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Posts Tagged ‘apps’
Weekend Reading: Smartphone user dating habits, coding for kids and LTE in seven new markets this week
April 26th, 2013 a 11:33am
Ever wonder what your smartphone reveals about dating frequency? Or what apps are available to teach your kids about coding? We cover these plus unveil more exciting LTE news – all in this week’s edition of Weekend Reading.
Who has more first dates? iPhone, Android, Blackberry or Windows users?
If you’re single and wondering which device will score you better odds of a first date, Mashable has the answer in a survey uncovered by Match.com this week.
Of 5,000 people surveyed in the U.S., 49 per cent of single iPhone users went on at least one date in 2012. In a close second was Windows with 46 per cent, then Android at 44 per cent and Blackberry at 42 per cent.
So what does this say about smartphone owners and their dating styles? Check out the full article and survey on Mashable here. Has your smartphone affected your dating life? If so, how?
Coding apps for kids
When I was in school, elective courses included things like music and art. While these are still considered optional, much of today’s curriculum is changing to reflect the needs of our current economy. Coding may not be a widely offered course yet, but you can give your kid a head start on learning one of the most in-demand skills for today’s job market.
This week, Read Write Web highlighted some great apps to teach your kids coding for programming. The six apps are designed for a variety of ages, starting as young as 5 years old. As Read Write Web points out, if you start them off young enough, you could end up raising the next Mark Zuckerberg!
Rogers LTE lights up in seven new markets this week
On Monday, Rogers was proud to announce that only four months into 2013, we have launched LTE in an additional seven markets. As part of our commitment to roll out LTE in 44 new markets this spring, Monday’s new markets include:
- Airdrie, Alberta
- Langley, B.C
- Keswick, Ont.
- Hamilton, including Grimsby, Ont.
- Orillia, Ont.
- Stratford, Ont.
- Ottawa, including Kanata, Nepean, Gloucester, Stittsville and Cumberland, Ont.
Bonus: both the upcoming Blackberry Q10 and Samsung Galaxy S4 are compatible on the LTE network! Learn more about the LTE network and what devices are currently on the market here.
For more details on our latest LTE expansion, check out some great coverage from our friends at The Cellular Guru, iPhone in Canada, Android Central, Android in Canada, IT Nerd, and Brief Mobile.
Kelly is a regular RedBoard contributor.
Tags: Earth Day apps help you do your part to save the planet
April 22nd, 2013 a 9:00am
Today is Earth Day, a day when we celebrate the Earth and try to be even more eco-conscious. So along with turning out lights when you leave a room, turning down the thermostat and recycling all you can, here are four mobile apps that will help you live greener every day of the year.
Tips for going green If you’re looking for how to start embracing more environmentally-friendly habits, you might want to check the Go Green mobile app (iOS, free). A new tip pops up each time you launch the app. For example, “When you’re in the market for a new computer, consider a laptop. It saves space, goes anywhere and uses five times less energy than desktop models.” Each tip is then stored in “The Green List,” which you can reference at any time.
Recycling how-tos If you’re wondering where you can drop off empty paint cans or batteries in your area, you might want to check out 1-800 Recycling’s mobile app (iOS and Android, free). Available for “parts of Canada,” the app allows you to search nearby recycling centres based on the item you want to recycle. It then lists all the centres near you that accept it, includingthe location’s address, hours and phone number. You can even call the centre direct from the app.
Maintaining your green lifestyle Want to know just how Earth-friendly that package of peanut butter you’re about to pick up is? Good Guide (iOS and Android, free), scans product barcodes and rates them for health, environment and society. It also lists the ingredients, nutritional information and alternative products. And you can add in your personal standards to see how your favourite products stack up. The app lists more than 120,000 food, personal care and household products.
Make your commute a little greener Commute Greener (iOS, Android and Facebook) gives you points and badges as you improve the method of your daily commute. For example, I take the subway every day, so the app suggests I work from home one day a week or get a bike in order to make my commute a little better. You also get points and badges for recruiting friends, and can create challenges for your group to take part in.
