Top Five To-do App for the iPhone

Apr05
2012 3 Comments Written by Zach

Life is busy, but luckily iPhone users have dozens of options for apps that can help them keep track of all the things they need to get done during the day. There are dozens of to-do apps in the App Store, but we took a look at a few of the best, saving you the time, hassle, and money of downloading all the others to discover which to-do app you should download. If you’re in the market for a new to-do app, here are the top five to-do apps for the iPhone.

Reminders

If you have an iPhone, you’ve likely (and hopefully) already upgraded to iOS 5. The latest platform for iPhone and iPad actually now comes with a simple to-do app, eliminating the need for users to visit the App Store for an app to help them get things done. Reminders is admittedly very simple, and lacks any type of bells or whistles that many iOS users love in their apps. However, if you want to avoid paying for an app, and simply need a few lists to manage your tasks, Reminders is an easy solution.

Clear

I’ll admit I was skeptical of Clear, one of the newest to-do apps on the market. Clear has been getting quite of bit of press lately since its launch a few weeks ago, but for good reason. This app, which functions entirely based on swiping, tapping, and other gestures, is beautifully designed and incredibly intuitive. The design of the app is essentially three layers: settings, lists, and tasks. By swiping up or down, you can navigate between these layers, or tap on an item to access a setting, a specific list, or a task. The app comes loaded with instructions to walk you through how to use it, so you’ll want to spend a few minutes playing around with Clear to understand how to pinch, pull, swipe, and tap to use Clear. While the app is well designed for iOS users, it does not sync with other platforms and lacks other features we found in other to-do apps, like Voiceto Text. However, if you’re a fan of apps with great UX and UI, Clear may just be what you’re looking for in a to-do app, and can be found for $1.99 in the App Store.

Orchestra

While Clear has a beautiful design, Orchestra may be one of the most functional to-do apps. Recently named Lifehacker’s #1 “best to-do app,” Orchestra features the ability to add tasks by typing or by voice-to-text, which is incredibly useful when you can’t use your iPhone keyboard, such as when driving. You can also add tasks by email, or add other people to your tasks — even if they don’t use the app. Orchestra also syncs with your Web browser, which is a feature I find necessary as I’m not always near my phone (though everyone thinks otherwise). This to-do app also features the ability to organize tasks by category, filters, and due dates, making it easy to access the type of tasks you’re working on other than just by lists. For those of you looking for advanced features in a to-do app, or are looking for more organizational features more than a great design, Orchestra can be downloaded from the App Store for free.

Wunderlist

Another great option for those who love to sync their apps across multiple devices or the Web is Wunderlist. Unlike Orchestra, however, this to-do app not only syncs between your iPhone and the Web, but across devices, such as your OS X or Windows OS (as long as you have the app installed there, too). Wunderlist also features the ability to create lists, as well as specify due dates and add reminders for upcoming tasks. Users of the Wunderlist app can also track tasks via email. For those who don’t always have their phone nearby but don’t necessarily want to open their Web browser, Wunderlist is a great to-do app for the iPhone.

2Do

If you’re looking for a comprehensive to-do app for your iPhone that integrates a great UI, lists, categories, reminders, and the ability to sync with your calendar, 2Do may be the the app for you. This app can sync with Dropbox, use location based alerts, use Siri to add reminders, add password protection, and even schedule tasks. The UI is also impressive, with the ability to see lists as tabs, as if you were using a notebook. This app may be more than you need, but if you have a lot to do and need something comprehensive to manage your busy life, 2Do can definitely help you get the job done. Of course, an app like this isn’t free — be ready for the $6.99 price tag in the App Store.

Do you use a to-do app on your iPhone? If so, what’s your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Posted in Cell Phones, Issues, Life, Technology - Tagged , , , ,

Is the iPhone 4S Good Enough to Upgrade?

Nov01
2011 Written by Zach

The iPhone 4S may not have been the revolutionary update iPhone owners were expecting, but there were quite a few updates that absolutely change the overall user experience. The question potential upgraders have to ask themselves is whether or not these changes are significant enough to warrant upgrading.

