Tag Archives: Technology

Tech for Little Kids – Good or Bad?

Posted on by

toptipskidsbathtimefunThis is an important question because, in today’s tech world, almost everything is dependent on technology. Studies show that screen time is not beneficial for very young children. They get distracted when TV is on, but still don’t reap any benefits out of it. However, as they grow older (age 5 or above) they can understand the benefits and accordingly will be able to master them too.

 

Looking at the other side, preschoolers know how to operate an electronic gadget but don’t know how to tie their shoelaces. Yes, this shows that they are technology-friendly. But has technology taken away the simplicity of your children? Is it taking over their lives?

 

Children are spending too much screen time, which is not good for them. But then there are so many sources for them like television, computer, laptop, smartphone, and a number of other electronic gadgets. Agreed, they are still playing in the parks, having regular physical activities and going to their grandma’s house, but the question still is; is technology good for them or bad?

 

Looking at the good side, there are a number of gadgets designed to teach kids. Educational toys, interactive media and other electronic stuff help kids to become smarter. They are able to compete with elder kids and can still be good enough.

But the negative side is terrible. With a recommendation that the screen time of a toddler should be reduced to nil, babies today are logging an average screen time of two hours on a daily basis.

 

Can one do anything about it?

Digital media is a part of our lives and slowly becoming a need for the kids too. There is nothing much that can be done to keep them away from technology. If you stop watching television, shut your laptops and PCs, throw away your smartphones, your kids will still be exposed to technology, in some form or the other. So, it is better to focus on how can one use it to their advantage and make them benefit from it.

 

Here are some cool ways; you can use technology for the good:

  1. Music: If you are playing a song on your TV sets, your iPod, iPhone, or music system, use it to make a dancing session for your kids. This way, you and your kids are a part of a physical activity.
  2. Games: There are a number of educational games available in the market. Buy some for your kid and let them spend more time with it, instead of wasting quality time on watching TV or staring at the laptop.
  3. Mix Flash Cards with TV time: This combination can be a bit irritating, but if you do, there is a possibility that your kid will learn more to watch his favorite cartoon on TV. If you are planning to buy such kid-friendly stuffs, here is a free shipping coupon sears to make your purchase cheaper. These toys help kids learn things quickly and with ease.

 

 

 

Looking for Tech Gifts for Women?

Posted on by

tech gifts for womenIn today’s world, everyone is associated with technology. Some used advanced tech solutions, while some use basic techie stuff. So, if you are planning to gift your special lady a tech gift, look out for the following items. It can help you decide, sitting at your very desk or couch.

 

  1. Apple iPad Air: Apple has set standard for everything; phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. However, with the recent updates, it has only got better. Talking about Apple iPad Air specifically, it sports a better battery and a much-improved processor. So, buying this piece will never hurt you. It is slightly expensive, but you can look for ChameleonJohn. They offer coupons to help you buy the same piece for a cheaper price.
  2. Stun Gun Smartphone case: This is as smart as your smartphone. This can prevent unexpected use of the smartphone. It conceals a 650,000-volt stun gun, to keep it safe from an attacker. However, this feature does not affect your phone negatively. Currently, this cover is available for selected devices only.
  3. Beat bottle: This is one interesting item, which will be appreciated by runners and joggers. While running or jogging, you can place your mobile in the bottle, and you will never have to worry about it. Don’t worry! One does not have to keep their phone in the bottle, but a pocket is dedicated to help you keep your phone steady and with ease. Again, this is a waterproof area so that should not be of any concern. If you are planning to buy this cool silicon bottle on Amazon.com, check out chameleonjohn.com. You can find exclusive discount coupons to make the transaction even cheaper.
  4. Boltbox: This little piece can be a good gift for your geek girl. It is a little box which stores a lightening charged in it. Extend it and drag it around. It is three foot long. So, this can be a good option when one is at home or while out travelling.
  5. Epic Keyboard: This is not a normal keyboard. It is a digital keyboard projector. Project it on a flat surface and you will find that the keyboard appears on the surface. You can even use it via a Bluetooth mode for the mobile phones. It is a compact item which gives you a handy option across operating systems. So, gift it to your lady and let her enjoy a digital keyboard for any platform.
  6. Fitbit Force: A health-conscious woman would love to keep a track of her weight. This gadget is an activity tracker, which is a movement motivator. It tracks calories, distance, steps and stairs. It has a trendy look and has a vibration alarm too.

