Category Archives: iPad

Auryn, Inc. Supports National Reading Month by Offering a Free iPad Storybook App Every Day in March!

Education, iPad, , , ,

Auryn, Inc iPad Storybook appsMy 5 year old loves Auryn’s storybook apps for the iPad.  Her favorite is Teddy’s Night (<< my review link). Auryn, Inc., the most award-winning digital publisher and creator of unprecedented children storybook apps for iPad and tablet devices, announced today that several of the notable and award-winning apps from the company’s popular collection will be offered free, throughout the month of March. In recognition of National Reading Month, Auryn is giving away one free storybook app each day of the month to promote reading among children on digital devices. Among the titles available for free download during March will include:

March is recognized throughout the U.S. as National Reading Month; designated as such by the National Education Association. The organization will celebrate its 15th Annual Read Across America Day this year, a nationwide program that helps children discover the joy of reading and is expected to draw more than 45 million participants on Friday, March 2. “Supporting National Reading Month with free storybook apps to inspire kids to read in a decade of all things video is a natural extension of our overall mission to encourage reading in the new age of technology,” said Umesh Shukla, Founder and CEO of Auryn. “We are thrilled to bring a renewed enthusiasm for reading to our youth by bringing illustrations to life through animation and interactivity.” About Auryn, Inc. Founded by Academy award-winning visual effects experts from Hollywood’s top movie studios, Auryn Inc. is the most award-winning digital publisher of storybook and creative apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android and other tablet devices. Recognized by the Producers Guild of America and Variety magazine as the Digital 25 top innovator in Emerging Media and winner of more app awards than any other digital publisher, Auryn is paving the way in digital publishing and fast-becoming the leader in children’s storybook apps. For more on Auryn, visit www.auryn.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest at: www.facebook.com/appsbyauryn and www.twitter.com/ AurynApps and http://pinterest.com/appsbyauryn/

PopCap™ Games: Not Just For Kids!

Computers & Software, Games, iPad, iphone, , ,

After a stressful day at work or a rough morning at home with the kids, sometimes all a parent wants to do is sit down, relax and regroup. PopCap games provide the perfect stress reliever. Whether you have a Mac or PC or prefer to play games on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone, you are likely to find a game to suit your relaxation and entertainment needs.

PopCap Bookworm gameBookworm

If you enjoy word games, play Bookworm and try to make as many words as possible using the letters on the screen. As the bookworm chomps the words you make, new letters appear and tiles begin to burn. Quickly you will be lost in the game, flying to make words before all of your letters are engulfed in flames.
Availability: PC, Mac, iPhone / iPod Touch, Mobile, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Online

PopCap Plants vs. Zombies gamePlants vs. Zombies

Perhaps your co-workers have made you particulary angry at the office. Work out your anger in a game of Plants vs. Zombies. Pretend your co-workers are the zombies and use the zombie-zapping plants to keep them from invading your home or sapping your energy.
Availability: PC, Mac, Android, iPad, iPhone / iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone 7, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation Network, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Online

PopCap Peggle gamePeggle

Work your way through the 55 challenging levels of Peggle as you bounce balls off different pegs within the courses. With each level you pass in Peggle, you’ll feel an ounce of stress from the day melt away. You can even make Peggle a way to interact with your kids by playing in Duel Mode and gloating when you outscore them.
Availability: PC, Mac, Android, iPad, iPhone / iPod Touch, Mobile, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Portable, Xbox Live, Online

PopCap Bejeweled gameBejeweled

Be mesmerized by the sparkling gems in Bejeweled2 as you swap them to make three or more in a row and build up your score. If you master one version of Bejeweled2, do not worry. You can also work your way through Bewjeweled3 or Bejeweled Twist.
Availability: PC, Mac, Android, Windows Phone 7, WiiWare, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Portable, XBox Live, Online

Since 2000, PopCap has been providing games for everyone, not just for kids. After a few rounds of Plants vs. Zombies or one of the company’s numerous other games, you will find yourself addicted. Because all of the games are easy to learn, they provide perfect way to gain some relaxing time to yourself.

Disclosure: I was provided with copies of these games for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Connect with PopCap™:

 

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Review of 3M™ Privacy Screen Protector for Apple® iPad®

iPad, New posts, ,

3M™ Privacy Screen Protector for Apple® iPad®

The Apple iPad is among the most popular electronic product in history.

Apple enthusiasts, workers and students love their iPad for what they can do on it.  However, some iPad users are bothered because other people can easily see everything that’s on their iPad’s screen.  For example, mothers playing Words with Friends might not want their kids to get interested in the words they use in the game, and commuters might want to check their stocks while riding on a train. Young adults might want some privacy while they chat with their significant others. Airlines are another place where iPad privacy is difficult to achieve. For example, a passenger might want to watch a movie that a neighboring passenger might find offensive.

3M™ Privacy Screen Protector for Apple® iPad®All these activities are impossible to do privately on an iPad without the 3M Privacy Screen Protector.The 3M Privacy Screen Protector for the Apple iPad is a remarkable accessory that protects iPad owners from prying eyes and their iPad screens from dirt and grime. The 3M Privacy Screen Protector limits the viewing angle of the iPad without adding any cumbersome attachments to it. With the screen protector in place, people to the front, sides and rear of an iPad user cannot see what’s on his or her iPad’s screen.

