So many people use their camera phones as their primary camera these days. Even Annie Leibovitz recently recommended her iPhone as a basic point and shoot during an interview with NBC's Brian Williams. It has always been said that the best camera is the one you have with you, and since almost everyone carries a mobile phone today, that almost makes it the best by default. Depending on your mobile phone, your camera can be "ok" or really great. They range all over the place, from 3 to 12 Megapixels, and some use the same lenses made for expensive SLR cameras. But regardless of the number of Megapixels...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

In my opinion, most girls play Kinect games about dancing, and most boys play Kinect games related to sports in general or fighting in specific. Here I am reviewing a Kinect game called Self-Defense Training Camp. Although it is about fighting, it's designed, due to defensive nature, for both sexes. The attacker against whom you are training your (rather defensive) moves is short, much unlike real-life attackers who are above 6 feet tall. Strangely, the attacker is always male, but you can pick sex of avatars for your instructor who is showing you the moves (I picked female). You...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

Before last week's Apple event introducing iBooks 2, there were interactive books for children that were apps. We have reviewed several here on Justanothergeeksite. Today we are looking at Porkchop and Mouse by Fiona Roberton. Porkchop and Mouse is a delightful story with beautiful pictures. You (or your child) can turn the pages forwards or backwards to move through the story just like a paper bound book. The story moves you through Porchop's hunt for the poor mouse who took up residency in his house. They go through a range of beautifully illustrated landscapes before landing back at home....


 QuickView | Read Full Article

The rumor is that before he died, Steve Jobs dreamed of bringing textbooks to iPad. He actually saw iPad as a tool for kids (which also explains the lack of porn apps for iPad). However, the latest announcement related to eBooks may be also seen simply as another inventive way for Apple to boost sales of their hardware (iPad and Mac) and to earn even more as middleman selling content (eBooks). It also can be seen as a way to prevent the avalanche of "books published as apps" that pollute iOS app store and make finding apps of interest obfuscated by stupid "books published as apps". So, the big Apple...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

I recently went to an appointment where the woman whose office we were in was a new iPad owner. For Christmas, her mother had gotten her a stand for her iPad, and after one look, I knew I had to have it, too.       The XStand from Brookstone holds your iPad either without a case, or with some cases. (Large cases like the Otterbox, or those with flip covers do not fit.) My iPad is currently in the XStand with no case, although the one I first saw was in a case. The stand itself is beautiful, and worthy of holding an iPad. The base comes in black or red (I couldn't resist the red), the arm is chrome,...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

Like many people, I am forever hunting for applications which extend the functionality of my device, and increase its abilities. Without bursting into song about my favorite things, here are three Android applications that make my life easier, and my device much more useful. Tasker – Android Automation Gone Wild (~5.50 purchased from dev, ~6.50 purchased through market) Tasker has been around a while, and much has been said about it, but I think it worth mentioning again.  This gem of an app allows the user to automate almost anything on the device – without root, and without being an Android...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

Since getting my iPad and discovering CaptureNotes 2, I have been looking for a really good stylus. It's a shame to have to write with your finger in big block letters like a pre-schooler when you have an app as great as CaptureNotes on which to write. My friend Leanna over at TiPb recommended the Wacom stylus, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $30 for what looked exactly like every other stylus out there. So I kept looking until I stumbled upon the Jot stylus from Adonit. While they have both a Jot and Jot Pro model, I figured I could get away without the rubber grip on the pro model,...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

  When you study languages in school, a popular method is through "thematic units." With this method, we pick a theme, and then study vocabulary and culture that fit within the theme. This can be particularly challenging at the intermediate levels, where students have the basic skills, but need to build their vocabulary. Using the app "7 Jours" can build on existing skills, improve vocabulary skills, and keep students "au courant" while having fun. Both vocabulary and listening skills are emphasized by using short news stories. Depending on your preference, you can begin by simply...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

The iPad has opened a whole new world of entertainment for children. But entertainment shouldn't be restricted to games. It's a well known fact that children whose parents read to them are far more likely to succeed in school, than those who miss out on this early boost. Additionally, children who are exposed to reading, begin to read on their own at an earlier age than those who are not read to. Obviously the best of all possible worlds is a children's book on an iPad. Most children still view the iPad as a toy - a way to play games. What's wrong with them thinking that reading a book is a game?...


 QuickView | Read Full Article

Finding a spot for your phone in your car can be a challenge. You want it nearby, but you don't want to have to keep grabbing for it. (And you know you shouldn't be using it while driving in the first place.) Of course, if you're using gps, it's even more important to be able to keep it in view, and close enough to hear easily. And a power source would be nice, right? Enter the Cobra Universal Cigarette Lighter Mount. One word of caution, check the location of your cigarette lighter power inputs before looking at this type of mount. Placement is important. My last car was a Toyota Camry, where...


 QuickView | Read Full Article