The Google I/O conference officially kicked off with the keynote this morning. They introduced the Nexus 7 tablet – already leaked before the conference, but they also introduced a Nexus something new. The Nexus Q aims to build on the connected entertainment environment. It’s a tool designed to allow you and your friends to control your home music and movie experience.
Continue ReadingAs a woman in technology, I hear a lot about the lack of women in the field. While I was in college I noticed that I was usually the only female in the class. My teachers treated me the same and the guys never cared. After I graduated and I started attending events like Microsoft’s annual Tech Ed, I realized just how much of a minority we are. The thing that keeps catching my attention, though, is how much of an issue people want to make out of it.
Continue ReadingLast Fall, First Lego League teams of kids ages 9-16 were challenged to research the problem of food contamination and develop solutions that would make food safer. Teams from over 60 countries then submitted their ideas which received nearly a million votes that narrowed it down to just four finalists.
Continue ReadingIt’s a problem when you have one device running low on batteries, but it’s even more difficult when you have two or three all in need of a little juice. I’ve run into this on road trips with my family. We’ve each got a gadget but the car only has two outlets so that means a spiderweb of wires and splitters. It also means we’re all searching for outlets at hotel stops and then trying not to leave anything behind the next day. The myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 is an easy solution to this problem.
Continue ReadingEver since becoming a writer for GeekMom, I’ve found that there are geeky gifts lurking around every corner, you just have to know YOUR geek. Read about some last minute suggestions for Father’s Day.
Continue ReadingThe House of Marley makes earbuds, headphones and audio systems all inspired by Bob Marley. How do they do that? By focusing on delivering high quality products through an environmentally friendly and cause-minded company. Using reggae as the benchmark for their audio testing, they strive for a rich bass sound that won’t distort or loose integrity at higher volumes. Their aim is to balance that rich bass so the highs aren’t drowned out and every voice and instrument is clear and discernible.
Continue ReadingI’ve been going through a bunch of styluses lately. It turns out they mostly suck. Picture trying to write something with a hot dog encased in metal. Not exactly an artists dream, and usually I just give up and used my finger. You know, one of the ten styluses Steve Jobs said we carried with us all the time? The Hand Stylus ended up not sucking. Hooray!
Continue ReadingThe problem with a lot of our snazzy devices it that, although they hold a ton of music and will play it, they don’t sound all that good. You turn up the volume on your phone or your laptop and the sound gets tinny or distorted or just plain awful enough that you have to be hooked to your device with a pair of earbuds or it’s just not worth it. Brookstone’s new Big Blue Audio products provide an affordable solution to this problem with Big Blue Studio and it’s portable little sister Big Blue Live.
Continue ReadingLinkedIn has experienced a significant data breach with a loss of as many as 6.5 million hashed (encrypted) passwords, 300,000 of which have been decrypted and posed online. Was yours among them?
Continue ReadingGeode by iCache is the latest in digital wallet technology. After watching the video, I was convinced that it was something I could use. We are, after all, becoming a society of the smaller, the better. From computers starting to fit in the palm of our hand to Bluetooth devices that fit inside your ear, this device seems to fit in with our society’s fast paced future.
Continue ReadingIt had me at “Hello.” IPad 2 and iPad 3 compatible, this keyboard is one of my new favorite toys. At first glance, it was already showing up my current iPad keyboard. Not only is the new Logitech keyboard shiny, it also looks great on my iPad and it’s slim enough to fit in my current Mickey Mouse iPad sleeve.My previous keyboard was bulky and added a lot of weight to my device. This keyboard feels lighter and easier to take with me.
Continue ReadingLong, flowing hair and an air of supreme confidence emanates from Mitch Altman, inventor of TV-B-Gone, as he enters the ‘Dark Side’ stage at the 2012 Orlando Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, May 27 2012. You can hear the Star Wars theme trumpeting in the background as R2D2 blinks and beeps–Mitch takes the stage.
Continue ReadingI recently had a chance to interview actor and musician Greg Grunberg about his free app, Yowza Mobile Coupons. Using your smart phone, you can use Yowza to find coupons and discounts for stores and establishments that are local to you. The deals come directly from the merchants, and can show you discounts around town or when you travel. I asked Greg a bit more about the app.
Continue ReadingIn 1962, NASA chose International Latex Corporation — also known as Playtex — to design the spacesuits that would be used to walk on the moon.
Continue ReadingThe charging cable that comes with one’s iThing is long, and can be unwieldy in some circumstances. Various third parties are developing alternate charging solutions that can often add additional functionality. Twig is one interesting and good-looking example.
Continue ReadingThis past week I was given the opportunity to have a showdown between two sets of headphones, Soul and Marshall. At first glance, it looked like it was going to be a tough fight.
Continue ReadingAfter fighting their school district for three years to get Braille instruction for their visually-impaired child, these New Jersey parents took the case to court. This month, they won.
Continue ReadingGeekMom, along with GeekDad, will be at Maker Faire in San Mateo, California, this Saturday and Sunday! If you plan to attend, please stop by our booth in the Expo Hall and say hi.
Continue ReadingNever mind zombies, robots are the ones out to get us.
Continue ReadingWay down at the bottom of the rack, not at eye level with all the pretty cases but down where no one was going to notice them, there were a few cases in really large boxes. Every other box was super slim, but this case was in a rugged looking box that was easily twice the thickness of all the others. This turned out to be the Griffin Survivor military-duty case complete with belt clip. This held promise.
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