Help Tiny Ball defeat Evil Devil with fun, physics-based attacks Simple to play, impossible to put down, Tinyball (v 1.0, Free, Windows Phone 8 only) – aka ‘Tiny Ball vs. Evil Devil’ – brings addictive, physics fun to Windows Phone. The whimsical, bug-eyed Tiny Ball is trying to get his ship back from the Evil Devil, and he needs your help. Aim his tiny canon, tap to fire, and watch the wobbling, bumping, crashing, chain-reaction results. You’ll have to be an ace to get through all 150 levels, but the special effects and cool design – including holiday themes – make it fun no matter what your skill level.
	Better-than-ever Angry Birds Classic – FREE for a limited time! Get your slingshots ready! If you love Angry Birds, you’ll flip over the new Angry Birds Classic (v 1.0; Free for a limited time; Windows Phone 8 with Xbox LIVE achievements; Windows Phone 7 without Xbox LIVE achievements), with 100 new levels – over 400 in all. Best of all, you can download it FREE now thru May 15! Already have the first release of Angry Birds on your phone? It will still be there, with your stars and level progress intact. But you’ll want to download the new Angry Birds Classic version to get the additional levels and updates to come. Download it today from the Windows Phone Store – but get it fast, because the special FREE promotion only lasts until May 15.
	Red Stripe Deals: Farm Frenzy 2, Jack of Tools Pro, DrawaStickmanEPIC Now through my 9th, save big on a trio of our favorite apps, indie games and Xbox titles — each one at least 50% off the original price. With Jack of Tools Pro ($.99, regularly $1.99), you’ll have a virtual tool belt wherever you go – compass, level, flashlight and more. In DrawaStickman:EPIC ($.99, regularly $1.99), the adventure begins as soon as you draw your little stickman, along with the tools and weapons he’ll need to solve the puzzles and overcome the obstacles he encounters. And Farm Frenzy 2 from Xbox ($.99, regularly $2.99) puts you in charge of a wild, wacky and gag-filled farm..
	Windows Phone app gets you ready for Star Trek Into Darkness The latest Star Trek movie opens in theaters May 17, but you can get beamed up to the fun early with the new film-based Star Trek App (v 1.0, Free, Windows Phone 8 only) featuring ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’. The app includes previews of the movie’s action in articles, web videos and photos, so you’ll learn about things like the redesigned Enterprise Bridge. You can test your knowledge of Star Trek trivia in fun quizzes, and register your opinions, likes and favorites in special Star Trek polls – both of which let you rise through the Starfleet ranks. You can purchase tickets for when the movie is released to the big screen. And in the meantime, join in monthly Sweepstakes for a chance to win prized memorabilia. For a TV and movie franchise with fans of undying loyalty, this app delivers big Star Trek fun.
	VZ Navigator gets you where you want to go!   VZ Navigator brings a rich experience to Windows Phone. You can easily pin your favorite spots to your Start screen, share your location via messaging, email or social networks, and more!
	Fancy for Windows PhoneExplore Fancy on PureMotion HD+ displays.Bring everything you love with Fancy straight to your Windows Phone. Explore great things, send gifts to your friends, and buy fantastic products wherever you are. Minimalistic approachWith Fancy for Windows Phone, you get all the Fancy features in a simple yet elegant manner, so you can experience Fancy with less distraction.

 

Are you getting enough sleep? Is it productive? I have 2 apps and a few optional plug-ins that will help you get that question answered. Maybe you already know the answer is "no" and perhaps you can learn some things about your sleep hygiene and find out how to improve your ability to get as much deep sleep as possible. Simply getting more sleep isn't always the answer.

For a total of $4.18 (obviously not including the device to run it on!), I have greatly improved my quality of sleep and I will show you how!
Sleep As Android FREE
Sleep as Android Unlock $2.89
Sleep Stats $1.29
Twilight FREE

Sleep As Android

I use this app religiously every night. Its an Android app (clearly) and it's free from the Play Store. There are a few plug-ins that you can get to go along with it which are not free but only $1-3. I bought two of the plug-ins and in total I only spent about $4.18. 

Here are a few awesome features that make the $2.89 price a STEAL!

