The Telecommuting Mom » Phones

iPad could replace laptop for most?

Michele — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:43:56 +0000

I’ve read a few reviews on the iPad and many of them say the iPad could replace the laptop for many folks. The rate at which technology increases in speed and computing power (i.e Moore’s Law) is astounding. But the rate at which new products are touted at the next must have item is equally astounding.

I am intrigued by the sexy, futuristic iPad but I’m overwhelmed, too. Long ago I would get excited over the newest iteration of cell phone but now I’m simply getting annoyed by all of this technology.

Last year the netbook was the “it” tech item, with reviewers writing that it would replace the laptop.

How many gadgets do we need? How many gadgets will marketers get us to purchase?

A desktop computer?

A cellphone?

A laptop?

A netbook?

an iPod?

Blackberry?

iPhone?

iTouch?

Kindle?

iPad?

AAGHHH!

And when the latest gadget comes along what do we do with the old? It’s such a waste.

I await the day not far into the future when we have what my husband has coined “the iWall”. We’ll be able to turn a wall into a giant touch screen and flip through documents and type simply by brushing our fingers across the wall.

Smartpower – Duracell’s myGrid

Michele — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:48:32 +0000

I saw this ad in a magazine the other day and wondered if anyone has used it? It’s Duracell’s myGrid Charge Pad.

The site says “With drop-and-go charging for up to four devices at once, myGrid takes the hassle—and the cords—out of charging your mobile devices. Just put a Power Sleeve™ or Power Clip on each of your handheld devices and then you can simply place them on myGrid to charge. myGrid works with most cell phones, including Apple,® BlackBerry, Motorola, and Nokia as well as most handheld MP3 players.”

I’d like to hear how well it works. It looks pretty neat to me.

Embracing the digital age

Michele — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:18:27 +0000

It’s been a busy few months working part-time for three societies and taking care of children, a husband and a home. How does everyone do it? I’m constantly amazed at the number of Facebook posts and Twitter updates folks make on a daily basis when I feel fortunate just to have reviewed my personal email.

I have been slow to embrace all that technology has to offer. Really. I mean, I just started texting this year and I think I’ve hit the 10 texts mark. My main problem with technology is that there will always be something better, something faster, something sexier. And these gadgets are not cheap. The question is, for how long will I just dip my toes in the water, lurking at the edge, hesitating? When will be the right time to pony up the cash and just do it? I decided I really need to get my act together and embrace this digital age in which we live.

Alas, I was very sad when I went to the Verizon store to upgrade to a smart phone and realized that unless I want to pay $600 for the Palm Pre (which I really, really want) I will have to wait an entire year before I am eligible for another upgrade. (My last phone met its watery death thanks to a wayward bottle of apple juice and I had to buy a new phone out of sync with my plan).

Drat. I don’t want to switch service providers unless someone can give me a great (I mean really great) reason to get the iPhone, so I suppose I’ll spend the next year reviewing the 50 new phones that come on the market. And making sure it’s time to swim.