Friday, March 31: Better Smartphone Photography

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, March 31, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Better Smartphone Photography’

Join @TheTechDad and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, March 31 as we chat about
Better Smartphone Photography!
While smartphone cameras have become more and more sophisticated, that doesn’t always result in better photos. Join us as we look at some of the tips and tricks that can improve our photography skills and help us create photos that we can be proud of!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a GoPro HERO Session video camera!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2ogaPCu
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, March 31 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Facebook Adds Fun New Features

By Tracey Dowdy

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so it’s safe to assume Snapchat is feeling pretty good about itself today.

This week Facebook rolled out some new features and they probably look pretty familiar to many of us as they are dupes for features on Snapchat. Although Facebook has far more daily users, Snapchat is more popular with teens.

The new features include camera tools – masks, filters, and frames – as well as Facebook Direct and Facebook Stories. Not only are the features familiar – Facebook Direct mirrors Snapchat Snaps and Facebook Stories mirrors Snapchat Stories – the way they behave is also the same.

Here’s a closer look at what’s available:

Facebook Stories = Snapchat Stories: Facebook introduced Stories to its sister app Instagram back in August of 2016. Stories are a collection of photos and/or videos that disappear after 24 hours. Now, that same functionality will be available in the main Facebook feed.

Facebook Camera Effects = Snapchat Filters: Not only will it offer masks, filters and frames for your photos, Facebook has leveraged its massive user base to partner with Hollywood studios. Users will have access to filters featuring “Minions”, “Despicable Me 3” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

Facebook Direct = Snapchat Snaps: One of the most popular features of Snapchat – photos disappear from user’s feeds after 24 hours – is now a feature for your Facebook photos as well.

Why, when Facebook already has such an enormous audience and owns Instagram, would it bother to add these features? The answer is simple – the more time users spend on Facebook scrolling through their feed, the more ads they can be shown. It all comes down to marketing.

Instagram’s “Stories” grew to 150 million daily users in five months – that’s a big number, especially from a marketing standpoint. Think about it – how much do you use your mobile device as a phone vs. accessing social media?  Evan Spiegel, Snapchat’s co-founder and CEO says, “We believe that the camera screen will be the starting point for most products on smartphones.”

Facebook knows Spiegel is right, and they’re making sure that while your newsfeed is probably still going to be your primary focus, keeping pace with trends in photo sharing can only work in its favor.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Wednesday, March 29: Tips, Tools and Tweaks for a Healthier Spring

TIPS, TOOLS AND TWEAKS FOR A HEALTHIER SPRING!

TwitterLogo450

When:  TODAY, Wednesday, March 29, 2017
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Spring is in the air! Join @joycecherrier and the #SandersonFarms team as we share tips and tweaks to help you kick your healthy habits up a notch!
RSVP and participate in the chat to be eligible to win one of two GREAT PRIZES (value $100 each)!

  (Click here learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email to RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: SandersonFarms) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2nx5khw
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#SandersonFarms) on Wednesday, March 29 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Sanderson Farms.)

Friday, March 24: Spring Cleaning Your Digital Life

A #MOBILELIVING TWITTER PARTY
mobilelivingWhen: TODAY, Friday, March 24, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Spring Cleaning Your Digital Life’

Join @RobynsWorld and the #MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, March 24 as we chat about Spring Cleaning Your Digital Life!
Spring is almost here and it’s time to get rid of all that clutter, including our digital clutter! Join us as we look at ways we can spring clean our digital lives and look forward to a more streamlined and secure future.
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win a Motorola portable charger or an Amazon Echo with Alexa!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (Subject line: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2ndfq58
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) on Friday, March 24 between 3 – 4 pm ET

Tuesday, March 21: Custom TV

CUSTOM TV

#FiosPhilly

When: TODAY, Tuesday, March 21, 2017
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join Mary Beth (@5cupcakes) and the #FiOSPhilly team at 8 pm ET on Tuesday, March 21, as we chat about Custom TV!
With Custom TV, you only have to pay for the types of channels you want and not the ones you don’t. Join us we explore how this latest home entertainment option works and why it could be the right choice for you!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a Motorola portable battery or a Fire HD 10 Tablet with Alexa!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Send mail to RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: FiOSPhilly) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2nhBTAA
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSPhilly) on Tuesday, March 21 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon.)

