CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Book Clock by Sjoerd van Heumen

CasaSugar — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 05:50:26 -0700

This Book Clock by Sjoerd van Heumen ($28) would like very cute nestled among the shelves of your home library, but with its bright primary colors, it's almost too cute for my taste. Tell me what you think.

DIY: Literary Clock

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:34 -0800

If you're stumped for a unique holiday gift, you could bring some timeliness to a friend's life with this book clock ($19.95) from Etsy seller Recycleeh. Or, if you're feeling handy, you might consider personalizing your friend or family member's favorite book by turning it into a clock.

To make this cool clock, simply choose a hardcover book, without a busy cover, so that the clock numbers are legible. The book also needs to be large enough to fit the clock hands. Aside from the book, you'll need a clock hands set (available at Michael's or other craft store), a ruler, a protractor, pen, paper, scissors, and a drill. The stem of the clock hands set varies between 1/4 and 3/4 inch, so be sure it fits the thickness of your book.

To learn the steps for this project, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Instructables:

Use your ruler to find the center of your book. Then mark it with a pen.
If you like, spray paint your clock hands in a different color.
Drill a hole where you marked the center of the book. Your clock hand set should suggest what size drill bit to use, so follow its instructions.
According the instructions, install your clock hands and parts into the hole you drilled.
Using the longest clock hand as a guide for the radius, draw a circle onto a piece of paper with your pen using the protractor.
Cut out the circle, and center the template over the center of the book (where the clock hands are).
Adhere the clock numbers onto the book, a bit beyond the edge of the circle template, evenly all the way around. Begin with numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12 and then fill in the other numbers. Fini!

Source

Up Close and Personal With the Nintendo DSi XL

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:47:12 -0800

Announced at yesterday's Nintendo Q1 Media Summit, the DSi XL will be heading stateside on March 28 for $190. Although the portable console will play the same games as your DS Lite and DSi, it does come with a few extra goodies for you to enjoy: the XL will come stocked with three games right out of the box - Brain Age Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts and Letters, and Photo Clock - along with a camera, WiFi connectivity, and a bigger stylus for easy handling (read: for those of you with arthritis).

The dual screens on the XL are 93 percent larger than those on the DSi, which makes it easier to see the details in your games, but Nintendo thinks it will also make a great ereader. Launching alongside the XL on June 14 will be a game called 100 Classic Books. As the name suggests, this "game" will give you access to 100 different titles from authors like Bram Stroker to read vertically on your console. This may indicate that Nintendo will begin licensing books to sell and download in their DSi Ware shops, which will put Nintendo square in the middle of the ereader game.

There's lots more photos to see, along with a video of the DSi XL, when you read more.

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Roundup: Weekend DIYs

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:00:20 -0800

There's still time to make a Valentine's Day present for a special someone in your life. Or, if you have Sunday covered, try these other great projects. From creating an upholstered headboard to fashioning a clock out of an old book, there's something to inspire you in this weekend's DIY Roundup.

View Slideshow ›

Geeks We Love: MG Siegler From TechCrunch

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:30:00 -0800

MG Siegler covers tech news and trends for TechCrunch, and reviews movies in haiku format in his downtime. Here's what he has to say about today's tech scene, the geekiest Valentine's Day gift he's given, and whether or not he'll be picking up an iPad in today's edition of Geeks We Love.

We know you from TechCrunch, but are there any other projects you’re working on now?

From time to time I write on my more personal views on things on my own blog, parislemon.com. I also have reviewinhaiku.com, where, yes, I review movies in haiku format. That has been a work-in-progress for about five years now.

Do you think technology is becoming too much of a distraction in our daily lives? Alternatively, how do you use tech to your advantage?

Yes, it's basically impossible to take a step back now thanks to devices like the iPhone. I'm checking the thing literally every 15 minutes no matter where I am. And the only reason I'm not checking it every five minutes is because it makes me seem too rude - I'm fine with being moderately rude. I also now find it hard to sit down and watch a movie in my living room without having my laptop open. It's annoying to me because I love movies, but I'm addicted, and cannot stop. I feel absolutely naked without checking to see what's going on.

That said, this addiction also makes me good at what I do. Because I'm on top of things pretty much 24/7 (minus the few hours that I sleep), I rarely miss stories and trends.

What gadget (or gadgets) can’t you live without? Why?

