VTech® InnoTab 3® Learning Tablet {Review and Giveaway}

 

Welcome back to Techie Tuesday, a segment of this blog written by my husband, Robert. Every Tuesday, hubby will bring you a review of a great piece of technology for you, your spouse, or you children, or even the whole family. He will also take questions and answer them right here on the blog, so leave your questions in the comments each week.

Thank you, Krystal, for that warm welcome back to your blog. I am really excited about this first Techie Tuesday review in a long time. As a kid, and even now as an adult, I play my fair share of video games. My children are getting to the age I was when I began playing games, and already they have several different games. They have Kindle Fires, where they watch movies and play games. But the games that I want them to enjoy need to be educational as well as fun. Games that are just fun (like Super Mario Bros.) are fine once in awhile, but now there are a plethora of educational games available, games that give children the fun they love while also teaching them something.

VTech is one of those companies bringing this kind of game to our children with the Innotab 3. First off, it is ready to go out of the box, complete with batteries and games (batteries are huge, as any parent knows. Many a Christmas and birthday have been spent hunting down batteries to make that one special toy work.).

The 4.3” touch screen is set enough inside so that it is relatively protected from the standard bumps that any toddler can and will put these through. And of course, VTech makes accessories to protect this even more.

One thing I really like about these is the expandable memory. Never will my wife and I have to worry about the memory getting too full on our children’s Innotab. We can stick a 32gb microSD card in there and fill it with all kinds of things. Even their Kindle Fires don’t have that (side-note here: my family just loves our Kindle and Kindle Fires. This is not to bash Amazon at all, just making an observation.)

Let’s talk of the software. Games are just the beginning. This kid-friendly tablet does eBooks, music, pictures, and video. This does just about everything a tablet does, in a very kid-centric way. When your child breaks out an eBook, they will be reading an interactive story. Suddenly, reading is fun. Not only will this tablet read to your child, highlighting the words as they are read, but will allow you to interact with the illustrations. Plus, the tablet will track your child’s progress, highlighting new words for your child to learn. Then, your child can touch the highlighted word and learn what it means.

The Innotab can play mp3 music, which can be loaded onto a microSD card and played through the unit. This allows parents like me to individualize their tablets with music that they like, music that they can listen to whenever they like.

It can also take pictures and videos. My kids love to take pictures. They love taking our phones and snapping pictures of everything from us to their dogs to each other. With the Innotab, they can do crazy things with the pictures they take, ensuring that one picture can last for a long time.

The best part is, as they learn on the Innotab, my wife and I can follow along with their progress by checking the Learning Lodge, which is like an online report, showing us what our children has learned and allowing us to express our pleasure and to see if their knowledge is retained.

All-in-all, the Innotab from VTech is a perfect all-in-one learning machine for children. With the interactive storybooks, they will learn reading skills that will carry them throughout their lives. And with the Learning Lodge, we can be an integral part of their development and education by allowing us to keep up on their progress.

• The InnoTab® 3 combines educational games, creative activities and reading skills in a child-friendly, multi-function, touch screen tablet to make learning fun.
  • Compact and lightweight design with 4.3” color touch screen, new directional pad and tilt sensor
  • 2.0 megapixel, 180° rotating camera with more than 55 photo features and special effects
  • Four different media players: e-book reader, MP3 music player, photo viewer and video player
  • Includes 16 exciting apps such as:
    • “What’s that Noise?” e-book
    • WonderCam, which uses the camera to add special effects, funny faces and photo frames to pictures
    • Magical Bean Stalk, a growing game lets kids harvest and collect beans from their beanstalk
    • Color & Pop, a coloring book activity that makes coloring pages come to life
    • H2O Go! a directional pad game that teaches science concepts
  • Hundreds of downloads are available via the Learning Lodge™ to enhance learning fun

 

• The Learning Lodge™
  • The Learning Lodge™ features more than 350 educational games, e-books, music and videos developed specifically for each child’s unique stage of development and will nearly double its current selection by the end of the year.
  • The broad library of subjects includes reading, math, social studies, science, creativity, problem solving and so much more!
  • Starting with activities suitable for toddlers and expanding to grade schoolers, the Learning Lodge™ gives every child an opportunity to expand their learning potential while keeping them entertained.
  • Featured throughout the downloads and software cartridges are popular characters from Monsters University®, Turbo®, Planes®, Doc McStuffins®, Sofia the First®, Jake & the Never Land Pirates, Mike the Knight™, Angelina Ballerina®, Team Umizoomi™, Dora the Explorer™, Thomas & Friends®, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Sesame Street and many more.
  • Parents can track their child’s progress through the Learning Lodge™ Progress Log, offer encouragement and share in their pride when kids reach new learning milestones.
• Learn even more by visiting these sites-
  • VTech website – http://bit.ly/tHKlfD
  • VTech Twitter  -  http://bit.ly/Q7J7vM
  • VTech Facebook - http://on.fb.me/iIPfUE

Now for the Fun Part! Vtech has graciously provided a innoTab 3 for one Lucky Family Treasures Reader. Enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was provided with a sample to review by VTech. But all thoughts are my own and I was not influenced in any way to give a positive review.

