Beth Blecherman started her career in application development then Senior Manager, Computer Process Integrity, for Deloitte. After senior management she took on family management blogging as her career 2.0. She is a Co-Founder of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, a collaborative of mom blogs across the country, and their first international blog Canada Moms Blog.

Blecherman founded her personal blog, TechMamas.com, as a platform to discuss technology and gadgets for families. Beth vlogs with other female tech bloggers at Gadgetspin.com. She also consults with companies on blogger outreach and social media strategies and speaks at conferences on parenting, social media and technology. TechMamas.com was chosen as one of the Nielson Power Mom 50 influencers. On Twitter as @TechMama she was chosen as one of the 25 Influential Moms to Follow on Twitter and BizTechDay’s 25 Influential Business Women in the Bay Area. Beth is on the Board of Advisors for MommyTech at CES.

I followed the Apple press conference announcing the launch of the iPad2 online to get the scoop on the new version of the iPad.  In case you haven’t tried it out yet or purchased the latest, here is a summary of what to expect.

iPad2 Details:

• Faster (new A5 chip 2x faster CPU 9x faster graphics), lighter (1.3 pounds), 33% thinner (8.8mm)
• Front & Rear facing Cameras and gyroscope to allow for response to movements when in apps. PC Magazine gathered feedback on the iPad2 cameras, I just wonder why they did not use the same cameras as the iPhone4 – that rock (for anyone that has used them).
• Smartcover case designed with product, puts product in sleep mode when closed and wakes when open. Comes in 10 colors. Poly cases are $39 and leather $69.
• new: iOs 4.3, Facetime and Photobooth
• iMovie and Garageband apps ($4.99 EACH out March 11)
• Garageband has Smart Instrument option so anyone can play!
  65,000 iPad apps
• 3G available on Verizon and AT&T. The iPad had a AT&T 3G version with the hardwared built in to sign up for the 3G service. The Verizon iPad needed to use an Verizon MiFi for hotspot coverage because it did not have the hardware built in for 3G. Now the Verizon iPad2 has the hardware built in to get 3G service so all you need to do is sign up for a service. Engadget summarizes the iPad2 service costs. Those that are heavy media and video consumers should choose carefully to stay away from overage charges. I have an unlimited AT&T data plan for my iPad so I hoped to see that as well for the iPad2. Maybe that will come soon?
• Same 10 hour battery life (one month standby).
• iBooks – over 2500 publishers in the iBookstore. Random House is bringing over 17k books.
• Pricing – WiF: 16 GB $499, 32 gb $599, 64gb $699.  WiFi + 3g 16GB $629,  32GB $729, 64GB $829

Where to buy?

The iPad2 can be purchased online at Apple.com, but for those that want the in store purchase experience, here is a summary I gathered from an Apple press release:

• Today at 5 p.m. local time at all 236 Apple retail stores in the US. Every customer who buys an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPad 2.

• iPad 2 will also be available beginning at 5 p.m. local time at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

The Apple Insider Blog reported that online Apple iPad2 orders may ship out betweent 2 and 3 weeks.

Those going to the Verizon and Best Buy will have to choose between going Android with the Motorla Xoom or going Apple iOS 4.3 with the iPad2. Or how about an iPad for $399?

What am I doing? In a perfect world I would carry both the iPad2 and the Motorla Xoom. Being a TechMama means that it is harder to make up my mind, just like fashionistas don’t have just one favorite dress or shoes. After all, technology is the new fashion accessory.

I took alittle blogging break to focus on family but thought International Women’s Day is a great time to jump back in! As moms across the world have done, I took some time to help my tween get settled in middle school, my twins settled with new twists and turns of 2nd grade and some very dear relatives with Cancer.

I had to put some professional opportunities on hold for the last few months, and while that may not be easy – I would not have it any other way (family is of course most important of all!). This of all days is a great time to share my story since women around the world have not only been influencers in business, but support to their families and communities around the world. Most recently the Women of Egypt stood up for what they believe in and hope that they will maintain a role in the building of a new Egypt.

