iPad Archives - MomStart

Free Iron Man 3 JARVIS App Available

September 15, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Ever wonder what it’s like to be Tony Stark?

Now you can find out with an interactive experience app hosted by JARVIS on your iOS device!

About JARVIS: In Marvel’s “Iron Man” series, JARVIS is Tony Stark’s artificially intelligent computer system and serves a multitude of functions. JARVIS is programmed to speak with a male British accent and is voiced in Marvel’s “Iron Man” and “The Avengers” series by actor Paul Bettany (“A Beautiful Mind,” “The Da Vinci Code”).

App Overview: Ever wonder what it’s like to be Tony Stark? Download the one-of-a-kind, interactive experience app hosted by JARVIS to your iPad, iPhone or iPod and find out. Just like the real JARVIS, you will be able to interact with him using your own voice. Create customized alarms to wake you in the morning, download ringtones, check the weather, post to Facebook and more! Sync the app to your Blu-ray™ player to unlock hidden files and suits embedded throughout the disc, and experience the first-ever voice controlled Blu-ray!

App Features: Activate JARVIS through a simple setup process and get ready for an entirely new Second Screen Experience. JARVIS will literally be a part of your daily routine. Browse through all 42 of Tony Stark’s Armors in the interactive Armor gallery. Gain access to exclusive content as well as be able to control the Blu-ray menus with either a digital remote or simply by using your voice. “Marvel’s Iron Man 3” will be available on September 24, 2013. The full list of Iron Man 3 Jarvis: A Marvel Second Screen Experience functions are as follows.

– Like Tony Stark, users can engage JARVIS through voice-activated commands

– Receive messages from JARVIS, download ringtones, post to Facebook and more

– Check time, local weather as well as set alarms through the integrated Clock mode

– Initiate media delivered in messages, including video, audio, image, ringtone or website

– Install unique ringtones

– Unlock 42 unique Iron Man suits (plus additional “Ghost” file)

– When connected to the same network as the Blu-ray player, JARVIS will function

as the Blu-ray remote control, or the user can simply “say what you see” and the app will do the rest.

Devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Formats: iOS

Access: Visit [www.marvel.com/ironman3/secondscreen.com]

1. Install the free app to your iOS™ device from the Apple iTunes Store

2. Verify that your iOS device and Blu-ray player are connected to the same Wifi Network.

3. Insert Marvel’s Iron Man 3 Blu-ray and Launch the App.

Currently only available in US, English-speaking Canada and Japan

Duo Thomas & Friends Steam Team Station iPad Interactive Game

December 18, 2012 by Momstart 10 Comments

I was impressed with the Duo Thomas & Friends Steam Team Station iPad Interactive Game because of how easy it was to set up and it worked. The game pieces connect wirelessly with iPad for active adventures on the Island of Sodor. The only thing Miles had to wait on was I forgot my password to install games on the iPad. LOL, the game is free and the Interactive set is about $40.00.

Thomas & Friends Steam Team Station, the app-supported active play device for iPad, gets kids jumping, spinning, skipping, and racing with their engine friends. Six engine cards interact with Steam Team Station and iPad for fun-filled gameplay that gets kids up and moving. They get to choose from up to three interactive adventures that come with the free Steam Team Station game app available in the Apple App Store. The first two adventures are free. You can purchase an additional game, Seek and Find Adventure, through an in-app purchase.

As you can see the iPad fits nicely in between the two stations and the cards fit into the slot on the right side. The Steam Team Station comes with six engine cards to insert and interact with the game, and features a storage area for the cards. Steam Team Station works with all generations of iPads, and iOS version 4.3 or later. The Duo Steam Team Station is powered by three AA batteries. The package includes three AA batteries to get you started right out of the box.

We received a sample to review.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along Children’s App

November 18, 2012 by Momstart 1 Comment

Are you going on a road trip, airplane ride or spending any time traveling for a Thanksgiving road trip? Just in time for all that holiday traveling Disney Publishing Worldwide unveils an exciting app to keep kids entertained in the back seat: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along!

