The stakes are higher than ever for Lose the Laptop 2.0, as 10 leading bloggers enter into a second round of mobile device challenges that'll change the way they -and you- think about smartphones forever. We asked a group of parent and small biz bloggers to put the HTC Tilt 2 device to the ultimate test with a series of challenges that not only require that they "lose the laptop," but also push them to use the smartphones to their fullest potential by completing the tasks at hand.
VOTE for your favorite bloggers for YOUR chance to win big prizes! Each month we will pick one registered reader to win the reader prize. In addition, one blogger will win the challenger prize based on number of votes they receive and the relevance and creativity of their post. Vote now for your chance to win!
The Device
HTC Tilt 2
The slide-out thumb-friendly keyboard, USB connectivity, GPS and conferencing capability made the HTC Tilt 2 Windows smartphone the optimal choice for our small business bloggers to use for their Lose the Laptop 2.0 small biz challenges. The device's Push-to-Talk technology and linked inbox and contact list make it simple to talk, text, email and even conference call for the type of accelerated business communication necessary to complete the second round of challenges. Learn more...
BLOGGER PHOTOS/PROFILES
LAURA PINK
Laura Pink is a married working mother of two from Wisconsin, whose favorite things include chocolate, crisp fall days and that first sip of Starbucks in the morning. She loves to check out all the latest technology and can usually be found online at the blog she started for working mothers called notjust9to5.com, or writing online for Working Mother magazine.
BUCK ROGERS
Buck Rogers, more popularly known as "BuckDaddy" in the online world, lives in Memphis, TN and is happily married with a daughter. He started blogging five years ago and currently blogs at BuckDaddyBlog.com and RulesForMyDaughter.com. In addition to his daddy blogger status, he is a marketer and Internet media enthusiast.
PAUL MAH
Paul Mah got his first computer more than 15 years ago and has never looked back. After majoring in Information Technology, he has worked in various roles ranging from system administrator to programmer and IT manager. When he's not writing for the SMB Tech blog, or updating his personal blog, Paul spends time lecturing about IT at a local college and exploring the capabilities of the six smartphones he already owns.
JANINE NICKEL
As a marketer, blogger, and mother of twins, Janine Nickel wears many hats. She represents 1/3 of the freelance marketing team known as Idea-ware and is co-owner of social media connecting and consulting group Buzz Cooperative. In her spare time, Janine writes about her parenting neuroses, mistakes, and even the occasional successes on TwoferMom.com.
MICHAEL SHEEHAN
Michael Sheehan is an avid technologist, blogger, social media pundit (@HighTechDad on Twitter), loving husband, and father of three beautiful girls. He writes about technology, consumer electronics, gadgets, software, hardware, parenting "hacks," and other tips, tricks, and how-to's on his technology blog: www.hightechdad.com. He is a fan of all technology that is new, exciting, and valuable. Professionally, he is the Technology Evangelist for GoGrid, a leading Cloud Computing Infrastructure hosting provider.
RAMON RAY
Ramon Ray is a former technology consultant and the author of "Technology Solutions for Growing Businesses," who has written thousands of articles on how small businesses can use technology as a tool to grow (www.smallbiztechnology.com). An in-demand speaker, Ramon is often quoted by media outlets such as Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and others.
RIEVA LESONSKY
For nearly 30 years, Rieva Lesonsky's energy and enthusiasm have helped spread the message of entrepreneurship nationwide. She founded GrowBiz Media—a consulting site that helps small and midsize companies build their businesses—in 2008 and has appeared on hundreds of radio shows and numerous local and national television programs, including CNN, "Good Morning America," the "Today Show," Fox Business News, "The Martha Stewart Show," "Oprah," and MSNBC's "Your Business."
LETICIA BARR
Leticia founded Tech Savvy Mama, a site that assists parents in finding the best technology products, websites, and resources for children. With a background in teaching and a career as a technology specialist who spent years selecting software and online resources for a large DC Metro area public school system, Leticia uses her knowledge to evaluate educational websites and new gadgets for families. Leticia splits her day between the classroom and being a mom and her nights between blogging at her own site, writing for The LeapFrog Community, consulting for PBS Teachers, and Tweeting.
LORI CUNNINGHAM
Lori Cunningham is a work-at-home mom with a four year old comedian son and a very creative six year old daughter. Lori is a technology junkie and is often connected to her gadgets — even when she sleeps! Lori is a freelance writer, regular contributing writer to several blogs, life technology coach, and founder of WellConnectedMom.com. Lori started Wellconnectedmom.com to share her passion for technology and help over-scheduled moms learn to embrace technology to make their lives easier. In her "spare" time, Lori enjoys running (after her kids), reading (the latest "how to" tips for parents), writing (love notes to put in her daughter's lunch pail), and daydreaming (for things to slow down for awhile so she can enjoy the age her kids are at now).
KRIS CAIN
Kris Cain is mom to two sets of twins, photographer, gadget addict, web designer, and blogger who has worked in IT for over 13 years. On her blog, LittleTechGirl.com she writes about her love of gadgets, technology, and her children. You can find her from day to day on Twitter and Facebook. She is editor of the Family Technology section on Type-A Mom, and National Apple Gear and Chicago Tech Gear writer on Examiner.com, and writer on Moms of Hue. She was a featured speaker at the first annual Type-A Mom Conference, 2009. She has been featured in several articles both online and in print, been interviewed for a book, and has been on the cover of a local newspaper for Mother's Day. She has connected with great companies such as HP, Kijiji, Little Debbie, Google, CNN, and NBC. Kris figured out a while ago that she was destined to be really busy (hence the 2 sets of twins), and she has found peace with that.