Apps are what I do – I write about them, market them, evaluate them for companies, and consume them just for the fun of it. When Mark shared AppUp with me, I was surprised I’d never heard of it before. In the following months, nearly everyone I spoke to about AppUp hadn’t heard of it either.

Now I know that Intel was playing it smart.

As I mentioned several weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending CES International this year. The technology presented by thousands of companies at the event was jaw-dropping, entertaining and almost unbelievable. I was very interested to see what Intel would be unveiling at the massive event.

During the keynote address, Paul Otellini (CEO of Intel) unveiled a surprising number of products Intel has been cooking up with partner companies. One of the stars of the show was something they called the Ultrabook™. In short, they’re much like the PC version of Apple’s MacBook Air – they’re ultra responsive and ultra sleek. Once I got the chance to see several of these Ultrabooks up close, I saw they weren’t kidding around – these laptops are super skinny and very fast.

If you’re looking to buy one of these hot new computers, here are a few to keep your eye out for: Acer Aspire S3, ASUS ZENBOOK™, Lenovo IdeaPad U300 or the Toshiba Portégé Z830 Series. All of these offer varying 2nd generation Intel Core™ i5 or i7, weigh less than 3 lbs, respond from sleep in 7 seconds or less, display Intel HD graphics, and offer between 5-8 hours of battery life.

I spent some time testing out these Ultrabooks™ – I’m a skeptic by nature and like to thoroughly test things before coming to a conclusion. I wasn’t disappointed – each machine is seductively sleek and incredibly fast. Each one stayed quite cool during demanding performance tasks as well. My conclusion? Ultrabooks look very promising and are an exciting, affordable computing option for parents and students alike.

Enter Intel AppUp. Let’s face it – CD-ROMs are becoming almost obsolete. Apps are the way to go – no more running from store to store trying to pick up the latest hard copy of software. The convenience of downloading software from an app store is delightfully stress-free. Intel AppUp brings thousands of popular games, educational resources, utility apps and much more to PC and smartphone users.

Curious as to the reason Intel had held off on a massive ad campaign to push consumer awareness about the new app store, I asked Gunjan Rawal (of the Intel AppUp team) why AppUp had been relatively low-key until now. She explained that Intel has been focusing on building AppUp, bringing developers on board, making the app submission process user-friendly for developers and, ultimately, waiting for the release of the Ultrabook™. Their patience and hard work has paid off – now PC users who have bemoaned the lack of a Mac App Store equivalent have their answer. Consumers will be impressed at the number of apps already available on AppUp – and Angry Birds fans will breathe a sigh of relief to know their favorite game is alive and well there.

Apple has been such a huge force in the world of personal computing as of late and most companies are stepping up their game to heat up the competition and often price their products at a more affordable range.

What about you? Will you be picking up an Ultrabook this year? Have you delved into the world of Intel AppUp on your PC? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Hannah Camacho is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She is the founder of MyAppinions.com and TheAppNanny.com. When she’s not chasing her three busy little ones, she does freelance work for application developers as a mobile app marketing and pr specialist.

“I would always hope they were the iPads,” she says.

And finally, they arrived — a wave of tablet devices that, combined with other Apple technology, created a schoolwide learning system based largely on the second-generation iPad2.

“The first day we could bring them home, I was up all night,” recalls Kaitlyn. “I learned so many things, it really shocked me.”

Well into a first, full year of experimentation, many educators also describe a steep learning curve with their introduction to the popular touch-screen tablet. Students use the $600 devices to read novels, shoot videos, conduct research, hone their writing skills and bring new enthusiasm to once-tedious drills on educational basics.

Legacy even credits the new technology for an increase in enrollment.

But the iPad and its growing array of applications remain in their infancy — the device was introduced only two years ago — and it has no significant track record as an educational tool. Some schools are testing iPads alongside PC-based technology to see whether there’s an appreciable difference, or whether the buzz is mostly marketing hype.

But some Colorado educators already note a change in classroom culture, whether by employing the devices piecemeal or all-out on a one-to-one, take-home basis.

“We’re having tremendous success — not without pitfalls — but it’s been a wonderful adventure,” says Jason Cross, principal of Legacy Academy, a K-8 charter that issued an iPad to each student. “We’re finding new things we can do with the technology every single day.”

Teachers are moving ahead by trial and error and by experimenting with various apps. Legacy has loaded anywhere from 80 to 130 on its machines. And months after the tablets’ introduction, students still see them as shiny objects that, not incidentally, bring a new dimension to academia.

