The Flip is Dead: Long Live PlayTouch!

I won a Kodak PlayTouch off of a TravelingMom.com Twitter Party.  I'm not sure how, but showing up was a big part of it.  They give away great swag. When I first used it -- before I won it -- at the TravelingMom.com conference at Disney World in Orlando, I didn't really understand why it was so great. Now that I own it, it took me about five minutes total to figure it out.  It's super easy to use.  I've been using my new camera, which is sort of like Kodak's version of the Flip, on my recent travels.

When I was skiing in Schweitzer, I would just whip it out of my pocket on the slopes and the buttons were big enough that my frozen hands (after taking off my gloves to operate the camera), could maneuver.

There's something about the touch of this camera (hence the name?) that I really like.  I like that it's... vertical.  I know that's hard to appreciate when reading online, but I would encourage people who are buying new cameras not only to do online research, but also to go into a store and touch the camera.  How does it feel?  Is the interface easy for you to use?  What about transferring your photos after you get back to your computer?  This is just as important as price and theorizing about important features.

One of the best things about the camera, that seemed trivial when I first saw it, is that it has a USB connection built in.  How many times have you had to search for the cable to your camera to download your photos?  That annoyance is gone with the Kodak Playtouch.

I will say that I wish the LCD screen was bigger, but it's not a deal-killer for me.  Still shots are just so-so, but hey, it's a pure consumer camera.  This camera is for the video equivalent of snapshots -- and the video part is great.

ESRB: Choose the Right Video Game For Your Child

Do your children play video games.  Does a Hawaiian vacay sound perfect right around now?

Although I am the tech tips traveling mom, I am loathe to spend an extra two seconds even talking about video games with my 7 year old son.  Nothing interests me less.

But here's the reality:I have to get interested (very soon!) because there will be a lot more tension in our house if this boy doesn't get some video games.  And I don't want him going to the neighbor's house for video games because I have no idea what they're playing over there.  I'd rather have him play a game we can pick out together.  Yes, it's a dialogue -- even with a 7 year old.

So, I can do all of the research I want to, but when I'm in the store with him, I need a quick education. If I'm on the fence about buying him a game, I need some answers -- fast.  Can't rely on a 7 year old to tell me what's appropriate for him with regard to a video game, right?

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has had a mobile app since 2008, but it just got a lot easier to use with photo recognition software.  I just take a photo of the box of the game and it connects me to a ratings summary.  NOT reviews, just whether or not this game will be appropriate for my kid.

Of course the box has a rating already on it, but if I care more about mature content than foul language, I might not care if the rating is high solely because of language.  The ESRB rating explains why each game got its rating.  This is crucial information.

The app is free, easy to use and... just get it while you're reading this and thinking about it.  You'll forget later.  Takes 2 minutes.

iTunes on the Android

I was having issues playing my music on my Android phone.  On my PC, my music lives in iTunes.  I like iTunes because it allows me to make playlists so I can listen to exactly what I want.  But to get the music to my droid, I was using an app called DoubleTwist that gave me only grief.  Hard to set up, hard to sync.  Made me listen to pandora instead, which I like, but sometimes you just want to listen to your own playlist.  Am I right?

My most recent discovery is iSyncr -- it allows me to play my iTunes playlists directly on my Android phone.  I am not someone who buys a lot of apps.  More often than not, I go for the free ones (and still, I ignore those).  iSyncr is worth the $2.99 I paid.  No more sync issues.  Easy, fluid app.  And if I wanted to pay an extra 99 cents, I could do it wirelessly.  But I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I can deal with the wire.

There you have it: iTunes playlists on your Android Phone.  Easy Peasy.

Schedule Your Tweets!

So by now, you're using Twitter as a Social Media Marketing tool for your business.  Right?  Instead of having to log into Twitter each day to put forth your wisdom/essence/daily special, you can figure it all out at the beginning of the week/month, write them all out and schedule when they will appear.  By doing them all at once, you will save serious time and energy.

There are many free online tools which help boost your social media productivity.  Additional features include managing more than one Twitter account, keyword searches, see who is mentioning you, and much more. 

If I can offer a comparison, it would be like using email but without Outlook -- so you wouldn't be connected to your calendar, contacts, notes, etc.  (AOL users, I'm talking to you!  More later.)

I've been using HootSuite, but there are many others as well: Tweet Later, Twittertise, Tweet Ahead.  And, if you're the kind of person who leaves no stone unturned, here's a list of more sites to check out.

