geeksugar -- Geek is chic.

Santa's Gone Centro. Say Hello to Claus.

Sponsor — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:15:22 -0800

Santa's Gone Centro. Say Hello to Claus. For centuries, Santa functioned as a recluse, emerging only once a year to spread joy. But everything changed when he received an unexpected gift: a new Palm Centro. That was the moment when Santa became Claus. Click here to learn more about Claus and the Palm Centro.

Have You Ever Dropped a Cell Phone in the Toilet?

geeksugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:00:39 -0800

On this week's How I Met Your Mother, two things were shown that frightened me: Strange, naked men and an iPhone being dropped in a toilet. Thank god it was just Hollywood make-believe.What's also funny about the HIMYM incident is that even though a vengeful woman deliberately drops Barney's phone in the loo, I have had far too many friends to count, accidentally drop their phones into the toilet. Not to mention the rice story and the nasty outhouse diving story. No one seems to have as many problems with sinks, bathtubs, or swimming pools as much as the swirling water of the porcelain throne. Tell me — have you ever dropped your phone in the toilet? Did you fish it out?Photo courtesy of CBS

Have You Ever Dropped a Cell Phone in the Toilet?

Yes, I have dropped my cell phone in a toilet.

No, I have never dropped my cell phone in a toilet.

Something else. See my comment below!

Samsung Cell Phone or Energy Drink?

geeksugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:03:55 -0800

The trend of naming cell phones something catchy is pretty great — it's so much easier than remembering some crazy combination of letters and numbers.

However, sometimes the cell phone companies get a little out of hand with the clever names, and the nom de plumes don't exactly sound like tech marvels (as is the case with Samsung's toiletry-sounding names and LG's Hitchcockian names).

Today's source of confusion is Samsung again — can you guess which of these are cell phones, and which are the names of energy drinks?

Source

Lipstick Jungle's Nico Upgrades Her iPhone to a 3G

geeksugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:05:39 -0800

We've talked before about how Lipstick Jungle is pretty much exclusively Apple now, and how all three leading ladies have iPhones, but until this week's episode, they all had first generation phones. No longer — tiger shark editrix Nico Reilly is the first one to get an iPhone 3G.

Her new iPhone is black, and this placement does make sense for Nico, being the one with the most high-powered, fashion-oriented job. Would she be as respected with last year's phone? Perhaps, but this makes her truly look like she's on top of it. I wonder if it's only a matter of time before the other girls follow suit?

And don't forget to head on over to CelebStyle to get wardrobe information from past Lipstick Jungle episodes!

Paris Hilton's Cell Phone Evolution

geeksugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:01:30 -0800

You've watched cell phone models evolve in the hands of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. Well now it's time to go the cell phone distance with someone who is not only obsessed with handhelds, but customizing them to her liking — the person I'm referring to is Paris Hilton.
Back in the day, we touched-on Paris' Cell Phone Evolution and now we're going to take an extensive look at the past two years to see what her latest cell phone additions have been!
Click "start slideshow" below to check em' out!

The New Cell Phones on Gossip Girl

geeksugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 04:00:50 -0700

The wardrobe on Gossip Girl isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons — for season 2 everyone showed up with a new cell phone! My unyielding devotion to the show and new gadgets drove me to figure them all out, so check out my slideshow for the new gear that everyone's carrying! Photos courtesy of The CW

Do You Prefer a Physical or a Touchscreen Keyboard?

geeksugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:00:24 -0700

When a new smartphone comes out, one of the first things I look for is whether it has a touchscreen keyboard or a physical keyboard. When T-Mobile's G1 came out, I was mildly surprised that it was physical, rather than onscreen, because I thought it may be closer in design to the iPhone.Not to be outdone, it looks like Android will devise an onscreen keyboard for the G1 as well, leaving you with both options to type. Nice compromise!In the meantime, tell me which one you prefer, since I know that becoming accustomed to the physical keys of a phone like the BlackBerry deterred a lot of people from the iPhone because of its touchscreen. What do you like to type on?

