Monthly Archives: October 2014
Technology Series: Apps That Make Your Life Better
Whether you are an expert or a novice utilizing smart devices, there are some apps that will help you in your everyday life.
BANKING
I check my account daily to make sure I catch all fraud right away, check my balance, etc. Most banks have a free app you can download.
These apps are usually Free. Search your app store for your bank’s mobile app.
YELP
I love YELP! Yelp is designed to help you find restaurants, bars and more. I travel a lot and find myself in cities that I’m not familiar with but I also use this in my own state to try new things or even find favorite dishes of other people in places I have eaten at before. Most listings have web links and operating hours. You can filter by price, distance, if they are open during the filter, offering a deal, etc. I have also used yelp because companies offer a discount for checking-in and/or writing a review.
Yelp has user reviews and user pictures. With user submissions I always keep in mind that a few of those reviews may be from employees of the establishment themselves.
Yelp is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yelp/id284910350?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yelp.android&hl=en
MAPS
No need for another device in your vehicle, use your phone or tablet instead of a GPS. This can make discovering your city or visiting a new city a lot easier. I love that I don’t have to put an address in the destination, I can put the name of a business and it will take me to the closet location to me. Smartphones are becoming so smart that now travel time includes traffic. This should be already downloaded onto your smart phone.
Maps are Free to use on your phone.
GAS BUDDY
Love paying the high price of gas? NOT! Find gas cheaper in your area or while traveling. Gas buddy relies on user submission for the latest gas prices and they note those submissions dates so you can see if it’s been recent.
Gas Buddy is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gasbuddy-find-cheap-gas-prices/id406719683?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gbis.gbandroid&hl=en
COZI
Calendar, shopping list, journal, recipes and more. I use cozi with my family so they can see when and where I am, If I am not answering a call because I am at an appointment. You can also include family members on reminders, which is awesome because then I am not nagging people to remember about so and so’s birthday.
Cozi is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cozi-family-organizer-calendar/id407108860?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cozi.androidfree&hl=en
HEARTWISE BLOOD PRESSURE TRACKER
“HeartWise is the easiest-to-use application for quickly recording and keeping track of your blood pressure, resting heart rate, and weight.” Quote from the iTunes app store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/heartwise-blood-pressure-tracker/id311716888 $0.99
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.BPTracker&hl=en FREE
PILLBOXIE
Helps you remember to take your medications, the dosage and more.
Pillboxie is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pillbox-guide/id448160836?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilepills.pillbox&hl=en
KEY RING
Forget all your loyalty cards at home! This app makes your pocketbook a whole lot lighter. I hated carrying all those around and now I don’t have to worry about it at all.
Key Ring is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/key-ring-reward-cards/id372547556?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.froogloid.kring.google.zxing.client.android&hl=en
INSTANT HEART RATE
No need for a dedicated heart rate monitor to get your pulse, this free app uses your camera flash. I have tested this and it is super easy to use.
Instant Heart Rate is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instant-heart-rate-heart-rate/id409625068
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=si.modula.android.instantheartrate&hl=en
MAGNIFIER
Forget your reading glasses? Use your phone instead.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eyereader/id421570249?mt=8 $1.99
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appdlab.magnify&hl=en FREE
BRAIN GAMES
Keep your brain sharp with regular use like quizzes and puzzles for every skill level.
Brain Games is a Free App.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lumosity-mobile/id577232024
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lumoslabs.lumosity&hl=en
PARKING APP
No matter how young or old you are, you’re going to forget where you park. Parking garages seem to be the puzzle of the modern urban world. The app below is great because it also have a reminder for if you use a parking meter, so it will remind you when your time is up. I couldn’t find one for android download that was as good as the itunes one, however there are many of them that are just fine for Free.
https://itunes.apple.com/ke/app/parknforget/id377812033?mt=8 $0.99
ALARM CLOCK/ TIMER/ STOPWATCH
I haven’t been late for an appointment, burned something on the stove or in the oven, and haven’t failed to wake up due to a power outage in years thanks to the alarm clock/ timer/ stopwatch feature on my smart phone. This should be already downloaded onto your smart phone.
Written by Valerie Michel Buck
The National Care Planning Council 