Mobile Thing #7: Content Saving & Sharing

For thing #7, I decided to explore Bitly, since I use their website to shorten and personalize URLs before sharing them with students and staff. I didn't realize that they had an app. At first, I couldn't find the app, because I was looking for iPad only apps. When I couldn't find it, I switched to iPhone only apps, and there it was.

I used the Safari app to look for a magazine article. I copied the link and opened the Bit.ly app. The app detected that I had copied a link and wanted to know if I wanted to save it. It gave me the option to personalize the link, which I didn't do since I don't plan on sharing the link.

It is nice to know that I can now shorten URLs, save them into my Bit.ly account, and easily share them with others from my iPhone or iPad app. I also like being able to looking at the trending links.

I like the Bit.ly app, but they need to make an iPad version. The current Bit.ly is optimized for the iPhone 5.

Mobile Thing #6: Creating & Editing Docs

For Mobile Thing #6, I decided to explore Quickoffice, because it works with Google Drive. Our school district uses Google Apps for Education, so everyone in our district has a Google account and access to Google Drive.

It was easy to sign in to Quickoffice using my Google account. I chose to create a document. The app is simple and doesn't offer a lot options, but it is easy to use. I like that the document that I created is now accessible any time I log into Google Drive.

I tried to edit a Word document that I had saved in my Google Drive. In order to edit the Word document, I had to download the Google Drive app, which then took me to Google Docs app, which I already had on my iPad, to edit the document. I won't be using Quickoffice to edit Word documents, since the latest version of the Google Docs app lets you edit Word documents that you have in Google Drive.

I also recently read that Google will be pulling the Quickoffice app.

Mobile Thing #5: Notetaking

For Mobile Thing #5, I decided to explore Bamboo Paper. The nice thing about this app is that you can import images from your camera roll and then mark up the image to visually share your thoughts. After marking up an image, you can then share it with your Evernote account. I use Evernote to take notes at all of my meetings, create recordings, and to take and store pictures of things that I want to use in one of my media centers. I love that I can then access my notes on a computer, my iPad, and my iPhone. Another app that allows you to mark up images and share them is Skitch from Evernote.

Mobile Thing #4: Keeping Up

I was a Google Reader user. When I learned that Google Reader was going away, I wanted to find an easy way to transfer my RSS feeds to another platform. I read that Feedly would allow me to do that, so I decided to transfer everything to Feedly before Google Reader completely disappeared. The transfer was seamless, and I still use Feedly today. I use it professionally to read EdTech blogs and blogs from librarians and teachers. It is nice being able to read them all in one place. Feedly has links to their apps on their website.

Mobile Thing #3: Utilities

For Mobile Thing #3, I checked out the StandApp. I set up the app for 15 minutes intervals. After the first 15 minutes, the app said it was time to exercise, but it didn't display any videos for me to watch and follow. I noticed that the screen gave me the option to click on a list of exercises, so I did that and chose different exercise videos to watch.

Update to StandApp: The app did show the videos at the next 15 minute interval. I will use this app when I will be sitting for extended periods of time. I sometimes forget to take breaks if I am really involved in something. 

 I have been using the RedLaser app on my iPhone for a very long time. I have used it in stores to scan UPC codes on various items when shopping to compare prices and read reviews. It definitely has helped me decide whether or not I want to purchase an item.

Moblie Thing #2: Mobile Device Tips

The days have just slipped away from me. I have only completed one of the 23 Moblie Things and tomorrow is the deadline. (Thank goodness the deadline was extended!) I am hoping to complete them all today or tomorrow.

For my 23 Mobile Things, I will be using my iPad and possibly my iPhone. I have had iOS 7 for awhile now. I didn't learn any new tips from the links that I clicked on and from the video imbedded in the post for Mobile Thing #2, but it was a good overview. One of the things that I like with iOS 7 is being able to use AirDrop to share photos with friends and family who are near me and who have iPads and/or iPhones. If you are interested in using AirDrop, you can check out this link from Apple on how to use AirDrop to wirelessly share content.

Mobile Thing #1: Registering and Blogging

I decided to use the same blog that I used for the other 23 Things. It is nice to look back and see what I did and posted. For 23 Mobile Things, I am hoping to learn about some new apps and other ways to use apps that might already be familiar.