Category Archives: Technology

How A 15-Year-Old Uses The Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet For High School

November 14, 2014Gadgets, TechnologyIntel Tablets, technologyAlicia

The post below was, in most part, written by my 15 year old son Sebastian. He is a Freshman in high school and relies on gadgets to get his through the day starting with his iPhone alarm waking him at 6am, to taking notes in class on his Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet, to checking and updating his Google calendar throughout the day, on the same tablet and his iPhone. Why don’t I let you read how he uses the Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet to get him through his school day? Meanwhile, stay tuned for a post, from me, about how I am using this Intel Tablet to prepare for Thanksgiving just like I did for Halloween!

I have had the ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME176CX-A1-BK 7-Inch Tablet (Black)
for a month and I couldn’t be happier with it. I’m a freshman in high school and am in the Magnet program so I constantly have to write anything from a short essay to even 20 page research papers. Most of the time I can’t just sit down at a computer and type for more than a hour at most which can pose a issue when I need to write a research paper. Now that I have the Asus MeMO Pad 7 I am able to write any kind of paper whenever and wherever I am. My school issues every Magnet student a Gmail account to use for communicating with the teachers and other students so I take advantage of that on my MeMO Pad. One of the first apps I opened on the tablet is the Google Drive application which allows me to write anywhere on WiFi or not then share it with a friend or teacher later, when I have wifi access. I have written a 6-7 page paper on the tablet and I am writing this review on it. 😉

Along with using Google Drive I also use Google Hangouts when I need to ask a friend for help, help a friend, or work on a group project. Video calling a classmate from the Asus MeMO Pad 7 is easy since the tablet has a forward and rear facing camera. The almost nonexistent weight makes the MeMo pad easy to hold during our long calls. The tablet weighs only 10 ounces it is no problem to carry it with you anywhere. It will even fit in the pocket of cargo pants!

Since I have some problems with staying organized I have a page on my Asus MeMo Pad™ 7 devoted to school and organization. On that page I have a few applications including SuperNote, SuperNote memos, Google calendar, Edmodo, EasyBib, Quizlet, and Google Hangouts. These apps have helped me stay organized, study, and write papers. On this page I am also able to put bookmark icons for specific websites that I need quick access to such as my school’s website. So, icons on a page on your Asus MeMO Pad 7, are not limited to app icons!

The Asus MeMO Pad 7 comes in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and black. You can also buy a variety of cases as well as Bluetooth keyboards, the latter of which helps tremendously when you have to write a 5-page essay; speaking from experience. 🙂

The Asus MeMO Pad 7 is 7 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. This can eliminate the need for big computers and having to sit at a desk for hours to write a paper or do homework. I recommend this tablet to anyone from 8th grade all the way to the present of a huge company.

– Sebastian Hagan

I hope you enjoyed this review written by my son. He is a gadget geek, like myself, and wanted to share with my readers how he, a high school student, actually uses the Asus MeMO Pad 7 every day!

How We Prepared For Halloween With Our Asus MeMo Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet | #IntelTablets

October 30, 2014TechnologyAsus, halloween, Intel TabletAlicia

I can’t believe Halloween is tomorrow! My daughter has been reading Ever After High books for a couple of months and when she joined me to browse the Walmart website for Halloween costumes a few weeks ago, she expressed, with no hesitation, that she wanted to be one of the characters from Ever After High. While we weren’t able to find the costume she wanted in her size she was very keen on the Red Vampiress costume she saw on the Walmart website.. so that’s what she is going to be.. a vampire. Eeek! A fun way for her to search for a Halloween costume was on the new Intel tablet I received to review, the Asus MeMo Pad 7. Being the tech savvy kid she is she knew how to operate the tablet without instruction from me.

Below is a screenshot of the Halloween costume Madelyn chose on the Walmart app as well as a photo of her wearing the costume, taken with the Asus MeMo Pad 7.

Not only does Madelyn love Halloween because she can dress-up, but she loves looking at and almost examining carved pumpkins, Halloween decor and of course, trick-or-treating. Halloween has turned into more of a celebratory occasion than it was when I was young. If I recall correctly, and my memory can be wacky at times so don’t quote me.. ever, I wore the same hand-made Halloween costume for several years in a row. I was a witch.. for years. Some, such as Madelyn, might say I’m still a witch. 🙂 But I’m really not. I’m sweet as Pumpkin Pie! Halloween was all about the candy back in the day. Now Halloween is a time of year when kids gather together to compare costumes, have a costume party and even exchange candy at school.