Do You Prefer a Physical or a Touchscreen Keyboard?

Touchscreen keyboard.

Physical keyboard.

I don't have a smartphone.

Something else. See my comment below.

Do You Ever Have Joy Behar Cell Phone Moments?

geeksugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:30:03 -0700

You either have it or you don't. It's like this innate sixth sense, something that no one else can describe but you. What I'm talking about is CPESP — Cell Phone Extrasensory Perception — a faculty that afflicts millions of Americans who are addicted to their mobile phones. I have a serious case of CPESP. It's so bad that my phone can be in another room of my house, on the vibrate ring tone setting, and I can hear it.

Another person who has this sixth cell phone sense? The View's Joy Behar. During a recent appearance on Larry King Live, she admitted that when her BlackBerry rings, "It's like a child crying in the night." I feel your pain Joy, and I know exactly what you mean.

Get Flash to see this player.

Source

Google Enhances Gmail For Cell Phones

geeksugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:00:31 -0700

As you already know, I bat for both cell phone teams: the iPhone and the BlackBerry Curve. So I'm thrilled that Google is introducing Gmail for mobile 2.0 — the faster, stronger, better, mail client for cell phones, naturally. What can you do now that you couldn't do before? You get offline access so you can whip up emails while sitting on the bus to send later, you will also get better service in low signal areas and you'll now be able to access multiple Gmail or Google Apps email accounts. Check out the changes in action below!

Cell Phone Rant: Is It OK to Talk in a Taxi?

geeksugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:00:49 -0700

OK, Cell Phone Rant group members, I've got a sticky subject on cell phone etiquette. It's pretty cut and dry where not to be on your cell phone, lest you're judged as rude or worse, icky — the drive-thru, ordering food, and yes, the bathroom — but are there places where you're receiving a service that it's OK?

I'm talking specifically about taxi cabs. Live in a city, and you're bound to take a few rides. The thought came to me the other night, when I got in a cab alone and had to let my boyfriend know that I was safely on my way home.

I kept it short because I wasn't alone inside the car, but besides being physically there to drive me, the driver didn't try to engage me in conversation. Our only exchanges were when I got in the car, to tell him where I needed to go, and at the end, to thank him when I paid.

To see what I think, just

Cell Phone Rant: Express Your Movie Theater Phone Rage!

geeksugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:55 -0700

TeamSugar user Foofie recently shared some advice in the Cell Phone Rant Group for those of us who are bothered when people talk on the phone or text in movie theaters: speak up! Foofie says:

If I tell the cellphone user to put it away and they don't, I simply go to the usher and tell them that I saw that person trying to record the movie with their cellphone and I get them booted out. Yes, it's not very nice but I feel justified in my doing so.

I have to hand it to you, Foofie, and anyone who speaks up to tech etiquette offenders. There is a time and a place.

Got a rant for the Cell Phone Rant Group? Join us and vent to your heart's content.

Source

Britney Spears's Cell Phone Evolution

geeksugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:41 -0700

The Cell Phone Evolution series continues to express itself with yet another famous female, who — if you can believe it — has gone through more cell phones changes than our last victim, Lindsay Lohan! Yes, she's a "quick change" professional of cell phone swapping! The person I am referring to is Ms. Britney Spears — are you digging her new website as much as I am? Now without further adieu, it's time to turn the attention on her handset habits over the last few years.

Cell Phone Dermatology: The Face Rash

geeksugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:00:14 -0700

I'm totally paranoid about my face and am always trying to clean off my germy cell phones where they touch me, but it sounds like a bacteria-induced breakout is the least of my problems: Apparently the nickel used in many handsets can cause irritation anywhere you're touching it, like your cheek or even your fingers, just from typing.

