Your Own Personal Magazine – Feedly
Posted on 21. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS
Feedly is one of best solutions I’ve seen for tracking news, blogs and website updates. It delivers the content you want to follow in a format that looks a lot like your own personal magazine. Plus, it will sync across multiple platforms, so whether you’re on the phone, a tablet, your computer or a public device, you can instantly see the news you want, save the news your want to revisit and share the stories you want to broadcast to the world.
Here’s a quick run-down of the features I like:
1. Feedly Supports Multiple Platforms
On most days, I alternate between an iPhone, an Android tablet and a Macbook Pro. I downloaded the Feedly app for my iPhone and Android, and I added the Feedly extension to my Chrome and Firefox browsers (it also has an extension for Safari).
2. Feedly Can Be Easily Customized
Changing Feedly is easy and fast. I simply click on my name in the upper right corner and select Organize, Themes or Preferences. Organize gives me the option to drag and drop feeds between categories or move entire categories into order of priority. Themes offer a choice between different color themes. Preferences allows me to choose start page content, default layout, Facebook feeds, Twitter feeds and more. The moment I make a selection, Feedly saves the change.
3. Instant Sync Across Devices
From reading articles to bookmarks to design changes, one change in Feedly is instantly appears on all devices.
4. Feedly Suggests Content
Whether you’re researching a topic, look for good sources of new content, trying to match some of your preferences or simply wanting to subscribe to an RSS, Feedly makes it fast and easy. Click on “Explore” and you get a snapshot of the sites that the editors at Feedly like. Simply choose the “+” sign by any topic or feed to subscribe.
If you have a site that you’d like to follow, type in the name of the site, and Feedly will search for a corresponding feed. Choose from the results, and it displays a layout based on the feed. You can decide to “follow” from the site page.
You can search via hashtag (#) to customize recommendations. Either enter # and search term in the search box (like #news), or click on one of the feeds you currently subscribe and then click again on the hashtag that is just below the title. Feedly suggests related feeds that may interest you.
5. Share Feedly
Send a favorite article to your Read It Later, Instapaper or Evernote account, or share the article with social sites like Facebook or Twitter. Feedly offers a wide selection of forwarding choices.
Shop and Drop Wherever You Go
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS
Whether wrestling alligators in Louisiana, running the Bulls in Pamplona, or diving with the sharks in Cape Town, you always want to be ready when that urge to shop hits. Be prepared by downloading some of these shopping apps to your smartphone now.
EBay
One of the most popular and highly rated shopping apps, the eBay app comes with everything you need to search, watch, shop and sell on this worldwide marketplace. You’re always ready to bid on that Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox, those emerald beetle earrings, or the steampunk goggles for your mom. eBay for Android or iOS (iPhone/iPad).
Amazon and Google Shopper
Shopping should be as easy as snapping a picture, scanning a bar code, speaking a product or actually typing a word. At least Google and Amazon would like it to be that easy. Their respective apps can price compare from multiple vendors; sell you new, used or refurbished product; and keep multiple wishlists. Amazon Mobile for iOS; Amazon Mobile for Android; Google Shopper for iOS or Android.
Shopkick
We all deserve rewards for shopping don’t we? Shopkick says, “We sure do!” So they give us prizes for just walking some stores. With Shopkick, you can get gift cards, donate to charities, and turn shopping sprees into your own personal game show. Shopkick for Android or iOS.
Key Ring Rewards Care
I’ve got an old plastic cassette tape case in my car. It’s filled with reward cards for gas, coffee, bread, groceries, clothes and more. With the Key Ring Rewards Card app, I can kiss the memory of cassettes goodbye forever. This app scans in all my cards so that no matter where I’m shopping, I’ve got their reward card. Hey wait a minute, this makes me think of Shopkick. With all these rewards, I’ll want to start shopping every day, hour, minute. Key Ring Rewards for Android or iOS.
Craigslist Mobile
Forget the bricks & mortar, I want to barter with my neighbors. Que the Craigslist folks. With the portable Craiglist app in my pocket, I’m ready to search for nearby deals on that weight set somebody got for Christmas and got tired of after Christmas. Last summer, New York Times suggested that this app is better than the actual web experience. Craigslist for iOS. Craigslist for Android.
