This blog  was created this past fall when I decided that I really wanted to write about tech and gadgets on a regular basis and it didn’t seem that those topics would fit with my personal blog, Stacey Says. My feeble attempt at focus.

The problem with niche blogging or at least with the tech/gadget niche is that each post takes so long to write. Typically I can ramble off a post in an hour or two.  Tech posts take me days.  Unless I’m just writing about a program or gadget that I’m already using, there is research that must be done.  I don’t want to post about something that I don’t know anything about so I first need to learn about it and then write about it a unique way.  It takes a lot of time!

Too much time.  More time than I have.  Between writing at Stacey Says, writing for 5 Minutes for Mom, planning the Gleek Retreat, and, oh yeah, taking care of the house and kids, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to another site.  Posting once every two weeks isn’t going to keep my readers coming back for more.  So, I’m hitting the pause button on Girls Gone Gadget.  But, I’m not hitting the pause button on writing about tech and gadgets.

I’ve decided that, since this blog is an extension of me, then writing about gadgets and tech at Stacey Says isn’t completely out of place.  So, from now on, I will be writing tech posts over there. This isn’t to say that I’m completely tossing Girls Gone Gadget away.  I just might resurrect it when I get a little better handle on my time!

I’d love to have you follow me over to Stacey Says and, if the family stuff isn’t something you want to read, then skip over those and just read the techy ones.

This is me continuing to find that illusive balance of blogging!

As the warmer weather approaches, I am looking forward to getting outside with my girls more.  Of course it seems that the more outside activities we do, the more videos I shoot.  From my four year old learning to ride her bike without training wheels to two year old running through the sprinkler…I’m hoping to catch each of those moments on video this summer.  But what camera should I trust those memories to?

It’s no secret that Pocket Cams are quickly replacing the bulky camcorders and when I say “bulky” I have to laugh because the camcorders on the market now are a fraction of the size of the camcorders we used when I was a kid!  I digress, back to the Pocket Cams!

The Flip has been the front runner of Pocket Cams since it first hit the virtual-shelves in 2007.  It’s compact design, easy connectivity, and affordable price tag took the market by storm and the Flip still seems to be a hot commodity with it’s updated design and features.  However, the Flip isn’t alone in the Pocket Cam family.  So, let’s compare a few!

The Flip

Flip now offers the Ultra and the Mino.  Both versions are available in a HighDef model and range from 2GB to 8GB, capturing 60 – 120 minutes of high-quality video.  They feature a convenient playback screen for easy viewing and a nifty little USB connector that flips out and plugs your camera directly into your computer for easy downloading (thus the name, Flip).

Flips range in price from $149.99 to $229.99 and now come in a variety of colors and designs.  You can even create your own custom design, pick from an design gallery (which has some very cool designs), or upload your own personal image, making the Flip even more desirable and fashionable.

With the latest FlipShare software you can even upload your videos directly to Facebook, making the Flip MinoHDeven more desirable!

Kodak’s Zi8

With their finger on the pulse of photography and videography, Kodak took a little more time developing their amazing Pocket Cam.  This makes the Zi8 less known but also means they have put some pretty cool features together in this compact video camera.

The Kodak Zi8 captures HD quality video and can record up to 10 hours of HD video with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot.  The external microphone jack allows you to capture quality audio as well.  The Zi8 allows you to easily transfer your videos to your computer through a built-in USB arm, released by the flick of a button at the bottom of the camera.

Those cool features I mentioned include the ability to take 5 MP 16:9 HD still photos, image stabilization, and smart face tracking technology.  The Zi8 only comes in three colors, so it’s not as fashionably fun as the Flip but I do love that the SD/SDHC card slot allows me to shoot a ton more footage without having to offload to a computer right away.  At $199.95, the Kodak Zi8 is definitely a contender!

iPod nano

Yes, I said iPod!  The newest release of Apple’s iPod nano, on top of playing music from your iTunes and FM radio, also shoots video.  The downfall is that it only shoots in standard-definition, which means lower quality than the Zi8 or the Flip.  Although the Nano lens does offer the widest-angle of most pocket cams and offers sharp images when shot very close-up.

While the Nano may not be the best on tech specs, it does scream fun!  Of course it comes in a range of vibrant colors and has the whole music player side of things, but the Nano also comes loaded with 16 fun video effects.  As you shoot your footage you can add trippy effects (like Kaleidoscope or Twirl), robotic effects (Cyborg), or the classic Film Grain effect.

