Check out some of these easily available on playstore that get your work done.

Mobile Backup and Restore

This is a different and simple to use app to backup basically any type of data; namely, pictures, SMS etc from your android based mobile or tablet to the safe and cloud-based servers, so that you can have access to it wherever and whenever you want it. And one of the best parts about this application is that you can schedule or time the back up process for particular items. Albeit the software is not completely free, but you can definitely use the basic functions which covers a lot of things. In totality, the app is cool and updates are available on regular basis. https://bit.ly/1hOpJI7

Titanium Backup

This application is developed and taken care of by Titanium Track. It’s one of the top most apps with a good user rating to safeguard your android’s data. This app helps you backup, restore, freeze the apps and market links. Elements like MMS, SMS, bookmarks, integrate system app updates into ROM etc. Get this app for free here – https://bit.ly/1jlIWeX

Helium – App Sync and Backup

Helium greatly supports backup and restore facility in your PC and device. It’s one of the greatest app sdeveloped by ClockworkMod, who has also provided various other useful apps for android users and many of them are free of cost. The application is beneficial for both rooted and non-rooted users; the non-rooted ones might have to take a little more efforts in running the application in their android phone. You can see the step by step procedure of using the app here – https://bit.ly/Szv1vL

Ultimate Backup

With an average user rating of 4.6, Ultimate backup is available for free in play store. This app helps you to take the backup of almost everything that forms a part of your android device such as files, call logs, photographs, videos and many more. You would be happy to know that this backup can also be mailed. Here, you can sort or arrange the data in the manner you wish to. Get it here – https://bit.ly/1pmyKKB

AppMonster Free Back Restore

AppMonster is a totally free app developed and maintained by Think Android. Offering functions like batch restoring, batch backup, uninstalling, sharing and there’s much more to it, it allows complete backup and restoration of the data preventing any loss to the user. Download it here – https://bit.ly/1lgvGwF

Try them and make sure your data is available anywhere and anytime in a jiffy.

Here’s how you can recover data from your Android phone – simply install one of these apps and follow the instructions. Check out these easy-to-use tools for data recovery on Android-based mobile devices:

1. Wondershare Data Recovery

Wondershare Dr.Fone for Android – $49.95
from: Wondershare Software Co.
This is another great data recovery app for Android based mobile devices. You can restore photos, saved videos, contact details, SMS, music files and any other information that is accidentally lost. The app will scan for lost data and restore it back onto the phone. With a single click you can get back whatever you have lost. The Android mobile recovery manager handles the recovery process within seconds. The trial version can be downloaded from:

More about WonderShare’s Dr.Fone

# 2: Data Recovery from Google Store

Data Recovery from Google Store is an app that deals with the complete diagnostics of your mobile phone. It checks the data status, locates the contacts, textual and multimedia files, makes a bit-by-bit copy of the data, and restores the lost data onto the phone. It is an anytime anywhere app that responds instantly to a data recovery request from the mobile user. Data can be recovered from the SIM card as well as SD card with this app. You can download free from:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=datarecovery.extranet&hl=en

3. MyJad Android Data Recovery

MyJad Android Data Recovery is designed to help you recover any images, songs, videos, documents, archives, and more data stored on your SD card inside the Android phone. Scan, check and recover. Three simple clicks bring your digital life back to life.

Key Features of Android Data Recovery
*Excellent quality – full recovery of your lost Android data
*Absolutely safe – the scanning is just read-only, no changes done to the data of your Android device.
More About MyJad Android Data Recovery…
4. Undelete Beta

The Undelete Beta is great at handling recovery of all kinds of lost data like emails, messages, audios, videos, photographs clicked and downloaded, and all other information that was stored on your Android-based mobile phone. You just have to pop up the application and select the memory where the app should scan for lost files, whether internal memory or SD card. The app will show a list of all the deleted files, their original directory path, etc. You can download this app free of cost from:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fahrbot.apps.undelete

5. Data Recovery from Gutensoft

This is another single-click method of recovering lost or deleted data on your Android-based mobile smartphone of tablet. Just download this app on our PC and connect the phone with the USB cable. Run the app for data recovery. It will first scan for lost information like messages, contact information, archived files, emails, audios, videos, graphics, etc. and will restore it onto your mobile phone. For free download, follow this link:

https://gutensoft.com/Utilities/recover-android-data.html

6. DDR Data Recovery Software

Smartphones users save a lot of their favorite music files, videos, multimedia and graphics files, emails, instant messages, SMS, contacts, etc on their phones. If any or all of the information is accidentally deleted, this software helps you to recover the data. At a single click, it searches for lost data and provides a list for your verification. When you select “restore” the files are recovered onto your mobile phone. You can even customize the file search with options like Basic, Deep, Video, Photo, Signature searches before restoration. To download trial version click:

https://www.datarecoverysoftware.com/datarecoverysoftware/data-recovery-androidphone.html

Any one of these tools will help you recover your lost data onto your mobile phone. Just download one of these files onto the PC. Connect your mobile device and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you would rather be safe than sorry – check out these Security Apps that help protect your Android Phone.

This is a guest post by Roy Fernandez of acquiweb.com, a site that offers savings and current information on home cable and internet, as well as other Comcast.com services.

[Updated and re-published on 11th Jun 2014]

Steps Pedometer

This is a pedometer application for android devices that accounts the number of steps you have taken while running, jogging or walking. Apart from this number, the app will show the average steps you take per minute and total distance traveled, later converting it to miles traveled per hour. Simultaneously, an approximate quantity of calories burned is also shown. 

MapMyWalk GPS

Using the MapMyWalk GPS for android, the user can track the time, route, distance, pace and calories in real-time for fitness and health activities. The app syncs automatically with www.mapmywalk.com. It’s a great tool for calorie counting, hiking, weight loss and much more, being a vital part of MapMyWalk platform.

Time Walker

Time walker is an android step counter application that keeps track of how long you have been walking. The number of steps you took is also recorded along with the walking route mapped by the GPS. 

Runtastic Pedometer

This pedometer app counts each and every step you take along with the number of steps, duration of the walk and speed in kilometers per hour and distance in kilometers of miles. Runtastic is very accurate compared to other similar apps available. When it shows you total distance traveled with the time taken, why do you need any other apps?

Moveo Pedometer

This is another free android pedometer application. It shows you the total number of steps you take each day with the total distance traveled with the duration. You can set daily goals for steps to be walked. This keeps you motivated to stay fit. Compare your workout with your previous self as well as others. 

Extra Pedometer

Extra Pedometer helps you keep a tab of all the steps you take. Whether you are walking from your house door to the car or you are out for a jog in the early morning, this app does the step counting job for you. The history section of the app helps you refer to the breakdown of the steps taken each week. Send the total count to your friends and let them send theirs. Compare it then. 

WalkLogger Pedometer

This app is similar to the Pedometer 2.0. It’s motivational. When you cross certain number of steps, you get various application themes, at times making you walk more. The activity of every hour can be calculated using hills and bar chart which is an easy representation. And most importantly, it doesn’t eat up much of your battery. 

Moves

Along with taking the assistance from GPS to track the walk and ways you took to walk around, it keeps a tab on your steps. Various activities like walking cycling, running is traced. Though it might take a lot of battery, but it’s a convenient app to use. The counting is reliable.

Pedometer 2.0

One of the best things about this app is the various modes of recording. The accelerometer mode counts the step, the GPS mode calculates the distance and the time mode calculates the calories burnt. All these checked based on the kind of exercise you do. This app facilitates you with analytical check charts for daily activities. Download pedometer 2.0 and give it a try.

Noom Walk Pedometer

Apart from getting your every step being calculated, this app saves on your battery life. So, whether you have a smartphone or a tablet, this application will help you anyway. Just be careful as it might even count while you are driving. So get your facts in place before the total counts are in your screen. The Noom Walk Pedometer can be bought from this space.

There are lot many applications available in the play store to keep a check on your fitness level. These are just the 10 amidst them. Research about whichever you like, read the advantages and drawbacks and choose the one which suits you the best. So be a fitness freak and get one of these in your android devices now!

JS Backup

It is one of the best tools, popularly known for its ease, look and feel. It helps you recover the text messages, call history, contacts, MMS, playlist, bookmarks, calendar details, image files and more. It includes enormous support to restore or take MMS backup. The data is stored in CSV form which helps you open easily in Microsoft Excel. Besides, it also has an effective backup history server that allows you to perfectly handle backup history. Click here – https://bit.ly/18cOcBB

Wondershare Data Recovery

Wondershare Dr.Fone for Android – $49.95

Another wonderful data recovery app for android users is Wondershare Data Recovery which helps you restore photos, saved videos, SMS, contact details or any other data which is lost due to certain errors. It is a simple process. It will scan for the lost data and restore on your device. So, your lost data is just a click away. Get your hands on this app here – Wondershare Dr.Fone for Android – $49.95

More Data Recovery Apps listed here …

Just get any of these apps a place in your mobile device and prevent losing important information.

Apart from branding, social media has enabled businesses to tap into different markets, increasing profits substantially. Although leveraging social media properly remains a challenge, it has definitely found a prominent place on the marketing agendas of businesses. Thankfully, managing social media has become a lot more easier because of different apps available in the market.

Below is a list of 5 Social Media Apps that will prove handy for social media marketing for businesses:

1. Tweetbot

I am sure most of you must be using twitter for your business! Incase you are wondering how to start with twitter, here is a wonderful course on twitter to start with. Twitter Essentials by Deltina Hay. Getting to Tweetbot, Tweetbot is a great third party iPhone Twitter application for twitter power users. It has features such as multiple account switching, in-timeline viewing of images & YouTube video thumbnails, push notifications and a mute function that allows you to mute certain users & topics.

Reasons to use Tweetbot:

• Good user interface
• Easy navigation
• Direct message is a primary tab
• Mute filters
• Custom Tabs – User has control over their own UX
• Optimized web pages

2. Glyder

Glyder is a relatively new application that serves as a small business marketing solution on the go. Any business owner, big or small, needs to save up on two extremely important resources – time and money. Glyder offers just that. This app enables business owners to quickly create and send messages across multiple marketing platforms. It can post messages to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as well as send messages to iPhone address book contacts via mail or text messages. It can also send messages to MailChimp lists and can automatically generate Apple passbook passes for any message. Glyder requires an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad running iOS 5.0 or later versions. Need more reasons to use this app? Here you go –

Reasons to use Gylder:

• No computer required, just a smartphone
• Easy to use
• Customizable message & image templates
• Glyder formats your message to look great on desktop, tablet & smartphone
• Monthly updation of templates & images in the app
• Variety of visual styles included

3.Feedly

Feedly is a free reading app that enjoys a user base of about 15 million. If you are a subscriber of many blogs and need an application that lets you catch up on blogposts when you are out and about, Feedly is the app for you.With Feedly you can customize your account to serve up your favorite collection of blogs, journals, websites, magazines and more. This app offers a free as well as a pro version that includes power search and integrations with popular apps like Hootsuite, Evernote & Linkedin. With an amazing interface it is easy to read the blogs on Feedly and you can click on any content that you like and share it to buffer, which then queues it up and post it on your social network, based on your settings. It also works with different multimedia platforms including Android, firefox, chrome and iOS.

Reasons to use feedly:

• Saves you time & effort
• Clean interface & easy to use
• Social media friendly
• Customizable themes
• Actively filters content depending on your taste
• Bookmarking

4. Mention

Mention is a great social media app for monitoring web mentions of your brand, company, industry or competitors.Mention updates you on any references over the web or social networks in real-time or you can receive daily summary of your brand mentions as well. This smart app learns over time to seperate mentions that are applicable from those that are homonyms or junk .Mention has several different plans for its users, the first users plan being free.It is available on Android and iPhone. Here are a few more reasons to use this app

Reasons to use Mention:

• Updates in real-time
• Filters junk mentions from applicable ones
• Easy to use
• Customizable filters for alerts

5. Wibiya

Wibiya is a free, customizable and all inclusive toolbar that anchors to the bottom of your website and allows you to integrate social features on your site. It gives your users quick access to other web applications and social networking tools (Like, Share,Tweet, Pin, etc). This is especially helpful as the users do not need to navigate away from your site to interact with the other application.

Reasons to use Wibiya :

• Easy user interface
• Customizable tool bar (15 items for free version)
• Plug & Play functionality
• Many different apps to choose from
• Access to site analytics
• Social sharing on leading social networks

Android phones are believed to be the most vulnerable phone amongst all others. So, if you are an android user, look after the security measures to prevent any virus attack and take precautions to avoid getting your expensive device in wrong hands. And hence, using a security application would be the best option. Check out these top 5 android security apps for the android phones.

Lookout mobile security

For protecting your phone, this application provided you antivirus, backup and find my phone services. Apart from scanning each and every app you download, lookout mobile security blocks viruses, spyware and malware. The backup option allows you to take the back up of your contacts and photos and if you happen to change your phone, it restores the data to your new phone as well. Through find my phone option, you can pin down your device on a map, set a loud alarm to find your phone and if required, you can tenuously delete your data when your phone is lost. https://bit.ly/1n1sx1I

Avast! Mobile Security

Being a free app for the android software, Avast! Mobile Security offers an assortment of tools and services. The best part of this app is the anti-theft element. This feature is hidden and lets you remote control your smart phone using SMS. So when your phone is lost or stolen, you can distantly locate it, lock it or wipe the data off from it. This app also helps you lock your sim card and prevent USB debugging as well. Get the solution for theft protection here – https://bit.ly/1iBbVwy

mSecure Password Manager

This app is a password and data manager offering and easy and protective way to store information on your android device. mSecure makes use of an industry-proven and verified data encryption procedure and hence your data is in safe hands, in case your device is stolen or lost. You can trust this application to store your extremely important details like credit card numbers, logins and passwords and other confidential data. Have a look at it – https://bit.ly/1ptEEXS

Avira Anti-Virus Security

Avira lets you scan apps for prospective trouble and also scans new apps and at times updates automatically. It contains an additional tool which is believe to be able to let you know if your email account has been hacked giving you the next step of solution to be taken. With the help of Avera you can block problem callers or any nonsense spam. To checkout an app that fits in well with the android platform, click here – https://bit.ly/1kxf2tX

Netqin Antivirus

This is somewhat similar to lookout mobile antivirus. It allows you to focus more on tracing the lost or stolen phone. It helps you locate your device; delete the data remotely and also set an alarm. If you are a frequent phone loser, this becomes your savior for sure. https://bit.ly/1kUS2Ui

Don’t suffer when you can take precautions. Get the best for your favorite expensive devices!

Weather can now be termed as the most unpredictable part of our lives. It’s always better to be updated and prepared about for what’s coming. Android enabled smart phones have made this part of our life easy by providing numerous applications that tell us accurate weather. Here is the list of top 5 weather applications filtered from the millions of applications to inform you about the climate with fun.

1. AccuWeather
   It is the best weather app for android users. It is updated after every 15 minutes. It gives detail information about the humidity, visibility, UV index, cloud cover, pressure, wind speed, sunrise and sunset. It also gives forecast for the upcoming week. Adding to this it also gives you an hourly forecast available to plan your meetings according to the weather.
   Also, forecast qualities for your GPS location is provided only by the AccuWeather, so that you can plan your outdoor activities better.
   One version is available free on the Google play store; here is the link for the download

   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.accuweather.android

   AccuWeather platinum is the paid version of the app. It is an advertisement free version. It is available at price of 0.99$ on the Google play store.

   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.accuweather.paid.android

2. Yahoo! Weather
   Services provided by Yahoo are the Unique Speciality of ‘Yahoo! Weather’ App. It is the gorgeous looking app for your phone. Collaboration with Flickr for the images of your current location is the advantage of this app. Animated sunshine on your phone’s screen gives it a beautiful look. Detailed information on just one swipe is the unique feature of the app.

   Interactive radar, satellite, heat and wind map gives pro-active look to the app. UV index; humidity sensor helps to find out the climate condition for the day.
   It is available free on the Google play store.

   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.weather

3. The Weather Channel
   The Weather Channel provides accurate information of the climate with the help of its own ‘Ultra Local True Point Forecasting Technology’ and the team of over 200 meteorologists. Simple User Interface (UI) is the key feature in the app. It does have all the facilities like forecasting for next 7 days and other climate sensors for better understanding.

   Easy location management, favorite locations marking facility, better push up notification is some of the advantages of the app.
   It is available free on the Google play store.

   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.weather.Weather

4. WeatherPro
   It is one of the famous apps in Europe and United States of America. Inclusion of over 300 million locations across the world is the advantage of this app. ‘Feels like’ is the trademarked facility that gives the interactive interface of the WeatherPro. Weather maps are also provided by the app.

   Worldwide weather alerts, direction and speed of the wind, graphs of the forecast and dynamic and short term overview facility are the advantages of this app.

   Meteo group’s Weather Pro is one of the most famous paid apps in the android market. It is available at $2.99 on the Google play store.
   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mg.android

5. Weather Bug
   Live weather cam with over 2000 cameras across the USA, spark alert system, Hurricane alert system, spotlight section with news of the day (weather news) facility, use of Doppler radar and satellite images and many more activities are provided with Weather Bug app.

   Simply, know the weather before going out for the ride with the help of an instant alert receiving facility of the app. It is available free on the Google play store.

   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aws.android

It’s no surprise that the answer many of us come up with in this high-tech age is a technological one. There have been many technological solutions made available to us for improving our sleep quality. These break down into two major categories: devices and apps. But which one is best?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Devices

Devices are dedicated sleep technologies. They are specialized to meet your sleep needs, and, as such, they can offer many benefits that you simply can’t get from a smartphone app (see below for some examples). They also remove the temptation to take your smartphone into the bedroom, which is itself a major source of lost sleep.

On the other hand, sleep devices can be a significant investment, and don’t always offer significant functional gains over apps. Devices are also clutter. If it turns out that a device isn’t working for you, you’ve got a piece of junk you need to get rid of. And if it does turn out to work for you, it might be hard to replace if it breaks down.

Notable Sleep Devices

Withings Aura: This sleep device consists of two parts. First is a sleep sensor that fits under your mattress to monitor many aspects of your sleep, including body movements, breathing, and heart rate. Second is a weird lighting device that sits beside your bed and uses scientifically-proven light cycles to stimulate melatonin production at night and wake you up in the morning. The light also monitors other sources of light in the room and sounds in the bedroom to give you an assessment of your sleep environment. And, of course, it includes an app that allows you to see the results.

Sleep Number x12: This variation on the increasingly-popular sleep number bed will include many smart features that can be helpful. Like the Aura, it tracks your sleep, although ti doesn’t seem to track much about your sleep environment. With the new sleep apps that come with the bed, though, you can feed in data about your routines, which the app will compare with your sleep to give you advice about how to get better sleep. It’s also voice activated, with handy features like a snorer setting that will adjust your partner’s position if their snoring is bothering you .

Advantages and disadvantages of Apps

Apps can also be very helpful in improving your sleep. They are inexpensive (or free!) and often have very sophisticated programming that allows you to monitor many things about your sleep to help you get better sleep.

However, these apps are limited by the characteristics of your phone. To make some of them work properly, you have to do ridiculous things like wear your phone in a holster while you sleep. Not only does this have the prospect of being uncomfortable, but it means you’re much more likely to have a depleted battery in the morning. Although cell phones have more or less been exonerated from brain cancer concerns, these studies haven’t looked at tissue damage acquired from having the phone in contact with your skin in one place for 8 hours at a time.

Notable Apps

Sleep Cycle: Sleep Cycle is an enhanced alarm clock that detects your sleep cycle and monitors how much time you spend in deep versus shallow sleep, and it makes sure that it wakes you up at a point of light sleep during a 90-minute window you determine. It saves all your sleep data, and can present it in detailed graphs and statistics so you know how well your sleep is, and make correlations between your sleep and your daily activities.

SleepBot: SleepBot is similar to sleep cycle in many ways, with the same type of motion-based sleep tracking, data tracking, and graphing. However, SleepBot also has automated recording, so it will measure when you snore, how loud, and for how long. It isn’t an alarm clock, but it works with your other alarms, so you can get awakened in the morning in the same way you’re used to.

Which Is Best?

There’s a major cost-benefit tradeoff that seems like a hard hill to overcome for the devices, especially at first. With the apps costing $1.99 or less, it seems a no-brainer that you would want to try them first before deciding whether you need the features a device gives.

Featured images:

• License: Image author owned

Dr. Matthew B. Candelaria (PhD, U of Kansas 2006) is a freelance writer who has been writing about sleep apnea and sleep-related health topics for six years. The demands of his writing mean he often doesn’t sleep much, so he works hard to make sure the sleep he gets is quality.

It’s no surprise, then, that they jumped into the greener living initiative in a big way recently. Some of these new apps are simple and do their jobs well, while others are much more complex and criticized as being overly expensive alternatives to tried and true methods.

Seeing that public support for energy conservation is at an all-time high, British Gas designed a smart-phone app that allows their customers to control gas usage remotely. The Guardian reports that the app has been met with mixed reviews.

The App Is Innovative, But Does the Service Justify the High Price Tag?

Using the app, tech-savvy customers can change their thermostat from work or on holiday so that no gas is wasted on heating the home when they are out. Then, on their way home, they can turn the heat back on so the temperature is warm on arrival.

Sounds ideal, right? But critics point out that most people will need to pay £229 to buy the wireless thermostat and hardware that makes it all possible. For people whose heating system is working well, this may be an unnecessary cost.

Many wonder if that money could be better spent on greener heating options such as biomass boilers and heat pumps. Others point out that manually managing temperature settings can have the same basic effect without the high price tag.

Other Apps Take Different Approaches With Mixed Results

British Gas isn’t the first to see the potential of green apps. JouleBug is a free app that capitalizes on the average smart-phone user’s love of games and achievements to promote a greener lifestyle. The app tracks your habits and suggests ways to be more environmentally conscious. Players who make the changes earn trophies and can compete with their friends.

While JouleBug is aimed at changing a variety of daily habits, FuelGood (also free) narrows the focus to driving habits. After you input your vehicle’s model, make, age and engine size, the app makes suggestions on driving and fuelling habits, backing them up with estimated savings figures.

As you know, there is more to think about than just fuel efficiency when evaluating your driving habits. Eco-friendly promoters often tout carpooling as the best way to lessen your carbon footprint, but you may be left wondering how you’ll find people to share a ride.

An app named Carpooling solves that problem. It asks you for the planned route and time frame for your commute and attempts to match you with other users who will be driving the same direction at the same time.

While these apps employ convenient solutions to complex problems, Drip Detective embraces Da Vinci’s timeless advice that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This app aims to get you excited about finding a leaky faucet and fixing it.

All you need to do is tap the screen every time you hear a drip, and the app will tell you how many litres of water the leak will waste in each day, week, month and year, along with how much money it will cost you in the same time period. If those numbers don’t motivate you to fix the leak, nothing will.

In the end, whether you test out a free app, invest in an energy management device or pay into British Gas’s newest product, these apps only work well if you are willing to put in the time.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=download&id=1237395

Gabriella Johnson is the Marketing Executive at Innasol, champions of greener living and renewable heating options for UK customers.

Rather than banning employees from using mobile devices, you may want to encourage them to download apps that can be beneficial in the workplace. It is estimated that about 200 million workers are using mobile apps to improve performance. Here are some that you may want to consider.

Google Drive

Many employees have a difficult time keeping track of all of the documents that they need to store. You may want to encourage them to download the new Google Drive app to their mobile devices. This app can make it a lot easier to keep track of important documents.

Another benefit of Google Drive is that you can share these documents easily with multiple employees. This means that you don’t have to worry about the problems that would arise if one employee lost a copy of an important file.

GroupMe

GroupMe is a great app to make group text messaging more efficient. Employees with the app can send messages to every other member on their team. Everybody will see each other’s replies in real time, which makes it easier to coordinate group communication.

This app is great for virtual teams or those where employees are on the road all the time. It is also a useful app if you need to make timely decisions.

Zoho Docs

Zoho Docs is a great app for people that want to use their mobile devices to edit office documents on their mobile devices. There are a number of apps that can do this, but Zoho is one of the most reliable. This app has a number of features that you may want to take advantage of:

• Task management tools
• Word processors
• Spreadsheets
• Online storage
• File sharing

There are a number of different benefits to using this app. You may want to encourage your employees to use it if they need to create a lot of documents while traveling.

iDoneThis

iDoneThis is another great app to have as part of your company’s BYOD strategy. Project managers need to keep track of all work that they assign. You may want to let them know about the iDoneThis app. This app allows them to remember what work they have assigned and make sure that it has been completed. Many project managers that have used the app said that it has made it much easier for them to keep employees on track.

This app is actually very easy to use. It will send an email out to everybody at the end of the day to ask what work they have completed. The results will be emailed back to the manager in a daily digest. The app has been praised by a number of managers and executives such as Erik Martin of Reddit and Brett Hardin of Sourceninja. These executives have all stated that the iDoneThis app has made project management much easier for them.

Featured images:

• Photo provided by: smartphotostock.com

About the author: Kalen discusses trends in technology and the implications they have on the business environment. He has been published in Investopedia, Forbes, Wealthfront and Entrepreneur.

But getting the right target audience to give feedback for your app might seem like a hard thing to do. With the following ways you can get better results with your feedback quickly and without a huge effort.

Create A Screener

It is a very good idea to first create a screener for getting feedback. As mentioned above you want to receive feedback from the right target audience and a screener can help prevent feedback from people that aren’t part of this group.

For example, perhaps your app is really aimed at women who are looking to start a family in the next five years. With a screener you can ask their marital status, gender and age and thus determine if they would fall into your target group.

This will help you then give more detailed questions for these people and the people who aren’t your target audience also won’t end up wasting their time.

You might also have a situation where things like gender and age really don’t matter. Perhaps it is much more about the TV shows they watch or the way to consume news. There are plenty of good templates to see how to create a screener questionnaire.

Attract People For The Screener

You naturally need to find ways to attract people for the screener. It is really important that you focus on this aspect since it determines how well you really are able to get feedback from your app users.

One approach to keep in mind is to include a little screener button for the app itself. This is something that provides the opportunity for the customer to decide whether or not they want to participate. You could also consider creating a little survey and then occasionally post it on your social media platforms and website.

If you had your customers to sign up with their e-mails for your app then it is also a good idea to use this information and date as a way to get them answering your survey. You can e-mail them the survey and your customers again have the option to answer if they want to. You can find plenty of great tips for increasing the response rates from this Question Pro article.

Consider Interviews

It is also a good idea to keep in mind the option for interviews. There are many things that surveys are good for and they can help you achieve plenty of objectives. But sometimes an interview is really the best way to get a more comprehensive answer.

So consider pulling aside a few people from your survey and ask if they’d be happy to participate in an interview. This is a really good way for making sure you get the right kind of feedback to develop your app further.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Rhonda Styles is interested in apps and app marketing. She has recently started looking for new options for cross-platform development and she likes to read app development blogs.

Forex News Apps

Top on list of forex news apps is the Bloomberg app, which I have on my Android device. Bloomberg has always been on top of the game when it comes to provision of market news. There is a premium news service which requires a subscription fee in order to get access to market moving news releases. The Bloomberg app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Android devices and Nokia phones.

Another powerful forex app is the Thomas Reuters Eikon mobile application which works on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android devices. This mobile app brings together a mix of unique market content, analytics and liquidity resources traders need to profit from the market. This forex app also provides exclusive access to specialist data, provides pricing from more than 2,000 sources in 175 currencies and also provides intraday commentary on flow, trade ideas, rumors, technical analysis and opinions on where the market is headed. Traders can also get access to a full suite of forex calculators and customizable analysis tools. A free trial of the Thomson Reuters Eikon forex app is available to enable the trader assess the software before usage.