Big Deal
What’s the big deal? That’s exactly right, “What is the big deal?” Apps like Groupon and LivingSocial deliver big deals to my pocket on services, products and restaurants that I simply have to try. Groupon for iOS or Android. LivingSocial for iOS or Android.
Shopping List
Make your list. Check it twice. Or ten times for that matter. I’ve found that a shopping list app is one of my top used tools on the smartphone. “What was it my wife told me to get at THE Walmart?” I’m always ready to find what I’m looking for with my handy shopping list. If you search shopping lists on Android or OS, you’re going to find a big bunch of shopping lists. So I’ll go ahead and tell you two of the top rated and most downloaded shopping list apps.
For Android try Shopping List by Fivefly. There’s a free version and paid version (ad free). With this app, you can organize, manage, add pictures, set quantities and even synchronize phone to phone.
For OS try Shopping List by Hensoft. There’s a free version and paid version. You can create, manage, sort, sync and share via email (paid), connect lists with stores (paid), and even create recipes.
Mobile Learning on the Rise
Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Mobile Applications, android, iOS
The use of online learning and mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) have both surged in recent years. Mobile learning represents the merging of these areas, combing the convenience of learning online with the versatility of mobile accessibility. This area is just beginning to grow, but there are already a range of mobile learning apps and several companies have already begun to embrace a mobile model for training employees.
According to the 2011 Survey of Online Learning, over six millions students and almost 1/3 of all higher learning students are taking at least one class online.[1] This demand is only expected increase in the coming years. As I’ve posted here before, smartphone sales have more than doubled over the past two years. In their 2012 trend report, Mind/Shift actually expects to see a greater integration of mobile devices with the classroom.[2]
Mobile Learners
A variety of applications have emerged to support the mobile learners through their smartphones and tablets. Real Simple Edu offers a wide range of course in math, science, medicine, business, law, english, languages and code. All their courses are designed to support iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry phone, Blackberry tablet, Kindle Fire, Nook, Nokia, and Palm phone or tablet.
Several companies like busuu.com have begun designing language learning tools. They offer a range of courses that be downloaded to a smartphone. Each course contains audio/visual elements, synchronization with online profile, and a range of tools that are accessible with no internet connection.
Dale Carnegie and Associates has developed their own app store with three leadership training modules and a secrets of success app as initial offerings. McGraw and Hill is offering a range of courses for children as well as adults, representing the diverse targets groups of their various companies. In addition to their children’s apps and medical apps, one interesting app is a public speaking primer that helps the user develop outlines, avoids common mistakes and time the speech.
Public Speaking Speech Prep - McGraw Hill
Training on the Go
Various companies have begun transferring training programs to the smartphone. In 2011, the Army’s Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) announced that they are in the process of opening instruction to mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones and Androids. This allows soldiers to continue training on specific courses while in the field instead of having to attend classroom instruction or study in a computer lab.[2]
Companies like Dashe & Thomson work with organizations to design training solutions for mobile devices. The mobile workforce can access specific training modules in multiple formats that best fit their learning habits. They can access ebooks, watch videos, listen to podcast or tap some combination of the three. Learner progress is tracked and can be uploaded manually by the user or automatically by the company.
[1] Erb, Michael. “Study: Online Classes More Popular.” News and Sentinel, January, 3, 2012.
[2] Watters, Audrey. “12 Education Tech Trends to Watch in 2012.” Mind/Shift, January 3, 2012 <http://mindshift.kqed.org/2012/01/12-education-tech-trends-to-watch-in-2012/>.
[2] Army Looks To Use Mobile Devices For Medical Field Training. Broadband for America, January 28, 2011 <http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/blog/army-looks-use-mobile-devices-medical-field-training>
4 Apps I Started Using in 2011
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Every year more and more apps appear for the iPhone, the Android as well as for browsers. I love to try new apps and discover unique applications, so I download new apps almost everyday. But many of these apps, even the really cool ones, never really add value to my daily schedule. I don’t actually start using them regularly.
