Technology & Gadget Blog

I have to say, when I read about this, I almost cried (only because Apple hasn’t come up with something similar for the iPhone). The geniuses at RIM have developed a TiVo app for the Blackberry that will allow users to remotely schedule tapings from their phone. So what the heck does that mean, you ask? Basically, Blackberry and TiVo users can now set up their home PVR to record a show, regardless of where the user is located. I could be getting off the subway to go for dinner and remember that Mad Men is on in an hour — no problem if I’m a BB user! I can just look it up on my phone and hit record and a signal will be sent to my TiVo at home.

Since I am a Tivo user, I’m just waiting patiently for Apple to come up with their own TiVo app.

Just the mention of IKEA makes me all warm and happy inside.Their designs are modern, super affordable and they go to great lengths to keep things eco-freindly. Basically, IKEA rules.

However, if I were to nit-pick, I do find the task of writing down aisles and bins and trying to find all the products in the warehouse a little tedious. I’m more of a ‘I see, I like, I pick-up’ kind of gal.

The iPhone app store has come through once again, this time with an awesome application called SwedeShop, where you can track the IKEA items you want for easy finding at the end of your trip.

5 cool features:

1 Record items you see in the showrooms and organize by section (cooking, textiles, etc.)

2 Add details to items like the name, quantity you need, price, and priority on your shopping list

3 Take pictures of items for reference and add to the item’s folder

4 Differentiate if the item is self-serve (i.e. in the warehouse) or in housewares (IKEA Marketplace)

5 List items you will need to order from the store

To purchase for $0.99, visit the iTunes App Store.

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.

In the past couple of years, I’ve moved several times from apartment to apartment, and each time, I’m faced with the task of taking a printout of the floorplan and trying to arrange my furniture with hand-drawn replicas within the tiny borders (neither pretty nor accurate, might I add). As I start preparing to move into a larger space come May, I’ve also started hoping I can find an easier way to plan the layout of the space.

My wishes were not made in vain, because I found floorplanner.com, a fab website that allows you to digitally create your own floorplans. What’s the best part about the site? It’s free!

The site offers a ton of cool features, so here’s the gist: sign up for a free account and start building. Drop-down menus for room selection and objects make it easy to remember what needs to be considered for each space. Drag room objects onto the layout and size them to the scale of the room. Everything is virtually customizable and you can switch between 2D (shown above) and 3D to view. The options are endless. Having a big party in your backyard? The site has objects that let you plan for table arrangement and centrepieces, and garden objects that may obstruct views and groundspace.

With the free version, you can create up to one house, but there’s an upgrade available for $28 US that lets you build up to 5 houses. If you’re in the professional field, whether it be a designer or contractor, floorplanner.com has specialized accounts to cater to your business.

What’s not to love?

Have a neat gadget or tech accessory you’d like me to feature? Shoot me an e-mail at