Feelings of nostalgia are ever present in our lives.We remember things about our past and they mean something to us.

BUT

What about tech nostalgia? Not only is it hilarious (remember the old school stuff hiding in your digital graveyard or in old movies?) but it also keeps us grounded in how quickly we are learning to adapt to new technologies.

But the real question is- do we ever long for the “old days” and will we turn into our parents when we tell our kids about the “the way it used to be?” Well, maybe that’s why there’s a flood of “vintage gadgets” entering the market (UrbanOutfitters sells them).

Maybe they’ll make us feel young again?

For more tech nostalgia, check out the Computer Museum (those of you in SF can visit in real life!)

Miss Techyness’ Top Feelings of Tech Nostalgia.

1) Browsers with NO TABS. Seriously, how did we ever survive with SO MANY WINDOWS on our taskbars?

2) Printers with Perforated Edges. The days of loading paper into a tray were much different when every page was connected to the next.

3) Zip Disks. People treated these like solid gold bullion. Thank god for flash drives.

4) Tape/CD Walkman. It’s funny, because I saw a woman run with a discman the other day. Immediate generation of nostalgia.

5) Microsoft Paint. Oh wait. That still exists. #awesome

6) Cell Phones. Do I really need to go here? However, the infamous Zac Morris “Brick” has been re-engineered in Gold for a little over $212k USD. BONUS.

What’s your tech nostalgia?

So you want to buy a gadget, or something techy for that special someone in your life? How about taking a romantic twist on a gift?

For the past few years, I have taken on a new role… gift consultant. Sure, you might ask, how are you qualified? Maybe it’s because I watch a lot of movies, have a strong imagination, or just because I’m a hopeless romantic.

First, I’ll take you through a few Valentine’s Day gift scenarios I have passed along to close friends. I hope you’ll find some inspiration… but please leave a comment with your suggestions on cute and romantic gifts you have done for someone on Valentine’s Day.

Gift Scenario 1: Girlfriend likes to cook. Boyfriend would like to continue this hobby.

Outcome: Boyfriend purchased an apron from Williams-Sonoma ($19) in girlfriend’s favorite color along with some cooking supplies. Sounds normal right? Take it up the extra notch by writing a note and having it embroidered on the bottom of the apron. LOVE.

Online Tools: I would recommend having the apron embroidered locally. But if you want something embroidered that is “standard” you can order it from any online embroidery website.

Gift Scenario 2: Girlfriend wants a dog and something from Tiffany.  Boyfriend does not want to buy her a dog.

Outcome: Boyfriend purchases the same dog that girlfriend wants, but a stuffed animal dog, and puts the Tiffany necklace around it’s neck. Then puts it in a box with holes in it. done.

Online Tools: Stuffed Animal World has many varieties of stuffed animals (you could guess) but the dogs from Douglas Cuddle Toy (weird name) are great.

Gift Scenario 3: Girlfriend wants a digital camera. Boyfriend buys digital camera. Gift consultant (me) recommends making it a little more romantic.

Outcome: Camera is purchased. Boyfriend takes camera out of the box and charges it without disrupting the packaging. Boyfriend takes photos of clues that lead to each other and finally ends at something romantic (roses, dinner, etc.). Another suggestion is to have photos of boyfriend holding up cards saying “I love you” on the camera, so when she turns the camera on, they are there!

Of course, the inspiration for this was Love Actually, with the cards…

please share your ideas in the comments! What gifts have you passed along to someone you <3? What are your valentine’s day plans?

Gadgets Matter

Some believe that technology is better left at home while one is attending formal events.

But what about gadgets that define elegance?

While at a black tie event in Baltimore over the weekend (and trying to stuff gadgets into my small clutch) I realized that having elegant gadgets are part of the overall “look” at one of these events (have you ever seen someone reach into their bag and reveal an old school camera or cell?)

1) Keep it Clean. We use our gadgets and they can get dirty. We drop them. We run them over with our cars. We spill coffee on them. Keep them clean with disposable electronics wipes and a simple eyeglass cloth.

2) Pocket-Sized Everything. Small gadgets are more elegant. Plus, they fit in your purse. I like the small cameras from Canon (I like the all-black ones) and anything imported from Japan.

3) Covers should be Tame. Take off that leopard print or zebra cover unless it matches your dress (yikes). Instead, stick with the classic, simple look.