So as I think about all the new apps that have appeared this year and all the countdown lists for top 10 or top 20 apps, I thought I might actually look at the new apps I actually started using. These are apps were available on Android and IOS (and three of them were available in browser extensions as well). These apps are not necessarily new apps, but they are apps I discovered and started using during 2011.
calengoo
Dissatisfied by the various solutions I tried using to sync my Apple calendar information and Google calendar information, I finally gave up. Rather, I asked, “What’s the best tool for syncing my calendar across all my devices (Mac, PC, Android and IOS)? For me, calengoo has been the best calendar syncing program thus far. I immediately found it easier to use than the IOS calendar, and I appreciate how fast and easily it syncs with all devices.
It offers multiple views (day week, month, landscape and agenda). It’s easy to change dates, invite attendees, set alerts (pop-ups, emails, and SMS), turn on or off specific calendars, search events, color code calendars and much more. In my opinion, it’s the best calendar app available and worth the cost.
mylite
I’ve added a variety flashlight apps on my phone over the years, and never thought I’d review one. Oddly enough, during the past year, I’ve been in multiple situations where I needed a flashlight and didn’t have one. Each time, mylite came through as the best solution for bright light in a dark spot. It also offers several modifications, but I only used the bright white light and the on/off switch.
For tracking, generating and accessing all my private data, passwords, numbers and more, lastpass is the easiest program I’ve found. I use it everyday either on a mobile device or in a Chrome or Firefox browser. I love that it syncs instantly across devices, and I can access on the computer as well as on the mobile devices.
xmarks
When rumors abounded that Delicious might close it’s doors, I started looking for a new bookmarking program. I ran across xmarks and lastpass at the same time. The simplicity of editing information and syncing across devices is what attracted me. Since I use bookmarks extensively for research, easy access and easy syncing is important. I highly recommend xmarks for tracking bookmarks.
Talk Siri to Your Mac
Posted on 27. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Mac users can now translate dictation to text notes on their Mac via Siri. Utilizing the high level of speech recognition accuracy in the Siri engine, Air Dictate makes it easy to dictate your memos, letters, and documents via Siri. This requires both a Mac and a 4S iPhone as well as the free Air Dictate app, and to use Air Dictate you have to be at your computer with your iPhone.
At only .99 cents, Air Dictate is a low cost, high quality speech to text solution that can save you big money on much higher priced dictation software.
Five Tips for Maximizing Your Smartphone Use
Posted on 13. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Image by Jim Trottier via Creative Commons
With over 1 million apps to download, how do you find the right apps for your application? My smartphone is my business device, so I don’t want to waste time with too many distractions. At the same time, I want to make sure I take advantage of the most effective tools available. Here are five ways to help you maximize your smartphone use:
1. Ask Your Cellular Sales Representative for Help – Cellular Sales Representatives are trained to give you the best service and can help you find the best smartphone for your needs. They can also direct you to app essentials to help you utilize your device most effectively.
2. Online Tools – There are a variety of websites that track new apps for Android, iPhone, Windows and Blackberry. Number of downloads and reviews are excellent tools to help narrow down effective apps. One helpful website that tracks downloads of all platforms if Mobilewalla.com.
3. Adjust Your Habits – People often download many apps, but fail to really maximize usage. Some of the better utility apps will have to be worked into your regular routine or you’ll rarely use them. I rarely used Evernote for the first six months after I downloaded it, but I kept reading reviews that discussed the effectiveness of this tool. I decided to consciously try to use it as a recording tool for all my research for one week. That was over two years ago, and I still use it multiple times throughout the day.
4. Reduce Your Number of Apps – No matter how many apps you download, there’s probably only a handful of apps you’ll use on a regular basis. Every so often, I review all my apps, and if I haven’t opened an app in several weeks I delete. No use taking up memory and cluttering my visual space. If I decided I need it later, it’s always easy to add back to the smartphone.
5. Organize Your App – iPhone offers an easy way to group apps, and Android lets you create app favorites that show up on specific screens. By spending time organizing apps for time to time, you’ll make it easier to find the helpful apps for quick and easy access.
