By Heather Camlot

You’ve brightened up your wardrobe with summer’s favourite colours. Why not apply the same treatment to your gadgets?

Dip-Dyed iPhone Case

Beach-bound babes will love this boho-chic case for the iPhone 4 and 4S. The gorgeous seaside colouring and the tie-dyed striations are summertime staples. Anthropologie, US $28.

Portable USB Car Charger

How often have you arrived at an event without your camera, smartphone or iPod charged and ready to go? Um, no that’s never happened to us either (ahem). Before heading down the highway, make sure to pack this handy car charger. We’re partial to the bubblegum pink, but it’s also available in red and blue. Urban Outfitters, US $10.  

Sony Teen Ear Bud Headphones

These multicoloured ear buds remind us of those huge lollipops sold pier-side. The reduced size for smaller ears make these even sweeter. Best Buy, $15.

Kobo Floral Embossed Sleeve

Perk up your reading with these pretty pastel pouches for the Kobo Touch. The bespoke cover features a flirty floral pattern on the outside and a faux-leather lining on the inside to protect the device.  Indigo, $20.

I-Envelope Sleeve

Slip on a little sunshine with this yellow-and-orange Italian-leather iPad sleeve from Roots’ Tropical Punch collection. The name says it all, no? Roots, $60.

Looking for more?

• Colour Your World
• 5 Must-Have Summer Gadgets
• 8 Smartphone Apps For Summer Fun

It’s patio season! Is your outdoor space ready for guests? If not, we have you covered. A few key items are all it takes to get your yard ready for some serious summer entertaining. Read on for our top 5 patio party picks.

Music

No party is complete without music. Great tunes create an energetic atmosphere and get everyone in the mood for a good time. A wireless speaker is the perfect accompaniment for your patio soiree and we can’t get enough of the compact and colourful Jambox (Best Buy, $200). The portable, purse-size (yes, it’s that small), device produces surprisingly big sound from the tunes on your phone, music player, tablet or laptop.

Ample seating

One large table might be OK for family dinners, but for a larger gathering, smaller groupings are ideal. That way guests can mix and mingle without being confined to one area. We also like the idea of having smaller tables available for people to rest their drinks or plates. A few bistro tables, like this simple but stylish stainless steel option (CB2, $180), allow you to better utilize your space.

These galvanized metal storage cubes not only look great, but act as seating, table space and storage all in one (Pottery Barn, $322).

Creative cocktails

If you don’t have an arsenal of summer drink recipes on hand, we suggest getting yourself an app to help inspire you. Mixology Drink Recipes (free for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) offers close to 8000 recipes from a database of over 1300 ingredients. 8500+ Drink Recipes (free for Android) offers exactly what it claims to, tons of ideas for cool summer cocktails. Bottoms up!

Simple summer fare

Summer is all about spending time with friends and enjoying the fabulous weather. If you’re stumped on what to make beyond burgers, there’s an app or website to help you expand your culinary repertoire. Check out our picks for helpful recipe sites, cooking and recipe apps and inspirational food blogs. You’re bound to find a recipe (or three) you want to try out.

Chic décor

Impress your guests with some bright and welcoming summer décor. We’re partial to vibrant colours and playful patterns, but the how you deck out your space is up to you. Some of our favourite pieces include this fun outdoor pillow covered in colourful fish (West Elm, $27), this eye-catching Marimekko print umbrella (Crate & Barrel, $103) and this pretty lantern-shaped drink dispenser (Pottery Barn, $128).

Looking for more:

• 5 must-have summer gadgets
• 8 smartphone apps for summer fun
• Summer patio party essentials

Image: Jambox.com

What are your must-haves for a great patio party? Let us know in the comments below.

Phone photography has changed the way we see the world.

With everyone carrying a phone these days, and with most of those phones having built-in cameras, the result has been immediate images directly from the biggest news stories – think the tsunami in Japan and the revolution in Egypt – taken by regular people who just happened to be there.  

We also get to capture the everyday, our child’s first swing at her baseball game or a chair that might just be perfect for our living room. The practicality and spontaneity a camera phone offers is a luxury and the apps available to help us shoot, edit and enhance those photographs are endless.

But while we all know how to point and shoot, even with a camera phone there are techniques and accessories that can make those shots even better.

