Three Generations Track Their Things with @MYNT_tracker #Ad #TechForLife

You have a choice. You can MYNT it now ... 

or choose not to and look forward to the sting of future face palms because you didn't. 

Disclosure: I received product from Slightech - MYNT for the purposes of this post and review. 

All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with the brand and product.

I may not be an expert on technology, but I'm pretty good at figuring out how to use various technologies to work for me, and as tools for life. That's exactly why I was interested in the MYNT tracker. However if you're the techie-type you can get all the specs on the Slightech site. The MYNT in combination with the free MYNT app is a multi-function Bluetooth tracker and item locator, that puts an end to questions like "Where is my _____? It could be your keys, phone, wallet, purse, camera, designer sunglasses, or some other item you value. And since you can pair up to 8 MYNTs to a single device, you'll be able to track all the "things" important to you. 

No need to give up style for function. The award winning design comes in 4 colour options (blue, black, gold, silver) and is small enough to fit in your wallet, adhered to a remote or phone using the adhesive pads provided, or you can use the key-ring lanyard to attach it to your keys.

Included with the MYNT Package: 1 spare battery, 2 adhesive pads, and a key-ring lanyard. The price point is great starting as low as $19.99 US for a single MYNT. 

Or purchase one the various multi-pack options for additional savings, and free waterproof sleeve. 

You have your MYNT, so now what?

• Once you have your MYNT you are ready to install the free MYNT app and register with your email, name, user name, and create a password. Download from iTunes AppStore/iOS  Download from Google Play/Android
• Remove the tab separating the battery from the MYNT. 
• Pair your MYNT to your phone, and start tracking.

What the MYNT can do for you ...

• Within the MYNT range (up to 50 meters) you can locate the item you have attached the tracker to by pressing the item icon on your phone. 
• You can reverse track your phone but pressing the button on the MYNT.
• Even if your MYNT is out of range it can still help you locate your valuables. The app can give you the coordinates of the last location recorded, that will not only give you a place to start, but also significantly narrow the size of the search area.
• If your "Thing" goes beyond the preset distance range an audio notification/alarm will sound and alert you. The MYNT can be personalized for time, duration, and the distance range at which the alarm triggers. 
• You have the option to set notification-free zones within set wi-fi areas, so that the entire office is not notified should you leave to use the restroom. This feature is also handy to ensure notifications do not wake your teething baby that has finally fallen asleep. 
• The MYNT in-app map can help you to answer the age old question; "Where did I park the car?" by recording the location of your car, and later leading you back to that location. 
• If your MYNT goes out of range, but others with the MYNT app are in range and connect with it, your app will send you notification of its last know location. 
• Lastly, the MYNT is a programmable multi-tasker that can be can be used as a remote for your camera shutter, for your music, and even to forward the slides during a slide presentation.

Remember the sting of the face palm? 

I could have avoided many a face palm over the years had the MYNT been available to me. But it's not just me, the same goes for my parents and my kids. One tracker, three generations, each using it in different ways to make life just a bit easier. 

Sanity-Saving Personalization ...

• I'll admit that both Thing 1 and I were happy to be able to personalize the separation notifications. An audio notification each time he left the room resulting in his phone being separated from his keys gets old pretty quickly. Being able to set the range distance for notifications at home or work is a great feature.

A tool in my parenting toolbox ...

• The notifications we might find annoying now, would have been sanity-saving 20 years ago, when my two boys were toddlers. Notification when one of them had moved out of a preset area or zone would have been fantastic, and one more tool in my parenting tool box.   
• For my sister, who has 2 kids, a pool in the backyard, a cottage and a new puppy, a couple of MYNT trackers can help give her some peace of mind, by adding another layer of safety into the chaos of everyday life and parenting.
• The Public Restroom Dilemma: Your boys are too old to go with you into the women's restroom, but too young to go into the men's restroom on their own. I know for a fact I am not alone when I tell stories about looking more than a little unhinged while standing outside the men's public restroom yelling through the door at my kids. Definitely awkward for both me and the men trying to actually use the restroom. Having a two-way audio signal can help to eliminate that awkward public restroom dilemma. Same goes for change rooms dilemmas.
• MYNT trackers are handy tools when the kids are in the yard playing, at the park, a splash pad, or pool, theme park, and at the mall or shopping. 
• IDEA: add a MYNT to the storage pouch of your child's asthma puffer, medication, or Epipen. 