Are there other tips that have helped you use your device more effectively? Why not share some of them with us?
1 Million Apps and Counting
Posted on 12. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Image by Cristiano Betta (via Creative Commons)
The New York Times reports that a developer published an app last week, and the 1 million mark was reached (make that 1,016,034 as of this posting). If you’re counting new smartphone apps, you’ll have to count 15,000 new apps every seven days because that’s how many new apps are released per week. Compare that to only 250 new books per week or 100 movies per week.1
In October 2008, the iPhone App store hosted about 8,000 apps, by December 2009 that number of online apps reached 100,000, and today it tops 1 million. According to Gartner Research, mobile application downloads will exceed 17.7 billion this year, and by the end of 2014, downloaded applications are expected to reach 185 billion.2
The creation and use of mobile content just keeps growing. Now you can customize your mobile device to be a game station, a filing cabinet, a communication headquarters, a dictation tool and much more. 1 million apps introduces the challenge of sorting content and finding worthwhile apps for your device. Tomorrow, I’ll consider ways to make the most of your mobile device with this ever-growing catalog of apps.
1 Numbers provided by Anindya Datta of Mobilewalla in New York Times, December 11, 2011.
2 See Gartner Research, Jan 26, 2011.
How Smartphones May Revive Real Estate
Posted on 10. Nov, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Chris Skalet believes he can help real estate professionals and stimulate our economy by “Bring Real Estate Back to Life.” How? One app at a time. His company Revival Real Estate Recovery is developing a series of smartphone applications focused on helping appraisers, realtors, mortgage professionals, individuals reading appraisals and title professionals do the following:
- facilitate the sale of real estate
- engage real estate professionals services
- locate and communicate with real estate professionals
- create sources that help bridge communication within the real estate industry
- create platforms to grow your real estate business
More and more real estate professionals are using smartphones in their day to day work. There are a variety of real estate apps on the market, but Skalet saw a need. As he recently told the Knoxville News Sentinel, “Most apps jam real estate down your throat but there’s nothing that helps educate people or helps them qualify for financing or build business if they’re an appraiser” (See “Carly Harrington: Revival apps aim to help real estate market“).
In response, Skalet developed his initial app, Revival UAD, which provides complete access to the new requirements of the Uniform Appraisal Dataset. For only .99 cents real estate professionals enjoy easy access to the lender regulations developed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Definitions, abbreviations, and location on the appraisal can be instantly referenced. The Revival UAD can help professionals in the following ways:
Great reference manual for current real estate terms- Ability to utilize crucial new data in the field and on the go
- Instant access to terms and abbreviations in an easy to read format
- No need to read a 64 page report to get the same data that is in the app
- Realtors can become a resource for both buyers and sellers at the closing table or in the field
- Appraisers can use the app to help educate their clients
- Mortgage Professionals can provide crucial new information to their borrowers and Realtors in regards to the new regulations
- Title Professionals can help answer questions at the closing table
- All borrowers in a mortgage transaction can benefit by understanding the appraisal
- Links in app to all of Revival’s social media that contains even more data about the UAD and are updated frequently
- Helps put all Real Estate Professions on the same page
- Maybe, just maybe, helps facilitate the sale of Real Estate
The initial app has been designed for iPhone or iPad but an Android version is soon to be released. In addition to the Revival UAD, Skalet is developing four more apps designed to support real estate professionals improve their business.
IOS 5 Camera Updates
Posted on 28. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Since I last wrote about the IOS 5.0 Update, I’ve had a chance to play with the phone while driving to Canada. Some of the updates naturally worked their way into my routine like the camera updates. The new os introduces a variety of camera enhancements that are really quite helpful when taking pictures of scary bears, the street lamps, the other tourists and the colored grass.
Quick Access – With the new updates, two click the home twice and a small camera icon appears on the right. Tap the icon and the camera opens ready for action. Whether your trying to take a picture of a runaway horse or a speeding train, this little feature gives you those extra necessary seconds to snap the sweet shot.
Quick Pix – When your camera mode is on, the “volume up” button becomes a shutter button for taking pictures. This makes snapping the perfect shot that much easier.
