Blog - Gadchick

Summertime Smartphone Apps

Beth — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:52:08 +0000

For those in love with their smartphone, every possible vacation, new hobby, or change in the weather can be a great excuse to download new apps to better their life or at least help in locating the best frozen yogurt place near your hotel. As you get ready to have the best summer ever with ample swimming parties, tons of watermelon, and the best road trips ever, here are some great apps you might want to try out for your smartphone to make the most of the season.

iDrated - iPhone, .99
We all know that drinking water is important and our best intentions are always to hit our minimum, but it is not always easy to remember. In the summer this gets more important as you try to stay active despite rising temperatures. The iDrated app works off a simple idea, track how hydrated you are and remind you when it is time to drink more. By tracking the information, it becomes easier to remember to be drinking and your phone can join in on the battle against dehydration.
(Option for Android Users - Drinking Water)

Roadside America - iPhone, 2.99 (android app being developed)
Roadside America has been on the internet for years, a resource for providing interesting attractions and roadside sights to make any car trip legendary. In recent years, they’ve expanded this information to their helpful app allowing you to spot nearby stops via their easy to use maps for even a trip around the neighborhood.

WebMD Allergy - Android, iPhone, free
While I love the warmer weather and blooming plants, the spring and summer comes for me with the promise of stuffy noses, itchy eyes, and all of the other wonderful symptoms of seasonal allergies. Despite my BFF Loratadine, I still am always on the lookout for possible ways to better deal with my yearly fun-ruining visitor. The WebMD Allergy app is a new partner in my seasonal battle giving me warning for particularly bad days, breaking down my allergy forecast based on the weather, and suggesting tips on how to improve my experience.

Sky View - iPhone, 1.99, free version available
Locating the Big Dipper in the night sky might be easy, but spotting the International Space Station might prove more difficult. Luckily as we get more warm nights to watch the skies, the Sky View app is here to give us a better understanding of what we’re looking at.
(Option for Android Users - Google Sky Map)

The Games of Summer 2013

Beth — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:33:16 +0000

For the video game industry, the summer is never a slow period with tons of conventions, announcements, and huge game releases. 2013 is no different starting with the next-gen Xbox announcement, E3 in June, and PAX Prime in August. However, while we wait with our fingers crossed for certain news (hopefully including more Dragon Age 3 news), there are tons of games coming out this summer to keep any gamer busy when it is too hot to go outside.

The Last of Us Sony Computer Entertainment

One of the most anticipated games of 2013, The Last of Us is scheduled for a June 2013 release on PS3. From a highly respected publisher with exceptional voice acting (including the voice of Bioshock Infinite's Booker DeWitt), The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic survival horror game that isn't just focused on horror but the emotional connection between the two main characters. You can check out more information on the story or see the trailer on its official website.

DeadPool Activision Inc.

After a triumphant announcement at Comic Con 2012, this summer will see the release of the merc with a mouth's first solo video game. Deadpool is a 4th-wall breaking, overly talkative, sometimes raunchy, often violent anti-hero, beloved by Marvel fans and meme loving internet dwellers. This third-person action game will allow the players to progress as the character and interact with other Marvel heroes. While this might not be the game for everyone, for those of us who love the character, it is a long time coming.

Pikmin 3 Nintendo

While I still may not have my Wii U, some upcoming releases are tipping the scales in its favor. Pikmin 3 is one of those games, another installment in the classic series that will take advantage of the Wii U's functionality and GamePad. A real-time strategy game that combines cute with strategic planning, Pikmin 3 gives you control of a group of plant-like creatures that you use to solve puzzles, fight bad guys, and explore their world. My experience with the Wii U system suggests that this is the kind of game that the system was designed for and I'm excited to see how players embrace it.

Saints Row IV Deep Silver

The Saints Row series of games is one of my guilty pleasures with the ability to customize your character's tattoos and Japanese game show gone crazy mini-games. When the series' original publisher THQ closed its doors earlier this year, I was happy to see game picked up by a new developer and, if the trailer is any indicator, had the crazy turned up even higher than previous installments. The upcoming game features your criminal gang leader becoming President, invading aliens, and mech suits, plot points that suggest the game we know and love is back and weirder than ever.

Tech Support

Diana — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:59:07 +0000

Welcome to this week's Tech Support! Our favorite links of the week!

+ We are so excited for Apart: A Teardown Manual for Modern Living. We love to check out how things works

There is an app that sends you a tweet when your baby needs changing. If it wasn't April Fool's, it's silly but worth a look.

For $70, make yourself a Trekkie, via engadget.

Are you impatiently waiting for the new Arrested Development season? Get alerted the minute it airs on Netflix, via Buzzfeed.

Are you confused about Adobe killing off Creative Suite? Read all the details and how it will effect you if you're a user on CNET News.

Halloween isn't for another few months, but babies in costume at any season are a win. We love Raegun's Hogwart's Costume.