It sounds like it's more of an issue with prolonged use, so if you're starting to get an itchy face — AKA "mobile phone dermatitis," then maybe you should whip out your headset if you can't bring yourself to decrease your cell phone use. Anyone else feel itchy just from reading about this?

Source

Hands-On T-Mobile's G1 Android Handset

geeksugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:00:29 -0700

I've been talking the talk and now I can finally walk the walk because a shiny and new T-Mobile G1 landed on my desk. Let's just say I couldn't wait to take it for a test drive and size it up against other phones. Available in bronze and black on Oct. 22 at select T-Mobile retail stores for $179, the first feature on the G1 that grabbed my attention was the sturdy full touchscreen that slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard.

Other pluses include its support for T-Mobile's 3G network, quick one touch access to various apps like Google Maps and YouTube and its handy camera, which features an easy one-click button on the back (just like a real camera). I noticed that some of the apps didn't seamlessly load, and needed to be refreshed to open, something I'm sure a software update can surely fix. Stay tuned for my video demonstration!

T-Mobile Adds Freshly Painted Pearls to Its Collection

geeksugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:40:34 -0700

If you head on over to a T-Mobile store today, you'll be able to feast your eyes on the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 colors, which include black emerald, indigo, and frost. You can also still pick up the original titanium design, although I'm sure people will be scooping up the new hues. Hello? Frost for Winter — me loves that! The WiFi enabled phones will cost $150 with a two-year contract with T-Mobile.

Source

Cell Phone Rant: The Guy Making Your Food Is the Rude One?!

geeksugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:00:22 -0700

TeamSugar user Jyramiah added a great anecdote to the Cell Phone Rant Group: What would you do if the person on the cell phone being rude called you rude for trying to help her?

It started with her working at a sandwich shop when a customer entered and got in line while talking on her cell phone. When the counter person tried to take the her order, what do you think the customer did? Said "hang on" to the person she was talking to and made the order? Told the person on the other line she'd call him back after she left the place of business?

Nope. The customer on the cell phone told the person on the other end of the line that the guy trying to help her behind the counter was being rude. By trying to do his job and help her. If that's not galling enough, when the customer with the really important phone call got to Jyramiah at the register, she had the nerve to complain about the sandwich guy being rude by interrupting her phone call. To hear what Jyramiah said to her, just

Samsung Cell Phone or Ladies' Razor?

geeksugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:00:56 -0700

It's not just LG that's out of control with the fancy names; their buddy Samsung is in on the cutesy single names too! No more numbers to name cell phones, people; you need a catchy name to compete in this market.

What are Samsung's names coming dangerously close to? Ladies' razor names! Both are often pink, both are marketed at women, and both are indispensable yet frustrating. Samsung is helping to blur the lines, too.

Take my quiz and see if you can distinguish between the name of a hot new cell phone and a flowery razor found lining Target's aisles!

Source

Lindsay Lohan's Cell Phone Evolution

geeksugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:00:59 -0700

Lindsay Lohan's whirlwind life of acting, modeling, singing, and tumultuous relationships sure keeps our Pop team on their toes. But the one that manages to stay constant in her life is a gadget that seems to be a staple in her everyday look — her cell phone! Over the years, she's definitely rocked a variety of handsets, so much so, that I thought I'd take the liberty to point out just how many. Click "start slideshow" below to get the Lindsay Lohan cell phone party started! Bauer-Griffin Online

Are You Going to Wait For a Different Android Phone?

geeksugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:02:14 -0700

T-Mobile is reporting that presales for the first phone to use Google's Android platform, the G1, are three times higher than what they expected, which is awesome. I'm happy to see a smartphone enter into iPhone and BlackBerry territory so seamlessly, and the G1 is a great phone to inaugurate Android. Interestingly, in my informal polls of friends, when I ask if they're interested in the G1, they say yes but that they'd really like to wait for a show-stopping phone to utilize Android before they switch cell phones. It makes sense, since many shy from early adoption and wait until a better, second version comes out.So, is that you? Are you into Android but not necessarily the G1?Source

Are You Going to Wait For a Different Android Phone?