Trading Platform Apps

Trading platforms are also available as applications on the hand-held devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Android tablets/smartphones. There are a few examples of those forex trading apps that are offered to traders by market makers (dealing desk platforms) and others which represent the non-dealing desk end of the market.

An example of a dealing desk platform that can be used on the various smartphones and tablets in the market is the MT4 Build 600 platform from FXOpen. Many other brokers have this software as well, but that of FXOpen was singled out because of the wide availability on a variety of mobile devices, making it one of the most sought after forex apps.

Forex Charting Apps

The forex apps overview continues with a look at some of the charting applications that are available from the various app stores for mobile devices. ChartIQ and iChartist are two of the forex apps available in the market today. iChartist is a charting app for forex, stock and futures traders, providing the functions that any desktop program would offer. It is available from the iTunes store for the iPhone and iPad. iChartist comes with a vast array of technical indicators. Real-time streaming tick interbank composite Forex data is also available via this application.

ChartIQ is specifically built to run on mobile or on the web as a web-based application. It comes with a free trial so that users can evaluate the product before buying. Traders Magazine calls it “a must for all mobile chart fans”. This speaks volumes about the product.

Forex Indicators

One of the best forex apps that traders can get access to are forex indicators. Now these are now classified as apps which can be downloaded from the MetaTrader AppStore. This AppStore is a collection of indicators and expert advisors (free and commercial) for use on the brand new MT4 Build 600 platform. Under the new arrangement, the MT4 Build 600 platform is now integrated with the MetaTrader AppStore, and traders can pay for, and download commercial or free versions of indicators and expert advisors from the MT4 AppStore through their MT4 platforms.

The indicators are too many to mention. But to look at what is on offer, download the new MT4 Build 600 online, and then click on the “Market” tab to get a view of some top selling indicator apps. You can also click on the “Code Base” tab to get a view of several indicators and experts available on the AppStore.

Conclusion

Forex apps can help improve the trading experience, and should be used by every trader who wants to make sense of forex trading from 2014 and beyond.

Featured images:

• License: Image author owned
• Photo credit: My Blog Guest community

Johan Matsias is a Forex trader, writer and online trading tutor. He writes for FXOpen, a competitive Forex broker working since 2003. To know more about the FXOpen MT4 trading platform visit https://www.fxopen.com/TerminalMetaTrader4.aspx.

But with so many messaging apps available, one of the biggest dilemmas is which one to choose. For businesses, though, a wealth of choices means they can be selective, finding the best app that fits in with their unique needs and environment. Here are three great messaging apps that can help workers stay in touch, whether they’re in the office or on the go.

Google+ Hangouts

Businesses are realizing the collaborative power available with Google+ Hangouts. From free video calls to its social media-style communication, the service is ideal for creating a professional forum for an entire team to meet. Professionals can access Google+ Hangouts on Android, iOS, or through a web app. Google+ Hangouts can also be used to snap and share photos while at a work site or while meeting with a client. Since video calls can be conducted via a smartphone or tablet, it can save businesses time and money on travel. A company representative could be on site with a client, for example, and bring the rest of the team in on the conversation through Hangouts. Best of all, Google+ Hangouts is free.

Cisco Jabber

Many Cisco users are already familiar with Cisco Jabber, which is currently being used in conjunction with their desk phones. The mobile version of the app gives a user access to the same contacts he’d see if he were sitting in front of his desktop or laptop. Each contact’s availability status is listed and the user’s availability status automatically shows unavailable when the user is on the phone. Using the mobile app, workers can conduct multiple messaging sessions at once, moving between each conversation with a swipe of the finger. Phone calls, WebEx meetings, and emails can be sent directly from the chat session. For customers that already have Cisco products, Jabber may be the best solution.

Skype Instant Messaging

Skype is primarily known as a videoconferencing tool, but the app also has text-based messaging capabilities. From a mobile device or PC, the user simply finds a contact from his list, types a message, and hits send. One problem with Skype, however, is that the user doesn’t know an IM has been sent unless the application is open and running in the background. Mobile users will need to enable push notifications on their device to be informed when a message has been sent. For iOS users, this means ensuring “receive chat messages even when Skype is closed” is enabled. Currently, this feature is enabled by default.

As the workforce becomes more mobile, businesses will increasingly seek solutions that enable them to stay in touch without being in the office. These solutions are mobile-friendly, so workers can run them using their own personal devices or work-issued devices. By being reachable from anywhere, professionals can better stay on deadline and communicate with the rest of the team for better collaboration.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Kirill Bensonoff is a founding partner at ComputerSupport.com, helping small business executives get the most out of their technology investment.

5. RunKeeper

With more than 28 million users, this is one of the most popular fitness apps, it is free to download, it lets you keep track of your runs, walks, and bike rides by using your phone’s GPS, and it provides detailed statistics about the pace you were going at, the distance you ran, and the time it took. Some of the other features the app has are a heart rate monitor, the ability to listen to your music while working out, and an audio cue function that provides updates on your distance, time, and pace.

4. Weight Watchers Mobile

This is a great app for healthy eating, it is also free to download, but you have to be a member to get full access of all the features on the app. You can keep track of your calorie intake by using their point system, and you can search their database to get more information about the food you are about to consume. You can also scan the bar code on any food label you are thinking of purchasing, and it will let you know if it is healthy. The app lets you know how many calories you have left to consume daily or weekly, which helps you stick to your diet.

3. Nike Training Club

This is a good app for any type of workout you feel like doing, from weightlifting to cardio workouts. It provides visual demonstrations on how to perfect all the drills, and audio guidance to keep you motivated while working out. The app also features extra exercises from professional trainers and athletes like Maria Sharapova, and has over 100 customized workouts. The Nike Training Club app is free to download.

2. Gym Pact

This is a very popular app, especially for people who need a little motivation to work out and eat healthy. This app literally makes people put their money where their mouth is. With Gym Pact, people enter a pact with other individuals who have trouble exercising regularly, and set weekly goals about how many times they will exercise during the week, or how much healthy food they will eat in the time span. They then set a price that they will pay other members if they do not meet their goals. Failure to meet goals results in paying up what you promised, and the achievement of their goals means they get paid the members who did not reach their goals.

1. Hot5

This is a high intensity interval training workout app, instead of doing the traditional exercises over a long period of time; you do short bursts of exercises with a little recovery time in between them. You do five, one minute exercises daily, with videos of real life trainers that guide you through the exercises. It is a great app for people who want to exercise but don’t have time to spend on the long exercises. This app is also free to download.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot

David Malone is an exercise physiologist that has over 4 years of experience in his field. He is also a health and fitness enthusiast who is a part-time contributor for JackedGorilla.com, a website that provides readers with the latest fitness information and the best supplement reviews.

Having a slate of weather apps on your smartphone is one of the best ways to get that early warning. With these apps, you can get a heads up whenever the weather changes.

#1 – The Weather Channel

This is perhaps the most popular weather-checking app on the market, and for good reason. The Weather Channel app gives you detailed forecast information based on your location, along with customizable radar maps and warnings of severe weather.

If you are traveling and unsure what weather to expect, the Weather Channel app is a must for your smartphone. This handy app is available for both iPhone and Android, so everyone can get up-to-date weather information at a glance.

#2 – AccuWeather

If you want truly worldwide weather information, this is the app for you. The AccuWeather application, available for both iPhone and Android, provides up-to-date weather forecasts for nearly 3 million locations around the world, so you will be covered no matter where your travels take you.

AccuWeather also provides among the most detailed forecasts available. You can get a forecast for the next hour, or the next 15 days. It is no wonder this weather app has become such a favorite with smartphone users.

So next time there is a technology freezing cold front approaching, it wont take you by surpise!

#3 – WeatherBug

The WeatherBug app has long been a favorite of office employees. In fact, many a cubicle dweller has gotten into trouble for downloading this fun app without IT permission.

Now Apple and Android smartphone owners can enjoy this great app without incurring the boss’s ire. WeatherBug provides real-time weather information displayed right on the screen, making it easier than ever to keep up with the conditions outside your office window.

#4 – Old Farmer’s Almanac

Long before the smartphone and instant weather forecasts, there was the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Those who worked the land relied on the wisdom that book contained to tell them when to plant their crops, when to time their harvest and when to batten down the hatches.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac mobile app brings that wisdom into the digital age. Smartphone owners can use the app to check the weather forecast, and to see what the Almanac has to say about future weather trends. This is a fun app to play with, but it is also incredibly useful.

#5 – Swackett

Swackett puts a fun new spin on the weather app model. This popular Android and iPhone app gives you the same things as the others – like hourly and daily weather forecasts and storm warnings, but it also provides users with fashion advice.

It is that fashion advice that gives Swackett its coolness factor. Swackett tells you what the temperature is, but also lets you know when you need to layer on an extra sweater or break out the long johns.

Technology and the weather when combined, are two strong forces. Craig, the author of this post enjoys to review apps, and by having an app on your phone to monitor the weather, you won’t get caught out again.

One of the primary reasons for mobile devices and smartphones is to increase productivity. There are thousands of productivity applications available for the Android, most of which are either free or have a very low cost. Whether you’re trying to increase your productivity at work, at home or at school, there are a myriad of solutions to choose from.

1. Dropbox

By far, the most important application for those that want to increase their productivity is “Dropbox.” If you’re not already using Dropbox, you need to be. Dropbox is a simple tool that allows you to upload your documents to the Dropbox servers. The Dropbox servers will then sync it to your other computers and devices. From your phone or device, you’ll be able to look at and even modify any of your documents. Any type of document can be saved on the Dropbox servers, from documents to images and videos. Even better, Dropbox is completely free to use and allows you to send and share documents to others; many companies are using Dropbox for a variety of tasks. However, do remember that you should always encrypt and password protect any confidential or sensitive documents that you need to upload.

2. Remember the Milk

Remember the Milk is a simple free application that can be used on Android devices and can also be used online. Remember the Milk is a task list that is simple, clean and easy to use. Too many applications are overly complex, which makes it prohibitive to use. Remember the Milk allows you to very quickly add new tasks and modify them on the fly, making it far simpler overall. Remember the Milk can also be accessed directly on your PC to make it even more convenient, and it can send you alerts when deadlines are coming up. Categories and color-coding allow you to easily review your tasks and determine their priority.

3. Evernote

Evernote is one of the leading productivity apps. Not only can it store a task list, but it can also keep your notes — including audio notes. Evernote is another free application, and can store virtually every type of media. Where Evernote really shines is its versatility: snap a picture of something you need to remember, dictate a quick audio note or simply scroll something down. “The best technology is designed to make what we already do simpler and easier,” says leading tech guru Scott Garcia with Armor for Android. Evernote simply facilitates human memory.

4. MailBox

MailBox is a special productivity application that helps you easily sort through mail. Email today can be extremely difficult to deal with; not only is it often incredibly voluminous, but it can also be stressful to deal with. We have personal emails, business emails, urgent emails and emails that are simply spam. MailBox gives you a very simple and easy to use interface that you can use to sort through your emails quickly, addressing the ones that you need to and putting everything else to the back of the pile.

5. Google Drive

Do you need to collaborate? Are you always on the move? Google Drive is an excellent solution for anyone who has projects such as documents, slide shows and spreadsheets. Google Drive allows you to create documents and modify them on the fly either in the application or through a web browser. With Google Drive, you’re allowed to share your documents with other people and track any changes that are made. You’re ensured to always have everything backed up and you’re offered all the features of traditional document solutions.

One good way to determine which productivity apps you need is to identify your weaknesses. Ask yourself exactly what is preventing you from being as productive as you should be. If there are specific areas in your day that you have noticed aren’t as productive as they should be, ask yourself why. Are you forgetting things often? If so, a task list organizer is probably the best bet. A productivity solution, no matter how good, usually does have a slight learning curve — so don’t give up until you’ve given it a chance.

Featured images:

• License: Image author owned

About Author: Christopher is a writer for antivirus company, Armor for Android. Christopher has worked in the Android security field for several years and provides content and advice to Android users. When Christopher isn’t writing, he’s mountain biking or training for triathlons.

1. Instagram – Influential People To Use It

Instagram has become such a popular platform for sharing images and its success is partly due to the great way it used influential people to launch it.

At the start it invited some very famous people in the technology world to test it out and once they started spreading the message the public soon followed.

Instagram also cleverly used other social media platforms to improve the user experience. Instead of making it only possible to keep the photos within the platform, it is easy to share them on Twitter and Facebook, for example.

2. Evernote – Press Attention Helps

It is also a good idea to make sure your app gets enough press attention. For instance, as soon as the technology magazine TechCrunch wrote about Evernote the app become an instant hit among users.

The coverage helped Evernote to get people interested in the app and sign up for the beta version. Once users found the beta experience good they also helped to spread the word and get more people excited about the app.

3. Camera+ – Be Vocal On Social Media

One of the apps that best highlights the importance of social media for app marketing is Camera+. The company spent a lot of time on focusing on Facebook and other social media platforms and received a lot of publicity with their online campaigns.

They also realised very well that many apps are suitable for international release and don’t just need to focus on local markets. The app was very good at creating a buzz even outside the US.

4. Clear – Have A Simple Idea

It is crucial that your app has a very simple idea and the app Clear perfectly illustrates this. If you don’t know about this app then it is such a simple interface with no extra clutter or fancy gimmicks all over the place.

It is an app that is all about creating lists and it does it in a very unique yet simple way. It really highlights how an idea doesn’t need to be very elaborative in order to succeed in the app market.

5. Snapchat – Create A Buzz

Another app that really succeeded with a clear idea is Snapchat. It is a simple idea of taking a photo and sharing it with a community and having the message disappear in a few seconds.

Because of this clear idea the developers were also able to create a lot of buzz around the app. The app also appeared to spread like wildfire because it was shared so much among the users. Creating this community with your app is really crucial in order to make it succeed.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Nathan Cramer is passionate about app development and he is always trying to learn the tricks of the industry. He also likes using C++ in development and is passionate about learning different coding languages.

• Notegraphy: Rating – 5 out of 5

Notegraphy is a free app for ipad. Even though it’s free but it’s high on features. As the name suggests it has something to do with text. With notegraphy you can easily create amazing looking text and then share it instantly on all of the major social networking platforms. At first it might overwhelm you with hundreds of templates that you can apply to your text but as you use it you will get comfortable with its features, we used it for designing some text material and even though we just did it for fun but we ended up with some professional looking pieces. In our view notegraphy is the instagram of the writing world. In our view this app deserves a full score, 5 out of 5.

• Facetune: Rating – 5 out of 5

The pictures we take especially the self portraits are rarely perfect. Actually to be honest whenever I try it I end up looking like someone from the movie Hangover. Facetune is here to change all of it. It is very easy to use and it works seamlessly in the new ios 7 environment. It’s not like Photoshop that overwhelms you with tons of different information. The idea here was to keep things simple and get the job done. Even though the aesthetics of this app are pretty simple, on the inside this app packs a real punch. We had some photographs that we never showed to anyone, we tried to make them better with facetune and it succeeded beyond our expectations. For a really simple design but effective functioning we give it 5 starts out of 5.

• Bob Dylan bootlegs: Rating – 5 out of 5

As the name suggest this app is for those who are Bob Dylan;s fans and guessing by his popularity and extraordinary music it is hard to say that someone can despise this app. This app provides the fans of Bob Dylan with a journey through 35 of his rare releases. You can watch unreleased video interviews and take a look at tons of his snaps from his early days. There is also a karaoke feature that lets you sing along, using this app you can download all of his songs and their instrumentals. For anyone who is a bob Dylan fan, this app is a must have. Since we all are his fans, we give this app a rating of 5 out of 5.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

This shopping review is written by Nicholas Berg. Nichols is a senior software consultant and head the creative department at a very well known app development firm.

Data recovery apps for iPhone

Have you ever by mistake deleted files off your iPhone, or the device got stolen, broken, dropped in water? Have you ever gone crazy or freaked out about one of above experiences because many useful data such as photos, Contacts, memos, text messages etc. stored on it? Here is a list data recovery apps for iPhone as well as data recovery software for iOS.

1. Mobisaver

Mobisaver is a free Windows desktop tool to help you recover deleted data from your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It works from iOS 4 onwards and can recover among others, contacts, messages, notes, videos, etc. Once the device is connected to the computer, MobiSaver will automatically start scanning your device for deleted data, either from the device itself or from previous iTunes backups. With the iTunes backup, you can pick a point of backup to recover data from.

2. iPhone Data Recovery App

The iPhone Data Recovery App is the first data recovery device for the Apple iPhone. With the iPhone Data Recovery App., you can recover text messages, phone call history, internet history, contacts, pictures and graphics, calendar entries, map history, and much more.

3. Leawo iOS Data Recovery

Leawo iOS Data Recovery is data recovery software for iOS that can recover deleted, formatted and damaged camera roll photos and videos, photo stream photos, photo library images, contacts, call history, text messages, message attachments and many more data files from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. This iPhone data recovery fully supports iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad mini, iPod touch 5 and many other Apple devices. It supports many kinds of data types and formats output by two optional recovery modes. Using the first mode “Recover from iOS device”, you can achieve iPhone data recovery.

4. KiwiGeeker 

KiwiGeeker is data recovery software for iOS with newly updated features for all iOS devices. This software comes to help Mac users handle data loss problems caused by accidental deletion, virus attack, jailbreak failure, iOS upgrade, stuck in black/white screen with Apple logo, etc. Use it to perform the recovery directly from a device, or open it to retrieve backed up data from iTunes backup.

5. EaseUS MobiSaver

The most powerful data recovery app for iPhone, iPod, iPad:

• Recover WhatsApp history from iPhone; retrieve encrypted iTunes backup.
• Newly support iOS7, iPhone5s/5c, iPad Air, iPad with Retina Display.
• Recover all common data including Contact, SMS, Call log, Note, photos, video, MMS, Calendar for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
• Two Recovery Modes: Recovery from iTunes backup; Recovery directly from iOS devices.
• Support most lost data accident like device damage/ loss/ locked, jailbreak, iOS upgrade.

1. SmartTruck Route (Free)

This app is a great help to truck drivers as this removes the stress of trying to figure out which way to go. It aids in navigation, and it can provide images of streets, maps and routes, and it even includes details regarding temporary or permanent road restrictions. Other nifty features of this app are its satellite view of roads and built-in speakers that allow a driver to state an address. If a driver likes to use certain paths, he can set his options using the Route Preferences feature. With this app, truck drivers won’t have to get too stressed about getting lost as this also provides turn-by-turn instructions.

2. Co-Pilot Truck (149.99)

Yes, it is quite expensive; but it is an investment that’s worth every penny. Professional truck drivers will be able to take advantage of its numerous features, including — accurate turn-by-turn directions that uses text-to-speech technology; route generation based on the characteristics of the vehicle and its cargo; identification of points of interest, such as truck stops and rest areas; and many more. It’s also packed with very useful advanced features. For example, it can provide up to three alternate routes, and it also helps in guiding drivers who need to get through busy highways. Another great feature is that it has a speed limit display. The app alerts the driver in case he exceeds the speed limit.

3. Skype (Free)

Proper communication helps in ensuring that everything is going as smoothly as possible. With Skype, truck drivers can easily talk to their dispatchers when needed, send messages, or share photos. Videoconferencing is a cinch, and users can do this with WiFi or 3G connections.

4. KyrusFleet (Free)

Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC state that truck accidents are not the same as car accidents. The main reason is that there are several entities involved, including the truck driver and the company he is working for. To avoid road traffic accidents, drivers should use apps that allow them to stay more focused and alert since distracted driving is one of the causes of bad car-truck incidents. An example is the KyrusFleet app. Once it’s enabled, it prevents distracted driving by keeping mobiles silent while a vehicle is in motion. It also uses automated notifications and it reminds a driver to stop using his mobile while operating a vehicle.

5. GasBuddy (Free)

Gas prices continue to increase, and even a few cents saved each day can really add up, especially when you’re buying fuel for large vehicles. The GasBuddy app is a very handy tool that truck drivers can use if they want to buy from the cheapest stations. Through a feature in this app, a driver can also post reports regarding gas prices and locations to help others who are also looking for cheap fuel.

Citations:

• karen_2873. “SYSCO Truck New”. July 30, 2006. Online image. Flickr. January 24, 2014.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Claire Taylor is a freelance writer. She has done a lot of research about issues related to personal injury and automobile accidents.

• The People Power

To help users manage their home energy use, the People Power app connects with power monitoring devices to allow the viewing of the past, current and projected energy usage and costs. These can be compared against the statistical averages, view energy saving recommendation and the app also offers access to online stores specializing in energy efficient products. Users can also compare their energy usage with their friends on Facebook, while exchanging energy saving ideas.

• The iGO Vampire Power Calculator

Vampire energy is the energy consumed by appliances that is switched off but still plugged in. The iGo Vampire Calculator app calculates the amount of vampire energy being wasted in every room of a house.

• The Kill – Ur- Watts

The Kill-Ur-Watts is an app that lets users view, track and manage their electric use, while providing information on how to reduce energy. It also offers information on how users can apply improvements in their home to make it more energy efficient.

• The MeterRead

Users can read their electric meter and track their energy consumption by using the MeterRead app. The app utilizes an internal clock on the phone and a variety of meters to choose from. Users have to match the meters and the app will display how much kWh of power had bee used since the last reading. This allows users to keep an eye on their utility bill and track the impact of energy saving ideas.

• The Energy UFO+

Energy usage can be monitored in real time using the Energy UFO+ app. Users can view their electric consumption and the related cost so that they can achieve their goal of reducing energy use.

• The Green Outlet

This app can calculate the amount of energy being used up by household appliances and equipment. The Green Outlet helps users make informed decisions on how to manage energy costs as it allows users to select the device needed from a list and enter the hours of usage in order to receive estimates of monthly energy usage and the carbon footprint. Users can also be notified when they have exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended carbon usage. Learn more on how you can ensure energy efficiency in your home here.

• The SunFinder

The SunFinder app gives an estimate of the energy that can be expected to be drawn from the sun and determine the best location to install a solar panel. The database of the app also provides climate data for various locations in the U.S. Users only have to position their smartphones like a solar panel and the app will display the user’s GPS location and then calculate the annual solar power radiation and production.

Citations:

• Photographed By: davidwilkerson

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://mrg.bz/6AKIw5

Valerie Messer is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement ideas, energy efficiency ideas and the latest apps and devices that can help reduce energy consumption.

Traveling can be a frustrating endeavor, whether you’re on a business trip or a big vacation. Fortunately, you can take the stress out of your plans with the help of these five convenient travel apps.

For Vacations

Visiting a new place? Create a to-do list using City Maps 2Go, an intuitive app that helps you find services, events, activities, restaurants and attractions. Easily download maps, which remain available online in case your cell or WiFi signals get spotty.

Road-weary travelers will also appreciate GasBuddy, which shows you the nearest fuel stations, along with Rest Area, a handy app that tells you where you can pull over to rest.

For Business Travel

Looking to take the stress out of your travel plans? The TripIt app allows you to map out your airport experience from security to departure. Simply email your reservation confirmation to plans@tripit.com, and the free app will create a detailed itinerary you can easily share over multiple devices. It’s a great way to stay in front of crowds and ahead of schedule, especially during peak travel dates, when congestion and delays can have you feeling overwhelmed.

Business travelers can also get a lot of use from Expensify, a free app that allows you to sync all of your debit and credit cards to track every single one of your business expenses. If you pay in cash, you can use the app’s camera option to snap a photo of receipts. At the conclusion of your trip, email or print your expense chart as necessary.

For Destination Weddings

Thinking about a destination wedding? Find the ideal place with the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Resort Finder app. Just answer a few simple questions, and you’ll receive several suggestions featuring venues and locales that fit your taste and budget. Created by the editors of the leading bridal magazine Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, this app can help you target the perfect destination for you ceremony. Want a large beach wedding centered at a boutique island hotel? The app will help connect you. Prefer a small but adventures affair? You’ll receive several suggestions based on your answers.

Not only is the a great app for people who’ve been planning a destination wedding. It’s also handy for people who think they can’t afford one. According to wedding photographer Arnaud Brichet, many people don’t even realize they can afford a destination wedding, because they fail to do the research.

“Destination weddings can be affordable if you choose the right place,” said Brichet, who owns the Punta Cana wedding photography studio hdcphoto.com. “Punta Cana is a great example of this; however, many couples don’t realize it, because they don’t look at all their options.”

By making it easy to check out affordable areas, the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Resort Finder app opens the door for couples who might normally choose to stay local. It also provides plenty of great honeymoon options, whether you’ve got a lot of money to burn or are struggling to stay within an unforgiving budget.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

RJ Lawrence is a lead writer for 6COM Media.

Boating is an absolute blast. I don’t know about you but my favorite pastime is definitely hitting the water, throwing back a few beers, and casting out my line in hopes of a big catch. However, too often we boaters can find ourselves caught up in a nasty thunderstorm, unable to find that prime fishing hole or getting just bored while we await the next bite. With all the new apps out today, there are no excuses for these unfortunate circumstances. In this article, I will be going over some indispensable apps that every true boater needs to download to their phone or tablet immediately to ensure each day on the water is nothing short of perfection.

Google Earth

Google Earth is a really neat feature that basically lets you view anywhere in the world. If you happen to want to know exactly where you are located in the ocean while you are traveling or fishing, then this is the app for you. It also allows you to see incredible detail of the water with crystal clear aerial views.

Dive Spots

This neat app, created by Fibercode, is the quickest way to find a wide array of dive spots as well as popular shipwrecks. It offers over 21,000 dive spots and gives you the ability to search for the ones closest to your location.

Boat Ramps

Ever have trouble finding somewhere to launch your boat? Or even worse, did you already have somewhere to launch your boat but it is just too crowded these days to even bother waiting? This app should take care of that problem once and for all. Boat Ramps is a new app that instantly gives you directions to over 30,000 boat launches around the United States.

Pandora

If you haven’t already discovered Pandora, then you have clearly been living under a rock. Pandora is an innovative app that basically lets you listen to music all day long without having to choose songs yourself. Pick an artist or genre you like, turn up the music, and worry about reeling in that fish.

Weatherbug

Checking the weather is essential before you head out on your boat. The last thing you want to do is get stuck in a huge thunderstorm out on the water and have your boat get filled with water or even worse capsize. Weatherbug will give you a full outlook on the weather for now and hour by hour in the future along with satellite imagery projecting the coming weather patterns..

So what are you waiting for? Get on your phone or tablet and go download the apps I mentioned above now. If you want to explore some other apps simply try typing in “boating app” in your play store or iTunes and you can see if any others interest you. After downloading these apps you should be fully prepared for the next time you take your boat out. You should know where to launch it,where to go dive, fish, and how to stay clear of storms!

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

This article was written by Colin Quinn, professional writer at Insurance Land. Colin is an avid blogger with a keen attention to detail. He enjoys writing about various insuance related topics.

MLS Apps: Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com and Redfin.com

I know, this is more than one app to check out, but they’re lumped together for a reason. All four of these apps basically do the same thing, with a couple of minor exceptions depending on which app you’re looking at. These apps help you see what properties are listed for sale on the MLS. They can help you keep track of new listings when you’re on the go and get a call from a potential client, or when you’re out showing homes and a new listing pops up on the MLS, you can take them right there instead of having to go back to the office and check available listings again. The faster you get the work done, the faster you can get in there and get ahead of the competition. Best of all, these apps are all free. Some people will advise you to download all of them, as they all have a few different features that you may find handy to your business.