Do you want your own Mjölnir? Learn how to build it here via engadget.

Acer announces the world's first ultra book convertible and The Verge gets a hands on review.

Want a sneak peek at iOS7? Cnet has you covered.

Are you overwhelmed with starting a blog or reaching yours beyond its limit.? Haute Blog is a new service to help you out.

We more to share on our Twitter throughout the week. Tech us out!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Diana — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:31:24 +0000

Forget the flowers and the jewelry, get mom 8-Bit inspired gift she'll love if she's as geeky as we are. If you can't afford the latest tablet or the coolest phone, don't worry, these gift will make her smile and all under $100.

1. Pixelated 8-Bit Clear Glasses, under $5 // 2. Graphic Novelty Pillows, under $40 each // 3. Jump From Paper "Bonjour" Bag, under $100 // 4. Pixel Oven Mitts, under $15 // 5. 8-Bit Flowers, under $15

Thank you to Aline, our PR director for modeling the Jump From Paper Bag in Bonjour!

Gadgets for the Summertime

Beth — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:28:27 +0000

Despite my love of sweaters and boots, summertime is one of my favorite seasons and comes with some of the best activities of the year. From chasing the ice cream man to visiting the water park, the summer months are full of memories of childhood and activities that never get boring for adults. Here are some great gadgets that I’m hoping for this summer to make some of my favorite parts of the season more fun.

A New Way to Share My Music at the Beach or in the Backyard:
Summertime for this Jersey girl means trips to the Shore and barbeques in the backyard. But besides the challenge of keeping my gadgets safe at the beach, I also want a new way to listen to music during all of my summer parties.
Suggestions:
New Set of Portable Speakers 1, 2

Tools For Making the Best Picnic:
While I still might not have my corn on the cob lightsaber, I do think this summer I want to learn how to put together a picnic that would make Martha jealous.
Suggestions:
A Portable Bug Repeller
Picnic-Sized Gas Grill

New Ideas for Cooling Down:
I live in a city near three rivers with a bedroom on a third floor of a very old building. My summer months are spent full of very humid days, extremely stuffy nights, and the ingenuity that comes when trying to figure out how to cool down a house. While I’m always a fan of the DIY versions, I’m also on the search for new gadgets designed for making your more comfortable in the summer.
Suggestions:
A Blade-less Fan 1, 2
Quicker Ways to Make Frozen Desserts 1, 2

Stay Connected During Your Comic-Con:
While San Diego Comic-Con might not be an event for all readers, for many of us it does mean summer vacation season. Some vacations are for disconnecting, but many vacations are for sightseeing and adventure, meaning being disconnected from our gadgets is not an option.
Suggestions:
A Portable Battery Pack 1, 2
A Solar Powered Charger 1, 2

May Wish List

Diana — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:32:43 +0000

Gadgets are constantly updating, and so is our wish list. Here is the best of what we searched for May.

Beth- Neat Receipt Scanner for PC- a great and space-saving tool tool for going paperless and keeping your home organized.

Kam- Cooking for Geeks- This cookbook isn't exactly what you'd expect: geeky food named after equally geeky characters/locations/franchises. Instead, Cooking for Geeks looks at the science behind what is going on while we cook! The book covers how to make different recipes and includes interviews with experts in different fields like food science and knives. With our current fascination with the origin of our food, I figure Gadchicks may be interested in what happens to our food while we cook it!

Marisa- Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens- As a photography noob, I've wanted to bring my picture taking skills to the next level without spending the big bucks and this lens would be a perfect fit. It's compatible with my Nikon DX DSLR, is great in low light, and captures beautiful images with interesting perspectives.

Mandy- Star Trek: The Next Generation Seasons 1, 2, 3 - Whenever I'm reminded about how amazing Star Trek is, which is currently happening thanks to the massive amount of Star Trek Into Darkness promotion we're getting, I get a hankering to re-watch the entirety of my favorite of the TV series: The Next Generation. I'd really love to watch them in all their remastered glory, too, through the recently released BluRay sets. Seasons 1 and 2 are out now, and season 3 releases April 30.

Katie- On May 14, this very interesting book comes out that is basically a hardback print of Neil Gaiman's infamous commencement address at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. If you haven't heard this speech, you should listen to it. Neil says a lot of the things that creative types need to not only hear but remind themselves to do on a day-to-day basis when it comes to making things, being yourself and staying inspired. He's a smart guy. And you can never have too many books by him, so there you go.

Diana- Infinity Cell Kinetic Charger- This gadget uses kinetic energy to charge your gadget. I constantly lose cords and chargers. I walk everyday and that hour I'm moving would benefit not only myself but my phone. It is a concept right now and not available for purchase, but if you're excited about this idea as much as I am, check out the Kickstarter page.

Aline- Magic Wand Remote Control by Kymera- Considering what a huge Harry Potter (and fantasy in general) fan I am, it's a wonder that I don't already own this wand remote control. Imagine changing the channel with a flick of the wrist! I know I'd be saying "Lumos" and "Nox" when turning it on and off!

