my favorite apps
About 2 months ago, I got my first EVER iphone! I'm definitely one of "those" people who loves technology - and especially I love Apple products. Don't get me wrong, I definitely know my way around a PC and think they are incredible in their own way. I actually didn't encounter a Mac until my brother went off to college and bought one. I thought it was cool, but very different than our family PC that we'd grown up with all my life. Then, my sophomore year in college I got a Mac because it was recommended for my degree. And that's when I fell in love. With the simplicity, the ease of use, the intelligence, the programs, and the reliability.
So the fact that I'm just now getting an iphone is a pretty big deal for me. I've had different android phones for the past 4-5 years. And, although I've enjoyed even having a smart phone, the selection of apps was somewhat disappointing. My friends would continuously be telling me about apps that I should try out and I'd go to the "Market" (as it's called on android) and I wouldn't be able to find it. I'm sorry for those of you who are in the same position. I completely understand how frustrating it can be. So here I am, new to the iphone. And able to finally experience all of the incredible apps out there. Here are a few of my favorites I've discovered.
Evernote Hello // This app is all about remembering everything about everyone you meet. I love this app because when Savannah and I go to conferences, we receive a ton of business cards. And it's hard to keep track of all those business cards. But, with Evernote Hello, you can snap a picture of their business card and see everyone you've met, remember where you met them, and even connect with them through LinkedIn and Facebook.
Dropbox // My preferred sharing and file-storage system, Dropbox works on all your devices to effortlessly sync all your photos, documents, and videos. You get a free 2GB when you sign up and can share file links to your biggest files with others.
Paperless // Paperless is a simple list-making app with fun icons for your lists. You can also create notes and outlines! I love the clean interface and the simplicity. There are no due dates or priority settings, so you can just focus on getting things done. You can reorder your list easily and email your list to yourself or others.
Calendars+ // Although I love Apple products, I'm not in love with iCal. I actually hate it. So, when I found Calendars+, I was relieved! Calendars+ syncs with your Google Calendar in a beautiful, easy to read and use way.
BeautifulMess // I'm sure most of you are familiar with Emma & Elsie's recently-launched app - BeautifulMess - a photo app that allows you to add filters, fun fonts, and hand-drawn doodles to your photos. I, like many others, love this app because there is really nothing like it out there. It's such a fun way to add a unique touch to your photos!
Magic Hour // If you're a photographer or you take photos all the time, this app is great. If you haven't heard about what "magic hour" is, it's the time of day that is best for taking photos. Usually it's right after sunrise and right before sunset. The reason is because, at these times, the harsh shadows from the sun are gone as the light is diffused through the Earth's atmosphere. The light is gorgeous and your photos are automatically 100 times better. This app lets you know exactly what time magic hour will occur in your location and gives you a countdown once you enter magic hour to how long you have to shoot.
8mm Vintage Camera // This is my favorite app to make short videos with. The app comes with 7 different lenses, all with different retro effects. You can apply effects to existing videos, swap lenses and films at any time, transfer movies quickly to your computer via iTunes File Sharing, airplay on your TV, tap to focus, and more!
Scoutmob // Ever since finding Scoutmob, I've been in love. The app allows you to take advantage of FREE discounts to local restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops on the spot. You can also discover upcoming events and things to do in your city. Or, you can read interesting locally-focused stories and articles, a calendar of events, and local highlights.
City Guides by National Geographic // I just recently discovered this app and have LOVED it so far. This app is like your own personal tour guide. You get local tips, like when to go, live weather, real-time currency exchange rates, and measurement conversion tables. Also are 50 short and shareable "did you know?" facts per city, a "favorites" section where you can save items you want to remember, and a selection of beautiful and iconic photographs. If you upgrade, you also get a list of best places to walk in each city, the ultimate to-do list of things to see and experiences to have, city-specific tips on taking the best pictures, and custom shareable itineraries. I can't wait to use it when Savannah and I go to New York City for ALT Summit and Austin for Texas Style Council.