“I know it’s working, because when I go into classrooms and look at learning, I see a higher level of engagement than I’ve ever seen as a teacher or administrator,” says Manitou Springs Middle School principal Chris Burr, whose district is phasing in the devices. “They’re more willing to write, to share, to critically think, to create.”

Still, students have had to learn to think of the iPads primarily as a learning tool, not a toy. Teachers and administrators have developed new strategies to deal with some apps’ inherent distractions. And, perhaps most significantly, the use of iPads as a take-home device has raised questions about Internet safety: Who’s responsible for a student’s online behavior once they leave school?

Legacy’s choice to fully embrace iPads was part of its larger decision last spring to go all-Apple and earn designation as the state’s only iSchool.

In the midst of budget cuts, the school found financing for the technology makeover from Apple and so far doesn’t charge parents any additional fee. Enrollment has grown from fewer than 300 — and on the decline — to 448, providing a significant per-pupil funding boost.

The school, which subscribes to Core Knowledge principles, has added technology to the mix by integrating basic computer code concepts as early as kindergarten, where students learn if-then conditional statements.

“By the time they’re hitting middle school, we want to see them write basic software code,” Cross says. “We want to make computer science part of our core curriculum.”

And like other educators, Cross looks at the iPad technology as a way to differentiate instruction — to help students learn at their own pace and “break away from the assembly-line model.”

In Pam Landrum’s third-grade math class, student Nathaniel Dahlen plows through 100 timed, single-digit addition problems on his touch screen. The application has a race car motif, adding a sense of urgency — and fun — to the exercise.

But other students are doing subtraction, or multiplication or division — working on whatever they need at their own pace. They e-mail their results to Landrum, who charts their progress.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard them say, ‘Oh, darn, we’ve got to do math drills,’ ” she says.

Wall-to-wall technology finds kids creating videos in the hallway, working on blogs in the classroom and — as a reward for outstanding work — playing some games like the popular Angry Birds.

Technology even attaches itself to the walls: Next to a painting of George Washington in the school’s entry, a small square displays a variation of a bar code that students scan with their iPads to conjure a website full of information.

“The focus still needs to be on instruction,” Cross says. “Core Knowledge drives the end results. Planning doesn’t go away. But now we have tools that we never had before.”

Denver’s Grant Beacon Middle School won a grant to purchase 150 iPads that stay in eighth-grade core curriculum classrooms with a two-fold purpose: to introduce new ways of doing things and to free up existing computers for younger students at a school short on technology.

Language arts teacher Jacob Benezra, who helped write the grant that brought the iPads to his school, warms up his students with a couple of quick games of “Hangman Genius.” The animated app prompts kids to determine which letters fill in the blanks to spell words that appear with high frequency on the SAT exam.

Julie Rivera-Macias, 13, figures out “imperceptible” before her cartoon character swings from the gallows. She touches the word on her screen and the definition appears. The class picks up two new vocabulary words each day this way, and Benezra has them incorporate the new terms into the week’s writing exercises.

And by the way, class attendance is up since the introduction of iPads.

“Coincidence or causality? I’m not sure,” Benezra says. “But there’s a lot of energy surrounding them.”

Principal Alex Magaña, who estimates that less than half of his students have access to this kind of technology at home, figures that his teachers still need time to figure out which applications work. He hopes that in the next two months, students will be able to carry the iPad with them the entire school day, so they can store notes and other work right on the device, instead of checking out a different one in each class.

“It’s evolutionary, not revolutionary,” he says. “All the kids are actively engaged. If we want to level that playing field, we’ve got to get them the technology.”

In Manitou Springs School District 14, administrators ordered 600 iPads — one for each student in grades five through eight plus a few classroom sets for the high school, which probably will get more tablets next year.

Lisette Casey, the technology integration specialist, heard rumblings that middle-schoolers would be too hard on the devices and that they’d be an easy target for thieves. But she says fewer than 20 have cracked and none have been stolen — a loss rate about half of what other similar programs had experienced. Students buy into a $50 insurance plan to cover damage.

Still, the district had concerns. Fears that with access to the Internet, kids might engage in more cyberbullying proved unfounded, and behavior in general was better than expected. Attendant distractions from tools such as e-mail or YouTube or Angry Birds did surface — particularly with e-mail.

