The Super Bowl and social TV through the second screen

Electronics
By Lori Soard on January 31, 2013 in

NFL Mobile

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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Taste bud salsa: Who makes the best salsa?

Kitchen & Food
By Malorie Sellers on January 30, 2013 in

Salsa C Closeup

Salsa. No, not the fancy dance. The get-in-my-mouth-now delicious combination of tomatoes, chilies, cilantro, onion, and all things good. We could go round and round about whose mom makes the best salsa and whose dad has the best supermarket strategy. But the truth is, when it comes to game day, you really just want to throw something in a bowl and watch the game (or commercials--no judgment here) and eat.

Luckily for you, the ConsumerSearch team took on the heartburn and headache of testing jar after jar of salsa--ok so maybe we only tested the top six--but it felt like a lot. Twenty people from all walks of life weighed in with their wit and charm and most importantly, their taste buds. Here are the results: Read more

Tortilla chip taste-off: Does Tostitos, Mission or 365 make the best tortilla chip?

Kitchen & Food
By Malorie Sellers on January 30, 2013 in

Chips closer up

For most people, tortilla chips are just a vessel for shoveling as much dip as possible into their faces. We're not most people. We appreciate the art and craft of a well-made tortilla chip, as much as the next Mexican. But who the heck has time to slave over hand pressing masa all day? Not us. So we did what must be done. First, we fought off hordes of snack fiends in the salty-highway-to-heaven aisle at the supermarket and zeroed in on a select few favorites among the bagged tortilla chip selection.

We found 20 hungry volunteers and put the three top brands of tortilla chips to a head-to-head blind taste-test. Only one could be named victorious in this battle for top dipper, a.k.a. the most essential food group of a winning game-day party. Here are the results:
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5 apps to help you out with your taxes

Computers & Internet
By Isabel Eva Bohrer on January 29, 2013 in

tax forms

Now that New Years is behind us, chances are you're thinking about your taxes. Tax software has made our lives easier of course, but you can also use apps to file your taxes, check on your tax refund and even calculate sales tax on the go. You won't need to hunch over your computer and can do your taxes wherever you are. Read more

Scoring a big-screen TV for the big game

Electronics
By Carl Laron on January 28, 2013 in

Score a big TV for the big game

While it hasn't quite caught up to Thanksgiving ... yet ... Super Bowl Sunday is gaining traction as an occasion for gathering friends and family for an afternoon and night of feasting and fun, as well as the odd loud "disagreement," or two. It's also gaining traction as an excuse for finally breaking down and getting that really big screen TV. Makers and retailers couldn't be happier as that makes the run up to the big game a perfect time to mark down last year's sets to move them out ahead of the arrival of this year's newly announced models. But can you really score a great deal? Here's the 411. Read more

6 toys to keep kids moving indoors

Family & Pets
By Kelly Burgess on January 25, 2013 in

6 toys to keep kids moving indoors

Childhood obesity is a serious concern these days and experts say a big part of the problem is the trend toward increasingly sedentary activities like TVs, computers and video games. When the weather's nice, there's an easy fix for that -- just send the kids out to play. But during the winter it gets a little more complex.

The experienced parents here at ConsumerSearch have you covered. Here are 6 great toys that will keep kids active even when they're stuck in the house. The bonus is that they're also fun for the whole family! Read more

Which credit report services are truly free?

By Sage McHugh on January 24, 2013 in

If you've resolved to get your finances in order this year, you may want to obtain your credit report and determine your credit score. Web sites offering free credit reports are heavily advertised these days, but you're probably wondering how trustworthy they are. Here is some advice on how you can safely get your credit report and credit score. We will also help you steer clear of "free" offers that could actually cost you money in the long run. Read more

Stop wrinkles now! Use these 3 simple steps

Health & Beauty
By Michelle Vongphakdy on January 23, 2013 in

Stop wrinkles now! Use these 3 simple steps

When it comes to maintaining healthy, wrinkle-free skin, the sun is your worst enemy. The UV rays emitted by the largest star coupled with other environmental factors further the aging process. As easy as it is to age your skin, it's just as simple to protect it. Here are three ways to stop wrinkles now!

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Recall recap: Bugaboo Strollers, Enduro Motorcycles, Target Air Misters, and food recalls

By Rita Colorito on January 17, 2013 in

A slow week in recalls, so we'll get right to it. The largest recall this week involves The Air Mister: 168,000 of these hand-held air misters sold by Target were recalled because they can shatter while in use, posing an injury hazard. Consider a different way to cool off. And high-end Dutch stroller manufacturer, Bugaboo, recalled 46,300 strollers Read more

Calling all parents: Kids' mobile apps not so private

Family & Pets
By Sandra Gordon on January 17, 2013 in

Girls using apps on smartphone

Kids and technology go together like chicken fingers and ketchup. Even babies can finger swipe these days. But a new Federal Trade Commission report on mobile apps for kids, "Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade," says many kids' apps aren't protecting your child's privacy like they're supposed to. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates the privacy and safety online for children under age 13. According to COPPA, app developers must, for example, provide a link to a clear and prominent privacy policy about the kinds of personal information it collects from children who download the app.

The FTC's report, however, which analyzed and tested 200 apps each from the Apple and Google Play app stores, found that the majority of the kids' apps collected or transmitted information, including the device's I.D., without disclosing the app's privacy practices. A mobile device's ID is a short string of letters and/or numbers that can allow apps, developers and other companies such as ad networks to receive information about the user, such as the user's (your child's) name, phone number, e-mail address, friends list and geolocation. All mobile devices have an I.D. Read more

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