If you've procrastinated, or if you've waited to Christmas shop due to budget issues, one of the most helpful services in the area of tween gadget gifts is the ability to order online and pick up in-store. We used this service in the last year on a couple of occasions, with Best Buy, and it worked perfectly. Being an hour away from our nearest Best Buy, it's not a good feeling to go looking for something, only to find that it's not in stock, or that the last one just sold.
With Best Buy's service, you can order and pay online, and pick up in store. You will have to go through a verification process, to make sure that the item is in stock at your store, or to find which local stores have the desired gadget. Further, you will need to bring identification, along with the credit card used to make the payment. If you are looking for that hard-to-find tech item for your tween, during the holidays, or on another occasion, this is one of the most useful services, in terms of saving time and frustration.
Learn more at the Best Buy website.
Showing posts with label tech gifts for tweens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tech gifts for tweens. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Black Friday Deals for Tweens
Black Friday Deals for Tweens are hot search items, and in your research, it's helpful to have references to previous years' deals. This will give you an idea of what you can hope to find, though there's never a guarantee. I like to keep past trends in minds as I think about Black Friday shopping for my tweens and teens. Following are summaries of a few deals featured in 2011. If you are looking into Black Friday deals for tweens for 2012, be sure to keep a look out here.
Black Friday, 2011
Thursday-Saturday Only: Dell Streak 7" Tablet, $149.99.
If your tween is wanting a tablet computer, this is one of the more budget friendly models.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Samsung Laptop with Pentium Dual-Core Processor, 320GB Hard Drive, 4GB Memory, $299.99.
If you want an inexpensive tween laptop, this is one of the best Black Friday laptop deals out there.
Thursday-Saturday Only: HP All-in-One Computer has AMD E-Series Processor, 4GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive, $399.99.
If you need a stationary computer system, safe from tween mishaps that may be more common with portable computers, then you won't want to miss this bundle!
Thursday-Saturday Only: $20 Off Any $100 iTunes Gift Card.
If your tween is all about his or her playlists and tunes, then this is one of the best deals of the season.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle with Fable III and Halo: Reach, Only $199.99.
If you are looking for a great deal on Xbox, this is it.
Thursday-Saturday Only: $60 Off LP Aspire Cajon.
Do you have a musical tween, who always moves to his own beat? A Cajon is an outstanding musical instrument, a sit-on drum in the form of a box, which the player beats with the palm of his hand while seated. Very cool, and very unique!
Thursday-Saturday Only: Great Digital Camera and Camcorder Deals.
If you have a tween who loves to borrow your camera, or camcorder, then it may be high time to find an entry level model as a holiday gift.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Free $50 Gift Card with Apple iPod touch 8GB MP3 Player.
This is potentially the best deal you'll find on an iPod Touch, with the $50 gift card making the net value of the iTouch package $150. This is a great tablet alternative for a tween, and will provide a multitude of uses!
Thursday-Saturday Only: 60% Off Skullcandy Ink'd Stereo Ear Bud Headphones.
If you are picking up earbuds, this is a great deal, and much better than everyday cheap earphones.
Black Friday, 2011
Thursday-Saturday Only: Dell Streak 7" Tablet, $149.99.
If your tween is wanting a tablet computer, this is one of the more budget friendly models.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Samsung Laptop with Pentium Dual-Core Processor, 320GB Hard Drive, 4GB Memory, $299.99.
If you want an inexpensive tween laptop, this is one of the best Black Friday laptop deals out there.
Thursday-Saturday Only: HP All-in-One Computer has AMD E-Series Processor, 4GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive, $399.99.
If you need a stationary computer system, safe from tween mishaps that may be more common with portable computers, then you won't want to miss this bundle!
Thursday-Saturday Only: $20 Off Any $100 iTunes Gift Card.
If your tween is all about his or her playlists and tunes, then this is one of the best deals of the season.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle with Fable III and Halo: Reach, Only $199.99.
If you are looking for a great deal on Xbox, this is it.
Thursday-Saturday Only: $60 Off LP Aspire Cajon.
Do you have a musical tween, who always moves to his own beat? A Cajon is an outstanding musical instrument, a sit-on drum in the form of a box, which the player beats with the palm of his hand while seated. Very cool, and very unique!
Thursday-Saturday Only: Great Digital Camera and Camcorder Deals.
If you have a tween who loves to borrow your camera, or camcorder, then it may be high time to find an entry level model as a holiday gift.
Thursday-Saturday Only: Free $50 Gift Card with Apple iPod touch 8GB MP3 Player.
