Category Archives: iphone

The iPhone 4s, a Great Tool for Mom Bloggers

January 6, 2012Gadgets, iphone, New postsiPhone 4s, technologyAlicia

This is an anonymous guest post but reflects my opinions exactly!

As a busy mom blogger I absolutely love my new iPhone 4s. There is no way that I would be able to run my blog, get my kids to their activities and still have time for myself. Before I got the iPhone 4s, I was running around like a toddler on a sugar high, I was making unnecessary trips to the store as I would get there and realize my list was still on the table, or missed appointments as I wrote them down in different places. Being able to set up reminders has really made a difference in my life. I guess you have to admit to yourself first that you just might not be able to remember everything anymore, and make a quick reminder to yourself. If anything, there is a greater chance you will remember it if you make a reminder as you are subconsciously writing it again into your memory. My husband laughs at how many reminders I have, and my kids joke that I should set a reminder to remember to set up reminders. I let them laugh, but they are the ones who benefit when I don’t forget to pick up their favorite treats at the store, or when they forget their uniform at home, but due to one of my reminders I grabbed off the table for them. Then they love my reminders.

I’m an Organized Mom & Blogger with the iPhone 4s

Since I got my iPhone 4s I have been able to organize not only my life, but my family and my blogging too. I thank Apple’s Siri entirely for this. With Siri, Apple’s voice activated personal assistant, I can change appointment times simply by speaking to Siri. I can also find addresses or even make reservations at my favorite restaurant all with a few simple voice commands. The best part of Siri is that I don’t have to use robotic commands for it to understand me, but rather I can almost carry on conversations with Siri. It is bad when I find myself talking to Siri because my kids no longer want to listen.

Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much, you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.

I’m a Multitasking Mom & Blogger with the iPhone 4s

I love the fact that I am back in control of my life and able to manage my blog and my family at the same time. I am no longer ignoring one or the other. Perhaps more important than any of these is the fact that I am able to be flexible and take my blogging along on the road with me. I don’t mind sitting outside my daughter’s school waiting for her to get done with practice as I am able to do my research or reviews while sitting in the van. Do to the fact that the new iPhone 4s increased speed, I now can get a lot more done in a short time. It is sad how I no longer have the patience to “waste” 30 seconds while waiting for my kids to climb in the van, as now this is time to quick edit a blog I had just submitted. Life flies by at top speeds, I really needed a phone that could work as fast as I do. As a busy mom multitasking is a necessity and my iPhone 4s allows me the freedom and flexibility to do just that.

I’m a Photo Taking Pro with the iPhone 4s

One of my favorite features is the new camera as it makes my blog come to life. I am able to snap pictures of new products that I want to add to my blog, with a few simple swipes of my finger I can have it uploaded to my blog ready for my viewers in no time at all. I always have my iPhone 4s along so I can capture the memories as they are happening and don’t miss an opportunity to share my family’s adventures with my blogging family.

This is an anonymous guest post but reflects my opinions exactly!

Submit a guest post for consideration by emailing alicia @ themommyinsider.com. Byline must be included in your email exactly as you would like for it to appear in your guest post.

Do you own an iPhone 4s? Are you a blogger? How has the iPhone 4s helped you or has it? Please share your thoughts with us on the iPhone 4s and it’s contribution to your mom/blogging life in the comments below. Thank you!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I was not compensated in any way for this post.

BabyFirstTV App Review and App Code + DVD Set Giveaway {Ends 10/5}

September 19, 2011Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Contests, iPad, iphone, New postsapp, BabyFirstTV, giveaway, ipad, iphoneAlicia

I have no problem admitting that I will hand my 5 or 12 year old the iPad when I’m on the phone with a client, need to cook dinner, write an email, or take a shower. I try not to use the television as a form of entertainment as much as we used to and after they’ve been playing with Moon Dough, LEGO’s, or Play-Doh for a couple of hours, I think it’s ok to let them spend a few minutes playing on the iPad. The really cool thing is that my 5 year old doesn’t even realize that she’s learning while she’s ‘playing’ on the iPad!

