[This is a guest post from Travis Peterson of the fab No Starch Press. I haven't read the book so I couldn't honestly review it, but knew you'd want in on it anyway!]

You finally did it—you bought the gizmo that everyone’s talking about. Maybe you’ve already figured out how to play music or make phone calls, but then what?

How does the voicemail work? And that keyboard? What about all of those cool apps—which ones do you need, and how do you get them? You need a book like My New iPhone to make everything easy.

San Francisco’s No Starch Press has posted a big chunk of its My New iPhone book on Scribd for free, plus is selling it cheap-like-borscht as a PDF.

No Starch has a new version of Wang’s iPhone book coming out with the release of iPhone OS 3.0 this summer. In the meantime, the publisher is making about 50% of the current version of the book available for free. As a special deal, they are offering this PDF for free when you preorder a copy of My New iPhone through the No Starch Site—you’ll get the free PDF emailed to you right away and get the book—covering all of the latest and greatest 3.0 features—when it comes out this summer. You can preorder the book and get your free PDF here. Or you can view a chunk of the book on Scribd here.

Win it! No Starch is giving away a No Starch Press prize package to one randomly selected commenter that includes copies of the books My new iPhone and My New Mac, a No Starch Press t-shirt, shot glass, and mug, as well as stickers! The prize package will be mailed when My New iPhone is published this summer. Leave your comment before noon mst on June 4, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

With Earth Day having just passed, there’s no better time than now to introduce you to the Etsy shop of Ruth Smith, a Winnipeg-based Canadian working mom of two, PeriwinkleDzyns. Ruth got tired of seeing all the obsolete electronic components go into the garbage at a local factory and was industrious enough to rescue them, combine them with her jewellery making skills and create her line of upcycled e-waste jewelery.

Her custom original geekery lanyard is the coolest geekiest. It’s 44″ total length (adjustable to your specification) and has a sterling plated chain around the back of the neck for comfort. It’s very sturdily made of new resistors (never in contact with solder or circuit boards) that have been rescued from going to the landfill. It comes equipped with a 0.75″ key ring for your keys, pass card or whatever you need to have within reach. She makes some cool jewelery that’s less function and more fashion as well. I love this one and this one.

Another cool find in Ruth’s shop are the vintage pinback 1.25″ buttons made by her daughter Kendra. She uses words from vintage dictionaries and thesauri to create these cute accessories which she sells for just $2 each, keeping the books out of the recycle bin, increasing her vocabulary and learning basic business skills all at the same time. What a great venture for an obviously smart little girl!

We love a find that allows you to have it all – shop online, support a mom, support a kid and protect the earth.

Win it! We’ve got BOTH of the pictured items up for grabs – a yellow geekery lanyard and a full set of Charlie Brown dictionary buttons. To enter, visit the PeriwinkleDzyns shop and come back to comment with your fave(s) that were not mentioned in this review. Contest closes at noon mst on May 1, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Am I showing my age if I tell you that the iCrib made me laugh out loud? Technology in bed? Who needs it? Then I had kids and woke up. My two year old son can work my laptop’s touch mouse as easily as I can, and ‘dot com’ was one of his first words. It’s here to stay so we might as well embrace it, right?

Intellitoys’ brand new smart-e-bear is a joint venture with Kids Preferred, a company you’ve read about here before. “Together they created the newest software tucked in a very soft bear, dog and cat. These technology-friendly pals are simple to program and easy to customize. Parents need only connect, click and then hand over for cuddling.”

Retailing for $79.99 and directed at non-reading 2 to 6 year olds, smart-e-bear/cat/dog “encourages children to discover and explore through a library of literally thousands of award-winning songs, interactive stories, educational games and other content that parents can selectively purchase through the Internet and download to the toy with a super-easy USB connection.” Sounds crazy, right? But it’s SO cool! My aforementioned two year old learned how to connect & disconnect a USB device (God help me) and worked with me every step of the way in downloading stories, games and songs. Simon Says is a huge hit around here, and thanks to Smart-e-Bear we’re playing it constantly. And I do mean constantly. Whether Smart-e is around or not. There’s a huge selection of songs including some from one of our previously reviewed faves, Dog on Fleas. The animals are 13” tall and contain an electronic insert about the size of a deck of cards. They’re truly enchanting and there’s always something for kids to discover as the software changes and grows with the child’s interests from the nursery to kindergarten.

One of the coolest features we tried was to download my child’s name from a long available list and the smart-e-bear calls him by name. He and I both love that it can tell him stories, sing songs and even go to bed with him playing soft & relaxing tunes while we cuddle. Show me a kid who wouldn’t like this toy and I’ll show you a…

Never mind – you won’t find one.

Win it! Your choice of Smart-e-animal is up for grabs. Unfortunately, this one is US shipping addresses only. Our sincere apologies to the other half of our readers – we try not to ever let that happen but sometimes it’s necessary. American friends…to enter, head over to to www.smartebear.com and peruse the Musical Artists, Games and Stories available at the bottom of the page. Come back and comment with some faves that you would download if you had a smart-e-bear. Perhaps you will very soon. Contest closes at noon mst on Friday, December 19, 2008.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED – Congrats Krissy!

