23 Mobile Things -- Thing 4 : Keeping up

For Thing 4 we were asked to consider this: "Do you follow a lot of news sites and blogs and find that you’re spending so much time going to many different websites? You can make it a lot easier on yourself if you take advantage of RSS feeds and apps to collect them all."

RSS Feeds
I've long since given up using RSS feeds. The last feed reader I used was FeedDemon and I have to say it's been a few years. I don't even know if it's still operational? Back in the day RSS feeds with feed readers were a great way to have information come to me. That is until it became overwhelming with too much information bombarding me and my not keeping up. That big old information monster rearing its ugly head. 

Twitter
For me what replaced RSS feeds was using Twitter. I came to use Twitter because of one of the previous "Things" programs. (Flashback 2009: me on Twitter) At first I didn't buy into Twitter; I basically saw no use for it. Then I gave it an extended try and I started using Twitter mainly for professional use (keeping Facebook mainly for family & friends). 

So how does Twitter replace my RSS feeds? I follow many librarians, tech people, others in higher education, and groups or organizations -- all of these people are talking about and sharing information & topics that are of interest to me in my profession as an academic librarian interested in technology, information literacy, higher education etc. I can quickly see tweets from these people and from that determine if I need or want to read or research a topic more. The 140 character tweet is that little info bite that sums up the topic. The tweets are what is trending now so they help to keep me updated. And the bonus over RSS feeds is if I have a question I can quickly post it and get replies. And don't forget the ease of sharing with others -- either by retweeting or tweeting on my own. I have the Twitter app on my iPhone and iPad plus I use TweetDeck (I handle multiple Twitter accts) on my PC. 

 Flipboard and Zite 
I've had both apps for a long time. I liked Flipboard's format although I don't tend to use it any longer. The main reason is I have it on my iPad and for work I tend to be on my PC more than anything. Zite I've used the least. I guess I haven't really given it a chance so maybe I'll check into it some more and see what it can offer me.

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.