Teachers regrouped and addressed the distractions by reinforcing strategies to keep students engaged with the academic uses of the tablets.

“I think that was a little bit of a growing pain,” Casey says. “But as teachers grow accustomed to using the iPads, it doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of conversations.”

Among the most striking shifts has been the way certain applications have allowed students who struggle with putting thoughts down on paper to become surprisingly productive. In particular, voice-to-text apps have allowed kids with learning disabilities or even physical disabilities to take that first step of getting ideas into written form.

“They still have to go in and edit the text, organize it and look at word choice,” Casey says. “But just the ability to do that on a device easily and quickly allows everybody to be these writers you didn’t think they were.”

Kevin Simpson

=============

Home use grows

Tablets and e-readers were popular holiday gifts, so much so that the number of people who own them nearly doubled between mid-December and January, a study finds. A report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, released Monday, found that 29 percent of Americans owned at least one tablet or e-reader as of the beginning of this month. That’s up from 18 percent in December. The percentage of people who own a tablet jumped to 19 from 10 between mid-December and early January.

The Associated Press

Two local software developers figured they could help.

Bob Bertsch, an employee with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Jake Joraanstad, an NDSU computer engineering major, had just finished developing an app to help residents during floods when the blizzard hit in March, convincing them to shift their attention to winter disasters.

Winter Survival Kit was born. The free program, available for iPhones and Android smartphones, is both a primer to help motorists prepare for winter driving and a beacon when things go badly.

It can pinpoint a motorist’s location, call 911, notify friends and family, and monitor how long the gas will hold out. The app also gives potentially life-saving alerts when users tap a big red button on its simple home screen that reads, “I’m Stranded!” Among the advice: stay with your vehicle and keep the tailpipe clear of snow, since a backup can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

“It’s our sincere hope that no one ever has to use it,” said Bertsch, an NDSU Extension Service web technology specialist who led the team that developed the app. “But if one person does have to use it and it keeps them in their car or keeps them from succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning, then it is definitely worth the time and effort that was spent on the app.”

The app also helps drivers prepare for bad weather by inputting phone and policy numbers for insurance and roadside assistance, and designated emergency contacts. And it gives guidance on putting together a physical survival kit to keep in vehicles in case of emergencies.

“Any tools developed which arm people with information that will help keep them safe is of value,” North Dakota Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said.

The app does have limitations. Joraanstad said some especially rural areas of the country — particularly in the Great Plains — have shoddy cellphone coverage that could impede some features such as GPS. At that point the app would tell users that their location couldn’t be pinpointed and instruct them to call 911.

Still, the app has emergency numbers handy, allowing users to send text messages for help. Text messages often can be sent by weaker signals than are needed for clear phone calls. And the app would give emergency advice on braving the elements — even telling users how to use parts of a vehicle to keep warm.

The Midwest hasn’t seen much heavy snowfall in the last few months, so the app’s developers haven’t heard of any success — or horror — stories yet. But they’re convinced that when the time comes, their app will help.

“This app can literally save someone’s life. We take great pride in that,” said Joraanstad, the 22-year-old chief operating officer for Myriad Devices, a startup company in NDSU’s research and technology park that produced the app.

Bertsch, Joraanstad and two colleagues who teach at NDSU have become experts in disaster apps. Last year they developed a program to help residents deal with flooding that has overwhelmed North Dakota in the last few years. The H2O app provides news feeds, river levels, road closure maps and other information.

Winter Survival Kit, which works in the U.S. and Canada, joins several apps from other developers that were designed to help smartphone users in a bind, such as Help I Crashed My Car, Emergency Radio, iMapWeather Radio, iTriage, Close Call and pMonitor. As of this week, there didn’t appear to be other winter survival-specific apps in either iTunes’ or Android’s app stores.

“I think we hit a particular niche,” Bertsch said.

About 12,000 people downloaded the app in the first week it was released, and Joraanstad said that at last check, there were another 3,000 downloads. The early returns have been mostly favorable. Out of 16 user reviews on the Android website, 13 gave 5-star ratings. “Practical … yet simple,” reads one review. It had a 4-plus average rating among Apple iPhone users.

People posting lower ratings reported trouble with the app crashing. Joraanstad said those glitches are being addressed as they arise with updates.

The app is being promoted by Texas, where it can be downloaded directly from the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network website. In an unusual climate swap, Texas saw snow this winter before much of the rest of the country.

