Sony MYLO Personal Communicator - (around $200) If you like to surf the internet and need a device that does it all better than most cell phones, the MYLO is a fun gadget. This “Personal Communicator” works on the 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi standard making it easy to join wireless networks. Unlike an iPhone though, it is set up to make free Skype calls (to other Skype users and for a charge to regular phones) right out of the box (iPhone users must download special software and configure).

The MYLO also has an MP3 player, plays MPEG-4 videos and has a 1.3 MP camera built in, which makes online photo sharing simple. But the best part is the integration with popular sites like AIM, YouTube, FaceBook (with Facebook Notifier) and ShoutCast, making this a fun electronic toy from the moment you open it up. The MYLO (for My Life On-Line) is definitely targeted to the younger user who is looking for easy integration to these popular social sites. Other devices can be rigged to do the same things, but few are set up to use them as quickly as the MYLO.

If you travel overseas, this could be a great option for portable telephony without outrageous roaming charges. While you’re limited to WIFI areas, these are more and more common, especially in Asia and in urban areas.

Strengths:

1. Fun form factor - slide open keyboard is big and easy to use and has a secret agent feel

2. Easy to use integration with popular online applications

3. Easy to integrate with other Sony devices (memory stick)

4. Finally, a simple device for making Skype calls for FREE

5. Takes advantage of more and more free hot-spots (rather than telephone)

Drawbacks

1. Skype can’t be used in hands-free mode.

2. Memory stick versus more common SD cards (this is not a drawback if you have other SONY devices). Also uses proprietary microphone cable and charger.

3. Limited functionality when away from WIFI hotspots. Fairly short range WIFI signal.

4. Tin-ny sounding speakers (but not any more so than most devices this small)

This may also be a good solution for kids who want portable internet access but don’t want to be tethered to a telephone plan.

Dads can be hard to be buy for, but nothing is better than getting a gift from your kids that they made themselves. Here are two simple ideas that kids can easily make in time for holidays. Not only that, but the first is energy efficient!

1. A tie snake - With cold weather seeping in through every door and window, make a snake draft blocker using a colorful old tie filled with polypropylene pellets, or even dried beans (make sure they don’t get wet). Sew up both ends and you have a very long snake. If you want to go the extra distance, make it into a snake-looking object by sewing on eyes, and gluing on a red felt tongue.

2. A silk muscle-warmer made out of a tie.

Fill the tie instead with rice and you have a silky soft and heatable pad for sore muscles, keeping warm in the car, or to drape over your eyes during a nap. Microwave for 2-3 minutes and the rice will stay arem for up to two hours.

Thanks to Make Dad a Tie Snake for Christmas at Mommyland for this tip.

1. Electric Grill Brush - $28 - Boy, do I wish I had one of these. We’d grill outside more often. Our grill is caked with who-knows-what caked over the chrome. I brush most of it away, but a lot always remains. To the hardboiled, I know that means good barbecue flavor, but I can’t get over eating burnt meat grease.

2. Laguiole 6-Piece Steak Knife set - $42 - This is a treat for steak lovers. These French knives, which look like the famous Laguiole pocket knife look great at a table set for meat.

3. Wireless talking BBQ thermometer - $49.99 We’re not saying you really need it. I mean, does anyone barbecue that much? But maybe the dad on your list does like to bbq while watching the news and needs a reminder call if you really want to consistently hit medium rare.

4. Grilling Tool Set - Even the best of tools need to be replaced. Dads will appreciate this storage case when everything is put back the way they found it ready for next time. We can’t vouch for this set, though it looks like the one we use. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a good set, but make sure the tools are more than 20″ long so dad doesn’t burn the hair off his harms when cooking dinner.

5. Weber Chimney Starter - $14 - If the dad on your list is still using lighter fluid, this is a simple tool he has to have. It uses just one page out of the newspaper to get the fire started. That means less noxious fumes and less chance you’ll be eating lighter fluid in your burger.

Astronomy and star-gazing has always been a great dad and child experience. Nothing beats lying on the grass on a warm August evening staring up in the sky and conveying the majesty and mystery of the heavens to a small child. This is a completely free activity, there are also plenty of accessories around if you’re so inclined. Here are a few of our favorites this year:

1.
Moon in my room - $39 - This light up moon hangs on your wall and shows the moon in 12 different settings, controlled by an infrared remote control. An audio CD tells more about the moon.

2.
Planisphere watch - $59.95 - This watch glows in the dark for 2-3 hours. It’s a great present for the astronomy geek who always wants to take advantage of a dark night sky. The watch shows northern constellations only.

