Tag Archives: autism

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Pure One Flow and their nice new streaming music service

The amazing new Pure One Flow

I recently had the opportunity to test and review the Pure One Flow. I was quite impressed by its simple design, reminds me of a radio that I had in the 1980’s. It is simple and non-obtrusive on the outside and state of the art in terms of its abilities and capabilities. I was also quite impressed by their streaming audio services as well as its’ ability to tag songs and allow you to either stream the song at a later date as well as download the mp3 from your computer. It also has a new Iphone application from the Itunes store as well. I hope that they also release an Android app for the Android Market as well.

Here is an overview from their Pure’s website–>http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61558

Here is a picture of the amazing little device–>

The amazing new Pure One Flow
Pure One Flow music streaming radio

A bit of information from the folks at Pure–>

Our most affordable portable digital, internet and FM radio, Pure’s One Flow is also one of our easiest radios to use with an intuitive interface and context-sensitive buttons.
Like all our products with Flow technology, One Flow combines digital radio and FM reception with a Wi-Fi connection, to provide you with a world of listening. Enjoy internet radio, listen again programmes, podcasts, Pure Sounds and music streaming when you’re in range of your wireless network, and digital and FM radio wherever you are.
ONE Flow features a smooth satin-touch finish, two alarms, a sleep timer and kitchen timer, an aux-in connector so you can connect your iPod or MP3 player, headphone socket and takes an optional Pure ChargePAK E1 rechargeable battery pack for complete go-anywhere listening.
Digital, FM and internet radio
Flow technology for internet radio, on-demand content including podcasts, Pure Sounds, and media streaming from a computer
FlowSongs service enables you to buy music direct from your radio
Input for iPod/MP3 player
Takes an optional ChargePAK E1 for portable listening
30 digital radio presets, 10 FM presets and unlimited internet favourites
Context-sensitive controls

Easy to use tone or radio alarm (mains power only)
Upgradable via Wi-Fi or USB
Visit the Lounge to register your radio, open a Lounge Account, find new content, organize your favourites and listen online

My wife is very low tech, does not know how to check her email, but she loved the device and found it to be pleasing the the eye and liked the ease of operation and sound quality.

My teen sons and 11 year old daughter also liked its’ customization, tagging and sound quality.

I have used it off and on for a couple of weeks, and recommend it to people that need a simple but powerful device for listening, to beautiful music on demand.

I also had the opportunity to use Pure’s Lounge online music hub. It was very easy to use, nice format and design, and simple to navigate. It reminds me a bit of some of the satellite radio services with much more customization capabilities. I found the music tagging and downloading capabilities to be quite nice too.

Here is a video overview from our friends at butterscotch.com

Watch this video on YouTube.

Here is another nice overview video on the Pure One Flow and its’ features and advantages–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Overall I really like the device, it belongs on most desktops and it can also replace your bedside clock radio with great sound, really nice capabilities and features. I liked the streaming audio features, as well the tagging and downloading capabilities. Due to its complex capabilities but simple design it could appeal to the baby boomers, as well as generation x’ers like me.

Being on the autism spectrum and loving music, I find that the Pur One Flow really impresses me in its simplicity but powerful ability to deliver customized music to its owner.

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Blackberry Playbook with OS 2.0-A preliminary overview

RIM, Research in Motion recently updated their Blackberry Playbook to 2.0. To say the lease I am impressed so far. I would love to test one out and do a formal review especially among the autistic education community. If you can send us one or 2 that would help us to help autistic people via technology, music, and the arts and to improve the quality of life for autistic people.

I tried out the new version of the OS at CES and was quite impressed by the improved design, and email client.

Intuitive social integration–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Smartphone and Tablet Work Better Together on the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

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M-Edge Super Shell for Ipad 2 a product review from Technewszone

I recently had the opportunity to try out M-Edges Super ShellCover for ipad. I was quite impressed by it’s design and durability. It should be a nice product to use for special needs kids who use Ipad’s as well as younger ones too. I let a local preschool borrow it for a day and they really liked its design, construction and ability to protect the Apple Ipad 2 from harm.

