MY FAVORITE OPTIONAL APPS
Quite a few persons have asked what apps I use on my smart phone. Most are educational. Some are for fun. Note, I prefer free ones!
You will see several news apps. I don’t take time to watch TV opinions/news. Consequently, I use quite a few news apps where I can select what I want to learn more about. I usually check them at the beginning of each day.
Please leave a comment to suggest those you can't live without. Let me know your favorite top five smartphone applications.
AAA– Only used it once. If I need them, it’s a fast call for a tow up to 200-miles or other assistance.
AP Mobile – Associated Press news. Checked every day. Love the “ODDITIES.”
Audiobooks – When traveling cross country, I listen to novels. I usually get CD’s from the library. However, my Nissan CD player is broken, so I use the iphone instead and listen through the radio speaker.
Aussi Slang – For my MINDREACHER paranormal thrillers, I check how my Australian characters would pronounce and use words.
BBC News – British Broadcasting news gives unbiased international updates.
DAILYART- Each day presents a different classic painting w/details. Love to learn about art!
Diji – Tells me what’s on TV if I ever have time to watch. I prefer old movies, Weather Channel, or the newest summer series, “The Last Ship.” Can’t wait for its 2015 season.
DUOLINGO - I hope to learn Spanish. It will also teach French, Italian, German and others. Uses the microphone to gauge your skills.
Facebook – Used to catch up with friends.
GasBuddy – When I need a fill up, I can find the best prices locally. Since ethanol damages gas lines, I’m having a hard time trying to find ethanol free gasoline.
Gmail – Only turned on when I want to forward/save a news application science article to later pick up on my desktop computer. My AT&T-4G “triple sends” everything to the iphone and I end up with over 2000 eamils per day. That’s why it is turned OFF immediately after using it!
Google – Just in case I need to look something up or find a business location.
Google Maps – Sometimes Google is better than other map apps
Guitar! – Used to tune the baby Martin guitar gifted to me by my beautiful daughter.
iBooks – I prefer real books, but store several electronically. When waiting here or there for someone or something, when not using my lightweight KindleWhite, I use my phone to read.
Hobby Lobby – Used for the instant coupons for art supplies.
Hyperlapse – Haven’t tried it yet. Will speed up videos.
MapQuest – Can give directions when traveling in or out of cities.
Meteor Shower Calendar – Gives me daily updates and tells me where to look
MyRadar – Gives me immediate weather info. I use it driving cross country. When I have to pull over to let severe weather pass, it lets me know whether I can take a nap or get ready to move on.
Night Sky – Can’t live without it. Use it to tell me where everything is in the sky when I take the dogs out in the middle of the night. Use it when sitting outside to relax at night. Use it to guide the 17-inch Lewis Telescope to the correct sight location and identify anything I see. Just hold it up to the sky and learn. I’ve tried other apps but this one suits me best.
NOAA Free – A second app for weather radar and conditions where I am.
NPR News – National Public Radio news is checked daily. Also gives options for listening to different daily programs.
PassFinder – Lets me know when the International Space Station is passing overhead at night and where to find it.
PopSci – From the magazine, Popular Science. Good stuff! This app is a daily read!
Radio – Use it to listen to Aussi stations to hear pronunciations for my thriller novels
Relevant – Religious, Internet Radio commentary by Drew Mariani.
Sky Week – Gives me data on what’s happening in the sky.
Smithsonian – Good articles from which to learn.
Solitaire – Usually play a game before bed. I like the one that rewards winning hands with a few seconds of congratulation animation with cards. Of course I set the game to set up winning hands. Nope, I don’t win them all! J
Square – I can use my smart phone to sell anything with buyer’s credit card.
TODAY’S DOCUMENT- U.S. National Archives places one each day to see.
TuneIn Radio – I select international talk shows or news.
USA TODAY - Daily read.
Weather – Gives me outside temperature and forecast for the week. Use it for thermostat setting & deciding what to wear for the day.
WIRED Magazine (UK) – Love the magazine. Enjoy the app.