In Love With Tech? What’s Your Gadget Attraction?
December 4th, 2012 by Tech StaffYou may or may not not be the “techy type”, however you probably have several girlfriends who are. Had it not been for my own gadget girlfriends, I wouldn’t have the slightest interest in the latest and greatest technology. I decided to go on a search of my own, just to see what could possibly peak my interest for my or my gadget girlfriends’ Christmas lists. Here are a few things that I found worth sharing.
How much FUN is this toaster?! While getting your morning coffee/tea ready, you no longer have to wonder if your bread is on the proper setting or browning to your likening. From almost any angle in your kitchen, you will be able to see your toast’s transformation. No more burned toast and breakfast just became even more exciting!
You really don’t have to be into gadgets much to enjoy this timepiece. Perfect for your bedside, and the perfect size for stocking stuffing!
If you still have the iPhone 4/4s, don’t fret, many of us still do! This cell phone case is a must-have accessory that will leave you feeling like you just upgraded phones. The case resembles a small journal and provides excellent protection from elements and the occasions that your phone slides from your hand (Even if you never lose a grip on your iPhone, like myself, this case is swanky!)
Here’s the perfect mouse for those of us on the go more than we are home, known as the Arc Mouse. After realizing how much this would simplify life on the go, I had to share this with you! The entire mouse takes the shape of your leg, preventing it from sliding to the floor and makes for a no-hassle, easily-mobile work space.
You don’t have to be a “gadget guru” to enjoy these latest technologies. They are perfect for a self-upgrade, or for stocking stuffers for the crew. Whatever your gadget attraction, there is truly something for everyone!
Tell us some of the latest gadgets that you found and/or favor below… and stay tuned for more gadget updates from the team!
To Delete or Not to Delete: The Plight Of Social Network Deserters
November 29th, 2012 by Lifestyle StaffEveryone has THAT friend who lives on the Internet. They post every detail of their life on Facebook and on Twitter. They post tons of pictures daily on Instagram of outfits and meals consumed. (if you don’t have that friend, you need to take a look in the mirror, because that friend could be you…) The digital world is their oyster until one day… it’s not. One person disagrees with one of their statuses, someone makes a joke about a picture they’ve posted, or their mentions on Twitter are bombarded with combative comments replying to something they tweeted. Then their love for social media has turned to hatred and they’re faced with the dilemma to delete or not delete – possibly deserting the social media network altogether.
The Internet is no longer a friendly place. Users find themselves in the middle of a war they can’t contain because of that pesky share button and retweet option that makes one post viral in seconds. As a result they begin the process of packing their digital baggage filled with over used hashtags and untagged photos and wave farewell to their online profiles.
People delete their accounts everyday for various reasons. The ones who leave because of drama they most likely created, I like to call them “social network deserters”. There are two types of social network deserters, the one who takes immediate action after an embarrassing or angering exchange or the one who drags it out hoping someone acknowledges their decision to leave it all behind.
The ones who drag it out spend the next few hours and sometimes days, posting that they are “done” with social networks, some even urge all of their “real friends” to request their number to stay in touch. Celebrities tend to fall into the swift action category. Most likely their PR person pulled the plug. Case in point, the most recent celebrity deserter who had a less than stellar night of communicating on a public forum: Chris Brown.
Regardless of which type of deserter they are, one thing they both have in common is that they always come back. When they do it’s not without fan fare. The average Joe posts an “I’m back” statement and waits for the likes or retweets to roll in. The media outlets unofficially handle the announcements for the celebrities.
History, however, never fails to repeat itself and you know what they say about idle hands, especially hands that have access to smart phones. When they do return it’s only a matter of time before another incident reminds them of why they hate allowing friends and strangers into their personal lives.
Until then there are enough social network super users who are willing to fight the good fight and provide just as much drama for those who like to watch to stay entertained.
