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Citiblox: The smartphone app born in Northwest Arkansas!

September 20, 2012 by

Do you know any local moms whose day job is to make apps for smartphones? Well, now you do. Meet Jennifer Adair, owner of AdAir Mobile, based right here in Northwest Arkansas. The app development company she started with her two kids just released its first app called Citiblox, now available in the iTunes store.

Here at nwaMotherlode.com, we get asked to review lots of new things but it’s not everyday we get asked to review an app from a local company. We were intrigued. So we hopped over to the iTunes to download it. You can choose from the “lite” version for free or the full version for 99 cents.

After installing Citiblox, I discovered cute graphics of an animated city and some fun, funky music, too. There are three levels of play. I chose the easiest level since my gaming skills aren’t nearly as good as my kids’ app skills are. I tried playing it first without reading the instructions, but that didn’t work out too well. I was lost. So I went back to the “help” screen to find out how to play.

It’s basically a “square game,” and the object is to connect four sides of the blocks within the grid. You are the blue lines. Your computerized opponent uses the red lines. When you connect four sides of a block before your opponent, a piece of the city appears within the block and you get another turn. If you don’t complete a block and the computer beats you to it, the block gets grayed out. Then the computer gets another turn. So it pays to stay on top of things and use good strategy to stay ahead of the computer.

Although it’s a simple game, it’s definitely not a no-brainer. You’ve got to think about your move and plan ahead. I’m a tad embarrassed to say I lost the first few games I played because I wasn’t paying close enough attention. Once I got the hang of it, I was motivated to beat the pants off that computer and unveil the city underneath the grid. There are 9 different cities to uncover.

The only critique I have of this app is that the directions could be clearer. On the app website, the directions tell you to “touch the gray line” between the colored dots in order to light up a side of a block. But on the app instructions on my phone, it says to “touch the screen” which left me wondering what part of the block I was supposed to be focusing on. Other than that small detail, the app is simple to use and I like how the nature of the game ensures a slightly different experience every time you play. I also like apps that make your brain exercise a little. :-)

The real test: Of course, we mamas don’t have nearly as much time to play apps as our kids do. So for a true expert opinion, I let my 10-year-old son Adam take the app for a spin and then I asked him what he thought. “It’s pretty cool,” he said without looking up from the screen. Then he added, “and a little addicting.” I’d say that’s pretty high praise for an app.

If you check out Jennifer’s website, AdAirMobile.com, you’ll see that she also has another app in the works. It’s called “Mindstorm” and it will include a whole series of apps. The first one is about presidents, so this looks like it might be a sneaky, fun way to get our kids to learn some American history. Looking forward to it.

The bottom line: We give a mamas’ thumbs up to this app. It’s a fun way to pass some time while you’re stuck in a waiting room or parked in the car rider line waiting for kids to come out of school.

You can read more about Jennifer and her company, AdAir Mobile, by clicking HERE to visit them on Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter: @AdAirApps.

Filed Under: Front Page Posts, Previously on Motherlode..., Techno Mama, Uncategorized

The iPad app your kid is gonna LOVE: Toontastic

April 13, 2012 by

As I type these words, my kids are sitting on the sofa in our family room and — instead of mindlessly watching cartoons — they are creating their own. We just downloaded this iPad app called Toontastic from the iTunes store, and I’ve gotta tell you… this thing is pretty amazing. I’m LOVING it. (Click the play arrow on the video above to get a demo of how the app works.)

It teaches your kids the basic elements of a story — set up, conflict, climax and resolution. They can pick a setting in which their story happens or draw their own. Then they make the characters move around the screen while they tell their made-up story out loud. (The app records the child’s voice as the story is told.) Your kid gets to be the narrator of their own cartoon. So, so cool.

We’ve only been playing with this app for about half an hour, and already my son has made a cartoon about a shark in outer space, and my daughter is finishing up a cartoon about a princess and a pony in a magical castle. She assures me that it’s going to have a “happily ever after” kind of ending because she likes that kind the best. Me, too.

Not only do the characters move around while your kid describes the action, you can also put music with each scene. If one scene is scary, the app will put scary music with it. If the scene is a happy one, then happy music plays along while the action happens. The music helps capture the “emotional energy” of the story.