If you have an awesome gadget you would love to share with Gadchick, email us! We would love to feature you.

FTC Blogger Disclosure- For our wish lists, we use affiliates. It's a small amount to pay for our issues and keep giving you awesome content. Thanks for the support!

Exploring Standing Desk Options

Beth — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:37:37 +0000

Above is a picture of my current home office set up which has served me well for the past year. But in recent months, I’ve been debating an upgrade to my ergonomics and adding a standing desk to my household workstation rotation. You have probably seen the countless articles expounding the benefits of sitting less each day, from a lower risk of illness to increased life expectancy. All of this and my choice of gaming as a hobby has pointed me in the direction of finding an alternative to the couch.

The choice to move to a 50:50 standing/sitting split can mean an investment in a new desk for your home or office. In doing my own person research, here are some great options to explore:

Convert Your Current Desk
I love my current desk so much I’ve convinced other people to buy it. Since I do plan on keeping it, I’ve been looking primarily at possible ways to convert the current desk to work for sitting and standing.
Check out:
1. Ergo-Desk
2. Standing Desk
3. Safco Desk Riser

DIY Solutions
While there are great manufactured options on the market to convert your current workspace, if you prefer DIY, there are a ton of functional and stylish plans to inspire your own creation.
Check Out:
1. This Huffington Post collection of submitted desk setups
2. This Pinterest Board focusing on standing desk creations

The Moving Option
Some people take their interest in a standing desk to the next level and invest in a desk that keeps them moving all day. For people interested in making that jump, there are both DIY and premade options available for them.
Check Out
1. TrekDesk Treadmill Desk
2. FitDesk Pedal Desk
3. Lifespan Treadmill Desk

Playing with Friends - Great Video Games to Watch

Beth — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:43:56 +0000

PC Gaming at PAX East

While playing video games with a friend can be fun, sometimes you may want to just relax and watch the action unfold as they play. Also, sometimes you may also have a great single-player game that you and your partner can’t wait to jump into, but that means taking turns and waiting for your chance to play. But not all games are well suited for an audience and, if you are trying to enjoy the interaction together, this can quickly turn your focus from having fun to looking for a way out.

If you and your favorite gaming partner are looking for a game with great cinematics or story that is both fun to play and to watch, try one of the following suggestions:

The Uncharted series (PS3) - Like junk food and sweatpants, action movies are fun, comfortable, and perfect in limited quantities. The Uncharted series is one of the best action-adventure games for this generation of consoles and they are hugely engaging to watch. With great voice acting and fun cinematic cut scenes, each game is like living in your own personal action movie and, speaking from personal experience, you may go hours before requesting your turn at the controller.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS3) - Originally released for the PS2, Shadow of the Colossus is a combination of action-adventure and puzzle game that takes you through a beautiful landscape to defeat a series of colossi to save the life of a young girl. What makes this game wonderful to watch is its artistry and design, as an audience, you will be drawn into the world of the character and can be entertained by the setting alone.
Silent Hill 2 (PS3, XBOX360) - Another re-release from the PS2, Silent Hill 2 is one of the greatest examples of survival horror games ever released. Besides being beloved by gamers, this is a game that has also birthed multiple movies and an army of cosplayers who always terrify me in person.This specific genre of games is perfect for watching and sharing in the experience of being completely terrified.
Bioshock (PC, PS3, XBOX360) - While everyone is enjoying the latest game, I highly recommend revisiting the original series. Bioshock shares a commonality with most of the other games on this list which is the fun of exploring a new world together. With a unique and gorgeous setting and a story that reveals itself throughout the game, the fact that Bioshock movie rumors have been bounced around since its release is no surprise.

Leave your suggestions for other great games that are fun to watch in the comments.

Tech Support

Diana — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:58:37 +0000

Welcome to this week's Tech Support! Our favorite links of the week!

+ Starting off with something a little creepy- how a hacker can remotely hijack airplanes using an Android app. Read the scary story here.

+ Lomography made a new 35mm back for the Belair. It'll save money on the film but not so much on the size of the camera. It's something worth checking out!

+ Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat matches your decor with the latest touch screen technology

+ We are fans of subscription boxes- what about one that allows kids to have a new science experiment every month? Love this idea.

+ HBO Go has updated to iOS, Airplay and multitasking. Read more here.

+ FREE DIGITAL COMIC BOOKS! Sign up here.

For more links, check us out on Twitter! Some other great links here and here.

How Bioshock Infinite Got It Right

Katie — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:48:41 +0000

Or “Thank God, a Game Where I Don’t Hate Every Female PC”

(If you have not finished playing Bioshock Infinite, shame on you, just beware that there may be some spoilers ahead. I’ve tried to be at least ambiguous, but I figured I’d put it out there. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

First of all, let me just say how blown away I was by Bioshock Infinite as a game overall. I was cautiously optimistic about it because of its marketing up until only recently. I found myself going, “Uh. This isn’t Rapture. It’s bright. I think it’s going to blind me. And you’re wandering around with this cute chick and…yeah…I don’t know…”

Then, I bought it. And played it.