VocabuLarry’s Things That Go iPad app by BabyFirstTV is a book app that allows your child to read the book themselves or have the story read to them. I can even record my voice while reading the story so that it’s like I’m reading the story to Madelyn. This is great when I’m not able to put her to bed because I have to work late. My husband will read her a story then he’ll put the iPad app on so it’s like I’m right there with her, reading to her. Animations and sounds activated by her touch make each page of the app interactive. This app teaches babies and toddlers vocabulary.

From the hit TV channel BabyFirstTV, comes the very first digital book featuring everyone’s favorite parrot, VocabuLarry! The spirited talking parrot takes babies and toddlers on an interactive journey as he meets all different “things that go” – a car, ship, truck and more!

“VocabuLarry’s Things That Go” Book features:

Basic vocabulary

Simple and easy to understand navigation

The option to choose the narrator or read and record the book in your voice!

Tested by babies, toddlers and parents

Multi-device (iPod, iPhone, and iPad) support

About BabyFirstTV: BabyFirstTV is the leading TV network made just for babies, toddlers and parents. Developed by educational experts, BabyFirstTV shows inspire a variety of developmental skills. Plus, it’s completely commercial-free! Visit www.babyfirsttv.com

GIVEAWAY

Prize: A code for the “VocabuLarry’s Things That Go” app and a set of 3 BabyFirstTV DVD’s.

TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling me why you’d like to win.

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Tweet “I entered to win an app & 3 DVDs from @BabyFirstTv @mommyinsider http://bit.ly/babyfirsttv #giveaway”
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Be sure to tell us what you’ve done in the comments below so we can track your entries.

This giveaway will end October 5th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen via Random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Open to U.S. residents only! No P.O. Boxes.

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I was provided with a code to install the app for purposes of this review. Thoughts are my own.

Review: Acoustic Research App-Enhanced Docking Station for iPad – On My Things I Use Everyday List

August 31, 2011Electronics, Gadgets, iPad, iphone, New postsAcoustic Research, Docking Station, ipad, iphone, ipodAlicia

I work from home and it can get really quiet around here when the kids are in school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I do get lonely though and I feel a little disconnected when there’s no sound around me so I like to have music or a TV show on in the background while I’m working. I don’t watch TV but hearing it makes me feel less alone. The TV is actually in another room. I can’t even see it.

I was when I received an App-Enhanced Docking Station from Acoustic Research to review. I ripped the box open, set it up, and was listening to music within minutes of getting the delivery from FedEx.

When I plugged my iPad in to the docking station for the first time, I was prompted to download the free Dock Plus app from the app store. Dock Plus brings the ultimate in functionality to the docking station. The app allows me to listen to local FM stations, set my favorite stations, and play and control my iPod/iPhone/iPad music library. It’s also an alarm clock and has a snooze function.

My 5 year old daughter loves to dance and so she’s always asking me to play songs that are on my iPhone. I love that I can plug my iPhone into this docking station and blast the music super loud so she can dance all over the house and still hear the music!

The Acoustic Research iPad Docking Station:

Charges your iPod, iPhone or iPad
5 adapters included for iPod, iPhone and iPad
Rotates 90 degrees for two portrait and landscape viewing options – I love this!
Comes with a remote control
Emits high performance sound
Will enable you to view iPod/iPad video content on your TV
Comes with an iPad, iPod, iPhone, and iPhone 4 adapter

To connect to an external device such as a TV, you’ll need a VIDEO cable (not supplied). AUX connection requires a 3.5mm audio cable (not supplied) to connect your external audio source to the AUX input on the back of the main unit.

Here is a very brief (20 second) video demonstrating two features: rotating and song switching.

You can buy the App-Enhanced Docking Station on Amazon.com or on the Acoustic Research website.

