Friday, June 1: Summer Fun

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: Friday, June 1, 2018
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Summer Fun’

Join @joycecherrier and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, June 1 as we chat about Summer Fun!
Summer is almost here and that means summer camps, the beach, backyard BBQs, road trips and more. Join us as we share our favorite summer pastimes and explore how the mobile lifestyle can help make this the best summer ever!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Google Home Mini or a Ultimate Ears Boom 2 Bluetooth waterproof speaker!

(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: https://bit.ly/2IX9qLY
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, June 1 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Duplex to Allow Google Assistant to Hold Conversations

By Tracey Dowdy

If you’ve ever seen the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” you’re familiar with the plot line that HAL 9000, the ship’s computer, is sentient and interacts with the crew. His conversational tone is in contrast to the formal speech of the astronauts and makes it even more unsettling when he starts killing the crew before they can disconnect or “kill” him. The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Hal as the 13th greatest movie villain of all time.

I don’t want to scare you, but Google brought us one step closer to that being a documentary, not fiction. Google’s new assistant, Duplex, is designed to rival Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Microsoft’s Cortana. Duplex sounds a lot – and I mean A LOT – like you’re talking to another person and not a computer generated response. The tone is conversational, using vocal tics like “Um,” “Mmmhmm,” and “Uh,” like we often do when we’re multitasking or stalling for time, even though like Siri, Alexa, and Cortana, it’s responses are computer generated.

During a demo at the recent I/O 2018, Google CEO Sundar Pichai played recordings of Duplex calling a hair salon to book an appointment and a restaurant to make dinner reservations for the following week. In both cases, the interaction was so natural and Duplex’s responses so intuitive that the party on the other end had no idea they weren’t speaking to another person.

Now before you start gathering your supplies for the robot uprising, Duplex is still in beta stage. Pichai and his team will roll out the tech to a hand-selected group this summer saying they want to “proceed with caution” because it’s such a new technology.

It’s all part of Google’s goal to make our interaction with their technology seamless: we’ll wake up and get the news and latest weather from our Google Assistant; we’ll leave for work and use our Nest camera to keep an eye on our pets and our home; we’ll use our phone translate the menu at a Chinese restaurant; and use the Nest thermostat app to kick the AC on during our commute home on the train.

Even without Duplex, your Google assistant already has several upgrades available, including a choice of six new voice options designed to give users a more personalized experience. You can also ask two questions at once and have both answered, like “What’s the date of the royal wedding and what channel is it on?” and instead of the mic cutting off immediately after you ask your question, it will stay hot for 8 seconds, so you don’t have to say “Hey Google” again. It can text your friends your ETA if you’re using Google Maps and will even allow you to set up a “custom routine,” which initiates preset actions when you shut off your alarm. No more scrolling through your CNN app or searching Spotify for your “Wake up” playlist; your Google Assistant will do it for you.

All this, of course, begs the question, How much privacy are you willing to surrender for the sake of convenience? Google knows we’re all wondering these days, especially in light of the privacy issues over at Facebook. “Our principles here have always been to give users control over that information,” says Nick Fox, vice president of product and design for Google Assistant and Search. “The last few weeks have underlined that this is incredibly important. But we’ve always known it’s important. It’s healthy for us to get that reinforcement.”

All assistant queries are treated like regular search queries, with all the same user settings. Users can delete their search history but should be aware it will likely affect the ads they see.

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.

Friday, May 25: Mobile Safety

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, May 25, 2018
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Mobile Safety’

Join @RickGriffin and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, May 25 as we chat about Mobile Safety!
Whether it’s concerns over personal data or you’re just trying to keep track of the kids, mobile safety has never been more important. Join Rick Griffin and the MobileLiving team as we offer mobile safety tips and explore  the tools that can help you and your family feel more secure!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Mophie wireless charging base or a JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth speaker!

