About Beth Blecherman

Latest Posts by Beth Blecherman

Skype With Microsoft SkyDrive Makes Sharing Photos Easy

Time goes by so fast, and as a Mom and the family historian I want to make sure I am keeping track and sharing family memories. The first step in this effort was learning to copy all digital pictures from numerous cameras to my PC in a timely manner. Next was the challenge of sharing photos and movies with family and friends.

A big time-saver in this content management exercise, with multiple devices taking pictures and offering quick connection with cell or WiFi access, is to send pictures directly to the cloud. I store my digital photos and documents all in one place in the cloud using SkyDrive, which allows me to send a link to these great memories if I want to share. I not only have SkyDrive on my PC, but also have the SkyDrive app on my phone to enable photo loading to the cloud no matter where I am!

Skype compliments SkyDrive in family archiving. Video calls with family and friends are just a click away, and if I want to give them a peek at the kids’ homework, art work or class projects, Skype easily allows screen sharing.

Both sets of Grandparents know that the only way they will be able to keep up on what is going on in our busy lives is with regular Skype chats while viewing our family SkyDrive digital photo albums at the same time.

 

MAKERS: The Inspiring Story of Women Who Make America

I am excited to share that on Tuesday, February 26^th the documentary called “MAKERS: Women Who Make America” is debuting on PBS (check local listings) and includes a powerful list of inspiring women that are “groundbreakers who have sparked change, been firsts-in-their-fields, and paved the way for those who followed“. I had the opportunity to attend a press event months ago where they had some of the amazing Makers Women  in attendance (including Gloria Steinem and our own local Lisa Stone of BlogHer ) while they showed us some clips from the documentary.F

Along with the ones I mentioned above, some others highlighted in the documentary are Katie Couric, Linda Alvarado, Brenda Berkman, Judy Blume, Carol Burnett, Ursula Burns, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, Geraldine Ferraro, Theresa Kane, Billie Jean King, Maya Lin, Susan Love, Marissa Mayer, Robin Morgan, Sandra Day O’Connor, Maria Pepe, Michelle Rhee, Condoleezza Rice, Faith Ringgold, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Zainab Salbi, Sheryl Sandberg, Phyllis Schlafly, Barbara Smith, Martha Stewart, Kathrine Switzer, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Barbara Walters.  The Makers.com program description from the PBS website explains: “Review the story of how women have helped shape America over the last 50 years through one of the most sweeping social revolutions in our country’s history, in pursuit of their rights to a full and fair share of political power, economic opportunity and personal autonomy. The documentary builds on the unprecedented multi-platform video experience from PBS and AOL: MAKERS.com.”

The red-carpet premiere event in NYC was star studded and included interviews with many of the amazing women in the documentary:

 

The press release also had a quote from one of my inspirations “The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving.” ~ MAKER, Gloria Steinem.

Having the opportunity to meet Gloria Steinem at the press event even inspired me even more to do my part to contribute to the movement. To start, I will be watching MAKERS: Women Who Make America on Feb. 26 on PBS !

Disclosure: This is a press update.

Romantic Thriller Safe Haven to Hit on Valentines Day

Earlier this month, I had the fun and fabulous opportunity to accompany Author and Producer Nicholas Sparks and Co-Star Josh Duhamel of the movie “Safe Haven” as they toured some local SF Bay Area tech companies. I’m a fan of Josh Duhamel movies, where he delivers great performances as a romantic lead actor, and I also look forward to movies made from Nicholas Spark’s romantic books. While comedies and action thrillers have their place, I can’t resist a good romantic movie in a beautiful setting where the main characters sizzle, experiencing romance and transformation through a suspenseful story line.

A private screening of “Safe Haven” that day helped me realize that the movie delivers on all of that (and more!!). Here is information about the movie Safe Haven from Nicholas Sparks website: “When a mysterious young woman arrives in a small North Carolina town, her reluctance to join the tight knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.”

The movie is inspired by Nicholas Spark’s book of the same name “Safe Haven”. Both Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough brought their characters alive with that special chemistry that makes you root for them being together.

Josh’s and Nicholas’ onscreen work is very entertaining. Would they be as engaging offscreen in real life interaction with their fans? To my delight, they delivered – and much more. Social media professionals appreciate the importance of engaging with the online community. I am thrilled every time I meet someone in real life who follows my online tech parenting columns and social media updates.