What mobile apps do you use to help you live greener?
Sarah is a regular RedBoard contributor
: Rogers roundup: Android apps to celebrate spring
March 19th, 2013 a 9:49am
Blooming buds, chirping birds and sweet, sweet sunshine: Canadians are already eagerly watching for the first signs of spring, which officially begins Wednesday. In honour of the start of patio and BBQ season, we’re sharing some of our favourite Android apps for spring entertaining from the Google PLAY store.
Barbequing done right
A warm evening just begs for dinner to be thrown on the grill. The iGrill helps you cook burgers and steaks to perfection. This thermometer, which costs $80, communicates via Bluetooth with a free app from the Google PLAY store (it’s also available for iOS), to help you track cooking times and even serves up recipes.
Bored with burgers? Cooking apps such as Big Oven (free), which features more than 250,000 recipes, Epicurious (free), which boasts more than 28,000 meal ideas, and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s 20-minute meals app ($3.80) will help spice up your menus to take advantage of all that fresh produce.
Entertaining made easy
If you’re serving dinner for a group, you can manage your party prep and planning with Pepperplate (free). This app lets users share recipes, create menus and shopping lists and run multiple cooking timers to make sure that pot on the stove doesn’t boil over while you’re mixing mojitos.
A night in the backyard or balcony also calls for a great soundtrack. Music-streaming concierge Songza (free) lets you choose playlists based on activity or mood, while the subscription-based Rdio (free) offers more than 18 million songs on demand.
Shoot like a pro
In this “Pictures or it didn’t happen” society, it doesn’t hurt to upgrade your phone’s editing software to make sure your home-cooked meals, hand-picked bouquets and perfect pedicures look their best on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and beyond. Adobe PhotoShop Touch ($3.99) brings Adobe’s popular photo-editing features, including layers, filters, tone and colour adjustment to your phone.
And if you’re looking for a new phone or tablet to go with your fresh spring wardrobe, you can get a $35 voucher – only available in Canada through Rogers – to spend on great apps in the Google PLAY store when you activate a Samsung Galaxy S III, Note 2 or another eligible Samsung Galaxy device with a two or three year plan before April 1.
Did we miss any of your favourite apps? Share your must-haves in the comments.
Jennifer is a regular contributor to RedBoard.
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Weekend Reading: Students creating mobile apps, mobile tech benefits for health care, and the latest issue of Connected Rogers
March 2nd, 2013 a 10:29am
This week is all about looking to the future of tech! Connected Rogers latest issue gives us a sneak peek for what to look forward to this spring in tech and TV, plus we look at some articles highlighting high schools adding mobile app development to their curriculum, and ways mobile tech could save billions for developing countries by 2017 -all in this week’s edition of Weekend Reading.
Latest Connected issue now online
I look forward to these issues for so many reasons – not only are they on top of all the latest tech news themselves, but they provide fantastic info on Rogers products and services including how-to’s, essential tips, and previews for the world of sports and entertainment this spring.
This month’s issue of Connected highlights 10 Essential Travel Apps just in time for March Break, things to love about the new BlackBerry Z10, and a section on social media support solutions.
My favourite article in this issue though has to be on “Internet Then and Now,” where they remind us how things used to get done “pre-internet.” There’s sharing photos and shopping, but most of all communication when it comes to keeping in touch and expressing yourself. I’ve got to say, aside from the convenience of communicating and sharing, I especially don’t miss having to set foot in a mall these days! The more shopping I can get done online the better – how about you?
Students developing mobile apps
If you can’t beat them, join them! That seems to be the change in thinking when it comes to technology and kids these days. Instead of limiting tech use, many students and teachers are starting to see the benefits of getting kids into tech early, particularly when it comes to career aspirations. The potential for the mobile app market is big, so much so, that some schools have even begun to add related courses to their curriculum.
