I wanted to share some of my favorite apps with you. Most of these are also used on my iPad, but I’ll write a separate list if there are any iPad specific apps that I think are a must have.
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I need to write a full post on Remember the Milk. I have been using this site for years, and I gladly pay the fee to be able to access my to-do lists on the go.
My favorite noise is the dishwasher. I sleep with this going all night every night. My favorite part is the ability to wake up to a song of my choice, currently it’s “Someone Like You” by Adele. (And that when the song starts it’s very quiet and then builds and gets louder, so I’m not jolted awake.
I use this to post on my food blog and approve/reply to comments.
Makes it really easy to publish to my Tumblr site.
Kids-In-Mind
This site rates movies based on violence, language, and sexuality. I won’t watch a movie without checking Kids-in-Mind and the app let’s me do it while standing in front of the nearest Redbox if need be. I’m happy paying for the app supports such a great site.
Whenever someone suggests a book, I look it up on Goodreads and add it to my neverending lists of books I intend to read.
Flixster
It’s fun to sit and watch the previews sometimes (we don’t have TV so I never see commercials) but I like this app so much because it includes Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
I always use Yelp to find a place to eat, and now that I’m trying to eat less meat it helps me find alternative options when all we can see are steakhouses and Burger Kings.
Seafood Watch
I’m trying to buy only sustainable seafood. I’ve also tried to use it when ordering sushi, but it’s really overwhelming. I like to pull it out and consult it at the Whole Foods fish counter though.
AllRecipes
Great resource for those times when I’m purchasing something but I’m not sure how I’ll cook with it. I love the AllRecipes site.
Gospel Library
This is how I read my scriptures now, and I love that they are adding bookmarking that you can sync to your LDS account so I can have my annotated scriptures on any device.
iStake
A must have if you are LDS. The ward directory always at your fingertips.
Spring
This is how I check and answer Formspring questions on my phone.
A simple and free app that helps me know when I’m fertile, and when my Aunt Flo is stopping by.
The Board
Send a question in to the 100 Hour Board and they will do their best to answer it within 100 hours. When I want to waste a little time this is a very entertaining app.
Using the GPS in your phone, this app will track your runs, including distance and pace. It will even act as a trainer! I haven’t used that function yet but I plan to do so soon.
A fun way to jazz up your iphone snaps.
Add vintage effects to your iphone photos with a bit of a social media twist. I suggest following sgoralnick .
Filterstorm
A little bit like Photoshop on your iphone.
TWC
Helps me know how to dress each day because I can never tell what temperature it is on the ground from 30 floors up.
Another fun way to waste time.
Cash Tracker
We use credit cards almost exclusively, but when we’re forced to use cash we keep track of what we spent and where, with this nifty little app.
Peek-a-boo Barn
Absolutely the best app for babies. T1 gets so excited whenever I start up this one and hand him my phone. They have other versions, but he seems to like this one best.
June 28th, 2011 on 1:48 pm
I don’t have an iphone or an ipad and don’t see myself getting one until smart phones just become the standard. But I always hear about the neatest apps! Someone the other day was telling me about Google Goggles where you can take a picture of a painting or building and it will tell you what it is. Amazing!
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Katy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
We were *this close* to getting me an iphone when my phone was lost, but just couldn’t find the desire to pay the extra money for the data plan with our company. I always joke that I’ll have a smartphone when even your grandma has a smart phone!
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Jackie Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Haha, agree! Confession: We are both still on our parents plan. An extra $10 a month to them is much less than $80+ a month to us! Data plans aren’t even a question.
I didn’t get an itouch when they came out either. My iPod is about 4 or 5 years old, and it doesn’t get a ton of use (except working out and on airplanes) so I don’t think I can justify upgrading.
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Sophia Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
I agree with you. The only reason we finally upgraded to smart phones was because we were actually paid to switch from AT&T to Sprint, and our phones were really and truly free on top of that. We’re now on a family plan and we only pay $20 more a month, and that’s for unlimited data/text/more minutes than we had before. I like it, but I’m *still* trying to figure this thing out, haha. I feel severely out of the loop when I hear about babies using iPhones with ease
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Turtle Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Just want to chime in with the non-smart phone users! I savor the time I’m away from the internet- it’s so rare. I am not ready to pay extra to have it with me all the time.
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June 28th, 2011 on 1:52 pm
Thanks for the heads up on the Seafood Watch! I have the printout in my wallet, but I usually forget to consult it/ feel like a huge nerd pulling out a brochure, even in mini form.
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June 28th, 2011 on 1:54 pm
I have a new app for you! Also posted to Twitter
but I work for an amazing nonprofit, KaBOOM! and we are focused on bringing play back into the lives of kids. We do this through a variety of ways, but we are best known for our community and volunteer led playground builds in low-income neighborhoods. Anyway, we just launched an iPhone app with the support of our amazing funders and its a playspace finder! Check it out - http://kaboom.org/mobile.
