Category Archives: Electronics

I got to touch an iPad!

Computers & Software, Electronics, Gadgets, New posts,

After days of dreaming about the iPad, reading about it, and listening to podcasts devoted to the iPad, I finally got to try it out. Yes, it’s about the coolest device ever. Not what I would call a gadget, but a utility, the 1.5lb iPad serves many purposes including photo viewing, it’s an ebook reader, a music player, and you can even watch full TV episodes right from the iPad.

I have an iPhone, an iPod, a MacBook White, and a MacBook Pro and still feel that the iPad is a necessity and will own a wi-fi + 3G 32 or 64GB iPad soon.. I hope.

I’m not going to get too detailed here as this isn’t a review of the iPad.. you’ll find lots of iPad reviews via Google, so I’ll just tell you what I think in a nutshell.  The iPad is PERFECT for moms like myself who are on the go, need to check and respond to email quickly and at odd times, want to share photographs of their beautiful kids while at the soccer park, want to entertain their kids via a tv episode, movie, or game during long road trips, and you want to get and stay organized.

Here is what the iPad can be used for/as:

  • an eBook reader
  • a photo viewer/ digital frame
  • a video viewer
  • a TV viewer (limitations)
  • a web surfer
  • an email device
  • a game device
  • a calendar
  • an organizer
  • a note taker
  • a digital recipe book

For a price tag starting at just $499, you get all of that!?  Yes!

Go to apple.com to learn more about the iPad or to buy one.

Today only! Leap Frog FLY Fusion digital pen computer $9.99 down from $79.99!

Ages 10-13, Educational Toys, Electronics, , ,

What you get:

• FLY Fusion™ Pentop Computer
• FLY Fusion™ Notebook
• 13 FLY Fusion Games
• MP3 Player
• Memory Expansion Slot
• FLY Fusion Installation CD
• FLY World™ Application
• Rechargeable Battery
• USB Cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Reference Card

Get the Fly Fusion digital pen computer for $9.99 here.

Fly Fusion digital pen computer

Fuji EnviroMAX batteries + a giveaway

Eco-Friendly, Electronics, New posts, ,

Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are one of the first eco-respectful, high performance batteries on the market. They are mercury, lithium, cadmium and PVC-free making them landfill safe and ozone-depleting compounds have been eliminated in the production of Fuji EnviroMAX batteries.

Rethinking your next battery purchase
Fuji’s environmentally respectful manufacturing process should help you rethink your next battery purchase.
Fuji EnviroMAX is competitively priced and matches—or even exceeds—the performance and lifespan of other major brands. As a matter of fact, my husband and son recently went on a camping trip during which they had to use their flashlights for an extended period of time and my husband was very pleased that unlike past camping trips when he had to replace the batteries in their flashlights, he didn’t have to replace them at all. I was actually surprised to hear they had to replace the batteries in their flashlights on previous camping trips.. they must required a lot of battery energy?

Fuji EnviroMAX batteries

About the manufacturing process:
Most of all resources used in the manufacturing process are reused and recycled. The result is batteries that meet a world standard for environmental responsibility and recyclable materials.

Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are available in AAA, AA, C, and D and Super Alkaline as well as batteries specifically for digital devices.

Go ahead and stock up (Amazon.com link) on batteries now.. you’re going to need them for those holiday gifts!

Visit www.greenfuji.com for more information about Fuji EnviroMax.

GIVEAWAY:
We are giving away 8 packs of Fuji EnviroMAX batteries to lucky readers. 4 lucky winners will get 2 packs each. To enter to win, leave a relevant comment below by November 10th. Tweet this post for an extra entry and leave a 2nd comment with your Twitter user name for your extra entry.

Dyson DC25 BLUEPRINT limited edition review

Cleaning & Cleaners, Electronics, New posts,
Raise your hand if you love cleaning? I don’t see many hands up. OK, now raise your hand if you love vacuuming. I see hands! Yes, they are all in my imagination, but that’s OK, right? Vacuuming is satisfying. I love vacuuming so much that I have a vacuum on every level of my house.. of which there are three.. it’s split level not a castle, bummer.   There’s something about sucking up goldfish snacks, leaves, and tiny pieces of cut up paper that makes me feel good. Unlike most things in life, I am in control when I vacuum, especially with my Dysons.  They do their job and they are easy for me to push around.  What’s not satisfying about that?

