Simply Stated http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/ en-US Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:28:50 -0400Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0400Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:09:17 -0400Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:17:00 -0400Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0400Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:01:00 -0400Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:05:00 -0400Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:15:00 -0400Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:15:00 -0400Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.typepad.com/ simplystated/technologyhttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakes What if you could "doodle" for Google? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/6D1X7SZ16fY/what-if-you-could-doodle-for-google.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/what-if-you-could-doodle-for-google.html Did you happen to notice how the Google logo changed on the 4th of July? How about on New Year's, Thanksgiving, Gay Pride Day, or the 20th anniversary of Tetris? I recently discovered that these little changes to Google's corporate logo for special occasions are called "Google Doodles" and they are created by a team of people led by the "original" doodler Dennis Hwang. (Strangely enough, I just had a conversation with a friend about "cool jobs" and she mentioned the person who changes the Google logo). The Doodles mark special occasions worldwide, including national holidays such as Constitution Day in Denmark, anniversaries like Big Ben's 150th, or other events of interest such as the discovery of Ida. (Thanks to the web site Google Watch for all the Doodle references). Until I started reading about the Doodle, I have to admit that I kind of took it for granted. It... July4th09 Did you happen to notice how the Google logo changed on the 4th of July? How about on New Year's, Thanksgiving, Gay Pride Day, or the 20th anniversary of Tetris?



I recently discovered that these little changes to Google's corporate logo for special occasions are called "Google Doodles" and they are created by a team of people led by the "original" doodler Dennis Hwang. (Strangely enough, I just had a conversation with a friend about "cool jobs" and she mentioned the person who changes the Google logo). The Doodles mark special occasions worldwide, including national holidays such as Constitution Day in Denmark, anniversaries like Big Ben's 150th, or other events of interest such as the discovery of Ida. (Thanks to the web site Google Watch for all the Doodle references).



Until I started reading about the Doodle, I have to admit that I kind of took it for granted. It was cute, but not something I payed particular attention to - now I visit Google just to see if there is something new!



Earlier this year Google held a contest inviting students in grades K-12 to come up with their own Doodle, based on the theme "What I Wish for the World." You can check out Doodles from kids around the country, as well as the winning entry which was designed by Christin Engelberth, a student from Bernard A. Harris Jr High School in San Antonio, Texas.



While the "Doodle 4 Google" contest may be over for this year - it did get me thinking. What would you suggest to Google for a Doodle?

]]> Technology KristinBrandt Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:15:00 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/what-if-you-could-doodle-for-google.html Stylish Wi-Fi Radio Plays Music From Around the World http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/dBImG-PdYIc/stylish-wifi-radio-plays-music-from-around-the-world.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/stylish-wifi-radio-plays-music-from-around-the-world.html There's something about local radio that grounds me. It serves to remind me of where I am at any given time. When I'm driving long distances in my 2004 SUV, as one station is lost, another is found. Whizzing along on the highway, through dozens of cities and towns, my index finger is constantly perched above scan button as I search for my favorite music or the local NPR station. For me, this is an experience that's unique to my vehicle, as it's the only place where my choices are still limited by the reach of my antenna. At home, however, it's an entirely different story. NPR station. For me, this is an experience that's unique to my vehicle, as it's the only place where my choices are still limited by the reach of my antenna.

At home, however, it's an entirely different story. I routinely stream radio stations that are not in my broadcast area on my laptop via iTunes: College radio stations, the stations I listened to growing up, and WMVY Radio, my favorite station on Martha's Vineyard. Listening to WMVY while I work feeds my fantasy that I'm in some beautiful summer house in Katama, a short walk from South Beach and a bicycle ride away from the market. I hear the beach and boating forecast and the ads for local restaurants and events. Instead of reminding me of where I am (a kitchen table in a suburb of Boston) Internet radio transports me to another time and place. I can almost smell the surf and sunscreen.

IS9181_kitchen Today I am listening to WMVY not on my laptop, but on VTech's IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio (MSRP: $199.95). This sleek and stylish radio looks right at home on my kitchen counter and was a snap to set up. It took all of five minutes to get it out of the box and connected to my password-protected home wireless network. With the click of a rotary dial, you can select from over 11,000 radio stations from all over the world. Find stations by geographic location, language or genre. Program the device to get the local time and five-day weather forecast via AccuWeather.com. You can even play the music stored on your Wi-Fi enabled computer (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, Real) with some additional set up. The device comes with an auxiliary audio cable to play files from MP3 or CD players or any other device with a 3.5mm headset jack.

The IS9181 comes with 3W front facing tuned stereo speakers, as well as a 10W sub woofer with class D amplifiers for powerful bass response. According to VTech, most other streaming devices include only either one or two front-facing speakers. It's worth noting there is no AM radio capability on this device but there is battery power so I imagine you'll be able to access local FM stations during a power failure and even better, take it outdoors where you may not have a convenient plug.

I've only been using the radio for a day now, and I have to say I am getting used to the high quality sound and the idea of not being tethered to my laptop. If I put this little black box out on my deck, plop down in a lounge chair with some sunscreen and a cool drink, I can be on Martha's Vineyard just in time for lunch.





