A month or so ago, I had the opportunity to go to to the Brands and Bloggers Summit in Chicago as part of the “Midwest Moms” group sponsored by Verizon Wireless. It was a great trip – I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a ton of stuff. And I got to take a Motorola Xoom home with me to try it out and see how I could use mobile technology in my life.
I’ve gotta say, I love this thing.
Sadly, I’m going to have to fork it over to Jenny later this week, but I convinced her to let me hold onto it for our vacation last week. I’m glad I did – I couldn’t believe how often I used it for various things throughout our trip.
I used it to access Google Maps, and the 3G and gps technology tracked where we were and pointed us to where we wanted to go. I used it to watch videos (ok, I will admit – I got caught up on “Teen Mom” episodes on the way home from Michigan!), and I used it to read books. I love the Kindle app! Of course, I also used it for Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, email, and all the other various activities I am addicted to enjoy.
My very favorite thing about the Xoom, though, is the ability to make it a wifi hotspot. That means – are you ready for this? – that the kids and I could all three be using different devices and all be connected to internet as we zoomed down the highway. It was fantastic. Kate absolutely LOVED having access to Pandora (and I loved that she had headphones, ha!) throughout the trip, and the internet access came in particularly handy on the way home when the kids were bored to death – I was able to download new game apps for Sam and new books on the Kindle app for Kate (and me). It made the trip so much more pleasant!
I really enjoyed traveling with the Xoom, both on the trip with my family and on a trip by myself. Because the Xoom can do pretty much anything, it was all I took with me. I stuck it in my purse and hopped on the plane – no carry on filled with books and magazines needed! So, on that trip and our vacation, the Xoom really cut down on the clutter, which cut down on my stress level.
I have really enjoyed trying out the Xoom, and I’m anxious for Jenny to have a chance to try it out too (even though that means I will have to part with it). I’m curious to see how she uses it in her life.
What about you? What’s your favorite use for mobile technology?
*****
Verizon Wireless hooked us up with a Motorola Xoom and 6-months of service.
Caller ID, best invention since the Iron Lung!
UP
Me want! Gimme!!
That sounds awesome! I love new technology! Isn’t it crazy to think about what we did before Internet?! Our kids will never know.