Abongo delivers website details

When I want to know who’s behind a domain name or website, I usually start with a visit to whois.net to find the domain’s owner and contact information. Now I know about Abongo.com, a service that can deliver much more detail about a site and its host.

Abongo’s target audience is web professionals, including bloggers and system administrators who want to figure out how any site is hosted on the Internet. Abongo runs on dedicated servers from eight locations around the globe so users can see how a site looks and responds from different parts of the world.

A DNS query returns a map of where a site is hosted plus records such as Name, Alias, Mail and IPV4 and IPV6 records. There are other specialized tools for webmasters including a Host lookup, Tracert (trace route), Ping, Page Rank, RDNS, and Whois which tells you all the publicly available information on the ownership of the domain.

To give the service a free test drive, go to Abongo.com and enter any domain.

By: Ric Manning On 10/31/2014

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SoGo Mini Speaker promises advanced sound and features

Now that everyone has their music, movies and other media on their mobile devices, Bluetooth speakers have become required equipment. But those speakers still have lots of room for improvement. The ones with good sound are usually large, heavy, and not especially portable. And what passes for good design? A speaker that looks like a tennis ball.

NimbX Technology thinks it can do better. A lot better. The SoGo Mini Speaker promises high-quality sound, with rich bass lines, in a package that is small and very portable. And if the SoGo’s stylish design isn’t exactly what you want, you can customize it to match your own taste.

The SoGo can function as a wireless speaker for phones or connect it to a computer or tablet. It uses bone conductive technology which lets it use almost any surface, like a wall or a table, as a sound conductor to help increase volume and bass. Snap-on color plates give the speaker a variety of looks and support for near-field communication (NFC) lets it wirelessly sync with an NFC-supported device.

SoGo’s developers hope to raise $75,000 for production costs with a Kickstarter campaign. They’re offering a variety of rewards for backers, including one of the first SoGo speakers for backers who contribute $49.

By: Ric Manning On 10/30/2014

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Kickstarter campaign will back versatile Wi-Fi speaker

The developers of a new Wi-Fi speaker have high expectations. The makers of MOKIBOX say their creation will be “a product that provides people with a wonderful music experience. More easy control speaker with high-quality stereo.”

Okay, they have my interest and my curiosity. And, I have a few questions. How big will it be? How much will it cost? What are the audio specs.

Unfortunately you and I will have to wait until the details about the MOKIBOX are officially released. That will come when the developers open a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter in early November.

Meanwhile, here’s what the MOKIBOX folks told me: The speaker will be able to play audio files “via AirPlay and DLNA when a mobile device and MOKIBOX join the network. Even, without any Wi-Fi network, the new speaker could be used as a hotspot through which a Smartphone can connect and control it.“
 
So stay tuned.

By: Ric Manning On 10/30/2014

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Hubground wants a piece of your mind

Have you ever wanted to be part of the focus groups or survey pools who are asked their opinion about a new tech product? Here’s your chance. The folks at Hubground are building a new social platform and they want to get your opinions.

Hubground says it plans to release a number of social based products starting with one called Home Hub. “It will essentially connect people based on their interests and also give them news pertaining to their interests,” says Hubground."We want to create beautifully designed, easy to use, and feature packed products that will give users beneficial alternatives for social interaction."

The company says it will also focus on user privacy and security and says it is committed to not collecting or selling personal data to advertisers.

To share your thoughts with Hubground, you can visit this one-page website and answer 10 questions in their short survey. Hubground says the answers will help them get a better understanding of the market and help the company obtain financial backing.

By: Ric Manning On 10/30/2014

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Tiny Cuba speaker is a multitasker

I’m always on the lookout for another wireless speaker. Maybe one that’s smaller, cheaper or more functional. When I found the new Cuba speaker from Xoombot, it turned out to be all three.

The Cuba is a small plastic cube, like it’s name implies. It’s tiny enough to slip in a pocket or hand from your car’s rear-view mirror. And despite it’s size, Xoombot brags that Cuba’s sound beats anything that comes out of a smartphone.

And it does more than deliver sound. Press a button on the side of the speaker and it will send a signal to your misplaced Android phone to help you find it. And it can function as a remote trigger for your cell phone’s camera. Here's a list of seven things the Cuba can do.

Did I say cheap? How about free? The Cuba sells for $59.99 but Xoombot says it will give away more than 2,000 Cuba speakers to people who enter their email address on the company’s website. Just follow this link and register by Oct. 31.