From what I witnessed, Nicholas Sparks and Josh Duhamel were authentically excited to meet with fans throughout the day and greeted each and every one with the same enthusiasm, even though the line at some locations to take pictures with them was very long (such as the stop at Popsugar). They laughed, talked and made everyone feel at ease, even the gal at one of the tour stops who cried (of joy) when she saw Josh Duhamel.

Disclosure: This is a press update.

 

 

Kitchen of the Future Concepts at CES 2013

One of the top tech categories I planned to look into at CES 2013 (Consumer Electronics Show) was new kitchen concepts. I was excited to find some fantastic new kitchen concepts that will not only simplify, add more style, save energy, add new options to listen to music but also change the process of buying and storing food in the home.

While at the Whirlpool CES Booth, I had the opportunity to learn about exciting new concepts. The first is something I would call “Fireplace 2.0! The Whirlpool website explained that “The Fireplace concept which seeks to center people around a new central heart of the home with a common area for relaxing and sharing real experiences around food and fire“. I find this concept the most fascinating of all because it takes the experience of socializing around a fireplace or campfire to the kitchen table. The surface could keep food warm or cold, as well as an air circulation system in the hood. Because the kitchen table is the one place many families gather each day, adding new features to it adds value to home design and enhances family time. The new technology would also enable new social eating experiences, such as fondue to smores, right from your kitchen table.

Here is a picture of the Whirlpool “Fireplace” Concept.

Kimberley Clayton Blaine aka TheGoToMom and I could already see how the fun it would be to socialize around the Fireplace concept table.

I had the opportunity to join in Fireside chats in the Fireplace concept area of the Whirlpool booth with other social media moms and Tanu Grewal, Senior Brand Manager from Whirlpool. We were all so comfortable, we did not want to leave even after the chat was over!

 

 

When I saw the Fresh Connect from Whirlpool section of the CES2013 Whirlpool booth, I realized it could not only help families keep food fresher but also change food storage as a whole. What if you could have separate units to store food, each paired with other food that requires the same temperatures (no more frozen lettuce)? We can already order food from our mobile devices, but what if we had a system at home that let us order food that would be delivered in bags that would keep it fresh until we got home? The Fresh Connect concept would help create “a seamless shopping experience from the palm of your hand to the foot of your door.. and streamlined access to a select network of food suppliers“.

 

 

Here is picture of the Whirlpool Fresh Connect concept flow:

 

 

Food is not only organized by the temperature needs, but also in a modern style that could take food storage out of the kitchen into any room in the house. My sons would love to have food storage of their snacks in the family room!

 

 

This concept could also create spaces to grow herbs from inside the house. This would enable us to finally grow herbs without the little critters that live outside from eating it!

 

 

Containers would store fruit in a temperature that would let it ripen but keep it fresh. This concept would enable me to buy more fruit without worrying about it going bad (and my boys eat lots of fruit!).

 

 

Apps could be used from any mobile device to order and manage the food in your house. This would enable a process for me to schedule food delivery and plan meals.

 

 

Another concept that enables families to manage their home from anywhere is the Whirlpool® Appliances with 6th Sense Live™. Families can manage things such as “refrigerator temperature, locking your dishwasher control console, knowing when your cycle is done and managing energy costs“. I would be able to save energy costs by using the mobile app to run the appliances during off peak times even if I was not at home. Or when my kids leave the refrigerator door open (like they do daily), I will get an alert even if I am not at home. This would enable a future where I don’t have to worry about coming into my kitchen and noticing that the freezer door is open and ice cream is now in liquid form!

 

 

 

Anyone looking to create add beautiful art and modern, streamlined style to their kitchen will want to take a look at the Whirlpool Art Gallery Collection (stove) Hoods. There is a selection of 12 hood panels with original graphics themes that are easy to install. I especially appreciate incorporating art into appliances because I have a small kitchen.

 

My favorite design:

 

Another new concept that helps streamline kitchens by adding new features to appliances is the CoolVox refrigerator concept. This new concept utilizes Bluetooth technology to play music directly through the refrigerator from an app on an iPhone/tablet/etc. Families can use any music or MP3 recordings from their device players, so this means I could even listen to recipe podcasts while cooking. Or my 10 year old son who loves to cook can rock out to his favorite tunes.