This week the Daytona Beach News Journal published a report on Flagler Palm Coast High’s new app class, where kids are picking up tech skills that typically aren’t accessible until college or university. In their “App Creation” class, students are given a brief history of tech before getting introduced to basic programming skills. It’s through these classes that many other transferrable skills come to light as well, including design, problem solving, and time management. Begin College wrote a similar article on The Perks of Taking Mobile App Development Courses, as did the Community College Times in their post exploring how apps are helping students think like programmers.
I definitely wish we had had a course like this when I was in high school – what about you? Or are you hoping these programs come to your area for your children?
4 ways mobile tech could save $400 billion in developed countries in 2017
Gigaom released a great report this week on the benefits of mobile tech for the health care industry, particularly in developing countries. We’re already aware of the convenience benefits of mobile tech, but for the health industry it can save money, increase opportunities and enhance health and safety in the coming years.
For instance, health care workers will be able to monitor medication and treatment for patients, and text alerts can be sent out decreasing missed appointments. Aside from lower costs and higher efficiency, check out the remaining points from the full article in Gigaom. It’s exciting to see the full potential for technology and realize it’s not just about cool gadgets; there are ways it can change lives and bring hope to those less fortunate too.
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Tags: Weekend Reading: Mobile dependency, kids and tech, and Rogers Hand-Me-Down program
February 15th, 2013 a 2:49pm
How long can you go without checking your mobile device? Are you on top of all the latest trends and safety measures when it comes to tech and your kids? We explore these topics, plus point you to the Rogers Hand-Me-Down program for mobile devices – all in this week’s edition of Weekend Reading.
How often are you checking your phone?
By now we’re no strangers to the term “nomophobia” and have seen numerous studies done indicating how dependent we’ve become on our mobile devices. Collins Dictionary defines nomophobia as “a state of stress caused by having no access to or being unable to use one’s mobile phone,” something Canadians are no stranger to. In one of our Rogers Innovation Reports, 65% say you’d feel naked without your smartphone and internet access, and 51% sleep with their smartphone in bed or on the nightstand.
It should come as no surprise then that The Daily Telegraph recently found that people are checking their mobile phones every six and a half minutes, which means we’re checking our smartphones 150 times a day on average! How do we find the time to do anything else? The report also narrows down how many phone calls and text messages people are receiving, and even how often we’re checking the clocks on them.
My own mother says my smartphone is “practically growing out of my arm;” I guess this would make me nomophobic! You’re only half way through this post, how many times have you checked your device?
Keeping up with kids and tech
If you don’t have nomophobia, with today’s mobile tech advancements, chances are your kids will! So how do you keep up with it all?
As Monica Vila (co-founder of TheOnlineMom and guest blogger for Mashable) recently discovered, keeping up with tech trends no longer means just being aware of parental controls and allotting a certain amount of time to gaming. These days it’s staying on top of the latest social networks and apps for their mobile devices too. To get parents on the right track, Monica compiled a list of best practices to enforce in the household, including tips such as monitoring your child’s behavior and installing filters and protection on the devices. More great advice in the full post here.
Tired of the device you have?
With technology changing so quickly, perfectly good devices sometimes get tossed to the wayside to make room for a newer one. Or perhaps your phone is great, it’s just not suited to your personal needs.
That’s where Rogers Hand-Me-Down program comes in. Instead of letting your old device sit and collect dust in a drawer, you can pass it on to a friend or family member. Connected Rogers breaks the process down into 3 easy steps for you this month – just in time for Family Day on Monday for those of us celebrating it! You can also get more details at rogers.com/newstart.
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Weekend Reading: Go-to devices, Blackberry 10, apps for kids, and apps created by teens
February 9th, 2013 a 1:21pm
I’m always inspired to read about all the different ways technology is changing our lives for the better. It gives us so many more options as to how we access news and information, for example. Not to mention that it opens new and exciting opportunities for education. That it motivates some students to develop talents that lead to fulfilling careers is so great. This week we look at people’s viewing habits, why more developers should be focused on kids apps, and introduce you to the latest teenage whiz-kid developer.
What’s your go-to device?
