I think you’ll agree that computers are now a part of just about every family’s lifestyle (not to mention our business lives…). It has been fascinating to watch the rapid evolution of computers over the years.  Remember the first computer you bought for your home?  Chances are it was a huge desktop PC with a large CPU, and awkwardly heavy CRT display.  Today that early PC is a digital dinosaur, and, arguably, the idea of a big CPU for a “desktop” PC is perhaps on its way to extinction as well.

Lap It Up…

When laptop PC’s first hit the market we were enamored by their portability, but we wanted them to have the same power and capabilities as our workhorse desktops… and soon they were just as fast and capable, with powerful, yet power friendly microprocessors, great graphic and media capabilities, sharp, wide screens, and hard drives with the same capacity as their desk-trodden counterparts.  Indeed the laptop could be a primary PC, but you might not want to carry it with you everywhere (if you value your shoulder).  For many, that big, bulky (but capable) laptop became our main PC, spending more time on our desks than our laps.

Casting (out) the Net(book)

Recognizing the consumer’s desire for “smaller and lighter,” notebooks evolved from the laptop, and then the netbook evolved from the notebook pc.  Small, light and inexpensive, the netbook was one step forward in portability, but two steps backward in power and function.  The shrunken keyboards could be a challenge, along with the small screens and general lack of “oomph” when it comes to speed and pure processing prowess.  A netbook has its place in a pinch, but it is unlikely to ever become a “main” computer.

Enter The Ultrabook!

The desire for small, light, powerful and portable is now being addressed by the many Ultrabooks hitting the market, driven by an Intel reference design.  As I mentioned in an earlier post in which I unboxed the Asus Zenbook UX31E, Ultrabooks are thin, sleek and light.  Most weigh less than 3 pounds, and the Asus Zenbook that Intel sent me is 9mm thick in the back, sloping down to 3mm in the front.  It is an eye-catching brushed aluminum package… and with “instant on” and solid battery life it is a computer you truly can (and will want to) take with you everywhere.  It is a full featured portable computer that fits into any lifestyle and a laptop that is just as comfortable on your lap on the couch as it is on your desk.  The Asus Zenbook is an impressive example of the Ultrabook category and at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) there are expected to be some exciting Ultrabook announcements from a number of manufacturers. (Stay tuned – I’ll be at CES and look forward to telling you more about the Ultrabooks, gadgets and other geek goodies on display in Las Vegas).

The Ultrabook Dads Geek Out On Video

When Intel sent @HighTechDad and I the Asus Zenbooks to review, we wanted to do something a little different.  Any reviewer can tell you the specs of a device.  We wanted to have some fun and give you a good perspective on the Asus Ultrabook at the same time. While we each made our own video, they are actually closely tied together and I hope you’ll take the time to watch them both for the full UltrabookDads treatment.  And please, let us know what you think!

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/GqM3l3n-B3I

And here is the companion video from @HighTechDad:

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/AhP6XdglaVs

Michael and I have enjoyed using and talking about the Ultrabook and having the chance to be “UltrabookDads.”  We held a Google Hangout and a fun live Twitter Chat, and one lucky Twittizen, @BadMofo33, was the random winner of an Ultrabook Intel provided as a giveaway.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this inside look inside Ultrabooks, sponsored by Intel.  Which Ultrabook features are most appealing to you?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

Most importantly, for me, is the fact that 2011 was the year that I walked away from a career and chose to be a stay-at-home dad.  I also decided to write about it on this site, and I am so glad to have you along for the ride.  In just under ten months, this little site has had nearly 50,000 page views, over 1,000 Twitter follwers, 100 Facebook “Likes” and many meaningful interactions with you, the readers.  I am so thankful that you choose to read my stories every week.  Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in this wonderful battle called parenthood.  And lastly, thank you for joining in the discussion about how fathers can reclaim the definitions of dad, fatherhood and parenting as their own.

So, without further ado, here is your 2011 Year in Review video from the kind folks at Google Zeitgeist.  The cool thing is that it is based on how people searched in 2011.  Of course, it also doubles as a big sales pitch for Google products, but it is very well done.  Check it out.

If you are a nerd for metrics and a lover of all things search related, you can go to the Google Zeitgeist 2011 site and look at their Top 10 lists.  Click on a category and use their fancy slider tool to see what the top search trends were during each month of the year.  It’s a nifty way to look at the year in review.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

PS – Of course, the folks at Jib Jab have their own take on it.

PPS –  For all of you fellow nerds out there, this is a brief summary of what happened in the world of science this year. Enjoy!

