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I caved and got a smart phone. And in the spirit of "go big or go home", I decided to go big.
16GB iPhone 4s big.
I'm trying to not be all fangirlish over it. I mean, c'mon, it's just a phone. And yet, I'm scrolling through all the apps, trying to figure out which ones I need. There are just too many!
In order to make sense of it all, I'm trying to focus on one area at a time. First, there's social media. Okay, I downloaded Twitter but I'm not sold on Facebook. I'm sure I'll do it, but I'm just not ready to link every aspect of my life. Most important to me right now, does anyone out there have the Blogger app? I'd love love love an app that tells me when I have a new comment on my blog. It's the little things, you know?
Then there's healthy/running stuff. This phone comes automatically with the Nike+ app, which I've heard mixed reviews about. But I'll also probably take this opportunity to switch over to the My Fitness Pal app. I've been a member of Spark People for so long but it's time to shake things up as far as tracking my food.
But what about the mileage? Sure, there's Nike. There's also a Map My Run app, some pedometer apps, and C25K apps. There are so many options!
I realize this is all very scatterbrained. My apologies. But I'm crazy excited to finally have one device for both my music and my phone. Unless you've had to keep your archaic iPod in a stretched out armband while your clunky phone was shoved in your sports bra, you wouldn't understand. I'm so excited to load up new playlists, iHeart radio, lace up my shoes, and get outside that I can hardly handle myself.
(Okay, so I just checked the weather. Yes, on my phone. I'm brave, but 16 degrees might be a touch too cold for a run. Maybe next week...)
Okay, smart phone lovers, you tell me: Can you recommend any great apps? Are there any that you're surprised to see you use so often?
(And if there was any doubt about how cool my new phone might be, I just Skyped with my best friend who is currently lounging on a beach in Thailand where it's 90ish degrees. If I wasn't so amazed by technology, I'd hate her a little bit right now....)
I don't have an iPhone, but my iPad has all the same apps. Download Facetime and MagicJack. You'll never use your phone as a phone again.
ReplyDeleteNever used the Blogger app. I just go through Safari.
And it's not even the 16 degrees that's the killer, it's the -5 windchill that does it.
ReplyDeleteYay for new phone! And i've also been a long time spark people user, though i'm kind of on again off again (right now i'm on off)
I can't live without my iphone. Seriously, I'm addicted to it. How did people live without these things? Seems impossible now. Had no idea about a Blogger app. May have to go browsing now...
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend exploring!!
I use Pandora (because it's free and unlimited on phones right now).
ReplyDeleteI also play 'Tiny Tower'.
I have the 'Key Ring App', but it's called something different on the iPhone. Basically, it allows you to scan all of your 'bonus cards' into your phone so that you don't have to carry them around on your keyring.
I love MyFitnessPal.
I like Google Sky Map, because it shows you constellations based on where you are located.
Indeed job search app...for obvious reasons.
Free Sex Offender search...because I'm nosy.
And then a few geeky games like National Flags quiz, or Bubble blaster, or a math game or two.
Oh! And Dictionary.com's app so that I can look up words on the fly.
And I like WeatherBug for the weather.
That's pretty much it other than my task killer.
First I'm so jealous. My phone is not a smart one and I want a smart one so badly. My husband is anti-smart phones because of the expense, but we've negotiated it and I get it when I hit one of my big fitness goals.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE My Fitness Pal! I'm on it every day. I log all my food and exercise there and I participate on the forums. I've heard good things about their app.
I also do C25K and have heard some great things about some C25K apps. I'll send you over the names of some.
Also, check out the Cybils page and look at the finalists list for the book Apps. They might be something you'd like to check out.
Oh jeez, you should have seen me the day I got my iPhone. I would not put the thing down for more than five minutes.
ReplyDeleteApps, hm... I love to take pictures, and the iPhone has a pretty kickass camera, so I use Camera+. It has a zoom feature, a flash on/off feature, a directional light control, and dozens of photo effects you can apply. I've taken some professional-looking photos with it. My author photo, for one. Yep. iPhone.
I also use Evernote pretty frequently for general notes, story ideas, and that sort of thing. You can add a picture to your note, which is nice.
I am the #1 unintentional destroyer of cell phones, so I think getting a smart phone is bad idea for me!!! But they are so cool. I have no clue about apps, but you making me drool just listing these!
ReplyDeleteI love getting a new gadget. Can't manage to justify a smartphone, though - living out in the middle of nowhere as we do, and leaving the house on average about once a week, it'd hardly get used. I like to play with other people's, though. :) And perhaps, if (when!) my novel sells, we might splurge for an iPad. ;)
ReplyDeleteOooooh...shiny...
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I have a creaky, old Blackberry and our plan is just about up so I'm trying to convince The Roommate to switch carriers so I can get an iPhone, even if it's just the cheaper version.
I use the following apps consistently: Pandora, Google Maps, Foursquare, Twitter, Kindle and SparkPeople. That's about all it can handle without freezing up or draining the battery completely. :)
Yay for new phones! When I got my first smart phone, I slept with it under my pillow. Okay, not quite, but almost!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you finally crossed over to the dark side! ;-) You'll never regret doing it...
ReplyDeleteAs far as health goes, I use the MFP app all the time and I log all my miles (taken from my Garmin) on Daily Mile (AKA Electric Miles app). I also use Map My Fitness for the GPS tracking when I don't have my Garmin handy and have found it to be fairly accurate for the most part...and I love that it integrates with their website seamlessly.
I have the Blogger app for blogspot and think I've only used it once maybe. I love IMDB to look up random TV and movie trivia. LOL Usually when I'm watching a show and I go "who is that guy and what's he been in before" out comes IMDB app and voila! Now I know!!
I have the Facebook app, but very rarely use it. I love my Instagram app, Tip Calculator and redbox (can reserve and rent right from my phone!)Those are probably my top faves. Have fun finding your own!!!
How fun! I love my iPhone (altho I might love the iPad even more....) I use Tweetdeck and the Facebook apps to keep up with things online. I've used Blogger, but it didn't have enough functionality (or screenspace!) for me. I also like Evernote (which is free) and Knowtilus (which isn't). I haven't found a fitness app I absolutely love. The pedometers I've tried all use a ton of battery power and are buggy, so I'll be interested to know if you find one you like!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I've had trouble getting Tweetdeck to work with my Mac. Any suggestions? I might follow up with an email as I'm not sure the response will get to you.
ReplyDeleteFor everyone else, thank you very much for these suggestions! Two votes for Evernote--might have to check it out. I caved last night and downloaded the Sleepmaker app. I thought the sound of rain would be cool. :)