A New Type of Summer Camp

When I think of summer camps, I think of vacation Bible school, Girl Scout Camp, soccer camp, baseball camp, you known the usual stuff. Now a summer camp focuses on the future of the digital world. It’s a digital kid camp and there’s one at Carnegie Mellon University all summer. Kids ages 7-17 can go all out digital! They can create video games, video movies, design Web Sites and learn computer programming and robotics. It’s crazy!

In this photo my photographer Cathy and I talked to 9-year-old Kate. She was creating a video game from scratch. Hello she’s 9! I couldn’t do that and I’m 22! She described the step by step process of how she created her game and she even drew the images and background for the game herself. Whoa! I was amazed at how digitally advanced these kids are. Kids as young as 7 are creating their own complex video games. That’s insane, but it is the future!
These guys are a team of movie producers. Their project this week is to create a mini movie. They have to act, shoot, edit and create graphics for the entire thing. They’re using the same software I used in college, not that that was long ago. I mean, it was only back in April, but still. These kids have such an amazing advantage. They’ll be the ones creating the next generation of digital technology.
I had a blast visiting the camp. I can’t even explain how impressed I was by these kids. Check out the Plugged In page to see my full story and the link section for more information on these digital kids.

Time to Upgrade

Those of you who use MSN Messenger have to upgrade to Microsoft’s Live Messenger. It is an interactive messaging service that, I have to say, is pretty cool. You can access the web, check your mail and share folders with friends. Plus you can make FREE PC to PC calls and for a small fee call from PC to ordinary phones. Hello! I said FREE calls to anyone with a PC and Live Messenger. The new Live Messenger service is very similar to Skype.com. If you want to know more about what’s Skype is all about just check out my No Need for Cell Phones blog or my Plugged In report. Another cool thing about Live Messenger is that you can access e-bay, match.com, the music site Rhapsody, Fox Sports and a ton of other pages just by clicking on a tab. Check out my full report on Microsoft’s Live Messenger.

Cell Phone Games

Did you know there are more than 200 different video games out there that you can download to your phone? That’s a lot of games. I’m not into the whole game scene really. I like the classics, Tetris and Pac-man. I can’t believe how advanced the games are out there that you can download. Sprint, Verizon, Cingular, T-mobile, pretty much all the wireless carriers offer game downloads. Of Course the prices range from each carrier and among the different games; but killing time couldn’t be more fun while you wait in line, commute to and from work, sit outside, etc. If you haven’t downloaded a game lately or ever, it’s definitely worth doing, but be careful it can become highly addictive. Check out my Plugged In report or your wireless carrier’s web site for more on cell phone games.

A Chaperone for Your Kids

Verizon has introduced their version of the Sprint Family locator. It’s called Verizon’s Chaperone. The plan only works with the L-G Migo phone and the little green phone is designed for children between the ages of 5 and 9. What’s nice about the phone is that you can only program in four important numbers, plus there’s a red button that calls 911. You can get the Verizon Child locator for just $9.99 a month but you do have to purchase the Migo separately. It’s great for parents.
Verizon says it won’t be long before they offer the plan on more phones focusing on teens. Sprint has a plan out called the Family Locator and it’s available on 17 different phones. Both Wireless companies offer great plans and both are looking to help those busy but concerned parents out there. It won’t be long until people use this GPS system to track their husbands and wives or girlfriends and boyfriends suspected of cheating. Soon you won’t be able to do anything without people knowing where you are. Ahh, the digital world we live in today!