There is one device above all others that I can't live without: the iPhone. To me, the Internet is all about information, and the iPhone literally puts all of it in my pocket. It has become something that is absolutely vital for my job, which is essentially information gathering. Thanks to the iPhone I don't have to carry around a laptop with me at all times. And besides the Internet, you have games, music, movies, and all sorts of other stuff on one device that's extremely portable. I even use the thing to take audio notes on, so I can remember thoughts I have about stories later.

I've tried a number of Android devices pretty extensively, and some of them are great (the Nexus One, for example), but the iPhone is still hands-down the best mobile device. Apple just nails so many subtle things that their competitors can't seem to figure out.

To find out his favorite tech trends, funniest Valentine's Day memory, and how many iPhones he owns (hint: it's more than one), read more.

What are some of your favorite - and least favorite - tech trends?

Currently, the trend that I enjoy following the most is the rise of location-based services. At a fundamental level I find them so interesting because they have the potential to marry social networks with actual social activity. The app Foursquare is a great example of that. I load it up, notice that a friend is at a coffee shop nearby, so I go visit them.

Location is also interesting for the flip side of it: the privacy ramifications. Much of that still has to play out, but likely will when the huge networks like Facebook add location elements. There's also a lot of business potential for location. And again, apps like Foursquare are starting to take advantage of that with check-in deals and the like. Another trend I'm really into is the rise of touch computing. We saw it really kick off with the iPhone, but now we have all sorts of mobile devices that incorporate touch screens and multi-touch. Obviously, I'm excited about the iPad. I love the idea of computing moving way from the traditional keyboard/mice dynamic and towards something that is more natural.

As for least favorite tech trends, I'm not loving the Twitter-fication of the web. I love Twitter itself, but the moves so many sites and services are taking to be more Twitter-like is just kind of lame. In general, I hate ideas being beaten to death. New things excite me, not rehashing the same idea over and over again.

Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?

Usually, I stick with the traditional stuff: card, flowers, dinner, etc. One year in though I thought I was very clever when I found a website that let you name a star after someone. I remember they sent me some kind of certificate to make it "official," which I gave to my girlfriend at the time. Very nerdy stuff. I should check to make sure the star is still named after her and that I wasn't swindled.

I read on your site you have four Macs and Five iPods. Are those numbers still accurate? Are you going to get an iPad?

Still have the four Macs, but thinking about adding a fifth to the family when Apple upgrades the MacBook Pros to the newer Intel chips. As for iPods, if we're counting iPhones as iPods also, I think I'm up to seven now. I happen to have three iPhones - the original one, the 3G, and the 3GS - but they're WiFi only now, so they're basically the world's most expensive bedside alarm clocks.

I will definitely be getting an iPad. I got to play with one at the Apple event a few weeks ago; it's amazing how fast it is. Media looks great on it, and the book-reading app was nice, but I'm really excited for developers to make apps specifically for the device. The only question ii my mind is whether I should get the WiFi (cheaper) version or the one with AT&T's often-sketchy service. Or maybe both.

Geeks We Love: Veronica Belmont of Tekzilla and Ryan Block of gdgt

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:19 -0800

Veronica Belmont and Ryan Block may just define the idea of "Love 2.0." She's an on-screen tech wiz for Revision3's Tekzilla and a World of Warcraft expert, while he stays behind the camera lens and glued to his laptop to report on the latest and greatest gadgets for social network and tech-centric web app gdgt. There couldn't be a more perfect pairing for our geeky Valentine's Day series! Thankfully, Veronica and Ryan took a few moments out of their busy schedules to chat about love, gadgets, and how to keep it all connected despite their world travels during this installment of Geeks We Love. And seriously, can the photo get any better? I think not.

So tell us: how did you meet?
R: We actually met at a press event in SF! I was out from NY covering CTIA for Engadget, and I saw Veronica and knew I had to meet her. I was there with Peter, who helped make up a flimsy excuse to some of her co-workers in order to get me introduced.
V: I actually noticed him the second he walked in. I was there to shoot product videos for CNET along with a few of the editors. I remember joking: "Cute boy, 12 o'clock!"
R: When you're on the beat at these press events, you rarely meet anyone who can hold a conversation about anything other than technology -- let alone find your perfect woman. It was a pretty great moment.

