Month: September 2011
HEXBUG Nanos Get Extreme with Construct and Zipline
3/4/2012 Check out my full video review of HEXBUG Nano Zipline
12/18 Edited to add: Good news HEXBUG Nano Zipline is now available on the HEXBUG site and on QVC!
We’ve been long-time fans of HEXBUG Nanos. The small, vibrating robotic “bugs” are mesmerizing and fun. But until now, we’ve spent a lot of time watching them zip around in circles. The creative folks at Innovation First have upped their game by introducing two “extreme” add-ons for your Nano habitat system: the Construct System and a Nano Zipline. Both will add adventure to your HEXBUG Nano play.
Disney AppMATes Bring Added Dimension to iPad Apps
Imagine taking your favorite iPad app and being able to interact with it using a real-world object. Disney Consumer Products and Spin Master had a vision to take app play to the next level and have succeeded with the launch of AppMATes.
More Facebook Changes on the Horizon – Timeline and Apps
Facebook announced yet more changes to their social networking platform today at their annual f8 Developer’s Conference. Buzz was high about the changes, which were anticipated “to change the world of social media.” Then again, that’s not so difficult for Facebook, which is the only social media/social networking platform many people use.
HTC Announces the HTC Rhyme–Style and Substance?
Android phones have traditionally been given a very high-tech profile. It makes sense, given the platform (and then name), but it does suggest that they are only for the most hardcore geeks. HTC seems to be looking to change that perception with the new HTC Rhyme. The distinctly feminine phone comes in plum and has a strong emphasis on style. It comes with a dock that makes the phone look like a high-end alarm clock, and a charm that glows with incoming calls and texts. Clearly it’s meant to help you find your phone in your deep, dark purse or bag.
Lowes Build and Grow Teaches Kids to DIY
Every other Saturday morning, Lowes offers a free workshop for kids. The Build and Grow Clinic gives each child an apron, safety goggles and a kit with all the supplies needed for one project. You can keep all the gear. They also loan you kid-sized tools to use. The kits are great for little people,
2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge Announced
If you have an aspiring video game designer at home, this may be their chance to shine. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media have announced the 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge. Details will be available in November, but entries will be open to the following four categories: Middle School, High School, Collegiate and Educator. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and has seen increased focus recently from President Obama and the Department of Education.
How to Create a Panoramic Image with Microsoft Photosynth
Microsoft Photosynth is a bit hard to explain and even harder to imagine, but it takes your photos and stitches them together to create an interactive, 3-dimensional view of a room, building, or location. You take a series of photos from as many angles as possible, feed them into the software, and end up with an image that you can pan, rotate and even zoom into.
There are two main options with Photosynth. The first is to create a synth, which allows you to navigate from image to image, as if you’re looking around a 3-dimensional space. The second is to create a panoramic image, which allows you to pan 360 degrees around a central location. Both are incredibly easy to do. In this post I’m going to show you how to create a panoramic image on your PC. You can also get an iPhone app to make panoramic images right on your phone.
Fearless
LadyBug’s preschool told us that she’s their RELUCTANT one, HESITANT, AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS. Needless to say, we were surprised. We say she’s our FEARLESS one: *She has been eyeing this trapeze at the Trapeze School New York (TSNY) Beantown in Jordan’s Furniture for over a year. I finally got up the
Marbles: The Brain Store–Heaven in a Mall
I recently had the opportunity to attend a preview of the new Marbles: The Brain Store in the Northshore Mall in Peabody, MA. It’s a great store full of books, games, puzzles, toys, software and novelties, all designed to challenge and stimulate your mind. My kind of heaven, honestly. Which is why I jumped at
Cell Phone Parental Controls from The Online Mom
If you’re picking up a new cell phone for your kids during this back-to-school season, you’ll want to explore which parental controls are available with your carrier. The Online Mom has a great overview of the major cell phone carriers and what type of parental controls are available for each one.