Tech Archives - MomStart

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee! #PokemonLetsGo

November 16, 2018 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Big news, Pokémon Trainers: Today marks the release of two brand new games and a Poké Ball accessory for Nintendo Switch! Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, and the Poké Ball Plus accessory are now available on Nintendo.com and the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch as well as in stores. The exciting news was celebrated by a midnight launch party at Nintendo NY in Rockefeller Plaza, where Pikachu and Eevee themselves came out to greet fans!

In both Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, you’ll immerse yourself in the Kanto region as a Pokémon Trainer going on an epic adventure with either Eevee or Pikachu, depending which game you play. Catch and train Pokémon and battle other Pokémon Trainers, Gym Leaders and Team Rocket as you go on your epic journey with Pikachu or Eevee. You’ll encounter classic characters and many types of Pokémon, with the impressive true-to-size versions of these Pokémon roaming the in-game world.

Make your adventure even more fun with the Poké Ball Plus, an awesome new accessory for Nintendo Switch that allows you to have your own real-life Poké Ball! You can control the entire game with just the Poké Ball, capturing Pokémon by making a gentle throwing motion with the Poké Ball Plus. Every Poké Ball Plus contains the Mythical Pokémon Mew, and things get even more interactive when you put any Pokémon inside your Poké Ball Plus to take it outside for a walk in the real world so that you can level it up and snag in-game rewards!

And because both the Poké Ball Plus and both Let’s Go games are are compatible with Pokémon GO, you can also use your Poké Ball to catch Pokémon and items from Poké Stops in Pokémon GO without having to use your smartphone. You can also transfer Pokémon captured in the Kanto region into Pokémon GO, including the newly discovered Mythical Pokémon, Meltan and Melmetal, as well as the Alolan and Shiny forms. And if your friends and family also have one of the games on Nintendo Switch, you’ll be able to battle and trade Pokémon with them too! (Or, share the game with them on your own system by playing the game in TV or Tabletop mode using two controllers!)

For newer Pokémon fans, these games offer a great entry point to the Kanto region with a rich story full of memorable characters and RPG gameplay, while longtime fans can revisit the place where it all began to compete in tough new challenges and earn the title of Pokémon Master,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With the ability to play the games anytime, anywhere on Nintendo Switch, Pikachu and Eevee are the perfect travel companions this holiday season.”

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! are available for $59.99 each or in a bundle with the Poké Ball Plus for $99.99. If you haven’t gotten a Nintendo Switch system yet, you can purchase a special, extremely limited edition Let’s Go bundle with themed controllers, the Poké Ball Plus and a download code for one of the games for $399.99. Be sure to read our post on why you should get a Nintendo Switch if you haven’t made the leap yet!

So tell me, Pokémon Trainers: Are you Team Pikachu or Team Eevee?

Imagine More Fun With Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit

October 15, 2018 by Beeb Leave a Comment

This post contains our Amazon Associates link.

Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit

Has your child ever wanted to step inside their favorite video game? Well, now they can thanks to Nintendo Labo! This interactive series of DIY kits allows young gameplayers and innovators to actually build their own robots, vehicles and accessories out of cardboard, which hook up to the Nintendo Switch. These real-world creations are then brought to life inside the game!

The newest addition to the lineup is the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit. This kit provides the opportunity to build a car, submarine, plane, pedal, keys, and a spray can. While the templates and materials are all provided for each of these projects, it’s just a jumping off point for what you can do with the kit. Everything in the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit is customizable, and once a player has gotten comfortable creating their cardboard projects, they can start experimenting with using household objects such as notebooks or sponges to create their own controllers. And the customization spills over from the real world into the gameplay: The spray can project interacts with in-game vehicles to create custom paint jobs.

Fans of all ages have embraced the originality and creativity of Nintendo Labo,” says Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit expands the possibilities of what Nintendo Labo can do, with a variety of fun gameplay modes and deeper programming elements to explore.”

The Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit comes with games such as Adventure and Rally that provide immersive worlds to explore by land, sea and air using your shiny new vehicles. Each vehicle handles differently, with its own controls and special moves. Do a barrel roll and shoot missiles in the plane, pop a wheelie and deploy weapons in the car, and launch a grappling hook from your submarine while you cruise through the colorful land of Adventure. This large world is filled with snowy mountains, archaeological ruins and a futuristic city, with various activities awaiting you in each location. Or take part in automotive battles in Rally and try your hand at a game of off-road racing that packs a literal punch! In addition, the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit is also compatible with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch.

