Thing 13- Presentations

Although I don't really have much use for a presentation app on my phone, I have downloaded the Deck Slide show app.  It works really well and I can see that it would be useful if I had a need to create/tweek/collaborate on a presentation, but I have no real use for this.  I think that I will end up taking it off of my phone when we are done with the 23 Mobile Things.  I might use it for family photos or to put something up on Facebook. 

Thing 12 Books, Books, and More Books!

I have made it clear that I am addicted to listening to audio books, so I happily did some research on which free audio books app is the best.  While the 23MT people suggest Audio books but it only has a library of about 2,000 classics.  While this is awesome, it is not a genre that I tend to navigate towards, so I looked further.  I decided to download LibriVox.  It has a much larger library (including classics) and is also free.  I am interested in trying out this new app and see how it works with the other apps I downloaded so I could listen to books as well.  With all of these apps for audio books I could probably listen to free books for the rest of my life!  Yahoo!

 

 

 

Thing 11- Libraries & Reference

I already have the DCL mobile app (powered by Boopsie, I just like saying that- Boopsie) on my phone which I use whenever I am out and I remember something that I need/want to request.  I also use the MORE library system (Wisconsin Public Library System) because I live in WI.  I use the Overdrive Media app through Hudson more than any other library app because they have an awesome selection of E audio books.  Way better than One Click Digital (which is the only E audio book option that DCL offers).  I have also downloaded the Zinio app and like it, but don't use it all that often.  If I have free time on my phone, I am usually managing my Overdrive account and updating holds and wish lists.  They only allow 10 holds at a time so I have to be vigilant in my selection and management.  I will download the ELM app to see what that is all about.  Anything that will give me more/better access to the library is a good thing. 

10 Things!!!

 

 

I hit the 10 things badge!  Just a little more and I'll be halfway done!

 

 

Thing 10 Sharing Photos

I truely think that thing 9 and thing 10 should be combined.  Most of the apps for taking pictures also share them through not only their own platform but also through many others like Facebook, Instagram, email, messaging, the list goes on.  I already have Instagram on my phone so I will stick with that one rather than download another thing onto my phone.  I like it for the reason that I am already familiar with it, but because of think 9, I like Line Camera better.  You can take photos through the app, share them, follow others, have them follow you. ( I wish that FB would come out with their own version of Line Camera so that you could just have the one app with different features on your phone rather than all of the different apps.)  I will take some pics and share them with some friends and post them on here.  Here is one taken through Instagram of the Inver Glen Library!  It's our beautiful ceiling!

Thing 9 taking and editing photos

I downloaded the app Line Camera for this thing.  I already have Instagram and have used that many times.  I do think these apps create a sort of instant facelift and makeover when used correctly.  Many of the personal pics that I have posted on FB have been taken with one of the new apps.  They have fun borders, interesting colorations, and even some stamps and things to add to your picture.  I like Line Camera better than Instagram because it offers more features.  I think that I will definitely keep the app on my phone.  Here are a couple of cool effects that I did with Line Camera:

Thing 8 Social Media Management

Let's face it, I am already doing this on my phone.  Like all other 30somethings I am connected to all of my friends and family through Facebook and Twitter (although I rarely use this one) and LinkedIn.  I share ideas, see what people are reading/doing/eating/thinking, and consequently know waaaaaaaaay too much about some people.  Facebook is my favorite, though I can see the appeal of them all.  I will definitely keep using these tools throughout the 23 things and beyond. 

Thing 7 Content Saving and Sharing

So I chose Pintrest for the simple fact that all of my friends and a few of my co-workers have already been on it.  Believe it or not, I did not have a Pintrest account already.  Shocking, I know.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up.  Once I did, I looked up library stuff and immediately found some cool ideas.  Then I broadened my search to include art, food, and house ideas just to name a few.  Now I have several boards on Pintrest and can see the advantage and ease of sharing ideas this way.  I love it and this will be something I continue well after the 23 things are done. 

Thing 6- Creating and Editing Documents

I just downloaded the Cloudon app to my android.  It is supposed to be great for creating/viewing/editing/and even printing documents from you phone.  Although I can't see much of a personal use with this, I can think of some professional uses: like going to that meeting but forgetting your agenda.  You could quickly find it and print it off, or even add things to it.  The small screen makes me think that you wouldn't do much creating of docs unless you had no other choice. I will check it out and see how it works and report back!

Thing 5 Notetaking

I did some research on notetaking because I already had a note taking app that came on my phone.  I never used it!  Not once.  The apps that 23 MT suggested sounded alright but I wanted to see what others thought.  The clear forerunner in my research was Evernote.  It can take notes, sort things into notebooks, add reminders, you can take pictures, the list goes on and on.  I eagerly downloaded it onto my phone and have been pleasantly surprised with the results.  I have written lists of stuff I need to do, then it makes check boxes next to the lists so that I can check it off when I have completed the task.  Since I am a natural born list maker this is very exciting to me.  I do love a good check mark.  The simple yet gratifying satisfaction of checking something completed is not to be missed.  Since I can put things into notebooks I am going to start a grocery list notebook (since I always have my phone with me at the store anyway) this could be very helpful.

 https://evernote.com/ 

Check it out if you want!

Thing 4- Keeping Up

So I downloaded Flipboard onto my phone and set it up with things that interest me.  I was all excited about having it on my phone,even more excited about being a little more knowledgeable about the daily news (which by all accounts I am woefully neglectful of).  However, this app didn't ring my bell.  I guess I am to used to getting my info in the way I am already used to getting it. It seems like too much trouble to get used to a new app.  Old habits and all that.  I will make an effort to use the app more and see if that improves my view of it.   Any suggestions on what I can do to improve my usage of Flipboard? 

Thing 3 Utilities

While there are some utilities that are really useful the one that I could not live without is Overdrive. Now I can listen to audiobooks downloaded to my phone.  In the past I have used an MP3 player and put all of my books on there, necessitating carrying around multiple devices.  With the app, I can download books from my library right onto my phone for either reading or listening.  When you are as addicted to listening as I am, getting my next fix is always on my mind! 

There are some other apps that are so useful in my everyday life as well.  Acalendar, which allows my husband and I to sync our calendars so that we are always current with what's going on in our lives.  Dropbox is another app that is wonderful for downloading pictures or documents from your mobile device and sharing them anyone.  The last one that any person who shops should know about: Cartwheel from Target helps you get the best deal while shopping, it's like coupons on your phone.  We use it all the time because like any family with a little one we spend almost all of our money at Target. 

Mobile device stuff

I just changed the font on my phone by using one of the mobile device tips. I already had a Google search access bar but I moved to make more room for the new folders that I used to clean up my phone's desktop.  I did all of this while listening to an audio book on my phone that I downloaded off the library's website!

I am feeling a little better today as I navigate my way into this blogosphere.  It is a little intimidating for those of us who have never done it before.  I do feel pressure to say something hilarious/witty/thought provoking in my blog.  Probably only pressure from myself though...

Audio and Ink

In a quest to better understand my phone and blogging in general I have started a blog!  I am an avid listener of audio books and an artist at heart.  I hope to merge these two passions while bringing myself some clarity about my mobile device.