By: Ric Manning On 10/30/2014

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Horrific crime leads to a apps for peace and forgiveness

If you want to know how to turn a horrible event into something positive, talk to Sue Henry. In 2012, her 72-year-old father was attacked in his home in Australia, severely beaten and later died. The attacker was eventually charged, convicted and sent to prison. Sue’s effort to deal with her conflicting emotions led her to create a website, blog and mobile apps called I Forgive You.

“What was left I realised was for me to be at peace with what had happened,” Sue writes on the site. “ I had to find it in my heart to forgive him. And it wasn’t something I was ready to share openly with my family or friends because I still couldn’t make sense of it, so I began to write things down. I wrote whenever something came to me, even if it was a small thing – for example “I forgive you for being a criminal” , “I forgive myself for harbouring thoughts of anger” .

I Forgive You invites users to record similar messages of forgiveness, gratitude, love, apology, thoughtfulness. The website also includes a blog and a list of resources for counseling and support services. The apps are free to download at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

By: Ric Manning On 10/30/2014

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Galactic Hero blends guns and gems

Browse the Google Play Store and you'll have no trouble finding a jewel-themed puzzle game. Or a game that features spaceships and aliens. But Galactic Hero may be the only game that combines the two.

In this match 3 puzzle adventure, you are a guardian of a galaxy that's being invaded by alien assault ships. To thwart the attackers, you must match three or more gems, jewels and alien artifacts in a row. Early in the contest, the aliens aren't so smart and you'll win a few battles. But as you move deeper through space, your foes get more clever and you'll need to improve your strategy - and sharpen your aim.

In addition to gem mining and matching, the game involves laser gun battles and high-speed races through space gates and portals. If you're successful, you'll earn the title of galactic war hero.

Check out screen shots and a video in the Google Play Store.

By: Ric Manning On 10/28/2014

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PDF Compressor puts bloated docs on a diet

With Adobe's PDF format, we're able to transfer and share large documents such as contracts, brochures and even books. But sometimes the size of those documents can make that process almost painfully slow. One solution is a PDF compression service that squeezes the file down to a more manageable size.

I recently checked out PDF Compressor, a free service that offers more features that many of its competitors don't have. For example, PDF Compressor will accept files up to 50 MG, far more than many of the others. It also allows you to upload multiple files, then take a break while the squeezer goes to work. Get a cup of coffee and when you return, the finished files are waiting to be downloaded, directly or in ZIP files. And, PDF Compressor doesn't ask for your email address in order to get them.

For my test, I uploaded a 49MB file that included text, handwriting and images. PDF Compressor reduced the file size to 6MB - an 86 percent compression rate - with no noticeable change in the resolution.

Got a PDF document that needs to go on a diet? Give it a squeeze at PDFCompressor.com.   

By: Ric Manning On 10/26/2014

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Mass Planner lets you schedule social media

One major reason why web publishers invest in expensive content-management systems is so they can schedule when their content appears. When I managed the website for big city newspaper, we scheduled stories to appear days in advance. A cooking feature for Wednesday's edition might be put on the Web on Monday and a profile of a basketball player would be completed on Tuesday but booked to go public on Saturday.

A new program called Mass Planner puts the same sort of scheduling tools in the hands of people who publish their content on social media channels. The service creates a single dashboard to automate delivery to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and even Instagram. And Mass Planner expects to add access to Google+ accounts in the near future.

The service is designed to appeal to anyone who wants to use social media to market their brand or simply deliver updates at the most opportune time. The service costs $9.95 a month or $34.95 for six months. For more details, visit the Mass Planner website.

By: Ric Manning On 10/26/2014

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Early Adopter Network offers product testing and feedback

Those people who stand in line outside Apple stores waiting for the latest iPhone or iPad? They're called early adopters and they are often key to the success of new products and technologies. They're the users who install beta versions of software and quickly tell developers what's working and what needs to be fixed.

Would that energy and enthusiasm be valuable to start-ups and companies with new products? That was the idea Noah Deutsch and Lorenzo De Plano had last year when they started Early Adopter Network. The network offers software companies functional and usability testing as well as focus groups and market research for their products.

Early Adopter Network uses groups of trained college students to do remote product testing and provide detailed feedback. The company offers functional and usability testing, focus groups and related services. Target products include apps, websites and software and the  company's client list includes Snapchat, DOTS, Betaworks, and Digg.

Check this page on the Early Adopter Network for a pricing and a list of services.