Retailing for $69.99, the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit is the perfect holiday gift for gamers of all ages. Get yours today on Amazon! And if you don’t have a Nintendo Switch yet, be sure to read our post on why you should get one!

Nintendo’s Captain Toad Treasure Tracker 3DS

August 28, 2018 by Momstart Leave a Comment

We received a sample.

Miles Review: The game, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, it’s self wasn’t the best game because it was fairly easy and didn’t provide much of a challenge. Unless, on each level you are trying to complete each objective it does provide a bit of a challenge. I also thought the levels that were fairly easy and short. I only had a bit of trouble with the boss levels and even then it was still pretty easy and the enemies are pretty easy to avoid as well.

Zoe and Miles video review:

Zoe’s Review:

I thought Toad Treasure Tracker was a very fun game. I liked that when you rescue Toadette you get to play as her and have to rescue Toad. My least favorite part is that when you play the game you can not fight the bad guys you have to tap them on the bottom so it makes it hard to run away. Another thing I like is that it is different from other Mario games. I also like that you can’t jump.

Questions About Captain Toad Treasure Tracker

What is your favorite game feature?

Zoe: My favorite game feature is that you can not jump.

Miles: The fact that toad can still do all of this while carrying a backpack full of survival gear.

What is your least favorite game feature?

Zoe: My least favorite game feature is that it is very hard to battle because you can not and instead you just have to tap them on the lower 3DS screen while you get away.

Miles: The fact that you can not jump.

What is your favorite character?

Zoe: My favorite character is the pixelated Toad. The pixelated Toad is Toad except he is a pixel and if you are are picking out what level you want to do you can click on him and you will go into a level and will have to look for him and it is just like a little hide and seek game.

Miles: toadette because toad is stupid and pixelated toad hides from you

What does this game make you think of or remind you of?

Zoe: In one of the Wii Mario games it was called “Super Mario 3D World” there was a level and you played as toad and it was about the same. And then there was actually another Wii game also called “Captain Toad Treasure Tracker” and it was the same except it was on the Wii.

Miles: It makes me think of hide and seek cause you have to find the objectives.

Would you recommend this game?

Zoe: Yes I would recommend this game it was very fun.

Miles: Yes.

About Nintendo’s Captain Toad Treasure Tracker 3DS:

The Captain Toad: treasure tracker game, which originally launched for the Wii U system to critical acclaim and adoration by fans, is coming to Nintendo 3DS.
This version includes new stages based on the various kingdoms in the Super Mario Odyssey game.
Captain Toad: treasure tracker for the Nintendo 3DS family systems.
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Suitable_for_all_users

Top 3 Reasons To Purchase a Bosch 100 Series Dishwasher @BestBuy #BoschDishwasher@BoschAppliances #AD

August 25, 2018 by Momstart Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Best Buy, our opinions are our own.

Just last week I was telling you guys about how much I love my Bosch Dishwasher. It’s so quiet while it is cleaning my dishes, the only thing we hear is the water running during the rinse cycle. I mean it’s that quiet. Today, we want to go even a little bit deeper, and talk about the Bosch 100 Series available at Best Buy and what makes the Bosch the “World’s #1 Dishwasher Brand.”

The number 1 reason that the Bosch 100 series Dishwasher is that it is the quietest dishwasher in the U.S. There are 18 sound reducing technologies inside the machine and because it’s so quiet the Bosch 100 Series has the InfoLight ® that lets you know it is running.

When it comes to a dishwasher you also want some reliability. Bosch is the most reliable dishwasher brand with the lowest repair rate according to a leading consumer publication.

When it comes to a dishwasher you also want an excellent performance. Our dishes are always clean. Skip the Pre-Rinse with Bosch. All Bosch dishwashers have PrecisionWash™- an intelligent wash system with sensors that target every dish to leave them sparkling clean, every time. According to a leading consumer publication Bosch owns 5 of the top 10 drying scores out of 160 tested dishwasher which is pretty amazing right? And Bosch Dishwashers’ condensation drying sets them apart from other brands. The Bosch factory performs 485 quality checks on every dishwasher to ensure that lasting performance in your home.

Now the design of a Dishwasher is listed as our number three in importance but could arguably be number 1 for some people. There is a variety of designs and door handles that should fit any kitchen design. They also have Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel that helps guard against smudges and fingerprints and makes them easy to clean a moms dream come true. The dishwasher also comes with a 3rd rack and it adds 30% more loading area and with the Adjustable Rackmatic™ rack you are provided 9 adjustable positions giving you maximum loading flexibility.

BOSCH Premium Dishwasher Features to Love

August 17, 2018 by Momstart 1 Comment

This is a sponsored blog post by Best Buy, our opinions are our own.

