Episode 53 - Big Jambox, Philips' LED Bulb, UPPLEVA by Ikea, Cherry Car Wash

Show Notes:

We realize it's been a while, but we welcomed a new addition to the family recently. And, as you can imagine, much of our time has been focused on him. Anyway, we're finally back and ready to chat! 

1. Big Jambox: Jawbone has done it again. The older, more sophisticated brother of the original Jambox, the latest version creates a portable, hi-fi sound system of sorts with your iPhone, tablet, or other mobile device.

Twitter: @Jawbone

2. Philips Wins the L Prize: If you're one to follow the happenings around Earth Day, then you'll likely be interested to know what you can do to make your house more energy-efficient. Look no further than Philips' award-winning LED replacement bulb, available at Home Depot. 

Twitter: @PhilipsLight

3. UPPLEVA: Ikea, from a design and price-point perspective, is pure briiliance. And, their UPPLEVA TV stand is all kinds of cool. Everything is pretty much built into it. We'll take 2, please! 

Twitter: @DesignByIKEA

4. Cherry: Now that winter is over, it's time to get on that whole regular car washing thing. And, Cherry is a new service that will help you get a car wash anywhere you'd like (via a fully-trained, totally legit person).

Twitter: @Cherry

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 52 - OneID, FreedomPop, YouTube Editor, Scrubba Wash Bag, SeatGuru

Show Notes:

1. OneID: A service that's highly secure that will let you say a happy 'ciao' to all those usernames and passwords you've been forced to input to access and purchase from your favorite sites? Yes, please!

Twitter: @OneID

2. FreedomPop: This company will be offering a 1GB data plan...for free. That's right, it will be free.  

Twitter: @freedompop1

3. YouTube Editor: Even though the Editor has been around, they've added some new enhancement features, including a stabilizer and a way to color-correct and brighten your homemade videos.

Twitter: @YouTube

4. Scrubba: The coolest wash bag ever --- this bag is compact and has grooves inside that make washing your clothes while you're traveling, on the go, and backpacking / camping, much easier.

Twitter: @TheScrubba

5. SeatGuru: This awesome site that gives you all kinds of great advice about airline seating has released their iPhone app. 

Twitter: @SeatGuru

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 51 - Geode by iCache, iHome iW2, Wahwah.fm, Swivl, Pipe

Show Notes:

1. Geode: Developed by iCache (and featured on Kickstarter - woo!), this iPhone case also just so happens to be a digital wallet. So, get ready to discard all those credit and rewards cards in your wallet for this awesome product!

Twitter: @GeodeWallet

2. iW2: iHome has announced the release of the iW2 airplay speaker, which uses your home WiFi and airplay technology to stream music to your speakers.

Twitter: @iHome

3. Wahwah.fm: This app, originally developed and launched in Germany, allows you to act as DJ around the world. Just create a playlist, click play, and people all over the world can listen!  

Twitter: @wahwahfm

4. Swivl: If you love creating YouTube videos of yourself, you should definitely check out this fantastic motion-tracking dock for your iPhone. For those who know what this is, yes, they've shipped. :)

Twitter: @goswivl

5. Pipe: That's right, you can now send massive files to your family and friends via Facebook with Pipe. Per their website, they're moving into 'private beta', so sign up now.  

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 50 - New iPad, iOS 5.1, Live Streaming of Olympics, ScootNetworks, Nature Valley Trail View, Tweet a Beer

Show Notes:

It's our half-century episode! Which means we've been doing this for a full year, and change. Very exciting. 

1. New iPad: So, as anticipated, the March 7th Apple event was all about the latest generation of the iPad, not aptly named the 'iPad 3'. It's a bit faster and has a retina display, but, generally speaking, it's quite similar...albeit still as beautiful as ever. 

2. iOS 5.1: In addition to launching the new iPad, Apple has brought us an updated version of iOS. So, jump up and down with glee and download the software update.

3. Live Streaming of the Olympics: Gone are the days of misisng some of your favorite events at this global extravaganza. NBC has partnered with YouTube in a live streaming effort - starting July 27th!

Twitter: @London2012, YouTube, @nbc

4. Scoot Networks: If you like the concept of the ZipCar, you'll love this service specifically for scooters. And, the good news? Since they only go 30mph, you don't even need a special motorcycle license.  