In this first-ever math and science Disney Learning app, readers join Mickey and his friends on a globe-spanning road trip to Mickey Beach, traveling through exciting environments, while counting groups of animals and learning about wildlife habitats. Early math concepts such as sequencing, more and less, and group to numeral matching are also reinforced through bonus play-along games and interactivity.

Features include:

· Activities aimed at counting and sequencing numbers 1-10

· Hands-on practice with key early math concepts

· Matching games featuring over 20 different animals to one of five fascinating habitats

· Character voices from Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

· Original artwork and animation—as well as fun effects such as Tap, Shake, and Tilt

· Story extension activities for parents and caregivers

With a rich variety of early math and science activities, children will delight in learning alongside Mickey and his clubhouse pals— helping them explore, discover and master the skills and concepts they need to be confident and joyful learners in school and beyond.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along is available for $1.99 in the Education category of Apple’s App Store for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Wreck-It Ralph Storybook Deluxe and Hero’s Duty Interactive Comic Apps

November 10, 2012 by Momstart 6 Comments

Check out the new Disney apps for the iPad.

Wreck-It Ralph Storybook Deluxe –

Ralph, Felix, Vanellope, and other favorite characters from Wreck-It Ralph star in this exciting Storybook Deluxe app. Follow Ralph as he wrecks his way through the arcade in search of a hero’s medal—and ends up finding much, much more.

Features include:

o Follow Ralph’s adventures and see yourself appear at key points of the story throughout the app

o Dynamic interactive games and options like customizing your own candy kart and racing your kart in Sugar Rush

o Original character voices from the movie with John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch and Sarah Silverman!

o Stunning illustrations of beloved Wreck-It Ralph characters

o Word-for-word narration with multiple reading levels

Hero’s Duty Interactive Comic –

A fantastic prequel to the upcoming movie, readers are able to venture into the Hero’s Duty game to discover Dr. Brad Scott, Tammy Calhoun, the Space Marines, and the infamous cy-bugs as they fight on the unnamed planet.

Features include:

o 22 interactive comic pages filled with original artwork and unique one-of-a-kind games

o Two reading modes: panel by panel and autoplay

o Special sound effects and a new soundtrack inspired by highly anticipated movie

Hero’s Duty Interactive Comic ($1.99) and Wreck-It Ralph Storybook Deluxe ($6.99) are available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch on the App Store.

Kids Love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

October 27, 2012 by Momstart 18 Comments

My kids have the PBS app on their iPad where they can watch Sprout shows, PBS children’s shows on their iPad. I caught them last night watching Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood. I’ve also heard from one of my neighbors who has an over active little girl who will only sit and watch Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood. Everything else she has no interest in. I think it’s quite cute, I mean it’s Mr. Rogers modernized for kids.

According to a recent PBS KIDS survey of parents of 2-6 year-olds, 86 percent of parents believe they have the most influence in preparing children for kindergarten and teaching a child social-emotional skills.

The survey stated that parents rely on a variety of tools, including parenting books/magazines (47%), PBS KIDS (46%), online parenting sites (46%), and other moms/parents (45%), to give them guidance on preparing their children for school. As was found in the survey, PBS KIDS can be a viable resource for parents, providing tips and advice for dealing with social emotional issues, such as how to handle potty training, problem solving or teaching your child how to share.

PBS KIDS’ new show DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD can be a unique “secret tool” for any parent’s tool box. The show is designed to help support a child’s social-emotional development and to give kids practical strategies for dealing with various emotions.

PBS KIDS has developed five simple tips, adapted from the new series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, which launched earlier this month, to help parents support their children’s social-emotional development, and to give kids practical strategies for dealing with various emotions:

Tip #1: When your child is disappointed about something, help him/her find something positive about the situation to focus on instead.

