In My Bag » electronics http://www.in-my-bag.com Reviewing the stuff I buy Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:03:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 NOOK Kids’ iPad App http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/10/12/nook-kids-ipad-app/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/10/12/nook-kids-ipad-app/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:19:34 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=4816 NOOK Kids' iPad App I was very excited tonight to discover the existence of NOOK Kids’ iPad App. Yes, you read that right: Barnes & Noble, the book store and company that makes the NOOK e-reader, has made a special e-reader app that is just for kids, just for iPad. My five year old son and six year old daughter are both learning to read, but obviously they still need a lot of help, and overall need more “complex” stories to be read to them. Unfortunately I don’t always have the time or the ability to drop what I’m doing in order to read to them, so during those times (when I’m making dinner, when we’re in the car, when I’m helping my brother with his homework, etc.), my son’s iPad can read to him and to his sister! Now if only I could find a residential maid service durham nc in our area… then I’d be all set. ;)

I installed the app, and it works perfectly and easily. I’m very excited to teach my son and daughter how to use it. You can get the NOOK Kids’ iPad App in the iTunes Store.

Oh! I forgot to mention that while the NOOK Kids’ iPad App is free to download, and it does include two complimentary books — Fun Facts About Pets and The Elephant’s Child — additional books will require purchasing.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/10/12/nook-kids-ipad-app/feed/ 0 iPod Touch http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/06/08/ipod-touch/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/06/08/ipod-touch/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:26:42 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=4396 iPod Touch In October of 2010 I was very fortunate in the fact that I won an online giveaway for, of all things, an iPod Touch. I fell immediately in love with it upon its arrival, and if it weren’t for the fact that I am an Android girl (I’ve had nothing but Android phones since January of 2009), I probably would have gone right out and purchased an iPhone.

The 64gb 4th generation iPod Touch is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to playing music, the iPod Touch offers HD video playback, and if you’re on a wireless network, the opportunity to surf the web, check email, and communicate with friends via any of your favorite messengers. The availability of thousands of apps in the apps store means having an app to do just about anything, from logging your calories to tracking your periods to viewing Google spreadsheets. And for the Angry Birds and Words with Friends lovers out there, there are more than enough games to shake a stick at.

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The iPod Touch is a very sleek device, though I don’t admire the sleekness of mine because it has been in a protective case since the night I took it out of its packaging. The battery life is excellent, the screen crisp (I watch episodes of Nip/Tuck on it when I’m exercising), the sound quality from both the headphone jack and the external speakers amazing.

While the iPod Touch is definitely on the pricey side ($399 for the 64gb model), it’s well worth the investment!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/06/08/ipod-touch/feed/ 0 Audiovox iPod Alarm Clock http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/04/28/audiovox-ipod-alarm-clock/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/04/28/audiovox-ipod-alarm-clock/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:15:28 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=4390 Audiovox iPod Alarm Clock I’ve been wanting an alarm clock for a while now, and from a past clock, I knew I really wanted the type of alarm clock that could also charge and play an iPod. Imagine my delight to discover the Audiovox iPod Alarm Clock, a $30 alarm clock that features two alarms, a radio, and the ability to charge and play songs from any connected iPod (many models are supported, including the fourth generation iPod Touch).

The Audiovox iPod Alarm Clock works beautifully. And it’s a very stylish little clock, too! Thanks to two included “skins”, you have your choice of making the outer portion of the clock white, silver, hot pink, or trendy graffiti/artwork. A nine volt battery is required to have the battery backup, and of course there’s a white powder adapter included. Configuring the clock and alarms is a piece of cake, and the iPod feature is quite handy. My iPod Touch sits in the dock perfectly.

Audiovox iPod Clock Radio

In summary, the Audiovox iPod Alarm Clock is a very nice little $30 alarm clock, if you’re looking for something that will not only function as a clock, but play your favorite radio stations and charge/play your iPod, too!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/04/28/audiovox-ipod-alarm-clock/feed/ 0 Numi Key review + giveaway http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/02/08/numi-key-review-giveaway/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/02/08/numi-key-review-giveaway/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:37:47 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=4215 Numi Key While I shop at just three stores (local grocery store, Target, Petsmart) on a regular basis, there are many more that I hit up at least once every four to six weeks — more often around birthdays and especially around the holidays. And with almost every store I shop at offering a customer discount/loyalty program, that means I have a fairly big collection of those keychain cards that I have to flip through each time I want to use a particular one. Not to mention the weight and baggage that collection (19 total) adds to my ring of keys, as well as my purse. So when I read about the Numi Key, I knew I had to try it! the Numi Key is a small gadget that electronically stores the numbers of up to fifty (50) stores/memberships. Check out the following comparing picture and tell me you don’t want a Numi for yourself!

 

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The Numi Key is incredibly simple to use: simply connect it to your computer via the included mini USB cable (this also charges the device), visit the Numi Key website and check for the confirmation of a connection (you should use Internet Explorer for this; also, make sure to allow the installation of the Active-x add-on!), and then begin entering store numbers. If you have a membership to a store that is not in the Numi Key database, simply enter the info manually — you can even upload a picture of the barcode, should you happen to have it. Numi Key confirms the storage of each store/card membership; once you’re done simply disconnect the Numi Key from your computer and you’re good to go.

