piquing our geek

While we're increasingly paper-free thanks to services like online bill pay and Catalog Choice , I'm still amazed at the amount of paper that comes into this house from junk mail, solicitations and school flyers. So when I saw this devic…

Just when we're getting used to the idea that your smartphones can control your sound system , Friedrich has now invented a space-age air conditioner that you can control remotely with your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Pretty cool, r…

Considering that the Instagram app is so popular these days, it's no surprise that someone finally created a prototype for a camera based on the Instagram technology. Except it actually takes and prints pictures. The Instagram Socialmati…

If dad is a beer drinking social media addict, then you've got to see this awesome concept from Guinness that might just change Happy Hour as we know it. Or, used to know it--before the offspring came along. I'm certain I've never seen a…

Not quite today, but very soon, you'll be able to book cheap flights on Twitter with one click and three keystrokes. Is that something you'd ever be willing to do? TweetAFlight is leading the pack in bringing e-commerce directly to Twitt…

I thought that the stylus had gone out with the Palm Pilot, but after using my iPad more frequently or taking notes, I realize how handy one can be. Of course, it is yet another gadget for me to keep track of. That's why I love this very…

I've liked Natuzzi sofas for a while. You get nice modern lines for not too much money--let's say it's not IKEA but it's not Roche Bobois either. But I'm seeing them in a whole new way since catching a glimpse of this cell phone charging…

Piquing Our Geek is our series of posts on items that are upcoming or so new, we haven't tried yet ourselves--but they sure look cool. I'm not sure if it's my age or all the super-loud concerts I frequented in my 20s, but I am constantly…

Smart phones. Bracelets that track your heart rate and the number of steps you walk each day. A self-adjusting thermostat . Gadgets are getting scary smart, right? And we just found out about the smartest toothbrush in the world, powered…

If I have a complaint about the iPad (and believe me, I don't have many) it's the lack of USB ports. So when I saw this new gadget that's coming out just for people like me, you can bet that I added it to my wish list stat. Touted as the…

How fondly I remember those giddy days (and nights!) of playing Super Mario Bros. in brilliant 8-bit color. It was a simpler time. A time when I loved nothing better than stomping turtles. And I still remember the panicky excitement of c…

As a casual photographer whose muses are three never-stop-moving children and one wiggly black lab, I am constantly frustrated by the shot that almost was. In the second or two that it takes my camera to focus on the image I want, it's g…

Given the amazing power of technology, it was only a matter of time before we'd be able to control our lights, our thermostat, even our garage door from smart gadgets. Well, thanks to Belkin, that time is right now. Or, very very soon. T…

After a tragic juice box diaper bag incident, my first iPhone was never the same. With my new phone, I do my best to keep it away from sippy cups, wet counters, and bathrooms, but that doesn't mean it's not at risk. So that's why when I …

As a runner and fitness buff, I'm a big fan of Nike+ gadgets. So you can bet my interest was piqued when I heard about their new FuelBand release that I'm dying to get my hands on already. The concept of the Nike+ FuelBand and iPhone app…

I do my best to turn off light switches and turn down our thermostat, especially on our other floors at night and when we're out of the house. But that's only when I remember. Which, as a busy mom, is not as often as it should be. That's…

A house full of gadgets means lots of chargers, so any way that I can cut down on the wires and the energy bill will get my attention. And that's exactly what happened when I saw what SolarFocus is launching at the CES Conference this we…

As much as I try to avoid plastic toys for my kids when I can, it's pretty tough when it comes to technology. So that's why these headphones caught my attention, well beyond the fact that they look pretty cool. The Noisezero O+ Eco headp…

The idea of trips with the girlfriends or big family vacations sound amazing until you actually have to plan and organize them. Then, let's just say the magic disappears pretty quickly. That's why I'm super excited about a new site that …

Gift cards tend to get a bad rap because they seem like an afterthought. I'm still of the school that it's the thought that counts, whether it comes after or not. And now, with this new website, gift cards just got a whole lot cooler, es…

When our first baby got to the age where she started skipping the occasional nap, I dreamed of the day there was a real button to press that would automatically turn noontime into naptime. I was, uh, a little delirious. Real nap apps may…

Maybe you've heard about the new Kinect Star Wars game for XBOX that's expected to train up a whole new generation of padawans by getting your kids to jump all over the living room. But have you heard about the wicked cool Star Wars Bund…

Every time I watch Sex and the City reruns (hold your judgments), I have to giggle at the gigantic cell phone Carrie pulls out of her bag. Technology has come so far since then, that I can only imagine how far it will go. And that's just…

I barely carry cash around with me any more, relying solely on my soon to be dubbed George Costanza wallet of credit and debit cards to do the work for me. But it looks as though even those will be obsolete, thanks to a the next release …