23 Mobile Things -- Thing 3 : Utilities

For Thing 3, we were asked to look at a few utility apps and share how we may be able to use them personally or professionally. 

RedLaser

I've had the RedLaser app on my iPhone for a long time. I've used it a few times but not for a very long time. Back when I learned about it & downloaded it I might have tried it on a UPC a time or two and that was it.

For this test I picked up a book, The Handmaid's Tale, that I had lying on my desk and I scanned its ISBN/UPC on the back cover. RedLaser was very quick to respond with information. Here are a few snips of info it provided: 

Basic info plus pricing

Reviews

Recommendations

The last -- recommendations -- I wonder though what its basis is? Are these reads-like? Or from reviews & suggestions? I'm not sure.

Google Search

I just downloaded this app and gave it a try. I tested the voice option and spoke "The Handmaid's Tale" into it -- keeping with the same item just for a bit of comparison. The response was quick and accurate -- one never knows with voice apps! Here's a snip of the result:

What to say? Nothing much I guess. Okay search results. But I rather like the voice option. 

So other utilities? I read a fellow 23 Mobile Things' blogger page and I liked many of her observations -- especially regarding MyPermissions. I'm always trying to be careful with apps & data so this is a utility I'm definitely going to check into. Maybe you too want to check out what Heather has to say at HevWam Does 23 Things. 

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I explored a bit more and I read 7 Uses for Your Outdated iPad.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.

23 Mobile Things -- Thing 1 : Blog and Registering

Blog and Registering: check
Well it's been since 2009 since our last "Things" adventure. And now it's time for 23 Mobile Things. This is the 3rd installment of learning and a great way to carve out a bit of time to purposefully keep updated in tools that can be beneficially to each of us and in helping our library patrons.
So here we go -- let's see what we're going to learn!