23 Mobile Things -- Thing 2 : Mobile Device Tips

For Thing 2, we were asked to explore possible new tips, uses, and apps for our mobile devices. So here's what I checked out and discovered:

iPad -- 1st Gen wi-fi only
Yes, I (still) have a 1st generation iPad. At times I do feel that it is antiquated (can no longer upgrade iOS + browsers that crash often & can't be fixed) and I wonder why I keep it. Suffice to say, I don't use it to the degree I did. Yet I've not convinced myself to upgrade because I also have my iPhone and a PC. My iPad isn't essential to me, but I still want it to be useful.

I read The Best iPad Tips and Tricks [iOS 4 to 6] I knew about &/or have used almost all of the tips/tricks offered. My one big take-away was the emoji keyboard. I know! I've been living a sheltered life without emojis at my fingertips. 

I explored a bit more and I read 7 Uses for Your Outdated iPad. I liked the suggestion to use it as a second monitor so I might check into this further. Another suggestion was to use it in the kitchen loaded with recipes. I had already thought about ways to do this when by coincidence a friend shared via FB that she loves Pepperplate -- a multi-device way to store recipes. The good & the bad -- The bad is it needs minimum iOS 7 for the iPad app. The good is it still works on my iPad via web browser. 

I just recently ordered Chromecast so I will see how this works with my iPad in delivering streaming internet content to my TV. And I've always used my iPad as an ereader since both Nook & Kindle offer free apps. So maybe my 1st Gen iPad won't go to the device graveyard --yet.

iPhone 4s
For being a self-proclaimed tech-lover, again I have a bit of an outdated device: my iPhone 4s. But in comparison to my 1st Gen iPad, my iPhone is still fully functional for me so (at this time) I have no great reason to upgrade. 

I read through iPhone 4s Tips and Tricks. What I learned here had more to do with iOS 7+ upgrades vs. anything new for the 4s itself. I just recently upgraded to iOS 7+ -- I 1st had to remove some (many!) apps and tons of photos to make room for the needed memory -- so I'm still discovering new iOS features and adjusting to the new look. One small feature that I like is the easy way to swipe to the right for the delete option for a single email. Much easier than going into the email to delete or using the multi-edit option to delete one email.

Thing 2 -- Library 2.0

02/15/2008
Even though I try to keep up on technology -- I like (love?) computers, e-mail (I have 4 accts!), IM, cell phones, computer menus etc. -- I think that sometimes technology moves faster than we can at times comprehend. So we tend to either pick & choose what we think we need to keep up with at the time or wait until, if ever, we are pushed into needing a technology.

With Library 2.0 -- I admit I had heard the term but I hadn't really dug into it's meaning until probably 6 months ago -- I like that it can emcompass multiple, ever new and expanding, ways of bringing information to people. And in our struggle to get students to "use the library" our adding a variety of technology seems to be a good way to connect with them. But then I try to balance how I can make these new ways work for us when we have a very small staff -- just 2 of us total. So I end up doing what I said happens -- waiting until we are pushed to do it.