tech-section

Category : Apps

joya logoSome times, sending a still photograph just isn’t enough; it just doesn’t quite capture the scene. Some times, a loved one wants to see the baby babble, toddle or play in action for themselves. Joya is a mobile app designed for iPhone that makes it easy to share videos of everyday moments to stay connected with family and friends.

There are no install or signups required to use Joya and it so easy – anyone can use it. Joya makes it easy to decide who to share your videos with too, videos can be sent over email or text message with a private link. And you never have to wonder who is watching your videos, you will receive messages every time your videos are viewed. Best yet, there is no size limit on your videos that you can share with Joya so take your time and make sure you get every moment captured.

Recently, I have been experimenting with taking video using my iPhone 5. I love the idea of capturing my kids in action and sending it to family and friends who don’t get to see them as often as they would like. I love that Joya makes sharing my videos so effortless.

Joya App

To add a new video, you simply click the yellow + button in the top right corner. Then you select which videos you would like to share.

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Joya is easy to use. To share a video simply tap on the videos you want your family and friends to see and they will automatically get a link via email or SMS.

Features of Joya:
  • Free
  • Stay connected with family and friends!
  • No video size limits
  • Easy and FAST
  • No install or signups 
  • Know when each video is being watched

Joya is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

For more information log on to Joya now.
You can also find Joya at the iTunes store.
You can also find Joya on Facebook.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

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When it comes to taking photos these days we are predominantly using those fabulous cameras on our phones. iPhones are known for their magnificent pictures. One of the things about traveling is that you want to have a great camera with you to capture the special moments and sites. The following apps make it so you can just use your iPhone to take all of your pictures on your next trip. Don’t pack a separate camera on your next trip, just download these apps.

Wood Camera – The most editing control available on the iPhone. ($0.99) These are some pictures taken with Wood Camera:

Wood Camera - Brooklyn Bridge at night square

Wood Camera - Vernazza in Cinque Terre Italy 3

Wood Camera - Island of Roatan 2

8mm – The best iPhone video app. Provides a lot of the same functionality as Wood Camera, but in video format. ($1.99) Please note there is an app for the iPhone and a separate one for iPad should you have one. Check out this video using 8mm: 8mm – Naples Italy 2

Over — The quickest and easiest way to add text to spice up your travel photos. ($1.99)

Color Splash — Allows you to bring out a specific object in color, and make the background black and white. Great for shots of iconic landmarks or buildings. ($1.99) Please note there is an app for the iPhone and a separate one for iPad should you have one.

Diptic – Great for arranging your trip pics in framed collages and collections for sharing. ($0.99) These are some collages made with Diptic.

Diptic - Honduras Diptic - New York City 3

About our Guest Writer:

John Barnett is a professional travel photographer and cinematographer and a contributor to Getty Images. Equally at home leading a photo walk in Venice, Italy or exploring Base Camp at Mount Everest, John has been fascinated by mobile photography since the launch of the original iPhone. Previously the Media Director for Twitpic, in 2011 he co-founded Bright Mango LLC, the Vero Beach, Florida-based developer behind the popular Wood Camera photography app for iPhone. You can follow his photos on Instagram @johnbarnett

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When I was pregnant with my daughter, I remember asking my mom if she had my baby book because I wanted to start looking into timing of my milestones and see what I looked like at different ages.  The answer I got was a “well…umm… hmmm..” and with uncertainty I followed that answer up with a “you do have my baby book right?”

I very vividly remember seeing my older sister’s baby book and how each of her milestones were marked with dates and pictures and so what is with this response?  A few minutes later, my mom, looking very somber, appears with an old book in her hands!  Woooh, you found it!  “Well, yes babe, I found it, but… ” excited I grab the aged pale pink book and open it.  Getting even more giddy, I flip open and on the first page is my name and birthday and how much I weighed written out in a beautiful cursive!  “Oh Mom, this is great!” and I look up and she still has this saddened look on her face.  Still confused I turn the page… EMPTY!  I flip to the next page… EMPTY!  Wait, what?