By: Ric Manning On 10/24/2014

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App developer offers source code shortcuts

Brian Appell is a coder and developer who has cranked out more than 30 apps for iOS devices over the last few years. He's sort of app avalanche. Maybe that's why he named his company Avalanche Mountain Apps.

Brian figures you might have a good idea for an app and he wants to help you speed up the process. For a few dollars, you can buy the source code for one of his apps. When you reskin it to customize the app, Brian says you'll cut your development cost by 90 percent. Maybe more.

Brian's site offers code for racing, arcade, puzzle and casino games, including his big hits Avalanche Mountain and Avalanche Mountain HD. Most of them cost $99. He also has code for photo apps, marketing apps, and others. Check out the full list and his package deals at Avalanche Mountain Apps.

By: Ric Manning On 10/22/2014

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SwiftChat brings discussion forums back to life

People of a certain age (like maybe me), remember a time when you dialed up a computer bulletin board to find and join a rolling discussion on just about any topic. Later came subscription online services like CompuServe and America Online that featured forums and discussion groups.

Today, people seem content to express their opinions on Facebook pages where their contributions quickly evaporate into the digital ether. Anyone who longs for a more structured and possibly permanent vehicle for their comments should check out SwiftChat.

The new app for iOS and Android devices lets users chime in on the latest hot-trending topics or create their own custom chatroom for a more controlled environment. The app has a global reach and it allows group chats with up to 100 participants. Users can Upvote someone's comment -- basically a thumb up -- and that person will earn points to unlock profile images and other features.

Got something on your mind? Ready to vent? Check out SwiftChat in the Apple App Store and Google Play. SwiftChat is also on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 10/22/2014

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BioSonic Encoder promises strength, energy and more

I've learned that just wearing a bracelet that tracks your activities isn't the whole solution to health, fitness and a solid state of mind. First, you have to actually get up off the sofa and do something active.

Maybe the BioSonic Encoder App is the answer. According to its promoters, the encoder is "a unique piezoelectric device that harvests, stores and broadcasts frequencies that resonate with your body's electric circuitry."

The device works with a bracelet or pendant to "deliver increased Energy, Focus, Balance, Strength, Flexibility, Coordination, Stamina, Stress Resistance and E.M.F. Protection." And I'm pretty sure I could use all of that.

There's a fundraising campaign to support the encoder app currently under way at Indiegogo where contributors can get a bracelet and other rewards.

The device has been endorsed by Afro-Pop entertainer Prinze Kay, who wrote an original song about the device. You can see him perform in the video below.

For more details, visit the BioSonic Encoder website or the Indiegogo page.

By: Ric Manning On 10/22/2014

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Peepme app lets you share what you buy

Do we really need another social media network? Apparently we do. The folks who created Peepme say more than 300,000 people are active users of the new app. One of them is married to a Kardashian, so it must be a pretty big deal.

Like Instagram, the Peepme app lets users shoot and post pictures along with a caption. But in this case, it's pictures of stuff that you buy or eat and you post the price you paid along with with the photo. It could be an $800 handbag or a $5 latte.

According to Peepme, the app lets users share their spending, buying, and selling lifestyle with other users. The total amount that you spent is displayed at the top of the if the app screen next to your Facebook photo.

You can get more of the Peepme story in the video below of at the company's website and download the free app in Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store. See who's peeping about what on Twitter where you can search the hashtag #peepme.

By: Ric Manning On 10/13/2014

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Oy connects you to people nearby

Some day, when you walk into a bar or concert hall or shopping mall, you'll know which friends are already there and what they're up to. Like who's ordering a pizza a pitchers, who has front-row seats and who's perusing the bargain racks.

With Oy, that day is a little closer. Oy is an Android app that let's you know who's nearby. Oy contains a location based feed and chat rooms, letting you meet, share, and talk to people in your city, college campus or shopping area. You can share information and opinions with people around you, discover new connections, and get help.

Oy can be a conversation starter with people you know or with strangers. When you call up a list of other Oy users nearby, one tap of the Oy button next to their name lets you send an instant message.

Android users can download the Oy app for free in the Google Play Store. For more about Oy, visit the Oy website or check the chatter on the Oy Twitter feed.

By: Ric Manning On 10/12/2014

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Share your food choices with the social app Crowdiet

After years spent sharing a home with on and off dieters, I've learned that one important factor with any diet is the ability to talk about what you're eating. Or not eating. our dinnertime conversation often focuses on what foods and ingredients are either in front of us or nowhere to be found anywhere in the house.