Friday, March 17: Social Events & Celebrations

A #MOBILELIVING TWITTER PARTY
mobilelivingWhen: Friday, March 17, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Social Events & Celebrations’

Join @dipaolamomma and the #MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, March 17 as we chat about Social Events & Celebrations – where to find great apps and ideas for cocktails, food and fun!
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win an Xbox One S Entertainment Center!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2mxMZNB
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) on Friday, March 17 between 3 – 4 pm ET

Tuesday, March 28: How To Choose the Right Internet & TV Provider

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT INTERNET & TV PROVIDER

FiosNY Logo

When:  Tuesday, March 28, 2017
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join host Misty (@mistygirlph) and the #FiosNY team on Twitter at 8 pm ET on Tuesday, March 28 as we discuss
How to Choose the Right Internet & TV Provider!
We rely on our Internet and TV services more than ever but not every provider delivers the same experience. Join us as we look at some of the important differences between the major providers and explain why the award-winning Fios service is still #1 in customer satisfaction!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a Motorola portable charger or a Fire HD 10 Tablet with Alexa!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com subject line: FiOSNY) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2mwQNP6
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSNY) on Tuesday, March 28 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon.)

How Young People Are Impacted by the News

By Tracey Dowdy

When I was a child, news was something my parents watched after dinner or read in the newspaper. From my perspective, it had nothing to do with me or my interests. Oh, how things have changed. With easy access to the Internet and social media, the ways kids access and perceive news has been completely transformed.

Common Sense Media recently released a study that looks at how kids engage with the news. They created an online survey that polled 853 children age 10–18, asking questions about how kids access news, their awareness of fake vs. real news, and their level of trust for various media sources.

The purpose of the study was to get a better understanding of how children access and process news. “We want our children to be good citizens, and to the extent that being a good citizen requires an accurate awareness of what’s happening in the world and a desire to be well-informed, it is critical to understand children’s relationship with the news.” Michael Robb, Director of Research, Common Sense Media.

Their key findings were as follows:

  • Kids value the news. Most access it and care about it, and overall they feel smarter when they’re informed.
  • Kids feel neglected and misrepresented. They don’t feel like the media covers what’s important to them, and they feel misrepresented when they are covered.
  • Kids see racial and gender bias in the news. Of particular note is the fact that half of U.S. kids say that when they see non-white kids in the news, it’s negative and/or related to crime and violence.
  • What kids are seeing scares them and makes them feel depressed.
  • Kids also often are fooled by fake news. This may be why many are extremely skeptical and distrustful of the news media.
  • Kids trust their families and teachers for news more than any other source, but they prefer to get news from social media.

They found that most kids get their news through their family members (45%), followed by social media (38%) television (37%) and their teachers (35%).

CSM graphic

One of the more interesting finds was the number of kids who have confidence in traditional media outlets. Only 25% of kids say they put “a lot” of trust in what they see coming from news organizations – the same amount of trust they put in information coming from their friends.

Parents can access the full report by creating a profile on the Common Sense website.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

5 Incredibly Useful Accessibility Apps for Android

By Tracey Dowdy

We often talk about how technology has transformed our lives and made communication so much easier. That isn’t always the case, particularly for those with disabilities. Touch screens, small icons or settings that require fine motor skills can sometimes mean some features and functions are not accessible to some users.

Fortunately, there are many apps available for individuals with visual or hearing impairment or for those with physical disabilities. These are some of the best accessibility apps Android devices have to offer.

It’s Accessible was developed for the simple fact individuals with mobility issues need to know if a facility is accessible before they get there. Users can find lists of museums, retail stores, restaurants, bars and even parking lots that are disability-friendly, and because the information is crowd sourced, it is regularly updated. (Free)

JABtalk is a speech asp designed to help non-verbal children and adults communicate. It is highly customizable by supporting text-to-speech, which allows users to import audio or create their own audio commands. In addition, users can select online images, import from a memory card or use the device’s camera to create personalized icons. The app also features heptic feedback (vibration) when users touch a word or category to provide immediate physical feedback. There are online tutorials available here. (Free)

HelpTalk is a communication app designed for those that struggle with oral or written communication. The app comes with a list of basic sentences but users can create a custom profile or use visual icons to communicate instead. For users with limited motor skills, the app features large “yes” and “no” buttons and also features an emergency phone number that message users can tailor to their specific situation. Available in 12 languages. (Free)

Guide Dots “combines Google Maps, Facebook and powerful crowdsourcing technology to provide the visually impaired a broader awareness of the world around them.” With an interface designed specifically for the visually impaired, Guide Dots uses your voice commands and corresponding audio cues to enable you to get around. The apps syncs with Facebook, so users can find friends and check in to nearby locations. (Free)

IFTTT stands for “If this, then that” and is designed to help users automate their lives. IFTTT works with over 360 apps including Twitter, Spotify, Instagram and Google Drive, as well as with other Android devices like Alexa, Nest and Hue. Depending on the devices involved, users can have email and text messages read aloud, control the thermostat, get weather reports every morning, and turn out the lights at the end of the day. (Free)

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.