Tracking

Time to Bed Timer and Notification
Your phone will alert you that it is time to go to bed based on the set alarm time so you can get in an optimal amount of sleep

Twilight

Free in the Play Store
Many people don't realize that using their cellphone, tablet ot laptop late at night will cause them to be stimulated enough to have a hard time falling asleep. This is all due to the blue light that your phone etc give off that may distort your natural circadian rhythm. I downloaded an app to my phone called Twilight (sorry, it has nothing to do with vampires) that reduces the output of blue light as it gets closer to my bedtme. The image on the right below is my screen with and without the filter.

The result is the Melanopsin photoreceptor in my eyes doesn't block the production of Melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for relaxing the body enough to fall asleep allowing for healthy sleep/wake cycles, or healthy sleep hygiene, as it is often referred to.

The folks at URBANANDROID are either creating a superhuman race of Sleep Walkers or they really care about our health! They have several sleep related apps.


Sweet dreams!

-CC

 

Sources:
Naturally Improve Your Sleep by Avoiding Blue Light
http://www.naturalnews.com/033413_melatonin_sleep_disorders.html

17 Ways to Improve Your Sleep
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/17-ways-to-improve-your-sleep/#axzz2Soyeiwg6

Mother's Day is next week so together we are going to find the BEST gift for your Mom. I am going to go out on a limb and say that 8 out of 10 Mom's have a cell phone. And if yours doesn't, you should get her one, at least for emergency purposes. Some Mom's just don't want to be bothered with the technology and that's ok but for the ones that do I'm going to help you figure out a GREAT gift to get them.

The first item is a MUST HAVE and I personally don't know how anyone functions without one. (I have 2).

JUICEBAR MOBILE CHARGERS

These are loosely referred to as power banks. You really only need one, unless you are power hungry like I am! You charge it up then take it along if you are going to be away from a power source for a long time and it stores power so you can charge your device. They come in all shapes, sizes and mAH. Everytime I take one out to charhe my phone (whether it be at a hockey game or a restaurant) women ALWAYS "ooh" and "ahh" over it and say they need one.
This Juicebar is an anodized alloy tube that looks amazing even though its incredibly small and light measuring just 3.5”x .87” and weighing only 2 oz.  Juicebar is 2200mAh and can hold a charge for over 30 days, so you can “Juice Up” right when you need it! Juicebar’s built-in USB port allows the use of your device's own cable and cutting edge engineering quickly chargers all popular mobile devices. 

There are solutions for all phones and tablets so you can stay charged on the go. If you are unsure what kind you need or where to get it, hit me up!

 

 

NAZTECH MINI BOOM SPEAKER

Next this little speaker is great for anyone but particularly Mom if she takes the kids to the park or hangs out on the patio or by the pool.This little wonder comes in pink too!

Its small enough to throw in a pocketbook and very inexpensive at around $19. This would make a great little gift for Mom.

 

VEHICLE CHARGER with DUAL OUTPUT

Most Mom's now either have a tablet or Kindle reader and some cars don't have a multitude of jacks to charge all these things. There are a few chargers that have dual USB ports so she can charge more things at once. Maybe she'll let the kids use it in the back seat!
Features:

• LED Connector Light - Patent pending touch activated LED light to easily connect your phone in low light conditions.
• Additional USB Port - Charge two devices simultaneously.
• Indicative Light - Red ring illuminates to ensure the charger is receiving power.
• Powerful & Efficient - 5v/2A output from outlet to rapidly charge your device.
• Improved Compatibility - Auto Detect IC Technology automatically detects the device type.

FITBIT ZIP

Mom will get a kick out of fitness with this little device. It tracks your steps, distance, and calories burned – and syncs those stats to your computer and select smartphones. In doing so, it celebrates how much more you do each day. Zip™ encourages you to set goals, challenge friends, and go farther - one step at time. That's how you turn everyday life into a social, achievable, awesome path to fitness.

CASES

Cases are ALWAYS a hit. Buy Mom a designer case or something in her favorite color or maybe some bling. You can't go wrong. Mom's love to accessorize, especially on something they carry everywhere! The cases pictured here are Vera Bradley, not exactly my style but I know a lot of women that love her handbags. There are also Lucky brand, Juicy Couture and tons of other stylish cases. If you think Mom needs something more of a protective nature, she might need a waterproof Lifeproof or Otterbox Armor Series.

All you have to do is hit me up here or in an email to cellularchloe@wirelesszone.com or go into a Wireless Zone store, tell them what kind of phone Mom has and what she likes to use it for and maybe a few of her interests and we'll set you up with something Mom will love!

