A mom, at any given moment, has what feels like a million different things to remember. Things like where her keys are, what she promised to bring to Saturday's potluck dinner party, her son's favourite cartoon character, the fact that she needs to pick up a kitchen timer and potting soil next time she's out shopping, and of course, all fifteen thousand passwords to every single website she has ever signed up for.
There's not much I can do for you if you don't have a place by the front door for your keys or a shopping list where to note down things you have to buy (may I suggest Grocery IQ?) However, I think I can help with that last one. 1Password is a secure way to manage your passwords & online identities, as well as to keep track of other important, sensitive pieces of data. With a tagline of "Have you ever forgotten a password?" it's easy to see how this piece of software can be useful in anyone's life, including a busy mom with more important things on her mind than what her log on credentials are to the local recreation centre's online registration system.
With versions for Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android, plus web browser integration, you will honestly never have to look far for your passwords. Now there are some other ways to go about password management. The easiest of course being to use the same password everywhere. Oh, except that's actually a really, really dumb idea. Not every place is as security conscious as your online banking might be, and giving away your email/password combination at just one site that becomes compromised (or has questionable security/privacy to begin with) can result in your identity at many other sites being compromised by someone trying your email/password combination there. Plus, different websites have different password requirements, so maybe one will be OK with your easy to remember "qwerty" or "abc123" but others will need you to have 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 5 interspersed asterisks or tildes (~). Not to mention, that your usernames may also be different from one site to another. Gosh, it's making my head hurt just thinking about it.
With 1Password, as the name suggests, you only need to remember ONE password. Make it a multi-word password instead of a gibberish series of letters, numbers, and symbols, and it becomes even easier to recall. This one password unlocks the 1Password tool - on your computer or on your phone, and you can then easily log in, either by copying the credentials for a form you are already on in your browser, or by clicking a link inside 1Password which automatically launches the browser and logs you in to where you want to go. The password data file is secure & encrypted, and you can opt to store it in the cloud (so it's available to you everywhere), or in your Dropbox account (there are many other options as well such as a password-protected PDF, or a file to put on your own USB stick). I personally use the Dropbox syncing service, and my husband and I share the password data file, so yeah, he can access the password to read my email, but if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, he can also pay the electric bill. (That works for us. Your situation may vary.)
One of my favourite features of 1Password is the ability to generate passwords - so I don't have to keep thinking up unique, clever passwords - I can just have the app generate them and it stores them for me. It has made me feel much better about my online life, being able to have a unique and secure password for each site I have an account on, and to be able to manage all of these from one simple and accessible place. Another great feature is the browser integration - I don't even have to open 1Password to use my passwords - I just click the integrated button, enter my master password (I can set the timeout period so I don't have to enter it All.The.Time), and bam, it fills in my credentials for whatever site I'm on.
You can read more about 1Password or download your free trial over at https://agilebits.com/1Password. 1Password costs $39.99 for Mac or Windows, and $14.99 for iPhone/iPad. For some reason, it appears to be free for Android (lucky you guys!).
Married mom of two kids, likes to shop, but not to waste her family's money. Hence, a blog giving honest reviews of mom, baby, kid, family, and related tech products, to help you decide what to spend YOUR family's hard-earned cash on.
Showing posts with label android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label android. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Zagg InvisibleShield Screen Protectors
Do you have a phone or tablet computer? Do your kids sometimes play with it? Do you sometimes put it into your pocket, or use it without washing your hands first? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably should have a screen protector. A good device screen protector will be unobtrusive, securely attached, and will shield the screen of your device from any and all scratches and marks caused by rough handling, abrasions, or accidents. I have a friend who left his iPad upside down on his coffee table...picked it up, and I guess there was some dirt or dust on the table, now his iPad screen has a scratch from top to bottom. Yikes!
I have used cheap screen protectors, and don't recommend them. They tend to come unstuck at the edges, allowing dust underneath, and are stiff and hard to install without bubbles. Zagg InvisibleShields however are super flexible, stick tight and don't come undone, and although they are not super easy to install, once you do it, you'll never have to think about it again. The hardest part of the installation is the emotional leap of faith you need to make, as the process involves spraying the back of the screen protector with what I suspect to be distiller water (it comes in a little spray applicator with the shield) and then putting this WET thing onto your phone. They do advise you to remove the device battery before putting on the protector and to leave it turned off for 24 hrs afterwards - just in case - but in the case of my iPhone and iPad, the batteries aren't exactly easy to take out, so I just left them turned off for the procedure. Basically all you do is clean the screen, wet the back of the protector, place it, then use the included squeegee to push the water out and make a good tight seal between the protector and the device. Use a paper towel to catch the water as it is squished out the edges, and you should be just fine to use the device when you are done. (Note, I am not responsible for any wrecked devices resulting from following my advice!)
