One of the product categories that they’ve become a superstore for is anything tech-related.  I was in my local store today and truly the entire first half of the store is dedicated to products like laptops, e-readers, cameras, printers and more.  It’s pretty impressive and the prices are competitive to any other store you’ll find out there.

As I don’t want to ruin the surprise because the giftee(s) may be reading this post, I’ll list a bunch of products here that you can get at Staples right now, awesome, right?

Vivitar ViviCam 7.1 MP Digital Camera – $39.99

Sony 4GB MP3 Walkman – $69.99

Kindle Fire – $199.99

Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad – $69.99

Nook Tablet – $249.99

Tony Hawk USB Drive – 10.99 (Great stocking stuffer!)

Lastly, can I tell you guys how helpful the staff was at Staples?  I went in and was chatting with one customer rep who worked there and mentioning everyone I had yet to buy for.  She was asking me insightful questions and really helped me find the perfect gift.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a gift card to check out Staples holiday technology product options.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

He gets: a fun new gadget to program, play with (hello touchscreen!) and impress his friends with and one less thing to lose

You get: a coffee table free of Mt. Remotes and a one-step process for explaining to the sitter how to turn the TV on

I swore we’d never be one of those people with remotes littering the couch, but over the years we moved up from 1 to 2 to now 6 different remotes to control different media devices. And if the clutter weren’t bad enough, good luck trying to find all three at the same time that you need to turn on a DVD. Logitech to the rescue! With their Harmony collection of universal remotes, you can find the perfect one to match your price range and media requirements and finally bring harmony to your living room.

Here’s an overview of the features of the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote:

- Control up to 15 devices. Imagine a pile of 15 remotes, even 8 remotes! Some of you may even have a special basket or drawer JUST FOR REMOTES.  No more! The Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote does it all.

- One-Touch Activity Control. Love this feature. It means I don’t need to write down a 12-step process for my babysitter or in-laws on how to work the DVD player or turn on the music. The remote has activity choices like “Watch TV” or “Play a DVD” that automatically turn on all required devices to the correct setting with the press of ONE BUTTON. Love it.

- Rechargeable. So many things eat batteries in our house, I’m glad that the Harmony One remote won’t be one of them. The rechargeable base saves you cash and with a designated place to put the remote for charging, it makes it a little more likely you’ll be able to find it when you need it.

- Easy set-up. Logitech makes set-up simple. Load the installation CD and attach the remote to your computer with the included USB cable. The software guides you through adding your specific devices and choosing how you want to control them (e.g. control the sound through your stereo system, not through your TV). Logitech remotes have support for 5000+ brands and 255,000+ devices, but just to make sure, it’s good to double check the compatibility of your devices here.

The Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote retails for $249.99 but you can take a step down the price ladder and pick up the Harmony 650 for a sale price of $79.99 (controls up to 5 devices, no touch screen) or move a step up and try the Harmony 900 which use radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) technology. The benefit of adding in RF? It will work through cabinets which means you can control all your media equipment while keeping them hidden from view.

Pick one up for Father’s Day today!

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Disclaimer: Logitech provided a sample for this review.

My favorite picks from Logitech are their Wi-Fi music players which include the Squeezebox Radio, Duet, Boom and the newest addition, the Squeezebox Touch.  The Squeezebox Touch is a music portal that allows you to wirelessly stream your personal digital music library, Internet radio, and online music services via a convenient touch screen. Whether you love online or local radio stations, listening to your own personal music collection or discovering new artisst, podcasts or playlists, with the Squeezebox Touch you have an infinite selection of songs that are just a touch away.

Easily switch between music sources. This is one of my favorite features. With just a few touches on the screen I can change from the dance music I use to help clean the house, to a holiday playlist I made from our CD collection and still switch over to a local radio station to let my husband check up on current scores. Lately I’ve been tuning in to a French jazz station to unwind after a long day. Yes, a French radio station. From France. (Commercials are so much less annoying in French.) No plugging and unplugging multiple devices. No switching between my mp3 player, radio and computer. The Squeezebox Touch keeps all my music within easy reach.

4.3″ Touch Screen. What makes the Squeezebox Touch unique from the other Wi-Fi players in the Logitech line-up is the new touch screen.  The 4.3″ color touch screen makes it easy to change artist, sort your collection, search for new music, see cover art and hundreds of other tasks. The display is thin and very sleek so you won’t mind leaving it out on your counter or bookshelf.

Dozens of ways to discover new music. I love shuffle. I don’t want to know what song is coming up next and love hearing new artists that match my tastes. More than half the time you can find Pandora or Slacker running on my Squeezebox, but there are dozens of online music services – paid and free – to choose from on the Squeezebox Touch. SIRIUS Radio, Rhapsody, BBC Radio, MediaFly, Last.fm, Napster and dozens more let you play and discover the music, talk radio or podcasts you like.

Remote control. Not next to the touch screen? No problem. The included remote lets you access all the features of the Squeezebox Touch from across the room.

Display light sensor. I know this is a small feature, but it speaks to the thought that Logitech puts into their products. The screen has a light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display according to environment. When the lights are on in the room, the screen is bright enough for to you to see your music selection. Dim the lights in the room and the display screen dims too – no blaring, bright screen while you’re trying to slow dance with the hubs after the kids are down.

USB port and SD card slot. Listen to new music from friends and family with the USB port and SD card slot that allow you to access and view your photos and music stored on flash drives, memory sticks or other devices.

Build your music system. Another great feature of Logitech’s Wi-Fi music players? They work seamlessly together. Pick up their Squeezebox Duet or Radio and control what’s playing all over your house. Sync them together for a family dance party or let your kids rock out to Yo Gabba Gabba in their room while you relax with a classical masterpiece in yours.

