VTech LS6245 Expandable Cordless Phone w/ Bluetooth

As a lover of all things gadget, VTech is a gadgeteers dream. The VTech LS6245 expandable cordless phone system that can connect both landline and cellular phones simultaneously is one of those gadgets that come along and makes me go Uh-Huh, Ohhh Yeah!

This is the ultimate choice in phones for any busy being. Whether you’re in the market for a busy mom, busy dad or busy grad, this phone is packin’ the gift giving goodies.

The VTech LS6245 uses an advanced technology that allows this phone to do an abundance of nifty things. Basically this phone works as two-line phone system that allows users to be on a landline call on one handset or base unit speakerphone, while using another handset for a cellular call at the same time. The same method works for two mobile phones if that better suits your need.

The VTech LS6245 can be paired with as many as four Bluetooth mobile devices for making and taking calls.

Now that we have that technical portion out of the way, I’d like to draw your attention to the sleek, stylish design of the LS6245. There are no buttons but rather, a pad of touch-sensitive buttons. This phone fits in with most any decor and takes up little space.

Key Features:

• No buttons-uses touch technology
• Expandable up to 12 handsets and requires only one phone jack
• Dual caller ID/call waiting*—stores 100 calls
• Handset and base speakerphones—enjoy hands-free conversations
• Polyphonic musical ring tones
• Interference free for crystal clear conversations
• Protect yourself from identity theft with digital security
• Large reverse LCD with white backlighting
• Connect two different cell phones at the same time
• Connects to Bluetooth­ cell phones
• Make and receive both landline and cellular calls when connected to a cell phone via bluetooth technology
• Store up to 4 different cellular profiles The LS6245 retails for $79.95.

zBoost

If you’ve read my bio on Mom Gadget, you know that I live in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Beautiful on the eyes, soothing for the soul, but not so good for cell phone reception. With a recent switch in carriers from Verizon to AT&T we went from no service in the house to some service. Still, we rarely enjoy more than one bar of service and have frequent dropped calls, missed calls, and overall poor reception. Finding a spot to make or answer a call is hit or miss and once you find it, you stay put until you have completed your call.

The zBoost Dual Band cell phone signal booster promised to change all that. Everything you need for setting up the zBoost is in the box including a snazzy looking little base unit and base antenna, power supply, coaxial cable, and signal antenna. The setup directions are fairly simple to follow and provide installation instructions for three levels of boost from Easy to Better to Best with the Easy setup providing the least amount of boost and the Best setup providing the most. Of course, each boost level upgrade requires just a bit more effort on your part. For Easiest Set-Up: Place the Signal Antenna inside, by a window. For Better Performance: Place the Signal Antenna outside of a window. For Best Performance: Place the Signal Antenna in attic or on the roof. It may seem like a lot of effort to get the best performance, but what’s nice about the zBoost is that once it is setup and turned on, you don’t have to do anything else.

Designed to boost cell phone reception up to 2500 square feet, the zBoost performed exactly as promised even when performing the “Easiest Set-up.” My cell phone went from a single bar to three bars as soon as setup was complete. Both my daughter and I could make and receive calls simultaneously. There are no cumbersome cradles or connections between my phone and the base. I just use my phone as I normally would but without the annoying dropped calls.

Every month I pay out hundreds of dollars to my cell phone service provider and every month I feel just a little bit cheated that I can’t use my cell phone in my own home. Not anymore! zBoost gives my signal the boost it needs.

For more information visitzBoost online.

---

Disclaimer – Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

V-MODA’s Faze Headphone with Microphone

The iPod has come a long way since its inception in 2001.  Apple has given us photo storage, internet access and convenient apps. We have seen the iPod grow in storage size and shrink in physical size. The one thing that has not changed much is the earphones. While I love my new iPod Touch, I find the earphones uncomfortable and ill fitting.

V-MODA’s Faze headphone is a comfortable alternative to Apple’s supplied earphones. Unlike the large plastic iPod earbuds, the Faze comes with three sizes of silicone fittings in both clear and black.  The silicone fittings conform to the shape of your ear and stay put during physical activity so you can work out without having your earphones fall out.  They are very comfortable and actually reduce outside noise so you can enjoy your music.  A control button located on the cord allows you to pause your music with a single click. You can also track forward or track back. Want to record a voice memo on your iPod?  The Faze has a built in microphone.  Just open the Voice Memo app, press record and start speaking. The Faze is also compatible with your personal computer.  I tested the Faze on my MacBook to record a Podcast with GarageBand.  It worked great. Got a call coming in on your iPhone? A single click answers the call and a single click ends the call.

If you are thinking of giving your sweetheart the gift of music this Valentine’s Day, whether it be an iPod, iPhone, Blackberry or other MP3 player, make sure to include V-MODA’s Faze headphones.  Comfortable, convenient and compatible with a variety of devices, the Faze is sure to make your loved one smile from ear to ear.

For more information visit V-MODA.

---

Disclaimer – Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

MomGadget Mail Bag: Back To School Cell Phone Etiquette

Remember when note passing was the communication method of choice for distracted students? Does anyone even know what a “cheat sheet” looks like anymore? Text messaging has not only changed our personal lives, but it’s also found its way into the classroom and has all but replaced older forms of silent communication. As the school year approaches, parents and teachers everywhere are looking for new ways to get kids to text responsibly and hopefully learn a thing or two this year.