The Google Drive and DropBox Apps

Another type of app you need to look into to give you a leg up are either the Google Drive App or DropBox, you don’t need both. These apps will sync the documents from your home computer onto other electronic devices such as your tablet, other computers or your phone. This means that even if you’re on the go, you can access your important documents anywhere you are. Need a quick rental application or contract before you lose the customer? All you have to do is access it on your phone and email it to a local printer and pick it up in a few minutes. This means you don’t have to carry them around with you, or run back to the office to print one up either. Saved means you can be more productive now. Plus, these apps are free too. Score!

The JotNot Scanner

The JotNot scanner app is free for the basic version, and a buck for pro, so it’s relatively inexpensive to get, and what you get in return is worth the minimal cost. JotNot allows you to turn your phone into a portable scanner and share your documents via email, Evernote, DropBox, Google Drive and more. You can scan various hand-signed documents into your phone and upload them so that you have copies of everything you need, which means you don’t have to worry about keeping track of all your paper copies anymore. Because really, who needs the stress? Plus, you can send in contracts from your phone, and beat out other people who may have had their eye on the place. Being on the ball can mean being first, and make a huge difference.

There are lots of great apps for your phone and tablet out there that you can use to help you increase your business and become more efficient and organized. It never hurts to be on the lookout for those tools that can help you succeed and stay ahead of the competition. Hopefully, you’ve found something in this list to check out and improve your business.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Jeffry Evans – is the Chief at RealEstateLicense.org. He loves what he does and his family. You can see more of his work at https://www.realestatelicense.org/3-pillars-to-a-successful-home-based-business.html

According to the recent study conducted by Pew Research, 58% of all teenagers who are between the ages of 12 and 17 have downloaded applications to their smartphone apps. This leads to the rise of sexting, prostitution, child abuse, bullying, and drugs through the use of third party mobile apps. Although parents can use certain applications to keep tabs on their children, there are also apps that become a tool for teens to engage in risky behavior due to the lack of parental guidance. Here are some of the most common apps used by teens that parents should monitor, as well as some apps that parents can use to keep track of their teens.

SnapChat: Teenagers love this app because it allows them to send images and videos to their friends. What makes this app appealing for many teens is its time limit feature wherein the user can set a time limit on how long the receiver can view the image. After the limit, the snap self-destructs; thus, it will be deleted from the user and receiver’s phone and from the Snapshot Servers.

As a parent, you should learn more about the dangers of using this app. For one, it is the number one sexting app in the market. There are certain teenagers who send nude photos to their boyfriends or girlfriends under the assumption that the photo self-destructs. Unfortunately, the photos are never entirely deleted from the receiver’s phone; thus, the photos can be used. Someone might put up the nude photos online, damaging your teen’s reputation. In addition, your teen might face possible criminal charges because the photos can be used as evidence against them.

Whisper App: This is a teen confession application wherein the user can place text over a picture. This app is a great venue for teenagers to share their raw feelings and emotions over a picture. Unfortunately, this app can also be used for other purposes, such as cyberbullying. Because the users stay anonymous, teenagers can post pictures of other teens and place derogatory text on the image.

In addition, although teenagers do not need to register to use this app, it still allows users to communicate with other people who are nearby using the GPS feature. Pedophiles can use this device to seek out females users and build a relationship.

Footprints: This application is not used by teenagers but it can be used by parents who want to know where their children are. This app uses GPS in real time and helps you keep track and locate your children’s whereabouts. With this app, you can find out if he or she is traveling alone or if he is meeting with friends. Footprints will help you monitor your child and make sure that he or she is not meeting with people he or she shouldn’t be with. It also assures you of his or her safety.

Amber Alert GPS: This is another tracking app for parents which is dedicated to kid’s safety. It helps you receive emails and texts if an alert is triggered. It also lets you know if your child ventured out of a safe zone. It even sends an alert if your teenager comes within 500 feet of a registered sex offender which is very helpful in protecting your child. Your child can also use the SOS button to let you know that they need help.

Citations:

• Greg Clarke.”the modern teenager”. December 8, 2010. Online Image. Flickr. Jan 20, 2014

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Kris Bennette has been writing professionally for more than two years. She occasionally writes about the latest smartphone apps for online publishing.

1. Uber

If you need to make a quick escape, try out Uber. Uber is a simplified taxi service app that allows easy access to rides with very few keystrokes. It has built in payment and review systems, to allow for easy billing and finding drivers you can trust. There’s even a feature that allows you to split cab fare with another Uber user at the touch of a button.

2. Circle of Six

This app was intended for college students who were often finding themselves walking alone at night. So how does it work you ask? You add six of your closest emergency contacts to a list and at the simple double tap of a button, a prewritten message will be sent to your six contacts. If you are in a crisis and you call one person, they may not be near their phone or they may be busy. In this case, six people will know of your situation. There is even an icon you can press that will text a link to a Google map of your location!

3. Hollaback!

Hollaback has created a community of sorts with their application. It was conceived under the idea that street harassment is a gateway crime that leads to more serious assaults. If you see someone harassing another person, you can write an entry log and take a video or photo of the perpetrator. The information is then shared with a live map that alerts other Hollaback users of the nearby situation, thus spreading the knowledge and creating a type of digital neighborhood watch.

4. Guardly

Guardly is a bit of a hybrid of the previous two apps, combining location services and message alerts. With a few quick taps in the face of danger, users enable a real-time tracking system so anyone who is allowed access can view where exactly the user is. In addition, if you’re the one in peril, you can access a map of nearby friends and family. Another feature allows the user to trigger a blaring alarm that will draw attention to the attack and possibly deter the attacker’s proceedings.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: shutterstock

David Hook is a writer and recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He loves to blog about personal safety and criminal defense on behalf of Carroll Troberman Law in Austin, TX.

When a customer is unhappy with an experience, businesses today are at a serious disadvantage. One post on a social media site like Facebook or Twitter can reach hundreds or thousands of customers, influencing public opinion and making a sizable dent in your bottom line. A business may never even hear about the bad experience, but for a small, local company it could spell eventual death, especially if the unhappy customer has a wide range of influence.

Companies can manually monitor each social media profile, but that takes time. Fortunately, there are several solutions that can ease the process for businesses of all sizes. The following apps can not only help you track any complaint calls, letters, and e-mails you receive, it can also help track online complaints so that you can respond to them as quickly as possible.

Deskero

Using Deskero, businesses can immediately empower customers to reach them through a variety of platforms, including e-mail, phone call, Twitter, and Facebook. Through a widget, businesses can also enable customers to place a ticket directly through their website, with all entered information immediately populating the Deskero ticket system. Deskero monitors all of a company’s social media accounts to find any posts and deliver them to the business. Once presented, someone from your business can immediately assign the conversation to a specific customer service representative for resolution.

FreshDesk

FreshDesk takes the work out of monitoring social media profiles altogether, automatically converting any Facebook or Twitter mentions into tickets for action. Within the FreshDesk portal, customer service agents can respond directly to those social media mentions, with those responses converted to social media posts. Additionally, FreshDesk brings your help desk team together, helping them categorize tickets, reassign as necessary, and assign and resolve tickets, all with just a few clicks.

Zoho Support

With Zoho Support, businesses can manage help desk tickets from a mobile device, making it ideal for the small business owner who is constantly on the go. The software offers Facebook and Twitter tabs to let businesses switch back and forth to easily monitor any social media posts. If a conversation begins on social media that needs to be converted to a ticket, this can be done directly through the Zoho Support portal. If at some point a large number of posts come through on an “emergency escalation” keyword specified by the business, Zoho Support’s interface sends an e-mail or SMS alert based on settings that are entered by the business at setup.

Social media has complicated the customer service process, challenging businesses of all sizes to keep up with complaints. These cloud-based tools can make the process easier, allowing time-challenged professionals to provide good customer service while still tending to the many other business duties they face each day.

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• License: Creative Commons image source

Kirill Bensonoff is a founding partner at ComputerSupport.com, helping small business executives get the most out of their technology investment.

Dog First Aid By PetMD – $0.99

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dog-first-aid/id310023911?mt=8

This App will run on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and it will require iOS 3.1 or later for smooth running. Out four legged friends are known for their mischievous nature and that usually gets them into a bit of trouble, putting it mildly. So what do you do when they’ve chomped a whole box of sweets, or maybe your TV remote has been chewed beyond recognition? And then there is the possibility of your pooch getting some kind of virus that puts them out of sorts. Well, you should take them to the nearest vet, but we can’t always do this immediately. Dog First offers a one stop solution that can help you deal with these kinds of dilemmas, and it is pretty slick. Use the onboard search facility and see if you can save some big bucks before calling the doggy doctor out. You’ll also get a list of the nearest veterinarian, so all bases are covered! We would always suggest that you consult your animal expert before trying anything too radical, but this application certainly has some helpful tips onboard.

Dog Park Finder Plus By Skej – $1.99

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dog-park-finder-plus/id372419544?mt=8

This App will run on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and it will require iOS 4.3 or later for smooth running. Well, how close is your nearest dog walking park? Many of us simply don’t know the answer to that question and usually pack the mutt in the car and drive out to the country for some exercise. But this App could change all of that for the better, just take a closer look. There are over 6,000 fantastic dog walking parks to choose from and each of them has received a rather helpful rating. You also get the bonus of 12,000 dog friendly restaurants, and these places really are worth a visit. Dog Park Finder is a very user friendly App and the sub 2 dollar price tag makes it the bargain of the week, in our opinion. It has a bunch of canine retreats that that will open up a new world of fun for you and your best friend – Brilliant!

Ready To Walk?

Both of these cool Apps will ensure that you and your pooch have many happy years to come!

Featured images:

• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned

Today’s contributor, Dan Richards, works as a consultant at Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital, a well-known Staten Island veterinary hospital. Dan is a culinary enthusiast and specializes in desserts.

Many small creatures help nurture the environment. To illustrate, millipedes improve the quality of soil, while bees spread pollen and encourage the growth of more plants. Ladybugs are also well-liked because they look cute and they consume aphids and other soft-bodied pests. But there are also several kinds of small animals that damage vegetation and crops. In order to identify and learn more about how a certain bug will affect your garden, use apps that will provide you with quick and reliable info. Here are some examples.

1. Bugs in the Garden ($0.99)

If you want a quick way to identify a garden creature, use this nifty app. It contains illustrations of the most common bugs that are found in North America. Aside from providing photos of both adults and larvae bugs for speedy recognition, it also mentions what types of plants are typically affected by such creatures. This app also provides a brief yet clear explanation as regards what sort of damage could be brought on by certain insects. So, through this app, you’ll also learn to identify insects just by assessing the damage that they have done.

2. Garden Bugs ($0.99)

Do you want to know what kinds of bugs are eating your precious seedlings? This app will help you with that. Because it’s fairly simple to navigate, you’ll immediately find suggestions on how to manage your pest problems too. Using this app, you can also readily purchase recommended pest control items.

3. Garden Pro HD ($4.99)

Yes, it’s more expensive than your usual app. But you’ll surely pat yourself on the back after downloading this one as it provides details regarding 7,000 different species of plants. Their database also includes exotic orchids and many tropical shrubs and flowers. Aside from scouring the app for info about your favorite flowers, bushes or trees, you can also use this app to upload photos of your own plants so that you can keep track of their growth. It also features a “To Do” section which keeps you updated about when you need to water or fertilize your plants. This is also a valuable tool when taking care of a pest problem because you can use it to plan treatments. You won’t forget these activities because the app will alert you when there are scheduled events.

4. Garden Compass Plant/Disease Identifier (Free)

Pests found here not only damage homes, but these also destroy gardens and affect crops. But, for a novice gardener, most creepy-crawlies look more or less the same. Other people are also very scared of bugs. They will run instead of staying and examining the six-legged creature that they just met. Due to this, bug identification can be difficult for some. But with the Garden Compass app, this won’t be an issue anymore because you can just take a picture of a bug and then send it to expert horticulturists for identification. The app features a problem identifier as well. Just send a photo of a garden or pest problem, and someone will provide you with needed information on how to control or resolve it.

Citations:

• US Department of Agriculture. “Gardening Blog Photo1”. March 17, 2011. Online image. Flickr. January 17, 2014.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

This article was contributed by Claire Lassiter. She is a freelance writer, a passionate mom, and an avid gardener.

Although car accidents are quite common, this type of accident happens unexpectedly; thus, most drivers don’t know what to do if an auto accident does occur. Although you drive defensively and responsibly, it is still to your advantage if you know what to do in case of a collision. Car collisions can be very scary and shocking. Thankfully, your smartphone can help you in dealing with the aftermath.

What To Do In The First Five Minutes After A Crash

Take a Deep Breath: Doing so will help you calm down. It is understandable to feel shaken and shocked after getting into an accident; however, you should be able to pull yourself together by taking a few deep breaths to calm down.

Keep Yourself And Your Passengers Safe: If you or your passengers are unable to get out of the vehicle, or if you believe that it is not safe to try, you should keep your seatbelt on. Turn off your ignition and turn on the hazard lights. Call for 911 and wait for the medics to arrive. If it is safe to get out of the vehicle, you should place orange cones and warning triangles a few feet from your vehicle and inform a law enforcer about the crash.

Check For Injuries: You should also immediately check for any injuries. The injury attorney at the California-based Bob M. Cohen & Associates warns that there are certain minor injuries that might develop into serious conditions if left unchecked. Therefore, you need to be very cautious and have yourself checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Smartphone Apps That Offer Assistance After A Car Accident

Auto Accident App: This application is available for both iOS and Android users. It is considered as the first smartphone app that can offer immediate, on-the-scene, real-time assistance to car accident victims. It even offers a one-button access to emergency personnel. Another feature of this app is that it provides a procedural guide for gathering information to ensure that no critical accident details or evidence is missed.

• Accident Recording System: Documents the accident scene using car damage picture documentation and audio recording of witness statements.
• Generates a complete accident report
• Instant access to the information you need to provide, such as your insurance number, license plate, and medical insurance information.

Car Accident SideKick: This application is a free app for iPhone users that guides you through the procedures you should follow after a car collision. This app has a wide variety of features, such as assistance in getting information for insurance and injury claims. Other features are as follows:

• Accident tip checklist
• One-touch emergency center locator
• One-touch access to taxis or roadside assistance
• User-friendly accident report forms
• Photo and audio recording capabilities
• Built-in flashlight function

AAA Mobile: With this application, you can get roadside assistance, member discounts, and get information about gas prices and driving directions. If you ever get into an accident or if your car broke down in the middle of the road, you can request roadside assistance through this app. The personnel can help locate you through your GPS location.

WreckCheck: This smartphone application is available for free for iOS and Android users. This app guides you through the step-by-step process of generating your own accident report. It also offers tips for staying safe while on the road. This app also makes it easy to capture car damage photos and injuries, collect necessary accident details, and gather information for filing an insurance and injury claim. Lastly, WreckCheck even lets you send completed accident report to your email account and your insurance agent.

Citations:

• Shino.”Car Accident”. August 17, 2007. Online Image. Flickr. Jan 16, 2014

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Kris Bennette has been writing professionally for more than 2 years. In this article, she writes about the smartphone apps that can help you after an auto accident.

Code.org

Code.org is one of the most popular websites that provide free tools and resources for any individual interested in coding and learning to program on their own. Code.org introduced the “hour of code” concept, encouraging users to dedicate just one hour each day to learning to code in order to greatly improve skills in a short amount of time. Registering for Code.org is completely free, and allows you to instantly begin coding and programming. Code.org provides a visually-stimulating platform, giving users the chance to develop and code their own games with live actions and visual aids. Using Code.org is ideal whether you have experience with coding and programming in the past or if you are entirely new to the scenario. Code.org is a wonderful application and resource for learning to program and code, especially if you are seeking visual guides along the way.

Codecademy

Codecademy is a free online community that shares tutorials and guides on programming everything from JavaScript and jQuery to PHP, Python and Ruby. Learning with Codeacademy is as simple as registering for an account to get started. Each programming language is divided into various chapters and sections to help with keeping track of your progress and all of the lessons you have learned or completed.

CodeConquest

CodeConquest is an online community dedicated to computer programming for beginners. With CodeConquest, you can find written tutorials for various languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP and even in-depth guides on Binary. CodeConquest is a free resource to use online and does not require payment or user registration to access all of the information and tutorials that are currently available.

The Mobile Makers Academy

The Mobile Makers Academy is an online network of individuals who are interested in various types of intense training courses when learning to program for mobile phones. The Mobile Makers Academy allows anyone to apply for upcoming courses on mobile development based on interest and the reason each individual wants to pursue programming or coding. Unlike other coding tutorials and resources online, The Mobile Makers Academy does require a full tuition to complete the courses in-full.

Code Avengers

Code Avengers is another online community that is dedicated to sharing tutorials and guides on coding and learning to program. Whether you are a teacher, student or an entrepreneur wanting to develop a new application for your website, you can find thorough guides and complete lessons from Code Avengers upon joining the site itself.

Knowing some of the best online resources available today to help with learning programming and coding is a way to take your own skills to the next level. When you want to learn to build mobile apps online, doing so with the right resources can help to save time while also giving you more knowledge than by enrolling in traditional college classes or courses.

Glenn Haynes is a mobile app developer who enjoys blogging about mobile technologies. For more helpful articles, Glenn suggests visiting GadgetMobile.net.

With so many games out there, which ones should you download? Here are the top five that we can’t stop playing:

Angry Birds (Free)

It’s been called “the largest mobile App success the world has seen so far”, and with good reason. Angry Birds has so far sold 12 million copies from Apple’s App Store and spawned other versions, as well as a full-length feature film due for release in 2016. Like many popular apps, the initial version of Angry Birds has a simple aim: to use a slingshot to launch birds at pigs stationed on various structures. Level up and you get new types of birds with new abilities.

Candy Crush Saga (Free)

November 14, 2012 was a happy day for Candy Crush fans as it was the day the developer releasing the game. Originally released only on Facebook, Candy Crush has since become available at the Apple App Store and its Android counterpart. The aim of Candy Crush is simple: to swap the position of various-coloured candies to line up three or more in one row. With more than 6.7 million active users, Candy Crush Saga is one of the most downloaded apps today.

Cut the Rope (Free)

Originally launched in 2010, Cut the Rope has been downloaded more than 100 million times and is considered as one of the most popular phone App games out there today. The aim of the game is, as the name suggests, to cut the rope so that the candy gets in the protagonist frog, On Nom’s mouth. With one critic calling this game “fresh, challenging, gorgeous, and highly entertaining”, it’s definitely one to download if you haven’t already.

QuizUp (Free)

Out of all the quiz games out there, why choose this one? The answer is simple. QuizUp is simple, free, quick to play and insanely addictive game. The App which bills itself as the world’s largest trivia game contains more than 150 000 questions over a whopping 250 topics. Consider yourself a bit of a Shakespeare buff? There’s a quiz for you. Is Friends or Game of Thrones more up your alley? QuizUp caters for you too. You can also challenge your friends as well as playing strangers if you’re the competitive type.

Ticket to Ride ($7.49)

Ticket to Ride originated as a railway-themed German-style board game, similar to a combination of board games Risk and Settlers of Catan. The aim of the game is to build railway tracks in order to fulfil your destination ticket cards, for example, building from London to Berlin through various routes. Completing a route accrues points and whoever has the most points, wins. The app version of Ticket to Ride features online multiplayer and pass-and-play multiplayer. You’ll be addicted in no time!

Featured images:

• Image source: MyBlogGuest platform

Lucy Holmes is a university student and freelance writer who is interested in technology and discovering cool, new Apps. She likes knowing that Flexirent is around to help in case anything might happen to her phone or laptop!

In such cases of distracted driving related road accidents, the employers are often held liable due to “vicarious liability”. This holds employers with the legal responsibility when an employee commits the negligent act within the general scope of his employment. Fortunately, there are mobile apps that help employers prevent such negligence as these apps can automatically disable certain functions of wireless devices while the vehicle is still being operated. As such, these apps assist employers enforce their policies to reduce accidents on the road, no matter what type of vehicle is being operated.

1. FleetSafer Mobile App

Designed by Aegis Mobility, the FleetSafer Mobile app is meant for commercial fleets equipped with Blackberry, Android and Window handsets. The app automatically locks the handsets while users are driving to prevent emails, texts and calls. In fact, it also sends out auto reply messages to incoming emails ad texts. Employers can customize the app according to their needs and the app is triggered by GPS and Bluetooth.

2. Drive First App

This app was designed exclusively for Sprint Android smartphones. The Drive First app disables the function of a phone when it detects a driving situation. It locks the phone’ screen, redirects calls to voicemail, and allows access to three contacts and three mobile apps. It also blocks off text message alerts and informs the sender of the driver’s unavailability. Employers can configure the app with online access for the handsets of their employees.

3. Cellcontrol App

This app utilizes Bluetooth features that directly integrate with a vehicle’s diagnostics in order to determine the motion and apply its purpose. The Cellcontrol app can be used on an array of devices and it helps prevent drivers from being distracted on the road with their devices. The app is highly beneficial to many employers as it offers convenience and efficiency in preventing negligent driving leading to accidents and settlements that could have been avoided. “When damages in an injury claim are life changing, the financial liability of the insurance company can be very high. In injury cases involving large settlements and awards, it is essential to retain qualified legal counsel to protect your rights and seek full compensation for damages suffered.” says https://bobcohenlaw.com/ and this is why employers seek to reduce and eliminate such negligence.

4. Textecution App

The Textecution app is designed to recognize if the handset is traveling at a speed more than 10mph. Upon detection, text messages can no longer be sent or received as the app automatically disables the feature. However, this app can only be used on Android handsets.

5. DriveSafe.ly App

Designed by iSpeech, this app can read out text messages and emails out loud and responds without the need for drivers to handle their phones. Fortunately, this DriveSafe.ly app can be used on Android, Blackberry and iPhones, allowing more drivers to be equipped.

Citations:

• Photographed By: JohnEdwards

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://mrg.bz/GXmBvP

Valerie Jones is a freelance writer specializing in personal injury cases and other legal issues for individuals and businesses. She regularly provides information about product and business negligence, safe shopping and personal injury claims.

Luckily, tech developers are on the case. They say there’s an app for everything, and while we can’t quite confirm the accuracy of that statement, we do know that there are a host of apps out there which can help you to stay healthy.

Here are a handful of apps which, when it comes to keeping fit and avoiding illness, can really make a difference to your life:

Healthy Happy

Free

We all know that being happy is integral when it comes to staying healthy. Anxiety and depression can have a negative impact not just on our state of mind, but also on our physical well-being. It’s a well-documented phenomenon that someone who is positively-minded is more likely to recover from illnesses and injuries faster than someone who isn’t.

Healthy Happy is all about boosting your emotional state. It helps you track your moods and sleep patterns, and offers expert advice on how to maintain a positive mind-set.

Doctoralia

Free

Just moved into a new area? Then, unless you’ve moved just down the road, you’ll probably be unaware of the best healthcare and doctor facilities near you. Similarly, if you’re away on a short break and need to find a doctor in an unfamiliar area, it can hard to know where to start. Enter Doctoralia. This app helps you to find local services in your region, listing them by name and speciality, and also providing reviews.

Symple – Symptom Tracker

Free

Living with a chronic condition is tough, and knowing which symptoms to act on and seek advice about when they arise isn’t always easy. Symple is a free app which contains a host of information relating to symptoms and warning signs for a number of illnesses, so that if they do occur, you can visit your doctor and get them treated.

Garmin Fit

£0.69

This app is designed to measure your distance travelled, and calories burned, whenever you embark on a journey – be it running, walking or cycling. It stores your progress, making it the ideal choice for those training for a big race.

Whole Foods Market Recipes

Free

Want to eat healthier but don’t want to splash out on specialist cookbooks? Then you’re in luck. Whole Food Market Recipes contains over 3000 meal ideas, and allows you to create shopping lists at the touch of a button. It also has a feature which enables you to locate recipes based on ingredients you already have.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/images/results.aspx?qu=health&ex=2#ai:MC900438742|

This article is written by Adam who works for an online doctor offering safe prescription medicine to people who need help. In his free time, he loves to visit France with his girlfriend to visit family.

There were plenty of new apps that came out in 2013 as well, although nothing particular really stood out. But the popularity of apps is expected to continue in 2014 as well.

Here are five apps that you should keep an eye on this year.

1. Personal Capital

The first app on this list has been around for a while now but it will continue being a success in 2014 because of the changing ways we use apps. Financial apps are becoming increasingly popular and in 2014 saving is essential in order to make the most out of your finances.

Personal Capital is one of those great saving apps that allow you to stay on control of your finances. It lets you view your transactions and accounts in an instant and will thus make it easy to ensure you aren’t spending too much money.

2. FitBit

Health apps are also becoming increasingly popular and there are plenty of different ones to go with. FitBit is one really exciting newcomer into the health app market and it is definitely worth trying out in 2014.

As this FitTechnica article points out the people behind this app have been really smart with their marketing strategy. The app is free to use and getting interested in this fitness-tracking app might also get you interested in getting the FitBit Force wristband that offers extra features. This is a really good lesson companies should take on board when developing apps.

3. Hearthstone: Heroes Of Warcraft

You might know about Blizzard’s World Of Warcraft game and if you are fan of the franchise you’ll be excited to hear about this new game. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft will come out later this year as a free to play app as well as a computer version.

The game is a strategic card game and will suit adults and kids alike. The beta version on PC was hugely successful so this game might also end up being a really big favourite on mobiles as well.

4. Boom Beach

Another big gaming app that is not yet published is the Boom Beach game by the creators of Clash Of Clans. Supercell recently sold a 51% stake of the company to two Japanese firms and it is interesting to see how these developments might influence their new games.

Boom Beach is pretty similar to the type of gameplay you got to love in Clash Of Clans. So if you liked that game you will probably also enjoy this new edition to the field.

5. Notegraphy

This exciting app was launched right at the end of 2013 and it has already received quite a few downloads. In its function it is best described as the Instagram of text. Users can share their written text in social media with this app.

The twist is that the app formats the text in a really beautiful way. It uses different fonts, colours and backgrounds and makes sharing your thoughts much more exciting.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Nolan Brit is interested in technology and apps. He wants to know about all the latest trends and is a big fan of cross-platform apps as he has multiple smartphones he uses. He also loves to read fantasy books.

Planning Where to Go

There are many great destinations that you may want to check out. It can be difficult to know which ones to try when you are planning a trip to a foreign country and don’t have anyone you can ask.

You may want to try using apps from Pinterest, Instagram or Trippy. These apps allow you to see some of the most beautiful places up close. You should consider checking these places out before your trip. Many people also follow famous photographers on Instagram to get ideas for their trip.

You will need to look for specific resorts, eateries and recreational facilities once you have decided what regions you want to travel. City Maps2 Go is another app that can help you out.

Apps to Help Save Money

You will also want to budget your money carefully on your trip. There are a couple of apps that may be worth using:

• You can use the Gas Buddy app to help you find the best deals on gas.
• You may want to try using the apps from companies like this to find the best deals on gas and hotels.
• You can use the Scout Mob app to find out what restaurants, stores and other businesses are offering great deals.
• The Honk app is a good app to help you avoid unnecessary parking tickets. This app will let you see how much time you have left on your parking meter.
• Most people rely heavily on public transportation when they are traveling overseas. The MetrO app can help you save a lot of money on the subways, railways and buses. You can find the quickest routes and compare costs on different types of transportation.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on your trip. These are some of the best apps to help you cut your traveling costs.

