VTech and research firm Toluna conducted a survey that took a pulse on holiday season attitudes and behaviors, and found that:
Parents want to get everything done and still have time to enjoy the season, but moms (33 percent) and dads (32 percent) say that find that balance is a challenge and causes stress. In fact, 48 percent of moms said if they had an extra set of hands to get things done, they’d spend more time with family and friends.
Shoppers are still feeling the effects of the economy, with nearly half of respondents ranking having “more money to give presents” as their top wish during the holiday season. In addition, 47 percent of consumers said not having enough money is the most stressful thing to worry about during the holidays.
A special moment with family and friends is all consumers want for the holidays. The holidays are known for great food and special traditions, so it’s no surprise that consumers embrace the season for its togetherness. Survey respondents ranked a holiday meal (24 percent) as the No. 1 thing not to miss during the holidays, followed by a special family tradition (22 percent). The holiday spirit rings strongly, as the overwhelming majority of consumers don’t want to miss out on any seasonal festivities with only 13 percent of consumers saying “bah humbug” to holiday cheer.
Included in this basket of joy is…
Functional leather basket
Chocolates
Beverage warmer
$100 Staples gift card
Desktop organizer
VTech Multi-tasking phone system
Fun holiday trimmings
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 7th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with one item you’d love to have in this basket and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @vtech411 @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/tKRhfa and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a @vtech411 holiday basket from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/tKRhfa #giveaway
You get 1 extra entry for following @DaDaRocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @vtech411 on twitter –www.twitter.com/vtech411 You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/VtechPhones (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for liking this page on facebook (like button at the top of the post NOTE: you must be signed into facebook for it to work!)
You get 1 extra entry for suggesting and having 5 friends become fans of DaDa Rocks on facebook (and have them leave a note saying you sent them)
You get 1 extra entry for writing about this giveaway on your blog (with a link back to http://dadarocks) you must also comment with the link to your post.
You get 1 extra entry for putting this on reddit, digg, or any other social bookmarking service.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Vtech Phones supplied the basket for this giveaway. Limited to the USA
I’ve written some great tips from LifeLock on how to stay safe shopping but now I have a chance to giveaway a LifeLock Ultimate account!
What is LifeLock — LifeLock, helps protect you against more than just credit fraud, LifeLock alerts you whenever they detect your personal information being used to apply for wireless services, retail credit, utilities, and mortgage loans within their extensive network. If you become a victim of identity theft while you are a LifeLock member because of some failure or defect in their service, they will spend up to $1 million to hire experts, lawyers, investigators, consultants and whoever else it takes to help your recovery. Restrictions Apply and of course there are some Terms & Conditions that you can see on their site.
Whats included in the membership?
Alerts of potential threats–both credit and noncredit related
Online access to a personalized dashboard showing current threats
Relentless identity monitoring for exposure of your personal information
Member services with local phone support—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Stolen or lost wallet remediation services to help cancel and replace credit and debit cards*
Comprehensive recovery services if you become a victim of identity theft on our watch.
Then in the Ultimate membership adds to that…
Priority status and dedicated LifeLock Ultimatemember services team
Expanded monitoring of personal information across a comprehensive network of databases
Enhanced, online reporting of threats
Advanced checking and savings account application alerts
Public record surveillance
Payday loan monitoring
Daily monitoring of all 3 credit bureau reports
Alerts when contact information changes on existing credit card, checking, and savings accounts
24/7 online access to your annual TransUnion credit report and monthly score
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 8th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with one feature you love about this service and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @LifeLock @dadarocks #lifelock – http://bit.ly/tgfSa9 and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a @lifelock ultimate membership from @dadarocks #lifelock – http://bit.ly/tgfSa9 #giveaway
You get 1 extra entry for following @DaDaRocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @lifelock on twitter –www.twitter.com/lifelock You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/lifelock (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for liking this page on facebook (like button at the top of the post NOTE: you must be signed into facebook for it to work!)
You get 1 extra entry for suggesting and having 5 friends become fans of DaDa Rocks on facebook (and have them leave a note saying you sent them)
You get 1 extra entry for writing about this giveaway on your blog (with a link back to http://dadarocks) you must also comment with the link to your post.