On the geeky side of things, let me go ahead and point out a few tidbits: the gameplay is a balance of both the first and second Bioshock games. It’s more classic FPS without giving up the fantastic element of Vigors (this game’s version of the Plasmids), and it generally comes off as more controlled than the spastic, frantic quick-kill-everything-ness of especially Bioshock 2. It’s beautifully made with a great soundtrack (did not walk into this game expecting Tears for Fears) and a narrative that leaves you dizzy…and that’s not just because of the skylines.

That said, though…it isn’t just the fact that it’s a fun game that shows how Bioshock Infinite got it right. It’s the characters. Specifically, it’s the women. Because, believe me, I was scared for a while there. “Here we go again,” I thought, “Some dude is saving some chick and there’s going to be this cheeky back-and-forth, blah blah blah.”

After getting through this game, I realized just how wrong I was.

So you have these four different female characters in this game: Elizabeth, Rosalind Lutece, Lady Comstock and Daisy Fitzroy. They fulfill very important roles in a setting that is very sexist and masculine: Elizabeth is the innocent girl, Rosalind is the genius scientist business woman, Lady Comstock is the matriarch and Daisy is the rebel anarchist chick. Each represent a different societal role for women, but even more interestingly, they directly reflect the major named male characters, specifically Booker Dewitt, Robert Lutece, Zachary Comstock and Cornelius Slate, respectively.

And here’s the real kicker: they are more successful than their counterparts. While Booker is running amok eating food out of trash cans, Elizabeth figures out how everything is connected. Rosalind doesn’t just go about her business doing what she’s told; she crosses space and time to find another version of herself and uses him to help her achieve her ends. Lady Comstock knew exactly what was up and what was going to happen (and unfortunately that’s why the Mr. Father Comstock axed her). Even Daisy – who, granted, just ended up being a bit of a crazy bitch at the end of it – got way farther than Slate ever could. She went out and started a revolution while he sulked in the shadows of a museum.

What really got me engaged with the game though wasn’t just the archetypes these ladies represented or my sense of “you go, girl!” It’s the fact that none of them started that way, and throughout the game they changed. The player got this broader, more vivid picture of these well-rounded, interesting characters. Elizabeth wasn’t just some Princess Peach with a giant bird-man babysitter. Rosalind Lutece wasn’t just a Madison Paige who was going out-smart all those menfolk and bag a guy in the end (that was a Heavy Rain reference, by the way – one of my biggest video game heartbreaks that absolutely got it wrong when it came to crafting a female character). They take everything you expect and just go, “No, I think we’ll do this our way, thank you kindly.”

Well done, Bioshock Infinite. Well done.

Gadgets and Tech-Friendly Tools for Pet Owners

Beth — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:21:47 +0000

Any Instagram or Facebook feed can tell you, people are obsessed with their pets. We want them to be healthy, happy, and safe and we want to know the best app for reminding us to take care of them. Below are some great gadgets, apps, and websites for tech-conscious pet owners:

1. Pet Ownership Apps
You love your phone and you love your pet, why not combine that love into helpful apps. Check out:
MapMyDogWalk (available on IOS and Android) - Getting a dog is also signing up for daily walks in your neighborhood. MapMyDogWalk is a great app for tracking this information via your smartphone.
Games for Cats - I was a huge doubter of how great a cat and an ipad can be together. These apps courtesy of Friskies are huge fun for the animal, less fun for the owner when the cat confuses Netflix with their fish game.
PetMinder (available on IOS) - Any pet comes with a constant to-do list, but PetMinder helps organizing those tasks and reminds you when any come due.

2. Automatic Pet Toys
While watching a cat chase a piece of string or watching your dog go nuts of a game of catch, at the end of a long day, you might not want to throw their busy bee again. Check out:
Dart Automatic Pet Laser
Twitch Automated Cat Toy

3. Microchipping
While there a tons of cute collars and your dog might be the most well behaved animal on the block, I can’t express to you how important microchipping is. I could tell you that in a Humane Society study, only about 22% of lost dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families, but for microchipped dogs it was over 52%. For cats, less than 2% that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families but microchipped cats had a return rate over 38%. I could also tell you that at many animal clinics, the cost to microchip your animal is under 50 dollars. I can tell you all of those things, but the most important fact is that a microchip on my dog helped her get returned to us immediately after she ran away from a caretaker while we were away. No amount of money or statistics can compete with having a family member returned home.

