious for outrageous fashions & ostenagious jewelry, it’s only right for celebrities to carry their blingalicous fashions over to their tech toys too! Can you guess the celeb with the most expensive gadget on the planet? Think lots of diamonds & solid gold…
How Well Does Women + Technology Really Mix?
May 22nd, 2012 by ChristenAs a woman who spends her time in the geek space as well as the entertainment space – it’s always interesting to hear opinionated views on women in the technology field. From the workplace to the social media space, women have been an influential force behind the evolution of technology and although, it’s still a male-dominated field – you’d be amazed at the strides that women are making on a daily basis!
Fashionable & Not So Fashionable Tech…Coming To A Body Near You Soon!
May 18th, 2012 by Tech StaffWearable tech seems to be the new big wave in the industry. Check out this infographic that details the latest projects in the space. Check out some fashionable (and not so fashionable ideas) currently in the works…
Which product stands out most to you? Could you see yourself using any of these wearable tech ideas?
Can You Ruin Your Family With Too Much Technology?
May 17th, 2012 by ChristenAs the tech savvy matriarch of the family, I find it important to keep my nieces & nephews on top of the latest tech trends and new releases. However, I’m still deciding if I’m more of a fan of smartphone/tablet use as entertainment vs education for children – check out a few facts below…
Many parents seem to think gadgets don’t just keep kids occupied — they can also help them grow and learn. 77% of parents think tablets are beneficial to kids, and 77% think they help develop creativity, according to Schools.com’s findings. More than a quarter of parents have downloaded apps for their kids. The top genres? Fun, at 46%; education, at 42%; and creative, at 28%.
Are you a tech-heavy parent raising tech-heavy kids? Do you think smartphones and tablets do more to help or hurt the development of kids today? Sound off below.
Last Minute Tech Gifts For Mom (That’ll Make You The Mother’s Day Hero!)
May 11th, 2012 by ChristenWith Mother’s Day this weekend, you’re surely racking your brain for the perfect gadget to give to show appreciation for everything dear Mom’s given you in life. Here are our top picks at prices you can afford!
Aluminum iPad Keyboard Case ($76.99)
The Aluminum iPad Keyboard Case is the perfect metallic companion for your iPad. Made from aircraft aluminum with a bead-blasted, anodized finish, it matches the design, look, and feel of your Apple device. Its innovative hinge provides a multitude of viewing angles in both portrait and landscape mode. Best of all, the built-in Bluetooth keyboard allows for fast, responsive typing.
GE X500 Camera ($114)
We had to check twice to make sure the price of the GE 14MP X500 camera was correct after seeing how well online test images turned out. It performed better than our own higher priced point-and-shoot, and also offered the customization options (19 scene modes and image stabilization) of something five times its price. If you’re looking to get mom a new camera but if it’s the picture quality you’re after, and for less than $150, we’re sure Mom will consider it a wise investment.
Converge – USB Charging Hub ($39.99)
Converge is the futon of charging hubs. Its white folds remind us of a bendy futon mattress, but it has the added feature of a slot to slip in charging cables. With the help of soft TPE grips, cables stay nestled out of sight behind Converge. Just plug the power source into your nearest outlet and you can charge up to 4 USB devices while they chill out on Converge’s curvy frame.
Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight ($139)
Mom’s been known to fall asleep with the lights on midchapter of a book just about every night, driving Dad, with the sensitive sleeping habits, crazy. End the nightly bickering with the latest update to the Nook ereader, the Simple Touch With GlowLight. Enough subtle light to keep Mom reading as long as she wants, without the harsh LCD glare and brightness of a reading lamp that could keep others awake.
FridgePad – Magnetic Refrigerator Mount for iPad ($49.99)
In comes FridgePad, ready to save the day! It’s the best no-tools iPad mount on the market and holds your iPad or iPad2 to the fridge so tightly that you can slam the door without fear. Check your email while waiting for coffee to brew, listen to music while washing the dishes, or catch up on your favorite TV shows while getting a bite to eat. Need to charge your iPad too? The super long PowerLine makes a great companion for the FridgePad.
Four Text Messaging Mistakes You’re Making Right Now!