]]> Technology ErinKane Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:35:07 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/stylish-wifi-radio-plays-music-from-around-the-world.html Is Bing a better search engine? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/breNr6Qpf5Y/is-bing-a-better-search-engine.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/is-bing-a-better-search-engine.html I've never thought much about the search engine that I use because, most of the time, <a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank">I use Google</a>. Even when I don't go to Google.com, I end up using Google because it is the default search engine for so many default start pages (such as the <a href="http://www.google.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:officia" target="_blank">Mozilla Firefox page</a>) or built into so many other pages (we use Google on <a href="http://www.ManicMommies.com" target="_blank">ManicMommies.com</a> for site search).</p><br><p><br>I say this all to explain why I didn't understand why the launch of <a href="http://www.bing.com" target="_blank">Bing</a>, Microsoft's new search engine, was such a big deal. And why I decided I needed to check it out.</p> Picture 2 I've never thought much about the search engine that I use because, most of the time, I use Google. Even when I don't go to Google.com, I end up using Google because it is the default search engine for so many web browser start pages (such as the Mozilla Firefox page) or built into so many other pages (we use Google on ManicMommies.com for site search).



I say this all to explain why I didn't understand why the launch of Bing, Microsoft's new search engine, was such a big deal. And why I decided I needed to check it out.



There is no question that on looks alone, Bing has it all over Google. Where Google has a regularly updated logo design (which I recently discovered is called a "Google Doodle") on an otherwise utilitarian looking page, Bing's home page is dominated by one large photo with links to relevant searches.



I took the tour which is supposed to explain why the new site is better than my old search engine, but most of the differences are pretty subtle. For each example Bing provided, I tried a similar search on Google, and this is what I found:

  • Search - No surprisingly, whether I was searching for bubbles or basketballs, the results were pretty similar (Google / Bing ). Both sites also allowed me to look for images and videos related to bubbles, which did reveal different results, not that that matters much when we're looking at bubble photos.


  • Travel - The tour gave a really cool example of finding flights from New York to San Francisco which included a fare finder, as well as loads of information any road warrior would appreciate such as deals from the destination city and a travel graph predicting future ticket fares.


  • Local - If all search is local, then this is where Bing drops the ball. Doing a search for Chinese food near my home, Bing delivered results in Boston (nearly 20 miles away) but didn't tell me about the restaurant right in my town. With the same information, Google was able to find the restaurant I was looking for.


  • Picture 3 Shopping - This is where Bing does differentiate itself - not because the results are that different, but because you can earn cashback when you make an eligible purchase from participating retailers. According to the site you can earn up to $2,500 every calendar year with cashback amounts ranging from 2% to 20% of your purchase price. Click here for a full list of retailers.


After spending a couple of hours cruising around the Bing site, I have to admit... I still don't get it. While the site is prettier than Google, and there are some neat features, I'm not sure the site lives up to the hype. And, except for shopping and travel, I'll probably stick with Google.



Have you tried Bing? Am I missing something?

]]> Technology KristinBrandt Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:06:09 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/07/is-bing-a-better-search-engine.html How to Be a Gmail Ninja http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/ejp_zRxBSFY/how-to-be-a-gmail-ninja.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/how-to-be-a-gmail-ninja.html It seems like I've been writing about Gmail a lot lately. I don't mean to give other Web-based email applications the cold shoulder, but as I spend more time with Gmail, I learn more and more ways to tackle my inbox. For me, e-mail continues to be a blessing and a curse. In some ways, it increases my personal productivity. But unread messages haunt me at work the way piles of dirty laundry haunt me at home. I have to deal with it at some point, but it just keeps getting pushed aside for more immediate, must-do-now tasks. It seems like I've been writing about Gmail a lot lately. I don't mean to give other Web-based email applications the cold shoulder, but as I spend more time with Gmail, I learn more and more ways to tackle my inbox. For me, e-mail continues to be a blessing and a curse. In some ways, it increases my personal productivity. But unread messages haunt me at work the way piles of dirty laundry haunt me at home. I have to deal with it at some point, but it just keeps getting pushed aside for more immediate, must-do-now tasks.

I know I am not alone in my struggle. Yesterday I was talking to a radio journalist about a story we were working on. He asked me to send him a document and then clarified, "Don't send it to my address at the station. I just delete all those messages."  Then he recited his preferred e-mail address on Yahoo.

Tasks If you surf the Web looking for tips on how to tackle e-mail overload, there's no shortage of good advice. Some of it's right here on Real Simple. This week, Google released it's "How to Become a Gmail Ninja" tip sheet and I have to say, it's packed with tricks and tools for getting the most out of Gmail. Since checking it out earlier this week, I have recommended the tip sheet to several of my colleagues. You can download a printable version of the guide here. Google was giving away laminated copies, but I hear they were all snapped up in a matter of minutes.

Do you have a good handle on your inbox? Any favorite tips or tricks to share?





