Electronics | ParentSphere

Epson WorkForce 610 All-in-One Printer

January 12, 2010 By: Amy Category: His and Hers, Products

epson WF610 Epson WorkForce 610 All in One Printer

I have used three different Epson All-in-One printers over the past several years and quite honestly, none of them have failed me. I have owned and used other name brand printers and they’ve been alright but truthfully, I have preferred the Epson All-in-One printers over anything else that I’ve used. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to try them out.

Besides the Epson WorkForce 610, I have used the Epson Stylus CX8400 and the Epson Artisan 800. All three are considered “all-in-one”, which means they are a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine all in one unit. The WorkForce and Artisan both have WiFi capability, so you can connect wirelessly. This is one of my favorite features, as I’m not always in a position to connect the printer directly to my laptop.

I worked on several projects over the holidays and was quite pleased with the WorkForce 610. My projects printed out quickly and the quality of the print was not compromised. Although, I do prefer the Artisan over the WorkForce for photo projects. I also really like these printers because of their ease of use. They’re sleek and the technology is there. I believe all of the printers I have mentioned here retail for under $200 (with the use of mail-in or instant rebates).

For you iPhone and iPod Touch users, Epson has an app called “iPrint”. Print directly from your device to your wireless printer.

If you’re in the market for a new printer, I would recommend checking out the WorkForce 610 or one of the other Epson All-in-One printers.

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Tags: electronics

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Medela Freestyle Breastpump

August 17, 2009 By: Amy Category: Moms, Products

medela freestyle 218x300 Medela Freestyle Breastpump

This post is going to be short and sweet and to the point. I *LOVE* the Medela Freestyle Breastpump. I have been putting it to good use for the past six weeks and I couldn’t be happier. It’s super convenient and really does a great job. I’m thrilled with my purchase. I bought it brand new from a seller on eBay and got one helluva deal on it.

Highly recommended by this breastfeeding mother!

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Tags: electronics, feeding and hydration, nutrition

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Graco iMonitor Vibe

August 17, 2009 By: Amy Category: Babies, Kids, Products

graco imonitor Graco iMonitor Vibe

Graco sent us the imonitor Vibe to try out with our new family member (who was born on 7/8/09). I’ve been pretty busy with said family member, hence the lack of updates lately.

So far, we’ve been really pleased with the sound quality of this monitor. I can’t believe that for three and a half years, we dealt with annoying static and occasionally picking up the cry of someone else’s child nearby. If that doesn’t freak you out, I don’t know what would.

Unless we have the washer or dryer running or someone is upstairs, we can’t even tell the monitor is on. Before Teagan arrived last month, we were using the imonitor vibe with our 3-1/2 year old. We could finally hear her sweet little voice with complete clarity. The monitor vibrates if you want it to and you can turn the volume completely down and still see if your baby or child is making noise by looking at the sound lights on the parent units.

We definitely recommend this monitor. We’re also fans of other Graco products, such as their playards and booster seats. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with Graco products.

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Tags: baby, electronics, toddler

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Roxio Easy VHS to DVD

June 05, 2009 By: Amy Category: His and Hers, Products

roxio vhs dvd Roxio Easy VHS to DVD

Alright, this awesome product was sent to me a while ago and finally, I was able to find some time to actually sit down and check it out.

I have one thing to say. It rocks. I needed this kit a looong time ago. I am happy that I have it now though, that’s for sure. This is the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD kit and the name speaks for itself. You can quite easily convert your VHS tapes and camcorder video tapes to DVD. I did have to purchase a cable to connect my VCR to the connector that comes with the kit, I think it was about $15.

So far, I have transferred some old Disney movies to DVD and I have a ton of old home movies that I need to transfer. I have been pleased with the results. I have ordered myself some DVD cases from Amazon.com and Google searched the covers, printed them out and stuck them in with our DVD collection.

I’m pretty anxious to continue working on this project and hopefully get more done before the baby arrives next month…because then, I’ll have many more videos to transfer!

So, check it out. The kit retails for about $60. I’m sure if you research a bit, you can find it a bit cheaper. It’s worth every penny.