New to Windows Phone: Tumblr, Pic Stitch, Fidelity and more!

This week was a big one for Windows Phone apps: several top new titles including Tumblr, Pic stitch, and Fidelity as well as some Windows Phone exclusive deals, more details below! With over 135,000 apps and games, Windows Phone has the apps you need and the brands you love.

	Fun sharing with friends: Tumblr comes to Windows Phone 8 Whatever you’d like to share – pictures, quotes and text, music and videos, chats, or links – do it right from your Windows Phone, with Tumblr for Windows Phone 8 (v 1.0, Free). Use your voice to open Tumblr and to create new posts. Create and share photo content easily with Windows Phone 8 camera Lenses integration. And while friends are enjoying the content you create, you can follow your favorite creators, too, with updates pushed via Live Tiles or to your Lockscreen wallpaper. Create and share all the things that are important to you with the ease and fun of Tumblr.
	Frame your favorite photos together with Pic stitch Designing framed collages is a perfect way to enjoy your favorite photos. Now, Pic Stitch (v 1.0, Free) makes that even easier and more fun, and gives you more options for expressing your creativity, too. New frame shapes and customized layouts let you make the most of your pictures, and improved Facebook compatibility makes them simple to share. Email or print your designs, too. With Pic Stitch, your favorite photos can brighten more than just your phone.
	Get easy access to your Fidelity account on Windows Phone 8 Knowing what’s up with your investments gives you peace of mind and a better handle on your financial life, too. And if your money is with Fidelity, their new app (v 1.0, Free) lets you access your account and enjoy many key online features right from your Windows Phone. Check your account balances and stock positions, and create watch lists. Read up on the latest financial news and get detailed, real-time stock quotes. And in beautiful visual displays, view interactive stock charts and get a US markets overview. And because you’re on a Windows Phone, pin wide Live Tiles with stock quotes and relevant headlines to your Start Screen. It’s the app that helps you make the most of what you’ve got.
	Build a village with your favorite characters from Ice Age Manny, Ellie, Diego and Sid are building a community for all the creatures from the fun, animated world of Ice Age, and in Ice Age Village (v 1.0, Free) you get to help. Immerse yourself in their adventure, interact with your favorites characters – and as you move up through levels, gain access to new animal species, cool buildings and decorations, and more. Side missions keep things interesting, and you can play mini-games featuring Scrat, the saber-toothed squirrel. If you loved Ice Age, the movie, you’ll enjoy busy, bustling fun with their friends in their new village here!
	Download and register for Audible to get a free audio book Travel season is warming up, and having a good book to take with you for the weekend or a week away is key. Now, exclusively for Windows Phone 8 users, Audible (v 1.4, Free) is making an offer you can’t refuse: choose one of three digital audio book titles to download free, just for trying Audible out. Download the app and register with your email address, then select either a Jackie Collins guilty, glamorama pleasure, The Power Trip; the high-tension Navy Seal autobiography American Sniper, by Chris Kyle; or the of-the-moment classic The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Then, if you go on to subscribe to Audible, you can choose another audio book title for free to jump start your subscription.
	Don’t forget to check out this week’s Red Strip Deals! Monitor your stocks quickly and easily with My Stocks Portfolio ($.99, regularly $2.99); challenge your friends to the fast-paced word game Ruzzle ($.99, regularly $2.99); and alter the moods and emotions of a quirky little character in MUSH ($.99, regularly $2.99). Every week brings new apps and games at incredible savings, so check back regularly. Look for the Red Stripe Deals Collection in the Windows Phone Store, or find discounted titles by the red stripe surrounding their icons.

Collection of the Week: Companion Apps!

Your Windows Phone can make life simpler in more ways than you might realize, and our Companion Apps Collection can show you how. Don’t workout alone, bring FitBit Companion (v 1.8, Free) along so you can access all your workout data from FitBit Tracker. After you’re done at the gym, hit the couch and turn your Windows Phone into a TV remote with PC Remote (v 3.2, Free). With Remote 4 Roku FREE (v 1.7, Free), you can fire up a Netflix movie on your Roku. Then, at the end of your Windows-Phone-enhanced day, turn out your Philips Hue LED lights right from bed with Oni: Light Control (v 1.3, Free). Why work harder than you have to? When you’ve got a Windows Phone in the palm of your hand, you don’t have to!

