Five Kickstarter Projects Making Strides (That Make Great Gifts)
February 22nd, 2013 by ChristenDid you know that you can find some of the most unique gifts online that aren’t even available in stores yet? Some of the most innovative products are just waiting for backers and potential customers on Kickstarter.com. What is Kickstarter? Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Check out a few of our favorite Kickstarter projects currently making waves online that also make great gifts below…
ChargeCard – $24.99
ChargeCard is a portable USB Charging Cable for iPhone and iPad. Designed to fit in your wallet. USB Charging and data sync iPhones, iPad and iPods.
Lumio Lamp – $95
Lumio is simple and intuitive. The lamp automatically turns on and off as you open and close the cover. A flexible and durable spine design allows you to control brightness by adjusting the angle without a switch or button. The lamp is available for preorder on Kickstarter for $95 with hopes to further develop the product in different sizes and LED colors soon.
CST Watch – $129
CST-01, “the world’s thinnest watch,” is a 0.8 mm thick flexible cuff watch that uses e-ink display. Its minimalist style means there are no buttons or knobs, so the base station does most of the work to charge the device and allow users to change to a 24-hour format. The watch is available for preorder starting at $129 in white, black and rose gold.
Snooze iPhone Dock – $129
Snooze the minimal alarm dock with big rubber snooze bar. If you’re tired of fumbling for our iPhone alarm in the morning, so we created Snooze – the bedside stand with a big, functioning snooze bar. It creates a home for your iPhone and cable, so no more knocking your iPhone off of the nightstand or turning your alarm off by accident – the rubber top of Snooze lets you easily quiet your alarm or incoming phone calls. Snooze is available for preorder starting at $39.99.
Zooka – $99
Zooka by Carbon Audio to be mobile as your media. Through Bluetooth® technology, Zooka connects with your mobile devices to enhance your sound experience, bringing to life any game, movie, or song you want to play. And its dual speakers provide high-end sound quality while its functional design ensures that it fits just as snug on your iPad as it does your laptop. Zooka is available for preorder starting at $99.
Looking for a unique gift for your family or friends? Which kickstarter project caught your eye as a great gift?
Are You Ready To Pay For YouTube Content?
February 15th, 2013 by Tech Staff
Are consumers really ready to pay for YouTube content? YouTube is transitioning from a platform to a full fledge producer. Are they trying to reinvent TV? Looks like it. Could YouTube become the next internet giant? It seems they are experimenting with the idea. Back in October, YouTube announced an investment of millions in original content production of over 60 individually selected channels on its video platform, and they will charge subscription fees to viewers – like cable television. Reports show that the initial paid channels will cost $1 – $5 a month for episodic content and will debut in the Spring.
Why would YouTube enter this market? With the percentage of people using tablets and smart phones as the primary means of viewing multimedia content and Hulu now offering their own original content programming why wouldn’t they. Google, YouTube’s parent company has said it wanted to explore non-advertising revenue to generate profit. They will also consider charging for content libraries, access to live events, pay-per-view, and self-help/financial advice shows.
As for YouTube partners (vloggers) the subscription fees affects them too. YouTube is advising its current partners to consider carefully how their existing audience will react. Most have spent years building up a base of free subscribers through hard work and cross-promotion. Can they produce content worth paying for?
Nevertheless, YouTube has to get people to view their content like they watch TV. That is more difficult. How do you get people to watch a 30-60 minute programming daily/weekly, rather than a 5 minute video clips and clicks?
“But how does YouTube go from upload center to the engine that powers the video-curated web? For that, Dror looked to today’s TV formats for a clue. And what he found may surprise you. If you think about TV shows like ESPN Sportscenter, that’s essentially what these formats are. Clip shows. They have some hosts, talk for a few minutes and then they go to some content that they didn’t create but are pulling from other sources. Now we’re making that format available on YouTube. Anyone can use the giant library of video content and start to create these hosted Programs.” (www.forbes.com)
Would you pay for YouTube content?
Stand Out In The Crowd In The Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones (Review)
February 14th, 2013 by Christen
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones
Everyday is a good day to stand out in a crowd and the Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones by Logic3 do just that. In a sea of headphone choices, discovering the luxe design of the T350 Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones makes a girl take notice and wonder what’s she’s been missing out on all this time.