Zagg makes screen protectors for just about any device with a screen (I even got one for the new iPod Nano that I gave my mom as a gift last year!) so you have no excuse to not get one. They also make a ton of other products, including full body decorative and protective skins, which I may cover in a future review. Check out the selection on their website at http://www.zagg.com and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook because they often have discount codes. They are not the cheapest, but considering what you'd pay to replace your device, they are so worth it.
I have used cheap screen protectors, and don't recommend them. They tend to come unstuck at the edges, allowing dust underneath, and are stiff and hard to install without bubbles. Zagg InvisibleShields however are super flexible, stick tight and don't come undone, and although they are not super easy to install, once you do it, you'll never have to think about it again. The hardest part of the installation is the emotional leap of faith you need to make, as the process involves spraying the back of the screen protector with what I suspect to be distiller water (it comes in a little spray applicator with the shield) and then putting this WET thing onto your phone. They do advise you to remove the device battery before putting on the protector and to leave it turned off for 24 hrs afterwards - just in case - but in the case of my iPhone and iPad, the batteries aren't exactly easy to take out, so I just left them turned off for the procedure. Basically all you do is clean the screen, wet the back of the protector, place it, then use the included squeegee to push the water out and make a good tight seal between the protector and the device. Use a paper towel to catch the water as it is squished out the edges, and you should be just fine to use the device when you are done. (Note, I am not responsible for any wrecked devices resulting from following my advice!)
Zagg makes screen protectors for just about any device with a screen (I even got one for the new iPod Nano that I gave my mom as a gift last year!) so you have no excuse to not get one. They also make a ton of other products, including full body decorative and protective skins, which I may cover in a future review. Check out the selection on their website at http://www.zagg.com and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook because they often have discount codes. They are not the cheapest, but considering what you'd pay to replace your device, they are so worth it.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Review: RunKeeper for iPhone
When I run, which is never as often as I'd like it to be, I like to track my progress both during and after my activity. I like to share my runs with friends so they can see I don't ONLY sit on my butt all day, and besides, it's encouraging to see people commenting with "way to go!" or similar sentiments. The RunKeeper app for iPhone (also available for Android or Windows Phone 7) helps me to do all of these things, and much more. It's a free app, and it uses the GPS feature of your phone to track your runs. It syncs with the RunKeeper website where you can analyze your runs, view maps, and much more. There's no way I can cover all the features, but I'll tell you the ones I use the most.
1) Coaching: you can set RunKeeper up with coaching programs. Trying the Couch to 5K? You can program in each run before you do it, and it will tell you when your run/walk intervals are. Looking to maintain a certain pace? Set Runkeeper up with your target pace, and how often you want to be reminded, then it will tell you your average pace, current pace, and how far above/below your target you are. If you are doing speed training, you can set the app up with a coaching plan to tell you when to run fast versus when to recover. You can set up these intervals by time or by distance, which will likely help satisfy just about any training program out there. You can even tack on a warmup/cooldown to your workout.
2) Music: if you already run with your phone, chances are, you listen to music during your run. RunKeeper lets you pick a playlist from your phone to play while you are working out. The music fades a bit quieter when RunKeeper is telling you stuff (like RUN FASTER, BEE-OTCH! YOU CAN DO IT! OK, well it doesn't actually say that in so many words...but you get the idea)
3) Post to Facebook: you can post your runs to Facebook and make them visible to everyone, just your "street team" (friends using RunKeeper that you've selected & added through RunKeeper), or just you. You can make all the run information public, or maybe not the maps if you don't really want people to know where you are running.
4) Analyze your runs: On the RunKeeper website you can check out the details of your run, the elevations of different segments and how that affected your pace. It sends you encouraging emails every time you break a "record" (such as, Most Distance logged in a month, or others like that). There is a RunKeeper Elite version (you have to pay for it) that gives you access to extra reports. I don't have it so I can't comment on it.
5) Live Tracking: OK, so since this is an Elite only feature, it's not one I use, but on certain occasions, you might want to be able to turn on live tracking. This basically posts your run online while it is happening. This is a nice feature if you're running in a race and want your family/friends to track your progress (or to give them a heads up when you're near the finish line, so they can make a point of seeing you cross the finish...). It could also be helpful if you are trail running, or going out for a solo run and just want someone else to know where you are.
If you are a runner (or walker, jogger, cyclist...) who would like to know just a bit more about each workout, you may enjoy using RunKeeper like I do. Go check it out over at http://runkeeper.com/home. If you already use it, let me know in the comments what your favourite thing about it is!
