ImOn Insider

It felt like most of us spent 2020 just trying to get through the year. Well, we made it and now we are ready to make the most of 2021! Below are a few apps to help you tackle those New Year’s resolutions.

Who doesn’t love a good deal? You might even love deals so much that you look forward to venturing out to shop before the sun comes up on Black Friday. But Black Friday 2020, like many things this year, is going to look different. While retailers will still be offering the crazy deals you’ve come to expect, most will offer those deals in some digital form to avoid having hundreds of people packed in the store.

In this day and age, it is nearly impossible to cut out the use of all technology and social media, especially with your kids. According to the Pew Research Center, kids ages 8 to 12 spend about six hours online every day, while teens spend an average of 9 hours online each day. But, since tweens and teens often keep their lives to themselves, it can be tricky to get clear answers as to what exactly they are doing online. And because of the unpredictability of the Internet, it leads parents to constantly worry about what they are doing, who is contacting them, and are they safe.

Like almost everything in 2020, Halloween is going to be a little different this year. But that doesn’t mean it can’t still be fun. We’re here to help you get into the spooky spirit from home—whether you’re trying to entertain the kids or just yourself. Keep reading to learn how to create a ghoulish Halloween experience without having to leave the house.

Let’s start simple. What are browser cookies? Internet browser cookies (the less delicious type of cookies) are small files that sites send to and save on your computer/phone/tablet. Most sites use these cookies to remember your device and other information — like what’s in your shopping cart or your login information. Cookies can also be used to track your device across websites, which is how you keep seeing ads for that pair of shoes you looked at online a couple of months ago. Cookies aren’t technically tracking you, instead, when a cookie is created it assigns your device a unique tracking number. This number can be matched up across websites or sessions and piece together your travels across the web.

Warm weather is finally here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy it. From trail guides and navigation aids to hike logs and social networks for outdoor adventurers, we put together a list of apps, maps and resources to encourage you to get outside and enjoy the many trails in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. Download the apps and bookmark this blog for quick access to maps and other resources.

Wi-Fi Reliability and Performance

Today, most people access the Internet through a wireless connection. While a wired Ethernet Internet connection offers a guaranteed level of performance and more security, a Wi-Fi connection is more convenient. However, Wi-Fi is incredibly complex and several things can impact the signal strength and reliability.

After hunkering down during winter and then spending the last month social distancing and working from home, your home may be ready for some spring cleaning. So we tracked down some apps to help you tackle this task. We have also included a couple links with information on how to clean and disinfect surfaces in your home during  the COVID-19 pandemic.  Enjoy and happy cleaning!

Over the next few weeks, everyone will be spending a lot more time at home due to the threat of the Coronavirus cancelling events, closing local schools, and requiring social distancing practices. To help keep your family active and entertained during this extended time at home, we have compiled a list of activities, educational websites, book lists, fitness options, and streaming recommendations that everyone will love.

Whether you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with that special someone, friends, or your cat, we have pulled together a list of apps to make your day a little more enjoyable.