3 Best All-in-one Printers for Your Home Use

In reality, it's really hard to imagine living in a paperless world. Social media platforms like Instagram is awesome, but sometimes, we still want to print that special photo or a beautiful scene and post them on our bedroom walls or fridge. E-signing documents are convenient, but there are times that it's better if we see and feel an actual document, especially if it's a very important one.

Now on that note, choosing a printer for your home use can be a challenging task. Most of us would go for a cheap printer in order to be practical and just get an "OK" job. But will it stay that way after a year? Two years? Printers are known to last for a long time provided that they are built for the long haul. Sometimes, it's more practical to spend a little bit more than go for the cheapest one around. Chances are, the first one will surely last longer and will perform better than buying a cheaper one.

So, if you're currently on a printer hunt, below are the top three all-in-one printers that are best for home use.

Epson Expression Photo XP-860	The Expression Photo XP-860 Small-In-One Inkjet Printer from Epson lets you scan, copy, fax, and print up to 5760 x 1440 dpi. It's six-color Claria Photo HD ink set produce smooth pictures and accurate skin tone. Printing is quick at a rate of 9.5 ppm in black or 9 ppm in color and can produce documents up to 8.5 x 14" in size. The 30-page automatic feeder makes duplex printing possible at 4.7 ppm in black and 4.5 ppm in color. The front of the XP-860 features a large 4.3" touchscreen panel with gesture navigation. Additionally, it has USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can also print directly from mobile devices, scan and share on social networks or cloud services. The printer is compatible with Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Epson Connect mobile print services. Price: $229.99
Dell E525 Multifunction Printer	This may be the least attractive model, but it's the fastest at 18 pages per minute. The E525 is a 4-in-1 color multifunction unit designed to streamline everyday printing and imaging jobs. It has the ability to print wirelessly, scan, copy, and fax from its very compact footprint. An automatic document feeder is included to allow for unattended faxing, scanning, and copying. Users will appreciate its built-in Dell Printer Easy Installer and 1-click connectivity to the Dell Printer Hub. You can choose from three different connectivity options: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB. Print speeds for the E525 top out at 18 ISO ppm, and documents can be scanned as quickly as 17 ppm. Price: $249.99
HP Officejet Pro 276dw	The HP Officejet Pro 276dw is a big, muscular-looking machine that delivers a lot of printer for the price. Some of its well-known features include laser-class speed and text quality, paper handling suitable for light to medium-duty printing by small office standards, the ability to scan two-sided documents, and support for PCL and Postscript. If you're currently in search of a laser-class multifunction printer for a micro or small office, the HP Officejet Pro 276dw may be the perfect one to meet your needs. Price: $399

In short, if you want a small, but good-looking printer that can handle a decent printing job, go with the Epson model. If you're looking for a work horse printer that can keep up with large monthly printing volumes and don't mind making a bit more than that, then you may want to consider the HP unit. Now, if you don't care about what the printer looks and you're more into the machine's printing speed, then the Dell laser printer is what you need.

Tablets That You Should Buy or Avoid for Your Kids

Nowadays, tablets are the perfect way to keep children entertained for long periods of time. However, you may want to think again before handing them over your iPad and just hope that nothing goes wrong while they're at it. So what could go possibly wrong while your tablet is in the hands of Junior? Well, not only could your iTunes bill get out of control, your little one may also stumble upon a minefield of inappropriate online content. Luckily, there are several kid-friendly tablets on the market that provide sturdy parental controls, age-appropriate apps, and durable built that can withstand your kid's recklessness.

But wait, you also need to keep in mind that there are some kids tablets that offer optimum performance, which every parent have come to expect, while some deserve to get a plain, cold stare. Here are some kids tablets suggestions that are a win-win for your child, and also some that you should keep your distance from.

