audio Archives | Cool Mom Tech

Toniebox, the new screen-free entertainment center for little kids

My son’s just at the age he can start listening to stories on his own, but I’m not in a hurry to hand over my iPhone to keep him entertained. So I was intrigued to read about Toniebox, a new screen-free content box for little kids. The Toniebox works with...

5 of the best audiobook apps to listen to while you scrub the counters. Again.

by Caroline Siegrist | Fun Apps

Anyone else need the escape of audiobooks while we hunker down and wait out the Coronavirus quarantines, school closures, and social distancing? These audiobook apps have proved to be the perfect literary lifeline for me while I’m stuck at home with my young...

12 practical tech gifts that are still pretty darn awesome | Holiday Gift Guide 2019

by Liz Gumbinner | Around the House, Gear, Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

There are some folks on our lists who love tech gifts, but prefer the more practical tech gifts to the gaming systems or the entertainment consoles. Or hey, maybe they love both but just have some specific needs this year. If that’s the case, I’ve got you...

Listen to your favorite music or podcasts through your sunglasses.

by Kristen Chase | Fashion + Accessories

Just when you thought you were super cool with your hot new AirPods, you can now listen to music through your sunglasses thanks to these Bose frames audio sunglasses. For real. Related: The coolest eco-friendly sunglasses we’ve ever seen It’s actually...

50 must-listen podcasts from podcast-addicted parents who know

by Caroline Siegrist | Entertainment

We recently asked the members of our Out Tech Your Kids Facebook Group to share their choices for best podcasts for parents — that don’t have to be about parenting at all — and wow, we scored big. And well, so did you. If you’re looking for new...

AirSnap: A swanky case for your swanky AirPods

by Kristen Chase | Audio

Are you tired hearing about how much I love my AirPods? Well, if you’re a recent convert or a seasoned user, I have found the perfect case, from our friends at TwelveSouth. We’ve featured their clever, practical Apple products over the years, and the...

Audio backpacks for back to school: Because headphones are so 2017.

by Kristen Chase | Back to School Tech

These audio backpacks I spotted at Spencer’s definitely have the cool factor, with everything you need in a back-to-school backpack and something extra: a speaker! Related: The coolest backpacks for preschoolers and little kids I admit that whether they’re...

Ooh…Cromatica Bluetooth speakers are music for the eyes, too

by Liz Gumbinner | Around the House, Audio

One look at the Italian Cromatica Bluetooth speakers and…whoa. Think of this lamp-speaker hybrid like a mood ring for your home. You choose the color illumination that suits you, choose your music, then lie back and chill. Or, clean your bathroom. Or, get some...

This new Audible series gives you insight on what your teens are thinking. Without the eyerolls.

by Georgette Gilmore | Entertainment

If you’re a parent of a teen, like me, or you have a soon-to-be teen, I highly recommend you check it out the new What Were You Thinking? Audible series aimed at helping parents (or anyone working with teens) get a better understanding of how this age group...

A cute little pet that plays music. We approve, Oprah!

by Kristen Chase | Audio

While I was getting my new shiny iPhone 8 + this weekend, I spotted these adorable My Audio Pet Bluetooth speakers at the T-Mobile store, under a big “One of Oprah’s Favorite Things!” Now, I love me some Oprah, but I tend to be pretty skeptical about...

NEW: The podcast that helps you be a savvier digital parent in under 15 minutes a week

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.