1. August
    27

    Samsung Captivate Giveaway – Guest Blogger

    Admit it: Since you had kids, your purse has only gotten bigger and heavier. And not just because of all the bottles, blankies and transformers you’re lugging around. The REAL headache (or should I say backache) is all the DEVICES a mom needs to carry just to get through her day: Phone. MP3 Player. Camera. Video Camera. eReader. The kids’ video games.

    I’ve been excited to see a number of “all in one” smartphone devices come to market over the last few years that can help simplify the lives (and handbags) of busy moms. So when I had the opportunity to test-drive the new Samsung Captivate, I jumped at the chance to put it to the test.

    The highlights:

    -      The design is clean and thoughtful. There are almost no buttons on the device, and the USB “trap door” closes to keep it from clogging with the crumbs at the bottom of my bag

    -      With the biggest touch-screen of any AT&T device on the market, it uses tap and swipe technology, which I preferred to an external keyboard (impossible to keep clean).

    -      It’s like five different devices in one: Phone. Text messaging. Camera. Video. Internet Browser. Music. Email. Social Networking. Apps and games. The only thing it doesn’t do is the laundry.

    -      The 5 megapixel camera was high quality and easy to use, complete with instant cropping/rotating features that made my images picture-perfect for mobile uploads. (I just wish it had a flash option.)

    -      It comes loaded with a number of standard Android apps, and they’re easy to download and organize.

    -      I had the phone on for 24 hours and never needed to charge it.

    -      For everything it can do, it’s surprising light and slim.

    -      When I unboxed it, it was covered with a powerful “It Can Wait” film…a poignant reminder from AT&T’s campaign against texting and driving. We all need the reminder, especially when we’re shuttling precious cargo (like our kids).

    Overall, the Captivate really does it all (and does it all well). And it may just be the device that finally gets you out of a diaper bag…and into a fabulous clutch!

    Are you “captivated” yet? Well I have good news! We have one Samsung Captivate to give away to one lucky reader

    Here’s how to enter:

    Leave a comment here and tell us how the Samsung Captivate will help keep you calm, cool and connected. Your e-mail address and phone number must be accurate in your comment so we’re able to contact you. Make sure you double check. (Your contact information won’t be published.)

    No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. This sweepstakes runs from 12:01am ET Thursday, August 26 to Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 11:59 pm ET. It is open only to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person. Wireless service is not included with the phone. The winner will be notified via phone on or about Friday, September 17, 2010. For complete contest rules, including eligibility, click here.

    About Lisa

    Social/Digital communicator at Fleishman Hillard. Trend watcher. Gadget geek. Textbook Gemini. Olympic caffeinator. Shoe shopper. Crazy-busy married mom of two gorgeous boys and one miniature dachshund. Opinions my own.

    Posted by Calm, Cool & Connected in Contests, Guest Blogger, Reviews Tags: ,
    Comments (22)

  2. August
    19

    HTC Aria by Effie

    I’ve been playing with the new HTC Aria and wanted to tell you guys about some of the cool things that this new Android phone can do.  

    The first thing that caught my eye about the HTC Aria is the security it uses to protect your information on the phone.  The screen locks and you set up a pattern on the phone to unlock it instead of using a password with numbers –although you can do that too. 

    This phone comes with custom scenes that let you create a different look and feel  for every activity.  It is like I have one phone for my work week and one phone for my weekends.   

    One of my favorite past times while I’m at a doctor’s appointment or waiting in line is to catch up on my social networking sites.  With the HTC Aria, I can easily go to Facebook and Flickr in the browser or use the HTC FriendStream widget to see your friend’s latest posts at a glance.  The Aria also has HTC Peep so I can stay on top of Twitter. 

    I really like the way the Aria lets me choose how to set up my email, calls and texts.  I can organize these in a logical way for me, which isn’t always the most logical for others.  So I get to keep my individuality and organize at the same time. 