My newest vacuum is this beautiful white Dyson DC25 Blueprint, a limited edition, wonderfully satisfying, lightweight, skinny, sleek, upright Dyson Ball vacuum.
As you can see in the photograph to the right and the video below, the Dyson DC25 Blueprint is easy enough for a 3 year old to maneuver.  You’d better watch out because once your 3 year old has her hand at your new Dyson DC25 Blueprint, she’s going to point a finger at you and tell you to “stay back Mommy!”.  The vacuum sits on a ball which is what makes for excellent maneuverability and the ball’s low center of gravity makes steering the vacuum a cinch.. even Madelyn can do it!

I’ve had the opportunity to try out several Dyson vacuums (this is the 4th in our house.. maybe we need to add a 4th level?) and I am as ecstatic about this one as all of the others. The fact that the Blueprint is white adds a new level of “ooohhh” to the mix and the ball.. gosh, the ball makes the entire vacuuming experience easier.   Out of the 4 Dysons I own, the Blueprint is my 2nd favorite because of it’s light weight and manuverability.  My #1 favorite is my Pink Dyson DC16 Root 6  which I use several times a day (really) and have for over a year.  I would love to have the Dyson 31 handheld Animal Vacuum because it has a motorized brush bar that the DC16 doesn’t.  Because we have a split level house we go up and down stairs often so they get dirty quickly and the DC31 appears to be just the right handheld for those much needed quick stair clean ups through out the day.

Here are a few of my favorite Dyson DC25 Blueprint features:

  • The Blueprint is based on the Dyson Ball technology for smooth steering
  • It has a HEPA filter and is certified asthma friendly
  • I love the hygienic dust bin – crumbs, dust, and whatever else the kids squish into the floor are dumped from the bin with one click.
  • On-board tools include a stair and crevice tool
  • Incredible suction – don’t try to talk this vacuum out of sucking up your curtains if you get it too close!

I’m a busy mom and I don’t enjoy cleaning so I take all the shortcuts I can.  My Dyson vacuums help me achieve supremely clean carpets and hardwood floors quickly and efficiently.  And, like I’ve said in my previous Dyson reviews, my husband and son LOVE using the Dysons.  So, moms, all you need to get the boys to help you around the house is a sexy shiny white Dyson, and maybe a beer (or a juice box) and I am confident that you’ll have help in no time!

Here is my review of the Dyson DC28 Animal which is kept on the middle level of our house because the carpets and hardwood on this level get the most use (i.e. nasty).

Here is a short slideshow of photographs of the Dyson DC25 Blueprint

Where can I buy it? Get the lowest price here at Amazon.com.
How much is it? $529

Dyson DC28 Animal upright vacuum cleaner (a mom’s review)

Cleaning & Cleaners, Electronics, Home & Garden, New posts, , , , ,
Dyson DC28 Animal upright vacum

The Dyson DC28 upright vacuum features Root Cyclone technology so you don’t lose suction power as you clean your carpets even carpets with handfulls of goldfish snacks crumbled into the fibers, or cat hair, or.. you know what I’m getting at, especially if you’re a parent.

What’s Included

* Dyson DC28 Animal HEPA Bagless Upright Vacuum
* Mini turbine head and Flatout head
* Owner’s manual

Product Features

* 12 amps of power
Thoroughly clean carpets, bare floors and stairs.
* Bagless container
Saves time, energy, and money with no bags to buy or replace
* HEPA filter
Can be washed clean and traps more than 99.9% of dust mites, pollen and ragweed for a healthier environment.
* 13-1/2″ cleaning path
Lets you cover a wide range of flooring with every pass.
* 35′ cord
Allows you to reach a large area before needing to move on to another electrical outlet.
* Pneumatic actuator
With Airmuscle technology pulls the cleaner head deeper into the carpet to remove embedded dirt and pet hair.
* Powered cam
With 4 fingertip controls focuses suction by adjusting the brush bar while the cleaner head seals to the floor.
* High-torque clutch
Delivers power to the brush bar.
* Root Cyclone technology
Ensures suction power is constant.
* Mini turbine head and Flatout head
Tackles tough dirt and pet hair on stairs and upholstery.
* Dyson proves no loss of suction using the IEC 60312 Cl 2.9 test standard.

We have a Dyson DC21 Stowaway Canister Vacuum
that I got a couple of years ago that we use primarily for vacuuming out the car and for the stairs, while the upright design is great for vacuuming the entire house quickly and efficiently. I still use my Dyson pink DC16 Root handheld vacum every day, although I have to say that I would love the newest version, the DC31 Animal with the stronger suction for tough jobs like those that parents experience almost every day. Just like the Dyson

Learn more about the Dyson DC28 Animal or buy it on Amazon.com here.