Meeting People

Many people want to make friends with locals and other tourists during their trip. There are a number of apps that can help you do that:

• You can use the Meetup app to find people that share your interests or goals. There are a number of great Meetup groups for travelers.
• You can use the Blender app to find friends who are interested in hanging out on a one-on-one basis. Many people have said that this app has been a great way to connect when traveling overseas.
• There are a number of Facebook applications that you can install on your mobile device. These apps can help you find Facebook groups for people in your area. Bonvoy is one company that rolled out such an app a couple years ago that many people have used when traveling abroad.

Traveling can be very lonely if you don’t know how to reach out to people. These apps can help you connect with people on your trip.

About the author: Kalen shares tips on using technology to make traveling more convenient and enjoyable. He believes mobile apps will continue to change traveling for years to come.

It’s important to be careful and prudent when downloading apps to your gadgets. Although a computer application seems harmless, these can have a huge impact on your life. Some can develop positive skills and some are made to further education. Others, however, only cultivate negative and, at times, dangerous practices, and these are the apps that you should be wary of. Here are some examples of apps that can get you in hot water.

Dog Fighting Apps

When you hear the phrase “man’s best friend,” the first thing that comes to mind is an image of an adorable dog or puppy. Canines are truly loyal companions, and they help keep your home safe too. But some people are not animal lovers and they get involved in activities that are deemed cruel to animals. These days, animal cruelty is not just about physically harming a creature. Because of the available technology at our fingertips, some individuals have also developed certain computer applications that further emphasize malicious activities, such as dog fighting.

KG Dogfighting is one example. Here, a player can train dogs and pit them against other gamers’ dogs. This has gotten the attention of ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) that has implored Google to remove this from the app marketplace. Before downloading similar apps, remember that dog fighting is unlawful in all 50 states, and fostering bad practices by playing these types of games could nurture violence to animals.

Weed Farmer and Other Apps That Highlight Illegal Drugs

Have you ever played Farmville on Facebook? Weed Farmer is almost the same; however, with this app, you’ll be growing marijuana instead of crops or flowers. When playing, you can communicate with other gamers and share tips. Other kinds of related apps are the following — Roll a Joint, Nose Candy, Garden of Weeden, and Smoke a Bowl. These apps seem to be doing good based on the number of downloads. However, because they draw attention to destructive and prohibited activities, some (if not all) of them are not on iTunes.

If you have already downloaded any of these apps, just use them at home where you have privacy. Your career could go up in smoke if you furtively play during office hours and the manager catches you doing it. Moreover, employers now conduct random drug tests, and the presence of this app in your phone can only make authorities even more suspicious of you. Instead of embracing your curiosity about illegal drugs, maybe it’s better to focus on learning about dangerous drugs and how to avoid them. Click here to learn more so that you can better protect your health instead of focusing attention on activities that might only encourage you to get involved in risky criminal activities.

Hacker Apps

Hackers are glamorized on screen, but the law still considers them as criminals. Obtaining other people’s personal or financial details is a crime. Listening to phone conversations, accessing others’ emails or personal sites, as well as stealing corporate secrets are just some types of illegal activities that not only intrude on privacy, but also go against proper ethics. These can all be done through hacking, and there are now apps that could be used for such activities. Penetrate Pro, Network Spoofer and dSploit are just a few examples.

Citations:

• maplegirlie. “Henry was tortured”. August 22, 2007. Online image. Flickr. December 26, 2013.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

This blog post was contributed by Claire Taylor. Her articles often tackle legal issues, and she hopes that these will entertain and inform readers.

Sleep Apps for a Good Night’s Rest

There are a number of ways to get your child to bed and to make sure that he stays there. Establishing a routine and ensuring that his room is conducive to sleeping are old yet effective techniques that parents often use. The modern moms and dads, however, have also taken advantage of what modern technology has to offer. Nowadays, more and more parents are using apps to get their stubborn but adorable babies to bed. Below are some examples.

1. White Noise Apps

White noise contains different sound frequencies, and it can be used to drown out other less pleasant sounds. These days, you can buy phone apps that produce certain sounds that many, even babies and older children, find relaxing. An example is White Noise Ambiance, which was invented by a father who needed extra help to get his twins to sleep. The free version provides a number of sound choices, including Ocean Waves and Sprinkler, while the paid app offers around fifty. Most similar apps allow you to set timers and create a playlist so that you can include sounds that your child prefers. Other white noise apps that you should definitely check out are the following: Relax Melodies, Deep Relaxation – Relax and Sleep Better with Silva, and Ambiance. The great thing about such applications is that these can also be utilized in many other ways. For instance, some adults use these apps to alleviate headaches or migraines, and others find that these help them to focus better.

2. Sleep Tracking Apps

Tracking apps can help you monitor the everyday essential activities of your child. To illustrate, new parents often have trouble keeping track of when their baby last fed or slept. There are apps to help you record information about such activities, including your child’s diaper routine, so that you’ll know when to change his diaper or put him to sleep, or when to feed him again. The Eat Sleep app is one example, and this can keep a log of your baby’s eating and sleeping habits, as well as his diaper routine. Another is the Baby Connect app, which keeps track of common daily activities, and it can also be used to note down information about your little one’s milestones or his medicine/vitamin schedule. The Baby Connect application also allows parents to record sleep cycles, and the information gathered can be shown in graphical form. This then helps moms and dads to better detect certain sleep patterns so that they can make adjustments too. Luckily, by using sleep tracking apps, children and parents will be able to get a good night’s rest.

3. Room Planner and Organizer Apps

What role do room planner or organizer apps play in encouraging better sleep? These applications can actually help a lot. According to https://www.parklanemattresses.com/ , getting enough sleep makes a person healthy, and this is very true especially when referring to children’s health. As mentioned, sleep loss can lead to a number of physical and emotional problems, as well as developmental delays. With the help of room planner or organizer apps, you can create a bedroom that is very conducive to sleeping and ensure that your precious one’s bed is as comfy as possible. These are essential elements in getting a good night’s sleep. Some examples of room planner and organizer apps that can make interior designing a cinch include the Room Planner by Chief Architect, DIY Do It, Good Housekeeping, and the Space Planning Tool.

Citations:

• Bill Selak. “the Google Phone”. November 11, 2008. Online image. Flickr. December 22, 2013.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

This article was written by Claire Thorpe, a full-time freelancer. She often blogs about health and beauty issues.

1. Quickoffice

This week, Google made Quickoffice free of charge for Android and iOS. The app allows you to create as well edit Microsoft Office documents, presentations and spreadsheets on your mobile device. You can save your work in Google Drive.

2. Evernote

iOS 7 app of Evernote has a fresh home screen, bringing all your business and personal notes, tags, announcements, notebook and shortcuts onto the same page. Besides, it includes a fresh Quicknote feature as well as the ability to markup PDFs and images. Notes can be shared with others as well through the app by use of iOS 7’s new AirDrop aspect.

3. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

PlayFirst together with Sony Pictures Consumer Products this week released this app, which is an addictive arcade game that features characters from the film. Finest illustrated as a cross between Bejeweled and Candy Crush, the game’s objective is to pick groups of three or more on the screen as quickly as you can. Every round of this game is 60 seconds long and is associated with its own unique difficulty.

4. The Netbook

Luxury retailer, Net-a-Porter, this week introduced a new way of discovering and shopping for products in its online directory with the release of The Netbook application for the iPad and iPhone. The app exhibits a real-time products’ feed that other users are favoriting and buying. You can follow the people whose style you admire, with just a click. You can also save products to your personal feed for other people to follow. This application is in invite-only style presently and has some twists to work out before it is ready for public consumption.

5. Madden 25

Madden 25 for Android also arrived this week. The game is optimized for Android tablets and it allows you to build your own team as well as compete in NFL-style football matches on your much loved Android device.

6. Chrome for iOS

Google renewed Chrome for the iPad and iPhone, adding a fresh design for iOS 7, plus improving the full screen thing on the iPad. The latest version of the app wraps the browser plus other Google apps on your mobile device. So if you are signed into Chrome, you have the ability to sign into other Google apps just by identifying which Google account you would want to sign in with, instead of entering your login information again. Besides, links in Chrome presently open directly in Gmail, Google Maps, Drive and YouTube.

7. Pandora for iPad

This week also saw Pandora launch a new edition of its iPhone application optimized for the iOS 7 and completely redesigned for the iPad. This app is optimized for larger screens, which makes it simple to add diversity to a station with artist propositions, helps you learn more regarding an album or artist on screen as you listen, and offers a detailed timeline personalized for every individual listener.

Tim is a tech blogger with an interest in software and app development, social media API’s and SEO. During the day he writes code for INX Software and their OHS and FIFO software.

The current app market offers almost anything to anyone and there are now a lot useful and fun apps you can take with you if you are going on a holiday. Here are some of the best apps to bring along.

Apps To Help With Planning

First, it is a good idea to make use of apps even when you are planning your holiday. Here are the best ones to help you ensure a smooth holiday planning process.

TripAdvisor

This is a great free app that allows you to read user reviews about different destinations and hotels. Although you won’t be able to book anything through TripAdvisor you can still find out a lot of good information about your desired hotels before you make that final booking.TechRadar calls it a must in order to find out the secrets that brochures won’t tell you.

Skyscanner

This simple and free to use app is good for browsing through flight plans and picking out the best one to suit your needs. If you are looking to travel with a small budget it also allows you to compare prices and make sure you get the best possible deal.

HostelWorld

HostelWorld is a really handy app if you are looking to travel with a budget. It has a lot of affordable hostels you can book and you can also read user reviews beforehand. This can guarantee you wont end up in a really cheap and bug-infested place to stay.

Apps To Help Out In Your Destination

Once you have the booking in control it is time to enjoy the holiday. Here are some helpful and fun apps to keep you busy during your holiday.

XE Currency

It is really important to keep track of your money during the holiday and sometimes the new currency might make it hard to know what things are really costing. Thus with this simple app you can quickly check out the prices and know when you are getting a great bargain.

HopStop

With over 300 listed cities you will surely find information about the public transport with this great app. It is a must have, especially if you are going for a city break. HopStop will let you know when the busses and tubes are running and what routes you should take.

Lonely Planet

With Lonely Planet app you can find great recommendations of what to do and where to go. It is really trusted and thus you don’t have to worry about what you are getting with this app.

Majority of these apps are available in cross-platform. Cross-platform app development is really important and if you are looking to make an app check out Made With Marmalade for more information.

These above apps can ensure your holiday planning goes smoothly and that you keep busy at your destination. With these apps in your smartphone all you need to do is enjoy your time and relax!

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Christy is a travel enthusiast who loves to explore new cultures. She has also fallen in love with using different apps to help out with her travels and never goes anywhere without her smartphone. She is also trying to learn Spanish and Arabic at the moment.

1. BuildCalc

This is possibly the best builder’s app available. BuildCalc gives you access to all those equations you need for hip roof calculations. This app has a button directing you to the equations and the data self-calculates itself once you enter basic parameters.

2. Fast Concrete Pad Calculator

An app that calculates rebar and concrete quantities needed for every concrete-pad project. In addition, it calculates cost of materials and allows a builder to instantly email the estimates to his customers or colleagues.

3. Aconex Mobile

This application enables builders to access and capture crucial project information on-site. It can be used by builders to share videos, project images and documents, send marked up folders to associate project team members, and store records for offline access.

4. Construction Master Pro

A great calculator with extremely strong incorporated solutions excellent for completing plans, estimates, bids and layouts. Construction Master Pro app calculates circles as well as roof stairs among other things. This app for builders can be employed in the field to reduce costs, prevent re-work, save time and to maximize profits as well.

5. Control Center 7

This is one of the most excellent builders apps available and it allows supervisor to monitor the progression of their workers off site. Control Center 7 makes it possible for contractors to upload photos to their coworkers, review videos and control cameras remotely. The app works with iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone.

6. DeWALT

This is a flexible calculator for contractors. Using the app, calculations can be made using the standard length and volume units. Besides, it offers more refined calculators for materials as well as other project site requirements. Contractors are able to determine drywall board numbers that will be needed plus the number of nails and screws using the app’s drywall calculator.

7. BIMx

An interactive 3D management app that lets all stakeholders in building projects access the building model, without requiring specialized BIM skills. This app is a major help for contractors and architects as it enables them to work in unison on the design concept.

8. PlanGrid

This app enables contractors to store their project designs and later forward them the worker’s devices. The app only works with PDF documents but the procedures of uploading and downloading and simple. PlanGrid works with iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone.

9. Buzz Saw

With this app, project team members are able to get floor designs on their mobile devices. The workflow procedure is streamlined since the application is able to pull project files and correspond with office workers from anywhere. Additionally, problems can be solved easily before they become major setbacks in the construction site.

10. Estimate ALL PRO

This app lets contractors produce many estimates on the fly. The user enters an item description and cost per unit and then the app works out the cost of doing the work. The estimates can be sent to clients via email or saved for later use.

Stephen is an architecture and design consultant specialising in outdoor building and construction and collaborating with manufacturers, like Outdoor World. He is interested in and blogs about technology and mobile applications.

Some More Apps you might find useful are:

• Fast Paint Calculator
• Home Builder Pro Calcs
• Home Inspection
• Toodledo
• My Measures & Dimensions
• Architect’s Formulator
• iBlueprint
• Green Pro
• iQuick Contract Maker
• Finger CAD
• CadTouch R2
• iRhino 3D
• REVITKeys
• Drywall Calculator
• Concretulator
• Fast Concrete Pad Calculator
• Concrete Calculator

1. Nike+ Running– Well, the clue is in the title. This is the most popular running app on iTunes and it’s not hard to see why. Whether you’re running cross country or on the treadmill, this app will accurately record your distance, pace and time using your phone’s built in GPS. The audio feedback will alert you of your progress at every mile, so there’s no need to stop and check. If you have a song that motivates you for your run, set up Powersongs to give you that much needed boost at the tap of a button. For extra motivation, you can link the app with your Facebook profile and when you broadcast that you’re going running, your friends and family can cheer you on. Seriously, if there’s one app you take away from this article, this is it. Nike has hit the nail on the head.

Price: Free.

Available from: The Apple app store and Android marketplace.

1. Running For Weight Loss Pro– Despite the title, this isn’t just for if you want to lose weight. If you want to get back into running after an injury or a break, this is perfect for you. It has a dedicated in-app training programme which allows you to set your goals over a two month period. You can set it to interval training of walking, running and sprinting depending on how intense you want your workout. There are also GPS running maps, audio instructions to the training and detailed statistics. You can also access your playlist to keep you going. Plus, you can also find lots of motivational tips and nutritional advice. An all round great app, whether you want to lose weight or not.

Price: £2.49 (App Store)

Available from: Apple app store.

1. Run With Map My Run– Some aspects of this app are similar to Nike+ Running but its main selling point is the online community. Within the online community, you can find new routes in your area, join sponsored challenges and win prizes and connect with thousands of other like-minded people. The actual app features are standard: GPS tracking, distance and pace calculation and real-time stats, but there’s also extras like tracking your heart rate and the ability to answer calls whilst still tracking. If you’re still not sold, take a look at the reviews and see for yourself.

Price– Free

Available from: Apple app store.

So there you have it, three apps for getting the most out of your run. So, what are you still waiting for? If you don’t have an iPhone, check out Orange’s latest deals by calling Orange customer services and get running today!

Leila Jones is a guest blogger, full time student and content writer. She enjoys writing, music, technology and fashion.

1. BusinessMaster Software

In a nutshell, this program gives you a deeper insight into budget forecasting, cash flow management as well as bookkeeping. Do you need to make some important financial management decisions and you need help and support, or perhaps you have decided it’s time to change your financial strategy but you do not know where to start from? If so, then BusinessMaster is exactly what you need.

2. The Cash Flow Forecast From QuickBooks

Developed and marketed by Intuit, Quickbooks is an accounting and management package that allows you to manage your business without the fuss. The Cash Flow Forecast software by QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting tools at the moment, as it helps you manage credit card ledgers, bank balances, receivables and such.

3. The Free Cash Flow Forecasting Template

Why spend money on a cash flow forecasting and management software when you can benefit from the same features and functions, completely free of cost? All the essential forecasting templates are embedded into a single business application, and this is what makes it so time-effective. Few people know that Microsoft Office can be a great tool for business management, if used properly!

4. The Master PlanGuru

If you plan to expand your business in the near future and you need a well-designed and easy to use cash flow management software, then look no further than Master PlanGuru. This is an outstanding tool that can deliver financial forecasts up to 10 years from now, and it also has an automatic income management feature that gives you full control over the income statements and balance sheets of your company. This function can deliver reports in several different formats, including the popular Excel. PlanGuru is a very versatile management tool that can be used to forecast any hypothetical business situation, quickly and with no hassles.

5. The Cash Flow Modeling Software By Pulse

Pulse is a reputable online application that specializes in cash flow management tasks, and the Cash Flow Modeling Software is one of its most efficient tools. Basically, this tool allows you to control the cash flow of your company online: you can easily insert financial information and check it in a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Moreover, the Cash Flow Modeling software can also deliver detailed charts and graphic representation of your money, to help you control the finances of your business a lot better. At the same time, this tool also allows you to grant access to other users as well, who can view, edit the cash flow or share it with financial specialists.

John is a passionate blogger and loves writing about softwares and apps for businesses.

1. Lose It!

This app can effectively help you lose weight by tracking your food calories, exercise calories and overall progress. You can connect with people, look up food information and also set your weight loss goals. This app makes it very easy to stay aware of the calories you are eating, burning and how many you need to cut to create a deficit. If you have a hard time staying motivated, then this is something that can help you out.

2. Jefit

If you live at the gym and need new exercises to do, then this is a great app to download. It’s also great because it tracks your training routine and logs all of your progress. This can take your workouts to the next level so that you can tone your body, see more changes and create more muscle. You can even create a full workout with this, which means not spending a lot of time walking around the gym thinking about what to do.

3. Belly Fat Burning Workouts

In order to reduce belly fat you have to do workouts that really burn calories and work your core. There are a lot of different exercises in this app along with pictures and instructions to help you do them. If you are bored with your workouts and need something to help with fat loss in your stomach, this app can provide you with a lot of useful information.

4. Fat Burning Yoga

Yoga is a great way to burn calories and stretch your entire body out, but it can also effectively burn fat. This app tells you have to do a number of different workouts that burn fat and reduce inches from your entire body. It will tell you how many calories you will burn, how to do moves safely and which parts of the body the exercises will tone. You can use this whether you’re looking to just start yoga or take your routine to the next level.

5. My Diet Coach – Weight Loss

This is a unique app in that it’s really dedicated to motivating you to lose weight. It provides you with the mental help you need to stay committed and dedicated to losing weight. So, if you feel like you are going to eat something bad, use this app! It will give you the motivation necessary to get back on track with your diet. This can really help you improve fat loss, so try it out if you need some help.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: Fotolia
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: app screenshot

David has several years of experience helping people lose weight and get in shape. He regularly contributes his advice and expertise to JackedGorilla.Com, where you can find all you need to know about body building, best creatine supplements, fitness, nutrition and other important health topics.

Relax Timer

Traditional alarm clocks are indiscriminate in how they operate: when it’s time to get up, a blaring sound is emitted and you are jolted awake regardless of whether you are in deep sleep or about to wake up naturally. This type of morning rise can disrupt our natural rhythms and leave us feeling groggy throughout the day. Thankfully, the Relax Timer app is a solid solution for Android devices that can proactively monitor and wake you when the time is right. The application utilizes the accelerometer in your smartphone to measure movement while in bed (place the phone or device near your pillow). Based on this information, it can ascertain the overall quality of sleep you receive each night. When it becomes close to time for you to wake up, it will use this information to determine what is the ideal time for you to be awakened in order to eliminate grogginess. Available for free, the Relax Timer app can be downloaded from Google Play.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tobeamaster.relaxtime

Good Night’s Sleep Alarm

Anyone who wants to get a good night’s sleep will benefit from the aptly-named Good Night’s Sleep Alarm app for Android devices. Available for free, this application allows users to specify a time in which they need to awake and the application will determine the best time to wake its users within a 30-minute window. This process helps to assure that you will be optimally alert each morning and will not suffer from fatigue or drowsiness throughout the day. Also included are measurement tools that can detect your sleep habits through its accelerometer. If you want to see if your sleep cycle is healthy or not, then the Good Night’s Sleep Alarm app can help you find out.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.zeroapp.alarm

iHome Sleep

Last but not least, the iHome Sleep app for Android devices gives users the power to customize their alarm schedules to fit their needs. Not only can iHome Sleep monitor your sleeping habits and awake you at the perfect time, but it also stores this information for later review. A full clock, custom backgrounds and weather reports are also streamed to the app so that you can be visually stimulated and informed about the weather when you awake each morning. The iHome Sleep app is a free download and can be found on Google Play.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ihomeaudio.android.sleep

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned

Abbey Brooks, the author of this post, works at CPAP Only, a provider of nasal CPAP masks in Australia. Besides claiming to be a massive technology fan, she also has a passion for writing blog articles.

Below are just a few of the best apps available on the HTC Desire S. Keep in mind that many great apps are already built into this smartphone, leaving you with more opportunity to download other apps to fulfil your unique needs for work and play.

1. TweetDeck

This app is perfect for the smartphone user who is addicted to social media and always needs to have his updates on hand, along with the ability to submit a status update wherever he goes, at any time of the day or night. TweetDeck is an app that allows you to manage multiple Twitter accounts, as well as your Facebook account, keeping everything in one easily accessible, streamlined location on your HTC Desire S.

2. Flickr

If you love taking and sharing photos, you probably have already heard of Flickr the website, but you may not be aware of the fact that Flickr also now has a great Android app that you can download absolutely free. The app allows you to take photos within the program and even edit them all within the app as well. Then, share those great shots with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

3. Opera Mobile

Replace your smartphone’s built-in browser with the Opera Mobile browser to get faster speeds than before and the ability to keep an unlimited number of tabs open. Probably the only downside to this app is its inability to handle Flash-based websites.

4. Skype

One of the most popular ways to stay in touch with loved ones around the world at absolutely no cost to you, whether you want to chat via text or video chat to see their faces, is the Skype computer program and its equivalent smartphone app. Make calls without paying any money, without being charged international fees, and without wasting any minutes. Your mobile phone service provider may not be happy, but you certainly will be if you download this great app onto your HTC Desire S.

5. Catch Notes

If you are regularly jotting down notes on little pieces of paper or in your smartphone’s built-in note-taking app, you will prefer Catch Notes to all other methods once you start using it. This app keeps all of your separate notes together in one handy location and it even allows you to pin certain notes to your home screen so that you can remember them.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source

Laura Ginn enjoys using apps on her smartphone, such as the HTC Desire S (https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/deals/htc_desire_s/). From games to apps that make her work life easier, Google Play is there to help her find ways of saving time and getting things done. For the best prices on smartphones, she uses uSwitch.com.

1. The Wall Street Scanner

It is very possible for an individual to access a lot of data through the internet nowadays. Nonetheless, this information can be overwhelming for one individual to handle more frequently than not since there are extremely too many assets out there. If you are in such a situation, then Wall Street Scanner app will be of help to you. Wall Street Scanner normally serves the function of aggregating all stock market information that you require in one place. Aggregation usually makes things easy to find and sort through as you are in a better position to find accurately what you require.

2. Yahoo Stocks App

This is an app which you are likely to find on an iPhone simply by default. The best part is that this given iPhone app permits you to add stocks essentially globally including NSE & BSE. All the information is gathered from Yahoo Finance and that is where the name of the app came from. With the app, you will be able to see the chart of your desired company immediately you turn your iPhone in a landscape mode. In addition, you have the alternative of choosing either one week or one day and more up to two years.

3. The CNBC Real-Time App

This app is good for both Android and iPhone users. It is important as it serves the function of delivering in time quotes. However, it has its own disadvantage as it does not allow an individual to add some given stock markets round the world. In addition, there are other features which are included in this application such as video clips which you can access every day from several parts of the world together with customizable periods.

4. The Chaikin Power Tools

This tool is important for individuals who would like to see things at a nest level. This app usually combines information with actionable information. It has a simple interface which gives an individual a bearish or bullish potential of no less than 5000 stocks.

5. Daily Finance App

This is an iPhone app which is powered by AOL. This app will help you in being updated with live quotes. In addition, with the app, you will be in a position to get company related financial quotes.

With these five stock market apps, handling your finances will be made easier since you will be kept updated all the time in matters of stock market and the future.

Timothy is a blogger interested in financial markets, start-ups and digital marketing. He works for Guardall, Australia’s leading money safe manufacturer.

1. Facebook – This is a simple one! The Facebook app shows you have a life! By having this app on your phone, not only does it allow you to keep up to date with your friends and family where ever you are, but it also shows people who look at your phone you are a sociable person… And not a nut job!
2. StumbleUpon – The StumbleUpon app is an extremely cool app! Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, chances are you are going to be bored off your ass! That’s why the StumbleUpon app allows you to crawl through the vast net on at the touch of your phone to chase those boring moments away.
3. Sky go – If reading is not your thing, check out Sky go! This app is awesome for those TV addicts who are missing the latest TV show or even missing the latest sports games! Sky go allows you to stream live TV on the spot wherever you are! (NOTE- This app does cost and it’s probably best calling the Sky Customer Service team to find out how much exactly).
4. Navmii –We’ve all been there before! We’ve gone somewhere new, full of confidence we can find our way no problem and then only to find after hours of wandering in circles…we are completely lost. Having the Navmii app completely eradicates these situations! No longer will you be lost in the World with the Navmii app! Having this app on your phone is not only a smart idea, but it shows you are someone who plays it safe and are a logical person. (NOTE: Although the app is free, you may have to pay for extra maps).
5. Spotify – No smartphone is complete without music! Apple’s initial success in the early part of this century was based purely on music with iTunes and iPods making a big impact in the World, so having an iPhone without a music app is like having a Ferrari but without the keys… pointless! That’s why getting Spotify will be perfect for your phone. Spotify gives you the right music for the right moods and if you are looking for something new, Spotify can help too! What’s even more awesome is the app is totally free.

Of course it is completely your decision what apps you download on your iPhone, but it’s always a good idea to have a good standard set of apps included into your mix as having the right apps on your iPhone really DOES matter.

Ste Tasker loves to write about tech! Ste is an apple fan and there isn’t a day goes by where Ste is not glued to his iPhone.

MyFitnessPal

If you want to turn into a fitness machine you will eventually need to do something about your diet. Running and lifting weights is a great way to stay fit, but they say you can’t outrun a bad diet and they’re right. The easiest way to lose weight is to count the amount of calories you’re eating because it will stop you from going over your daily limit. This app will let you count your calories easily so that doesn’t happen.

Lose It!

The Lose It! app is a little like the last one because it helps you track what you’re eating, but it will probably help motivate you a little more. The reason for this is because you can turn your weight loss journey into a competition, either against other people or yourself. When you know you’re competing to lose weight it’s a lot easier to stay on track. You can even work together with people to reach a common goal if the thought of competition frightens you.

Azumio Instant Heart Rate

A heart rate monitor can be expensive and if you don’t have the money to pay for one you don’t have to do without anymore. You just have to pick up your smartphone and stick your finger across the camera on the back of it. Within 10 seconds this app should pick up your heartbeat, unless you don’t have one in which case you should worry. It’s not the most accurate heart rate monitor in the world, but it will definitely give you something to work with when you’re at the gym.

