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Finally, a video microscope for the rest of us – the Eyeclops Bionic Eye SE
The Eyeclops Bionic Eye SE is out at $40, so if you’ve been waiting for an affordable version of the video microscope for yourself, or another budding scientist in the house, now you can jump in. This is a super cool device that allows you to point a lens at anything within reach and see images at 200x power.
This might be billed as a toy, but it’s a pretty powerful device for looking at anything right up close, including a coin, your finger, or a strand of hair. And, the images really bring that 42″ TV to life.
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Two great Father’s Day gifts for Divorced Dads
We have plenty of other gift ideas for dads in general, but here are two good gifts for divorced dads, probably from friends or family interested in supporting dads’ relationships with kids who may not even be in the same city. Both are also wonderful presents for dads who “can’t be there” whether due to business travel or military service.
The first is the Vidtel telephone service. Vidtel is finally the telephone of the near future that AT&T promised to us at the 1964 Worlds Fair. Vidtel, using broadband (cable or DSL) connections, finally makes good on that promise.
Because it’s broadband, rather than POTS (plain old telephone service), the picture quality and voice are as good as any online connection using Skype or one of the many online video chat services. The big difference though is that the connection is made using what looks to be a traditional telephone. This means that any child can answer the phone, and even dial from it, making connection possible without an adult to set the connection up.
Vidtel is a bit expensive at $14.95 per month for each phone (other Vidtel payment plans available). At this price, it’s not for everyone, but in our tests, it does what it promises to do: makes it easy to make video calls, inlcuding video voicemail. For a divorced dad who doesn’t want to go through a ex-spouse gatekeeper for every conversation with his child, this might be a good solution.
Additionally, the Vidtel has an auto-answer setting making it possible to be used as a room monitoring device. We’d counsel against using this for spying, but there are very real situations (new babysitter) where this might be handy.
The ease of use of the Vidtel system also makes this a good choice for older grandparents who may not be able to use computer videoconferencing.
The second is the etendi BRIDGE,, available at etendi.com. BRIDGE is a website that provides a closed environment for families to communicate without fear of outsiders and open emails. The users of BRIDGE can only write, share photos, look at a shared calendar and see video of the specific BRIDGE users in their group. This makes it perfect for kids who might be too young to have their own email.
The desktop if set up for sharing photos and there’s even a shared whiteboard where you can imagine dads able to help on math homework. This is certainly not “ideal,” but changing family situations demand technology solutions, never to replace real dad time, but far better than no contact.
Key for dads right now: the service is FREE for four or fewer users. So dad and up to three kids can communicate. A more extensive plan is available for larger families and more users.
BRIDGE was the winner of the GreatDad Recommends program and MrDad Seal in 2009. 
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Sony MYLO Personal Communicator – a good alternative to iPhone and iTouch with some different benefits
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.
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Baby Lift Strap – a must-have for new dads
New dads, you don’t know it yet, but your back is going to be killing you in a few days. When you take that baby home in the little carrier on the first day, you’re going to feel a little twinge when your spine curves a little to the side of your favored arm. Because the baby carrier is wide, you have to hold it out even further from your body than a suitcase or briefcase, which feels very unnatural. Surprisingly, someone has just invented a gadget that might make this a little easier on you. Check out the Baby Lift strap, a very low-tech device that gives you a little more support in carrying the baby and his carrier. The strap goes over a shoulder and attaches to one side of the chair. This means you can even let go when stationery and use your free hand to tend to the baby. It’s only $14.95 at MothertoChild.com.
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Boon snack ball
Boon Snack Ball – Simple, but elegant, our kids fight over these little balls filled with goldfish or other snacks. I don’t put them in their lunches though, for fear of losing them in the crowd. The ball breaks in half for easy cleaning, but the orange (or pink) top also swivels open for easy open closed for snacks. $6 from Amazon and BabiesRUs.
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