 

Concluding, these six gifts are trending on a number of online portals. If you are planning to but any of these, visit chameleonjohn.com and make the most of exciting discount coupons available for every online portal. Make your shopping easy and gift your lady a tech piece today!

 

 

The Best of Tech | Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on by

For those who you truly love giving the gift of great sound, music or even just a retro Mad Men style telephone is going to make you truly popular indeed. We have been blasting music and making calls galore. Our neighbours probably hate us, or they were dancing away as much as we were. Time will tell. Either way: here is out best of tech.

thebestoftech

Stellé Audio Pillar

£249 / Available from Apple stores and selfridges.com

stellespeakerandcase stelleaudiopillar

The Stellé Audio Pillar was a lot of fun to test. It was very easy to use, had amazing sound and could even be used wirelessly. You can even take calls on it. We have fallen completely in love with it. Just AMAZING. The Stellé Audio Pillar is for those who refuse to compromise style, boasting high-quality sound and fashion a  subwoofer connecting to any Bluetooth enabled device in a 50ft range. With a built-in microphone, users can enjoy handsfree calls and 15 hours of continuous play. The Pillar is currently available in four colours; Hi Gloss White, Brushed Aluminium, Matte Black and Pewter.

Stelle Audio Brushed Aluminium Audio Pillar Bluetooth Speakers

 

Stellé Audio Couture Pillar Carriers in Leather and Suede

£99 / Available from Stelleaudio.com

Stellé Audio Couture DwellStudio Pillar

Great for carrying around this amazing speaker. Effortlessly stylish. Available in four styles, black and white python, black and midnight blue cross hatch and Pantone’s new Colour of the Year, radiant orchid, these bags have been designed to securely transport the elegant Audio Pillar.

Libratone Loop 

£399 / Johnlewis.com and on Apple Online

speakerreview libratoneloop

The sound on this unique and beautiful speaker is amazing. It is also wireless and has a lot of connectivity options. Some of us found it hard initially to connect it wirelessly and some of us also had technology that was too advanced. It is still brilliant, has amazing sound and is perfect for people who are not as inept technically as some of us are.

Create the perfect Christmas soundtrack with the Libratone Loop. It’s not only a powerful sound source, equipped with Libratone’s signature FullRoom™ technology and numerous connectivity options including DLNA, PlayDirect™ and Apple’s Airplay, it also really stands out, whether mounted on the wall or free standing thanks to its svelte cylindrical design. The Loop comes in three colours – pepper black, salt grey and raspberry red.

 

View Quest ColourGen Retro Radio

￡59.99 / Available from viewquest.co.uk

viewquestretro viewquest

We love this radio. Retro is very much in at the moment. That doesn’t mean there is any compromise on sound or quality however. It has the best of both worlds. The much-loved Retro radio is now available in a smaller and more compact form. Offering both DAB and Bluetooth functionality this radio is sure to put a smile on the face of any loved one. 

 

View Quest Emma Bridgewater Black Toast radio 

Available from Apple for ￡129 

emmebridgewater

There is also this unique one from Emma Bridgewater: With an in-vogue vintage look, the Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Retro radio features all the latest technology and functionality for unbeaten audio quality.

pureevoke evokepureradio

Pure Evoke D2 Digital Radio

Also retro and very cute. Is small and portable along with great sound. Has Bluetooth which enables wireless music streaming both inside and outside the home. Is ideal for small spaces. Equipped with kitchen timers and alarm function. Additional features include an aux input for iPod/iPhone and the option to purchase a chargePAK for portability.

Pure Evoke D2 Portable DAB/FM Radio is available here.

leitzspeaker letizportablebluetoothspeaker

 Leitz Complete Professional Bluetooth Stereo Speaker £134.91 Via Amazon.co.uk

This stereo speaker is absolutely gorgeous. Just slick and glamorous. It allows you to listen to music anytime, anywhere via wireless Bluetooth technology. The sound is crystal clear and the adjustable base and treble give perfect sound From Amazon.

retrotelephone

GPO Classic Rotary Telephone

We are completely obsessed with this phone. The fact we have been watching Mad Men has not helped. It is just so freakin’ cool. This is a wonderful blend of modern tech and retro inspired design that runs through the GPO brand. Sometimes when you can have just about anything, stylish and retro is best. It even has the proper traditional rotary dial up. Each of the products is stocked in GPO’s online store but also NotontheHighStreet.com, Tesco.com, Amazon.co.uk and Very.co.uk so plenty of choice.

