Geek Stuff | Scraps of My Geek Life

Category Archives: Geek Stuff

I DID it! I ordered an iPad…

Written on March 12, 2010 by Michele in Geek Stuff

The 64 GB wifi iPad. I feel happy, oh so happy, so happy and giddy and….. Some of you will get this and some of you will think I’m nuts. But seriously, being the geek that I am, ordering a new gadget is the ultimate high for me. It’s better than any drug. The only thing better is that moment when this geek first get the new gadget still in the box in my geeky little hands. It’s even better when it’s from Apple because Apple has figured out how to make even the packaging look AWESOME. In case you’ve been living in the remote jungles of some far off land and do not know what the iPad is, here is a picture of my new baby…

And some of you may not quite “get” what it does, so here is the commercial. It’s so much better to see it in action.

Now I have to wait until April 3 to get it into my hands. That is also my daughter’s 11th birthday. I think that is a fine present for me because I am the one who gave birth. This also means my hubby gets a new Nook (mine). I’m going to be reading my books in COLOR!!!

So, why did I choose the wifi and not the 3G version? My biggest reason was the AT&T service. There is no way I’m giving AT&T more of my money for 3G service. If they would let me tag onto my iPhone account, I would have gone for the 3G. Yeah, it would have been nice to have the 3G service, but I’d rather have the 64 GB and NOT pay AT&T. That’s how much I dislike AT&T.

Did you order an iPad? What is it that gets you feeling like a kid? Is it gadgets? Yarn? Scrapbooking supplies? Tell me!!

Tags: apple, ipad

EA SPORTS Active Goes 2.0

Written on March 10, 2010 by Michele in Geek Stuff, Healthy Lifestyle

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EA SPORTS Active is expanding it’s line of interactive fitness products. Not only will the EA SPORTS Active be available for the Wii, but also the Playstation 3, iPhone and iTouch. We will never be to far away to workout.

As many of you know, I was a 6 week challenger for the EA SPORTS Active More Workouts. One of the reasons, I love this product has a lot to do with the interaction EA SPORTS has with it’s customers. They listen to us, they talk with us, they support us, they motivate us. It’s quite obvious with this new 2.0 (working title) version of EA SPORTS Active, that they have been listening to their customers.

According to the EA SPORTS Active blog,

… the new fitness program will feature a wireless control system which will make it that much easier to get a great workout.

There will be leg and arm straps with motion sensors along with a heart rate monitor.

EA SPORTS Active Challenge 2.0 style

With any fitness product, I want to be challenged, supported, motivated and heard. The 2.0 version will include a 3 phase 9 week challenge along with an online community where we will track and share our fitness data. We will be able to support and motivate each other with workout groups and messaging. New workouts will be available for download to keep our workouts new and exciting. The EA SPORTS Active online hub will be the “one stop shop” for all our fitness needs.

I am so excited about this new version, although we won’t be able to get our hands on it until this Fall. EA SPORTS Active is keeping this geek fit and healthy. I have been the most successful in my healthy lifestyle efforts when I’ve had a support system and EA SPORTS Active 2.0 has added that key element to their interactive fitness product.

If you go to the EA SPORTS Active website, there is picture of the wireless arm/leg bands.

Have you tried either of the EA SPORTS Active Personal Trainer or More Workouts? Will you buy the new 2.0 version?

disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I wrote it because I am SUPER excited about this new 2.0 version and I’m sharing my joy!

Tags: EA Sports Active, interactive fitness product, iPhone, IPod Touch, Playstation 3, Wii

Headed to Mom 2.0 & Livestreaming on MomTV

Written on February 17, 2010 by Michele in Digital Soul Hour, Geek Stuff

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This is where I will be through Sunday. I had heard wonderful things about Mom 2.0 last year and I decided I was definitely going next year and this is next year. I also have never been to Houston, so this will be a fun trip. Fiona (@banteringblonde) and I will be live streaming some of the main sessions through MomTV.

I’m excited to see some old friends and some meet some new friends. Whenever I go to a conference I come back feeling very energetic and I want to implement everything I learned.

Watch my twitter stream (@scrappinmichele) and hashtag #mom2summit for information on the livestreams on Friday and Saturday. You can check out the keynote speakers at the Mom 2.0 Summit website.

Tags: conference, Mom 2.0 Summit, momtv

So Freakin' Amazing, My Own Whrrl Scrappin Society

Written on February 4, 2010 by Michele in Geek Stuff

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The newest version of Whrrl has societies and I have my own DC Scrappin’ Society. If you frequent the scrapbook stores in the VA/DC/MD area, you can become part of my Whrrl Scrappin Society too and you’ll earn the badge. I know you want to!!

Whrrl has societies popping up all over the country. They are starting in the more populated cities at first. In the DC area, there are societies for wine, books, punk and more. Go to Whrrl and see if there are some societies in your area.

disclosure: I do have a working relationship with Whrrl. I was NOT compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

Tags: footstream, iPhone, societies, whrrl

To iPad or Not, That is the Question! Apple Reveals it Finally!

Written on January 27, 2010 by Michele in Geek Stuff, Michele

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: Image by Getty Images via Daylife

It’s official. Apple announced their tablet device today and it’s called the

iPad

I’m not really thrilled about the name. I can hear all the jokes already, but Apple likes the i with one syllable words so it doesn’t surprise me. But enough about my opinion, let’s get to the details first.

The iPad will have

iBook – ereader
iWork for iPad – downloadable apps priced at $9.99 each (pages, keynote, Numbers)
Contacts & Calendar
Video
Internet browser
Apps – all apps from iPhone/iTouch will work on iPad
Pictures – slideshows, upload
10 hrs battery life
9.7 in wide, .5 in thick
Syncs same as iPhone with a USB cord and iTunes

Let’s talk about prices of the service. $29 per month for unlimited 3G and $14.99 for up to 250 mb per month. AT&T is offering wifi hotspots for free.

No contracts and you can activate it right on the iPad.

And now for the prices of the iPad:

Starts at $499 for the 16 GB wifi up to $820 for the 64 GB wi+3G.

wifi is 16 GB – $499, 32 GB – $599, 64 GB – $699
wifi + 3G is 16 GB – $629, 32 GB – $729, 64 GB – $829

That pricing starts much cheaper than what I thought, but for the one I’d want, the price is right about where I thought it would be. In my opinion, they are offering enough options so that most can afford it if they want it.

My first impression is that I’m in love with it. I haven’t seen it in person and really seen it in action, so I’ll reserve my final opinion until I see it. I’m curious about using the keyboard. I’m listening to Leo Laporte talk about it (he was at the event) and he mentions that it takes the computer out of the equation. You don’t feel like you are using a computer. He is now holding one and says it’s very responsive and lightweight. It rotates portrait to landscape very quickly. He said typing feels good (although it was typing in Chinese). He was impressed and said it was a very beautiful device.

I like how real many of the things look. For example, the iBook software looks like a bookshelf with books on it. When you read a book, it looks like a real book and you can see the pages behind even. Apple always takes the time to add little things that make the whole user experience exceptional and very real.

I know I will get one and I would even stand in line for this. When can we get our hands on one? Apple said 60 days for the wifi version and 90 days for the wifi+3G version.

Will you get an iPad? What are your thoughts?