Appiphilia: Review of iPhone apps for storing memories, movie reviews, workouts and conversions
By now, you most certainly know that the iPhone firmware upgrade is out. Among the many changes and useful little features is the ability to tap the home button and return to the first screen. Completely helpful for those of us determined to fill out the nine pages we're permitted -- or restricted to, depending on your perspective -- in going from app No. 144 back to app No. 1.
In the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, a musical dedication (to the tune of "My Favorite Things") to the apps I'm most thankful for. Feel free to sing along:
Pandora for music and Evernote for memos;
iMapMyRide so tracking's no problemo;
With Units, I can convert with a series of taps;
These are a few of my favorite apps.
I promise we won't continue with a complete Rogers and Hammerstein tribute. For this week's Appiphilia, I'd like to pause a moment and reflect on those things that make life with an iPhone a little bit easier. The everyday apps.
In no particular order, these five apps are free and fully functional.
What it is: For nearly every way you might want to memorialize something, this popular app makes it possible. There is a desktop download for Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as for a Web-clipping version for most popular browsers. You can sync your notes -- photo, audio or text -- over the air. Users get 40 MB per month. That breaks down to about 20,000 text notes, 400 mobile pics, 270 Web clips, 40 audio notes and 11 high-res pics, according to the Evernote site. There's a for-fee upgrade available.
What sizzles: Being able to sync notes from iPhone to computer without a cable is exceptionally convenient. For those making the transition from a PDA to a smartphone, this app makes that shift a little easier.
Evernote also offers image and text recognition, meaning that you can search for ...
... words that are typed or written in your notes or in your photos. You can organize your notes by tagging them to specific categories. The items you tag as "favorite" will be available offline, without a network connection.
I didn't recognize how useful this app was until I was being aggressively chased on the San Bernardino Freeway and couldn't reach 911. Instead of chucking my phone out the window for having no reception, I tapped Evernote and recorded every single detail I could as it was happening, with the time, date and location stamped on the note. If the car had been in front of me, I'd have snapped a photo of it too.
Hey, if you record a note to yourself before walking away, Evernote could even help you find your car at Dodger Stadium, using geolocation search.
What fizzles: Eh, no rollover storage. Unused megabytes are lost forever.
Bottom line: You can store -- and find -- lots of junk in this trunk.
What it is: It's a TV and movie guide in your hand.
What sizzles: Tap the icon in the top right to let the app fix on your location, and find out what movies are playing nearby. Watch the trailer to see if the film is worth your time. You can click through a mini photo gallery or read what other users have to say about the flick -- and add your two cents as the final credits are rolling.
If it's TV you're interested in, you can set the cable carrier in your area for current television listings. You can also link it to your Netflix account if you're a subscriber.
The app allows you to create favorite lists for actors, movies, TV shows and theaters.
What fizzles: So you've found something you actually want to watch on TV. You can send yourself or your friends an e-mail reminder, but you can't put it on your calendar directly from this app. Then again, who actually watches shows as they air these days?
This app really makes me want to play techno-yente: i.TV, meet DVR -- please! You two would totally hit it off.
Bottom line: The big things missing are ways to buy movie tickets, watch video streams and schedule your DVR to record what you've just looked up. But they say that's coming, possibly in time for Christmas.
What it is: Instead of strapping on a GPS device, you can use your iPhone to track your workout, from path to pace. It syncs directly with MapMyRide.com.
What sizzles: You tap it, you start exercising; then you tap it when you finish. The fact that you don't have to load up devices to track your workout and play your music is a definite plus.
I don't know about you, but I get a bit bored with just one activity. This app will also track your walks and runs too. You can link it to your Twitter account if you're inclined. In addition to the stats, the app offers you a Google map of your route.
What fizzles: The app has to be open on your iPhone to record your workout. This means you've got to launch your David Cook playlist before you start recording the workout. And a phone call can interrupt a good workout. (But you can resume that workout from where you left off.)
Bottom line: Set it up, strap on the iPhone, get moving and don't sweat it -- or touch it.
What it is: This application will convert everything ranging from area and currency to temperature and weight.
What sizzles: Tap in a number and see the conversion to every related measurement before your eyes.
What fizzles: The currency field includes 35 choices, but the 99-cent Units app includes many more. Plus, I should say for the record that I'm concerned that an increased dependence on technology decreases our ability to make these conversions in our heads. Like we could ever do that....
Bottom line: The measure of a man is in this app. Well, if it isn't, it's the only measurement not available in it. You can certainly maintain the smug smarty pants rep of iPhone owners everywhere with this one.
-- Michelle Maltais
Top photo: From "The Sound of Music." Credit: 20th Century Fox
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Excellent post. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: sbl clipping path | November 25, 2008 at 11:10 PM