Grid Lines – Create the perfect composition by using the optional grid lines to set up a shot. To turn on, simply click “options” and select “on” for grid lines.
Zoom, zoom – Want to zoom fast? Pinch your fingers to zoom in.
Autofocus/Autoexposure – Put your subject in a perfect picture. Simply tap and hold on the subject to lock focus and exposure.
Enhancements – You can edit directly in your camera roll by simply clicking edit. Then you can remove red eye, auto-enhance and crop photos.
Photo stream – Turn on photo stream in your settings, and all your new pictures can be automatically pushed via the iCloud on all your IOS devices.
Taking My Smartphone on Vacation
Posted on 27. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in Apps
Last week, my wife and I took a leisurely drive up to Montreal via Monticello, Philadelphia, Boston, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I made one hotel reservation before leaving and that turned out to be a flop. Late Saturday night, we arrived in Winchester, Virginia ready to rest. The hotel overbooked, and we ended up driving 30 miles out of the way to Martinsburg,WV for another hotel.
After that fiasco, we decided to abandon any advance planning and let smartphone serve as our navigator, reservation service, souvenir shop and concierge for dinner plans.
I pulled up Google Maps on the iPhone and typed in Philadelphia. Using my “Current Location,” Google suggested a route on I-81 through Harrisburg, PA to Philly. Recently Google Maps has begun offering multiple route options. It suggested three routes: one through Maryland and two through Harrisburg. We selected route 3 and drove highways through Lancaster, so that we could see some towns in Pennsylvania.
As we passed the countryside and small towns on 30E, we decided it might be a good idea to get settled into a hotel before nightfall. I rechecked Google Maps for towns surrounding Philadelphia, and saw the words “King of Prussia.” Wow. Everybody should stay in a town named “King of Prussia” at least once.
The TripAdvisor App gave me a rundown on top hotels in the area. After reading several reviews, I chose a hotel and used the Travelocity App to book a room for the night. We were actually right across the street from the hotel by the time I booked the room, but the rates via Travelocity were cheaper than what the front desk could offer. Following this strategy, we meandered our way up the East coast.
After touring Independence Hall in Philadelphia, I realized I needed a refresher on American History, but the prices for a DVD in the gift shop were outrageous. After quick search on the Amazon App, I located and ordered the same DVD for half price. Throughout the trip, I used my iPhone to buy several books and DVDs about the the various places we visited.
While in Plymouth, MA, I was hungry for some tasty seafood. After asking a few folks on the streets for recommendations, I thought I’d double check their suggestions with Yelp! As it turns out, their top selections were restaurants that specialized in fried seafood, and I happen to prefer grilled seafood. Yelp! didn’t let me down, and before night’s end, we were dining on a some delicious grilled swordfish and seared scallops.
Plymouth was so relaxing, I almost abandoned plans to visit Boston and drive up to the great white north. But somehow the thought of touring the Boston Freedom Trail in the rain ended up seeming more appealing than lounging at the lodge watching old movies all day.
When we finally arrived in Montreal, I was glad the smartphone had a video camera, so I could snap a shot of one of the “few dinosaurs in captivity.”
If you’re going out of town anytime soon, don’t worry about planning too much. Jump in the car with your smartphone, download apps as you need them, and plan as you go. You never know what surprises you might discover.
How Google+ Can Improve Your Android
Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Apps
Android developers and Android lovers have flocked to Google+, making Google+ the perfect place for keeping up with the latest Android news, apps, shortcuts, tips and all things Android.
Combining the best of the social media services, Google+ makes it easy to connect with a variety of people and sort them by groups. You can sort people by groups in Twitter and Facebook, but Google+ offers one of the simplest platforms for sorting groups and guarding privacy at the same time.
Like Android, Google+ is easily customized to the preferences of a given users. This convenience can also be a bit confusing at first because there are so many options. This post offers an easy way to start using Google+ and incorporating it into your daily routine.
1. What if I don’t have Google+?
Google+ is still an invite only service, so you need a Google+ invite to get started. Invites are usually easy to get. First ask your friends on Facebook or Twitter. If not successful, search online using terms like “How to get a Google+ invite.” Or simply leave a comment here with your email address, and we can help get you one.