Disclosure: I was provided a unit for review purposes, free of charge. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by compensation.

Sale: Oceanhouse Media’s Back to School Sale Kicks Off with Ten Dr. Seuss omBooks for $1.99 Each

August 29, 2011iPad, iphoneapp, Dr. Seuss, ipad, iphone, Oceanhouse Media, saleAlicia

Our kids LOVE Dr. Seuss books. What child doesn’t? My 5 year old daughter’s favorite is “There’s a Wocket in my Pocket” and my son’s favorite when he was younger was “Ten Apples Up on Top”. Now, the kids enjoy ‘reading’ Dr. Seuss on my iPad and iPhone.

Oceanhouse Media is kicking off its Back to School Sale with ten Dr. Seuss omBooks (Oceanhouse Media digital books) reduced to $1.99 each now through September 4th.

For a five week period, from August 29 through October 2, a new selection of omBooks will be on sale each week from popular series such as The Berenstain Bears, Little Critter, Five Little Monkeys and Smithsonian Collection.

Visit the Oceanhouse Media Facebook page each Monday in September to find out which omBooks will be on sale for that week.

This week’s sale includes the following Dr. Seuss classics:

Oh Say Can You Say? (released today)
Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Green Eggs and Ham
The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
There’s A Wocket in My Pocket!
Fox in Socks

Oceanhouse Media’s corporate focus is to uplift, educate and inspire through technology. For more information, visit http://www.oceanhousemedia.com. Follow Oceanhouse Media’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OceanhouseMedia and on Twitter here http://twitter.com/OceanhouseMedia.

Meet my Cube Dog Interactive Pets, Penelopi and Alfie
#CleverCubeDog

June 9, 2011iPad, iphoneCube Dog, iphone appAlicia

Thank you to Cube Dog for sponsoring this review. For more information about Cube Dog please visit the Facebook page or download it on iTunes.

My 11 year old has been asking for a puppy for a couple of years now. He promises a clean room, he’ll put deodorant on every day, and hell get all A’s and B’s. While he’s been great about putting deodorant on and got all A’s and B’s this year, he kept his room clean for about three consecutive days. What does that mean? I’m off the hook! Besides the fact that he didn’t keep up his end of the bargain, I am a bit opposed to getting a puppy as I know I’ll be the one taking care of it 90% of the time and I just don’t have the time or mental capabilities (I’m a super stressed mommy) to comitt to a puppy.

However, I am not opposed to interactive pet apps. Cube Dog is a free app where you can create a customizable virtual dog from start to finish right on your iPhone. Once you’ve created your dog, you’re ready to play with it! The app includes cool features like the ability to photograph your dog on-location using your iPhone camera. If that’s not enough for you, Cube Dogs can do everything from fetch a bone to play baseball! Create your own unique Cube Dog in minutes by selecting various parts and colors.

Imagine an adorable, playful, odor-free dog that is small enough to fit in your purse and never does anything that requires you to use a plastic bag to ahem “clean up”.

My female Cube Dog’s name is Penelopi and she’s silly, tough (she throws ninja stars), and sweet. My male Cube Dog’s name is Alfie and he’s just plain mischievous.

My favorite feature of the Cube Dog app is being able to take a photograph of my Cube Dogs with any background, right from my iPhone camera. I caught Alfie in the act of sipping my husband’s soda and eating cookies, while I captured Penelopi enjoying my daughter’s train set, watching a little TV, and relaxing on some books in the living room.

The Cube Dog app provides endless entertainment for kids while waiting at the doctor’s office, eating at a restaurant, or while you catch up on laundry and it’s free to download! Cube Dog is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3rd generation, and iPod Touch 4th generation, and they all require iOS 4.0 or higher.

More about Cube Dog

‘Like’ Cube Dog on Facebook and watch for a fun contest running June 13-17.

Disclosure: While Cube Dog provided me with the app to review, the opinions I’ve expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Cube Dog, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.