Tip #2: When your child gets angry, encourage him/her to take a deep breath and count to four.

Tip #3: Encourage your child to keep trying when he/she is struggling with a challenging task.

Tip #4: When your child is feeling apprehensive about a new experience – like going to the doctor or starting school – talk to him/her about what to expect beforehand.

Tip #5: Teach your child patience by coming up with activities to do while you’re waiting, like singing a song or playing a quiet game.

A Kids Learning Tablet: The VTech InnoTab Review

October 18, 2011 by Momstart 1,048 Comments

++++++UPDATE++++++

December 20, 2011

I’m very disappointed to report that our InnoTab has broken. The software is fine and the product itself seems fine and durable, but the stand on the back portion which props the device has broken. One of the pegs “snapped” and the stand is no longer attached to the InnoTab.

I wrote the company an email immediately after the stand broke from the InnoTab and waited a week before calling as no contact via email was made on their end to reach me. Sad, since they’re a technology company! Calling I first made the mistake to saying I wanted a replacement part; I was directed by the automated voice to check online and she hung up on me. I had to recall and select an option that I didn’t feel met my needs, but I knew it would lead to reaching a live customer support representative.

I spoke with vTech about my InnoTab and since the piece can’t be replaced they have to replace the entire product. With the demand of the Christmas season they don’t have any on hand to replace mine currently, but they give me a reference number and I need to call back after Christmas.

I am happy that I finally got service. I’m also pleased that my problem is going to be fixed by vTech ESPECIALLY since my product is not old and has not been abused though my children play their InnoTab a lot.

I would still recommend the InnoTab, but I do have my doubts about the stand and recommending the quality of the features of the InnoTab. Lastly, you all know I have a pink/purple InnoTab; when I call back after Christmas I might see about having that replaced with a white/blue model. I wonder if they will mind?

+++++ORIGINAL++++++

At the Time To Play Holiday Showcase, I had the opportunity to play with the VTech InnoTab as it was awarded one of the top toys of this Holiday Season. I think it’s great having a toy like mommy and daddy’s iPad or computer that’s much more durable.

Plus it comes with a great line up of name brand applications that kids already know and love. From any Disney character to Scooby Doo.

VTech sent MomStart one InnoTab to review and this is Summer’s review:

Children always want the latest gadgets and I’m not talking about your spouse, I’m really talking about your children! My sons always want to tough my phone, help me type on the computer, turn on the T.V. and entertainment center equipment, and play Wii and Xbox. Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. I have to say my sons get it honest enough their dad is a software engineer and I love to stay in touch with everyone I’ve ever met via Facebook and my phone. But now my sons can have their very own age appropriate gadget thanks to VTech Kids.

My 4YO has been asking us when he could get his own laptop. Well, we one upped him with a tablet, a VTech InnoTab Interactive Learning App Tablet, which is suitable at home or on the go. This kid computer is designed for ages 4-9 year old. The style mimics other adult electronics with simple tile selection offering art, games, music, calendar, e-reader, videos, photos, notes, calculator, clock, friends, and also offers cartridge interaction and downloads. Children can then visit the Learning Lodge Navigator with a parent to get free V.Coins to buy new games, e-books, and apps.

My 4YO is in love with his InnoTab and his is pink (not by choice we were mailed a pink one). He has been playing games that work on his problem solving skills and spelling. He enjoys making art and saves it on an SD card which is inserted into the InnoTab device. Most of the time my son uses his own finger, but he is fascinated by the stylus that comes tucked into its own little hole in the side of the InnoTab and uses it especially in the “Color & Pop” app. My 2YO even loves to play on the VTech InnoTab, his favorite is the freestyle art pad; though 2YO is too young if you’re thinking of this for a family’s first child. The VTech InnoTab just shouts CHRISTMAS GIFT!