“With the amount of snow and ice during winter in the Panhandle and North Texas, plus the possibility of unusual cold weather occurrences elsewhere in the state, we felt it would be helpful to many Texans to make this app accessible,” said Joyce Cavanagh, Texas extension service spokeswoman.

“People here aren’t used to driving in that kind of weather. It gives some peace of mind while traveling,” she said.

Cavanagh also said she felt more at ease knowing that many students traveling for the holidays had downloaded the app before hitting the roads.

College student Jessica Rush said she could have used such an app in March. The 21-year-old and a friend were traveling in separate cars in North Dakota when the fast-moving storm left her so blinded that she was on the highway’s left shoulder when she thought she was driving over the warning bumps on the right. She figured she was about a half-mile from her friend’s car.

“I called my dad and told him I was going to get out and walk to her car and he said, ‘Do not leave your car. You don’t know where she is,’” recalled Rush, who had cellphone coverage where she was stuck.

Rush stayed in her 2000 Oldsmobile Alero for four nerve-racking hours until she was rescued by a truck driver, and she came away with a new appreciation for the dangers of winter driving.

“When your parents tell you not to go somewhere you should probably listen,” Rush said. “I guess this app is the next best thing.”

By Dave Kolpack
Associated Press

Now for a not-so-smooth segue into the topic at hand. As I was in a crowded corner of the show, speaking with the marketing manager for 3M’s touch screens, she candidly asked me an interesting question, “Do you think all these gadgets we’re giving kids are actually hurting them intellectually? Isn’t it over stimulation? Will they even be able to function in the real world eventually?” Her question is one that is asked by nearly every parent, teacher, grandparent, doctor and anyone else who cares about children’s development.

Our little family loves technology. My husband builds computers from scratch, I am obsessed with gadgets and our kids know their way around an iPhone and iPad better than most adults. I admit it – we’re addicted.

Having majored in education in college, I have often wondered if all the educational apps I have our 2 and 3-year-old playing are really doing them any good. I’ve read the articles and heard the interviews, but have been surprised at the lack of actual studies done on the question. I’m a skeptic and wanted to test it for myself. Just recently, my husband and I made a startling discovery.

Our 2-year-old taught himself to read…with the help of our iPad.

Sure, I taught him the alphabet and letter sounds, but nothing much beyond that. He’s only 2 – I was waiting until his third birthday to begin the basics of phonics and teaching him how to decode simple words. Obviously, my initial reaction was to think I owed all my thanks to the iPad, but that would simply be incorrect logic. Our 3-year-old plays the same games and can read simple words, but she did not teach herself – she would rather be outside doing cartwheels than sounding out words. Lincoln, our two-year-old, however has natural intellectual tendencies and the iPad simply suits his independent learning style. He can sit for hours and play around with letters and words and not get bored of it. Not every child can or will naturally do this.

Now, of course, our experience alone is not sufficient evidence to prove that tablets and other technological devices can help kids learn. This video, featuring a study done by experts, provides more substantial evidence than our seemingly-isolated experience.

Of course, balance is key in everything. If a school is considering implementing iPads into every educational program their curriculum offers, I would strongly discourage them from doing so. Some subjects lend themselves better to lecture format and could be seriously hampered by the exclusive use of iPads. Excessive use can also hamper children’s ability to listen well and comprehend auditorially.

Most parents, however, send their children to school that do not use tablets or computers heavily. As the video and study above demonstrates, tablets can be a wonderful way for children to get excited about subjects they typically appall. Thankfully, hundreds of wonderful developers have taken on the subjects of math and reading with vigor and the app store is loaded with wonderful options for parents to utilize. We have certainly benefited from them as a family.

I strongly encourage parents to do research and formulate their own opinion on this topic – every “expert” has a different opinion which is often not based on real-life studies, but rather on their own philosophical projections. As a family, we have decided to include the iPad when it comes to particular learning objectives and we’ve had great success with it. Each child is different and will respond to technology differently as their learning style develops. Ultimately, it boils down to you understanding your child and how he or she will best learn (whether than means including a tablet device or excluding it altogether).

If you love keeping your devices loaded up with educational apps, I highly recommend you become a regular reader for Moms With Apps. The wonderful ladies who run the site work tirelessly to keep parents informed about new educational apps as well as keeping parents informed about privacy issues regarding children’s apps.

I know there are dozens of opinions on this topic and every parent needs to delve into the controversy for themselves. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter of handheld devices for the use of education in the comments below!