Are you one of these social network deserters or super users? Do you think celebrities should fend for themselves via social media or just quit the game entirely? Sound off below…
{Holiday Review} @Plantronics Voyager Legend Headset
November 28th, 2012 by Christen
When choosing to use bluetooth headsets versus headphones for daily mobile calling, everyone has their own preference. Many consumers opt to use their standard factory headphones for handsfree calls, however many of these headphones don’t provide optimum calling & clear noise-free communication. This is where the Plantronics Voyager Legend comes into play. As an intelligent accessory that seamlessly works into a busy diva’s lifestyle, it’s brings superior smart call routing, precision audio and voice commands all together in one simply intuitive device.
The Set Up
Setting up the bluetooth device is fairly simple. Customized earbuds and strategically shifting of the microphone makes it easy to pair the device to your left or right ear listening preference. A standard gel ear tip comes attached to the Voyager Legend but Plantronics also bundles two larger and smaller size gel tips and foam earbud covers. Plantronics took the time to make these tips easy to swap in and out of the device too. Just press inward and twist left or right to lock or unlock tips for insertion and removal. Pairing the device to your iPhone or Android device is equally simple and allow connection in a matter of seconds. Upon using the device for the first time, it had enough power to pair the device with my iPhone and make a few calls, however when fully charged it boasts up to 7 hours of talk time or 11 days of power while on standby. To charge the Voyager Legend, Plantronics includes a small adapter to rest the headset’s metal contacts on, making it easy to keep the device charged anywhere when not in use.
Call Audio & Clarity
Voyager line gives you three microphones to improve audio quality and clarity. Testing out these microphones on one of the busiest streets in NYC – Broadway was a breeze! Loud trucks, crowded restaurants, and loud passerby’s were no match for the clarity of the Voyager Legend. Did it completely reduce all the background noise, no – but that’s not what it’s intended to do. It does provide clear enough calling that people on the other end of the phone couldn’t tell if I was on a bluetooth device at all. The Voyager Legend also intuitively directs calls to your phone or headset, pauses music for incoming calls, and allows you to automatically answer by simply placing the headset on your ear.
Voice Commands
With most voice command options, based on your dialect – it can be a pleasant or just plain frustrating experience. (I truly believe Siri hates me) but to my surprise, using the voice command option on the Voyager Legend wasn’t complicated at all. Just say “Answer” to take a call. Tap the Voice button to check battery level or ask “What can I say?” to hear a list of commands.
Design
The Voyager Legend is a streamlined bluetooth accessory that’ll take a moment to gain total comfort with. Weighing only 18 grams, it’s a lightweight device that makes it easy to forget that it’s on your ear. While the headset’s ear loop is sturdy and provide a comfortable anchor for ear placement, it provides controls that you have to familiarize yourself with for easy finger reach. The ear loop’s base is home to the power switch and volume toggle button while the two key buttons you’ll make most use of reside on the microphone arm. It took me a while to effortlessly press the mute call button (located closer to the edge of the microphone) without mistakenly pressing the call button (located closer to the base of the microphone) simultaneously. However, once I got the hang of the exact position of each button, using the accessory became that much more enjoyable.
Extras
You can rely on the Voyager Legend to work as hard as you do, through rain, sweat and the inevitable coffee spill. Voyager Legend headsets are protected against sweat and moisture damage by P2i technology. The nano-coating is applied during the manufacturing process, resulting in invisible liquid repellent properties that also makes the headset more reliable, wherever your busy life takes you. Plantronics also provides a variety of apps such as the InstantMeeting call-confrencing app, headset locating apps and more!
No matter if you’re hanging out with the kids or running errands on the go – the suburb audio quality, lightweight and well-crafted Plantronics Voyager Legend makes it a great choice if you’re looking for handsfree bluetooth technology this season. At only $99 it makes a great holiday gift and easily available online at Plantronics.com, Amazon.com and at your local Best Buy location.
Disclosure: This review has been compensated as part of a promotional program. All opinions are entirely my own.
