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5 Reasons to Skip the New iPad

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:53:36 PST

Should I buy a new iPad? That's the question on everyone's mind after Apple announced the new iPad today in San Francisco. We've already touched on four reasons to splurge on the new iPad, but what if you're on the fence? Here, five reasons why you might want to skip the new iPad altogether.

You don't consume a lot of media - The biggest upgrade to the new iPad is its Retina display. With a 2048 x 1536 screen resolution and 246 pixels per inch, this iPad is a stunner. As Apple puts it, it's "resolutionary." But if you aren't into watching movies, checking out photos, videos, catalogs, and magazines on a tablet, the new iPad might not impress you enough for a purchase.
You've tried tablets, but prefer your laptop - If you've tried using a tablet before but always find yourself picking up your laptop to work, you can probably skip the new iPad and all other tablets for that matter. Some folks just aren't "tablet people," and find them harder to navigate, use, and work on. If that's the case for you, just skip it.
You never use your iPad camera - The new iPad comes with a 5MP rear-facing iSight camera that is capable of shooting 1080p video with some cool footage stabilization features that kick shaky vids to the curb. Unfortunately, the forward-facing camera is still VGA-quality. How many times have you actually shot some video (or took photos for that matter) with your iPad camera? If you can't recall the last time you fired up your iPad's cam, this feature might not be worth your dollars.
You don't have a ton of cash to spend - On a budget? The new iPad starts at $499, which is competitively priced based on its competition, but isn't a price tag to scoff at. If you really want to dip your toes into the tablet scene, consider picking up an iPad 2, which just got a price reduction to $399 for WiFi-only, and $529 for WiFi + 3G.
You already have an iPad 2 - While the upgrades to the new iPad are impressive, they may not be worth your cash if you already have, and love, an iPad 2. Sure, better screen resolution would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker. 4G LTE speeds would be a great addition, but your 3G is working just fine for you. I'd say, if you're totally happy with your iPad 2, stick with it for now. And if you just have to buy it (even though you don't need it), sell your iPad 2 on Ebay and put that cash towards an upgrade.

Will you be buying the new iPad? Check out four reasons why you might want to splurge.

Acer Rolls Out Its Own Cloud Storage and Transfer Service: AcerCloud

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:15:16 PST

Cloud storage comes in handy when you want to access photos, video, and documents away from home. While there are lots of options when it comes to storing your goods in the cloud, Acer is planning to take on the iClouds and Google Docs of the world with its new cloud storage platform called AcerCloud.

Providing a secure and personal connection, AcerCloud connects all of your devices - from mobile phones to desktop PCs - allowing you to see your pics, vids, and Office documents (including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) from anywhere. This free service works with Windows PCs and Android devices starting in Q2 of this year (Windows Mobile compatibility expected in Q4).

In order to access documents and media on the go, you'll first need to download the three AcerCloud apps - Clear.fi Photo, Clear.fi Media, and AcerCloud Docs - on your Android device. From there, you'll have a secure connection between your mobile device and your home PCs or laptops, even if your home computer is asleep or turned off. AcerCloud cashes your media and documents, so you'll always have access. Bonus: if you make changes to any docs from one device, the results are almost immediately available to view on your other devices. Snap a pic from your phone, and you'll instantly see it on your home computer; sorta like Eye-Fi, but with a longer leash.

AcerCloud is free for all Acer customers and is expected to go live in North America and China in Q2, with worldwide availability in Q4.

Amazing New Features Coming With Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:35:13 PDT

Google and Samsung announced the new Galaxy Nexus this evening in Hong Kong, which will be running the latest Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich. New features coming with the OS are extensive and pretty amazing: facial recognition lets you unlock the phone with your face, NFC technology that has been partnered up with an app called Android Beam, which lets you share information and content with other Android users, lots of Google + integration and upgrades, along with a Movie Studio app so you can edit and perfect your mobile vids on the go.

As far as the Galaxy Nexus goes, it's a beautiful monster coming with a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, a teardrop-shaped bod (that's only 8.9mm at its thinnest), and soft Home, Recent Apps, and Back buttons (instead of physical buttons on the casing). Swipe gestures are emphasized on Ice Cream Sandwich, allowing you to swipe away messages, recent apps, and even swipe up during an incoming phone call to send predrafted text messages if you don't want to be bothered. The on-board camera comes in at 5MP, which is surprisingly low compared to other top-notch camera phones on the market, with a 1.3MP front-facing camera for video calls.

Stay tuned for more, including pricing and release date info!

Tech Tips For Working Remotely

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:46:30 PDT

According to a new study, telecommuting is on the rise. In fact, 56 percent of decision makers at US companies think that working from home makes employees more productive and 53 percent of CFOs plan on increasing telecommuting options at their companies. If you're part of the lucky population that is or soon will be allowed to work remotely, be sure to follow these tips for maximizing your home office and making sure you're following proper coffee shop office etiquette!

