Win a Nokia Lumia 900, “Best in Show” smartphone at CES
Apr 28, 2012 Contest/Giveaway
[UPDATE: Congratulations to the winner, comment #177, Jarvis. Thanks so all who entered.]
[UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. The winner will be chosen and announced on Thursday, May 10th. If you do not see your comment listed, it is possible that you did not follow the instructions for answering the question posed in the post. There was an unusually high number of entrants for this giveaway who did not pay attention to the instructions and just commented in the manner of "pick me! pick me!" which, unfortunately, disqualified their entries. I tried to be as lenient as possible in my interpretation of the rules but some simply could not be approved.]
Back in January when I was at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Nokia Lumia 900 took “Best in Show” in the very competitive smartphone category. I got to play with one for just a couple minutes before the other people jostling to get a look made it clear that my time was up. But in that brief time I fell in love with it: the feel of it, and the look of it. I can’t wait to give a real try, which will happen in a few days when I get one to review. But why should I have all the fun with this amazing phone? Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win one too!
The great reviews for the Lumia 900 keep rolling in. Pretty much everyone agrees that it’s a fantastic phone. Why? Because Windows started from scratch, designed an entirely new and exciting smartphone operating system, and then worked closely with Nokia to make sure their phones were designed specifically for this new OS. I’ve reviewed three other Windows phones in the past sixteen months, but nothing from Nokia, so I’m really excited about this one.
Why do I love Windows phones so much? Here are some highlights.
The Camera
Several other phones that I’ve used recently don’t have a camera button, which frankly just sucks. It’s harder to take a picture one-handed. On the other hand, WP cameras have a nifty little feature where you can tap on the screen, and the camera will focus on that spot, then take the picture automatically. This is great for those times when you don’t want to the camera to shake at all.
The very best part about having a dedicated camera button, though, is that you can wake the phone up, bypass the lock screen, and go right to the camera by just holding down on the camera button. I can’t tell you how many times I missed shots with non-Windows phones because I had to go through too many steps to get to the camera. But with Windows phones, you’ll be ready to take a picture in about two seconds or less. When my kids are doing something adorable I don’t have to fumble – I get the shot in time.
Uploading to Facebook and Twitter is super easy, and can be done right from the picture screen – no need to leave the camera and go open another app. Keep the grandparents up-to-date on what your kids are doing on the fly!
And if you’re worried about losing your photos before you can get home and sync them, you can choose to automatically upload to SkyDrive.
continue reading: Win a Nokia Lumia 900, “Best... Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Nokia Lumia 900, tech, Windows Phone 7
Win a Lenovo U300s, just in time for Christmas!
Dec 13, 2011 Contest/Giveaway
UPDATE: I’d like to congratulate the winner, kim/reluctant renovator, comment #16! Thanks to all who entered.
*****
I’m going to be making one of my readers very happy next week. Microsoft Windows and Lenovo are giving away the brand-new, just available today IdeaPad U300s, in a strikingly gorgeous tangerine color.
This is the computer that can boot up in as little as 10.5 seconds, and they proved it by dropping it from an airplane attached to a parachute that would only deploy once the computer successfully booted:
And if you’re tempted to call shenanigans or assume that they used some kind of digital trickery to simply make it look like they dropped it out of a plane:
Pretty cool, huh?
From the Lenovo website’s description of the U300s:
- Slim, Ultrabook™ design for easy mobility, from just 0.6” thin
- Minimalist, one-piece aluminum shell, available in Graphite Gray or Clementine Orange (coming soon)
- Long battery life* with up to 30 days standby time
- Lenovo RapidCharge brings battery charge to 50 percent in 30 minutes
- Boot in as little as 10.5 seconds with RapidDrive SSD technology**
- Breathable keyboard uses Intel® Advanced Cooling Technology to improve airflow so PC can run cooler on your lap
- Cool-touch palmrest and intelligent glass touchpad with easy scroll, zoom and rotate functions
- HD graphics and stereo speakers with SRS® Premium Surround Sound™
- USB 3.0 port, HDMI output and 1.3M (720p HD) webcam
- Intel® Wireless Display (WiDi): wirelessly stream content from your laptop onto a big screen (requires TV adapter)
- BIOS-embedded anti-theft protection
This computer is light, super-thin, gorgeous, fast, and packed with features. I had the opportunity to keep it for myself and review it, or give it away, and the Christmas spirit smacked the sense right out of me.