That’s where SnApp Shots: How to Take Great Pictures with Smartphones and Apps (Chronicle Books, 2012) comes in. Author Adam Bronkhorst takes readers through an in-depth journey of the simple photograph, from setting up to editing to sharing the shot.

While much of what is written can be applied to your smartphone and your digital camera (making this book even more worthwhile) the value add – along with the stellar collection of photos – is how to select and apply all the apps available for download.

There is a collection of apps that recreate different types of cameras, such as toy and instant, as well different types of film, from 35mm to slide film to infrared. Apps that add bold effects to everyday shots, like lighting to a picture of a family playing on the beach, multiple exposure options and macro photography are also well worth a try as are apps that act as light meters and depth-of-field calculators.

Also of note is the collection of accessories you can purchase to take your photographs to the next level. Lenses, adhesive filters, tripods, SLR mounts, even underwater gear are all available for camera phones. Of course, taking these accessories along makes using your smartphone less spontaneous and possibly more cumbersome to set up, but extra gear may be worth the investment if your phone is your main gadget for capturing life’s extraordinary moments.

Looking for more?

• Create and Share iPhone Videos with Viddy
• iPhone Camera Apps We Love
• Turn Your Instagram Photos Into Printed Gifts
• Hipstamatic and Other Smartphone Apps

Summer is here and we couldn’t be happier! Sunny skies, long days, warm nights and lots of time manning the grill or sipping cocktails in the backyard. To make your summer even better we sourced some seasonal gadgets you’re sure to love. From food to music to entertainment, give these summer-ready gadgets a try.

Eton Ruckus Solar

At your next patio party play music from any Bluetooth enabled smartphone, tablet, or PC. No need to worry about where to plug in or losing battery life half-way through your bash – this baby is solar-powered. The solar panel charges the battery fully in about six hours, but there’s also an AC adapter for charging inside. At only four pounds it’s perfectly portable and the built-in handle makes for easy transport. Available at Indigo, $150

Metropolitan Magic Air Inflator/Deflator

Between pool toys, air mattresses and inner tubes there’s a lot of inflating to be done over summer. Save your lungs and make the process much easier with this handy gadget that inflates and deflates in no time. Available at bestbuy.com, $80

WowWee Cinemin Slice Pico Projector

If you’ve ever wanted to project a movie outdoors (say, on the side of your house), or maybe inside on the wall for a unique viewing experience, now you can. The Slice Pro makes watching content on the big screen from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch a snap. We love the idea of hosting summer movie parties and this cool gadget makes screening your favourite flicks for friends easy as plugging in and pressing play. Available at store.wowwee.com, $300

Bodum Fyrkat Red Grill

Not everyone has space for a full-size barbeque, but grilling is one of summer’s quintessential activities. Whether you’re lacking room or want to be able to grill wherever you want – cottage, at the beach – this portable and stylish grill is for you. We love the fiery red hue and ample grilling space for such a compact design. Available at Crate & Barrel, $78

Zoku Quick Pop Maker

Who doesn’t love popsicles? Now you can make your own in a mere seven minutes. Create an endless variety of frozen treats three at a time and watch as they freeze ultra-fast – right on your counter top. Simply put the device in your freezer for 24 hours before you want to make your popsicles and when you’re ready for a cool down, place the sticks in the molds and pour in your popsicle mix of choice. They’re ready in seven minutes. Available at Williams Sonoma, $76

Looking for more:

• 8 Smartphone apps for summer fun
• 5 social media tips for traveling teens
• Summer patio party essentials

Image: Zoku.com

What are your go-to summer gadgets? Let us know in the comments below

By Heather Camlot

As another school year comes to a close, parents all wonder: how do teachers do it?

Show your children’s teachers how much you appreciate their skill, knowledge and love of profession with this simple yet practical gift that will remind  them of what their students accomplished during the year.

Materials

• Child’s artwork created in teacher’s class
• Cardstock and matching envelopes
• Ribbon

Instructions

Step 1: Scan your child’s artwork into your computer and save the file.

Step 2: Open your photo-editing program, select a new file and size the canvas to your cardstock (our cards are 210 mm long by 148 mm wide – be sure to use the full measurements, not those of when the card is folded).

