Windows 8 on Intel 2 in 1 Video Tour + Review

In my last post about my Intel 2 in 1, I talked about getting familiar with Windows 8 and the different feeling it has compared to other Windows versions. For this post, I decided I would show you what using my 2 in 1 like a laptop is like. I have a Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series, which you can view here along with other Intel 2 in 1 laptop tablet options.

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First Impressions | Intel 2 in 1 Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series Review

Intel 2 in 1 Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series Review

As part of the Intel 2 in 1 Smart Squad, I’m testing out an Intel 2 in 1 Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series tablet/computer. Full disclosure: I’ve never run a Windows 8 PC before and have no idea what I’m doing. It’s interesting and definitely has a very tablet home screen kind of feel to it as well.

I actually expected my Intel 2 in 1 to be smaller. It’s a good size and a good balance between tablet and computer. Would I want to develop software on it for 10 hours/day? Probably not, but it’s the perfect size for travel.

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Samsung Galaxy Camera Review | Tech

Samsung Galaxy Camera - Front View Samsung Galaxy Camera - Back Screen View Instagram App

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is in a class of devices that you might call a smart camera. It’s Verizon Wireless 4G LTE enabled, which means you can snap and share your photos immediately. The Instagram app is available, as well as Dropbox, Facebook, Google+, etc.

It should come as no surprise that my favorite way to share photos is Instagram and I loved having a huge touchscreen to edit and select photos on. I also had some fun with the different shooting modes like Beauty, Silhouete and Party/Indoor.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Review | Tech

easy readability on twitter on the samsung galaxy note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 belongs to that class of devices that straddles the line between phone and tablet. While it dwarfs average-sized smartphones, its 5.7 inch display compares well with my 7 inch 2012 Kindle Fire HD. Color and contrast render beautifully in Instagram, but the Flipboard user experience in particular is really fantastic. Amazing readability. …

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Introducing BFF by ANN INC. | Apps

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ANN INC. CAREERS. All opinions are 100% mine.

 photo anninc-1300pxREQUIRED_zps044ff5f0.jpg

BFF (Best Foot Forward) is a new resource for women by ANN INC., creator of the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands. The app includes behind the scenes videos, inspirational quotes, interviews with ANN INC. employees and more.

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Adventures in Learning Ruby

basic ruby bob the teenager exercise in sublime text

Dear Katha,

Right. So. I haven’t been posting much or reading much lately. Where’ve I been?

Web developer school.

I’m pretty much pants at design, so I’m attempting to learn Ruby. Serious programming. This is so not HTML. It’s a lot more fun than HTML, although the learning curve is much higher.

I seriously don’t know what I’m doing. …

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Doodling with A Beautiful Mess | Apps

upper east side new york photo in bokeh

Dear Christine,

If you didn’t already know, A Beautiful Mess recently released an iPhone app.

I’m possibly, maybe alittlebitobsessed. I haven’t had this much fun with an app since Instagram launched. The features remind me of those awesome instant photobooths in Japan with tons of stamps and features. Wish they would bring those stateside!

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Are you on Quora? Let’s connect!


I’ve been on Quora for quite a while now, but I’ve only recently started truly being a part of the community. I’m following the Instagram and photography topics, of course, and even shared what I consider the best Instagram photo I’ve ever taken.

There’s a lot of great content, including answers from Julie Fredrickson (formerly of social media at Ann Taylor), and a fantastically amusing post on time management that includes the words “Jedi time tricks”. But if you’d like to read something that will truly give you pause, try this answer to the question What are the top 10 things that we should be informed about in life?.

You can find me on Quora under my real name — as you are supposed to be — and if you’re on Quora, too, let me know in the comments!

JackGems: Jewelry for Your Phone


I love love love phone charms. I started collecting them in college when I studied abroad in Japan, where most people have at least three, but having five or more isn’t uncommon. I have Hello Kitty charms, cake charms with bells attached, whale charms from the aquarium, traditional silk koi charms from historic areas, kitten charms with screen cleaner fabric on their stomachs, and many more.

The only problem? As soon as I got the iPhone I couldn’t use my charms because there’s no spot for a lanyard. Luckily there are JackGems— Swarovski crystal jewelry for your phone that fit into the universal 3.5mm phone jack.

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