About M-Edge:

About M-Edge

M-Edge Accessories was founded in 2006 as a solution to the growing demand for fashionable and protective accessories for e-readers. Since its inception, M-Edge’s product offerings grew rapidly to include several lines of accessories for the most popular e-reader and tablet devices on the market, including iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the Kindle and Nook family of devices. M-Edge’s innovative e-reader and tablet accessories exude style and sophistication while providing complete device protection. M-Edge’s mission is to enhance the experience of everyone who comes in contact with the brand by creating innovative and stylish products, evolving with fast-changing technology, and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

M-Edge products are currently available in Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Staples, and RadioShack stores nationwide, as well as select Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Nordstrom stores. M-Edge has been featured in national publications such as InStyle, O, The Oprah Magazine, People Magazine, Engadget, Wired, and CNET.

Specifications:

FEATURES

Made from ultra-protective closed-cell foam that helps absorb shocks if iPad is dropped
SuperShell wraps around all iPad borders with thick, high-impact corners for maximum protection
Opening for rear facing camera and speaker
Allows access to all ports and buttons
Push buttons for volume and power
Finely dimpled texture allows for no slip grip
SPECIFICATIONS

Patent Pending
Compatibility:

Weight: 9.6oz
Dimensions: 9.5in x 11.3in x 1.1in

OVERVIEW

Look – it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait – it’s SuperShell! This kid and family-friendly foam frame for iPad is the perfect addition to the superhero’s utility belt. The SuperShell is made from ultra-protective closed-cell foam that helps absorb shocks if the iPad is dropped. The case wraps around the iPad and provides access to the rear facing camera and speaker, with push buttons for volume and power. The finely dimpled texture and ridges create an easy, handheld grip while the thick, high-impact corners provide maximum protection. Available in superhero colors like Atomic Green, this case will save the day!

M-Edge, a leading edge manufacturer of innovative tablet and smart phone cases, now has a case they say can be said to be kid proof. They can also be used by people that are rough on such products.

I would definitely recommend it anyone who needs to protect their Ipad 2 from harm!!!

Here are some images of the product that I tested–>

A video review from CES from our friends at State of Tech:

Watch this video on YouTube.

I wish that they had one for my HTC View 4g in blue or orange.

It is available on their website at http://www.medgestore.com/products/ipad2-supershell.psp?device=ipad2

If we ever get funded to give away Ipad’s to autistic children and young adults as is our mission and dream, these would be a great addition to include with each one!!!

Please check out our other autism related articles and reviews as well–>https://technewszone.com

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Our family stood up for Cancer today at Ries Elementary School Blast off for a Cure Event on behalf of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation

My daughter’s school Ries Elementary had a walk and event today for the Nevada Childhood cancer foundation. The event was hosted by Casey Smith from ABC Channel 13,he is one of their anchors. He does a tremendous job at it. He works for KTNV Action News here in Las Vegas, Nevada. His commitment to helping Cancer is obvious, he is truly an inspiration. If we could just find someone like that to help us to help autism we would be making a huge difference.

We also met Veronica Lopez an amazing singer who sang The Star Spangled Banner our US National Anthem for the event. She did a tremendous job.

The event was well attended and hopefully made a huge difference for cancer.

My family has been affected by Cancer, my sister is a breast cancer survivor, and my mom passed away from poly-cystic carcinoma 1-18-2002. My wife had 2 uncles and an aunt pass from cancer as well. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as well.

Though our main focus is helping autism, we also plan to give to help cancer as well once we have sponsors, supporters and donors.

Ries elementary did a great job with the inaugural event. We also all walked, jogged or ran a mile which is good for all of our health.

