APPen Review

APPen (RRP £14.99) is the first product in a brand new line of kids electronic accessories from GPTech, that allows children to enjoy learning, writing and colouring on most tablets or iPhones, simply by plugging the ergonomic pen into the headphone socket and using in conjunction with the free app (available for iOS and Android).  It doesn't require batteries so it's ready to use straight away.  With play options for children under 5 and for 5+ the APPen is suitable for children aged 3-7 with activities tailored to their ability.

Freddy was sent an APPen to try out, which he used with Daddy's iPhone.  The pen was perfectly sized for his hands and he intuitively knew what to do (as all kids seem to!)  The menu gives access to a series of games which help with learning letters, developing fine motor skills and understanding shapes. Children can write, draw and colour in using the Appen.  The pressure sensitive nib gives a realistic writing experience which aids learning to write with paper and pen.  Very useful for my little schoolboy.

When a learning skill has been completed, the child’s progress can be charted for parents to monitor and their creations can be uploaded onto social media for friends and family to see.

There are more games and activities in the pipeline so the APPen will provide entertainment for some time to come.  It is a much cheaper alternative to the dedicated kid's tablets on the market, priced at just £14.99, giving children a new way to enjoy tablets and iPhones.

Freddy enjoyed making pictures using the animated stickers featuring jungle animals.  He also liked practicing his letters, tracing over the screen with his APPen.  The only problem with it is that while Freddy is playing, Daddy's iPhone is tied up, leaving him phone-less!

You can find out more and register your details giving you the chance to win an iPad mini and an APPen at www.appennews.co.uk.

                       

Innergie - Charging Your Gadgets

Innergie 3-in-1 Magic Cable Trio

It is not often that I am sent something to review that makes my Ian get really excited!  But the Innergie 3-in-1 USB Cable did just that.  Ian immediately said that he thought it was 'genius' and set about testing it to recharge a host of our household gadgets.

At just 20cm long and incorporating three different tips, the 3-in-1 cable includes an Apple, Mini USB and Micro USB tip.  This means it can be used for most mobile smart phones, digital cameras, Apple products (with a 30 pin connector), tablets and MP3 players.  The tips slot together so you never have to search for a compatible tip, they are all there ready to charge one of the 10,000 compatible devices.

The compact size and the unique 3-in-1 tip, means we can do away with carrying around a host of different cables when we are away from home.  Our cameras, MP3 players, iPhone, iPod, S3 and tablet can all be connected to a laptop or other USB port for charging using this one cable. And the fact that the tips are all connected means you won't ever lose them. The fact that the cable is short prevents it from becoming tangled up in your bag many it so easy to manage. It is really very clever!  Ian thinks it is a great gadget that will lighten his load when organising cables that are compatible to all our many devices, especially when travelling.  It makes life a lot less complicated!  The RRP is £19.99.  

For more information visit www.myinnergie.com

Life Proof Your iPhone

If, like us, your pre-schoolers use your iPhone more than you do, then you too will live in fear of a cracked screen, yogurt smeared into the camera or a phone dropped into the loo!  All very possible and probable scenarios.  Even if your kids don't use your iPhone, it is still at risk of being dropped, getting dirty or getting rained on.  There is however a way of protecting your phone from these disasters.

A Lifeproof case is water proof, shock proof, snow proof and dirt proof.  It protects your iPhone from being dropped, getting wet or dirty without affecting its functionality.  The Lifeproof cases come in a range of colours and we were sent a black one to see how well it would make Ian's 4S Freddy-Proof!!

It is important to fit the case correctly and there is an instructional video online showing you exactly how to do it to ensure maximum protection.  The case comes with a microfibre cloth and it is vital that the iPhone is thoroughly cleaned of dirt, dust, grease and fingerprints before fitting.  After it is as clean as possible, the front is pushed into the front half of the case face down.  After inspecting the waterproof seal for dust and dirt, you can then snap the back on, pressing down firmly all the way around.

The case made the phone slightly chunkier, which made it feel more robust.  Ian liked this as he has to carry his phone around all day for work (when 3 year old Freddy isn't using it!) and it often gets bashed around in his laptop bag or pocket.  The touchscreen and camera work well behind their Lifeproof casing, although the sensitivity when playing fast games (like Subway Surfer) using the touchscreen is slightly reduced and needs a firmer touch.

The case claims to make your iPhone water tight to depths of 2m.  This means it can be used as an underwater camera.  You can even take it in the shower with you! We didn't test this out, but can confirm that when Freddy dropped his drink on the phone there was no disaster.  We just wiped it dry...no damage done.  Sticky fingers and biscuit crumbs also caused no harm.