2. I’ve got Google+, now what?
Now you can connect with friends, colleagues, and potential contacts. Since I’m writing about how Google+ can help Android users, I’m going to focus on creating a circle of Android developers, Android enthusiasts, and Android writers that may share information that will helpful in using Android, choosing an Android device, and learning what’s on the Android horizon.
G+ lets you group people you follow into easily sortable “circles.” To start an Android circle, simply begin to follow people who talk and write about Android, and put them in that circle. I’ve listed a group of people on G+ that often focus on Android. You add them by entering each name in the “Search” box at the top of G+. When their profile appears, you’ll see a “red box” on the top right side.
Click on the box, select “Create new circle,” type “Android into the box
Now you can click on the Google+ logo in the upper left to return home. From there you can select, the all the circles you create. So if I want to track all my Android circle, I click “Android” and read that feed.
To help you get start on your Android circle, here is a list of Android enthusiasts I follow:
3. How do I find more people on G+?
First, you can simply type in someone’s name. Also, G+ will suggest names from your Gmail account. Here is a nice little G+ search engine that allows you search posts, profiles, buzz and Google Reader; http://gplussearch.com/
4. Don’t forget to download the G+ app from the Android Market.
5. One more thing. While your setting up circles, don’t forget to set up a photography circle. The G+ on Android renders the photographers nicely and it’s a great way to see some cool shots. Here are a few popular photographers on G+:
Romain Guy, Victor Bezrukov, Trey Ratcliff, Vivienne Gucwa, Giuseppe Basile, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Sharon Thomas, Bryan Woodward, Patrick Smith, Thomas Leuthard, Kjetil Greger Pedersen
Author – Doug Floyd
App Aims to Make Navigating Disney Parks Easier
Posted on 22. Aug, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Apps
Cellular Sales gets a mention in this story from Today – MSNBC.
Finding your way around the Disney’s Magic Kingdom and locating a favorite character can be a daunting experience but a new app aims to make it easier.
In the advertisements, Mickey, Minnie and Goofy always seem to be nearby and eager to pose for a picture, but sometimes families have a different experience.
Hoping to bring reality closer to the fantasy, Disney Parks has launched Mobile Magic, an app to enhance visitors’ experience with a GPS-tracking system.
The app helps find the locations of Disney characters, checks wait times for popular rides, finds a restaurant or the best shop to buy a souvenir and can track down your car in the parking lot after a long day. Read on here.
10 Best Apps For Selling Real Estate
Posted on 14. Jul, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Apps
Here are 10 apps that can help you manage and grow estate your real estate business.
Grow your real estate business using the power of your smartphone. Whether you use an Android, iPhone, Blackberry or a Windows Phone 7,you have a vital tool that gives you the ability to promote, build and manage your real estate business while you’re on the move, when your waiting for clients, and whenever you a get a brainstorm.
Propertybase Real Estate CRM
Website: http://www.propertybase.com/
Available on: iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry
Developed by the top sales application, Salesforce, Propertybase.com offers a fully integrated CRM for Sales, Leasing, Property Management and Marketing. Using the powerful Propertybase engine, you can
- Manage Leads& Contacts
- Market Your Properties
- Streamline Sales Process
- Track Financials
- Manage Partners & Referrals
Any changes made in Propertybase can easily integrate with your Real Estate web site, so that changes will automatically apply to site as well.
Evernote
Website: http://www.evernote.com/
Available on: Android and iPhone
Promising to help you “remember everything,” Evernote gives you an easy way to capture text notes, pictures, voice recordings, and websites. It can sync the note with a central database, so you can access any note from any where at any time. When you make a note using your smartphone, Evernote records the location, so you can also search notes by location.
Real Estates Agents are using Evernote for recording property research, saving PDFs, documenting home construction, capturing business cards, recording notes while driving (which can be automatically converted to text notes), documenting transactions and more. If you take pictures of business cards, signs or other notes, Evernote can search by those words. This is an amazing all around tool for on-the-go agents.
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