Yes, I'm waiting for another Android phone.

No, I think the G1 will be awesome and am preordering now!

I'm not interested in getting an Android phone.

Something else. See my comment below.

History in Our Time: Bart Gets a Cell Phone

geeksugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:03:15 -0700

Friends, something huge happened on The Simpsons the other night. Yes, Bart Simpson got a cell phone! The episode started off with him being depressed about not having a cell phone (as I'm sure most kids are these days when in the begging process), and then getting one under an unusual — and hilarious — circumstance. Particularly I love the way Bart takes to having a cell phone right away, with the stereotypical "cell phone guy" hand gestures.

Get Flash to see this player.

Gossip Girl: What the Boys Are Carrying

geeksugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:01:12 -0700

Pop may be concerned with who the hottest guy is on Gossip Girl, but I have yet another way to judge them beyond their pretty faces: What gadgets they've got! As I mentioned earlier this season, all the characters have new cell phones, like Blair's new LG eNV2 and Jenny's HTC Touch, but the love wasn't limited to the ladies. The guys have new cells too, and this season they're used for situations as scandalous as the girls get into. Check out what the dudes are dialing! Photos courtesy of The CW

Do You Ever Forget Your Own Phone Number?

geeksugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:00:38 -0700

Katherine Heigl recently told US Weekly that she didn't know her own phone number; "It's all in my iPhone!" she explained. While a few years ago, I would have thought that was crazy, I have to admit that I actually don't know my work phone number or my house line. My excuse is the same as Katie's; I may not know them off the top of my head, but they're in my cell phone. These days, I only know a handful of phone numbers by heart, like my main cell phone, my boyfriend's cell, and my mom's house line (because it was my phone number for years). I'm always trying to memorize more phone numbers for emergency situations, but I'll always think of my cell phone's contact list as a crutch. What about you? Flynet

Do You Ever Forget Your Own Phone Number?

Yes, I have forgotten my own phone number!

No, I have everything important memorized!

Something else. See my comment below!

Eva Mendes Keeps Her Headphones in and Her Hands Free

geeksugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:01:28 -0700

Eva Mendes is turning into quite the tech-aware star; not only did she shill the importance of recycling cell phones with Scarlett Johansson, she is also aware of California's Hands-Free Law, wearing her headset with a microphone before she even gets in the car. Snaps, Eva!

Her headset doesn't look like anything fancy — methinks it's a standard BlackBerry one that came with her Pearl. Very no-nonsense.

Looks like she sees benefits besides safety, too — with her hands not holding her phone to her ear, she can lug around magazines with her face on them!

Flynet

Jenny's New Cell Phone on Gossip Girl: HTC-tastic

geeksugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:00:47 -0700

Since it looks like pretty much every single character on Gossip Girl got a new cell phone for Season Two, I thought some of you might be curious about what your favorite Upper East Siders are carrying since you've been back into this season's tech quizzes! Last week I told you Blair had a new maroon eNV2, and this week my gaze is fixed on the budding couturier, Jenny Humphrey.

Jenny used to have a pink RAZR — which I think fit her really well — but it looks like she's picking up some tech fashion steam with her internship. Not only has Jenny upgraded, but she's gone with the handset maker of the moment: HTC! HTC, you'll recall, is the maker of Google's new Android phone, the G1, and though Jenny couldn't get that (girlfriend's on Verizon), she went with the same color we usually see the G1 in: White. I myself am a huge fan of white cell phones and gadgets, and particularly this phone: The HTC Touch.