3.
Celestron Skyscout - $199 (50% cheaper than in 2007) - The Skyscout uses GPS to ID and 8000 starts and planets and then will even tell you about via audio or text. All the astronomer has to do is point this gadget into the night sky and it actually finds constellations for you. As one reviewer on Amazon says, “This is the astronomy device I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

4. Orion Star Target Planisphere ” target=”_blank”>Orion Star Target Planishere - $11.00 - This stargazing the old fashioned way, with a map of the heavens you hold up in the night sky. You’ll also need a red flashlight to read the map in the dark.

5.
Barska Travel Telescope - 59.95 - Savings priced telescope for aspiring astronomers with 300X magnification and a 5×24 finder scope. Don’t expect the world, but this is a good intro telescope. Minor to major inconvenience is the table level telescope. It’s perfect for setting up on a picnic table and taking turns looking from there, but impossible to use at ground level.

Happy stargazing!

The Renaissance of the Sling is in full effect and with many, many brands available, which ones are worth your money – and your time? Through the next few reviews, I will focus mainly on the ins and outs of various slings – pros and cons from both a parent’s point of view as well as my perceived pros and cons from my child’s point of view. Today we focus on the popular HotSlings.

So, with newborn in arm, I tried the HotSlings over a couple of days. With the informative DVD and step-by-step picture instructions there was no way I could do anything wrong and it left my mind at ease about dropping baby! I practiced putting it on and taking it off to make sure I had a fluid motion.

While, in the end, the
HotSlings is not my cup of tea, I can see its benefits for those who it does work for.

A note on picking your size and tip on using the Hotslings should keep you in good stead: it is imperative make sure you buy the correct size, not only for your comfort, but for your child’s safety and avoid overly baggy/loose clothing which may bunch and bundle under the shoulder area if user is not careful.

Pros:

• Contemporary design
• Keeps baby extra snug
• Ability to hold baby or toddler a minimum of 3 different ways

Cons:

• Price

Slings are so individual – each one and every company has a different feel and style. What is good for one, another family will dislike. The HotSling is a popular choice – it comes in 9 different sizes (from Petite to 3X), many choices between fashionable designs, and comes with an informative DVD which helps anyone become a HotSlings master.

While this sling is not my cup of tea, I can see its benefits for those families it works for. A crucial component to find the right sling is to ask to try them out in-store to see what you think of that particular model. If the sling is unavailable near you and you have to buy one online, make sure you know the company’s return policy.

Baby Light and Clip - Nail Clipper for Babies If you’ve ever struggled to cut a baby’s finger or toenails, you’ll love this little gadget. It’s a very simple little tool that incorporates a basic baby fingernail clipper and a light so you can clip in the dark while they are sleeping. And, if you’ve ever cut down too close and actually cut your baby (yes, it does happen) because baby was struggling, or you couldn’t see, this clipper has finger guard so you can’t push in too deep. This may seem like just another gadget to some, but your kids will really appreciate it, up to eight years old. And the price is right at $14.99 MSRP and right now only $7.99 on Amazon (9/21/08).

Sony Cyber-shot DSCW120MDG/P 7.2 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot

$180 - Amazon

I love this camera! We just got the DSCW 120 for our summer holiday and I was hoping it would work well and replace our five year-old DSC V1. The two cameras have several things in common: a Zeiss lens and many manual over-ride features, but the new camera is far smaller and easier to use.

This is a great little camera and represents how far Sony has come in developing an interface that is easy to use. This is the first camera I’ve seen where an explanation of the icons shows up on-screen when you dial a selection. No more trying to remember what an icon of a tree or a mountain is. The explanation is there in big type for you.

The 2.5 inch screen is super clear. One of the main benefits of the camera is the “Smile Shutter technology,” but you have to make sure you dial to the smile icon first, or you’ll miss the feature. At first, I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Once dialed in though, it took a great photo of my four-year-old who is notorious for NOT saying, “cheese.” The camera also boasts “face detection” to reduce facial glare, shadows, and red-eye.

The buttons all appear to be strong and well-placed, though don’t look for industrial strength materials here. While sturdy, I did not get the feeling that the buttons and dial will last a lifetime. This may not be an issue but should be noted. The case feels strong and solid. No buttons wiggle or feel poorly made.

My eight year-old daughter had no trouble operating this camera, but said she preferred something with fewer buttons and dials. I noted only 2 more buttons than her Kodak EasyShare camera, but other features like the viewfinder and extra dial settings confused her. This isn’t a reason to not choose this camera, but it is a camera with more features, which, for some, means more daunting choices.

While other cameras deliver more megapixels, I was more than happy with the 7.2 MP in this camera. At this point, extra megapixels seem to me to just mean bigger memory cards. In fact, I set our photos at 5 MP so I could get about a third more photos out of the memory. This trick is good, but only if you don’t ever plan to do much cropping or enlargements beyond 8X10. With a 1 Gig memory stick, I was able to get almost 400 photos, enough memory for plenty of photos and lots of mini-movies.

