Skylanders Trap Team

With the recent craze of toys meet video games, Skylanders has been one top producer. With an ever expanding army of toys as well as innovative new ways to play, Skylanders are in it for the long haul. Their most recent release is no different. Instead of swapping or modifying figures, now you can trap villain characters and use them in game as your own. This might sound confusing or difficult, but in true Skylanders fashion, it is easy and fun to play. Also for the first time, you will be able to play as Kaos, who is the main villain and has never been playable previously.

10 13 14 161Skylanders started with Spyro’s Adventure and the collecting began which was the originator of bring toys into the video game through a portal. This was a smashing success and led to Skylanders Giants which brought us big figures and characters who were more powerful as well as larger in game. Also brought into the game are light-core figures who have glowing light core parts and updates of previous figures. Swap Force came next allowing players to swap out character traits to put together their favorites into a new character. Now we have Trap Team which uses special crystals to capture enemies which can be summoned then controlled by the player to further expand the Skylanders universe.
[Read more…]

Kazaz – Great New App For Kids

It may sound like a 1960’s Batman phrase, but Kazaz is so much more then that. Kazaz is a new app which features a world of interactive stories presented in an animated format which combines sight, sound and touch to engage and promote learning. Available now,  Kazaz has three new stories- The Magic of Kazaz, I Am the Music Man, and The Story of Wooding. Each of which is a cute, interactive tale which can either last 10 minutes or an hour (or more) full of learning and fun. While reading, users will be able to find gems hidden throughout the story to unlock new animated segments and informational blurbs. The Magic of Kazaz is an orignal tale for the magical planet of Kazaz.  I am the Music Man is a sing along with the Music Man, which is full of hand clapping, toe tapping children’s songs; and last but not least, The Store of Wooding, the tale of a young swan who takes an exciting journey. What we liked about the app was ability to save your position and return to the story later. Not only is one save allowed, but also three so siblings can play without interrupting each others experiences.
[Read more…]

Jesse the Jack’s ABC Zoo iBook and App

Jesse the Jack’s ABC Zoo is the newest App and eBook for Apple devices, developed by Best Buddies Learning. You may be asking who Jesse the Jack is- he is a purebred, Jack Russell Terrier who lives to entertain. He has made appearances on Good Morning America, Nickelodeon, The Late Show with David Letterman, Animal Planet, CBS, NBC, ABC, Disney, VH1, and The Rachael Ray Show to name a few. Unlike regular dogs, Jesse knows some incredible tricks like handstands, skateboarding, riding a rocking horse, and even putting the dishes in the dishwasher. However, his most recent foray is digital and teaches children the alphabet.

Best Buddies learning was created by Rob Keim in November 2013 to make reading and learning fun for kids. Based in San Diego, the company partnered with Jesse the Jack to launch its first of many iBook and app, ABC Zoo.
[Read more…]

Hyrule Warriors (New Zelda Game)

hyrule

Zelda has long been an institution for Nintendo from the first Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System to its most recent iteration Hyrule Warriors, great fun is to be had. Today we are looking at Hyrule Warriors a recent game which takes the familiar Zelda franchise characters and settings and adds Dynasty Warriors game play and game mechanics to create a great game for long time Zelda fans or new comers to the characters.

First of all it is important to know this game was made by two big game developers Team Ninja and Omega Force. The result is a masterfully put together game which is hack and slash by nature and Zelda by setting, character and even music. The game play itself is simple button mashing fun which is a welcome change for little ones playing the game. Little Man loves it compared to the more complicated RPG controls of other Zelda games, which he doesn’t have a firm grasp on yet. Emphasis on YET.
[Read more…]

Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport

Disclosure- I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Sprint. I received a sample device to facilitate this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.  All opinions are my own.

20140809_124001

It is school time across the country and one of the biggest questions Moms and Dads who stay home have to ask themselves now is, “Now what?”  The house is clean, laundry done, TV is boring, the internet is fun and all, but to lose yourself to it for hours at a time seems kind of silly.  So why not better yourself a bit?  I am a firm believer in working out.  Not only for the health benefits but also to benefit your sanity.  What better way to work out all those events that don’t go our way then by working through them and rising above them.  Tough day with the kids?  Difficult decision to make?  Family members being…well family?  Workout, get a routine going and before you know it your pants will start slipping off, and your stress will start melting away. This new Samsung Galaxy Sport is awesome for workouts, as well.
[Read more…]

School Zone Little Scholar Tablet

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my reviews. All opinions are my own and honest.