Available on Verizon for $200 after discounts, the Touch is a smartphone with a touch screen, music player, QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and you get access to an application store.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Would You Give Up Your Camera For a Fancy Camera Phone?

geeksugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:05:48 -0700

The entire tech world's mantra is obviously "Go Big or Go Home" (which is mine too!). Megapixels have been rising in cameras since digital cameras came on the scene, and now they're jumping up in another place: our cell phones. An LG source recently hinted that camera phones could reach 10 megapixels in the near future.That sounds awesome, since I love to take shots when I'm out and about, and the higher the quality the better. But there's another opportunity here — with a high megapixel camera on your phone, you could drop an entire gadget and just use your cell phone.Of course, photography aficionados like myself would never lose dedicated cameras altogether, since SLRs are a different ballgame and I can't imagine all the features and adjustments could be on a camera phone right away — but the more casual user could definitely benefit.Source

Would You Give Up Your Camera For a Fancy Camera Phone?

Yes, I would give up my camera for a great camera phone.

No, I like having a separate camera.

Something else. See my comment below!

The Samsung 3000: A Toaster, Shaver, Iron and More!

geeksugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:08:50 -0700

What do you get when you take the G1 Android handset and the iPhone and combine them together? A pretty sweet phone that can do "almost" everything, right? But what about those other tiny tasks that basic applications can't achieve like blow drying your hair, washing your dishes, or printing up word documents? Incoming — The Samsung 3000 Xi Multitask, a phone said to have many functions. Hilarious!

Cell Citation Notepad Makes You an Officer of Cell Phone Law

geeksugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:02:14 -0700

It's healthy to vent about rude cell phone users you encounter in the Cell Phone Rant Group, but it's hilarious to give out these Cell Citation Notes ($4.50)!

Write the offender up a ticket detailing what they were doing wrong with their phone (the section for ringtone offenses kills me) and their punishment and hand it to them — I cannot imagine what someone's face would look like as they were reading it.

I think I need to buy this notepad even if I get too shy to use it, but would you hand these out?

Geek Goods: Blair's New Maroon Cell Phone on Gossip Girl

geeksugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:01:39 -0700

Loyalists to geeksugar's Gossip Girl tech quiz would know that this season, the casts' season one cell phones have been replaced with flashier, more up-to-date cell phones. Mizz Blair Waldorf here, you'll note, had an oft-matching orange LG eNV last season, but is now sporting the new version of the same phone: the LG eNV2.

What's fun about the choice is that the older and newer version both came in black, and then a couple random color options. Both times, Blair has had the fun color; first orange, and now maroon. It's an interesting fashion choice because though black is always chic, color is bold and daring (not unlike how Blair's prim siren dresses).

Want to follow in my favorite mean girl's tech footsteps? The eNV2 is available from Verizon for $100 and includes a full QWERTY keyboard, a music player, Bluetooth support, and a 2.0-megapixel camera. And yes, it does come in black for those not as bold as Blair.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Ed Hardy Teams Up With Palm to Make Blinged-Out Gadgets!

geeksugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:00:04 -0700

Ah, the life of a presenter at the 2008 Emmy Awards! In this year's presenters gift lounge, Palm and Ed Hardy teamed up to design custom-bejeweled Palm Centro smartphones and Plantronics Bluetooth Headsets, which were available for presenters and performers at the awards show.

Liking what you see? If you want to get your phone "iced" like this, you can go to Ed Hardy's website and visit donedhardyicing to choose from a variety of icing options.

To check out more celebs with their new blinged-out Palm smartphones, go to Palm's new Facebook page!

New G1 T-Mobile Ad: Pretty Cool or Pretty Patronizing?

geeksugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:01:16 -0700

Since the Google/T-Mobile presentation yesterday of the hotly-anticipated Android-running G1 smartphone, the G1 has been playing with my emotions with reports that it looks great, works great, but has some big flaws. The again, up and down reviews are no huge surprise, especially if you weathered the storm that was the iPhone 3G launch.

So here's the new commercial for the G1. The concept is apparently based around the fact that if you make words grammatically incorrect, young people will respond (since that's how they talk?). Maybe I'm guilty of using the non-word "funner," but "funnerer?" Never.

