No More Flashdrives: Drop it in your "Dropbox"

Several companies have expanded their brand or recognition through the transition to smartphone apps, and "Dropbox" is definitely one of these. Originally, this computer program would allow users to install what looks like a regular folder onto their computer and "drop" files or pictures into it, instantly updating all other Dropbox folders installed on separate computers. This meant you could install the program into your mobile laptop, onto your home, work computer, or any other computer and create a universal folder that would hold up to 2GB worth of data and update itself (with an internet connection) in every location. Dropbox also made it possible to create "shared" universal folders, that would allow people with their own Dropbox accounts to make a "folder" that would only be updated by you or them. I personally shared several music files and pictures in this way. Dropbox released their free "app" version of this program, which now makes a user's Dropbox files available on their smartphone devices and tablets, so that if you take a picture or create any sort of document in these, it's also easy for you to "upload" a file into a Dropbox folder and update all your locations. Essentially, this would erase the need for a flashdrive, as long as you have easy access to internet connectivity, which these days is available in most places. For a full review on this app, visit the iTunes store on any compatible device or the company's website here.

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Attention Photogeeks: Get "Instagram" NOW.

Photonerds and geeks alike listen up: Do you find yourself taking tons of pictures of random things and posting them all individually in all of your social media websites (I.e Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, etc.)? You soon will be once you download this app for free. Instagram is a fast and easy way to connect with other Facebook friends while taking pictures and transforming them into custom pieces of art with filters available through the app. These pictures are then posted on your Instagram account of course, but you also have the option of linking other social media accounts to this app so you can post the same pictures in all the other places instantly. Seriously, this app is awesome for photography pros and novices alike. At least for those who actually have lives, that is. No lie, my first three posts were all of my toy poodle making silly faces and being adorable. So if you love taking pictures, and transforming them without the hassle of having to connect with some outrageously expensive photo-editing software on your Mac or PC, and sharing these cool photos with your friends and viewing theirs and leaving silly comments and all that fun jazz then get Instagram this instant. For a full review on this app, visit the iTunes store on any compatible device.

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Got QR Barcodes? Get "RedLaser"

 

I remember the first time I ever saw a friend of mine scan a barcode with his smartphone, instantly getting the product, along with a comparison of prices of it in nearby stores: I couldn't believe it. Now that I really think about it, I think that's the exact moment I knew I wanted an iPhone. Eventually, I ran into the event of wanting to know if I was about to pay entirely too much for an Adele Blu-ray and found myself without a barcode scanning app. On the app store, I ran into RedLaser, which got amazing reviews, and it was in the "Top Free" section of the Utilities apps. You can view this app in Apple's App Store here. It's fairly easy to use; instructions pop up the first time you use the app in case you're truly lost. It's as easy as touching a virtual scanning button, which then brings up your iPhone's camera to "scan" a barcode, QR or regular. I've been scanning useless products all around my house ever since--and I did find that Adele Blu-ray for much cheaper on Amazon. For now, I can rest assured that I'm getting the most bang for my free buck, with this handy, free app from eBay, Inc.

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Study Better with The "Nook" App

B.I. (Before iPhone), not many people even imagined a device as technologically versatile as the iPhone 4S. Although my iPhone has never cooked me a meal or massaged my back after an honest day’s work, it’s quite, quite revolutionary. Back in the day, before apps were becoming oh-so popular and before Apple’s catchphrase: “There’s an App for that,” a new kind of device was born; The Amazon Kindle. It quickly became all the rage and soon after even my own mother was buzzing about the thin device that would allow people to carry entire libraries with them with ease. Still, we couldn’t afford one when they first came out, but it became my dream to be able to have one for plane rides and the like. Luckily for me and all other happy appers, the free Nook app was released. In short, you get the main perk of a device like the Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook, which is to be able to buy books and read them on your iPhone, iPad, or laptop, along with other devices. I can safely say this app has saved me from having to carry several books around, even entire textbooks with the NookStudy app for laptops. You get it all—magazines, e-newspapers like the New York Times, books and textbooks with these handy apps. Just another way devices like the iPhone 4S have completely transformed the face of mobile technology. For a full review on this app, visit the iTunes store on any compatible device.

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Hunt No More: "SoundHound"

Picture it: you're at a restaurant, or a bar, talking with your friends and having laughs when all of a sudden--out of nowhere--your "jam" comes on. No, not that jam that you sing at karaoke parties after having one-too-many kamikazes, but that song that always seems to escape you. You desperately try to listen among the chatter, try to memorize a lyric so you can search for it later on Google, ask everyone at your table if they know "what song this is" but everyone sadly shakes their head no, instantly breaking your spirit. Luckily, that's where SoundHound jumps in. This application uses your iPhone's microphone to record a song in an environment and "searches" its database for song results. 99.9% of the time it works for me, unless my friends are a bit too loud and the microphone only catches their cackles. Or you can just hum the tune stuck in your head and find the song that way. Either way, your song prayers are answered. A lot of the time lyrics are included with the search results, so if you decide to buy the song from iTunes (or get it some "other" way) you're that much closer to memorizing the song lyrics. At number 9 on the "Top Free" Music Apps in the App Store, this free app is just another reason why I cringe every time I think about how I used to find music B.I. (Before iPhone). For a full review on this app, visit the iTunes store on any compatible device.

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Music Evolution Revolution: "Vevo"

Were you ever one of those kids who listened to their own mixes over and over, in serious need of new music? I know I was. At first I tried listening to the radio, but was never too loyal to it. I tried listening to my sister's music, but found it rather bland and tasteless: she was into uber-traditional Mexican music. So what was a teenage creative bomb-omb like me to do? I discovered Vevo. At first, this started as a craze on Youtube, and soon Vevo had its own website, showcasing HD music videos from all your favorite artists. It soon gained recognition on the smartphone app scene, today at No. 192 on the "Top Free" charts on the iPhone App store. With "access [to] VEVO's entire catalog of 45,000 music videos from more than 11,000 artists," even the most clueless person can find something they like; and the app is free. Music videos often premiere exclusively on VEVO, and several videos are featured on the app's "Explore" tab. This week, Matt Nathanson, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, One Direction, Macy Gray, Young Jeezy and Of Monsters and Men are in Vevo's buzz. 

See for yourself, I save a lot of time looking at interviews (which are also included) by artist on Vevo, rather than hunting for them on Youtube. For a full review on this app, visit the iTunes store on any compatible device.

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