(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: https://bit.ly/2s2G7Nx
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, May 25 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!https://bit.ly/2s2G7Nx

Another “Thirteen Reasons Why”

By Tracey Dowdy

You may or may not be aware of the cultural phenomenon of Netflix original program “Thirteen Reasons Why.” It’s the story of Clay Jensen, a teenager, and his journey to understand the reasons behind his crush Hannah’s decision to end her life. The story unfolds through the 13 audio cassettes Hannah records for her classmates, which reveal to each of them the role they played in her death.

The first season garnered a lot of attention with its graphic portrayal of Hannah’s suicide, as well as storylines involving voyeurism, rape and bullying. Parent and mental health advocacy groups pushed back at Netflix for the way they handled sensitive subjects and how these subjects could impact a group as emotionally and mentally impressionable as teenagers. In this regard, The Parents Television Council has asked Netflix to reconsider airing season two until “experts in the scientific community have determined it to be safe for consumption” by minors.

In response, Netflix has added trigger warning and crisis hotline cards to each episode of season one. Additionally, Netflix has released the findings of a global research study they commissioned alongside Northwestern University’s Center on Media and Human Development entitled “Exploring How Teens and Parents Responded to 13 Reasons Why.”

Based on the findings, Netflix has issued additional resources for season two, including a customized introduction to each season from the cast discussing the nature of the show, resources at13ReasonsWhy.Info that include a downloadable discussion guide created with American Foundation Suicide Prevention, links to suicide hotlines, and links to depression and anxiety support.

Netflix’s Original Series Vice President, Brian Wright, says, “The content of the show hasn’t changed, but the research showed that people are craving more information and they are craving help. I’ve always felt this show had the ability to start a really important dialogue. I do think that’s what we saw born out of season one and through the research – that it made people talk. I never would have predicted that it would have done that extra thing, which is to make people act more kindly to each other, and we’ve also seen that in the research and for me that is incredibly powerful. That’s the power of art.”

Netflix has created an after-show, Beyond the Reasons, that will play after the 13th and final episode of season two to allow the cast, experts and show’s producers to continue the conversation about the difficult subject matter.

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.

Tech Gifts for Grads

By Tracey Dowdy

Grad season is upon us, and that means grad gift season is here too. Finding the right gift that’s both useful and fun can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible.

Whether your grad is transitioning from high school to college, or from college to career, these gifts are sure to be a hit.

You can’t go wrong with a Roku Streaming Stick, because really, what better way to celebrate never having to do homework again than by binge watching all six seasons of The Mindy Project? Plug the Streaming Stick into any HDMI-equipped TV and your grad will have access to hundreds of streaming channels, including Netflix, Hulu, Sling, HBO Now and PlayStation Vue. Its interface is user-friendly and the latest version has a voice-activated remote that can also control your TV’s power and volume. The Roku Express is another great option; though it doesn’t have the voice controlled remote, it is half the price.  (Roku Streaming Stick $69.99/Roku Express $29.99)

Another solid option is the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, which offers 16GB of internal memory and an expansion slot for microSD memory cards up to 256GB. Amazon promises12-hours of battery life for “mixed-use,” but remember, streaming video and gaming will burn through a charge faster than reading. Users can access Alexa with a single tap, stream music, take photos, or watch videos on its 8” display. (Amazon Fire HD 8 – $79.99)

If your grad is planning to spend a little time by the pool this summer, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the perfect Bluetooth speaker. Waterproof and roughly the size of a softball, the Wonderboom floats, is shock resistant, has a decent battery life and, as its name suggests, is “full of big, beautiful bass.” You can pair two for a stereo effect. (Ultimate Ears Wonderboom $99.99)

If your grad spent all their money on tuition and not on car payments, they could probably use the Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1adapter to allow hands-free calling and music streaming from their car. The Mpow plugs in to the car’s audio port – or a headphone jack if you want to use the adapter on other devices – has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and can be paired with two sets of headphones. If the car doesn’t have an audio port, the iClever Himbox HB01 plugs into the car-lighter port for and features two USB ports on the back to allow users to charge smartphones while using the device. (Mpow Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver 2-in-1 – $29.99)

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.

