Gadgets: Software program helps parents monitor kids' texting

Children often can't put down a mobile phone because there's a never-ending text message conversation going on.

RADAR is a program from eAgency Mobile Solutions designed to help parents monitor text messaging but not in a spyware manner as the phone user is alerted to the software monitoring. This gives parents the comfort of knowing who is texting their children, including cyber bullies, child predators or other unauthorized contacts.

Parents (or other users) can monitor email, text messages, call logs, photos and changes made to the phone's address book. They can also send reminders and calendar events to the child's cell phone.

The program provides the complete text message, including both sent and received messages along with photos and the corresponding phone numbers. This information is recorded on a web site that can be reviewed anywhere.

Teens often text each other in a "coded language" that may be confusing for most parents, but having the messages written in a report gives parents the opportunity to research the codes and unlock what the teens are saying.

A parental controls page provides customized controls of where alerts are sent along with adding, editing and updating email and text message addresses to the RADAR monitoring list.

Parents can create a master contact list, which only the parent can access. This is where approved contacts are added and where addresses, phone numbers and email information is stored. This provides users with an automatic cross check of information coming into the phone from approved and non-approved contacts.

Parents, along with any other names registered, will get an emailed alert when unapproved people try to contact the child.

The user of the phone will also see that a message, email or phone call has come in from an unapproved contact.

Unlike the rest of the cell phone world, there are not contracts with RADAR. It costs $9.95 per month for one phone or $14.95 for a family plan of up to four phones. Users also get free technical support.

Information: www.mymobilewatchdog.com

Pure Digital Technologies has a new addition to its Flip Video camera lineup: the 3.3 oz. Flip Video Mino, which is 40 percent smaller than the Flip Ultra.

It's smaller than a cell phone and easily fits into a pocket. Its suggested retail price is $179.99.

Included software allows the camera to be plugged into a computer. It has 2 gigabytes of flash memory, allowing for 60 minutes of TV-quality video.

The Mino is the first Flip Video camcorder with an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides more than four hours of recording on a single charge. The battery recharges through the computer's USB port. An AC power adapter is available as an accessory.

The camera is available in black or white and includes a fixed-focus 2x digital zoom lens, easy connection to a TV and an automatic feature that shuts the camera down after 90 seconds of inactivity.

Information: www.theflip.com

The Wind (Wi-Fi Network Device) from MSI Computer Corp. is the first 10-inch notebook that features the new Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor.

It weighs just 2.6 pounds, has an ergonomically designed keyboard with keys spaced just 0.68 inches apart and a 10-inch LDC display with a resolution of 1024-by-600. All this packed into a case measuring 7.08 inches wide by 10.23 inches long.

Other features include a battery that provides up to 5.5 hours depending on the conditions and settings, along with an 80G/2.5-inch SATA hard drive, system memory of 512MB (upgradable up to 2GB), 1.3M webcam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), 3 USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader.

Magnifying technology will allow users to enlarge the monitor display, making it easy to read or edit the digital files.

The computer has a MSRP of $499 and will be available for purchase on Monday (6/16/08). Buyers will have a choice of getting it in while, pink or black.

Information: www.msimobile.com

Gregg Ellman (817-390-7717) is the Star-Telegram's photo director/technology. His gadgets column appears weekly.