Zombies, Run!

You’ll love this app because it happens to be the most exciting one on the market at the moment. I’m sure you wouldn’t have any trouble staying fit if there was a pack of zombies chasing you. That is unlikely to happen in real life unless you know something I don’t, but when you are out running the app will let you know when there are zombies behind you so you can speed up. If you want to try something a little different you should check it out.

Runtastic Pedometer

Most people don’t walk enough and it’s part of the reason why we’re in such a terrible state. Going to the gym every day isn’t essential, but when we don’t even move we must do something about it. This little app won’t force you to get up and walk about, but it will record each step you take so you know how many you’re hitting each day. You just need to make sure you reach a certain number of steps before you go to bed at night and your health will improve.

Featured images:

• License: Creative Commons image source
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned

The author of this post, Nathan Skinner, is a part of the team at Walk’N Comfort, a provider oforthopedic shoes in Richmond Hill. He has a keen interest in health and fitness and through his blog, he advises people on topics like technology and health care.

Travel App #1: Photosynth

This social app provides travelers with the ability to share their photos in unique, panoramic format. They’ll be able to spread their images across platforms like Bing Maps, Windows Live, and even Facebook. Photosynth is a very popular free social app for travelers and can be downloaded on any Apple smartphone or mobile device.

Travel App #2: Gowalla

This social app could closely be compared to Foursquare. It will allow travelers to browse through local recommendations and even find out the locations where their friends have been. With Gowalla, you’ll be able to acquire expert advice on the best times to travel as well as where to travel. This app provides in-depth guides which are offered from popular travel companies like National Geographic.

Travel App #3: Every Trail

If you are an avid hiker and would like to remain connected with your fellow hikers then Every Trail is the way to go. It will connect you with other hikers via social networking and you’ll be able to track important information including elevation, speed, and distance of your hikes. Every Trial will allow you to view more than 300,000 hikes that other users have already partaken in.

Travel App #4: 1000 Places

This is an iPad app that will show you 1,000 must-see destinations around the world. These locations span all around the world and you’ll be able to see interactive descriptions and images of where other travelers have already gone. It’s a great way to experience the world through other people’s eyes as well as share your own adventures while on the road.

Travel App #5: All Snow

If you are eager to hit the slopes then you won’t want to go anywhere without first downloading the All Snow social traveler’s app. It comes equipped with trail conditions as well as useful information provided by other skiers and snowboarders. After your runs, you can share your own experiences and reviews with fellow riders. It’s a free app that can be downloaded from the Apple store.

Nowadays, it is hard to be alone because so many people are connected to the internet via their smartphone. The good news is that you are no longer limited to always bringing someone with you on your adventure physically. One can feel like they are part of a group when traveling alone by using apps that allows them to connect with travelers with common interests, friends and family back home, and strangers with a fancy for following other people’s adventures. So get out there and explore, just remember to keep the world updated!

Noc enjoys using travel apps to help make travel more fun and sometime uses Travel Advantage Network for lodging options.

Red Laser

Planning to remodel your home? Looking for the cheapest deals on home furnishings? Need to shop for some essential home décor items? If yes, RedLaser is one app that you shouldn’t consider shopping without. Whether you’re looking to buy furniture, home décor items, electronics, or even home décor gadgets, RedLaser helps you find the cheapest prices for most items that have a bar code. The app scans the barcode of the desired product and gives you a list of the best prices – local and online. So download this nifty app and get the location of the nearest stores around you having the best bargains on furniture or home décor items!

Envisioneer Express

Envisioneer Express is a simple app that enables you to create 3D plans for your home interiors, landscape, buildings, and so on. Whether you’re looking to check how the furniture is going to look in your new home or experiment with other interior design projects, Envisioneer Express is the perfect app for you. The best part about the app is that it’s extremely easy to use – you don’t need to be a professional designer or a skilled programmer to convey your designing ideas!

Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home 3D is yet another noteworthy interior design app that deserves your attention. As the name suggests, Sweet Home 3D allows you to quickly draw floor plans, arrange furniture on it, and then lets you view the outcome in 3D. The app has a simple interface that helps you create photorealistic images and videos with various light sources. You can even update colors, texture, size, furniture, walls, floors, and ceilings, drag and drop doors, windows, and furniture from the catalogue, and lots more. Overall, this app is a great tool if you’re looking to design your dream home and want to visualize how it’s going to look.

ART-SHOP X-Lite

If you’re looking for a brilliant software that can help you design your kitchen, bathroom, cabinet, or office in 2D or 3D in a simple way, ART SHOP X-Lite is the ultimate app for you to consider. The app is packed with an exhaustive database consisting of over 3000 articles on kitchen and modular furniture, bathroom and office designs, 2D/3D designs, along with a planning check, chart of comparison, and much more. Having a simple yet advanced interface, with some amazing design functions, ART SHOP X-Lite is one app definitely worth considering.

Featured images:

• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned
• License: Image author owned

This post was contributed by Jenny Wadlow; she is a freelance blogger and works for Capital Building Contractors which builds reliable home extensions in Melbourne. Her hobbies include swimming and cooking. You can follow Jenny’s personal and business ramblings on Twitter @JennyWadlow.

Owning a smart phone or a wireless notebook keeps you in the loop, helps arrange your social life and provides plenty of entertainment. However, these devices now offer a variety of apps that can also benefit your bank balance. Whether it is products or assistance, check out this top 10 of money saving apps for some economical inspiration.

Viber

If you download this app, you can connect to other users over a Wi-Fi or 3G network for free. When you make a call or send a message simply go through the Viber interface, calls are clear and messages hit their target. Viber is available free, from iTunes or Google play.

MyVoucherCodes

MyVoucherCodes uses your location to flag up offers of interest. It can be clothing retailers with exclusive 20% discounts, or restaurants with a buy one get one free deal. Wherever you are, it’s great to make sure you’re not missing anything before setting out. MyVoucherCodes is available free, from iTunes or Google play.

0870

A small but perfectly formed concept; 0870 converts those expensive premium rate numbers into tariff friendly 01 or 02 prefixed dial ups. Your phone then adds the call onto your allowance and you aren’t charged, simple. 0870 is available free from iTunes or Google play.

Cabfinder

Cabfinder is a free taxi booking app allows its users access to a comprehensive list of UK licensed cabs and taxi companies. The app uses your location to keep its suggestions relevant and fresh, don’t ever be caught short again when you’re looking for the way home. Cabfinder is available free from iTunes, or Google play.

AA Parking

AA parking saves you the hassle of driving around a busy town centre getting more and more stressed. It will give you the exact location of available parking, taking into account the most reasonable rates. AA Parking is available for £1.99, from iTunes or Google play.

mySupermarket

This app is another successful spin off from a webpage. You can learn about the best deals from the top five supermarkets and be sure of getting all the best offers. You can also scan products and use this information to find out the cheapest price available. Download mySupermarket at iTunes for free.

HotUKdeals

HotUKdeals established a web presence many years ago and have now branched out into the world of apps. Their huge following amongst money savers means they can send the hottest voucher codes, deals and tips, direct to your device in seconds. HotUKdeals is available free, from iTunes or Google play.

Field Agent

Field Agent asks you to perform small ‘mystery shopper’ type tasks for money, your wages are sent to your PayPal account. You might not want to go out of your way for a few pounds, but most jobs are very local and you may be headed there anyway. Field Agent is free on iTunes.

vouchercloud

Not just another voucher finder, this all encompassing app has every area of your life covered. You can either use a product or postcode search, and everything from life insurance to white goods and holidays are available on offer. Also great for day to day purchases, vouchercloud is available free from iTunes or Google play.

Trapster

Trapster is run by road users, for road users. Information is submitted on the location of speed cameras or other road related issues, and it is then communicated through a map on the app. Think of it as a safety and money saving device combined, available free through iTunes or Google play.

Apps are fast becoming the go-to solution for our hectic lifestyles, using them to save money ensures you still get the best deals and services, without having to hunt them down.

Sources:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/genre/mobile-software-applications/id36?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps?feature=corpus_selector

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source

This post is courtesy of tech blogger Richard.

Here are 7 of the top pet apps available for iPhone to make your day go a little easier:

1. Pet Phone—

Vet visits, vaccinations, trips to specialists and all of the ensuing paperwork that inevitably follows… wouldn’t you like to condense it all into one handy little device? Well now you can, because that’s exactly what the Pet Phone app does, tracking weight, visits, allergies, medications and anything else you need to keep in mind about your little buddy, so you no longer have to keep papers crammed into file cabinets.

2. DogParkFinder—

DogParkFinder has listings of over 2,400 dog parks in the U.S. Offering GPS mapping, reviews, photos — and can even tell you park hours. This app would be especially useful if you travel often with your dog and need to be able to quickly find a dog-friendly place to walk.

3. Dog First Aid—

You hope you’ll never have to use this app, but for $1.99, it might be worth the price to have it on your phone in case of emergency. With a list of common dog ailments, the Dog First Aid app offers solutions and advice for each potential problem.

4. Pet Notebook—

The Pet Notebook app is exactly what it claims to be; a notebook all about your pet. You can enter multiple pets, health information, microchip numbers, and other important information, such as the date of birth for each pet. This app also allows the user to keep track of veterinary appointments and records, as well as offering a photo gallery to show off your pride and joy.

5. PetMinder—

This app is kind of like having a personal dog secretary to keep you on schedule with your grooming or veterinary appointments, medications and puppy play dates. If you have trouble remembering all of the activities and obligations of your pet, or perhaps have more than one to care for, PetMinder would be a convenient organizational tool to have in your life.

6. Pet Services Finder—

Before you make all of the appointments, you need to find the services you’re seeking. The Pet Services Finder app does just that, offering the user a comprehensive database full of listings for many common pet-related services. If you need doggy daycare, a groomer, a veterinarian, a dog walker, or a place to walk your own dog, you can enter your zip code and search for whatever you need. This app also features helpful user reviews.

7. Dog Tricks — Best of 101 Dog Tricks—

The Dog Tricks app allows the user to teach their dog 8 popular tricks, walking them slowly through the steps to learn via slideshow. Having a properly-trained dog is important, and can make you the belle of the dog park as you walk your well-behaved buddy calmly through the hounds gone wild. And keeping your dog’s mind stimulated is always important, so learning new things is a great activity you can do together.

Hopefully, some of these pet apps can help you use technology to navigate the occasionally hectic world of pet appointments and puppy park-seeking. Reducing time spent dealing with paperwork will give you more time to play with your furry friend, and maybe then you can use an app to teach your old dog a new trick.

VipSitters is one of Canada’s leading providers of pet cremation and pet burial services that offers services all across Canada. VipSitters prides itself on providing thoughtful and compassionate services to pet owners in the Toronto and surrounding area during the difficult time of the death of a pet.

Dropbox – If you don’t already have a Dropbox account, go sign up for one right now. One of the scariest things that could happen for an MBA student is your laptop crashing, or forgetting your notes at home when you need them on the go. With Dropbox, you will have all the documents that you need at your fingertips, no matter where you are. You can even share these documents with your classmates, project partners, or colleagues. Backing up your files as you are working on them is great. Saving them in a cloud that won’t be affected by a sudden computer crash is even better. You can sign up for a Dropbox account online, and access your documents from anywhere via the app or a browser.

Evernote – Just like Dropbox, Evernote is a cloud-based app that will be a lifesaver for any student. The best part about this app isn’t that it’s cloud-based, but that it’s more than just a note-taking app. With Evernote, you can take pictures, and even record audio notes. Want to record a quick audio memo during a lecture for your studies later? You can do that with Evernote. You have an iPhone, but a PC computer at home? No worries. This app syncs across all your devices and platforms, so you no longer have to email notes to yourself. Evernote is free app that allows you to upload up to 60 MB of data per month.

Priority Matrix – As an MBA Student, you will have to juggle many projects in addition to your work schedule and other responsibilities. You will need an app that will help you manage information overload and this is where Priority Matrix comes into play. The Priority Matrix app lets you organize your thoughts, tasks, and projects using the ‘4-quadrant method.’ You can organize items with colors, dates, and specific icons. If working on a project, you can generate an email report to keep your group members updated. It also allows you to set recurring tasks and the Master list will help you get a snapshot of everything you need to do every day.

LogMeIn – So you have all of your notes in Evernote, and you’ve been keeping your files in Dropbox. But when you rushed out the door this morning, you forgot to upload one file that you need for your presentation to your Dropbox. This is where LogMeIn will be your lifesaver on your iPhone. It will allow you to remotely log-in to your computer from anywhere, giving you access to your applications, files, and control your desktop from anywhere.

Guest piece brought to you by Missy who writes for MBA Rankings.net among other education based blogs.

Well, this article will give you some insights on how major mobile apps make their money.

To give you an idea of the immense potential that a good mobile app has, a mobile app like Angry Birds have made more than $100 million since it was released, and has incurred development costs of only $140,000!

So, where do these mobile app developers get all their money?
Well, mobile apps adopt four major revenue models:

• Selling the apps
• The “freemium” model
• Advertising and
• Sponsorships

Selling the App
This generally involves charging people a fee for them to be able to download your mobile application.
It can also involve selling your entire mobile app idea to a venture capitalist.
Despite the type of sale you make, your app definitely has to add value to a person before he or she decides to purchase it.

People are more likely to purchase Andrew Brooke’s iPad diary application for example, than a less known application. This model should therefore be adopted alongside an effective marketing strategy or it should be used after your application firmly established itself in the market.

“Freemium” Model
The “freemium” model provides developers with a steady flow of income.
The model starts with a developer providing his or her mobile app free. The developer will then make money by selling additional features such as upgrades, more levels, and other extra features.
A great example of an in-app purchase is when an individual purchases the Mighty Eagle in the Angry Birds app to get him or her through a difficult level.

Advertising
There are various mobile ad networks that mobile app developers can utilize to earn money from their applications. Ad networks like AdMob and InMobi pay developers a small amount of money every time a person clicks on the advertisements in their apps.

Although this revenue source acts as the highest source of income for most app developers, it still has great potential for growth. Advertisers have not fully utilized the mobile app platforms as an avenue for advertising because tracking mobile app ads is harder than tracking web ads. Various players in the industry are however constantly working towards improving mobile apps for advertising.

Sponsorships
Finally, mobile app developers can seek an exclusive sponsorship for their apps.
This is not the most sustainable method of monetizing, but it helps mobile app developers to establish themselves enough to make more apps.

Sponsorships provide mobile app developers with an opportunity to develop their mobile applications by providing them with the technical and financial support to develop their application.

A popular method that is being adopted for example is the “paymium” plan where consumers pay a small upfront fee for the app and still pay for additional developments.

Whichever method ad developers are using to get their money, mobile ads promise to be a huge financial success in future.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Eric is a fulltime blogger and internet marketer.  He recently wrote about Pure Leverage at his home blog located at EricWelke.com

1 in 10 smartphone downloads a fitness app each year, so clearly a need is there, and it needs to be fulfilled.

Fitness apps can track everything from your heart rate to your calorie intake, but most are not based on sound scientific methods of modifying behavioral change, and therefore miss the bat when it comes to helping people going from fat to fit.

Most apps do not feature any customization. You are not asked for your age, your weight, your history. Some general recommendations based on superficial guidelines flood your inbox after you signed up, and nothing more.

The best app is one that promotes motivation, social networking, accountability and behavior tracking. Most apps fall short on at least several accounts.

We will have a look at some of the best fitness apps out there, which from a selection of more than 1500 on the App Store is quite a chore. How can they help people achieve their fitness goals?

RunKeeper

In the category apps that work, RunKeeper is a clear frontrunner. Behavior tracking is what it does best, counting your pace and measuring your time. Besides this, however, it’s also a good motivator, as you can see how you are progressing each day and RunKeeper let’s you compare with others in the same range as you.

Motivates and lets other people motivate you as well: an excellent use of scientific theory to make a real difference in people’s fitness routines.

Nike Training Club

Nike Training Club is a great app for connecting people. Hundreds of workout routines from professional athletes and day-to-day users alike are being uploaded weekly, and there is a big community behind the Training Club that motivates each other.

You can track your progress as you get fitter as well, making Nike Training Club a 5-star app for those needing a bit more encouragement to get started on their way to a healthy body.

FitID

FitID tracks your progress like all other fitness apps out there, but it does a lot more, which is why it stands out in the crowded fitness app market. First off, it compares your workout regime to a standard program, showing you what you can improve. You can choose one of many programs, which is where the customization comes in.

FitID has a huge community with fitness freaks and personal trainers building their own systems, and you can ask them to coach you on your way to fitness. In terms of motivation and behavioral change, FitId is a clear winner.

Fleetly

We learned that tracking is not enough to keep you motivated for your routine. Fleetly takes a different approach than other apps by making your lonely workout into a competition. You can join teams or go head-to-head with others from across the world. Challenges keep coming your way once you sign up, making sure that the competitively-minded gym goer will have plenty of stimulation to keep at it.

Kate Simmons is a freelance writer and fitness enthusiast. Her secret: grass fed whey combined with a detailed nutrition plan and lots of rest.

So you can imagine how that iPad, gathering dust in the corner of your study, could be used for something else. If you feel like your kids need a bit of an outlet for their creativity or outright boredom, then you should direct them towards the iPad with these following apps…

Paper

How great is finger painting?! It literally gives kids a hands on experience with art; coupled with a child’s boundless imagination and creativity, it would seem like finger painting is the perfect way to get your children…except for the fact that, generally, you’ll be the one who has to clean it all up. Well, you can forget about checking the tots’ hair and nails for paint, because Paper is a great tool allows them the freedom of finger painting without all the mess! With endless combinations of backgrounds, colours, and paintbrushes, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is how you’ll be able to print out their masterpieces.

Photobooth

Here’s one for all the iPad users who haven’t been able to find the time to use the App Store properly yet. First: Photobooth is absolutely, completely free. Second: it comes standard with every iPad.

What is Photobooth? It’s, in its most basic form, a photo-taking app. However, it goes way beyond this; in fact, that’s where your kids will be spending most of their time. With an array of effects that range from artistic to downright silly, Photobooth will ensure that your children stay laughing as they keep on learning how to use technology.

Where’s My Water?

The basic gist of this puzzle game revolves around redirecting water into a pipe. While seemingly dull-sounding, what the game does offer is a series of challenging levels that teach your children about physics. With critical acclaim worldwide, it’s set to be the latest craze in casual gaming.

Angry Birds

If you haven’t heard about Angry Birds by now, you must have had your head in the ground like an (angry) ostrich. Angry Birds is a fun and addictive game that’s a bit like a puzzle, although with a fair bit of coordination involved. Thanks to its huge popularity, there isn’t an end to the reincarnations that have spawned; what this means is that, should your children cry for more levels having completely mastered the game, you can be the saviour who gets them the sequels to keep them entertained.

Tapestry

If you’re looking for some more ideas to entertain the children, the task may seem Herculean. Luckily, some research on the App Store brings up a few alternatives that aren’t costly at all, and provide hours of endless entertainment without posing a risk to your children’s development. Tapestry is one such alternative: it’s basically a visually based medium for telling stories – kind of like comics without the squinting. It also encourages interaction in order to tell the story, ensuring that your children stay entertained as they are taken to imaginary worlds.

Temple Run

If there ever were a runner up to the success of the Angry Birds franchise, it would be Temple Run. Hugely popular for its simplicity and increasing number of challenges, Temple Run is a game so addictive that you’ll find yourself begging the kids to let you have a go.

Joe Bedet is a father of three young children, who love to use his work iPad for anything other than work. He wishes he could partake in Cru Camps’ kids activities in Sydney instead of going to the office every day.

Today’s smart phones are so much more than just tools for engaging in phone calls. In addition to staying in touch with your family, friends and associates, these devices also serve many additional purposes. They are more commonly being used as people’s cameras thanks to the improvements made in their sensors. In addition, there are plenty of great apps that can be downloaded from each platform’s respective marketplace that can enhance your photos. These are some of the best and should be looked at if you consider yourself a smart phone photographer.

Instagram

Instagram is at the very top of the heap and is a free app that is available for both iPhone and Android devices. It is easy to use and allows you to add a number of beautiful filter effects or other nice touches to your photos. You can also easily share your results on social networking sites with a simple touch of a button. Download the app <a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8″>here</a>.

Fhotoroom

Fhotoroom is a great free app that is available for Windows Phone that was hailed by the Windows community as the best photo app of 2012. It is essentially a pro camera that allows you to edit your photos and provide you with the best results. It uses special technology to extend the ability of your smart phone’s camera. You can add nice touches to your pictures, such as red eye removal, sharpen, saturation, brightness and many more. Download the app <a href=”https://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/fhotoroom/acad1eed-3149-4b6c-bc4b-8567f409e3e0″>here</a>.

PhotoWonder

PhotoWonder is a free app for Android smart phones that allows you to edit the photos already on your device. It also includes a camera feature that lets you snap photos that include great artistic effects that make it even more fun. Download the app <a href=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cn.jingling.motu.photowonder&”>here</a>.

Camera Awesome

Camera Awesome is a great free app that can be downloaded for iPhone. It is extremely popular and has been positively regarded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine and ReadWriteWeb. CameraAwesome is one of the top apps for enhancing your photos and has even been said to give the mighty Instagram a run for its money as the best for the iPhone. Download the app <a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camera-awesome/id420744028?mt=8″>here</a>.

Camera+

Camera+ (Camera Studio) is a free app for Android devices. It allows you to add plenty of great professional camera features to your photos, such as filters, frames, fashion appearances and many additional effects that generally can only be created in professional photography darkrooms. It is an extremely easy app to use and enables you to take high quality photos whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional photographer. Download the app <a href=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tinypiece.android.cs&”>here</a>.

These are the top photo apps for smartphones that are on the market today. You will be delighted with the results you get in your pictures and will find yourself frequently using them.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Eric Blair writes about mobile application performance testing by SOASTA and the importance of properly testing an app before it’s released to the public.

WatchESPN

This is a live streaming app from a variety of ESPN channels.  You can watch all the major sports fixtures on the go and it does not matter what your sport is – it has them all!  And even better – this app costs nothing to add so you can watch games anywhere and all it will cost is a little bit of time.

Team Stream

For the latest results and news in the world of sport you can try Team Stream.  This will provide a variety of information about your favourite teams or sports personalities, all you have to do is tell it about the type of information you want to know and it sends it directly to your handset, using newspapers, blogs and other websites as source material.  This is also free to add.

ScoreMobile

Real-time alerts are also available from ScoreMobile.  This can be used for real teams or fantasy teams if you prefer.

There is plenty out there for the fantasy sports fan.  You can set it up for the players you have selected and you will get the latest information on them throughout the day.   This can be used for all types of sports from football to college basketball.  Followers of American Football might be interested in the NFL Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet.  This gives all kinds of information from news to injury reports and the stat projections on it are considered to be fairly accurate.

SportsTap

SportsTap has been produced by ScoreMobile and this covers a variety of sports from all the major ones to some of those you might never have heard of before.  The app covers the US, the UK, Mexico and parts of Europe too.  If you are more interested in regional sports news you can set the app to give you updates for a certain radius of your home.

Scores Widget

Alternatively add on the Scores Widget.  This provides the user with instant access to the latest information on your favourite teams.  It brings the news to your handset’s homepage and information is updated without you even asking for it.  It is not free, but certainly not expensive.  Reviewers have raved about this app and with good reason.

Try a couple of the free apps if you are unsure about how well they will work for you and you will soon wonder how you managed to keep up your serious sports fan status without them!

Phil Turner recently changed his phone, network and operating system in order to get better sports apps. All he had to do was to ring up, ask for the PAC number and then give it to his new network provider.

1.    Shoeboxed

The overflowing box full of receipts and business cards in your closet is a thing of the past. These days you can keep records of all the paper that comes your way by scanning them with Shoeboxed. This handy app allows you to keep all the information you need close at hand. You can even use this app to scan images that are IRS-approved, making tax time much easier.  Streamlining your record-keeping will save you time and eliminate the risk of lost information – no shoebox required.

2.    Dropbox

As the ubiquity of cloud storage continues to grow, Dropbox is leading the way. Dropbox is a simple to use storage system that allows you to back up all your files remotely and access them from any number of devices. It also makes file sharing simple, allowing you to effortlessly share information with the people you work with. Dropbox is also a great way to protect your important information from viruses and other computer problems.

3.    LinkedIn

Networking is crucial for any business person. Having the LinkedIn app on your phone or tablet gives you access to information on all of your professional contacts as well as the millions of other people who have profiles on this social networking site. The app allows you to share content wherever you go, keeping all of your followers up to date and alerting you to potential job opportunities. You can even synch your calendar to get profile information on people you plan to meet during the day.

4.    SurePayroll

If you have employees to pay, SurePayroll allows you to manage payroll tasks while you’re on the go. This app allows you to pay your employees, enter earnings, deductions, and benefits, access employee information, view previous payroll reports, and check your payroll and payment methods for accuracy. The app works alongside your SurePayroll account, so you will need to set up a profile online before using the app.

5.    FlightTrack

Traveling is often part of running a business. A late or cancelled flight can put a serious wrench in your plans. FlightTrack helps circumvent these problems by giving you up to the minute information on flights around the world. With this app you can follow certain flights and receive alerts if they are delayed. Synch your calendar with the app to help better organize where you are going and when.  You can even watch flight paths on colorful, zoomable maps.

6.    Skype

Skype is a well known name in the world of communication. If you don’t have this app on your phone it is time to get it! Skype allows you to video chat with people all around the world. This is perfect if you travel often and want to keep in touch with your family back home, but it can also be a useful tool for speaking to clients and organizing meetings.  The Skype app allows you to talk to people regardless of the device they’re using, making open communication easy and productive.

Outfitting your mobile device with a variety of useful apps will help you conduct business as efficiently as possible. It can be difficult to manage things on the go, but with all of these useful tools at your fingertips you can handle your business no matter where life takes you.

Attached Images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2012/03/04/00/33/architecture-21954_640.jpg

This article was contributed by Amy from AdSemble, a digital billboard advertising company.

When you take off on a trip, you can choose the dates that you will be travelling on and just need to inform the app and will be able to pick the start date on the app. When you want to add more days, you can choose from the trips you have saved already by swiping the screen. You can create entries for varied destinations like a trip to Egypt to spend time at the Pyramids, or another to view the grand canyon in Arizona or yet another summer trip to Norway or Sweden. These trips may be months away, but you can plan them sitting in your favorite armchair. Once you select the destinations you will get complete details about the important things that you should not miss once you get there. Breaks in the journey can also be incorporated and Tripomatic will conveniently plot all the information on a map. You can even make impromptu changes as and when you please.
Tripomatic will also let you share details with your friends and family through email, Facebook, and Twitter. Once your friends receive the email with the link they are immediately directed to sign up for the service. Tripomatic, overall, is a good app to have on your iPhone if you are a globetrotter.
This is a guest post is brought to you by Samantha Kirk, a writer for Verizon Fios Deals. Samantha provides up to date content and information for FIOS bundles, TV, internet, digital voice and other deals.

Though it all sounds exciting, does the app deliver the promised features? Read on to find out!

Once you load the Discover, you find a small grey tab for search and you also have advanced search in the form of ‘Favorites’, ‘Our Pick’ and ‘In Cinemas’. The design is typical Apple style, simple and to the point. It does not distract you with unwanted features, simple-to-use navigation and helps to keep your focus in searching for movies.

