Category Archives: Tech Press

Serving Up Coffee Tech With The Keurig Vue

Posted on by

Cooking and kitchen gadgets scare me. I’m not embarrassed to admit it… I’m tech savvy but kitchen challenged.  Consumer electronics are intuitive and easy for me to understand…. but cooking technology is another story. When the folks at Keurig asked me to join the Keurig Vue Twitter Party and receive a unit to review, I was excited to participate and finally conquer my culinaryphobia with the newest in coffee tech. Using the Keurig Vue, I concluded that making different hot beverages for all the members of my family is both EASY and yummy, and the technology is very impressive.

 

The Keurig Vue custom brew, single-serve beverage delivery technology allows me to brew coffee strong or regular, Latte with foam or iced tea, hot chocolate, hot tea and more. The high-tech brewer adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow to brew to taste. The programmable settings offer temperature, strength and size selections so my husband can get his extra hot, extra strong coffee while I can have my tall regular coffee. The eight brew sizes range from 4 oz. to an 18 oz. travel mug. The removable 74 oz. water reservoir means that I don’t need to fill the water every day or when we are entertaining many guests. Best of all, it brews each cup in under one minute, which I need with my busy schedule.

 

To keep on our eco-friendly roll (we just started composting), I appreciate that the Vue packs are made from recyclable polypropylene #5 plastic. I found the recycling locations by checking the Keurig Vue recycling website.

 

 

 

The individual Keurig Vue packs come in so many fun flavors including different coffee roasts, Cappucino, cocoa, and teas – who needs a coffee shop with these!  The press release stated the following choices:

“Vue™ packs will debut with more than 30 varieties representing a mix of brands and taste profiles including Green Mountain Coffee®, Barista Prima®, Tully’s®, Coffee People®, Gloria Jean’s®, Green Mountain Naturals™, Café Escapes®, Caribou Coffee®, Celestial Seasonings®, Emeril’s®, Newman’s Own® Organics, Timothy’s® and Van Houtte®.  In addition, exclusive to Vue™ is GMCR’s newest beverage innovation, two-step Barista Prima Café beverages, which includes separate dairy frother packs designed to deliver a high quality blending of premium gourmet coffee and creamy froth while maintaining the convenience of Keurig® brewing.  GMCR expects of offer up to 50 varieties by the end of June.”

 

 

The digital controls let me know both what I need to do and what step I am on. For example, when I turn on the Keurig Vue, the controls show me that the brewer is pre-heating.

 

Keurig Vue

 

It is easy to pop open the lid to add the Keurig Vue pack of my choice when I am ready to brew.

 

 

 

Then I can select which beverage I am brewing, the strength and the beverage size. If I were brewing a beverage with froth or ice – then I would select that setting.

 

 

After I make my selection, I was happy to see that the controls show me that the beverage is brewing.

 

.

 

In under a minute I had myself a hot, yummy cup of coffee. It was easy enough for even culinaryphobias like myself to use.

 

 

 

The only frustration I had was that I raced to the store to buy more Keurig Vue packs last week  – then realized they are not coming out until early March. Ah…. such a dilemma… to be patient for great coffee.

 

The Vue Brewer press release provided information on availability:

“The Keurig® Vue™ V700 Brewer is the first of a planned Vue™ Series for home use. Currently available for purchase in Bed Bath and Beyond stores nationwide as well as GMCR’s two consumer- direct websites (http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com and http://www.keurig.com), the Vue™ V700 Brewer and associated Vue™ packs will become more widely available in a variety of retail stores over the coming months. GMCR’s new Vue™ Brewer and Vue™ packs will complement the current Keurig® platform and its K-Cup® packs.”

 

Disclosure: I was compensated to participate in the Keurig Vue Twitter Party on February 16, 2012 and received a Keurig Vue unit to review. All of my opinions and words are my own. This is my first experience with the Keurig System and just received the unit. I will post an update after I have taken it for a full test drive.