You can get your own VTech InnoTab Interactive Learning Tablet in white/blue or pink/purple. The price ranges from about $80-100 depending on retailer and preferred color. The cartridges include Scooby-Doo, Disney favorites (like princess and Cars), Sponge Bob, Penguins of Madagascar, and Dora; cartridges are sold separately and cost about $25 (cartridges are NOT needed for the system). To get started you will, however, need 4 AA batteries and an SD card so be sure you these on hand! This is also a toy you’ll want to have opened and added to before gifting to your child for an upcoming birthday or holiday season. Prediction … Christmas Hot Item so GET IT NOW!

Mom Starts Rating of the VTech InnoTab Interactivie Learning Tablet: A

If you want to keep up with VTech hottest kid items, you can Like VTech on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @VTechToys. You can also get your VTech questions answered by Pilar, the VTech Mom, through either forum.

VTech was also kind enough to let us host a giveaway too!

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Debbie Stanton.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

We received samples.

10 Disney Digital Books for Young iPad App Readers

July 14, 2011 by Momstart 14 Comments

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue—A Magical Adventure

Tinker Bell is trapped on the mainland! Find out how Vidia, Rosetta, Silvermist and the other fairies use their talents to rescue Tink in this magical storybook app.

Both Miles and Zoe are greatly enjoying Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. We have the movie and watching them listen to the story is better than the movie. There is an interactive part to it where Zoe believes if she blows on the iPad she can make more fairy dust appear. Readers can control the magic by “blowing” fairy dust into the scene with an exciting new interactive feature. Plus, animated surprises throughout the story will be sure to delight fairy fans! I love watching her make the Fairy Dust. She gets so excited every time.

TRON: Legacy The Complete Story

Sam Flynn is the rebellious 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who disappeared when Sam was just a child. When Sam looks into his father’s disappearance, he finds himself pulled into the same world of brutal programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for almost 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidante, Quora, Kevin Flynn and his son Sam must embark on a life-and-death voyage across a visually-stunning cyber universe to put an end to the evil Clu and his reign of this digital world.

I was worried that Tron Legacy the Complete story would be too scary for Miles. It’s not scary, this one has the book option where you can read it to yourself, or you can watch the mini videos of the story come alive listening aloud. Miles prefers the videos since I’m not always available to read it to him.

Winnie the Pooh: What’s a Bear to do? Puzzle Book

THE STORY: Pooh’s tummy is rumbly, but his yummy honey is hiding! Read along as your favorite stuffed bear searches high and low for a sweet treat. Then it’s up to you to help Pooh Bear find his missing honey pots, and complete fun and challenging puzzles along the way!

Cars 2 Storybook Deluxe

From Flo’s V8 Café, to Mater’s Tow Yard, to Doc’s Garage, get an inside look at all the places your favorite Cars characters call home, complete fun and challenging puzzles and collect sticker decals along the way!

Finding Nemo My Puzzle Book

Nemo’s first day at school leads to a bigger journey than he ever imagined! Follow the story as Marlin searches for Nemo, complete fun and challenging puzzles and collect treasures along the way.

Princess and the Frog Read – Along

Meet Tiana, a beautiful Louisiana girl who dreams of owning her own restaurant and Naveen, a spoiled, jazz-loving prince who doesn’t know the meaning of hard work. These two have nothing in common – until they kiss and are magically transformed into frogs! From the heart of New Orleans’ mystical bayou comes an unforgettable tale of love and enchantment, filled with an amazing cast of characters and plenty of Cajun charm.

Toy Story Read-Along

When Andy goes to Cowboy Camp, Woody gets toy-napped! Buzz Lightyear and the other toys set out to rescue their friend before he is shipped off to a museum in Japan. In this action-packed adventure, Woody learns all about his past and makes new friends that are sure to last a lifetime.

Disney Comics

The Disney Comics app is your portal for all your favorite Disney comics. Download the app and search for your preferred character to enjoy a new adventure every time. Different reading modes let you Read the comic on your own, Activate auto-play, or Tap into the panels to move throughout the page. From Lightning McQueen to Buzz Lightyear, TRON to Rapunzel — and, of course, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and their friends — all the stars of Disney come alive on your mobile device, one comic panel at a time!