That said it's a nice-looking commercial that doesn't cop anyone else's advertising style (ahem). What do you think?

Plia Designs' Cell Phone Cases: Kinda Cute, Kinda Universal

geeksugar — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:13:49 -0700

Plia Designs is banking on the fact you really want to protect your cell phone when it's in your bag, or another place it might get jostled; their Luxe iPhone/BlackBerry Cases are like little books, with elastic bands to hold your phone inside. It's not the greatest thing for accessibility, but I like the idea that you can use this case for most phones and smartphones (negating having to buy a new case because you went from say, a first-gen iPhone to an iPhone 3G).

There are a few pretty patterns, though I'm partial to the metallics, but they're kinda pricey for phone cases at $72. Still, traveling with that baby would give you a great sense of security (which sometimes makes it worth it).

Belong to That "Special" Group of Mobile Phone Owners!

geeksugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:45:42 -0700

Oh, those '80s! It was a time when stonewashed jeans were hot and cell phones were a luxury for only the richest people a la the snobby elite of Molly Ringwald movies.

Behold, the key to upgrading your class status! This vintage ad for an Imitation Cell Phone is by all accounts legitimate, and while funny, it's kind of true.

Tell me you weren't jealous of your friends who got cell phones before you! Maybe not buy-a-fake-cell-phone jealous, but jealous.

Geek Tip: Get Outta There With Getmooh

geeksugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:00:11 -0700

Have you ever been at a lame party or on a less-than-stellar date and would give your left arm for an excuse to bail? Then today's geek tip is for you. Getmooh can get you out of a sticky situation quick, just by ringing your cell phone. All you have to do is enter your cell number, specify what time you want to be called, and which "excuse" you want to use. Voila! You'll be validating your parking ticket and on your way home before Gossip Girl's credits start to roll.

But Getmooh doesn't just ring your cell phone, it tells you what to say for a truly believable conversation. For example, when your fictitious roommate locks herself out of your apartment, Getmooh calls and says: "Repeat after me: 'Hey how's it going?' (pause) 'Oh no, where are you now?" — you get the picture.

Do You Still Like Flip Phones?

geeksugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:30:37 -0700

When I was in college, all I wanted was a flip phone. I didn't get a cell phone until my senior year, and being a student who could barely afford my voice plan, I took the free-with-service Nokia phone. It was a great little phone, but I just drooled over the fancy flip phones that some of my friends had. I have no idea why I thought they were so cool, but I was like Romy in Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion: "Ooh! A flip phone!"Now it seems mobile phone design has moved away from the flip and back to a full body design that can accommodate a touchscreen or a keyboard (like the iPhone or the BlackBerry Curve), so I'm wondering if people are still into the flip body style enough (like Sarah Jessica Parker) to muster excitement for the new BlackBerry Pearl 8220 and the LG Lotus, both of which flip. I'm kind of over them - I've got an iPhone and a Curve - but think that these flip designs are more innovative than previous ones, and could bring in the second wave of cool flip phones. Tell me where you stand!

Do You Still Like Flip Phones?

Yes, I still like flip phones!

No, I'm over flip phones and prefer . . .

Something else. See my comment below!

All Good Cell Phones Go to Heaven

geeksugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:50:35 -0700

Upgrading your cell phone is something of a mild obsession around here, and with upgrading comes the inevitable question of what to do with an old cell phone.

Half a billion (!) cell phones were replaced in 2007 alone, with many of them going to recycling centers, but what happens once they get there? Technology Review has a beautiful photo essay depicting ReCellular, the country's largest cell phone recycling center.

The picture here is just the beginning in what I think looks like an overwhelming — and fascinating — process. Be sure to check all the pics out and maybe show your baby cell phone that yes, honey, there's an afterlife.