Friday, May 11: Social Events & Celebrations

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, May 11, 2018
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Social Events & Celebrations’

Join @RickGriffin and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, May 11 as we chat about Social Events & Celebrations!
Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day; Mother’s Day is this Sunday; and Memorial Day just around the corner! Join us as we share and talk about awesome events, festivals and celebrations and offer tips on how to find them using our mobile devices!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Google Home Mini or a Bose SoundLink Revolve+ Bluetooth speaker!

(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: https://bit.ly/2wvWN4N
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, May 11 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Mother’s Day Social Giveaway – Official Rules

Mother’s Day Social Giveaway
Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. Eligibility: The Mother’s Day Social Giveaway (the “Giveaway”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and who have a valid public account on the social platform on which they make their Submission.. Employees, officers, and directors of OM Media Group (“Sponsor”), Verizon Wireless (“Prize Provider”) and any of their parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, distributors, advertising and promotion agencies (“Affiliates”), their respective employees, officers, directors, and agents, and those associated with the development, distribution or implementation of this Giveaway, as well as their immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible to enter or win. The Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.

2. Sponsor: OM Media Group, Inc 535 Woodlands Rd. Harrison, NY 10528

3. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in this Giveaway constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement o these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to this Giveaway. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

 4. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins on May 8, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. ET, ends on May 11, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. ET time (the “Giveaway Period”). Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Giveaway

5. How to Enter: To participate in the Giveaway, you must leave a comment on the designated influencer post on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter

https://twitter.com/dipaolamomma,
https://www.instagram.com/mommalewsblog,
https://www.facebook.com/hiremadskills,
https://www.facebook.com/SeasonedSpouseBlog,
https://www.instagram.com/nothingbutroomblog/,
https://www.instagram.com/hereyeswereolivegreen/,
https://www.instagram.com/teach.workout.love/,
https://www.instagram.com/kateschwanke/,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/milbloggingbuddies/,
https://twitter.com/jdavis55,
https://www.facebook.com/MilSpouseAdvNet/,
https://www.instagram.com/stephiefiregirl/,
https://twitter.com/BloggingJulie,
https://www.instagram.com/amiyrahm/,

each a “Social Influencer” answering the following question: “Why you, or that amazing mom you know, needs a tech makeover.” Your account must be set to public during the Giveaway Period and for a period of at least ten (10) days thereafter your account must remain public (the “Submission”). Private accounts are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Posting on Instagram may require a mobile device and therefore data usage applies. Please consult your wireless-service provider regarding its pricing plans.

Your Submission need not include any reference, positive or negative, to the Sponsor, Prize Provider, or other specific products or services. By providing your Submission, you agree that it conforms to the guidelines, permissions, and content restrictions below and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may disqualify you if it believes that it fails to conform. In addition, all Submission must comply with the specific social media platform’s terms of user/service.

Guidelines:

  • The Submission must be in English;
  • The Submission must comply with the Content Restrictions listed below;
  • The Submission must comply with these Official Rules.

Content Restrictions:

  • The Submission must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement;
  • The Submission must not contain brand names or trademarks other than those owned by Prize Provider, which entrant has a limited license to use in his/her Submission solely for this Giveaway;
  • The Submission must not disparage Sponsor, Prize Provider, or any other person or party;
  • The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, offensive, indecent, obscene, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous;
  • The Submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age; and
  • The Submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of, or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state where Submission is created.

Limit: Each entrant may post one (1) Submission during the Giveaway Period. Submission received from any individual in excess of the stated limit will be void and entrant will be disqualified. Submissions generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. In the event of a dispute as to any Submission, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these Official Rules. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each entrant may be required to show proof of being an authorized account holder. Released Parties (as defined in Section 10, below) are not responsible for lost, late, stolen, damaged, incomplete, invalid, un-intelligible, garbled, delayed, or misdirected Submissions; all of which will be void.

