Moms for Simplicity

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about a contest for moms who use technology to help them out.

Dana Torres, the five-time Olympic swimmer and mom has launched “Moms for Simplicity” with HP. The website, online essay contest and photo mosaic invites moms to inspire and educate each other about how technology simplifies their lives.

“Today’s moms have more demands than ever that fill our lives, and new technologies are helping to simplify our daily routines,” said Torres. “Whether I’m paying bills and staying organized, catching up on TV shows and movies while on the road, or creating fun activities with my daughter, HP technology helps make my life easier so I can do the things that matter to me the most.”

In mid-June, Torres will choose three contest winners to receive a personalized HP technology makeover, the chance to meet Torres and see her swim in the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, and possibly the opportunity to see her compete at the FINA World Championships in Rome.

The contest, which runs through June 16, asks moms to upload a photo to an online photo mosaic and, in 200 words or less, tell HP and Torres how they use technology to simplify their busy lives – including digital scrapbooking, keeping in touch with friends, running a business from home, or managing a weekly schedule.

Participants will have their photo and story featured on the photo mosaic, and three will win HP products, including the HP Vivienne Tam edition notebook, HP Photosmart All-in-One printer and an HP TouchSmart PC. Additionally, winners will become “amateur mom reporters” at the U.S. Nationals, where they will see Torres compete and report their experiences on the “Moms for Simplicity” website through a series of video diaries.

According to Nielsen NetRatings, there are 32 million women in the United States who have children under 18 and get online (84 percent of moms online), which translates to about 40 percent of all women online in the United States today.(1)

More information on “Moms for Simplicity” and how to participate in the contest is available at www.hp.com/go/hpmomsforsimplicity.

Mind Over Matter

Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about Japan and they're mind-control schemes.

Who doesn’t want the ability to control stuff with their mind? It’s like super powers right?

Well, Honda researchers in Japan have come up with a slightly less fantastical control and use for a kind of scientific telekinesis. BMI (or Brain Machine Interface, not Body Mass Index) looks like a giant hairstyling chair with a white air conditioner attached to the back. The point, however, has nothing to do with the style. BMI basically measures electric currents and almost infrared spectroscopy, or brain blood flow. This makes it possible to control a certain robot with just your thoughts.

Obviously it’s still in the development stages but, aside from being cool, the possibilities this kind of technology presents for anyone who’s physically disabled or just needs some extra help around the house is amazing.

This will blow your mind

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about a video that will really make you think.

Fascinating take on modern life and the ever-increasing pace of information. I think what it says about the world our kids will live in is particularly important. When I was studying to be a teacher, I remember a very wise speaker talking about how it wasn’t important to teach children information itself as it was to teach them how to find, use, and critique information. They can look up anything they need if they have the skills to do so. That’s why memorization can only take you so far.

This video covers a lot more than that. Watch and be amazed
Did You Know?

Medical Light

Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about the latest medical advances involving lasers.

Lasers are big today. I’m not talking Star Wars, I’m talking a slightly more constructive less destructive type. The medical field, as always, is working its way forward.

In both Tel Aviv and Massachusetts doctors are using laser light to heal wounds. Forget stitches, in Israel they’re practicing with controlled light beams to close wounds. In Massachusetts they’re healing surgical incisions with a balanced blast of heat. I don’t know about how painful either technique is but it certainly sounds cooler than getting yourself stapled back together.

Deck the Halls

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing! Read about how you can make a gingerbread house, one you can't eat.

It’s almost Christmas and the holiday season is in full swing. Gingerbread houses are a winter holiday tradition. But just as toy fads and fashion change, so too has the art of gingerbread architecture changed.

This year it’s not just about gum drops and snow covered roofs, but motherboards and Star Wars. In this new age of gingerbread anything’s possible, even a gingerbread man with LED eyes. From star destroyers, to laptops, to mansions with working lights, gingerbread isn’t just a kids activity anymore.

A Snow Improvment

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the new device that will make you the MVP in snowball fights.

Lets be honest, its started to snow (in most places that get snow anyway) and it is time for outdoor winter activities. No, I’m not talking about skiing, or snowboarding (I don’t even get snow shoeing) I’m not even referring specifically to sledding, I’m thinking more snowball fights.

It’s difficult enough to pack a correct projectile (not any simple powder will work) add to that the awkwardness of gloves and the sensibility of fingers, and snowball fights become an all out battle of endurance and perseverance. Technology helps in all other areas of our lives, why not in the winter wonderland? (Especially in time for the holidays)

That’s where the Snowball Launcher comes in. It’s exactly what it sounds like. This particular advancement to extreme winter sports can shoot snowballs up to 50 feet (no mere athletic skill can give you the upper hand anymore) . Add to that the fact the launcher will pack snowballs for you (3 at a time) and it’s like a dream come true. See who doesn’t want you on their team now