Source

Kangaroom Charging Station: Mount Up

geeksugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:30:53 -0700

I keep finding charging stations that I think are "The One," but what I really keep gravitating toward is the idea of a wall-mounted station. Though I thought I met my match in the Wall-Mounted Contactbox, I'm just not willing to spend that much on a box that holds my gadgets while they charge ($144 after shipping, dontcha know).

Luckily, I found the also-mountable Kangaroom charging station, which is not just rad for its $40 price tag, but it also comes in navy, black, and white. Currently just deciding where exactly it's going to be on my wall.

Oh No, Puppy! Dog Swallows Cell Phone Whole

geeksugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:04:20 -0700

I'm trying to use this story to make myself feel better about not having a dog, but I can't get past being freaked out for this poor doggie: You see, a Doberman-Great Dane in South Africa, Nero, was far far hungrier than his owner calculated.

While she was feeding Nero his meal, he ate her Nokia cell phone right out of her hand and swallowed the whole thing!

After a trip to the vet and a next-day surgery (where a bunch of rocks were also found in Nero's tummy), puppy was fine.

The phone, on the other hand. . . it did not survive.

Source

Cell Phone Rant: Drive-Thru Revenge

geeksugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:31:00 -0700

The Cell Phone Rant Group is there so you can vent about someone who infuriated you by being on his or her cell phone at an inappropriate time, because rarely do we have the wherewithal to go, "Hey! What you're doing is rude!"

Well today, TeamSugar user kaylamom2000 is my hero, because that's what she did. She spilled her guts in the Rant Group about a day where she was working a drive-thru, and a customer who was driving through refused to get off of his phone.

Kaylamom2000 says that when the customer pulled up to pay, "He had the nerve to hold up his hand and tell me 'Just a minute'! He continued to talk. My manager came to the window and he did the same thing with her."

To see how kaylamom2000 handled this Chatty Cathy and became my idol, just

Bling Bling! Er, Ring Ring

geeksugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:51 -0700

Attention! We've got another contender in the goofy geek jewelry parade, which shows no signs of letting up.

For your consideration, here is Forever 21's contribution: the Studded Cell Phone Necklace!

At least this geek charm is only 10 bucks, and as silly as it is, what bothers me most is how old school it is.

A flip phone and an antenna? How long do I have to wait for an iPhone charm necklace? 2018?

Gossip Girl's Mystery Phones

geeksugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:00:56 -0700

Hello, Gossip Girl props! It seems that the scheming characters of the CW's Gossip Girl are a little careless with their cell phones — or does disposable income just allow them to have a cell phone for one episode and then upgrade? It began with Serena Van Der Woodsen, who was spotted in an early episode of the show with an unmistakable iPhone, pictured. However, for the rest of the season (a deal struck with Verizon?), S had a slider phone, and Apple's cell was never seen again.

Now it looks like the same forces are at work — the newly-released season one DVD has an image that, besides having unrecognizable actors, contains Chuck holding a cell phone. The odd thing is, if you're a GG fan and geeksugar tech quiz aficionado, then you know that Chuck used a Moto Q for the entire first season. But on the DVD cover, he has a RAZR2!

What's happening with these cell phones? Do they think we won't notice if they inexplicably change them up? We already discussed the fact that some characters' phones seem miscast, so what do we think of this cell phone mystery? And has anyone rewatched the pilot to see if Chuck has a RAZR2? I won't rest until I know!

What's Worse: Texting or Using a Cell Phone While Driving?

geeksugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:30:43 -0700

In California, we're all very aware of the newish Hands Free Law prohibiting driving while talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, but did you know that texting isn't specifically forbidden by the law? That's surprising to me, especially in light of the report of an American teen that died in a car accident this week while she was driving and texting at the same time.For the same primary reason that cell phone calls in cars aren't allowed - holding the phone inhibits your ability to use both hands - it seems that texting fits the same danger zone. Actually, since you have your eyes and hands on your phone to text, I think it's way worse to text while driving. And of course, they're both intellectual distractions, because your brain isn't fully focused on the road.What do you guys think?Source

What's Worse: Texting or Using a Cell Phone While Driving?