 

What do you see in the kitchen of the future? I see new features and appliances that will help me save time, simplify household processes and have more flexibility around how I manage my home. I can also see a future where mufti-function appliances allow me to save space,  add style to my kitchen and create new social environments to enjoy my family time.

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. My words are my own.

 

 

Testing the HP Envy 23 Touchsmart AiO and its Loaded Apps

Meet the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart All in One. As we started using it over the next few weeks, our family fell in love with having such an amazing touch screen computer in the family room.

Of course I could not wait to start personalizing my start up screen with Windows 8 apps.  Luckily the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart AiO comes with some basic Windows 8 apps loaded but there are many you can add depending on what your interests are.

Some of the apps I installed are music apps including I heart Radio and Slacker Radio (rocking out thanks to the HP Beats Audio), games including Angry Birds Space, puzzles and even archery , watching movies on apps such as Netflix, search such as Bing, Educational apps such as Kahn Academy, news apps such as News Bento,  Reading books with apps such as Kindle. recipe apps such as Foodily and many apps to create content and communication.

 In the video below I discussed some of the Windows 8 apps I was able to use because of the HP Envy 23 TouchSmart’s high resolution screen, 10 point touch, Beats Audio speakers and processing power that makes those Angry Birds fly.

Or at least I would like to think that it is my Angry Birds skill that makes them fly!

My next fun projects to test out will be the camera app to make videos, photo apps to edit photos and using the Skype app with the HP TrueVision HD Webcam to video chat with the grandparents.  I was having so much fun I forgot about loading my social networking apps to take advantage of the people hub and calender apps.

***Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a program on behalf of HP and received an ENVY 23 TouchSmart AiO as a thank you for participation. All my words are my own.

 

 

Windows 8 Launch: The Stuff You Need to Know

Windows 8 is out. I will be heading to my local Microsoft Store to check out the new devices and have seen Windows 8 demos but not had a chance to review the new devices (which I look forward to in the future). But yesterday I did have the chance to watch the NYC Windows 8 launch webinar. These are my notes from the launch presentation covering what I thought were the key items discussed:

 The (Windows 8) concept is gives you “access to what you use more frequently, websites you like and people you want to connect with. Glance and you will know what is going on in world – Windows 8 keeps you connected to all stuff in the cloud.

It is natural experience (a new look)– log in just once (lights up with your life). See all of your friends on social networks, co-works on outlook, photos , docs from Skydrive, Music, Video – will all be there”.

“Everything and everybody that you care about – in 231 markets and 109 languages around the world…. 1,000 systems approved for Windows 8 that are thinner, boot ½ time, 1/3 weight, 3x faster.  The new Windows 8 tablets and computers have improved features such as longer battery life, are power efficient, touch optimized and have security...

All Windows 8 users can access new apps and there are developer friendly terms of Windows 8 store. Difference is that it runs apps from window store, which are easy to acquire, remove and to upgrade applications….”.

“Many new Windows 8 devices are touch enabled – but also work with keyboard, mouse and stylus.  Along with touch controls, you can use the trackpad to move tiles to zoom in and out (options to get around Windows).  And when mouse is pointed to corner, you get to the start screen – right click to system tools. Pricing options include affordable (Touch PC’s that starts at $499) to high end ... Brought together PC and  tablet – for work and play. One device carries best of PC and tablet experiences.  Are these new designed PC’s? Yes. Are these newly designed tablets? Yes.. Some flip, convert etc.. The best of PC’s and tablets in one form factor.”

There are three Windows versions: Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows PRO.

The webinar also included mention of the many hardware partners including Dell, Acer, Samsung, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Sony, Microsoft and the new chip ( processor) options.

 

The other concept discussed is that “Microsoft is all in one – bringing together Microsoft Office, Bing, Internet Explorer, Outlook, Skydrive, Skype and XBox.  Win 8 comes with mail, calenders, photos and browser.  With Excel 2013, you can side by side run excel and apps at same time.   You can put apps with your favorite websites on the start screen. Redesigned MSN – first website full set up for touch in win8 world. Launched outlook.com – works seamlessly on web and PC. Skydrive for storage and new Skype app (always on and immersive, easy to use).  Windows 8 has a built in Bing search and re-designed Bing search app“.

 

 

“The new apps are designed to keep you up to date on everything going on the web (Bing Travel, Bing weather, Bing sports ,etc – from top media partners).”

