Today the New York Times launched widgets (beta). Users can now create customized widgets to embed on their own Web sites, blogs, customizable homepages and social networking pages. Times Widgets can be created from section-specific RSS feeds such as Business, Health and Sports, and from Times Topic pages RSS feeds, such as Barack Obama, India and the Treasury Department.

“Times Widgets is an important tool in our strategy to open up the site and further integrate our content onto some of the most popular and powerful sites on the Web,” said Marc Frons, chief technology officer, digital operations, The New York Times Company. “This launch builds on last week’s debut of Times Extra as it is another way we are providing our readers with comprehensive access to trusted news and information no matter where they are on the Web.”

To create Times Widgets, go to http://www.nytimes.com/timeswidgets.

I tested out the widget creator and it is very easy to use. I think widgets like this are much better on sites like iGoogle or Netvibes, than on peoples blogs or websites. But never the less, here is what I created.

The widgets will be constantly updated and they adjust to fit the width of the blog (which I think is a very nice feature) Over all I don’t know if this is a “game changing” feature for the NYT, but I think it puts them a a good position for learning how this media is changing.

Pingg is a service that recently came across my radar. Pingg is an evite-like service that allows you to send email invitations to your events. As a design geek I wanted to jump for joy! (but then I realized I was sitting in a bookstore and there was no one around me to share my excitment) What I liked about Pingg at first glance was the fact that in addition to beautifully designed email invites Pingg will also send out print invitations for you. Making it ideal for those events where you might be inviting your very tech savvy friends and close family that never checks thier email.

“pingg is the result of a few of us socially-conscious, design-oriented, tech-geeks who couldn’t find an online invitation website that fit our needs aesthetically, functionally or personally. What we realized was that although it seemed easy and cost-efficient to send online invitations, the final resulting invitations felt impersonal, uninspiring, and didn’t represent us or the events we were throwing. ”

• Create an actual invitation, as opposed to a mere link to a webpage, by choosing from a variety of unique images that reflect your own personal taste, including our Designer Series. Or you can upload your own images for a more personal touch.
• Choose to send invitations via ONE or ALL of pingg’s methods- email, print (pingg will print, stamp and mail the invitations to your selected guests), sms/text, or easily share it with your social network. By integrating online and print invitations, pingg makes it easy to reach your guests in a variety of ways, while managing all guest replies online.
• Customize your event webpage by uploading photos or videos, writing longer personalized messages and attaching additional information about the event. pingg also has advanced features for gift & charity registries, money collection and ticketing.
• Manage all RSVPs, lists, guest messaging, follow-ups, reminders, last minute changes and Thank You notes efficiently and easily from one place.

Around the holidays everyone is scrambling to find the perfect gifts. Well I thought I could do my best to give you this geek’s wish list for perfect gifts.

1. The Kodak Zi6 - Now while many people may see this camera as a flip knock-off, I see a bigger better screen, rechargeable batteries, and no red light in the front while recording (unlike the flip) This allows for super secret stealth recording. Plus (and I hate to say this) I do love pink gadgets.

2. The Sanctuary - This takes all your gadgets, keys, and everything else coming out of your pockets at the end of the day, and puts it in one neat box that also hides all the wires and keeps everything neat. You might say, ok Sarah that’s nice but what is so special about this?

It comes with a universal charger compatible with over 1500 electronic devices from most major brands and a USB port. It can charge whatever you got! All you need is a spot that will hold the 9″ x 9″ box (23 x 23 cm). Oh and in case you were wondering, it works with 220V and 110V.

3. Canon 5D Mark II - With 21.1 megapixels and HD video can you really blame me for wanting this?

“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”

Now I don’t blog about photography because it is my first love. Before the internet, before social media, before I was a blogger or a vlogger, I was a photographer.

If you are thinking about picking this up for yourself or as a gift do yourself a favor and only buy the body. DO NOT get the kit with the lens. Just buy a fixed 50mm EOS lens to start with and you will be much better off.

4. Polaroid PoGo Printer - A mini polaroid printer that can print via bluetooth from a cell phone or from being plugged into your digital camera is awesome in my book. The printer prints 2” x 3” borderless, sticky-back prints. A must gift for all your friends who take a million photos at the party. Now they can have this tiny printer and stick the picture right to your back.

5. Revel lighting - Reveal is a new type of ambient interior lighting. It creates the impression of sunlight streaming through a window and onto an interior wall. The image projected by REVEAL is unique
and cannot be recreated by any other device. Multi-plane analog images create real depth of focus. Air currents through the projector create organic non-repeating movement in the trees. The lamp color closely mimics multi-spectrum sunlight. How cool is this! You know you want it.

6. TriniTEA Electric Tea Maker - This is the ULTIMATE tea gadget! I am so sick of coffee drinkers getting all the gadget fun. So this goes on my list for all us tea geeks. This wondrous appliance does it all - heats water, steeps leaves, and keeps tea warm. Variable timer and temperature control let you adjust the strength of an infusion, ensuring a perfect cup of tea each time.

7. Apple Macbook - You know it can’t be a wishlist of mine without Apple products. I have been moving around a lot and realizing that life without a laptop is not as easy as it seemed. So the new macbook seems the most practical. We all know the reasons to buy it so I am not even going to waist your time with why it is amazing.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season. And remember, jewlery never hurts either.

Wired magazine has set up a store in New York City for the holidays on 15 W 18th Street in Chelsea. The store will be open from Nov. 21 through Dec. 28 so make sure to stop by if you’re in town before it closes. Also check out their list of events, there are some pretty interesting ones.

Last night I was at the store for an event with Alex Rigopulos, CEO of Harmonix. But I was much more interested in playing with all the gadgets. But there were more than gadgets in this store.

One of the most interesting things were two packages made by A & R. “Help I’ve cut myself” and “Help I have a headache”.

Help Remedies aim to solve simple health issues simply by stripping away the extraneous elements. The packaging is molded from recycled paper pulp and is compostable, and all Help’s products are packaged together at its upstate New York factory which employs adults with learning disabilities. The 500mg acetaminophen pills are as pure as possible, and without the dyes and coatings most brands are fond of using to pretty up meds. Acetaminophen doesn’t cause stomach problems the way aspirin and ibuprofen can. These next-generation bandages are made of hydrocolloid, the same material hospitals use to help wounds heal faster and reduce scarring. These strips are nearly invisible, and should stay on for several days. They are best for minor cuts and blisters. If all that wasn’t helpful enough, 5% of profits are returned to charities that help people without healthcare get healthcare.

But what I was most excited to play with was the Blackberry storm. I was very curious about the “Screen that clicks” But it is exactly what it sounds like. The touch screen can tell where your finger is but that will not select anything. Not until you actually press the screen down until it clicks will it be selected. The feel is much different than say and iPhone but I can see how some people will like it. I found the UI complicated but then again I am not a blackberry user so maybe it is more intuitive than I thought.

I didn’t get as much time to play with it as I would have liked. I hope to get my hands on one again soon so that I can do a full review. (hopefully with video)

I also got to play with Pleo, a chumby, Peak (the email only gadget) and many more. Check out all my photos from last night below.