Productopia | Lori Soard

While it's common to get together with friends and family to take in the Super Bowl, you can also engage with others who aren't in the same room, or even the same state. You may have heard about the growing popularity of "second screen" viewing, meaning watching a game, program or other event on TV (first screen) and using another screened device (iPad, laptop, smart phone, etc.) for additional interaction. If you have never partaken in the second screen phenomenon, the Super Bowl is a great game to get started with. Perhaps you tweet out a cry of victory during the first touchdown of the game, or maybe you lament over the crazy antics of yet another halftime performer while engaging in a video chat with someone on the other side of the country. In some cases, networks are offering second screen apps so that you can view as many as four different camera angles at one time, ensuring you don't miss a second of the action.

When it comes to the Super Bowl, the second screen craze is hardly new. On Digiday, Jack Marshall points out that during the 2011 Super Bowl game, there were approximately 4,064 tweets per second posted during the game's high points. That number more than tripled in 2012, according to The Washington Post, with the tweets reaching 12,233 per second by the end of the game. Graphs.net estimates that 70 percent of tablet owners use their second screen while watching a live event. If you are looking for apps that integrate with the Super Bowl, this year brings a nice selection of choices. 

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Have you always wanted to make a list and check it twice so you can play Santa Claus? The holiday season is the perfect time to give to others who might not be as fortunate as you. Alas, most of us don't have a naughty/nice list that tells us exactly what a stranger might need to fulfill his holiday wishes. That is where a slew of non-profit organizations come in. These groups help match needy families with those wanting to spread a little Christmas cheer. Read more

Every year, Amazon hires approximately 50,000 seasonal workers to help fulfill its massive amount of holiday orders between September and December. The company has a program called CamperForce, in which employees camp out (for free) near the company's large fulfillment centers. CamperForce workers are typically RV enthusiasts and have dubbed themselves "workampers."  Read more

Carbonite is an easily recognized name in data backup and regularly gets positive reviews for its ease of use and starting costs of around $60 a year. However, Carbonite has some limitations that may open the door for competitors like CrashPlan to take over a portion of their business. For example, Carbonite's basic plan does not back up system files or allow users to upload files stored on an external backup drive. You also cannot back up an external hard drive from a Mac computer at all and files over 4 gigs require manual uploads. To automatically backup an external drive, you must upgrade to a Plus or Premier plan, which also costs $30 to $90 more each year. Read more