This is potentially the best deal you'll find on an iPod Touch, with the $50 gift card making the net value of the iTouch package $150. This is a great tablet alternative for a tween, and will provide a multitude of uses!
Thursday-Saturday Only: 60% Off Skullcandy Ink'd Stereo Ear Bud Headphones.
If you are picking up earbuds, this is a great deal, and much better than everyday cheap earphones.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Edutainment for Tweens: Touchscreen Toys? Or Tools?
Tablets for tween, iPod Touch, netbooks...with all of the tech advances, it seems like we should be sold on the educational value, but how often do we find our tweens navigating their ways to games? Too often! Maybe.
Especially in the touchscreen environment, there seem to be a lot of mindless arcade games, but growing up as a teen in the age of Atari, I find myself just as drawn to silly games, at times. Playing an occasional game actually provides me with some insight into educational value of these apps and programs, though, and I actually find a lot of value in these arcade games. Not every game, mind you, but in many cases, yes! There is value.
For example, Tic Tac Toe is a popular game for the ages. Variations can be constructed by increasing grid size, increasing the number of players, or by changing a single rule or objective. If three in a row leads to a loss, for example, the player alters his strategy. Kids games like Connect Four are examples of variations on that theme.
Take this into the app world, and one of my favorite iPhone apps is Fuzzle, which is a variation on lining up game pieces. Played as a solitaire game, achieving a row, column, or diagonal of 5 like colors scores points. Additional wild pieces help when a given color isn't available, and another type erradicates all of the given color from the playing field. There is much of the same strategy involved, problem solving, and thought. You don't see formal math concepts built, necessarily, but rather strategy and problem solving skills, along with spatial relationships. Meanwhile, for the tactile student, the touch screen activity is a means of augmenting learning. Mathematical relationships are in the background, but working their way in, nonetheless.
Another popular game of late is the famous Angry Birds. Playing a few times, I've found that it's a great model for parabolas, and while it isn't teaching quadratic equations, it's giving a fantastic picture of different parabolas. Enough experience with Angry Birds, and your tween will find the Algebra 2 units on parabolas amazingly familiar. Is Angry Birds a gaurantee of success in math, or in Algebra 2? No, but perhaps the connection will be enough to hold a student's attention, and perhaps the concepts won't be as disconcerting to the reluctant math student who has played the Angry Parabolas...I mean, birds!
Tweens go through some extreme swings in attitude, and many apathetic moments are to be encountered. I definitely don't object to touchscreen apps that are simple, fun, and great for building strategy and thinking skills. Check out Angry Birds in the iTunes app store, or for Android, and keep in mind many of the touchscreen devices that make these simple strategy games easily accessible: iPod Touch, ereaders (tablet versions), and tablet computers for tweens are some of the best devices for app activity.
Especially in the touchscreen environment, there seem to be a lot of mindless arcade games, but growing up as a teen in the age of Atari, I find myself just as drawn to silly games, at times. Playing an occasional game actually provides me with some insight into educational value of these apps and programs, though, and I actually find a lot of value in these arcade games. Not every game, mind you, but in many cases, yes! There is value.
For example, Tic Tac Toe is a popular game for the ages. Variations can be constructed by increasing grid size, increasing the number of players, or by changing a single rule or objective. If three in a row leads to a loss, for example, the player alters his strategy. Kids games like Connect Four are examples of variations on that theme.
Take this into the app world, and one of my favorite iPhone apps is Fuzzle, which is a variation on lining up game pieces. Played as a solitaire game, achieving a row, column, or diagonal of 5 like colors scores points. Additional wild pieces help when a given color isn't available, and another type erradicates all of the given color from the playing field. There is much of the same strategy involved, problem solving, and thought. You don't see formal math concepts built, necessarily, but rather strategy and problem solving skills, along with spatial relationships. Meanwhile, for the tactile student, the touch screen activity is a means of augmenting learning. Mathematical relationships are in the background, but working their way in, nonetheless.
Another popular game of late is the famous Angry Birds. Playing a few times, I've found that it's a great model for parabolas, and while it isn't teaching quadratic equations, it's giving a fantastic picture of different parabolas. Enough experience with Angry Birds, and your tween will find the Algebra 2 units on parabolas amazingly familiar. Is Angry Birds a gaurantee of success in math, or in Algebra 2? No, but perhaps the connection will be enough to hold a student's attention, and perhaps the concepts won't be as disconcerting to the reluctant math student who has played the Angry Parabolas...I mean, birds!