Please help the Nevada Childhood cancer foundation if you can—>http://www.nvccf.org/

Images from the event–>



KTNV Las Vegas Channel 13 Action News Anchor Man Casey Smith Speaks at Ries Elementary School in support of the Nevada Childhood cancer foundation–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Veronica Lopez Sings at the Ries Elementary School Event on 2/25/2012 to Support the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

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Temple Grandin cautions not to give up on autistic kids according to our friends at The Autism News!!

CHICO — When a young child is diagnosed as autistic, parents must move into high gear, Temple Grandin said in Chico Wednesday.

“The worst thing you can do is nothing,” she said.

Grandin, who is autistic herself, is famous as an animal-behavior expert and as an advocate for people with autism.

An author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, Grandin spoke twice, to large audiences, in Chico State University’s Bell Memorial Union Auditorium Wednesday morning. She also was to be the keynote speaker at the Butte County Farm Bureau’s annual banquet Wednesday evening.

In her talk on autism, Grandin said young autistic children who are non-verbal should have a teacher working with them intensely from an early age.

They need “at least 20 hours weekly of one-to-one teaching,” she said. “Get them engaged. Build on their strengths.”

Autism is “a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Grandin said autistic people have major abnormalities “in the circuits that connect different parts of the brain.”

She talked about some of the ways autistic people experience the world differently from how most people do.

In part, autism is “a sensory processing disorder,” she said. “Kids block their ears because certain sounds hurt.”

For more information and autism related news go to–> link

Temple Grandin will be in Las Vegas on the 9th of March for a speaking event sponsored by Future Horizons Publishing.

I wish Temple would help our autistic run autism tech blog and nonprofit get exposure to help us make a change for people with autism!!

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Ipad 3 Secrets revealed? Maybe

New Ipad 3?

I have been a Apple products user since the Apple 2’s that I used in high
school. Our nonprofit’s intent if we ever get funded is to help autism via Technology, Music and the arts. We will donate tablets to schools. Due to this we are always intrigued by the latest technology.

New Ipad 3?
Will there be a new Ipad 3 soon?

According to Techradar

The Apple iPad 2 has been out for almost a year now, so it’s nearly time to say hello to iPad 3.

The web is teeming with rumours about the new iPad 3 processor, cameras and display, so we’ve gathered together as many details as we can on its possible specifications.

Of course, some of these can be taken with a pinch of salt, but there’s definite patterns occuring and we’d say the final iPad 3 release won’t be that far removed from many of these rumours

So what’s the word on the street about the next iPad?

Apple iPad 3 release date
The iPad 3 release date looks set for March or April 2012, with an iPad 3 announcement in March to coincide with the release of iOS 5.1.

Website YourDailyMac has unearthed iOS 5.1 carrier profiles which carry the possible iPad 3 release date of 9 March 2012 in their names.

However, we’d expect the iPad 3 announcement to be in February, with the iPad 3 US release date in early March and the iPad 3 UK release date in late March.

Apple news site iMore says the announcement will be 7 March, citing sources “which have proved reliable in the past” have confirmed the date ahead of any official announcement from Cupertino.

Digitimes reported in late November 2011 that panel makers had already started shipping panels for the new iPad 3 – a million in October and two million in November.

Foxconn, Apple’s major manufacturing partner, is said to have started production of the iPad 3 in January. 2012. A source at one of Apple’s partners also told Bloomberg also stated that the company began production of the iPad 3 in January, with a view to reaching full volumes in February.

Digitimes says the new model is expected to meet the heady heights of 9.5 to 9.8 million units over the course of Q1 2012.

The Apple iPad 3 will have a quad-core processor
It’s probable that the iPad 3 will have a brand spanking new processor, Apple’s A6 – which will surely be a quad-core ARM-based processor. Quad-core designs are coming from various ARM partners and the Tegra 3 has already been launched by Nvidia, as well as the Snapdragon S4 from Qualcomm.

According to the Korea Times in November 2011, the A6 processors are to be manufactured by Samsung, despite the companies’ ongoing patent battles.