The folks who developed a new app called Crowdiet apparently learned the same lesson, that people love to talk about their diet, whether they are trying to lose weight, improve their health, add muscle or just exploring what this gluten thing is all about.

Crowdiet lets people share their meals with their close friends or the wider online world in a social network. Users can comment or share a photo of their latest meal or culinary creation and get immediate feedback from others who share their dietary interests. The app creates a food log that can be shared or kept completely private.

The free app is currently available for Android devices in the Google Play Store. An iOS version is in development.

By: Ric Manning On 10/12/2014

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Online Computer Aid offers remote support service

When you have a computer problem, your usual choices are take the computer into a repair shop - and wait several days to get it back - or pay someone to come to your house or office. In both cases, you'll hope that you can afford the bill.

Now, there's a third option for computer repair help. Online Computer Aid promises to fix your computer over the Internet using a secure connection linking you with one of their technicians.

The service starts at the company's website where a customer launches an online chat window to get a one-time secure tunnel into the customer's PC. The remote support service can deal with a range of issues including viruses, device driver problems and the dreaded blue screen of death. The fee for a service session is a flat $30 and the company advertises free service for U.S. veterans.

Get more details at the Online Computer Aid website and check their posts on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 10/12/2014

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My holiday gift list starts with the GoPro HERO

GoPro HERO4 Black

Although no one would ever call me a daredevil, I've had many adventures that I wish I had recorded with a GoPro camera. Learning to paddleboard in Florida. Skiing at Telluride (the blue runs, not the back country). Skateboarding with my Weimaraner. Walking my daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

Yes, even that last one. I'm pretty sure I could have figured out an unobtrusive way to mount the camera. After all, those things are pretty small.

So now I'm on a mission to get my own GoPro -- the real deal, not some cheap knock-off copy -- and have it in my hands no later than Christmas. There's talk in the family of a post-holiday ski trip.

How will I pull this off? I'll start by scouting all of the GoPro cameras at one of the Best Buy stores in my area. I know I could shop online, but when I'm ready to spend couple hundred dollars on high-end electronic gear, I want to hold the device in my hand before I hand over the plastic. Best Buy has the latest cameras and camcorders, including the full line of new GoPro cameras and accessories. It's always my first stop to find holiday gifts for everyone.

I've found that the best place in my city to get up close and personal with the GoPro and other cameras and camcorders is Best Buy. These are the models I plan to check out:

GoPro HERO shoots in 1080p and 30 frames per second or 720p with 60 fps. It also captures 5MP photos up to 5 fps.

GoPro HERO4 Silver is the first GoPro to feature a built-in touch display, which makes controlling the camera, playing back footage and adjusting settings especially easy. It shoots 1080p with 60 fps, 720p with 120 fps, and 12 mp photos at 30 frames per second.

GoPro HERO4 Black is the most advanced GoPro ever, with better image quality. It has a 2x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates.

If I hope to get my videos on the GoPro channel, this is the camera to use. You, too, can check out the new GoPros at Best Buy stores and online.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

By: Ric Manning On 10/12/2014

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Programmer's Tool offers easy shortcuts

One of my favorite computer utilities lets me compile blocks of text that I can paste intro a document or email with a couple of keystrokes. Any program that saves time and eliminates duplicate work gets a star from me.

The Programmer's Tool is another time-saver in that same vein. Despite it's name, it's not just for coders. It can help anyone who spends a lot of time on their keyboard - an isn't that just about everyone?

the tool sits quietly in the Windows system tray and comes to life when you need it. It offers a set of hotkeys that can be customized for a variety of actions. For example, you coupe program Control-Shift-F6 to launch Excel and load a frequently-used spreadsheet. It also lets you build a compact menu of applications that you frequently use. Another option lets you load notifications that have a time element so you can send messages to your future self.

You can get more details and download the application for free at the Programmer's Tool website.

By: Ric Manning On 10/12/2014

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Mogics Lights deliver light where you need it

How many times have you watched a scene in a movie where someone creates a special mood by placing tea candles around a room or floating them in a tub or pool? Great idea except they can spill, burn out, get splashed, or set something afire, like maybe your hair.

No such worries with Mogics Lights, the modern alternative to open-flame lighting. Mogics Lights use an LED encased in a waterproof shell.

They illuminate in three modes: Standard Light, Flashing Light, or Glowing Candle Light. The standard setting is good for finding stuff in dark places. A flashing Mogics Light can be a good safety light on a bicycle. And the candlelight setting can set the right mood for, well, whatever.

