HiTechMommy

I'm going to be on the TODAY Show just before Mother's Day, April 30th to be exact, to talk about gadgets mom would love. If you have any ideas I'd like to hear them. What do you think your mom would like? What are you actually getting her?



Please email me your ideas to: CatSchwartz@gmail.com .



Thanks for the help!



Cat

Modern Technology

I really have no idea what the hell we used to do before modern technology. I mean, how did we get through each day without spending hours on end dealing with payphones, the yellow pages, answering machines and an encyclopedia?   And it's not like I wasn't alive, I certainly was but I just don't know how we got through the day!

I was at the stables this morning just riding away and I stopped to check my phone before getting on the last horse for the day. There was a missed call, a text and a email from Jack's school saying that he was sick and needed me. I jumped in my car and by the time I picked him up I had already talked him to let him know I was on my way, found his new doctor's number, made an appointment and had emailed my mom's club to see if any of the other kids had similar symptoms.

In addition to modern technology being an amazing source of information, today it made it possible for a little boy to see his mommy as soon as he needed her.

CES 2010

There was so much excitement this year CES this year!  This is what you're going to be seeing in 2010.

Samsung 3D TV!
Consumers are looking for an enhanced viewing experience and let me tell you- 3D TV is going to accomplish this.  I mean, imagine it, being able to watch actual 3D TV in your own home! Samsung is leading the way by announcing their line of 3D LED TVs here, and this beautifully designed set is part of the 8000 series. Inside of this TV lives an actual 3-d processor for the best 3-d viewing experience I've ever seen - It's truly amazing both in picture quality and design.  In addition the TV boasts an Internet connection allowing you to stream Netflix and Pandora right through the TV! Soon we're going to see apps on this TV as well.  Truly amazing stuff!

Alcoa

We are becoming a more eco conscience society ( thank God ) andare looking for our consumer electronics to be alot more eco-friendly.  This is a huge trend I'm seeing companies move toward.  To that end, aluminum is becoming the material of choice in the industry as companies are looking to make electronics light, thin and recyclable.  In fact, 73% of all the aluminum ever produced since 1888 (whenit was invented) is still in use today!   So companies who make aluminum,like Alcoa, are creating a lot of buzz this year.

Lenovo IdeaPad

And check this out - this is one of the coolest and most unique netbooks I've ever seen!  It's the "IdeaPad S10-3t, a tablet netbook" from PC maker Lenovo. Not only can you use it as an ultra portable computer but look, it can be flipped around into a tablet with a touch screen.  I can just imagine how many different ways I can use this baby for everyday activities - looking at videos flipping through books and photos and scrolling through my list of to-do's in a whole new way. Lenovo has done a great job offering many types of different computers  but this netbook resonated with me because of this sleek,lightweight design as well as the easy to use touch screen, too!

Duracell myGrid

Finally, here's another example of tech that is making our lives easier.  At this point, I'm sure all of us have a number of electronic devices and a bunch of wires that accompany all of them! Well this is a really great product that is eliminating all that clutter and allowing you to charge your items in ONE place.  It's the myGrid from Duracell and it can simultaneously charge up to four devices - like your blackberry or ipod touch.  You just slip on one of the power sleeves or clips and drop it on the grid - it's that simple.

Happy New Year!!! 2010 is sure to be the best year we've all seen!



I'm headed to CES next week and am looking for great teach for all you parents out there. Check back to see what I've found.



Cat

Last Minute Tech Gifts

Shopping days are now becoming limited but the choices are not. There are still plenty of great options out there and here's low down on last minute tech ideas.

The gift of gaming is a great escape from reality type of gift that appeals to all types.  So let's start with two potential gifts for those who game. 

The best selling PC game franchise of all time has come out with a new version, The Sims 3.  The SIMS, from Electronic Arts,  is so popular because it's game where you create a virtual life that you can live out however you desire.  There's new ways to customize everything from your Sims appearance to their surroundings and even tweak their personalities with characteristics like a kleptomaniac or evil. New goal oriented game play lets you  determine life path from a rock star or a world leader you can work hard and obtain your  goals or watch them fail miserably. Another cool new feature is the ability create and edit movies by capturing your game play then joining online community where you can show off all of your creations. You’ll also want to check out The Sims 3: World Adventures – new this season, where you can take a step further and take your SIM international and travel to exotic locations.

If you're looking for a gift for someone who's a little stressed out and needs a lighthearted break from every day life online gaming can work wonders.   The best casual game site can be found at ClubPogo .com and it's the best because it has the best game selection. You can let your mind relax with over 100 games as well as a fantastic community to socialize with.  They have the most addictive games on the site likeTri Peaks Solitaire , Monopoly , Scrabble and Bejeweled 2 Deluxe- all of which I've become really into.   I've even started playing them against other pogo members that are now my friends! It's my new favorite past time and  can be given as a great last minute gift.  Just print out the gift card from clubpogogift.com, where you can get a discounted price,  and you're set!

Next up is ideal for a whole family or a movie lover can enjoy.   Netflix is the easiest and most convenient movie rental service out there because it now delivers unlimited TV episodes and movies two ways .  Of courseNetflix will send you DVDs in the mail, which takes about one day, but now you can instantly watch movies on your web enabled device!  It's pretty rad.  Netflix offers unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs by mail for only $9 a month.  And of course there are never due dates or late fees. At this point there are several devices that you can buy that are Netflix ready, they just need a Internet connection.  Streaming is really simple and it's just so exciting when you're selection starts playing in under a minute

Here's a great one for the gadget and movie lovers - it's one of the the coolest looking video camera I've ever seen! No other camcorder on the market offers this design.Check it out- When recording video, you're  typically forced to hold a camcorder in one position,  which can get really uncomfortable. TheSamsung C10 offers an Active Angle Lens, which is angled at 25 degrees. This allows you to hold it more naturally and more comfortably, reducing the unwanted stress on the wrist.  It also offers a variety of features which help enhance the recording experience like built in software, so that you can use the C10 with any computer without having to install a CD-Rom, long battery life of 2 hrs and 40 minutes, and an awesome Time Lapse Photography feature. Lastly, I just love that it hasSamsung's signature red touch of Color, a feature found in Samsung's  high-end TVs.It comes in red, blue or gray.

Looking for a gift for someone that doesn't have a phone or for a teen who loves to talk and text?  This is the cell phone that you can actually give as a gift because you don't need to sign anycontracts!  The perfect set up is the phone, the Boost Mobile Motorola Clutch, a great $99 phone with a qwerty key board and digital camera, plus a $50 re-boost card that will pay for an entire month of unlimited calls, texts and web access. With Boost they won’t be locked into an expensive two year contract and handset is available on the amazing $50 Monthly Unlimited plan.Purrrrfect!