I feel that the Lifephone Case has 'butched' up Ian's iPhone!  It's a little bit more rugged and is happy to venture out where other iPhones fear to go.  It looks cool and has the advantage of being protected against most eventualities.  It is protected against dirt, dust, grime and sand so it can accompany Ian everywhere when doing DIY or gardening jobs.  It's weatherproof so even rain, hail or snow won't be a problem.  I like knowing that we will always be able to use the camera in any weather conditions.

There are other add-ons available so you can attach your Lifeproofed phone to your bike frame, bike helmet, your belt or to your arm (for swimming).  The cases are also available for iPads, iPod touch and of course the iPhone 5.  A worthy investment if you want to keep your valuable gadgets well protected.  It gives you the confidence to take your phone wherever you go, whatever you are doing!

Find out more at www.lifeproof.com

12 Toys of Christmas #4

Today's toy is for gadget mad kids and fans of Doctor Who of any age.  Technology is taking toys to a whole new level with this amazing gadget from AppGear.  It costs around £25.

Experience the latest from AppGear as the Doctor Who Quantum Lokk device takes mobile gaming out of this world!

LOCK AND LOAD! As Earth nears total destruction by alien forces, you must join the Cleric Army and battle through multiple waves of enemies: Daleks, Cybermen and Angels in a last-ditch mission to save the planet. Introducing the ultimate Doctor Who gaming experience; the Cleric Wars App and Q.L.A. Device is an immersive, Augmented Reality (AR) first-person mobile application game for iPhone and Android smartphones. Contents include a free downloadable app one Q.L.A. Quantum Lokk Accelerator Anti-Time Device, one detachable smart device holder and one user manual. 

After the Doctor disappeared, the Cybermen and Daleks went to war across the universe. And on each world they destroyed they left in their wake, Stone Angels picking over the dead and dying. But the Cleric army fought back and scoured the dead worlds left after the wars, looking for the wreckage of Daleks, Cybermen, and broken Angels to create a hugely powerful ‘anti-time’ device. A device part Dalek, part Cyber technology and used the Quantum signature from the Angel to trigger a Gateway to pull enemies into the time Vortex…Erasing them from Time completely. The immersive controls use a first-person viewpoint with pan and tilt function. To defeat an enemy you need to aim the Q.L.A and fire at it until a vortex opens up and pulls it in. The head up display (H.U.D) helps you locate your enemies. Their general location is indicated by icons near the centre of the target that light up to indicate which way to turn to locate them. Battle enemies in your own room! Dalek, Cybermen and Angels appear in your actual location on screen via Augmented Reality (AR). 

Requires 2 x AAA batteries and an iPhone or Android Smartphone to play. Not included.

12 Toys of Christmas #3

12 Toys of Christmas #2
12 Toys of Christmas #1

Wireless Charging with the Powermat

In this technological age, what do you give to the gadget mad man that's got everything? (AKA my husband Ian!) Well, the answer is a Powermat, a wireless solution for charging a variety of hand held electrical devices.  iPhones, Blackberries, iPods and Nintendo DSis can all be recharged using this sleek stylish device that streamlines everything down to one mat, resulting in a neater, tidier office desk!

We were delighted to be given the chance to test the new Powermat.  Techno Daddy couldn't wait to get his hands on the latest gadget, whereas I was more interested in the fact that the Powermat would eliminate the problem of tangled, messy wires trailing around the house!

Ian has a Blackberry Curve.  The Powermat receiver replaces the usual phone back cover.  The device is then placed on the Powermat which gives a nice little electronic noise to let you know it is connected.  The phone then starts recharging, as simple as that! The receiver is slightly thicker than the original back cover which might make it too thick for some cases, but it wasn't a problem for us.

The intelligent system stops using energy as soon as the battery is full which is great for the environment and for the battery life of the device.

We were also sent a Powercube which includes a selection of adaptors which will connect other devices to the Powermat, without the need of having separate receivers for each one.  It is an all in one charging solution covering many major brands. This makes the Powermat even more versatile.

Ian was very impressed and thinks it is an excellent thing to have in the house.  So many times, our older kids visit home and their phones or iPods run out of battery. Having the Powercube means we are likely to have a compatible adaptor allowing them to recharge their device on the Powermat.  That in itself will avoid a whole host of moaning!!

Powermat is a brilliant for organising the recharging of gadgets in one place.  No more wires hanging out from any available plug socket.  The amount of times I've trodden on Ian's phone that has been left recharging on the bedroom floor!!  Well, no more thanks to Powermat!!

A range of Powermats, receivers and accessories are currently available from Amazon.