Moms and dads, it’s time to tune in, turn on and plug in. Find new ways to save time and money and get more out of your digital lifestyle with my tips to make your family-life easier and richer through modern technology, such as the Internet, wireless devices and digital television.
Nike patents self-lacing shoe
I am in the midst of teaching my 5-year-old how to tie his shoes. Now with all the velcro options, kids are putting off learning this life skill longer and longer. Maybe he won’t have to with concepts like this . . .
Nike has patented a self-lacing shoe although its street date is probably some time away.
The concept involves a self-cinching ankle strap that can tighten or loosen on demand as well as spooled laces that can tighten just like when you tie your own shoes. Apparently it is like a shoe designed by Marty McFly in Back to the Future 2.
The shoe will be powered by battery and may recharge via USB.
Fisher Price’s Bigfoot on your iPhone
I was in the local Target last week with my son and we noticed a big display for Fisher Price’s new Bigfoot toy. It’s similar to the robotic dinosaur that was around last year, but with a cute/scary makeover.
Bigfoot the toy makes noise, dances, shakes, etc, and now you can take him with you on your iPhone via a new free app.
You can shake your phone and watch him do headstands and somersaults or play games such as mazes. Kids can also investigate Bigfoot sightings throughout the world.
The robot toy comes with a preschooler friendly remote control and programmed with 80 phrases and action. $99.99
I’m sure it will be big this Christmas.
See also:
Fresh Brain
Fresh Brain is a technology exploration site for teens–think building your own Facebook app or creating a video game.
Teens can explore technology, create their own projects, and connect with other teens. Topics include game design, graphics, robotics, web design and more. There is even a section on eco-friendly tech development.
Considering these will be the skills of the 21st century workforce, what a great place to play!
Notes from the Pickle Jar
Kids say the darndest things. When my son says something particularly memorable or poignant, I like to write them down or blog them on my personal blog under “Notes from the Pickle Jar” (Pickle is his nickname) .
Now a new website makes the process even easier with a Twitter-like interface for capturing those precious memories. Kidlee is easier than maintaining a blog and more private than posting everything on Facebook.
The way it works is that you sign up to join Kidlee and then begin capturing memories.You can customize for multiple kids to include their name, age and even a photo. Posts can be up to 140 characters, just like Twitter.
You can then invite “followers” or family and friends who will be permitted to access your feed or receive weekly email updates.
Awesome!
Found via Macaroni Kid
Should teachers “friend” students on Facebook?
Social networking is an amazing boon to communication, but what are its limits? Teachers returning to school in at least one district in Florida are being asked to not “friend” students on Facebook or to communicate with them via social networks.
The Lee County School District has issued guidelines (not rules) to teachers warning them of potential workplace issues that could arise from inappropriate contact with current students. Most school districts have websites and other online avenues for communication.
What do you think? Do you “friend” your child’s teacher? Have your children “friended” or contacted teachers online?
See also:
Should teachers “friend” students on Facebook? is a post on Digital Landing
Griffin Cinema Seat
Turn your iPad into a backseat entertainment system with Griffin CinemaSeat accessory.
At only $40 the case straps to a car seat to let passengers view movies or access apps on your iPad. May be nice for an end of summer trip.
Read more at Griffin CinemaSeat.
Chegg lets you rent textbooks
Chegg can be a lifeline to students with tight budgets. With Chegg you rent your textbook for the semester for a low price and then return it to the company for someone else to rent.
Just in time for back to school, Chegg now has a iPhone app so you can rent on the go (like when you have sticker shock from the college bookstore!)
Besides being a form of recycling, the site also plants trees each time a textbook is rented. The site also offers purchase of new and used books.
Found via Geek Sugar
Sign of the Times–Universities ditching phones
When students head back to dorms this fall, they may find their rooms don’t come with phones–not that they will notice much. Most students today have their own cell phones or smartphones and few need the dorm room phone.
As schools look to cut expenses a half-million dollar phone bill for something few use is a good place to cut. The University of Virginia is ditching almost 4,000 phones but will still have a hall phone available for emergencies.
iTunes University?
iTunes has become the home to audio lectures from professors at universities across America. “Learn anything, anytime, anywhere” is the site’s tagline for its compilation of educational downloads.
Available with or without an iPod, iPhone, iPad or even a Mac, simply download iTunes and listen to lectures from over 600 universities including Stanford, Yale and MIT. In addition, video and PDF files along with other media types are available for some offerings.
Geek Sugar has 11 other ways to get free classes online. It’s really amazing what is available out there. I wonder how long before most universities begin offering an online version of their degrees.
Swap Mamas
Swap Mamas matches moms who have stuff to give with those who want it. Kind of like Freecycle for moms, the site can help you connect locally or across the country.
You can search the site, post what you have to give or ask for what you need. The giver pays shipping costs but otherwise it’s free.
I just got a free slide for my sons’ playset on Freecycle so this sounds like a great idea to check out for anything you might need.
“What goes around really does come around.”
Found via Consumer Reports