Princess Dress-Up: My sticker Book

With a swipe of a finger, you can change outfits and accessories, add tiaras, and then send your child’s royal portrait to friends, family, and fellow princesses! With each new photo, it’s a fresh round of creative dress-up play.
New Features include:
– 1 new PRINCESS: Tiana joins the dress-up fun!
– 7 new STORIES: Now there’s a story for every princess!
– 25 new OUTFITS and ACCESSORIES: More ways to mix and match, including SHOES!
Plus, now you can switch back and forth between the FULL-BODY and CLOSE-UP views, and your outfits will STAY IN PLACE! Just tap the Necklace icon for close-up or the Dress icon for full-body.

Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics

Select one of the six Disney Epic Mickey – Tales of Wasteland Digicomics and discover Disney Epic Mickey’s world in a prequel to the videogame storyline. Read it on autoplay or tap into the panels to move throughout the page. Downloading the Disney Epic Mickey app, costumers will in plus have the chance to take a look at the map of Wasteland, the trailer of the videogame and the character files.

We received samples to facilitate this review.

I Need a New Laptop, What should I get?

June 3, 2011 by Momstart 2 Comments

You know whenever your computer starts to get really slow? I mean, super duper slow? Usually that makes me think that I need to reformat my machine, but this time it’s more than that. It’s slow, and it’s making noises. Lots of icky noises. The screen is humming and the power just seems to be waning. It’s also making wheezing sounds, my blogging is quite dependent on my laptop. Luckily my husband is loaning me his machine for my upcoming trip to Chicago with Craftsman, Cincinnati with Pampers P&G, and my trip to LA/Hollywood with Disney and Dreamworks. He doesn’t think my laptop will last much longer let alone three trips in 11 days, so it’s time to start thinking about alternatives!

I’ve considered a netbook and decided that’s not the way to go for me. netbooks are just too small. They are light and easy to travel with, but they just don’t have the processing speed and video capabilities that I need. I need a machine that can hold up to 20 – 50 windows being opened at one time. yes really, I do. It’s not excessive it’s how I work. I have ADD when I’m on my computer. I also want a big screen too. My current Sony Vaio is 16 inches so I need to decide if I want to keep the size, or go up an inch or down an inch. Oh too many decisions. I’m really not happy with my Sony Vaio, we never were, my husbands screen broke way too easily and the screen was the only part of the computer not covered by the warranty. Before my Sony I had an HP. HP does have a few good options for computers, and laser printers while I’m thinking about it.

What I really want is a tablet pc or a slate. I used to have a tablet pc once upon a time when they first came out. Or rather it belonged to my husband but I loved to play with it. It had a swivel screen and you could use a stylus on the screen. I want another tablet in some form or another, having a new Windows 7 Phone, a NookColor, and an iPad for a brief period of time really makes me want a tablet pc of some kind. But what should I go with, Andrew says the technology isn’t what I expect it to be.

What would you suggest to someone that uses their laptop all the time, it would be my main computer?

Goby 50.00 American Express Gift Card & iPad 2 Giveaway

May 6, 2011 by Momstart 836 Comments

Oh, I’m quite happy to announce that I’m hosting another giveaway for Goby.com again. Last year, I had the opportunity to introduce you all to them. Goby is an excellent site for families or anyone looking to go on a trip, and it’s almost summer!!!. Goby is a search engine all about finding things to do. I found the searches to be accurate and fun. I also feel that with google and other search engines you have to be specific for travel, and it’s hard sometimes to create the results you are actually looking for. Goby organizes your query results in a meaningful way instead of spitting back a series of web pages that happen to contain your key words. For taking trips and finding things to do, Goby is the place to go.

