Oh boy - "Keeping Up". This "thing" is something I have struggled with for some time. I do "okay" with my old content - Facebook, news feeds, things I have used for "a while". I struggle keeping up with the "new things" - Twitter, Instagram, professional literature (crow nesting)...
I have a StumbleUpon account, an Evernote Account, a Flipboard account, a sizable Chrome bookmark collection; and I have a Pocket account. I used to have a Google Reader account. I've used them all, but I fall back on Pocket and Chrome for keeping my "stuff" where I can find it.
In response to the apps suggested on the "Thing 4" webpage, I like Flipboard okay. I started using Flipboard as a tool to collect articles and "professional reading" I was required to report on for coursework; this was not long after Google Reader was killed. Flipboard is pretty. The magazine format is "easy on the eyes" but my personal preference is to see the articles in "text format" and then decide what to read. I always feel like I am missing something or haven't gotten deep enough in the content Flipboard provides to you (this is in reference to the "Flipboard recommends"). I subscribed to some content when I started my account, but I still found myself searching "outside" to get relevant content. I also saved some content to Flipboard but I was not confident that my stuff would be there when I went to look for it. I am also leery of linking my Facebook and Twitter to other apps - perhaps I would RAVE about how wonderful Flipboard is if I used it as a full reader for all my content.
Pocket - I LOVE Pocket. This is an app I would recommend for keeping up. Pocket is available across platforms and much to my surprise, has a bookmarklet for a computer (like StumbleUpon, Evernote, or other products). I have not used the bookmarklet, so I cannot speak to that. Pocked used to be called "Read it Later"; I think the name change happened within the last 6-8 months.
I started using Pocket because it was a SIMPLE way for me to save content I found on Twitter. (I am a "collect and save, then read" type of person). Pocket lists the article/content title and the website, similar to what a Google search result looks like. Pocket then links back out to the content you saved. I use the app pretty narrowly, but according to www.getpocket.com, Pocket has over 300 integrated apps - among those are Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Flipboard, Google Currents...
I haven't given up any of my accounts that I listed at the top of this blog, and I may go back to Flipboard, but Pocket is my current app for keeping up, when I take the time to keep up beyond my ritual morning apps.
Pocket - check out this app!!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thing 3
Well. After bearing my soul about my devices and device usage in "Thing 2", I am feeling more "on task" for Thing 3.
Before I dive into the app I used, I must say that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to try out Google Goggles. I REALLY wanted to try this app. However, the two "Android" devices we own in our household are proprietary and do not have a camera and I was not able to connect with my sister to use her Android device. I WILL be keeping that app on my radar in the event that I get my hands on an Android with a camera!
Now; Thing 3. I tried StandApp. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this a 7 1/2. I liked the concept and I really wanted to like the app but...back to the beginning. I liked the five minute segments of "stand time" and felt the exercises I experienced were good and not "too weird" for a public place. I would say that the app was designed with a cubicle farm in mind. For me, this was a "wash" - I think it is great that all the exercises can be done in a small space, but it seems to "limit" or promote itself as an "office type" app. I liked the five minute timer for the "stand time". I did not like the death knell video at the beginning of the app. If you are using this app, you already know too much sitting is bad for you. I was also not crazy about the alarm feature. I originally set the alarm for a few days a week - days that I am home with my daughter. The alarm would go off a couple times, but if you don't respond to the alarm, it seems like the timer quits. It would be nice if the alarm features had more "teeth", like the alarm would keep going off until you cleared it on your phone/device.
I WILL keep the app on my phone. I like using it at my practicum site when I am doing computer work. It reminds me to get up and explore what else is happening in the library. I can see the value in an office environment; it does not work for me at home. In the workplace, I know there ARE programs out there for computer work stations - the youth librarian at my practicum site noted that her last library had pop-ups on their computers, reminding them to take a "wrist break". This app could work in a library setting - I don't know if it is the "best" product for the job.
Before I dive into the app I used, I must say that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to try out Google Goggles. I REALLY wanted to try this app. However, the two "Android" devices we own in our household are proprietary and do not have a camera and I was not able to connect with my sister to use her Android device. I WILL be keeping that app on my radar in the event that I get my hands on an Android with a camera!