Well it didn’t take much longer after that for it to set in that my poor baby book had only had the first page filled out… DOH!

My parents had what I had always heard as the “When the second kid comes around, you are so busy, that we didn’t have time to write down and scrapbook a picture at each event.”  Oh man!

From that day on, I vowed that I was not going to let that happen to my children!  I mean how busy could you possibly be?

My daughter was only a month old when I realized, that is was going to be crazy hard to make sure I kept track of all her milestones and pictures.  It took me a few months to complete, but after my daughter’s first year, working on it with all my free time, I finished her baby book.  Wooh!

Fast forward to our second baby!  Two in diapers and you can barely find time to get yourself showered.  Let alone transfer all the pictures and milestones you’ve captured on your phone (our primary camera these days) to your computer, printing them out and writing in the book.  WHO THE HECK HAS TIME?

Oh man, is my son going to suffer from the same no baby book syndrome that I did?

Guess what?  They have an app for that!  No, I’m serious!  Its the best thing to happen to busy moms and dads in a long time!  And its FREE!  Even better!

The Story of You App is a digital baby book where busy parents can record milestones as they happen and add pictures.  The app includes six different design templates, its Facebook integrated (SERIOUSLY AWESOME), and includes pre-built time lines and milestones from first words to the first step.  There is even room to create your own!  “And since no two  families are alike, their templates can specify single, adoptive and same sex parent households” According to the co-found Mike “JB” John-Baptiste.  How fabulous is that?

The best part is that when you’re finished, you can post it to your Facebook wall, email it to family and friends or print out a hardcover version to give as gifts to the grandparents!

Its SOOO EASY!

  • 1.) Download the FREE APP HERE
  • 2.) Open the app and they guide you through the rest!
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Four simple steps to get it started and its just a few clicks to add your child’s name and pictures and lastly pick a template and voila, its created for you!

Then its a matter of adding each of the milestones:

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Some other great features this app has that I’m loving:

Milestone reminders: You will receive relevant reminders to add data as specific milestones are approaching.

One Click Printing: They offer beautiful hardcover books through a simple process done right inside the app. Change the colors and content of your baby book and print different versions for various family members and yourself. **Available in February**

Sharing: After you’ve finished your baby book, you can share it privately via email to family and friends. Although your book is best viewed on an iPad, even loved ones that don’t own the device can view the book via our secure website. Even better: You don’t have to wait to finish your book to begin sharing. Special moments can be shared at any time via email or by posting them to Facebook.

Finished product is awesome!

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From one busy mom to the other… download now and get started!

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW

Disclaimer: This is a paid sponsored post. The above opinions are my own.

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PnT home

So imagine that you’re in a dressing room and have a dress on you can’t decide to buy or not. Does it fit right? Is it flattering? Is it the right color? I know this has happened to you because it’s definitely happened to me. What if you could send a picture of yourself in the dressing room to a group of fashion mavens who can help you decide? Well that is just 1 of the many features offered by the Pickn’Tell App on both iTunes and Google Play.

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The future of shopping is changing just like everything else because now Social Media will be integrated into your shopping experience. The creators of Pickn’Tell Dalit Braun and Asaf Lewin predict that:

1. More people will be using their smartphone while shopping in brick and mortar stores
2. Retailers will become more interested in how to use a shopper’s use of smartphone to build sales
3. Smartphones will become the more day-to-day marketing channel for retailers to communicate with their shoppers and send them: special offers, events, etc.
4. Loyalty clubs will become “smartphone users clubs” which has 2 meanings: The loyalty clubs will be managed and communicated through the club members smartphones and the number of loyalty club members and level of loyalty will increase significantly for brands with an aggressive smartphone marketing strategy.
5. Customer engagement and interactive experience will break the in-store boundaries and get into the homes, mobiles and public areas. Smartphones will be used more as a wallet.