]]> Technology ErinKane Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:10:13 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/how-to-be-a-gmail-ninja.html Would you pay to read a blog? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/Klga-5n8TIA/would-you-pay-to-read-a-blog.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/would-you-pay-to-read-a-blog.html If you are a regular blog reader you know that, generally, reading blogs is free. All you have to do is find a blog you like and start reading – easy, right? Unless you are someone like me, who often forgets to go check those fav blogs, and ends up months behind on the goings on of my favorite mom (or dad) blogger or missing out on industry information. Or, you are someone like MY mom who wants to read my blog, but doesn’t like to sit at her computer or read on the screen. I could print out my blog for her, which wouldn’t work out well because blogs usually print out so badly, or I can have the content of my blog delivered directly to her Amazon Kindle. Before I could get mom up and running with her Kindle, I had to add our blog to the Amazon... 51wpaYwR3VL._SL500_AA252_PIkin2,BottomRight,28,3_AA280_SH20_OU01_If you are a regular blog reader you know that, generally, reading blogs is free. All you have to do is find a blog you like and start reading – easy, right?



Unless you are someone like me, who often forgets to go check those fav blogs, and ends up months behind on the goings on of my favorite mom (or dad) blogger or missing out on industry information. Or, you are someone like MY mom who wants to read my blog, but doesn’t like to sit at her computer or read on the screen.



I could print out my blog for her, which wouldn’t work out well because blogs usually print out so badly, or I can have the content of my blog delivered directly to her Amazon Kindle.



Before I could get mom up and running with her Kindle, I had to add our blog to the Amazon store through their web site, a simple “self-publishing” tool that let me set up an account in just a few minutes. A couple of days later our blog appeared in the Amazon Kindle store for the bargain price of $1.99 per month.



After subscribing to Manic Mommies on Amazon, my mom was soon receiving our latest and greatest blog entries, delivered automatically to the Kindle through the Amazon Whispernet wireless network. Looking at one of my business partner’s recent entries (a post about her beautiful new kitchen), I was able to comfortably read the text, but the photos were very grainy. I was also able to follow the web links in the post, which I didn't expect.



In addition to reading to our blog, my mom can also expand her horizons and subscribe to blogs such as PopSugar (Arts & Entertainment); The Onion (Humor & Satire); or The Huffington Post (Politics).



Most of the blog subscriptions cost $1.99 (an amount which is determined by Amazon.com), with publishers receiving 30% of the monthly subscription price.



The truth is I set up our blog on Kindle for one person – my mom. But it did get me thinking, would you pay to read a blog if it meant you didn’t have to visit the site?

]]> Technology KristinBrandt Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:45:00 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/would-you-pay-to-read-a-blog.html Flip MinoHD is My New Favorite Gadget http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simplystated/technology/~3/FGVbjDPYTaY/flip-minohd-is-my-new-favorite-gadget.html http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/flip-minohd-is-my-new-favorite-gadget.html For the past couple of weeks, I've been using a new Flip MinoHD camcorder (retail price $230) from Pure Digital Technologies to record everything from birthday parties to soccer games to my baby boy's preschool graduation. In just a matter of days, I have fallen in love with this tiny gadget! Believed to be the world's smallest HD camcorder and weighing just 3.3 ounces, the Flip MinoHD fits nicely into your purse or your jacket pocket and can shoot up to 60 minutes of high quality HD video with its 4GB built-in memory. For the past couple of weeks, I've been using a new Flip MinoHD camcorder (retail price $230) from Pure Digital Technologies to record everything from birthday parties to soccer games to my baby boy's preschool graduation. In just a matter of days, I have fallen in love with this tiny gadget! Believed to be the world's smallest HD camcorder and weighing just 3.3 ounces, the Flip MinoHD fits nicely into your purse or your jacket pocket and can shoot up to 60 minutes of high quality HD video with its 4GB built-in memory.

Page_intro_about  The Flip MinoHD couldn't be easier to use. It charges using a computer's USB port. Start recording within three seconds of powering up. There are only a few buttons to learn to use: power, record, zoom in, zoom out (also your volume controls during playback), play and delete. The pre-loaded software makes saving, organizing, and editing videos a breeze.

Everything about the Flip MinoHD is simple, including the screen, which is really the only thing to complain about. At 1.5" it's tough to always know what or who you're shooting, especially if you are far away from your subject. But how can I expect more from such a small and lightweight device? At my son's preschool graduation I had a hard time discerning him from the other 5-year-olds in caps and gowns. Using the zoom button only took me so far. I actually had to elbow my way through some equally aggressive parents who, by the way, seemed to be carrying obnoxiously large video cameras by comparison.

The 16:9 video this pretty little camcorder generates is nothing short of impressive. If you've ever been intimidated by your video camera or the process of transferring videos to your computer, the Flip MinoHD will change all that. Bundled in a sleek black box with a wrist strap, pouch and a single cable for connecting to your TV (bonus if you've got an HDTV), the face of the Flip MinoHD can be customized using your own photos or the online pattern generator.

In my opinion, the full line of Flip video cameras proves once again that good things really do come in small packages.

]]> Technology ErinKane Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:40:31 -0400 http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/06/flip-minohd-is-my-new-favorite-gadget.html