 

 

Disneyland Explorer – a Disney Parks App for iPad

Posted on by

Part of the excitement of our family adventures to Disneyland is going online to plan our trip. Our kids love helping to collaborate so we can fit in all of their favorite Disney experiences in the trip. The Disneyland mobile apps are also helpful for us to get information on the go.

 

When I received this press release about a new Disney Parks app for the iPad, I was excited for a new mobile opportunity to experience and get information about Disneyland. Disney Explorer is a free app for the iPad that offers a mobile experience of the sights and sounds of Disneyland. The app offers the ability to “tap beautiful images, animation and interactive touch points that represent experiences inside Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, Downtown Disney District and all three hotels of the Disneyland Resort. ” I can’t wait to try it – but showing it to my boys will make it harder for us to wait until our next trip to Disneyland.

 

 PRESS RELEASE:

 

Discover the Sights and Sounds of Disneyland Resort with ‘Disneyland Explorer’ – a Disney Parks App for iPad

Take a Spin Around The Happiest App on Earth!

Continue reading →

 

Social Shield: S.O.S. for Parents Trying To Understand Social Networking Terms

Posted on by

SocialShield Releases the Top Social Networking Terms Kids Don’t Want Their Parents to Know

Sheds light on the latest lingo kids are using to hold illicit, risky or secretive conversations


As a parent of a tween, I am well aware of the language and terms tween/tweens use to communicate with each other. But add on to that technology – and the dangers of their terms increases exponentially.  From watching what goes on – I can see that it does not matter if your child has their own phone or not – these terms are used across devices – including computers. They can be used for social but they can also be used to bully or harass other kids.  Parents need to stay ahead of these dangers by educating themselves and then having honest conversations with their kids. Education and communication is key; if your kids are not talking to you about social networking, they are surely talking to their friends.

 

Through MommyTech Summit at CES I was introduced to the folks at Social Shield, social network monitoring service for parents, who sent me this press release with information about social networking terms kids use. The press release is below. But the image above summarizes some of the top (and scary) social networking terms used.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Continue reading →

 

Nuance PaperPort Notes For iPad: Create Notes By Speaking

Posted on by

Nuance announced this week that that their PaperPort Notes app for the Apple iPad now has dictation capabilities powered by Nuance’s Dragon voice recognition – which means you can create notes on the iPad by speaking.  This is a great app for busy moms who barely have time to type anything – but who can sneak in a few notes by speaking. While there are many ways now to interact with mobile devices using voice – I am happy to see established brands like Nuance adding new voice features to productivity apps.  Until an Android version is available, those with Android mobile devices can try Dragon Go for general dictation (also available in iTunes) and Google applications like Voice Search.

 

While Siri has fascinated many with it’s voice features for the iPhone 4S, I am happy to see other alternatives available for the many other mobile devices.

 

Click HERE for the Nuance PaperPort Press Release.

 

 

 

TECH NEWS: Sony Announces Market Launch of Sony Tablet

Posted on by

No matter what mobile devices I carry, I will always have a laptop with at least a “17inch screen or desktop for my home office. I am typing this post on my 17″ Sony Vaio that has Windows 7 and at the time I bought it one of the fastest processors (Intel i7).  But when it comes to mobile use, when I am doing mobile work I carry a 13″ laptop and my smartphone. But for everyday mobile use my power duo lately seems to be a smartphone and a tablet. This morning I recieved an email with a press release with specifications and pricing for the newest tablet to hit the market: The Sony Vaio Tablet. I have not had a chance to try the Sony Tablet yet – but it sure seems enticing and in the world of accessorizing, a Sony Tablet to match my Sony Vaio would be a fun treat!

Here is the press release for more details:

PRESS RELEASE:

Sony Announces Market Launch of Sony Tablet

Two Optimally Designed Android™ Devices Deliver Portability, Easy Handling and an Immersive Entertainment Experience

SAN DIEGO, August 31, 2011 — Sony today announced the market launch of its first two Sony Tablet™ devices. The Android-powered Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P devices combine unique hardware, content and network services with seamless usability to create a world of engaging networked entertainment experiences.