Twitter: @ScootNetworks

5. Nature Valley Trail View: Combine Nature Valley, of the granola scene, with a bunch of hikers plus a tripod + camera + the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Great Smokies, and you get the 'trail view' version of some of America's greatest natural wonders.

Twitter: @Nature_Valley

6. Tweet a Beer: Yep, it's just what it sounds like. You can buy someone else a beer via your Twitter account. Quelle service!

Twitter: @tweet_a_beer

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 49 - Apple iPad3 Event, Tulip Lantern, Fader Highlighter, Karma, Photoshop Touch App

Show Notes: 

1. Apple Event: It's been a while, but Apple will be holding an event, dubbed the iPad 3 event - yes, officially. Scheduled to take place on March 7th, this event should be exciting! Now, the only question is whether we should wait in line at 4am for the next generation iPad.  

2. Tulip Lantern: Somewhat as the name implies, this camping and outdoorsy lantern, another awesome product by Snow Peak, will automatically change its glow based on the position it's in.  

Twitter: @Snow_Peak

3. Fader Highlighter: Quirky can really do no wrong. They've developed a highlighter that actually fades after 5 months of use. So, go ahead and sell your used textbooks for almost full price. 

Twitter: @quirky

4. Karma: The concept of this new start-up is simple and super cool. You can now send gifts to your Facebook friends without having to get their address with the Karma app. Get it.  

Twitter: @GetKarma

5. Photoshop Touch for iPad 2: Adobe just announced the release of an app made specifically for the iPad 2 that allows you to use such classic features as layers, selection tools, and filters.  

Twitter: @Photoshop

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 48 - Cinemagram, Lemon, Tugg, Striiv

Show Notes:

1. Cinemagram: Think video meets photo. That's what a cinemagraph is...such an insanely cool, yet slightly eerie, concept. Well, this new app lets you create your own! Downloadable via the iTunes app store.

Twitter: @cinemagram

2. Lemon.com 3.0: Track your receipts and financial transactions with Lemon.com. Not much could better, well, except maybe being able to categorize and pool your expenses. All possible with their latest iteration. 

Twitter: @GetLemons

3.  Tugg: Interested in re-watching your favorite classic movie in the movie theatre? With Tugg, you can do just this with a few super easy steps. Look for pilot testing in your hometown / city!

Twitter: @TuggInc

4. Striiv: Pronounced as "strive", this little device is one the latest health-oriented gadgets to get you walking...but this time for a cause. We love the concept and are so tempted to purchase one.

Twitter: @striiv

Happy Oscars weekend and, of course, happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 47 - Chick-a-Dee Smoke Detector, Beam Toothbrush, Protection Sock, Clear App for iPhone, Donkey.Bas

Show Notes:

1. Chick-a-Dee ® Smoke Detector: Gone are the days (hopefully!) of being forced to climb the ladder to turn off the fire alarm while cooking. Enter a detector that works on the sounds of, yes, a bird. 

2. Beam Toothbrush: I think we're all guilty of ending our brushing sessions a bit early, even though we know we should put in a full 2 minutes...or whatever. This Bluetooth-enabled brush actually transmits your brushing 'stats' via a smartphone app so you can track your time, etc. 

Twitter: @beambrush

3. Protection Sock: The Swiss Barefoot Company has just launched, you guessed it, socks that you can actually wear outside. They look like socks and they have toes built in, much like those 5-fingered shoes by Vibram.

Twitter: @barfussschultz

4. 'Clear' for iPhone: We love to-do lists. I mean, who doesn't? And, this new app for the iPhone is all kinds of awesome for people who feel the need to be constantly organized.  

Twitter: @realmacsoftware

5. Donkey.Bas: ...the comeback! The game, developed long, long ago by one of our favorite non-resident, globally-minded geniuses, Bill Gates, is now available on the iPhone and iPad. Retro games are the best.

Twitter: @DONKEYBAS

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 46 - Udacity, Linksys HomePlug, StayWarm, DropBox, Twist Whisk, The Eatery

Show Notes:

Hope everyone had a great Super Bowl Sunday and indulged in all kinds of not-so-healthy treats and adult beverages. We certainly did, well, one of us did. :) 

1. Udacity: This website, launched by two clearly brilliant professors at Stanford and the University of Virginia, offers useful and practical computer science courses...for free. Yes, you could become the next Larry Page, with a little practice and some online instruction from the world's best.

