“Tech Companies” collection
Follow the innovations and strategic directions of the giants that define our digital world, including Apple, Microsoft, Google, and more. This section offers an expert look at the product ecosystems and corporate shifts of the world’s leading technology brands.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →December 20, 2011
Ultra Giveaway! Win an Ultrabook from Some #UltrabookDads!
I'm going to keep this short and sweet since I have already written a bit about Ultrabooks and I'm going to be talking about them more in the coming weeks. So let's cut to the chase...Jeff Sass (who is a partner in crime on the Cast of Dads podcast as well as a fellow Intel Advisor) and I have been testing…
Read more →December 20, 2011
I’ve Become an Ultrabook Dad!
I'm a dad who loves gadgets. That's part of the reason why I have this site is so that I can share this love and hopefully provide insights and understanding into the complex world of consumer electronics. While I normally go by the nom de plume of "HighTechDad", I have a new name that I'm going to assign to myself…
Read more →November 29, 2011
How To Configure Location-Based Reminders on the iPhone with iOS5
I kept hearing about how with iOS 5, you could set up Reminders that would trigger when you arrived or left a particular location. It's a pretty neat concept. You can program in an address, like your work, and set up a series of to-dos that magically remind you when you are geographically near that location. Or perhaps, you are…
Read more →October 28, 2011
How To Fix Applications Crashing After Upgrading to Apple iOS5 on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
The upgrade to Apple's iOS 5 is a few weeks behind us now and most people are up and running on it. And, now the iPhone 4S is out in the market and more people are migrating over from older iPhones to the new iPhone 4S. I haven't heard of too many issues as part of the upgrade process, though…
Read more →October 17, 2011
iOS 5 Tips: Cell Data for Purchases, Custom Vibrations and Hourly Weather
Last week I talked about a few new tidbits and tricks in Apple's new version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5 (enable Emoji keyboard, get the camera button to appear in the lock screen and how to launch the new built-in dictionary). I have 3 more pretty cool little tips and tricks this time around, namely: cellular data for…
Read more →October 14, 2011
iOS 5 Tip: How to Enable the “Smiley” Emoticon or Emoji Keyboard in iOS 5
Here is another great (and fun) feature that is buried deep within iOS 5 for the iPhone and iPad. And, when I showed this to my daughters, they were SO excited about it! We all love emoticons or "smileys" as many people call them. Well, now you can actually activate an "international" keyboard that contains literally a hundred different graphical…
Read more →October 14, 2011
iOS 5 Tip: How to Launch the New Built-in Dictionary on the iPhone or iPad
I keep uncovering lots of little surprises in Apple's new iOS 5 software released this week for the iPhone & iPad. Yesterday, it was the activation of the camera button on the iPhone's lock screen. This one is just as useful and is extremely helpful. Included in the OS is now a full-fledged dictionary (that even looks like the dictionary…
Read more →October 13, 2011
iOS 5 Tip: How To Activate the Camera Button on the Lock Screen on your iPhone
With iOS 5 for the iPhone launching yesterday, there are a flurry of new features that are coming to light. There has been plenty of coverage of these but I thought that I would pick a couple that are particularly cool or helpful and briefly discuss them. One of these is the camera button on the lock screen. Of all of…
Read more →October 5, 2011
R.I.P. Steve Jobs – Your Inspiration Lives On
When Steve Jobs spoke, people listened. When he innovated, markets changed. When he had an idea, it was perfect. And now when he quietly leaves this world, we remember his incredible accomplishments as a leader, visionary and individual. In 2005, Mr. Jobs addressed the graduating class at Stanford University. He knew that his time was limited, but this did not…
Read more →September 23, 2011
A Tablet for Babies? The VINCI Tablet Gives Toddlers a Jump Start on Touchscreens
A few weeks ago I received a pre-production version of a new tablet targeted toward children ages 2-4 or so called the "VINCI Tab". I had been dying to review an Android-based tablet, but the VINCI threw me for an unexpected curve. It really is not what you might expect. While it is technically a tablet, it is really a…
Read more →September 12, 2011
Moshi’s USB to Ethernet Adapter Makes the MacBook Air Even More Perfect
As I write this post on my Apple MacBook Air, I really struggle to think of things that would make it better. It's pretty much a near-perfect laptop in my opinion. It's lightweight, fast and has a good battery-life. It's a bit pricey but it seems to be holding its own pretty well within this new "Ultrabook" space. Honestly, I…
Read more →September 2, 2011
“Weird But True” iOS App Educates in a Fun Way
Who doesn't like National Geographic? They have been enriching our lives for over a hundred years with photos and quality content from around the globe. And they have brought this content to children of all ages as well. My daughters got copies of National Geographic Kids at school and have saved them in piles on their desks and bookcases. And…
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