Amazon Fire HD 6 Kids' Edition (BUY)	The Amazon Fire HD 6's vibrant display, superb parental controls, and healthy app selection makes it a great kids' selection. The tablet has a 2 MP rear-facing camera that allows for high-resolution photos and 1080p HD video, and a front-facing camera that's perfect for when you want to set up video calls between kids and their grandparents. With a Gorilla Glass display and rigorous testing, Fire HD is unsurpassed in reliability among tablets for kids. Price: $149.00 from Amazon.com
Apple iPad mini 2 (BUY)	You don't need to spend too much, say an iPad mini 3 for $399 when you can get an iPad mini 2 starting from $299. Considering that the only specific differences between the two is the gold color option and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, that's actually a great price. Your child will be content with the iPad mini 2 as he/she will be able to enjoy the same robust app and game selection, crisp Retina display, and long battery life. Its smaller form factor makes it easier to hold one-handedly, even by little hands. And because of that, you can spare some extra cash for content and a tough case. Price: $299.99 on Amazon.com
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (BUY)	Delight your little one with one of the jaw-dropping tablets in the market today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4. The tablet's 8.4-inch, 2560 x 1600 display is perfect for movie watching, and it's sturdy Kids' Mode feature assures you that all content your child accesses and see are age appropriate. The Galaxy Tab S is Samsung's thinnest and lightest tablet yet so it's very easy to hold and carry. Equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2.1-megapixel front camera, this tablet lets your child take high-quality photos and video chat with his/her grandparents and family members. Price: $279.00 on Amazon.com
Polaroid Kids Tablet 2 (AVOID)	There's not really much to offer from this $75 tablet. The tablet's processor comes with only 512MB of RAM, which is half the RAM as any other kids Wi-Fi tablet. The 7-inch display is only 800 x 480 dpi, which is considerably less resolution than most other tablets out there. Its battery life is also reportedly to be very poor, lasting only for 2 hours. Although, there's one major feature that redeems this particular model when it comes to hardware aspect is the fact that it has 8 GB of storage. It's also nice that it comes with a stand so that kids can watch videos or movies without having to hold the tablet. Unfortunately, some of the main reasons why you should avoid buying this slate for your kid are: its poor processing power, bad graphics, and narrow selection of apps.
Kurio 10s (AVOID)	The Kurio 10s tablet offers your child a host of preloaded apps and content, strong parental controls, and great Kurio software. Unfortunately, some of the disadvantages of getting this tablet are its below-average 6:41 of battery life, lagging performance, and heavy 2-pound chassis. The slate's smudgy screen will probably make your kid uninterested and will just ask for yours instead.
IDEAPlay Tablet (AVOID)	If you're planning to get this tablet as a birthday gift for your child, better think again. This tablet gives more punishment than a delightful present for your little ones. It offers awful battery life, no longer than 4 hours, and the 7-inch display is dim with a very low resolution of 800 x 400 pixels. Not only that, the IdeaPlay tablet offers poor content selection, thus categorizing it as one of the tablet models you don't want to buy for your kids.

Top 5 Hi-Tech Toys That Can Be Controlled With a Smartphone

Technology is going full-blast in almost the speed of light by providing people with awesome gadgets in different forms and sizes, and yes, even toys. However, some people remain unaware about the greatness of such tools, which can provide them convenience in their daily lives or simply amaze them. So here is a short list of some awesome and hi-tech toys that can be controlled using your smartphone.

