Techish

How to keep in touch with kids too young to own a smartphone

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Let’s face it, parents, most of us lose our kids at least once or twice while they’re growing up. Sometimes they just get a little too good at hide-and-seek, as my then-four-year-old daughter did for a few heart-stopping moments inside a department store several years ago. Or maybe they just aren’t where we expect them to be — even for a minute or two — and it’s absolutely terrifying. Apps on smartphones like Life360 and even Find My Friends work great to help track down teens and older kids mature enough to manage the responsibility of owning a smartphone. But what about for younger ones? What’s the best way to keep a watchful eye — that isn’t a smartphone? TECH THAT FOLLOWS THE KIDS ... Read more

Apple announces customizable Memoji at WWDC 2018, and I want is so bad…

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There's not a lot Bitmoji can't do: They perfectly convey your every emotion, have incredible taste in clothes, and, thanks to a recent Snapchat update, they can even walk, dance, and eat. The one thing they can't do is talk — until now, that is. Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday that the next iPhone software update, iOS 12, will include something called "Memoji," which are basically a cross between Bitmoji and Apple's own augmented reality Animoji. According to a press release, Memoji are brand-new AR emojis that can be sent as texts or used as stickers in iMessage or FaceTime. Like Animoji, the new feature allows you to control an animated head with your ... Read more

JENN’S LIST: These are the Best Gadget Gifts to Upgrade Dad Right Now!

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Father's Day is fast approaching, and the benefit of doing your shopping for the Old Man now rather than the day before is that you can afford to browse a bit. Take your time and meander. I've done all the research for you - here's a little something to upgrade every kind of dad - in every price range: Father's Day is Sunday, June 17! Lenovo Mirage Solo Camera ($300) and VR Headset with Daydream($400): This new point-and-shoot camera captures everything you see — in the way you see it — photos and video! You can then watch it on TV, see it on your smartphone (it makes family photos look like those “live” photos from the Harry Potter movies), or go all-in with the totally standalone ... Read more

7 of the best gadgets to keep you looking and feeling cool this summer

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In case the longer days and sweltering heat didn't already tip you off: Summer is almost here. We're less than a month away from the official start of summer, which means beach trips, cookouts, and camping out just because you can. But before you go stocking up on burgers and popsicles, consider upgrading your gadget loadout to make the most of the next few months. Scorkl (starting at $229.00) Scuba diving is a blast, but it's also pretty hard to get into. I mean you need so much equipment to get started, right? Wrong! The Scorkl is an endlessly refillable mini underwater breathing tank that will give you 10 minutes of air so you can spend a little longer below the waves. No huge ... Read more

AS SEEN ON KTVU: Mother’s Day Gadgets and Last Minute Ideas!

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In case you missed our segment with our family at KTVU last weekend morning -- here's everything I talked about: Mother’s Day is right around the corner and thanks to the latest tech tools and insider “hacks,” you still have time to give her something she actually wants and needs this year.  1. SWEET TREATS AND GORGEOUS BLOOMS: FTD.COM and Berries.Com:  This is one of my annual go-to’s – and the latest tech makes it super easy:  I ordered this “Irreplaceable Luxury Bouquet’” and this “Pink at Heart Orchid Bouquet” on Friday from FTD.com. Less than a day later –  a florist from Park Florist on Park Boulevard in Oakland delivered it herself to my doorstep. The carefully crafted bouquets are ... Read more

Mother’s Day 2018 Gift Ideas and Smart Tech Hacks to Win Child of the Year!

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According to a handful of Mother’s Day surveys and polls, most moms want one gift over all others this year: More sleep. That’s right, give us one night of completely, totally, blissfully uninterrupted sleep, and you’ll win child (or husband, or BFF) of the year. Even those of us Moms with older kids (mine is 17) aren’t getting nearly enough, according to a study presented at 2017’s American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Boston. THESE APPS = GREAT GIFT HACKS Best tech hack to help Mom get the peace and quiet she craves? Download the HotelTonight app (free, iOS and Android). It gives you access to fantastic deals, super low rates, and awesome experiences in more than ... Read more

MAY THE FOURTH: Star Wars: Jedi Challenges Gets Dual Play!

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I'm 47 going on 12. My favorite AR experience of the year just got soooo much better. Everyone wants to be a Jedi, but dreaming of wielding a lightsaber in an epic battle used to require a really good imagination. Not anymore, thanks to Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, the awesome augmented reality bundle for Lenovo's AR headset. The package launched late last year and has been getting awesome updates along the way. Now, to celebrate "Star Wars Day" — May the 4th be with you! — the app is getting a huge addition: one-vs-one lightsaber duels. Check out the official below this clip of me trying it out: (I'm awful, but man oh man, it's a freaking blast!!! And a serious workout ... Read more

Lenovo’s new VR headset and VR camera are a glorious combo!

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Virtual reality gadgets have taken longer to catch on than anyone thought, but Lenovo just released a pair of high-tech VR gadgets that feel like a step in an entirely new direction. Mirage Solo The first thing you'll notice about Lenovo's new Mirage Solo headset ($399.99) is that, well, it looks a lot like most of the other virtual reality wearables out there. It's like a big white viewfinder with a headstrap and round camera lenses for eyes. What you won't see — and this is a big deal — is wires. You don't have to hook it up to anything, and you don't have to sacrifice your smartphone by sticking it inside, this is a totally self-contained wearable. Inside is a bright, vivid LCD ... Read more

Going, Going, Gone? Can the Oculus Go VR Headset really hit a home run?