GPO 746 Rotary in red is available here.

 

What is your favourite?

 

 

The Best Smartphones For Your Online Fun

Posted on by

Mobile phones are so much more than just communicative devices these days. With Wi-FI available everywhere from cafés to high streets, not to mention the rise of 4G internet, more than ever we’re using these little gadgets to get online.

 

If you’re a little behind on the times when it comes to picking a smartphone, we’ve done our homework on the best smartphones for whatever your needs, from social media to online shopping and gaming.

iphonesmartphones

Social media

 

Shameless selfie addicts and status updaters can doubtless choose a better smartphone than the HTC One for all their social media needs. The phone boasts some funky features for those who like to snap at every opportunity, including a camera with its own name – ‘Zoe.’ Dubbed as ‘ultrapixel’ thanks to its low light pixel performance, it’s great for capturing those special moments. What’s more, its Android interface helps to aggregate all your social media and news feeds into one place, so you’ll always have a finger on the pulse.

 

Gaming

 

Today, more than ever, mobile gaming has increased in popularity thanks to more choice from sites like Uptown Aces. Improved graphics, faster loading times and better sound effects all make for some big demands on a smartphone, but luckily, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is equipped to deal with all of these. The powerful Snapdragon 800 chip has 3GB RAM, giving gamers the opportunity to multi-task, while its 32GB of storage is ample for storing your precious hours of game play.

 

Video streaming

 

With apps like Netflix giving us access to our favourite movies and TV shows 24/7, the last thing today’s smartphone users want is a phone which is badly optimised for video streaming. Thankfully, the T-Mobile G2X is perfect for streaming, thanks to its sharp display and accessibility. The phone features a 4-inch LCD display, guaranteeing a cleaner image with more vivid colours, while it also gives users the chance to play videos on their TV through an HDMI connection.

 

Online shopping

 

With online retail sky rocketing in recent years, it’s only natural that today’s smartphones should offer more secure operating systems in order to make sure users are shopping safely. Generally, the iOS system for iPhones is regarded as securer than the Android due to the latter’s open platform. Malware threats are considerably lower for Apple systems, so you may be advised to purchase the iPhone 5S if you want the latest model – or wait a few weeks and get your hands on the highly anticipated iPhone 6.

 

 

 

Fruit & Veg 4 Port USB Hub | Cool Things

Posted on by

Mixing the kitsch with the cool, we love these fruit and veg USB hubs.

Get your five a day a different way with the 4 Port USB Hub.

4 Port USB Hub allows quick access to power up your external drives for fast and simple communication & connection.

redhotchillipepperusbhub

The portable power port that allows you to get geeky and surround yourself with genius tech. Great for a splash of summer in the office, or just a fun stocking filler.

peausbhub

Make your work place & home life more efficient – charge up your music device with the ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper’, find multiple charging ‘easy peasy’ & ‘go bananas’ over the simple way of charging your entire tech at once.

banana4portusbport

Are you a gadget gizmo but just don’t have enough plug sockets? Got so much equipment it’s coming out of your ears? Maximise productivity in the workplace and keep on the go with fully driven devices.

This multi-socket will splash colour amongst your gadgets, funking up that drab desk.

Compatible with both MAC and PC and compliant with USB 1.1 and 2.0 specifications, this port will bring fruitfulness to your gadgetry.

Funk up with fresh fruit for only £9.95 from www.prezzybox.com

 

 

Print Your Own Make-up

Posted on by

Last week Tech Crunch announced that make-up lovers everywhere will be able to print any shade or type of make up from their own home for just $300!!

 image

Call it crazy but it is true, Harvard Business School’s very own Grace Choi has invented the product that could be the answer to the make-up world, printable make-up. The Mink as it has been named, allows you to pick a colour, any colour online or from a photo, and produces eye shadows, lipsticks and any other form of cosmetic goodie from the hit of a button.

 mink3dprinter

Choi researched into the make-up industry, the ingredients, the pigments, and the formulas that create that favourite lipstick, that sparkly eye shadow and much much more to produce the base for her products. The idea behind her concept is making available the luxury make up and the mass produced all in one place at a click of button, for young girls aged 13 – 21 experimenting with make-up. Break away from the stock colours of pinks and reds and be daring with bright greens and blues. The same dyes that are used in printers are those that are used in make-up Choi claims, as she states ‘take out the bulls***’, the branding, the expensive trip to the make-up counter. The Mink does the same thing as all these brands but right from your own home at a fraction of the price.