You know that "one friend" that you have, whose birthday, with some strategic planning has morphed from a day into a celebration just short of a month? I've got some great friends but I don't think most of their birthdays warrant a really long weekend, never mind longer. Earth Day is always April 22nd and like many people's birthdays, it started out a long time ago as just a day, and it has slowly morphed into a month, now fondly referred to as Earth month. The Earth's day however, warrants a whole month. The very least we can do is respect our Earth and try to encourage others to do the same, even if it starts as a day or a month, Baby steps!

Here are some startling facts regarding Smartphone recycling:

Mobile Phone Recycling Graphic created for Love2Recycle by Broadland Digital

I hope I have your attention now! Here is a list of member of the Wireless Industry and how to recycle with them:

Alaska Communications

• Recycling Program

Anritsu Company

• Eco Products Development

Apple, Inc

• iPod and Mobile Phone Recycling

AT&T Mobility, Inc.

• AT&T Reuse & Recycle

Brightpoint

• Bright Green TM

Broadcom

• Environmental Policy

CExchange

• Green Policy

Cisco

• Product Take-Back and Recycle

Dell

• Recycling

Back to Top

Garmin

• Garmin Recycling

Huawei

• Environment

Intel

• Product Ecology & Recycling

Juniper Networks

• Product Reclamation and Recycling Program

Kyocera

• everGreen

Leap Wireless

• National Cell Phone Recycling Program

Lenovo

• Product Recycling Program

LG

• Take-Back & Recycling

Microsoft

• Environment

Motorola

• Take-Back Program

NEC Corporation of America

• NEC E-waste Recycling Information
• NEC Principles of Conduct for Sustainability

NTT DoCoMo USA, Inc.

• Environment: Contribution to Environment through Business Activities
• Developing Eco-Friendly Mobile Phones

Personal Communication Devices, LLC

• Recycling Policy

Palm

• Take back and Recycling
• Palm Environmental Stewardship

Plantronics

• Plantronics and the Environment - Living Green

Powerwave Technologies

• Environmental Management

NeuStar, Inc.

• Corporate Social Responsibility

Nokia

• Nokia USA: Recycle

Back to Top

Qualcomm

• Qualcomm Global Citizenship - Recycling

ReCellular

• Recycle and Donation Program

Samsung

• Recycling Direct

Sony Ericsson

• Take-Back Program
• How to Recycle

Sprint Nextel Corporation

• Recycle
• Sprint Buyback
• Sprint Project Connect

TELUS Communications Company

• Return & Recycle Program for mobile handsets and accessories

T-Mobile USA

• Handset Recycling

Toshiba

• Recycling Programs
• Toshiba recycling and trade-in program

Touchstone Wireless, LP

• Go Green. Get Green.

Verizon Wireless

• HopeLine
• Call2Recycle

Warner Music Group

• Green Initiatives 

Remember people, it takes a village! Do what YOU can!

Peace out

-CC

There are so many ways to obtain, rent, buy, lease, poach, beg, borrow or steal multimedia these days. If you decide to subscribe to a service, who's is the best? I think it all comes down to what works best for you based on the types of movies you watch and how/where you watch them There are several choices. Also notice the comparison of what a fairly new movie cost to rent or buy (standard definition) or if it is not available at all.

 

	Kiosk	Mail Service (1 disc at a time)	Online Streaming	Subscrip. recq	Rent/Buy movies	Zero Dark Thirty-Rent	Zero Dark Thirty-Buy
Redbox Instant	4 free/mo then $1.29 ea		x	$8/mo	x	$4.99	$16.99
Netflix		$4.99/mo	x	$7.99/mo		N/A	N/A
iTunes			x		x	$4.99	$17.99
Google Play			x		x	$3.99	$12.99
Blockbuster on Demand		$4.99/mo trial then $9.99/mo	x		x	$2.99	$23.99
Amazon Instant Video			x		x	$3.99	$12.99

 

Do you prefer only downloadable content? When I travel, I like to have something already downloaded to my devices so I don't have to worry about the network availablility and speeds. Also I can watch them on the plane (or anywhere else for that matter) with no WiFi needed. For that reason I like to get the actual DVD (Redbox-kiosk or Netflix) and rip it to an MP4 so I don't have to carry the DVDs with me.

Redbox Instant by Verizon

Redbox was created to offer U.S. consumers the best of both worlds, digitally and physically. All consumers have immediate access to new-release DVD and Blu-ray Disc� movie rentals through more than 36,800 Redbox kiosks nationwide and can instantly view popular entertainment content anywhere, anytime, using the devices they prefer with a Redbox Instant by Verizon subscription and video on-demand streaming service.