The iPod nano is currently priced at $149 for 8GB and $179 for 16GB.

The Verdict

So, where does that leave us? Well, it all depends on what you’re looking for in your pocket cam.  All three brands are comparable in price, are small enough to throw in your pocket or purse and each has it’s own set of special features.

If you’re looking for something fun and aren’t concerned with HD footage, then the iPod nano might be a good fit.  Fun colors, small, and serves a dual purpose (video and music player).

If you’re looking for high quality video and like to personalize your gadgets, the Flip is a good option.  But, if you’re fine with a camera in the standard color, the Zi8 seems like the best bang for your buck!  High quality, room to expand, and great price!  And the image stabilization and smart face tracking technology seems perfect for catering those kids on the move!!!

Good luck with your camera shopping and your video shooting!

As skeptical as I was at first about the Classmate PC and it’s resemblance to Apple’s Clamshell, I’m actually very intrigued by it now!  Especially since it is Netbook!!!

Photo courtesy of ClassmatePC.com

The Classmate PC is designed with kids in mind!  The Classmate PC is built to be more durable than the standard netbook and includes a built-in case with a handle for easy portability.  This netbook, unlike other kid targeted netbooks, is not designed around a specific cartoon character or kids show, but it still has a kid-friendly design.  The Classmate PC is targeted toward K-8 students and is rumored to include educational software.

While the Classmate PC has been around for a few years now, the new Convertible Classmate PC has a fun, fresh little twist!  And I mean twist in the most literal sense!  The screen on the convertible Classmate PC can be twisted so that the netbook transforms from from a netbook to a slate!  That’s pretty cool!!!

The convertible Classmate has not yet been released and pricing is not available, but I’ll be very interested to see how it performs.  The idea is absolutely fabulous and I think it would be perfect for my preschooler!  The extra durability factor boosts this netbook up pretty high on my list of ‘must haves’!

Technology has quickly become a staple in our educational systems.  You would have a hard time finding a classroom in any school across the US that does not have a computer either in each classroom or a computer lab for students to access, regardless if it is high school or elementary.  Schools are even handing out laptops and netbooks to their students and the hardbound textbooks are becoming as extinct as the dinosaurs.  But is all of this a good thing?

We can spend hours and hours debating the relevancy and ramifications of tech in our classrooms, but the questions will still remain!  And, thanks to one school district, even more questions are hitting the surface — this time about students’ rights and privacy!

Last week a story broke about a school district in Philadelphia reportedly spying on high school students via the built-in cameras on their school-provided laptops while the students had the laptops at home!

The alleged spying was discovered when the school disciplined a student for “improper behavior in his home.”  As evidence the Vice Principal showed a photo of the student in his home taken by the school-provided laptop webcam.  Students had complained to the school tech department that the camera light on his MacBook would randomly turn on (the little green light next to the webcam shows when the built in webcam has been activated), but the IT department dismissed the problem saying that programs accessing the camera must have been in use or that it was a glitch.

FLiP

The FLiP is VTech’s new animated e-book reader for children.  From the pictures on VTech’s Facebook fan page, the screen resolution looks really good!  Bonus points for that alone! It also appears to already have “books” from some of your (ok, your kids) favorite characters.

(credit: VTech Toy’s Facebook page)

mobiGO

The mobiGO is a handheld finger-touch animated learning system, the first of it’s kind for VTech.  The screen appears to slide out and up to reveal a keyboard underneath and, like the FLiP, incorporates popular characters.

(credit: VTech Toy’s Facebook page)

Both, the FLiP and mobiGO, are said to be available this August but there is no word on price, yet.  I am excited for these two kids gadgets to hit the market because they look like good quality and fun devices.  I can’t wait to get more details about both of these and, hopefully, get a chance to try them out for myself!

For more pictures of these VTech gadgets and the other VTech toys debuting at the International Toy Fair, check out VTech Toy’s Facebook page.

While a lot of these new toys will incorporate some amazing technology, there is one that isn’t necessarily gadgety but is definitely gadget-noteworthy — BARBIE!

That’s right, Barbie has entered the world of tech and gadgets as she takes on her 126th career as a computer engineer!

The Computer Engineer Barbie joins a long line of Barbies in the “I Can Be” series after Mattel launched an online campaign last year where girls could vote for the newest Barbie career.  She will, of course, be decked out with a laptop, smartphone, and Bluetooth headset.  Computer Engineer Barbie is slated to hit store shelves this fall.

I think it is awesome that Computer Engineer has made it’s way onto Barbie’s resume.  I love that this profession is being introduced to young girls on such a huge scale!   I would love to see my girls playing with Computer Engineer Barbie and pretending to be such.  And that’s not completely out there since they already walk around the house pretending they are talking on their phones via their Bluetooth!

What I”m a little skeptical about is Barbie’s outfit and, honestly, I don’t know why.  At first I was appalled that Computer Engineer Barbie was shown wearing a crazy print shirt, hot pink glasses, hot pink shoes, and leggings.  Really, is that something a Computer Engineer would wear?  Well, maybe.  After I started thinking about it I realized that why couldn’t Computer Engineers wear that outfit?  Did I expect her to wear a suit or toss aside her natural “Barbie” style?

Regardless of her style, Barbie has gone tech and I think it’s awesome!

The most popular New Year’s resolution is, without a doubt, to get into shame/lose weight.  And yet that is one of the most difficult to keep.  If you’re anything like me, you want to get to the gym but making time to get there is pretty impossible when you have little ones a home.  I’ve actually had people ask me, “So, if you can’t make it to the gym, how are you hoping to lose the weight?”  Well, if I want any chance at losing weight this year, I need to depend on the resources I have right here at home.

Those in-home resources have typically been treadmills & stationary bikes (which I don’t have room for) and workout DVDs (which I’m growing bored of).  I was more than excited when I received the Wii Fit last year at Christmas and have really enjoyed mastering the workouts and activities that came with it.  But, this year, I’m looking for something a little different!

This year Ubisoft has released the latest interactive fitness product for the Wii — Your Shape!

What makes Your Shape different than the other fitness games out there?  Well, Your Shape allows you to create a fitness program personalized to help you achieve your fitness goals.  The game features a camera that detects your movements so that Jenny McCarthy can correct your form right as you exercise.  Wait, did I mention that the game also features Jenny McCarthy?  That’s right, Jenny McCarthy will be your fitness friend and guide as you work your way through Your Shape.  And you know that if it has Jenny McCarthy it’s going to be fun!

The concept and equipment behind this game seems pretty cool.  You can learn more about the game and see how the camera and game work by visiting YourShapeGame.org.  I haven’t had the chance to use this game yet but I’m really interested in picking it up soon!  I do know that moms are out there using Your Shape and loving it!!!  That is why Your Shape is making my list of how I’m going to succeed in losing weight and getting into shape this year!

Here are my 5 New Year’s resolutions for getting healthy and fit in 2010:

1. Get moving — be more active on a day to day basis with my kids!  Dance around the house, get outside and hike through the snow (hopefully the snow will be gone soon though!), nature hikes
2. Become a runner — this Spring I’m hoping to discover the love of running.
3. Put down the soda — opt for water instead of the Dr. Pepper or Coke.
4. Go healthy or Go home — when eating out with my family I need to really look at what I’m choosing to eat.  Do I need to order the french fries?  And I need to remember that it is ok if I don’t finish my plate!  Portion sizes are huge these days and by taking home a ‘doggy-bag’ I not only cut down on how much I’m eating but I have something for lunch the next day!
5. Take advantage of the tech — games like Your Shape are an amazing asset for me getting into shape!  It’s new, it’s fun, it’s actually working me out.  I can do it at home and my girls even have fun doing these fitness games with me!

So, there you have it!  I’ll keep you updated as to when I get Your Shape and what I think of it.  In the mean time, I’d love to hear what you’re doing to keep your resolutions this year.  I’d especially love to hear if you’ve tried Your Shape!  You can leave me a comment here or join the conversation going on at Twitter Moms.

*disclaimer: I did not receive any product or compensation from Nintendo or Ubisoft for this post.

Unless you’ve been cut-off from all media, you’ve at least caught wind of the rumors that Apple has been working on a new tablet computer of sorts. Speculations on what it would look like, when it would be released, and even what it would be named were the subject of many news articles, tech-blog posts, and tweets for months. And now, the wait is over!

On Wednesday, during a keynote address, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the much anticipated iPad.

Now, while I’m not a fan of the name (come on Apple, you could have come up with something better than that), I do think the iPad has a lot of potential, especially for moms. While the thin and light weight machine (0.5″ thick and 1.5 pounds) can be easily slipped inside a purse or diaper bag and taken with you wherever you go, how does it actually measure up?

At first glance the iPad resembles something of an overgrown iPhone or iPod Touch. It has the similar “home button” bottom center and the “desktop” features all of the typical iPhone/iPod Touch buttons — mail, calendar, photos, etc. You even swipe left to right to access more screens (i.e. more apps) and have your key apps located at the bottom of the screen for quick and convenient access.

So, with it being so similar to an iPhone or iTouch, why not just stick with or opt to purchase one of those? Well, as a mom, there are some key features that you’ll appreciate on the iPad that just aren’t available (or as nice) on the iPhone, yet…

1. Speed

The iPad is amazingly fast when loading webpages…a huge plus when you only have a few minutes before naptime ends to check out your favorite blogger’s latest update.

2. Bigger is Better

One of the biggest complaints I hear from moms regarding smart phones is that everything is so small. A lot of moms are still carrying around their old daily planners and address books because the calendar and address book on smart phones are just too small for them. Not to mention the small keyboard!

The new iPad features a much bigger and more enjoyable experience when using apps such as the calendar and contacts, thanks in part to the larger screen. But the apps also feature easier scrolling, editing, and quick views. The iPad is easy to read and input data (with it’s 9.7″ LED-backlit display) and even syncs with your home Mac. This is seems like a good solution for the mom who is still clutching on to those clunky paper planners but wants to enter the digital age.

3. Photos

This is probably my most favorite part of the iPad. The way in which you can store, display, sort, and view your photos is amazing! With one swipe of your fingers you can quickly view all the photos in each of your albums — no more paging through your photos to find the one of your daughter jumping in the mud puddle! You really have to see this feature it to appreciate it! You can also set your photos to display as a slideshow and use a docking station to display your iPad as a digital photo frame.

4. Video

The first thing I thought of when I saw video playing on the iPad was “this would be awesome when traveling with my kids!” Coupled with the 10 hour battery life and the ability to download movies and tv shows from built-in iTunes, I know the video capabilities would definitely keep my kids (and me) entertained on those long trips in the car or on a plane!

….Click here to finish reading at BusyMommyMedia.com…

Most days my four year old is begging me to either let her play on the computer or asking me to print her yet another picture of her favorite Disney princess (which changes daily).  She loves seeing little videos of her favorite characters or clips from her favorite cartoons, shows, and movies.  And let’s admit it….I enjoy the videos, too!

Well, now Disney has released even more videos and these are videos that parents will especially appreciate!

The Disney Living Channel on YouTube offers “How-To” videos that feature an array of topics from how to organize the perfect Disney Princess party to fun Disney-esque recipes.  You will even find Disney experts sharing with you fashion and make up tips inspired by Disney stars, how to draw Mickey Mouse, and more!  My daughter was in awe when watching “How-to Shine Like a Disney Princess”!

If you and your family love Disney, you’ll definitely want to bookmark Disney Living on your browser and check back often for even more upcoming How-To videos!

I’m curious though, what would you like to see on the Disney Living Channel’s How-to section?  Maybe a How-To for creating a Disney themed party for boys?  Or maybe a How-To on decorating a Disney themed playroom or bedroom?  I’d love to pass your suggestions on to the folks at Disney Consumer Products, so leave me a comment and let me know what you’d like to see!!

The tote simply attaches to the back of an airline seat by sliding over the tray table.  The bag keeps all of your child’s goodies organized with the different pockets, some mesh and some zippered.  The large pockets are great for books, coloring pages or holding their hand-held video games.  The zippered pockets are perfect to secure game cartridges, crayons, or pencils.  All of the other pockets can hold an iPod, snacks, extra tissues or wipes, or whatever it is that will keep your child entertained for the flight.  The Airplane Seat Back Valet even includes a spot to hold their water bottle!

The best part is that the organizer, when not in use, folds in half and becomes a convenient bag that you can tote with the included shoulder strap or handles.  Perfect for when you are chasing your little one around the terminal!

Although I haven’t seen the bag in person it does sound like a great solution when traveling with a child of any age!  The bag itself measures 11.75″ x 8″ when closed and costs $39.95 at www.hammacher.com — definitely an affordable price for a (hopefully) peaceful trip!