If you’re a frequent user of the built-in camera, the improvements made are significant enough to make a big difference in your overall picture and video quality. An eight megapixel still camera with f/2.4 aperture is a remarkable improvement over the five megapixel camera in the 4. The extra lens and other improvements have allowed for a depth of field effect where previous iPhones had basically none. This means that the subject of your photo is in sharp focus while the background is slightly blurred. There are plenty of terrific shots you can take from the hip using this feature. Video benefits from stabilization, which is actually pretty incredible considering the size of the device. Need I even mention the upgrade to 1080p from 720p on the iPhone 4 and 3GS?

If you’re a gamer, there is a slight and noticeable improvement in overall performance. Average users who simply check their email, browse the Web, and use a handful of basic apps may not feel the processor improvement to be a worthwhile investment.

The dual core Apple A5 processor also makes Siri possible as a backbone and always-on application. With Siri, you can dictate in real time, schedule appointments, respond to email and text messages, and enjoy the benefits of having a know-it-all virtual assistant at your beck and call.

Battery life is one area where the 4S is both better and worse than before. Eight hours of talk time on 3G is an improvement over the seven hours promised on the iPhone 4, but data and standby battery life is reduced, likely because of the battery drain caused by a more powerful processor and constantly-on intelligent services like Siri.

Bottom line: Both of these phones have an impressive set of features. The iPhone 4 was, until last week, the top-selling smart phone on the market. Now that it’s available at just $99, you can bet that it will continue to be a top contender in the smart phone market.

So, what do you think? Was the iPhone 4S a significant enough upgrade to warrant consideration over a $100 iPhone 4 or free iPhone 3GS?

Posted in Apple, Cell Phones, Electronics, Gadgets - Tagged , , , ,

How to Avoid High Cell Phone Bills

Oct26
2011 Written by Zach

Receiving an abnormally high phone bill in the mail is never fun, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Mobile service providers often have a laundry list of various overage charges and other fees that can appear on your bill without notice. Fortunately, many of these hidden charges can be avoided by taking a few precautions during regular use. Here are some tips on how to avoid high cell phone bills.

Use Wi-Fi
If you’re on a limited data plan, like so many of us are, you’re probably facing overage charges or disconnection if you go over the limit set by your service provider. To avoid this, use Wi-Fi whenever possible. This will allow you to offset your limited data bandwidth and enjoy a faster and more predictable connection.

Weigh Your Options
Are you currently using a limited texting plan? Do you find yourself at risk of running over your limit during the month? Many carriers offer upgrades to unlimited texting for just a few dollars more, which is a giant savings over the $0.10 – $0.20 per message incoming or outgoing when you reach your limit. This is especially important if you’re using a family plan that’s shared with teenagers. Sending and receiving thousands of textmessages per month is not uncommon among teens, especially if their friends don’t know you’re drawing from a limit. Remember, incoming messages that you don’t control also cost you money.

Find a Plan with Rollover Minutes

Rollover minutes are a great way to get exactly what you pay for. If your provider of choice has a rollover plan, you might want to consider it. Being capped at 400 minutes per month can be a drag when an emergency or travel hits, and having the peace of mind of knowing you’ve got those minutes in the bank can help. Overage costs for minutes can range from reasonable to outrageous. Loaning one of our phones to a teenager in the family once, we were surprised to see a bill of over $300 more than usual. This would have been avoided if we had a rollover plan.

Watch Out for Surprise Charges and Roaming Fees
Some providers are tricky when it comes to the fine print. Yes, you may have a great deal for general use, but what about those little extras like three-way calling and roaming? If you take your phone across the border, are you going to face extreme charges in the event that your phone continues to check for email or track your location through background apps, even when you’re not actively using it?

It could be a good idea to leave your primary phone at home and buy a prepaid phone made for the country you’ll be visiting. In addition, you can purchase a foreign SIM card and use that until you head back home. In either case, you’re probably going to save a boatload over what you would have spent using your local plan in another country.

Posted in Cell Phones, Financial, Issues - Tagged , , ,

Why Most As Seen on TV Products SUCK

Oct15
2011 Written by Zach

It’s 3am, and you’re sitting on the couch flipping through channels trying to fight off insomnia and muster up the willpower to give falling asleep another try. Unfortunately, the late-night infomercials are just too energetic to create a sleep-friendly environment. So, in your near-catatonic state of drowsiness, you keep watching with growing interest as various gadgets and gizmos do their thing in an almost magical fashion on the screen.