Now; Thing 3. I tried StandApp. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this a 7 1/2. I liked the concept and I really wanted to like the app but...back to the beginning. I liked the five minute segments of "stand time" and felt the exercises I experienced were good and not "too weird" for a public place. I would say that the app was designed with a cubicle farm in mind. For me, this was a "wash" - I think it is great that all the exercises can be done in a small space, but it seems to "limit" or promote itself as an "office type" app. I liked the five minute timer for the "stand time". I did not like the death knell video at the beginning of the app. If you are using this app, you already know too much sitting is bad for you. I was also not crazy about the alarm feature. I originally set the alarm for a few days a week - days that I am home with my daughter. The alarm would go off a couple times, but if you don't respond to the alarm, it seems like the timer quits. It would be nice if the alarm features had more "teeth", like the alarm would keep going off until you cleared it on your phone/device.
I WILL keep the app on my phone. I like using it at my practicum site when I am doing computer work. It reminds me to get up and explore what else is happening in the library. I can see the value in an office environment; it does not work for me at home. In the workplace, I know there ARE programs out there for computer work stations - the youth librarian at my practicum site noted that her last library had pop-ups on their computers, reminding them to take a "wrist break". This app could work in a library setting - I don't know if it is the "best" product for the job.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Thing 2 - Device Exploration
Thing 2: Mobile Device Tips
I have to admit that I was PRETTY EXCITED to dive in to this "Thing". I would consider myself a smartphone novice - I entered the smartphone world on Black Friday 2013 by purchasing an iPhone 5s. In contrast, I would consider myself an Apple "moderate". I am on my third generation of iPod Touch; I have used iTunes in three Windows operating systems and felt I had a good handle on what my iPod Touch could do.
I should also preface this mobile experience in stating that I still live in what I would consider a "multi-device" world. My household has four Apple devices, non of them a computer. I have a Nano for music; a 2nd generation iPod Touch for video and games that still work without updates (claimed by the three year old); a 5th generation iPod Touch; a new iPhone 5s. The latter two devices will feature heavily in my exploration of 23 Mobile Things.
I use my iPhone for calling, photo/video, Facebook, Pinterest and one or two other things. I have only downloaded 9 apps that were not stock on the phone. I will concede that this admission is weird. I am concerned about the storage size of my phone (only 8 GB). I am concerned about my data use. I am part of a shared plan and I want to get a feel for how much data I use before I go "lock, stock, and barrel" on app downloads. And my phone IS NOT A TOY for my three year old - no games, she leaves it alone.
My 5th generation iPod Touch is much larger in terms of storage and does my "heavy lifting". I've been using a Touch for e-mail, apps, Facebook, and a host of other things since 2010. I have learned different features as my use has grown and as updates have changed the iOS system.
Back to "Thing 2":
I started my inquiry with the 10 minute iOS 7 Hidden Features video. I felt the video was a wash in terms of learning "new" content. I do not use Siri; I do not care about Apple's dynamic wallpaper. I DID learn about the level feature on my iPhone. Unfortunately, the compass is not a dedicated app on my iPod Touch. This was one of many reminders that iOS 7 is not always the same across devices. I waited for information on "closing apps", but that information was not included in the video.
The one feature I found in the YouTube clip was the Safari feature to "grab" Tweets by using the Shared Links icon. I tend to forget about the new technologies in favor of "tried and true" (like Facebook). This tool will make it "easy" for me to see what is happening on Twitter without slogging through Tweet after Tweet - and feeling overwhelmed when I step away for a few days.
After the video, I moved on to the link from the Apple site with features for the 5s. I discovered many of the features highlighted by Apple on accident the first couple days using my phone and again when I upgraded to iOS 7 on my Touch. Things that were new - Mapping pictures. I have not figured out HOW I will use this feature beyond a folder on my phone or my Touch yet, but I tested it with our family vacation photos taken at different parks at Disney World. Cool feature.
One feature I was not using in iOS 7 was the dedicated Calendar feature. I imported my Google Calendar into my phone (I use the Google Calendar app on my Touch). It is weird and I do not know how I feel about it. However - if it edits well, I WILL choose to embrace the new look. The app for the Touch is glitchy and I have found myself using Safari OR using a computer to access my calendar until this point.