Tech Timeout! Take the challenge…

 

 

WHAT IS TECH TIMEOUT?

The Tech Timeout challenge started by Foresters encourages families to take a daily break from technology. Participating families are encouraged to disconnect from all things electronic with the goal of helping spouses, parents and children build stronger bonds, communicate more personally and get more involved in each other’s lives.

Over the weekend, I participated in a 3 day Tech Timeout challenge. Basically, for one hour each day, My family and I would be completely disconnected from technology. That means no cell phones, no computers, no tv or game systems…nothing more high tech than a book. We were encouraged to undertake this challenge from Friday through Sunday. The days most people find themselves connected to their tech devices.

DAY 1 - On Friday, my husband got paid, so we went out running around. That made it easy to keep tech down to nothing. We were out shopping for over an hour. We went to a game store and let my son play on some of the games they had there, then we went to Target to shop for clothes and things we needed for the household. The entire day was tech free with the exception of those few minutes my son had.

DAY 2 - Saturday was the toughest day to stay focused on this task. As a SAHM who has a working husband, I don’t get out too much, especially with 3 kids. So, to entertain myself, I do things online, things like this blog, while watching a show on tv. So, we spent the hour (and longer) outside playing with my older children in the yard while my youngest child sat in his bouncer, smiling and giggling the whole time (he loves being outside already. Guess I better start reviewing camping gear, LOL).

DAY 3 - Sunday was an easy day as we spent an hour in church. My kids love to sing and dance in church to all the great music we have throughout the service. After that, we went to browse at a store, and then home.

So, overall, I reconnected with what life was like before we were bombarded with all of this technology we take for granted. In this age of smartphones, laptops, game systems, and everything, we lose touch with what we used to do. Now, I make my children spend less time using technology and more time outside using their imaginations. I want them to learn the same lesson I grew up with and relearned this weekend: your imagination is the greatest technology there is, and the only technology you really need for a great time.

By participating in this challenge I realized that out family needs to take more timeouts and go out and live. My husband and I are discussing how our family will keep Tech Timeout a part of our family routine, maybe doing a hour or two a day or maybe a whole Tech free day a week. I will let you know what we decide.

Now its your turn. Do you think your up for the Tech time out challenge? Do you think your family needs a Tech timeout? Let me know by posting below and check out more about Tech Timeout and take the challenge yourself at http://techtimeout.com/ 

And here are a few ideas to do with your family during your Tech Timeout.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post but all thoughts and experiences are my own.

EReaders: Here to Stay or Fading Fad?

Happy New Year to all, and welcome to Techie Tuesday. As I said last month, this month, we’ll be talking all about eReaders. I’ll be giving you details, pros and cons, my pick for best eReader, and attempt to answer if getting an eReader is the best thing to do or not.
First of all, what is an eReader? An eReader is, basically, an electronic device that allows you to read books. This is the primary purpose of an eReader: to read. As a result, don’t expect to find large screens or beautiful colors. Most eReaders have a screen size of about a paperback novel and are black and white. But one thing to note is that the black and white is not like it is on an LCD screen. EReaders use a special type of print called eInk.

*ALERT: SCIENCE CONTENT*
EInk works like this. The principal components of electronic ink are millions of tiny microcapsules, about the diameter of a human hair. In one incarnation, each microcapsule contains positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles suspended in a clear fluid. When a positive electric field is applied, the white particles move to the top of the microcapsule to become visible to the reader. This makes the surface appear white at that location. At the same time, an opposite electric field pulls the black particles to the bottom of the microcapsules where they are hidden. By reversing this process, the black particles appear at the top of the capsule, which now makes the surface appear dark at that location. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eink)
*END SCIENCE CONTENT*