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones Style
The ear cups and headband are trimmed in ultra luxe black leather to ensure ultimate comfort and supported by crafted metal arms and housing to ensure durability and quality. How could you have a Ferrari-branded anything without that company’s iconic logo? The silver horse is centered in the middle of each earcup. The T350 features ultra-soft ear pads constructed from enhanced breathable materials for maximum comfort and come complete with a carry case for additional protection.
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones Function
Finally a true noise canceling set of headphones! The T350 Ferrari headphones canceled out any ambient noise while on the busy NYC streets and subways. T350 includes a high efficiency 40mm driver incorporated into a close-back design with ANC Technology, which seals the ear pads to prevent loss of music dynamics and reduces unwanted ambient noise. The headphones come with a plastic carrying case that has a carbon-fiber look, as well as three woven cords: One with iOS controls (volume and play/pause/Siri), one for Android devices (a single button), and one plain cord. The two also have a mic built in, which can be used to make phone calls, too. Keep some batteries handy however, because the T350s require two AAA batteries, and will not work without power.
The Ferrari Cavallino T350s are a dynamic duo of style and function. They’re comfortable, stylish and offer supreme audio quality! Like any major electronic that offers quality entertainment, be prepared to pay a quality price. At $399, it may feel like the audio equivalent of buying a Ferrari itself but if you’re looking for a head-turning design that stands out among the crowd the Ferrari Cavallino T350s will make you very happy.
Check out more of the Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones below:
Enter To Win A Pair Of Your Own Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones
Timbre: It’s Not Just A Noun, It’s Also A Music App Too
February 13th, 2013 by Tech Staff 
Timbre. – It is the character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity. It is also the name of an app, developed by Intrepid Dev, that gives users a list of concerts based on their location. Discover how the Timbre app can help you score those hard to find tickets near you. If you’re an iPhone user who loves live music, I’d say give the Timbre app a download today – discover why below…
timbre app
How it works: Tap the Timbre icon. With that tap, the app finds your location and compiles a list of events near by. Once you get your list and find an artist of interest, users can click on their name, listen to a snippet of their music and get directed to SeatGeek, where their can purchase to the concert at the selected venue on their selected date. Timbre can search between a 1- and 50-mile radiuses. You can also use the search bar to browse events in other locations. This is a great feature for Divas who travel.
According to a piece on Fast Company, Intrepid Dev CEO Mark Kasdorf says the app development firm is planning to expand the app to do even more. One of these new features will be a map that will show all of the nearby venues.
timbre app
With the hype surrounding Sunday’s 55th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony, Timbre created a list of category nominees. Using the app, I looked up some of them to see if they had concerts any time soon. Here are events on the east and west coast happening over the month featuring Grammy-nominated artists.
timbre app
Pink at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 16th, 2013. Buy tickets.
Maroon 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York on February 16th, 2013. Buy tickets.
Alicia Keys and Miguel at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on March 12th, 2013. Buy tickets.
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Are there any other mobile apps you can use to buy concert tickets?
Have you tried Timbre? Still looking for Beyonce tickets? Maybe you should give Timbre a try…
Alicia Keys, Blackberry Creative Director Still Using An iPhone
February 12th, 2013 by Christen
Alicia Keys’ Blackberry use (or lack thereof) could land her in a world of trouble. Discover why this “Girl On Fire” could find herself in an unemployment line soon below…
Alicia Keys and Blackberry could be heading for trouble, all because of Twitter…
This girl could get Fiiiiiiiiiii-YAHed! New BlackBerry creative director Alicia Keys may not have been the best choice for the role, since she can’t stop tweeting from her iPhone. On Monday, less than two weeks after Blackberry announced that the singer would be joining the company during the BlackBerry 10 launch event, she tweeted a Drake lyric from her iPhone instead of from a BlackBerry device, the tech blog Pocket-lint pointed out.
Alicia Keys tweet…. not from Blackberry
Eight hours later, likely realizing her betrayal of Blackberry, Keys deleted the offending tweet and wrote, “What the h*ll?!!!! Looks like I’ve been hacked… I like @Drake but that wasn’t my tweet 
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(Nice recovery Alicia….NOT!)