So enter to win by leaving a comment on this post telling me what you would do with this computer if you won. Would you keep it? Would you give it away? Don’t worry – I’m not judging the entries. The winner will be chosen by random.org. So go ahead and be selfish if you want. :-)
For a second entry, you may tweet about this contest with a link back to this page. Or, you can copy and tweet the following:
Want 2 win a super thin, light, fast, & gorgeous #Lenovo IdeaPad U300s laptop? Head over to @SelfishMom’s site & enter: http://slf.sh/sSEIT2
Make sure to leave a second comment with a link to your tweet, or it won’t count (instructions on how to find and post the url of your tweet can be found here).
So, that’s a maximum of two entries per household please! This contest will close at noon-ish on Tuesday, December 20th. The winner will be chosen by random.org. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Prize may be shipped within the continental United States only. See my complete Giveaway Rules page for more information.
Good luck!
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 9. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Tags: Lenovo, Microsoft Windows, tech
How to shop for a gutsy smurf
Nov 22, 2011 Paid/Sponsored Post
[The following post was commissioned by “The Smurfs” on Blu-ray™ + DVD Holiday Combo Pack]
So I’ve been tasked with getting together a gift guide for Gutsy Smurf, the tough, brave and adventurous Smurf from the new Smurfs movie, coming out on Blu-ray™ on December 2nd. This was a very easy task, since Gutsy Smurf reminds me very much of my son Jake, minus this kilt, sideburns, and Scottish brogue, of course.
Document your adventures
Before Gutsy Smurf sets off to do anything gutsy, he needs some way to record what’s happening. At under $100, this Sony Cybershot camera is the perfect entry-level camera for someone with no photography experience. With Sweep Panorama Mode and SteadyShot image stabilization, this camera helps ensure dramatic, sharp pictures, no matter the conditions.
This camera is so smart, it can even detect if the subject is smiling or blinking!
Protect your tech toys
This gift is very basic, but very important for anyone setting off on an adventure: proper cell phone protection. Smurfs – and tweens – can be very rough on their phones, but Otter Box provides the solution with their Defender Series cell phone cases. These cases provide superior protection against bumps and drops.
They come in a wide variety of models, for everything from iPhones to Galaxy Tabs. The front has a clear protective screen, and all buttons and ports are easily accessible.
Learn how to fly
Next up, Gutsy Smurf needs an adventure to take his protected phone on. What takes more guts than flying through the air? Trapeze Experience offers lessons for anyone over five years old and under 250 pounds. With locations in New York and Florida, you can live out your dreams of swinging and flipping at this acclaimed trapeze school.
Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, Trapeze Experience will get you started. With two-hour lessons for $100, you can give your little Smurf a taste of what it takes to become a trapeze artist.
A skateboard on steroids
Skateboarding is so 20th century. If you want your Smurf to get a real workout while he rolls, get him a Shred Sled. These affordable, wheeled toys take skill, balance, and ab muscles to ride. I’m grateful nobody was videotaping me when I tried Jake’s Shred Sled, because I lack all three – it was not pretty.
Jake took to it quickly though, and after a couple weeks’ practice it became his favorite mode of transportation, even more than his bike. Shred Sleds mimic the “carving” motion of snowboarding, and you can even propel yourself uphill without pushing off. I’m sure Gutsy Smurf would have no trouble mastering it – I just hope he remembers to wear his helmet!
Go on a high-tech scavenger hunt
The Apisphere Geomate Jr. is a handheld geocaching GPS game that the whole family can play. What is geocaching? It’s a world-wide scavenger hunt that’s catching on with adventurous Smurfs everywhere. For about $65 Gutsy Smurf can hunt for a quarter million different clues hidden in all fifty states.
No internet connection is necessary. The battery-operated unit will direct you to the nearest geocache, which can be hidden almost anywhere. The unit also logs which ones you’ve found, and can direct you back to your starting point so that you don’t get lost.
Read the adventure
Of course even Gutsy Smurf needs some down time, and this spectacular book will keep him transfixed for hours (my little guy has read through it several times already). “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” tells the story of an orphan in Paris, partly through words and partly through exquisite drawings that bring the characters to life.