4) Ringtones should be silenced. It’s not a good idea to have JT’s “Sexy Back” or Kiesha’s ”Tik Tok” blast from your cell in the middle of dinner or a conversation with your date’s boss. Keep it classy.

5) Focus on the Event. The gadgets are there to keep digital memories (live streaming, digital photos, twitter and foursquare updates) of your event. But what’s really important is that you’re there and enjoying it. Your gadgets should add to the event, not take you away from it.

   

RIP SkullCandy Headphones

In my previous posts on the subject, I have compared headphones to boyfriends. This metaphor lives on.

Crappy headphones are easy to come by. 

Great, even wonderful headphones tend to be few and far between [Bloggers Note: This also applies to boyfriends.]

For example, take the pink skullcandy TI’s that have recently passed (RIP). After these pink beauties moved on to that “better place” where many of our gadgets are sent, I realized something.

It’s time to buy a new pair and not feel guilty about it! So I rallied up the tech recessionista in myself and picked out a pair that won’t break the bank, and will allow you to still get your hair colored this month. 

The result? Zumreed Dream Color Headphones. $59.99. These < $100 babies fulfilled what I was really looking for: 

1) Size: I do not want to look like a martian, or a boy.

2) Color: I am a girl and would like them to at least be acceptable to wear in public.

3) Comfort: Please do not smash my head.

4) Sound: Please sound halfway decent and block out all the people around me.

With my new Zumreed Headphones

In the end, all of these things + additional points on the cool factor scale were added because they shipped from Japan. bonus. 

If you really don’t believe me… believe the pop stars from Japan… via the YouTube video below. 

Other Great Headphone options for Geek Chic: 

1) Zumreed Headphones in Gold & Silver via Urban Outfitters

2) Aerial 7 Headphones – Tank in Azzurro via Aerial7.

Serena Rocks a Rose Pink Jawbone II: photo via GeekSugar/CW

If you are a reader of the Techyness, you’ve probably noticed from my numerous Gossip Girl references that I’m a fan.

It goes without saying that historically, popular television shows and their casts have made an impact on trends- mainly clothing, hair, jewelry, etc.

But today, with gadgets becoming an extension of our personalities (and the ability to customize the mass-market popular gadgets with personal uniqueness), shows like Gossip Girl are also impacting the perceptions of how sexy certain gadgets are – especially mobile technology.

Since the show’s premise is based on the fact that rumors and information (photos too) are distributed to Manhattan’s prep school population through the use of smart phones and blogs, the cast of Gossip Girl must have characters donning the newest and coolest mobile gadgets and tech to stay credible.

In doing so, those watching get an instant demo of how the characters on the show interact with their phones — as well as the mobile apps they are running.

Where are the iPhones? I’m also assuming a few netbooks and UMPCs will be emerging on the show next season – what about HP’s Vivienne Tam Edition Mini?

Think of it this way- tech is and can be fashionable and trendy- just like clothing – and since Gossip Girl already has the market on the clothing aspect, why is tech any different?

A few repeat offenders:

Laptops: Macbooks & MacBook Pro, MacBook Air & a Random Dell PC via Blair

Bluetooth: Serena rocks a Jawbone pink headset

Home Phone: Verizon Hub at Serena’s Home (next: MiFi?)

Cell Phones: Mainly of the LG and Blackberry Variety (Storm, Curve, Pearl)

Also… see GG’s own Leighton Meester in Cobra Starship’s new video, Good Girls Go Bad… (check out the Nokia N97 phone cameo available @ Dynamism .. love this phone + Leighton… of course!!!!)

**Geek Sugar usually runs quizzes after each show runs that has users guess which cell phone/laptop/gadget each character is featured with on the show.

This picture was taken in Italy, where I was also sunburned.

First off, my apologies for the delay in posting to the Techyness. Instead of researching fun techy things for you readers, I was laying on a beach.

And of course, I got sunburned. Which made me think of what types of gadgets I wish I had with me since I couldn’t spend any additional time at the beach.

Networking: It’s important to have the ability to set up an adhoc wireless network at the drop of the hat. That’s where the MiFi Wireless Internet hub comes into play. Plus you’ll get really popular with the geekettes at the beachfront bar/pool/etc. $100 for the device, ~$60/month from verizon for service according to my man d.pogue

Charging Station: Nothing’s worse than being a guest at someone’s residence and taking up their entire surge protector with your gadgets (plus a hairdryer and straightener!). Save yourself some drained batteries and buy something like the Chargepod from callpod- which allows you to remain charged while also not taking up too much room. (~$40 + fees for connectors).