This is how words are formed on the screen. As a result of it not being and LCD, eReaders can be read in direct light with no distortion or blocking of the text.
Now, many people say that the Apple iPad is a very good eReader. Let me clarify something now. The iPad is, first and foremost, a tablet PC. True, it has more space than your standard eReader, and true, it does colors, and yes, the screen is larger, but it contains your standard LCD screen covered by glass. So, it’s like trying to read on your laptop when you’re outside on a sunny day. Not easy at all. Also, due to the fact that eReaders use eInk, they don’t drain batteries as fast as an iPad. In conclusion to this part, if you want a straight eReader, look for one. If you want a computer that does eBooks, go get yourself an iPad.
Next, let’s look at the different kinds of eReaders out there. I could write multiple pages on this, but I won’t. Suffice it to say, you have a ton of choices. But, keep in mind, an eReader is like a television. You want to buy from a company who specializes in that product. You wouldn’t buy a television made by Maytag or Whirlpool, would you? I didn’t think so. EReaders are the same way. They all work basically the same, but you’re better off looking at, what I call, the big three: the Sony Reader, the Barnes and Noble Nook (and Nook Color), and the Amazon Kindle. So, these are the three I will be comparing.
First off, commonalities. They all utilize the eInk technology. They all can be read in direct sunlight. They all use WiFi. And they all have 16 shades of gray, which leads to better pictures. Now, the differences. First, the Sony Reader. The top pick in that group is the Sony Reader Daily. It boasts a 7” screen, making it 1” larger than the Nook or Kindle. You get 2GB internal memory, which can hold up to 1,200 books, and that’s expandable by the Dual Memory Card Expansion Slots, which can take both SD and Memory Stick Duo cards up to 32GB, which gives you up to 50,000 books. It also includes touch screen navigation, weighs in an 9.6 ounces, and will last between 10 and 22 days, depending on whether or not you have your wireless on. The cost of this unit is $299.99.
Next, we’re going to look at 2. The Barnes and Noble Nook and Nook Color. Both are similar, with the exception of one being a regular eReader and one being in color. Both have a 6” display and free 3G, which basically means you can download your books anywhere. It has 2GB internal memory, good for up to 1,500 eBooks, which is expandable via micro SD card for up to 16GB, or 17,500 eBooks. A unique feature of the Nook is that it has a full color touch screen below the book screen for navigation, and it allows you the opportunity to lend others your books. It also gives you a basic Web browser, good for text-heavy pages like Wikipedia. It weighs in at 11.2 ounces, and lasts between 2 and 10 days, again depending on wireless on or off. It costs $149 for WiFi only, $199 for WiFi+3G, and $249 for the Nook Color, which does WiFi only. And, since the Nook Color is a color screen, expect battery life to be less.
Lastly, the Amazon Kindle. This is arguably the eReader that began a revolution. The latest incarnation of it is the Kindle 3. Like the Nook, it boasts a 6” screen, built in WiFi, and a basic Web browser. But it boasts a 4GB internal storage, or up to 3,500 books. Unfortunately, it does not include any expansion slots, but this shouldn’t be a huge factor, considering who is going to really have 3,500 books to read? It does not have a touch screen, but some books give you a Text-to-Speech feature, which allows the Kindle read to you, so, while you’re driving, you can basically have an audiobook going if you want. Right now, not all books are available to lend, but Amazon is working diligently on making that happen. It’s also the lightest of the bunch, at 8.7 ounces, and lasts between 10 days and 1 month on a single charge, depending on wireless. The WiFi only model is $139 and the WiFi+3G model is $189.
So, of these three eReaders, I choose (and have) the Amazon Kindle 3, and I even included the lighted cover (available for around $60). It just feels right, it’s quick, and it holds so many books. Plus, as the WiFi only Kindle is less expensive than others and is about all you’ll ever need, unless you do a lot of travelling, the Kindle makes perfect sense. Plus it’s backed by Amazon’s top-notch customer service. If anything happens to your Kindle within a year, EVEN IF IT’S YOUR FAULT, Amazon will replace it for free with a full new 1 year warranty.
Now, my last word on eReaders has to be are they here to stay or just a fad? Well, based on what I have seen, I think there is a lot of potential when it comes to eReaders. They don’t deteriorate like regular books, and they are convenient for keeping your whole library in one place. Personally, I think that eReaders are here to stay and are worth getting for anybody who likes to read.
Next time, we’ll be talking about fitness video games, and, hopefully, the month after that, we will be reviewing the new Nintendo 3DS system. Until then, keep techin’ folks!

