new toys

[linda/IL]

Finally made the leap & got an I pod for DS's birthday yesterday.  Don't know if he was all that thrilled with it but I think after he gets on to it he'll like it.  I hope.  The one thing is that his fingers are large for the type.  While I was there, I got myself a Kindle fire.  I really have wanted one but I know I can do without.  But it seems when I'm sitting in dr. offices (been doing that a lot lately) I finally find something to read & Voila! I get called in.  And I get tired of hauling another tote for a couple books & magazine. 

Anyway, DIL was here with the kids when I got home and they pounced on those two things like vultures.  Each had one & was registering, setting it up in nothing flat.  DS & I just looked on in amazement & stupidity!  LOL  Had to ask directions to a 10 & 7 yr old on "how do you do this"?  Everyone says get your grandkids to help but I really hadn't thought of these two being that savvy.  I'm still getting "Here Gramma, you do it like this"!  I feel very old.

[Lisa Prater]

It's amazing how smart kids are with stuff like that, isn't it?!? I have an older iPod Touch, but hadn't updated the operating system so we didn't have any cool apps or games. I finally got it updated so we'll have a distraction for an upcoming long car trip, and they were asking for all kinds of apps ... I have no idea how they even knew they existed! Then they showed me how to play Angry Birds (I am now addicted), and they keep giving me tips on how to play better, LOL!

[manureseller]

I think you will both like your new toys once you get used to them.  I have both and carry them with me all over.  I got so much music on my iPod and to be honest I don't listen to the radio at all anymore, I just use my iPod in the vehicle.    I absolutely LOVE my Fire.  If you decide to do movies check into the Amazon Prime membership.  Also, be very careful using the 1-click purchasin option because you can spend money like crazy that way.  You can turn it off which is definately a good thing.  Let me know what kind of books you are interested in and if I have any that are lendable I will.  Also, check out your local library to see if you can borrow books through your kindle. 

[Kay/NC]

Our kids taught me to text a couple of years ago, and then I think they thought better of it...one more way for Mama to keep egging them on about something. I am in need of about four versions ago updates for iPad, but need Hughesnet to get their download speed up to par...supposed to happen later this month, when their new satellite goes active. If not sufficient, then I will move to Wild Blue Exede, which has 12 mbps. I have tried to stay current on tech as much as I need to, and maybe a bit more; but, of course, the kds can run circles around me. I see how intuitive tech is for someone raised with it. Watching Winn react to his Mama's smartphone ringtone setting this morning was a hoot. Every time she hit a " ring" sound he would make a startled look, with wide eyes. Whenever she activated a musical ringtone, he would shake his head in a sort of little dance. This went on for about five minutes, and we laughed at him the whole time. I have to admit, the " music" tones in all of these toys can be unnerving...fortunately, most of them can be turned off. If you get three or four going at once, it feels like the soundtrack of a Twilight Zone episode. Winn really enjoys his Aunt Jenna's iPhone, which he has claimed as his own, and I need to download a toddler lock for iPad, as soon as I get that iOS 5 into this thing. He loves to see himself on videos I shoot, while he is having his floor time on the quilt every morning.

[linda/IL]

I'm still learning the Kindle.  DS is visiting relatives & I told the kids there to "teach him but not to load the I pod with a bunch of junk". 

I've got a few free books downloaded already & haven't read them yet.  Yes, I checked with library and though our small town library doesn't have the ability to download, if I take my card into the larger library 15 M away they will help me & downloads are free.  Actually I talked to the gal there before I bought.  She was very helpful and on the side advised me to get the Kindle rather than the Nook as she thinks it's easier to use and more apps.  I stayed up until 12:30 the night I got it to try & put some books & games on for DGD who rode with us to drop DS off.  3 hrs. ea. way.  Unfortunately, although I downloaded the games I didn't know I had to "install".  DGD "informed" me.

I also have really injoyed the Pandora.  with only a fip phone this has sure opened up a new world.  Thanks for the offer of lending, Manureseller.  I'll try & get my act together to do that.

[Kay/NC]

Linda, you will really enjoy the Fire, I feel certain, I had a second generation Kindle., but did miss having color photos, or avoided downloading books that I knew would be better appreciated with color illustrations. Now, with Fire, the sky's the limit. I sync both Kindles and my DROID Kindle app, so all my books are available, and I open to where I left off, no matter which one I am on at the time. I think you got good advice from the librarian. Barnes and Noble is struggling as a company, I am afraid...many " real" bookstores have already sunk.

[linda/IL]

I'm still a slow learner but I'll get there.  I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off of it! You know how it goes.  Only one thing gets attention &  today was bookwork & feeding hay boys.  (well, I did go onto Amazon for a little info.  LOL)  The house looks a mess again & I desperately need to pitch papers.

Re: bookstores.  Talked to DH's cousin who works at Donnelly's Publishing in Mattoon, IL.  They publish books, magazines like Redbook, etc.  They are laying off & his work is shaky.  I confessed to buying a Kindle and felt kind of bad about it.  E readers & technology are the culprits of such enterprises.  I don't think magazines would be so great on a Kindle-I Pad would probably be better due to size-but then again I haven't gotten around to downloading any yet.  Have free ones now so I will try it out. 

[Kay/NC]

I have read some of Newsweek on iPad. I still like a glossy magazine in hand, but will probably give up the ghost of print media eventually. Do not like newspapers on screen. There is still something about the physical act of " reading the paper" that is ingrained too deeply to give up just yet. The fact is this, Linda: The dinosaurs like us, who still think of books and such as physical items - instead of ideas, which is what they truly represent - are falling by the wayside. The economics of publishing and distribution are working against the way things have been, and will increasingly turn " media" into the single avenue of the electronic " medium". I think that learning how to use this tech is no different from our grandmas learning to bake in an electric oven, or our mothers picking up the telephone, instead of driving to visit a friend. It is what is called a " paradigm shift," I think. The world is changing, and if we don't change with it, we will be left behind. Congratulations on stepping into the 21st century. I think you will like it here!

[turkey feather]

I get the local county newspaper but in the county next to us I have been getting the web version and really like it. It is much cheaper of course and there is no newspaper to recycle. I haven't dropped the other one for the reason of not having the newsprint and supporting the paper. But I will change at some point.

I have always loved magazines and hate to think of them being gone but in recent years I have found the articles much shorter and the advertising much much longer.

[manureseller]

I get Prevention and Rachel Ray on my Kindle Fire and really like it.  I can enlarge the articles and recipes as needed and I think the picture quality is great for me.  Plus it's cheaper which is a bonus for me.  Back in Nov. when my Kindle was down and they were replacing it I had to break down and buy a book and holy smokes was that hard.  LOL  In fact this past weekend I took the rest of the books that I had and donated them to the local library so we have exactly 10 books in our house.  7 of them are related to soils and prodcution agriculture, 2 are herbal remedies and 1 is  Chicken Soup for the Horse Lovers Soul.  I have to say that I use my Fire for reading or watching movies.  I really don't do any apps on it.  Any games or anything like that I use my iPad and for more web surfing I use my iPad.   Music is strictly on my iPod and between my iPod and iPad I can Facetime with my sister or other friends if need be.  I think I've said it before but Todd calls my Fire my security blanket because I DO NOT leave home with out it.  LOL  It doesn't matter if I'm just going to the store for a gallon of milk, I still take my Fire and I was that way with my old Kindle too.  LOL