The Check-Out Line: LobotoME Product Line

Welcome to The Check-Out Line, where I review products that are designed to make your life easier. I give you my opinion and my opinion only. You decide for yourself. You can see past product reviews here. This week, I'm reviewing the LobotoME line of products.

At first blush, the LobotoME product line seems like just another paper-based listing and task management system. However, once you meet the products up close and personal, you’ll see that they’re a little different.

There’s no shortage of paper-based organizing products out there to help you do everything from managing your time to keeping track of your kids’ chores and your grocery shopping. I’ve owned PDAs before, but I’m still a big fan of paper because a) it’s simple, b) it’s inexpensive and c) it’s flexible. You can capture every little niggling thing lurking inside your head quickly, without needing electricity.

From the hip, retro design and trendy color scheme to the quirky elements incorporated into the products, (for example, “Breathe” is one of the items on the PackMe travel list) LobotoME is, relatively speaking, a Gwen Stefani among so many Celine Dions. Not that there’s anything wrong with Celine...

 In advance of my review, I received the PackME travel list, the FeedME meal planning and grocery list, the HelpME honeydo list, and the MomME weekly planner. The MomME  is 9 x 12 inches, while the PackME travel  list, the FeedMe and the HelpME  are both smaller pads, at 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

Purpose: To keep your life organized.

Suggested retail: $8 and up

Pros: I love the extra helping of whimsy in these products, and their look is appealing to me. A wise man once said, “Packaging is everything” and LobotoME creator Jenny Newcomer took it to heart, designing a product line that’s not just functional – it’s attractive, fun to use, and most of all MEMORABLE.  These aren’t your father’s to-do lists. 

Cons: If you’re at an advanced age, the text on the PackMe travel list might be just a smidge too small. But I still used it to pack for my trip to Seattle and San Francisco this week. Besides the slightly too-small text on the travel planner, I can’t find one other thing I’d fix or change.

Value: The price point on these pads makes them just a "pretty good" value. At eight bucks for a small pad that seems pricey, but then again, if they help you get your time and life in order, they’re a bargain at any price, aren’t they?

Airline tickets: $300

Rental Car: $185

PackME Family Travel List: $8.00

Never Having To Buy Your Kids New Underwear on Vacation Again: Priceless 

Where to buy: You can order direct from their website and  if you place your order between  today and  September  28th, 2007  you can get ten percent off your order. After you order online, just EMAIL Jenny using my name to get your promotional discount.

 
Overall Score Out of Five Stars:

Comments

[Terry Lessig]

Another good idea executed with a good dose of humor. Jenny might have to remind us to breathe, but her company name alone will cause us to laugh, so that reminder is not needed. Do you think these lists will fold down small enough to fit in my new ALL-ETT?

I'd like to see this product sold as user customizable software. Some of the check boxes aren't necessary on every trip, and seeing them left unchecked might cause one to think they still need to address something that they don't. Also, a customizable version could expand or shrink the number of columns depending on who is traveling, and career-specific items could be added.

On feedME, favorite recipes (with shopping list) could be saved, and entered with one click. Various lists could be prepared on the lap top, then synchronized to your PDA, or printed on an as-needed basis. I see room for expansion and improvement in this "gold mine" idea. Make it customizable and sell it on a CD, or as a download.

I agree that paper sometimes still works well, and even more so for a generation that cut its teeth on #2 pencils. Once, late at night in a bar, a new acquaintance and I decided that our spontaneous business conversation had serious potential, and should be continued in the light of day when thoughts were less ummmmm...misty. We were attending different conventions in the same hotel, and rather than risk losing touch, he pulled a small spiral notebook and a nub of a pencil out of his shirt pocket and said, "Here, write your room number on my palm pilot." I had to struggle to keep gin from spraying out of my nose.

[Monica Ricci]

Terry, wow thanks for such a great and lengthy comment! Great to hear from you as always!
~Monica

[Terry Lessig]

I wrote more on your blog last week than I did on my own. LOL

[debbiem]

Great products! Thanks for the info! I'm always looking for new organizational tools for our busy lives.

[LobotoME]

Thanks for the great review Monica! And thanks Terry for the feedback and ideas. While we have explored the concept of an organizational software program, I'm a paper kind of gal so that's where our efforts are going to stay for the time being. You never know what the future will hold though!

All the best,
Jenny

[Monica Ricci]

Debbie and Jenny, thanks for your comments! I always give my honest opinion -- and I really like these products!
~Monica

[Monica Ricci]

I personally don't care for anonymous comments that offer nothing to the discussion, so you're deleted. Next time, offer something constructive and sign your name. Then you can comment here.
~Monica