Once each part of the story has been told, your kid can give that cartoon a name and put their name on it as the official director. Then you can either save them to view later or upload them to a “ToonTube” where kids around the world can see the cartoon, too.

Sometimes you just gotta love technology. The Toontastic app for iPad is FREE (can you believe it?) and it helps kids learn how to tell a compelling, entertaining story while exercising their vivid imaginations, too. Love, love, love it.

Hope your kids love it, too.

Filed Under: Front Page Posts, Motherlode Must-Haves, Previously on Motherlode..., Techno Mama, Uncategorized

Fun video: “Goodnight Gadgets!”

January 25, 2012 by

Can your preschooler beat you at a game of Angry Birds? Is your house buzzing with gadgets like our homes are? Between our two families alone, there’s an iPad, an HP TouchPad, an iPod Touch, a Kindle, a Nook, an ancient iPod, a couple of iPhones, a Blackberry, two GPS devices and probably a few others we’ve forgotten about. So… in this age of electronic everything, the video below is perfect. Enjoy this very modern twist on an old classic. It made us laugh. :-)

Filed Under: Front Page Posts, Previously on Motherlode..., Techno Mama, Uncategorized

Techno Mama: Is Facebook killing your blog?

December 26, 2011 by

By Sarah Martin Hood, technology blogger

We live in an age of easy, instant information.  Have a question? Google it. Wondering what ever happened to that old high school friend? Check Facebook. But are we evolving into a world that’s more interested in headlines than details? If we can’t get what we need in 10 seconds or less, do we give up?

Facebook gives you photos, check-ins, and status updates. Twitter gives you 140 characters. But blogging? Blogging gives you endless possibilities! No word limit, no photo limit, no tagging, no ever-changing privacy settings. Just you, a blank screen, and whatever pops into your head.

So why are so many people abandoning their blogs in favor of the brevity of a daily status update?

We’re on the move. While most blogging platforms give users the ability to blog via their smartphone, very few bloggers take them up on it. Who wants to write an entire blog post using only their thumbs? Anymore, I see more posts in my Facebook News Feed from a mobile device than not — Facebookers are updating with photos and anecdotes while they’re out living their busy, every day, organized chaos. They’re making less and less time to sit down with that blank screen and pound out a blog post.

We are family. We humans love to be around other humans — and that’s doubly true for Moms! We seek each other’s advice, we share stories of success and heartbreak and humor and angst. We love the warm, fuzzy feeling of family and friends — and Facebook has become one giant social circle for many of us. When our kids do something funny or embarrassing, we can’t wait to share it! When we find the perfect recipe for sweet potato casserole, all our Facebook friends must know! If we have a crappy day at work and have to sit in traffic all the way home only to arrive to a messy house and cranky kids, Facebook is there to listen!

While it’s true most blogging is also designed with comments and feedback, Facebook is a SOCIAL network. You’re connected to your “friends” and can catch up on their lives with an easy scan through the News Feed. Blogging can definitely foster a sense of community, but it’s not as instant and not as ingrained as in a social networking site like Facebook. Often the social aspect of it all outweighs even the actual content.

It’s a bit of a contest. You can pretend it doesn’t bother you when you post a cute picture of your kiddos or a funny note about your day, and you don’t get a slew of comments and likes on Facebook. But secretly, that’s half the fun, am I right? You want to see what other people think — Will they comment? WHO will comment? Are other people’s cute pictures with Santa getting more comments than mine? YOU KNOW YOU THINK THIS WAY. Maybe not all the time, sure, but it crosses your mind. It’s not your fault! Facebook is designed to be a bit of a social metric. On any given page you can tell how many friends a person has, how many photos they’ve posted and how many likes/comments they have on their last few posts. Facebook provides a way for you to have your 15 minutes of fame — every single day.

So what does this mean for the future of blogging?

Are blogs going to shrivel and die, forgotten and abandoned in favor of shiny, new social networking sites? Nah. Actually, I think the strength of Facebook is nothing but good news for blogs. I think pulling the short, quick soundbites and snapshots-on-the-go from blogging frees up the blogosphere for deeper, richer content. Instead of thousands of bloggers feeling the need to update the world on every disconnected detail of their lives — they can leave that up to Facebook and focus their blogging on true storytelling, capturing the details, and creating the kind of content that makes readers want to put up their feet and stay awhile.