One thing around my house that almost can NEVER be found is my keys! No matter how hard I try, they always seem to be MIA when I need them. Most often, after turning the house upside-down and blaming my toddler, I end up finding them in the abyss I call my purse! Does this sound familiar to anyone else? Well, I have to say that I think a lot of my problem is that I don’t really have a distinguishable keychain.  Just a ring of keys…But not for long!

WholesaleKeychain.com offers SO many awesome choices when it comes to adding some “Bling” to your keys! From \Digital Photo Keychains to Sports Keychains, to Automotive keychains in every imaginable brand, WholesaleKeychain.com has got you covered! They even have Flashlight keychains….Think safety, ladies! And how nifty would a USB keychain be?

Many of the keychains can even be personalized with anything you’d like!

Bottom line, when it comes to keychains, WholesaleKeychain.com ROCKS! - by Sara

Win it! Want to win a keychain of your own? The generous folks at WholesaleKeychain.com have given us nine to give away!

That’s 3 Digital Photo Keychains, 3 LED Flashlight n keychains , and 3 Carabiner Keychains!!! Wow, right? To enter, just go to WholesaleKeychain.com and tell us what your favorite keychain of these three is and what colour you’d choose…You never know, you might just win it!

Contest closes at 9 pm mst on December 8, 2008.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED

Toy cars have always been a hit gift for both kids and adults and I’m quite sure they always will be. From simple toy cars to high-tech remote control models, a car is a man’s best friend. Second to the family dog, of course. Oh, and our wives. Parents and kids now have a brand new high tech way to take their favorite car out for a spin. Road Mice, a brand new line of optical wireless computer mice, let’s car lovers cruise the Web in style.

Road Mice are exact replicas of some favorite automobiles (even the headlights work) that are compatible with both Apple and PC desktops and laptops. There are nine models, including a 2008 Corvette which I tried out. There’s also a Chevy Camaro, a Dodge Charger SRT8, a Ford Mustang GT, and several souped up police vehicles. The price point isn’t too high for such a cool gift and the mouse works as well as any other good quality wireless optical mouse. It’s not something I’d buy for myself but does make a wicked gift for the grease monkey on your list.

Each car mouse retails for $45 and for an additional $20 you can pick up Road Mice Insurance. “The Road Mice™ Replacement Plan provides comprehensive coverage from day one. This plan covers all of its Optical Wireless Road Mice products with no deductibles or other hidden charges. Its comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper coverage that protects against all types of damage, including: mechanical breakdown, crashes, theft, fire, acts of god, parental repossession, beverage or water damage, earthquake, floods, drops, falling rocks, animal consumption, jealous friends or family members stepping on it, and anything else that typical insurance companies will exclude from coverage. The plan offers a one time product replacement per customer and does not include shipping.” - by Kenton

Win it! We’re giving away a car mouse from Road Mice to one lucky T.O.P. reader. To enter, visit the Road Mice site and choose your model and colour. Come back and leave a comment with your choice. Pick carefully because that’s what you’ll get if you’re the winner. Contest closes at noon mst on December 5, 2008.

CONTEST CLOSED AND WINNER EMAILED

They’re not just for Moms.

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I have to admit, in living the small town life, technology is often something that we get terribly behind on. So, a flash drive is something I was definitely excited to try! However, I was a little scared that it would be something I would have a hard time figuring out. Not so, with the SanDisk Cruzer Gator. From the time it arrived, I loved it! The stylish mock alligator skin gave it a real look of sophistication. I received the black, which would be perfect for the guys on your shopping list (Hint, Hint….Father’s Day is right around the corner!), but the Cruzer Gator also comes in great red and pink colors for us girlie girls.

The functional features of the Cruzer Gator were equally as impressive as its looks. They come in 2MB, 4MB, and 8MB capacities to fit a variety of needs and uses. I was able to save virtually anything to it, and securely I might add. With the Security-One click password protected access control I was able to save my files without worrying that any outsiders could access them. That really gives me a piece of mind, especially when it comes to family pictures and any documents with sensitive information such as Account Numbers, ID Information, etc. Another neat feature is that it allows you to take your files plus your U3™ compatible programs wherever you go. There is no PC installation required to run the applications, so using this gadget is a breeze! Using the U3 technology you can make virtually any computer your personal computer. Pretty awesome, huh? And when you unplug it, none of your information is left behind, which I found even more impressive!

The Cruzer Gator came at a pretty neat time for us. My husband was about to leave for a business trip. I did some research and made him a spreadsheet of important contact information, local restaurants with phone numbers, and hotel information. I added in some family pictures and a couple love letters, then sneaked it into his bag. He absolutely loved the surprise! All the info turned out to be very helpful, the pictures gave him a little feeling of home, and the love letters were just the perfect extra touch. (Wink, wink!)