6. Sponsor’s Use of Submission: By providing a Submission, Entrant provides Sponsor and Prize Provider a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display such Submissions in whole or in part, on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including for promotional or marketing purposes. If requested, entrant will sign any documentation that may be required for Sponsor or its designees to make use of the non-exclusive rights entrant is granting to use the Submission.

7. Winner Determination: During the conclusion of the applicable Daily Entry Period, a panel of qualified judges determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion will select twelve (12) winners with the highest-scoring Submissions (“Winners”) based on the following judging criteria:

  • Creativity/Originality (34%);
  • Quality of Submission (33%); and
  • Fit to Giveaway Theme (33%)

Subject to the entrants’ compliance with these Official Rules, twelve (12) entrants whose Submission receives highest score will be deemed the potential winners. In the event of a tie, the entrant whose Submission received the highest score for “Creativity/Originality,” as determined by the qualified judges in their sole discretion, will be deemed the applicable potential winner from amongst the tied entrants.   Sponsor will not disclose judging scores.

8. Winner Requirements: Potential winners will be notified by the Social Influencer via direct message on or about May 11, 2018. Each potential winner will be required to provide their contact information (which will be shared with Sponsor for administrative purposes), sign and return a Declaration of Compliance, Liability Waiver, IRS Form W9, and, where not prohibited, a Publicity Release (“Declaration”), (collectively “Prize Claim Documents”), which must be received by Sponsor no later than May 13, 2018, 12:30pm ET in order to claim his/her prize. Each potential Prize winner must complete and return the Prize Claim Documents as required or the potential winner will be disqualified and declared ineligible.  If a potential winner cannot be contacted, does not respond within 24 hours, fails to execute and return the Prize Claim Documents or any other requested information, within the required time period, does not comply with these Official Rules, or if prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits the prize.  If a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the prize may be awarded to an alternate winner, if any, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.

Potential winner is strictly prohibited from making any public statement as to their status of being a winner until Sponsor has made such public announcement of the winner(s). Any public statement by the potential winner will immediately disqualify them from being able to claim any prize in the Giveaway.

9. Prizes: Fifteen (15) PRIZES. Each winner will receive: one (1) $1,000 Verizon Gift Card. The total approximate retail value (“ARV”) of each prize is $1,000. The total ARV is $15,000. All prizes are subject to the terms and conditions established by the issuer. Prizes will be fulfilled by Prize Provider.

Prizes are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided herein at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize for one of equal or greater value if the designated prize should become unavailable for any reason. Winners are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Limit: One (1) prize per person. Prize Winner is not required to activate any wireless calling/data plan to redeem use of prize.

10. Release: By receipt of any prize, each winner agrees to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, Prize Provider, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use or misuse of any prize.

11. Publicity Acceptance of any prize shall constitute and signify each winner’s agreement and consent that Sponsor and its designees may use the winner’s name, city, state, likeness, photo, Submission, and/or prize information in connection with the Giveaway for promotional, advertising or other purposes, worldwide, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, including the Internet, without limitation and without further payment, notification, permission or other consideration, except where prohibited by law.

12. Ownership of Submission: Each winner shall irrevocably grant, transfer, convey and assign to Sponsor the entirety of the rights in and to the Submission and all renewals and extensions of copyright, and the right to secure copyright registrations thereto in perpetuity including, without limitation, the rights to use the Submission for any and all purposes in any and all media whether now known or hereafter developed, on a worldwide basis, in perpetuity. Each winner accepts and acknowledges that Sponsor shall not be obligated to use the Submission and that Sponsor in its sole discretion shall have the right to refrain from using the Submission. Sponsor shall not incur any liability whatsoever to the extent Sponsor chooses to refrain from any exploitation of its rights hereunder. Each winner will indemnify Sponsor, Released Parties, and any licensee of Sponsor against all claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and legal expenses) arising out of any breach of these terms.

