15 new iOS 15 features that parents will get (very!) excited about: FaceTime, ScreenShare, Focus, Health, and more

by Liz Gumbinner | Best Apps, Gear + Hardware, Tips and Tricks

Each time there’s a live streaming Apple Event to announce the new products and updates, we watch diligently to see what’s new for parents and families, or which advances and improvements will actually make our lives a little easier, more organized or more...

Readeo: The ebook app that makes us think Epic + Zoom had a baby

by Kate Etue | Entertainment

Nothing compares to having your kid sitting in your lap while you read a book to them, but there’s definitely a place for great ebook libraries on my kids’ devices too. So when I saw Readeo advertised on my Instagram feed recently, I paused scrolling to...

Spruce up your online learning with cool free Zoom backgrounds from National Geographic

by Caroline Siegrist | Kids

Anyone else tired of broadcasting their messy house over Zoom every day? I definitely was, so I was stoked to discover these cool virtual Zoom backgrounds for online learning from National Geographic. [Insert bad dad joke here about how we’re already living in a...

Zoom alternatives for schools: 7 video conferencing options until Zoom fixes…some stuff

by Liz Gumbinner | Internet Safety, Best Apps, Kids

With the news last week that Zoom had some big security concerns to patch up, educators of all kinds started seeking out Zoom alternatives for schools and other kinds of remote learning. Especially after the NYC DOE took the big step of forbidding NYC public schools...

Here’s how to use the new Instagram video chat feature!

by Kristen Chase | Social Media

If you suddenly see someone trying to call you from Instagram, don’t freak out. It’s the new Instagram video chat feature that just launched. Related: How to post photos from your Instagram Feed to your Instagram Story To make a call, you’ll click...

Houseparty app: Free video chat with multiple friends at once. Great idea, or terrible one?

by Kate Etue | Best Apps

Thanks to FaceTime, my kids are able to chat face-to-face with our relatives and friends around the country — something this mom is really thankful for. But, at this point FaceTime videos are still just one-on-one. That’s where the fun and free Houseparty...

Nucleus: A home intercom system that you can use, even if you’re not home.

by Kate Etue | Uncategorized

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...

Rounds app: A terrific Facetime alternative for Android users who want to talk to iPhone users.

by Nicole Blades | Social Media

I have a close-knit family. My sisters and I talk a lot any given week. The thing is, we all live in cities spread miles (and countries) apart, so we rely on social media, texting and, when time zones line up nicely, video chats. And with Mother’s Day,...

5 smart reasons you should be using Facetime Audio

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

I cannot tell you how many times I call a fellow iPhone user with FaceTime Audio and they’re all, What is this? followed by Wow, why don’t I ever use it?  It seems that a ton of people, at least in my wide circle of friends and family, are familiar with...

Helpouts by Google: Expert advice that goes beyond “I googled it and some guy said…”

by Jeana | Websites We Love

You’d think that when baby #3 came along, parenting would be old hat. But…nope. Forgot everything. Rather than comb the Internet for hundreds of different solutions (and I use that term loosely) it’s nice to know that expert advice from a live person...