 

Check out her announcement at Tech Crunch

 

What are your views on this evolution of printing and make-up?

 

A Boombox Speaker For Your iPhone? Hell Yeah!

Posted on by

Us Frosties love this: A speaker for mp3 players and phones that is a wireless boombox.

This is the new ultra-modern take on the classic Boombox! No more jack leads, power cables or heavy docking stations, as here is the must-have Wireless Touch Speaker BoomBox.

iphonespeaker

There’s no need to plug in your phone or mp3 player to boost music anymore. This powerful gadget will amplify your sounds by simply touching it against your phone or mp3 player!

Sleek, lightweight and without wires it’s certain to be the first thing you take in your bag. It’s amazing battery lasts an a stunning 10+ hours before it will need charging again. Now if you can party for 10 hours we applaud you!

boomboxforiphone

The Wireless Touch Speaker BoomBox costs £24.95 from www.prezzybox.com.

Features:

Compatible with most smart phones and MP3 players with external speakers
Built-in rechargeable battery: charge via micro USB cable (included)
10 hours play time per recharge
Optional 3.5mm jack input (cable not included)
Speaker: 4 Ω/3W
Rating output: 100Hz-20KHz
Charging voltage: DC 5V
Battery Spec: 3.7V 850mAh lithium ion battery

iPhone 5c Review

Posted on by

Upon receiving the iPhone 5c I thought two things; it’s pretty and it’s, actually, just a phone. The second comment upset my mother and fiancee, who were fast to tell me that the iPhone is certainly not ‘just a phone’. So with such passion inspired by this little smartphone I decided to give it a fair chance. I love Apple products myself and the only non-Apple piece of tech I own is my phone. Which is a Blackberry (don’t laugh), it is awful and never works. In fact, by the end of this review if I haven’t convinced you to get an iPhone I have absolutely no problem with that, after all this is only a review, but please, for the love of god, do not get a Blackberry. I don’t know a single person who is happy with them.

iphone5creview

So, to the iPhone 5c review.

It’s pretty and pink. It looks the part; cool, high-tech, slick, expensive. There is a lot of screen which I love. I have seen people watch movies on iPhones and you can do so and have a great viewer experience. It comes in bright colours (green, yellow, pink, blue, white) and is the lower cost version of the iPhone, a cheaper version of the iPhone 5s. This was the first time Apple released two versions of the iPhone at the same time. Not only is it gorgeous, but it is also not made with cheap plastic. It is made from steel-reinforced, machined polycarbonate, and then coated in a glossy finish. The craftsmanship, the colours, the design, is all stunning. Although the cheaper version it is not a cheap phone. It will cost less to make and Apple will get a high profit margin but that doesn’t come across in the phone. It also has a great 4-inch Retina Display screen.

It has a lot of features that the iPhone 5 had but comes with an improved front-facing camera and global LTE support. The minus with the iPhone 5c is that you are not getting a lot of new technology. It is a lot like the iPhone 5 when it comes to features, which means you are paying a lot of money for a phone without a lot of new features. You also don’t get the fingerprint scanner that the iPhone 5s has.

If you are not someone who needs the latest technology and features then the iPhone 5c is a really good buy. It is smaller than the iPhone 5, which was long and slim. It is chunkier too but I like the size and you still get a decent screen. It is certainly lovely to look at. It was hard to not feel happy when holding a hot pink iPhone. The ‘c’ could mean ‘colour’.

It comes with iOS 7 and runs smoothly. It has good battery life. Something that used to be a negative with iPhones, they needed charged half-way through the day if you were lucky. The iPhone 5c has a lot going for it, although I know a few people see it as an iPhone for poor people. In fact, there is no such thing. Poor people definitely cannot afford iPhones, but with the lack of new software on the iPhone 5c it is easy to see why some people see it as a lesser version. However, it’s not. It is a good phone in it’s own right and it is beautiful to look at. So just make your own mind up.

iPhone 5c (green/ blue/ yellow/ pink/ white) available for £19 on Vodafone Red 4G-ready plans from £42 per month