Thursday, October 3, 2013

There's an App for That

There is a party game (for bridal showers, baby showers, etc.) where you get points for what is in your purse.


Now that game could be about what APPS are on your phone.

 


Three years ago when I arrived in Florida (and became A REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA), I had a simple cell phone.  Within a few months, I upgraded my plan and got an Android smartphone.  My world opened up with cell phone pictures, texting and browsing the web.  Next upgrade I got an iPhone 4 and within a couple of weeks I exchanged it for an iPhone 4S.  Now I don't know what I would do without my iPhone and iPad (yep, I had to have one of those also).

Pictures, texting and browsing are great, but that just the beginning.  The collection of apps on your phone are defining.  Here are a few APPS on my iPhone that I wouldn't be without.

Panoramic Pictures
 

Just recently I found I could take panoramic pictures on my iPhone.  This is a 180 degree picture of my living room.


 

The first time I new I couldn't live without a smartphone was when I was watching TV and could look up actors to see what else they starred in.  I used to ask the question, then wait for Brian to look it up on his laptop. After he ignored me, I would eventually get up and look it up on my desktop.  When I got a smartphone, I would ask the question, then pick up my phone.  Then Brian and I would race to see who could find the answer.  See cell phones can bring people together.
 

 
I predict there will be a new generation that won't know that a flashlight can be independent of a cell phone.
 

I have been a member of EBay for over 10 years.  I sell on Ebay as a sideline to my thrift store shopping addition.  I use the APP when I am thrift store shopping to see if an item will sell on EBay.  It has saved me money and added a new dimension to my shopping.



Ted Talks (Technology, Entertainment and Design).  These talks are from around the world on "Ideas Worth Spreading".  I am addicted to these talks.  I first started listening to them on Netflix, the TED website then You Tube and now TED has an APP all of its own.

 

 A great place to store and share ideas.  Social networking for creative people.  I find recipes, inspiring ideas and organizational tips.



Don't leave home without it.  I used TripAdvisor to research where to stay, places to eat and things to do on our trips.  I used TripAdvisor to find recommendations for Key West (Frances Street Bottle Inn , Garbo's Grill and 5 Brothers Gocery and Sandwich Shop) and St. Augustine (The Back Urban 40).

You point your device into the sky and this APP will show you a picture of the sky are looking at and map the stars and constellations.  Nerd Alert:  If you are a real GEEK, (like Brian and me), you take that information to Microsoft's World Wide Telescope (WWT) web page to get a closer look at the stars, constellations and galaxies in  your sky.  This web page enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope -- bringing together imagery from the world's best ground and space-based telescopes.  You can explore on your own or take a guided tour.  A great tour to start with is Michael E. Bakich's Seven Top Galaxies.
 
What's on your phone?