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Tags: electronics, technology

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Going Rechargeable

March 30, 2009 By: Amy Category: Products

Sometime in 2008, I realized how silly it was to continuously buy batteries that would die after their initial use. With a preschooler and a ton of toys lying around that require batteries, that just didn’t make much sense. We also have video games and cameras that require batteries. The obvious decision was to go rechargeable.

So, my first purchase was an Energizer Rechargeable Easy Charger and some double and triple “A” batteries.

energizer easy charger Going Rechargeable

We have since added other types of Energizer rechargeable batteries to our collection, as well as another charger, so they’re conveniently located in the rooms of our house where our electronics are located. The Energizer Easy Charger can be purchased for around $24 bucks and most major retailers and I’m sure you can find a good deal on it online somewhere. It just makes sense to go rechargeable.

Energizer even has a $5 rebate offer on their site when you purchase of one of their chargers.

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Tags: cameras, electronics, toys and games, video games

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Omnitech 1GB MP3 Player

December 04, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, His and Hers, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MP3 PLAYER WINNER!
* Cathleen N. (#262)

Our winner has been notified via email

omnitech mp3 player Omnitech 1GB MP3 Player

I fully admit, I am caught up in the prettiness and sleekness of the expensive Apple and Microsoft mp3 players but hey, it is really just about the music, right? You really don’t have to spend a ton of money on an mp3 player to be able to listen to your favorite tunes.

For instance, the Omnitech mp3 player (pictured above) retails for $39.99. It’s small, so it’s easy to use while you’re exercising. If you’re anything like me, occasionally dropping or banging electronic gadgets, you’d be more likely to use something small and lightweight while on the treadmill. This Omnitech mp3 player fits the bill. Here are the features:

* MP3 power at a fantastic value
* Available in 2GB (Blue)
* Provides up to eight hours of playback time
* Includes FM radio tuner/recorder along with voice recorder and 1.0” screen for easy viewing and navigating
* Available in Staples retail locations beginning Holiday 2008

Lucky for you or the person you would gift it to, we’re giving one of these Omnitech mp3 players away.

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”. In your entry comment, let us know if you win this mp3 player, if it’s for you or if you will give it as a gift.

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

Psst: Eric is giving ANOTHER one of these mp3 players away over at CanYouSeeTheSunset.com
Grab some fun Christmas tunes while you’re there to put on your player if you end up winning!

*While you’re waiting to hear if you’ve won, check out Staples “Gift it for Free” sweepstakes going on now until December 24th. 10,000 winners!

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you link to it on Mr. Linky HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: electronics, gadgets, music

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VTech V-Motion

December 01, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR V-MOTION WINNER!
*Sarah (#206)

Our winner has been notified via email

v motion VTech V Motion

We’ve been playing around with the V-Motion for several months and have lovingly deemed it our “Vii” or “Wii for kids”. This educational gaming system is geared toward the 3-7 year old age range. Our three year old easily grasps the concept of moving the controller up and down or side to side to get the characters to move where she wants them to go.

It’s all pretty simple, really. Place one of the Smartridges (over 40 popular titles to choose from) into the V-Motion, start up the game. Watch your child move and play. When he or she is done playing, take the V.Link (like a USB flash drive) and plug it into your PC’s USB port. Track your child’s progress and scores and access more online games at VSmileLink.com.

We’re giving away a V-Motion along with two popular game titles: Wall-E and Wonder Pets

v motion smartridges VTech V Motion

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”. In your entry comment, let us know if you own any VTech products and if so, which one(s).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you link to it on Mr. Linky HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: electronics, grade schooler, holiday giveaway guide, preschooler, video games

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LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

November 19, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, Kids, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LEAPFROG DIDJ WINNER!
* Sarah H.

Our winner has been notified via email

leapfrog didj LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

I’ve “played” with enough LeapFrog toys over the past three years to tell you my honest opinion of this brand. I think they make phenomenal products. Any LeapFrog product that we have owned has more than exceeded my expectations for children’s toys. They have been made with quality craftsmanship and I love that as my little girl grows, there is a LeapFrog product that she can grow into, year after year.

We are entertaining the LeapFrog Leapster2 right now but the next gaming handheld (for school-aged kids, 1st through 4th) is the LeapFrog DIDJ (ages 6-10). What do I love so much about LeapFrog’s handhelds? They make educational games for them! Fun and education, hand-in-hand. As a parent, I like the ring of that.