In cinema:

With the ‘In Cinema’ feature, you will be able to find the movies running in cinemas presently. Once you get access to the list, you can find more information by tapping on a particular movie. It also pops-up movies of similar genre or the other movies the lead actors have acted in. In short, it not only shows more details on the new movie you have chosen, but also makes your task easier by showing similar movies that you might be interested in.

Our picks:

If you are confused about the kind of movie you wish to watch, you can simply skim through ‘Our Picks’ to see if you can find something of your interest. It contains an assorted range of movies chosen by the app through various reviews and other factors. When you double-tap on a movie, it shows assorted information like the rough ratings given by people, the year when the movie released, genre, summary, the runtime, trailers, link to other websites, etc.

Favorites:

You can save a list of movies you really enjoy watching and have one-tap access to these movies in the future. You can save a particular film to the list of your ‘Favorites’ by tapping on the ‘heart’ icon. However, a disadvantage is that it only saves movies’ recommendations and not the details or information given about the movie you wish to save.

The other option to look out for movies is by typing the relevant keywords in the search box. However, you can search for a movie only by title as there are no features to search movies by an actor or director. This is a huge disadvantage as you will not be able to find all the movies enacted by a particular artist you like. Hope Apple rectifies this in the next version.

In short, Discover is a simple app to find movies. It supports the new iPhone 5 and Apple’s latest Operating System: iOS 6. The app is available for around $0.99 and the file size is around 4.5 MB. Download it to find the movies you want with a couple of taps. If you find any movies missing, you can report it on iTunes and they promise to add the movies!

https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/discovr-movies-discover-new/id488025044?mt=8

This is a guest post is brought to you by Samantha Kirk, a writer for AT&T U Verse. Samantha provides up to date content and information for AT&T bundles, TV, internet, digital voice and other deals.

You want to plan your own wedding that personally reflects you and your partner, but you’re worried about the stress of doing it yourself? Well, worry no longer. With these five apps, you’ll be able to turn the whole process into a breeze.

The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner

This is the ultimate, all-in-one app for wedding planner. Your personal and portable planner, it has everything from customised checklists, a budgeting tool, a scrap-book style database for all your favourite wedding links and pics, thousands of dresses, cakes, decor ideas and more. It even has a countdown to your big day.

Wedding Registry

This app provides a hassle free approach to creating a registry that can be accessed by your family and friends anywhere in the world. Rather than creating a separate registry at each store, you can combine everything into one database through the app, where guests can access it anytime.

It has a barcode scanner so you can add items from any store, or from websites, categorises entries automatically, and updates the registry whenever an item is added or purchased by a guest.

FunWedding

This one’s all about the music. FunWedding provides you with a list of the top most requested songs at wedding receptions all over the world, the top 100 songs of each decade, and even the top songs to avoid. It also provides suggestions for each stage of the wedding, for example: the first dance, the cake cutting or the garter toss. You can listen to song samples, create song lists and even search for bands and DJs.

Brides Wedding Genius 2.0

Brides magazine has released the ultimate inspiration and ideas app for future brides. This app allows you to browse through almost limitless dresses, jewellery, honeymoon destinations, local resources and more. You can browse by price, brand, style, even silhouette, depending on what category you’re searching for. You can then keep all your favourites in the digital binder.

Wedding Budget

This free app makes it easy to keep track of all your wedding expenses, down to the tiniest detail. It allows you to break down your wedding budget into different categories and keep an eye on every cost. You can adjust your budget as you get closer to the date, and the app will give you alerts when you go over budget in any area. It also provides graphical representations of your budget.

No matter what your budget, your big day is probably going to require a fair bit of saving to make sure that you have the ceremony and reception that you want. Keep in mind that you should also have the security of additional funds to act as a buffer should anything go wrong, so you can safeguard against any mishaps throwing your wedding into disarray.

It’s a good idea to start saving as soon as you can, so you don’t feel so stretched in the lead-up. Try setting a budget, keeping track of your spending, and if you’ve got any debts chewing away at your savings, why not contact a financial service like Fox Symes who can help you with learning how to consolidate loans, get your debt under control, tailor a budget to suit you, and help you kick-start the process to growing your bank account in time for the nuptials.

The planning process should be fun and memorable, so with a handle on your finances and these handy apps in your pocket, the stress melt away and you can cruise toward your big day in your own personal style. Just remember, all you’ve got to do is enjoy it.

Palettes

Available on the iPhone and iPad, Palettes allows you to take a photograph of a picture or web page and create a colour palette based on its design. You then store them in your palette library for later use. Tap a color on your palette to find details such as the RGB code, hex code and gray percentage. The pro version allows you to important your palettes into your graphic editing program.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Edit and share your best photos anywhere with Adobe Photoshop Express. Crop and rotate pictures, adjust their colours and add artistic effects such as borders and colour filters. This free app allows you to automatically sync your photos with Photoshop.com to access at any time. You can also email them to your friends or share them to Facebook. The Adobe Photoshop Express app requires an SD card.

I Love Colour

Offering thousands of single colours, patterns and colour palettes, I Love Colour allows you to share colours and hex codes to your friends and clients and even make the patterns and colours your mobile phone’s wallpaper. The free app grabs all of its colours and patterns from the enormously popular website colourlovers.com.

Sketch Free

Use the Sketch Free app to draw anything that you want and store your drawings on your mobile phone’s SD card. The app includes 11 brushes, an eraser and the ability to change the width and colour of the pen by using the colour picker. It supports full screen, screen orientation and is free with no ads.

WhatTheFont

When you use WhatTheFont, you can identify a font in any photograph or web graphic, from digital media to the awesome album cover you saw at the record store. The app runs in connection with the popular MyFont website. Simply take a photograph of the font with the app and wait a few seconds for it to be identified so that you can view the details. The free app allows you to share fonts with friends or email them to yourself.

Cinemagram

Mixing photography and video into one flawless mobile app, Cinemagram creates a hybrid of your work. Use the app to animate small parts of your photograph while leaving other parts in a still frame. Make leaves blow or eyes blink and then liven them up with vintage filters before sharing your creation to your friends.

Written by Kerstin Kruse
Kerstin works in an event marketing agency in Sydney. She has recently been appointed to manage a muilti-million dollar campaign. She recommends the use of a professional printing service such as Dashing Print for making sure all her marketing prints are up to professional standard.

After the iPad and the iPhone, the next most used devices by consumers are the Kindle and Android smartphones. With that in mind, the apps we profile below cover the gamut from coupon apps to deals plus discounts and more. Each app has a designation next to it, so you know which one works on your device.

4 Fun Apps for Holiday Discounts and Savings

1. ShopKick Android App – this cool app makes going out and shopping even more fun by allowing you to make money or collect gifts on certain purchases you make. The way it works is that when you’re out and about shopping be sure to use the app so that you get credit for your purchases. Think of ShopKick as sort of like an everyday mobile rewards program.

Price: $ FREE

2. Restaurant.com iPhone App – if you love to eat out, then you’ll love the Restaurant.com iPhone app. This handy app makes eating out and saving big bucks a breeze. Simply pull out your smartphone and use the app before going out to plan your evening. When you find a restaurant that has the deal you want, buy it – then bring the special voucher or gift certificate with you to the restaurant. Voila, all you have to do now – is enjoy your deeply discounted meal.

Price: $ FREE

3. Valpak Mobile App – this cool app lets you enter in your zip code and save on local goodies such as hair salons, nails, automotive repair centers, restaurants and more. This one works on both Android and the iPhone, plus several tablets. If you want to save big on local service providers and merchants – this is the money saving and deal app for you.

Price: $ FREE

4. Expensify iPad App – after all your shopping, then it’s time to round up your expenses and enter them in a program so you can save money at year end tax time. This neat little app lets you enter in scanned receipts while you’re out and about in restaurants, at the mall, getting a coffee or anywhere. Great for keeping track of expenses quickly and easily.

Price: $ FREE

The four (free) apps above are all good at one thing or another as it relates to living a smart and frugal minded life. Whether you seek to track expenses or save while dining out, there’s something here for everyone.

Which of the fun discount and finance apps mentioned above, do you plan on trying? Tell us below.

Missy contributed this article courtesy of her site: https://www.comprehensiveinsurancequotes.com when she’s not writing finance and frugal articles, she loves to shop locally and organically.

Handyman DIY

Covering just about everything required by the daily handyman, Handyman DIY provides the ease of becoming the ultimate tradesmen. Features include calculating costs, creating shopping lists and measurements of general room sizes and removal dimensions or ‘take-offs’ required from unwanted windows or doors. Video tutorials and step by step processes will provide you the guidance to complete common projects and help avoid disastrous outcomes. Reviews state it’s the ultimate renovation guide at your fingertips.

Renovate

The Renovate app is ideal for the small handyman to the large contractor. Renovate allows you to track costs and maintain the number of hours required and worked on a particular project. This app is suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and even furniture. Renovate provides you a list of accessible jobs or renovation projects to choose from. Compare estimated costs to actual and take photos of pre and post renovation to show your friends and family.

iHandy Carpenter

A handy and successful app, iHandy Carpenter provides the necessities to help with your carpentry and home renovation work. Features include a ruler, protractor, bubble leveller, plumb bob and surface leveller. Suitable for the simpler things such as hanging a picture and using the leveller to ensure straightness to the more complicated tasks such as securing measurements in preparation for installing security screen doors or removing unwanted fixtures. .

Drywall Calculator

Measuring and calculating drywall can be a confusing and tedious task. You can remove the hassle with the Drywall Calculator. You will be able to ensure correct measurements by simply punching in the dimensions into the app. You can include walls, ceilings, height and width and allow the reduction of the dimensions of removed doors or windows. All the dimensions punch into one calculation to determine the over square feet of drywall required to complete the task at hand. Also includes data area for sloping walls and ceilings.

DIY Renovation Advice

Produced worldwide by home renovation experts, DIY Home Renovation Advice provides easy to follow steps, simple navigation and standard terminology towards easier to more advanced renovation tasks. Reviewed to be a safe guide to ensure safe and quality renovation work, this assessable app will help you avoid serious property damage if you are a novice renovator. It takes the stress out of the process and allows you to keep within your budget.
These mobile friendly apps provide step by step processes and professional guidance to help remove the stress and inexperience of completing you own home renovations. No need to pay for professionals when we have access to advice and tools at our fingertips.

Written by Johnson S.
Johnson runs an interior designing business with his brother in Brisbane, Australia. Lachlan loves DIY and spends most of his weekend in his workshop.

My Fitness Pal

Knowledge is power and writing down everything consumed daily can help anyone eat healthy. This app is based on the concept of being aware of everything you eat and drink in order to lose weight. Users that keep a daily food diary through My Fitness Pal are able to see calories and nutritional information about food. This app allows you to scan your food items using barcodes. My Fitness Pal can predict a weight loss schedule according to what you are eating daily. Each time a food item is entered the app tells you how many calories are remaining to be consumed and how your calories have been spent. If your food is nutritionally lacking or if you have overindulged the app will let you know where to make adjustments.

Fooducate

Understanding food labels is difficult and manufacturers often create labels that the public cannot easily interpret. Fooducate allows users to scan barcodes of food items in order to explain the nutritional data of any food item using comprehensive definitions. If there is a disproportionate amount of sugar, fat or preservatives the app will let you know.

Lose It

The Lose It app allows users to track calories and share their success with peers. This app acknowledges the success of users and rewards them with badges at specific healthy milestones. This encourages users to keep succeeding by eating healthy and exercising. Users can share recipes with each other and trade healthy eating tips. Once you have entered food information or meal descriptions the app can save the data so the user does not have to enter it again. The Lose It app also provides functionality with Facebook and Twitter that allows individuals to share their progress, success and healthy suggestions with friends and family.

Pic Healthy

The Pic Healthy app combines social media, photography and the desire to eat healthier. Users take photos of what they are eating and share them with their friends. Friends vote on the user’s photo and rate it as healthy or unhealthy. The app encourages nutritional honesty and motivates users to seek support from friends and family in finding the healthiest food options. It is a fun way to learn to live a healthy lifestyle. When the user has made an unhealthy food choice friends can make positive suggestions. When a user has made a healthy food choice friends cheer them on.

Weight Watchers Mobile

The Weight Watchers app allows users to track their meals and evaluate all food choices. Becoming a paid subscriber to the Weight Watchers program is an incentive because subscribers have access all of the features such as daily recipes, shopping lists, tips, articles, success stories and information about local meetings.

Jessica is an Events Planner with Trippas White Group in Sydney, Australia and a technology enthusiast. These are some of Jessicas favourite apps to help you stay healthy. For more information visit: www.trippaswhitegroup.com.au

From keeping up with the requests of their highly demanding bosses (the kids), and trying to maintain a structure of balance between work and home, non-stop working moms need all the help they can get. Surprisingly enough, sanity comes in the guise of a mobile phone.

The recent advances in mobile and software technology has paved the way for distinct kinds of mobile applications that are specifically suited to meet and complement the very hectic lifestyle of busy moms everywhere. From shopping to whipping up nutritious meals, these apps have got you covered!

1. AllRecipes Dinner Spinner

From the brilliant creators of all AllRecipes.com comes handy mobile software that gives moms instant access to thousands of easy to follow recipes at the touch of their fingertips. All you need to do is input the ingredients you have in your fridge or pantry, and the AllRecipes Dinner Spinner will instantly pull up the perfect recipes to match what you have. What’s more, this software categorizes the recipes based on their nutritional information and customer reviews to help you select the perfect meal for your family.

2. Underscore Price Check

Finding enough time to shop is difficult as it is, let alone having the luxury to browse and thoroughly compare different brands for quality and cost. This is where the Underscore Price Check app comes in. With this tool, you can easily become a savvy and conscientious shopper in no time at all. Simply scan the barcode of the product you are interested in and the Underscore Price Check will instantly pull out a thorough price listing across different platforms, from Amazon to Google. The app also allows you to earmark certain products, read through consumer reviews, and even make purchases directly from your handy phone.

3. Coupon Sherpa

Grocery coupons can help cut your monthly shopping expenses drastically. With Coupon Sherpa, you can do away with the typical cutting, pasting, and printing that comes with couponing. With this free app, you can simply browse through hundreds of online coupons and present them to the cashier before checking out.

4. FitVideo: Office Workouts

The challenge of staying fit is especially difficult for working moms who hardly have enough time to think, let alone workout. Thankfully the Office Workouts software is specifically designed to help busy moms keep up with their fitness, even while seated at their desks. With office-friendly exercise techniques, stretches, and yoga, moms no longer have any excuse to miss out on their daily workouts.

5. Our Kids Private School and Camp Locators

KidsMedia recently introduced new software that helps moms find the closest and most credible schools and children’s camps without ever leaving their house. It is also embedded with links that keep you updated on their events to make sure that you and your little one will never have to miss any of the special school or camping events ever again.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an app that lets you clone yourself, but these few mentioned above will at least allow a little more free time to relax and enjoy your family.

Attached Images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

Brenda is a busy mom, who you’ll find writing about due date conception calendars and baby gender predictors at www.duedatecalculator.org.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that leads to inattention, hyperactivity and impulse control issues. The effect of having ADHD is usually poor performance at school or work and low self-esteem. Adults with the condition often end up in bad relationships. There is no cure for it, but there are tips and tools that can help a person of any age cope. In today’s technocentric world, smartphones are the key to many issues, so it is no surprise that a few distinctive apps can offer hope to those with ADHD.

Home Routines

Structure is an element that helps ADHD suffers stay on track throughout the day. Home Routines is an app to segregate the day into workable presentations. It offers a reward system that marks off a task when it is complete. With this app, you create daily and weekly routines to build focus and master time appropriately. Home Routines is ideal for the ADHD person with too many starts and stops before finishing a job completely.

Koi Pond

Koi Pond offers a fixed item to help focus attention during a hyperactive episode. Sometimes, all it takes to calm down is a relaxing scene. With Koi Pond, you have everything you need to create serenity on your phone. Koi Pond is right for the caregiver dealing with an ADHD child or the adult able to shift attention enough to calm the mind by watching a virtual pond.

EpicWin

EpicWin is a to-do list app with a little something extra. This is a role-playing game with a purpose. Every time the gamer completes a task, they get a role-playing spin. For the ADHD person who doesn’t want to work, this can provide incentive. You want to play, you have to pay by finishing a work assignment. Motivation is great medicine.

Bento

Bento puts the organization into ADHD. Users create contact lists, project guides, appointment reminders and task lists into this app for easy access. Whether you are an ADHD suffer trying to get organized or a caregiver looking for a friendly way to communicate, Bento might be the right option. With this application, users have easy access to emergency phone numbers, reminders to do things and lists to stay on track.

iQue

iQue is all about recall. When ADHD affects the memory, it can be difficult to remember passwords, phone numbers or bank account information. It serves as a reminder system to do homework or complete a task. It is a prompt tool for keywords when studying. When certain phrases offer a calming effect during a hyperactive minute, the app can bring them up. The primary function is memory retention, but the possibilities go further. Anytime a reminder serves a purpose, the iQue app does the job.

Attention deficient/hyperactivity disorder is a chronic mental illness. That means learning to deal with the problem is the only available option. For those who suffer from this potentially disabling condition, an application for an iPhone or another mobile device can be a lifesaver. Once you find one that works for you, it can improve skill sets and make life a little less hyper.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Naomi Esterly balances writing freelance for 1800wheelchair.com

Image by mroach

Whether you feel like saving on fuel or simply remembering where you parked your car last night before the six margarita haze; there’s an app for that. Here’s a lowdown of the handiest apps to keep your life and your motor running smoothly.

Find My Car iOS (free)

This app has been widely featured in consumer reviews as one of the most helpful and influential apps of the year. We’ve all had those evenings where we drive somewhere, park up, go out and get slightly the worse for wear then after spending the night at a friend’s or in a skip; you inconveniently forget where you left your car. It’s such a common problem, there’s even a film about it.

Well worry no more! Because Find My Car uses GPS location services to help you find where you parked. You can even take a picture and write a short description to help you pinpoint the exact location of your beloved automobile. Move quickly, as the app is free for a limited time only.

Trapster iOS & Android (free)

If you’re the type to go hurtling through speed traps without noticing you’ll know it’s a fine way to incur a hefty fine. As much fun as this can be, maybe try downloading Trapster. This is an app that uses thousands of trap and camera locations on its database to follow your route and pipe up audio alerts as to when and where you’ll encounter hot zones. Around 14 million users worldwide use it from day to day, and presumably are much better drivers for it.

DriveGain iOS (free)

If you’re looking to save yourself fuel then download this helpful little app! The on-point internal system offers audio and visual tips on how to conserve petrol based on your driving style and routine. The feedback is quite helpfully designed so as not to appear condescending, which is an excellent touch that means you won’t be flinging your phone out of the window into oncoming traffic in a fit of rage.

CarChecker iOS (free)

A handy little app that checks the history of any vehicles you might potentially buy. Just enter the registration, and the database will come up with a list of prerequisites about where the car has been. The majority of the information is totally free, but you can of course upgrade if you wish to the gold package which will provide you with more of a background on your chosen motor. Can make the difference as to whether you take out long or short term insurance.

Jamcam Android (free)

This excellent application will allow you to view traffic camera images so that you can better assess your routes. The still images are refreshed once every five minutes giving you an up to date vision of what’s going on out on the road. The advantage it provides is giving you a firsthand look at roads in England and Scotland which can give you more of a piece of mind knowing how the roads will look when you get out there.

Let us know your favourite vehicle-related apps by sharing through the comments below!

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

James Duval is a tech enthusiast with a love of the great outdoors. He can’t imagine life without his motorbike, and enjoys writing for Insure Daily in his spare time.

But which are the most popular iPhone apps ever? Fortune Magazine ran a survey in March 2012 and the results offer some surprises as well as some foregone conclusions.

It may be a surprise, albeit a not so surprising one: games are by far and away the most downloaded apps around. The n° 1 in paid apps is Rovio’ brilliant touch game app, Angry Birds. Fruit Ninja is in slot n° 2 of the paid apps, and Doodle Jump holds bronze medal position.

Free apps tell another story: at n° 1 we find Facebook, quite obvious if you consider the over 800 million Facebook accounts on Earth. In second place in the free category is Pandora Radio, the music app. In case you’re wondering about games, here’s Words with Friends (free) in third place. So the free apps story is primarily one of networking, and it casts music as a highly sought-after leisure companion. Quite surprisingly, movies are far down the table.

Games dominate the next three positions in paid apps: the puzzle game Cut the Rope is in fourth place, Angry Birds Season is in at number five, Words with Friends (paid) in sixth. Again there is a strong lean on relational/informative apps in the free ranks from 4th to 6th: Skype, the Weather Channel and Google Search.

In the run down to number ten paid apps we find more games (Tiny Wings, Angry Birds Rio, Pocket God) and finally a non-game app in 10th place, Camera, which adds power to the existing camera feature of the iPhone. Free apps too follow the same pattern as before with Google Earth in 7th, then break it with a game, Angry Birds (free) in 8th, only to revert to another music app, Shazam, in 9th and finishing off with a first, Netflix, the first movie-related app to enter the top ten.

It makes an interesting comparison with the “page ranking” of apps in the Apple website. A look at https://www.apple.com/iphone/from-the-app-store/ shows that the company’s marketing brains have a different set…or more simply they are keen to promote the in-house products. So if you scroll through the page you’ll find that pride of place belongs to iMovie, iPhoto (with similarly-themed apps only just making the free apps top ten) and GarageBand, followed by Keynote, Pages and Numbers (formatting and spread-sheet generating tools, nowhere to be seen in the apps top ten), then iBooks, iTunes U and Cards, all designed for the bookish among iPhone users, and finally Podcasts, Find my iPhone and Remote.

Only after this remarkable selection the Apple masterminds think of roaming the world of “other” apps. They do so with a thumbnail display which lists apps by genre, in alphabetical order: Business, Education, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Finance, Food & Drink, Games, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, Music, News, Photo & Video, Productivity, Social Networking, Sports, Travel. In other words, a taxonomy of all that passes as life in this turbulent day and age.

This post is written by Mark Jenkins and he works at CouponAudit as a writer, where thousands of valid and working online coupons for different stores are available including but not limited to diapers.com coupon code and various other online stores.

MyList

Simply scan the bar code of any item and it will transfer the data where the information will be sorted into factors like price. You can also sync your list with family and friends in real sync time. Lists are automatically synchronized to a group account and can be shared with iPhone/iPad/iPod users. Your list can also be viewed on laptops, tablets or computers. This app also helps with ensuring you buy the correct brand. Best of all, this app is absolutely free!

AmazonMobile

Anything you want to buy, you can find on Amazon. This app allows you to use the bar code scanner to search Amazon and compare prices. Millions of products are available for purchase on Amazon Mobile and you can also read reviews from previous customers. For peace of mind, Amazon has secure servers in place.

ShopSavvy

As well as scanning the bar code to compare prices, this app not only gives you the best prices, but also provides you with exact directions on how to get to the store with the best prices. It will also create a price alert, which will notify you when the price drops on a product you are interested in. This app searches for the best prices online as well as in store.

MyChristmasGiftList

This handy app will have you totally organized well before Christmas. The shopping list will help you create lists of how much you want to spend, the presents you wish to buy and who you have to buy for. This app will make sure you stay within your budget. Use the QR code to scan bar codes which can be linked through web URLs, texts and emails.

eBayMobile

Can’t find what you really want, take a look on eBay. There is so much for sale on eBay, this is a good app to find those hard to find gifts or quirky original presents for someone special. You can set reminder tabs and notification alerts to make sure you don’t miss out on the item you have shown an interest in. For the last minute shoppers who don’t have the time to bid on items, there’re a large variety of products with ‘but it now’ offer too. It is so easy to organise Christmas on the run.
Too many people make Christmas shopping lists and then forget where they put them, or always leave the house without them. No one ever leaves the house without their mobile phone, so in this way, your Christmas list is always with you. You can have your photos on mugs printed on the go, or check retail prices online anytime when you’re in the shops. Apps will allow you to tap into the largest marketplaces in the world.

Written by Tara Blair
It was almost as good as a dream come true for Tara when she got an offer as a full-time writer three years ago. Tara loves to share her passion on anything to do with DIY art and craft. When Tara is not writing you will most probably find her at her local yoga studio coaching fellow yogis.

With today’s travel apps, you have the advantage of possessing information right at your fingertips. There’s no need to carry heavy guidebooks or spend time at a travel agency. Mobile travel apps provide more interactive experiences; travelers can get real-time information from other people in similar situations. They can read reviews and decide on hotels or restaurants in advance. They can search for discounts and last-minute deals that they would not have known were available.

Mobile travel apps, particularly those with social sharing features, are especially popular with the Millennial generation, who some say live more in the moment as opposed to traveling with a set plan. Nevertheless, developers know that travelers of all ages are taking advantage of various travel apps.

Companies are creating new apps all the time. Here are some of the highly rated (and free) travel apps for Android.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor earned a 5-Star CNET Editors’ Rating for being an outstanding application. More than just restaurant and hotel reviews, it includes information on flights and other transportation options, as well as finding things to do once you arrive at your destination. Users can access photos, reviews and community forums for more information.

CouchSurfing

Perhaps you want an even more personal travel experience than just trading information in forums. Cheaper (and more fun) than a hotel, couch surfing has become a popular way to see the world. Members can stay with other members, and they can host other travelers in their own homes. Acting as local guides, hosts can help travelers connect with one another and discover hidden attractions.

Yelp

The Yelp app is a must-have, whether you’re traveling the world or just looking for a great new restaurant in your own neighborhood. It boasts a wealth of information, including business descriptions, photos, customer reviews, maps and much more. App reviewers have called it the ultimate travel directory.

UrbanSpoon

Currently available throughout the US, Canada, and most of the UK and Australia, this app has been described as a “restaurant slot machine.” You can literally shake your phone and get a list of nearby eateries based on criteria that you enter. While using the app, you can connect to Facebook to consult friends for restaurant recommendations and then make a reservation.

Google Translate

Though there are many translation apps on the market, Google Translate is among the most comprehensive with the ability to translate up to 64 languages, some with audio capability. Depending on your travel destination, you might find yourself in a foreign land with no one around to help you out with the local language. With Google Translate or a similar app, at least you’ll have an instant translator by your side.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone setting out on your first adventure, you can make any trip easy and fun by taking advantage of the many travel apps available for your Android phone.

Sam Jones, the author, has been looking at Orange deals recently and is excited that he can get a phone which will be perfect for travel.

Match Pint

This app allows you to quickly and easily combine your two favourite activities – that is, watching televised sport and drinking. Not only does it provide you with a list of nearby pubs and tell you which games they are showing, you can also programme it with your favourite teams for any sport and your top pubs and it will make a recommendation for the best venue on match day. The only thing it can’t do unfortunately is get a round in.

Get Match Pint via App Store

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/matchpint/id502468923?mt=8

Live Score Addicts

For football fans this is an absolute must. Not only is it the fastest live scores app around, it gives you information from over three hundred different leagues and cups worldwide. Voted number one app in the UK and Ireland as well as no less than five European countries, LiveScoreAddicts brings you the latest scores as they happen. It also gives you all the match statistics, gives you the option customise the service to prioritise news about your favourite teams and lets you watch video highlights of key moments of play.

Get Live Score Addicts via App Store

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/live-score-addicts/id500138120?mt=8

Yahoo! Sportacular

A no frills update on all the latest scores from the PGA, NBA, NFL, NASCAR, MLB and a whole host of other acronyms. For those who want all the latest information without any distracting features this is the perfect sports app. Just no-stop score and results updates as they happen.