No More DVDs

Blu-ray is the next revolution of HD. It’s called Blu-ray and it’ll change how you see home entertainment. I was invited for a first look into this cutting edge technology in the ‘burgh at Let’s Make Music in Shady Side.
This new Blu-ray technology is the next generation of optical disc format. It will eventually replace DVDs. I sat down in a min theater for the demo and I was amazed. The clarity and sound was just awesome. We were shown a movie clip with and without the Blu-ray technology, I couldn’t believe the difference. It really captivates you. The Blu-ray format allows recording, rewriting, and playback of high-definition video.
There are two types of Blu-ray discs. A single layer disc can hold more than two hours of high-definition video or about 13 hours of standard video.
A double-layer Blu-ray disc can hold about 4.5 hours of high-definition video or more than 20 hours of standard video. That’s more than any other disc ever! Seven of the eight major movie studios are coming out with Blu-ray software and it’ll be available on different brands of computers, burners, recordable discs, video game systems and more. It will eventually change the way you see entertainment media. Check out my story on the Plugged In page, but beware it just doesn’t come close to capturing the quality and intensity of the Blu-ray technology. You gotta see it before you believe it, I was literally blown away! Sony has Blu-ray software available to buy today for your own home and there’s already Movies out in Blu-ray. Check out the link section at the bottom of the plugged in page for sites about Blu-ray.

No Need for Cell Phones

The web site Skype lets you make free phone calls over the internet. Did I mention it’s FREE! This site lets you talk to anyone, all over the world like you would with a landline or cell phone, but it’s through your computer. Do you believe it? I didn’t either at first, but it’s for real. The Skype software is even free to download. The software works as a voice over internet protocol network; meaning you can talk computer to computer. The program is similar to that of most instant messaging systems, but you can literally talk to other people. And get this, until the end of this year you can even call landline and cell phones in the US and Canada from your Skype account for free! I didn’t buy it at first, but I downloaded the program and I called not only my work number for free, I dialed my cell for free too. It was so easy, I couldn’t believe it! It you’re traveling internationally and want to stay connected at home, Skype is the way to go. If you still don’t really get how Skype works check out my ‘Plugged In’ story or Skype.org. They have a great video cartoon on the site that explains everything.

Online Auction Sites

We all love e-bay, right? I know I love looking for shoes and designer bags online. But these days e-bay is just one of several online auction options out there with tons of good deals. I mean really, I could never leave my house to go shopping again! I’d just sit online all day long. I could furnish an entire home and my entire closet from purchases online. One of my favorite auction sites is Skyauction.com. It’s because I love to travel. I get excited just looking at the destinations. Next time I plan a vacation, Skyauction.com is the place I’ll be looking for deals. For now though, I’ll just check out the deals they currently are offering and imagine myself on that vacation and not in front of my computer on a Monday morning. Another reason I love to bid for stuff, or what some might say is junk, is for home decorating. I’m moving soon and have been looking into what goodies there are to buy for my new place. You know, the apartment I don’t have yet and have no idea what it will look like, but have already decorated in my mind.
Check out my story on the Plugged In page and all these auction sites.
www.ebay.com
www.bid4assets.com
www.propertyroom.com
www.ubid.com
www.bidville.com
www.auctions.overstock.com
www.skyauction.com

Go Digital Outdoors

It’s a digital age these days, if you didn’t know, and people can’t go without their digital stuff. Now, with new technology you can enjoy your tech gear inside and outside. A new wireless router and something called a ‘sling box’ are now available and let you listen to music, use the Internet, watch movies and TV all outdoors in your backyard. It’s great for entertaining or if you want to relax in the warm summer air while watching a movie on your deck or patio.
This was the first story where I’ve worked with the Geek Squad. They were great and I have to say, I love the V-W bugs they roll up in. The Geek Squad Agents know their stuff. They’re educated and armed to equip your home for outdoor summer entertainment.

Cheap Downloads

Billboard’s hot 100 list has Shakira’s hit single Hips Don’t Lie at number one. On iTunes you can download the entire album for 9.99, but on allofmp3.com you can download the same album for under $1.50.
It’s a Russian site (www.allofmp3.com) that offers music downloads…entire albums run under $2 and songs under 20 cents. The question is, is it legal or illegal? It’s a sticky topic; the Russian company says it’s legal under their law.
So do you use the site to download music cheaply? You make the decision. Maybe you should check out the link section at the bottom of the Plugged In page to read some articles on the Russian site before you make a decision.

