Mom Central Technology

You are here:

recent posts

Samsung Galaxy S4
Mom Central received a sample of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in order to facilitate this review. The views expressed here are entirely our own. Dad loves his gadgets: the remote, laptop, digital camera and MP3 player. Imagine if he had all these things in one device how happy he would be! If you are stuck on what to get for Father’s Day, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Samsung Galaxy Note are both guaranteed to put a smile on his face. With eight embedded sensors, the Samsung Galaxy S4 allows Dad to easily interact with his phone. Air Gestures allow him to answer his phone, scroll through the Internet and even check his calendar with the simple wave of his hand. These sensors also enable Samsung WatchON, which can be used as a universal remote that controls the home-entertainment system and so he can watch the football game live while he is on the move!
Samsung Galaxy S4
Mom Central was invited to a Samsung event at Best Buy. All opinions are our own. These days, there are few instances where we are taken by surprise, especially when it comes to the technology we use. We live our lives with the attitude that we have simply seen it all. Touch screens: been there; voice commands: done that; rarely are we pleasantly wowed by a new product on the market, so much so that it makes us second guess our current choices in the ways we communicate with others and run our lives. Yesterday, we had the pleasure of attending an intimate event at our local Best Buy on behalf of Samsung. We were given the opportunity to participate in a demo of their new Galaxy S4 model smartphone to check out the new features and functions of this updated model. As we walked into the demo we were a bit skeptical due to the face we are not currently Samsung phone users and felt very committed to our current choice in smartphone.
Computer Meets Downward Dog. Well, not really. But the Ideapad “Yoga” laptop/tablet hybrid creation that Lenovo unveiled during the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, offers up some pretty cool tricks. The 13.3-inch, high-definition display screen can swivel 360 degrees as it turns from laptop to tablet extraordinaire. With four positions including notebook, tablet, tent, and stand, this versatile device transforms depending on your computing needs and activities. Converting this laptop to tablet (and vice-versa) makes for convenient use at work or on the go. With the Yoga, which comes equipped with Windows 8, go from note-taking in the tablet position during a meeting to writing e-mails back at your desk in laptop-mode.
Surface with Windows RT
Late last year I was asked to be a Microsoft Windows Champion. I’ve been an avid user of Microsoft Windows since the ‘90s when I started using Windows 3.0 then Windows 95 at work. These days, I work on a laptop running Windows 7 and have an older desktop running Windows XP for the kids. Needless to say, Windows is part of my family’s everyday life (my husband uses XP at work), so I was excited to become a Windows Champion. Trying Windows 8 on the Surface Tablet Last October, Windows 8 was released – and here I was just finally getting used to Windows 7 on my laptop! After the jump from XP to 7 being a bit difficult for me, I was nervous about the change. Yet after seeing the various TV commercials, I was intrigued. Windows 8 looked like a lot of fun and as easy to use as the touch screen on a smart phone. Bring it on!
Sometimes trying to balance work, family, and friends becomes a juggling act. I like to remain informed with what people in my social network are up to while focusing on my own activities, too. That way I never miss a beat even when life gets busy. The HTC Radar 4G smartphone from T-Mobile offers a sleek and compact way to stay in the loop. This phone allows you to see updates straight from Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. With a feature called the People Hub, you can choose the social network personal accounts you want to appear in your contact list and access them directly from the device.
The Samsung Galaxy Note pretty much does it all. It combines the communication capabilities of a smart phone with the ease of browsing and large visuals of a tablet in a single on-the-go device. This gadget can help organize the life of a busy working Mom – or – with Father’s Day on the way, serve as a great gift for Dads. Powered by Android with a dual core processor, the Note uses AT&T service and offers 4G broadband Internet speed for surfing the web. With all that techy jargon aside, it does prove amazingly powerful and super fast in use. I was really impressed at its speed. The Note has the texting, web surfing, gaming, and email capabilities of other smartphones, and also offers Samsung’s ChatOn communication service, a fast direct message link between smartphones.
PureGear Pure Boom Sound Buds My ears give me trouble. I can hear just fine, my ears aren’t big, and they don’t stuck out. They give me trouble because ear buds will not stay in my ears! I’ve tried several brands, in all different sizes and they just pop out as soon as I start down the street on my morning run. The only way I can listen to music while I work out is if I use large, wrap-around-my-ears-type of earphones. I stopped listening to music when I went for a run because I didn’t want to deal with the larger earphones. Until now. Thanks to PureGear and their Pure Boom Premium Sound Buds, my days of sweaty, large earphones as the only way to bring music to my workout are over!  
As you gear up for summer vacation, make sure you never leave home unprepared. Your smartphone can provide more than just a communication channel, as well as an endless amount of information on the go. Whether spending time at the beach, the park, or the backyard, these cell phone apps will help you survive a fun-filled summer with the family.
image credit: itechnews.org
The Sony Bloggie Live HD camera is not your average camera and video recorder; it has a sleek metallic look and a convenient little feature: built-in Wi-Fi uploading straight to Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and other Internet sites. These features garnered interest at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) this year. This lightweight, pocket-sized device proves useful for travel and on-the-go pics and videos. It holds up to 8 GB (3 hours) worth of images and footage without a memory card. The camera has a “share” button right on its large touch screen, allowing instant uploading. The touch screen also enables quick browsing of the photo and video library. In addition, the device contains a flip-out USB that can connect to a computer, smart phone, or tablet to transfer content and charge the battery. Using the PlayMemories Mobile no cost app enables this cable-free exchange.
If you need a durable iPhone 4 case to protect against every element- look no further. The NautiCase from Keystone ECO offers high-quality defense against sand, water, snow, and shock from impact.     The one-piece design makes this case easy to use and requires no assembly.  Simply open the case, insert your phone, and snap it shut. You will still have full access to the touch screen, buttons, volume, and camera.  Finally you can keep your iPhone safe without losing any of the functionality. NautiCase consists of three layers: a clear protective screen, a high-impact hard shell, and a durable rubber skin with textured sides for gripping.  You can feel confident in the safety of your phone when it stays in this tough, lightweight cover.   Your camera lens also remains fully protected by a clear screen, which prevents glares from flash photography. For added convenience, the case includes a 360-degree rotating clip as well as a built-in stand, which enables you to prop your phone up on a flat surface.
As Moms, we try to make sure we’re prepared for any situation, but sometimes things happen – health emergencies, car accidents, etc. – that fall outside of our control. When confronted with an unsafe or uncertain situation, the ability to access round- the-clock help provides an extra feeling of comfort. With a device the size of a cell phone, the 5Star Responder connects the user to an agent trained in CPR and other emergency protocols. 5Star assists in dispatching 9-1-1 services if necessary, or simply stays connected until the situation is resolved.
Syndicate content