This baby’s expression embodies my internal feelings about people who BABYTALK THE HELL OUT OF THEIR KIDS. I don’t mind a babyish word here or there, but sometimes parents go through an entire edition of War & Peace, recited in babytalk. Stop the insanity. Please!

For the record, her laugh is pretty intense too but I can’t fault her for that. I sound like a hyena high on helium who plays D&D all day.

Happy Friday everyone!

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You’re Not Done Yet? Good, neither are we. Check out our “best of” welcome page and knock yourself out.
 

It’s a tough call for some parents…

Which holidays stories do we tell our kids? Yikes. Whatever you do, make sure you’re very clear about your plan of attack and its storyline. A poorly assembled sentence here… A word they don’t understand there… and the result is major miscommunication about the characters and the tales you’re trying to pass along.

At the very least, maybe someone can find this little girl and tell her that Santa is NOT coming to kill her? That would be a nice holiday gift.

Don’t ruin the magic of the myth for your kids. Or, if you’re going the other way, teach them not to ruin it for others.

PS: You better watch out.

There is a new digital recorder on the block. It is an app and it is called TV Anytime.

TV Anytime is a newly launched app for iOS and Android devices that records streaming video for playback on your PC or iPad. It automatically records and syncs the content that you request to your mobile device via Wifi or USB. Currently, it is only of use to PC users and you will need a Windows 7 PC with at least a dual core 1.5GHz processor to use TV Anytime.

Overall, the concept is a pretty simple one. But, why would people be interested? Well, as we increasingly rely on mobile devices as a tool for just about everything, the ability to have our streamed content available from our favorite sites on our mobile devices, including sites like Netflix, becomes valuable – consider those long trips in the car with the kids.

But, how does it work?

The app uses a software program on your PC to record online streaming video. The recorded video then syncs with your Android or iOS mobile device. The content gets uploaded to your phone and, voila, movies and TV shows on the go, even when you can’t connect to WiFi or 3G. And because the content is preloaded, it means no more going over data plans. It also means no change in the quality of the video while you’re watching it, even if the guy next to you in the coffee shop needs to have all fifteen of his devices connected to WiFi.

Of course, there are issues. This is an app for people who are prepared. The sync time for large video files between iTunes and iOS devices means you have to consider your viewing ahead of time (which in some ways defeats the purpose of streaming). Also, those who have not bulked up on space and have the 16GB iOS device might find they run out of space quickly. Still, those are issues that will resolve over time – so the concept behind this app is one for the future. At least until ubiquitous and uninterrupted wireless broadband is available everywhere!

TV Anytime is available for download free on iOS and Android before the end of the year.

Note: Currently the app only works in the US.

Assembled by the boys

The UPS man knocked on the side door while the boys were waiting for him at the front. They hear the truck and know that something great is coming for them. The boxes are not always for them but they don’t really care. They just love the mystery of the package, and I have to admit I have the bug as well. Our latest side door package was a new stool from the Children’s Furniture outfit called Sodura. Sodura is a Louisville Kentucky company that makes high quality furniture with eco-friendly products. I was asked if I wanted to test out their wooden stool to get an idea of the stylish furniture they made and I took them up on the opportunity. The folks at Sodura are parents looking for functional style in their kids rooms just like I am and I was interested to see if the stool was as easy to assemble and as sturdy as promised. The boys and I gathered are tools and got started putting the stool together. Really I just made them do the building because as poor kids I thought they needed the work experience.

As you can see it was indeed easy to build and the stool looks great in the boy’s room. Check out Sodura’s website and track down a vendor near you. They really do make quality modern furniture that meets the high demands for form and function in stylish kid’s rooms.

I’ve heard some moms-to-be say they wish their pregnancy would “last forever,” they love it so much. Which is a touching, yet alarming statement, especially if you happen to the be the father. Eh-hem. Some women are in the NSM camp. Not so much. They’d pay in limbs to fast-forward through their rough pregnancy.

Whatever anyone’s preference is for the passage of pregnancy time, it seems like most “ready to pop” moms—sarcastic side note: they all love that expression by the way—they seem to just want to floor it and get to the finish line. At least through the parts where getting up from a couch inspires thoughts of clever pulley/winch systems. Or when the prospect of handling a rock in the shoe brings on tears.

But afterwards… it all seems to have rushed by soooooo fast. This super funny, crazy rad video brings it all home beautifully.

Soak in every moment and savor every speeding second!

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You’re Not Done Yet? Good, neither are we. Check out our “best of” welcome page and knock yourself out.