Wednesday
Feb102010
App-tastic
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 06:46PM
I've been known to – uhm, jokingly – say that my iPhone is like a third child to me. So that makes my apps akin to those "I love yous" and syrupy hugs I get from other two (real) kids. The love flows freely from my human children, so I expect nothing less from my apps. Oh, sure, there's the occasional game or really useful application that's worth the 99 cents. But I figure that by limiting myself to downloading just the free apps that I probably cut down on the thousand or so distractions that could easily take time way from those "real" children I referenced earlier.
Thought I'd share a couple of fun and helpful free apps I've run across lately.
First off, find out where to dispose of old batteries and electronic equipment by downloading the iRecycle app from Earth911.com. You'll easily find recycling locations for everything anywhere in the U.S. I also found out that there was a free compost workshop on Feb. 20 in Burbank in the app's "Events" and learned that computers, batteries and televisions topped the list of most recycled materials in 2009 in the "Articles" section.
For the kiddos, bring books alive on your iPhone through Iceberg Kids' library of free digital books that include Curious George titles as well as The Pokey Puppy and the Mr. Men books (you can find titles to purchase for kids and adults, too). What makes this app cool is that it allows parents to record their own voices reading the books, creating a personalized element that is unique among kid-oriented apps. Here's the demo:
The Table of Contents makes navigating the books very "book-like," and it's easy enough for kids to flip through pages and follow along.
You just have to decide whether your young reader is responsible enough to take care of your "other" child. (I recommend keeping your iPhone in a very protective case and making them wash their hands first. But that's just me.)
Thought I'd share a couple of fun and helpful free apps I've run across lately.
First off, find out where to dispose of old batteries and electronic equipment by downloading the iRecycle app from Earth911.com. You'll easily find recycling locations for everything anywhere in the U.S. I also found out that there was a free compost workshop on Feb. 20 in Burbank in the app's "Events" and learned that computers, batteries and televisions topped the list of most recycled materials in 2009 in the "Articles" section.
For the kiddos, bring books alive on your iPhone through Iceberg Kids' library of free digital books that include Curious George titles as well as The Pokey Puppy and the Mr. Men books (you can find titles to purchase for kids and adults, too). What makes this app cool is that it allows parents to record their own voices reading the books, creating a personalized element that is unique among kid-oriented apps. Here's the demo:
The Table of Contents makes navigating the books very "book-like," and it's easy enough for kids to flip through pages and follow along.
You just have to decide whether your young reader is responsible enough to take care of your "other" child. (I recommend keeping your iPhone in a very protective case and making them wash their hands first. But that's just me.)