Apple iPad 3 display
A retina display was widely predicted for the iPad 2, but of course the current iPad doesn’t have a double-resolution display: for now, that’s something you’ll only get in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Could an iPad 3 Retina Display be on the way? It’s the very first thing on our iPad 3 wish list.

The exciting news is that it looks as though it is happening, with Apple reportedly testing suppliers’ current shipments of 2048 x 1536 resolution 9.7-inch displays. Now that iBooks 2 has been launched (as of 19 January 2012), we’ve also seen further references to 2x iPad screen images – these will, most likely, be for iPad 3.

However, it’s not always been plain sailing for the display – rumours continued over the summer and autumn of 2011 that the retina display in the iPad 3 was continuing to be a challenge.

Back in May 2011, we reported that the iPad 3 could launch with a Samsung-made AMOLED screen, following rumours that Apple was in talks on the matter with Samsung execs. There have also been more LG and Samsung rumours, too.

However, according to the Wall Street Journal in late November 2011, Sharp will manufacture panels for the device. Apparently Apple is investing in infrastructure at Sharp’s LCD plant. Further rumours said that Apple is looking to implement some nifty dual LED lightbar technology into the iPad 3, apparently in a bid to counter-balance the brightness issue that the Apple tablet may have, due to its super-high pixel density.

A part leak in early December again pointed to a Sharp-manufactured 2048×1536 retina display and dual lightbar.

Another source of ipad rumors is Link

The amazing folks at the Boy Genius Report also have information as well–>http://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/news/2012/02/ipad_3_to_feature_quad_core_processor_leaked_snaps_reveal/

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A nice article from Autism Support Network–>Autism & living on purpose by Lena Rivkin

A link from Autism Support Network and the original article–>http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/autism-living-purpose-3789343

I never know when to stop saying Happy New Year. I strive to hold onto the feeling of renewal, hope and fresh starts that the New Year provides. But holidays quickly recede into the rear view mirror, since the business of living demands our full and present attention, until the next round of designated pre-programmed holiday landmarks sneak up on us. Of course we all endeavor to
live as if every day were a holiday or the first day of the rest of our lives, but that eventually becomes exhausting- usually around mid-January.
However, for those of us with special needs children or siblings, we consistently struggle with how to make the every day more meaningful and resonant for them. My brother, Phillip, is a severely autistic adult and lives in a group home administered by New Horizons. I feel a certain amount of self-imposed pressure to make each visit with my brother intently unique: for his wellbeing, his development, to bring some joy into his quiet little world.
This year I’m resolving to invent cost effective yet special monthly ‘holidays’ for Phillip. And I believe this is an idea we can all build upon and re-invent with our particular families in mind. Each family has a favorite activity- whether our monthly ‘holiday’ is organized around a favorite sport or place to go, making food, music or art together; it is within all of us to find creative ways to make family time together vivid, fun and commemorative.
In my brother’s home we celebrate everyone’s birthday, even if it’s staff or a family member. This creates a loving and fun-filled family-style environment where any seemingly ordinary day is special to someone and worthy of attention. And exposing our special needs family member to variety, to change and the world outside them is as important for them as it is for us. New Horizons places a special emphasis on frequent group outings, which many of the clients anticipate with glee.
As a child I would veer from being overly protective of my brother to being embarrassed by him. Once, when our parents took us to a restaurant Phillip casually helped himself to another diner’s french fries while we were walking to our table. He was ten and figured that since he loved french fries he was welcome to them, no matter whom they belonged to. Our parents had a great sense of humor about Phillip, but I was seven and wanted to crawl under the table. We both have grown up in our own ways- I’m no longer concerned about what the world thinks of my brother and he no longer helps himself to other people’s meals!
I know it’s crucial to take Phillip out into the community. Society needs to be exposed to every kind of person. We all need to swim together among our differences and commonalities. Hopefully bringing Phillip and his friends from New Horizons out shopping will promote education and understanding as to how other families cope with life’s challenges. Our special needs siblings and children have guided us to open our hearts to people with disabilities- and out in the world, Phillip sweetly wins the hearts and minds of people who once eyed him with apprehension.
One of the myths of individuals with special needs is that there is a lack of emotional sensitivity and limited interest in the outside world as compared to higher functioning people. When someone does not communicate verbally or with socially acceptable body language, it is easy to dismiss this person as being unworthy of our attention. Besides, we are all deeply consumed with making our lives tick like Swiss clocks; it’s increasingly difficult to make time we just don’t have for those of us with complicated needs.
A thoughtful and insightful friend recently asked if I shared information about my life with Phillip. I was stunned to consider the notion of my brother wanting to know about my life. I’ve usually been so consumed with caring for him, that the one person who has known me longer than anyone living- has a severely limited knowledge of me … because it never occurred to me that the details of my life would matter to him.
On my next visit I was taking Phillip to get his haircut. Phillip truly loves going anywhere but he especially loves getting his haircut because Catalina, his stylist, dotes on him and has one of his needlepoints framed on the wall of her Dominican Salon. It’s very moving to see people take time for Phillip and for them to create meaningful moments for him. Catalina is one of these people.
In the car ride over I knew Phillip was excited because he was humming. I decided to talk to him the way I would talk to a friend. I casually chatted to Phillip about my latest art project. As I was talking, my brother stopped humming, looked me straight in the eye and held my gaze. I could tell he was paying attention to me. This was a deeply teachable moment… for me. Believing that my life is as important to my brother as his life is to me is one of the light bulb moments that make regular, ordinary days anything but.
The bar has been raised. Here’s to a new year of discovering what tiny gestures can contribute meaning and love to our deeply special families. Having a monthly celebratory goal can keep the feeling of a new year with new hopes alive longer than the resolutions that dissolve somewhere around January 15th.
Lena Rivkin, M.F.A., is an artist and graphologist living in Los Angeles.