Thing 2 would have benefited from a MYNT ...

• In Spain when he forgot the $100 charging cord to his MacBook Pro at the hotel.
• In the Madrid airport when he accidentally left his MacBook Pro under his chair, only realizing as he went to board his flight. Luckily his laptop had been turned in. Not so lucky was that fact he had to go to a separate terminal and back through security to retrieve the laptop. As a result he missed his flight from Madrid to Philadelphia, and the his connecting flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa. This could have been avoided with a MYNT tracker.
• When his $100 backpack with his $100 calculator was stolen while in the University restroom the night before his Calculus exam. And of course he needed the calculator for that exam. 
• When his $700 leather jacket went missing from a club mandatory coat check. Not only would it have helped to locate it when staff couldn't, the MYNT community might have been able to help locate it after the club staff gave it to the wrong person.
• Now that he has moved into his own apartment, finding his keys is crucial. (Yes, it makes a great gift for the students in your life)
• A MYNT would have been handy when Thing 1 "misplaced" his tablet somewhere in his room for a month and counting ...

A MYNT would have been very useful ...

• When I forgot my purse with all of our passports, my wallet with all my credit cards, driver's licence, and $1000 US cash in a McD's in Savanna Georgia, but only realized it in Jacksonville Florida. An alarm/notification that my purse and I had been separated beyond the set distance would have saved a great deal of time, stress and frustration.
• When my snowbird parents were 2 hours into their 2400 km drive of a 3-month trip before they realized my father had forgot his wallet.
• When my mother-in-law is at a cash paying for purchases and her sister who suffers from some dementia wanders off. With a MYNT she would not only be notified of her sister moving beyond a preset distance, but it could also help to locate her. The result is reduced stress during outings, increasing her sister's safety, and a happier experience for both of them.

So if you think about it the MYNT tracker is actually a happiness tracker ... 

By helping to reduce frustration, stress, and cost of replacing misplaced, lost, forgotten or stolen items, it increases one's happiness and overall feeling of well-being.

Things I liked ...

I love the design and having colour options. I liked how easy it was to set up and use. I like the price point and having multi-pack options. I like that I can track both the MYNT and my phone. I like that I can link up to 8 MYNT trackers to my phone. I like that I can use it to find my car.

One more thought out loud ...

The one change I would make to the MYNT tracker is having the ability to adjust the volume. It would increase its function and value if the notifications volume could be adjusted louder in crowded environments, or when in a purse, under a couch cushion, or in Thing 1's bedroom, or adjust down or put into silent mode in situations such as during a meeting, sleeping, or at the theatre.

I would definitely recommend the MYNT tracker. In my opinion its functions and price point make it a worthwhile investment and a perfect gift for all ages.

Yep , just me Cathy thinking out loud about #TrackingMyThings

Five Boredom Busting #FreeApps for Planes Trains and Automobiles #traveltuesday #traveltips #travel

5 Free Boredom Busting Apps For Appy Travels on Planes, Trains, or Automobiles.   

I love to travel, but not necessary the process of getting there. Often I find myself with chunks of time with nothing to do, and looking for a distraction. Having these 5 free apps on my cellphone gives me enough variety to get me through long road trips, flights, or stopovers. 

Bonus: They don't require wi-fi or data to play meaning I can use them anywhere.  

I use an android phone but most of these free apps are available for iPhones and both android and ios tablets.

Suduko

2048

Threes

Mahjong Solitaire

Kobo 

(also available Kindle)

What are your best travel boredom busters ideas?

 Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about appy travels. 

Note: I was not compensated for this post. It's purpose is merely to share with my readers. All opinions are my own. 

1 Small Action Per Day = Impact & Change In A BIG Way @WE_365 #App @FreeTheChildren @TELUS

On April 1st, my son and I will be attending National We Day in Ottawa (thanks to TELUS). As you can see from my post about last year's event, National WeDay...oops there goes another rubber tree plant, We Day is a very inspirational event and a real privilege to attend. It's impossible not to be impressed by these kids and their efforts to make their world a better place. With We Day just around the corner it got me to thinking what motivates these kids to do the things they do? What makes them think they can make a difference? Once again this quote comes to mind:
"I wonder why someone didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody."

Many years ago, in a community centre, at a playgroup, over coffee and crafts a conversation was started between 4 stay-at-home moms that went something like this:

Kris: "I'm concerned about my kids exposure to pesticides being sprayed on lawns in our neighbourhood. I'm thinking of starting an awareness campaign and putting together information on the health effects of these chemical pesticides, as well as alternative lawn care options. Is anyone else interested in being part of this?"

Cathy, Maureen and Kirsten: "Yes!"

And so began our band of 

"Grass Root" Activists
and the 
Breathe Deeply (My Lawn Is Pesticide Free) Campaign

Our goal was two fold: increase awareness about the effects of pesticides, and offer effective alternatives to pest management and lawn care. Each of us had different skill sets and contributed in different ways. I designed the signs, t-shirts, and applied for the grants. Others made signs, researched and wrote the pamphlets, or acted as campaign spokesperson and media contact. Together we managed to create 3 pamphlets, each delivered to more than 1500 houses, make and deliver more than 600 signs, distribute more than 100 t-shirts, and successfully apply for 3 different funding grants. We spoke on the effects of pesticides, a need for a ban, and about lawn care alternatives to our Community Association, at City Council meetings, to local Girl Guides, and set up information tables at local events. We were featured on local TV and radio, and in newspapers, including The Globe and Mail. 

Global and Mail: Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Janis Hass (Special to The Globe and Mail) 
"Outside, a homemade wooden sign on the front lawn sums up her (Kirsten Devenny) philosophy. It reads, "Pesticide Free." ... Over coffee in her living room, Mrs. Devenny discusses the use of pesticides on lawns with her neighbours Kris Wong and Cathy Canton. These stay-at-home moms have banded together to promote pesticide-free lawn care in their leafy Nepean neighbourhood of Crystal Beach. They're concerned about the effects of pesticides on the health of their children..."

Chemical pesticides for cosmetic purposes on privately owned land were banned in Ontario in 2009.

What does this have to do with youth and change?

Well from the time my kids were toddlers they saw me involved in efforts to make my world a better place. All of our kids were there when we met at playgroup for strategy meetings, or went to the printers to pick up pamphlets. They helped us deliver pamphlets and signs throughout the neighbourhood, and were there for the TV and newspaper interviews. They were central to all of this because ultimately it was about them. I like to think that by setting an example we "planted the seeds" for our kids to grow into critical thinkers, and engaged citizens of Canada and the World. I hope through our actions they learned they have a voice, and the power as one individual to bring about change. It is imperative youth understand how their local actions can have a huge global impact, and that they must be the "somebody to do something".

At the time of the Breathe Deeply Campaign there were no apps, smartphones or tablets, but now there are, and lots of ways youth can connect and help to bring about change and awareness.

The We365 app was developed by Free The Children and TELUS to give youth a way to connect, track volunteer hours, and accept challenges to bring about awareness and change. It is a platform that makes sense to youth and they are comfortable with; an app and social media. 

So to celebrate National We Day, youth and their high hopes to make the world a better place, why not join the one action per day movement.

Install the free app,

WE365 APP

and start moving those rubber tree plants!

Be sure to follow 

WE Day on twitter

Free The Children on twitter 

WE365 on twitter 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about National We Day and WE365 app.