Tweens go through some extreme swings in attitude, and many apathetic moments are to be encountered. I definitely don't object to touchscreen apps that are simple, fun, and great for building strategy and thinking skills. Check out Angry Birds in the iTunes app store, or for Android, and keep in mind many of the touchscreen devices that make these simple strategy games easily accessible: iPod Touch, ereaders (tablet versions), and tablet computers for tweens are some of the best devices for app activity.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Price Drop on Nintendo 3DS
If your tween's wishlist includes Nintendo 3DS this year, then you will be thrilled to know that beginning August 12, 2011, Amazon will have the handheld gaming system priced at $169.99, an $80 drop from the introductory cost of $249. This is great news in a tough economy, and given the trends of Nintendo over the past 2 decades, when a newer system is decreased in cost, there is often a trickle down effect seen in less high tech gaming systems.
For example, the entrance of Nintendo DS into the market coincided with lots of great Black Friday sales, many door busters, in fact, of the Gameboy systems. Popular tech gifts for tweens, since my early teaching days, I've seen the adjustment of price to coordinate with cutting edge alternatives being made available, and really appreciate this. If you need a less expensive type of Christmas gift, watch for some great prices on the already lowered DS Lite, and perhaps on other Nintendo DS products as well. Check out the latest on Amazon's Nintendo pages.
For example, the entrance of Nintendo DS into the market coincided with lots of great Black Friday sales, many door busters, in fact, of the Gameboy systems. Popular tech gifts for tweens, since my early teaching days, I've seen the adjustment of price to coordinate with cutting edge alternatives being made available, and really appreciate this. If you need a less expensive type of Christmas gift, watch for some great prices on the already lowered DS Lite, and perhaps on other Nintendo DS products as well. Check out the latest on Amazon's Nintendo pages.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Is iPod Shuffle Enough for Your Tween?
The varied styles of iPod for teenagers and tweens are significantly different in terms of space for music and other media. The least expensive of the iPods is the shuffle, and while the price is attractive, at less than $50, you will want to evaluate the media storage needs of your tween.
My tween son has used his Playstation for listening to music in the past couple of years, but had complained recently that he couldn't store very much music. Money was stretched, and the iPod shuffle was in reach, so we picked out a blue shuffle, with 2GB storage space. Following are the pros and cons of the iPod Shuffle for a Tween.
Space: There is more space on the shuffle, but there are limits. My son's shuffle holds around 300 songs , but the library of music available is much more than this. He has to make choices, and that means more frequent synching of his iPod. For the tween, it will take a little time to get used to how to handle iPod synching. In all, my son is pleased that he has so much more music for listening on his portable device.
Control: The iPod Shuffle does just that: shuffles. Music is played in random order, and there are no screen controls to indicate what is being played. There is software to update, which allows your tween to hear the artist and title of a song at the beginning. My teenagers prefer their iPod Nanos, which have screens, and touchscreen interaction, for selecting playlists, songs, artists, and other activities. The iPod shuffle, on the other hand, is much more limited in use.
Cost: The iPod Nano ranges from $135 to $165 for the most current generation, which is a reasonably good price for the 8 and 16 GB models, given that a couple of years ago, the 8 GB Nano was about $150, and the 16 GB model, nearly $200. The iPod Shuffle, with 2 GB memory, is just under $50.
Colors: Both Nano and Shuffle come in a variety of colors, which are great for tween interests. This is also great for parents, in that it's easy to keep track of which device belongs to whom. Shuffle is available in silver, blue, pink, green, or orange. Nano is available in these same colors, and additionally, graphite.
Charging: Shuffle charges through the earphone insert, and doesn't, therefore, dock with many of the devices that accomodate Nano. Therefore, you will need to keep this in mind if you are searching for a speaker system to go along with your tween's iPod.
In all, the Shuffle was well received, as it was a huge improvement from the previous listening means. In fact, my tween daughter has added Shuffle to her birthday wishlist, at this point.
My tween son has used his Playstation for listening to music in the past couple of years, but had complained recently that he couldn't store very much music. Money was stretched, and the iPod shuffle was in reach, so we picked out a blue shuffle, with 2GB storage space. Following are the pros and cons of the iPod Shuffle for a Tween.
Space: There is more space on the shuffle, but there are limits. My son's shuffle holds around 300 songs , but the library of music available is much more than this. He has to make choices, and that means more frequent synching of his iPod. For the tween, it will take a little time to get used to how to handle iPod synching. In all, my son is pleased that he has so much more music for listening on his portable device.