Available for pre-sale today and on shelves next month, the Sony Tablet S device is optimized for rich media entertainment on its 9.4-inch touchscreen display. With a powerful NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile processor, the Sony Tablet S device lets you enjoy the web as well as your favorite content and applications on its large, high-resolution screen. Weighing in at just about 1.33 lbs., its unique asymmetric design allows for hours of comfortable use and built-in Wi-Fi® compatibility means Internet connectivity virtually anywhere there’s a hotspot.

Available later this year, the Sony Tablet P device is ideal for mobile communication and entertainment. With its innovative folding design, two 5.5-inch displays and weight at about 0.83 lbs., it can easily fit into a pocket, purse or backpack. It features the same NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile processor and is both Wi-Fi compatible and 4G capable exclusively on AT&T’s mobile broadband network,1 offering users access to digital content including videos, games, and e-mail, while on the go, nearly anytime.

Both devices run on Android, Android 3.1 on Sony Tablet S devices and Sony Tablet P devices will be equipped with Android 3.2 by the time they ship. Both models feature front and rear facing cameras that allow for video recording and capturing still images. The devices also support micro USB interface and SD card.

Sony Tablet devices are also distinguished by four key features that set them apart from any other tablets on the market. These include: optimally designed hardware and software, a “swift and smooth” experience, network entertainment services and cross-device functionality.

“These devices truly represent the best of everything Sony has to offer,” said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Networked Technology and Services Division. “From hardware to software and services, Sony Tablet devices embody all our innovations rolled into one.”

Optimally Designed Hardware and Software

Unlike other tablet devices, Sony Tablet S device has an ergonomic, asymmetric design which allows it to be easily held or carried for long periods of time. The unique form factor shifts the device’s weight closer to your palm, making it feel lighter and more comfortable while reading an e-book or watching a video. The screen is sloped when placed on a flat surface, enhancing visibility and making typing more comfortable. Placing a Sony Tablet S device onto a specialized charging cradle (sold separately) converts the device into a digital photo frame, a digital clock that displays customizable information or chumby with access to over 1,500 fun and entertaining apps.

Software taking advantage of the unprecedented design of the Sony Tablet P device allows its dual screens to be used for different  functions simultaneously such as playing video on one screen while using the other as a controller or reading email on one screen while using the other as a virtual keyboard. The displays can also be combined to form a single large screen for Internet browsing and more. By holding the device vertically, you can also read eBooks much in the same manner you would a physical book.

Both Sony Tablet devices are equipped with Sony’s TruBlack™ displays which reduce reflection and glare from sunlight or fluorescent light for high-contrast visibility both indoors and out.

Swift and Smooth Experience

A combination of Sony technologies, Quick view and Quick touch, allow for faster loading of web pages, a highly responsive and fluid touch screen as well as an exceptionally intuitive user interface. The large keys of the virtual keyboard take full advantage of screen real estate while automatically adjusting to the task at hand. A numeric keypad pops up when inputting passwords and word suggestions or auto word complete make email and texting a breeze.

Networked Entertainment

Both Sony Tablet devices come complete with access to a full suite of Sony’s network entertainment services.

·         Sony Entertainment Network services: Video Unlimited is your ticket to the latest releases from every major movie studio to rent or own. A pre-open campaign for the Sony Tablet devices will be offered at device launch with limited content and more content will continue to be released over time. Music Unlimited, available in October, offers instant access to a global catalog of over 10 million songs from every major record label (numbers vary by country). Simply sync to the cloud and enjoy the music you love on Sony Tablet devices or any other Internet-enabled Sony device. A six month trial basic membership from Music Unlimited and a free movie download from Video Unlimited come with the purchase of each device.

·         PlayStation® Certified: Sony Tablet devices are the first PlayStation® Certified tablets that provide out-of-the-box gaming with included favorites “Crash Bandicoot” and “Pinball Heroes.”

·         Reader™ Store: Access bestsellers, new releases, classics, magazines and more from more than 2.5 million titles at Reader™ Store by Sony. The store’s intuitive reading interface is ideal for on-the-go reading, allowing book lovers to set bookmarks, make highlights and adjust font sizes as they read. A free eBook download is included with the purchase of the device.