Twitter: @U_dacity

2. Linksys® HomePlug: Cisco just released the Linksys® HomePlug AV Powerline, a sweet gadget that basically allows you to use your home electricity to connect your wired network devices. This oozes all kinds of cool.

Twitter: @OfficialLinksys

3. StayWarm by Virus: Not that it's been a glacial winter by any means, at least here on the East Coast, but this new line of gear by Virus is made from recycled coffee beans. Interestingly, the "Coffee Char" material is supposed to keep you warm. We love the outdoorsy, hard-core look.

Twitter: @VIRUSintl

4. Dropbox: So, we're not featuring Dropbox per se. We're actually plugging the company's latest and greatest feature, which lets you upload photos and videos to Dropbox. Oh, and the real kicker, you can add more space to your account just by doing this. 

Twitter: @Dropbox

5. Twist Whisk: Ah, the whisk...a kitchen gadget that is about as awkward and tangly as it is practical for beating eggs. Enter the Twist, a whisk that flattens, folds, and comes apart for washing, storage, and stirring purposes. 

Twitter: @FastCoDesign

6. The Eatery: This app is all about food, photos, and crowd-sourcing. It's a behavioral experience of sorts. And, G will be giving it a go for the next month to see how his eating patterns change. Stay tuned for updates!

Twitter: @massivehealth

Happy geeing!
G + K 

Episode 45 - Nike FuelBand, iBooks Textbooks for iPad, iBooks Author, Card.io App, backSTAGE Pro II

Show Notes:

1. Nike+ FuelBand: Given that your New Years goals may or may not likely entail staying fit and healthy, you'll love the Nike Fuel Band, a wristband that tracks your activity levels throughout the day using "oxygen kinetics". 

Twitter: @NikeFuel

2. iBooks 2 for iPad: The combination of iBooks 2 and iTunes U makes for a much more innovative, practical, and fantastically cool way to download highly interactive textbooks...to your iPad. 

3. iBooks Author: Another outcome of Apple's education event, this allows you to create and publish books from scratch for your iPad. There's all kinds of visual fun built in as well.

4. Card.io App: Card.io, which is all about facilitating easy credit card payments (and featured in a previous blog - woot!), has released an iOS and Android app for everyday consumer scanning.

Twitter: @cardio

5. backSTAGE Pro II: A product of Scosche, this extremely secure mount will let you attach your iPad to the back of the front seat of your car. It's safe (crash-tested) and reasonably priced too!

Twitter: @Scosche

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra

Episode 44 - Spare One, WeMo by Belkin, Karotz "Smart Rabbit", Henge Docks, Dlink All-In-One, PocketCell

Show Notes:

1. Spare One: A cell phone that only requires a single AAA battery...and lasts up to 15 years? Yes, please. We're so getting this one for the car. 

Twitter: @SpareOnePhone

2. WeMo: Belkin's genius has a taken a turn for the even more brilliant with its WeMo home automation devices: the Home Control Switch and Motion Sensor. 

Twitter: @belkin

3. Karotz "Smart Rabbit": Useful - check. Fun - check. The Karotz is one of those super cool, all-in-one devices that responds to all kinds of commands. Oh yeah, it's a robot that looks like a rabbit. P.S. on this one - their site is awesome. We're totally diggin' the widgets and overall design.

Twitter: @Karotz

4. Henge Docks: Just released --- their version of the dock specifically made for the MacBook Air. It's compact, sleek, and includes some of the key pass-through connections, including a USB and adapter.

Twitter: @HengeDocks

5. DIR 505: D-Link has just announced the perfect travel product, a mobile device that has a USB, a wireless router and repeater, and an ethernet port. Cue the shared videos, photos, music, and more!

Twitter: @Dlink

6. PocketCell: A product of Innergie, this is a compact, portable charger for your cell phone and other mobile devices, including tablets. Yet another travel-friendly gadget that we love. 

Twitter: @Innergie

Happy geeking!

G + Kyra