That said, it makes sense that preparing for Halloween is a little more time consuming than it was in the early 70’s when I was a child. Parents search the Internet for the best deal on a costume, fun Halloween decor ideas, Halloween party ideas, etc.. Now, with parents being so busy, we often use our smartphones and tablets to help with our searches. Stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have apps for tablets like the new Intel Tablets so now it’s easier than ever to grab the tablet and browse a few shopping apps and wahlah, you’re Halloween shopping is done and better than ever probably!

Not only can you download apps from the Google Play store, included on the tablet, you can use the built in Google Search widget to search for anything such as “youth Halloween costume”, “Halloween crafts for kids” and “Halloween decoration ideas” and the results will open in the browser instantly.

Oh, and don’t forget to search Pinterest for fun holiday decor and craft ideas, which you can easily do on your Intel Tablet too, using the Pinterest app!

For an investment of under $150, the Asus MeMo Pad™ 7 tablet is a super-helper for busy families and beyond using the tablet to get ready for holidays like Halloween, it is a great size for little hands to use to play educational games on, learn to read and even do research for school papers.

I’ll be sharing more on my experiences with the Asus Intel Tablet in the coming weeks so stay tuned and have a great Halloween!

iRobot Roomba 880 Vacuum Cleaning Robot Review

September 26, 2014Cleaning & Cleaners, Technologyhouse cleaning, iRobot Roomba 880, robot vacuumAlicia

If anyone needs help with household cleaning, it’s a busy parent! I know because we have two kids, a puppy and a guinea pig and there are lots of families with more than two kids and more than two pets which I can’t imagine! You can imagine the mess any member of my family or pet can make in just 30 seconds! Do I need a strong suction vacuum? You bet I do. Even better, a vacuum robot to clean is what I need. There’s actually a robot that is a strong suction vacuum! That is about the most exciting thing EVER for a busy parent like me.

I started using the iRobot Roomba 880 vacuum cleaning robot about a month ago when I was sent a unit to review and life hasn’t been the same since. I’m not exaggerating. For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you know I only review and feature products and services that I actually use and would recommend. I don’t waste my time writing about and taking photographs and videos of products just to make a few dollars. That’s now how I work. That said, I’m writing this post to tell you about the Roomba 880 today, because I LOVE it and I think every family should have one.

There are a lot of ways the iRobot Roomba 880 has made my life easier but the #1 reason is time. I haven’t taken either of our upright vacuums out of the closet, except to use the stair tool, since having the Roomba 880 vacuum cleaning robot. It’s that good. And like you saw above, we have a puppy. Every day I’m amazed at how much pet hair and food crumbs ‘Scooper’ sucks into its dust bin.

iRobot AeroForce 880 Cleaning System

The amazing iRobot Roomba 880 boasts of an Aeroforce Performance Cleaning System that delivers a great balance of spectacular vacuum suction and extraction of debris. It’s the best robotic vacuum for homes with pets and anyone who suffers from allergies. Why? Simply because it traps all that nasty dirt and allergens into a bin that has a HEPA-filter and is sealed.

Here’s how the Aeroforce Cleaning System works:

It uses Aeroforce Extractors that are tangle-free. These dual extractors really grab dirt, crumbs, pet hair and debris from floors of hardwood and carpet as it breaks down the dirt and debris. This is done without any tangles of the pet hair.
It has an Airflow Accelerator that concentrates the airflow by creating a sealed channel to draw in more debris.
It’s a high efficiency vacuum because it has an improvement of five times more air power than previous generators of Roomba.

Cleaning Effortlessly

A family with two children and two pets surely creates lots of dirt every day. The dirt just got easier to clean it up with our new iRobot Roomba 880. Here are some reasons why:

It vacuums from room to room – The Virtual Wall Lighthouse keeps the Roomba in one room until the entire room has been vacuumed and then it sends the Roomba to vacuum another room. Off-limit areas can also be blocked by the Virtual Wall Barriers.
It has a Home Base – The Roomba goes back to its Home Base in order to dock and recharge. This automatic docking is done when the battery power gets low or the dust bin is full.
It cleans on schedule – The iRobot Roomba 880 can be programmed to clean up to seven times a week. For instance, you can set it to clean at 8:45 a.m. after the children have left for school every day.

iRobot XLife Battery
Twice as many cleaning cycles can be powered by the new iRobot xLife Battery than the previous Roomba models’ batteries. Therefore, the time is now doubled before replacement of the battery is necessary.

