Everything is vying for our attention. EVERYTHING.

And in time, maybe we’ll train ourselves to become better at managing the hierarchy of distractions (infographic shoutout!) but in today’s world, the expectations are increasingly becoming that we’ll repond to everything, from wherever we are and whatever we are doing.

We bring our smart phones to bed. People use them in the bathroom (ew, but true). We hate turning them off when the plane is about to take off, and rush to turn them back on when we’ve landed.

Often it’s “too much to ask” to have someone turn off their phone when you’re spending time with them. There’s always the e-mail from work you’re expecting, that text message from a friend you’re meeting up with later,  or an update email from a family member who’s going through a rough time. Now add in the mobile apps, status updates, comments, and checking in.

Bottom line: there’s a lot going on out there.

So when it comes down to giving a gift – there’s nothing more thoughtful or romantic than giving the gift of your full attention (that’s right- phone off).

Can you do it?

//Purchase The “Phonekerchief” via Uncommon Goods for $15

BONUS: how it works –

The Phonekerchief fabric is conductive (conducts electricity) because it is partially made up of silver fibers. When the fabric creates an unbroken enclosure (when it is wrapped tightly around a phone without any gaps), it creates a phenomenon that is known in science as a “Faraday Cage”. This means that any external static electrical field, such as a phone signal, will cause the electrical charges within the conducting fabric to redistribute themselves so as to cancel the field’s effects on what is inside. In order for the Phonekerchief to work effectively, the fabric must be wrapped tightly around the phone and create an unbroken enclosure.

This month I have been fortunate to become a proud carrier of three new gadgets:

1) iPhone 4

2) iPad 3Gs/WiFi

3) Flip MinoHD

How will these gadgets integrate into my current gadget portfolio? They just arrived this month… and i’m truly in love. More to come as they inspire more blog posts (in true techyness style).

Sometimes wired is better. I NEVER thought I would find myself saying that, but after testing out a Jawbone headset for a while, I realized that I was truly better off with a wired version of a cell phone headset.

Reasons Why I Went Wired:

-       People know you’re talking on the Phone (So it’s less Awkward)

-       If you lose it, you won’t cry (they are much less expensive)

-       No battery issues (It’s plugged into your phone)

-       More color options

-       Work as Headphones when not talking on the phone

-       You usually have to carry your phone with you anyway

-       People don’t say “ARE YOU ON A HEADSET?” as much

-       No one wants to be caught dead with a wireless headset anyway

After some searching on the Amazon store, I stumbled across this Motorola wired headset to give this whole “wired” thing another shot. For an inexpensive $12, I went with the pink version.

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).