Step 3: Insert your scanned artwork into the photo-editing file. Size the artwork to your canvas by dragging the corners. When the size is right, move the artwork into place, as desired. (Remember that the artwork must be on the bottom half of the canvas for it to print onto the front of the card.)

Step 4: If desired, insert a text box, drag it into the place your prefer (below the artwork, above, along the side, etc.) and type in a phrase such as “Thank You” or “From the desk of Miss Jones.”  Change the font, size and colour to complement your artwork.

Step 5: Test-print on plain paper to make sure you like the layout. If you prefer, cut a piece of 8 ½ by 11 paper to the size of your card for a more accurate representation.

Step 6: If you like your test print, insert your cardstock into the printer and make sure your settings are for best or high quality.

Step 7: Wrap the cards and envelopes in matching ribbon and attach your own card explaining the gift and thanking the teacher for a wonderful school year.

Looking for more?

• Craft: Have a Hoot this Halloween!
• Craft: Make a Match
• Stuffed with Fun

What type of gift, if any, do you present your child’s teacher with at the end of the school year? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

With Father’s Day fast approaching we thought we’d look at some apps that cater specifically to dads. And let’s face it; every dad we know has an iPhone (even if some of them don’t quite know how to use it).

iHandy Carpenter

If dad fancies himself a handy man, he’ll love this helpful app that’s like having a mini toolkit right in his pocket. The app boasts five tools – a level, ruler, protractor, bubble level bar and plumb bomb – to help dad get started on - or finish - any projects at home or at the cottage. $2

Grill Guide

Every dad we know (including our own) is a self-described barbecue king. For all grill-lovers out there, we suggest this comprehensive app that helps you achieve perfect grilling on anything from red meat to poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables. Simply choose the food, the amount or size and the app tells you how long to cook it for and at what temperature. $1

Gorillacam

What dad can resist snapping photos at every family gathering or while watching their little kids or grand kids play sports. If this sounds like your dad or husband, have them download this helpful photography app. Fab functions include anti-shake, digital zoom, time-lapse, self-timer, 3-shot burst and continuous rapid-fire (take unlimited shots, up to 1.6 frames per second). Free

OpenTable

Does dad like to eat out? If so, he’ll love this restaurant reservation app that makes getting a table a snap. Dad will easily be able to make a reservation at more than 20,000 restaurants in the US and Canada with just a few taps on his phone.

Gas Cubby

Any dads on the road a lot will appreciate this handy app that tracks gas mileage and vehicle maintenance. You can get customizable reminders (i.e. for oil changes or tire rotation) and store vehicle data, and it supports multiple vehicles. $3

Looking for more:

• Five faves for Father’s Day
• Top 6 Picks for Father’s Day 2011
• 10 Great Gadgets for Father’s Day

Image: http://joby.com/gorillacam

Did we miss any great apps for dads? Let us know in the comments below.

By Heather Camlot

It was only a matter of time before accessories for the iPad started rolling out. And we don’t mean leather cases, screen shields or even Bluetooth keyboards. Those are so…obvious. Take a look at some our favourite add-ons that take your iPad to the next level.

Piano Apprentice

Download the Piano Apprentice app, attach your iPad (or iPod or iPhone) to the keyboard and learn how to play the piano. The keys on the portable 25-note keyboard with built-in speakers light up, making it easy to follow along to the on-screen instructions by piano teacher Scott Houston.  When you’ve got the hang and ear for playing a tune, move on to learning music notation with Piano Apprentice, so you can later bang out your favourite songs. $100

CinemaSeat

Okay, technically this is a cover, but a useful one for whoever’s been on a long car trip with kids. By strapping the CinemaSeat to a car-seat’s headrest, the iPad is transformed  into a movie screen  for backseat passengers. When the movie is over (yes, we know you have enough for the entire car ride) you can let your little passengers listen to their own music via the headphone jack or play video games (see iCade 8-Bitty, below). $40

Nomad Brushes

Artists such as David Hockney have been trying their hand (finger or pen stylus, really) at painting on the iPad. The results have been mixed so far, but the introduction of the Nomad Brush may change that. The capacitive-tipped brush offers a more natural experience and accurate rendering of what the digital artist is dreaming.  The painting stylus is available in different tip lengths and in a kid’s size.  $18-$39

iHealth Blood Pressure Dock

We tend to think of the iPad for fun and business, but what about health? This fascinating docking station lets you record your blood pressure with the included cuff, share the information with your doctor, check the results against your personal history, understand WHO classification and more. $100