1) Coaching: you can set RunKeeper up with coaching programs. Trying the Couch to 5K? You can program in each run before you do it, and it will tell you when your run/walk intervals are. Looking to maintain a certain pace? Set Runkeeper up with your target pace, and how often you want to be reminded, then it will tell you your average pace, current pace, and how far above/below your target you are. If you are doing speed training, you can set the app up with a coaching plan to tell you when to run fast versus when to recover. You can set up these intervals by time or by distance, which will likely help satisfy just about any training program out there. You can even tack on a warmup/cooldown to your workout.
2) Music: if you already run with your phone, chances are, you listen to music during your run. RunKeeper lets you pick a playlist from your phone to play while you are working out. The music fades a bit quieter when RunKeeper is telling you stuff (like RUN FASTER, BEE-OTCH! YOU CAN DO IT! OK, well it doesn't actually say that in so many words...but you get the idea)
3) Post to Facebook: you can post your runs to Facebook and make them visible to everyone, just your "street team" (friends using RunKeeper that you've selected & added through RunKeeper), or just you. You can make all the run information public, or maybe not the maps if you don't really want people to know where you are running.
4) Analyze your runs: On the RunKeeper website you can check out the details of your run, the elevations of different segments and how that affected your pace. It sends you encouraging emails every time you break a "record" (such as, Most Distance logged in a month, or others like that). There is a RunKeeper Elite version (you have to pay for it) that gives you access to extra reports. I don't have it so I can't comment on it.
5) Live Tracking: OK, so since this is an Elite only feature, it's not one I use, but on certain occasions, you might want to be able to turn on live tracking. This basically posts your run online while it is happening. This is a nice feature if you're running in a race and want your family/friends to track your progress (or to give them a heads up when you're near the finish line, so they can make a point of seeing you cross the finish...). It could also be helpful if you are trail running, or going out for a solo run and just want someone else to know where you are.
If you are a runner (or walker, jogger, cyclist...) who would like to know just a bit more about each workout, you may enjoy using RunKeeper like I do. Go check it out over at http://runkeeper.com/home. If you already use it, let me know in the comments what your favourite thing about it is!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Review: Grocery IQ for iPhone
How often have you wandered aimlessly around the grocery store, trying to remember what it was you came in for? Or worse, how often have you come home with a small fortune worth of groceries, only to realize that you still don't have the right combination of foods to prepare a particular recipe? I've been in both positions, and have ended up eating takeout instead of cooking more times than I care to admit. I am going to provide a review of an iPhone app called Grocery IQ, but before I do I need to share a little before & after scenario.
Before: I used to come home from work (pre-kids) and, sit-com style, open the fridge, frown at the contents, and then either resort to chicken nuggets & fries for dinner, or pick up the phone and order pizza. Grocery shopping happened once or twice a week and was either way over budget (and chock full of snack/junk food) or way under budget (and inevitably followed up by another trip to get the things I'd forgotten)
After: At some point I realized that I *hated* not knowing what was going to be for dinner. At this point I started meal planning. I like cooking, and it's fun when you have everything you need on hand. Once I had planned out my meals (dinners only) for the week, I could easily make a grocery list that contained everything I'd need to prepare the week's dinners. This is where Grocery IQ comes in.
I'll be the first to admit that I am barely scratching the surface at the functions that Grocery IQ offers. I have set up all of my frequently visited stores (grocery & otherwise), and I have taken the time to go through my most frequently visited grocery store and set up the aisles in the app. Whenever I do my weekly meal planning, I put all the needed ingredients into the app (it's checklist style, you just search for or type in what you need, and it puts it into a list for you). Then I go through my store's weekly flyer to see if there's anything on sale that I should stock up on (sometimes I'll even switch out meals in my plan to accommodate what's on sale). I add these things to the Grocery IQ app as well. Finally I add to the list anything that we've run out of during the week.
Grocery IQ uses the aisle setup to put my grocery list in order, so the list shows me what I need to buy at the right time - it matches up with the flow of the store - so it starts with Produce, then Deli/Seafood, then Bread/Bakery, then Meat, Dairy, Frozen Goods, etc. This is great because it saves me from having to double back for things in a section I've already gone past.
When I pick up an item, I just tap the checkbox beside the item in the list to cross it off. Grocery IQ moves it to the bottom of the list. At the end of the shopping trip, I can hit the "Checkout" button to remove the items I've bought from the list.
While this is all I really need in a grocery list application, Grocery IQ has a ton of other features (some of which unfortunately don't work that great in Canada). It allows you to scan bar codes of items in order to easily add them to your list. It has an integrated coupon section where you can browse through, print, or email coupons. You can set up as many stores as you like, and as many aisles per store as you need. You can put the aisles in order per store - so each store reflects its own layout! It can also track your favorite items so you can quickly add them without having to type in the name each time.
Grocery IQ is FREE! If you want to try out Grocery IQ, I'm confident you won't be disappointed (did I mention, it's free?). You can read more over at their website, http://www.groceryiq.com/, and download it for iPhone/iPad or Android.
