Another Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tips for Parents

Are you a stargazer? What about a star shopper?
This month we’re highlighting three apps that can help save you money, keep your kids safe, and
perhaps even help unravel a few mysteries of the cosmos.

Life360

What it is: Life360 Family Locator lets you find family members on a private map, see recent crimes nearby, and receive alerts when your family members reach specified locations.

Why it’s cool: We can debate the merits of using GPS locators to keep track of your kids, but if you’re
looking for a good way to make sure everyone in your family stays safe, this app gets the job done well. You can even have private chats with your family if you’ve got more to say than “I’m here safe and sound!”

What’s required: The app is free and available for iOS, Android and Blackberry.

Shop Savvy

What it is: Launched as a price comparison tool, Shop Savvy allows you to scan the barcode of an item at a store and search for a better deal on that item someplace else. It has 20 million products and 40,000 retailers (online and offline) on its platform, so chances are good you’ll get a match on something you see.

Why it’s cool: We’ve all been there, holding a pair of shoes or some important school supply in our hands at the store but wondering whether it might be a little cheaper at the store down the street. Shop Savvy helps you make a confident purchase where you are, or can save you some money by pointing out a better option.
It also recently began a relationship with Capital One, so those card holders are eligible for special deals.

What’s required: The free app is available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

Star Walk

What it is: Star Walk identifies in real time what constellations, stars and planets are all around you. All you have to do is point your phone at the stars. The 360-degree, touch control star map displays constellations, stars, planets, satellites and galaxies currently overhead from anywhere on Earth.

Why it’s cool: This is one of those apps that actually makes you feel like you’re living in the future. It’s a guide to astronomy for everyone from experts to those of us who can’t remember their Ursa Major from their Andromeda. Great for introducing kids to the wonders of astronomy while being confident you’re actually naming the right constellations.

What’s required: This 99-cent app is available for iOS.