When it comes to sourcing out your entertainment, programming and news, television still reigns supreme. But those habits are shifting, and according to a new study by eMarketer, your age plays a part in which device you prefer.
For instance, 28% of people 18 to 24 claim that their laptop is their main source of news and entertainment. TV remains the number one source for 30% of people from that same age group, but for how much longer? On the gender front, women are more likely than men turn to their smartphones or tablets to watch their favourite shows. Personally I’m torn – I still love watching TV and live tweeting and checking in to the shows I’m watching, but on the other hand, there’s something to be said for the convenience of accessing Anyplace TV on your tablet at the cottage too!
How about you? What’s your go-to source for news and entertainment? Read the full eMarketer report online to see how you compare.
The Blackberry Z10 is here!
Last week we brought you some of our favourite blog coverage from the Toronto and NYC events that introduced the Blackberry 10 platform to the world. This week we were proud to launch our first ever LIVE blog here on Redboard, capturing some of the first Blackberry Z10 sales in the world!
Catch the excitement filmed earlier this week in Toronto – were you one of our featured customers lucky enough to score a Blackberry Z10 on launch day?
Kids need more apps
When cellphones first came on to the scene, most parents were reluctant to hand one over to their kids. Those who did usually had restrictions in place to ensure the device was used for emergency purposes only. Though these devices are still handy for emergencies, parents are increasingly seeing the benefits of their kids utilizing them for fun and education too.
What’s also changed is how kids use their phone. While it’s true that gaming apps rank highest among kids 12 and under, educational apps were right up there with more than half using their devices for learning purposes too. Schools have even begun to take notice with 1.5 million tablets already being used by students in the US.
Upstart Business Journal referenced an eye opening infographic that app developers may want to capitalize upon – check out their post for more kid tech trends and share some of your favourite educational apps with us in the comments below!
High school student creates “Clipped”
We also stumbled across a fascinating interview with a 15 year old student who created an app in between homework and hanging out with friends. When I was 15 I was making mix tapes and experimenting with makeup!
Fast Company caught up with Tanay Tandon for a quick chat on how his app “Clipped” came together what this Flipboard competitor can do for you, and what’s next on his agenda.
It’s amazing what opportunities technology provides for teens today that can lead to such promising careers tomorrow. How is tech affecting you and/or your kids upbringing in 2013?
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Tags: Weekend Reading: Couch commerce, tablet publications, and 2013 predictions
January 25th, 2013 a 5:14pm
Happy weekend everyone! It’s been an icy cold week with no signs of warming up unfortunately – so there’s no better time to grab some cocoa and bunker down with this week’s headlines in our latest edition of Weekend Reading!
Couch Commerce
When I think of tablets, I think of the convenience it provides while on the go with a larger screen than a smartphone. However, Mobile Commerce Daily posed a different perspective this week -
“Tablet devices are now known as “couch devices” because consumers are reaching for them while they are sitting at home.” Read the article for yourself and you’ll see its true!
Many of us use them in place of our laptops as a companion device to our televisions – and televisions host commercials. Commercials with fancy fashions, new products, and limited time offers. All of these factors come into play as reasons why online shopping from a tablet has increased by more than 300 percent in the last year alone! You can read more on their convenience and popularity in the entire article here.
I’m pretty sure I’ll have my tablet alongside my cocoa this weekend when I’m curled up inside because it’s minus 30 outside! How many of you are reading this edition of Weekend Reading on your tablet right now?
Are you reading tablet publications?
Keeping with the tablet theme, according to Tech Vibes, tablet publications are faring better in Canada than other parts of the world. In fact, publication apps account for 15% of all apps in iPad’s top 200 grossing apps! In the same category, they are also the second highest grossing apps next to games.
So who are the top publishers Canadians are reading? Do we prefer magazines to newspapers to newsstands? Find out in Tech Vibes infographic with more telling stats here.
2013 – The year of mobile?
That’s what The Mobilists are predicting in their post this week on 2013 Mobile Trends and Predictions, with a wish list that includes converting big data to actionable data, the rise of mobile payments, an increase in mobile shopping, and BYOD (bring your own device) to name a few.
