GeekGirlKnows on Inside Dish with Ross Mathews-The Video!

Hey Gang!

First of all, to those of you who are new, WELCOME! This is a place where technology meets creativity and I try to help you free yourself from the fear and stereotypes of what it means to be a Geek! Join the fun by scrolling down through the blog posts and checking out my videos (you can click on the archives on the right hand side of this page, OR go to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL to just cut to the chase and see all the videos! For my regular peeps, here's me on Inside Dish yesterday:



Another Link to my YouTube Channel in case you missed the one above :)



Stay tuned-info about our LIVE USTREAM BROADCAST where we will talk all gadgets holiday is coming up in the next few days just in time for those last minute shoppers!

If you have any questions you want to ask me, email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net OR post a comment below. Oh, and of course you can always Tweet at me here: twitter.com/GeekGirlKnows

Cheers,

GeekGirl

PS-Because I mentioned it in the Inside Dish video, Here's a great free e-Book, free-standing App that you can download RIGHT NOW for your iPhone or iPod Touch (it's a great book too, I have read it a few times!) Admit One: My Life in Film Here are a few screen-shots of the application itself, it's pretty awesome:


Also, you can pre-order the actual book here, for those of you who are like me who love real books and still buy them. LOL: Admit One: My Life in Film

GeekGirl Quickie: Screenium!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for SCREENIUM! Hey GeekGirl Gang!

Check out this GeekGirl Quickie where I talk about my latest find, an A/V capturing software for your computer called Screenium! So, what did you think? Do you have Screenium? Love it? Hate it? Know of it for PC? (Still looking into that for ya!) Post in the Comments section below or Tweet at me!




Click on the image below to download Screenium and learn more about it:


Keep checking back for more great news and brand spankin' new videos, sponsored by Roddenberry.com!

And remember, you can always email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net - I love to hear from you!

To follow me on Twitter, click here: http://twitter.com/GeekGirlKnows
To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

Cheers,
GeekGirl

Digital Book on Your iPhone! (and a FREE one for a limited time!)

Hey GeekGirl Gang:

If you have an iPhone, you MUST check out this really great new app just added! Independently published author Emmett James partnered with an open-source software writer for iPhone apps and converted his whole memoir into HTML code AND it's own, self-contained software app! All of the text and images and chapters are formatted for your iPhone, with digital bookmarks, page breaks, page-turners...the works! Is this the future of books?? I'm not quite sure that I can say that I would like it to be, because if you watched my last video you'd know that I LOVE printed books, however I think this free application and way to read a book is SUPER cool.

All you have to do is use your iPhone and go to the App store. Search "Admit One A Journey" and it will come up with this cover art as the icon:


Click on it to download/install, and the whole book with all of its custom formatting will download to your phone in like 3 minutes and you can start reading! There are even active links within the book (at the end) that will let you link to Amazon and purchase a printed version of the book!

I really am amazed by this technology. It's especially important for independent authors like Mr. James who aren't signed with a big publisher and are forced to fight "The Man" and the discriminatory cycle of publishing via grass-roots marketing efforts like this one. And the best part of it all? It's a very GREEN way to consume media! No trees were harmed in the making of this book! And you all know how much I love eco-friendly technology!

I think this type of self-promotion and ease of application creation for the App Store are a sign of the times and speak loudly to the direction our country and technology are moving in general. I also think it's an incredible way for people to be able to create their works of art, be it books, software, or art proper (in all forms of media, of course!) and get it out to the rest of the world without a middleman. All in all, I really think it's awesome! But what do YOU think?

I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on the subject! Please post them in the COMMENT section below. I might even do another GeekGirl poll to see what you all think so we can compare!

Your mission, GeekGirl Gang, is to
1) go to the app store on your iPhone, download the book, and then rate/review it in the app store.
2) come back here and post in the COMMENTS section below about your thoughts on digital books in this format in general!

Got general questions? Thoughts? Comments? Gripes? COMMENT below or email me @ geek.girl@earthlink.net.

Have you signed up for the new GeekGirl Twitter feed yet? Come join the fun!

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Until next time, Cheers!