It seems that you are both surrounded by technology 24/7. Do you think that tech brings you closer together as a couple, or creates more of a distraction?
V: I say that it brings us together. There aren't many people in the world that I feel I could relate to as well as I do with Ryan. When you're this involved with technology all the time, it's almost a lifestyle choice.
R: I think it definitely brings us together. We complement one another - we are constantly sharing all kinds of stuff about tech, gaming, and Internet culture with one another. Plus, I think only V would understand why there are a thousand gadgets (and boxes) laying around the house, cluttering up the place.

Find out what Veronica and Ryan think of the iPad, allowing electronics in the bedroom, and why they can agree that "ear mullets" are their least favorite tech trend when you read more.

Which is your favorite way to communicate - talk, text or tweet?
R: We don't really tweet at each other too much, but we do IM all day with one another.
V: Is it weird that we IM each other from across the room sometimes? When we first got together, we lived on opposite sides of the country from one another, so IMing was a regular part of our routine. We never really gave that up!
R: Yeah, I guess that's weird, but it's also kind of a joke and cliché at this point because I think everyone IMs people in the same room! I've never seen an office that didn't do that kind of thing!

Are gadgets allowed in the bedroom, or is it strictly a no-electronics zone?
R: I don't think there's such thing as a no-electronics zone. But not because we're obsessed, just because it's a normal part of our lives - we both read Kindles in bed now, you know?
V: Laptops and Kindles are allowed within reason. The only gadget I hate having around when I'm trying to sleep is his iPhone. I'm a very light sleeper, and he sometimes gets calls and text messages if anything wacky is happening on gdgt. I need my eight hours!

I know that you both travel quite a bit for your respective careers. How do you keep the romance alive during all of your tech and gaming world tours?
V: It's nice when we get to go on trips together for work, but that doesn't happen very often. We try to call and check in with each other before we go to bed, and we'll usually pick up a little present from wherever we're visiting.
R: Yeah, kind of standard stuff. I'd say generally we're able to keep in touch better than simple calls. One nice thing is that we usually go to CES together. CES is the most stressful week of the year for our part of the tech industry, so it's amazing to have each other around, to have that support system. But generally we try to keep our respective trips short - for obvious reasons!

What are some of your favorite/least favorite tech trends?
V: Bluetooth headsets. They're fine if you're multitasking around the house, but there isn't a single person on this planet that doesn't look like a tool wearing one in public. No exceptions!
R: Bluetooth headsets are pretty bad, but wow, I had no idea you were so passionate about this! However, I think calling Bluetooth headsets "Bluetooths" (i.e. "I'm wearing my Bluetooth right now.") might actually be as bad as wearing them everywhere.
V: As Ryan likes to say, they're "ear mullets."
R: I'm not sure who coined that one, but it's pretty damned good.

Veronica: If you could describe Ryan as a WoW character, what would he be?
V: We've actually had this conversation before! I've been trying to get him to play for years, but it just isn't happening. If I had to pick a character for him, it would probably be a Blood Elf paladin. I'm not especially partial to Belfs, but they're the only Horde race to have paladins (and there's no way I'd date someone that plays Alliance). Ryan is multifaceted, so putting him in just the role of a tank or healer wouldn't really fit. I tried to convince him to play as a shaman, like me, but he thought they were too hippy-dippy.
R: I was a 10th prestige, level 55 in Modern Warfare; I'm presently 1st prestige, level 57 in Modern Warfare 2. Wait, WoW? What's that?
V: OK, maybe you're more suited for tanking than I thought.
R: I class with a suppressed assault rifle, Cold Blooded Pro, and Ninja Pro, so I'm more of a stealthy type.
V: So you're a rogue. How about an undead rogue? Or a druid in cat form? They're stealthy. OK, next question.

Ryan: Are there any “game changing” gadgets out there that have you really excited about the future of tech?
R: I recently got some hands-on time with the iPad, and it's pretty exciting. Not as immediately world-changing like the iPhone felt, still very interesting. Whether you want one or not, I think gadget companies are going to push 2010 as the year of the tablet -- and the iPad is going to be out in front of that parade in a big way.