At launch, Redbox Instant by Verizon will be offered via the web, as well as through home entertainment, tablet and mobile devices, including iOS®, Android™, Samsung® Blu-ray Players and TVs with SmartHub™, LG Smart TV and Blu-ray Players, and Google TV. More devices will be announced in the coming months.

Currently, Redbox Instant by Verizon is open to public beta and consumers are be invited to explore the service and enjoy their first subscription month free. After the first month it is $8. Thousands of movie fans have already signed up at RedboxInstant.com to be among the first to try the service and experience a fun, simple way to discover the best Hollywood entertainment.

Source https://www.redboxinstant.com/rbgatekeeper/pressrelease.jsp
https://www.redboxinstant.com/rbgatekeeper/about.jsp#

Netflix

Netflix has had their share of controversy. Currently I believe you can still get digital or mailed content under the same membership. They tried to split it up and people got downright mad. Myself included! For only $7.99 a month, you get unlimited movies & TV episodes instantly over the Internet to your TV or computer. There are no commercials, and you can pause, rewind, fast forward or rewatch as often as you like. It's really that easy! For an additional $4.99 you can get 1 disc at a time in the mail. It seems separate but it's cheaper than the original sign up charge of a few years ago.  

iTunes

I'm fairly certain everyone know what iTunes has to offer. It has current movies for sale or rental. They are available in standard definition or HD.

 

Google Play

This is a great service for anyone using an Android smartphone or tablet or both! You don't need a subscription to buy or rent movies and there are often sales on movies, sometimes at only $.99. You won't see that on iTunes!

Blockbuster On Demand

It's free to sign up! You're only billed if you rent a movie. Most movies are just $2.99.
Watch Blockbuster On Demand instantly on your PC, Mac, Android Phone, Tablet and Samsung Smart TVs. More devices will be supported very soon!

 

Amazon Instant Video

Over 140,000 top movies and TV shows to rent or buy, including thousands available to Amazon Prime members at no additional cost. Unlimited instant streaming is included with Amazon Prime membership.You do not need a Prime membership or any other membership to simplky buy or rent videos or TV shows.

I don't know about the rest of the world but I love it when I can enhance a device I already own with an accessory. Before smartphones, never before has there been a device that is so versitile in what it can do for you. Here are a few things that have sprung up recently that can enhance a few different aspects of your life.

This year at the biggest convention for electronics and gadgets, called CES (Consumer Electronic Show) there was an explosion of Digital Health and Fitness gadgets. “The floorspace of the category at this year’s CES is triple what it was last year,” Woody Scal of Fitbit was quoted saying, “Everyone says to themselves ‘Am I eating right? Am I getting enough exercise? How can I lose weight?’ The reason this category is growing so quickly is that these are real issues.”

 

Fitbit Flex

The Fitbit Flex which is due out sometime this spring is the perfect example of such a device. It will monitor how you sleep and help you reach your fitness goals. Here's what it measures:

• Steps taken
• Distance traveled
• Calories burned
• Active minutes
• Hours slept
• Quality of sleep

Those are pretty cool features but here's one that will surprise you, it have a silent alarm that vibrates on your wrist so it wakes you without waking your partner. They also made it water resistant so you could wear it on your wrist all the time.

 

http://www.fitbit.com/flex

 

 

VIVOplay Watch

This Safety-Focused watch Keeps Parents And Children In Sync. Using their patent-pending technologies, VIVOplay marries GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular capability to offer seamless communication both indoors and out. The VIVOplay is water resistant and flexible enough to be worn as a wristwatch or fit into custom accessories to meet individual tastes and to keep it from getting lost.

http://www.evadofilip.com/

 

The COOKOO Watch 

This Cookoo Smartwatch started off as aKickStarter Project where anyone can jump on the bandwagon and help fund it if they like the product and want to see it come to fruition. Enough people beliebed in it so it was funded and produced and it's now available at $129

The COOKOO watch cleverly helps you manage your Bluetooth 4.0 smartphone so you don't have to constantly check it.

Have you ever missed a call because you couldn’t hear your phone? Or found yourself constantly checking your phone for new texts emails or Facebook messages? The COOKOO watch will notify you when something happens on your phone in real time—even if you can’t hear, see, or reach it.

