tech tips

December 4th, 2012

Google Gravity (a great way to play a trick on members of your household)

My 5th grader showed this trick to me yesterday after school.   Later I was in the kitchen while he showed my husband in the office and I heard loud hysterical laughter coming from the office.   Upon investigation I learned they were discussing playing a trick on my mother-in-law using this “Google Gravity” trick.   I copied these instructions from this original article.   Check it out…it’s really cool land you could make anyone think your computer has totally freaked out!

Google Gravity I’m Feeling Lucky

Perhaps, there are still many who have not yet learned of the hidden tricks in google, one of them is Google Gravity. The effect behind the creation of Google Gravity is actually a java script extension box2d-js, because the effects of JavaScript and box2d-js embedded in the page allow you to play around with elements from the Google website, all elements on the site google can move, thrown all directions, at first look if we open up google gravity is as usual look of google in General, but when we move the mouse, the elements on the site will be separated and fell.

How Google Gravity works ? (more…)

November 29th, 2012

Mophie Juice Pack Plus (great gift for iPhone users who need more battery power!)

Below is an excerpt from the Mophie Website.  Note that they have an option for iPhone 5 users too!

Need even more battery power for your iPhone? The mophie juice pack plus® has our largest battery which extends the battery life of your iPhone for hours! The juice pack plus also provides a comfortable ergonomic design with the complete protection of a dual-injected hard shell case with protective rubberized band.

Since it is designed to more than double the time you have to Rock, Talk, Surf and Send with your iPhone , the mophie juice pack plus is the ultimate iPhone 4/4S battery case for travel or business. The simple toggle switch allows for standby and charging mode so you only have to use the juice pack plus battery when you need it!

More than double the battery life. (more…)

July 24th, 2012

Universal Studios Wait Time App (the best ride in the world is here!)

Note from Audra:  We went to Universal before the whole team arrived and only had 1/2 a day.  We arrived the minute the park opened and used this app to help us plan our day very efficiently.   On another note….I’ve ridden some of the the scariest roller coasters and been entertained by some fun crazy rides all over the USA but  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may be my absolute favorite!   You really feel like you are riding around playing quidditch during some of this ride! (special thanks to my brother Charles for telling me about this app and the Disney wait time app!)

 

 

iTunes Description

“did exactly what it promised when tested recently: provided accurate wait times for rides” – Associated Press

Attraction wait times for Universal Orlando including Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

July 24th, 2012

Disney World Wait Time App

Note from Audra:  My oldest sons’ 13u baseball team was in Disney with all of their families.   One thing I learned during this trip is that most teenage boys are IMPATIENT!   We all downloaded this app so we could plan and make the most of our visit to the wonderful world of Disney.  We were able to ride all of the fun teen appealing rides with the help of these apps and a 3 day park hopper pass!

iTunes Description

“I hope the rest of you will join me in using this particular wait times app. Even the interface for inputting a recent wait time is intuitive and actually kind of fun.”
- miceage.micechat.com

July 24th, 2012

McGruff SafeGuard Browser

Click here for the iTunes preview and to purchase

Note from Audra:  This is a great app if you choose to limit what your kids can search for on the internet.   I lean towards the “overprotective” type so I deleted google and safari from my children’s iPod touches but let them search and explore the internet via this app instead.   I was able to customize each child’s device according to their age group and I also get a report indicating which sites they browse.   Very cool to me….I hope some of you will benefit from this as well…..

Note from the McGruff site: (more…)

July 24th, 2012

Upper Room Devotional Lite

Note from Audra:   My iPhone is my alarm clock.   So…. I find myself picking up my phone to turn off the alarm and then immediately checking email and other messaging from my phone.   I decided the other day that I’d like to start off my day with a devotion instead of reading email first and The Upper Room is a printed daily devotional that I’ve read since I was a kid.   I was thrilled to see they have an iPhone app so now I’m excited to read the daily Upper Room devotional each morning right after I turn off my morning alarm!

Description from iTunes: 

The Upper Room daily devotional app invites you to join 2.2. million people from around the globe each day who: gather around a shared meditation; pray for one another and our world; become a caring, sharing community; and are transformed through their encounter with the living Christ.

Click here to download for iPhone or Android

July 24th, 2012

Kik – (cool but I don’t want my kids using it)

Note from Audra:  As a parent, I’m on the “protective” side so I set limits for my boys for texting and browsing using AT&T Smart Limits.   Kik doesn’t have parental controls and I happened to see this warning from “high tech dad” about Kik so I deleted it practically as soon as my oldest son downloaded it!    It’s a really cool tool but I just object to my kids using it :)

Description from iTunes

14 million users love Kik! It’s the fast, simple, and personal smartphone messenger that connects you to everyone you love to talk to.

July 24th, 2012

Gas Buddy

Note from Audra:   Thanks to Carol G. for telling me about this app while we were together on a baseball trip to Myrtle Beach this summer!  Use this app to tell you where the cheapest gas is near you.   Right now Costco Gas is the cheapest near me at $3.36!!

iTunes Description

Find the cheapest gas on the go – for free! In one click, locate gas stations near you and see their current gas prices. Never overpay for gas again.

They have an app for androids too!

July 12th, 2012

Safety Apps for Apple and Android

Submitted by D Sumner from AJC article:

www.mylookout.com
www.preyproject.com

July 12th, 2012

AT&T to launch service to disable stolen iPhones

Click here to see the original article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle

iPhone owners can sleep a little easier — well, at least, those on the AT&T network.

AT&T (NYSE: T) will launch a service July 10 that will block stolen or lost iPhones without forcing a device wipe that would erase any unsaved data.

Subscribers can soon request their stolen iPhone be put on a “blocklist,” rendering the device unusable, noted The Verge citing a document AT&T sent to customer service representatives. (more…)