What’s Included
Logitech Squeezebox Touch, power supply with plug adapters, infrared remote control with batteries, stereo audio cable. manual, cleaning cloth, 2-year limited hardware warranty

What You Need

Stereo system or powered speakers; ethernet or 802.11 b/g wireless home network; broadband Internet connection required for Internet radio and music services

Click here to read about all the product specifications to use the Squeezebox Touch.

Buy the Squeezebox Touch at Logitech

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Note: Logitech sent a sample of the Squeezebox Touch for this review.

I noticed tonight that it was on sale 50% off on Amazon and had to share because the price point is great. 

Normally $129, the JBL OnStage is $56.64 with free shipping on Amazon at the time of this post.

Here’s one product — Microsoft’s Wireless Mouse 4000 in Pink — that donates $4 to Susan Komen with every purchase:  from September 2010 through September 2011, Microsoft will donate $4 towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation with a minimum donation promise of $200,000.

It’s $34.99 on Amazon with free shipping.

This link is an affiliate link too – meaning a small percentage of the sale goes to Mommies with Style but does not effect the donation.  If you don’t want to use my affiliate link, you can visit Amazon and search for this product.

We recently tested out several of their products. The Home and Office Mat ($99) is excellent – you can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously. All you do is plug in the mat and place Powermat receiver cases on your favorite gear and then place them on the mat to charge. Powermat offers receiver cases that work on iphone 3G ($69.99),  ipod touch ($39.99), as well as many more. If you have a device that isn’t supported by a Powermat Reciever case, use the included Powercube Universal Receiver, with comes with a 8 mini and micro USB tips included (other tips sold separately).

Adjustable sound and light indications give feedback that charging is occurring   – while a small magnetic pull ensures perfect alignment and optimal charging efficiency. I would recommend keeping this out of your bedroom if you plan to charge a device late at night (my husband hates the sound). We also liked the Powermat 2x ($59.99) that charges 2 devices at the same time.

These are just awesome.  Pick from Darth Vader, C3po, a Storm Trooper, Obi-Wan or more for your all your flash drive needs.  Each unit stores 2GB worth of files and is compatible with both Mac and Windows.

They sell for $39.95 on Mimcoco.com.  Order today to get it in time for Father’s Day, or order it for a late present.  Heck, order this for a stocking stuffer – it’s the perfect size and too funny!  Guaranteed to make him smile – I know it made me smile.

Giveaway: One lucky Mommies with Style winner will win a Mimobot!  They can pick from the following list.  Leave a comment and let me know which one you’d like if you win!  One winner will be selected after June 23rd.

·         Darth Vader

·         Stormtrooper

·         Hello Kitty Apple

·         Marvin the Pirate

·         Golden Panda

We were playing a variety of games when Nate asked to pull out an old game we hadn’t played much of – Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: City Folk. 

I had gotten it used at GameStop at the recommendations of one of the clerks there.  We played for a day or two about a year ago and I don’t remember thinking much of it.

After delving back into the game last week (and getting hooked), I had to share how fun it is.  For any Mom who loved playing any of the Sim games way back when (Sim City, the Sims, etc), this is the game for you and your kids – it’s a similar concept in that it’s the same simulation/build-a-life-and-keep-them happy concept. 

You create a character in your town and you live a little life there.  You earn money (“Bells”) for working, fishing and collecting bugs (amongst other things).  You can interact with the other residents, take a bus to the big city or just hang out in your house that you get to decorate.  It’s the cutest game. 

It’s rated E for everyone and I can see anyone of any age liking this game (young kids, teens on through adults.)

I will say that there is quite a bit of reading involved so I do have to help out my Kindergartener (which really isn’t a problem as I’m secretly obsessed.)  Check it out – especially as it’s an older game and you can find good deals on it.  Amazon has it currently on sale for $31.99 (retails for $49.99).

This High-Definition Video Camera (DXG-533V HD) records 720p HD video, comes with a 3-inch tilt screen and an oh-so-pretty carrying case.

And yes, I know you shouldn’t select your video camera based on look but I say it’s nice to have as an added perk if it’s already a qualilty product! (Hence the fact that I also use a pink laptop from Sony)

The price is pretty too – at $149.99 you’re getting a camcorder with the following specs:
-HD video
-takes still photos, up to 8MP for resolution
-a 3″ screen
-an easy way to connect and upload to your PC with their USB interface (or upload straight to YouTube to share with friends and family)

It’s early but love this for a holiday gift for a girly Mom or sibling. Check it out at DXG’s website today.

Call me technology-challenged when it comes to this kind of stuff (I swear, I am better with my computer!)… but then I learned about using SanDisk products in my phone, and how they can enhance it even more! For example, I recently put a 4GB micro SD card into my phone. Wow! Now I can take tons of pictures, video, and more, and not have to worry about space on my phone! (Seriously… before this I could take about 6 pictures and I was so frustrated always trying to figure out which ones to delete. Never again! Now I can take thousands!) The card is so tiny that it didn’t add any weight to my phone and it was so simple to install in my phone. And I can easily move these photos and video to my computer by using the MobileMate Micro, an adorable and very functional little memory card reader. It’s so easy. I simply stuck the micro memory card into the reader, and then plugged the reader into my laptop. Now my phone and PC are sharing pictures, music, and more!

So if you are a mom on the go like me, you have get to get one of these very necessary micro SD cards into your phone. Please… do yourself a favor and pick one up! You will feel so much more free with your phone and won’t feel badly leaving your camera at home anymore! Thank you SanDisk for making such awesome technology products!