SanDisk really hit the nail on the head with this one! The Cruzer Gator is stylish, super-easy to use, and very secure. There are virtually endless possibilities when it comes to uses, so they are great anyone….From traveling businessmen to stay-at-home moms! I was just amazed at the day to day uses I found for this awesome gadget…How did we ever get along without it? I was very impressed with using the Cruzer Gator and plan on buying some for gifts very soon…Starting with some special men on my list for Father’s Day! - Sara

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My husband is the hardest person to buy for. With Father’s Day quickly approaching, I wanted to honour all the amazing things he does for us with something special.

The SanDisk Cruzer Gator is the perfect solution! Not only is it fast, with its USB 2.0 Flash Drive, it is cute and compact. I have already quickly set up a folder and filled it with pictures of the kids and a couple of songs that I thought he might enjoy. I am not going to tell him about the folder, so it is a nice surprise when he uses the SanDisk Cruzer Gator for the first time.

Maybe this will help the greatest Dad ever get home in time for dinner! -Chelle

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As the lone father-figure contributor at T.O.P. and a tech guru in the real world, Shayne gives you the “real man’s’ perspective on the SanDisk Cruzer Gator..the software that’s included is really good. If you install a web browser on it you can take your favourites and bookmarks with you and run it on any computer as you would at home. You can also install a virus scanner on it and scan any computer you’d like to use it on which takes away the risk of taking home someone else’s problems. There’s also a website full of applications that you can install on it that are specialized for this drive.

The compact size is nice and it fits great in a pants pocket or a small briefcase pocket. My only complaint is that there’s no option to attach it to a keychain which, for me, means it’s likely going to be left somewhere it shouldn’t be. -Shayne

From the time they wean, our babies start to grow further away from us in good ways and in some not so good ways. One of the biggest concerns for many parents comes when their child starts to venture out in the world and isn’t always within arms reach.

Whether it be daycare, field trips, a trip to Grandma’s or just a swimming lesson sans parents, there’s always a risk that something may happen when you’re not there and your child won’t be able to communicate. If your child is taken to emergency and is too young or is otherwise unable to tell the doctors his or her medical history, valuable time may be lost while they try to identify your child and then contact you.

Identity Pal is an all in one USB data storage device that speaks for your child when you can’t be there. It comes pre-loaded with completely customizable software. All you need to do is plug it in to the USB port of any computer and plug in any information you’d like your child to have in the event of an emergency? Contact information and allergies come to mind, but this software is so comprehensive that nothing will be left out. There’s space for legal documents, travel information and more. You can delete and add as necessary and the program is incredibly easy to use.

When a medical professional plugs it in to their computer, it will simply ask them if they own it or if they want to access the information and if they can click a mouse they can access what they need to help your child. The unit is waterproof and shockproof and retails for $50. If you’d rather use your own jumpdrive, you can download the full version of the software for $30 or a very bare bones version for free. I’d suggest hanging one of these on every school aged child’s backpack. Let the
Identity Pal speak when your child cannot.

Win it! We’re giving away an Identity Pal to one lucky TOP reader. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with identity pal in the subject line before midnight MST on March 21, 2008.

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with identity pal in the subject line and the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate email from your other entry).

AND/OR

Subscribe to our RSS feed. Send an additional email to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your new subscription.

Maximum three entries total per person.

Contest Closed

By Angela, Contributing Writer

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My kids, ages 3 and 5, have more toys now than they will ever need. More than they ever play with. So what did I ask for them for Christmas this year?

Books and software. Things that will help them learn (and things that won’t clutter my living room floor!).

But the problem with “learning” toys? The fact that most children would rather play than learn. How can you overcome that hurdle?

The JumpStart Learning System™ gives you the best of both worlds. Your kids are having fun while learning – how cool is that?

JumpStart World has been described as “educational software game based on national and state curriculum and research regarding how play can help children learn. Colorful and fun, JumpStart World is filled with hundreds of games with 3-D adventures that build reading, math, and critical thinking skills while instilling a love of learning and confidence, two of the key ingredients in academic success.”

How does it work? A series of 12 Adventure Packs for each grade level teaches your kids critical thinking, reading and math skills. The adventures take place in a 3D world that grabs your child’s attention and each Adventure Pack can be personalized with artwork, photos and custom rewards. The packs include over 30 learning games and missions with over 15 skills, progress report e-mails for parents (so you can keep track of how your child is doing), “Parent Tips,” access to the Member’s Website and online access to educational experts, and access to the Super Gems Reward Center (you customize the rewards your kids receive – ice cream anyone?).

Ed: Every child I know who has played these games has loved them and had no idea that they were learning!

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Use the code JSW5TR for $5 off every game! (That brings them down to $12.99. Totally worth it.)

You can also try it free for 5 days.

We’ve got a 3 pack to give away to one lucky T.O.P. reader – Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with JSW in the subject line and tell us one of the awards that this great program has won. Contest closes at midnight MST on 1/4/08. Congratulations Leah!