I often get asked by Best Buy to write informational pieces on different products that they sell in their stores. I love doing it because we like to stay up to date on tech, in this instance though, I actually have a BOSCH Premium Dishwasher and can share with you first hand how much I like mine.

Number one reason to love the BOSCH Premium Dishwashers is because they are so quite. They are the quietest dishwasher brand in the U.S. It has 18 sound reducing technologies and an InfoLight that lets you know it is running.

I also love that the dishes come out clean. It’s reliable. I count on it to get my dishes clean and running without a need for repairs. Bosch is the most reliable dishwasher brand with the lowest repair rate according to a leading consumer publication. Also according to a leading consumer publication, Bosch owns 5 of the top 10 drying scores out of 160 tested dishwashers. Condensation drying sets Bosch apart.

It comes with a 3rd rack that adds 30% more loading area, because you can put flat things in that top area. In all honestly, we took out our third rack. But it’s there if you want it and have a sue for it. The Adjustable Rackmatic™ rack provides 9 adjustable positions giving you maximum loading flexibility. There are a variety of designs available to fit in any kitchen.

AuCuTee White Noise Machine

August 17, 2018 by Momstart 1 Comment

We received a sample from AuCuTee.com– a manufacturer for white noise machine sleep.

When my children were babies one of the best things we did was use a white noise machine. These things are amazing at calming down babies and helping them fall asleep.

These kids of mine would love to be bundled and I would put on the white noise and let them go off to sleepy land. So when we received the offer from AuCuTee to review their white noise machine we took the offer. First the kids made an unboxing video and then we tested it out. Then they both told me they were taking it and keeping it. Sigh, the kids still want a white noise machine. I’m actually not even sure why I took it away.

Watch our unboxing video and product discovery:

The company is offering a coupon code: 20% OFF code to buy it from them on Amazon. (20% OFF: 20PAB3ST)

Visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW4S7CZ to purchase it.

About the AuCuTee White Noise

Classic white noise sound machine, it’s designed to help mask unwanted, uncontrollable, disturbing noises that interfere with your ability to sleep, relax, or concentrate

Works great on my kids.

Featuring with real fan to generate natural and constant airflow soothing sound, playing mode also can be set 30 or 60 minutes automatic turn-off timer if needed

Great to set a timer and then leave in the babies room under the crib.

Dual built-in USB charging ports with DC 5V/1A, it can be connected to charge your phones/tablets or other devices at night

Real Fan Inside

First and foremost, this fan noise machine is by far the most customize white noise machine on the market.

While most simply loop repetitive audio tracks, the AuCuTee Fan Noise Machine uses a dual-speed asymmetrical fan to actually create soothing noise.

The resulting sound is one of rushing air that is soft and pleasant to listen to.

It sounds like a cross between a fan and the comforting “shushing” noise parents make,it is also a simple, no-frills sound, but it is great for masking outside noises that keep you up at night.
Customize Your Sound

Better yet, This noise machine with fan built-in has two speeds (slow and high) of “rushing air”.

The adjustable case can be twisted to adjust the tone. It is great that you can fine-tune the exact sound that comes out.

The movable panels do not move a huge amount, but with the tiniest adjustment, you can change the sound considerably.

What the best is that there is just one button, with three settings: off, and two different speeds.

The adjustable center portion of the device also utilizes a series of slanted vents, which can be shifted to allow more or less air to move through them.

This increase or decrease in airflow allows you to choose from an arrange of volumes and tones.
Simply the Best

The all-natural sound of the AuCuTee Classic is noise-reducing, sleep-inducing magic.
Easy to Use

Just plug it in and flip the switch to choose your volume; “high” speed is to make fan sound loud enough. “low”speed is for quiet environment.

The AuCuTee real fan sounds is simply effective, with no complicated interface. It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Package included

1 X Fan White Noise Machine

Why You Want the HP Envy x360

July 25, 2018 by Momstart Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Best Buy, I received a gift card for my time.

I love getting new technology and use a laptop/tablet as my sole computer and have for years. They are so powerful and portable now it’s amazing. The HP Envy x360 looks like everything I desire in a computer. And here is why.

Why You Want the HP Envy x360

The HP Envy x360 is currently available at Best Buy and you can save $100 until 7.28.

The HP Envy x360 is equipped with Windows 10. I love using Windows 10 because it’s the new operating system with that Start Menu that everyone loves.

The HP Envy x360 has a full HD touch screen. I’m so used to using a touch screen now. I love being able to sign documents with my digital pen. The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. Natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient WLED backlight.

