Review - Tiger Tags

Did you get some cool electronics this holiday season?  How would you feel if they accidentally got lost forever?  TigerTag offers a FREE global lost and found network.  For a mere $1.99 to cover shipping and handling, you can receive a set of TigerTags, which is a small, permanent sticker, each having a unique serial number.  Stick these tags on your cell phone, laptop, gaming device, register them online, and they have a good chance find their way back to you if you lose them.




"75% of lost items which carry a TigerTag ID sticker are returned by Good Samaritans.  Our mission at TigerTag is to provide a reliable way to safeguard valuables by harnessing the power of goodwill," said Eric Lagier, CEO and founder of TigerTag.

After the holidays, I spent some (surprisingly fun) time tagging all my family's gadgets including cameras, cell phones, and my daughter's new Nintendo DS.  It's quick and easy to register devices. The peace of mind knowing that your device will probably not be lost forever? Priceless.

Special thanks to Tiger Tags for sending me a set of Tiger Tags.

Review - Banglz Bands

Want to get more exercise out of every day tasks?  Banglz are comfy half pound weighted bands wrapped in different stylish interchangeable sleeves. One pound Banglz ankle bands that fit comfortably under your pants are also available.

I tried a set of wrist Banglz for several days and received many compliments on the new accessory.  After a few hours, they felt fairly comfortable and I could definitely feel the extra workout in everyday tasks.  I wore them to an aerobics class and boy did they make a huge difference!  At times they can get in the way, for instance when typing on the computer or washing your hands.  I would probably opt for the ankle bands for every day use.

Banglz are available at www.banglz.com at $24.95 for wrist bands and $27.95 for ankle bands.

Special thanks to Banglz for loaning a set of Banglz wrist bands.

Giveaway - Squeeballs Party

Squeeballs Party by Performance Designed Products (PDP) is a fun family-oriented game featuring Squeeball toys that are relentlessly abused. The Wii game features 11 party games including bowling, cannonball, painting by Squeeball and cooking with - you guessed it, Squeeballs.

My kids immediately loved the Squeeball plush toys (available separately).



But in keeping with the spirit of the game, they would much rather throw the Squeeballs at me.



In terms of the game, it does have silly cartoon violence and is rated E10+ (everyone 10 and and older).  Some parents may feel that is is too violent for younger kids (although my kids didn't flinch when grinding and chopping up Squeeballs).  The game play is fair, and much better on the Wii than the Nintendo DS.  Some of the games were too difficult on the Nintendo DS making it more frustrating than fun.  Although the game play is nothing phenomenal, the silly antics were enough to keep my kids laughing.  I would recommend the game for kids who enjoy games such as Rayman Rabbids.

*** If you'd like a copy of Squeeballs Party, leave a comment below with your choice of gaming platform, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS/DS Lite/DSi or the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch. ***

For extra entries, promote this contest by tweet, blog post, StumbleUpon or other social media and leave an separate comment for each with the URL or username. Up to five entries per person.

This giveaway ends December 15, 2009 at 11pm EST and is open to residents of US and Canada.

Special thanks to Performance Designed Products for providing the Squeeballs Party games and plush toys for the giveaway and review.

Book Giveaway - Firsts: Origins of Everyday Things That Changed the World

Ever wonder about the first e-mail (1971 at BBN in Cambridge - I interviewed there once) or about the first roller coaster (1600s in Russia)?  Firsts: Origins of Everyday Things That Changed the World provides an amazing collection of the origin of over 500 topics.  This paperback is a light-hearted read into the history of everyday things which is entertaining as well as informative.  It would make an excellent gift for your trivia fan.

*** If you'd like a copy of Firsts: Origins of Everyday Things That Changed the World, leave a comment below. ***

For extra entries, promote this contest by tweet, blog post, StumbleUpon or other social media and leave an separate comment for each with the URL or username. Up to five entries per person.

This giveaway ends December 15, 2009 at 11pm EST and is open to residents of US and Canada.

Special thanks to Alpha Books for providing copies of Firsts for the giveaway and review.

Book Giveaway - No Small Matter: Science on the Nanoscale

Looking for the perfect gift for your technology-loving friends?  No Small Matter: Science on the Nanoscale combines stunning photography by Felice Frankel with fascinating discussions about nanotechnology by chemist George Whitesides.  From nanotubes to ribosomes to Eleanor Rigby, this substantial hardcover book will be sure to captivate.  As an engineer in the biotech field, it was a breath of fresh air to see these advances in nanotechnology beautifully rendered in an easily understandable format.

*** If you'd like a copy of No Small Matter: Science on the Nanoscale, leave a comment below. ***

For extra entries, promote this contest by tweet, blog post, StumbleUpon or other social media and leave an separate comment for each with the URL or username. Up to five entries per person.

This giveaway ends December 15, 2009 at 11pm EST and is open to residents of US and Canada.

Special thanks to Harvard University Press for providing copies of No Small Matter for the giveaway and review.

Review - Lego Rock Band

When my 9-year-old son saw the packaging for Lego Rock Band, his eyes lit up like never before.  Two of his favorite things, Legos and Rock Band, all in one?  You bet.  I thought it would be hard to beat The Beatles Rock Band (still my favorite), but the Lego version has taken the top place on his list.

One of his favorite new bands is Queen.  Look at them all dressed up as Legos.



Check out David Bowie in a Lego concert.



The gameplay is much more intense than previous Rock Bands, where you can knock down buildings and a "Rocktopus" with your awesome playing.



With your earnings, you can buy costumes, figurines and even an entourage and tour bus!  Check out the "Cal C. Fyde" costume.



My son said that his favorite things about Lego Rock Band were that the music bars were Lego pieces, the songs, and that you can "buy cool stuff".  My favorite thing is that the songs are finally family-friendly for the younger rockers, as well as the "super-easy" mode for the real newbies.  I had a hard time trying to explain that the song "Raining Blood" from Guitar Hero III was meant to be metaphorical.  If you have a Rock Band and Lego fan on your shopping list, this game will be sure to please  for this holiday season.

Special thanks to Harmonix for providing a review copy of the game.

Giveaway - $10 iTunes Gift Card from Holiday Inn

When you think of Holiday Inn, do you think, "Oh yeah, there's one in every city." But did you know that Holiday Inn is a global hotel brand? Next time you have Paris on your mind, you can stay at one of several Holiday Inns in Paris:



Or if Bali Hai calls you, enjoy the tropics at a familiar yet exotic Holiday Inn.



One destination on my bucket list is Dubai. Check out the luxurious digs in this most opulent of cities.





Here are some other great, surprisingly affordable destinations:

• Malé, Maldives for about $199/night
• Lisbon, Portugal for about $107/night
• Papau New Guinea for about $224/night
• Christchruch, New Zealand for about $132/night
• Nairobi, Kenya for about $215/night 

Of course none of this destinations may be in anybody's budget, but you can rely on Holiday Inn for a great night's sleep if you're visiting relatives this holiday season, or planning a romantic getaway or a girls' escape weekend.

To help create a holiday music mix for your travels this season, Holiday Inn is offering several iTunes gift cards.

*** If you'd like win one of three $10 iTunes gift cards, visit Holiday Inn and leave a comment below with an exotic or not-so-exotic place you'd like to visit with a Holiday Inn. ***

For extra entries, promote this contest by tweet, blog post, StumbleUpon or other social media and leave an separate comment for each with the URL or username. Up to five entries per person.

This giveaway ends December 2, 2009 at 11pm EST and is open to residents of US and Canada.

Special thanks to Holiday Inn for providing the iTunes gift cards for the giveaway and myself.