Taken with Instagram app on iPhone 4S

In the mobile world, few devices can match the iPhone in terms of photographic capabilities. The default lens is undoubtedly one of the best on the market. The iPhone’s stock camera app is likewise extremely competent. However, one can get even more out of their handset with some third-party apps and a little additional hardware. Below you’ll find a few handy iTunes apps, lenses, accessories and tips to help you take the best pictures possible.

iPhone Photography Apps

Lenses & Equipment

In addition to mobile apps, the functionality of the iPhone’s stock camera can be extended through the use of add-on filters and optics.

• Camera accessory maker Photojojo has a number of additional lens models including Macro, Fisheye, Telephoto and Wide Angle that are specifically designed to work with Apple phones.
• In addition, a stabilizing tripod is always a good idea. Joby makes a versatile line of adjustable camera tripods and stands called GorillaMobile that help users to stabilize shots in real world scenarios.

Tips and Tricks

Send Mom a Mother’s Day message via Skype’s ‘Mom, you rock’ Facebook application

Visit Skype’s Mom You Rock Facebook page to create a fun and unique message for your Mom.   Skype is celebrating Mother’s Day by offering a free video greeting card through their Mom You Rock Facebook page.

Mom You Rock is a charity campaign organized by Skype. For every ‘Mom, You Rock‘ video message that is sent, $1 will go to Save the Children’s Global Action Fund in support of the new MomsTheWord.org campaign.

Using Skype’s Mom You Rock application you can create a special video message for a mom in your life in about ten minutes.  Say more than you can on a greeting card and best of all, Mom will see your expressions, emotion, and just how much you love her, in your message!

Your mom will need to be on Facebook in order to send her a special Mom You Rock message.

After you click on the Say ‘Mom, you rock’ image on Skype’s Mom, you Rock Facebook page, you will be prompted to choose a Facebook friend (your mom) to send the video greeting to.

Next, choose from three rockin’ songs to feature in your video message.

Last, personalize your Mom, you rock video with short messages like “Happy Mother’s Day”, “We Love You!” and more.

Then send or schedule!

Connect with Skype:

• Skype’s “Mom You Rock” charity campaign
• Skype Facebook page
• Skype website

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Every iPad release creates a whirlwind of excitement in the tech world, and the resulting adjustment in prices of older models causes many to make comparisons. It can be attractive to find a lower priced version, after all, especially when budgets are pressed by challenging economic times. Parents are particularly interested in how the devices are compared, as the iPad is considered one of the most exciting educational tools available.

The new iPad and the iPad 2 are similar in function, but the new generation of the device has some significant improvements that make it an exceptional choice for families. One of the most noted improvements involves a faster processor with quad-core graphics. Response is amazing, whether in tactile interaction with apps or in the playing of multimedia content. Game play will be more responsive, making this an excellent entertainment option during a long road trip. The convenience of 10 hour battery life in both models makes it easy to take either iPad on the road without worrying about power running low.

Families will find the new release to be an exciting tool for documenting special events or interacting with distant relatives. A five megapixel camera allows for better quality in pictures. Tap to focus and face detection are new features, while both the old and new iPad models include VGA recording and stills from the front camera. The display of photos and video on the new model will be more crisp and clear. FaceTime works from either iPad model, making it possible to visually communicate with other users of compatible Apple products. For those families that enjoy using services such as Skype to communicate with family members, the latest iPad model will provide a more responsive experience.

Click to enlarge

In exploring the differences, pricing may be one of the deciding factors. The iPad 2 pricing has been lowered, but when you compare iPad models you may find the features worth investing just a bit more. The new iPad provides amazing features and improvements for the additional cost.

Accessory manufacturers have claimed the ability to stop smudging and give protection against scratching of screens. However, with a name like scratch resistant the ability to provide to protection has always been suspect. A scratch resistant screen cover will still exhibit a certain amount of scratching. The difference between scratch resistant and scratch proof is the entire point of an excellent screen protective product.

Finally, a product is available that backs up its claims with an ability-supporting name, a 45-day money back guarantee of performance and a lifetime replacement guarantee. The ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Apple iPad  is that product.

The ZAGG invisibleSHIELD is scratch proof, easy to install and guarantees the toughest and most durable iPad screen protection available to date. As with many of the best things in our lives, new materials come because of government and military product research. That is the case with the technology behind the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD products.

The nano-memory technology used to protect helicopter blades from scratches and damage is the technology used in the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Apple iPad. This is the reason the company gives consumers a lifetime replacement guarantee should scratching occur.

This nano-memory technology provides iPad owners who purchase the invisibleSHIELD product the following benefits.

• Super Durability – The Nano technology is self-healing providing amazing protection, against scratching and damage and allowing the company to provide that lifetime replacement guarantee.

• Extended Coverage – The pliable nature of this material gives greater flexibility and capability to cover corners and curves of the iPad design.

• Installation Simplicity – Because of flexibility, the invisibleSHIELD material is simple and easy to install without problems.

• Drop Resistant – ZAGG can make this claim because of the minute texture of the material that is non-slip and helps iPad users maintain grip on their iPad.

• Glare Reducing – The invisibleSHIELD gives the iPad a slight orange peel finish that absorbs light better, reducing reflection that causes glare. This same micro finish texture is why the product resists smudging.

Not convinced? Check out this video and you might just run to the store:

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.

Read the full review on TheMommyInsider.com here.