Wake up! These gizmos are rarely even useful. The knife that stays sharp forever dulls on anything harder than a tomato, the automatic stirring device dances around one corner of

your pan, and the overpriced baking soda doesn’t clean any better than dollar store

detergent. The fact is, you probably wouldn’t buy these things if the seemingly dimwitted fellow on the screen wasn’t so absolutely amazed every time the product is demonstrated.

The fact is, many of the As Seen on TV products suck. They’re cheaply made and designed to encourage spending to solve a problem that most people don’t even know they have. Chances are, once you pick up a Gizmodoodle or Hackamabob, it’s going to sit in your kitchen cabinet until you show it off to someone that stops by and pawn it off on them.

That isn’t to say that some of these gadgets don’t actually serve a useful purpose. A couple of them are are alright. The problem is, they’re all pitched the same way and it’s impossible to tell what its limitations are until you’ve picked one up. Some of these ads make it look like you can saw a giant oak tree down with a single stroke using a $10 knife. Can you, really? NO!

I’m not saying you should avoid any invention sold through late-night infomercials. For practical applications, some of them are every bit as good as any reasonable person might assume them to be. The best way to avoid being burned by late-night advertising is to do some research before bringing out the credit card. Take a look at what actual users have to say about it. If you still think the product is a good investment – go for it. Send me an email and let me know if it does work out exactly as you expected it to. I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Posted in Gadgets, Issues, News, Technology - Tagged , , ,

What is the Difference Between LCD and LED?

Aug11
2011 Written by Zach

LED monitors and televisions are beginning to become cheaper and more budget-friendly. They typically promote much higher contrast ratios and lower power use than traditionally lit LCDscreens, but they may not be the best option for video editors. Why is that? What is the difference between LCD and LED screens?

The difference between the two technologies actually lies in the way the screen is backlit. All LED screens are LCDs, but not all LCDs utilize LED technology. With an LED-based monitor, backlighting is spread across a grid of tiny lights (LEDs) that is spread from one side of the screen to the other. Unlike the fluorescent lighting behind a common LCD screen, LEDs cover the entire space in order to provide even lighting from end to end. The extra contrast comes from the ability the monitor has to detect areas that are intentionally darker and dim or turn off the tiny LED light directly behind the dark points. This creates what’s called a dynamic contrast which can create much darker blacks as the screen is essentially off in areas that are intentionally dark. This can become a problem in cases where you have a starry night sky and tiny white points of light need to be lit brightly while the surrounding mass is pitch black. Because of this, the stars may appear dimmer than they normally would as the tiny light is dimmed to compensate for the majority of the space being black.

Another advantage to owning an LED-based television or monitor is the ability for the screen to have wider viewing angles. With normal LCDs, you will notice a much sharper change in contrast and clarity as you look to each side. LEDs still drop off as you move to each side, but the change is noticeably different. This is due in part to the complete coverage of backlighting that isn’t present through fluorescent lighting schemes.

The typical lifespan of an LCD monitor or television before the lights start to dim and go out is 4-6 years. LED technologies last quite a bit longer, giving an expected 100,000 hours of light versus 60,000 hours provided by fluorescent lighting.

For the majority of users, an LED screen is a brilliant solution to that offers higher contrast ratios with a significantly lower energy usage. If you do movie editing or a lot of color-accurate detailed work, you may prefer to go with a more traditional LCD monitor.

Posted in Electronics, Technology - Tagged , , , ,

How to Turn Speech Into Song

Jul25
2011 Written by Zach

Have you ever wanted to sing and just never had the vocal talent to do it? Well, there isn’t an app out yet that can give you talent, sorry. For those of you that are willing to settle with faking it, there is Songify.

Songify is an app available for iOS devices that turns speech into song using a series of pre-recorded loops and beats. All you need to do is record a sentence or two and select a style. Songify will take care of the rest. Whether you’re describing the actions of a home intruder or marveling at the miracle of a double rainbow, your complete lack of rhythm is no problem with the help of this app.

Let’s face it, the tunes generated by Songify won’t win you any auditions on American Idol or earn you any tips at the local music venue. They will give you something to laugh about as your phrases are molded in to familiar tunes similar to the ones made popular in so many memes across the web. Songify comes with a few tunes with the option of purchasing additional templates within the app including some of the beats made famous through The Gregory Brothers videos.