But what do they think about mobile advertising, QR codes, or augmented reality? Check out their thorough article and share your thoughts on their lists in the comments below.
Personally I’m most excited to see developments in mobile use in everyday scenarios – from remote control access to household functions, to deeper control within our cars and even watches (as seen in Tech Zone 360 from this year’s CES.) I’m also eager for mobile payments to advance and become a regular form of payment now with our CIBC agreement for mobile wallets and suretap technology. 2013 is shaping up to be an innovative year already!
Kelly is a regular contributor for RedBoard.
Tags: Weekend Reading: CES 2013, more cool things you can do with your phone, and capturing people’s tech obsessed moments
January 11th, 2013 a 4:52pm
It’s been an exciting week for technology with the CES wrapping up today – automatic cars, celebrity guest appearances, and keynote speeches from some of the industry’s biggest executives. We not only point you to the top news destinations for CES, but keep you in the loop on the little things you may have overlooked this week as a result, including more things you can do with your smartphone, and a blogger who finds beauty in people’s tech habits. Catch up in our latest Weekend Reading!
10 cool things you can do with your smartphone
In last week’s Weekend Reading, we posted about Mashable uncovering 9 things you can do online. This week they took it a step further and explored 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Your Smartphone. If you enjoyed learning about cool things to do online last week, you’ll dig these finds for your smartphone if you don’t know about them already!
For instance, did you know your smartphone can act as a level for home renovations? Or be used as a remote starter for your car on those cold winter mornings? How about finding an app to monitor your heart rate and keep you on track with your New Year’s fitness resolution? Your phone can do all these things and much more – but check out the other 7 in Mashable’s full post here.
The Consumer Electronics Show 2013 (CES)
The International CES is the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology with over 4 decades of successful events. Every year more than 2,500 exhibitors travel to Vegas to show off their latest innovations in 15 product categories.
This year saw keynotes from Panasonic, Samsung, and Salesforce to name a few, with a surprise visit even from a former US president! The official website gives all those who couldn’t attend fantastic access to everything you missed, including news feeds, videos, trends, and updates. However, CNET has been covering the top stories as well with some great roundups for readers, including Top Tech at CES 2013, Big Booths of CES 2013, and their “Best Of” awards. Check out their full coverage here and share which story grabbed your attention in our comments below.
We never look up…
Admit it – you’ve been known to text and walk at the same time on occasion. But did you ever think someone would use this moment for art inspiration? That someone would find beauty in our tech-obsessed habits?
Mashable shone the spotlight this week on a blog that actually captures these moments and creates beautiful photography from them. “We Never Look Up” is a blog dedicated to documenting people and the “tech obsessed” phenomenon. Black and white photos occupy the blog, full of people on the move while gazing down at their devices. It’s a unique concept, but one any tech lover can appreciate. Check it out and see if you’ve become an unsuspecting muse to the collection!
Kelly is a regular contributor for RedBoard
Tags: Weekend Reading: Holiday news roundup, AppHero, and discovering new things to do online
January 4th, 2013 a 1:54pm
Happy New Year! Welcome to our first Weekend Reading edition of 2013.
We thought we’d kick 2013 off with a blog post that will get you caught up with everything that happened online while you were distracted by the holidays, help you find the perfect apps for your new iOS device, and show you 9 cool things you can do online. Get up to speed with this week’s stories below.
What you missed in tech news over the holidays
First things first, let’s get caught up with some of the biggest stories to emerge last week courtesy of The Next Web. In their roundup you can top tech stories you may have missed, including how many devices were activated on Christmas Day, what China made mandatory for all internet users, and Foursquare’s new privacy policy.
As an added bonus, they’ve also included their picks for “Good Reads,” “Useful Guides,” and “Interesting Reads from Elsewhere.”
Find the perfect apps for your new iOS device with AppHero
iPhone and iPads were undoubtedly one of the most in demand gifts this holiday season, and if you were lucky enough to get one, you’re probably wondering where to begin.