A tablet entering the market has to do two difficult things, one is to be unique and two is to do something no one else does. If it doesn’t do these two things, there is a good chance of failure and a valueless product. Thankfully the new School Zone Little Scholar does just this, with the help of a ton of educational apps and Google Android 4.2.2. These apps are used to boost math, reading, spelling, and other skills in a creative playful way.

pic5School Zone may sound familiar to many parents as an educational product company of over 35 years. Products include workbooks, flashcards, and software. With this much experience under their belt, a tablet made by School Zone features just what you would hope it would- many education apps to help school aged scholars. The apps included feature the complete Start to Read! eBook series, music, songs, Charlie and Company video series and many more premium educational apps. Besides the ability of your children to use the app for education purposes. Parents can also track their progress using A+ Report, which lets parents know how much progress has been made in individual topics and curriculum. The total value of the apps included with the tablet is over $400 all of which can be chosen using the App Management Tool to properly tailor the tablet for you little one.

[Read more…]

August Audio Fest at Best Buy

Disclosure- I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free- all opinions are my own.

pic9August is Audio Fest month at Best Buy this mean special deals and events and more at Best Buy’s across the country from August 3rd through August 30th.. These specials will involve all the best offers on the best audio products throughout the month. Products including portable Bluetooth speakers and headphones, to home theater solutions and car audio are all available.

To Celebrate Audio Fest we are going to review the new Denon HEOS speaker system. HEOS comes in 3 varieties HEOS3 for small to medium rooms like bedrooms or bathrooms, retails for $299.98, HEOS5 for medium to large rooms retails for $399.98 perfect for larger bedrooms, offices and small living rooms, and the HEOS7 for large spaces such as big living rooms and halls which retails for $599.98.

pic5The HEOS line of speakers all support form very interesting specs including the ability to control the audio with a smart phone either iOS or Android, both work well. There is also a USB port on the back of each speaker for easy music listening. Any music on a USB drive plugged into the back of the unit will play the music through the speaker system. The HEOS3 can be used with another HEOS 3 to make a stereo pair. The unit itself has dual custom full-range drivers and a two-channel digital amp. The HEOS5 features four dedicated class D amplifiers, two custom-designed tweeters, two mid-range drivers and a passive radiator. The HEOS7 has a subwoofer, two full-range drivers, two tweeters and two passive radiators to round out its big sound.

[Read more…]

Tech Gear You Didn’t Know You Always Wanted

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my reviews. All opinions are my own and honest.

Need to get your gear on this season?  Protect your phone, your ears, your photos, and keep it all together as you move along with the latest must have gadgets.

07 26 14 lumix 020Wires, wires, everywhere, and no one knows where they go.  Or how to untangle them.  Why not go wireless?  The Kinivo BTH240 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – $35 on www.Pure-Gear.com will keep you in tune with the music but without the wires- not only great for teens, but for younger kids who (like my 6 year old) want to chew the wires.  Not a problem if there are no wires to gnaw on.  They work with almost any device, and make it easy to wander about the car, plane, hotel room (wherever) without crossing mom and dad’s wires. Once you try these, you will wonder what you did before you had them.

07 26 14 lumix 025I love my new Samsung Galaxy S5. I want to protect it from all the abuse I dole out to my travel gear as best I can.  The new PureGear: DualTek ExtremeCase for Samsung Galaxy S5 is amazing, it fits like a glove, doesn’t inhibit photos or phone use, and takes quite a beating. It doesn’t add much in the way of bulk, and comes in 3 colors (yellow, white, and black).  The shock case keeps it safe from drops, scratches, and has padded rubber corners to absorb impact and isolate vibration. The material is tough yet flexible, and very durable while not compromising your photos or ease of use. Starting at $35 at http://www.pure-gear.com
[Read more…]