Songify allows you to share your songified phrases with others, too. You can share them through Twitter, Facebook, and even email in addition to saving them directly to the device. After all, your lack of talent shouldn’t be bottled up and kept to yourself. Share it with the world so everyone can hear your words put to music!

The Gregory Brothers have a knack for creating catchy tunes out of otherwise boring speech, and Songify does a fair job of recreating the magic of their viral videos. Songify’s technology was invented by Khush to turn speech into music. The technology takes a step further than Antares Auto-Tune by turning regular speech into song.

Posted in Entertainment - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

AT&T Selling Refurbished iPhone 3GS for $9

Jul19
2011 Written by Zach

If you’ve been debating buying an iPhone in the hopes that the price would drop, you may be in luck. That is, if you’re willing to give a refurbished iPhone 3GS a try. At $9 (with agreement to a two-year contract), AT&T is giving its customers the opportunity to pick up an iPhone at a lower price than ever before.

So, is it a good deal? This depends on what exactly your needs are. If you plan to use apps that really don’t depend on the front facing camera or other perks of the iPhone 4, and you don’t mind using a phone that will be two generations old within months, this might be a terrific deal.

When compared to the iPhone 4 (currently priced starting at $199 for new / $99 refurbished), the 3GS has lower display and camera resolutions, no front-facing camera, and a lack of Flash. The iPhone 4 also features a slightly faster A4 processor, LED Flash, dual-mic noise suppression, and a three-axis gyroscope. Whether or not these added features are actually deal breakers depends entirely on what you are looking for in the device.

Refurbished iPhones carry the same warranty as brand new products and include a new outer body so you don’t have to worry about scratches on the screen or other physical flaws ruining your experience. These phones operate exactly as they would if they had never been used before, and are often the result of an open box and immediate return. Warranty service is still provided by Apple just as if you had purchased an iPhone 4 brand new directly from the Apple Store. In the vast majority of cases, you would never know you’re using a refurbished unit except for the extra cash still in your pocket after purchase.

For the majority of regular users, the speed and capability of the iPhone 3GS is just fine. Texting, browsing, compatibility with iOS 4, and access to many of the iTunes App Store’s most popular apps are areas in which the 3GS is fully capable. After all, the iPhone 3GS was top of the line only one year ago.

Posted in Apple, Cell Phones, Electronics, News, Technology - Tagged , , , , , ,

Does iOS 5 Bridge the Gap Between Android and the iPhone?

Jul18
2011 Written by Zach

Apple’s new iOS 5 is expected to bring a lot of new features in, many of them inspired at least partially by their competition. From Android’s notifications to Blackberry’s messaging system, the latest version of iOS appears to bridge the gap between iOS and their biggest competitor, Android. But does it, really?

First, I’m a strong believer in experience over everything else. I’ve been extremely happy with Apple and the iOS since prior to the App Store and so many other developments throughout its history. Android has never appealed to me as much as iOS in terms of being something I would see myself using as my primary mobile platform. As with many things, there are some obvious pros and cons to it and any operating system that make it more appealing. iOS 5 has made great strides towards bridging the gap between it and its biggest competition, and several of the key features that bring many users to Android and Blackberry are finding their way to the iOS – at least in a similar form, function, and purpose.

One feature that remains virtually exclusive to Android phones (some of which have it on by default) is Swype. Through Swype, users are able to type in entire words using a single touch gesture. For some Android users, this is a must-have feature that makes sending out quick messages a snap. While there is a learning curve, several members of the community have commented at one point or another how easy it makes typing things out on the go, especially on such a small surface. iOS 5 doesn’t include this functionality, at least not yet. For now though, you are able to take advantage of Swype-like input if you have a jailbroken device through apps like iSwype.

Another feature Android has that isn’t currently present on the iPhone are widgets. Widgets allow you to see a limited display of information from apps without having to actually enter the app and make it fill the screen. For some applications such as search, weather, and Twitter, this can certainly serve a useful purpose. This experience can be hampered a bit by the combined processing power used to power these widgets. Where you might otherwise enjoy a fluid and fast transition between pages and/or apps, a screen leaded with widgets has the potential of bogging down the experience. Again, this depends entirely on what exactly those widgets do and how well they’re optimized for the operating system.