You get 1 extra entry for putting this on reddit, digg, or any other social bookmarking service.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: LifeLock supplied the membership for this giveaway. Limited to the USA
Between DaDaRocks.com and LateNightParents.com over the next few weeks you’ll see a few wonderful AT&T Mobility phone giveaways. Thats right I’m this seasons AT&T Phone Fairy! On Black Friday LateNightParents kicked off the giveaways with the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play…
Tonight we’re kicking off the LG Thrill 4G Smartphone which also happens to be pretty awesome as its a standalone 3D camera too.
The LG Thrill 4G is a good android device that runs on the AT&T mobility network and has features like two cameras at its rear end and fascinating special effects.
It is not true that the customers are going to spend their hard earned bucks on something that is not valuable and when it comes to the LG Thrill 4G there is something more to it apart from 3D feature without glasses. The fact that this device is being put on major Holiday Specials really talks about how much energy AT&T is putting behind it – right now its just $0.01 on amazon (with new service or renewal).
LG Thrill 4G Hardware
The LG Thrill 4G has dimensions of 5.07 x 2.68 x 0.47 inches and weighs 5.93 ounces. The 4.3 inch display of the smartphone has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and is also equipped with identical layout for the camera, hardware keys and ports just like the previous version of Optimus 3D.
The internals of the LG Thrill 4G include dual core TI OMAP 4430 processing unit clocked at 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM, two 5 MP cameras for capturing 3D images, one 1.3 MP frontal camera and a 1500 mAh lithium ion battery. The standard Android keyboard of the device is also accompanied by few tweaks from LG.
LG Thrill 4G Software
Where most of the Android devices flocking the shelves are embedded with Gingerbread this handset has Froyo or Android 2.2 pre-installed in it.
LG Thrill 4G 3D Technology
Instead of a dedicated camera key the LG Thrill 4G is endowed with a 3D key on its right side that acts as a toggle switch between 2D and 3D when you are using the camera and also opens up 3D options and applications on menu screen outside the camera mode. The menu items float above the screen and the idea of incorporating camera, games, gallery, YouTube, apps and 3D guide.
This to me is the coolest part of the phone. I test with taking over 40 minutes of videos and dozens of photos. The photos work great in 3-4 feet worth of depth. The videos work great at 5-10 feet of depth, but the big question came of what can you do with it?! I never figured it out before I whipped the drive – I had the coolest Elmo video from Sesame Place but its certainly something people will be talking about when you show them what your phone can do.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 5th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with one feature you love about this device and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @LGUSAMobile @ATT @LateNightParent #ATTphoneFairy – http://bit.ly/uGmKj3 and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a @LGUSAMobile Thrill 4G from @dadarocks & the @ATT #ATTphoneFairy – http://bit.ly/uGmKj3 #giveaway
You get 1 extra entry for following @DaDaRocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @ATT on twitter –www.twitter.com/ATT You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/ATT (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for liking this page on facebook (like button at the top of the post NOTE: you must be signed into facebook for it to work!)
You get 1 extra entry for suggesting and having 5 friends become fans of DaDa Rocks on facebook (and have them leave a note saying you sent them)
You get 1 extra entry for writing about this giveaway on your blog (with a link back to http://dadarocks) you must also comment with the link to your post.
You get 1 extra entry for putting this on reddit, digg, or any other social bookmarking service.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: AT&T Mobility supplied the mobile device for this giveaway. Limited to the USA
It’s that time of year again, when our little ghouls, goblins, vampires, pirates and princesses take to the neighborhood in search of pounds of candy! If you’re like other parents, you’re quick with your camera to snap still photos of your trick-or-treaters all dressed up, but why not turn to video this year for a little more creative twist?
Try this — get your children to act out their character or whatever they’re dressed as this year, and record some quick 30-60 second video clips. You’ll be amazed at what they do and just how creative their little minds can be!
Here are some easy to follow tips that you can use to capture this great video, all with just using your smartphone:
Smudges aren’t fun Since you’re always holding your smartphone in your hand and putting it up to your ear, it’s natural that its lens will have smudges. A quick wipe with a soft cloth before you start to record is the first step you should take. This will give you the clearest shot possible.
Think “H” for Halloween and for horizontal! Be aware of which way you’re holding your smartphone! It may feel natural to hold it vertically and then press record; however, that will give you a video that’s vertical when viewing. Your best bet is to hold your smartphone horizontally. This will allow you to fully enjoy your final product on a widescreen HDTV or computer.