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Found something you love at a nearby store? No problem just add it to your fashion or take a picture of it and add it to your fashion.

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You can add a video or photo, like I said above, to help get feed back from the forums on what to do. However, if a store dressing room has a Pickn’Tell sticker on the mirror you can add the code to your phone through the app and the mirror instantly becomes a video camera all on it’s own. SERIOUSLY!!! The video will be available to you to either keep or share via Social Media on your phone.

This fashion shopping savvy app allows you to do so much when out shopping:

* Capture picture and videos with your phone camera or with our in store digital mirrors
* Get instant feedback from friends about your outfits and try-ons while in store or at home
* Browse fashion brand catalogs and add article you like into your wardrobe or your wishlist
* Select your favorite brands and view available coupons, and events, store locations and map directions to stores nearby
* Manage your wardrobe and wishlist, and share them with your closest friends or with the entire Pickn’Tell fashion lover community.

You can see more about this great app here:

 

What would you use this app for? Wouldn’t it be great to share your dressing room finds before they become a mishap?

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When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started a “Before the Baby Gets Here” to do list. There’s a lot on it and it seems as if nine months might not be enough. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the thought of having another child, no matter how badly you might want this new bundle of joy, there are ways to cope with the stress.

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Here are a few apps to make your time as a pregnant lady easier and more productive.

MementoBox

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$3.99iTunes

Baby journals are very hard to keep, but not if you can record all of your baby’s milestones with the click of a few buttons. The MementoBox App is a virtual baby journal that allows you to update anywhere and anytime. Divided into three sections – my arrival, my first year, my world – the app allows you to upload images or videos and share with friends.

What to Expect Pregnancy Tracker

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FreeiTunes and Google Play

We’ve all read the book, now check out the app that makes keeping track of your weekly pregnancy progress a snap.  Learn about your baby’s weekly development, your growing belly, and nutritional needs all on an easy to read week-by-week format. Join the online community for quick answers to common pregnancy questions.

50,000 Baby Names

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FreeiTunes and Google Play

Search over 50,000 baby names in seconds. It’s never too early to start thinking about names for your new baby boy or girl. The filter helps you find names with similar meanings, origins, and popularity. Feeling lucky? Hit the random baby name button and see what you come up with. You might just like it! Can’t find what you are looking for? Add your own custom name to the list so others can see just how creative you can be.

Contraction Timer Lite

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FreeiTunes and Google Play

When the time comes to start counting the minutes between contractions, you’ll want a reliable method to fall back on. This app uses a simple stop watch concept, and records your previous entries taking the average of each timed contraction letting you know when it’s time to head to the doctor. Let your partner keep track of the contractions while you focus on your upcoming superhero status.

iPregancy

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$3.99iTunes

This app has it all – virtual journal, week by week looks, 3D fetal illustrations, weight gain analysis, baby name guide, and more. Users love the “questions for the doc” section that helps you keep track of all the things you need to discuss with your OB at the next visit. The app is compatible with Facebook and Twitter, in case you just have to share.

iBaby Feed Timer

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$2.99iTunes

Gear up for breastfeeding with this handy app. It allows you to track feeding times with a simple stopwatch function. It also helps you remember what side you started on so you can switch to the next, for the next feeding. You can use the app for more than one baby, creating a separate profile for each child. Set feeding reminders and send notes about schedules direction to daycare providers.

Moms, what pregnancy related apps do you use on a regular basis?

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We are counting down the days now, scrambling around for the perfect present for everyone on your list. If you have a “techonista” in your life that you are just not sure what to buy for, let me help you out with suggestions on what I see as some of the best techy presents of the year. 
Geek Meets Chic
1) A new Phone Cover
Phone covers are no longer about just protecting your phone; They are now a vital statement piece in your accessories closet. I change my case with the seasons, but with all the adorable covers out there, I may start changing them to match my outfits! Funny sayings or images or even just a cool design, you can’t go wrong getting a girl a fun new phone cover. ($20-$40)
 
2) Back-up Phone Chargers
If you are like me – you are always on the go and your phone is getting quite the battery workout. Up until now on-the-go chargers have been clunky or big, but not anymore. This season J Crew offered up a variety of back-up batteries for iPhones 3G-4S in adorable prints (with matching cases!). For under $40 these are perfect to stick in your purse when you get a bump in your battery life.
 
3) Funny and Actually Very Useful Headsets
Earlier this year, POP PHONE sent me a turquoise version of their fun retro headset to play with. I have to say, working from home and having my iPhone as my primary line, I use this accessory constantly. I know, I could just use my headset, but then I have to go digging around for where I left it. This is big and bright, and another work-at-home bonus, people can tell you are on the phone when they walk into the room.
 
4) Dress Up For Her Laptop!
Top on my fun tech list this year are Istickr keyboard decals. For $18, these are a fun and colorful way to dress up the item that most techy mamas stare at almost more than their kids – their keyboards. If your keyboard gets as much wear as mine does, these are quick way to make it feel new again – and they pull off with no residue. 
 
5) FitBit
This is a nifty little device to help out with all those New Year Resolutions we’re going to make on being healthier! FitBit is a little gadget that you wear that not only tracks your steps and calories burned but also your sleep cycle at night to help you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. It also wireless connects to an iOS app to give you charts showing your progress and change. For $99 this is a great way to get a good start to the new year. 
 
6) Kate Spade iPad Folios
I love the light-hearted humor that’s infused in the line’s products. And being that I find myself wanting to use “hashtag” in spoken word, i find their new line of Hashtag branded products are simply fabulous. $85
 
7) Sony Handycam 
I’m guilty of capturing important things like the kid’s performances on my iPhone. While its good for the moment, I always regret not having a better version of it. That’s why I was so excited when Sony sent me this HDR-PJ260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder last month. Equipped with a built-in projector, this Handycam shoots Full HD 1920 x 1080 video and can also project your home movies up to 100″ diagonal. The camcorder can take 8.9 megapixels still images as well. It features 16GB of embedded flash memory, which provides up to three hours of recording. The camcorder is equipped with a back-illuminated Exmor CMOS sensor that’s ideal for low-light situations. A perfect camera to record the holiday’s special moments with. $499
 
8) MacBook Air
Really I’m just putting this on here hoping for some stroke of fortune that Santa will leave a MacBook Air under the tree for me. It’s so thin. And light. And pretty. And if tantrums really got me what I wanted, I would have put a 2-year olds to shame by now. $1000+
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The invention of the gift card is one that is pure genius and a logistical nightmare all rolled into one. People are kind enough to get you a gift card for your birthday, to congratulate you, the holiday season or just because, and then you LOSE IT! Do not worry because now there’s GoWallet to the rescue! This App wrangles them all and keeps track of balances for you.

Now there’s no reason to keep those plastic cards anymore because GoWallet is the App that lets you download all of your gift card information in one place. It keeps your balances, and let’s you use those gift cards any time you like. You can put your fat wallet on an instant slim down diet when you download GoWallet.

You can put the app on any of your Apple or Droid [or both] devices. It makes it easy to use your gift cards any time, and anywhere because you don’t have to remember to bring your gift card with you  where ever you go. Everything is right there with you on your mobile device.

GoWallet allows you to buy your gift cards right there on their site or through the app on your mobile device. It gets better you’ll also get special offers to buy gift cards based on the stores and cards you already have. A place that understands your shopping habits and uses, then offers you discounts, is a definite bonus.

Go Wallet is a genius way to wrangle your overloaded wallet, and maybe even enable you to buy a slimmer wallet in the end. What are you waiting for get over to your mobile device and download this free app?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The above opinion is my own.

