Friday, February 28, 2014

Thing 5: Notetaking

I know that the Notes application on iOS devices is pretty bare-boned in terms of features, but I actually like its simplicity, and I like how my notes are synced between my devices, including my Mac, with iCloud.  However, for the sake of this project, I decided to try a new app.  I chose Springpad, since based on the descriptions of all the apps, it sounded like it would be the one I would get the most use out of.

After downloading the app and setting up my account, I went through the Getting Started with Springpad notebook to learn more about the software.  I first experimented with the Recipes template notebook.  I searched out a chocolate cake recipe I remembered that I wanted to make someday and I saved it to the notebook.  That process was simple enough, and I like the options available for adding tagging the recipe and adding a photo.  What was a little disappointing to me is that I couldn't use a nice image of the cake from the website from where I got the recipe - at least I couldn't figure out how to do that.  That would have been nice, as it would have allowed me to add a little more color and make things more easily findable in the gallery view of recipes.  I also used the recipe notebook to create a shopping list of items to pick up at the grocery store.

I next played around with creating a simple note.  Whenever I hear a song I really like, I try to make a note of it to see if it will be available for me to download with the Freegal music service.  I appreciate the ability to add sound, photos, and reminders right into the note.  I could definitely see how that could come in handy in many situations, especially when tracking down replacement parts or something like that.

Speaking of which...  I also played around with the Home Improvement template notebook.  My wife and I are building a house and when that's complete, I'm sure there are going to be a whole lot of projects and maintenance tasks we'll need to keep on top of it.  I can see this app being useful in that regard too.

While I'm not 100% certain I can see myself as a big Springboard user, I definitely see its merits, and I suspect it will stay on my iPhone for awhile, even if I don't use it on a regular basis.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Thing 4: Keeping Up

When it comes to keeping up on news and events, I feel like I'm pretty much on top of things.  I get a lot of news already from Twitter, and I check the Associated Press' mobile app at least once or twice a day to keep up on the latest happenings.  I used to take advantage of RSS feeds on my Mac with Safari, so I'm no stranger to them.  Although I must admit when an update to that browser changed the way RSS feed detection functioned, I only briefly played around with an alternative reader (Schrook) before ultimately giving up the practice.

For this thing, I decided to play around with Zite.  I liked the idea that Zite worked a little like Pandora in that I could like or dislike news stories and the software would learn from my decisions to present me with articles catered specifically to my interests.  Upon downloading the app and creating an account, I choose from some of Zite's recommended topics, as well as searched for and selected a few topics of my own - including some library related ones.

For the most part, the articles that Zite recommended form me were interesting, and often from sources I didn't know about or rarely explored.  Some of the tagging for the stories can seem a little questionable, but I am impressed with the wide array of topics to choose from.  I like the way the app is structured.  The layout of the content is clean and different parts of the app are easily accessible.

My first thought in reading about this app was that I probably wouldn't use it - that it would unlikely change my current practices in keeping up with news, but after playing around with it for a few days, I actually think this will be an app I use on a daily basis, and likely multiple times a day.  I really cherish the customization aspect, and I seem to find new topics to favorite every time I use it.  In particular, it will affect how I discover content about libraries and librarianship.  As of now, I mostly get information on my field from e-mail newsletters, following library-related associations and companies on Twitter, and having database alerts inform me of articles published in scholarly journals.  I think Zite will find content from sites I haven't traditionally sought out, like personal blogs, and I am excited to see to what kind of new things Zite will expose me.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Thing 3: Utilities

The utility app I decided to download and play around with was RedLaser.  I had already had a QR code reader app on my iPhone, but the only time I had ever used it was the day I downloaded it.  RedLaser seems to have a few more features that will make it more likely for me to use on a regular basis.

I like that I can input my loyalty cards into the program and that doing so will help me find deals and nearby locations.  I like Apple's Passbook app for that, but Passbook still has only a limited number of companies/services, so this is really nice.  I also like the weekly ads.  It's really nice to have them all copied together in one location, rather than going from store website to store website to see them.

The QR code scanner built into the program will be helpful when necessary, but I don't seem to ever think to pull out a phone and scan a code when I see one.  We'll chalk that up to lack of curiosity maybe.  I did just scan a code on a bottle of hand lotion that is on my desk just to try out the feature.  It was kind of interesting to see what the price is at local stores.  (Sorry Target, but it looks like Walmart has you beat by 13 cents!).


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Thing 2: Mobile Device Tips

I watched the video for the iOS 7 Hidden Features.  I also looked at the 15 iPhone Tips and Tricks You Probably Didn't Know.

I am the kind of person who reads a manual completely when I purchase a new product, and when I got my iPhone 5, wanting to make sure I got the most out of it, I read everything I could get my hands on.  A lot of these features and tricks I was aware of, but quite a few I weren't, or in the least, couldn't remember.

I've never really taken advantage of Siri as much as I probably could - especially since my clumsy thumbs make me such a horrible typist on a phone screen.  I knew I could have Siri search Twitter, but I didn't know that I could specify for Siri to search images.  I also don't remember ever knowing about Siri's ability to correct pronunciation of names.  Learning about hese little features have just encouraged me to get more acquainted with Siri, and I plan to spend a little more time each day exploring Apple's innovative digital assistant.

The time stamp for texts was also a feature I didn't know about, and somehow I don't think I ever took the time to play around with Background App Refresh function.  Using a finger to deleting the last digit in the calculator app was a neat trick I'm happy I know about now.

Most of the other stuff though I think I knew about, but a lot of the features and tricks I have found little need to make use of.  Saving battery life on my iPhone is one of the bigger struggles I deal with, but I find that I'm willing to sacrifice battery life for better/more convenient functionality.

All in all though, I thought this lesson was a great introduction to my device, and I found it made me want to spend more time getting more knowledgeable about all its various capabilities.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Thing 1: Welcome to 23 Mobile Things

Hello, everyone.  My name is Jason and I work as a technology and software assistant for a public library system in the Twin Cities.  This is my blog for the Minnesota Multitype Library Systems' 23 Mobile Things challenge.  I will be completing these exercises with my trusty iPhone 5.

What I hope to get out of this is a better awareness of how my smartphone can be used to increase my productivity and my connectedness to others.  Also, if I can find a fun game or a place to find hilarious videos, that would be cool as well. :-)