Two versions of this product are available: one for portrait mode and the other in landscape mode. Device owners should choose the model that fits the way they use their iPad most.  The 3M™ Privacy Screen Protector for Apple® iPad® is available for the original iPad and iPad 2.

Most people love the iPad because it is a useful tool for work and play. It only gets better when users don’t have to worry about sharing the contents of their screen with the world around them.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Disclosure: I was provided with a 3M Privacy Screen Protector for Apple iPad for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

 

BabyFirstTV App Review and App Code + DVD Set Giveaway {Ends 10/5}

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Contests, iPad, iphone, New posts, , , ,

BabyFirstTV app review

I have no problem admitting that I will hand my 5 or 12 year old the iPad when I’m on the phone with a client, need to cook dinner, write an email, or take a shower.   I try not to use the television as a form of entertainment as much as we used to and after they’ve been playing with Moon Dough, LEGO’s, or Play-Doh for a couple of hours, I think it’s ok to let them spend a few minutes playing on the iPad.   The really cool thing is that my 5 year old doesn’t even realize that she’s learning while she’s ‘playing’ on the iPad!

VocabuLarry’s Things That Go iPad app by BabyFirstTV is a book app that allows your child to read the book themselves or have the story read to them.  I can even record my voice while reading the story so that it’s like I’m reading the story to Madelyn.  This is great when I’m not able to put her to bed because I have to work late.  My husband will read her a story then he’ll put the iPad app on so it’s like I’m right there with her, reading to her.   Animations and sounds activated by her touch make each page of the app interactive. This app teaches babies and toddlers vocabulary.

VocabuLarry's Things That Go Book
VocabuLarry's Things That Go Book

From the hit TV channel BabyFirstTV, comes the very first digital book featuring everyone’s favorite parrot, VocabuLarry! The spirited talking parrot takes babies and toddlers on an interactive journey as he meets all different “things that go” – a car, ship, truck and more!

“VocabuLarry’s Things That Go” Book features:

  • Basic vocabulary
  • Simple and easy to understand navigation
  • The option to choose the narrator or read and record the book in your voice!
  • Tested by babies, toddlers and parents
  • Multi-device (iPod, iPhone, and iPad) support

About BabyFirstTV: BabyFirstTV is the leading TV network made just for babies, toddlers and parents. Developed by educational experts, BabyFirstTV shows inspire a variety of developmental skills. Plus, it’s completely commercial-free! Visit www.babyfirsttv.com

GIVEAWAY

Prize: A code for the “VocabuLarry’s Things That Go” app and a set of 3 BabyFirstTV DVD’s.

TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling me why you’d like to win.

EXTRA ENTRIES (1 extra entry each)

  • Tweet “I entered to win an app & 3 DVDs from @BabyFirstTv @mommyinsider http://bit.ly/babyfirsttv #giveaway”
    You can Tweet this up to every 6 hours.
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  • Be sure to tell us what you’ve done in the comments below so we can track your entries.

This giveaway will end October 5th at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond.  Open to U.S. residents only!  No P.O. Boxes.

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media.  I was provided with a code to install the app for purposes of this review.  Thoughts are my own.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Review: Acoustic Research App-Enhanced Docking Station for iPad – On My Things I Use Everyday List

Electronics, Gadgets, iPad, iphone, New posts, , , ,

I work from home and it can get really quiet around here when the kids are in school.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.   I do get lonely though and I feel a little disconnected when there’s no sound around me so I like to have music or a TV show on in the background while I’m working.  I don’t watch TV but hearing it makes me feel less alone. The TV is actually in another room. I can’t even see it.

Acoustic Research iPad Docking StationI was when I received an App-Enhanced Docking Station from Acoustic Research to review.   I ripped the box open, set it up, and was listening to music within minutes of getting the delivery from FedEx.

When I plugged my iPad in to the docking station for the first time, I was prompted to download the free Dock Plus app from the app store.  Dock Plus brings the ultimate in functionality to the docking station.  The app allows me to listen to local FM stations, set my favorite stations, and play and control my iPod/iPhone/iPad music library.  It’s also an alarm clock and has a snooze function.

My 5 year old daughter loves to dance and so she’s always asking me to play songs that are on my iPhone. I love that I can plug my iPhone into this docking station and blast the music super loud so she can dance all over the house and still hear the music!

 

The Acoustic Research iPad Docking Station:

  • Charges your iPod, iPhone or iPad
  • 5 adapters included for iPod, iPhone and iPad
  • Rotates 90 degrees for two portrait and landscape viewing options – I love this!
  • Comes with a remote control
  • Emits high performance sound
  • Will enable you to view iPod/iPad video content on your TV
  • Comes with an iPad, iPod, iPhone, and iPhone 4 adapter

To connect to an external device such as a TV, you’ll need  a VIDEO cable (not supplied).  AUX connection requires a 3.5mm audio cable (not supplied) to connect your external audio source to the AUX input on the back of the main unit.

Here is a very brief (20 second) video demonstrating two features: rotating and song switching.

 

You can buy the App-Enhanced Docking Station on Amazon.com or on the Acoustic Research website.

Disclosure: I was provided a unit for review purposes, free of charge. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by compensation.

Alicia Hagan, Editor