Some other great links to check out for gadgets and other pet ownership tips:
Haus Panther: Being a cat owner used to mean accepting that the 5 foot tall cat condo in your living room would always clash with your chosen style of furniture. But in recent years, new design-conscious pet companies have emerged
Catster/Dogster: In addition to making me cry from their real-life stories, Catster and Dogster provide great stories for pet owners and news stories for animal lovers.
Modern Dog/Modern Cat Magazines: Being an animal owner has given me a minor understanding of what kind of parent I am going to be, essentially one who runs a websearch for every question. Both Modern Dog and Cat have been amazing resources for my questions and I recommend them to any person.

Tech Support

Diana — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:34:28 +0000

Welcome to this week's Tech Support! It's our favorite links of the week.

+ There's an amazing giveaway for a Nikon D3100 DSLR on Little Chief Honey Bee.

+ I know most bloggers are familiar with the FTC Blog Disclosure, but did you know it was just updated with stricter regulations? Read it here.

+ Thank you Ashley for sharing the 8-Bit Game Map Sticky Notes. For $4, it's a small price to make our office day. She also sent us...

+ The Indoor Kids! A podcast hosted by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon. It's a new way to listen to the back story of your favorite video games. Thanks, Ashley!

+ TechCrunch reported Apple patenting a convertible MacBook design (!!!) and a street view navigation that can go inside buildings.

+ What do you think about an Apple TV with a 'ring' remote control? Read it here.

+ Have you ever thought of giving up your computer and going mobile exclusively? Eli shares giving up her computer and living the tablet life.

+ In TV news, Arrested Development FB page announced there will be 15 new episodes on Netflix.

+ Walmart looking into crowd-sourcing online delivery? No.

+ Hyperkin Retron to play classic cartridges from old school games via Engadget.

If you can't wait until the end of the week for great links, find on us Twitter!

WonderCon 2013: A Gadchick Recap

Diana — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:34:26 +0000

WonderCon 2013 was set in Anaheim, CA at the Convention Center. Between March 29 - 31, we saw a few more Storm Troopers than usual walking around the city. WonderCon is the little brother of the mega Comic Con. It's normally held in San Francisco, but due to rumors of scheduling, Anaheim was the lucky city to get WonderCon this year. WonderCon is less crowded and more inspired by actual comic books. The highlights are movies and TV shows panels inspired by our favorite comics.

The first panel I went to was Jason Wan for The Conjuring, a family home haunted by demons, based on a true story. It was one of the scariest previews I've ever watched and even having the family who lived through it on the panel with him made it even more frightening.

The next one I waited for was Guillermo Del Toro. I love everything he does, and I was excited for Pacific Rim, an apocalyptic movie with robots and aliens fighting each other. He talked about the costumes, how big the set was (it was bigger than any North American set ever built), and Charlie Day being an awesome actor.

The cosplay at WonderCon! Where do I even begin? I have a new appreciation and respect for cosplayers. They do their best for what they have to work with. There were so many I didn't recognize, including the confusing Dr. Who costumes (I really need to catch up). These are a few of my favorites.

Taffyta and Venellope from Wreck It Ralph

Grumpy Cat having a terrible time as usual

Miss Carlyfornia. I loved her dress and later discovered she has her own line of gothic/anima/lolita clothing line.

our favorite anti-hero. It was cute, done simply and easy recognizable.

I had fun overall and it made me think of Kam's story on smaller cons (who I finally met!) It wasn't as crowded as I expected but it really highlighted the convention for major fans. I hope it comes back to Anaheim next year.

April Wish List

Diana — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:11:56 +0000

Gadgets are constantly updating, and so is our wish list. Here is the best of what we searched for April.

Aline- The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia

I've been playing Zelda games for most of my life and I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. My bookshelf simply won't be complete without it (let's be honest, it will never be complete!).

Mandy- Wacom Bamboo Tablet and Pen

Although I am most definitely not an illustrator that needs a way to digitally draw things, I absolutely love the idea of having a way to write and draw “on screen.” The Wacom Bamboo Create Pen and Touch Tablet will allow me to do just that ... and perhaps lead me to a new hobby in illustration?

Kam- Goal Zero Solar Charger

It is USB powered recharger that can charge your phone, tablet, or GPS unit. It can also be hooked up to one of the Goal Zero solar panels (what I do) which is perfect for days you're at the beach, poolside, or on a trail. The actual item is really slim and can fit into a purse or backpack really easily.

Bethany- UtiliTEA Kettle

Besides the awesome play on words, I would love this gadget that could make my mornings a little speedier.

Emily- Silhouette Portrait

The Silhouette Portrait is an electronic die-cutting machine that's the younger brother of the Silhouette Cameo, which has been on my wish-list since last Christmas. The Portrait has a smaller cutting area than the Cameo, but it's also smaller and cheaper, and therefore better for a college-age gadget-loving crafter on a budget, like me!

Diana- Loot Crate

I'm a sucker for subscription boxes, I currently have 4 at the moment, and I would love to add Loot Crate to my mailbox. It's all things geeky I love from novelty to function, with a nerd twist. (Thanks to Kam for the heads up!)