Sure, maybe Keys was actually hacked, but why would a hacker just post a song lyric? A Blackberry spokesperson told CNBC that “Alicia Keys no longer has an iPhone.” Before being hired by BlackBerry, Keys made a habit of tweeting from her iPhone. She will still need another phone to post to Instagram, as she likes to do, since BlackBerry 10 still lacks an Instagram app. Someone definitely needs to be policing Alicia Keys’ Blackberry use (almost making it mandatory to over-share her love for the device.) Do I smell an Alicia Keys Blackberry commercial soon?
THIS GIRL…… can’t catch a break!
What do you think? Was Alicia Keys’ Blackberry really hacked? Should Blackberry be concerned with Alicia Keys’ indiscretions? Have you bought a Blackberry because of Alicia Keys yet?
HTC Is Ready To Unveil The Successor To The One X, Meet The M7
February 4th, 2013 by Tech Staff
HTC is ready to start the new year off with a bang. They have been hard at work last year to bring us the follow-up to the One X. Currently codenamed the M7, HTC is applying all of the specs & designs from last year’s Android devices into their newest flagship. Slated to become available on multiple carriers unlike the One X which was an AT&T exclusive.
The rumored specs are:
- 4.7inch 1080p HD SoLux display
- 2nd-gen 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
- 2GB of RAM/32GB of storage/2300 mAh battery
- Running Android Jelly Bean w/ Sense 5 UX
- 2MP f/2.0 front-facing camera capable of recording video in 1080p HD
- 13MP f/2.0 rear-facing Cinesensor (improves video quality, adds super slow-mo & video HDR) lens also capable of 1080p HD video
- Beats Audio w/ built-in amp + stereo speakers
HTC sent out invites for an upcoming press event on February 19th in NYC. We are anticipating it to be the official unveiling of the M7. Expect more details about this device to be leaked before the actual event.
Who’s ready for the next high-end Android device from HTC?
Discover 5 Ways Social Media Can Actually Improve Your Relationships
February 1st, 2013 by Lifestyle StaffTechnology and social media have been said to ruin relationships, and as of late this theory has skyrocketed. We’re bold enough to say, however, that if technology is able to tear your relationship down to its foundation, it may not have been strong in the first place. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Skype are not necessarily the enemy of monogamous relationships (they’re just the ones who bare the blunt of the blame.) Contrary to popular belief, they can actually help relationships – Don’t believe us? Check out a few ways technology and social media can be used to keep a healthy relationship below.
Now we’re no relationship experts, however we have found some tips from our own experiences and seeing what works in other successful relationships. These tips are also taken from lessons learned from observing couples that allowed social media to affect their relationships negatively. It should also be noted that these tips are for those with the goal of monogamy!
Have fun.
If this is the person you may spend the rest of your life with, you should be able to have fun with them. Tell jokes and laugh a lot. Send them all the funny e-cards and quotes that remind you of your partner, even if it’s about their smelly feet! Use your smart phones as tools to have fun together. Challenge your boo in a game of Words with Friends, even if you are sitting right across the room from each other or miles apart.
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Don’t just have date nights, enjoy every night.
Last week I read a blog from a writer who does not believe in date nights with her husband of 9 years. Going into the read I was thrown off by the title “I Don’t Believe in Date Night” but as I continued to read, it all made sense. Couples should enjoy all of their time together, even if they were just arguing with one another. Having a set date night could set the pattern that this will be the only time you both enjoy each other’s company. Use different ‘best of’ apps like Yelp, Happy Hours, and Places to find new and spontaneous outings for regular nights when you both have down time.
Keep your individuality, but limit social media usage.
You can still be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. even when you’re in a relationship. Use it to send funny and sweet e-cards like mentioned above. Send them flirty messages as if you were just getting to know each other- you know, role play! However, you can’t be obsessed with social media as when you were single. Keep in mind that you now have to manage how much time you spend on social media. Also, don’t leave your friends behind. It’s actually healthy if your partner knows your friends and you all hang out together, they’ll feel more included. Furthermore, it’ll be no suspicions when friends post on your wall.
Communicate.
Communication is key, and with so much technology there is really no excuse! When you’re happy, sad, mad, excited let your partner know. Use your iPhone emojis or e-cards when you don’t have the words. A lot of times the other person doesn’t even know you’re feeling some kind of way, and they certainly should NOT find out through a post or status message. On the contrary, use your status posts to say how much you love them or how happy your boo makes you!