One of the best things about Apple is their App Store – but with over 750,000 apps it can be a daunting task to figure out which ones you’d like to try. Our friends at The Cellular Guru found just the app to help with that though, aptly called “App Hero.” By linking this free app with your Facebook and Twitter accounts, it pulls in info about your interests and gives you a customized list of apps that might interest you. Bonus: download the apps directly from the app instead of being taken to the App Store. Try it out on iTunes now and let us know if you found it handy too.
Betcha didn’t know you could do these 9 things online
Most of us have the hang of the internet these days – it’s become such a standard commodity we’ve even coined the phrase “Google it!” Yet Mashable still uncovered ways it can surprise us with some unlikely discoveries through their own “Googling.”
Planning on popping the big question this year? Did you know you can figure out your girlfriend’s ring size online? Fancy yourself a bit of a sleuth? Create your own police sketches thanks to another online tool. Always wished you’d gotten into MIT? The university offers free online physics courses. Check out what else Mashable found and share it with friends – were you already aware of some of these?
Kelly is a regular contributor for RedBoard
Checking out the Nokia Lumia 920 from Rogers with Jany Jang
December 4th, 2012 a 1:14pm
Jany Jang is a lot of things: A blogger; a Ryerson student majoring in business technology; a social media enthusiast. All of these things require Jany to use her imagination.
Recently, she was invited by her dean to take part in Pure Imagination, a Microsoft event and 24-hour Hackathon, coinciding with the recent release of Windows 8. A Hackathon is an event where developers usually gather to collaboratively code a digital project in a short amount of time. Participants were encouraged to make Windows 8 apps for the new operating system.
As part of the Rogers Social Insiders program, Jany got to demo the Nokia Lumia 920, a new Windows Phone 8 device exclusive to Rogers. We caught up with Jany after the Hackathon to see what her weekend was like.
Tell us about the Pure Imagination event. What was your favourite part?
Last weekend, I participated in my first 24-hour Hackathon hosted by Microsoft Windows 8. Prior to the official Hackathon kick-off, I had an amazing experience attending the different keynotes, sessions in various tracks, meeting a plethora of designers and developers from all over Ontario, and challenging myself to explore the possibilities of Windows 8. My favourite part of the event was being able network with different people on Friday night to recruit for a group of developers to bring an app idea to life.
Did you build an app? Can you tell us about it?
As a student who writes many essays and reports, the most dreadful part always seems to be preparing the bibliography. As a result, our team solved this common pain among academics by creating an app that is best at helping people cite their sources by automatically generating a bibliography. We had not met prior to the event, but quickly learned that our backgrounds would enable us to complement each other’s skills. For example, although my teammates were hardcore developers, coming from a Business Technology Management background (with experience in startups), I knew I would be able to add value to my team by suggesting ad/revenue models, and contributing to the creative user interface design of the app.
Tell us about your experience using the Nokia Lumia 920. What are your thoughts about the Windows Phone 8 operating system?
As a member of the Rogers Social Insiders Program, I had the opportunity to use the new Windows 8 phone, the Nokia Lumia 920 during the entire weekend. Initially, I felt that the phone was heavy, but once I turned it on and started viewing some of the different screens, I was immediately drawn by the clean, sleek and stunning user interface, and custom-coloured live tiles (magenta was my favourite). The phone is super intuitive!
What is your favourite feature of the phone?
My favorite parts of the phone are the camera app, vertical scrolling, the pre-installed audio notifications and alarms, being able to change the sizes of the live tiles, the centralized social media feature, and the design of the Twitter app for Windows Phone 8. Unlike the camera app on other platforms, Windows Phone 8 allows users to capture an image by holding down any part of their screen to focus and capture a specific moment. Also, because the phone was on the Rogers LTE network, loading web pages was superfast!
Would you use the Windows phone platform again?
I would definitely use it again!
For more information on the Windows 8 devices available from Rogers, click here.
Sarah is a regular contributor to RedBoard
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