·         Personal Space™ by Sony: This free service allows you to easily share pictures and videos captured on Sony Tablet devices. You can also access albums that were previously uploaded from other devices.

Video, music, games and other content can be directly accessed by way of the “Favorites” menu without the need to re-launch any of the respective applications.

Cross Device Connectivity

Control your home entertainment system and enjoy content in new ways. With Sony Tablet devices, you can “throw” personal pictures and video to DLNA compatible televisions such as BRAVIA® HDTVs with the touch of a button. You can also throw music to compatible wireless speakers such as Sony’s HomeShare™ speakers. The Sony Tablet S device, which is equipped with infrared technology, can act as a remote control for multiple home entertainment components such as TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, cable and satellite boxes, and more. The built-in Universal remote not only controls your Sony products, but other brands as well. Sony Tablet S device is the world’s first Android Tablet running Honeycomb with a built in A/V remote control. Both Sony Tablet devices are compatible with the Media Remote™ app which allows you to control Sony devices, including BRAVIA televisions, through Wi-Fi® technology.

Wide Range of Applications

A variety of applications add to the entertainment options. With access to the Android Market™, you can browse thousands of useful time-saving and fun apps. Sony Tablet devices also provide instant access to Google™ mobile services and applications, including 3D maps and easy web search with Google Voice Search. To make app discovery even easier, Sony offers its Select App site which highlights new and unique Android applications in a number of categories, recommended for Sony Tablet devices. Recommended applications will be spotlighted at launch with more to come in the following weeks and months.

Accessories, Pricing, Availability

A range of optional accessories includes a cradle, AC adapter, LCD screen protector, carrying case and USB adaptor cable for Sony Tablet S devices, and a rechargeable battery pack, AC adapter, LCD screen protector, carrying case and detachable panels for Sony Tablet P devices. A Bluetooth keyboard is also available for both models.

The Sony Tablet S device is available in both a 16GB and 32 GB version and will be sold at Sony Stores including online and other authorized retailers nationwide for about $499 and $599, respectively. For more information, please visit www.sony.com/ tablet or check out www.sony.com/tabletvideo for a video unboxing.

*** For additional information about Sony Tablet devices, you can call (888) 315-SONY, or visit Sony’s web site at: www.sony.com/tablet.  

 

TechMama News Tip: Google To Acquire Motorola Mobility

Posted on by

Breaking news this morning just popped up in my email: Google To Acquire Motorola Mobility. The Google blog posted this information in their press release:

Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, “Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. ….. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

I have not been posting as much lately on my Typepad blog because I am in the middle of creating a new WordPress blog that will be able to highlight breaking news (details coming out asap). But reading this juicy piece of techie news made it hard not to post right away… But what does this mean to consumers?

Motorola’s Droid smartphone and Xoom tablet hardware lines use the Google Android operating system. Motorola is known for high quality hardware (but other manufacturers also have high quality smartphone hardware). Google makes the operating system that basically tells the smartphone hardware what to do. Google will run the unit as a separate business, but as a “Google” company will Motorola have more direct access to Android resources? The Google “Nexus” smartphone had this direct access and reviews described the phone as having the best Android experience and automatic updates. Maybe this will mean that a new line of smartphones will be released that have better Android operating system integration?

I do imagine that the other smartphone hardware companies running Android will become concerned – and hope that the Android Operating System eco-system will remain as open to all developers.

Tech4Moms commented on Twitter that it is all about the patent, and this CNET post agreed: Google just bought itself patent protection. TechMeme is abuzzin with posts about the Google aquisition of Motorola. My favorite tech blogger Eliane Fiolet from Ubergizmo posted with a great deal name: “Moogle and the Future of Mobile“.

The fragmentation for Android devices make it harder for developers to code Android apps (i.e. different size handsets etc). Apple streamlined their iPhone hardware so developers have an easier time. Maybe this is a step to try to streamline the Android smartphone hardware as well?

Who knows? But I will be watching to see what new products come out of this acquisition. I wonder what my online community thinks of this news?

MOTOROLA PRESS RELEASE:

Continue reading →