Texting while driving is worse.

Talking on your cell phone while driving is worse.

Both of them are just as bad as the other!

Neither one is a big deal.

Something else. See my comment below!

Going Cruising? Cellular at Sea Has You Covered

geeksugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:00:35 -0700

I just got back from a fab trip — a bunch of friends and I boarded a Carnival Fun Ship in honor of their birthdays. I have to admit, although I was looking forward to a relaxing vacation, I was nervous because I knew I would be out of cell range while we were spending the day at sea. What is a geek girl to do when she is totally disconnected!? Sure there are those iCafes aboard the ship, but who wants to spend money on those shared computers? So of course, I was ecstatic when I picked up my phone to see full reception – 23 miles off the coast!

Cellular at Sea is the Wireless Maritime Service that provides you with reception on a number of cruise ships, even when you are in the middle of nowhere. There are plenty of roaming partners that work with Cellular at Sea, so you should be able to make your calls while on vacay. But let's get real, you should keep it short – you're supposed to be relaxing!

How did my Cellular at Sea experience go? Find out when you

Where's My Cell Phone Reunites Phones With Owners

geeksugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:07 -0700

If you ever misplace your phone and don't have a friend nearby to give it a ring, a site called Where's My Cell Phone will call your phone so you can actually hear it hiding under that pillow. I guess you could even use it if you lose your phone and don't have a landline to ring your phone, although fingers crossed someone picks it up and answers it! Thankfully a whopping 90 percent of you said that you would return a lost cell phone or camera to its owner, so maybe you wouldn't have to use this handy site after all. Keep in mind, this site won't work its magic if your phone is on silent or vibrate!

Buy Polo Ralph Lauren From Your Cell Phone

geeksugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:00:36 -0700

Remember the days when if you wanted to do some shopping, you had to actually go to the store fully clothed, try things on, pay a real person for them, and then drive yourself back home? But then came the Internet and the effortless joy of shopping from the comfort of your own home, wearing just pajamas or nakedness, and now a faceless man drops your new clothes on your doorstep!

Ralph Lauren is hoping to stage a similar tech shopping revolution by enabling you to buy Polo Ralph Lauren from your cell phone.

To learn how it works, just

Hair Dryer Cell Phone Headset: I'm Shaking My Head

geeksugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:45:44 -0700

Oh yeah, this is better than driving with a cell phone to your ear. When exactly would you use this Hair Dryer Cell Phone Headset ($8)? Seeing as though it doesn't make your hands free, driving is out, and on that same token, you can't clean the house while talking to your mom on the phone. . . think, think, think. . .

I've got it. Teenagers with a cell phone curfew! Supposed to be off the phone? "I'm not on the phone, ma, I'm just drying my hair!" Recommended: Turning on an actual hair dryer to obscure the conversation.

What's Your Favorite Thing About the New iPhone?

geeksugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:45:25 -0700

Now that the iPhone 3G has been out for a few weeks, those of us who took the shot and bought the new phone have settled in with our new toy, and those of you who are still considering it may be basing you decision on what you've seen so far. I've been impressed by the quicker speed of the 3G, and having GPS on my phone ain't too shabby either, but the best thing, hands down, is the App Store. It's obviously not limited to the 3G iPhone either — if you got the 2.0 update, you're good to go with new applications on a Touch or first-gen iPhone, but it's the main reason I'm so excited to pick up my new phone. The App Store has impressed so many, in fact, that the New York Times reports that other cell phone carriers are eager to develop more apps for their handsets, too, meaning that you won't always have to be an Apple user to get great time wasters like Scribble!But tell me, is the App Store your favorite thing about the new iPhone, or are you most excited about the 3G, GPS, longer battery life, or colors?