The HP Envy x360 has an 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking which is so what I need for my everyday use. Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.

The HP Envy x360 has a 360 degree flip-and-fold design which makes it look like a tablet and then you don’t have to put it away when you are on a plane. I LOVE turning my laptop into a tablet just so I can keep it in my lap during take off and landing. Plus it makes everyday use very versatile.

Summer Fun With Portable Speakers

July 24, 2018 by Momstart 1 Comment

This is a sponsored blog post with Best Buy.

I have to say that my family loves to listen to music, so much so that my kids will take the portable speaker into the shower, so it’s a good thing we have a waterproof one. Just in time for summer, Ultimate Ears announced new updates for MEGABLAST and BLAST portable speakers to help them get smarter and better over time, and yes they are water-resistant and available at Best Buy. These new experiences for MEGABLAST and BLAST that were just announced include:

Enhanced controls on the Ultimate Ears app: You can control volume from the app remotely, which is something I love and you will find it helpful if you have your music cranked up loud and want to use Alexa. I love using Alexa. You also have the ability to check battery status in two ways. 1 you can go through the app. 2 you can do it right from the speaker by pressing the “+/-” volume buttons simultaneously. You can personalize your sound for any artist or music genre with the custom equalizer (EQ).

Voice control on Spotify and more (coming soon): This sounds like just a fun improvement because I love voice control. All you have to do is ask……. “Alexa, play my Discover Weekly” or any music from Spotify on MEGABLAST and BLAST. Spotify will soon join other Amazon Alexa supported music services such as Amazon Music, Deezer and TuneIn globally; and Pandora, iHeartRadio and SiriusXM in the U.S.. You will be able to use your voice to control music from these streaming services over Wi-Fi. On Bluetooth, you can enjoy music from any of your favorite music services.

A better way to listen with Spotify Connect (coming soon): MEGABLAST and BLAST will be the first Ultimate Ears speakers to integrate Spotify Connect. When on Wi-Fi, open the Spotify app on your phone and play music directly to our speakers (under “Devices Available”) without the need to pair through Bluetooth. Music fans can also stream the highest quality sound possible from Spotify. With Spotify Connect, text message or make calls without interrupting the music and save your phone’s battery.

New grouping experience for smart speakers (coming soon): You can group up to eight MEGABLAST and BLAST speakers on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Stereo mode is supported when you connect two MEGABLAST or BLAST speakers. Optimized to take advantage of the speakers’ built-in Wi-Fi capability, you will experience greater range for grouped speakers and improved connection reliability. Grouping is expected to be available later this year.

It sounds like these improvements are going to make your summer fun with portable speakers even better than ever. You will have the ability to use your app or your voice for hours of listening.

Safe Headphones For Kids

July 23, 2018 by Momstart 3 Comments

We received samples.

It’s a unicorn, it’s a headband, no it’s headphones. Well in all honesty it’s all three.

Snuggly Rascals are fun, comfortable and safe headphones for kids and my daughter LOVES them. Check out her video review of the Snuggly Rascals.

Yep, she loves them. She took them on vacation to Hawaii and wore them all day on the airplane. I really need to get my son a set of them. He would love them just as much as her.

What I think of Snuggly Rascals?

I love these kids headphones. These headphones are made for kids. They keep kids from listening to music too loud, which I worry that my son does. They are completely comfortable and ok to fall asleep in. My kids complain all the time about how headphones do not fit on their ears and these do fit. They are great.

I love how they come in such cute animal designs. My son and daughter both fought over the unicorn headphones that they sent to us. They are also only 17.99 which is an excellent price point for children’s headphones. Snuggly Rascals (v2) are available in 6 fun designs: Unicorn, Owl, Penguin, Kitten, Monster and Panda.

Snuggly Rascals Features:

– Made with a high quality, super soft fleece and ultra-flat speakers, Snuggly Rascals are extra-comfortable headphones suitable for kids of all ages (3+ recommended).
– Unlike standard earphones and headphones which can be uncomfortable on or in the ears, Snuggly Rascals are lightweight (only 50g), perfect for travel and designed for comfort over short or long periods.
Specifications:
– Velcro, size adjustable headband to fit head circumference 38cm to 58cm
– Connects via standard 3.5mm audio jack connection on 1.5m cable
– Volume limited to 85 decibels
– Headband is machine washable at low temperatures (don’t forget to remove speakers, and kids!)
– 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex

5 Ways to Improve Your Sleep Quality With Your Smartphone

May 31, 2018 by Momstart Leave a Comment