Big Bad Sudoku Book // I love sudoku. And the Big Bad Sudoku Book is the best app I've experienced so far. All the puzzles are guaranteed to have a single solution and be solvable without guessing.
Wallpapers by GelaSkins // Want some new backgrounds for your phone? This app has an amazing selection of backgrounds by artists and photographers. I enjoy just looking through them! You can browse by artist or by image.
Angry Birds Star Wars Edition // This app is just Angry Birds with the crazy addition of Star Wars awesomeness theme. Hilarious!
Map My Run // I love this app for working out! Not only does it give you options of potential routes based on where you are and how long you want to run, but it also tracks your pace, distance, gives you route navigation, counts burned calories, voice prompting that gives you updates on your progress, real-time stats during workout, and can sync with heart rate, speed, cadence, and powers sensors. It even has nutrition, food, diet, and weight tracking! You can listen to music, take calls, and use other features on your phone while still tracking. And, if you really want, you can brag about your workout on Facebook and Twitter.
CineMama // Now, Drew and I are not pregnant or even trying to have a baby right now, but this is one of those apps that I found and saved for "one day." CineMama helps you track your pregnancy progress and belly growth. You can take photos of your growing belly, turn those photos into a movie, get weekly tips, write down thoughts for each week of your pregnancy, and view and share everything on your very own webpage.
So what are some of your favorites apps?
So the fact that I'm just now getting an iphone is a pretty big deal for me. I've had different android phones for the past 4-5 years. And, although I've enjoyed even having a smart phone, the selection of apps was somewhat disappointing. My friends would continuously be telling me about apps that I should try out and I'd go to the "Market" (as it's called on android) and I wouldn't be able to find it. I'm sorry for those of you who are in the same position. I completely understand how frustrating it can be. So here I am, new to the iphone. And able to finally experience all of the incredible apps out there. Here are a few of my favorites I've discovered.
BUSINESS
Evernote // Evernote is an organizational app that helps you to stay organized, save your ideas, and increase your productivity. I love the all-in-one aspect of this app. It allows you to take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders, and make these notes searchable. You can sync your notes across all your devices, search for text inside images, and email your notes. I love how well it captures thoughts and ideas!Evernote Hello // This app is all about remembering everything about everyone you meet. I love this app because when Savannah and I go to conferences, we receive a ton of business cards. And it's hard to keep track of all those business cards. But, with Evernote Hello, you can snap a picture of their business card and see everyone you've met, remember where you met them, and even connect with them through LinkedIn and Facebook.
Dropbox // My preferred sharing and file-storage system, Dropbox works on all your devices to effortlessly sync all your photos, documents, and videos. You get a free 2GB when you sign up and can share file links to your biggest files with others.
Paperless // Paperless is a simple list-making app with fun icons for your lists. You can also create notes and outlines! I love the clean interface and the simplicity. There are no due dates or priority settings, so you can just focus on getting things done. You can reorder your list easily and email your list to yourself or others.
Calendars+ // Although I love Apple products, I'm not in love with iCal. I actually hate it. So, when I found Calendars+, I was relieved! Calendars+ syncs with your Google Calendar in a beautiful, easy to read and use way.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Afterlight // Afterlight is my go-to photo editing app. Although the iphone takes amazing photos, I still love editing them to make them look even more stunning. Afterlight has such a great selection of editing capabilities similar to Photoshop and some great looking filters, textures, frames, and adjustments.BeautifulMess // I'm sure most of you are familiar with Emma & Elsie's recently-launched app - BeautifulMess - a photo app that allows you to add filters, fun fonts, and hand-drawn doodles to your photos. I, like many others, love this app because there is really nothing like it out there. It's such a fun way to add a unique touch to your photos!
Magic Hour // If you're a photographer or you take photos all the time, this app is great. If you haven't heard about what "magic hour" is, it's the time of day that is best for taking photos. Usually it's right after sunrise and right before sunset. The reason is because, at these times, the harsh shadows from the sun are gone as the light is diffused through the Earth's atmosphere. The light is gorgeous and your photos are automatically 100 times better. This app lets you know exactly what time magic hour will occur in your location and gives you a countdown once you enter magic hour to how long you have to shoot.