Showbuzz

Theshowbuzz.com is an awesome new entertainment website. It has it all and it’s great because it’s free! If you haven’t guessed yet, I love finding free stuff for me and all of you. Showbuzz is new, different and worth checking out. It is just another site to add to you list of favorites. I like Showbuzz because of all the different pop culture sections it offers like the style, book, comedy and theater sections. Entertainment sites like Showbuzz online are great because you don’t have to buy a subscription…

Sprint Family Locator

The Sprint Family Locator allows you to check up on your kids. With your cell phone or computer the family locator allows you to pinpoint the location of your child on a map along with the address and surrounding landmarks. Hello! Think of what this can do for parents. It’s great news for them, but not so great for kids. It use to be easy to lie to your parents about where you were or who you were hanging out with, but those days look to be sadly over. The Sprint Family Locator uses a Global Positioning System or GPS and it’s cheap to use, only $9.99 a month; but it’s only on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network and Nextel National Network.
Verizon has just joined Sprint by adding their version of a child locator. It’s called ‘Chaperone’.

Smartphones

Smartphones act like mini laptops on the go but still function like a regular cell phone. With all the choices out there, how do you ever choose?
The Verizon brand Motorola Moto Q cell phone is the latest smartphone; it’s also the slimmest and lightest. The Q runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software. It has access to high speed Internet and the screen looks just like your desktop.
Other smartphones out there are the Palm phones, better known as Treos.
The Palm Treo 700 is a multimedia phone and runs off of the latest Windows mobile software. What makes Treos stand out are the touch screens so you don’t have to use the Qwarty keypad. Another Palm phone is the Treo 650. This smartphone runs off a program identical to the palm pilot operating system.
Then there’s the pocket PC 6700. It has a Windows operating system and a touch screen. What makes this multimedia phone stand out is how it opens on the side. You have a full QWARTY keyboard hidden underneath. The screen also changes to landscape. The Pocket PC is the heaviest and thickest smartphone out there.
Then we have the popular Blackberry models. There are several different series available. Check out www.Blackberry.com. The Blackberry is known as an e-mail powerhouse but it still allows you to use the net and text message.
Another smart phone is the V phone. It’s exclusive to Verizon and acts just like a normal phone until you flip up the side, then it becomes a mini laptop. It works with Verizon’s V cast to download music, video clips, games and more. I think this is the best smartphone for kids still in school.
When I finally do invest in a smartphone, out of all the options to choose, I think I’ll have to go with one of the treos.

Go Green

You need to check out www.greenpittsburgh.net.
The site provides you with information on southwest Pennsylvania’s environmental, recreational, and cultural assets. It’s a great site! I love to be outdoors in this beautiful, hot summer weather and I want to be environmentally healthy. What’s great about the green Pittsburgh’s web site is ‘going green’ activities are usually inexpensive or free. Don’t forget it’s good for the environment. ‘Going green’ is worth investing your time into. Green activities are great any weekend of the summer.

Grocery Shop Online

MyGroceryDeals.com
This is a great site to find the best deals at the best grocery stores, although it gets upgraded at various times of the day. Don’t get discouraged….
I like the fact that it gives you nutritional facts, allergen info and diet considerations under each item and I like that the site will find the best deals for you. You don’t even have to do any work!

Movies Online

We download music online, we watch TV shows, music videos, play games, all online. The Walt Disney Company and CinemaNow.com have joined forces and will now offer Disney movies for $19.95; just another sign that everything is moving to the Internet. It’s great that you can download Disney movies online. I mean who doesn’t love a good Disney movie? You can’t burn them to a DVD, yet. I’d rather just buy the DVD on sale or rent it before I buy it for $20 and then not even be able to watch it in a portable DVD player. It, probably, won’t be long, though, until CinemaNow will make their movies burnable to DVD…CinemaNow is still a good site. If you don’t want to buy a movie, you can also rent them on the site. Another great site to download movies is Movielink.com