Voted last week by mail. Now want to create an app that disables all television, radio, political advertising and replaces it with soothing music and pictures of puppies and kittens as soon as King County has acknowledged receiving my vote.

My Samsung G2 supports muting the ring by turning the phone over. Using the accelerometer isn't unique. Whacking it is pretty clever, though.

You're one of those Dihydrogen Monoxide supporters aren't you. You know that stuff is used in poisons every day? I heard the Taliban uses it in their mountain hideouts while they plot against the United States of Amerika. You should be ashamed.

I agree with the above posts that 18mo might be a little young for computer exposure, but between 3-5, as reading skills start building, using the per-letter TuxType can be a fun game occasionally, and will introduce the computer keyboard to your child. Also, many web apps are there on places like starfall.com, nickjr.com and pbskids.org that have good games for kids that involve reading, math, and comprehension skills I was surprised to find out that at my daughters Kindergarten last year, their "rediness" assessment was done on a PC. Because my daughter had been exposed to the computer mouse and keyboard earlier, she was able to handle the challenge with less help, and her scores were more accurate to her real skills. She now also uses the iphone with more skill than either my wife or I, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. ;-)

I understand you dont want to run for your phone -- Bluetooth won't reach up and down stairs, so linking phone and computer are likely not going to solve your problem. Why not use Grand Central http://www.grandcentral.com/ and a Skype number? Have Grand Central ring your cell and your Skype number at the same time. Then whichever you're closest to, you can answer.