8mm Vintage Camera // This is my favorite app to make short videos with. The app comes with 7 different lenses, all with different retro effects. You can apply effects to existing videos, swap lenses and films at any time, transfer movies quickly to your computer via iTunes File Sharing, airplay on your TV, tap to focus, and more!
LOCAL
Ness // Ness is my favorite restaurant recommender. It instantly recommends restaurants based on what you like, what you're in the mood for, and where you are. It also learns your tastes as you rate, save, and dismiss restaurants, then finds new places you'll love. I love the beautiful interface and the reviews and ratings from other Ness users.Scoutmob // Ever since finding Scoutmob, I've been in love. The app allows you to take advantage of FREE discounts to local restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops on the spot. You can also discover upcoming events and things to do in your city. Or, you can read interesting locally-focused stories and articles, a calendar of events, and local highlights.
City Guides by National Geographic // I just recently discovered this app and have LOVED it so far. This app is like your own personal tour guide. You get local tips, like when to go, live weather, real-time currency exchange rates, and measurement conversion tables. Also are 50 short and shareable "did you know?" facts per city, a "favorites" section where you can save items you want to remember, and a selection of beautiful and iconic photographs. If you upgrade, you also get a list of best places to walk in each city, the ultimate to-do list of things to see and experiences to have, city-specific tips on taking the best pictures, and custom shareable itineraries. I can't wait to use it when Savannah and I go to New York City for ALT Summit and Austin for Texas Style Council.
FOR FUN
Starbucks // You all know I love coffee. So, I definitely have a Starbucks Gold Card and love that I can keep track of my month's allowance on it on my phone, track my balance, reload my card, or even send a friend a gift! I can also see how many rewards I've earned (1 free drink/food item after every 12 purchases) and one of my favorite things is that they send me a free song or app download every week straight to my phone! I've loved every one so far.Big Bad Sudoku Book // I love sudoku. And the Big Bad Sudoku Book is the best app I've experienced so far. All the puzzles are guaranteed to have a single solution and be solvable without guessing.
Wallpapers by GelaSkins // Want some new backgrounds for your phone? This app has an amazing selection of backgrounds by artists and photographers. I enjoy just looking through them! You can browse by artist or by image.
Angry Birds Star Wars Edition // This app is just Angry Birds with the crazy addition of Star Wars awesomeness theme. Hilarious!
HEALTH
Kindara // For those women who want to naturally chart their fertility, are trying to get pregnant, trying to avoid pregnancy, or who are just interested in knowing more about their reproductive health, this app is incredible. My favorite part is how it overlays moods and temperature with other symptoms all in one easy to read chart. It has a beautiful display and even comes with email support from trained fertility counselors. You can get your chart reviewed and email your chart as a full-page PDF.Map My Run // I love this app for working out! Not only does it give you options of potential routes based on where you are and how long you want to run, but it also tracks your pace, distance, gives you route navigation, counts burned calories, voice prompting that gives you updates on your progress, real-time stats during workout, and can sync with heart rate, speed, cadence, and powers sensors. It even has nutrition, food, diet, and weight tracking! You can listen to music, take calls, and use other features on your phone while still tracking. And, if you really want, you can brag about your workout on Facebook and Twitter.
CineMama // Now, Drew and I are not pregnant or even trying to have a baby right now, but this is one of those apps that I found and saved for "one day." CineMama helps you track your pregnancy progress and belly growth. You can take photos of your growing belly, turn those photos into a movie, get weekly tips, write down thoughts for each week of your pregnancy, and view and share everything on your very own webpage.
IPAD ONLY
iFontMaker // I love this app! You can create your own typeface in under 5 minutes! I've created multiple typefaces that I use in Photoshop and on my computer and it's so fun to know I'm using my own handwriting.You can even use it as a web font!So what are some of your favorites apps?