NOTE: I was not compensated for this post, but am an invited guest of  TELUS to National We Day 2015. In support of We Day I choose to post about my experience, but am not obligated to do so. In my mind cooperation between organizations like Free the Children and brands like TELUS is something to be supported. I strive to live by their motto "Give Where We Live" not just when presented with opportunities to do so, but also by making opportunities to do so.

#GoogleKeyboard #GestureTyping makes me very APP-y, #freeApp, #techtools

I admit I'm not the fastest "texter" in town, or even in my household for that matter. I'm what some might call old school. I text my evil teens in full words and sentences, usually with capitalization and punctuation. What can I say old habits die hard. Not surprisingly texting can be frustrating for me. When the youngest of the evil teens showed me how I could use Google Keyboard and "gesture typing" to text faster, I was pretty excited. I can't believe he waited so long to tell me about it!

Instead of having to type in each individual letter, I move my finger across the keyboard, "gliding" it over the letters that make up the word I want to type. The longer I use its "gesture typing" the better it gets at anticipating what words I'm trying to type. Not only does it look really cool, it's so much faster and easier for me to text, and seems to greatly reduce the number of typos in my text messages. Since this makes me so app-y I thought I would share with the rest of you "old schoolers" who might like to give it a try as well.

Image via Google Play Store

You can find Google Keyboard at the Google Play Store.

The Google Keyboard and its "gesture typing" gets 2 thumbs up from me!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what makes me App-y.

Note: I was not compensated in any way for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers. All opinions are my own. 

Meet my new pal @myfitnesspal ... Makes me very APP-y! #FreeApp #FitnessTracker

With the new year and my 2015 word being: SELF my focus can't help but include goals to help with healthier lifestyle choices. This includes taking inventory of where I am, where I want to be and how I plan to get there.

In my head I like to believe I am active and my diet is reasonably healthy, and that I exercise more and eat less than I actually do. Simply by tracking both of these I can get an accurate picture of what I am eating and my activity level, and how I might adjust them to reach my goals. More importantly without knowing the reality rather than the guess-timates I will continue to sabotage my own efforts and success. And that my friends, does not make me feel good about mySELF.

At the beginning of this year I started to use a free App called myfitnesspal in combination with a Jawbone Up to track my meals, activity, and sleep patterns. Initially this process was an "exercise" in frustration trying to use the Up App to enter and track my meals and diet. In an effort not to give up before I even got started I found the My Fitness Pal App. 

I personally have no desire to publicly share my weight, the inches I have lost or selfies of myself working out. I do however like the idea of a community where I can find information, resources and support. My fitness Pal is more than an App, it is as much or as little as you want it to be. The App itself is easy to install, and easy to use. In fact much easier than using the Jawbone Up App on it's own, and it easily syncs to the Up App. Personally I give it a 4/5 stars. 

The My Fitness Pal App works with a variety of fitness trackers other than Jawbone Up, including Fitbit, Garmin Connect, and Misfit. 

In addition to the mobile App, there's an entire community available to you, including a blog called Hello Healthy with resources, recipes, links and support, facebook, and twitter to name a few. 

You can find the calorie counter My Fitness Pal App at:

iTunes Store

Google Play for Andriod

Windows Store

Here's to a Healthy and APP-y 2015!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my App-y SELF! 

Note: I was not compensated for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share information I thought might be of interest to my readers.

Rx: @StocardAPP Provides Relief from Fat Wallet Syndrome #loyaltycard #freeapp

Love Loyalty and Reward Cards But Hate Fat Wallet Syndrome? 

Then the Stocard App is for you. 

I have loads of loyalty and reward cards, some of which like Aeroplan and HBC I've had for more than 25 years. In the beginning it was pretty manageable, but over the years the number of loyalty cards has greatly increased. I even have some U.S. loyalty cards since I travel there at least a couple of times a year. Most loyalty programs offered in both the U.S. and Canada are separate, which means I have a Canadian Eddie Bauer points card and an American one. But as often as not I can't find the card, or have forgotten the card, or have chosen to forgo the points because carrying around all these plastic cards gives me Fat Wallet Syndrome.  