TV’s: LCD, LED, 3D…ABC

As I said in my last segment, this month we’ll be talking TV’s.
Go into any Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, or just about anywhere and you’ll be bombarded with tons of different letters, numbers, and details that, unless you know what you’re doing, you will be lost. With the holidays just around the corner, you may be looking to get a TV for that special someone. Here’s how to shop.
First, let’s start with the easy part: HD, or High Definition. This is denoted by the number and letter combination, normally 1080P or 720P. What do these mean? Well, the first part, the number, denotes how many lines of pixels are on the screen. More lines obviously means better quality. Either 720 or 1080 is considered HD. There’s also 480, but that’s standard definition and is virtually nonexistent now.
After the number, there is a letter, either P or I. This denotes how the lines of pixels appear on the screen. P stands for Progressive, which means that all lines are displayed on screen at every given moment. I stands for Interlaced, which means that at any given moment, only half of the lines are on screen. While not totally noticeable, it does cause a slight motion blur where a Progressive does not.
Now that we got that done, let’s go through the types of TV’s there are. There are currently 4 types on the market: Plasma, LCD, LED (or LED-LCD), and 3D. Here’s the differences.
Plasma offer the deepest colors, especially black. However, these monsters consume a high level of power and tend to reflect light on their glass screens. If you’re looking for a TV to watch or play games in a dark or dim room, plasma is good.
Then there’s LCD. These tend to be standard and more affordable than other TV’s. And, in this case, cheaper is not necessarily a bad thing. They consume much less power than plasma, and, because most models are made with a matte screen, you can pretty much set it up anywhere and be able to see. We have an LCD and I have shined a flashlight right at the screen and we could still see the picture just fine. For the standard living room or bedroom or wherever, this is the way to go. And most 40” or bigger LCD’s won’t cost you more than $300-$400.
Lately, LED, or what was known as LED-LCD’s, have hit the market. These are still a little bit pricey, more than LCD’s, but they offer a few things. For one, they tend to be much thinner than LCD’s, some coming in under half an inch or thinner. They also use a little less power than LCD’s, so for those looking to save money on electric bills, this is a good way to go.
Finally, we hit the big monster, 3D TV. This technology is so new, it is still extremely expensive, with your basic TV’s starting at around $1500-$2000. And, on top of the TV, you will need to buy a pair or 3D glasses for each person to use (at around $120 a pair), plus you will need either a 3D Blu-Ray player or a PS3 (minimum price: $300). So, long story short, expect to spend upwards of $5000 to go 3D, which is basically an LED that has the picture jumping out at you.
Now, lastly, there’s another number to be considering. You’ll normally see a number like this: 60Hz, 120Hz, or even higher. All this means is how crisp the images look. But be careful. We use a 60Hz TV and like it, where a 120Hz makes the images all look like a soap opera. So, best advice, bring a movie you like to the store and have them try it out in the TV you’re interested in and see how it looks.
So, for the holidays or just whenever, which TV is a good choice? Well, my family uses the Toshiba Model 40RV525R, (pictured above) available factory-refurbished from Best Buy for $519.00. It offers 60HZ, 1080P picture, great sound, and a 40” screen. Video games look awesome on it, as well as movies. But that is our personal preference. Just look online, read reviews (very important, trust me), and then, after narrowing it down to 3 or 4 TV’s, go to the store, possibly armed with your favorite movie, and try them out. Go for something you like that won’t break your budget.

Next month, eReaders: are they replacing the paper book? We’ll find out.

Tech Tuesday: Why we love Amazon & Bea's Winner!

first for the winner - congrats to Clair. He won his gift basket of choice. Enjoy your treat :) I'm sure everyone is jealious. and now on to our new feature..........

Welcome to the first ever Tech Tuesday, a new segment suggested by my wife. I’m Robert, her husband, and am quite tech savvy. So here, on Tuesdays, you’re going to get a review that will assist you in going high-tech in today’s world.
For the first Tech Tuesday, I’m going to review a website. With Halloween right around the corner, it’s a hop, skip, and a jump to the holiday shopping season. That doesn’t mean we want or need to wait until Black Friday to start shopping. The number one site in my opinion for shopping for all holiday specials is, hands-down, Amazon. Many of you may have heard of them, but let me give you some on my experiences with them.


First, one Christmas, my wife wanted to get Season 3 of the hit TV series Grey’s Anatomy. I wanted to get it for her on Blu Ray, which was around $90 in stores. However, on Amazon, I was able to get a brand-new copy of the movie for around $25. That’s a huge savings! Plus, it beats getting out of bed and fighting the crowds on Black Friday.


A second reason to shop Amazon is they have amazing service. I have a Kindle, which is an e-reader device. My children got a hold of it and, well, let’s just say, kids won. I contacted Amazon and, since my Kindle was still in the one year warranty, they sent me a brand new one free of charge. That was something they didn’t have to do, but they did.


So, if you’re looking to save a buck or two (or many) and want to have to confidence of top-notch customer service if a problem arises, look no further than http://www.amazon.com/. You’ll be glad you looked, and you may be able to knock off several items on your Christmas lists.


Join me next week when we get talking about TV’s and which ones to get for each type of person, along with all the bells, lights, and accessories to have an amazing entertainment system. Tech on!