Probably the most enjoyable feature of the camera though, was the fast shutter speed. Set on “no flash,” I had very little shutter lag, and could take multiple photos in a row. If you use flash, however, you’re back to the frustration of long shutter lag common to most point and shoot digitals. This is where the “Smile Shutter” technology, which is not unique to Sony, really helps out, since you can catch those fleeting smiles that used to be lost to shutter lag.

The biggest frustration I had was the use of the Sony memory stick duo (not included with the camera). My wife’s camera takes an SD card, which also fits directly into a Palm Treo, so I was hoping to eliminate one memory card and simplify our lives just a tiny bit. Additionally, to lighten our baggage a little, I decided to leave the bulky and proprietary data cable behind in favor of a small memory card reader that could read both SD and Sony memory sticks. Unfortunately, the reader could not read the memory stick duo format, and I was unable to transfer photos off the memory stick during the trip. Luckily, a 2 Gig card was enough to get me through about 320 photos and a few small movies with plenty of room to spare, but I was unable to send any email photos home along the way.

One last recommendation: I got a geeky Sony (LCS-TWF/B) Soft Carrying Case to make carrying the camera easier. While belt holsters really aren’t my thing, I must say that this made taking photos a lot simpler than trying to get my camera out of a bag or even out of my pocket. This holster has a strong magnetic closure, is pretty lightweight, and holds the camera very snugly. I wish they had built a tiny tiny pocket into it to keep an extra memory stick or battery, but otherwise, it’s a very practical addition that I’m sure helped me take more pictures.

Strengths: 7.2 MP, Big clear screen with bright picture, 2.5 inch LCD, easy to read menus, Carl Zeiss 4x optical zoom (you can’t beat the images from these lenses).

Weaknesses: Uses the Sony memory stick duo, so less flexiblity, USB cable is bundled with video, so has proprietary plug. This makes it more convenient (one cord to store), but you’re out of luck if you lose it since it isn’t a common USB cable. Memory sticks seem to have more issues than SD cards for compatibility so there may be some issues with older card readers that can’t read your stick.

Some times, rather than a present for themselves, dads just like to see the kids enjoy a new toy or book. Here is a selection of books for young kids where the dad is the star. I’m an old softie when it comes to books and images of dads spending good times with their kids. My daughter has two or three books that feature dads and daughters and it makes me feel very special that she reserves a special place on her shelf for them. While we have not read any of the titles listed in this article, I’m going to check them out before next Sunday.

Here’s an excerpt from the Seattle Times Article and the list of books.

One girl likens her dad to a dog. One dad is convinced he’s a bird. Another dad lives away and a fourth works late but has a great lullaby in a wide-ranging selection of children’s books for Father’s Day.

“My Father the Dog” by Elizabeth Bluemle and illustrated by Randy Cecil (Candlewick Press, $6.99, ages 4-7). He scratches, fetches and growls when startled out of a nap. He likes the window rolled down and the breeze on his face during a drive. He pees on a tree and toots on the couch. Yep, this clownish dad is a lot like a dog as his daughter observes, but he’s a loyal, loving one. Bluemle reassuringly promises in a postscript: “This book is not based on my own father. Honest, Dad, it’s not.”

[From Books | Father's Day books celebrate dads of all kinds | Seattle Times Newspaper]

1.

My Father the Dog

2.

Papa and Me

3.

A Day with Dad

4.

Daddy Hug

5.

My Dad’s a Birdman

With just a few days left before dads’ day, here are a few suggestions for wine books you can pick up at the local bookstore or order quickly off Amazon.

1. Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2008 - This is a classic little volume perfect for sneaky glances while out at a restaurant where you need a reminder on the best years for a French Burgundy. It has seviceable wine pairing suggestions and even a primer on wine glass selection. At $14.95, this is a good bet.

2. The World Atlas of Wine Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson - This is a good building block for a strong wine library, as are the following four books.

3. The WIne Bible - 19.95 paperback

4.
Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia - $50.00

5. The Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd Edition - $65

6. Oz Clarke’s Grapes and Wines: The definitive guide to the world’s great grapes and the wines they make - $25 paperback. Also writes an annual pocket guide to wine like the Hugh Johnson book.

With more data coming out all the time on the health benefits of wine, especially red, now’s the time to pour and toast, “To your health, Dad.”

If you haven’t found a father’s day gift yet for dad, here are few suggestions you can still get on-line that he might enjoy for father’s day.

Better yet, have the kids draw up a big poster and serve him breakfast in bed. Presents are over-rated, though Bill Cosby said part of being a dad is pretending that soap-on-a-rope is the best present ever.

