Hi folks,
There are many postings out there asking people to post their favourite apps. I have in fact posted my favourites to several of these.
What I would like to know however is what apps you feel are really productive or money saving, please, no games, there are loads of postings for them.
Here are mine.
1. Google Maps: I recently changed job location to an office further away and that crosses a bridge through the city that is notorious for delays.
I now use google maps which has live traffic information. When I am ready to set out, I enter destination into maps and it shows me several routes I can take.
For each route, it will show normal travel time (i.e. no traffic) and current travel time that includes real time traffic info. One week I used three different routes that allowed me to avoid heavy build ups and it has honestly made my change of location a breeze.
2. Google Now: still not totally convinced about this but have found that the in car hands free module on my car still requires a couple of button presses to dial out. Google Now allows me to do proper hands free dialing through the car module so has benefitted me with this function. It can also use google maps so it will remind you of time to leave for interviews etc. Will persevere with it for another while to see if I can get to love it.
3. Cameralert: This is a safety or speed camera notification that works using your phones GPS and alerts you to nearby cameras. I am not advocating speeding, but I think we all know how easy it is sometimes to be in a strange or unfamiliar areas and drift over a speed limit. The app is free with initial database and you can get updates for a year for about twenty pounds.
4. Hive: This is actually a thermostatic control for your heating that allows you to set schedules, turn on or off your heating etc. via an app on your phone. We were getting a new boiler so I insisted on it much to my wifes disgust as she just thought it was geeky, (as if), anyway she now loves the convenience it offers.
I happened to go with this as it was what my boiler installer used but Nest and Tado etc. do similar things so worth considering.
5. Llama: This is similar to Tasker but free, I believe it is also easier to master. It allows your phone to learn its location by scanning and keeping note of the radio masts around it. You Train it for your home, work etc. then the app will recognise where you are and allow you to carry out many functions automatically.
I use it for a very simple function in that I have it set that when my phone connects to my in car Bluetooth, Lama will start the cameralert app and change my phone profile to loud. This means every time I get into my car, the safety camera app starts automatically it also ensures by changing profile to loud that I can hear any warnings.
The only downside is that later versions of Android do not allow you to disable one app by using another or I would have it set to turn off cameralert when my phone disconnected from my cars Bluetooth. This is an android “Security feature” and not a Llama limitation. Well worth a try as there are endless possibilities for what you can do with this.
6. My Fitness Pal: A weight loss app that has an extensive database of foods stored. You simply tell it at outset your sex, age, weight and height. Tell it what weight you want to be and how much you would like to lose each week. It will work out the number of calories you can eat each day to achieve this. Absolutely fantastic at focussing your mind, if you see you have had your calories for the day you will be more inclined to skip a snack or 4. The more you use it the easier it becomes as it remembers your regular foods so makes entry fast and easy, also has a bar code reader so you can scan labels directly. It also links into various fitness trackers including the fitbit app built into HTC One m8 so your daily exercise etc. is captured and shows at end of each day as, if every day was like today then in 5 weeks time you would weigh XX pounds. Very motivational.
7. PasswordBox: There are many password managers out there, I just happen to use this one but have a look around.
I have been using it for a while now and was amazed to see that I have over 50 web sites and apps that I require a user name and password for, I was also shocked when I realised how many I use the same details for. This app can generate really strong passwords and encrypts them on your phone, You can also use it on your tablet or PC. The passwords are not stored centrally. Have a look at your own phone or PC usage and if you have many passwords that are all similar then really consider a password manager.
8. Sky movies and Sky sports apps: The ability to be able to stream live sport or movies anywhere you have WiFi or data signal is just fantastic.
9. TV Catchup: a free television app that allows you to watch all UK freeview channels on your phone via WiFi or network if you have a data plan.
10. WeQ4U: you can use various websites to find alternative phone numbers to costly 0844 etc. phone numbers but this simple app. Allows you to type in the number quoted and it will automatically search and call using a number included within your phone package, it will also allow you to hold when in a queue and alert you when your call is answered. Very clever and a great cost saver.
11. Whatsapp: A great messenger app that allows you to send texts and picture messages for free using data. This is particularly useful when abroad as you can use wifi to message people or just send them annoying pictures of you having your 6th Pina Colada on the beach when it is snowing back home.
I would hope you would agree when reading through these that these are really useful apps to possibly be able to use, so I would welcome any other suggestions that you feel really showcase the benefits of having a smart phone other than for playing angry birds, candy crush, taking a selfie or updating your status.