Hannah Camacho is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She is the founder of MyAppinions.com and TheAppNanny.com. When she’s not chasing her three busy little ones, she does freelance work for application developers as a mobile app marketing and pr specialist.

RunKeeper for iPhone (free) and Android (free) is my go-to gps tracking app for my outdoor runs. If you have a mileage goal for 2012 or just want to get running for the first time, RunKeeper does a wonderful job of tracking all the stats and locations for you. Set audio cues for paces, use the training coach to work up to a certain distance, view and share a map of your runs, watch your current pace in real time and so much more. The app allows users to listen to audio from other applications in the background on the iPhone (a wonderful feature). RunKeeper is also compatible with several heart rate monitors and allows for manual entry of workouts accomplished without the app turned on.

After trying all the popular running apps, RunKeeper is still my favorite. There’s an “elite” subscription plan available for committed runners that offers some really wonderful tools (including the ability for family/friends to track your run live online for fun or safety reasons).

iMapMyRun for iPhone (free) and Android (free) is another great option for runners who like keeping track of their routes, pace and running times. What I like most about this GPS tracker is the simplicity of the user interface. It’s uncomplicated and easy to control during a run – no squinting or tripping over curbs due to difficultly navigating the app. For folks who just want the basic stats of their run, iMapMyRun is a wonderful option.

5K Runner for iPhone ($1.99) acts as a personal trainer for beginning runners. It’s chock full of tips, tricks, training plans, resources, schedules and more. Millions of people have downloaded the app and have found it a great resource – it currently has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. Users are gradually eased from speed walking to running – anyone can do it.

If you’ve never run before and want to be eased into it gently, this is the way to do it. If running intimidates you and you want to make sure you’re getting it “right,” 5K Runner is a must-have for you.

Fitness Buddy for iPhone ($0.99) offers up a huge library of resources related to fitness. For non-runners or people looking to do cross training. More than 1,000 exercises are outlined withing the app (and illustrated by more than 3,000 illustrations and animations). Custom build workouts to target your trouble areas.

Great custom features include the ability to add your own exercises and keep track of your body metrics. Fitness Buddy is a well-rounded resource to bring along to the gym if you’re not yet a workout guru. Stay in good form while improving your form!

MotionX GPS for iPhone ($1.99) is the perfect app for adventurous Coloradans who prefer mountain biking, hiking, skiing, or sailing to a jaunt around the neighborhood. This app works worldwide (including oceans). Save favorite waypoints, trails, tracks and more for future enjoyment. Keep track of your speed, elevation, route traveled and much more. MotionX GPS is the only GPS app I trust while off roading – the maps are so thorough and sourced via more than one information giant (Google, Bing, NOAA Marine Charts). It’s on sale for the holidays, so snatch it up while it’s just $1.99!

LoseIt for iPhone (Free) and Android (Free) is a great resource for folks wanting to shed the pounds. Keep track of your calorie intake, your burn and even store a backup of your data if you choose to create an online profile. Track nutrients and email your daily data to yourself or an accountability partner. This is a great way to get back on the path to health and fitness as you choose to make healthy choices in 2012!

Calorie Counter PRO by MyNetDiary for iPhone ($3.99) and Android ($3.99) s a favorite of calorie-contentious people around the world. I simply don’t have time to laboriously add up calories with a pencil and paper – I’m on the go chasing my kids everywhere and keeping up with work to do so. Calorie Counter PRO is for people like me. It’s nearly exhaustive food database (over 430,000) and PhotoFood Service make calorie tracking so fast and easy it’s almost ridiculous. There’s also an incredibly handy barcode scanner which will automatically display the food’s caloric and nutrient information.

There are so many features, it’s impossible to get into them all. A few include: optional security code, online information profile and sync, calorie and nutrient tracking, and so so so much more. Seriously, this app is worth every penny and more.

TuneIn Radio PRO for iPhone ($0.99) and Android ($0.99) may seem a bit out of place in this list, but for those of us who cannot workout without something to give us a beat to jog to or distract our minds a bit from the discomfort of cardio, it’s a perfect fit. TuneIn Radio PRO offers up a huge list of local, international and online radio stations to enjoy. But that’s not  even the best part.

The most popular feature of TuneIn Radio PRO is its ability to record your favorite shows or stations! Save excerpts for later, search for specific artists or shows and record them for later enjoyment. It works over wifi and 3G and it a great addition for people who are easily bored of their music library. Get fresh tracks for every run and for free!