I recently discovered a break through in the treatment of the once untreatable Fat Wallet Syndrome in the form of Stocard APP. 
This APP stores all your loyalty card information right on your smartphone. You simply scan the barcode, and or take a picture of the loyalty card and manually enter the relevant information. 

Image via Stocard

The APP provided immediate relief for my Fat Wallet Syndrome and I was surprised to realize after entering all my loyalty cards they total more than 30.

The Stocard APP is free and extremely user friendly. Personally I love it and give it a two thumbs up! 

Rx: You can fill your Stocard prescription at:

Image via Stocard

Google Play

iTunes App Store

Window Phone

I no longer miss out on opportunities to earn points, and that is just good budgeting and a smart approach to using loyalty cards. Now it's only my points balance not my wallet that gets fat these days. 

Stocard App on Twitter and Stocard App on Facebook

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Fat Wallet Syndrome.

Note: I was not compensated in any way for this post. The purpose of this post was merely to share information I thought would be of interest to my readers.

React Mobile: A Proactive APProach To Your Personal Safety! - Free iPhone or Android App

Nobody wants to feel scared, especially in their own home. Robb Monkman, the founder of REACT Mobile, was held at gunpoint during a home invasion while he was in college, and he “REACT”ed by creating a “tool that could be used to silently and discreetly alert a wide network, including authorities, of an emergency and its location”.

The REACT Mobile app allows you to take a proactive approach to your family's personal safety. There are so many perfect “app”lications or should I say App-locations this easy to use, free app would truly not only make you feel safer but actually be safer. You are in control of who your emergency contacts are, and how they will be notified in the case of an emergency. It could be by email, Twitter or Facebook. 

The "Follow Me" feature allows the contacts you select to track your location in real-time. 

The "I'm Safe" button allows you to let your contacts know you have arrived safely at your destination. It is also a perfect way for your kids to let you know they have arrived safely.

 By pressing the "SOS Shield" you “send out a panic alert containing a link to your GPS location” to your emergency contacts. 

By activating the SOS panic alert “you’re automatically prompted to dial 911”. 

In an emergency no one wants to be fumbling with numbers or buttons on their cell phone.

When my children were young, my husband travelled for work and I would have loved the security this app would have given me in the event of a home invasion, or an emergency. I regularly drive by myself, or with the kids to visit family that live out of town. In the event of a breakdown, getting lost, or an emergency the React Mobile app “Follow Me” feature would allow my family at home and at my destination to know I am safe. 

The React Mobile app is perfect for Joggers and Walkers as well. I love to go for walks in the beautiful parks and wooded areas that surround my neighbourhood, but I am always uncomfortable being on my own, and often encounter no one on these walks. I don’t like to walk the same route for safety reasons, but it also means no one knows the route I have taken. With the React Mobile “Follow Me” feature my loved ones would know exactly where I am. Not only would this be great for me but, now that my kids are older, they come and go much more independently. They take the bus or ride their bikes to activities, or to see friends. I can’t remember the number of times I have told them they must keep me informed of where they are, and the number of times they forget to call and let me know their plans have changed and they are actually somewhere completely different. Should there be an emergency I would have no idea where to start to look for them. Plus, let’s face it I could do without spending Friday and Saturdays nights worrying. The “Follow Me” feature would go a long way to help to eliminate that worry.

Isn't it time you took a proactive APProach to your personal safety and checked out:

For more information about React Mobile and their free app visit ReactMobile.com

Be sure to follow React Mobile on Twitter and Facebook for all their updates and news!

You can download the React Mobile free app for iPhones from iTunes iPhone download

or for select Android phones from Google Play Android phone download

I am Cathy thinking out loud about React Mobile and Personal Safety.

DISCLOSURE: I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.