Compatible With Select Accessories Of Previous Roomba Models
Previous Roomba models’ remote controls, Virtual Wall Barriers and the Virtual Lighthouses are compatible with the iRobot Roomba 880.

Technology of iAdapt

The iRobot Roomba 880 iAdapt’s advanced, software and sensor system beats the competition’s cleaning hands down due to its responsive navigation technology.

This iAdapt technology does all of the following:

Sensors – Both acoustic and optical sensors provide concentrated cleaning by seeking out dirt and debris.
Vacuums like a person – Its continuous back and forth cleaning senses excessive dirt and applies more power to those areas.
Cleans wall edges – Its technology leads Roomba along wall edges.
Anti-Tangle technology – Anti-tangle technology prevents its getting stuck on fringes or tangled on cords.
Cliff-detection sensors – The Roomba has cliff-detection sensors to direct it away from stairs and, therefore, prevent it from falling down the stairs.
Soft padded cushions — Furniture and walls are protected from damage by its padded bumper cushions.
Light touch bumper technology – This technology detects soft barriers and allows it to clean under couch skirts, bed skirts and curtains.

Watch as a I briefly demonstrate the Roomba 880 and show the three things that make it spectacular, in the video below

Some of my favorite features of the Roomba 880

The Roomba is portable and easily taken up and down stairs.
The dust bin is easy to empty.
It runs relatively quietly.
It is easy for kids to operate.
It is rated highly on Amazon.com

Cost and accessories available for the Roomba 880

The iRobot Roomba 880 costs $699.99 and includes: 1 xLife Battery, 2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses with batteries, 1 Remote Control with a battery, 1 extra HEPA filter, 1 Home Base, a 1 year limited warranty from manufacturer and a 6 year battery warranty.

Additional accessories as listed above can be purchased as accessories as well as replacement parts such as pack side brushes, and a tangle-free extractor set. Other accessories available for purchase are a Virtual Halo, Wireless Command Center, and a Compact Virtual Wall.

Would you spend $700 on a robotic vacuum cleaner? There’s no doubt that the Roomba 880 has made my life easier. Speaking as a busy mom and someone who has a hard time lifting heavy things and pushing and pulling a heavy vacuum.. and has a puppy who sheds, I think the Roomba 880 is well worth the cost!

Data Sharing For Families: Sprint’s Family Share Pack Explained

September 18, 2014Brand Ambassador, Gadgets, Technology#SprintMom, smartphone, SprintAlicia

More #SprintMom posts:

As busy parents often realize the hard way, their teenage children are often never found without a phone in their hand. Since cell phones are becoming more and more popular as the days go by, teens are using more and more data each and every month. Data is used in many functions on a cell phone such as text messages that include pictures, streaming video, downloading music, and generally browsing the web. Sometimes it can be hard to find a cell phone provider that has enough data allowance per month to support these features. A great way to incorporate lines for each member of the family and get enough data to go around is the Sprint Family Share Pack.

The Sprint Family Share Pack is customizable to each family not only with how many lines are on the plan, but also how much data is on the plan. To compare, a family pack with 4 lines and 4 GB of data the cost would be $100 a month with Sprint. The number of lines of the plan can vary from 2 to 10 lines and amounts of data available are 1 GB, 1.5 GB, 2 GB, 2.5 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB, 5 GB, and 6 GB.

Teens are known for wanting the latest and greatest technology. On the Sprint network, the latest and best smartphones available include the Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 6, HTC One M8, and the Moto X. So no matter what type of smart phone is desired, whether it be for streaming video, text messaging, downloading music, generally browsing the web, the best phone for the task is available.

Another great feature of switching to the Family Share Pack is that Sprint will buy out your current contract up to $350 for your family to switch. Many cell phone carriers enforce a 2 year contract with the purchase of each phone, and to leave that contract will result in financial penalties. Sprint is willing to cover those costs up to $350 for your family to be able to make the switch.

Sprint makes it easy for busy parents to shop for a new Family Share Pack by making an appointment to come into the store, or by shopping for the pack online. Either way, Sprint makes it easy to compare your current plan to the Family Share Pack and make the switch. So whether you or your teen is wanting a new iPhone 6, a Samsung Galaxy S5, an HTC One M8 or a Moto X, it is now attainable through the Sprint Family Share Pack.

More #SprintMom posts:

Some great reasons to switch to Sprint include:

Sprint will buy out your current contract up to $350
The latest and best smartphones are available on the network
Busy parents can make an appointment to come into the store or shop online

Visit Sprint.com to learn more about their family share data plans and the smartphones and other devices they offer!

