Cool Mom Tech

Simple ways to use tech tech to help the Oklahoma tornado victims

2013-05-21T04:01:00Z

If you're like us, then your Facebook feed and Twitter stream was suddenly filled with news links and hashtags about the Oklahoma tornadoes yesterday. As we send our thoughts to the families that have been affected, we wanted to share simple ways that you can use technology to help, as well as connect with family members and loved ones.

An extension cord to get excited about. No, really.

2013-05-20T16:00:00Z

With all of the tech toys I get to play with in my job, I wouldn't exactly say that extension cords top the list of my "oooh and aaah" gadgets. But a new one called nuplug that I've recently come across might just buck that notion.

Tips on the hottest design ideas via your Android.

2013-05-20T10:00:00Z

If your penchant for good design ideas and locations goes beyond flipping through an IKEA catalog (or maybe even Pinterest), you will appreciate the eye candy in this excellent new Android app made in collaboration with Wallpaper* magazine.

#CoolPartyBanner, hashtag ready

2013-05-18T16:00:00Z

At our fun Sealed with Love party in New York City a few months ago, we were on the hunt for a hashtag banner, but ended up getting crafty and made one ourselves. Too bad we didn't know about the Hashtag Banner back then!

KitCam Photo app gives Hipstamatic a serious run for its money. I mean...wow.

2013-05-18T10:00:00Z

Despite the easy filtering and editing of Instagram, I still find some of my favorite photos come from photo apps in which I can choose the film and lenses right in camera before the shutter snaps instead of editing photos afterwards.

5 of our favorite Pinterest pins this week

2013-05-17T19:00:00Z

Obsessed with Pinterest as we are? Follow us! Then check out these 5 awesome tech pins you might have missed.

Brighter days with the new Yahoo! Weather app

2013-05-17T17:00:00Z

Maybe it's my father-in-law's background in atmospheric science and meteorology or maybe it's just an excuse to use my iPhone, but lately, my son has taken an interest in checking the weather each morning of cities around the world and giving me the global forecast for locations like San Francisco, Seoul, Paris, and more. It's very cute.

Social Fixer makes Facebook more like the Facebook you wish Facebook was.

2013-05-17T14:00:00Z

If your Facebook page is hardly recognizable now with all those sponsored posts, unfiltered feeds and frankly, status updates from people you don't need to hear from every hour on the hour, then a neat plug-in I just found may be just what you need.

Web coolness: A Star Wars Periodic Table, an old video game favorite is back, and a genius use of Twitter by a high school student

2013-05-17T10:00:00Z

Here are a few links we've enjoyed reading this week. We hope you like them too!

A desk lamp to brighten your desk before you turn it on

2013-05-16T16:00:00Z

Unless you have a gihugic computer monitor (very likely these days), your lamp is probably the focal point of your desk.

SquareHub: A social network just for your family. And it happens to be awesome.

2013-05-16T11:48:00Z

If you're like me, you spend a lot of your day texting your spouse and kids, or calling to check in on them and coordinate schedules. Don't even get me started on the number of emails I send.

The lettrs app means letter-sending 2.0. We're in love.

2013-05-15T18:10:00Z

While I consider myself to be tech-savvy, thank you notes are just one of those things that I always hand-write and make my kids do the same. And on the receiving end, there is something special nowadays when I receive a hand-written anything in the mail, which is why I'm digging a new iOS app and website-based service called lettrs.

Turn your Android phone into a PlayStation3

2013-05-15T10:00:00Z

As much as touch controls for games are pretty easy to use these days, there still isn't a full substitute for the actual joystick. Or so says the little video gaming experts at my house.

Airocide: An air purifier for the cleanest air money can buy

2013-05-14T16:00:00Z

This time of year always brings about the same symphony of sounds in my house: namely, sneezes, wheezes and sniffles from dreaded seasonal allergies. The daily doses of Claritin help, but I've discovered a high-tech solution has provided additional relief inside the home.

Better lunch planning through technology

2013-05-14T10:00:00Z

Here is a typical weeknight in my house. After dinner is made and I have digested, the dishes are all done and I hear snoring out of the monitor.... I think, YAY I can go sit down and wait for Jon Stewart. But then I remember, I have to pack her lunch.