Control: The iPod Shuffle does just that: shuffles. Music is played in random order, and there are no screen controls to indicate what is being played. There is software to update, which allows your tween to hear the artist and title of a song at the beginning. My teenagers prefer their iPod Nanos, which have screens, and touchscreen interaction, for selecting playlists, songs, artists, and other activities. The iPod shuffle, on the other hand, is much more limited in use.
Cost: The iPod Nano ranges from $135 to $165 for the most current generation, which is a reasonably good price for the 8 and 16 GB models, given that a couple of years ago, the 8 GB Nano was about $150, and the 16 GB model, nearly $200. The iPod Shuffle, with 2 GB memory, is just under $50.
Colors: Both Nano and Shuffle come in a variety of colors, which are great for tween interests. This is also great for parents, in that it's easy to keep track of which device belongs to whom. Shuffle is available in silver, blue, pink, green, or orange. Nano is available in these same colors, and additionally, graphite.
Charging: Shuffle charges through the earphone insert, and doesn't, therefore, dock with many of the devices that accomodate Nano. Therefore, you will need to keep this in mind if you are searching for a speaker system to go along with your tween's iPod.
In all, the Shuffle was well received, as it was a huge improvement from the previous listening means. In fact, my tween daughter has added Shuffle to her birthday wishlist, at this point.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tween Electronics: Should I Buy the Extended Warranty?
My tween son saved for two years, and found a deal on his Sony PSP. We suggested strongly that he pay a little extra for the extended warranty. His friend had already encountered mishaps, so it didn't take much convincing. Nearly two years from the purchase, his device started to have problems. When we returned to the retailer, they replaced the PSP with a comparable model, free of charge. We even had the opportunity to warranty the new device. My son thought it was going to be sent away and repaired, so he was elated at the way this turned out, and he learned the value of getting that extra bit of insurance on his electronic device.
If you've spent time around tweens, you know that they can be absentminded, and you know that they can be careless. Has your tween lost a cell phone? Or worse, washed it? One of mine has done both. Has your tween misplaced a gaming system? More than one of my tween kids has done this. Has your tween accidentally (or purposely) slammed the lid of a laptop shut? Or dropped it? If it's portable, electronic, and/or fragile, trust many tweens to find the limits. Warranties are wise with tween devices, if the cost is reasonably high. With cell phones, insurance policies are potentially wise investments, but there are some alternative thoughts. Read more about cell phone insurance alternatives.
If you've spent time around tweens, you know that they can be absentminded, and you know that they can be careless. Has your tween lost a cell phone? Or worse, washed it? One of mine has done both. Has your tween misplaced a gaming system? More than one of my tween kids has done this. Has your tween accidentally (or purposely) slammed the lid of a laptop shut? Or dropped it? If it's portable, electronic, and/or fragile, trust many tweens to find the limits. Warranties are wise with tween devices, if the cost is reasonably high. With cell phones, insurance policies are potentially wise investments, but there are some alternative thoughts. Read more about cell phone insurance alternatives.
Electronic Music Gifts for Tweens
The tween years are prime for developing a tween's interest in musical instruments or vocal music. Middle school is generally the point at which band and chorus become elective choices in school, and private music lessons, as well, become more productive. For the tween who has an aptitude for, or interest in, music, there are some great ways to allow some exploration with electronics.
Electronic keyboards have been available for a long time, and a decent beginning keyboard is affordable, for providing the opportunity to tinker a little bit. Likewise, electronic drum pads are available for the child who seems to constantly move in rhythm. Parents can appreciate the opportunity for kids to explore, and practice, while using earphones! The tween who is interested in guitar can find an inexpensive acoustic guitar, but there are also electric acoustic guitar sets, sold with amps and instructional materials, which can provide an interesting way to explor the guitar. For the tween vocalist in training, there are karaoke systems which range greatly in price from ultra-affordable, to elaborate. For the tween who just loves to play music there are some DJ type systems available in the $50-100 price range.
For the musically inclined middle schooler who wants to try all sorts of music, there can be an inexpensive solution via Wii Rockband, with electronic drums, guitar, and microphone coordinating with Wii's activity based video gaming.
Electronic keyboards have been available for a long time, and a decent beginning keyboard is affordable, for providing the opportunity to tinker a little bit. Likewise, electronic drum pads are available for the child who seems to constantly move in rhythm. Parents can appreciate the opportunity for kids to explore, and practice, while using earphones! The tween who is interested in guitar can find an inexpensive acoustic guitar, but there are also electric acoustic guitar sets, sold with amps and instructional materials, which can provide an interesting way to explor the guitar. For the tween vocalist in training, there are karaoke systems which range greatly in price from ultra-affordable, to elaborate. For the tween who just loves to play music there are some DJ type systems available in the $50-100 price range.