Beat The Holiday Pudge With These Five Fat-busting Apps Today
November 27th, 2012 by Tech Staff
Family time, awesome gifts and warm gloves aren’t the only thing that the holidays bring on! We’re eating for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years and everything else in between but how do we combat the winter weight gain that comes along with it? Sure we all want to go to the gym EVERYDAY, but will that really happen in reality? Doubt it! That’s why we’ve found the next best thing! Harness the power of your fingertips with fat-busting apps that’ll get you on the right path & a head start towards healthier living well before January. We’ve wrangled up five of the best apps to help you battle the holiday bulge starting today!
- Workout Trainer:
One of my personal favs, the Workout Trainer app lets you select from thousands of free workout programs and save your favorites for easy access. Customize your own workouts, and each exercise comes with photo/video tutorial (just in case you don’t know what Burpees, Spider Pushups or Seal Jacks are). You can even schedule your workouts and get reminders sent to your phone.
- P90X:
Yes there’s an app for that! One of the most intense workout dvd’s is now gracing iphones everywhere. You can try the Ab Ripper X program for free and receive a discount on ordering the dvd set via the app. Anyone that’s ever tried P90X knows how intense their exercises are, so if this can’t keep you from gaining this holiday season nothing will!
- Sworkit:
This one is a little less customizable than Workout Trainer but perfect for those who just want to get started! Target workouts to your lower body, upper body, core and yoga programs, or select Anything Goes to do a little of everything. Download on your ipad and listen along to workouts
How are you fighting the ‘holiday 15’ this season!?
Chris Brown: When Twitter Beefs Go Wrong (AGAIN!)
November 26th, 2012 by ChristenJust when you thought it was safe to support #TeamBREEZY – the 23-year old singer, flubs up on social media (once again). According to several reports online, Chris Brown has (once again) deleted his Twitter page after a battle of insults with a comedienne online.
The exchange started when Chris tweeted a photo of himself with the caption, “I look old as f—! I’m only 23“. Jenny Johnson responded, “I know! Being a worthless piece of sh-t can really age a person” and a very vulgar war of words ensued from there…
Will someone from Chris Brown’s camp PLEASE take his smartphone away from him. I understand freedom of speech but GEEZ – there comes a time where if you don’t learn from your mistakes you should be forced to accept the consequences. I wonder if Twitter should implement a 3 STRIKES rule? Delete your profile THREE TIMES and you’re OUT … FOR GOOD! That’ll teach folks about social media decision making REAL QUICK!
What do you think?
This Season’s Holiday Shopping “Appvice” from Verizon Wireless
November 21st, 2012 by ChristenThere’s no better time to challenge the power of your smartphone to make your life a little easier this season. Black Friday chaos, Small Business Saturday shopping and Cyber Monday is right around the corner to kick off the holiday shopping season, and this year you have the power to control your entire shopping experience. Verizon is here to help! Tis the season to shop stress free this year and enjoy your holiday weekend with the help of these helpful apps, tips and Verizon’s 4G LTE Network:
Take Control of Your Commute with VZ Navigator
- Map out where you want to go and what route you want to take. Use VZNavigator for turn-by-turn directions, your location, and live traffic conditions to avoid the crowds. Use real-time, turn-by-turn spoken directions with street names and true-to-life images of highway and exit signs, many in 3D. Advanced navigation instructions include landmarks such as traffic lights and number of streets. Discover millions of destinations and businesses that are constantly updated for accuracy, including the nearest ATMs and low gas prices. Search by name or category: restaurants, shopping, airports, museums and more.
- If you’re interested in searching for deals by store, product categories, or most recent offers, download the TGI Black Friday App . This app lets you view Black Friday ads from all major retail stores, create a personal shopping list, and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal. TGI Black Friday is currently the highest rated Black Friday app for the Apple iPhone in 2011. The free app allows you to search thousands of Black Friday deals for every major retail store. You can create a personal shopping list and use your iPhone to shop smarter and faster on Black Friday.
- Worried about your favorite team rather than a shopping deal? Don’t! With the Verizon NFL Mobile you get 24/7 access to everything NFL. Check out scores, latest news, and highlights.
