It's not a PC, a laptop, a tablet or phone; it's an "ultramobile." That's what tech research firm Gartner Group calls what's replacing desktops. USATODAY says it's "a fully functional personal computer that is light enough to tote around," which sounds like a smartphone. You can read more about how it's different at USATODAY. The point is, we're just getting a whole lot more mobile now, and … [Read more...] about Definitely not just because of Windows 8
Consider the possibility of kids’ self-regulation of digital media
Are iPads bad for little children? I ask that metaphorically, for two reasons: because iPads represent a host of tablets and other touchscreen devices children seem to play with joyfully and intuitively, and because that attraction makes it extra hard to imagine kids could self-regulate that iPad play. And yet they do. Take Gideon, for example ("Giddy" to himself and his family). In some of the … [Read more...] about Consider the possibility of kids’ self-regulation of digital media
Parenting advice from a non-parent
It's fine for people who aren't parents to weigh in on parenting-these-days – aunts, uncles, grandparents, and children do all the time – but why market your article or post as a non-parent? Anyway, columnist Frank Bruni at the New York Times did. I agree with some of what he wrote (that parenting these days is pretty over-thunk), really like some of it (I'll get to that in a minute), and find … [Read more...] about Parenting advice from a non-parent
Facebook’s ‘Home’: New layer in the mobile layercake
Although as of this writing, a search of Google News turned up nearly 2,000 news stories about it, the new uber app for Android phones that Facebook unveiled today isn't really big news for families. I know I just wrote about the teen mobile trend, but I sincerely doubt teens will want their use of the mobile platform dominated by any single service. Their mobile socializing is nothing if not … [Read more...] about Facebook’s ‘Home’: New layer in the mobile layercake
Why we do ‘let our guard down’: Online privacy
We care about our online privacy, but we also like convenience a whole lot. And not only convenience, but often a good deal or discount beats out any worry about data security. What do deals and convenience have to do with privacy? A whole lot. An article by Somini Sengupta at the New York Times is all about what is new about "letting our guard down," as I touched on yesterday. Why we (and our … [Read more...] about Why we do ‘let our guard down’: Online privacy