Sunday, March 4, 2012
Evernote's mobile app lets you record audio notes, photos and text.
I'm sure you've experienced it too: Someone recommends a time-saving mobile app to you. And life is busy, so you put off trying it out. But when you finally download it, you can't imagine life without it. That was my journey to Evernote, the all-in-one brain in your pocket. Now, as an editor for Patch and an (occasional) author, I'm always taking notes. I take photos of places I want to visit again, jot down memorable quotes and talk to myself on my audio recorder almost constantly. Before Evernote, I'd use the iPhone's built-in yellow pad Notes program or, most recently, Genius Scan (a very good scanner app) to keep track of my thoughts. Evernote (which is free for the iPhone and Android) made them both seem redundant very quickly, …
Sunday, February 26, 2012
This week's review includes a look into the TonePad and Songify apps.
I am not musically inclined. Or, rather, I'm not much anymore. When I was a teen, I played trumpet in a touring jazz band, but my ability to hit a high C has long since past. Which, I suspect, is why I'm in love with the free TonePad and Songify iPhone apps. With TonePad, there's no instrument to learn, or even music to read. You simply open the app up and run your finger across a field of dots--and voila, music! Now, it takes a little tinkering before you're making anything but pleasant-sounding noise (the simplicity of the program makes it difficult to create pure cacophony). But once you start lining up dots (aka, notes) in vertical lines, the player recognizes them as chords. You can build on the chords and the progressions to create…
Sunday, February 5, 2012
A longtime Shazam user tries another music app to find songs — and loves it.
Have you ever been in a store or a bar and wondered what exactly is that song coming over the speaker system? In the past, I've solved that problem with Shazam, a mobile app that captures a bit of audio, then spools up the song's title — and the opportunity to buy a copy on iTunes. That's all been well and good, but I've been frustrated with Shazam lately. (Sometimes it take too long to load, or isn't as accuarate as I need it to be.) So I broke my fidelity and started seeing other music indentification apps. My favorite, by far, has been MusicID (99 cents). Not only does it return results fast, as it did when recognizing The Black Crowes' "Ballad of Urgency," but it also provided lyrics, a band biography and recommendations for similar …
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The apps Downtown Oak Park, HopStop and MetroPulse are reviewed.
This week: A couple of quick hits on Chicagoland apps, starting with… Downtown Oak Park: I don’t know why more suburbs don’t have their own apps. This one, released by Evanston-based SweetPerk, was commissioned by a downtown business group to offer shoppers events listings, attractions, deals and business listings. The good news: It’s simple to use and looks great. The bad: The content is underdeveloped. A few days ago, there were no events lists and thus far, only one attraction: The Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio. Given time, though, this could be a killer app. Right now, the architecture is there—but the app needs furniture. PS: SweetPerk also has released Passport for Downtown Evanston, with plans for similar apps for Naperville and…
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Nonprofit group searching for developers to create "Placemaking" application.
In today’s constantly connected world, there seems to be a mobile application for just about everything. There’s an app to find the cheapest gas, the best nearby bar and even for counting calories. But now the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is looking for someone to develop an app that could help users discover great public spaces throughout the Chicago metro area. Read more: Patch launches an iPhone app The nonprofit is holding a contest for any web developer or community group that can create the best “Placemaking” application. This app will help both residents and visitors make the most out of local transportation, neighborhoods, parks and malls. With the help of their sponsor, IBM, the group will reward the winner $2,500. …
Jim Coretti
12:31 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
There is an app called inorthshore. Great easy to navigate and use for shopping, restaruants, etc. all geared to the northshore. more ›