- Ready for Small Business Saturday? Make sure you stay fueled so your shopping experience is a marathon not a sprint. Small Business Saturday, is Saturday, November 24th! Support local business and download the Yelp app so you know where to get the closest cup of joe or sandwich to keep you going. Find and read reviews about great local businesses near you. Looking for a burrito joint open now? An Irish pub nearby? A gas station you can drive to before your tank hits empty? Yelp for Android is here to help. Use us to search for places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play then read reviews from an active community of locals in the know.
- Cyber Monday is important and on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network you’ll be able to search and shop faster. With the Amazon.com app you can use that power to compare prices, read reviews, and buy all the latest gear and gadgets. Browse, search & buy millions of products right from your Android device. The Amazon Mobile App allows Android users to browse and “Shop by Department”, quickly search, compare prices, read reviews, share products with friends, access Gold Box Deals, and make purchases on Amazon.com.
The All New 2013 Ford Fusion… “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”
November 19th, 2012 by Christen
The All New 2013 Ford Fusion has been given a new spotlight on the road as the star in the new “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” ad campaign. Unveiled today, “A Rose” …inspired by Tupac Shakur’s, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete.” campaign features the stunning midsize sedan that offers a distinct style and functional design that Ford lovers has learned to love.
The campaign, called “A Rose,” debuts today and includes a TV advertisement in which consumers witness members of a Ford product team creating a breakthrough product by chiseling a large block of concrete into the all-new midsize sedan. The ad, which features Andre Royo from HBO’s “The Wire,” includes a voiceover reciting the late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.” “The all-new Ford Fusion is such a breakthrough vehicle for Ford,” said Shawn Thompson, Ford manager, Multicultural Marketing. “The late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” is the perfect description for the way the new Fusion’s design came to be. As it’s described in the words of the poem, the Fusion is a clear testimony of what we can do if we keep our dreams.
“This campaign breaks completely away from anything we’ve done in the past to introduce consumers to a new vehicle utilizing a poem by one of hip hop’s most celebrated artists,” Thompson added. “This campaign, like the poem, has an inspiring message at its core.”
The fully integrated campaign also includes radio and print ads in addition to a digital execution featuring a series of Web videos that will live on www.ford.com/brandnew. The videos feature interviews with some of the team members behind the design of the all-new vehicle. The Web videos can be found on the Ford Fusion YouTube channel and Ford Fusion Facebook page beginning today. The question is, will we see a new Tupac hologram sighting at Ford dealership near you? Check out the new commercial spot and let us know what you think below…
Looking for more tech savvy car news? Something BIG is coming… a unique automotive website for women, by women…Stay tuned…
Black Friday Alert: If You’re Looking For Apple’s Black Friday Deals, Look No Further…
November 19th, 2012 by Tech Staff
What’s under Apple’s tree this season? Could it be the gift of savings? Apple hasn’t announced any deals for Black Friday (yet), but in this season of giving, we can only assume that Apple plans to offer huge savings for Black Friday. If 2011 is any indication as to 2012 savings, we’re in for a treat and it’s safe to write our list for what we want. Last year Apple offered respectable discounted items for the one-day shopping event including iPad savings and savings on the iPod Nano, iPod Touch, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac devices.
We’re checking our list twice and on our list this season, we’re asking the big red man (ahem, Apple) for:
iPad specials: In 2011, the iPad 2 was only a few months old when Black Friday rolled around, and customers enjoyed about a $50 savings. We expect the same level of savings for iPad 3 and older model iPads this year. If you haven’t bought an iPad yet because of the hefty price tag, we suggest waiting until Apple officially announces its specials. Because they will…at least we hope. Apple reduced prices on Mac last year so we predict savings on Mac products as well.
Discounts on Accessories: We expect Apple to reduce prices on accessories. Some stores offer free Apple accessories with your purchase of an iPad so be on the lookout for these savings. There’s nothing better than getting something free especially when it’s from Apple.