Chef Sleeve

If you’ve been weary of bringing your iPad into the kitchen – even though all your recipes are filed on it – you can now do so with peace of mind. With the ultra-clear Chef Sleeve, you simply slide the iPad inside, firmly press the resealable strip, prop the iPad in the stand and voila –  splatter away safely. $20 for pack of 25

iCade 8-Bitty / Joystick-It Tablet Arcade Stick

We wrote about the original iCade retro gaming system a few months ago but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to showcase its little brother. The pocket-size 8-Bitty is a wireless game controller with eight buttons and D pad that transforms your iPad (and iPhone and Android device) into an awesome arcade game on the go, especially when you download the Atari Greatest Hits iPad app. If you prefer a good ole joystick, this soft suction-cup version for tablets will do the trick. Just stick it over the game’s directional pad control and your on your way to kicking video game butt, old school. $30, iCade 8-Bitty; $16, Joystick-It

 Looking for more?

• The Tablet Tango
• 8 Smartphone Apps For Summer Fun
• Oh Baby: Technology for the Wee Set

 What iPad accessories would you recommend? Let us know by leaving a comment below.  

School’s out! If that means an end to either high school or university for one of your kids, we have you covered. We rounded up some of the coolest gifts for grads to start their summer off right.

Crosley Vintage Radio + Alarm Clock

This sleek, retro-inspired radio (a nod to the very first Crosley radio), will look great in any room (or dorm room). It may be a throwback to decades past but it’s packed with modern features. The multitasking gadget is an alarm clock, radio and iPod dock. Available at pbteen.com, $260.

Diana F+ Zebra

Everyone and their great grandma might have a digital camera, but why not gift your grad with a blast from photography’s past. We love this eye-catching turquoise camera with funky zebra print that uses real (yes, real) film. The soft focus and lo-fi image-capturing produces photos like no iPhone or digital camera can. Who needs Instagram? Available at canada.shop.lomography.com, $99.

Urbanista Copenhagen Headphones

If your grad is a music lover we suggest snapping up a pair of these cool headphones in a vibrant shade of green. The stylishly designed, midsize headphones offer great sound, fold up for easy storage and include a handy integrated hands-free microphone. Available at urbanoutfitters.com, $99.

Travel Journal

Is your grad going globe-trotting this summer? Make sure they document every moment in this low-tech but lightweight notebook that features a pocket for tickets, receipts and other mementos, checklists for planning, day-by-day itinerary and pages for notes. Combine it with this gorgeous passport holder (in coral or yellow) for the ultimate pre-trip gift. Both available at anthropologie.com, $24 and $48, respectively.

Bistro Electric French Press coffeemaker

Chances are, your grad developed a taste for coffee while in college or university. Show them there’s a brew beyond the day-old stuff in the cafeteria with this electric French press  that combines the press-a-button drip system with the rich coffee taste of a French press. It comes in silver, black , yellow and red. Available at bodum.com, $60.

Big Jambox

Summertime means party time. Get yourself some earplugs and your grad one of these portable speakers that turns any phone, tablet or mobile device into a hi-fi sound system. Completely wireless, it allows you to stream all your music from any Bluetooth device and control Jambox from across the room. We also love the fact it has a built-in rechargeable battery with up to 15 hours playing time. Available at jawbone.com, $300.

Looking for more:

• 5 faves for Father’s Day
• Good to go: 6 picks for the techy traveller
• Top holiday gift picks for him
• Top holiday gift picks for her

What are you buying your grad this year? Let us know in the comments below.

With only one month to go until opening day of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, we’re kind of getting excited. Steve Nash’s been named general manager of the men’s national Canadian basketball program, women’s boxing will make its knock out debut, American swimmer Michael Phelps could possibly become the most decorated Olympian ever. Yep, I’d say there’s a lot to cheer about this year.

Getting to know London

London’s been the happening place in the last couple of years, what with Will and Kate’s royal wedding in 2011 and now the Olympics. Last year, we selected the top apps to help you manoeuvre around the city and this year we have two more to add to the list.