 

 

“XBox Music creates playlists from global catalog, new features with XBox video and XBox games  also launched. For example “ with XBox Video you can select movie from win 8 tablet and can play on Xbox – when you watch movie it serves up relevant info on what you are watching – like info about actors etc.”

 

 

There will also be brand new Windows 8 phones coming out this month. The concept is that when “people choose Windows 8 there is phone that works in similar way: access same data,  share same info, uses live tiles and same Microsoft account from access playlist in Xbox music and documents in Skydrive”.

 

 

Disclosure: This is a press update. The information provided are my notes of what I thought were the key points from the webinar and not directly a transcript.  This is not a paid post. I am a Windows Champions blogger and I received loan of a laptop and may receive awards (in the future) from Microsoft to post my opinions about Microsoft products.

 

 

A Steve Jobs Tribute One Year Later…

Many in the tech world are remembering Steve Jobs, who passed away one year ago. GigaOM wrote a post with reasons to remember Steve Jobs while Mashable covered that “Remembering Steve Jobs’ Death Ignites Twitter Philanthropy”.

I remember Steve Jobs not because of the reasons the tech sites do, not because I am an Apple Fan girl (I am tech agnostic – I love all technology!), but because Steve Jobs gave me a gift that keeps on giving. Here is my tribute to Steve Jobs:

Tribute to Steve Jobs-

I remember primary school was a challenging experience for me (because I wanted to just start working), but I kept moving forward and gained important skills.  Now as a mother I see a different side of the way people learn and realize that not everyone can go on the same path when it comes to formal learning. I have a child who is very bright but an out of the box thinker.

I spent many years frustrated on how such a bright kid could resist formal learning. Steve Job’s background per Wikipedia:

“Jobs’s youth was riddled with frustrations over formal schooling. At Monta Loma Elementary school in Mountain View, he was a prankster whose fourth-grade teacher needed to bribe him to study.

…Jobs then attended Cupertino Junior High and Homestead High School in Cupertino, California.At Homestead, Jobs became friends with Bill Fernandez, a neighbor who shared the same interests in electronics. Fernandez introduced Jobs to another, older computer whiz kid, Steve Wozniak (also known as “Woz”). In 1969 Woz started building a little computer board with Fernandez that they named “The Cream Soda Computer”, which they showed to Jobs; he seemed really interested.

…Following high school graduation in 1972, Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Reed was an expensive college which Paul and Clara could ill afford. They were spending much of their life savings on their son’s higher education. Jobs dropped out of college after six months and spent the next 18 months dropping in on creative classes, including a course on calligraphy.  He continued auditing classes at Reed while sleeping on the floor in friends’ dorm rooms, returning Coke bottles for food money, and getting weekly free meals at the local Hare Krishna temple. Jobs later said, “If I had never dropped in on that single calligraphy course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts”

My tribute to Steve Jobs is to highlight him as a great example to show other parents that out of the box thinkers may not follow traditional educational paths, but they can still reach success in their own way.  Parents can support the exceptional talent of their little out of the box thinkers by helping them find their educational path. And while that path may be very challenging for all involved – it is worth the journey.

This is also to explain why I (and my dear husband) have been very busy lately. We are helping one of our children through their journey. Even though there are some days where the obstacles seem too big to overcome, I always think back to Steve Jobs. Which makes me smile and know we have our own little game changer in the works.

This is also a warning for the bullies that make fun of quirky smart kids. I want to tell them to get a life and fair warning: Hey bully – that quirky smart kid you are making fun of may be the next Steve Jobs, inventing devices or businesses that you will be standing in line for.

See WBTW’s tribute to Steve Jobs around his death roughly a year ago.

 

Texting While Driving Can = Death.. It Can Wait

The lure of texting while driving is a challenge I (and others) have fought for years. But when I became a parent, I felt an even stronger responsibility not to text (or use my phone w/o handsfree accessories) while driving.

If not only to be a role model for my kids who will be driving sometime (too soon now that I have tweens), but also for the safety of my family and others.  Using phones in cars without handsfree accessories (i.e. distracted driving) is also illegal in many states.

For years I heard stories of people that were either hurt, hurt others or died from texting (using the phone) while driving.

While it is uncomfortable to watch the AT&T videos where real people share their stories about the dangers of texting and driving as well as a documentary with accident stories, I felt like it was important not only for me to watch but also for my tweens to watch.

 

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