Shorter Lines and Less in-store Crowds: Wildly popular is Black Friday so expect to see a lot of consumers. We hope that Apple is well stocked and equipped to handle the influx of customers. How about express lines and customer service oriented sales people to direct the traffic? We don’t want our turkey & stuffing to get cold.
Participating Stores: While Apple is the go-to spot for all things Apple, other retailers like Best Buy will have possible savings on Apple products. Best Buy has its own surge of customers on Black Friday, but it’s a healthy alternative to buying your iPad directly from an Apple store. You can even buy your Apple product online and skip the long lines and overcrowding. However, in store sales seem to be the most lucrative and cost-effective.
You may be wondering about iPhones. Last year there were no iPhone savings, but you never know. These are just our predictions. Apple may have some surprises up its sleeves.
Tell us about your Black Friday experience. Do you plan on going this year? What tech pieces are you looking to get your hands on?
From Smizing To Sexting…There A New App For That!
November 17th, 2012 by ChristenOn average, there are about 300 new apps, created and released every day! There are apps to help you plan your day, meals and even step up your dating & relationship skills. If supermodel/mogul Tyra Banks is known for one thing, it’s inventing “the smize,” or the act of smiling with your eyes. Now a pop culture staple, smizing is no longer an elite skill limited to America’s top models — Tyra has decided to share her smizing powers with us all with the “Smize Yourself!” app.
The “Smize Yourself!” app allows users to apply facial morphing technology to enhance the smizes in their own photos. Users receive training via Banks’ voice-over narration. After taking a photo within the app’s face outline, one swipe will adjust the emotion in the picture’s eyes from subtle to exaggerated. Earlier this week, Tyra stopped by the Wendy Williams show to talk Top Model, Love and “smizing” and based on some of the photos we’ve seen, a good smize could go a long way.
From smizing to sexting, the Vibease has taken sexting to a truly technical level with the Vibease app. Remember that time you really wanted to “get it on,” but your partner was thousands of miles away? A startup called Vibease recently started taking pre-orders for a new long-distance vibrator operated by bluetooth technology. The full bundle includes the free Vibease app as well as what the company calls a “massager,” for about $70.
By connecting the vibrator through bluetooth, women’s partners are able to control the type of massage received through a series of functions on their smartphone. The app also allows couples to chat, send pics or sext through a secure messaging service that requires a security pin for access.
Talk about apps meant for long distance relationships and just in case your mate is on a long business trip, the “smize” app and Vibease app can take you from first base to home plate with literally the press of a button. What will they think of next?
Unleash Your Inner Creative From The Comfort Of Your Seat With Fresh Paint
November 16th, 2012 by Christen
Ever wonder why social games like Words with Friends or Draw Something have become a huge hit with people of all ages? It’s because people enjoy expressing themselves creatively! No matter if it’s via words, music, dancing, painting or more – unleashing a person’s creativity is huge and if it’s socially or among friends then it’s even better. If you’ve not yet had the chance to try Fresh Paint, the new painting app for Windows 8, it’s available for free in the Windows Store and has over a 4 star rating (out of 5). In short though, it’s a revolutionary paint application that has a level of realism that has to be seen to be believed. I blogged about it back in August but having played with it more, and seen my daughter fall in love with it, I wanted to know some more about the magic behind the application.
Fresh Paint is about tapping into and expressing your creativity. Whether it’s through our online posts, blogs like this one, photos, doodles and sketches, or something else, we all have an inner creative. The Fresh Paint team was curious though about just how many people felt like they were missing a creative outlet, a way to express their ideas, inspirations and thoughts. So we commissioned a global survey designed to find out how many people are looking for ways to express their creativity. The research shows that a large number of people are looking for creative outlets in their lives. The majority of people surveyed wish they had a creative outlet. In the U.S. alone, 87% of people surveyed said they wish they had a creative outlet.
Fresh Paint infographic – An infographic by the team at Fresh Paint infographic
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