• Digi-Guide London (Apple) offers the best routes, restaurants, and destinations as recommended by a local passionate about her city. Everything can be accessed offline – which is nice when you think about roaming charges – including GPS position, maps, photos, tips, and tours.
• Best of London (Apple), by award-winning travel writer Paul Murphy, pinpoints the tried-and-true and lesser-known gems throughout the city – from restaurants and shopping arcades to quiet oases. Also available are photo slideshows, one-click website to buy tickets and view menus, Google maps and area overviews.  

For more about how the city is preparing for the  games, check out the offerings on Olympic.org, the official site of the Olympic movement, or check in on Twitter and Facebook.

Following the Games

Olympic apps are furiously being built to help smartphone users learn about, track and keep up to date on the Games.  Here are just a few:

• iLondon 2012 (Apple) allows you to schedule events to your calendar so you don’t miss the action you’re desperate to catch.  You also get easy-to-read medal standings, Olympic records, and news from the official site.  
• London Games 2012 (Apple) is a sleek-looking app that provides a countdown to the games, a gorgeous photo book, social networking links, interesting facts, and the latest news from London.
• London Olympics 2012 Ultimate (Android) lets you set up the countries you want to follow so you can keep abreast of the wins and losses. You can also receive events results, rankings, Olympic news, medal counts, and event schedules and try your hand at predicting the winners.
• Summer 2012 Olympic News (Android) is a live link to the games with the mission of providing a steady stream of news to your Android device. If it’s happening, it will be on your phone.

Don’t forget to check out the official London 2012 Olympics site for schedules, news, photos, bios and results, follow its Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute information and catch the latest videos of its YouTube channel.  In early summer the site will also release two apps – Official Results App and Official Join In App.

Pursuing the American dream

In a triumphant move, the official American broadcast network of the Olympics, NBC, will stream the events live online and on the go. The web site is already in full news mode with videos, photos, headlines and athlete bios. A nice feature is the Hometown coverage, allowing you to follow athletes from your neck of the woods. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  

For further information about Team USA and to grab some team swag, head over the U.S. Olympic Committee site. You’ll find feature stories, the latest news, athlete profiles and more. Follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Digging Canadian content

 To get in on all the Canadian action, head over to the official Canadian broadcaster, CTV. Here you’ll find  a slew of videos, feature stories and photos to get you in the know as well as live streaming when the games begin. Follow along on Facebook and on Twitter.

For gorgeous photos of Team Canada and even more information, visit the Canadian Olympic Committee site. And to don your red and white, head to The Bay’s Olympic collection (yes, the red mittens are still around).  

The 2012 London Olympics begin July 27 and run until August 12. Good luck to all!

Images: courtesy London 2012

Looking for more?

• All The News That’s Fit For Kids
• Best Hotel Alternatives
• How to Nab Last Minute Travel Deals
• How to Simplify Travel with Technology

How will you watching the Olympics? Let us  know by leaving a comment below.

While Instagram has taken off as the must-have app for sharing and enhancing your iPhone photos, we haven’t seen any comparable options for doing the same with video – until now. Viddy, referred to by some as the Instagram for video, makes creating and sharing mini videos a snap.

What is it?

The app, currently available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, allows you to capture 15-second video clips, enhance them with music, effects, transitions and stylized filters (vintage, glam, even 3D) and upload the finished product for all to see to your social network of choice, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Tumbler.

How it works

After downloading the free app you can set up an account through your Facebook, Twitter or email account. Then you can either shoot video or upload video from your device’s library and choose which frames you want to include in your mini cinematic masterpiece. Add your effects, music, filters and edit your clip for clarity, exposure, etc., if need be. Once you’re done, the video gets shared onto Viddy’s feed and pushed out to your social networks for all your contacts to (ideally) enjoy.

Why try it?

Sharing phone-shot photos, whether enhanced with retro filters or not, has become de rigour online. Take your creativity to the next level with videos. Whether you film your baby learning to walk (accompanied by some funky hip hop music) or your pet’s crazy antics, the ability to turn short clips into slick mini-movies is a fun way to share your life. Ground-breaking? No. Amusing use of your phone? Yes.

Looking for more:

• Top 6 music apps for your smartphone
• iPhone camera apps we love
• Turn your Instagram photos into printed gifts

Image: Viddy.com

Do you take videos with your phone? Would you share them with Viddy? Let us know in the comments below