I was really impressed by the article, my 3 kids are on the spectrum as am I. One of my son’s is similar it seems to Phillip in many respects, he is 15 almost 16 but I unlikely to live on his own, we do not know for sure but it seems likely that he will not be able to handle himself.

Read more: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/autism-living-purpose-3789343#ixzz1mH7nICtl

Read our articles on tech and autism as well–>link

We are seeking donors, and sponsors to help us to help people with autism and their quality of life.

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Super Bowl Sunday 2012, and an article from Autisable

Though I would have liked a west coast team like the 49’ers to be in the game, in the end it is what it is. I am rooting for the underdog, can relate being a person on the autism spectrum. Go Giants. My kids and I will eat snacks and watch the game. My more autistic son will probably watch a few minutes, get bored and play video games.

Here is a nice article that I found on the amazing autisable.com site–>

http://www.autisable.com/758836588/superbowl-sunday-poems-dsm-5-and-autism-speaks/

Time for one of my favorite days of the year…Superbowl Sunday! Obviously I am rooting for the Giants! On Friday I went to the Autism Speaks Awards Reception in Princeton, it was such a fun night! They honored the top teams, individual fundraisers and shared some new studies with us. I am honored and thrilled to be the 2012 Publicity Chair for Autism Speaks (Central NJ) and hope this year’s walk is the biggest yet! I will be blogging a lot about Autism Speaks, since I have been volunteering with them for a few years now, and I think they are wonderful. I wanted to talk about a few things that some of you have asked me to blog about! Feel free to send me ideas

more–>

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An interesting article from Autisable–>What does the future hold for my autistic child?

When you mention that your child has Aspergers Syndrome, most that have some understanding of the syndrome, just think the characteristics are a lacking in social interaction skills, literal understanding, or an intense special interest. There is so much more to Aspergers then this! One of the main difficulties for Little man is learning independence skills, the most basic everyday things that a “typical” child masters in the early years of life, such as tying their own shoe laces, Little man is only just beginning to do at the age of 11 years.

The article comes from http://aboywithaspergers.autisable.com
For the rest of the story click here–>link