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport For Sprint, For The Active Parent’s Life

August 29, 2014Brand Ambassador, Smartphones, Technology#SprintMom, Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport, smartphone, Sprint Ambassador, Sprint MomAlicia

Samsung Galaxy S 5
Carrier: Sprint
Camera: 16-megapixel
Processor: 2.5GHz quad-core
Display: 5.1-inches

I hesitated to put this in writing but here goes.. my 40th birthday is in October. I didn’t think that turning 40 was going to be a big deal – until a few weeks ago when I realized my birthday was just a couple of months away and I am turning 40! Before I explain how this milestone makes me feel, you should know that I am not a fan of resolutions. I never make them. I consider myself to be a realist and I don’t believe in making resolutions because I don’t feel like they’re realistic and I don’t commit to something I don’t intend on following through with 100% and I know better than to commit to working out everyday or losing 30 pounds in two months. Not going to happen.

That being said, I’m beginning to think that turning 40 could spark some life changes. I won’t go into detail on what those changes would be because I will be the first to admit that I am SCARED of being held accountable for something I say I’m going to do and not following through with it. I’ll just say that the Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport and a new pair of sneakers may be playing a part in those changes. Well actually, they already are.

The Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport is possibly the best Galaxy yet with refinements including a more-responsive 16-megapixel camera with simplified access to controls and filters, a battery built to survive long hikes, power outages, or nights in the baby’s room, and a brilliant display that allows for great visibility even in the sun.

I have been using the Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport for a few weeks and I am very impressed with the unique built-in health features/apps that Sprint is excited to be able to share with its customers through collaboration with Samsung Telecommunications and health and fitness market leaders Under Armour and MapMyFitness as well as its incredible camera.

As a Sprint Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport. Designed with fitness in mind, the Galaxy S 5 combines a rugged but classy exterior, long battery life, an awesome 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, physical buttons, and native fitness apps to support your health and fitness goals.

Apps and Features for the Health & Fitness Minded

The Galaxy S 5 Sport combines Samsung’s S Health app, Under Armor’s MapMyFitness and Sprint’s new Fit Live service to promote good health. An Activity Zone app also offers quick access to features like a compass and stopwatch. Sprint includes a 12-month subscription to MapMyFitness MVP and six months of free Spotify Premium.

MapMyFitness comes in handy for cycling. Using the app, my son could see how many calories he burned during a ride. The S 5’s ‘S Health’ app has a heart rate monitor and stress monitor. The stress monitor has been great for giving my kids a visual representation, besides my bright red nose, when they are stressing me out. Through the app, I can show the kids when my heart rate is elevated and then they know it’s time to chill out. Having a visual of the difference between mom when she’s not stressed and mom when she is stressed has definitely had an impact.

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport Design

The Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport is 5.7 inches x 2.9 inches, weighs 5.6 ounces and sports an impressive 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED® display. I’m a shorty so I have small hands and can comfortably use the Galaxy S 5 Sport with one hand. There is actually a One-handed operation setting in the Settings app that allows me to toggle the function on and off easily. If you’re prone to dropping phones, you’ll love the textured, rubberized body of the Galaxy S 5 Sport. The physical navigation buttons, multi-tasking, home, and back, make switching between apps and browsing the internet so much easier than on some mobile devices. I had to invest in a pair of smartphone gloves a couple of years ago, in order to use my old device while wearing gloves in the winter but the Galaxy S 5’s physical navigation buttons do away with the need for gloves. IP67 water and dust resistant, the S 5 Sport lets paparazzi-like parents (that’s you and I) take photos of our kids while at the beach, pool, or lake, without having to worry about the occasional splash or drop into the water.

Speaking of photos… Paparazzi-parents need lots of storage space on their smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport comes with 16GB internal memory and has a MicroSD card slot that supports up to 128GB. I’ll never have to worry about running out of space while shooting video at my son’s lacrosse game or my daughter’s ballet recital again! A lot of people don’t take advantage of the SD card slot on smartphones but they should! You can buy an SD card almost anywhere and just slide it in the slot and wahlah, your phone has tons of space!

The 3.5mm stereo headset jack is standard so you can continue to use your favorite earbuds or headphones. I’ve been using a wireless Bluetooth headset to listen to music and audiobooks on my Galaxy S 5 Sport.

