New Santa app calls, texts your child
A Bloomingdale company has launched an app that allows your children to send or receive calls and texts from Santa and store a wish list for handy shopping.
The calls or texts can help keep kids and gift ideas in line, especially when it offers various responses to the child, including “You’re off the naughty list!” The messages are customized by the parents.
“I’m a parent of a five-year old and she was a lot of my inspiration for this,” said Biju Mathew, co-owner of Appventors. His partners include Tom Krishan of Skokie, and Anish Elam of Romeoville.
The free app at CallingSanta.com or the iTunes Store provides a direct line to the North Pole for the high-tech Santa via iPhone and iPad. Besides English, other versions include Spanish, French and German languages.
This is an updated and expanded version of the Santa Mega Pack app offered last year for $1.99 via iTunes, said Mathew.
“This year, we worked on an upgrade and all new features,” he said.
Surfing: Chicago-based eMotion Group Inc. is launching BFF Gemz, which takes a high-tech spin on the split-heart charms often given to your best friend. This one has radio-frequency technology that allows one best friend to share messages with the other friend and provides a gateway to their online space at bffgemz.com. It launches at Westfield Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills on Saturday. One necklace is $24.99, two are $39.99, and five are $99.99. Each comes with a lifetime access to the social network component.
Ÿ Google Maps for Android has launched a new feature to help travelers determine their location within O’Hare and Midway International Airports. You can view detailed floor plans for the airport, including gates, food vendors and restrooms.
Ÿ Northbrook-based Allstate Roadside Services, together with AT&T and TechnoCom Corp., launched an automated caller location and verification technology that helps customers on the road. It launches in mid-December. It uses real-time location data from your phone and allows call center reps at Allstate to identify and immediately communicate a disabled vehicle’s location to service providers.
Ÿ The Illinois Department of Transportation unveiled a diversity website for jobseekers and contracting opportunities for prospective minority workers and minority-owned and women-owned firms in Illinois. Go to www.diversity.dot.illinois.gov. You can also see it on IDOT’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/IllinoisDOT.
Ÿ U.S. Bank customers can get a mobile banking app for their iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices via www.usbank.com/mobile. Those who want to deposit checks via iPad will get their app in January.
Ÿ Follow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter. Write to her at akukec@dailyherald.com.