I enjoyed reading Cool Mom Tech’s post called “International Women’s Day gives three multilingual cheers to women in tech”. That post called out some women in tech so I thought I would add on my WomenTech Twitter List and my techmoms and techmom2 twitter lists. My mom tech twitter lists are not as much technical moms as it is a way to capture the interesting mix of moms that share their updates on Twitter.

In honor of Women’s International Day, here is a post from April 21 2006 that captured my transition from techie to blogger mom. I hope to read many other stories today about Women and their transitions, accomplishments and dreams. For now, I am just happy to be blogging again. Best of all, I have a website redesign in the works so I will be sharing more news about TechMamas.com soon!

from April 21, 2006
From Techie to Blogger Mom

Does Parenting put some in a technology freeze? How do you stay up to date on technology while staying up to date with your children? What is the next step for Silicon Valley techies after becoming parents? And what is a blog?

Here in Silicon Valley we experience constantly changing technology trends. If you count pregnancy and the first year of parenting (which is a blur), techies that become parents can be out of touch for at least 21 months. By then, technology will have totally changed.

The first technology change I participated in was the shift away from punch cards while programming in college.For those of you who are not familiar with punch cards, check your history books.  Then as a Financial Analyst, I suggested using computer spreadsheets to perform some analyses that were manual (using pencil and paper, you can also check your history books on that, too). As an Application Developer I witnessed the move from big mainframe computers to desktop/ servers. I was also part of the lucky group of Y2K programmers who replaced two-digit logic with four-digit logic as a fix for the year 2000 (‘99’ was changed to ‘1999’).  Next, as a Senior Manager (Computer Process Integrity) I saw desktop computing expand to the Internet.

After we had our first son in 1999, I started working part-time in Management Training. I then experienced the growth of the Internet as the main technology for email, product sales, corporate communications and news/general information. A small but passionate Blogger community was thriving, but I had not yet become part of it….

In 2002, it all stopped. No more time for Internet updates on all the newest technologies, reading trade journals or discussing techie issues with co-workers. I became a Stay at Home Mom and immersed myself in taking care of my three wonderful boys (twin boys joined their older brother in 2003). The only technology I used was spreadsheets for parent volunteer organizations or home management, and also the occasional creation of email groups for classroom management. I could not even bring myself to transfer the thousands of pictures I have on my digital camera to my PC. I was in a technology freeze.

In 2005, it all started again. I am happy to be riding the hottest, coolest trend: Blogging. So, what is a Blog?  Wikipedia (a free encyclopedia) defines it as: “A blog (or weblog) is a website that is used in the manner of an online journal. Like other media, blogs often focus on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news. Some blogs function as online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.”

I saw friends who were using Blogs to update friends and family with pictures and stories about their children. I found opinion oriented news blogs, technology blogs, fashion and niche blogs. Now I share my own opinion online as well – I have joined in the blogging revolution!

I am packed up and heading to the Florida for the Inaugural Sailing of the Disney’s newest ship Dream. I will be looking into the technology and innovations to give a behind the scenes glimpse of the third ship in the magical Disney Cruise Line. I will also do my best to search out WiFi at sea so I don’t have to wait to share the fun until I return.

Night fun:

Disclosure: This is a media trip, my travel expenses to attend were covered. I am under no obligation to blog, just to experience this special event. But of course, I will want to share with my audience such an exciting adventure!

I have been too busy to watch much TV, but I do like the reality shows because they make my life seem less crazy (ehh, ehh Real Housewives).

I don’t really watch the singing/dancing reality shows that often, but happened to walk by when my hubby was watching American Idol last night. Chris Medina was auditioning – and it was so powerful that I may start watching American Idol (as well as Steven, JLo and Randy make a great judging panel).

Here is Chris Medina’s audition. It is especially touching to me because I have such ethical, caring boys of my own — but as my eldest is in middle school I see how mean kids can get. Chris Medina is a role model for boys.  His mom should be so proud!

Fresh back from the Consumer Electronics Show (and still loading my pictures from that..), I am back in conference mode and heading to Macworld Expo in San Francisco.