At over 500 pages, this book might look imposing, but Smurfs of all ages will soon be sucked into the story of a broken mechanical robot that holds a secret, if only Hugo can get him working again!
***
I hope I helped you with some shopping ideas for the adventurous kids on your holiday list! And to help some other deserving kids have a good holiday, just leave a comment with your best suggestion for a gift for Gutsy Smurf. I get to decide which gift I think is the most creative, and a Smurf backpack and Smurf toys will be donated to Toys for Tots in the commenter’s name.
As part of this campaign I’ll be receiving the new Smurfs Blu-ray™ + DVD Holiday Combo Pack, and knowing my kids (who are Smurf crazy) it will be played until it is memorized. I think it would make a great gift for your little Smurf.
Brought to you by The Smurfs on Blu-ray™ + DVD Holiday Combo Pack! Includes the never-before-seen The Smurfs Christmas Carol, an all-new Smurftastic adventure! Get more at www.smurfhappens.com, including games and other Smurfy goodies!
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 1 (Shred Sled, “The Smurfs” on Blu-ray) and 13. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Headphones that feel as good as they sound
Nov 22, 2011 Product Review
My husband, son and I have been fighting over a pair of Sol Republic Tracks headphones since they arrived from the company for me to review a few weeks ago. At a retail cost of around $100 they would be a fantastic gift for someone in your life who really appreciates good sound.
Luckily I had them to myself for the first day, since my husband was at work and Jake was at school. I put them on, adjusted the headphones – I’m sorry, the “sound engines” according to the box – and cued up “Defying Gravity” from the Wicked soundtrack on my computer. Now, this is a song I’ve heard probably two hundred times, mostly in my car or through earbuds (and I don’t use cheap earbuds, I’ve got good ones). But from the first notes I could hear the difference. I could hear a string bass line that I’d never heard before, deep and rich! A few more songs had me convinced that these headphones were worth the size. Normally I go for whatever’s tiniest, but I don’t think I’ll ever wear earbuds in the house again.
When I was done listening I started doing other things on my laptop. It wasn’t until I got up about half an hour later that I realized I was still wearing the headphones; they’re so comfortable I hadn’t even noticed I’d left them on. That’s kind of a big deal for me, because most headband-style headphones give me a headache. The ear pads are big and cushiony and fit snugly over my ears without squeezing my head.
These headphones have a unique design that allow them to feel just as comfortable on my daughter’s little head as on my son’s larger one. Instead of the headband part being adjustable, the sound engines slide up and down. They even come completely off, and the cord can be removed. This would be extremely handy when traveling, since wrapping the cord and squishing the headphones in to a suitcase or bag would make me nervous.
For what it’s worth, the website claims that the band is nearly indestructible. Having lost a couple pairs of pricey headphones to a cracked headband, that’s rather important to me (although I’m not willing to sacrifice mine in order to test that claim – sorry!).
They have several features that I don’t think I would ever get any use out of, since I don’t think I’d ever use these out of the house (like, on the subway or walking around), and I rarely use Apple products. But they have a microphone that can be used with most Android and Blackberry phones to take calls, and a three-button iPod/iPad controller for iTunes. There’s a list of compatible devices here.
So now, my husband can sit on the couch while someone else is watching TV or playing music, and listen to his own stuff on the iPad. They don’t cancel out all outside noise, but they muffle it enough that I have no problem hearing what I want to hear through the headphones when the kids are being their crazy selves or the TV is blasting. I’m able to work on podcasts or videos without having to tell everybody else to quiet down.
These would make an excellent gift for that person in your life who cares about the sound coming out of his computer or phone, but values comfort first and foremost. I really love these headphones and highly recommend them.
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 1. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
How to buy tech for other people
Nov 21, 2011 Paid/Sponsored Post
[The following post was commissioned by T-Mobile]
I love buying gadgets and tech toys, and know what I like. But when it comes to buying tech for other people, I just don’t do it that often. My sisters and I bought a laptop for my mom a couple of years ago, and that worked out very well, but I haven’t been brave enough to do it any other time. So, I was thrilled to host about twenty other bloggers for an event at the new T-Mobile store near Union Square last week, where we mingled and noshed,
had the T-Mobile staff at our disposal,
and were given tips on how to choose and buy tech gifts.
