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�My Favorite Apps�Rochester Computer Society�August 10, 2021��Bill James, Member�APCUG Speakers Bureau��

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Introduction

Smartphones – The Swiss Army knives of Mobile Devices -- capable of doing many tasks.
Selecting the right apps makes your phone a multi-functional device.
Any Smartphone is capable of interfacing with other Internet of Things (IOTs) enabled devices, whether it be an Android, iOS (Apple iPhone) or Windows device.
Android, iOS and Windows Apps are becoming more cross-platform -- running on Windows, iOS and Android devices. For example, Microsoft Mobile Apps will you will find on iOS and Android and Windows devices.
You can find the same or similar app in the respective device app store.

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Introduction

For this presentation, my favorite apps are divided into ten groups:

Productivity Medical
Communication Financial
Home Automation Communication
Shopping News and Weather
Remote Control
Entertainment
Games
Social Media

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Smartphone

Definition: A mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, Internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications.

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Apps

Definition: The word "app" is an abbreviation for application. An app is a piece of software. It can run on the Internet, on your computer, or on your phone or any other electronic device.

In modern use, most people refer to apps as applications or software programs that run specifically on phones or other mobile devices which rely on the Internet or cloud.

Smartphone

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The Google Play Store

Apps used in this presentation are available from the Google Play Store.
The Google Play Store offers apps for all Android devices.
To start downloading and buying items on the Google Play Store app, you need to have or add a Google Account on your device.
If you use G-mail you already have a Google Account.
When you purchased your Android Phone, you were asked to provide that email address to setup your account.
If not or you have forgotten it, you will have to set-up an account or go through a procedure to recover the account.

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Productivity

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Productivity Apps

My favorite productivity apps are Microsoft Mobile Office which you can download for free for both iOS and Android.

Word
Excel
PowerPoint

Or if you subscribe to Office 365 you can install the entire office suite to your Smartphone.

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Productivity Apps

Cloud Storage apps that you can download maximize your phone’s storage capabilities; ideal for saving and sharing pictures and documents when you are on the go.
Syncing is seamless.
Just save to your favorite cloud storage and you are set.

Dropbox
One Drive
Google Drive

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Mobile Printing

Mobile printing apps add the versatility of being able to print from anywhere from any device.

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Cloud Printing

Cloud print allows you to print files from your phone to your printer using the Google print app for Android or Apple Air print.

If you have a Cloud Print�or Air Print ready printer�(Epson, Kodak, etc.) or an�HP e-Print enabled printer�and connected to your �wireless network, the capability is already there.

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Mobile Printing Apps

These apps are printer specific and available in Google Play or the Apple App store.
Downloading these apps for your specific printer offers added functionality.

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Mobile Browsers

You do not have to be stuck with the default browsers built into your phone -- Chrome (Android) and Safari (iOS).
Others are available
Firefox Mobile� Available for Android and iOS
Microsoft Edge� Available for Android and iOS

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Mobile Browsers

Opera Touch – focused on one-handed browsing� Available for Android
Opera Mini – focused on data saving� Available for Android and iOS

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Using your Phone as a GPS

All Smartphones have location services and an app to guide you to your destination.
These maps are powerful additions to your phone.
They are always up-to-date.
No disk required, no subscription fees.
Location services should always be left on.

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Using your Phone as a GPS

Google maps are by far the favorite, but Bing is a worthy competitor.
Both available for Android and iPhone.
There is no clear advantage of using either one.
It is user preference.
The good thing is what you do in either one, your desktop app will be updated with the same information.

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A Calendar app for your Android phone saves time and makes the most of every day.
Events from Gmail - flight, hotel, concert, restaurant reservations, and more are added to your calendar automatically.
To-dos - Use Reminders to create and view to-dos alongside your events.

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Skip the line at the airport when entering the USA with MOBILE PASSPORT!
Officially authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, MOBILE PASSPORT allows travelers to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their Android device and bypass the regular line to enter the United States.