FTC Blogger Disclosure- For our wish lists, we use affiliates. It's a small tiny amount to pay for our issues and keep giving you awesome content. Thanks for the support!

PAX East 2013: A Gadchick Recap

Beth — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:47:16 +0000

The convention floor at PAX East

In contrast to industry events focused on the media like E3 and more general cultural conventions where video games are just a fraction of events like SDCC, the Penny Arcade Expo is a celebration of everything gaming related and a playground for people who call themselves gamers. From tabletop role-playing games to the latest offerings from AAA Gaming studios, anyone whose Steam account is always out of control or who has very strong feelings on handheld gaming devices can feel completely at home at one of the PAX Events. While they run multiple different events a year internationally, I had the privilege of attending the PAX East convention in Boston this March and found myself surrounded by a world of amazing cosplay, great gaming news, and friendly touches you won’t find at any convention equal in size.

Some of my personal highlights from the weekend:

1. Free-Play Gaming Areas
There are a few things you can expect at most conventions: Vendor area, panels, and lots of fans. One thing that PAX offers is countless free-play gaming areas from fully loaded PCs to a retro room that has almost any console you can remember. The best parts of being a gamer is the camaraderie you feel with fellow fans and offering the ability to sit and just play was very unique to PAX and lended to the environment that you are all just hanging out in a very large living room. For consoles, they offered rooms full of XBoxes, PS3s, and Wiis (U and Original Flavor) complete with a library of games. I was given the opportunity to not just test the Wii U but play with it for over an hour and decide that I need one in my house. I was also given the chance to test drive two games I had been interested in: Resident Evil 6 and Gears of War: Judgment. Both games are now on my must-buy list.

2. Great Gamer Cosplay
From Grumpy Cat to countless characters from JRPGs I didn’t recognize, PAX East had excellent and entertaining cosplay. One of my largest regrets of PAX would be not having taken a picture of Pee-wee Herman and Mr. T hugging while in costume.

3. Mass Effect Retrospective
If you’ve read my previous articles you know that I am a fully obsessed and proud Bioware fangirl thus anything related to their games will make my must-watch list. As always, the Bioware staff offered a great lineup of events for fans and this special panel looking back at the Mass Effect series. While I still wait for news for Dragon Age 3, this panel reminded me of everything I love about their games and how much I will miss Commander Shepard.

This brief list can’t encompass everything I loved such as the Borderlands 2 vending machine and the amazing chiptune extravaganza. But while I did miss out on some of the panels I was hopeful to see related to girls in gaming and romance in games, PAX East made a big enough impression on me that I will hopefully be back next year. Will I see any of my fellow Gadchicks there?

Gadchick Reviews: CocoPPa

Mandy — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:30:00 +0000

I am somewhat wary of changing the status quo when it comes to my electronic devices, but I do appreciate a chance to personalize what and when I can. With my iPhone, I’ve done a little—Loki case, TARDIS background; I’ve even given it a name. (She’s called Wendy, if you were curious.)—but I’ve never really considered changing my icons. I didn’t actually know that it was possible. Until recently, that is.

You might have seen screenshots on Pinterest of iPhone homepages decorated with custom icons. Most of the shots are taken post-CocoPPa makeover.

(Photos pulled from here.)

CocoPPa is an app that allows iPhone users to customize apps with icons of their choosing. The app is filled with a variety of icons and backgrounds, most of which are super cutesy (kawaii?). Although that's not a bad thing, it’s not quite my personal style.

When you use the app, the icons of the apps you’re customizing aren’t replaced, and you can’t delete the original app without losing all of your data. Essentially, CocoPPa helps you create cute shortcuts to your apps. When you click on the shortcut, both the shortcut and the original open, which doubles the amount of apps you have to close if you’re like me and a bit OCD about quitting apps. It also doubles the amount of apps you have to find a place for. You can create shortcuts to phone numbers, however, which is a cool idea, and the app also allows users to upload their own designs.

One of my other issues is that the app can be a bit grammatically hard to follow; I’m pretty sure the version we Americans can download is a translated one.

All in all, I like the idea of the app, but am not really a fan of the execution.

Download CocoPPa through iTunes. (If you're unsure of how to use the app once you've downloaded it, this tutorial is extremely thorough.)

UP by Jawbone - A Gadchick Review

Beth — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:18:58 +0000

Sometimes, it is nice to be an early adopter. I had a 1st-gen iPod/brick that I carried with me for years and could replace the battery for. But when I was finally able to own a tiny one, I gladly traded up. In the case of the UP by Jawbone, their early adopters received a product that did have some serious issues. Luckily in this case I had waited, trying to decide between the UP and several other competitors. When I did decide to make my purchase, I was happily surprised to see the company had taken the issues their 1st-gen had suffered and improved the product greatly.