What activities do you enjoy that don’t involve technology?
R: I think we're both somewhat obsessed with discovering new places to eat, and very obsessed with coffee. We're blessed in that SF has some amazing cafés and roasteries.
V: It's hard to live in San Francisco and not fall in love with the food. The produce is so fresh, and we don't have to walk far to eat really well. We've been trying to cook more at home too, but our schedules have made it difficult to keep the fridge stocked with supplies. Plus, I always want the latest in kitchen gear that I have no idea how to use, like a really nice KitchenAid stand-mixer like the one Alton Brown has.
R: Ooh, yeah, and I would really like a sous vide immersion circulator. We're geeking out about hardware again, aren't we?

Have you ever tried to go a day without using any technology/gadgets/electronics whatsoever?
R: I think you'd have to try really hard to do that. I mean, every time you look at a clock or get in a car, you're engaging with technology. But it is nice to unplug for a bit, and we try to take mini-vacations every now and again where we can keep (relatively) offline and just enjoy the downtime.
V: I wish dinner would be a tech-free zone. Just once I'd like to eat a meal without an iPhone making an appearance!

Are there any other projects you’re working on besides gdgt, Qore, and Tekzilla?
V: I write the occasional column for MaximumPC and DoubleX, and I also co-host a science fiction and fantasy podcast/book club called The Sword and Laser. It's about as geeky as it sounds!
R: I'm way too involved with gdgt right now, but once in a blue moon I'll write something for Engadget. I've got a couple hobbies I'd like to see launched in 2010, but overall Veronica is much better about juggling lots of side projects. We'll see what I can get done!

How will you be spending Valentine’s Day?
V: We're hopefully getting out of town for the night, at least! My mom is always worried that we overwork ourselves, so for Christmas she gave us a gift certificate to a cute little inn just outside of town. No laptops allowed!
R: I'll be bringing my laptop.
V: So romantic.
R: You know you're gonna bring yours, too!

Don't miss a thing - be sure to check out the other Geeks We Love all week!

Source: Dave Schumaker

Is This Gadget Real or Fake?

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:45:00 -0800

I've seen my fair share of zany alarm clocks (especially the one that threatens to call a random contact from your address book every three minutes that you don't wake up), but this one takes the cake. Configure the SnuzNLuz Alarm ($40) to donate $10 from your bank account to a charity supporting something you don't support every time you hit the snooze button. Like the name suggests - you snooze, you lose.

This would get me out of bed instantly . . . but is it real?

Take the quiz

Procrastinators, Don't Delay in Visiting This New Travel Website!

SavvySugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:20 -0800

"Last-minute" trips are so often cheaper that the descriptor has become synonymous with savings, before cost is even mentioned. Likewise, renting a property versus a hotel stay can net you even more cash back. Add both bargain types together and meet the new site PackLate.com.

Visitors can save at least 10 percent on travel plans made between two and three weeks before departure, and then the price plummets as the trip nears. The site advises "Be careful not to wait too long and let someone steal your deal!" and certain rates that end soon have a ticking clock, eBay-style. I can see advantages of this process (over Craigslist, for example) since it cuts out the middleman and seems more secure, booking-wise.

Since the site just launched on Feb. 4, it's not surprising that there are limited locations offered at this point. I know I'll be checking back in the coming months, will you?

What To Sky+: Bank Holiday Monday

PopSugarUK — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:00:00 -0800

BBC1 has Wallace & Gromit A Matter of Loaf and Death, Celebrity Mastermind and The Day of the Triffids
BBC2 has Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News
ITV1 has Pride & Prejudice, An Englishman in New York and The South Bank Show: The Royal Shakespeare Company
Ch4 has The Greatest Songs of the Noughties and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2007
E4 has Your Top 20 Celebrity Big Brother Moments
Bravo has World's Strongest Man
Sky Drama has The Jane Austen Book Club and W.
Sky Family has The Muppet Christmas Carol

Chef Aarón Sánchez on TV, Tacos, and What'll Be Big in 2010

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:00:00 -0800

The year 2009 has been a busy one for Aarón Sánchez. The chef, who's known for his contemporary Latin cuisine, runs New York restaurants Paladar and Centrico, while racing against the clock on Food Network's Chefs vs. City. Yet he still finds time to cook at home, and wants you to do the same.

"We're at a time when people are very conscious about how much money they spend on food," said Sánchez, who recently partnered with Walmart to design a budget holiday menu. We sat down to talk, and he shared his thoughts on the show, food trends, and season two of the Next Iron Chef. Hear what he has to say when you read more.