    As you all know I am a big fan of applications and how they can simplify your life.  With the HTC Aria I can go to an app store and get all the applications I need.     I can basically get an application for almost anything that a working Mom would need.  I can organize my notes, track my gas mileage and even find recipes for dinner all from my phone.  I can also listen to music anytime since the Aria is an MP3 player.  And of course the greatest benefit I see is that the phone has GPS and I can track my workouts as well as use it for treasure hunts. 

    Lastly, the feature that really has me excited is the text to talk feature.  I can turn my voice into a text message I can talk and return a quick message.I am very impressed with it and I am actually making the switch from my old smart phone to this one.   Until next time, thanks for letting me share!

    effie.forehand  effie.forehand

    Posted by Effie in Effie, Reviews, SmartPhone Tags: ,
    Comments (1)

  3. August
    9

    Parents Can Be Taught to Text

    Over the previous year I have written several blogs about teenagers and texting.  Recently I have started to use texting as a way to communicate with my friends instead of calling them.  However, my text messaging abilities are not at the level of an average teenager –  they are still much better at this than I am or will ever be.

    Recently I worked backstage at my daughters dance recital with six other dads.  Our job backstage was to set the props on the stage during the shows for the dancers and actors between routines.  Additionally, we had to communicate with each other across the stage and in the dark without being heard.  This year we decided to use SMS text messaging on our cell phones as our way to communicate across the stage.  The use of text messaging worked out well and was much more effective than what we had done in the prior years, which was to walk behind stage to the other side.  We could communicate and respond to each other in a matter of seconds with our cell phones through text messaging

    Now that I have started to use text messaging as another way to communicate, I may start looking for other applications that I can use on my mobile phone.  Who knows? This old dog may be able to learn some new tricks.

    michael.fields  michael.fields

    Posted by Michael in Michael Tags: ,
    Comments (1)

  4. August
    4

    Welcome Our New Blogger Joey

    Hello, Calm, Cool & Connected readers! My name is Joey and I’m a self professed tech-geek Dad of two who spends way too much time reading about gadgets and surfing the hyper web. I’m a 12 year veteran of AT&T and have a beautiful wife, Amy, and two awesome kids, Mary and Henry.

    Everyday is an adventure in our family! Trying to manage the hectic schedules of life and work is a challenge, and my wife and I rely heavily on technology to make sure we stay aware of the day’s activities. I’ve been known to carry more than one mobile device and to try new technologies purely out of curiosity, much to my families dismay at times. Texting, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, etc., it’s all a part of our lives.

    Posted by Digital Admin in Uncategorized
    Comments (0)

  5. July
    28

    Pantech Ease

    Life has been insane with the daily ins and outs of my life. With my recent divorce, keeping in touch with my parents has become more important to me now that I’m a single mom. My parents have stepped back into my life to help out with the tweens and play a more active role in all of our lives, but staying connected has been an issue at times.  

    My dad, a  master electrician and historian has recently grown to love his Pantech Ease. He likes using the Ease to check and send email on the go. As well as responding to text messages from his six daughters. The Pantech Ease comes with so many great features like large fonts, large buttons, user friendly apps, and more that make the mobile phone as easy-to-use as possible.  The Pantech Ease has AT&T GPS Navigation and comes with a free 30-day trial. It also includes other handy applications such as a tip calculator, a pedometer, and video recording options.

    Get the Flash Player to see this content.

    Everyone in the family communicates differently and accommodating those needs has been trying for my parents. My son Chris is a texter, my daughter Natalia is a talker, my youngest sister Emily, well she’s a photographer. My oldest sister Angela utilizes Facebook, while I’m a Twitterer. Keeping up with all of us at times can be a trying task! So my parents were in need of a cell phone that can accommodate all of us with “Ease!”

