Millions of us unwrapped the seasons hottest gifts during the holidays - the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, Droid RAZR, Kindle Fire, Nikon 1 and more. For many people these new gadgets were also the first they've owned in a whole new generation of touchscreen and voice activation technology. How many of you were excited but found that after 5 minutes you had to set them down and decided to figure out how to use them later?
With technology overload these days, many of us use our electronics on the "easy" setting. We do what we can easily figure out and never end up using the "really cool" settings and getting value from our investment.
There are some basic steps that can help you get the most fun out of your new "toys." Here are our tips for improving your electronic gadget experience:
The trick to getting the most out of your phones and tablets are apps. Here are our five must-have useful, user-friendly apps for 2012:
Apple:
Android:
Most importantly, remember the goal of apps is to help you simplify and organize. You can get bogged down by downloading too many apps and actually defeat the purpose. Make a list of things you would like help with and then narrow it down to categories. Then purchase an app for each category.
We want to hear from you and which electronics you find are the most user-friendly? We want your recommendations.
If you share your user-friendly electronics reviews and recommendations this week you'll be entered for a chance to win one of our 4 giveaway prizes - a gift card to either iTunes or Amazon for Android Market. Submit your favorite electronic product to SheSpeaks Reviews OR add a comment to this blog post by 6pm EST on January 23rd, 2012. You can enter a review AND a comment and you will have two entries to win!
Prizes*:
*Winners will have a choice of either an iTunes or Amazon for Android Market gift card. 4 winners total.
Apple iTunes $15 App Store Gift Card |
Amazon for Android Market Gift Card |
The contest starts January 17, 2012 and ends January 23, 2012; at 6:00 p.m. Must be a US resident. No purchase necessary.
GOOD LUCK!
My favorite app is Keyring. I have all my discount cards entered in my phone and can get rid of all those silly cards on my key ring. It make my key ring smaller and also I can use my codes when I do not have my keys with me.
I prefer the basics on technology for phones and most electronics. I would like an e-reader. Good tips.
I love the app "Read it Later". Being on the go,you can bookmark articles,sites, etc for review later when you get back to your PC or just when you have the time. Saves the eyes and helps keep you in touch for later conversations.
I got a iPhone 4 for Christmas and I absolutely love it. I had a droid before and although it was great the iphone is much more user friendly and easy to work.
I still use a basic flip phone, but I'm going to soon have a sophisticated smartphone, and I only know of one app that I really want to get, or at least something similar to it: Hipstamatic. It lets you take vintage-looking photos by applying certain filters to your unique photos that you take with your phone. I've taken really great shots using someone else's phone and can't wait to have it myself. Another app I like is Shazam, which lets you identify music by holding your phone to the music as it's playing.
I got the Kindle Touch for Christmas. Love it! I love to read. I was worried about not liking it because of nostalgia, etc, I do not misshaving the actual book at all. It is very convenient, I don't have to worry about going to the library and due dates....and I don't have to worry about books not being in at the library. Very good present!
The Epicurious app is terrific! I love having all those recipes at my fingertips, and following them on the iPad is so much easier than using a cookbook.
I have an iPad and an iPhone. The app that I use all the time is Allrecipe and Grocery IQ. I love , love both these apps. Allrecipe has tons and tons of recipes and the reviews from others who have made them. I use this app almost everyday. You can search for different food items and even styles. Grocery IQ is an app of your grocery list. You don't have to write a grocery list anymore or ever again. It saves your list so you can just click what you need. You can even put the price of the item, so it's easy to compare at the store.
I received an ipad2 for Christmas this year. I love it!! I love the portability, the apps and it's compact size. Technology is truly amazing.
I recently dumped a bunch of apps that I hated or didn't use. I have a droid and for work the adobe reader app is a must. Astrid tasks & evernote for general lists and thoughts. Living in NYC the NYC Bus & subway app to see what's not running well and how I will have to reroute myself. I like my retro & FX camera apps. For personal use:: Lose it (helps me track calories). cardio tracker for my workouts, tag-reader for info & contests and angry birds to de-stress (die piggie die). Last but definitely not least:: PdaNet -- creates a wifi setup via tethering from your phone to your laptop FREE. If you get a signal - you have a useful laptop. This app has saved my butt a few times when systems have gone done or are none existent. a MUST HAVE.
I have an ipad2 and absolutely love it it's like having a mini laptop, and my kids love e apps I've gotten for them, bedtime stories are a lot more fun and interactive when you can touch the pages and things move and make noise
I bought the Toshiba Thrive and I'm just getting started with apps. So far the ones that I have I do enjoy though.
I love the allrecipes app. It comes up with recipes that I would never have thought up on my own. It is a great app when you are trying to stretch the grocery dollars as far as you can until the next shopping day.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE....the Kroger App. Granted you have to have a Kroger near you, but since I do, I am in love. Why??? It's free, it allows me to upload or eliminate my ecoupons for Kroger, see their sales add, find locations and contact numbers, and view my rewards I have with them. If you shop at Kroger, you should totally check it out!
My 4 yr old thinks that my Blackberry is archaic since it doesn't have a touch screen!