Wednesday, April 27, 2011
iPad : UPAD
One thing I absolutely adore about my iPad is its ability and versatility, especially when it comes to eliminating my dependence on other things (like a day planner, calendar, sketchbook, notebook... I could go on). It has made my satchel much less heavy and cluttered. One app in particular has eliminated my need not only for a notebook and weekly planner, but also for 3 other apps when it comes to note-taking and annotating on PDF documents: UPAD.
UPAD allows me to import PDFs from the web directly, open PDFs from email, or import from iTunes. This is particularly helpful for me because my school work is all done from PDFs, and I don't always have access to my computer to download them. Not only that, but I am sometimes required to sign contracts and documents for my job, and this app allows me to sign and send off without having to print, then sign, then scan, then.... Well, you get the idea.
And that's not even my favorite part! This app has a notebook/handwriting feature that I use with my stylus to take notes with at school & work. It has several built-in page backgrounds and designs, including some cute/fun ones, which make letter writing on stationery not just something of the past! I can even import my own photos and use those as notepad backgrounds! Trust me, that feature alone sold me; I designed a To Do list on my computer and was able to import a jpeg version of it and use it on my iPad! Mother Earth can thank me; UPAD made me just a little more green.
You can also add photo frames to your photos & write on them, use VGA-out to connect to a larger screen or projector, and organize your notebooks/PDFs/photos into folders. You can write directly in your notebooks with or without a wrist guard, or use the zoomed-in feature that so many handwriting apps have.
I really can't stop talking about this app.
It works with iPad only, and runs at $4.99. If you're skeptical or too afraid of commitment, check out the free version, UPAD Lite.
An easy 5 stars!
Friday, April 22, 2011
News readers: Flipboard, Pulse News Reader
Hello again! What's new..s...? Ok, bad pun. I apologize.
But let's talk news apps!
My absolute, all-time favorite news reading app is Flipboard.
First of all, it's free. Who doesn't like that? My bank account certainly does. Not only does it cost nothing, but it's beautiful. It's like reading a newspaper or magazine, and includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus popular websites/magazines/blogs like Gizmodo, Engadget, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, and even Oprah. You can even add custom sections like specific twitter feeds or people. It completely changes the way I read my news and blogs.
It works on iPad only, iOS 3.2 and higher. And did I mention it's free??
I give it a 5 out of 5 on the deliciousness meter.
(Oh, did I tell you I'm starting a meter rating? No?? Well, I'm starting a meter rating. There. Now we're all caught up.)
Next: the Pulse News Reader.
I don't like this one quite as much, but only because, design-wise, I think the home screen is too tight and cluttered. A lot of the news/blog sources are the same or similar to Flipboard. Pulse seems to allow more pages and therefore more feeds, so that's one thing it does better, and it's also got a "mini" version that works on iPhones/iPods. And the price? Free!
This one's an easy 4 on the meter.
Bon appetit!
But let's talk news apps!
My absolute, all-time favorite news reading app is Flipboard.
First of all, it's free. Who doesn't like that? My bank account certainly does. Not only does it cost nothing, but it's beautiful. It's like reading a newspaper or magazine, and includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus popular websites/magazines/blogs like Gizmodo, Engadget, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, and even Oprah. You can even add custom sections like specific twitter feeds or people. It completely changes the way I read my news and blogs.
It works on iPad only, iOS 3.2 and higher. And did I mention it's free??
I give it a 5 out of 5 on the deliciousness meter.
(Oh, did I tell you I'm starting a meter rating? No?? Well, I'm starting a meter rating. There. Now we're all caught up.)
Next: the Pulse News Reader.
I don't like this one quite as much, but only because, design-wise, I think the home screen is too tight and cluttered. A lot of the news/blog sources are the same or similar to Flipboard. Pulse seems to allow more pages and therefore more feeds, so that's one thing it does better, and it's also got a "mini" version that works on iPhones/iPods. And the price? Free!
This one's an easy 4 on the meter.
Bon appetit!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Inaugural post!
Welcome to Appetite, where I discuss the very best apps on the market for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch!
I am just a little bit obsessed with apps and get asked almost daily by friends and family what I recommend. It's about time I start sharing.
So here we go! I am at this very moment blogging... wait for it... from an app! What better way to begin a blog about apps than to talk about Apps for Blogging??
The one I've decided to use for this particular post is called BlogPress
by CL T Studio.
(click the photo to see the app in iTunes)
The UI reminds me of writing an email. I wish it were prettier, honestly, but that's probably because I'm an artist and designer. Either way, it's very intuitive to use and has not given me any signs of crashing or instability. You can edit HTML, add photos from your camera or library, add videos from your YouTube account. It supports most mainstream blogs, such as Blogger, Tumblr, WordPress, TypePad, LiveJournal and more. You can also create labels/tags, add links to photos, resize your photos, and save drafts both locally and online. Overall pretty full in capability.
You can get BlogPress for $2.99 now, $4.99 regularly and it runs on both iPad and iPhone/iPod.
Another blogging app I was checking out is called Blogsy.
This one also runs at $2.99. The UI is much prettier, and a lot of functions are drag-and-drop, which takes advantage of the touch interface of the iPad. It also syncs up with your YouTube, Flickr, and Picassa. Blogsy only works with WordPress and Blogger, however, and does not use your native camera roll. Works only with iPad using iOS 4.3 and later. I'm waiting anxiously to see how they improve this app in future versions.
Besides, the icon says "live long and prosper"...
Anyway, that's all I have for today!
Bon Appetit!
I am just a little bit obsessed with apps and get asked almost daily by friends and family what I recommend. It's about time I start sharing.
So here we go! I am at this very moment blogging... wait for it... from an app! What better way to begin a blog about apps than to talk about Apps for Blogging??
The one I've decided to use for this particular post is called BlogPress
by CL T Studio.
(click the photo to see the app in iTunes)
The UI reminds me of writing an email. I wish it were prettier, honestly, but that's probably because I'm an artist and designer. Either way, it's very intuitive to use and has not given me any signs of crashing or instability. You can edit HTML, add photos from your camera or library, add videos from your YouTube account. It supports most mainstream blogs, such as Blogger, Tumblr, WordPress, TypePad, LiveJournal and more. You can also create labels/tags, add links to photos, resize your photos, and save drafts both locally and online. Overall pretty full in capability.
You can get BlogPress for $2.99 now, $4.99 regularly and it runs on both iPad and iPhone/iPod.
Another blogging app I was checking out is called Blogsy.
This one also runs at $2.99. The UI is much prettier, and a lot of functions are drag-and-drop, which takes advantage of the touch interface of the iPad. It also syncs up with your YouTube, Flickr, and Picassa. Blogsy only works with WordPress and Blogger, however, and does not use your native camera roll. Works only with iPad using iOS 4.3 and later. I'm waiting anxiously to see how they improve this app in future versions.
Besides, the icon says "live long and prosper"...
Anyway, that's all I have for today!
Bon Appetit!
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