 

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cuckoo/cookootm-the-watch-for-the-connected-generation

 

Tbpt Tracker

If you’ve ever had a pet that has a tendency to go walkabouts, the tbpt Tracker should help. Hook the Tracker onto your pet’s collar, download the Android app and you’ll have real-time tracking so you can see exactly where they are. Even more, you can store journeys so you can look back historically and have a geo-fence alarm, which will alert you when your pet passes a pre-determined geo fence. Clever stuff.

tracker.com.tw

 

Trakdot

The only thing that goes missing almost as much as your pets is your luggage. And while we love nothing more than hanging on the phone to an airline in an attempt to get it back, it’s nice to be one step ahead and know exactly where it is, should it go astray. With the Trakdot, you place the sensor into your luggage and use the app on your phone to track exactly where it is. And if everything goes to plan and your luggage does arrive where you do, you’ll get a peace-of-mind text message or email to let you know there’ll be no nasty surprises when you make your way to luggage collection.

 

 

http://www.trakdot.com:8080/TrakDot/products.jsp

Memoto camera Very cool concept (a little pricey)
http://memoto.com/

Credit Card sized charger for the iPhone

http://www.techhive.com/article/259723/the_chargecard_is_the_compact_usb_charger_we_ve_all_been_waiting_for.html#tk.hp_new

FYI
Internet-enabled everything

Belkin had already been dipping its toes into the burgeoning “Internet of Things” category with its WeMo family of Internet-connected electronics that enable home automation (such as an outlet switch that lets you turn gadgets on or off via a smartphone). Now Belkin hopes other companies will add WeMo technology to their devices through its WeMo Smart platform, which it announced Monday. The first company to do so will be Jarden Consumer Solutions, which owns a number of houseware brands and will include WeMo tech on products that carry the Sunbeam, Crock-Pot, Oster and Mr. Coffee names. Belkin says Jarden’s first WeMo-enabled products will come out this year.

 

 

 

 

So here we are just trying to live life simply using our ever-so-intuitive iPhones. There have been a few trying updates and at least one minor disaster aka Apple maps. Along comes another update, at which point we are probably no longer skittish...or are we? Prior to updating my many devices I typically post here to let you all know what to expect. In doing that I scour the forums to see if the soak tests showed any issues. I do that so you don't have to! I'm a little late getting this posted so I've had the fortunate opportunity of getting a lot of feedback from the forums before doing the update on my device. I am updating it (as I type) but I know what to look for.

In the past few upgrades, Initially there were some security issues where users were able to make calls and access contacts by pulling the SIM card and using voice controls to bypass the lock screen. Then there were the battery issues. It seems however that it is related to being connected to an Exchange server and now the upgrade to 6.1.3 may make the batterty decrease faster if connected to the iCloud. Umm...isn't that going to be a default of all iTunes? Well, if you are connected to the cloud, upgraded to 6.1.3 and noticing a more rapid battery drain, you might try "unsyning" the info on your phone with the info on the cloud.

 

I will be keeping a close eye on my device, as I just updated it. It will be intresting to see how my battery behaves, especially since I am on Exchange and I am obviously synced with iCloud. I'll keep you posted. Hit me up if you have anything to report!

Peace out

-CC

Blast From the Past: Retro Apps for Your Smartphone

Besides Fashion (Ha!) There Were Some Great Games That Have Seen a Refresh.

Remember all those gadgets and games from yesteryear that you loved playing with as a kid?  I’m talking about all those fads like Troll Dolls, Bellbottom pants, and this list can go on forever.  Luckily, (or maybe not so) some of those techies that make apps for a living decided to bring back some super rad memories.  I apologize in advance if I make you feel old in the process.

There’s really not much to say for these first two apps, seeing as they are really simple to use/you’ve probably played this at some point:

Simple Pac: (Today’s version of Pac-Man)

Just like in the original game, you move around trying to eat everything in sight in order to get to the next level.  Just make sure you don’t get eaten by a ghost!  The only difference is you don’t have a joystick to move Mr.PAC-MAN around.  In all of your touch screen glory, you touch in the direction that you want to move hope to not be eaten. I must be honest, it takes a little getting used to.

 

Classic Simon:

It’s a test of memory, just like in the original game.  With four colors to go between and a bunch of different speeds, it’s easy to get lost in the repetition.  Great to play on a tablet.