TankBot	TankBot is the world's first micro robotic tank that you can control with your smartphone. Through a free downloadable app and a smartphone adapter (included), which plugs into your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android device and choose from three different play modes. The TankBot can navigate through mazes and obstacles, features a random personality mode and is fully-controllable with your Apple or Android device. Each individual TankBot color has a different frequency, allowing you and your friends to have multiple robots racing, battling, and exploring. Price: $24.95 from these stores.
SmartPlane	The SmartPlane is the world's first smartphone-controlled miniature airplane. The SmartPlane has been designed to stay in the air at low speeds, making it possible to fly indoors without "laser-sharp reflexes." You can control the SmartPlane with your smartphone held in their palm, and the SmartPlane responds to the phone user's hand movements in real time. The SmartPlane connects to an iOS device via Bluetooth Smart (aka Bluetooth low energy), which gives it a range of up to 60 m (200 ft). The plane can only be paired to one device at a time, with a white LED on the plane indicating its connection status. Its firmware is also automatically updated wirelessly to make sure that the plane is always loaded with the latest firmware. Price: $69.99 from SmartPlane's official website
Moto TC Rally	The Moto TC Rally is another awesome toy that you can easily connect with your smartphone. This USB-rechargeable car integrates real-world and in-app driving experience, using impact sensors to detect damage from other drivers and obstacles. After connecting, tilt your iOS device to steer the car or use the virtual pads on your phone's screen to navigate. With Moto TC Rally, you can race alone or with friends (additional cars are sold separately). This toy car is compatible with devices that support Bluetooth Low Energy v4.0, including the following: iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (5th Gen), iPad (4th, 3rd Gen), and iPad mini. Price: $59.99 from MOTO TC Rally's official website
Sphero 2.0	Sphero is a robotic ball that you can connect with your phone via Bluetooth (up to 100 feet) and glows with customizable colors. Sphero 2.0 can gather speeds of up to 7 feet per second. Its features wireless charging and is both pet-proof and waterproof. Included inside the kit are two ramps that you can use to play with the Sphero on. It works with both iOS and Android devices. Price: $129.99 from Sphero 2.0's official website
Rover 2.0 Spy Tank	Sit in one room and check out what's going on elsewhere in your house with the help of the Rover 2.0 Spy Tank. It links with your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, working with a range of up to 100 feet through obstacles and 200 feet uninterrupted. What's good about this toy is that you can also see what's happening with its adjustable camera and hear what's being said in the tank's surroundings with its built-in microphone, or you can even transmit your own voice or audio through its speaker -- and you can experience all these in real time! Its video feed or camera snapshots can be uploaded directly to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Planning to use this cool toy in the dark? No problem. Just switch on the headlights, or better yet, its infrared-based night vision mode and see clearly in the dark. Powered by 6 AA batteries, the Rover 2.0 Spy Tank is the ultimate toy for geeks and those spy-at-heart. Price: $156.00 from Amazon

Who says toys are just for kids? With these kinds of gizmos that are already out in the market, it's hard for those tech-hungry persons to simply look away. These great smartphone-controlled toys will definitely catch your attention and will surely awaken the "techie kid" within you.

Affordable But Great Mother's Day Tech Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is fast approaching once again and what better way to celebrate it with the most important woman in your life is to show her appreciation on this special day. This year, skip the flowers and pamper the extraordinary maternal figure in your life with modern day tech gifts and gadgets. But if you're in a tight budget right now, don't worry a bit because we got your covered. Check out these cool yet affordable tech gadgets for mom that are just below $100, which will surely make you do a thumbs up.

