Thing 6. Creating and Editing Docs

6. Creating & Editing Docs

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"When it comes to creating and editing documents, most people would probably still say they prefer using a computer over a mobile device. But there are some apps out there that are making creating and editing documents a little bit easier and we’re going to give you the heads up on some of them." http://23mobilethingsmn.org/the-23-things/6-creating-editing-docs/

Quickoffice: Apple / Android

Quickoffice is Google’s app that allows you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations on your mobile device. Once you sign in with your Google Account, work can be saved in Google Drive.

I have Quickoffice on my Android and yes, it was pre-loaded on my phone.  When I open various documents from my email, I am given the option to view and save them in a designated Gmail account.  I did the update to the new version. So I will play around with Quickoffice to learn the ins and outs of the mobile app.

Thing 5. Notetaking

5. Note taking

"Phones and tablets come with a note taking app, but it’s usually pretty bare bones, and note taking is why a lot of people like mobile devices. There are so many other note taking apps out there, some that let you write with your finger, some that record your voice, and some that can help you make lists. Check out some of these popular apps." http://23mobilethingsmn.org/the-23-things/5-notetaking/comment-page-1/#comment-107

I looked at Remember the Milk, but chose Make My List by Best List Maker.  I didn't really like the font in Remember the Milk or the cow.  Make my list lets me do the same things, but I think with a cleaner look.  I use Make My List for more household things rather than professional tasks.  I keep track of grocery lists, packing list for various trips and also list when I run errands.

I am an Evernote user and love the Clearly feature to get the distracting side panels out of view. I see that Bamboo Paper is used with Evernote which would prompt me to download it to my Android phone, but the Google Play store says Bamboo Paper is NOT compatible with my Android.  I will try again later to see if that makes any difference.

Thing 4. Keeping Up

4. Keeping Up

Do you follow a lot of news sites and blogs and find that you’re spending so much time going to many different websites? You can make it a lot easier on yourself if you take advantage of RSS feeds and apps to collect them all.

I don't recommend either app that we were supposed to put on our devices.  A personal magazine is just not for me!  

I downloaded Zite, but will take it off my phone.  I wonder how much memory the app still sucks from my total even after it has been deleted.  Is it similar to a memory card in a camera in that when you delete a 60KB photo, you never get back the full 60KB until you re-format the memory card?

I am guessing Zite is connected to Apple somehow since about 45% of the articles are related to iSO when I never asked for iSO information since I have an Android.

I will give Zite a few more days as it says it will Become my magazine based on what I read.  Not impressed so far.  I might keep using my handy RSS Feedly app.

Thing 3 Utilities

3. Utilities

"There are a lot of utility apps that can turn your phone or tablet into a really useful tool. Your device can be a calculator or clock, or you could use it to print, schedule, or scan QR codes. You may not want to do all of these things, but there are bound to be some utility apps that could help you."  http://23mobilethingsmn.org/the-23-things/3-utilities/

To scan QR codes, I use QR Droid.  I used this frequently when I did a project for one of our HS English classes with 2 sections of reluctant reader.  I created QR code bookmarks for titles that the teacher approved and had students peruse the books using their own QR code scanners to see book summaries of each tiitle.  The teacher shared with me that because of the QR codes and the connected YouTube book summaries, students chose books that never would have appealed to them had they only had to pick them off of the library shelves.  The goal for this project was to get reluctant readers interested in age appropriate content that would upwardly stretch their reading levels.  This project was a big success and the teacher has asked me to add additional titles to the list of pulled books for her class to choose from for their 2nd semester reading project.

I am rather careful about which apps I put on my phone and will usually turn the feature OFF that has them running in the backround.  I guess I value my battery life.

I would not use the iHome Sleep app, but I do use the 'My Fitness Pal' app as if it were a food diary.  I periodically update my food menu blog with the help of My Fitness Pal.  I started a food blog a few years ago to compile the recipes and menu rotation that I use for our family suppers.  I am rather inconsistent in recording our meals, but intend to share my recipe depository with our children who now are married and living on their own.

Wifi finder- My phone settings notify me when there is available wifi and is set to only update applications via available wifi to cut down on my data used.

Browsers- I have not had problems with Chrome crashing on my phone, so I don't have a need to load another browser at this time.

Thing 2 Mobile Devices

http://23mobilethingsmn.org/the-23-things/2-utilities/

My device is an Android Razor Max and since it is not on the list, which is fine, I will explore the Verizon site and YouTube for tips and tricks about how to use my phone.  I am a visual learner and don't need to learn more than what I can use at this point.
Things that I have learned:
to take a screen shot hold down together the power button and the volume down button
To root or not to root http://youtu.be/i5VU8VGGNJY
App to SD is an app that will store your apps on your SD card to free up memory on your phone
AstroFile Mgr is an app where you manage your phone files similarly to your computer files
ADW Launcher allows you to customize your home screens, use transitions, and make videos.
So much of what I am learning about my phone are things about individual apps that I would not load or use so I am not even mentioning them in my blog.

I am following this document
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/83714/action/auth
and putting to use the tips mentioned.  When I got my phone I spend a few hours on the phone with really patient tech support individuals and they told me quite a few of these tips.  The following are tricks that I have been using for quite some time:
Limiting Data Usage with the meter
I use a folder to keep my downloads and my settings icon in the same readily avaialble place on my home screen.
My 4 favorites are in the favorites tray.
I am smart about my data usage and only sync over wireless connections

I will need to:
Explore more widgets. I don't know what I am missing or desire
Tweak some of my apps back to 'normal' settings as I put them in low use modes when I was out of the country.
Wow there is sooooooo much to learn.