13. General Conditions: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Giveaway, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures, human error or any other factor impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Giveaway, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. If terminated, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, determine the winners from among all non-suspect, eligible Submissions received up to time of such action using the judging procedure outlined above. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the Submission process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of the Official Rules of this or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner and void all associated Submissions. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies (including attorneys’ fees) from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

14. Limitations of Liability: Neither Sponsor nor Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrant, printing, typographical or other errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Giveaway; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the Submission process or the Giveaway; (4) printing, typographical, technical, computer, network or human error which may occur in the administration of the Giveaway, the uploading, the processing or judging of Submissions, the announcement of the prizes or in any Giveaway-related materials; (5) late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen mail; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use or misuse of any prize (including any travel/activity related thereto). Released Parties are not responsible for misdirected or undeliverable Submissions or for any technical problems, malfunctions of computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof. Released Parties are not responsible for any unauthorized third-party use of any Submission.

15. Governing Law: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

16. Winner List: You may request the names of winners by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope no earlier than May 15, 2018 to: The Mother’s Day Social Giveaway Winner’s List c/o OMMG, 535 Woodlands Rd. Harrison, NY 10528. All requests must be received by August 30, 2018. Request received after August 30, 2018 will not be acknowledged.

© 2018 OM Media Group, Inc.  All rights reserved.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR ADMINISTERED BY VERIZON WIRELESS, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY UNLESS SO DESIGNATED. INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED SOLELY TO SOCIAL INFLUENCER AND SPONSOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

 

Affordable Tech Gifts for Mom

By Tracey Dowdy

What do you give the woman who has given you everything and wants nothing? Or, better yet, what do you give the woman who has given you no clue and wants you to figure out what she’d like without any hints from her, because really, “just a card would be nice”?

I’m glad you asked. I’ve rounded up some of the most fun and practical gifts for mom whether she’s a techie or not, I’m sure there’s something on the list for her.

Okay, I know $80 seems like a lot for a coffee mug, but when you consider the last time your mom finished a cup of coffee while it was hot she was still pregnant with you, that price tag seems like a bargain.  Not only will Ember keep her beverage of choice hot, once paired with the Ember app it can also be ordered to warm up a drink to her preferred temperature. It will even send a notification when the temperature is reached and, you can customize the settings for different drinks. Plus, Ember comes with free shipping. Price: $79.95

The JUNO Smart Mirror takes the guesswork out of getting ready in the morning. Or at night. Or, whenever. Your mom’s an adult – she can leave the house whenever she likes. JUNO features three lighting settings (sunlight, daylight, and evening), a built-in storage tray, 5x magnifying mirror and a charging cord. Price: $79.00

An e-reader is a great present, and depending on your price point, you have a lot of options. PC Magazine recently curated a list of The Best eReaders of 2018, broken down by features like size, weight, storage capacity, screen lighting and book formats. Amazon’s Kindle line was the most popular, including the Paperwhite, which garnered especially good reviews. Price: $79–$249

Give your mom the give of real power when she needs it most. That’s a really dramatic way of saying the Jackery Bolt 6000 portable charger makes a great gift. The Bolt has an Apple MFi certified lightning and a micro USB charging cable both of which are within FAA limits for batteries so it can be taken on the plane in her carry-on luggage or just keep her phone alive while she sits on the sideline of yet another Little League baseball practice. Price: $26.99

While she’s sitting on the sideline, mom might want to catch up on Scandal or stream Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther album. The good news is Hulu and Spotify subscribers can now bundle their services  and have access to Spotify Premium and Hulu’s streaming library all under one bill. Short-term promotional pricing is available to new subscribers, but current subscribers can take advantage of the $12.99 a month rate too. Plus, if mom is currently a college or university student, she could be eligible to get an extra discount and access both for just $4.99 a month.

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.