Get Yahoo! Sportacular via App Store

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/yahoo!-sportacular/id286058814?mt=8

Sports Illustrated Magazine

Download the free app and you can buy your monthly issue of Sports Illustrated without ever having to leave you house. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fanatic or you only ever buy the infamous swimsuit issue this app lets you soak up everything you need from your favourite magazine wherever you happen to be.

Get Sports Illustrated Magazine via App Store

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sports-illustrated-magazine/id377306642?mt=8

GreenFinder

For all you golfers out there this is a must. Not only can it tell you where the nearest golf course is, but once you are playing there are a whole range of helpful tools. You can track the distance from where your ball is to the green using GPS technology, and the app will also provide any information you need to know about hazards along the way.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

This post was provided on behalf of a Web Design Company, experienced software developers based in Bedford.

Image attribution 1

If you want to make your time in the car more enjoyable for everyone, make sure that you download the following apps before heading out on your next road trip.

1. Spotify

Instead of making a road trip mix, you can download Spotify and use that to ensure that you and your other road trippers are equipped with the right tunes. With Spotify, you have unlimited access to a multitude of artists and songs. You can create your own playlist through the app, or you can simply turn the app to shuffle and let it choose the songs for you.

2. Priceline Negotiator

If you’re travels have made you tired and nobody wants to continue driving, you can use the Priceline Negotiator app to locate a hotel in the area as well as compare prices with other hotels and motels. This way, you don’t have to make hotel reservations before you leave for your trip, and you can even use the app to compare hotel amenities and negotiate for the best deal.

3. GasBuddy

Gas is an essential part of road trips, and GasBuddy allows you to not only find the closest gas station, but it will also allow you to find the cheapest gas in the area too. With the rising cost of gas prices, this app can be extremely beneficial if you’re looking to cut down on road trip expenses. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about running out of gas as long as you know where the next gas station will be located.

4. Yelp

Chances are that you’ll get hungry while on the road, and Yelp is a great app to have on hand to find restaurants in the area. Along with telling you what food places you can find in the area, Yelp will also tell you hours of operation so you can find something open while you’re traveling at 3am. You can also search for a specific cuisine, so if you’re in the mood for Mexican, Yelp will help you find a restaurant. Plus, it will even let you see reviews from other patrons and give you insight into how much your meal will cost.

5. Waze

With all the fuss about the Maps app on the iPhone, it’s important that you have a backup to help ensure you make it to your destination. The best thing about Waze is that it allows its users to communicate the traffic, so if you’re stuck in traffic due to an accident, you can report it. This allows the app to constantly update with real-time information, and you can use it to reroute yourself instead of being stuck in a traffic jam.

6. Trapster

Getting a speeding ticket while on a road trip can put a huge damper on your travels. Trapster can help you avoid this by letting you know where speed traps and speed cameras are currently located. The app is user generated, so it is constantly updated with information on current speed traps and cameras to help you know when to slow down.

Julie Myers is a travel agent and avid blogger.  She enjoys journaling and documenting details about her travels and recently wrote about her stay at a luxury hotel in Mexico.

Best App for Italian Recipes: Mario Batali Cooks

Just because you can boil water for pasta and open a jar of sauce does not mean you are an Italian chef, but this app can help you get there. Fans of Italian food will love this app because of its intuitive and stylish design that highlights over 60 traditional recipes. Step-by-step photos make it easy to assemble the perfect lasagna or tiramisu, and the app even includes wine pairings for every recipe.

Best App for Everything: How to Cook Everything

This sleek app really does teach you how to cook nearly everything, from apple pies to zucchini bread. There are precisely 2,000 recipes waiting to be made, and although there are no pictures, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The app also includes more cooking instruction than almost any other, including videos on how to roast a chicken to perfection and sharpen knives. This comprehensive resource will turn you into a top chef in no time.

Best App for Meat Lovers: Weber’s on the Grill

If you are serious about your meat, you absolutely need this definitive app. The photos alone will inspire you to fire up the grill, and each of the 250 recipes is linked to how-to articles so you never burn your burgers or char your chicken. There is even an integrated grill timer complete with a “doneness calculator.”

Best App for Non-Meat Lover: VegWeb Vegan Recipe Finder

This entire app is dedicated to meatless recipes, and the huge collection includes over 13,000 dishes and meal ideas. Detailed categories make it easy to find just what you need, such as kid-friendly suggestions, raw food meals and even crock-pot dinners.

Best App for the Health Conscious: SparkRecipes

This app is a best bet for dieters hoping to lose weight without sacrificing taste. Over 200,000 recipes are available, and browsing through them is easy thanks to the many search options. You can search by category, ingredients, dietary preference, calories or even the amount of time it takes to complete a recipe.

Best App for Transforming Leftovers: BigOven

The free BigOven app contains more than 170,000 user-submitted recipes, but the best feature is the “Leftover Wizard” that suggests recipes that use ingredients you already have on hand. If you are stumped about what to eat tonight, try the “What’s for Dinner?” feature that shows what other users are serving up.

Best App for Quick Recipes: Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals

Great meals do not have to take hours to make, and this app from Jamie Oliver makes it easy to whip up delectable delights in under a half hour. Detailed pictures and step-by-step instructions accompany each of the 60 recipes, and you can easily switch ingredient amounts to accommodate two to four people.

Attached Images:

•  License: Image author owned
•  License: Image author owned
•  License: Image author owned
•  License: Image author owned
•  License: Image author owned
•  License: Image author owned

Megan is a chef at Dedes Restaurant in Sydney, Australia. Megan loves discovering new recipes and has shared some of her favourite recipe apps to explore and find new recipes.

• Make you better at studying in the future and managing yourself once you begin working in the real world
• You’ll get a good night sleep throughout.
• Have time to learn certain areas again (where your knowledge of a subject can be better)

Every person in the last 100 years will have gone through the above before an exam but as technology has advanced over the years, there are now more tolls available that can help us with our studying. One of these great tools is the iPad. With many apps available, there are thousands that can help you with your studying, but you have to find the right one for you.

Below are 5 iPad apps that will help you get more out of your revision and help you pass all your exams with flying colours.

Schedule Planner HD

For those who have a tight schedule, this app if doe you. Whether you’re juggling studies with work, have a child to look after during your studies or even like to have fun a bit too much, then this app is for you. It’s free, and will replace your physical diary.

Evernote Peek

A very clever app that makes full use of the ipad Smart Cover. A great app for remembering theorems, formulas and other important information.

The flash card technique has been used for many, many years and is considered a powerfult tool for studying. If you’ve never tried it, give it a shot and you’ll begin to remember those tough forumulae without even knowing it!

The app even works if you do not have a Smart Cover with it’s virtual one! Best of all? The app is free.

Flashcard Deluxe

For those who love the use of Flashcards, this app will remove all the clutter and allow you to keep more organised. It has numerous features and can import them and sync with your computer, Dropbox, Google Drive etc.

Wolfram|Alpha

This app is worth every penny. You have the power of Wolfram Alpha at your fingertips. This app is not only great for Mathematics, but many other subjects. Why use this over say, Google? Well a Google search returns info from what it finds on the web however Wolfram Alpha are specialist Mathematicians who have built Mathematical software for years and their experience in this field surpasses that of even Google.

Dictionary

Every person needs a dictionary. The iPad app will keep you more organised, takes no extra space and will help you find definitions quicker than the traditional means. It’s free as well.

With the launch of the iPad mini, you have many more reasons to take your iPad to class and use it to study to success!

This article is written by Ahmed who currently works for Cartridge Monkey, a supplier of ink cartridges to businesses and students in the UK.

Believe it or not, these days, applications help you in doing all kinds of work ranging from cooking, teaching, diet and food habits, staying fit and what not? Having these applications on your smartphones is the greatest asset.

Here are some cool Android weather applications. These weather applications are handy when you are on the go most of the time. Android is also one of the leading application platforms as far as weather applications are concerned.

1. iMap Weather

The application provides information on the following:

1) forecasts
2) lightning strikes
3) current conditions
4) looping radar
5) location-based auto map scroll

This application provides radar only for the US territory. Most other contents are available for world-wide use. The application automatically starts 3 services when it is in the background to clear up lots of image on the SD card. The otherwise sleeping service wakes up every fifteen minutes to clear images that are more than quarter of an hour old. After the cache is empty the service will stop for the good.

2. WeatherBug
Get the latest weather condition, weather alerts, forecast in your area. With WeatherBug, you will be accessing the world’s finest network of weather sensors for alerts, forecasts and many more. The key features of the application includes:-

a) ‘New WeatherBuzz’
b) DTAs or Dangerous Thunderstorm alerts
c) Severe weather alerts
d) Weather information based on your location
e) Interactive Maps and interactive weather cams
f) Exclusive pin-point map conditions
g) Video forecasts
h) Visual forecasts

WeatherBug claims that being well prepared in advance and knowing what’s coming up is an added advantage for not just travelers but people that stay at home too. Expert WeatherBug meteorologists can give you the routine national weather outlook. You can quickly and easily update yourself with the latest weather information. The ability to view live images from more than 2000 live cameras across the United States and get a better picture of the weather conditions around you is simply great stuff. Special monitoring networks for severe storms and also get instant warning on severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, tornados, lightning etc is the talking point of the new app.

3. RadarNow
The RadarNow can be used to quickly analyze animated images and the present weather conditions. The application provides a simple platform where you do not have to be digging all the menus to get what you want. The application provides information from National Weather Service and Enhanced Radar ‘Base’ and downloaded images from the services. When you access the application, it kicks off with information from sites that are closest to your place.

This application is designed to be efficient and fast and features some cool free options too. You can use the Weather Channel or the WeatherBug to enjoy a full-featured weather app.

A decent weather app on your smartphone is the greatest and safest thing you can have. It is also a precautious and must-have option when you travel or if you live in areas that are prone to bad weather.

This guest post is brought to you by Rita Dawson of cabletvserviceproviders.com, a site that offers savings and current information on time warner cable. Click here to learn more about savings on your internet.

Young Drivers are Unaware of Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Many young drivers use their cell phones in the car because they do not believe it is dangerous. Over 90% of students surveyed said they multitask while texting. Chances are, young drivers feel a sense of youthful invulnerability that numbs them to the threat of actual danger. Studies show that texting while driving increases a driver’s risk of causing a crash by 2300%. Sending a single text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds, during which a car driving at highway speeds can travel over 400 feet.

CarSafe: Making Our Roads Safer One Phone At A Time

A new smartphone app called CarSafe aims to detect dangerous situations and alert drivers to them. The front camera monitors the driver for signs of distraction or fatigue, while the back camera monitors the environment for hazards such as traffic, weather, or if another car is too close. The app uses a series of lights and symbols to alert the driver to various dangers. If the app detects that the driver is tired, it will display a coffee mug on the smartphone screen. If the app senses that another car is too close, a red sign will flash. All warnings are accompanied by audible alerts so the driver keeps their eyes on the road. In addition to this incredibly useful app, Scientist Andrew Campbell, the lead developer of CarSafe, says the team is now working on a method of detecting drunk driving. The team plans to release the app as a free download sometime in late 2012.

Tom is a developer for a small mobile dev shop, he also enjoys working on his cars in his free time. He often writes about tips about buying used nissan cars and fixing them up used cars. He also is a member of his local city council.

Better Body: Pilates

It can be said, without a doubt, that Better Body: Pilates is one of the best pilates apps out there, irrespective of the platform. The app pays special attention to the six pillars of a pilates workout which helps users get the most out of their pilates sessions. The app is an excellent reference guide for pilates enthusiasts and features special sections on pilates safety and equipment. The exercise list is quite extensive and the app even allows users to bookmark and share their favourite apps via various social media platforms. The key reason why the app is incredibly popular is that the app focuses more on correctly doing the exercises rather than repetition.

Pilates for Men

Although incredibly popular with women, pilates fails to generate the same amount of enthusiasm amongst men. The main reason for this is the misconception that pilates has nothing to offer for men. Pilates is very helpful for the human body, irrespective of gender. In order to achieve a desired result, it is necessary to do the right type of exercises. This is where the Pilates for Men app proves its worth. The app is packed with exercises specifically designed for men, especially those looking to build their core strength. The app also features great exercises that help prevent postural problems. The exercises in the app provide a fine balance between strength and flexibility which makes it ideal for men.

Pilates on the Go

Any person who travels extensively can vouch for the fact that keeping up with your exercises on the road can be near impossible. Performing pilates requires no special equipment and this makes it perfect for people who travel a lot and would like to exercise regularly. Pilates on the Go is specifically designed for travellers who would like to perform pilates in the confines of their hotel room. The app features a variety of exercises focusing on the core, posture, and different body parts. The exercises have very detailed instructions and also include illustrations to help you ensure that you are doing them correctly.

There are numerous apps on Google Play Store targeting pilates enthusiasts. However, these three are definitely the best pilates apps and are completely worth your time and money.

Jim Southe is the author of this article and has been providing services in pilates, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Also he has shared some amazing articles about pilate apps for android devices and discussed many things about physiotherapy pilates.

Save Benjis gives you an array of search features for saving money. This app helps the user to find the best deal on the products entered into the search field. You can search by category, keyword, or barcode. This is useful for searching sites, and it will maintain a history of your searches for up to 50 entries for later reference. The advanced search includes the manufacturer and part number. This will allow you to be specific with your search and get accurate results. There is an option to view a web page within Save Benjis’ program or launch Safari. You can connect to Safari to buy immediately, or send a link to your email addresses.

The Coupon Sherpa

The Coupon Sherpa app will help you track down money-saving coupons everywhere you go. It is a mobile, money-saving tool. It is designed to help you find coupons while on-the-go. No matter where, even if you’re already in the store, you can get a discount coupon and scan it right from your phone. You’ll never miss another good deal with this shopping power right in your pocket. You can use paperless in-store coupons, where the savings are applied right when the cashier scans your phone or puts the code in. You don’t need to print the coupon. Plus it is free.

CardStar

Cardstar will let you lighten your wallet by putting all of your plastic reward cards, loyalty cards, and membership cards “in” your phone. You will never miss a discount, reward or deal again. You can import your cards quickly and easily. Use you phone’s camera to input all of the national and regional retailers, association and even library cards. You can find thousands of deals including daily deals, special offers, sales, card-linked offers and more, all from your favorite stores and places to shop. You can save grocery coupons to your card with no clipping. Get all of the deals when you want them. You will be able to have the cashier scan your cards right from your phone. Your information will always stay private with a passcode lock. You never have to worry about losing your cards or them being used by an unauthorized person.

These apps will give you a head start on keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Every penny counts, and if you can find a way to save some money, then you need to get in on it. Most of these apps are either free or cost very little and pay for themselves in the end.

Guest post contributed by Hayley Spencer for EasyFinance.com. Hayley is a freelance writer and a successful real estate investor. Her articles appear on various investment blogs. Click here to visit their website.

Mighty Text

Want to receive text messages on your PC? How about using your PC to send text messages? Mighty Text makes it possible to sync your Android phone with your PC. This is great for people who are always busy on their computers and find it a huge hassle to switch from PC to phone just to be able to check messages and reply to people. You know what else is great about this app? It works on both PC and Mac! Oh, and did I mention that it’s free?

Download this app if you’re the type of person who can’t be bothered to switch devices during the day.

Swift Key

Swift Key has been around for a while but only a few people are taking advantage of its benefits. Swift Key will automatically detect how you type your messages by analyzing the way you type in the past. This app will determine how you respond to SMS, mail, Twitter, chat, etc. and then it automatically gives you suggestions on what you’re going to type next.

SkyMotion

Are you obsessed with the weather because you’re living in a place where Mother Nature is very finicky? One moment it’s sunny and next thing you know, it starts pouring! SkyMotion is the perfect solution for you. This app will tell you when it will start raining and when the rain will stop. This app is GPS-enabled. SkyMotion is the counterpart of iPhone’s Dark Sky. If you want minute-by-minute coverage of the weather, download this free app.

Google Sky Map

While we are talking about the sky, here is another app that makes you look up to the sky – Google Sky Map. Have you ever wondered what star or planet you are looking at? With Google Sky Map, you just point your phone to the sky and Google will tell you exactly what you are gazing at.  This is also a free app to make your star gazing nights better.

Field Trip

Now that we’re done with those useful apps, let’s explore some entertainment. Field Trip is exactly that. It turns your regular walks into field trips. When you get close to some interesting points in your area, Field Trip will send you a push notification with interesting details about it. If you are connected to a headset or Bluetooth, the app will read the information to you. With this app you can discover fun and interesting places and experiences. This is a free app so discover all you want!

uTorrent

If you’re a torrent addict, you have to get this free app. You can download as many torrents as you want. You can even subscribe to RSS feeds or play content. There is no speed or size limits when downloading stuff.

Rayman Jungle Run

Does anyone remember that fun game called Rayman? Rayman is back in your Android with stunning graphics, great sounds and multilevel gaming. This is a classic game available for only $2.99.

Download these apps to make your phone more fun and useful.

This article was brought to you by businesstelephonesystem.org, the telephone systems expert.

Times have certainly changed since Harry Houdini’s death in 1926, but it’s a safe bet that current technologies like computers and apps would have helped him improve his career even more. Magic and mystification are just as popular today as they were nearly 100 years ago.

Unlock Your Inner Houdini
Even though the thought of kids accidentally locking themselves out of the house is a huge concern for most parents, magic-loving children adore it when their parents help “release their inner Houdini” with these five fun apps:

Amazing Magic Match: Kids have been warned for decades to never play with matches, but this app is an exception to the rule. It gives them the ability to unlock the magician inside while wowing onlookers. Just pull a “match” from a digital matchbookin a puff of smoke. Abracadabra! It happens on your iPhone screen but looks just like the real thing.

iForce:A perfect conversation starter as well as a great way to impress the relatives, this app will have everyone asking “How did he do that?” Just open the app, ask someone a question, doodle what you think their answer will be on your iPhone display, and voila! iForce reads their mind and predicts the future. Houdini would be proud.

Magic Lesson: Available for both iPhone and iPad, Magic Lesson is just that—a video app that teaches magic tricks with added pictures and explanations. Get ready to grab the keys to your new social life, because you’ll be the center of attention when you show off your mad magic skills.

Magic – Eye: There’s no need to be a card shark or a mind reader when you have Magic – Eye because this impressive app does all the work for you. Ask a member of your audience to select the card of his or her choice on your iPhone and then “flip it over” so you can’t see which card was chosen. Gaze at your onlookers and calmly announce the card that was selected—just like magic! It’s a great icebreaker at kids’ parties yet also entertains adults.

Marty’s Magic Coin: This coin-in-phone magic trick is fun and simple to perform. Kids and adults can both do it with just a few minutes of practice. No need to pick the pocket of someone in your audience; just ask someone for a quarter. “Rub it” onto your iPhone screen, and alakazam! The coin is now “inside” your phone. Shake your iPhone and let the coin “fall back out.” Everyone will be shaking their heads in disbelief while you keep your secret locked up and tucked away inside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKGXeKdHytg

There you have it—five easy, entertaining apps to help your kids unlock their inner magician. Not only will they improve their hand-eye coordination and technology skills, they will interact with friends and family like never before, sharpen their social skills, and boost their self-esteem. Who would have ever thought apps could be a key to success?

Meg Jones enjoys her kids and writing about things that would interest them, including masters of escape from locks and prisons. She also writes about safety and security issues for a locksmith in Phoenix AZ.

LinkedIn

Facebook may be the place to do your marketing, but if it’s a job you are looking for then you are better off “marketing” your potential in LinkedIn. This career-oriented social networking site is still the website to use in order to share your resume and look up prospective employers and potential industry contacts. This application is currently available for Android, iOS, and Blackberry users.

Jobs by CareerBuilder

This is one of the most popular job search sites and now you can enjoy easier access to it through its mobile app, which is available for download for both iOS and Android users. Results for present vacancies featured on the site – or the application – can be filtered by company name, location, job type, and keyword among other things.

An alternative to this worth considering would be the official application of Craigslist, which offers job listings not only in the United States but all over the world as well.

In the Door

Think of this as a complementary app to your accounts in Facebook. In order to turn the social networking site into a career opportunity, use this app and it will go through information available on the site about friends in your network. It will then come up with results that will show you which friends of yours may act as your bridge to greener pastures in your field of expertise.

Resume

Think of this as your last resort for making a resume on the go. This aptly named application may not be able to create a beautiful and comprehensive resume for your needs, but it can cover the basics. More importantly, it can also save your resume in PDF and help you with its distribution afterwards.

Gigwalk

Finally, if a permanent job placement proves to be too elusive, you can always make do with a constant flow of temporary gigs at the meantime. This mobile app, which is available to Apple users, provides numerous listings for temporary gigs in all types of industries. Employers you’ve completed gigs for will be able to give you feedback, which can then make you appear more “appealing” to hire in the eyes of other companies.

Just remember in the end that time is of the absolute essence when applying for jobs online. You need high-speed and reliable Internet in order to immediately send email confirmations for job interviews as well as for uploading your resume or portfolio. Have a look on this page of mobile broadband information to learn more about options.

Author Bio:

Author is one of the most praised writers today on the subjects of e-commerce, self-help, and technology. Her works had been consistently featured in top websites and print media.

1. Toilet/Bathroom Finder – Could the name of this app be any more self-explanatory? Enter where you are and the app takes seconds to find the nearest toilet. We love how it breaks down what you’ll be going into too…we aren’t sure what mom wants to hit up a dive bar in order to use the restroom. You’ll find restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, coffee shops, laundry mats and more with the Toilet/Bathroom Finder app. The app has also implemented a tool where users can comment on the toilet they used via the app. This gives you the rundown on the toilet you can expect when you arrive at the address. Users also comment on whether or not the toilet is readily available for anyone to use or if it’s aimed at customers only.
2. Bathroom Scout Pro – This may be the Cadillac of bathroom apps because it shows you what to expect from the outside, giving you a clear idea of what you’re looking for in terms of landmarks and signage. This may seem like a random detail, but when you’re in another country or a new city, looking at a Google Streetview-esque image of the toilet outlet is very helpful. This app stores info for about 600,000 toilets around the globe, so if you’re a traveler, this is definitely the bathroom finder app for you.
3. Sit or Squat Restroom Finder – This app from Charmin by Procter & Gamble requires you to login via Facebook in order to use it. While it is great for finding a bathroom near you, it also has another function that the other bathroom finder apps on this list lack. It allows you to plot bathrooms and toilets for a trip. This means if you’re on the road, you can map out the places where there are toilets to pre-plan your pit stops. Parents who are road tripping it with a gaggle of kids know just how handy this can be, especially if you sort by restrooms equipped with a baby change station.  Most locations even indicate whether the mens room also has a diaper changing station installed. You can have a designated place every few exits, so if Junior needs to go and it has to happen now, you know where you’re headed. Your car upholstery will thank you.

These apps are great for people with medical conditions and pregnant women who need a toilet nearby at all times. New dads can add this to their phones too, so they’re always able to get mom to a nearby toilet, no matter where you are in the world. These bathroom finder apps are convenient and the ones that allow for reviews are helpful for those of us who are picky about where we want to relieve ourselves.

Elana Cameron is an Android enthusiast, active parent and a frequent contributer to the BabyCommerce blog at BabyStations.com

All fitness freaks and experts say that one of the first steps towards losing weight and being fit, is to keep a check on the calorie intake that a person has everyday. This is important to see how much one is eating, and what all he/she needs to control on. That will also help a person’s trainer to gauge the kind of diet that is best molded around the person’s preferred choice of food, without posing too many restrictions. Earlier, trainers used to suggest to that people should carry a small personal diary where they make a note of everything that they eat in a day. However, very often, people don’t know how to calculate the calories of each food item that they eat. This is where smartphone apps step in to make life easier for those who want to lose weight.

These apps let one keep a track of their calorie consumption, and also give many other additional features, making it easier for people to understand and possibly speed up their weight loss process. Some of these apps are as follows:

Lose It!

This app is available for iPhone, and is excellent for those who consume food items from a lot of American brands, and want to keep a check on their calorie consumption everyday. Though it’s not very good in terms of calculating the calories for all the cuisines of the world, and may not help in identifying the calorie count of home cooked food, the website of the app has a lot of other things to offer to users, along with social support.

MyFitnessPal

This app is quite easy to use, thanks to its convenient and simple interface. It not helps to calculate the calorie counts of a variety of dishes from all over the world, but also helps in knowing the calorie count of branded products. Moreover, the app has social support, to help people share their fitness goals and progress with others. MyFitnessPal is available for a lot of platforms, including Android, Blackberry, iPhone and Windows mobile.

The Eatery

This free app is a more social way of looking at food and eating habits. It helps users to click pictures of what they’re eating, and post it, where other users of the app decide whether the food item is ‘fit’ or ‘fat’. However, to make it completely effective in nature, it’s important that the user adds notes along with the picture, or else other people might not know whether that food item was taken as a whole meal or just as a snack, and what ingredients it consists of etc. If wrong pictures are put up, then people can hit the ‘X’ button saying that they don’t know what it is.

CountEat. Calories

This is a paid app for iPhone, developed with opinions from a registered dietician. It does not set absolutely specific targets, but gives workable ranges of calorie counts for people to aim at, when they are reducing weight. It also helps to calculate the calorie counts of full meals, rather than individual items.

Richard Hill offers mobile phone deals through his website. He is an avid blogger and has keen interest in writing about technology and gadgets.

Thanks to the advanced developments in technology, kids today are born in a generation where playing with tablet computers are the norm. Even toddlers, preschool and school age kids sometimes know more about computers than their parents. This is definitely a good thing because having such technology at your disposal makes it easier for you as a parent to let your kids have fun while learning at the same time.

Top 5 Educational iPad Apps that Kids can Have Fun With

One of the most popular tools that parents use these days to teach their kids about almost anything is the iPad. This tablet computer developed by Apple has more than 250,000 downloadable apps, which you can use to teach your kids about certain subjects. Whether it’s language, reading, math, science or any other subject, there should be an app that will make learning more fun for them.

To get you started, here are the top 5 fun yet educational iPad apps that you can download for your kids:

Barefoot World Atlas
Teaches kids about: Geography

What’s good about downloading any iPad app is that kids can use motions with their fingers to easily control what’s on the screen. Let’s take the Barefoot World Atlas as an example. Here, a smooth 3D globe is displayed which helps teach kids about the different countries around the world. Kids use their fingers to zoom into a country. As they zoom in, real photographs and interesting facts about the country are displayed, so they will get more interested about the culture and what else they can see in other parts of the world.

Color Drops Free
Teaches kids about: Colors & Art

A high-tech alternative to a coloring book is the Color Drops Free app for the iPad. It lets your kid draw and color more than 200 images which fall under different categories. The colors have animated effects to keep young children interested.

iWrite Words
Teaches kids about: Handwriting

If you cannot get your son or daughter to write clearly on paper just yet, use the iWrite Words app. This helps improve their handwriting by using patterns that create each letter of the alphabet. Relevant, eye-catching images are displayed every time the player draws letters correctly.

Little Fox Music Box
Teaches kids about: Music

Made with beautiful, attention-grabbing artwork, the Little Fox Music Box app helps kids appreciate music. The Little Fox character plays songs which your kids can sing along to.

Noodle Words
Teaches kids about: Reading

If you want your child to turn into an English or literary whiz, download the Noodle Words app. Here, words are dramatized by animated characters which kids will have a lot of fun watching. Once the display screen is tapped, a new word will be shown and the animated character will demonstrate what it means. Rather than focusing on reading, it helps kids understand what words actually mean. This app works well with other apps that teach kids how words are spelled or read in the first place.

