23 Mobile Things - Thing 20 : Games

Thing 20 is all about games! 

Oh, my now do you really think there are any mobile apps for games? Let's guess how many? As many as the stars in the sky? Possibly.

I'm not a huge gamer. Way back when I did love Tetris on Gameboy. Yup, dating myself aren't I? 

Awhile back I tried Words With Friends. I did maybe 3 games? Not for me. But then I never really liked Scrabble either. I like words, just not those types of games.

I prefer games that I play individually. Not that I'm anti-social or that I don't want to go up against anyone I just like a game app that isn't a lot of pressure because I usually play them for leisure.

I played 4 Pics 1 Word for awhile-- I was getting up there in stats and I'd never used a "help" of any kind. Then my grandson played it on my iPhone without asking me and he used up almost all of my helps. So I gave up on that game. I had liked my perfect record. 

My favorite and only game app that I play these days is Dots. I really do like this game. I like the strategy. I play the timed version so it's a bit of a challenge against the clock. But I don't get too dismayed if I screw up or don't have a great score. I bomb sometimes and I do well other times. Mostly it's a game of chance as to how the dots show up. I've not discovered any secret that makes the game give you better odds or chances at connecting more dots. Maybe it does & I'm oblivious? I don't care. I like it as it is.

Here are a few snips of Dots:

23 Mobile Things - Thing 19 : Hobbies

Thing 19 is all about discovering mobile apps for our hobbies. 

Boy, it seems I've probably already covered some of my hobbies/interests in other posts re: these 23 Mobile Things. So I'll just list a few and why:

Pinterest -- This one took me awhile to accept. Yes, I dissed it a bit awhile ago. But I've overcome my dislike and opted to use it in a fashion that works for me-- mainly photo tags of ideas.

Meetup -- A great way to find like-minded people in my area to do stuff with. Almost never at a loss for ideas and people.

Goodreads -- I've recently transitioned to this since they have an app and LibraryThing doesn't. This feeds my need for organization & at my fingertips info. I have kind of a brain-soak memory but I realize that I can't recall everything!

FindAGrave -- Yay, is this a tad morbid? Not so because I do like cemeteries and genealogy.

MapMyHike -- I like to walk! I've gotten out of my grove but I used to walk 4-6 miles per day, every day, all year round. Yup, that included our freezing cold, blustery days of winter! Maybe I am a bit crazy?

23 Mobile Things - Thing 18 : Education

Thing 18 suggests we look at educational apps and how they might fit into our personal and work lives. 

Boy for students I sure think that a dictionary and thesaurus would be a great app to have! This one is free and offers over 140,000 entries with more than 1.4 million words! Advanced English Dictionary and Thesaurus By Mobile Systems. Plus it has some fun looking word games-- a plus for downtime or between classes.

Here's a snip:

Khan Academy is a website that I often suggest to students who are looking for a little extra help with subjects. So it makes sense that their app would be the same great resource. I'll have to check into this one a little bit more!

Here are a few snips:

Video too -- score!

Another area where I see that students need help is in scheduling their homework time and knowing what projects/papers/assignments are due and when. This myHomework app looking promising. It's available for a variety of formats. jd+points 

Free options plus pay-- and it won't blow the bank! 

23 Mobile Things - Thing 17 : Connecting to Community

Thing 17 is about using local apps to connect with our communities. 

One app that I use, although admittedly not too often, is for one of our local TV news stations. NNC-Now from our Northlands News Center. It's easy to pop up on my phone when I'm looking for a quick update or a current news story. I do hate that 1st up is an advertisement but I understand it pays their bills.  

Here are a few snips:

Another "local app" that I use  is 511MN from our MN Dept of Transportation. This app provides details on road conditions, road construction/detours, and crashes that might affect traffic movement. I use this often during the winter to check road conditions. I travel about 1/2 hour each way to & from work so this is handy for determining my best route of travel during bad weather. 

Here are some snips:

You can zoom in to view closer details. 

The icons depict various conditions. 

You can click on the icons for more details. 

Another app that I love that isn't a "local app" but you can use to find local restaurants is OpenTable. I simply love this app! Locate, reserve and you're ready to go!