If you’re one of the many who can’t afford to shell out $870 for Adobe Photoshop (I mean, really? Who has that kind of cash these days?), don’t fear — the software giant thankfully provides a way for us regular folk to edit our images, too.
The web-based version of Photoshop Express allows you to do basic edits on your images, and can be accessed from any computer (well, during registration it says it’s only available in the US, but doesn’t ask for any proof, so edit away!). Resize, rotate and do minor colour corrections, then when you’re done, save up to 2GB in your online account — free web real estate, too! — or save to your desktop/external hard drive.
Free never felt so good.
Check it out at photoshop.com/express
The month of June is up, and apart from celebrating Canada Day, it’s also time to announce the winner of the Flip Mino contest. All of the entries were fantastic, and I loved reading all the original ideas you had about using your Flip. Sadly, there can only be one winner.
The winner of the contest is Denise Wilson from Barrie, Ont.!
Denise submitted a great comment about her globetrotting honeymoon adventure in August:
“I’m getting married this August, and then venturing into the rainforests, mountains, hill-tribe villages, and of course, island beaches of Thailand and Cambodia for a three-week honeymoon. Although my fiance is a seasoned world traveller, I’ve never left the continent. I am really excited for this experience that we’re going to share together. The Flip Mino would give me the ability to record our first big adventure together and to share it with our families and friends. I’m also a high school teacher and would love to record some of my trip to share with my students in September.“
Congrats to Denise and I hope you have a great time on your trip!
Everyone who meets me quickly discovers that I am obsessed with my iPhone. From the iCalendar to all the amazing apps and little convenient details, my iPhone has grown to become a reliable friend (hey, how many friends do you have that will send you alerts whenever you have an important meeting?). However, there is one itsy, bitsy, kinda big detail that bums me out: the battery life. Now, I understand that I use it all the time and it’s a portable phone, iPod, camera and computer all in one, but by the end of the day, I’ve got about 30% battery power left. Not ideal for a gal on the go.
Enter Incase, seasoned pros when it comes to cases and covers for your dear-to-the-heart gadgets. Their Power Slider case includes a lithium ion battery that doubles the battery life of the iPhone, plus you don’t have to remove the case to charge the battery or update your phone.
Can you say ‘genius’?
Incase Power Slider $100, Apple Store.
I have a serious problem when it comes to paper — I can’t pass by an Indigo, Papyrus or Kate’s Paperie store without entering and spending oodles on pretty-pulped products.
Check out these super-cute cards from Vancouver paper princess Valerie Lau. Her online shop, Designs by Val, is a must-visit for those interested in simple and stylish notecards. The cards are printed on high quality linen stock that’s made from post-consumer recycled paper and feature adorable graphic designs created by Valerie herself. In the words of the world’s favourite cele-brat Paris Hilton, “That’s hot.”
Missing Puzzle, Cherry Lanterns and Typewriter all available at designsbyval.com
I may not be a Parrothead, but heck, take me on down to Margaritaville! As my boyfriend and I complain like a broken Jimmy Buffet record about the heat in our apartment, I can’t help but crave everything frozen. Ice cream, popsicles, a frozen drink… or two.
Williams-Sonoma eases my sweat-laden woes with their Premium Margaritaville Trio Frozen Concoction Maker, which has 3 pitchers available to hold 72 oz. That’s a heckuva lot of margaritas, perfect for a pool party (speaking of which, anyone have a pool I can frequent?). This frozen drink maker is truly heaven sent, as it features two mechanisms: one for shaving the ice, and a second for perfectly pouring the right proportion of ingredients and ice into each pitcher. With 6 different blending settings, you can easily concoct the most delish margaritas, mojitos, smoothies, or mudslides. Save one for me!
Premium Margaritaville Trio Frozen Concoction Maker $500 US, Williams-Sonoma.
Perhaps it’s my Scottish blood, or perhaps it’s just my love for classic patterns, but tartans and plaids make me go nuts. Totally stylish, plaids have the power to take almost anything from shabby to chic. Above are a few ab fab gadget cases, covers and skins in a variety of price points (c’mon… you know you’re going to have to pay a lot to sport that Burberry tartan).
1 Speck Plaid Fitted Case for iPhone 3G $30, Apple Store.
2 Haymarket slim laptop bag $795 US, Burberry.
3 Gingham laptop adhesive $30 US, iamhuman.
I’m a TiVo fanatic. Ever since I brought the wonderful little box into my apartment, I’ve been hooked. How did I enjoy life before the magic of digital TV recording? I just don’t know. Whether it’s to watch junk reality shows like MTV’s The Real World, or record my fave movie that is inconveniently airing at 4am, my TiVo has become a reliable pal.
Well, TiVo has just made my life even easier. When I was away in Boston this past weekend, my little video buddy recorded a plethora of programs and I’m having a hard time trying to watch them all. And now, I’ve just found out this fascinating little program: iTiVo. That’s right, folks. You can now transfer your recorded programs from your video box to your iTunes account on your Mac computer. From there, you can upload the content onto your iPod or iPhone. How cool is that? Now there’s no reason for you to fall behind on your fave TV shows, even when you’re on the road.
Check out the details here, as well as instructions on how to download the instruction manual.
If there are two things I learned this weekend, it’s that: a) I love Boston, and b) if ever in Boston, the Copley Square Hotel is the only place to stay. Located in the Back Bay area of the city, the Copley Square Hotel is one of Boston’s oldest hotels (built in 1891), but the interior is nothing short of modern chic. The building’s re-opening in January 2009 after a year of renovations shows a hotel with exquisite attention to detail and comfort as a main priority (seriously the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in).
Along with all of the fab comforts that the hotel offers was the great selection of tech goodies found in the rooms. For such a historic hotel, I was surprised to find complimentary WiFi available in every room, not to mention a sleek LG flat screen TV. Even the Sunbeam iron was the best I’ve ever used! However, the coolest thing was the iHome iPod speaker dock on the bedside table. The hotel had thought of everything I might need to feel at home – music, TV, Internet. If it wasn’t for the fabulous city waiting outside its doors, I might have just stayed in the hotel the whole time!
For more information and to book reservations at Boston’s Copley Square Hotel, please visit their website.
Oh, how sweet this is. Another treat for my graphic design friends – check out these oh-so-cool coasters featuring logos from the Adobe Creative Suite programs. Made out of MDF plywood and covered in a durable varnish, these coasters are not only ultra chic, but washable, too.
If you can’t live without Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver or InDesign, you shouldn’t have to live without these coasters either.
Price: $25 US per set of 6
Available at: Meninos.us
Although our laptops, mp3 players and cell phones have been created with super sleek design at the forefront for the past few years, gadgets like GPS devices have been quite standard looking – black, square, and matte. TomTom has taken the first leap towards making design a key factor in their GPS production, with the introduction of the White Pearl.
Although the technical features of the White Pearl aren’t much different from TomTom’s original GPS’s (they’re awesome to begin with!), the appearance itself is enough to make me want one. With a pearlescent casing and a swirl print that subtly carries on to the corners of the screen, this GPS leads all others in the right design direction.
Currently available in the UK. Check back at Tech Style and the TomTom website for North American release dates.
