A friend shared this product on Facebook last week. I checked out the video. And I bought one.
You should check it out too. The Ring™ Video Doorbell lets you answer the door from anywhere using your smartphone. It features an HD camera with night vision, providing a clear view from your front door, day and night.
The video pretty much explains it.
We installed ours earlier this week. I'm kind of curious to see who comes to my door that I wouldn't otherwise know about. It will also be nice for when we are traveling, which we do quite frequently. If you want to know my thoughts after a month or two, feel free to email cardicouture@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
December 9, 2015
July 6, 2015
Products we Love: GizmoPal
As the Mini Fashionista gets older, starts participating in more activities, starts full day school and spends more time out of my care, I can't help but worry just a little bit about her safety.
I know that these worries will only increase as she ages. I suppose that is why so many parents buy cell phones for their kids. And while I have no doubt that the Mini will have a cell phone many years before I got my first phone, I can't help but think that it's happening far too early. In my opinion, kids don't need to be able to text, they don't need internet access and they shouldn't be so technology dependent at such a young age. However, I do believe that it's important for parents to be able to reach their children and know where they are and for children to be able to call their parents when necessary.
That's what makes this product is so fantastic! Let me introduce you to the LG GizmoPal. The GizmoPal is an easy way to stay connected with your child with 1 button calling & Smartphone mapping.
It fits securely around the wrist, is durable and water resistant, and comes in blue or pink.
The GizmoPal allows your child to call two registered numbers and receive calls from an additional two approved contacts. Using the GizmoPal app on your smartphone, you can see the GizmoPal’s location on a map, via GPS. Plus, you can receive location notifications at scheduled times, such as when your child’s bus typically arrives in the neighborhood.
GizmoPal costs $79.99 and an additional $5/month on top of your Verizon wireless mobile plan. And while I don't see the need for something like this yet, I am excited about the options that I know will exist when it is something that our family feels is necessary. Hopefully by then there will be a product that allows more than 2 numbers to call in/out and also provide a more sleek design.
January 16, 2014
Keeping it Real
As you may have read, my resolution for this year, and for all the years to follow is to become less attached to my phone and my computer, primarily when in the presence of the Mini Fashionista. I want her to grow up knowing what it's like to entertain herself without watching a video, checking Facebook or Instagram, or playing Words with Friends or Candy Crush. I'm guilty of using all of the above to fill any free moment I have throughout my day.
Let's be honest, technology is an addiction. In fact, if there isn't one already, there should be a support group for technology addicts. The meeting might start something like this, "Hi, my name is Regan. I have an addiction to social media. It's been less than a minute since my last interaction, and I'm already going through withdrawals."
Here are some quick statistics gathered by Real Simple and Huffington Post in a joint poll of 3,583 women on how smarthphones and social media affect their lives. (article here)
This article, Psychology of Social Media, breaks down these addictions. Here are the major points.
- We are programed as "hunter-gatherers". Digital devices activate those instincts and give us an emotional buzz.
- Technology is seductive, not just addictive, and our brains are uniquely vulnerable to it.
- Our brains crave constant stimulation, and technology gives that to us.
- We have become so attached to our mobile devices that we cannot be alone with our thoughts. If we don't teach our kids that it is okay to "be alone" then they will never know what it is like to feel lonely.
- Cyber-connections don't exercise the same emotional competencies that you do in person.
- There is a whole generation that isn't learning how to have a conversation and because of that they will NOT be prepared to handle real life challenges.
- We are using technology in ways that cause us to take attention off of each other, despite its ability to connect us.
So what does all of that mean for me? How do I break free from my addiction? How can we all break free? Here are some ideas that I recently implemented in my daily life.
1. Set time limits and stick to them. I set timers for the Mini Fashionista all the time. Maybe I need to set them for myself too.
2. Make Rules. Decide times that you will stay off of social media, and stick to it. Or in reverse, decide the times that you WILL allow yourself to use it (i.e. only at night once the Mini Fashionista is asleep).
3. Take a break. Sign off for a day, maybe a weekend.
4. Check with a purpose, don't just peruse aimlessly….I do this far too often.
5. Post with a purpose. Less is more. (No one wants to know that your kid vomited on you, no one)
6. Respond off-line. If it's someone's birthday, instead of writing on facebook, pick up the phone and call them, send them an email or at least send a text.
7. Disable all alerts so you are not constantly reminded of "what is waiting for you."
8. Everytime you reach for your phone, ask yourself "Is there a good reason for this?" If not, put it back down. This one has actually been my best deterrent so far. More often than not, I put the phone down, or I never pick it up in the first place.
9. Take the tempting apps off your phone, i.e. Facebook! Then the only time you can look at them is on your computer during your "allowed" times.
This is no doubt going to be a slow change for me, but I think small changes will ultimately bring big victories. As Doctor Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss) said in the movie "What About Bob"…."baby steps, baby steps."
Who is with me?
Let's be honest, technology is an addiction. In fact, if there isn't one already, there should be a support group for technology addicts. The meeting might start something like this, "Hi, my name is Regan. I have an addiction to social media. It's been less than a minute since my last interaction, and I'm already going through withdrawals."
Here are some quick statistics gathered by Real Simple and Huffington Post in a joint poll of 3,583 women on how smarthphones and social media affect their lives. (article here)
This article, Psychology of Social Media, breaks down these addictions. Here are the major points.
- We are programed as "hunter-gatherers". Digital devices activate those instincts and give us an emotional buzz.
- Technology is seductive, not just addictive, and our brains are uniquely vulnerable to it.
- Our brains crave constant stimulation, and technology gives that to us.
- We have become so attached to our mobile devices that we cannot be alone with our thoughts. If we don't teach our kids that it is okay to "be alone" then they will never know what it is like to feel lonely.
- Cyber-connections don't exercise the same emotional competencies that you do in person.
- There is a whole generation that isn't learning how to have a conversation and because of that they will NOT be prepared to handle real life challenges.
- We are using technology in ways that cause us to take attention off of each other, despite its ability to connect us.
So what does all of that mean for me? How do I break free from my addiction? How can we all break free? Here are some ideas that I recently implemented in my daily life.
1. Set time limits and stick to them. I set timers for the Mini Fashionista all the time. Maybe I need to set them for myself too.
2. Make Rules. Decide times that you will stay off of social media, and stick to it. Or in reverse, decide the times that you WILL allow yourself to use it (i.e. only at night once the Mini Fashionista is asleep).
3. Take a break. Sign off for a day, maybe a weekend.
4. Check with a purpose, don't just peruse aimlessly….I do this far too often.
5. Post with a purpose. Less is more. (No one wants to know that your kid vomited on you, no one)
6. Respond off-line. If it's someone's birthday, instead of writing on facebook, pick up the phone and call them, send them an email or at least send a text.
7. Disable all alerts so you are not constantly reminded of "what is waiting for you."
8. Everytime you reach for your phone, ask yourself "Is there a good reason for this?" If not, put it back down. This one has actually been my best deterrent so far. More often than not, I put the phone down, or I never pick it up in the first place.
9. Take the tempting apps off your phone, i.e. Facebook! Then the only time you can look at them is on your computer during your "allowed" times.
This is no doubt going to be a slow change for me, but I think small changes will ultimately bring big victories. As Doctor Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss) said in the movie "What About Bob"…."baby steps, baby steps."
Who is with me?
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