May 2nd, 2012 by ChristenHave you ever wondered why your text messages, (and even phone calls)always seem to get no response? You could be making some of the most common mistakes that men and women make in modern day communication. Find out if you’re making these common mistakes and how to avoid them in the future below…
4. Asking Questions That Require Detailed Answers…
Asking YES or NO questions and for quick updates is what texting is intended for. Texting should not be used for asking things like, detailed opinions on the global warming crisis and how it could potentially affect urban development. Text messages requiring explainations, or multiple paragraphs? KISS that response goodbye (Keep It Simple Stupid) People! Keep it short and simple and you’re sure to get a considerate response. If an elaborate response is necessary, call or meet in person for those important conversations & discussions..
3. Rapid Fire Text Messages
There’s texting too often and then there’s outright texting Turrets. Stop that! There’s a 10-text maximum per 10-minute window (and that’s being generous). If you break that rule, practice this one tip—text it and forget it. (Get lost in the world wide web if you’re keystroke happy, or just shut down your phone completely for the next 10 minutes until you cool off.)
2. Too Many LOL – Smiley Face…
A little sarcasm via texting is healthy when flirting, but not every sarcastic (or non-sarcastic message) needs to be accompanied with an LOL or an emoticon. If you’ve developed a nice rapport with your text recipient, they should have a good sense of your personality—if all else fails, try texting your sarcasm in italics to avoid the abbreviation and 
overdose. Or, add a “haha.” For some reason, it seems so much better than an LOL.
1. Sexting
Yeah, we know. There’s nothing wrong with harmless flirting, but when messages get a little too hot and heavy and/or when naughty photos are involved that’s when your text-messaging privileges have gone too far and you’ve committed one of the original texting sins.
Have you been guilty of any of these texting faux pas? Have you gotten any of the text mistakes mentioned? How would you let the guilty texter know that they’re breaking one of the four texting rules?
Time To Spring Clean Your Beauty Regime…
April 17th, 2012 by Christen
Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/
If you’re still not convinced that Spring is here to stay (even after a near 90-degree day in New York City on Monday) look at your calendar, is it starting to look a bit fuller than usual? A filled calendar is the true indication that Spring has Sprung and with weddings, parties, vacations and more isn’t it time you stepped up and spring cleaned your beauty regime?
The warmer it gets, the less likely you are to pile on the makeup – so let’s start with the foundation instead shall we? Your hair, smile & skin. A clean pallette is the ultimate accessory this spring and there’s no better way to enhance your natural beauty than with these skin cleaning must haves.
- Clean. Get rid of dull winterized skin by exfoliating & getting a deep down clean with Neutrogena’s Microdermabrasion System.
- Water. Drink 8-10 glasses a day and watch mother nature purify your skin and rejuvenate your body from the inside out.
Go for bottled water or this handy filtered water bottle from Rubbermaid, either way they’re compact and can go with you anywhere!
- Brighten. Nothing says a healthier, more beautiful you than a nice bright smile. No need to call a Dentist, your neighborhood Walgreen’s has tons of smile brightening options from at home kits, toothpastes & oral washes too.
- Go Green (well sorta…) Did you know that there are hair styling tools that’ll give you a salon style without the use of a curling or flat iron? Toss those hairstyling tools away for the season and try using hair rollers, rods & pins to create stylish looks for Spring.
With Spring’s busy event season in full effect, there’s no reason why you have to sacrifice time or convenience while on the road to becoming beautiful. Check out a few of these bloggers and their stories on how to get fabulous in a flash, just in time for Spring’s busy event season…
- ELZABELZ - I’ve been dreaming of hosting a really cool fancy dress party and wondering what I’d wear. Time for a post on Special Event Style! What? You don’t dream up parties and imagine the outfits you’d wear?
- THE BABY SHOPAHOLIC - If you have been reading my blog longer then a week you know I attend a lot of different types of events. Remember Mister’s big Movie Premier? In my head, I hype it up like I am going to hit the E!
- MINORITY WEIRDOS - The great thing about being a lady is that we have so many options for our personal beautification projects from different colors, foundations to cleansers and more. It’s so much to decide on and make good decisions about.
- MUSHKI LOVES - Do any of you have special events to attend? What do you consider a special event? For me a special event would be going to a baptism for a niece or nephew. A church function or a family event, or going out for a date night with the hubby!
- MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG - It used to seem like I had endless amounts of time to get all dolled up for different things, like parties, dancing and baby showers, but now? What I wouldn’t give to have a whole afternoon to get ready.
