Apps

iPad Apps to Help Organize Your Finances

Posted by lesliesaxman on April 3, 2013
Posted in: Apps, iPad, iPad Accessories. Tagged: , , , . 1 comment

Tax day is less than two weeks away, and if you’re like the rest of the world, you’re realizing that you’re not as financially organized as you thought you were. Well, let us help you make the 2014 tax season a little easier. Download these apps, and maybe you’ll actually look forward to hearing from Mr. Tax Man next year!

SplashMoney

SplashMoney is helpful because of all the accounts it works with. It even works with multiple currencies, if you’re a frequent world traveler. It’s designed to help you with your personal finances on the go, and because it works well on iPads, iPhones, and desktop computers, you’ll be able to check in frequently.

Pageonce

Pageonce is like a “universal remote for your finances” because it allows you to pay your bills, see all your account balances, and track your payments all in one place. It even allows you to be smarter with your money by tracking frequent flyer miles, rewards, mobile minutes, and text & data usage!

TurboTax TaxCaster

TaxCaster gives you step-by-step directions on how to file your taxes, when the time comes. Just snap a photo of your W-2 and the app will enter the info for you! You can then e-file your tax return to get your refund (fingers crossed) faster.

Mint

Mint helps you keep track of your finances all year by working with you to provide a budget. I will then warn you if you’re getting close to exceeding your suggested spending limit on a certain items. You can hook it up to your checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and investments so you see the big picture.

Since you’re going to be using your iPad so often to keep an eye on your finances, you better protect it iPad with the RokShield v3 iPad Mini case. The case includes a kickstand, you’ll be able to use it in bed, on a desk, on a coffee table…anywhere!

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being confident, 10 being terrified), how afraid of tax season are you this year?

National Procrastination Week: Apps that will help you celebrate…eventually.

Posted by lesliesaxman on March 6, 2013
Posted in: Apps. Tagged: , . Leave a Comment

If you really think about it, all apps are procrastination apps, aren’t they? We open them when we’re ready to kill some time. But, not all time wasters are created equal. We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best procrastination apps we could find. Take a moment out of your busy day and download these. Then open them and see what they’re all about. You’ll finish that report later. It’s national procrastination week, after all.

Tamago HD is a “game” where the point is to break the egg. Each time you tap the screen, the egg gets closer to breaking. The catch is, it takes one million taps to break the egg. One million! You can sure waste some time tapping on your screen for that long! The app lets you tweet how many times you’ve tapped the egg and adds the hashtag #tomago, so you can waste time seeing how many other people have been wasting time.

 

 

Procrastinator is the perfect app for people who can’t make decisions on their own. The app makes you set a deadline for yourself to make decisions. If you haven’t made a decision by the time that deadline passes, Procrastinator makes the decision for you. A psychologist and behavioral economist who studies decision-making designed the app. He even wrote a New York Times best selling book about it!

 

 

Do it (Tomorrow) is an app that asks “Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow?” The procrastinator’s mantra! Do it (Tomorrow) is a procrastinator’s app in an organizational disguise. The app makes it easy to create “to do” lists, and even easier to push things off until the next day.

 

 

 

If you’re really a procrastinator, prove it. Procrastination Quotient lets you procrastinate by taking a quiz to determine whether you’re a “legendary procrastinator or just a garden variety dilly-dallier.” The app even tells you how much your procrastination is costing you financially. If you’re proud of how much procrastination you can really get done, the app will let you connect to your Facebook and Twitter and broadcast your results. You could even waste some time by seeing how much your friends and family procrastinate.

 

Have you ever said to yourself, “I’ll start that right after this show,”? I bet you have! With Stitcher Radio, that feeling will never end. You can listen to all of your favorite NPR, CNN, FOX, BBC, WSJ, Adam Carolla, SModcast, Joe Rogan, Rachel Maddow, Rush Limbaugh, Fresh Air, Freakonomics, Radiolab, and over 10,000 more shows and live stations whenever you want. What makes the app especially friendly for procrastinators is that it will let you “stitch” shows together on a never-ending stream of procrastination-educing entertainment.

 

Which apps do you use when you’re trying to avoid something? Leave us a note in the comments section below.

Best iPad Art & Apps

Posted by lesliesaxman on February 13, 2013
Posted in: Apps, iPad, iPad 2, iPad Accessories. Tagged: , , , . 1 comment

We’ve come a long way since Microsoft Paint. Many iPad users have discovered that they can use iPads to create beautiful art they never knew they were capable of. There are hundreds of art apps available to Apple users that will help get you started. We’ve done some legwork and rounded up some great iPad art to inspire you, as well as some apps that will help you realize your own artistic potential. 

Coolest iPad Art

Photo courtesy of Facebook

This image creates movement by using blurred brushstrokes. Download ArtRage to design similar photos.

Image courtesy of iPad and iPhone Art

This image was the first artwork Jorge Columbo ever created on his iPad. It later became the cover of January 28 issue of The New Yorker magazine.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr  

“A Rose in Winter” looks like it was painted with watercolors, but it was created on an iPad. Finding an app that suits your style is important – take advantage of free apps to determine your favorite art techniques.

Photo Courtesy of The Next Web

On an iPad, artists can get an incredible amount of detail, making it possible to create amazing drawings of people’s faces. You might recognize this man, Terry O’Quinn, from watching “Lost” or “Hawaii Five-o”.

Photo courtesy of  Flickr

Animals can be a great source of inspiration when you’re starting your iPad art. “The Tourist” was created using Snapseed and Procreate apps.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

This piece by Charles Wyatt was created using ArtRage. Within the app, he used tools such as the felt tip pen, pastels, watercolors, and the pallet knife.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr

“Pineapple” was made using TouchDraw, 123DSculpt, TypeDrawing, and ArtRage on an iPad. Get creative and use words as part of your image.