At Home

Have a designated work area - The couch may be comfy, but working while hunched over on your sofa isn't the best idea for your posture. Get a real desk, or at least work at the dining table so you can prevent a sore neck and back later on down the road.
Keep a clean workspace - Speaking of a designated workspace, there's nothing more distracting than working amongst cords, cables, papers, dirty coffee cups, and whatever else happened to land on your desk while you weren't working. Start the day off right with a clutter-free environment by making a point to clean off your desk at the end of each workweek. Monday mornings will thank you.
Ready, set, share - Set up a file sharing service with your teammates so you can keep on top of document changes while you're working. Dropbox and Box.net are both great services for sharing documents and files between groups.
Consider dual monitors - More desktop real estate equals more productivity. Since you've got a good desk, you might as well make the most of things by allowing yourself more monitor space to see your incoming emails, web browser, chat windows, and spreadsheets all at once. No more clicking around, searching for the right window!
Set your schedule - Schedules aren't there to make your life miserable - they actually help get things accomplished. Be sure that your working hours are clear with your boss (even better if they're flexible to start and end times), and take regular breaks to stretch.
Communicate often - If instant message is your preferred form of communication, be sure you're available during your working hours, and remember to set the "away" notification when you've stepped out. This will be a big help for your co-workers who may be looking for you.
Keep track of expenses - If you're freelancing or building your own business, be sure to document and save receipts for purchases. You can usually write off expenses for computer equipment, Internet access, and even part of your rent if you work from home. I recommend scanning all of your receipts and storing them in a cloud-based locker so if by chance your paper files get damaged, you'll always have a digital copy. Same goes for any important documents you need.

Planning on posting it up at your favorite coffee shop? Some etiquette tips you may want to keep in mind after the break.

Hands-On With the Samsung Infuse 4G

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:11:17 PDT

I'll come right out and say it: to me, size matters. So when I heard about the Infuse 4G's huge 4.5-inch screen, I asked AT&T to send me a review unit, possibly out of morbid curiosity. Could a phone this big really make a girl happy? The answer is yes, my friends. Oh, yes.

I had read from the AT&T press release that the Infuse 4G would be big, but I didn't realize just how large it was until I peeled open the box. The thing is massive (only a few inches smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Tab!), but strangely enough I didn't mind. In fact, the bright and beautiful Super AMOLED Plus screen makes this one of the most spectacular smartphones to look at, and totally worth the real estate it will be taking up in your bag or pants pocket. The Infuse is wide, but it's incredibly thin. The phone measures 9.24mm thick at its largest (it has a lip at the bottom where the speaker/microphone lives), and is very sleek with its brushed gunmetal color and texturized backplate. Plus, it's so light (maybe the lightest phone I've handled in recent memory), but it doesn't send off that cheap, plastic vibe. The quality of the hardware is really impressive, and I gotta give Samsung a round of applause for this one. Well done.

To read more about the cameras, call quality, and included apps and features coming with the Infuse 4G, then keep reading.

Vimeo Launches Free iPhone App

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:37:17 PDT

Watch out iMovie, the new and free Vimeo app is right on your tail! Released today, the Vimeo app is packed with awesome video editing features (like focus, grids, trimming, music, transitions, titles, effects, and more) and makes it super easy to upload your mobile creation right to your Vimeo page.

You can browse Vimeo videos, download already-uploaded vids to your iPhone camera roll, edit titles, descriptions, and tags, share with your social networks (Facebook, Tumblr, etc.), and even get page stats to see how many people are actually watching your videos. The app is free and available now for downloading on your iPhone 3GS or later (with iOS 4.0+), so get it and tell us what you think! Want more eye candy? Check out some more screenshots in the gallery.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Nintendo 3DS

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:36:44 PDT

It's almost time - the Nintendo 3DS launches this weekend! I've had a few days to get to know the unit, and while I'm admittedly a Nintendo kind of gal, it's definitely exceeded my expectations with this console. Find out more about it below!

Price and Availability
The new Nintendo 3DS will hit stores this Sunday, March 27 for $250.

Trade-Ins and Credits
Want to trade up for the newest version? Here's what you need to know:

Walmart - Starting this Sunday, you can trade in a used Nintendo DS model for up to a $100 credit toward the 3DS at authorized Walmart locations.
Target - Starting on Sunday, you can trade in any used Nintendo DS system for up to $50 in credit toward the purchase of a 3DS, or any other purchase in Target stores.
GameStop - Trade in your used Nintendo DSi XL for $100 in reservation credits, your DSi for $75, and your DS for $50 to put toward the purchase of a new 3DS.

Find out more about the games, the 3D quality, and whether or not you should buy after the break.

Tech Spotting Britney Spears's "Hold It Against Me" Video

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:30:05 PST

Britney Spears released the video for her latest single, "Hold It Against Me," to the world earlier this evening, and it's not just PopSugar that's excited - amid the dancing, singing, and flashing lights, there's plenty of tech treats to spot as well. Click through the slideshow as we go tech spotting through Britney's latest vid!