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June 28th, 2011 on 1:57 pm
Great list, Jenna! With the exception of the baby and LDS specific ones we seem to be fans of many of the same apps. PQ and I just started using Grocery IQ (which is similar to Remember the Milk, I assume) but feeds in coupons as well. I’ll let you know if I end up loving it or not using it at all
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Jenna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
You’re blogging again!
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Michelle Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Yes ma’am, you know first hand how hard it is to stay away! ?
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June 28th, 2011 on 2:36 pm
Ok, I need to know how you wake up at the time you choose to music instead of the baby waking you up! I`m jealous & if you have a secret, please share!
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June 28th, 2011 on 3:14 pm
Love this! I noticed you like iStake, but have you tried LDS Tools? It’s the same thing but free!
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Jenna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I purchased istake before LDS tools was available. I need to log in and test it out!
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June 28th, 2011 on 3:53 pm
Ok does TH like the white noise? or do you wear head phones?
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June 28th, 2011 on 4:05 pm
I don’t have an iPhone but now maybe I want one: these apps look cool!
My only quibble is the Kids-in-Mind movie app. I just looked at their website to see if it was something that would be useful for me. Unfortunately, their ratings seem a little ham-handed, giving a wrong impression of many movies (especially the ones that are arty/higher quality).
For example, both The Hangover and Lust, Caution got a 10 for sex&nudity and a 7 for violence. But The Hangover is basically a goofy comedy for adults, while Lust, Caution is a serious, very graphic movie about sexual obsession (including S&M scenes, torture and mass murders). Lust, Caution is also a much higher-quality movie that has some very profound things to say about patriotism, betrayal and love.
Similarly, The Last Mimzy and The Lion King get the same violence rating (3), even though The Last Mimzy is basically a gentle, non-frightening movie, where the protagonists are never in much danger, and The Lion King includes the murder of Simba’s father (for which Simba thinks he is responsible), several other murders, numerous violent fights, and the near-death of Simba.
I just don’t think you could use this site alone (ie without seeing the movies yourself) for kids. Does anyone know of a different movie rating site?
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Jenna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
You might like this site: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews
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June 28th, 2011 on 4:19 pm
I can’t find your profile on goodreads — I’d love to follow your reading list. Can you share what name/email you use there?
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Jenna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/967281-jenna
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Brooke Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
oh duh! That did, of course, turn up in my search, but I didn’t even bother looking at the pic because it said Irving, Tx! oops. thanks!
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June 28th, 2011 on 4:48 pm
Great list, thanks Jenna! I’m going to give four of them a try; FMC, Don’t Forget the Milk, White Noise and the baby one. I love that Adele song too, and frankly waking up to anything other than my alarm has to be an improvement!
Do you have a pinterest profile yet? Can you please link to it if you do?
Have a great day xx
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Jenna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
http://pinterest.com/jennacole/
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June 28th, 2011 on 4:53 pm
I use CardioTrainer on my HTC android based phone and I love it. It also has a GPS based system for calculating runs, plus you can race against yourself, keep records of your workouts, and gauge how many calories you’re burning. It also has a workout schedule that will remind you of a workout. Usually I just record workouts after the fact, so that I can keep track of my weight lifting reps/weight (you can write notes in each exercise entry) and how many miles of biking I’m doing. I also try to hit a certain calorie burn a week and it helps with that as well.
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June 28th, 2011 on 10:15 pm
I think you’d love a site called cozi.com. They have to-do lists, shopping lists, calendars for your family… it’s all integrated to send reminders to your phone, email, husband’s email, etc. On top of that, they offer sample templates that are easy to update, dinner recipes (I’ve tried a few and they are amazing!) and more. Best of all, it’s free!
Check them out… cozi.com.
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June 29th, 2011 on 8:20 am
I have many of the same apps on my Android phone. I had no idea that AllRecipes is that awesome. My most used app is Tiny Flashlight, believe it or not. I use it almost every day.
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June 29th, 2011 on 10:40 am
I seriously need an Iphone….every time I see people post about different apps I get a wee bit jealous. My junky flip phone that does nothing is just too boring.
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June 29th, 2011 on 5:27 pm
So is an iPad worth it? I have a smart android phone and like it, but I am really itching at getting an iPad cause I use an iMac at work and LOVE it. Husband thinks it’s “unnecessary” but I really am thinking about asking for it for Christmas…. However, if I can’t do much on it, then there’s no point in getting one.
Thanks!
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Jenna Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
I think it’s worth it if you want to consume content (read emails, read blogs, magazines/books, play games, etc), but not so great for writing blog posts or emails.
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June 30th, 2011 on 5:35 pm
I have heard about RunKeeper but your recommendation made me download it. I’m hoping it will get me into running after I complete my Couch 2 5K program.
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July 1st, 2011 on 11:57 am
I just switched from imapmyrun to RunKeeper, and I.love.it. It makes me happy when she tells me how far I’ve gone, and what my pace is — plus the sync to my music is pretty awesome!! Yay for running!!!
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