Below are a few back to school texting tips for parents to help their kid’s text responsibly, courtesy of

Predicto Mobile (www.predicto.com), the leading online and text message based survey company:

Check the school’s cell phone policies. Speak with their teachers about what they are doing to limit text use and find ways you can work together to combat the issue if it becomes a serious problem

Talk to your kids about the dangers of sexting. Find out who they are chatting with and look at the cell phone bill to see what time of day they are texting the most

Encourage good academic behavior. Find out when their exams are, offer help with studying, etc.

Make them work for it. If texting during school gets out of control and you see a spike in your bill, ask your child to get a part time job to cover their text message cell phone plan

Don’t text them when they are in class. Occasionally you may need to get in touch with your child during school hours, find out when your child has breaks in between classes or what time they take lunch and use that time to send texts

Petition your cell phone provider to limit cell phone text message service during school hours

 

“Kids have pioneered text usage and it’s become somewhat invasive in a classroom setting,” says Eyal Yechazkell, CEO of Predicto Mobile. “Many schools have already banned cell phones, and we’ve all heard horror stories about kids sexting in school or using the service as a way to cheat. Parents need to take a tougher stance and talk with their kids about texting in the classroom to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the learning process.”

PredictoMobile(TM) is a market-leading interactive SMS service that engages members on pop culture and current events. Predicto offers a game that’s on the pulse of entertainment and world affairs, and is the largest premium mobile service in the U.S. The Predicto Mobile Community is made up of nearly two million users who stay in the know and vote on the go with Predicto. Follow the company’s updates on the Predicto Twitter page and latest videos at Predicto TV.

Sexy Cologne, Handbags and Cell Phones Oh My

I’ve never claimed to be like most women – for the most part, I hate shopping malls.  I’d rather hang out watching traffic go by than to weather the storms of the clearance isle any day.

While my closet may not be filled with 80 pairs of shoes and while I don’t have a single pair of CFM heels, I do have a softer side that screams for attention now and again.  That softer side craves fragrance and handbags on a more regular basis while the other occurs on somewhat a more annual basis.

I admit, I’m a BIG fan of fragrance.  In fact, I purposely set out to recruit three teen boys into the fragrance craving realm earlier today.  I think there’s a lot people can get by with – such as wearing jeans with holes in them, t-shirts that you’ve had for 10 years and scruffy sneakers.  BUT when you throw an awesome fragrance on top of those holes, years of wear and scuff – you can label them as “vintage” and people will buy it.

Recently I took my boys on a fragrance safari.  The goal was to seek out the exact fragrance that fit their personalities.

The skater/surfer style kid selected Armani Code By Giorgio Armani

The down and dirty wanna be a pit-crew kinda kid selected Usher For Men

The classic/rock-and-roll music loving/artistic flair kid selected Unforgivable By Sean John

It took me a while – but with the help of the sales clerk, I was able to convince the kids that women, no matter what age, loves a good smellin’ man.

Ladies, wouldn’t you agree?

Another biggie on my list is handbags.  About a year ago, I was bitten  by the handbag bug and have been an occasional addict since.  About twice a year I go on a little spree watching and waiting on eBay for the best deals to come up on some of my favorite names in handbags.  Those I’ve found I’ve become most addicted to are: 

Maybe I’m crazy, but something about having the bag shown here hanging from my shoulder just makes me feel special.

Anyone else feel the same way?  Even if you can’t afford to buy a new handbag for yourself, there’s always eBay and an organization that understands just how important handbags can be to a woman – Bag, Borrow or Steal is a handbag rental program that allows you to rent and sometimes steal the bag for a deeply discounted price.

And if you’re going to look special with the bag hanging on your shoulder – you might as well smell good too.  My preferred fragrances are:  Aqua di Gio, Clinique Happy and Georgio Beverly Hills G.

And of course, my annual craving is for cell phones.  There’s something about having a fun and sexy phone!

I know Victoria’s Secret is trying hard to create sexy in the form of g-strings and thongs, but not for this girl.  Gimme handbags, cologne and a sexy new phone and I’m all good!

Kids and Texting – It Ain’t All Bad

It’s rare these days to find a teen or tween even, without a cell phone in their hands. Everyone is texting. It’s the way to communicate – and we, the parents must learn to deal with it.

Gone are the days of kids pacing the floor – trying to build up the nerve to phone the object of their affection. In it’s wake we have the option of texting – while it’s much less harsh to be rejected by texting, I do find concern with how much texting might be altering my kids ability to communicate effectively.

Still, there are positives to be considered:

While face-to-face conversations are best, especially when it comes to those important topics such as sex, drugs and grades – but if your kids spend a great deal of time texting, take advantage of their obsessions with technology.

According to a study conducted by Kelton Research for Samsung –

68% of American parents communicate with their kids through text message.

56% of teens age 13-19 said they communicate more often with their parents since they began text messaging.

53% of teens that text message said their relationship with their parents has improved because of texting.

51% of parents who text message with their teens say they communicate more often with their kids now than they did before they began text messaging.

Texting gives kids more freedom and space but allows parents to keep in touch as often as needed.

Having the ability to think about and edit your messages before pressing send means there’s less chance of saying something you’ll regret later.

In as much as many parents find frustration in their child’s addiction to texting – there’s obviously positives that should be factored in as well.

My kids have cell phones – they text and have even started coming to me asking for help in composing text messages to those special girls that have captured their eye – how could I find fault in that? Not only have my kids turned into fine young men, but they trust MOM to help them become men that women will want.

Has texting had a positive impact on your life or on that of your family? I’d love to hear more!