Tech trend: The new Uber-for-Kids type services that play chauffeur for your kids so you don’t have to
When I first heard about apps describing themselves as uber for kids, I was dubious. Calling a random driver to pick my kids up from school just didn't feel safe, and I thought I'd probably be a nervous wreck the entire time my kids were being transported. Then again,...
Elmo want to take your kid’s temperature with this new smart thermometer!
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only mom who's had a toddler run away and hide when I need to take their temperature. The struggle is real. That's why I'm loving the new Elmo smart thermometer from Kinsa. Unlike the original Kinsa smart thermometer, which is an...
Breaking news: The American Academy of Pediatrics drops its ‘no screens under 2’ rule
As parents, we want to do the best for our kids, but screen time is always a thorn in our sides, especially when the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has always said "no screens under 2." Well, that's not the case anymore, as the AAP just dropped this rule, with a...
Tile Mate keeps track of your keys, so you don’t have to. Whoo!
We have been longtime fans of the Tile smart tracker, because we're fans anything that helps keep track of stuff we've misplaced. Well, they just launched Tile Mate, which features a handy little hole, making it perfect for keychains, loveys, backpacks, and more. Tile...
Are earbuds causing hearing loss in kids? 3 things you can do right now to protect your kid’s ears
As a mom of a tween who blasts music through her earbuds on a daily basis, you can bet a new article about earbuds and hearing loss caught my eye. Reportedly, there's been a 30% increase in hearing loss in adolescents (one out of every five, actually), which they're...
Apps parents should know about: Whisper
A few years ago, we warned parents about Whisper, a free app that allows users to post about anything and everything anonymously, then connect in groups based on interests and location. But recently, a Denver teen was lured by a sex offender through the app, which is...
How to disable press home to unlock on the iPhone. Because it’s driving us nuts, too.
Ever since downloading iOS 10, I have swiped-to-unlock my phone about 75 times. Talk about being a creature of habit. It has taken a bit to get used to "press home to unlock," especially because now I seem to hold the home button too long and end up activating...
Nucleus: A home intercom system that you can use, even if you’re not home.
We just instituted a new family rule at my house: No yelling for mom or dad from another room. Because, enough already. But, that being said, this rule probably needs to start with me. Our solution has been the Nucleus home intercom system, and I'm happy to report,...
Emoji Pride and Prejudice. Answer the pressing question, was Mr. Darcy really just a poop?
Well, we've seen Pride & Prejudice for zombie fans, Pride & Prejudice for doodlers, and Pride & Prejudice for babies too young to know books as anything besides delicious teething toys. So I can't say I'm entirely surprised that someone has finally come...
Like a Glove smart leggings: Can they really help you find the perfect pair of jeans?
For me, trying on jeans is about as dreaded as trying on swimsuits. There are so many brands with countless styles, cuts, and washes, it's beyond overwhelming. So, when I saw the ads for Like a Glove smart leggings on Facebook, which promise to help you find a pair of...
Toca TV: A cool, new Toca Boca app unlike anything they’ve done before
We always get excited when there's a new Toca Boca app to download, and their newest launch, Toca TV, is no exception. It's a cool, kid-friendly, parent-approved video streaming service for kids age 3-8 that you'll want to check out stat. Related: Scare up fun before...
Smart doorbells: A new tech trend that could keep your family safer
When we see a tech trend that could keep our families safer, it definitely gets our attention, which is why we're so intrigued by smart doorbells, with two in particular that you'll want to have on your radar. Related: 3 simple home security systems that will keep...
Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way!) Easier
How to back-up your Facebook photos so they won’t be deleted
If you've been using Facebook's photo sync feature to back-up your photos, then you'll want to be sure to back them up. Why? Because if you don't do it by July 7, they will be deleted for good. Keep in mind that this only applies to Facebook users who specifically use...