Smartphones for the neophyte
Now, in my opinion, someone who is totally into smartphones and up on the latest tech trends will not want you to get them a smartphone, unless you know exactly which one they want (in which case you’re probably either married to them or gave birth to them, and they’ve been hinting pretty hard). But for people who haven’t made the jump to the wonderful world of smartphones yet, a gift might be the kick they need.
Two new smartphones from T-Mobile, the myTouch (on-screen keyboard) and myTouch Q (slide-out keyboard), are designed specifically for people who’ve never owned a smartphone before, and who might be a bit apprehensive. They both run the very popular Android operating system, and to make set-up easier they have a wizard that guides the user through setting up email and social networks, plus a tips widget to help figure things out along the way.
[I got to give these phones away on my site last week – congratulations to Deanna Watson and M. Banks – enjoy your new phones!]
What to ask at the store
T-Mobile provided us with these questions to ask at the store where you’re shopping for tech gifts (and, actually, they’re smart questions to ask when shopping for yourself as well:
- What does my rate plan cover?
- What kind of speeds/data am I getting?
- How much will my monthly payments be and/or other charges?
- What’s the exchange/return policy?
- Is my/my recipient’s home and workplace covered by your network?
- What are roaming charges?
- What are your warranty/insurance policies?
Some other tips I learned at the event:
- If your gift recipient is moving from one phone to another, make sure you can help her transfer all of her contacts, pictures, and data over to the new phone seamlessly, or that she can bring it into a store to get expert help in doing this.
- If the person you’re giving a phone to makes a lot of international calls, or is a teen with her first phone, you might want to consider gifting a pre-paid plan as well.
- Consider whether your recipient will want to use the phone as a camera replacement, GPS, or a mobile hotspot and make sure the phone you choose includes these features (and that the plan does as well).
- Don’t forget accessories, like cases or protectors, portable chargers, bluetooth headsets, and upgraded storage cards.
- If you’re gifting a smartphone to a child or teen, you can add applications like Drive Smart Plus and FamilyWhere to help put your mind at ease about your child’s location and phone usage.
- As far as plans go, T-Mobile has a great online calculator that helps you figure out the best plan, based on things like how often you stream videos or music, how many pictures you upload from your phone, etc.
Purse and pocket sized tablets
If your gift recipient already has a phone she loves, you might want to consider giving a tablet. I didn’t get a chance to play with either of the tablets that people at the event were gushing over, but lucky I ran into the T-Mobile crew the next night at another tech event, and got to try them out.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 plus and the SpringBoard with Google are, in my opinion, great gifts for someone who likes to be productive on the go but doesn’t want to carry around a laptop. At $229 and $299 respectively with a two-year contract ($50 less after a mail-in rebate) these are much cheaper than an iPad, and better suited to throwing into a purse or a pocket. I would actually let these out of the house with my kids, as opposed to the iPad, which I’m way too paranoid to let out of my sight.
Thanks to my blogger buddies!
I appreciate all of them taking time out of their day last week to come to my event. They’re all awesome, so please check out their blogs (linked below) – you won’t be sorry!
Nancy, Rebecca, Ellen, Desiree, Maria, Jen, Jill
Me & Vivian
Not pictured: Kim, Linda, Nicole, Onica, Victoria
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 13. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Today’s Agenda: back on track edition
Nov 21, 2011 Today's Agenda
So yesterday I admitted I’d taken about two-and-a-half days off from Slim-Fast and counting calories. All I’m asking of myself this week is to follow the plan for three days, then I’m going to go a bit easy on myself for the holiday weekend. I had my chocolate shake for breakfast, and it tasted great. Just hoping the massive amounts of Mexican food and pasta I ate this weekend don’t make it that much harder to be full today.
I have so many great products gathered for holiday shopping, which for a lot of people will be getting into high gear this week (although I’ve still got about four weeks until I’ll take it seriously). I’m going to start today with some tips from the T-Mobile event I hosted last week, about how to buy tech gifts.