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Access popular USPS.com® tools on the go with USPS Mobile® app.
Find a Post Office™ or an Approved Postal Provider®, look up a ZIP Code™, calculate shipping prices (limitations apply), schedule pickups, scan labels, hold your mail, and use the USPS Tracking™ tool �anywhere you go.

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Android Pay App

Smartphones have the capability of being a virtual wallet using virtual credit card apps to pay for goods and services.
Download it from Google Play.
Add the card associated with your Google account by confirming a few details.
You can also add a new card by snapping a picture.
Unlock your phone and tap to get going.

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Android Pay App

Open the payment app, select a card, and tap your device against the terminal to pay.
if there isn’t an NFC terminal, simply swipe the phone as if it were a regular credit card.
More retailers are embracing this technology and are set up to accept these types of transactions.

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Mobile Banking

Download your favorite bank app and enjoy the convenience of mobile banking.
These apps offer some advantages over on-line banking.
In addition to checking your balances and transferring funds on the fly, you can also make deposits directly from your phone.
Take a picture of both sides of the check, enter some info on the following screens and hit the send button and your deposit is made.

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Send money or pay online to almost anywhere in the world in just seconds.
Manage all the ways you send, receive, and spend money �at a glance.

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Designed for payments between friends and people who trust each other
Shop with your Venmo balance everywhere Mastercard® is accepted in the U.S
Get your Venmo money in the bank, fast.
Use Instant Transfer to get your cash in minutes using an eligible debit card or bank account.
Security - Encryption protects your account details; information on servers in secure locations.

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Seed to Spoon - Digital Almanac

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Seed to Spoon �Digital Almanac

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Communication

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Text translation: Translate between 108 languages by typing
Tap to Translate: Copy text in any app and tap the Google Translate icon to translate (all languages)
Offline: Translate with no Internet connection (59 languages)
Instant camera translation: Translate text in images instantly by just pointing your camera (88 languages)
Conversations: Translate bilingual conversations on the fly (43 languages)
Cross-device syncing: Login to sync phrasebook between app and desktop

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TrueCaller: This app helps to identify unknown numbers and block the SMS (Short Message Service) texts and calls from unwanted and spam numbers.

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Mobile Communication/Messaging

Skype Messenger WhatsApp

SMS is a popular text option instead of making actual phone calls.
It uses standardized communication protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short text messages.
With these apps you can also transfer documents and pictures.
All are available cross-platform and in the App stores.
Skype and WhatsApp allow calls to landlines.

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Controlling Devices Remotely

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Set up, manage and control your Google Home, Google Nest and Chromecast devices, plus thousands of connected home products like lights, cameras, thermostats and more – all from the Google Home app on your Smartphone.

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Get the Google Assistant for hands-free help
Your Google Assistant is ready to help when and where you need it.
Manage your schedule, get help with everyday tasks, control smart home devices, enjoy your entertainment, and much more.
Just start with: "Hey Google“
Available both for iOS and Android.

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Nest Learning Thermostat

Control your home's temperature from your Android phone or iPhone with the Nest Mobile app.
Last-minute trip? Change the temperature from the ski slopes.
Coming home early to a cold house? Turn up the heat on your way. The Nest Mobile app allows you to adjust your Nest Learning Thermostat from anywhere.

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Smart Doorbells and Locks

See who is at your door and unlock your door from anywhere.

Nest Hello

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Nest App

The Nest app is only compatible with Nest products.

Nest Thermostat

Nest Doorbell

Nest Assistants

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Wyze App

The Wyze app is only compatible with Wyze products. There is no limit to the number of Wyze products that can be set up or shared in the Wyze app.

Wyze Lights

Wyze Cameras

Wyze Door Locks and Doorbells

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Wi-Fi Controlled Light Switches

Why come home to a dark house.
Schedule your devices however you'd like: Set the porch light to turn on before you get home.

