Manhattan East Side
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Published on
July 20, 2012
July 20, 2012
Manhattan East Side
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Touring CE Week with Techlicious
New technology innovations designed to make parents' lives easier!
It's no small secret that I'm a complete technophobe. I can't figure out how to set an outgoing voicemail message on my iPhone, my laptop is nearly 5 years old (which is like a bazillion years in computer years), and don't even get me started on my inability to "sync" my phone with my computer (I'm convinced that doing so will wipe out all of my pictures, which I know is a completely irrational fear yet I still refuse to do it). Indeed, my 4-year-old daughter knows how to maneuver most of the technology in our home better than I do. So you can imagine how delighted I was when the team from Techlicious invited me on a private tour of the Consumer Electronic Association's Line Show, where I'd learn all about the latest and greatest tech innovations designed to make parents' lives easier. Talk about demystifying the process! This was hand-holding at its best, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
During the tour, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra led us through a carefully curated selection of her favorite new tech products, many of which intrigued me and all of which inspired me to step up my technology game. Here are some highlights from our tour:
During the tour, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra led us through a carefully curated selection of her favorite new tech products, many of which intrigued me and all of which inspired me to step up my technology game. Here are some highlights from our tour:
- Case-Mate DIY: I've long been a fan of Case-Mate and their protective smartphone cases, which have saved many a device in my household! I've also admired the personalized cases I've spotted people carrying around town, and would love to be able to figure out how to make a phone case with my kids' picture on it. Enter the Case-Mate DIY website, which allows you to customize cases for a variety of mobile devices by uploading your favorite photos or artwork from your computer. Earlier this year, Case-Mate added the ability to use photos from photo sharing sites like Facebook or Instagram, and also introduced new layout options for the photos, such as a photo booth and grid style.
- Control4 HC-250 Controller: I love watching shows on HGTV about "smart homes" that seem to do everything but change your baby's diaper. If my family ever departs NYC for the burbs, it's a safe bet that I'll be installing something like the Control4 HC-250 home controller, a slim little box that tucks behind your TV or on a shelf and serves as a "brain" that easily automates, integrates and controls the key devices and systems in your home. The HC-250 provides control of lighting, temperature and security while also providing instantaneous access to your video and music collections, gaming systems, streaming content and more, all through the TV in your living room or from your favorite Android or Apple tablet or smartphone. No word yet on whether they plan to make a diaper-changing version.
- Private WiFi: I love the idea behind the free wireless Internet access offered by Starbucks, Bryant Park and other destinations around NYC, but I get a bit freaked out at the idea of actually working on an unsecured network. So of course I was absolutely thrilled to learn about Private WiFi, a service that protects your identity, sensitive information, and personal stuff by encrypting everything you send and receive with bank-level security. Private WiFi automatically activates itself any time you connect to the Internet, no matter where you are, and runs invisibly in the background whenever you browse the web or write an email.
- RCA Streaming Sound Bar: Thanks to Techlicious, I now know that you can "stream" Internet content directly to your TV. Who knew? Well, probably everyone but me. But what you might not know is that RCA's new Streaming Sound Bar makes it both easy and affordable to stream media content directly to your television. It also eliminates a number of the wires that might be cluttering your home entertainment system, since its Internet streaming capability is built right into the device. And at $199.99, it's a total steal.
- Dust-Off Ultimate Screen Care Kit from Falcon Safety: With a 4-year-old daughter who is obsessed with all things tech and smartphone related, and a husband who is an admitted klutz, you can imagine how messy and fingerprint-laden our phones, computers and TVs are. Fortunately, I now know about the Dust-Off Ultimate Screen Care Kit, which allows you to clean all of your electronics with one convenient kit. The kit features a safe and effective cleaning solution created to easily remove smudges and fingerprints from all of your devices. Brilliant.
- Woven: I'm a total junkie when it comes to taking pictures of my kids. I can't help myself, and I don't have any intention to curb my habit anytime soon. The real problem is that I have pictures on Shutterfly, Snapfish, Facebook, my phone, our family computer and everywhere in between, and it's very hard to keep track of and share them in an organized and efficient manner. So I was very happy to learn about Woven, a free mobile app that aggregates and organizes your photos from multiple online storage services onto your preferred mobile device. The single, master collection of pictures Woven creates allows you to swipe through its streamlined touch interface, and after initially linking all your online accounts, no Internet connection is needed for basic viewing.
- Cobra Tag Universal: I know it's a total cliche, but I'm constantly forgetting where I've left my phone, even when it's almost always at the bottom of my handbag. At least twice a day I get that panicky feeling that I've left my phone someplace, never to be heard from again. So of course I was intrigued by the Cobra Tag Universal, a small, sleek key fob device and smartphone app that warns you when you're about to leave your valuables behind.
- myCharge/HMDX: There are few things more frustrating than having your phone battery die in the middle of a road trip, flight or any other outing. This is especially true when you're traveling with kids, who make frequent use of smartphones, tablets and other digital devices. Next time my family travels, we'll definitely bring along myCharge, a collection of lightweight, on-the-go extended batteries with built-in charging cords that deliver instant power and offer up to double, triple or quadruple the run time for hundreds of digital devices. And if you're looking to wirelessly stream music, look no further than the HMDX Jam Bluetooth Wireless Speaker, which delivers excellent sound quality in a tiny footprint with a sleek design. Available for just $39.99, the MHDX Jam is about the size of a tennis ball!
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