 

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To use the Numi Key, simply turn it on and use the up & down arrows to select the store whose card number you want to pull up, and then hit the red confirmation button. A red indicator on the top of the Numi Key will light up; once it does you can aim the Numi Key at many barcode scanners and watch in amazement as the number is read. And on the off-chance it isn’t (which may happen for certain stores who swipe cards through a credit card reader or type in the info manually; such as TCP, a store that sells kids clothes), you can simply view the card info and then read off the number to the cashier.

 

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Ready to de-clutter your keychain or wallet? Head over to numikey.com and pick up your own for just $19.95. But before you do that, enter to win one from In My Bag!

 

Giveaway

Mandatory entry
Tell me how many store discount/loyalty cards you’re currently lugging around!

 

Additional entries:
(each additional entry earns you one additional entry into the giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each entry)

  • Like Numi Key Facebook
  • Follow me, @kissmykitty, on Twitter
  • Follow @numi_key on Twitter
  • Tweet the following to your public Twitter account: #Win a Numi Key at In My Bag! http://bit.ly/imbnkg #giveaway
  • Tweet the following to your public Twitter account: Get the Numi Key and do away with all those store cards! http://www.numikey.com
  • Blog about this giveaway, being sure to include a link to this giveaway and to numikey.com

 

Giveaway details:

  • The Numi Key giveaway begins on February 8th, 2011 and runs until February 22nd, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.
  • All entries must be in by 02/22/11 at 11:59pm EST in order to be counted for the final drawing.
  • Winners will be notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond.
  • No duplicate entries (IPs are logged).

 

Good luck to everyone who enters!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Disclaimer: Numi Key provided me with a free product in exchange for my honest opinion.

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2011/02/08/numi-key-review-giveaway/feed/ 37 Nook 3G + Wi-Fi http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/12/18/nook-3g-wi-fi/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/12/18/nook-3g-wi-fi/#comments Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:19:33 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=4041 Nook 3G + Wi-Fi I was lucky enough to receive the Nook 3G + Wi-Fi as an early Christmas present from my best friend. I’ve always been an avid book reader, and have only slowed down in recent years due to running out of physical space for books. Our bookshelf, which is in our bedroom, is filled to capacity, and then some. So the more I thought about it, the more I decided that I wanted a book reader. I wanted the Nook, after comparing it to the Kindle and reading about a few other readers on the market, because of its decent battery life, E-Ink display (it looks as though you’re reading real paper!), and ability to sync with your phone via an Android app.

The Nook 3G + Wi-Fi offers both types of connections, obviously, and a generous 2GB worth of space that will allow you to store up to 1500 books. Plus you can expand with memory cards, should you use up that 2GB.

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I have been using my Nook 3G + Wi-Fi for several weeks now, and have really been putting it through its paces over the last several days, as I have been devouring one book after another in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Let me just say, this book reader is incredible. It’s lightweight, easy to navigate, and it really does look as though you’re reading from a real book! If you’re interested in a book reader, I highly recommend the Nook!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/12/18/nook-3g-wi-fi/feed/ 1 Upcoming review: Peek 9 http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/11/18/upcoming-review-peek-9/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/11/18/upcoming-review-peek-9/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:28:46 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=3901 Just about two years ago I reviewed the Peek, a revolutionary mobile device that stripped away phone calls, text messages and excess apps, bloatware and other clutter, and delivered just the basics: email. Well, I’m back with a new Peek, the Peek 9. This newer, shinier and all around spiffier mobile device offers:

  • mobile email
  • Outlook + Exchange email sync via ActiveSync
  • unlimited texting to cell phones
  • RSS feeds
  • Facebook and Twitter updates
  • Google maps
  • Local weather
  • Apps to help you do more with your Peek 9
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I just need to get service set up (less than $10/month!) and I’ll be good to go with trying it out and writing up an in-depth review.

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/11/18/upcoming-review-peek-9/feed/ 0 Upcoming review: iGo Charge Anywhere http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/11/08/upcoming-review-igo-charge-anywhere/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/11/08/upcoming-review-igo-charge-anywhere/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:30:28 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=3896 Despite having multiple USB cables, a few wall chargers and even auto chargers for each of our mobile devices — cell phones (2), GPS unit (1), iPods (2) and two Nintendo DS systems — there are times when we’re not around a computer, an electrical outlet or a vehicle. Some examples that come to mind: my husband’s recent attendance at a football game, the three hours we spent outdoors at a fall festival last weekend, the six hours we spend each Halloween at my husband’s uncle’s house for an outdoor bonfire. With all of the power, performance and apps that today’s smart cell phones have, it’s no wonder that they burn through fully charged batteries in 24 hours or less — faster if you’re using apps more frequently or are taking advantage of a 3G or wifi connection.

iGo Charge Anywhere So when I was offered an iGo Charge Anywhere, I was quite happy and couldn’t say yes fast enough. The iGo Charge Anywhere is an innovative device that allows you to carry a power backup anywhere you go! Simply charge it at home or via your computer at home, and then take it with you, along with the included USB cable, so that you have a battery charger for your mobile devices on hand at all times. iGo.com carries tips for hundreds of devices, including cell phones, digital mp3 players and even laptops and netbooks, so no matter what device you need to be get charged, there’s bound to be a tip to fit it.

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In addition to the iGo Charge Anywhere I also received tips my cell phone (micro USB), my husband’s cell phone (mini USB) and my iPod (iPod, heh). My husband had the opportunity to use the iGo Charger on Saturday, and I’ll be putting it though its paces this week — review will be coming soon!

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