shopping

11.21.09

Virtual Dressing Room Rounds Out Online Shopping Experience

Motion-capture software lets you try on clothes you find online

By Dan Smith Posted 06.24.2009 at 4:57 pm 3 Comments

The major obstacle facing online clothing shoppers is the inability to try on a garment before purchasing. Webcam Social Shopper, a new virtual dressing room concept, is hoping to change that. Blending Project Natal-like motion-capture with scenes from Clueless, the webcam-based dressing room allows you to, sort of, try on clothes you see online.

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READ MORE ABOUT > augmented reality, motion capture, project natal, shopping, webcams

A Glorious Gift Guide for Your DIY Daddy

Father's Day -- June 21st -- is right around the corner

By Joel Barnard Posted 06.11.2009 at 10:17 am 2 Comments

For all he's done and all he's taught you, you'd think dear old Dad would be honored more than one day out of the year. And if you want to get technical, had he not teamed up with mom on that one long-ago DIY project, you wouldn't be reading this right now. So this Father's Day, pay homage to his tinkering spirit with something he'll use in future acts of glorious creation.

Throughout this guide, you'll find a wide selection of tools from free iPhone apps to a budget-busting hammer drill; an oh-so-convenient cordless glue gun and soldering tool; plus a variety of things to help him amp up his environmentalism, his swing, his gut, and his chances of getting a speeding ticket.

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READ MORE ABOUT > 5-min projects, DIY, diy projects, drills, gifts, glue, holiday gift guides, projects, shopping

The Secret to Happiness

And, think hard before you abandon that shopping cart

By Anna Maria Jakubek Posted 05.18.2009 at 9:37 am 1 Comment

What makes us happy? There's no simple answer (sorry), though this 70-year-long longitudinal study on well-being offers some fascinating insight. Humility helps, so do our reactions to life's woes, and "the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people."

Also in today's links: customer-unfriendly shopping innovations, it pays to be tall, and more.

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READ MORE ABOUT > email, emotions, happiness, height, links, missing links, physiology, shopping, spam

AT&T vs. Verizon: The iPhone Dilemma

Is the time coming for the Grouse to finally buy one?

By Tom Conlon Posted 05.04.2009 at 11:29 am 24 Comments

With delicious rumors circulating recently about Apple goods finally coming to the Verizon faithful, I'm on the fence now more than ever about my impending iPhone purchase. You see, I must have one and it's only a matter of time before I do. My iPod Touch is fun for playing around with apps and hopping online via WiFi, but it's no Jesusphone. I've been a Verizon ~~prisoner~~ customer ever since getting my first cell phone back in 2000.

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READ MORE ABOUT > apple, AT&T, cellphone providers, cellphones, iphone, shopping, Verizon

The Ugly Business of Extended Warranties

Worth the money? The Grouse weighs in

By Tom Conlon Posted 01.09.2009 at 7:06 am 5 Comments

Were you suckered into buying an extended warranty on a tech purchase this past holiday season? Take a closer read of the fine print, because you're not as covered as you might think. Scratches? Not a chance. A power surge? If you're lucky. Nuclear holocaust? Nope. But, more on that later.

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READ MORE ABOUT > advice, shopping, The Grouse, warranty