23 Mobile Things: Thing 3 (Utilities)

When I think of utilities, I think this:

 (Thank you, Uncle Pennybags.)

Utility apps maximize the usability and usefulness of one's mobile device. Prior to starting 23 Mobile Things, I made use of my iPhone's calculator, calendar, and clock regularly as my utility app staples.

Something Old -- Calendar:
I set up my iPhone's Calendar app to show also my Google Calendars. Since the iOS 7 upgrade, I've noticed that the Calendar app seems to have increased functionality options (which may have been something I didn't notice before with iOS 6 when I did not have the complex scheduling issues I have now) but also has become "buggier" on my iPhone 4 -- freezing up and becoming unresponsive. I had been looking for more ways to mesh and merge my Google Calendars (all color-coordinated and separating out my complicated job and life scheduling) with my readily-available Calendar app on my iPhone, and I like that I can add events to my Google Calendars readily and quickly from my iPhone's Calendar app, making it easier for me to add desk shifts for my respective libraries in each of my library work calendars and Zelda the kitten's vet appointments in my personal calendar. My one big complaint, other than the bugginess: my carefully-created-and-coordinated color scheme for my Google calendars does not transfer to my iPhone's Calendar app -- boo. (Seeing my work schedules in Calendar app's light gray and dark gray, as opposed to Google Calendar's bright pink and bright green, is not just depressing but it also fails to clearly, easily, and readily differentiate my calendars.) Maybe this cannot be done through immobile means.

Something New -- Wi-Fi Finder:
First of all, this could have been named much more cleverly and less clunkily (Hello, Wi-Finder! Which is what I took to calling this app anyway.). Second, this might appeal more to someone with a mobile provider's limited data plan or with a wi-fi only device (Hello, first-generation iPad users!), except that it requires a connection initially to use it (Is it irony to use one's 3G data plan to search for free wi-fi?), but there is an offline database option available. Third, I found that one of the locations shown near me was an out-of-date listing, so not all information may be accurate, but there is an option to report a closed hotspot.

23 Mobile Things: Thing 2 (Tips)

 

I have an Apple iPhone 4 running iOS 7. Many of the iOS 7 tips are lost on me and my phone, because we are a step behind Siri (That #$%&!) and two steps behind the significantly-upgraded camera. This presents an interesting situation that I am seeing with some of our library users who possess older or off-brand tablet technologies. The "Haves and Have-Nots" situation in regard to access to technology (and, thus, library e-resources) isn't even as simple as some people have devices and others do not; some people have the devices that they can afford or that they inherited or that they cannot afford to replace quite yet with the latest and greatest model. There's a disparity in access to resources based on the model and age of device one has access to.

There are some things I have been learning as I go along with iOS and exploring features and functions in the settings. However, I have to realize that my device is the oldest device iOS 7 works on, and, therefore, I am going to be missing out on some of the cool features available. I am also going to be encountering more issues with my older, slower phone. Luckily, in as much as one can have it with an iPhone 4 running iOS 7, there are tips and techniques to deal with those issues: http://readwrite.com/2013/10/15/ios-7-fixes-iphone-4-4s#awesm=~otdHhSl4GAdrAV

You are missed, iOS 6.

 

23 Mobile Things: Thing 1

I am hoping to learn more about mobile apps that will be helpful to my library patrons, colleagues, and myself. I want to try things I would not have tried or known about otherwise, to use apps that might be out of my comfort zone, and to learn to manage my apprehension, mistakes, and frustrations with learning new apps so I am better able to empathize and understand and develop techniques for helping others facing the same thing. 23 Mobile Apps seems like a great opportunity for me to do some exploration and learning both for my own professional and personal development.