Before: I used to come home from work (pre-kids) and, sit-com style, open the fridge, frown at the contents, and then either resort to chicken nuggets & fries for dinner, or pick up the phone and order pizza. Grocery shopping happened once or twice a week and was either way over budget (and chock full of snack/junk food) or way under budget (and inevitably followed up by another trip to get the things I'd forgotten)
After: At some point I realized that I *hated* not knowing what was going to be for dinner. At this point I started meal planning. I like cooking, and it's fun when you have everything you need on hand. Once I had planned out my meals (dinners only) for the week, I could easily make a grocery list that contained everything I'd need to prepare the week's dinners. This is where Grocery IQ comes in.
I'll be the first to admit that I am barely scratching the surface at the functions that Grocery IQ offers. I have set up all of my frequently visited stores (grocery & otherwise), and I have taken the time to go through my most frequently visited grocery store and set up the aisles in the app. Whenever I do my weekly meal planning, I put all the needed ingredients into the app (it's checklist style, you just search for or type in what you need, and it puts it into a list for you). Then I go through my store's weekly flyer to see if there's anything on sale that I should stock up on (sometimes I'll even switch out meals in my plan to accommodate what's on sale). I add these things to the Grocery IQ app as well. Finally I add to the list anything that we've run out of during the week.
Grocery IQ uses the aisle setup to put my grocery list in order, so the list shows me what I need to buy at the right time - it matches up with the flow of the store - so it starts with Produce, then Deli/Seafood, then Bread/Bakery, then Meat, Dairy, Frozen Goods, etc. This is great because it saves me from having to double back for things in a section I've already gone past.
When I pick up an item, I just tap the checkbox beside the item in the list to cross it off. Grocery IQ moves it to the bottom of the list. At the end of the shopping trip, I can hit the "Checkout" button to remove the items I've bought from the list.
While this is all I really need in a grocery list application, Grocery IQ has a ton of other features (some of which unfortunately don't work that great in Canada). It allows you to scan bar codes of items in order to easily add them to your list. It has an integrated coupon section where you can browse through, print, or email coupons. You can set up as many stores as you like, and as many aisles per store as you need. You can put the aisles in order per store - so each store reflects its own layout! It can also track your favorite items so you can quickly add them without having to type in the name each time.
Grocery IQ is FREE! If you want to try out Grocery IQ, I'm confident you won't be disappointed (did I mention, it's free?). You can read more over at their website, http://www.groceryiq.com/, and download it for iPhone/iPad or Android.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Review: WhatsApp Messenger for iPhone
I don't send enough text messages to justify the cost of having an unlimited text plan with my cell phone provider. I mostly send quick messages to the same people who are in my "Fab 5". However, every now and then, especially when my friends and I are trying to organize a get-together, I text a bunch of people a bunch of times. And it's times like these that make the $0.15 per message fee add up really quickly.
Enter an iPhone app called WhatsApp Messenger. At present this app is #4 on the iTunes app store charts. This app is available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Nokia phones. My review focuses on the iPhone version as that's the phone I use it on. WhatsApp Messenger can be used to send free normal text messages to any other user that has the app, but also has some terrific other features such as:
The good thing is that when your friends eventually buy it (because you will tell them how great it is...) they will automatically show up in your contacts list on WhatsApp Messenger - no complicated adding process needed, as long as they are in your iPhone contact list.
Read more about WhatsApp Messenger on their website (http://www.whatsapp.com/), which also has links to purchase the application for supported devices here http://www.whatsapp.com/download/.
Enter an iPhone app called WhatsApp Messenger. At present this app is #4 on the iTunes app store charts. This app is available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Nokia phones. My review focuses on the iPhone version as that's the phone I use it on. WhatsApp Messenger can be used to send free normal text messages to any other user that has the app, but also has some terrific other features such as:
- send Photo/Video - choose from an existing photo/video from your camera album, or use your phone's camera to take a new photo. Perfect for your husband to use in the grocery store when he needs a little help figuring out exactly which granola bars you wanted him to buy...he can instantly send you a picture and you can reply and set him straight. You can even respond with a photo of the empty box you have at home, to make things really simple.
- send Audio Note - I love this feature to use when I've got a longer message to transmit, I can just record what I want to say instead of having to type it all out. This is really handy when I'm in a hurry and just can't type fast enough.
- Group Chat - you can set up quick chats with up to 5 participants, really handy when you need to get several friends on the same page about what's going on when the plan changes.
The good thing is that when your friends eventually buy it (because you will tell them how great it is...) they will automatically show up in your contacts list on WhatsApp Messenger - no complicated adding process needed, as long as they are in your iPhone contact list.
Read more about WhatsApp Messenger on their website (http://www.whatsapp.com/), which also has links to purchase the application for supported devices here http://www.whatsapp.com/download/.
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