Two Gomers Run for Their Lives (Podcast): If you’re not an elite runner but you want the company of other “normal” men and women who are striving to be healthy, I highly encourage you to check out my current favorite podcast and Facebook group: “Two Gomers Run for Their Lives.” Both the podcast and the page are hosted by two regular guys (dads and husbands) who made the commitment to get healthy three years ago and have stuck with it ever since. Their honest, humorous style has gained them fans worldwide and has inspired people of all ages to join the life-long journey to health and fitness. You’ll be entertained, touched and encouraged by the incredible “gomernation” in your journey to fitness.

Hannah Camacho is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She is the founder of MyAppinions.com and TheAppNanny.com. When she’s not chasing her three busy little ones, she does freelance work for application developers as a mobile app marketing and pr specialist.

The folks Retrevo recently shared their “top tech picks of the year.” I carefully studied the list and have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with their selections. Let’s take a peak at some really amazing last-minute gift options.

While I’m partial to the iPhone, I will admit there are some very decent Android phones on the market. Whether you are finally taking the plunge and getting a smartphone for yourself, or if you are purchasing one for grandpa, these four should be your first considerations. Not only does each offer a good camera, but network speed, functionality, battery life and display are also top-of-the-line.

Apple iPhone 4S Samsung Infuse Samsung Galaxy S II HTC Evo 3D 4G

If you’re not feeling ambitious enough to get into DSLR photography but you still want to achieve great photos to capture your kids milestones, teach of these cameras delivers incredible performance. Don’t worry about thinking too much – the camera basically does it all for you. Consider these first – if you choose to shop outside this list I highly recommend you stay within these brands (Lumix, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47k Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 Nikon Coolpix S8200

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR

“It’s clear that Blu-ray is replacing DVD and while regular DVD players are still available there is little reason to go this route since it would only be an investment in technology that is on its way out. Many of the new Blu-ray players are 3D capable, as well as including built-in Wi-Fi for a network connection. To take full advantage of the internet connection most models will include streaming audio and video such as Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, etc.”

Sony BDP-S780 Samsung BD-D6700 Panasonic DMP-BDT100

So, you may ask, what is a DSLR? DSLRs are the highest end cameras. They provide a multitude of sensors, and an almost endless supply of options and customization. They are heavy (you won’t want to carry these in your purse) and their price point isn’t cheap. I personally own a Canon T1i and am in love with it. Lenses are also costly, but if you are gung-ho about getting great pictures, these are THE DSLRs you should consider. With 12-18MP these three cameras are easy to use and come with an assortment of features for editing photos. Most of these also come with the ability to record HD video.

Nikon D5100 Canon EOS Rebel T3 Pentax K-r

Sony and Panasonic are the kings of home theater sound. Unless someone in your household prefers to assemble a home theater system from scratch, these are the best options on the market for the rest of us normal people. If you literally want some awesome “bang” for your buck, these are the systems to consider. Watching movies was never more awe inspiring (even Dora the Explorer will sound great).

Sony BDV-E780W Sony DAV-DZ170 Panasonic SC-XH150

Who doesn’t have an HDTV these days? Well, maybe you don’t yet. One thing’s for sure – the numbers can be a bit confusing. 1080p or 720p? I highly recommend 1080p – basically it means the resolution is much better. Also, getting a tv with an HDMI port is also important as this allows for the maximum quality presentation possible on the set. Many of the premier HDTV brands have the native ability to join your home network (a nice plus when wanting to view content from your computer on the big screen). Also, though 3D tvs haven’t taken off quite yet (mostly due to the price point and the specialized glasses required) it’s worth at least thinking about getting one that is 3D capable.

LCD TVs Samsung UN55D6000 Vizio E472VL Sharp LC 52LE830U Sony Bravia KDL60EX720

Plasma TVs LG 60PZ550 Panasonic Viera TC-P55ST30 Samsung PN64D550 LG Infinia 60PZ9500

I’d like to say a special thanks to Retrevo for sharing this stellar list with us and for allowing us to share it with you (complete with our own commentary).

Hannah Camacho is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She is the founder of MyAppinions.com and TheAppNanny.com.

However, my latest obsession Pinterest.com has surpassed them all.

And believe me, that’s really saying something.