    *Free 30 Days available to new subscribers. Compatible phone required. Standard data and messaging charges apply during the first 30 days and ongoing use. You must cancel within 30 days or be automatically subscribed at a cost of $9.99 per month for unlimited routes. Click for more details on AT&T GPS Navigation.

    stephanie.turner  stephanie.turner

    Posted by Stephanie in Reviews, Stephanie Tags: ,
    Comments (1)

  6. July
    20

    Safety when using geolocation based apps

    With a family vacation coming up soon and my addiction to social media, social networking, and geolocation based apps in full swing, I thought it would be a good time to reiterate some of my helpful tips that I use to keep me and my family safe when sharing information and whereabouts online.

    It’s best not to broadcast details of an upcoming or in progress trip via Twitter, Facebook, or other social networking outlets unless you’re perfectly comfortable with the possibility of those statements becoming public knowledge. Don’t promote when you’ll be away or where you’ll be going.

    When using geolocation based apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla, and Yelp, I recommend not doing the following:

    Check-in at home – there’s no sense broadcasting where you live to those that don’t already know (and honestly need to know) where you live.

    Check-in at someone else’s home – if you shouldn’t check-in at your home, it’s a given that you shouldn’t check-in at someone else’s.

    Check-in at your children’s school – this is more the paranoid first-time father in me talking, but it makes sense not to broadcast where your children are if they’re not with you. It also makes sense not to broadcast where they might be when they’re not with you.

    When sharing your information online, treat that information just as you would something you’d yell across a crowded street to a friend passing by. If you’re not comfortable with the possibility that anyone could find out what you’re doing and where you are (or perhaps more importantly, where you’re not), don’t share it online.

    cory.bennett  cory.bennett

    Posted by Cory in Cory, Uncategorized
    Comments (0)

  7. July
    16

    Restaurant Finder

    While having  fun in Austin, here’s a handy feature we used to help us decide where to have lunch. Enjoy!

    Get the Flash Player to see this content.

    becky.woodworth  becky.woodworth

    Posted by Becky in Becky, How To Tags:
    Comments (15)

  8. July
    12

    Play Paper-Free with AT&T

    Get the Flash Player to see this content.

    No purchase necessary to enter or win.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are 18 years or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited.  Starts 12:00am ET on 4/15/10. Ends 11:59pm ET on 8/31/10.  For complete details, visit www.att.com/playpaperfree.

    becky.woodworth  becky.woodworth

    Posted by Becky in Becky, Contests Tags: ,
    Comments (15)

  9. June
    24

    Samsung Strive Winner!

    Congrats to Rebecca for winning the Samsung Strive in our recent giveaway!

    Rebecca commented:

    “This Samsung Strive will help keep me calm, cool and connected,because it would bring me up to date in phone technology and replace my old phone flip phone its so hard to text with has no camera,and drops calls :0( My teenage son teases me about my antique cell phone.”

    Congrats Rebecca!

    Thanks to everyone who entered! We’ll have more of these giveaways in the future so check back to see what other cool prizes we’ll be giving away.

    Posted by Calm, Cool & Connected in Contests
    Comments (0)

  10. June
    18

    Father’s Day Gift Idea: Pantech Ease

    Just in time for Father’s Day, the Pantech Ease will be available Sunday, June 20 for new and existing AT&T customers online and in AT&T stores nationwide. Now the entire family can stay connected, from the novice to the pro, with this quick messaging phone from AT&T. It offers menus and features designed for users seeking an “Ease”-y to use mobile device.

    While the device has features that appeal to those looking for simplicity, it is not just a basic phone. Features include a streamlined, targeted menu, easy-to-use buttons and specialized tools such as Readout mode and Voice Mode.

    When switched to Easy Mode, AT&T customers can enjoy the AT&T mobile browser which combines full HTML browsing with unique customization features.  To help keep you connected, the AT&T address book syncs contacts to an online address book making it easy to access and manage contacts.

    To learn more, visit www.wireless.att.com.

    Posted by Calm, Cool & Connected in Uncategorized
    Comments (0)