Entertainment: Not everyone has cable. And not all cable channels are awesome enough to have sweet content (lets face it, unless you’re running hulu desktop…) So, the only answer is a slingbox, which allows you to access your home TV. (~$180)

Reading: You’re either a kindle person or a book person. I believe both are perfectly acceptable forms of reading.

Additionally… make sure you have appropriate cases for your gadgets if you bring them to the beach. Blackberries DO NOT Like sand. Especially the trackwheel (it’s not a fan).

With my new Canon digal rebel xsi!

My newest techy gadget puchase of a Canon Digital Rebel Xsi has truly turned me into a “canon girl.” (sorry nikon!)

After tracking the progress of this purchase via boxoh (my new favorite package tracking website), learning how to operate this new gadget effectively has become my newest hobby.

But… I had a few things to do to outfit this camera to “alana” specifications (I have high standards for my personal gadgetry- check out what I did to my macbookpro and my ipod):

1. Camera Strap: The standard “canon” had to go. It’s not comfortable, it’s ugly, and well… it’s standard (seeing a trend here?).

So clearly I turned to my one-stop-shop for custom and one-of-a kind merchandise. etsy. I ended up buying this cute polka dotted one! Here’s another cute one I was looking at. I was trying to see if anyone would monogram the strap with my initials, similar to what I have on my car… but no luck. (YET!)

2. Camera Bag. As mentioned on my podcast- Millennious- it’s important that you have a camera bag that doesn’t look like your average, ugly, bulky, black nylon case. That’s how I found these crumpler bags- with a bag for everyone’s camera need – plus they have awesome names, like “Four Million Dollar Home” (that’s the one I bought).

Sign Banning Electronics in Saratoga Coffee Shop

Coffee shops are filled with tech- students doing homework and on their laptops, people checking their blackberries… I’ve never heard of a coffee shop where all of this is banned.

This “Tech Free Oasis,” Virgil’s house in Saratoga Springs, NY (15 minutes away from where I live now) has instated a policy that reads:

“This is a place to laugh, relax, read, play a game, chat with friends, bring the kids, or work on a puzzle! A few things to remember about Virgil’s … It is a place away from the frantic pace of technology .. SSSSSSoooo ……. Please do not use your cellphone, PDA, laptop Blackberry or pager … this includes talking, listening, texting, reading, emails and now apparently watching!!! If you really, really need to use your phone, please step outside or sneak in the bathroom. Our office is always available as well!”

BUT, what’s most interesting about Virgil’s house is not that electronic devices are banned… but that the owner, Kathleen Quartararo, used to SELL them.  The owner was sales representative and manager for Wireless from AT&T until she resigned in July 2008.

In a recent interview with the Times Union, Quartararo said, “I love technology. I just don’t believe it should be when you’re eating and drinking and laughing. It’s got a great place in our lives, but, it stops things.”

You know it, buying things for your iPod never really gets old. So, I’ve found a few new accessories that are a bit more than the iPod sock case or a car transmitter.

Multiple people have created lists on Amazon to help get others “set up” with the good stuff via Amazon. This guy has a guide for those on a budget, and this guy who would like to help you “get started” with a video iPod.

Angel/Devil headphones... because you know they're always influencing you anyway.

There will always be some weird stuff out there for gadgets- take the Top 10 Strangest iPod accessories- including the iPod boxers, iPod thong, iPod wallet, and just more strange things, like the iBreath breathalyzer, that will recommend music based on your BAC.

On the more pratical side…. Music in the bathroom is awesome. However, finding waterproof speaker docks isn’t always so awesome. I found the coolest raindrop shaped speaker via Gizmine- and it comes in multiple colors. But the best part about it is that your iPod is housed safely inside. Here’s another example from Pioneer.

As mentioned before, expressing yourself via your iPod accessories is really the only way to go these days. My roommate sent me these angel/devil headphones (variety of colors) because she knew that I fight with these two on a daily basis…

In the spirit of March Madness, buy the iBracket application for $.99 via Apptism and import your brackets from Yahoo!, ESPN, or CBS Sports– and the brackets will automatically update based on game scores. If you’re one of those crazy people who run multiple brackets, the app supports that too.