Color options are Electric Blue and Cherry Red. I am not a huge fan of bright colors but the Electric Blue has grown on me. The default keyboard has numbers at the top so I don’t have to click a shift-type button before entering numbers, great for my crazy passwords that are made up of capital letters, numbers and symbols. No more going back and forth between letter, number, and symbol screens.

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport Camera

Taking photos of the kids, flowers, and the puppy has never been so fun! The Galaxy S 5 Sport’s camera is a winner. The controls are responsive and images are sharp, clear, and natural looking. The camera shutter is very fast so I can take even more photos of the kids!

Shooting photos of the kids in dim light or bright sunlight on a smartphone can be cumbersome but the HDR (high dynamic range) mode spiffs up photos in these situations without any extra work on the user’s part. Taking a photo in HDR mode on the Galaxy S 5 Sport doesn’t cause a lag like some smartphones. The Galaxy S 5 Sport takes less than a fraction of a second to snap a great quality photo but if you’re not sure you want to use the storage space on your phone for HDR photos, it shows you a preview of what a photo will look like in HDR mode before you shoot.

The “gear” icon on the top left of the viewfinder opens a 27-button menu of image-quality settings, while the Mode button takes you to a half-dozen effects with the ability to download even more including ‘Animated Photo’ and ‘Sound & Shot’.

The camera mode I had the most fun with, although not always consistent in result, is Shot and More. This mode takes a series of photos a few seconds apart. You can do several things in this mode. My favorite Shot & More mode is ‘panning shot’ which is what I used to take the photograph above. Other Shoot & More apps include Best Face, Eraser (erases the photo bombing stranger in the background), and Best Photo (chooses the best photo in a series).

The Galaxy S 5’s ‘Studio’ app gives users access to a a complete photo and video editing suite.

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Specs and Features

Android™ 4.4.2, KitKat
2.5GHz quad-core processor (Qualcomm® Snapdragon® MSM8974AB chipset)
3G/4G LTE mobile hotspot capability supporting up to 10 Wi-Fi® enabled devices simultaneously
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth BT 4.0
Built-in Google Mobile™ wireless services including Google Search™, Gmail™ and Google Maps™
HD Voice, virtually eliminates background noise and sound quality is dramatically enhanced on a call between two Sprint HD Voice-enabled devices on upgraded areas of the Sprint network.
Multi Window allows users to seamlessly toggle between applications without closing a window or opening a new page
NFC (near field communication) allowing the device to read information from everyday objects, such as stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips, or for use as a mobile wallet to make secure purchases.
Sprint Spark, a unique combination of advanced network capabilities built for data delivering peak wireless speeds of 60Mbps today on capable devices.

Below is a demonstration of the Galaxy S 5’s Multi Window funtion

How has the Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport Helped Me?

Since having the Samsung Galaxy S 5, I have literally spent 60% more time exercising than before. I really calculated it. I was walking once in the morning or evening but now I do both and a little speedier than before because I can listen to music that is super energizing and new to me via Spotify. Sure, I have thousands of songs in my personal music library but it’s different when you hear songs that you haven’t heard before or from way back.. they get the adrenaline pumping! Between Spotify and the fitness apps, I’ve been way more motivated to go for a walk or ride our stationary bike. I, like you, am a busy parent and have a difficult time taking time for myself even when it comes to doing something for my health. The Samsung Galaxy S 5, being an all-in-one device in that it gives me access to thousands of songs, a heart rate monitor, pedometer, and even a sleep tracker makes it easy for me to pick up just this one device and know I’m covered on many different levels. Not to mention the amazing camera… as if I was going to take a selfie while exercising. That’ll be the day. 🙂

Tracking my steps using MapMyFitness and listening to energetic tunes from Spotify get me going on my fitness journey from getting dressed to taking that last sweaty step.

Here are a few more photographs I took with my Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport

The Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport has a suggested retail price of $649.99 without a contract. With Sprint Easy Pay, well-qualified buyers can purchase Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport with $0 down (plus tax) and 24 monthly payments of $27.09. Visit Sprint for more information.

In The Box

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport
Standard Lithium Ion Battery
Headset
AC Adapter
USB Cable
Get Started Guide
Important Information Booklet
Wireless Recycling Envelope

Save Money With The Sprint Family Share Pack

Sprint introduces new shared data plans that offer double the high-speed data at the same or lower price as compared to AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. For a Family up to 10 lines, get 20GB of Shared Data and Unlimited Talk & Text for only $100 a month. It really doesn’t matter if your family is 3, 5, or 10 people, you will get at least 20GB of shared data and your monthly charge will be $100.

The Mommy Insider

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