The lights can last up to 30 hours and they recharge with a USB connection, like almost everything else in your life. Another nice touch is the magnet on the bottom of  the case, which make is easy to mount a light on any metallic surface.

The Mogics Light started life as a Kickstarter project. It's now available for $19.99 at Amazon.com.

By: Ric Manning On 10/10/2014

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Final Countdown app does more than count down

How much time do you have before that spreadsheet is due? How many days until your mother's birthday? Until the Super Bowl? Until your eggs are full cooked? Until that carton of milk in the refrigerator goes bad?

Aren't we always tracking clicks of the clock to get to some important event? Sometimes it seems like life is series of countdowns, so you might as well be precise about it. And the Final Countdown does that in spades.

The timer app counts off in days, hours, minutes and seconds. Not precise enough for you physicists? You can do milliseconds too. And you can customize the display screen with an image that reflects the event you're are anticipating.

The app also supports multiple events, it issues reminders and alerts, it knows when you change time zones or switch to Daylight Savings Time and you can share a timer with Facebook, Twitter and other channels.

One more nice feature: it will also count up.

Check out the original Final Countdown in the Google Play Store and the new release in the Apple Apps Store.

By: Ric Manning On 10/10/2014

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Fairy Marble Spells is an Android brain twister

Ready for a new puzzle challenge? Fairy Marble Spells is an Android game that presents a puzzle that you solve by touching the marbles in correct sequence. All you have to do is make all the marbles turn into an emerald green color.

That's not as easy as it sounds, especially when you touch one marble and the others change colors. How do you keep all of them green? You will have to play the game to find out.

And, once you master the initial puzzle, there's more challenges ahead with a total of 72 different levels, each with more marbles than the last.

The game is free and waiting for your brain in the Google Play Store.

By: Ric Manning On 10/10/2014

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Find iDevices works on Androids to hunt down lost iOS gadgets

"Where's my iPhone?"

I hear that phrase almost every day spoken by a family member or, I'm embarrassed to say, by me. And, if it's not a phone that's gone missing, it's someone's tablet. Our portable devices are so blooming portable that I swear they grow feet and wander off.

Find iDevices is a new app for iOS and Android that will quickly point you to the hiding place of your lost Apple device. The app works like Apple's Find iPhone feature but lets you do it using Android gear.

The program connects directly with iCloud, reports back in a few seconds, and tells you the device's battery status. The basic version is free while the premium version supports Google Maps, sending messages and data wipes.

Get more details and read the reviews in the Google Play Store.    

By: Ric Manning On 10/10/2014

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New sequel extends Ninja Warz battle game

What will ease the pressure of a hard day at work or school? How about some all-out ninja combat?

Maybe you've already conquered Ninja Warz, the popular Facebook and iOS game from Broken Bulb. Now you can tackle Ninja Warz 2, a sequel that combines strategy and personal combat.

In the new version, players create a floating island base in the sky, then build and lead a powerful clan of ninjas. Your forces will take on guardians, epic bosses, and other players.

The game features more than 100 unique weapons and 18 different types of ninjas. You'll train custom ninjas and outfit them with a variety of weapons. You can join factions with your friends, get upgrades that unlock special items and discover ways to give your clans unique advantages.

Download the new game at Apple app store and keep up with Broken Bulb on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 10/08/2014

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Pro-X - finally, a projector that likes to travel

The last time a hauled a projector to a business meeting where I was giving a presentation, it was a real pain in the posterior. The projector was heavy, hard to position and required both a long extension cord to reach a power source and extended tweaking to get it to work with the computer we were given.

What I needed was the Pro-X, a projector that's small enough to slip in a coat pocket and smart enough to work with just about any device, from computers to tablets to mobile phones. The developers of the Pro-X are currently raising money on Indiegogo to get their invention into production.

The Pro-X appears to solve all of the problems you encounter with ordinary projectors. It runs on battery power, so you don't need a extension cord. It mounts on an adjustable tripod, so you can find the best projecyion angle. It has support for WiFi and a MicroSD data card. And it comes with an infrared controller.

There are images, videos, and spec sheets at Indiegogo where a $499 contribution puts you in line for one of the first units at a $200 discount. You can follow their progress on the website and on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 10/07/2014

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Mosspaper streamlines quotes and contracts

The meeting's over and your potential client has asked for you to deliver a price quote and a contract. And you need to do it quickly, before any potential competitors get her attention.