The UP by Jawbone is more than a pedometer or an app to track your life, it is a one-stop habit changing machine. From its data tracking (sleep, activity, food, and mood) to its built in features like an Idle Alert that reminds you to move around, I've been amazed by the motivation provided to beat my daily goals and the native iPhone app's ability to give me an overview on my day. My favorite features have been the overall sleep and activity trackers, helping me start to narrow down why I'm a little more tired one day or pushing me to make sure I got enough movement despite my desk job everyday. Also, it just looks like a bracelet and comes in a rainbow of colors, allowing you to pair it with both business appropriate attire or pajamas.

The list of cons with the UP is pretty short:
1) iPhone-Only
As an iPhone user, this is not a huge con for me. But for all of you Android fans, according to their message board, your app is right around the corner.

2) No Bluetooth Support.
I have a hard time making this a con but it is a valid one for those considering between the UP and some of its competitors. However, the flip side to this is how great the battery life is and how easy the sync process is (via your headphone jack).

3) Reliability of Data
No band on the market is going to be 100% right on all personal data, but no pedometer can claim 100% accuracy either. You have to take your received metrics about steps taken and sleep with a grain of salt. What I've done to help calibrate is use the band with other apps like Sleep Cycle to judge validity.

4) Lack of Non-Native App Support
My largest complaint is the lack of support and integration with popular iPhone apps. While the UP's app is extremely useful, it would be great to see it interact with apps like RunKeeper.

But despite any of these cons, I highly recommend the UP by Jawbone and suggest it to anyone looking to establish new healthy habits or keep tabs on the ones they already have. What originally started as a neat accessory and a potential fun gadget has turned into a must-have daily device that I love.

Talk Nerdy to Me: Women in Podcasts

kam — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:18:12 +0000

Podcasts are a great way to get more information about specific topics, stay up on news for niche communities, and sometimes just a fantastic story. Generally free, podcasts are digital recordings created by individuals that are available for download through sites like iTunes.

Gadchick is no stranger to podcasts and while there are thousands of fantastic podcasts available for download, we want to focus on three podcasts that are co-hosted my women.

The podcasts cover things that Gadchicks dig: General geekry, tech-culture, and comics:

1. Geek Friday

Geek Friday is a weekly show co-hosted by Faith Korpi. This show focuses on, “exploring, discussing, and reality-checking your favorite geek topics, including technology, television, movies, music, comics, gear, and more.” Faith’s co-host is Jason Seifer and their chemistry is great! He focuses on the tech side of things while Faith focuses on the more pop-culture side of things. They are a great duo and they record the podcast in the same studio, so they are able to interact more than other podcasters recording from different places.

If this is your first time listening to Geek Friday, may I suggest:

Episdoe 4, in which Faith and Jason discuss Twitter hacks, ear plugs at concerts, Disney princesses, Forrest Gump, the Nixon Administration, human shields, and more while they wait for the FedEx truck to deliever iPhone 4s's.
Episode 51, in which Faith and Jason discuss Thanksgiving, Skitch, buying random things from Amazon, and continue the debate of Geek vs Nerd.
Episode 62, in which Faith and Jason discuss Emoji, self driving cars, Google Glass, the Oscars, and more.

Subscribe to the podcast // Visit the website

2. In Beta

Gina Trapani co-hosts In Beta, which is on the same network as Geek Friday. In Beta focuses on topics “about tech culture, making open source software, and how mobile, social, and web apps are changing the world”. Gina's co-host is Kevin Purdy, and like Faith and Jason, they have a fun chemistry and seem to have a good time recording the show...nobody wants to listen to podcasters who don't sound like they want to be recording, right? Unlike Geek Friday, In Beta focuses way more on technology, so Gina and Kevin are able to focus on specific topics for longer. If you're not into talking about pop culture and want to focus on the newest gadgets this is the podcast for you.

If this is your first time listening to In Beta, may I suggest:

Episode 36, where Gina and Kevin chat about the new Mailbox app and the "mythical point" known as inbox zero
Episode 35, where Gina and Kevin chat about the point and the pitfalls of teaching yourself how to code using online tutorials.
Episode 7, where Gina and Dan (also from the 5 by 5 network) chat about discuss how newly appointed CEO Marissa Mayer is Yahoo's new hope, how to stop compulsively checking your phone while you're on vacation, and the Nexus 7.

Subscribe to the podcast // Visit the website

3. Talking Comics

Talking Comics has a panel of comic-lovers, including Stephanie Cooke. Talking Comics covers different comic-themed topics including: news, current story arcs, and movies and television. My favorite part of the show is when the panelists share their favorite reads because sometimes you need more than a superhero.