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No matter how excited I get with VR -- peering over the edge of a skyscraper, staring a T-Rex in the eye, or swimming with Blue whales -- the emerging tech still hasn't reached its stride. That might all change very soon with the arrival of the much-anticipated Oculus Go. This new headset, which went on sale Tuesday, strikes a serious sweet-spot. It costs just $200. It has no cables. It’s easy to use. It works for iPhone people and Android people, Mac people and PC people. It's like the Switzerland of new gadgets. And as other reviewers point out, it’s for more than just playing games. Call it Oculus and chill: The Go lets you curl up and watch TV virtually along with a faraway friend. ... Read more

Apple Watch prices are lower than ever – here’s how to score a deal!

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They might have taken a few years to really catch on, but it's clear that smartwatches are here to stay. Apple's Apple Watch is the leader of the pack, and with a couple of big upgrades under its belt it's easily the most capable wearable around. The great news is that Apple Watches aren't nearly as expensive as they used to be, and you don't need to drop half a grand just for the privilege of owning one. There's all kinds of awesome Apple Watch deals going on right now, so check these out if you're looking for a new companion for your wrist. Apple Watch Series 1 The most affordable Apple watch around is a bargain no matter where you look. Apple: $249 Amazon: $199 - $243 Best ... Read more

JENN’S LIST: Best Gadgets of Spring 2018

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Spring has sprung, and now that the last remnants of winter have melted away it's time start 2018 for real. We're only four months into the year, but there are already some awesome new gadget trends starting to emerge. Oculus Go ($199) Oculus got off to a bit of a slow start with the Rift virtual reality headset, but it's hoping to make up a whole lot of ground with the all-new Oculus Go, a wireless VR gadget that you can take anywhere. It's an entirely standalone VR experience, meaning no messy wires and you don't need a pricey computer to attach it to, and at $199 it's a whole lot cheaper than most of the other virtual reality headsets out there. Developers have already been ... Read more

Samsung’s spring sales are just in time for Mother’s Day

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Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13th, and if you haven't already gotten mom something you know she's going to love, your time is ticking away fast. Leave it to Samsung to have a couple of awesome springtime deals just in time for the big day. To ring in the spring, Samsung's incredible "The Frame" 4K TV is getting a $400 price cut for both the 55 inch and 65-inch models. The Frame is like no other TV you've ever seen — it's an ultra-sharp 4K TV when you need it, but when you don't, it transforms into a gallery-like art display that will add a touch of class to any living space. It was designed in collaboration with world-famous designed Yves Béhar, I featured it in my 2018 CES coverage, and ... Read more

Feature phones are making a comeback, and here are some of the best for 2018

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Smartphones have dominated our pockets and purses for the past decade, but they've grown so powerful (and, in many cases, totally addictive) that more and more people are longing for the days when funky flip phones were all the rage. Sit back and ask yourself: What apps do you absolutely need on your phone to make it through your day? If the answer is "almost none of them," you might find yourself living a less stressful digital existence if you opt for a feature phone instead. Even if you need a smartphone during the week, a more basic phone can be an excellent option for the weekend. (They're great for pre-teens first phone too.) Here are a few of the best options if you're looking ... Read more

FTD Is Having a Massive Sale on Mother’s Day Flowers Right Now

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Yes, Mom loves a good flower bouquet for Mother's Day, but she also doesn’t want you to blow your budget on peonies. FTD understands the struggle, which is why it's having a massive site-wide sale right now. All flowers, plants, and gifts are 20% off. We rounded up some of our favorites, so get ready: your perfect Mother’s Day gift is only a click away. Mum's the Word Bouquet $32 and up BUY NOW She won’t be able to stop smiling when this arrangement — bursting with pink gerbera daisies, purple gillyflower, white Peruvian Lilies, and green spider mums — is delivered to her front door. The Perfect Day Bouquet $36 and up BUY NOW This best-selling bouquet of bright roses ... Read more

One of the most popular robot vacuums is just $99 right now on Amazon

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It wasn't all that long ago that robot vacuums would set you back hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but a whole lot has changed over the past few years. Like any kind of new tech, a whole bunch of companies jumped on the robot vacuum trend, and prices have plummeted as a result. Some cheap ones don't exactly live up to their promise, but with nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon, Housmile's $99 robot vacuum is a win/win. Here's the product highlights: Premium Features: infrared-sensor for evading obstacles, and smart drop-sensing tech to avoid falls. High-Capacity Li-ion Battery: Delivers over 1.5 hours of fade-free power for constant, powerful suction. Easy ... Read more

If you’ve been waiting to try the Amazon Fire TV Stick with built-in Alexa, it’s super cheap right now

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For in-home streaming, there's really only two games in town: Google's Chromecast and Amazon's Fire TV stick. Both let you stream all kinds of shows and movies, but Amazon's built-in apps for Netflix, HBO, Hulu, NBC, and a whole bunch of others make it the best choice if you don't feel like fiddling with your smartphone to start streaming. Oh, and if you don't already have an Alexa-enabled speaker sitting on your coffee table, the included remote has built-in Alexa voice, too! The Fire TV Stick's highlights: The next generation of our best-selling Fire TV Stick–now with the Alexa Voice Remote. Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills with access to over 500,000 ... Read more