Apps for Parents

As a relatively new parent, I’ve relied heavily on my love of technology to help me figure out this parenting thing. So when Dawn suggested that I write about how I use technology and what apps I find helpful, I thought it was a great idea.

This is the first in a series that we’ll feature periodically in Kibbles & Bytes where we’ll review software, tools and apps that help make life easier and more fun for parents of kids of all ages.

When I was pregnant, I used a couple of different apps that outlined the stages of pregnancy and what to expect (including the aptly named What to Expect When You’re Expecting app). I’ll get back to those in a future issue, but I thought I’d talk about what I’ve been using since my son was born a year ago.

The WebMD Baby app is a fantastic resource for new parents seeking sage advice for the stages of baby- and toodlerhood. Categories are broken down by general baby/toddler care, tips for moms, dads and illnesses/emergencies. It also features advice from their pediatrician, Dr. Hansa, in the form of articles and videos.

I’ve found that it easily outlines the questions I’ve had along the way while blocking out the “noise.” I know I’m getting solid advice from a trusted resource, and every little bit helps for a newbie like me.

WebMD Baby is free, stable, and comes highly recommended. Download it here.

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  • Happy iPad Launch Day!

    Phew, what a crazy week! Not only are we preparing the stores and website for the BIG day, the marketing department has been hammered by Hammerhead–getting all the packaging and marketing materials for the Hammerhead products that have been remodeled for the new iPad.

    Our Hammerhead product line will have three new or redesigned cases for the newest iPad–the Bluetooth Keyboard case, Premium Leather case and the new Capo case. The Capo case is a hard case that folds to create a stand. I’ve been using one of the prototypes on my iPad 2 and I really like it. I was using a Smart Cover prior to snagging this new one and I’m not going to go back to the Smart Cover as I was beginning to have trouble with the Smart Cover staying closed. It would come loose in my purse when I carried my iPad 2 around and get caught on other stuff.

    The Capo case will work only with the new iPad (aka iPad 3rd gen), and will be available in Black, White, Red, Blue and Orange. It will sell for $39.99. The product will be available in mid-April, and we will be listing it on our website in the coming weeks. The Bluetooth Keyboard case and Premium Leather case are in stock now, and fit both the iPad 2 and new iPad.

    “*View our cases here!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/iPad_Accessories/Cases_and_Sleeves/iPad_2_and_iPad_3rd_Gen/

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  • Weekly Apple News Recap | 3/9-3/16

    Obviously, the biggest thing happening this week is that the new iPad drops today. We’re in the midst of iPad madness here, and have limited quantities in stock in our stores. Thinking about getting one? “*Watch the keynote here from Apple’s Media Event.*”:http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/123pibhargjknawdconwecown/event/index.html

    The “*Messages*”:http://www.apple.com/macosx/mountain-lion/messages-beta/ beta is now available for download. The app for the Mac replaces iChat, and allows users to send unlimited iMessages to any Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch and “get a taste of what’s coming in OS X Mountain Lion.”

    “*Check our blog for up-to-the-minute Apple news!*”:http://blog.smalldog.com

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    Thanks!

  • _Dear Friends,_

    It is iPad launch day! We have been receiving inventory and we are looking forward to a frenzy at our stores. With to few iPads to meet the demand of customers, it seems like the mad scramble is on as Apple has already sold out the initial supply of iPads. Pretty amazing that Apple keeps hitting these home runs (and just in time for baseball season).

    I was down in Jacksonville, FL to visit a customer and while it was hot and sunny there, it was also unseasonably warm and sunny in Vermont. So much so that they are predicting temperatures in the 70s this weekend and hopefully, my road will dry out enough to get Grace’s motorcycle down the road for an early spring ride.

    If you travel, one app that I cannot do without now is “*Tripit.*”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Ftripit-travel-organizer-free%2Fid311035142%3Fmt%3D8%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30 This is a clever app that tracks all your travel plans, alerts you to gate changes and delays and is a one stop place to monitor your travel. You simply forward all your air or hotel or car rental confirmations to Tripit and they take care of the rest! Highly recommended.

    Rebecca and I have completed the second episode of our 1-hour talk show on Vermont radio station “*WDEV.*”:http://www.wdevradio.com/index-progs.asp It is called Small Dog Speaks and we are having some fun taking calls and answering questions on line. “*Click here to listen to the archives on our site.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/info

    We are looking for an intro, some music, maybe a jingle and then we have to produce some commercials, but Rebecca and I are having some fun. Feel free to call in Thursdays at 1PM at 877.291.8255 or “*follow us on Twitter*”:http://twitter.com/hellosmalldog and ask us some questions there!

  • We are working to get our Hammerhead Cases ready for this iPad launch and in a couple of weeks I’ll be heading to China to visit the manufacturers. We hope to have our new line in stock by the middle of April with some real nice new products. We will make sure Kibbles & Bytes readers hear about it first.

    Thanks you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Don, Kali & Dawn_