Kate Etue, Author at Cool Mom Tech

Emoji: A history book about our kids’ favorite way to communicate. Okay, ours too.

Little history lesson for you: did you know that the emojis designs we use today — and communicate almost exclusively with our tweens in — originated way back in 1999? Like, before we even knew what a smartphone was? Japanese designer Shigetaka Kurita...

Cyborg, wormhole, exterminate…and 97 other first words little geeks need to know.

by Kate Etue | Geeky Baby Gifts

Geek parent alert: we’ve found the must-have language acquisition book for your offspring. With 100 First Words for Little Geeks, you can skip over the boring words like car and tree, and focus instead on the important additions to your child’s vocabulary....

Is that poison ivy? The new Seek app can tell you that, and a whole lot more.

by Kate Etue | Fun Apps, Travel Apps

With the warmer weather finally here, I’m looking forward to getting outdoors with my family. We’re avid campers and hikers, and I have to admit, I enjoy the time we spend away from screens. Turns out, it’s also Screen-Free Week, so how perfect that...

The combo Apple Watch and iPhone charger you need for travel

by Kate Etue | Cell Phone Accessories

I’m a recent convert to the Apple Watch, and it’s one of those little things that makes my life as a working-from-home mom easier. So far, my battery has lasted all day without me needing to recharge it, but my newest travel tip is to take along a Belkin...

Molekule: The gorgeous high-tech air purifier that’s touted by MoMA (yes, the art museum)

by Kate Etue | Smart Appliances

Spring is nearly here, despite snowy forecasts even down South. But our allergens haven’t gotten the note that we’re not ready for them yet, and my entire family is sneezy, itchy, and cranky. And after my son’s allergies got so bad we ended up in an...

Carpooling just got way easier, thanks to the Figure8 carpooling app

by Kate Etue | Productivity Apps

Managing my kids activities — and the time it takes me to get them there — is one of the more complicated parts of parenting for me. Carpooling is the solution that not only saves my sanity, but also helps out the environment. We have been impressed by...

BEAM Authentic lets you broadcast your cause, right on your jacket.

by Kate Etue | Lifestyle Apps

Now more than ever, making our voices heard has become a priority for many of us. So when we saw this new, tiny piece of tech called BEAM Authentic, we were immediately intrigued. BEAM is a wearable screen, slightly larger than a poker chip, that displays any message...

Is MoviePass good for families? We tried it! | Damn you, Facebook Ads series

by Kate Etue | Fun Apps

Editor’s note: Please scroll to the very bottom for some important updates on our Movie Pass experience. When I first heard about MoviePass on Facebook, I thought it sounded a little too good to be true. All the movies you could possibly see, for just $9 each...

4 must-download medical apps for families during cold and flu season

by Kate Etue | Family Safety Apps

Cold and flu season is on us, and wow, this is a bear. We’ve seen you stressing out on Facebook and Instagram, and we’re right there with you. To help, we’ve found some medical apps for families that might bring a little peace of mind. These apps can...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Tech in 2010 to help make our increasingly digital lives easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun, however old your kids may be.

We love that it's grown to become the go-to source for millions of parents who want commonsense info about tech delivered with a smile.

We even have the privilege of sharing our tips + tricks with The TODAY Show, CNN, HLN, GMA, Nightline, newspapers and magazines around the country, and our favorite -- regular parents who stop us at PTA meetings and ask us how old kids need to be to get a smartphone, and whether they really need to panic about Snapchat.

(Answer: It's complicated.)

We're so glad you're here! And we hope we can help you too.