In other words, goby.com is an activity search engine for finding cool things to do with your family. Whether you have an afternoon to spend or a whole vacation, goby has over 6 million things to do in every city and town in the United States. Now, goby has released version 3.0 of the goby iPhone app. The new goby app introduces the goby fun feed. The app syncs to your Facebook profile and automatically puts together a stream of events and activities for you in your location.

To celebrate the launch of the goby app and fun feed, goby is giving away a brand new iPad 2 and a $50 gift card to put towards your next adventure. There are two main ways to enter and a few more for fun:

Enter to Win:

50.00 American Express Gift Card

iPad 2 (possible entries across all participating bloggers)

To Enter:

Go to goby.com. Use the what, where when fields on the homepage to find and adventure near you. Post the link in the comments of this blog along with why you chose your adventure.

Extra Entries:

List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)

Tweet & include the giveaway link:

Enter to Win an iPad 2 @MomStart #Giveaway http://networkedblogs.com/hxmLI

50.00 American Express Gift Card #Giveaway @Momstart http://networkedblogs.com/hxmLI

for 5 entries –

Go to the iTunes store and download the NEW goby app for iPod Touch/iPhone You’ll receive an emailed receipt – email this receipt to emily (at) goby.com for 5 ENTRIES toward an iPad! Be sure to mention that MomStart.com sent you.

You must leave a comment for every entry. This Giveaway Ends June 15th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

My Coffee Mate Addiction

December 20, 2010 by Momstart 505 Comments

It has been brought to my attention that Yes, I have a Coffee-Mate addiction. Yes, I love coffee, but it’s only good when it’s been doused with Coffee-Mate.

I would even go so far as to say that, I have a little coffee with my coffee mate creamer.

These photos of Coffee-mate that you see here are in my fridge. All at the same time!!!

My husband and I love to try different flavors, we’ve tried so many different flavors and have our favorites narrowed down, but we still try a new flavor every time they come out with one.

I have French Vanilla to use on tea, and chocolate donut flavored k-cups.

The holiday flavors are always a great treat, but what we really loved about this year was that Coffee-Mate made Peppermint Mocha a year long treat. We’ve been using peppermint mocha all year round. In addition to Peppermint Mocha creamer like the eggnog flavored creamer, the sugar and spice flavored creamer, and anything with caramel.

Now that the holidays flavors are out, we stocked up on Gingerbread Coffee-Mate at Walmart for 1.50 each. That’s an excellent price. Another way that I like to save on Coffee-Mate creamer is that if you sign up on their website, you can usually download two coupons every three months to save 1.00 to 1.50 on your purchase of one coffee-mate creamer product.

As part of my addiction, I’ve tried all of the Coffee-Mate Holiday Flavors, and all of the Coffee-Mate Café Flavors we’ve even used coffee-mate creamer to make flavored pancakes. It’s so easy and delicious, just substitute the milk for creamer. Yum! You can’t go wrong with Coffee-Mate.

And Yeah, I do really have a coffee-mate creamer addiction.

Enter to Win:

Two coffee-mate free product coupons

and

Altec Lansing iM310 inMotion Compact Portable Stereo for iPad.

Affordable, amazing sound for music lovers who listen with their eyes as well as their ears! This new addition to the inMotion family offers big sound with stylish portability. The iM310 provides outstanding acoustic volume and audio performance for your iPod/MP3 player previously unavailable at this size or value. With powerful, crystal-clear sound and surprisingly deep bass, the foldable design is ready to let you share your tunes anywhere you like via AC or battery power.

To Enter:

Tell me what your favorite Coffee-Mate Flavor is

Extra Entries:

Leave a Comment on my Swanson Chicken Pizza Bites Recipe

Tweet:

Altec Lansing Speakers and @Coffee_Mate Coffee Creamer #Giveaway http://bit.ly/i5KGdU

Subscribe to my blog RSS, or e-mail
Follow me on twitter
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below facebook included (just leave a link to this post wherever you share it)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post

Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends January 3. I received products mentioned above facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.