by Lori Cunningham

For those of you new to The WellConnectedMom.com, WELCOME!  And a woot out to my friends from TwitterMoms! 

TwitterMoms.com has chosen The WellConnectedMom.com as the Blog of the Week!

Blog of the Week
Check out wellconnectedmom.com, a blog that helps make technology simpler for moms and points out products and product features that help make a mom’s communication and household more effective. Lori Cunningham, mom of two, writes about different ways to make technology work for you without spending hours researching and learning how to do it on your own. Connect with Lori on TwitterMoms and on Twitter @wellconnectdmom

Already I have been receiving Twitter requests and new Facebook friends as a result – thank you everyone – I have been enjoying checking out your blogs too!

Feel free to leave comments about technology or gadgets you’re interested in and we’ll research them for you.  Or perhaps you have a nagging issue - we might know of a gadget out there to make things easier for you.  For example, if you’re like me, sleep is always an issue.  I found the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach and love it.  Check out my initial review for the Zeo.

Other articles we’d like to point out that will interest Moms:

Our reports from the largest Consumer Electronics Show in January:

My FAV Mom Gadgets from CES 2010

Top 6 Tech Product Trends from CES 2010

iPhone Users: 

15 Reasons the iPhone Will Make You Smile 

Turn Your Voice to Text

Misc.

Kids Online eBooks:  Don’t Overlook Their Importance

Windows 7 Useful Features 

Front Loading Washer & Dryers:  Is It Time to Upgrade?

Thank you, TwitterMoms!  And for those of you who are regulars, thanks for your continued support!

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The New Apple iPad, starting at $499.

Today Apple announced its newest, long anticipated and highly gossiped product, the Apple iPad.  Rumors about the new iPad have been running rampant on the Internet as Apple fans and technology commentators quickly spread any gossip to help satisfy curious and die hard Apple fans.   

Steve Jobs presented the new Apple iPad to a packed room full in San Francisco.  Reporters hung on every Steve Job’s every word.  Steve Jobs heralded the new iPad as “phenomenal,” “unbelievably great,” and ”way better than a laptop, way better than a smartphone.”  

The iPad is only 1.5 lbs, a half inch think, and has a 9.7 inch screen.  With all of it’s capabilities, the iPad is surprisingly affordable.  It is available in either a 16 gb of flash storage ($499), 32 GB ($599), or 64 gb storage ($699).  Later, Apple will add 3G to the iPad which will ad an extra $130 to the price.   The battery is estimated to last 10 hours and is WiFi enabled.    

What Can You Do with the Apple iPad?

• Read- it is an ebook – displaying books, magazines, and newspapers — in color
• Write – emails on a pop up touch keyboard
• Surf – the Internet comfortably and with the ability to see a full screen view of a web page
• Keep your Calendar – track all your appointments
• Showcase your Pictures- in true Apple form, flip through your pictures, enlarge them with your fingers, change their orientation just by rotating the iPad, set slideshows to music, etc.  In addition, you can use the iPad as a digital picture frame when it is sitting in its docking station.  Pictures can be imported, sync’d with your computer, downloaded from e-mail, or uploaded from your camera via the Apple Camera Connection kit.
• Watch Videos- YouTube, TV shows, music videos, podcasts, you name it
• Store Your Contacts – and click on “map” to find their addresses
• Search Maps – to find business close to your location.  Street level views are available from Google, giving an incredible view of the business/address you are looking for.

What Content Can You Get for the iPad?

Many of the apps available in Apple’s App store is available for the iPad.  The iPad includes an iPod and music can be downloaded from iTunes.  A new storefront called iBook will allow you to browse for books and magazines to download.

A Mom’s Perspective  

Steve Jobs believes the new iPad is “so much more intimate than a laptop and so much more capable than a smartphone.”  The iPad does seem to bring about a closeness to a person’s online experience as the device is small, lightweight, and is all finger controlled.  It’s  very much like using the iPhone, just amplified in size.

 I would liken the iPad to a netbook and eReader, only more convenient due to its touch and orientation manipulation.  The iPad ties up a lot of neat features in this bundle that make it very enticing. However, on the flip side, there are some visible oversights that are important to note if you’re thinking the iPad will act as your new netbook.  Specifically, the iPad does not include:

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by Laura Heuer

So maybe you have joined in and have an iPhone, maybe you’re on the fence, maybe you have seen them and can’t figure out what all the fuss is about.

Here is what I can tell you… this mom, loves her I Phone! With three kids, sports, a husband who is out of town and house for sale, I do not know where I would be without it!

The three best things I love about my iPhone:

     * It saves me time-yes saves not takes!

    * More time for my family!

    * It is fun!

 Right out of the box with no extra applications here are…

15 Things the  iPhone Can Do for You:

    1.   Email – Write them, read them, and delete them all while waiting in line at the post office.

   2.   Phone – Take them, make them, ignore them, send yourself a voice mail reminder all while waiting in the parking lot for your child to get out of school.

   3.   Safari – AKA the web… Find shopping bargains, pay your bills, find medical facts, order the best birthday present, find your next vacation spot all while you are waiting for child’s game to start.

   4.   Calendar – know when you are free, when your kids can go to the dentist, when you can squeeze in another workout all while waiting at the dentist.

   5.   Weather – know the weather before you leave the house or turn on the TV.  Know how to dress your kids to school.

   6.   Text your friends, your husband, your kids-learning the lingo is fun.

   7.   Camera – Use the camera ALWAYS! I did not start using this feature right away, now it is one of the best things about the I Phone, the pictures of your life!

   8.   Clock – The clock is not just a clock oh no! I set the clocks timer for meditating or a few extra minutes sleep and wake to crickets. Feels like I am at a serene peaceful lake (alone). The timer can be used for so many things.

   9.   The stopwatch is great for games, countdowns and learning to count.

  10.   The alarm-need I say more? No, but I will because now you can wake to your favorite music or wake in your favorite chair while napping.

  11.   The world clock feature is awesome! Learn what time it is around the world and teach the kids.

  12.   U-Tube -Not sure what to look at? Just go to the top rated or search your favorite singer/personality. Susan Boyle is a great one to see. Finding interviews songs and video from around the world is amazing! You just have to find the time.

  13.   Contacts is in your phone without any extra applications and it is great! Give your contacts a ring tone so you know who is calling before you pick up. My son is a cricket, my sister is a duck and it is real nice to not have to worry about who may be calling if I cannot get to the phone.

  14.   iPod will give you music for any time. Play a song when you know you need to get pumped up or need a quick pick up. Play your kids songs or play an audio book while relaxing!

  15.   Help – One of the best things about the iPhone is you are never left alone. One can always get help (if needed). Mac stores are there to help trouble shoot, AT&T has help on their website and there is loads of information on the web.  Come back here or post a question and I will help.

The iPhone has become a part of my life just like the wash machine, dryer, dishwasher…………I need them all.

What are your  favorite uses for your iPhone?  Leave a comment to share your tips!

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