Thank you.
There are many postings out there asking people to post their favourite apps. I have in fact posted my favourites to several of these.
What I would like to know however is what apps you feel are really productive or money saving, please, no games, there are loads of postings for them.
Here are mine.
1. Google Maps: I recently changed job location to an office further away and that crosses a bridge through the city that is notorious for delays.
I now use google maps which has live traffic information. When I am ready to set out, I enter destination into maps and it shows me several routes I can take.
For each route, it will show normal travel time (i.e. no traffic) and current travel time that includes real time traffic info. One week I used three different routes that allowed me to avoid heavy build ups and it has honestly made my change of location a breeze.
2. Google Now: still not totally convinced about this but have found that the in car hands free module on my car still requires a couple of button presses to dial out. Google Now allows me to do proper hands free dialing through the car module so has benefitted me with this function. It can also use google maps so it will remind you of time to leave for interviews etc. Will persevere with it for another while to see if I can get to love it.
3. Cameralert: This is a safety or speed camera notification that works using your phones GPS and alerts you to nearby cameras. I am not advocating speeding, but I think we all know how easy it is sometimes to be in a strange or unfamiliar areas and drift over a speed limit. The app is free with initial database and you can get updates for a year for about twenty pounds.
4. Hive: This is actually a thermostatic control for your heating that allows you to set schedules, turn on or off your heating etc. via an app on your phone. We were getting a new boiler so I insisted on it much to my wifes disgust as she just thought it was geeky, (as if), anyway she now loves the convenience it offers.
I happened to go with this as it was what my boiler installer used but Nest and Tado etc. do similar things so worth considering.
5. Llama: This is similar to Tasker but free, I believe it is also easier to master. It allows your phone to learn its location by scanning and keeping note of the radio masts around it. You Train it for your home, work etc. then the app will recognise where you are and allow you to carry out many functions automatically.
I use it for a very simple function in that I have it set that when my phone connects to my in car Bluetooth, Lama will start the cameralert app and change my phone profile to loud. This means every time I get into my car, the safety camera app starts automatically it also ensures by changing profile to loud that I can hear any warnings.
The only downside is that later versions of Android do not allow you to disable one app by using another or I would have it set to turn off cameralert when my phone disconnected from my cars Bluetooth. This is an android “Security feature” and not a Llama limitation. Well worth a try as there are endless possibilities for what you can do with this.
6. My Fitness Pal: A weight loss app that has an extensive database of foods stored. You simply tell it at outset your sex, age, weight and height. Tell it what weight you want to be and how much you would like to lose each week. It will work out the number of calories you can eat each day to achieve this. Absolutely fantastic at focussing your mind, if you see you have had your calories for the day you will be more inclined to skip a snack or 4. The more you use it the easier it becomes as it remembers your regular foods so makes entry fast and easy, also has a bar code reader so you can scan labels directly. It also links into various fitness trackers including the fitbit app built into HTC One m8 so your daily exercise etc. is captured and shows at end of each day as, if every day was like today then in 5 weeks time you would weigh XX pounds. Very motivational.
7. PasswordBox: There are many password managers out there, I just happen to use this one but have a look around.
I have been using it for a while now and was amazed to see that I have over 50 web sites and apps that I require a user name and password for, I was also shocked when I realised how many I use the same details for. This app can generate really strong passwords and encrypts them on your phone, You can also use it on your tablet or PC. The passwords are not stored centrally. Have a look at your own phone or PC usage and if you have many passwords that are all similar then really consider a password manager.
8. Sky movies and Sky sports apps: The ability to be able to stream live sport or movies anywhere you have WiFi or data signal is just fantastic.
9. TV Catchup: a free television app that allows you to watch all UK freeview channels on your phone via WiFi or network if you have a data plan.
10. WeQ4U: you can use various websites to find alternative phone numbers to costly 0844 etc. phone numbers but this simple app. Allows you to type in the number quoted and it will automatically search and call using a number included within your phone package, it will also allow you to hold when in a queue and alert you when your call is answered. Very clever and a great cost saver.
11. Whatsapp: A great messenger app that allows you to send texts and picture messages for free using data. This is particularly useful when abroad as you can use wifi to message people or just send them annoying pictures of you having your 6th Pina Colada on the beach when it is snowing back home.
I would hope you would agree when reading through these that these are really useful apps to possibly be able to use, so I would welcome any other suggestions that you feel really showcase the benefits of having a smart phone other than for playing angry birds, candy crush, taking a selfie or updating your status.
Thank you.
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