23 Mobile Things #23 - Evaluate 23 Mobile Things

Well once again the team who researches and puts together the "Things" experience has outdone themselves. We all know that time is something so many of us have so little of in our busy lives. To take time to learn about all the "23 Mobile Things" would never have happened for me and I am sure for all the other participants in the challenge. I learned so many new features on my ipad and iphone I did not know about and probably still wouldn't if I had not taken this 23 Mobile Things self-paced learning program.

One of my best take-a-ways would be the ability to access the ELM databases by putting a link on my ipad. I also learned about the new Follett Enlight app before I got the email from Follett with the information about the new app!!! The Wi-Fi Finder app was an awesome find as well as learning information about the Spotlight Search option on my iphone as well as the new panoramic option on my iphone camera after the iOS7 update!!!

If you offered another 23 Things in the future, I would definitely participate!!! How would I describe my learning experience in one sentence? Well in view of the upcoming olympics, I would say you have won the "Gold" on this 23 Mobile Things program. Thanks to everyone who made it available!

23 Mobile Things #22 - Discovering Apps

Google Search has worked for me when searching for apps but I downloaded and used two of the apps suggested in Thing 22.

Quixey has a novel way to shake up how we find mobile apps: let people type in their requests using normal language, and the company will dig up the appropriate program. Quixey has slowly built up its credibility silently powering other app search engines, most notably Sprint's own app store and Ask.com. So far, Quixey has garnered positive reviews on Google Play. The app, which is available for free, doesn't generate any revenue for now. But Quixey will eventually begin introducing sponsored app suggestions.

Getting started: Go to the Quixey website (or for Android devices, download the app and open it). If you use the website, at the top of the page, select the type of device you have. In the search bar, search for the type of app you’re looking for and click the search button. On the results page, click on the button that lists the cost of the item to go to the store and download it (or, on the website, you can also choose to send yourself a text message about it).

I downloaded the Apps Gone Free app and did find one app that was free today and downloaded it. (The Heart Rate app is the app I chose.) Apps Gone Free is a great way to discover apps from the App Store that have gone free for the day. To get the word out, apps will occasionally go on sale for a day or a week and this app lets you know about them. You’ll find five to ten apps of all different kinds highlighted per day.

I will probably still us Google Search when searching for apps or just go to the app store and see what is listed there. Apps Gone Free will be fun to use, however, and hopefully there will be some good apps available for free!!!

23 Mobile Things #21 - Free-for-all

I have already mentioned that I use iBooks for downloading books to read. There are some really good free books and I am sure this app compares to the Nook app or the Kindle app for downloading and reading books. But since I do not have a Nook or Kindle I use the iBooks app on my ipad and phone.

Here are some directions and information about the iBooks app: iBooks is an amazing way to download and read books. iBooks includes the iBooks Store, where you can download the latest bestselling books or your favorite classics – day or night. Browse your library on a beautiful bookshelf, tap a book to open it, flip through pages with a swipe or a tap, and bookmark or add notes to your favorite passages. Download books • Download best-sellers and classic books from the iBooks Store • Find fully illustrated books, including children's picture books, designed art books, photo books, cook books, and more in the iBooks Store • Experience gorgeous fullscreen Multi-Touch books filled with interactive features, diagrams, photos, videos, and more • Read a free sample of any book on the iBooks Store before making it a part of your permanent collection Great ways to read • Choose from seven beautiful fonts and three easy-to-read page colors • Highlight your favorite passages and add notes with the built-in bookmarking features • Share quotes or thoughts about your favorite book with friends on Facebook, Twitter, Messages, or Mail • Find a word, character, or phrase anywhere in your book with the built-in search feature • Easily adjust your screen brightness to find the perfect lighting for any environment • Scroll through your books with the flick of a finger using the scroll view • Use iBooks with the amazing accessibility features in iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch—such as speaking the words on a given page.

Another app that was not mentioned is one of my most favorite!!! Some can use the Skype app or the Facetime app for placing calls and seeing the people you love on the screen as you talk to them. With FaceTime you can make video — or audio‑only — calls over Wi‑Fi or cellular to an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac. Use the FaceTime camera in front for chatting. 2 Then switch to the iSight camera on the back to share the view from your end. It is not as great as actually being there but it still a great way to share events such as opening Christmas gifts or sharing in birthday wishes or simply missing grandchildren. Tango is a new one that my daughter from Florida shared with me. Tango is the only face to face calling app she can use with her phone so luckily it is downloadable on my iphone also.

23 Mobile Things #20 - Games

The Games Thing was an easy one for me. I know there are many good game apps and I have several of the ones listed. However, I do not play games but my grandchildren do. That is pretty much the only reason I have them on my ipad. I refuse to put them on my iphone though. I do have the Word Search app downloaded and do play that one but not very often. I just don't have time to play the games and just don't really enjoy them when I have tried. I am aware of the reports that some games are good for the brain and I have no doubt some do serve that purpose. Maybe someday when I have more time........

23 Mobile Things #19 - Hobbies

Since I am a sports fan I chose ESPN ScoreCenter and also found Watch ESPN!! Both apps look user friendly and since I am counting down the days until baseball starts, these two apps will become a couple of my favorites! This is an app that will probably be used more in my personal than professional life. I looked at Spotify but decided not to download that app. I already have the Pandora app on my ipad and iphone and also have several of my favorite songs downloaded on ITunes. I can access those on both my ipad and iphone also. These work for me so decided not to add an additional music app. The MyGarden app is one I also downloaded and since I love to garden and so does my husband, this will be a useful app when spring finally arrives!!!

23 Mobile Things #18 - Education

I chose the Google Earth app for Thing #18 to download and explore. Totally awesome!! Wow it is like driving up to someone's home!!! Explored my daughter and husband's address in Florida! So cool!

I already had a Map app on both my ipad and iphone and it is also amazing!! It is great to have a GPS app especially when driving in Florida when we visit our daughter there. I also downloaded and explored the Little Learners Play and Learn app. Several good features and I am sure my grandchildren will enjoy this one also!!! Description: Read and play along with Little Learners! Loved by kids and parents alike, Little Learners Play and Learn is an engaging, research supported app designed to help babies and toddlers learn early development skills. Perfect for keeping little ones entertained on-the-go; this app is also perfect for use in conjunction with Little Learners books. Free features include: •Let's Eat: Touch the screen to find out each animal's preferred foods! Ideal for hand-eye coordination and helping children learn first words •Let's Play: Bang the drum, wind the jack in the box, and more in this easy tap-to-play game Course there are in-app purchases to buy more features.

Thoroughly impressed with all the educational apps that were selected for this Thing! Great Job!

23 Mobile Things #17 - Connecting to Community

Did not know there was an app for Minnesota 511 until now! I will be using it for sure especially with the winter we have been experiencing here in Minnesota!!!

I was disappointed I could not find Explore Minnesota, Minnesota State Fair or Minneapolis by Open Spaces on my apps search in App Store.