Thing 3: Utilities

I like apps, but honestly, I haven’t delved into the world of App’s too terribly far. I don’t really know why except I guess I would rather be reading the latest best seller then looking at apps because I consider most of them to be frilly play thing do-dahs on your phone (Playing digital musical instruments because you’re bored? No thank you…) until I started Thing 3. Now that I see what some of these apps can do, I wonder, why did I not look into this earlier?!? (Ok, honestly, probably because I don’t have a data plan and a number of these that I would use outside of my house require it, but I disgress, a lot of stores have free wi-fi I could hook up to and use if I really needed too, so that’s just another lame excuse of mine).

My utility use so far prior to this exercise had been limited to Google Search (always handy for curiosity look ups, directions, etc.), a memo application for me to make notes about things I need to remember and the alarm clock app (already preinstalled on my phone) ever since my alarm clock decided to bite the dust a few months ago (and I just haven’t replaced it yet). 

The utilities listed under Thing 3 actually look COOL, so I decided to investigate further. The first thing I tried was the Google Goggles (if the name alone doesn’t spark your curiosity you’ve either never heard of Google or are no longer among the living). It is a very cool concept and idea, but honestly? It doesn't work all that well (*ducks and covers*). Now before I’m deleted from Google’s database forever, let me say in my defense that I tried to scan some common household objects, but it didn't recognize any of them. Kind of a buzz kill. 

I regularly use the Google Search App on a regular basis and have no complaints. Same great Google as my PC, just on a smaller scale and on a mobile device. <3 

I also decided to try RedLaser Barcode. This was an app that also sounded very useful. Basically you can scan any barcode into this app and it will search the internet to tell you price, availability at stores, reviews, etc. After downloading I ran around my house scanning the barcodes on random objects --my perfume, my deodorant, movies, etc. and viola! Up popped reviews, places available to purchase, price, etc. Amazing! 

I can't see myself using these apps professionally, although I can see myself using them in my personal life (and I already use Google Search). I especially enjoyed discovering RedLaser Barcode and am excited to use it in the future! On a library salary, who doesn’t like to save a few bucks? J

While loading apps on my phone from Google Play I noticed that I could browse them on my computer, send them to my phone and they would automatically download the next time my phone connected to an internet connection. How cool and easy is that? 

Please excuse me....the next best seller isn’t due out for a week and Google Play has a large library of apps just waiting to be discovered! 

Thing 2: Mobile Device Tips

Mobile Device Tips: Andorid Smart Phone

To complete the “23 Mobile Things” course I will be using my Andorid Smart Phone LG Optimus S L670. I’m pretty comfortable using my device so skipped over the basic tips and tricks, but there are a few things I could definitely learn such as how to sync my phone with Google Calendar, installing and switching between different keyboards etc. 

Prior to starting the “23 Mobile Things,” Google Calendar was definitely the feature I wanted to use most on my phone, but hadn't quite mastered. I had set up a Google Calendar account and found the app on my phone. I had managed to sync it, but had been having problems lately with my phone not updating after adding something via my computer. I’m not sure if there was a setting I was missing or if I had set-up the app wrong, but I was definitely looking forward to looking into this tip and trick to try and problem solve. I deleted it all, and found a set-up guide online that showed me how to set the sync settings in the “app settings” portion of the phone as well as under the calendar app. So far, it seems to be working! Huzzah!

While texting on my phone I noticed that there was a setting that would let me toggle between keyboards, but I didn't realize that you could download and install keyboards off the internet until I started looking up keyboard tips and tricks. During my research into different Android keyboards I discovered that an app called “SwiftKey” which is one of the best selling Android apps in the world. After watching a view on the Swiftkey website (http://www.swiftkey.net/en/), I can see why. The app does charge a fee so I didn't download it, but it was interesting to learn about nonetheless as well as see the different keyboard options available.

While exploring tips online, I ran across an article that describes how you can retrieve a lost app, even if it is one you paid for! This sounded super useful so I made sure to dig further into the article. Apparently all apps are saved in the “Downloads” section, so you can scroll through the list, click the one you accidentally removed and viola, it will re-download, no charge (even for a paid app!). 

Although I only looked at three tips in-depth, I definitely was able to implement them in my day to day usage as well as learn a few websites that have great information about tips and tricks for my future problems and questions.

I thought this was an excellent exercise in learning some tips and tricks since many library systems use Apps for their mobile library services. Being familiar with how apps work, some basic troubleshooting, and being able to research tips and tricks is useful in being able to assist patrons with their app questions and also improve my personal life. 

Thing 1: Blogging and Registering

I first saw the "23 Mobile Things" flyer while having dinner in the break room at the public library where I work. Trainings and programs about new devices always catch my eye because I am a Generation Y library professional who still really, really, really likes the printed book, but also likes technology too (so long as it doesn’t infringe on my printed books!). No E-Readers for me, thank you very much! There is something about the feel of the book, the new book smell, the haunting familiarity of the pages that an E-Reader cannot match. That said, I do like my laptop and my smart phone and like learning about new websites, apps, etc. even though I don't own a mobile device such as a tablet or Ipad. 

E-Readers and other mobile devices were just starting to become very popular when I first entered the library field in 2007 and have definitely grown since then. With the growth in devices, there has also been an uptick in questions that library patrons have about their device, what apps/programs/services of the library they can connect their device with, etc. And I really, really hate that "deer in the headlight" moment when I have no idea what the patron is talking about because I don't own such a device, so I generally try to attend trainings to stay current so I can at least help them out a bit with something...even if it is just getting them to the "help" section of the website! (We can team navigate from there). 

With that being said, by completing the "23 Mobile Things" I am hoping to gain a better understanding of some of today's top devices and apps as well as learn some basic troubleshooting tips for the devices, so that even though I may not have a lot of experience using mobile devices myself in my day-to-day life( except for my smartphone which is about 2 systems behind) I can at least have enough familiarity and knowledge to assist and guide patrons through their questions and concerns regarding their devices and maybe learn a few tips I want to incorporate into my personal life as well. 

As a library professional I am prepared to undertake learning about "23 Mobile Things" with eager anticipation not only for my own personal growth, but for the growth of my patrons as well.