Shop Smart: Online Coupons!

 

Whenever you shop online, before you press the "purchase" button, you should really find out if there's a coupon out there, waiting for you.

Say what?

Ninety percent of the time, there is a way to get what you want for less.  Simply google the website name where you're making your purchase and add "online coupon."  Tjoos.com and RetailMeNot are two that I frequent. 

One more thing: you could also check out PriceGrabber which will email you if the item you're wanting to buy goes down in price.  (It's the Yapta of retail.)  And you can compare prices on your item from different websites.

Don't overpay.  Full price is for the lazy.

Tell Your Telecom Company You Want a Better Deal

Do you know how much you are paying for your Internet/Telephone/Television?  Do you know if you're getting the top-of-the-line features?  When was the last time you checked?  I've got news for you: you are probably paying more than you need to.

If I were you, I would:

1. Find out what the best deal is for new customers for your carrier.
2. Find out what the best deal is for new customers for an alternative carrier that you would be happy switching to, if push came to shove.
3. Call your carrier and let them know that you would like to review your account and pay less (or get more features).

I know that sounds ridiculously facile -- but it works.  If you have had your contract for over one year, the telecom companies would really like to stay in business with you and will be willing to negotiate.

You should also know that if you haven't updated your DSL account in a while, you are probably paying way too much for slower broadband.  DSL companies will almost never suggest that you upgrade because that will mean a better deal for you -- and with a faster connection. 

Sure, this takes some of your time.  But you could save hundreds of dollars in 2010.  Getting good value and finding money is always a good thing.

Desktop Vs. Laptop: Which to Buy?

Most people don't need notebooks.  You think you want the mobility, but then the laptop sits on your desk ninety percent of the time.  Laptops cost more money than desktops, so you're not getting as good a machine as your budget allows.  You also have to work off a small screen a tiny keyboard.  Let me offer a solution:

Buy a desktop or all-in-one (iMac or PC equivalent) and then purchase a netbook for travel and light mobility.  This way, you spend the same amount of money but get the best of both worlds.

There are two key factors.  First, getting a desktop that is clean and efficient. Dell, Apple, HP, Asus and all the major manufacturers offer all in ones or small form factor machines.

Next, you match them with a wireless keyboard and mouse and you have a clean computing environment.

It's that simple. 

Sync Your Bookmarks!

A useful tool that let's you take your online bookmarks with you no matter whose computer you're using is Xmarks. (Formerly known as "foxmarks")  Currently, Xmarks supports Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari for the Mac.

xMarks takes your bookmarks and syncs them across multiple browsers.  If you use more than one machine (work, home, laptop), you'll always have your bookmarks with you.  OR, if your hard drive crashes, you'll have your bookmarks just by signing into xMarks.  With xMarks, you'll never have to remember a website, it'll just be there in your well-organized bookmark bar.

GPS? Get it on Google! And Sell Your Portable.

Do you have a portable GPS system that you switch from one car to the other?  You know, not the integrated navigation system, but something that cost you roughly $150.  Do you love it?  Can't live without it?  Here's my advice:  Sell it on eBay.  NOW!  (While it's still worth something.)

Here's the thing: your smartphone can get Google Maps (well, not the iPhone) or some other GPS navigation system for a fraction of the price -- or FREE.  Google can even show you real time traffic.  Can even talk in your ear (if you're driving solo).  It's super easy to use.  Go.  Do it.  Before everyone else does and you're stuck with another out of date gadget.  Just like the Kindle (more on that later).

Have fun on your road trip!  Get lost!

Moms With Apps

Last month, we were about to go on a trip (a vacation is something you take without two children) and I wanted to load up on iPhone apps to sooth my savage beasts -- ages 4 and 6.  I found a great website that caters especially to people like me:  Moms With Apps. Aha!

The apps are categorized for easy navigation and take you directly to the webpage that can launch your iTunes program.

There are no reviews on Moms With Apps, but you can see the reviews on the app's iTunes page and make your decision to download from there.

Travel with a Small Phone Bill

I'm always interested in never reinventing the wheel. Economy of motion.  In that spirit, I direct you toward a very interesting NY Times article about how to travel, talk on the phone a lot, and not return with a $1500 phone bill.  I've spoken about Skype in other blog posts, but this article is more comprehensive.  Enjoy!