Whether it’s geography, math, language, science or any other subject that you would like your child to master,

Matthew Young has written a number of articles on variety of topics. Refer the following link to read more topics: https://www.coloringpagesabc.com

Even with the madness that surrounds Black Friday, the time honored tradition of this big shopping event is one we Americans look forward to all year. When else can you buy a 42 inch TV for less than $300 or a fully loaded brand name laptop for less than $200. Deals like this send the everyday consumer into a shopping frenzy.

However the deal hunting begins way before Thursday, November 25th and starts online via various websites, blogs and now with the advent of mobile devices – mobile apps. Below we discuss several good options to look at and possibly download to your device of choice.

1. Fat Wallet –

We love Fat Wallet, because it has a forum as opposed to a static website and therefore it has interaction from members and visitors. Also it has a cash back section where when you buy using their links, you get a percentage of cash back on your purchases. With the app, you can do all of the above and more all while out and about during the big day or during the weeks leading up to the big day. This is a must have app for Black Friday.

Price: $ FREE

2. BF Ads –

This is the official app from the BFads.net website which is one of the most popular destinations for scouring black Friday discounts and deals. But unfortunately (in a glaring omission) the app is not cross compatible as far as we know with other mobile platforms, it is only available for the iPhone. This is the only pet peeve we have about this app. If you have Android, BB or windows – sadly, you’re out of luck.

Price: $ FREE

3. Better Christmas List –

This app is great especially if you have a large family and need to buy gifts for lots of family and friends. The Better Christmas List app allows you to enter in the name of all those who you’re going to buy gifts for and keep tabs on where you are on the shopping scale. Since it can be easy to forget someone if you have too many and or have lots of gifts to purchase, this app can literally be a lifesaver during the Holidays. As you’re done with each name, cross them off the list.

Price: $ .99

4. Deal News BFA App –

This Black Friday app which is available on iTunes, showcases a variety of hot deals from the Deal News website. You can save, bookmark and share each deal via social media including Twitter or Facebook. Plus you can also buy directly from the app via a corresponding deal. We are big fans of the Deal News website and Black Friday is an extra special treat as loads of good deals abound throughout. Download this app for the biggest discounts this season.

Price: $ FREE

There you have it. Four good Black Friday related apps you should look into this November to score hot deals and or keep track of gifts and more.

Did we miss your favorite app? What do you most look forward to during Black Friday? Tell us below in the feedback area.

Guest article comes from Missy Diaz who writes on behalf of an insurance website dedicated to life insurance quotes on the web.

It’s a lifestyle that’s pretty hard to beat. That’s why after a couple of monotonous years in “the real world” after college, I’m back in school for another degree. It sure beats eight hours a day in my old cubicle, but between studying, networking, exercising, partying, and extra- curricular activities, it can get pretty overwhelming. Thankfully, I’m armed with a smartphone with countless apps available to simplify my life this time around.

Here are the top 5 mobile apps that I couldn’t imagine surviving college without:

1) iStudiez Pro

Don’t let the application’s obnoxious name deter you from giving this 99 cent app a try. As the name suggests, it’s a scheduling program custom built for students. Keep track of your school schedule, exam dates, and never forget a homework assignment; it’s all here in one well-designed app. It’s loaded with other features like grade and GPA calculators and helpful push notifications. It effortlessly syncs with other devices.

There is also a free lite version, but 99 cents is less than a drop in the bucket when compared to things like the price of books. If you don’t want to take my word for it, read through the hundreds of Apple store reviews giving iStudiez Pro 4.5 stars.

2) Dropbox

“Do you have a Dropbox?”
“I’ll send my notes to your Dropbox.”

I hear about this file sharing and backup application every single day at school. Our school even created a Dropbox account for each library computer account. After my first time fiddling around with Dropbox, I knew why it was so ubiquitous. The cloud-based service works with Android, iOS, and Blackberry mobile devices. It also supports MACs, PCs, Linux, and Kindle Fire.

If Dropbox hasn’t caught on with your peers yet, convince them to sign up. The more people you get to sign up, the more free storage you’ll receive.

3) Mint

The hardest part of transitioning back to college has been the lack of a steady paycheck. It forced me to create annoyingly specific budgets and figure out where all my money is disappearing to (usually cute co-eds at the bar).

Since I chose not to study finance for a reason, I’m grateful that Mint.com has a powerful app. Check your balances among different accounts all in one place and let Mint show you how you are spending your funds. You’ll be marveling at how easily Mint can create colorful pie charts breaking down your spending into categories like groceries, gas, clothes, and entertainment.  And most importantly, it’s free!

4) Graphing Calculator

For you artsy, wordy, liberal art types out there, one hard truth about college is that you’ll have a hard time going four years without having to solve for X. Whether it is economics, statistics, or another math class, you will have to do some calculations and draw graphs. You can go old school and buy a big Texas Instrument graphing calculator, but now you can simply download a graphing calculator right on your mobile device.

In addition to saving yourself the hassle of loading up your backpack with yet another device, you’ll save yourself a lot of money. Instead of spending over $100 on a separate calculator, try the “Graphing Calculator” iOS app by Appcylon for only $1.99. You can graph multiple equations and then share screenshots via email.

5) Study Blue Flashcards

Flashcards are never sexy, but they are one of the most important tools in a student’s toolbox. With the StudyBlue Flashcards application, save yourself paper cuts and aching hands by going digital. Make your own flashcards or browse the millions of flashcards already available.

What is your favorite application to make academic life easier in college so you can spend more time on the important stuff, like partying?

About the Author: Porter is a tech geek. He loves staying up on all the new gadgets. When he isn’t looking into the new upcoming tech he is a writer and content specialist for CenturyLinkQuote.

Gardening can be difficult without the right knowledge. Traditionally, this challenge has meant heading to the bookstore to buy boxes upon boxes of gardening books that will likely end up at the back of your bookshelf once you’re done. However, the raging success of the iTunes App Store has meant that green thumb app developers have begun to share their wisdom with others through this new medium. Check out these three fantastic gardening apps that will help you make your garden look stunning.

1. Garden Plan Pro

While the price of this app comes in at $9.99, which is not cheap for the App Store, the cost is certainly worth it. This app is the ultimate for those gardeners who like to think ahead and make a detailed plan of their garden before getting started. The app is very flexible, and allows its users to construct a detailed plan of their future back garden no matter what its shape may be.

However, the app’s gardening advice functionality is its most impressive feature. Garden Plan Pro will use information about the weather in your area to help you decide the best time to harvest fruit and vegetables, and gives advice on crop rotation for those who are unsure. Note that this app is only available to iPad users, so unfortunately iPhone users will have to go without.

2. MyGardenApp

This app takes our world’s domination by social media to a whole new level by introducing the new concept of social gardening. MyGardenApp allows you to add the different types of plants growing in your garden to your profile, and see who else is growing the same types of plants as you. The app also allows you to communicate with others constructing a similar style of garden – this can be helpful to those seeking some inspiration as to what they should do next with their plots of land.

3. Landscaper’s Companion – Reference Guide to Plants

This app is a must-have for serious botanists. The Landscaper’s Companion is like an encyclopedia of plants accessible on your iPhone. The app contains information about the scientific and common names of a variety of plants, as well as information about how they should be planted. The app also allows its users to save notes on their favourite plants using its in-app notepad, although this is far from the app’s most impressive feature. Therefore, if you are confused about how much light you should expose your balsam firs to, this app is for you (it’s part shade to full sun, by the way!).

A garden is an important expression of one’s identity. Unlike a house, it is very flexible and generally low cost. However, the expression that one wants to be showing the world is not one of disrepair and disorganisation. To ensure that your garden turns out as one of the best on your street, download these apps from the iTunes App Store and get planning on your dream garden now!

Robin Milton is an avid nature photographer. According to him, the tree pruning and the related tree services must be implemented on a regular basis to keep a check on the uneven growth of different tree branches.

But is there something you can do to improve your mobile’s signal strength? Yes and here are some of the best signal boosting apps you could find in Google’s Play store.

• Network booster free

Network Booster Free is an app that helps in giving your mobiles the much needed signal boost. Although the graphics used in Network Booster Free are not as attractive as other apps, it compensates for it in the form of outstanding performance. This app renews the connection between your phone and the cell tower.

• Wi-Fi manager

As the name suggests, Wi-Fi manager boosts the signal of your Wi-Fi connection while locating the nearest Wi-Fi access point. It searches all the available networks and connects you to them. There are 2 widgets available with this app. You can switch from one network to the other more easily. There is a graphical channel provided with this app that helps you in locating Wi-Fi networks which are open.

• Fresh network booster

Fresh Network Booster is an application that has been designed to give you that extra boost of signal strength without draining your mobile’s battery. When your mobile gets better signal it also gives you better data speed. This app connects you to cellular towers similar to connecting you to a fresh network.

• Open signal maps

Have you tried walking around your home, climbing on to the roof or getting to an isolated area in search of better signal? With Open signal maps you don’t have to go in search of signal anymore. This app will show you exactly where you can get better signal. This map will show you very clearly the direction of the nearest cellular tower with the help of pointed arrow and a map. This way you know exactly where the nearest strong cellular signal is available.

• Network signal info

If you are worried about Wi-Fi network signal then Network Signal Info may be the right app for you. Although this app will not make the signal any stronger, but it will definitely help you determine the real strength of network signal and Wi-Fi signal. Network Signal Info gives you detailed information about the strength of your cell phone’s signal with the help of 14 signal bars instead of the usual 5 bars provided by your mobile. And what’s more, you don’t have to launch the app over and over again to gain information about network signal and Wi-Fi signal. There are 2 widgets that come with this app, one is to determine your mobile’s network signal strength and the other is for Wi-Fi connection.

With these apps that come to your mobile phone’s rescue, you needn’t think of hopping around your room trying to chase cellular signal anymore.

About the Author
This article has been brought to you by Mark Bennett of Onlinecomcast.com, a site that offers great savings and the latest information on affordable comcast cable and internet.

Whether you’re off to go on a cruise, a family vacation, or an escapade that you plan to do on your own, always remember to be prepared for your trip. You may be a backpacker who is ready for anything but to ensure that your trip will be safe and memorable at the same time, bring with you the top 6 and most necessary apps you will need when traveling.

GateGuru

If you want to be in the know when it comes to your airport and flight’s whereabouts, the first free app that you ought to download is none other than GateGuru. This app is perfect for your smart phone because it will make traveling so much easier for you. If you’re in search for restaurants and playgrounds for your kids, this is also the best app to use.

TripIt

If you are an organized traveler, then all you need to download to your smart phone is the TripIt app. Instead of bringing huge notebooks with you, you can access your itinerary, schedules and what not with just one click.

TaxiMagic

When traveling gets a little daunting and the only desire is to get to where you’re supposed to be, make it a point to download TaxiMagic because this will help you find taxi services at minimal costs. So never again will you have to line up too long in queues just to get that ride you need.

MetrO

Whether or not this is your first time to go to a state or country, make sure to download the MetrO app for your convenience. Here you will get the train schedules to different stops as well as their locations so you will know which station is nearest you.

Translator

When traveling to countries with languages you don’t speak, make it a point to download the Translator app to get the help that you deserve. This app will be so useful for you because it allows you to access translations for languages like French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, and a whole lot more.

TripAdvisor

If you want to stay connected with other people who are traveling around the world, this app is the best companion you can ever have. TripAdvisor will give you tons of information about hotel, vacation sites, tourist information and a whole lot more. So whether or not you’re staying in a country for a short period of time or for months, this app will definitely help you out.

Now that you know these different applications that you can download to your smart phone when traveling, don’t miss the chance to do so because this will help you out in a lot of ways. Since all of these apps can be downloaded for free, all you need is to download it once and you will already have it in your phone. So with just a single download, you can have a memorable, comfortable, and convenient trip like you’ve never really had before.

This post was contributed by Howmuchisit.org — A website with more than 2,000 cost helping guides.

People’s lives have drastically changed when smart phones and android tablets hit the market. Basically people are doing almost all their activities on their unit and these gadgets had been an integral part of their daily living.

The importance of smart phones and tablets has been very valuable and most people depend on these gadgets for a lot of things. Why not take advantage and maximize the capability of these devices and take it into a new level and use it as a valuable tool to achieve health and fitness.

There are so many apps for phones and other gadgets that are truly helpful in supporting the healthy living lifestyle. Apps that offer some exercises that you can do, monitor how’d you eat and can set up regular physical regimen, and a lot of other helpful stuff for fitness is available today, some you have to pay while some apps are accessible for free.

When choosing the apps for your fitness, you have to know your limitation in terms of your endurance level and what apps are applicable to your lifestyle. Assess your abilities and willingness to follow and dedicate time as well as effort into what app you choose. Be realistic in setting goals, this will keep you motivated and avoid failure.

Knowledge is Power: Fooducate Nutrition Scanner App (Android, iPhone)

This great app is one sure way to give you a good start in living a healthier lifestyle. Scanning your food stuff for its nutritional value isn’t enough this app does more than just. It can provide you the details beyond nutrition facts such as if the vitamins are naturally derived or if the sodium level too high. The Fooducate Nutrition Scanner will give you related alternatives and lets you make a healthier choice.

Track Your Running Progress with MapMyRun App (Android)

This App will track your distance, pace, speed, caloric burn and route in real time via the GPS system. A route search feature lets you search for nearby locations to run. The routes are categorized by length, elevation graphs, type and leaderboards. Track your complete running progress and make your best time. This app has links to most popular social networking sites.

Know Your Body Through Tap & Track App (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

The Tap & Track app is smart enough to make a comprehensive assessment on what types of food you can eat through your BMI, height, weight, body type and level of day to day activity. You will have to enter what food you are eating and your exercises and this app will graph your progress.

Personalized Training Program via GAIN Fitness App (iPhone)

This app will provide you- your very own personalized training workout. You get to choose what type of exercise regimen you want whether for weight loss, muscular improvement or for balanced health. This will be based and matched on the available equipment you have, the time you wishes to devote and your fitness level. Trainers will give guidance throughout your workout with their own voice with every reps, sets and rest period. This app will give you total support through each workout session just like having a personal trainer with you.

About the Author: Michelle is a writer for Natural Ketosis, a leading ketogenic diet specialist based in the UK.

There is another way to keep warm and it allows you to spend some money at the same time. Have you checked out the cool gadgets that allow you to stay warm no matter how cold it is outside? They’re pretty nice and would definitely look good in the office. Nobody’s going to make you stay cold if you don’t let them. Here’s some of the gadgets you might want to take a closer look at.

USB Heating Blanket

Who needs extra layers of sweaters when you can just drape a heating blanket over you? And it works by simply plugging into your computers USB port. You really can’t get any easier than that. It’s also easy to take off when you’re getting too warm. Just unplug it and hang it on your chair so you have easy access to it if you get cold again. It’s easy enough to wash once it gets too dirty, but just make sure you take out the heating pad first.

Cozy Foot Warmer Floormat

When you’re wearing dress shoes it’s not like you can put on some huge fluffy socks. Not unless you decide to buy shoes that are a few sizes too big for you. And we all know that cold feet isn’t nice, in fact it’s horrible. Now you only need to plug the Cozy Foot Warmer Floormat into your power socket and lie it at your feet. It will then keep your toes nice and toasty all day.

Thanko USB Warmer Cushion

I have no idea if you’ll have any USB ports left, but if you do then you can step it up a notch with this cool little cushion that has a heat mat inside. You might also prefer this one if you don’t want to drape the blanket over you. Just be careful when you’re moving around in your chair in case to rip it out of the computer. Your USB port won’t thank you and neither will your boss.

USB Warmer Mouse

We can be cold in a lot of places, but when your hands are too cold it’s almost impossible to do any work. Just be thankful you don’t work on a building site. When you work in an office you still actually need to get to work and if you walk there’s still a chance your hands will be freezing when you get in. Use this lovely heated mouse and your hands will heat right up.

Warmmi USB Heating Mouse Pad

I suppose if you’re going to use a heated mouse you might as well go the whole distance and use a heated mouse pad at the same time. This pad also comes with extra USB ports so you have plenty of room to plug in your heating gadgets. When you start to get too hot, which you will if you use all of them, you might want to start turning one off at a time.

The article is written by James Corris who is a tech blogger and owns a tech blogs through which he shares tech tips and tricks. He suggests Lowes, an online mens wear company to get best deal on corporate and work wear.

I.D. Wood

Deciding what kind of wood to use for various aspects of the house can be a difficult task. Not all kinds of wood will offer the characteristics that you need for a particular kind of function. This $2.99 app ensures that you never have difficulty choosing wood by providing you with all the information you need about wood at your fingertips. It has a list of over 50 kinds of wood, and also has their pictures, characteristics and main uses. Using it, you will never use the wrong kind of wood during the process of building or renovating the house.

Roofing Calculator

Roofing is one of the major costs that have to be incurred during any construction or renovation project. To ensure that you do not end up losing too much money, you may need to know in advance how much the roofing is going to cost you, and also how much roofing material you need so that you do not end up buying more than you need. This app provides all this information at the touch of a button, enabling you to keep your roofing costs low. This feature is useful for both professional builders and homeowners who are looking to construct houses or renovate them.

iHandy Carpenter

If you are going to do any carpentry during the building process, you will definitely find this application to be very useful. It contains many carpentry-related tools such as a surface level, an inclinometer and even a protractor among many other things. Using this app will definitely reduce the weight of your bag of tools, since you will need to travel with much less.

gUnit

As a builder, you will definitely need to work with numbers a lot. Many times, you will need to do conversions from one unit to another, something that can be difficult for even the most seasoned contractors. With this tool, you will have an easy way of accurately doing such conversions, ensuring that you do the job just right.

GE MoodCam

Lighting a room properly takes more than just putting bulbs in different places randomly. To get the best effect, you would need to strategically place them. This application allows you to take a picture of the room in question, and you can then use the inbuilt tools to find out which lighting options will suit it best.

Andrew Steve has written a number of articles on home improvement. He suggests some great gardening tips and provides valuable guidelines on Display Builders.
Photo credit:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
For photo link click here.

From housewives to executives, more and more people are planting their own fruits, veggies, and flowers. Not only is it a soothing hobby, gardening can help you save money in the kitchen and help you avoid ingesting harsh commercial pesticides. A garden can also add beauty to your backyard.

Are you ready to work on your green thumb yet not quite sure where to begin? No problem, just break out that beloved smart phone or sit down with your iPad. These four free apps can help you design and maintain the perfect garden:

1. Organic Gardening Planting Planner

A free app for iPhone and iPad, the Organic Gardening Planting Planner helps take the guesswork out of planting a garden. Select what you want to grow, and the app helps you figure out when to start growing your seeds indoors and when to plant inside based on average frost dates for your phone’s GPS location. Planting Planner also provides weather information, sunrise and sunset times, and even moon phases for biodynamic gardeners.

2. Royal Horticultural Society’s Grow Your Own

Grow Your Own is a free iPhone and iPad app from the Royal Horticultural Society, one of the world’s leading horticultural organizations and the leading gardening charity in the United Kingdom. Grow Your Own is designed to assist users in choosing which fruits and vegetables to grow in their gardens depending on how much space or time they have available. The free version of this popular garden design app covers 20 of the most popular varieties of fruits and veggies and additional content can be purchased if you desire. Grow Your Own is perfect for less-experienced gardeners or people who would like a confidence boost when designing and planting their garden.

3. Leaf Snap

A unique app for all of the gardeners and plant lovers out there, Leaf Snap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app is available for iPhone and iPad. It uses visual recognition software to help users identify tree species from photographs of their leaves. See a tree that you would love to plant in your own garden? Simply snap a picture and let Leaf Snap identify the species for you. The app also contains user-submitted photos of flowers, fruits and seeds.

4. Rain Harvest

Once your garden is planted, it will obviously need watered. Do you know how much rain falls on your roof during a rainstorm? Rain Harvest is a free iPhone and iPad app that helps you calculate how much water can be collected from your roof or other surface during a storm. Use it to determine the best spots outside your home to collect rainwater than you can put to good use you water your garden.

These free apps can come in handy for all gardeners, from novices to experts. Put them to use and help transform your basic backyard into a garden sanctuary where you love to spend time.

Meg Jones is a technology geek.  She works with a Toronto landscaping company, providing information to home owners and gardeners on the side.  Stop by https://www.landscapingtoronto.ca/Rock-garden  to see some of the fabulous work they do.

One of the newest and most exciting new technologies available for your pets to enjoy comes in the form of applications. The great news is, many of them are completely free and they can entertain your pet for long periods of time; not only getting you a good laugh but allowing you and your pet to bond on a whole new level. Today we are going to focus a bit on how your cat can enjoy your device, but some of the apps we discuss can pertain to other animals as well.

Protect Your Device Before You Let Your Pet Play

While having your pets play games on your cell phone or tablet is exciting, it can also be very damaging. Make sure you have a protective case on your device and that the cover is completely protected. This way, if you pet gets a bit rough with your device; they won’t end up damaging it. As with anything else, you always want to put safety first. On top of that, you may want to also make sure you have proper insurance on your phone or tablet just as a backup plan because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Great Applications that Your Cat Can Enjoy Alone

For those of you who have cats, you have probably heard of a few apps. There are many to choose from but some of our favorites overall include Game for Cats, Catch the Mouse, Enjoy with Cat, Cat Piano Jr. and Paint for Cats.

Game for Cats

This application is really neat, especially if your cat is a fan of laser pointers. When you cat hits the laser, there is a rewarding sound. There are a ton of videos of this application available on the internet, which once you see are going to make you fall in love instantly. It’s really adorable to watch.

Catch the Mouse

Catch the mouse is not only an application that allows your cat to chase mice around the screen but also a wide variety of other animals that include rats, spiders and even frogs. There are also ping pong balls brought into the mix.

Enjoy with Cat

Enjoy with Cat is an application that is like the others mentioned above, but with a bit of a twist. You see, this application actually allows you to control the object your cat is chasing; allowing you to have some quality bonding time together.

Cat Piano Jr.

This is a really fun one that allows you to play a piano with your cat, but instead of it sounding like music, the keys sound like meows in various tones. This one is bound to get you to laugh.

Paint for Cats

As you can probably imagine, this one is a really neat one. Not only does your cat chase items on the screen but each time your cat hits his or her paw on your device, it leaves a colorful mark. You actually have the option at the end of the session to save the painting or even share it on Facebook so all of your friends can see what a great artist you animal is.

Apps That Help You Care For Your Pets

Dog Park Finder by DogParkUSA.com

This application is a fantastic and simple way to find the closest dog parks to your current location. You can even type in your zip code to find your options. Not only can it help you find the parks near you but it also allows you to chat with other people who have the app who live near you so you can meet up and have playtime.

“Cesar Says” Dog Whisperer

This application is a great way to have the most important training tips with you while you’re on the go so you can study up and train your dog with no need to worry about the hassle of bringing any material with you. Tapping or shaking your phone is going to cause different training sounds to occur, which are going to help you to get your dog to sit, stop and so much more.

PetMD Finder

This application is absolutely fantastic. If you are ever in a situation where an emergency occurs, you’ll never be unsure of what you need to do. You can find local Daycares, Sitters, Walkers and even Emergency Clinics. This is an app that is going to make your life a lot easier and your trips outside the house much smoother.

The article is contributed by Dylan Domville, a technophile and pet lover. He suggests visiting the Adorable-pets website to check out the latest online pet accessories.

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Emoji! by Awesomest Inc. If you are looking for a vast array of original emoticons, then look no farther than Emoji. This is arguably the best-known and most widely used emoticon app there is for the iPhone. From this simple (and free!) app interface, you can choose from a seemingly endless number of icons (nearly 500, to be specific) – from bicycles to monkeys – and insert them into your texts, notes, emails, and other message formats.

Emoticons by Trilliarden. This is a very basic iPhone app that includes a set of cute, round-faced emoticons that you simply click on to add to your text message and/or emails. The thing people seem to like the most about this app is that it is very simple and easy to use, as the interface sits right in your messaging application. However, the drawback to using Emoticons is that you don’t have a lot to choose from when it comes to actual emoticons, and the emoticons themselves aren’t really anything special.

CLIPish. This app provides you with access to a complete library of images – including clip art, videos, and animations – and offers a wide variety of unique and fun emoticons. The CLIPish app comes with an interface that is super easy to use, enabling you to insert emoticons (and whatever other images you may choose) into a number of applications, from notes to texts.

As you can see, you have several options when it comes to adding visual (and emotional) interest to your emails and text. Emoticons are a great way to kick your electronic communications up a notch, and these apps are a great way to step into the world of emoticons. Send messages that are truly unique, and that speak for how you are really feeling, by downloading one (or all!) of these awesome apps today!

About the Author: Bibi Drappo loves using creative abbreviations and emoticons in her personal texts and emails. She enjoys using My Emoticons to find new designs and hopes to someday create some of her own!
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Foursquare is a quick and easy app that has become very popular over the past couple years. Once you download the app and sign up, you can connect with your friends who also use the app. Foursquare uses information about places you frequent, places your friends check in and the venues that other people who eat and shop like you to offer you recommendations for places to go. Foursquare even takes into account the time of day to make the smartest recommendations. You can also search for specific locations, such as a pub or Indian restaurant.

Yelp is another excellent app to use when you are at a loss for what to do on any given evening. Yelp has a huge directory of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and more, and thousands of users, called Yelpers, offer their reviews and ratings to help you choose the best place to go. You can search for things like restaurant or bar, or you can enter specialized searches for vegetarian or Kosher options. You can even do advanced seraches to only show locations that are open during the time that you are searching, that meet your budget requirements and that have full bars.

An up-and-coming app, Wendr, is the perfect way to make plans with your friends quickly, rather than wasting precious time by sending individual text messages back and forth. When you use Wendr, you start by setting your status, which may mean that you are going out, staying in or that you are open to suggestions. You can share your status with your friends, and then you can specify what you want to do and ask if anyone wants to join you. You can also browse through your friends to see their plans for the night. You may find that a group of your friends are going to a concert or that one friend wants to go out dancing. You can also group your friends in categories, such as co-workers, family members or best friends so that you can hide your plans from certain groups or easily send out messages to all of your work buddies. One of the best things about Wendr is that it is free.

This article was contributed by ezCater.com, the online leader in Cary catering.
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The Many Powerful Features within Toodledo App

• Organizing your life’s most important tasks has never been more thorough than it is with Toodledo backing your every move. Using everything from folders to tagging, you can customize your tasks and even group them together. This allows for a more organized to-do list, which will certainly help in the planning of such tasks.
• Since this is a mobile application users are able to download it to use on everything from iPhones and Androids to Blackberries and other similar OS based devices. Portability is a major bonus with this app because it is compatible for various OS systems including various devices.
• Sharing your projects and tasks has never been easier than it is with the Toodledo to-do app mostly due to the simplicity of the app’s design but also because of the sharing features included.
• The hotlist feature is also unique when compared to other to-do apps. This handy ability allows priorities to take over so that your most important events are displayed to you first.
• Another bonus for this app is that you can import any tasks you may have that exist on other task managing programs. Having such compatibility for importing existing tasks from other to-do list programs will help you to keep your calendars and to-do apps in sync with each other no matter what.
• Toodledo is known for being powerful but mainly due to its productivity increasing features such as customizing alarm scheduling. Also, being able to sort out your to-do list and all the details within it online will make everything that much easier.

Toodledo is a great to-do list application that many users stick to using for their daily lives. According to the many user comments and positive reviews this app is definitely one that any person could take advantage of no matter whether their life is busy or typical.