Best iPad Art Apps

iPastels lets you to create pastel artwork on your iPad. Beginners can learn techniques and how pastels work without buying expensive paper and supplies, and expert artists can test out new drawings before breaking out the pastels or improve their skills. It also offers information on each tool as you use it. iPastels is free to download on your iPad.

 

 

 

MyBrushes allows users to try out several different types of art, including different brushes, watercolor and oil painting, Chinese painting, drawing techniques, and even Chinese calligraphy. It records your process, so you can review how you created your artwork once you’re done. The app costs $0.99 to download onto your iPad.

 

 

 

ArtRage lets you experiment with different art styles, like watercolors and oil paints, without the mess or expensive supplies. It paints realistically, meaning your artwork depends on the type of materials you choose, as well as brushstrokes and layers – the paint even dries in real time. ArtRage is available to download on your iPad for $5.49.

 

 

 

Every good artist needs a sturdy and stable work surface. iPad artists are no different. Make sure your iPad is safe in a protective case. No matter what inspires you, you’ll be able to securely mount your iPad to any surface and start creating beautiful artwork with the help of Rokform’s v3 Suction Mount.

The Five Best Apps to Download Before the Big Game

Posted by lesliesaxman on January 30, 2013
Posted in: Apps, Promotions. Tagged: , , , . 1 comment

Like all other sports fans, we’re gearing up for the Super Bowl, and like all other technology fans, our preparation includes downloading some new apps. We’re not alone in wanting to bring technology to the big game, either! Thirty six percent of viewers will use a second device during the Super Bowl, according to one study. If you count yourself among those 36 percent, here are our picks for the best apps to augment your Super Bowl experience.

Super Bowl XLVII Guide is the perfect app if you’re lucky enough to go to the game. It features a guide to all the official Super Bowl events, local restaurants, nightlife, and points of interest around New Orleans. It even sends push notifications with buzz surrounding the big event.

 

 

 

American Football NFL Trivia Quiz has 250 multiple-choice questions and 9 different game modes to play either by yourself or with friends if the real game isn’t interesting enough to hold your attention. The modes include “Guess the Questions”, “Quiz Master”, “Race Against Time”, and “Battleships.” It even comes with Blue Tooth connection.

 

 

 

Pretend you’re actually in the game with NFL Kicker. You can chose to be a 49er or a Raven (or any other team for that matter) and flick your finger to “kick” the ball into the goal posts. You can even play with your Facebook friends in certain game modes. The game even lets you customize your jersey with your own name and number.

 

 

 

The Super Bowl isn’t the Super Bowl without game time snacks. Favorite Recipes has recipes for just about anything you think of. Prefer Mexican or Thai to the classic pizza and wings? This app has you covered. All recipes include photos and step-by-step directions for how to cook whatever it is you want to snack on.

 

 

 

A+ Superbowl Commercials is perfect for those of us who love the Super Bowl, but not the actual game. It has the best Super Bowl commercials from years past all in one place. If the commercials from this year don’t live up to expectation, and the Puppy Bowl isn’t really your cup of tea either, this will save the night.

 

 

 

Are you a serious fan? Do you think you can predict the outcome of the game? If so, you could win a Rokform prize pack for your iPad, iPhone, or Galaxy S3! Check out the Rokform Facebook page for more details. Good luck!

The Best Apps for Cyclists

Posted by lesliesaxman on January 18, 2013
Posted in: Accessories, Apps, iPhone, Tips. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a Comment

We’re all walking around with a powerful computer in our hands, but are we cyclists using it to our best advantage? Smartphones can help you get the most out of your ride with apps that track your distance, keep you safe, and provide maintenance tips. Here are 5 great apps to download on your phone to enhance your ride.

Strava Cycling is awesome because not only does it track your bike rides (distance, speed, elevation, and calories burned), it also lets you compare your performance against both your friends and cycling pros! Keep track of your stats, stay in touch with your friends, and find new places to ride! Strava Cycling is free to download on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and your Android devices! There’s also the option to go premium for access to even more features.

DMD Panorama by Dermandar lets you take gorgeous panorama pictures for only $1.99. Not only does it let you take 360 degree photos, you can also view photos taken by other people in the same area in the “Near Me” gallery. Save your photos to share them online later! You can download this app on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. DerManDar (DMD) Panorama is available to download for Android users. It’s the same app, just a slightly different name (and it’s free! Sorry, Apple lovers!).

Bike Doctor 2 gives you step by step instructions on how to do simple repairs and maintenance on your bike. It costs $4.99, but if you’re willing to get a little grease on your hands, it could save you a lot of money down the road on bike repairs. It also teaches you how to clean your bike properly and prevent future damage. It’s available for download on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Bike Doctor can be downloaded on Android devices for $2.87.

Cycle Tracker Pro – TrainingPeaks GPS features a wide range of workouts to choose from and even lets you race to beat your past rides and share your results with your friends via Twitter and Facebook! Access to Google Maps show you real time maps of where you are as you work out to your own music or pod cast selection. There is unfortunately no Cycle Tracker Pro for Android devices yet, but download this app on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for $2.99!

BikeWrappers Bike Light turns your Apple device into a blinking red or white light to alert drivers that you’re on the road. The automatic timer calculates how long you’ve been active, so at the end of your ride, simply enter your weight to calculate how many calories you burned off! BikeWrappers Bike Light is free and available on your Apple devices – iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads.

Of course, none of these apps are useful unless you can easily access your phone as you ride. Rokform’s Rokbed v3 Bike Mount Kit makes sure your phone is always right in front of you.

What’s the best cyclist app you’ve found? We’d love to hear it! Leave a note for us in the comments section below.