For anyone that has any Apple products in their life, Macworld Expo is the place to be to see exhibits and attend sessions. To find out more about Macword, I talked with Paul Kent, Vice President and General Manager of Macworld about the conference. Here are some of the details we discussed:

1. Macworld is for veterans & first-timers alike. It is a very inclusive environment focusing on discovery & education, ie. new products, new apps & new tricks on how to use them. I went last year and the only Apple product we had in our house was a MACbook for my son, but because I cover Apple products I wanted to learn about the product marketplace. I left with lots of important information.
2. While Apple does not have a direct presence, Macworld Expo remains a vital showcase for the fast growing third party Apple products marketplace. Wikipedia has details on the history of the Macworld Expo. There is also a website called Macworld which is different from the Macworld Expo.
3. FAQ’s: Best way to learn more about the show is to stop by – it starts today in San Francisco! Here are some links to learn more about Macworld Expo:

Timing for the Jan 27- Jan 29 show: http://www.macworldexpo.com/hours

List of the more then 230 exhibitors for the show (over half of them are first time exhibitors): http://www.macworldexpo.com/expo

Here are some more details: Press releases that show events and announcements, Featured Artists, Mobile Apps Showcase, and the most important – Women in Technology session!

For PC folks that are curious about the Apple side, stop by!  I am packing my Windows 7 PC and iPad to head to the show — they do allow PC’s in the conference!

I just got back from CES and am still decompressing from the 140,000 person 4 full exhibit floors full of consumer electronics.

I have lots of tech that I will be talking about over the next few weeks, but here are a few to start:

1. Hanging as one of the Logitech Guest Bloggers. I shared some initial perspective on the Blogitech blog on Connected TV — but I have another post to come.

2. My First Impressions of CES 2011.

3. I posted with some CES tech picks for moms at Cool Mom Tech (just a start… more to come). Check it out, and comment with what new tech you are looking for.

4. Just as I was packing for CES, I was honored to be interviewed by the Inside Source blog and the Wall Street Journal (about 4G — that I wish I would of had at CES because AT&T 3G was not so good). The article was by Don Clark, and I enjoyed ranting about how frustrated I have been that Silicon Valley did not have 4G until just recently… I mean, come on — it is Silicon Valley!

Reena Jana interviewed me for the fun Inside Source blog about CES and which gadgets I would be bringing with me… Sorely missing was a 4G Broadband card.

5. The LA Times discussed mom and dad bloggers at CES, and I was happy to get a shout out.

6. At CES, I spoke at a fun Tweethouse at a session called “Measurement and ROI: How To Quantify Costs and Results” with the fabulous Sheila Dowd of Clever Girls Collective and the busy Ben Parr of Mashable (who had just hosted a biggg Mashable party the night before). I shook things up by saying building a relationship with the right bloggers (for the companies niche) is a valuable part of ROI from social media campaigns. Check out the session at the Tweethouse link.

7. I had the honor of hanging with the fabulous crowd at MommyTechCES summit, a very valuable part of CES. Robin Raskin is someone I look up to as a trailblazer for getting the women and mom’s voice out in the technology world. Robin Raskin and an impressive team pulled together the FashionWare high tech fashion show as well. I enjoyed being one of the announcers — but more then that was seeing the fun high tech fashion. I will post with some fun pictures from that.

8. Best of all there were about 30 mom/women bloggers that made their way to CES this year. I helped organize a breakfast for them with Sarah Kimmel and The Clever Girls Collective (thanks to SWAGG for sponsoring the breakfast).

It is the last day of CES and I am ramping up to finish off as many booth visits as possible. Below are the trends I am seeing and I will write up the specific products that relate to this in the next few weeks:

1. Gadgets are morphing into all in ones: PC’s can stream data to and from personal devices (many in 1080p).  Music can be  streamed from your PC to a tablet to a music player to speakers with wireless adapters or new wireless features in devices. The process of syncing music between devices can be done wirelessly where syncing is automatic. Smart TV’s also joined the line-up, joining in the trend that will offer consumers a simplified way to access many channels of content from one device – such as Google TV with Sony and Logitech as well as new functionality being built into TV’s to interact with other devices.

This new technology will enable consumers to have access to content across devices, so content companies are trying to figure out how to enable this by creating new business models.