If this is your first time listening to Talking Comics, may I suggest:

Various episodes: Interview with Trina Robins, the cartoonist and comic book historian, who has been in the industry for over 30 years and worked on Wonder Woman. The artist for the hit series, Saga, Fiona Staples joins the podcast for an interview Also, two interviews with Kelly Sue Deconnick (one and two) who is the current writer for Captain Marvel among other projects.
Episode 40: On this episode of Talking Comics, Bobby, Steve, Bob and Stephanie talk about some of their favorite female comic book characters as well as their favorite comic book creators.
Episode 46: On this episode, the panel celebrates 50 years of Spider-Man

Subscribe to the podcast // Visit the website

What are your favorite podcasts?

Google Reaper

Diana — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:42:27 +0000

If you haven’t heard by now, let me ruin your day a little- Google Reader is shutting down July 1, 2013

Most of us have been faithful to the bookmarking site since 2005 and change is hard. In November 2011, Google announced it was shutting down the sharing feature, one of the best things I remember about the internet. It was an attempt to push Google +, something I only lasted on for less than 6 months. The momentum was dull and I read more about MySpace these days than Google’s attempt at social networking. I understand companies wanting to change for what is best for them, but there is a sense of disappointment when their loyal users are left out. What’s worse is the companies who used Google Reader’s synchronization to stay in business.

Don’t worry, Google isn’t the only bookmarking site available. Listed are the best alternatives to keep up with your favorite sites

Twitter and Facebook- ok so this one may get a little messy but if you make lists for your favorite bloggers, you can keep up with their posts.

Bloglovin’- Bloglovin’ has slowly blown up over the past couple of years. It’s gained a huge amount of momentum with female bloggers especially. Most of the blogs are fashion, lifestyle and craft, but even those aren’t the typical blogs you read, the format is simple. Add your favorite blogs, and read it in their natural state.

Feedly- Thankfully, Feedly promises to change over your feeds from Google to theirs with no issues. As of the time this was written, the site kept crashing but hopefully that’s just a hiccup in the high traffic. According to Engagdget, Feedly has been waiting for Google Reader to stop use. They've built their own network and are fixing bugs for higher usage.

Reeder- Ok, I love and use Reeder on my iPhone. It’s more seamless than Google Reader and syncs with what I’ve read. It’s simple to read, share, label and favorite posts. This is only available for Apple.

The Old Reader- yep, it’s like older Google Reader, minus the sharing. From what I tried to research, they don’t piggyback on the synchronization of Google, so hopefully that will stick around. It’s simple and beautiful.

We are open on discussing more ways to read your favorite blogs, let us know below or on Twitter. What will be your alternative to Google Reader?

D.I.Y. Doctor Who Adipose Sweater

Nina Penalosa — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:30:10 +0000

To say I’m obsessed with graphic pullovers is an understatement -- I have at least twenty knitted pullovers adorned with the likes of my favorite Disney characters, hearts, horses, foxes, elephants, and even Darth Vader! However, the lack of knitted Doctor Who goods made me quite sad, but once I stumbled upon a D.I.Y. tutorial on how to make your own heart pullover inspired by J.Crew’s (which can be found here), I thought I could easily apply that to anything else. Thus, the Adipose sweater!

Materials needed to make your Adipose sweater:

Blank pullover (any color)
Off-white, black felt, pure white felt (optional for fang)
Infusible Web
Black marker
Image of Adipose for stencil
Black and white embroidery thread + needle
Fabric glue (optional)

There are several ways to make your sweater. The way I did mine was slightly complicated so I’m going to share a few alternatives to make this DIY project less so. But if you’re into complicated, that’s cool too!

First, print out or draw an image of an Adipose. I found one on ThinkGeek.com and modified it in Photoshop, then put it into a Word Document and made it as big as I possibly could.

For your convenience, here's the stencil I used:

Once you have a printed image, you can either...

1. Trace an outline of the image onto the off-white felt with a black permanent marker (the felt is see through enough, but I used a light box to help me out a bit). OR...

2. An easier way to do it is to cut the image of the Adipose out leaving an outline behind. Place it on top of your felt and trace it.

This is what your felt should look like after tracing:

For my sweater I opted to hand stitch a black outline. This step takes forever (approximately 4 hours on my end, with some breaks in between) and you will definitely get a hand cramp! If you don’t have the patience for it you can either skip doing an outline OR create one with black felt and use fabric glue.

Next, cut out two circles and a strip for the eyes and mouth with black felt. For this step you can either hand stitch them on OR use fabric glue. And if you want, you can also cut a little white triangle to create a fang for the Adipose.

You can add a little bit of white to the eyeball to make the Adipose look more lively.

Once you’re done with the details on the Adipose, take the infusible web and place the sticky side to the back of your Adipose and iron it on. Afterwards cut the Adipose out and remove the paper, then place it on your sweater, and iron it on.

And voila! You’re done and have an Adipose sweater to call your own!

Here I am with my finished product!

You don’t have to limit yourself to just an Adipose – go crazy! Make a sweater with K-9 or Boba Fett’s helmet or whatever other design you can think of.

Thanks for the tutorial, Nina! Nina is a fancy geek who blogs at le fancy geek. - ed.