If you're looking to get that special Smartphone (Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone) technology lover a gift (or you want to drop hints about a gift for you), here are some products and accessories that you might want to consider. They're cool and/or useful and won't cost you (or them) an arm and a leg.
Quick reviews of two very useful Android productivity apps - Volume Widget and CB - Commercial Break
Because games are developed for Smartphones at a clip of 73 gazillion to one over productivity apps, I often jump at the chance to download and check out any new Android (or iPhone) application that may make my life easier or help resolve some issue. Here are a couple of simple apps which deliver big on their claims. Sure, they're simple claims, but they do deliver.
Volume Widget
The Volume Widget allows you to adjust any of your volume options from one convenient location. Your music, your ringtone, your alarm, your voice, etc.
So, why is that useful when you can adjust each of those when in that particular mode (adjust the call volume while in a call, ring volume when the phone rings, your music while it's playing)? Well, I'll tell you why with a real-life scenario:
Let's say that when you go to bed at night you like to make one last play in Words With Friends before going to sleep. And let's also say that your wife is lying right next to you, already asleep. Having forgotten to turn off the volume option in the game, as soon as you open the main screen you are attacked by loud, and apparently annoying music and sound effects, which blasts out causing your wife to say, "Excuse me darling, but I believe you neglected to reduce your volume prior to playing the game." Okay, those weren't her exact words. Her actual comment included phrases like "you inconsiderate piece of..." You get the idea.
So now, I have acquired the habit of immediately opening the Volume Widget and reducing the Music volume before even opening other apps.
Very useful and considerate app.
CB - Commercial Break
If you spend any time at all watching television (sports fans especially), the Android CB (Commercial Break) app will help you get get a few errands done, while the network is running what seems like an endless number of commercial messages. This Android app is the epitome of simplicity and really does help you take out the garbage, make a sandwich, even run to the store while trying to catch the big game.
Simply download the app, open it, enter your city or zip code, select a channel and you will be notified each time a commercial break is over, alerting you to get your butt back in front of the big screen.
You can also schedule future notifications for upcoming network sports broadcasts, which also reminds you that the game is on.
I'm sure that they are expanding the number of networks included in the app, still many complain that it doesn't include their country or cable system. Oh shut up. Download the app, check it out. If it doesn't fit into your life: UNINSTALL. If it does fit into your life, it is pretty useful and has motivated me, more than once, to get off my butt during breaks and do something.
Volume Widget
The Volume Widget allows you to adjust any of your volume options from one convenient location. Your music, your ringtone, your alarm, your voice, etc.
So, why is that useful when you can adjust each of those when in that particular mode (adjust the call volume while in a call, ring volume when the phone rings, your music while it's playing)? Well, I'll tell you why with a real-life scenario:
Let's say that when you go to bed at night you like to make one last play in Words With Friends before going to sleep. And let's also say that your wife is lying right next to you, already asleep. Having forgotten to turn off the volume option in the game, as soon as you open the main screen you are attacked by loud, and apparently annoying music and sound effects, which blasts out causing your wife to say, "Excuse me darling, but I believe you neglected to reduce your volume prior to playing the game." Okay, those weren't her exact words. Her actual comment included phrases like "you inconsiderate piece of..." You get the idea.
So now, I have acquired the habit of immediately opening the Volume Widget and reducing the Music volume before even opening other apps.
Very useful and considerate app.
CB - Commercial Break
If you spend any time at all watching television (sports fans especially), the Android CB (Commercial Break) app will help you get get a few errands done, while the network is running what seems like an endless number of commercial messages. This Android app is the epitome of simplicity and really does help you take out the garbage, make a sandwich, even run to the store while trying to catch the big game.Simply download the app, open it, enter your city or zip code, select a channel and you will be notified each time a commercial break is over, alerting you to get your butt back in front of the big screen.
You can also schedule future notifications for upcoming network sports broadcasts, which also reminds you that the game is on.
I'm sure that they are expanding the number of networks included in the app, still many complain that it doesn't include their country or cable system. Oh shut up. Download the app, check it out. If it doesn't fit into your life: UNINSTALL. If it does fit into your life, it is pretty useful and has motivated me, more than once, to get off my butt during breaks and do something.
Gymprovise workout app for Android keeps you on track - workout app review
Gymprovise Android Workout Program App Review
I go to the gym and workout at home. Primarily I work out at home when I'm too lazy to put on the proper attire to go to the gym. At home I have a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical trainer and free weights. My routine is always pretty much the same at home. Thirty minutes of cardio and then pick up the hand weights and do stuff with them. Hey, shut up. It's better than most people do.
