Baby Monitor

Over the holidays I found myself worried about the pets and them being alone in the house till the pet sitter came. Like many I don't have a camera set up in my home to constantly check in on my pets and make sure things are ok. So I found this app called Baby Monitor. It is a free app but if you want unlimited range it is 6.99. The app works on iPads and iPhones. They also have an app for the Mac. 

I set up my MacBook in the office with the app on as a child unit and I had my iPad Air 2 in the living room as a child unit. I then put my iPad Mini in the bedroom where the pets sleep as a child unit. I used my iPhone 6s as the parent unit. While we were away I could access the devices and see what was going on in the rooms. Not only could I see it but I could hear it. The nice thing was that we could also talk to the pets. If we noticed that they were fighting or looked sad we could communicate with them. 

The only downside to this is that it will use your data so unless you are like me and have unlimited data be mindful when you are not near a Wi-Fi. The other downside was that it does drain your battery so you will want to make sure that you have a charger with you and the device charging. If you go out of the app it will have a red bar at the top of your device's screen to tap and go back to the app. You can play music (lullabies) or talk through the app. 

We found this app helpful when Star had surgery and we went out to dinner. We were able to monitor her while at the restaurant and not have to worry about what she could be doing because we saw it. Although be careful when telling someone it is a baby monitor app. We got a few weird looks and someone did ask why we lef the baby at home. I of course responded that we couldn't exactly take her with us you don't allow pets. We had to show them it was being used as a pet monitor :) My aunt also recently used it to monitor her cats when she went out for the day. 

The app has a watch app as well so you can see the monitor through your watch. I would recommend it if you want to monitor your pets or want a cheap mobile version of a baby monitor. 

IHome

Anyone who knows me knows I love to test out new products. Over the years I have come to love IHome's. When I had my iPhone 4 I got one that allowed me to charge my phone and was a radio/alarm clock. I became addicted. When the iPhone changed their docking ports I had to get a new dock/IHome. Amanda got me one one year that I have used ever since. It has multiple alarms and allows me to connect my iPad and my iPhone at the same time. Yes one has to be via USB in the back of the device but still. The only down side to it is that if you have a case that goes over the base of the phone you will have to take it off in order to fit it in the spot. Otherwise it will not charge. 

For Christmas my aunt got me one that is a little smaller. We actually use this one in the living room when we need to charge our phones or so that we can blast music throughout the room. It has a lot of the same functions as the bigger one above only smaller. 

These are great alternatives to the boring stands or boring charging cables and allow you o see the time no matter what. 

Apple Watch

Wow I can't believe that I have had my Apple Watch since May of 2015 and never posted anything about it. Not sure where my mind was to forget that one! 

I received the Apple Watch Sport in "Pink" in May. First thing I noticed was that my fear was correct. The "pink" was actually Coral. Oh well. The bands do stretch out. I started with the large band and now I am currently on the smaller band. The bands are easy to get off and on and I have to say I like the ability to change my bands. Currently I changed to the violet or light purple band. (I also have the matching phone case and iPad case). The outside casing of the watch is the silver. I like the silver but I do have to say I am liking the rose gold/gold option they recently came out with. 

The watch fits nicely. The setup was a little tedious especially when you are excited to get it and play with it. One tip: If you have to disconnect your watch please please do a iCloud back up before you do so. Otherwise you will lose all your Health/Activity information. 

With the update that has come out in the last few months my second pet peeve went away. When I first got the watch you had to choose from stock backgrounds/faces for the watch. None of which allowed you to use your own photos or do anything with them. For a while I chose Mickey then did the one that had the activity circles and time along with the temperature. When the update came through and it allowed us to use the photos of courses I changed it to photos. I also noticed when I got my iPhone 6s that the watch did the Live Photos. Which was a big plus. 

There are a few games that you can play on the watch but to be honest I usually use the activity only on my watch. I will eventually look into using presentation options (like clickers or remotes) on it. I know that I can use the watch with Apple Remote App and with the DirecTv app and it will allow me to change and control the tv as a remote from my watch. The activity is my favorite thing to be honest. It measures my steps, my exercise and of course the stand meter. 

 

 

The stand meter confused me when I first got the watch because I would get the notification and I would stand at my desk for a min. But the circle didn't move. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. So then I did some research and found that I have to actually walk around. The stand circle is misnamed. It means stand and move around for a min. Not actually stand for a min. Once I figured that out it was a piece of cake. 

The exercise ring was another one that got me. I was exercising and the gym and the sucker didn't move!! I was doing 60 mins on the treadmill and nothing. Turns out you have to move your arms. So if you are like me and have a grip on the bars so you don't fall it won't register the exercise. (A recent update fixed this kind of but it is hit or miss) I also found that you have to raise your heartbeat to a specific number before it works and the more you workout the more it learns and makes it more difficult to get that circle moving. 

The activity app on the iPhone is amazing. It helps me keep track of things and let's me see progress over the past several days or months. One awesome thing is you can earn awards. They have recently changed the Activity app with the iOS 9.3 update. There is a new section in the app called workouts that will track and show you all your workouts. 

All in all I have to say I am pleased with my Apple Watch purchase. I have even gotten my daughter one for Christmas. I have to say it is better when you have friends that have the watch than just you by yourself. You can use the special texting where you send pulses or heart beat to your friends. Amanda and I play with that frequently. 

I would recommend the Apple Watch to anyone and everyone! 

PlayStation App

For Christmas my daughter got a PS4. She was excited to be able to play some of the new games. We found the PlayStation Companion App for her iPHone. I have to say this is a cool app. It allows us to use the iPhone/IPad as a keyboard for the PlayStation and she can log into her account and still chat with her friends when she is away from the console. For a gamer this is huge. She can still stay connected with the gaming community while at work or other places. Plus it makes it easier to sign into things. 

Check it out if you have a PlayStation 4! Oh and add me username: mysti1975

 

Logitech Keyboards

I have this thing with technology I admit it. Anything new or interesting I have to try.

 For my work laptop the biggest pet peeve I have is that I don't have a 10 keypad. I also hate getting used to a keyboard when I am docked and then when I have to go to a meeting I have to use the default mouse and keyboard. For Christmas Amanda got me the Logitech MK550. It comes with a mouse and keyboard. There is one dongle (yes it is really called that) that plugs into your USB port.  I have tried this keyboard with my work laptop (Dell) and with Amanda's laptop (HP I believe) but also with my old white MacBook (Feb 2009). I have to say I love how well it works. I like being able to use a full size keyboard when I need to while still having the mobility and not having to worry about plugs or cords. For anyone looking for a wireless keyboard for their computers I would definetly recommend this one! 

Here is a photo of the keyboard and mouse: 

The only downside to the above keyboard is that it doesn't work with tablets and phones. There is no USB port to plug the dongle in. So if you are looking at doing something on your mobile device or tablet you are back to using the onscreen keyboard. Not something I always like even though I can type fast no matter what. I recently found the Logitech K480. This is a Bluetooth keyboard that allows up to three devices to connect to it all at once. THere is a dial on the left hand side that allows you to toggle between devices. I currently have my iPad Mini and my iPhone 6s connected and I have to say it works wonderfully. (Using it to type this blog post). The downside to it is that it is a little bulky/thick. It feels old school if you will in the way the keys are. It reminds me of a kiddie typewriter or calculator. All in all though I like it and think it is a good tool when you need more than what your onscreen keyboard can do. Or if you need to type a lot and don't want to mess with the onscreen keyboard. I also like that I can connect this to my work computer or my mac book should I want to.