GeekGirl :)

iPhone 3.0!

Hey Gang!

Just in case you haven't heard, the preview for the iPhone 3.0 software came out today! If you haven't checked it out yet, click on the image below:


Questions? Thoughts? Comments about this great announcement? Gripes? COMMENT below or email me @ geek.girl@earthlink.net.

Have you signed up for the new GeekGirl Twitter feed? Come join the fun!

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

GeekGirl Quickie 4: Universal Cell Phone Charger Announcement!

Hey Gang:

So the wait is over. The Tech News announcement that excited me so much that I had to do a GeekGirl Quickie about it is finally finished! Don't know what I'm talking about? Find out by watching this video!

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers,

GeekGirl

Cheers, GeekGirl

GeekGirl Episode 8.1: CES is fun!

Finally! Here's Part 1 of my 2-part GeekGirl, behind-the-scenes, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) extravaganza from Las Vegas! I had a coveted all-access pass to the industry-only show floor and brought back LOTS of video and pictures for all of my beloved GeekGirl followers! Get in on the action here (and if you are at a computer with a good internet connection, make sure to watch the video in High Quality by clicking the "HQ" in the bottom right-hand corner!) Remember this is just Part 1-in Part 2, I show you lots more including the MyVu booth, the new Blackberry Storm and all sorts of awesome new technology (including big companies taking exciting GREEN initiatives that mix technology and help our environment at the same time) from the show floor!



To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Last but not least, keep those emails coming to geek.girl@earthlink.net!

Cheers,

GeekGirl

A Message from GeekGirl and a Call to Action (SuperQuick!)

Hey Gang!

Here's a quick message from me, check it out! I need your help:





Also, if you haven't checked out the latest video yet, a GeekGirl Quickie on Travel Gads, here it is:





That's all for now, gang.
To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers,

GeekGirl

GeekGirl Quickie 3: Travel Gads!

Hey Geek Guys and Gals!

As promised, here is the QUICKIE that I shot right before I left on my trip to Bali, Indonesia. I didn't have time to finish editing & uploading it before I went, so I finished it this week, right when I got back! I talk about some fun gadgets that I call "travel essentials" that complement my high-tech, plugged-in life. Check it out and let me know your thoughts:




I'm working on Episode 7, a topic that I can proudly say was suggested by a GeekGirl blog buddy, and it's going to focus on the ubiquitous iPhone. If you have any gripes about the iPhone, either the previous versions or the latest & greatest, email them to me at geek.girl@earthlink.net. I'd especially love some VIDEO QUESTIONS emailed to me in any format as long as the file size doesn't exceed 7 MB (or, upload your question to YouTube and send me a link!) and I just MIGHT include your video question in the next podcast! (PS-the video question can be about ANYTHING that you think I might be able to answer for you!)

That's all for now, gang.
To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers,

GeekGirl

Another Geek Girl Quickie!

Hey Guys!

I just got overly excited about some gadgets and decided to film another "Geek Girl Quickie" so that I could share with y'all! Stay tuned; it should post today or tomorrow (I'm putting the finishing touches on the editing and graphics now...!).

If you haven't checked out my two-part video podcast on Being Green yet, now is a great time to catch up. ;) Check both episodes out here:

Part 1:


Part 2:






Be green, friends! And don't forget to check back for a GGQ in the next two days!



To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers,

Geek Girl

Episode 4.2: Geek Gads-The Finale!

Hey Everyone! So, as promised, here is part 2 of my TOP 5 FAVORITE GEEK GADGETS. At the end, I read some of your emails! Check out the video here:

Tomorrow I will post a follow-up blog with a text recap complete with links to all of the products so that you can explore them further if you are interested. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please email me or post them in the comments below!

Production starts next week on the next video podcast...I won't reveal the topic just yet, but I promise it will be fun and, well...geeky!

Email me at: geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

OCD Quickie and 1st Official Geek Girl Poll: Circus Ponies Notebook 2.1

Hi Blog Buds!

