Back to School Gadget Guide 2014

With summer vacation winding down, the U.S. Census Bureau expects 78 million children and adults to head back to the classroom.  Back to School spending is targeted at over $8 billion just for electronics…a 7% increase over last year!

If you’re like most parents, you want to ensure your child has an educational edge…and in order to do that, you need to give your child access to not only the latest technology, but the right technology for them.

Award-winning Tech Expert Andrea Smith takes a look at some of the tech gadgets that will bring out the best in your student…from toddlers to college this school year, while also helping parents feel at ease with their pocketbooks!

This great tech tool for young students is loaded with fun, educational games that will help them succeed in school!

Little Scholar

Little Scholar

Little Scholar is the best tablet to prepare children for pre-K through 1st grade. Created by the experts in early education, School Zone has used their knowledge and teaching expertise to create this educational, child-friendly, android tablet. Thoughtfully designed for young children it boasts a large 8 inch display and easy to press, big button menus. Ready to play right out-of-the-box Little Scholar doesn’t require any extra purchases, downloads or Wi-Fi connection. It is the only tablet fully loaded with 150+ uniquely fun, apps, books, songs, and videos. Designed to teach kids ages 3-7 the essential skills needed for school including; math, reading, spelling, and more. Little Scholar is the only kids’ tablet 100% focused on education.

Available for purchase at schoolzone.com or toysrus.com
Priced at $199.99, but you can save $30.00 now! Limited time $169.99
For more information, please visit www.schoolzone.com/little-scholar

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SchoolZonePublishing
Twitter #’s: #bestkidstablet, #LittleScholar #GrowingSmarterEveryday  #ChildrensEducationalTablet #SchoolZone #EducationalApps #KidsTablets
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/schoolzoneco/

This kids’ smartwatch is amazing…packed with features for fun and learning on the go!

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch

The innovative, multi-function VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch is packed with robust features such as a camera, video recorder, fun photo effects and built-in games, in a wearable, kid-friendly, take-anywhere gadget. It features a large, easy-to-use color touch screen, as well as more than 50 digital and analog clock displays, making it perfect for kids learning to tell time. Other features include a rechargeable battery, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, voice recorder and parental game controls, and it’s available in four vibrant colors. Parents can access the Learning Lodge app store to download even more games and watch displays.

Available for purchase at www.vtechkids.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, ToysRUs.com, Walmart.com and more.
Priced at $59.99
For more information, visit www.vtechkids.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/VTechtoys
Twitter: @VTechToys  twitter.com/vtechtoys

This device is a great choice for the student who wants a computer that has power and mobility.

ntel-based Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2 in 1 deviceIntel-based Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2 in 1 device

When trying to decide what device is best for schoolwork and personal computing desires, students no longer need to make an “and/or” decision. Intel-powered 2 in 1 devices offer the mobility of a tablet combined with the power of a laptop in one sleek device. Starting at just $399.99, the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2 in 1 device is powered by an Intel® processor and runs on the Windows 8.1 operating system. Weighing just over 3 lbs. and measuring 1-inch thin, this device offers maximum portability as well as epic battery life with an estimated 8 hours of unplugged use.

Available for purchase at various retailers and online at shop.intel.com and www.dell.com.
Priced starting at $399.99
For more information, please visit www.intel.com/2in1

Facebook: www.facebook.com/intel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IntelUSA #Intel #BackToSchool

When your student is old enough to drive, it can be a really worrisome time, especially if they’re away at college or driving themselves to high school.  You wonder, did they get back to school safely, is the car running smoothly?  This next device can help you keep an eye on those things. 

Delphi Connect

Delphi Connect

Delphi Connect enables drivers to carry out any of the following features remotely from your smart phone:

  • Virtual key fob*: Lock or unlock vehicle doors, open the trunk, start or stop the engine and operate the panic horn with a virtual key fob on a smart device
  • Geo-fencing: Designate up to six circular “fences” around specified locations and receive alerts when the vehicle enters and exits a fenced area
  • Live tracking: Enables real-time vehicle tracking with five-second updates, showing vehicle speed and direction
  • Trip logging: Summary of all trips from engine start to stop (date, times, distance, starting and ending locations)
  • Vehicle health: Diagnose the vehicle’s engine health, vehicle performance issues or monitor overall vehicle status
  • Alerts: Receive notifications on all of the above features

Purchase at Verizon stores www.verizonwireless.com or USCellular stores www.uscellular.com

Cost of the 4G LTE device is $99USD with a 2-year contract or $199USD without a contract. When purchased, drivers will need to already have or sign-up for a cellular plan either through Verizon or USCellular. Depending on the cellular provider and the plan, a line access and subscription fee is charged—around $10/mo.– in addition to a data plan depending on the level of data used. Generally, for this device, it’s about 2GB.

For more information, visit www.delphiconnect.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Delphi
Twitter: @DelphiConnect
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/delphi

While you’re at Staples picking up all of those essential Back to School supplies, check out the electronics section because they have a huge selection of tech and computers!

Toshiba laptop for Staples

Toshiba, Satellite C55-B5272, available at Staples

15.6″ Laptop, 6GB Memory, 750GB Hard Drive, Intel Core i3, Windows 7 Home Premium

Get connected without cutting corners with the value-driven Satellite® C55-B5272 laptop. This reliable, full-powered Windows® 7 PC, available at Staples, is a solid performer that’s easy to use and great for everyday tasks like email, web browsing, online banking, shopping, creating docs, slides and spreadsheets and playing casual games. A roomy 15.6-inch diagonal HD TruBrite® widescreen display gives you plenty of room for work and play, while plug-and-play essentials make connecting with your other devices a snap.

Available at Staples stores and online at www.staples.com
Priced at $399 with a clipped coupon from the weekly ad
For more information, visit www.staples.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staples
Twitter: www.twitter.com/staples

* Content provided and sponsored by School Zone, VTech, Intel, Delphi and Staples.

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