Should you trust Amazon product reviews? ReviewMeta to the rescue.
We know that as much as you rely on Cool Mom Tech (and Cool Mom Picks) for product recommendations (right?), we pretty much all still check Amazon reviews before we make a purchase. But as you can probably guess, for many products, the reviews aren't super reliable....
Adorable app: Our cool free app of the week
I've seen some pretty adorable baby announcements in my mailbox over the years. I have to say, I really admire my friends who know their way around Photoshop. They can put the perfect font with their baby's photo to make the cutest announcements and cards. But, for...
Turn your summer memories into a cool keepsake
Take Chatbooks photo books and add in The Novogratz Family design sense and you get a very cool way to turn your favorite summer photos into a keepsake. Simply download the Chatbooks app, then enter the code SUMMER16, where the cool illustrations and artful prompts...
Cool gifts designed by your kids’ favorite gamers and YouTubers at Maker Shop.
My kids are obsessed with Aphmau, the hugely popular YouTuber, Vlogger, designer -- and mom, by the way -- who creates the Minecraft roleplay videos they devour like I used to watch, oh, Captain Caveman. I happened to click on the Aphmau Maker Shop link from her...
A booming new Bluetooth speaker that more of us can afford
Honestly, I'm not a hard-core audiophile who geeks out over the minute details about speaker drivers and subwoofers, but I am still picky with my speakers as I'm sure a lot of you are. I can hear the difference between a good speaker and a crappy one when I'm...
A gorgeous wearable tracker that might actually help beat stress
We've seen lots of stylish activity trackers for women, even ones aimed to help deal with stress, but none have been so seemingly comprehensive in terms of physical and mental health as the new Bellabeat LEAF Urban. Related: 5 gorgeous fitness trackers for women Worn...
Artkive app: Our cool free app of the week, but only free for a limited time!
Ever since I downloaded the Artkive app a few years ago, it's been my very favorite way to store all the artwork my kids bring home from school. Instead of filling up my closets with huge stashes of paper (and glitter that never stays put, ugh), I store it all...
3 cool art tech toys that take your kids’ drawing to a new level
Lately we've seen some really cool tech innovations that are inspiring the little artists in our house. While we're still big fans of crayons and paper around here as our go-to art supply, I love how that their creativity can carry over into screen time, too. If your...
5 awesome llama iPhone cases. Because, llamas.
If you haven't noticed, llamas are taking over as the cute animal du jour. First it was owls, then foxes, followed by hedgeghogs, and sloths. Though admittedly I'm still a little obsessed with sloths. Thanks, Zootopia. But finally, llamas are getting the attention...
BeON Home: The smart lightbulbs that keep your house safer
I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that whenever my family heads out on a trip, we worry about the safety of our homes when we're gone. So I was intrigued by the BeON smart lightbulbs, which use clever lighting responses to prevent burglary, plus have a backup battery...
How to get rid of Unknown calls on your iPhone in a snap
If you're getting more than your fair share of calls from that dreaded caller "Unknown" and want to know how to get rid of unknown calls, we've got your back. After all, 'tis the season for telemarketing, campaign donation requests, and robocalls up the whazoo. So, I...
Amazon Dash Replenishment Service means you’ll never run out of coffee again
The Amazon Dash service has come a long way since we first featured it two years ago when it was just a cool gadget that connected you to your Amazon shopping cart via WIFI. Since then, Amazon added Dash Button, which are little gadgets that live on your washing...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
Check out these 15 brilliant smartphone camera hacks that will totally simplify your life
When I shared 8 ways I use my smartphone camera to make my life easier awhile back, I had no idea how much it would resonate with other parents! But I get it -- anything to preserve a few extra brain cells, right? So, we've expanded this list of ways to use your...
6 simple tech tips for travel with kids that save us every time.
If your family is anything like mine, a vacation means loading up all the tech gadgets to keep the troops entertained for the long trip ahead. With spring break right around the corner, and summer vacation on the horizon, here are 6 simple tech tips for travel with...
Why parents need a social media policy for babysitters and caregivers, and how to get started
A couple of weeks ago, our friend Heather from the Rookie Moms discovered that her babysitter had been taking photos of her kids on SnapChat and she asked her Facebook friends what they would do about this. Now before you freak about sexting, SnapChat has pretty much...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
The list of everything Siri can do for you. That’s 489 commands, to be exact.
I'm the first one to admit that I do not utilize Siri on my iPhone as much as I should. But after discovering Hey Siri website that lists out literally every single command (and variation on those commands) that Siri can do, let's just say I'm upping my game. With the...
A cool gadget that’s good for your laptop. And you, too.
Part of getting my kids ready for back to school is creating a quiet, organized homework space for them. This year, I've decided to give myself a little home workspace makeover, too. First up, these cool laptop stands from Grovemade, a cool small business that makes...
How to preserve friendships (and your own well-being) online during a hostile election
I won't pull punches here; I am horrified, it not entirely shocked by the vast number of women in particular who have confessed how traumatic this election season has been for them, thanks in no small part to abuse on social media from those in their networks. Not...
The best laptops under $200 according to Reviewed.com
This is a syndicated post from Reviewed.com, who we trust for rigorously tested, objective reviews on gadgets + gear Great news! If you only have $200 to spend on a laptop, your options are far better than they used to be. While these machines aren't built for...
The FILLD app brings gas to your car, so you never have to stop for gas again
When I saw my friend's Facebook update that she just had gas delivered to her car, you can bet I clicked right over. And to my surprise, FILLD is totally a real thing that is the smartest thing I've seen in a very long time. You simply download the FILLD app, then...
2 of the best baby naming websites we trust to help us pick the perfect one
Choosing your baby's name is serious business. You want one that will be meaningful but not cheesy, unique but not weird, and cool but not a passing fad. No pressure, right? Well, here are 2 of the best baby naming websites that were huge helps to us when we were...
KonMari App: Our cool free app of the week
With three kids, one dog, and enough stuff to fill a suburban house, I quickly became a convert to the KonMari method of organization, or "tidying" as founder Marie Kondo puts it. Her simple and direct way of weeding through all the stuff we have accumulated over the...
goTenna: The must-have gadget to stay connected when you’re camping
So, I know the goal of camping is to connect with nature and go off the grid, but sometimes you just need cell service, whether it's to access Google Maps, use a cool app like SkyView or binge watch when the kids are finally asleep. It can also be a smart way to keep...
COWAROBOT: A robotic suitcase that lets you go hands-free. The future is here.
When I imagined the future, I definitely saw little robots following us all around, perhaps sweeping up our crumbs and reminding us where we left our coffee. So, while the COWAROBOT doesn't do those things, it does follow you around with your luggage, which is a...
How to enable and schedule Night Shift on your iPad or iPhone
As someone who has a bad habit of laying in bed at night and checking her iPhone, the Night Shift feature in iOS 9.3 is a lifesaver. Or really, a sleep saver. Yes, those bright LCD screens aren't great for helping you fall asleep. So, if you're like me and like to...
Snowfox lets you stay connected with your kids, no screens required
Over the years, we've gotten lots of questions about when kids should get their first cell phone, which we've always answered with questions ourselves, because really, it depends on a lot of factors. How old is your child? Are they responsible enough for a phone? What...
May the force be with your feet
Considering how happy I was after clicking through a sock ad on Facebook, I figured maybe I'd go two for two when I saw these Star Wars socks in my feed, because I've got a few fans in my house who would love these for back to school. Related: These are the Droid...