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| ION Audio iCUE3 Discover DJ System Image is clickable, for current Amazon pricing and availability |
For the musically inclined middle schooler who wants to try all sorts of music, there can be an inexpensive solution via Wii Rockband, with electronic drums, guitar, and microphone coordinating with Wii's activity based video gaming.
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| Wii Rockband System |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tween iPod Choices: Nano vs. iPod Touch
Apple products are very much a favorite with tweens and teens, particularly in the last several years with the continued improvements to the top selling mp3 players, iPod and iPod touch. There are many factors to take into consideration, as you consider which iPod to purchase for your tween, as both the iPod Nano, and the iPod touch, are quality devices.
Cost may be your deciding factor, as the Nano is the less expensive option of the two. You can purchase the 8GB iPod nano for approximately $135, and the 16GB iPod nano for $165 (scroll over/click images below for current pricing at Amazon).
The iPod touch, meanwhile, ranges from $210 for the 8GB model, to $275 for the 32GB model, to $365 for a 64GB version.
Cost not withstanding, some of the other considerations you may want to take into account, when it comes to an iPod for your tween, will be the use of the device. While the iPod nano is less versatile than the iPod touch, this can be a great thing for a tween. Most parents can appreciate a tween's desire to listen to music, and there is nothing quite so great as being able to create custom playlists, and to organize one's music his own way. Nano is fantastic to this end. So is iPod touch. However, with tweens, it's good to limit the technology, to some degree. While iPod touch has additional use as an internet browser, and has lots of games, calculator and dictionary apps, movie viewers, and even ereader apps, this all can be very distracting to the tween.
Tweens can be very undisciplined and disorganized. I've raised several, and taught hundreds. Parents really need to be in charge of technological access, and the disorganized tween will not improve with unrestricted access to a multi-use device. As a parent, I prefer the Nano to the iPod touch, because my tweens can enjoy their music, and personalize their listening experiences, but don't cause me frustration in neglecting school work, and other responsibilities, as I feel they would if they had something more involved.
On the other hand, the older tween can make good use of the apps available for an iPod touch. If your tween has demonstrated self-control, and the ability to manage his or her time well, the iPod touch is a versatile tool. As a parent, if you decide to give your tween an iPod touch, be sure to continue supervising its use, and restrict the use of the iPod if grades slide, or chores are neglected.
Your tween will have his or her own preferences. However, parental determinations will be the final deciding factor. Emphasize responsibility, regardless, as an iPod is a significantly priced tool.
Read more about the various iPod choices, as they relate to tweens.
Cost may be your deciding factor, as the Nano is the less expensive option of the two. You can purchase the 8GB iPod nano for approximately $135, and the 16GB iPod nano for $165 (scroll over/click images below for current pricing at Amazon).
 |
| 8GB iPod Nano |
The iPod touch, meanwhile, ranges from $210 for the 8GB model, to $275 for the 32GB model, to $365 for a 64GB version.
 |
| 32 GB iPod Touch |
Cost not withstanding, some of the other considerations you may want to take into account, when it comes to an iPod for your tween, will be the use of the device. While the iPod nano is less versatile than the iPod touch, this can be a great thing for a tween. Most parents can appreciate a tween's desire to listen to music, and there is nothing quite so great as being able to create custom playlists, and to organize one's music his own way. Nano is fantastic to this end. So is iPod touch. However, with tweens, it's good to limit the technology, to some degree. While iPod touch has additional use as an internet browser, and has lots of games, calculator and dictionary apps, movie viewers, and even ereader apps, this all can be very distracting to the tween.
Tweens can be very undisciplined and disorganized. I've raised several, and taught hundreds. Parents really need to be in charge of technological access, and the disorganized tween will not improve with unrestricted access to a multi-use device. As a parent, I prefer the Nano to the iPod touch, because my tweens can enjoy their music, and personalize their listening experiences, but don't cause me frustration in neglecting school work, and other responsibilities, as I feel they would if they had something more involved.
On the other hand, the older tween can make good use of the apps available for an iPod touch. If your tween has demonstrated self-control, and the ability to manage his or her time well, the iPod touch is a versatile tool. As a parent, if you decide to give your tween an iPod touch, be sure to continue supervising its use, and restrict the use of the iPod if grades slide, or chores are neglected.
Your tween will have his or her own preferences. However, parental determinations will be the final deciding factor. Emphasize responsibility, regardless, as an iPod is a significantly priced tool.
Read more about the various iPod choices, as they relate to tweens.
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