I was feeling lazy tonight and just HAD to tell you/ask you about this software I read about today, so I decided to do a quick video blog about it instead (I was sitting on my couch with my laptop in front of me, so forgive the background of my living room!) Check out the video here:





And then give me your feedback below in the COMMENTS section. Or, email me your feedback, or even video feedback, at geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

You Asked, I Answer! iPod on the Radio: Transmitters

Hello web friends!!

So many of you have been emailing me over the last two days about the iPod transmitter that I recommended to Ross "the Intern" Mathews after he mentioned it on his blog (click HERE to check it out), that I decided to post a whole blog about it. Also, Episode 3 of my Video Podcast, which is coming up soon, is going to feature all of my favorite gadgets, and I will be including this transmitter in that video as well.

First things first, in case you missed it, here's Episode 2 of my Geek Girl Podcast:




Ok, now, for the piece de resitance...




Before I tell you all about this transmitter and where to find it, I have to give you all a quick brief about how these things work. Lots of people have emailed in about problems with transmitters and the static and interference and plain non-functionality of the devices that they have bought. What you need to know is that there isn't a device (yet) that is external (plugs INTO your car as opposed to having it wired inside of your car radio, which I had done and I LOVE) which will cut out ALL of the static from the airwaves. The way that these transmitters work is like this:

• your car cigarette lighter acts as the power source for the transmitter.
  
• you plug the transmitter into your iPod (which also, as a bonus, charges your iPod via the cigarette lighter)
• you turn on your car radio and scan for a station that is nothing but static...in this case, the more static the better
• you program this station on your car stereo, and then you turn on the transmitter and program that same station on it as well (the transmitter that I'm recommending actually has 3 channel pre-set buttons, so that's a plus, because you can have different stations for different areas you drive in)
• you turn on your iPod and play it, and the transmitter actually transmits what your iPod is playing via the preset station you have selected, and your car radio receiver picks it up. It's like your own mini-broadcast radio station in your car!

But here's the drawback: no matter how good a transmitter you get, you are still dealing with radio waves. Radio waves, even on the best, biggest stations cut out when you are out of the area (i.e. when you go on road trips and there are long stretches of road where you can't get ANY reception). Lots of environmental factors also influence radio waves, such as weather and clouds (random fact: did you know that at night, if the cloud coverage and temperature are just right, you can pick up AM stations over the radio that you couldn't pick up normally? The radio waves actually bounce off the clouds and reflect back down to earth in places they wouldn't normally transmit. Neat, right? Actually, if anyone reading this knows more about that phenomenon, please post about it in the COMMENT section below...I'd love to hear more about it!).

Anyhow, the moral of the story is that you will never get perfect reception with a transmitter. But the one that I show you above has some advantages that help minimize the interfering factors. It's a Kensington Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger, and you can buy it at the Apple store HERE. The advantages are:

1. It is digital, which transmits a clearer signal
2. It has 3 programmable stations, which allow you to switch stations depending on the area you are in
3. And it has a Patented Aerielle wireless technology, which enhances noise reduction and stereo separation.

So there you go, blog buddies. Everything you wanted to know about the transmitter. I personally think it's also worth it, if you have the money and a car that will allow for this type of hook up, that you have your iPod cord installed in your car. Then you just plug in your iPod like you would to your computer, and control it via your car CD control buttons, as opposed to the radio. If you do it this way, there is absolutely no radio interference because the car stereo treats the iPod input like a CD, as opposed to a radio wave.

Lastly, a few of you have asked about an iPod cassette adapter. I've found one HERE, however can't personally vouch for it's effectiveness since I don't have a tape deck. Make sure you check out the specs, because you have to have a front loading tape deck, etc. The reviews for this one look pretty good, but make sure to always do some online investigating before you buy any electronics products. Or, check with me. :)

Ok fellow geeks and geeks-in-training...that's all for now! To email me your questions, or even video questions for a chance to be featured in a future podcast, email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

Episode 1: PodWhat?

Hello cyber-friends and fellow Geeks!

Guess what this is a picture of-just guess! C'mon....



Ok, give up?

It's a screen-grab of the title animation in the first episode of the long-awaited Geek Girl Podcast!