Blogging and Facebook should respect and appreciate each other’s differences and strengths. They need each other. There’s a place in the life of any good 21st century social media socialite for both the beautiful brevity of Facebook and the splendid storytelling of blogging.

So if you’re one of those Facebook-addicts who used to have a bustling blog — dust it off. Take a few minutes a week to capture the whole story behind that midnight check-in at the emergency room with your clumsy kiddo or that snapshot of you and your hubby at your favorite tailgating spot. The headlines are great, but the details are even better.

Sarah would love to hear from you with questions or feedback regarding gadgets, apps, technology, or blogging. You can also stop by Sarah’s personal blog, Musings of Mother Hood to say hello or follow her on Twitter @sarahmcow. To read previous installments of Techno Mama, click here!

Filed Under: Front Page Posts, Popular Posts, Previously on Motherlode..., Techno Mama

Techno Mama on Pinterest: A Love Story

September 9, 2011 by

By Sarah Martin Hood

I heard about it for months, and I resisted. I’d heard it was all about crafts and cooking – which aren’t at the top of my personal list of hobbies – so I didn’t give it much thought. I didn’t need another social networking outlet and I certainly didn’t need another online distraction to occupy my attention while I was supposed to be productive! What redeeming value could another trendy website possibly provide??

Of course, knowing what I know now — I was clearly crazy.

Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board that allows users to organize anything and everything — wedding ideas, favorite recipes, birthday party themes, or holiday decor. Find something on the internet you want to save for later? Now you have a place to put it! Through Pinterest, you can create your own collections of images on personal “pinboards” that you can reference whenever you like. Anytime you find something you like while surfing the internet, just “pin it” to the board of your choice.

It’s more than recipes, more than fashion ideas, more than holiday decor. Like to travel? Start a pinboard of fabulous places you want to visit someday. Amateur photographer? Collect images that inspire and motivate you. Maybe you’re remodeling — start a pinboard! Bathroom tile from this photo, window treatments from another, and built-ins from somewhere else.

No need to print everything and keep it in a file or try to remember the website with that perfect paint color or fireplace design — Pinterest to the rescue. The sky’s the limit. It is truly all about what interests YOU.

Your pinboards will maintain the original link corresponding to each image, so when you actually want to go back and order that wallpaper or those party favors, you can do it with a click.

While Pinterest isn’t a social networking site in a traditional sense, there is a built-in spirit of sharing ideas and inspiring others. As a member of the site you can “follow” other users to see what they’re pinning and what notes they’re making. All of us have THAT friend who always brings fabulous desserts to school functions or ALWAYS wears the most funky jewelry. Follow her! Share ideas!

A few tips as you start pinning:

  • Be patient. Pinterest has you “request an invite” before you get to start pinning. No worries – it just SOUNDS exclusive. You’ll get your “invite” by email within about 24 hours and you’ll be ready to go.
  • Be a follower. When you sign up Pinterest will suggest pinboards and other users for you to follow. Take the suggestions! There are some real gems out there — and you can always unfollow later if you like.
  • Search. While you can spend as much time as you like browsing pins and boards of other users, there’s always the more direct route of the “search” box. Search “Razorbacks” or “tailgate” for some fun football season ideas, or try putting in kiddo stuff like “first day of school” or “rainy day activity” for fun and clever ideas.
  • Explore! There are things out there you never knew you never knew! Gadgets and foods and places and ideas that will inspire you and make you smile. The site is divided into categories and, inevitably, there will be categories you are naturally drawn to. But shake it up a little — click on a category you might not usually investigate. You’ll surprise yourself.
  • Go mobile. There’s an iPhone app (of course!) so you can pin and re-pin on the go. There’s even a function that allows you to snap photos of things you see while out shopping and pin them to your boards!

I’ve been a Pinterest user for only a few weeks and I’ve been hooked since day one. I’ve discovered everything from new Crockpot recipes to Christmas gift ideas for grandparents. I don’t know where it’s been all my life!

Happy pinning!

Sarah would love to hear from you with questions or feedback regarding gadgets, apps, technology, or blogging. You can also stop by Sarah’s personal blog, Musings of Mother Hood to say hello or follow her on Twitter @sarahmcow. To read previous installments of Techno Mama, click here!

Filed Under: Popular Posts, Previously on Motherlode..., Techno Mama
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