And then, uh (Mommy, please stop reading!), I’ve got three days to clean my entire house top to bottom, because my mom’s coming for Thanksgiving! I’m so excited, because she hasn’t been here in about four years, I think. And she’s totally not the type to be judgmental about how the house looks. But still, I would be a terrible hostess to let her stay here with it the way it is now. So her visit is the kick in the ass I need to get some things done around here – hopefully!
Have a great, short week.
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 8 (T-Mobile). Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Today’s Agenda: screaming monkey edition
Nov 17, 2011 Today's Agenda
I can’t believe that I spent the first moments after the kids left this morning playing with this. But I did.
Yesterday I hosted an event for fellow bloggers with T-Mobile, and the monkey was in the gift bag. I love it, but I bet some of the attendees are cursing my name. :-)
The event was really informative (if I do say so myself). It was all about how to buy tech gifts for other people this holiday season. I’ll be posting those tips this afternoon.
Tonight is another tech showcase. I really love this time of year.
But first, I’m going to go back to sleep. I’ve had so little sleep the past two nights I can barely talk. Two nights ago I was up until four in the morning working. So stupid. I caught a ninety minute nap that afternoon, then went to bed at a decent time last night. But, I woke up with a raging headache at four in the morning, and barely slept after that, despite my wonderful husband getting up and getting me some Tylenol.
Part of me says I should just stay up until bed time and get myself back on track, but that side is being overruled by the side telling me to climb back under the warm covers and get some more sleep before I have a psychotic episode.
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 8. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Tags: flying monkey, T-Mobile, tech
Win one of TWO new T-Mobile Smartphones
Nov 9, 2011 Contest/Giveaway
If you know me, you know how much I love smartphones. I was the first person I knew who got a cell phone, back when they were the approximate size and weight of a brick, with an antenna that snapped off if you looked at it wrong. I may be using the same threadbare kitchen towels I’ve had since I was twenty-two, but I’ve always got the latest phone technology.
I remember once when my husband was robbed at gunpoint – the two thugs got his phone and his metrocard. My first thought was “I’m so glad he’s OK!” Followed quickly by “Damn, he gets to buy a new phone!”
As soon as phones started getting “smart” I hopped on board, and never looked back. So it always amazes me when I come across someone who still has a “dumb” phone. Why oh why would you want a phone that can only make phone calls when you can pretty much carry around a tiny computer and have access to social networks, email, directions, documents, not to mention the ability to take pictures and videos?
The reason I hear most often from people who don’t yet have a smartphone is that they’re scared of them. They’re afraid they won’t be able to get a smartphone to work. And it’s a legitimate concern. Phones do so much now that they can be confusing.
T-Mobile to the rescue! They have two new phones that make great gifts for that person in your life (maybe it’s you!) still clinging to a sad little flip phone: the T-Mobile® myTouch® and the T-Mobile® myTouch® Q. These phones are a fantastic combo of power and usability and are great for first-timers who don’t want to be confused by all of the amazing things that their new phone will be able to do.
The myTouch® has a 3.8 inch screen with Swype®, an amazingly fast and intuitive way to type. And the myTouch® Q has a slide-out keyboard. Both phones have a 5 megapixel camera that can also record HD video. The myTouch® comes in black and white, and the myTouch® Q comes in gray and violet. They both run on the 4G network, where available.
Both phones have a set-up wizard, an instructional widget that can show you all of the phone’s cool features, and a genius button that lets you call, text, or search the web with voice commands.
The good news for you is that I’m giving away a myTouch® and a myTouch® Q! To enter, you have to do the following three things. If you do not do all three your entry will be invalid and you can’t win. :-( So pay attention:
- Follow @TMobile on twitter
- Like the T-Mobile Facebook page
- Leave one comment in the comments section on this post telling me that you did those things, and the twitter handle and facebook name you did them under. Then, in that same comment, answer this question: “What is the biggest question you have when it comes to buying a wireless product as a gift?”
Remember, if you do not do all three of those things, including answering the question, you can not win.
Two winners will be chosen by random.org. The first winner will win the myTouch® and the second winner will win the myTouch® Q. The contest runs until Tuesday, November 15th. The comments will close that day around noon-ish and I will draw the winners. Retail value of each phone: $279.
See my complete Giveaway Rules page for more information.
Good luck!
Originally posted on Selfish Mom. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. This post has a Compensation Level of 11. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