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Entertainment

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Get the official YouTube app for Android phones and tablets.
See what the world is watching -- from the hottest music videos to what’s trending in gaming, news, entertainment, and more.
Subscribe to channels you love, share with friends, and watch on any device.�

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Cable-free live TV. No cable box required.
Watch major broadcast and cable networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, HGTV, and more, including your local sports & news channels.
Watch on your Smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or game console, and on your big screen via Google Chromecast, Roku player & TV, and Apple TV.

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Sling Television for Phones

Sling TV is a la carte TV, the #1 Live TV Streaming Service that lets you personalize your channel lineup and save $$.
Sling is currently available via apps for Windows and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile devices
If you are on the go and your phone has an HDMI connector, an Internet connection and a compatible TV, you can show your programs on the TV. (Note: Make sure you have the phone connected to a charger.)

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Sling Television for Phones

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NETFLIX

Netflix is the world’s leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies on your phone.
The Netflix mobile application delivers the best experience anywhere, anytime.
How does Netflix work?
With the Netflix app you can instantly watch as many TV episodes & movies as you want, as often as you want, anytime you want.
You can Browse a growing selection of thousands of titles and new episodes that are added regularly.

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NETFLIX

Search for titles and watch immediately on your phone or on an ever-expanding list of supported devices.
Rate your favorite shows and movies and tell them what you like so Netflix can help suggest the best titles for you.
Start watching on one device and resume watching on another.
Check out netflix.com for all the TVs, game consoles, tablets, phones, Blu-ray players and set top boxes on which you can watch Netflix.

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Netflix Screen Shots

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Roku App

Roku launched the first product designed to deliver movies from Netflix instantly on TV, using the power of the Internet.
Since then, their best-selling Roku streaming players have become synonymous with amazing choice, control, and value in TV entertainment.
Take command of your Roku player with a remote control.
Includes instant replay, back, and options buttons
The Roku® mobile app is a free Android application that turns your mobile device into the ultimate streaming companion for Roku streaming players and Roku TVs.

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Roku Screen Shots

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Enjoy all your music on all your favorite Windows, iOS and Android devices with Spotify.
Add your music and make a playlist that suits your mood or let Spotify-curated playlists be your soundtrack with background music.
With Spotify, you have access to a world of music.
Listen for free.
Play any artist, album, or playlist on shuffle mode.
Spotify is now owned by Microsoft and replaces the Groove Music app

Spotify App – Music Player

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Spotify App Screen Shots

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Other Music Choices

Pandora

Calm Radio

Sirius XM

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Words with Friends

Chat with your friends in-game
Access your games across all your devices

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This version of Solitaire syncs across all of your devices.
Keeps a running tally of your scores regardless of what device you are using.
Both free and paid versions available.

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Social Media

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Keeping up with friends is faster and easier than ever.
Share updates and photos, engage with friends and Pages, and stay connected to communities important to you.

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Join the conversation!�Twitter is your go-to social media app and the source for what's happening in the world.
Tweets cover everything from world news to local news, celebrity gossip to sports and gaming, politics to fun stories that go viral -- if it happens in the world, it is trending now on Twitter.
Find friends, gain followers or follow influential people - every voice can impact the world!
Join over 2 BILLION users worldwide!

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Bringing you closer to the people and things you love. — Instagram from Facebook
Connect with friends, share what you’re up to, or see what's new from others all over the world.
Explore your community where you can feel free to be yourself and share everything from your daily moments to life's highlights.

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Summary��

These are the apps that I currently have on my phone that I use almost on a daily basis.
My Smartphone is no longer just a phone in my pocket. It’s a hub for my daily living.
It is my calendar, my resource center, a remote control to my Internet of Things (IoT) devices, a “Gameboy” and an instant message center.
I can turn off the living room lights or get a reading of my blood pressure.
All of this can be done through mobile apps that work the phones embedded sensors and Internet connection.

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