That's where Mosspaper can help. The program lets you quickly crank out the required paperwork, in a taxi, at the airport, at home, just about anywhere that you have access to a computer.

Mosspaper is a quote and contract management tool that also includes built-in workflow features that help users improve -- and speed up - the sales cycle. It's designed for sales people and freelance workers, anyone who works with quotes and contracts.

With the Quote and Creator Tool, you can generate a price quote in five minutes and close the deal using e-signature support. Customers can enter comments and feedback that become part of the workflow information stream and clients can make a payment directly to you.

You can get more details at the Mosspaper website where you'll find a link to a full product demo and  a free 14-day trial. Mosspaper is also on Twitter. If you decide to buy, use the code BLOG20 to get a 20 percent discount.

By: Ric Manning On 10/07/2014

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Blurbs app will deliver texts with audio

Text messages are quick and convenient, but they can also be a bit impersonal. If you're going to invite someone to brunch or tell them to "Get well soon," wouldn't it mean more if they heard it?

That's the idea behind Blurbs, a new free app for iOS and Android. With one click, users can send an audio message to anyone in the world. The message can be a thoughtful greeting ("I've been thinking about you") or something more practical ("I'm on my way").

A Blurbs message will reach their destination in both text and audio form. And, if you just want to do text, you can turn off the audio feature.

For more details on Blurbs, check the Apple app store or Google Play or see the app in action in the video below.

By: Ric Manning On 10/06/2014

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Portable charger runs on sun power

For many people, getting back to nature does not mean getting away from their high-tech toys. When heading out When heading out to go camping, hiking, biking or canoeing, they make room in their backpacks for their cell phones, iPods, tablets and wireless speakers. And, of course, they take along a charger for when those devices run out of power.

But here;s the rub: How do you recharge the charger? That's not a problem if the charger runs on solar power. The Sol'r Max Pro Emergency Solar Charger can refuel almost any mobile device.

It has a three-headed adapter with connections that work with the iPhone 4 and 5 series, iPods, iPod Touch, iPad Mini, and Samsung Galaxy devices including the Galaxy Note. It recharges itself using a built-in solar cell or through a pop-out USB connection.

The charger costs $39.99 at Amazon.com and GizmoEditor readers can get $5 off if they use the coupon 5OFFSOLR. The price includes a protective sleeve that keeps an iPhone out of direct sunlight while it's charging.

By: Ric Manning On 10/05/2014

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New apps help young students prep for math tests

While parents and educators debate the merits of common core standards for young students, many of those students are preparing for a series of tests designed to calculate their grasp of basic skills. To help them prepare, Bright Minds Publishing has released a pair of interactive practice math tests for children in the early grades.

"Common Core State Standards Grade 3 Math Practice Test" and "Common Core State Standards Grade 4 Math Practice Test" are now available for the Apple iPad in the iTunes App Store. The tests are designed to help kids improve their math proficiency in a variety of areas. The topics covered include  Operations & Algebraic Thinking; Number & Operations in Base Ten; Number & Operations-Fractions; Measurement & Data; and Geometry.

Both apps take advantage of the iPad's graphics and interactive capabilities. The tests range from simple quizzes to challenging multi-step problems. The tests are automatically
scored at the end and incorrect answers are highlighted so teachers and parents can easily identify specific learning areas that require more attention.

Each app costs $1.99 in the app store. For more details, visit the Bright Minds website. For more detailed information about Common Core Standards and the Bright Minds apps, download this Word document.

By: Ric Manning On 10/03/2014

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Livinity plugs you into local live music

With some friends in from out of town last weekend, we were looking for a concert or a band we might like playing in a local club. The paper lists many local events, but not all of them and it's doesn't always list the kind of music we like.

A new app called Livinity turned out to be much more helpful. Livinity lets you choose the style of music you like - Rock, Country, Blues etc. - then presents a list of shows that include the date, location and distance from your location. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Paul Thorn, one of our favorite artists, would be playing just a few miles from home.


One button plays a clip of the artist's music. Other links give you the name and address of the venue and driving directions. Livinity will also post the activity on your Facebook page and enter it into your calendar.

Now that Livinity is installed on my iPhone, I'll be using it more often at home and especially when we're traveling. Next time we're in Nashville, I can get the scoop on all the acts appearing up and down Broadway.

Livinity is currently available only for Apple mobiles. You can get the free download in the iTunes App Store. See how others are using the app in Livinity's Twitter feed.

By: Ric Manning On 10/01/2014

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