When I go to the gym, I improvise as well. I never really have a plan. It always starts with cardio on the stationary bike or elliptical trainer, then I pick machines that I'm in the mood for, and use them. I figure if I mix it up a bit, I'll cover all of the muscle groups. Smart? I don't know, but it's worked for me so far. Okay, except maybe in that belly area, but how many damned sit-ups do I have to do?
Being a lover of apps, and having used MyFitnessPal to drop twenty pounds this go-around, I decided to add an Android app to my gym workout regimen to help make it an actual well-rounded program. Sort of like having a personal trainer in my pocket, without taking so much money out of it.
After a bit of research, I opted to download the paid version Gymprovise. It immediately looked like an excellent interface and since I didn't want to be at the gym using the free version only to discover that I don't have a feature I wanted to use, I bought the Pro Version. I mean, come on, its only three bucks.
Here's what I learned right after loading it: It was brutally easy to use and formatting my workouts (both home and gym) went smoothly.
Without going into all of the exciting details of my specific workouts, let me tell you that Gymprovise fit very well into my life.
One of my favorite features at the gym is that it allows me to vary my workout (I'm easily bored) by choosing a
different exercise, while still focusing on the area or body part I was working on at that time. Also, if you're adding a new exercise that you haven't done before, you can view a video animation of the proper way to perform it.
I easily found all of the exercises that I already do (machines, free weights and home) and expanded my workout and reduced my boredom with this app. Plus, just like the MyFitnessPal app, it sort of haunts you because you're aware that your phone is beckoning you from your pocket to push the button for the next workout.
I know there are many more features that I will learn and love, but so far it was a great investment. For three bucks you get a workout tracker, planner, exercise directory, weight tracker and more.
If you're looking for a workout companion that is user-friendly and a real motivator to help get you fit, then Gymprovise may just be what you're looking for.
Spell check and autocorrect won't help you with this great spelling game app - WellWrite Android app review
It ocurred to me (oh wait, that's "occurred" isn't it) that, as a word game lover, I didn't know of any Android/Smartphone spelling game apps. Well, I found one. WellWrite. And I love it.
I have always prided myself on being a good speller. In fact I made the semi-finals in the eighth grade spelling bee. I was eliminated on a word that I will never again misspell. Using the WriteWell app format, here's the word that I spelled incorrectly in the eighth grade.
Pick the correct spelling:
1) cantelope
2) cantalope
3) cantaloupe
4) cantleope
So, whattaya think? Well, the answer is number three. I think I spelled number one. That wouldn't have happened if I had had the WellWrite app for Android. Too bad it was a few decades before the game was created.
WellWrite is a free app (with additional levels for a nominal fee) which displays four possible answers (including the occasional "none"), and you have to click on the correct spelling. Simple and addictive.
The interface has a classy, private-school look and is simple to use. You can choose between a number of options including One and Two Player games. Each round consists of 20 words (I got 18 correct in my first try). When you finish each found you WILL be graded (A+ to F) but it will not go on your permanent record. J
Of course, you can share your brilliance with others (and compete with them) on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
It also features a pretty soothing music track while playing the game.
This fun app is perfect for anyone who either thinks they're a good speller or wants to become one (because they rely WAY too much on spellcheck and autocorrect).
WellWrite is a great spelling game app and is highly reccommended, or is it recomended, or is it...? Oh, never mind.
YTD Video Downloader app review - download videos to view any time
The YTD app for Android allows you to browse and download free video and audio files from a growing number of streaming sites. The interface is pretty easy to use and allows you to browse right within the app, or copy and paste the url from whatever browser you're using to download the video.
Then you simply click on the play button for the video, (within the YTD app's browser) and you are presented with the option to Download or Play. Click Download and the video is downloaded to your SD card. You can now view it at any time without a data connection.
Under the settings tab, you can set it to only download when you're on WiFi and you can lock the application so no one can see your downloaded videos (wink wink). The Play List tab allows you to sort your downloads by date, size or title.
Pretty simple and pretty cool.
Because the app is called YTD, many assume that it stands for YouTube Downloader. Unfortunately, YouTube does not allow for easy downloading of their videos either online or mobile and YTD clearly states on their website that the app does NOT download YouTube videos.
But that doesn't stop nasty people from giving bad reviews of the app for that reason. How can you give an app a bad review for not doing something that they didn't claim to do in the first place? Silly people. Download it and judge for yourself.
Here is a link to a list of the sites from which you can download videos. Okay, aside from a few (Funny Or Die, Metacafe) they are mostly adult video sites, but hey, it's not like nobody does that.
The app works EXACTLY as promoted and quite well at that. It's simple, straight forward and useful, if you have a reason to compile of collection of videos that you want to be able to watch at any time (wink, wink again).
Note: The YTD Video Downloader app is also available on the iOS platform. Download it here.
Note: The YTD Video Downloader app is also available on the iOS platform. Download it here.
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