And naturally, the very first episode is about...what else? PODCASTS! There are so many people who think that a Podcast refers to just one specific type of media file for an iPod, and there are people who just plain have no idea what they are. Either way, it's ok, because I've chosen to focus the entire first episode on defining Podcasts and showing you what goes into them. To see the Episode 1: PodWhat? click below:

PodWhat?

or, you can click here to see the embedded YouTube version:



The feed is also available on iTunes in the Music Store.

Let the fun begin!

Remember to send me all of your feedback and questions to geek.girl@earthlink.net.
I'm looking for video questions as well (and pics, if you want). As long as you don't clog up my email with huge files. :)

Keep checking back for more soon, and send me your ideas for future "Blogger's Choice" podcasts!

Cheers,

GeekGirl

TRENDING: Apple TV and Absence Makes the Heart...

...grow fonder.

A part of my job at the TV show I work on is to keep ahead of the proverbial digital curve. I read all sorts of geek magazines, newsletters, and websites, and a few times a year I attend national conferences on digital entertainment technology and gadgetry. (I know, it sounds totally dorky, but hey, what do you expect?) Basically, I have to keep an eye out for the future. This is what I call TRENDING, and it will be a recurring feature here on this blog. Whenever I have something to tell you all that I think is going to be the next big thing, the wave of the future, the next hot new type of gadget, etc., I will post a blog alerting you to the fad so that you can be as up-to-date as I am (or at least try to be!). And now, I present to you, the first installment of:




Today I want to talk about something that I've known about for a while, and now it is really hitting the mainstream, though I think that it will take a while for people to actually start using it and having a use for it. The TREND that I am talking about is watching content from your computer on your television set, and vice-versa.

This type of entertainment takes on all sorts of forms, such as Internet Television, or IPTV, Slingboxing and AppleTV. The most common type of content on the web seems to be User-Generated content, or sites such as YouTube or MySpace, where people can upload videos and share, comment on them and search them. My theory, from observing the evolution of entertainment in the last few years that began with Reality Television, is that people like to see candid, real moments from normal people, and thus User-Generated content has recently been king. (a close second are original web-exclusive, bite-sized bits of entertainment, but we'll save that for another entry because it deserves one all it's own).

With the growth of people viewing video on the internet, and the demand to share it, mobile phone video providers and portable media-players such as iPods have grown much more robust in their ability to view and share content.

And then, a funny thing happened. People started wanting, naturally, to be able to have the content that they have recorded on their TiVo's or DVR's somehow transferred onto such mobile devices. Since they were already paying for their cable and TiVo subscriptions, they had already payed for that episode of Lost that they just payed for AGAIN on iTunes or Amazon or Google Video in order to be able to watch it on their laptops and media players.

Enter Slingboxing.



Sling Media is a company that created a trapezoid-shaped box that could virtually transmit the content you recorded from your TV to any wireless-enabled device (including your computer). Now, not only could people download their fave TV shows from iTunes if they missed them, they could record them at home and bypass having to pay for them again at all. Though this is somewhat of a band-aid for the problem for the time being, it works.

And then, another funny thing happened. Content from the internet became REALLY popular. People still watch their network dramas and comedies, but they value short-form entertainment almost, if not equally, as much. So now, not only do people want to watch their TV content on-the-go, they wanted to bring the content they found on-the-go (whether it be movies, music, or pictures) back into their living rooms and onto their TV's.

Enter AppleTV, which just released today. AppleTV takes everything from your computer in terms of media, and it beams it back to your TV. And it's wireless. The best of both worlds.


Ok, so maybe you are not running out to buy one. I'm not either. That's why we're talking stuff that's AHEAD OF THE CURVE. I personally think (and I don't think that I am in the minority) that the future will consist of one box in your living rooms that is going to control everything - your TV, Internet, lighting, phone, doorbell, alarm, etc. A fully-integrated system and only one, neat little box with only a few cables. Say goodbye to the jungle of wires behind your entertainment center and computer station. Well, not quite yet, but it's coming.

Cheers!

Geek Girl


Thanks for all of your questions!! If you have questions, email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net
Check out my podcast on iTunes - GeekGirl
Season Premiere Episode coming up!