1. “Bushnell Powerview 12×25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)” (Bushnell)

With slightly more magnification (12X versus the usual 10X) in a compact package, these are good portable binoculars for travel and sporting events. At around $20, this is a great little binocular.

2.. Belkin conserve - Here’s gift ideas for dads trying to make all those subtle changes to our lives that conserve energy. By now, everyone has heard that a lot of energy is wasted on all those devices that sit drinking up juice while in “stand-by” mode. This power strip allows you to really turn off six of its eight outlets using a tiny remote control (you can glue it to the wall - I think it’s mostly there to save you the energy of bending down to the wall outlet). Two plugs are left unswitched so you can keep the DVR or VCR (does anyone have those now?) on while you’re out or away.

3..We love the Swiss Tech key tool. It folds into a keylike object that fits unobstrusively on a key ring. It doesn’t take any space, looks just like a key, yet has so many features that any boy scout, pre-adolescent or middle-aged will be pleased. In a small space, you have a phillips and regular screwdriver, a bottle opener, a knife, and a file. Sure, you wouldn’t want to use these tools to renovate your kitchen, but like any pocket knife, all that stuff comes in handy often enough to be glad you’ve got it. My wife and I both have one and never travel without it. In polished stainless steel A bit pricey at $19.99, but worth every penny.

Swiss Tech 6-in-1 Key Multi-Tool

4. If you have a daughter, it’s hard not to get a little emotional reading this collection of anecdotes compiled by Gregory Lang (author of more pithy books like “Why a daughter Needs a Dad: 100 reasons”). This is not a “deep” book, but it does get at a lot important truths about the importance of a father to little (and big) girls. Sometimes, that’s also what dads need to give an extra push to their efforts. We all need to know that all those hours pushing swings and replacing toy batteries are the foundation of an enduring relationship that doesn’t end suddenly at adolescence. There has been plenty of research that shows this to be true, but Mr. Lang, in this compilation of his own and others’ stories relates how this plays out in different ways. For the dad of a young girl, it also gives a not-always-comfortable (read morbid) look into the future when kids are grown up and dad is looking at what he’s leaving behind as a legacy rather than what he is building in the here and now.

Daddy’s Little Girl: Stories of the Special Bond Between Fathers and Daughters by Gregory E. Lang

5. Hometown Map Jigsaw Puzzle – Centered On Your Home

From the New York Times store, this unique, made-to-order jigsaw puzzle features a map that centers on your home. The map, an extract from the renowned U.S. Geological Survey, has fascinating details and provides names of main roads, contour lines, transport infrastructure, water features, vegetation, and shows notable buildings/structures. Personalized for $44.95

6. Permission to buy a video game console. It now seems univerally permissable to add a Wii from Nintendo to the family entertainment options. Either dad already has one or he’s waiting for you to say it’s okay to let one in the house. Now with the addition of Wii Fit, even mom’s can rationalize getting in a round of Mario Tennis before dinner. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a strategy, it’s still impossible to walk into a store and buy one of these. You’ll either have to scope out deliveries at your local electronics store or plan to pay $100 over the MSRP to buy one online. We have found no other real options other than signing up for S the “now in stock” Google group at NowInStockWiis | Google Groupsand hoping you’ll get lucky very quickly in time for Dad’s day.

6. For the beer lover, the

Krups Beer Tender

, a countertop “kegerator” frot he 5 liter minikegs of Heineken beer. The tap keeps the beer at 39°. Beer keeps 30 days according to 30 day freshness counter. Attention: meant only to be used with Heineken mini-kegs.

7. Time to get a new family digital camera. We’ve had great luck with our little Panasonic Lumix D9 with it’s Leica lens. Now Panasonic has a new model that shoots at 9MP (far more than mortals actually need), but also sports HD output. The optical stablization is top notch and it has a 10X zoom. $350.

“Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

8. You may have read an article in the New York Times on carbonated beverages at home that covers the options out there. Some of these machines cost up to $2600. I can’t say the Club Soda version is the hottest design, and maybe even it’s bubbles aren’t as “delicate” as others (could that even be true?), but it worked well enough for our kids and makes a pretty good Pelligrino/Perrier stand-in. The Penguin is significantly more expensive at $249.99 versus the regular machine at only $79.99. Both are available at SodaClubUSA.com. Either way, both should pay for themselves in a fairly short amount of time, and also cut down massively on throw-away bottles. The starter kits come with two reusable bottles. The machine takes no added batteries or power, but does require a refill of the CO2 cartridge ($19.99) about every 110 bottles.

Best of luck finding a great Father’s Day. Some times the best gift is a handmade card from the kids and a little break from the chores he hates the most. Take that from a dad who will want to spend most of “his” day napping on the couch.