Stay just off center! If you’re lining up your child right in the middle of the shot, STOP! Instead, place them just off center. This is an easy trick that will add an interesting feel and context to your video and really capture your viewers’ attention and keep it on your trick-or-treater!
Shake no more! A shaky video can be just as scary as your kids’ costumes! No one wants to watch a shaky video, so keep the following in mind when you’re about to hit record: hold with both hands and spread your pinkies; take a nice wide stance and spread your feet apart; brace your elbows against your chest for added support; or lean against a surface, such as a wall or tree, to steady yourself.
Let’s hear them Your friends and family want to hear your little ones give their best rendition of a pirate or ghost, so keep in mind how far you are from your subject when recording. The mics found in today’s smartphones aren’t the most sensitive, so try to be as close to your kids as possible to ensure you pick up their voices – being in a quiet environment helps too!
Share and scare! Once you’re happy with the video you’ve captured, take advantage of free software, such as Vimeo’s free iPhone app, which you can use to quickly edit, trim and add effects. You can then share and scare with your friends and family by uploading safely and securely to Vimeo – all without having to go to the computer!
For additional tips, lessons and tutorials on how to capture better video, head over to the Video Vimeo School at http://vimeo.com/videoschool
These great tips came from Andrea Allen is the senior content + community manager at Vimeo – the high quality video sharing site that brings out the creative in all of us!
Plus if you want to add some halloween effects Vimeo just posted this more advanced article on how to add special scary movie effects to their video that might fit the Halloween mood: http://vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/146/scary-special-effects
If you know about Vimeo there is a free membership and then a super cool Plus membership (and I gotta say I’ve been loving my Plus account for nearly two years now).
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. November 7th, 2011.
1 lucky winners will win a 1 year Plus account subscription… Tell us who you or your child is dressing up as for halloween and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @vimeo @dadarocks http://dad.tc/ueBa22 — and you must also leave comment on this blog with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win an @Vimeo Plus account Thanks to @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ueBa22
You get 1 extra entry for following Vimeo on twitter – twitter.com/vimeo You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN of Vimeo on Facebook – facebook.com/Vimeo you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for recommending a friend to become a Fan on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks they must comment that you sent them and you must comment here for the entry
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Video for this prize.
A while back I invited to a little charity gifting and giving (those plans are still in the works) but out of that came an invite to be part of pampers baby board. There is a new Pampers Hello World Baby Memories App is available now for free download on iTunes for your iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone. Because of Pampers one lucky reader is going to win an iPod Touch and a pack of Pampers SoftCare Baby Fresh Wipes.
Features on the new Hello World app include:
Making Memories- a one-touch sharing capability that allows you to take photo and videos, then quickly upload them to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter or Youtube at the touch of a button.
Albums- Allows you to conveniently organize and arrange, by category, your family’s photos directly on your ipad, itouch or iphone device.
Growing Baby- Allows you to take daily photos of your baby then pulls them all together in a time-lapse video so you can see how quickly your baby is growing right before your eyes! The best part is you can use this feature to create your own personal parenthood story– start with the baby bump, then the growth of your baby’s facial features, hands, feet, first tooth, etc. Growing Baby reveals in a remarkable way how precious babyhood really is…not that we need an app for that, but it’s still amazing to see!
The Hello World Baby Memories app is part of a series of apps called Pampers Hello Parenting Apps which also includes the Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar
The Pampers Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar allows you to explore life-sized images (iPad only; images in iPhone and iTouch are not life-sized) of a baby in the womb from week 4 up to week 40. Learn about the stages of pregnancy and make small discovers about a baby’s development. Did you know that a baby could respond to sounds by week 28? The “womb translator” feature allows you to record your voice, then play it back or share it with friends in the tone that your baby hears it.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. October 26th, 2011.
1 winner will win an Apple iPod Touch… Tell us what memories you’d love to save in the app and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: #PampersHelloApps @pampers @dadarocks http://dad.tc/oJD2qo — and you must also leave comment on this blog with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a #apple #ipodtouch thanks to @pampers #PampersHelloApps from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/oJD2qo
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on theirs Facebook – facebook.com/pampers you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for recommending a friend to become a Fan on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks they must comment that you sent them and you must comment here for the entry
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Pampers for this raffle prize. Please note this is limited to the USA.
VTech and research firm Toluna conducted a survey that took a pulse on holiday season attitudes and behaviors, and found that:
