Scrutiny by the Masses

Sony Announces a New Reader

So we al know how I feel about the Kindle, yes?  I'd buy one if I had the cashola, but it's just not there.  And, so far, no one has offered to buy me one, or send me one. I WISH.

But, I did get this email in my inbox and I was intrigued enough to follow the bread crumbs back.  It began"

Today Sony is announcing the introduction of two new products that deliver on its promise of making digital readers and eBooks accessible and affordable for consumers.  Part of a new Reader line, the Reader Pocket Edition™ is priced at $199, the lowest price point of any digital reader to-date. Both the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition™ -- a $299 device with a six-inch touch screen panel -- will be available at the end of August, at SonyStyle.com, SonyStyle stores and select retail partners, such as Best Buy, Borders and Walmart.

 

Also announced today, all new releases and New York Times bestseller titles in the eBook Store from Sony will now be available for $9.99, down from $11.99. Also, through the Sony eBook Store users can access more than 1 million free books from Google Books.  

So, that sounds good. Really good, but I'm not a huge fan of just putting peoples press releases up on my blog.  So, I asked if there were any I could try - I'm all about the straight poop here, and it'd be nice to be able to SAY if a product is actually good - you know, so in case you wanted to buy one for a gift or for yourself, you want to know if you can get away with the Sony or if you need to sell a kidney for the Kindle. 

I'm happy to say that I've been promised a loaner - although I'm kind of skeptical (but hopeful) that I'll receive it - and I'll be reviewing it here for all of us.  I'm looking forward to receiving it and seeing if it's as good as the other Sony products that populate my home.

KaBoom! Maps 100,000 Playgrounds - Can You Help?

KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding and creating play spaces within walking distance for every child, has embarked on a nationwide mission to help communities build play spaces. This proves critical for those many children living in neighborhoods without playgrounds or play spaces, or unable to use existing ones because of rundown conditions or dangerous neighborhoods.

Innumerable times, the local playground became a haven for me when my little kids were bouncing off the walls at home. Fresh air and a safe, fun area where kids could let loose and release all of their boundless energy often proved a sanity saver! KaBOOM! believes that play has a purpose and unstructured play in particular helps make children happier, fitter, smarter, more socially adept and creative. So how can we help make this a reality for kids in less fortunate neighborhoods?

Mom Central has teamed up with KaBOOM! to help map online 100,000 play spaces in 100 days. Here's what counts as a play space: a playground, field, a skate park, roller hockey rink, lake, dog park, community center, basketball court or ice rink - any place where kids can engage in unstructured play for free or a nominal fee. A play space listing on KaBOOM! consists of an address or cross street and a description, one photo and one rating.

KaBOOM! has made creating this play space listing easy: either a quick fill-in on their website or even easier -  a twitpic from your cellphone.

For every play space entered into the KaBOOM! database on behalf of the Mom Central team, $1 will be donated to Jumpstart, a non-profit that brings at-risk preschool children and caring adults together to improve literacy. It's something to feel doubly good about!

Moreover, we all stand to benefit as all the playspaces with their photos and ratings will be available to us as we go on road trips this spring and summer, to visit relatives, or on vacation. You can go online and find cool places to take your kids to play- near Grandma's, the hotel, or off the highway to break up a long drive.

Why not check it out?  I've already listed FOUR!

Johnson and Johnson's YouTube Contest!

Johnson's has launched an online search contest for real-life parents to serve as the host of the JOHNSON'S® YouTube Baby Channel:  www.YouTube.com/Baby

This new campaign is part of J&J's strategy to expand its relationship with consumers who are online, in this case, moms and dads, while creating monetary opportunities for them within this tough economy. Titled "Big Bubblin' Stars!"(contest focuses on bath time), this contest allows parents to "sell their expertise" online, by providing an opportunity to earn money (top prizes are $10K, $3K and $1K and a year supply of Johnson's Baby product) for what they are already doing and enjoy doing for free (documenting their children's lives and sharing content online and within social networking sites). Videos will be featured on the Channel where visitors can vote for their favorites. The top three winners will then have the opportunity to host additional episodes on the site, while competing for the official paid host spot!  Your fellow Camp Baby mommy blogger, Christine Young (From Dates to Diapers and Beyond!) is serving as the program's host.

Johnson's "Big Bubblin' Stars!" contest is open to single parents or couples with children between the ages of six months and three years.  To enter, parents must submit an under-three minute online video showcasing tips and ideas surrounding bath time. The bath time theme coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Johnson's NO MORE TEARS® trademark formula and the introduction of Johnson's new Bubble Bath & Wash product.

Johnson's will be accepting video submissions through April 26th.