Back to School, techie style

It is that time of year again. Parents rejoice, children, tweens and teens shudder. We are only weeks (some days) away from back to school.

So what are the top ten gadgets or tech accessories that the discerning geek from PRE-K to the Sr. in high school are going to need, I mean want ?

Lets look at this in two different categories;

·      Need to succeed

·      Want to be cool

I am sure if you are a student, you are waiting to see the “Want to be cool” stuff, but unless you were born with a seven figure bank account, your parents will pay for most if not all of that stuff. So….here are 5 gadgets and software packages, that you need you need to succeed. (details to follow the full list)

1.     An iPad or Android tablet (7” or better)

2.     A great To-Do App

a.     iProcrastinate for iOS and OSx

b.     Wunderlist (android, iOS , Mac OSx, windows and web)

3.     The Epson Expression XP800 all-in-one printer

4.     The Live Scribe SKY WiFi smart pen

5.     The Kensington Contour Backpack to carry it all

6.      Honorable mention being Open Office free office suite

Now that that is over, here is why those made the top 5 with the honorable mention.

The iPad and Android tablets are light and portable. With the proper software and accessories, they can and will mimic the power and abilities of a full sized laptop or desktop. This means that you can research any topic, write up, print and email the same. Both have onscreen keyboards which are touch sensitive. An external Bluetooth keyboard will serve you better as this will give it the real computer feel. Most have batteries that will last through a day of school, but keep the charger close just in case

They say memory is the first thing to go. The older you get the less you have. That being said, even if you have steel trap photographic mind, you can always use some help when remembering assignments, projects, numbers, etc. This is where two great portable apps come in. If you are a strict iOS type then iProcrastinate is the way to go. They both sync back and forth to the cloud flawlessly and have excellent user interfaces on either platform. They will alert you, alarm you and simply remind you of what needs to be done, what has been started and what is upcoming. It allows you to take notes inside the task/project so you can refer to them at any point.

If however you are in a mixed technical relationship, ie: Mac’s, PC’s, Android and iOS devices, then Wunderlist is the way to go, as it covers all major OS’s and even throws in a web based version incase you are a supergeek and dual boot between something and Linux J.  Again, the user interface(s) are very intuitive and top notch. All versions talk to each other, so no matter where/when you updated things, each version will see what the other has changed.

There are no and’s, if’s or or’s about it, your student will have to write and print something every day. They may even have to scan something to send to another student or even fax something. There is no better way to handle all of that than with a good office suite, but also, the Epson Expression XP800 all-in-one printer. Sure, it prints, but it also scans both single documents from the bed, but also multiple documents (up to 25) from the automated document feeder. It has the same for its faxing capabilities. It can scan and print photos and can save any document into a PDF format which is so widely used in todays marketplace. It can print on CD’s, labels; pretty much what ever you put in its trays. It is one of the best devices you can get for your money, as it does so much.

To record all the notes and even lectures, the LiveScribe Sky WiFi smart pen is the way to go. It records all your notes on special notebooks (or self printed paper) for storage and review later. You can sync it with Evernote as well. It will also (on demand) record all voice lectures associated with a certain point in your note taking so you can both listen and read at a later point. This can be a G-d send for many students, but especially (take it from someone who has dyslexia) those that learn differently and may need a little extra reinforcement from time to time. My own personal example is when I recently had to learn binary for a certification I was studying for. With out Sky, I would have had a harder time and may not even have passed.

So now they have all the successful tools that they need to succeed. Well they can just carry a little book bag with the school logo. No way. They need to look cool when carrying it all. Look no further than the Kensington contour back pack. Like the old cliché; “A place for everything and everything in its place.” If you need to carry it, Kensington will hold it. It is roomy enough to hold all you need for a day at school. There are separate compartments for both laptops and tablet, as well as side pockets for accessories and mesh pockets for smaller items such as flash drives, cables, etc.

Now, it is time to give the kids the benefit of the doubt and give them some items for a bit of fun to break the monotony and stresses of studying. Make them comfortable, happy and even a bit relaxed with these goodies;

1.     The Pentax Optio WG2 camera

2.     The Jabra Revo Wireless head phones

3.     The Photo Cube WiFi

4.     The Logitech Squeeze Box radio

5.     The Netzero WiFi hot spot

My father used to tell me (about school times) that these are the best times of my life. I never got it then, but now I do. I wish back in the mid 70’s I had the perfect almost indestructible camera. Well I didn’t, but students now have almost that in the Pentax Optio WG-2. It is drop proof, dust proof, shock proof and waterproof (to 10 meters). So imagine the memories you can record and create with it.

Sepaking of memories, if you have an iOS device, you have the perfect ½ of a photo printing team. The other half is the VuePoint photo cube WiFi. It is nothing less and a printing work horse. It prints perfect 4x6 prints every time. Its quality surpassesses commercial printing .

You know students are going to take breaks and want to listen to the latest hits. Well cut the cords and get the Jabra Revo wireless head sets. With a 30” Bluetooth reach, they can walk, jump or simply kick back while listening to what they love.

So maybe they don’t have an iPod or other MP3 device, but they will still want to listen to music. It is time for the pint sized Logitech Squeezebox internet radio. After registering it on musqueezebox.com, they will be able to listen to all that the internet has to offer. Whether it is a radio station across the street, state, country or ocean, it will come in clearly and in perfect stereo. This has a major big box room filling sound, but in a small footprint.

Lastly, is something everyone (students, teachers, etc) needs. It is the internet in the palm of your hand, thanks to the Netzero and their portable 4g hotspot.. This will give you secure 4g speed, wherever there is service. They have plans starting at $0.00 per month, to $49.00 per month depending on usage.

Enjoy the year…