We’re giving away a DIDJ gaming handheld system of the winner’s choice, along with these three games:

didj games LeapFrog DIDJ gaming handheld system

The brand new Hannah Montana custom-learning game (8-11 yrs), the brand new Indiana Jones custom-learning game (7-10 yrs) and the brand new Nicktoons Android Invasion custom-learning game (7-10 yrs).

To enter: LeapFrog’s Learning Path is an online experience that lets you see and shape your child’s learning. Include the answer to the following Learning Path question in your entry form:

“What are the three steps of LeapFrog’s Learning Path?”

(Hint: Click HERE)

Fill out the giveaway entry form below and click “SUBMIT”. If you have successfully entered, you should get an auto email response (Check your spam folder).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you list it HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: educational material, electronics, holiday giveaway guide, preschooler, video games

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Flip Ultra Digital Camcorder

November 18, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, His and Hers, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FLIP ULTRA VIDEO CAMCORDER WINNERS!
* Robin
* Kerry

Our winners have been notified via email

flipultra orange Flip Ultra Digital Camcorder

Where should I begin? I LOVE this tiny digital camcorder! I am completely addicted to my Flip Ultra Digital camcorder. It’s the perfect size that I can tote around with me wherever I go. I’m always recording something or other (that’s me – total randomness).

I have recorded concert footage and actually received feedback about how excellent the sound and video quality is. You can record up to an hour of footage on The Flip. It is so easy to plug in and transfer videos with a few clicks of a button to sites like YouTube, AOL video, Myspace and other websites. I have been uploading some of my videos straight to NewBaby.com. Works like a charm every time.

There are three Flip models on the market: The Flip Ultra (pictured above), the Flip Mino and Mino HD (just a tad smaller than the Ultra) The newest model is the Mino HD. It records in, you guessed it, High Definition. Ultimately, the features on each model are very similar in comparison (price point varies).

We’re so thrilled to host a giveaway with Flip for TWO Flip Ultra Digital Camcorders (colors vary).

To enter: Fill out the giveaway entry form on this giveaway post and click “SUBMIT”. If you successfully entered, you should get an auto email response (Check your spam folder).

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you list it HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!

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Tags: electronics, gadgets, holiday giveaway guide

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Epson: Artisan 800 All-in-One

November 18, 2008 By: Amy Category: Contests, His and Hers, Products

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EPSON ARTISAN 800 WINNER!
* Kelly M. (#626)

Our winner has been notified via email

epson artisan 800 Epson: Artisan 800 All in One

What you see above is Epson’s brand new all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/FAX. This amazing piece of equipment is Wi-Fi capable too!

I have used many, many printers over the past 12 or so years and as far as a home ink jet printer is concerned, this is where it’s at. I have already used the printer for one big project, printing “Save-the-Date” postcards for my friends wedding reception. The quality was superb! I couldn’t have been happier with the finished product, thanks to this printer.

I have many more projects to do, just like that one and in the coming weeks, I will showcase more uses of this awesome new all-in-one. Here are just some of the features that you MUST know about right this second:

Auto Photo Correction feature

Red-Eye Removal

Photo Restoration feature through the scanner

Creative Features:

Turn photos or drawings into personalized coloring book pages

Create personal notepaper with your photo as the background

Print photo layouts with various size photos on a single sheet of paper

Print college-ruled, wide-ruled and graph school paper

Print and copy directly onto ink jet printable CDs and DVDs

Fast print speeds: 4”x6” photo in as fast as 10 seconds and 8”x10” photo in as fast as 50 seconds

Full-featured fax capability

For more information about the Artisan 800, please click HERE.

Ok, have I told you enough to make you want an Artisan 800? Well, here is your chance to have one. You can enter to win this brand new all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/fax right here. Every contest has a set of rules, right? Well, ours is no different:

To enter: leave a comment on THIS giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under Category” and “Tags”. In your entry comment, please tell us what your first project with the Epson Artisan 800 would be if you win.

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes. Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification. This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site? Make sure you list it HERE
*Do you “Twitter“? We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!