I’ve gone from being a bored cook to being constantly inspired to try the onslaught of new, fabulous recipes. The endless barrage of crafts and styles motivate me to action and I am completely addicted to the holiday section where I have found a collection of the most innovative, creative and delicious offerings on the Web that are updated every second.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself here. If you’re not familiar, here are a few basics.

What is Pinterest?

According to Pinterest’s “About Us” page, it is a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and “follow” collections created by people with great taste. People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things — recipes, holiday ideas, travel, crafts, kid’s activities. You name it, people are pinning it.

Why I love it

I am a visual creature and my computer’s bookmarks just don’t cut it. The process is simple: if you see a Web site you like, simply copy-and-paste the URL. Or, if it is already on Pinterest.com, simply “repin.”

How Do I Get Started?

Sorta Crunchy posted a great tutorial here. It’s very simple to get started and so very worth it.

My Favorite finds (so far!)

Honestly, there are too many great finds to really count (and I’ve only been active for a couple of months). Go to my page to see a few of my inspirations but some favorites have included:

Sure, we’ve all heard of gingerbread men but why not flip them the other way around to make reindeer?

This amazing autumn salad with spinach, pears, craisins, feta, green onions, bacon, candied walnuts.

I am totally making this edible tree on Christmas morning.

Harry Potter would be so pleased with this recipe for Butter Beer that has been floating around Pinterest.

These Santa brownie hats are fun and easy.

I’m totally going to do a family tree like this for my picture wall.

I love this site that has many ideas for Crazy Hair Day.

Want to spend more quality time with your kids? At dinnertime, here are 30 questions to ask them, one for every day of the month. This blog writes a new set of questions every month; some are silly, some are serious.

I appreciate all the great organizational helps on Pinterest. I really love this idea.

There are so many funny quotes floating around that make me chuckle every day.

See? Funny.

And fashion. Don’t even get me started on my fashion finds. I love this necklace: one half is your fingerprint, the other is your significant other’s.

And these boots? To die for!

I could go on but the important thing is for you to get on Pinterest.com. And if you’re already a part of the Pinterest community, what are your favorite things to pin? Note: Since it is still in Beta, leave your email in the comment section below if you’d like an invitation. Updated: Rumor has it there is a waiting list to join (a testament of its popularity). Be sure to leave a comment to get on it now!

Happy pinning! (But don’t say you haven’t been warned….)

Crayola allows tots to doodle on the iPad using its iMarker just as they would a crayon on a coloring book. Tweens are able to belt out their favorite Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez tunes on a Disney microphone that turns the tablet into a karaoke machine. And technology accessories company Griffin enables teens to fly its toy helicopter by using the iPhone as a remote control.

This holiday season, toy makers have turned Apple Inc.’s pricey tablet and smartphone into playthings for kids. They figure in this weak economy, parents will be willing to splurge on toys for their children that utilize devices they already have — or want — themselves.

Tiffany Fessler of Gainsville, Ga., certainly was willing to do that even though when she initially bought her $829 iPad she never imagined she’d be sharing it with her 20-month-old son. But whenever she sat down to check e-mails on the iPad, he’d climb into her lap wanting to use it.

So, Fessler decided to get him the $29.99 Crayola iMarker, which transforms the iPad into a digital coloring book using Crayola’s free ColorStudio HD application that parents can download. Kids can draw and color using the iMarker, which has a soft tip so it doesn’t scratch the tablet’s glass screen.

“When you have a screaming toddler in a restaurant or any public area, you want to have something to calm him down with,” says Fessler, 39. “This is just another way to keep him entertained.”

That the iPad and iPhone have infiltrated the $22 billion toy market this season is no surprise. Smartphones and tablets — particularly Apple products — are more popular than ever with people of all ages. This year, Apple is expected to double the number of iPhones sold to 90.6 million worldwide, according to research firm Gartner, while the number of iPads sold is expected to triple to 46.7 million.

And Apple products have a certain “cool factor” with kids that toy companies, which can make up to half of their revenue during the holidays, are hoping to tap into. In fact, the iPad and iPhone are among the most coveted electronics this holiday season among kids. About 44 percent of 6- to 12-year-olds want the iPad this year, according to a survey by research firm Nielsen. The iPod touch came in the No. 2 spot with 30 percent, followed by the iPhone at 27 percent.

