I use my iPad as my book, my TV, my day planner and so much more. Here are the apps I use the most:
1. Pocket Informant HD. I was a die-hard Franklin-Covey user for almost 20 years. Once I had kids, there was less time for planning and more time spent putting out fires (or diapers). I love this app because it allows me to sync both my Google Calendar and my Toodledo lists. Both Google Calendar and Toodledo are free on-line programs. You do not need an iPad to use them, just a computer.
I love Pocket Informant because it is incredibly user friendly and it looks like an old-school planner. Plus, I can see both my tasks and my calendar on the same day. Love, love, love this.
This app is $14.99, but worth every penny.
2. Kindle. I never thought I would love reading digital books. I love books. Paper books. I love to wander through old book shops and breathe in the old book smell. I didn't think I'd like the feel of a cold, hard, impersonal device over soft paper. Then I downloaded the free Kindle app for iPad and bought my first digital book. Oh!
I can read again!
On any given night, there are four people and two cats sleeping in my bed. I can't very well turn on the lights to read. Since I've had kids, I've been lucky if I had time to read 3 or 4 books A YEAR.
A YEAR.
However, the soft light from my iPad allows me to read with no problem, and the kiddos don't mind (neither does my hubby). This summer I read over a dozen books. It has been wonderful!
I also love the ability to use the various functions on the Kindle. I breezed through the the Stieg Larsson trilogy this summer. However, all the names kind of run together (which Vanger sibling is which? and why can't I tell the difference between Bjork and Bjurman and Bublanski?) and it is hard to keep characters straight. I loved the ability to pull up the "Characters & People" list for a bio on each.
This app is free.
3. Evernote. I've mentioned this amazing app before, but it bears repeating. I love being able to keep track and clip ideas as I'm out & about. The image above is something that I clipped out of Pinterest. I e-mailed it directly to my Evernote e-mail address and it automatically dropped into one of my folders.
Suni is using Evernote to catalog all of her stamps and attach samples she's seen using those stamps on the internet. What a fantastic idea! I am totally going to steal it.
This app is free.
4. Amazon Mobile. This app allows me to add anything to my Amazon Wish List. Anything. By saving a special Amazon page as a "bookmark", I can keep a running list of things I want via Amazon Mobile. The vintage bridesmaid dress I mentioned last week is not necessarily sold by Amazon, but I can still add it to my Wish List. Then, when I choose to share my Wish List with friends & family (Hello Christmas!) they can see everything I want... not just the stuff on Amazon.
I have found that adding the things I want to my Amazon Wish List stops me from buying them immediately. If I add it to the list, I can think about it and treat myself later!
This app is free. The shopping, however, can be killer.
5. Netflix. For a mere $7.99/month you can purchase a streaming NetFlix subscription and use your iPad to watch some of your favorite movies and TV shows. I have enjoyed series such as "Doc Martin", "Weeds" and "Sons of Anarchy" via NetFlix. It is a wonderfully cheap form of entertainment. I have a number of friends cancelling their cable in favor of NetFlix. Who has time to watch live TV anymore?
This app is free, although the subscription is $7.99/month.
I'll be back next week with the top 5 iPad games I can't stop playing (Words With Friends, anyone?)
For the first part in this series, "My Top 5 Apps For Kids", click here.
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