productivity Archives | Cool Mom Tech

How to get rid of that unread email count badge on iPhone. Because we have enough stress these days!

I know I’m not the only one who wants to get rid of the unread email count badge on my phone that taunts me loudly in BRIGHT. RED. NUMBERS. Every so often, a friend on social media gleefully (like a Mr. Burns kind of gleeful if you ask me) will prompt friends...

Is the new iOS 15 Focus Mode feature helpful for parents? I tried it to find out.

by Caroline Siegrist | Best Apps, Tips and Tricks

Lately I’ve heard some mixed opinions about the Focus feature on the latest iOS 15. If you haven’t updated your iPhone yet, Focus mode is similar to the Sleep mode introduced with iOS 14 with even more detail and more ways to customize your notifications...

44 cool things you can do with the Amazon Echo: From productive time-savers to just plain fun.

by Cool Mom Staff | Life and Home, Tips and Tricks

I received an Amazon Echo for Christmas a few years ago, and I have to admit at first I was a little skeptical. What is all the buzz about anyway and what can I actually do with an Amazon Echo? I wasn’t sure it could really do more for me than Siri or my phone,...

4 clever tech solutions that turn handwriting into digital text

by Kate Etue | Tips and Tricks

We recently had a mom reach out on our Out Tech Your Kids group on Facebook, asking for the best tech to help turn handwriting into text. Like so many kids today, her daughter is using her finger to write on a school issued iPad, and the messy handwriting is causing...

Why Todoist is the first to-do list app I have actually stuck with for an entire year

by Liz Gumbinner | Best Apps

Every year I swear, this is the year I get organized! This is the year I find the best ever to-do list app and put everything on it and finally check things off my list instead of losing them forever and make more time for the things I love and life will be grand....

The Grammarly keyboard app is a fast typer’s BFF

by Kristen Chase | Best Apps

One of the many reasons I love my smart phone is that it allows me to untether myself from a desk or home office, so I actually end up spending more time with my family. That means I’m sending emails on the fly, and doing a whole lot of texting versus long...

Our Alexa organization series: The best Alexa calendar skills

by Kate Etue | Best Apps

Next up in our Alexa Organization Series, we’re sharing some of our favorite Alexa calendar skills to help you keep your family organized. Whether you want to add events to a joint calendar, keep up with a shared to-do list, or just make sure you do not miss the next...

Our Alexa organization series: The best Alexa finance skills

by Kate Etue | Best Apps, Tips and Tricks

Next up in our Alexa Organization Series, we’re sharing some of our favorite Alexa finance skills to help you keep your family budget it check. Whether you want to track your investments or keep up with your spending, even pay you bills, here are 4 finance...

Our Alexa organization series: The best Alexa meal planning skills

by Kate Etue | Best Apps

With the new year starting up, if you’re like me, you’ve got organization on your mind. I’ve found that using my Amazon Echo — which is strategically placed in our kitchen, the hub of our house — can be a huge help. So, we’re...

Kill News Feed: In case you need a little break from your Facebook feed

by Kristen Chase | Uncategorized

If you’re needing a little break from your Facebook feed, but still would like to be able to post, check your messages, and see your groups, then you should get Kill News Feed, a Chrome extension that will block out just your feed. Related: 8 ways to crush your...