Imagine how special they’ll feel when they stumble upon this. A conversation can fix everything! If you’re both near a computer have a quick Skype chat to work it all out, rather than texting- which can cause confusion of emotions. Most importantly, talk about what you’re both comfortable sharing on social media sites in regards to your relationship and exes, that way you’re in complete agreement and there will be no surprises.
Encourage your partner to be great.
This world can be tough. Having someone to encourage you throughout the day is an amazing feeling. Use Twitter or Facebook to give share some encouraging quotes with your lover. Support all the things they share as well. Don’t just be a “yes man” but actually give feedback. Help them be a better them.
So to be clear, social media itself isn’t to blame for the demise of what was supposed to be happily ever after. Instead, it’s an avenue by which threats can develop if you fail to communicate about them, and one that can heighten problems that already exist. Time to stop blaming social media and use it to your relationship’s advantage! It is possible!
What other ways do you use social media to help your relationship? Tell us below…
#2013CES: iHome Goes Old School With The Composition Tablet Case
January 24th, 2013 by ChristenLong gone are the simple days where students carried composition notebooks and pencils to class. There was a time in the past where students had to carry paper into classrooms. And pens. And they used these pens to write on this paper. Often, this was done in a composition book. If you don’t miss the paper but do miss simplistic design of old, LifeWorks has you covered with the iHome Classic Composition Notebook for the iPads 2, 3, 4 and mini.
From a paper filled notebook to a handy iPad case…
I had the chance to speak with Johnathan Freeman, Director of Product Quality and Design for LifeWorks about getting back to the simplicities of life in a technology-infused world. iHome designs take a unique approach to technology with designs that make you feel all melancholy inside
iHome composition case measures up to the composition notebook nicely
In addition to providing “superior protection” for your iPad, the Composition Case will feature dual position display functionality, making it ideal for reading, playing games, watching movies, etc. It’s available online in four colors—black, red, green and blue—at a suggested retail price of $39.99 for full size, and $29.99 for iPad mini.
What do you think of the retro protection for your iPad? Are you ready to go old school with an iHome Composition case of your own?
#2013CES Technology Hangover (Episode One & Giveaway)
January 14th, 2013 by Christen 
The 2013 Consumer Electronics show is gone, but not forgotten. In our first Technology Hangover episode, we tracked across the CES showroom floors for the best in technology and entertainment for your enjoyment. Check out the full episode here.
And if the shiny displays of Cellariris cases paired with designer shoes tickled your fancy, make sure you check out the video and comment/describe your favorite shoe/cellphone pairing seen in the video below for a chance to win your very own custom Cellairis SHOUT case (valued at $34.99). Enter today! Contest ends 1/21/13.
#2013CES: Celebrity Endorsed Consumer Electronics…Are We Over The Hype Yet?
January 10th, 2013 by Christen
While enduring the massive LVCC floorplan – filled with thousands of products demos, hundreds of gifting samples and too many celebrity appearances/autograph signings to name – I’m reminded of a conversation had with a fellow technology blogger regarding celebrity tie-ins and it’s impact on the bottom line of consumer convincing sales. Don’t get me wrong, months ago when it was announced that Kanye West would be the surprise celebrity performer during the Samsung Galaxy Note II press event in New York – I was ecstatic! (Mind you, I’ve been a true Kanye West fan since 2002 and this was before the whole KimYe relationship-baby-publicity stunt thing came to light…but I digress.) As much of a fan as I was of the celebity, I just don’t believe that their affiliation with a product could sway my decision to spend hundreds of dollars on a particular device. Sure, the celebrity involvement may grab the attention of consumers, but it’s the actual product quality and user experience that will translate those consumers to sales generating customers.
One may beg to differ, by using celebrity endorsed weight-loss campaigns or fashion campaigns as examples of celebrity endorsements done right. In regards to those two very different segments, you could be right, without any argument from me – however, both of those industries (and quite honestly the endorsements too) are based on the psychological desires of consumers to be accepted, look a certain way or feel a certain attachment to a celebrity through a product. Because consumer electronics do not omit warm & fuzzy feelings of acceptance, desire or attachment – I believe that it’s difficult to create a highly influential consumer base by attaching a celebrity to your product for ooohs and ahhhhhs.
But that’s just my opinion….what’s yours?