Not to mention, anyone who’s a parent knows all too well that babies and older kids alike love to fiddle with or drool all over Mommy’s iPad. Nearly 40 percent of 2- to 4-year-olds have used a smartphone, iPad or video iPod, according to a survey by nonprofit group Common Sense Media. That number rises to 52 percent for 5- to- 8-year-olds. And even 10 percent of infants have used one of the devices before their first birthday.

“It’s mostly something for kids to use in the car or at the doctor’s office,” says Chris Baynes, a toy analyst. “It’s a way to get the kid to be quiet.”

With that in mind, Crayola teamed up with Nashville, Tenn.-based Griffin Technology​, which is mostly known for selling iPhone and iPad cases and car chargers, to make the iMarker and the ColorStudio HD app for kids. The iMarker, which is like a stylus that resembles a Crayola marker, is targeted at children ages 3 and up.

“Regardless of who they buy it for, once it is in the household, we know that kids use it,” says Vicky Lozano, vice president of marketing at Crayola, which makes the iMarker.

Analysts say these toys are just the beginning of a new niche for toy makers. Indeed, most of the companies say they plan to roll out more products for smartphones and tablets — including some that use Google Inc​.’s Android software — next year.

“I think it’s going to be a growing segment,” says Jim Silver, editor in chief at toy review website TimeToPlay mag.com. “Next year, there will be even more (products) than you can possibly imagine.”

By Joseph Pisani, The Associated Press

Ticket to Ride (iPad – there’s also a Pocket version available) is one of my all-time personal favorites. This smash-hit game by Days of Wonder made it’s way to the iOS world not long ago and has been nearly as popular in app form as it is in board form. Ticket to Ride is a multiplayer strategy game themed around railroads that is enjoyed by both kids and adults. The app offers the option to purchase expansions and upgrades that add lots of variety to keep the interest going for hours on end. Not only is there a “Pass ‘n Play” option, but insomniacs can play other people online at any time of the day or night. Ticket to Ride for iPad or iPhone is sure to please everyone and is my #1 recommended family game for this holiday season.

The Game of Life HD for iPad offers some fun variations on the board game version. The app allows up to 6 players and everyone has the option to customize their character (this can add some fun humor to the game). Easily zoom in and out of the board. The thing I love most about the app version of The Game of Life is the fact that I can’t lose the pieces and I don’t have to worry about our toddler swallowing the small pieces. This is the perfect game for fun and laughs during Christmas family get togethers.

UNO HD  for iPad takes the classic card game to a new virtual level. This version supports up to four players for “Pass ‘n Play” mode and even offers the option to play others online. If your Uno card collection is whittled down to only a few cards, this is a great alternative. The app allows players to customize rules and offers some fun opportunities to unlock new decks. For $.99 it’s a great alternative to the physical deck of cards.

Wheel of Fortune HD  for iPad lets you be a game show star without having to leave your livingroom. This classic word puzzle multiplayer is loads of fun on the iPad. See who’s the word whiz in the family with “Pass ‘n Play” mode or even play each other with multiple iPads over wifi/bluetooth. The game comes with a base package of avatars and puzzles and offers several in-app purchases for upgrades and additional puzzles. If you’re family loves word games and are members of the Vanna White fan club, this is the app for you.

Little Things for iPad is a based on the same concept as the popular “I Spy” books. Mosaics of images (such as a puppy) are made up of hundreds of smaller objects. Players must find particular objects as quickly as possible. This seek and find game is perfect for the whole family, but particularly enjoyed by elementary aged children. My favorite part about Little Things is the fact that it generates randomized searches each time it’s played. An object is never in the same place twice!

Scrabble for iPad is an absolute essential for tablet-based family fun. The game is such a classic that it hardly needs explanation. The question is: what can the app version do that the board game can’t? Modes of play include “Pass ‘n Play,” local play (wifi/bluetooth) and online multiplayer – even challenge your Facebook friends. The game comes with a built-in dictionary that automatically checks to see if words are legitimate. This will frustrate some players and delight others. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve bluffed my way through more than one word in a heated Scrabble match. To me, that’s part of the fun, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had hours of fun with the dictionary approved version for iOS. Definitely give this one a try!

A few other great options are Hangman RSS HD, Chess, and Checkers.

Check back in two weeks where we will be listing out the absolute hottest tech items for 2010 for the procrastinating Christmas shoppers to choose from. Just because Black Friday is over doesn’t mean there aren’t still amazing deals on tech gadgets out there!

Hannah is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She is the founder of MyAppinions.com and TheAppNanny.com.