Apple TV	If your already have an Apple environment -- an iPhone, iPad, or iMac, or if she has tons of movies, TV shows, and music in iTunes -- then getting an Apple TV is the perfect fit for her collection. Apple is keeping its box up-to-date with new channels every few months, including Watch ABC and FX Now, HBO Go, and HBO's standalone subscription service, HBO Now. And what's great about it is that its price just got more affordable. Price: $63.95 at Amazon Marketplace
Amazon Kindle 2014	Unlike tablets and smartphones that can double as e-readers, the Amazon Kindle has a long-lasting battery and a paperlike screen that reading addicts will surely appreciate. And unlike other mobile gadgets, your mom won't get distracted with any calls, emails, or SMS while she's reading her favorite novel. Price: $79.00 at Amazon.com and Amazon Marketplace
Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse	At a glance, your mom won't surely buy something like this...but you can. The new Logitech MX Master is a high-performance wireless mouse with a built-in rechargeable that anyone will no doubt appreciate as a gift. So go and get your mother one...after all, its price is within reach. Price: $99.00 at Dell Small Business and Amazon.com
Seagate Seven Portable Drive	The Seagate Seven 500GB Portable Drive may not give exactly the superb storage impact for the buck, but it is the slimmest portable hard drive in the market today and offers superb performance that your mom will surely put to good use. Price: $94.99 at Amazon.com
JBL Flip 2 Bluetooth Speaker	The Flip 2 Bluetooth Speaker from JBL initially came out the market at around $130, but now you can get it for just less than $80. For its size, this speaker sounds awesome and you can even get it at your mom's favorite color. She will surely listen to her favorite music more often now that she has this. Price: $76.86 at Amazon Marketplace
Audio-Technica ATH-WS55 Solid Bass Headset	Is your mom the type who flips her head to the sound of good music? Well then try gifting her with this one -- the Audio-Technica Solid Bass Over-Ear headset for Mother's Day. It's acoustically sealed oval earpads help prevent sound leakage and it also has a smooth, easily adjustable headband slider ensures a comfortable fit. Price: $64.99 at Amazon.com
Logitech Harmony 650	The Logitech Harmony 650 may be a few years old already, but it's still the most reliable and popular remote that's below $80 only. Just make sure you do the effort of programming it on your mom's Mac or PC so that all she needs to do is sit back and relax. Price: 57.49 at Amazon Marketplace

We hope this list helped you figure out what to give your moms on Mother's Day. But aside from it, don't forget to give her the TLC that she needs...after all, she deserves it.

Apps that Can Help You Recover Your Holiday Splurge

During the Holiday season, it's very easy to spend some money here and there and lose track of your budget easily. If you're trying to recover from your uncontrolled spending from the last Christmas season, or you simply want to save for the rainy days, you may want to start monitoring your finances better. But in order for you to accomplish this, using a mobile app that keeps track of your money, and lets you add the smaller purchases on your own should kickstart it off.

Below are some suggested apps for users who would like to automate their financial tracking, enter transactions manually, or just to keep track of details for work.

App	Description	Availability
Spendee	If connecting your bank accounts and credit cards to a mobile app is not your cup of tea, go with Spendee. This app allows you to manually enter all your credits and debits, and offers a host of categories that you can assign to each. If you want to add more categories to select from when entering a transaction, go to Settings, then head to Categories. From there, you can check those categories you would like to use. In this menu you can also adjust the category colors, which makes it even easier to organize your transactions. The Spendee app also offers support for recurring transactions, as well as reminders, which are perfect for paying your rent, car insurance, or your wireless bill. And most of all, you can secure all those data with a four-digit PIN.	Android - free iOS - ($1.99, £1.49, AU$2.49)
Level Money	Level Money is the right app for those who would like to know how much money they can spend on a specific time. It lets you skip manually entering each debit and credit by connecting with your bank accounts and credit cards. When setting up Level Money, you'll be asked to create a PIN to keep your information if in case you misplace your phone. After you provide some little information, you can start tracking your bills, income, and even pick out a savings plan, if you need one. All of these transactions are presented to you in graphic form, making it easy for you to identify where your money is going.	Android - free iOS - free
Expensify	Do you run your own business? Do you travel for work? This app is designed for users who need to detail all of their work-related expenses each month. Expensify supports mileage costs, hourly payment rates, receipt scanning, and also allows you to share reports thru email. If in case you lost connection, this app can save your data until you're back online. And once you do, you can back up your expenses to a number of cloud storage providers.	Android - free iOS - free
Dollarbird	The Dollarbird app enables you to add transactions similar to Spendee, but displays your monthly activity on a calendar form. This is a perfect option if you share a bank account, or just part of the expenses, with another individual. Dollarbird lets you share the calendar, and offers a PIN option to secure your personal data as well.	Android - free iOS - free

While each of these mentioned apps have their own strong and weak points, they all have the purpose to help you determine where you're spending or making the majority of your money each month.