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The following was written for Savvy Sassy Moms by a Guest Poster, Leron Kornreich, marketing and communications director for Ringya (www.Ringya.com).  She is also the mom of two.

 

What did we do before we had apps? Sometimes I struggle to remember what it was even like before smart phones—probably because I don’t have a note on my iPhone reminding me. Thanks to technology, I can organize lists of contacts in a click of a button (and screen unwanted calls), share my kids’ photos, keep my children safe and even plan for their college—all on my iPhone. Here are 10 of my favorite apps that help me be the best mom I can be.

1.     Ringya. When I was growing up, our refrigerator was filled with phone lists—school, soccer, PTA, book club. The funny thing was, those unseemly lists of numbers were never at your fingertips when you needed them. That’s no longer the case. Ringya is the first mobile app that lets me upload dozens of names, numbers and emails by snapping a photo of a list or emailing a digital list. Each listing is organized by context—“Jesse’s swim team,” “Kennedy’s kindergarten class”—, which reminds me of how I know the person calling (and helps me screen calls). Thanks to Ringya, if an emergency comes up or I’m running late, I know all the contacts I need are at my fingertips.

2.     The FBI’s Child ID App. I live in fear of the unthinkable happening to my kids. But if something bad does happen, I’m prepared with the FBI’s app. It stores photos and valuable information about my kids, such as height and weight, which I can email to the authorities in an emergency.

3.     Familiar. Familiar transforms your iPad, iPhone or Kindle into a digital picture frame. When you take a photo of your kids, it’s pushed out to family and friends’ devices, and shows up on their Familiar app/screen. It’s a fun surprise, and a lot less expensive than a digital frame (it’s free).

4.    Wunderlist. Wunderlist is my taskmaster. Every day, I update my high-tech “to do” list, adding in the kids’ homework, shopping list, work appointments, deadlines and more. I love the collaboration aspect of it, so I can share tasks via email, Facebook or Twitter with colleagues, or send chore reminders to my husband and kids.

5.     Starbucks. I have vowed never to have a Starbucks emergency again, thanks to the Starbucks app. It helps me find the closest coffee shop, peruse the menu, check out nutritional info and—my favorite—use my phone to pay. Plus, the app keeps track of Rewards points, so I can stay on top of all of my freebies.

6.     iBook. This iPhone/iPad e-reader app lets me tote an entire library, everywhere I go. Whether I’m reading the latest John Grisham book over a quick lunch or letting the kids read a book while we’re at a restaurant, iBook has made my entire family happy, at one time or another.

7.     Evernote. This is the central command of organization, bringing together all of your digital data in one searchable place. Organize files and information, make web clips, leave notes for yourself and more. I use it to take photos of receipts (which I can then email), store important travel information (like boarding passes), clip articles I want to read later and store files. It saves me time, because I don’t have to search through my computer—and across different devices—for each and every piece of information.

8.     Kids Meal Deals. I had no idea, until I entered my zip code here, that I’ve been getting bamboozled at restaurants. And by bamboozled, I mean paying for my kids to eat when they could have been dining for free. This site and app has the inside scoop on restaurants where kids eat free or at a discount. After downloading it, I’m determined to never pay full price again (at least, until they’re teens).

9.     Find my iPhone. Phones have a way of disappearing in our house. Sometimes it’s me, sometimes it’s the kids, sometimes we blame it on the house ghost. With Find my iPhone, there’s no longer any need for blame. This nifty app lets you locate the missing phone from another mobile device. Simply sign in with your Apple ID and your phone will make a sound and show up on a map. Bonus: If your phone is stolen, you can even lock it or erase data remotely. Now, if only I had a “find my keys” app.

10.  CollegeSave. It’s hard to think about the future cost of college for my kids without getting heart palpitations. CollegeSave makes it all more palatable. The app projects what cost of college will cost and then calculates what we need to save each month to get there. Broken down in installments, it’s at least a little less frightening.

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