The iPhone Mom

A new product has been brought to my attention, it’s called iAngle and it’s billed as a pocket iPhone/iPod Touch stand with an earphone cord manager. You can see a picture of it in action here, it retails for $9.99. I haven’t tried out the iAngle or even seen one in person but it sounded like an intriguing product. Has anyone out there tried it or have a favorite iPhone stand?

Since I was already online editing my Facebook privacy settings this morning I took a minute to clean up my “News Feed”. Meaning I went through and hid all the updates I get about my friends’ progress on Farmville and Mafia Wars and insert…annoying application name here. I don’t mean that the applications themselves are annoying, or the friends who play them either. But I hate seeing the constant updates about who’s holding a barn raising or looking for an extra cow.

In case you share my grumpy feelings about this issue here’s how you fix the constant stream of application/game updates. Find one of the updates on your news feed and then click on the word “hide”- it shows up to the right of the posting. Now you’ll be given the choice of hiding everything from your friend or hiding the application/game. Click the one you want and your news feed will immediately start to de-clutter. Hooray for Facebook Spring Cleaning!

I read an article this morning about Facebook privacy. It estimated that many people don’t have their settings set to the privacy level they would like to have. I went out and checked my settings again and found there were a few things I’d missed. I’m not a paranoid person but since I share photos and information about my kids I like to keep my settings very controlled. I found there was a whole section under “applications” that I’d missed. It basically gave my friends the ability to share a laundry list of things about me through those silly games and applications that are everywhere on Facebook. I shut it down.

If you’re at all worried about your privacy on Facebook I’d suggest spending a minute going through all the settings. It’s a pretty straightforward process but I did find a basic how to at about.com and  there’s always the Facebook help section.

Happy April Fool’s Day! This is a holiday that I usually let pass by without much celebration. But this year my kids are home for Spring Break and they’re old enough to enjoy some foolery. Thanks to www.familyfun.com I’ve actually got a few simple tricks up my sleeve. In honor of the day I’ve decided to spotlight some of my family’s current favorite silly apps. What silly apps are on your iPhone/iPod Touch?

Doodle Jump  - Confession time, I stink at this game. But my kids and husband all LOVE it. So do a lot of people…I think I’m going to ask the 5 year old for some Doodle Jump tips because I’m feeling a bit left out.

Fly Kiwi Fly – I bought this several weeks ago and have been meaning to do a full review. Hopefully I’ll find the time soon. Kiwi is trying to fly to the space shuttle and it’s your job to help him get there. Along the way you collect money and purchase things (like gliders, pogo sticks and roller blades) to help you along the way. My kids get a kick out this game.

Elmo’s Monster Maker – Silly monster magic that even my ten year old enjoys.

Wee Mee Avatar Creator – If I were to show you the Mees that my girls have created for our family members you’d agree this app has TONS of silly potential.

Plants Vs. Zombies – Also an app that I purchased several weeks ago with the hopes of doing a full review.  You’ve got to grow plants in your front yard to prevent a zombie invasion. I enjoy the app even though I’m not a very good player, I can’t seem to keep those zombies off the grass.  The rest of my family likes this one a bunch.

iChalky – My kids go back to this app time and time again. Now you can have more than one figure on the screen.

Gello Doodle – My 10 year old’s current favorite app. Slurp, slurp.

Cooking Dash - Still one of my favorite time killer apps.

I received word that another app I’ve reviewed on this site is in the running for a Best Ever App award from 148apps.com. If you’d like to vote for Little Red from Appily Ever After Publishing then please click here.

Be sure to check out all the categories! You’ll see several apps that I love!

This week the Dragon Dictation and Dragon Search apps became available for the iPod Touch.  As of today they are also available in the Canadian App Store.  These are both apps that I like and use.

Any Android users or people who know an Android user out there? I received an email today that the Point Inside app will be available for Android in their app store on 1/14/10 at 9 p.m. PST. Just a heads up!

I’ve gotten word about this website, 12 Days of Christmas Apps. From 12/26-1/6 you can enter to win free app promo codes. 

I’ve been amazed at how many apps are developed by parents. Parents who’ve seen a need that their iPhone/iPod Touch can fill and have then taken the idea and run with it.  I was recently invited to join a google group – Moms With Apps. Even though I’m not an app developer (there’s a hilarious thought!) I am a mom who’s iPhone has A LOT of apps on it so I think I semi-qualify. The group is a place for mom (and dad!) developers to connect. If you’re interested in learning more about it or finding out what these developers have done, you can read a blurb on the Keeps Me Smiling blog.

About a month ago I reviewed the app, Little Cook. Today I received news that they are having a contest to find the cutest “Little Critic” and I have a feeling there are many of you who’ll be interested in the details. Here they are: Little Cook would like to invite you to enter their contest to find the cutest “Little Critic”. First prize is a $50 iTunes gift card and a copy of the Little Cook app. Second prize will receive a $30 iTunes cards, third place a $20 one and both get a copy of the app. To enter you’ll need to visit the Little Cook Contest webpage and upload a funny photo of your child enjoying their favorite meal. Not a bad contest at all!!!