Admittedly, Android users still have a more open development environment allowing their developers the freedom to create apps that bend the rules of the OS. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it. While one person might say this environment inspires creativity and ignites the passions of their development community, another might say it opens the door for 100 bad apps for every 1 good one.

Apple’s new iOS 5 is on its way and ultimately it’s up to the consumers to decide if the changes made are enough to drive more people to (or back to) iOS devices from the alternatives. It’s been said time and time again on this blog and others that competition drives innovation. I’m curious to see where this will take the industry, moving forward.

Posted in Apple, Google, Technology - Tagged , , , , , ,

Should You Buy a Dyson Air Multiplier?

Jul15
2011 Written by Zach

Anyone that has spent time around small kids knows that their fingers get in to everything. Fans are often a big concern for parents who forego more powerful models for safer, slower ones. For the past several decades, the science of air transfer really hasn’t changed much. Fans have taken on slightly different shapes, blades have been tooled several different ways, and the motors driving them have become quieter and less bothersome. None of these advances have really been revolutionary, until recently.

The Dyson Air Multiplier isn’t your normal fan. For one, it has a bladeless design making it much saver to have around children. This design also makes it much easier to clean. You no longer have to chase after dust that clings and sticks to blades and grills faster than you can keep up with it. Yes, you’re still blowing dust around with the Air Multiplier, but cleaning the fan itself is a matter of wiping it with a damp cloth once in a while.

Wind is uninterrupted and smooth compared to the choppy breeze created by fan blades constantly cutting in to the air flow as it pushes air through. According to Dyson, the Air Multiplier actually increases the natural current of the air up to 18 times, making it a capable room cooler. At its top speed, things get noticeably louder as a quiet breeze becomes a strong gust flowing past hollow tubes. If you keep the speed set at low and mid settings, you really can’t hear it at all.

The biggest drawback to this particular gadget is the price tag. At $300, it doesn’t exactly solve any critical issues or replace any technology that goes for anything close to that price range. Like the early adopters of the Tesla, you’re buying in to the newness of the technology and prices will undoubtedly drop as competitors find a way to build on this concept. Is the Dyson Air Multiplier really worth $300, probably not unless the coolness factor is really worth it to you.

Posted in Gadgets, Technology - Tagged , , , , ,

MySpace Sale is Nearing Completion

Jun29
2011 Written by Zach

News Corp. has reportedly narrowed their list of possible bidders down to two remaining front-runners vying for majority shares in the struggling social network. Myspace, which sold to News Corp. for $580 million USD five years ago is for sale once again, this time in the much lower $20-$30 million dollar range. This is a far cry from the $100 million asking price originally expected for the company. For better or for worse, the News Corp. MySpace sale is nearing completion.

Ahead of the acquisition, Myspace may reportedly shed nearly half of its roughly 500 employees. This is a standard move prior to sale which makes a company more appealing by making it smaller and more trimmed down. News Corp. is also expected to keep a minority share in the company, moving forward.

So, does this mean that Myspace might actually make a comeback under new leadership? It would be difficult to really tell at this point. A look at the two companies that are leading the current round of bidding reveal two very different possible plans for the ailing social network.

One frontrunner, Golden Gate Capital, specializes in investing in failing companies. Some of their previous investments include Novell, which has since been changed dramatically. There is no telling whether Golden Gate Capital will work to improve the existing infrastructure of the social network or alter it dramatically in order to create an entirely new business model out of the property.

Another bidder for control of Myspace is Specific Media, which specializes in targeted advertising. It would be reasonable to assume that should they gain majority control of Myspace, their interests would likely be better served by an active and even growing network with which to benefit through targeted ads to users.

Could Myspace be rebranded and relaunched as something entirely new? That may be what it takes to resurrect this network in decline. However, one could argue that if Myspace were to undergo some key changes, then users might give the social giant another chance.

At this point it’s safe to say that Myspace is down, but not out. Corporations have been resurrected from almost certain failure in the past. Steve Jobs returning to Apple is just one example of a company in dire straits that turned around and came back greater than ever with only a few key changes to how they did business.

So, is Myspace in a position to make a real comeback? Leave a comment and let me know.

 

Posted in Business, News, Social Media, Websites
← Older Entries

Categories

© 1994 - 2011 ZachFay.com. All rights reserved.
Back to Top