Roidizer: (Today’s digital version of a Polaroid)

Who didn’t have a Polaroid camera growing up?  Those big, clunky cameras with the huge white border along the bottom, you could get an instant picture to carry around with you.  The roidizer app does just that.  Although you can’t print out the picture right away, you can save it or send it anywhere you’d like, say Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  Not only that, but there’s an option to write in that bottom portion of the picture.  I like using the sharpie pen, personally. 

 

Tamagotchi L.I.F.E.:

Remember those little egg-shaped devices you’d attach to the zipper of your backpack or keychain.  It was pretty much a digital pocket pet that you had to feed, clean, and play with for hours on end.  Although this fad only lasted for a little while, no one ever forgets their first Tamagotchi.  With this app that I pretty much stumbled upon, (more like searched for a month and suddenly it appeared) you start off with one basic Tamagotchi.  With some amount of play, eventually you’ll earn more pets or more customizations for your little Tamagotchi world.

 

Battleship

If you liked Battleship back in the day, you'll get a kick out of the mobile version some clever programmer coded up! There are many Battleship apps, this one far exceeds the others. It's by BYRIL. Its sketches are on grid paper and looks somewhat like a blueprint. It looked sketchy (no pun intended) at first but once I played it I was hooked! It is very nicely executed and there are a few additions to the standard game, like planes that can bomb your battleships. Tanks can be procurred that can shoot down the planes. There are 3 levels, sounds of the ocean and other great sound effects. One player against the "machine", 2 player or you can have a Bluetooth game with someone. You have to check this out, it's really nicely done and challenging! TRUST ME ON THIS!

Game on!

-CC

How Smart Is Your House?

How many times have you left your home and had to turn around and go back to ensure you locked the door or shut off the iron. Maybe you were on your way to a meeting or appointment or heading off on vacation and were prevented from going back home to check. Imagine being able to use your smartphone like a universal remote control for your home? Thanks to Verizon products and services, that concept is now a reality. 

 

You have total control of what’s going on at your connected home from anywhere using an array of products like indoor/outdoor cameras, lights, thermostats and appliances from your smartphone, computer, tablet or FiOS TV. 

This new service can provide piece of mind in many areas including safety and budget. You can monitor the inside and outside of your home as well as detect when windows or doors are opened. It can help save money as you are better able to oversee your energy usage, turn on/off lights and heat from home, work or even vacation.

Here are a few scenarios that will give you some insight into just a few ways these products can simplify your life. 

Remote Door Entry

Let your kids in the house when they forget their key or let a contractor in without having to leave a key behind, all from the convenience of your desk at work.

 

Outdoor Camera

You are working from your home office and you get a visit from a friend, you can look at the outdoor camera and unlock the door without leaving your chair. 
You are alerted that your front door has been opened in the middle of the day, you can consult the outdoor camera and see who entered.

 

Switches

Turn lamps off from work, that your kids left on.

You can shut the curling iron off from work that you may have forgotten to unplug. 

You go to the gym and realize it's gotten very hot, you can turn on the air conditioner prior to getting home.

You arrive home at night and nobody is home, the house is dark. You can turn a few lights on prior to entering.

 

Thermostat

You've been on vacation and you turned the heat down to save energy. You forgot to ask the neighbor to turn the heat up for your return. You turn it up from your phone at the airport.

Your electric bill has increased. Monitor how much electricity your appliances are using with the Energy Reader.

 

Sensors

You come in the house with your hands full of groceries in the dark, the door sensor from the garage automatically turns on a lamp in the hallway. 

You get an alert that a window sensor is triggered, you check the indoor camera to see who opened the window.

 

Indoor Camera

You go out for the evening and leave the kids with a sitter, you want to check in and make sure they are doing their homework.

Click photo to go to video from Fox 61
 

 

Verizon offers a fully integrated and affordable solution at $9.99/mo. after the equipment purchase.  Best of all, this innovative service is built on Verizon’s reliable wireless networks. Home Monitoring and Control Services are available in three levels:

 

• The Entry-Level (home monitoring: remote door entry and video surveillance)
• Home Energy monitoring (thermostats, wireless (WiFi) light and appliance controllers, and even a circuit-box mounted sensor that monitors whole-home energy usage.
• Home Monitoring Surveillance and Energy Usage Monitoring

 

There are many other products available that you can add on like baby monitors and motion detectors. Whether Verizon or another brand, they are all a testament to how your smartphone or wireless device can enhance your life.