I also skimmed the "15 tips" and still didn't know how or why I would need to close apps. Until I read the Thing 2 post, I assumed that pressing the Home button DID close apps. So. I Googled. After reading two blogs, a short article, and a posting on the Apple Support, I still haven't found a "satisfactory answer" as to WHY one closes apps except to preserve battery life. I did close several apps on my Touch and this is a feature I will continue to use!!
Ultimately, I was hoping I would learn MORE tips and tricks - I was a bit disappointed with Thing 2. If I used my newer devices for music, if I used Siri, if I only owned one device and used it for everything, I believe this Thing would have been more fulfilling. It turns out I actually do know how to get a lot out of my iDevices. I just didn't know that I knew so much!
I have to admit that I was PRETTY EXCITED to dive in to this "Thing". I would consider myself a smartphone novice - I entered the smartphone world on Black Friday 2013 by purchasing an iPhone 5s. In contrast, I would consider myself an Apple "moderate". I am on my third generation of iPod Touch; I have used iTunes in three Windows operating systems and felt I had a good handle on what my iPod Touch could do.
I should also preface this mobile experience in stating that I still live in what I would consider a "multi-device" world. My household has four Apple devices, non of them a computer. I have a Nano for music; a 2nd generation iPod Touch for video and games that still work without updates (claimed by the three year old); a 5th generation iPod Touch; a new iPhone 5s. The latter two devices will feature heavily in my exploration of 23 Mobile Things.
I use my iPhone for calling, photo/video, Facebook, Pinterest and one or two other things. I have only downloaded 9 apps that were not stock on the phone. I will concede that this admission is weird. I am concerned about the storage size of my phone (only 8 GB). I am concerned about my data use. I am part of a shared plan and I want to get a feel for how much data I use before I go "lock, stock, and barrel" on app downloads. And my phone IS NOT A TOY for my three year old - no games, she leaves it alone.
My 5th generation iPod Touch is much larger in terms of storage and does my "heavy lifting". I've been using a Touch for e-mail, apps, Facebook, and a host of other things since 2010. I have learned different features as my use has grown and as updates have changed the iOS system.
Back to "Thing 2":
I started my inquiry with the 10 minute iOS 7 Hidden Features video. I felt the video was a wash in terms of learning "new" content. I do not use Siri; I do not care about Apple's dynamic wallpaper. I DID learn about the level feature on my iPhone. Unfortunately, the compass is not a dedicated app on my iPod Touch. This was one of many reminders that iOS 7 is not always the same across devices. I waited for information on "closing apps", but that information was not included in the video.
The one feature I found in the YouTube clip was the Safari feature to "grab" Tweets by using the Shared Links icon. I tend to forget about the new technologies in favor of "tried and true" (like Facebook). This tool will make it "easy" for me to see what is happening on Twitter without slogging through Tweet after Tweet - and feeling overwhelmed when I step away for a few days.
After the video, I moved on to the link from the Apple site with features for the 5s. I discovered many of the features highlighted by Apple on accident the first couple days using my phone and again when I upgraded to iOS 7 on my Touch. Things that were new - Mapping pictures. I have not figured out HOW I will use this feature beyond a folder on my phone or my Touch yet, but I tested it with our family vacation photos taken at different parks at Disney World. Cool feature.
One feature I was not using in iOS 7 was the dedicated Calendar feature. I imported my Google Calendar into my phone (I use the Google Calendar app on my Touch). It is weird and I do not know how I feel about it. However - if it edits well, I WILL choose to embrace the new look. The app for the Touch is glitchy and I have found myself using Safari OR using a computer to access my calendar until this point.
I also skimmed the "15 tips" and still didn't know how or why I would need to close apps. Until I read the Thing 2 post, I assumed that pressing the Home button DID close apps. So. I Googled. After reading two blogs, a short article, and a posting on the Apple Support, I still haven't found a "satisfactory answer" as to WHY one closes apps except to preserve battery life. I did close several apps on my Touch and this is a feature I will continue to use!!
Ultimately, I was hoping I would learn MORE tips and tricks - I was a bit disappointed with Thing 2. If I used my newer devices for music, if I used Siri, if I only owned one device and used it for everything, I believe this Thing would have been more fulfilling. It turns out I actually do know how to get a lot out of my iDevices. I just didn't know that I knew so much!
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