AWARD WINNING INNOVATION

In 2010, the Braun Satin Hair 7 Iontec Hair Brush was voted Product of the Year by the Consumer Survey of Product Innovation both in Germany and the Netherlands. It is designed to protect the hair while adding instant smoothness and shine to each strand.

IONTEC TECHNOLOGY

This product is the first of Braun’s non-heat related styling tools to use Iontec technology. Ions are neutral atoms that can take on either a positive or negative charge depending on its environment. Hair generates its own charge of positive atoms on the surface of each individual hair strand causing the strands to repel each other producing static.

Because ions are always trying to get back to a neutral state, they interact with the surface of the hair absorbing the positive charge and keeping the hairs from repelling each other.

Braun’s patented Iontec technology combined with other uniquely designed features of the hair brush work together to deliver the maximum benefits of ion technology to the hair. The ions are released via an active ion jet, one of the key features of this hair brush. When activated, this built-in electrical jet system instantly distributes millions of ions.

The negatively charged ions create a cloud that surrounds the hair and works constantly to reduce static build up and fly aways. The active jet is controlled by an on/off switch that has a locking function to reduce the risk of the brush switching on accidentally while carrying it.

SPECIALLY DESIGNED FEATURES

In addition to the active jet system, the creators of the Braun Satin Hair 7 Iontec Hair Brush also incorporated seamless brush technology into its design. Its smooth bristles are created to reduce damage to the cuticles of the hair during brushing. This lightweight, portable brush is also equipped with a soft, removable cushion pad that prevents the snagging and pulling of the hair.

THE VERDICT

This is the one thing that I have to hide from my girls. We LOVE this brush and use it multiple times daily. Although the price tag is a little hefty at $63, this is a case where technology really pays off. My hair is shiny and looks amazing every time I use this brush.

SEE IT IN ACTION

The interchangeable lens digital camera makes it easier for parents to capture portraits, beautiful panoramic landscapes while on vacation or action shots at the game. Below are 3 name brand interchangeable lens digital cameras that would be a nice upgrade from the simple point and shoot camera.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 -$459

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 12mp is one of the best enthusiast cameras of its type. It has fast reactions and a slim, small and sleek look. The Panasonic Lumix is also capable of taking full HD video, uses a touchscreen environment for many of the quick operations. It has a wide range of lenses that can be used including the H-FT012 for 3D capabilities.

Olympus PEN E-PL1- $290

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 has an excellent build with superior optics and can shoot in either RAW or JPEG mode. It has face detection mode, depth of field preview and manual white balance which can be useful on the beach or in the snow. This Olympus also has complete manual, semi manual and preset automatic controls.

Sony Alpha Nex-3 - $441

The Sony Alpha Nex-3 is a very light camera with a 3 in LCD screen to view the pictures you have taken. It has a 14 mp. sensor capable of taking high quality images. Sony created this camera to tackle continuous autofocus and exposure adjustments while recording video.

The interchangeable lens digital camera has revolutionized the art of photography. It has made it easier than ever to record those precious moments in our life. They are still compact enough to carry with you all the time, they save money by allowing us to take, edit and print photos giving us more creative control than ever.

The prices features in this article are valid as of 1/31/2012. 

Image Source: Amazon.com

Parents, teens, pre-teens and children will love the Kindle Fire. The best thing about any Kindle is the sheer amount of content available on Amazon, but the Kindle Fire adds app capabilities that push the Kindle Fire into the fully functional Android based tablet class. The Kindle Fire e-reader is set up to be a world class business and entertainment machine.

The small format, pocket-book size and seven inch screen make the Kindle Fire easy to hold in one hand or tuck into a purse or jacket pocket. Even small children will find the Kindle Fire easy to hold and use. The no-slip, rubberized case coating make gripping easy. Rugged case design and the tough Gorilla Glass screen make the Kindle Fire tough enough to leave unattended with the kids. Although the screen size is smaller than the industry leading iPad, the benefits of an easier to hold case footprint and tough exterior make up the difference.

Amazon Prime membership allows Kindle owners the ability to borrow at least one book per month from The Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. The Library contains thousands of books, including at least 100 current and former New York Times Best Sellers. The best part of The Kindle Owner’s Lending Library for the Kindle e-reader is that there are no due dates or late fees.

The full color Kindle Fire displays up to 1,000 children’s books like never before. Little hands can easily turn the pages and the color screen gives a rich, true color look to illustrations. The Comics app by comiXology allows teens, pre-teens and parents access to a large collection of full color comic books.

The Kindle Fire has apps for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, ESPN ScoreCenter and IMDB for even more content. Games from popular online developers, like Zynga, EA, Gameloft, PopCap and Rovio, plus home and productivity apps make the Fire more than an e-reader. Anything is possible using the Kindle Fire, from money management and entertainment, to a basic shopping list.

Parents will appreciate using the Kindle Fire for home and business needs, entertainment or story-time. Teens and pre-teens will love Kindle Fire’s game, comic and media features.

The Kindle Fire is currently available on Amazon.com for $199.

Chatman looks like a cute toy and hooks up easily to your computer through a USB cable. Your child can name their new friend, give it its own personality and interact with it. While your child is chatting with friends, playing games or doing homework, this new toy will monitor all of their online activities. Your child is protected and you can now have peace of mind because this device will protect your child by monitoring the sites your child goes to and steering them away from any inappropriate websites that may inadvertently pop up.

Read the full review on TheMommyInsider.com here.