2. 3D: While last year the 3D TV’s were eye candy, I did not think it was ready for prime time. This year, I am a 3D believer. Three technologies made me excited about 3D above the basic “wow” effect of the beautiful images that 3D bring:

First are the “passive” 3D TV’s which means that they don’t require a signal from glasses – just 3D glasses that can be purchased for $30 instead of $150.00. The passive 3D technology includes some PC’s that provide amazing 3D images. With a family of 5, $30.00 glasses lowers the barrier to entry to bring 3D entertainment in my house. Second are the new 3D PC’s. Third are the new “Glasses Free” 3D devices.

3. Accessories: I was thrilled to see more fashionable accessories and finally more with stands included for viewing content. Although the most fashionable seems to be iPad,iPod, iPhone centric. While I did some some great laptop, general tablet and computer bags – I would of preferred to have seen a whole line of tablet covers that are in different sizes. Because tablets are generally around the same size, I imagine I use some of the iPad cases for other tablets. But the models that secure the iPad in place and allow access to the ports would not work with other tablet models.

I also saw interesting docking stations, including some that added “keyboards” to smartphones and tablets.

4. Processing power: The Intel 2nd generation Core processors are more energy-efficient performance with improved graphics that are integrated into the processor. The Intel WIDI wireless display technology that allows streaming of media from a laptop to a Netgear Push2TV box then through HDMI to a display (such as a TV). While Netgear announced a new 3D HD Home wireless system, they also announced an updated Push2TV box (with HD added). I also saw another gadget that works with the WIDI: Logitech Wireless speaker adapter.  I also saw the new processors in some great thin and light computers that made me think “I gotta have that – NOW!” (as I lugged my heavy cart with my current devices around CES).

5. Home Energy Management and smart devices: I am about to head to the home area of CES and will not have as much times as I would like to cover it – but I do know that Maytag, LG and Kenmore are using smart technologies in their home appliances that also are more energy efficient.. more to come. I also saw more home energy management systems that not only automate the process but allow remote access.

4. Tablets, Tablets and more tablets. There were multiple new tablets at CES 2011. And while many were not as exciting as the iPad, I did see a good list of those that give the iPad a run for it’s money with great interfaces and resolution that pops.

5. Apps and more apps. Many devices have related apps and there were also companies at CES that just had apps.

6. Retro: While I will mention specifics later – both Polaroid and Casio brought back their products with modern functionality that is very noteworthy.

7. Cars are getting smarter: There are new and exciting developments in car technology that provide seemless access to media and driving information. There are also new developments for energy management in Electric Cars (an area that is very exciting to me).. More to come..

8. eReaders: There are new features in current eReaders and new eReaders that are enabling a better overall interface and new functionality.

During the holidays is a time that many families take photos to capture the special moments. So I could not help but think of the tips that I learned from a talk I went to by photographer (and mom) Merakoh last year. Her site Refuse to Say Cheese has lots of hints and tips on photography, including capturing the story while taking photos of kids and families.  An exciting project she is working on is called “Soar Scholarships”: “The SOAR! Scholarship helps three women each year to make their dream of building a photography business come true.”

The 2010 winners will be announced mid-January so check back to the Soar website to see who they are. Here is more info from the press release:

In mid-January we announce the three winners and begin their next 12 months of self discovery, empowerment and support to building a business that will last. The scholarship recipients will receive camera gear from Sony, beautiful websites and blogs from SmugMug, designed by Fast Line Media!  They will also receive software from Adobe that makes their life of photo processing easier. The women will not only be mentored by me and Brian but other industry leaders such as Jeff Jochum, CEO of Me Ra Koh Media, as well as receive monthly, individual, business coaching sessions from my former business coaches at the The Wisdom Connection. Every SOAR! partner that you see on the Partner page is here to empower our three recipients to go for their dreams.

Review the SOAR! website–lots of juicy details!  Visit the forum and meet new friends who are preparing to take flight or already flying!  This scholarship is about giving you the break you’ve been praying for!

SOAR! is about understanding the wind that lifts us. SOAR! is about having the courage to believe our dreams were given to us for a reason. SOAR! is about climbing swiftly and powerfully! SOAR! is about helping you jump, take flight, and believe that you can not only learn to fly but SOAR!