2 simple iPhone tricks for quickly sharing texts and voice mails
We love discovering awesome iPhone features that help make our lives easier, which we can all use, busy parent or not. This is exactly the case with these two tricks that make sharing your texts and voice mails super simple. How to share texts on the iPhone Instead of...
5 simple Facebook tricks to help your posts get seen by more people
There's nothing worse than putting a post up on your Facebook feed only to have only a few of your friends like or comment on it. Okay, there are lots of things worse than that, but you know, it's annoying, especially when you've got a question you want some help...
A simple trick that could save you a ton of battery life
If you're having issues with your iPhone on iOS 10, here's a simple trick that could save you a whole lot of battery life. Bonus: It'll help with data usage too. Although Wi-Fi Assist is meant to be a helpful service by automatically switching your phone over to...
Duolingo app: Our cool free app of the week
If you're looking for a fun way to expose kids to new languages, we've been very impressed with quality of foreign language training you get with the free Duolingo app. You can choose from dozens of foreign languages, including common ones our kids learn like Spanish,...
Prime Reading: Being an Amazon Prime member just got a whole lot more awesome
As if free two-day shipping on almost any purchase and the ability to shop for groceries in my pajamas wasn't reason enough to join Amazon Prime, their newest feature, Prime Reading, has convinced me to keep on renewing my membership. Prime members now get free access...
Charge your smart phone with poop. Emoji, that is.
I've seen a whole lot of portable battery chargers, but this rainbow poop emoji one from WattzUp is definitely a first. I can already hear my tween daughter squealing. These hilarious emoji portable battery chargers work with most smart phones, as well as cameras,...
Up, up and away with the Sago Mini Planes app
Lately, my preschooler is all about airplanes, but even if your kids aren't as obsessed as mine, I bet they'll still love the Sago Mini Planes app. Similar to Sago Mini Friends app (which we've featured here on Cool Mom Tech), the Sago Mini Planes app features the...
Never miss a shot with the Cloak Bag
I actually stopped carrying my DSLR with me because by the time I could get it out of my bag, I had missed the photo of my kids I was trying to get. And walking around with the camera out in my hands? Not really the safest option. That's why I'm intrigued by the Cloak...
Google Trips app: Our cool free app of the week
My family will be taking a trip to Seoul, South Korea, in the next couple months, and I'm a little overwhelmed trying to plan our itinerary. Pinterest is somewhat helpful, but there's a lot of link bait to wade through. That's why I was so pleased to discover Google...
Printing from the palm of your hand with HP Sprocket
When school started a few weeks ago, one of my daughter's first homework assignments was to bring in photos of favorite people and things to decorate her daily notebook. I love the idea, but didn't love that I had to email myself photos, print them, realize the toner...
Grammar Snob: The quickest, easiest way to get people to send you a middle finger emoji
One of the funniest new Message apps now available for iOS 10 has to be Grammar Snob, a sticker app that lets you correct the grammar in your friends' texts. Grammar police, this one's for you. Does the wrong use of your vs. you're drive you nuts? Go right now and...
Nearly 100 of the coolest free geeky pumpkin carving templates for Halloween
With Halloween right around the corner (nope, we can't believe it either), we thought it would be fun to round-up a bunch of the coolest free geeky pumpkin carving templates. As in, a whole lot of them! Whether you've got Pokémon fans, emoji lovers, Star Wars...
Flybrix kits let kids build their own LEGO drones. Then crash them. Then build them again.
Of all the STEM toys out there for kids these days, LEGOs are my hands-down favorite. Except when I step on them, that is. Over the years, we've seen so many companies incorporate them in their learning toys and no surprise, considering how popular they are. That's...
Verne: the Himalayas app: Our cool free app of the week
I love the idea of traveling the world with my kids, but actually getting out there and doing it is another thing. I mean, the chance that we'd go float the Amazon or climb the Himalayas anytime soon is minimal. Scratch that, it's nonexistent. But thanks to today's...