Temple Run 2 App

How bad is it that my 7 year old knows more about the hottest apps than I do???  That's okay, I'll look to him for my weekly shout out.  This is a little late in the game but this was hot around our house a few weeks back.  Mom and Dad were both in on it.

Check it out here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imangi.templerun2

Math Pack App

This is one of the educational apps that I installed on Steel's tablet.  We played it last week and we both had a lot of fun.  It's for grades K-9 so there's something for all ages!

Check it out at...

tititaa.com

AVG Anti Virus App

It's been EONS since I posted about an APP.  I guess that big idea of mine fell to the wayside, huh?  Well, we got our little guy a tablet for Christmas (it was a smashing hit!), so I felt it was time to point out some more apps (finally).

I pre-loaded it myself with tons of (mostly educational) apps.  I figured he would for sure find all the fun stuff himself without a problem.  Pre-loading it saved money and we were able to get a better quality than those tablets marketed for kids.  Sure buying it with all kinds of apps geared towards kids is a great convenience but it was kinda fun looking them up and trying them out before I put the tablet back in the box and wrapped it.

At the time, the tablet was too new for all the accessories, so I just found a good rugged case for it this week on amazon.  It looks like an old tire - tough.  I'm not too sure how drop safe it really is but it is better than nothing at all!

So on to my post...

I thought I would start off with what I thought to be the most important... An Anti Virus.

http://www.avgmobilation.com/android

It says that it protects against viruses, malware and spyware.  (not sure what malware is, is that new??  lol)  We have only used the free one thus far.  I'm still not into paying for apps, got enough this to pay for!!  =)

We just recently started using an anti virus on our phones.  We went anti virus free for a year and a half and we started getting these crazy alerts that I have no idea where they came from.  I didn't even know that you could protect your smartphone with this little feature.  I'm not sure that it is really fool proof but I feel safer knowing that it scans my apps when they are downloaded looking for potential risks.  This is especially critical for the little guy that doesn't quite understand how viruses work.  I'm not sure that I really do either.  I'm sure in due time he will understand better than I do.

Tune in next week for another Fun App...

My Fitness Pal App

Okay, this would have been a bit more suiting to post at the first of the year for all those with their New Year's resolution of weight loss and health.  But...better late than never!  I have been using this app for the past few weeks and I really like it.

You can log your daily...
Calories
     for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks.
     by searching foods
     logging your own
     quick adds
Cardio
Strength
Weight
Water
Weight
Notes

You can also add friends so you can see how you all are doing.

Check out more information at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.myfitnesspal.android&hl=en.

Check it out!

Norad Track Santa App and Website

Check out Norad Santa on the web!

The website itself has a new game everyday in the Countdown Village.  The website counts down to the day that Santa begins his journey around the world delivering toys to the good girls and boys!  On Christmas Eve both the website and the app will track Santa via Google Earth on his trip around the globe.  

The app has the countdown as well as a game of Elf Toss.  There are apps for both iPhone and Android, search for Norad Tracks Santa.  

Remind the little ones that the countdown is until Santa leaves the North Pole to begin his journey, you must add one day for Christmas Day!

Turkey Blast: Reloaded App

Steel wanted a new app on my phone and we came across this by chance.  Here's a quick run down at www.appbrain.com.  It is also available for the iphone.

Steel gives it 200 stars on a scale of 1 - 5 stars.

Classic Simon App

When it says Simon, it means Simon. You know, the flashing lights game...Simon.  Steel likes it, of course!  It was free and it has kept him busy on a couple occasions.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/classic-simon/com.neilneil.android.games.simonclassic

Allrecipes App

Allrecipes.com is my fav recipe site.  I love to look for ideas.  I sometimes take a number of recipes and combine them into one delish dish.

Well, of course, it has it's own app as well!  It's a must!  Check it out here...  Allrecipes App

Jewels App

Another one of Steel's favorites...

Jewels

Tap 3 like jewels and they are removed and other jewels fall down to take their place.  Very kid friendly.

Bubble Break App

One of Steel's favs...

Bubble Break 

Keeps him entertained, keeps mom sane.  LOL!

Touch groups of at least 3 like-color bubbles and they disappear.  Move rows are added when space is available.  It's good when mom has a few minutes to kill as well.

NFL Ticket App

Directv - Check
NFL Ticket - Check, Check

Download the NFL Ticket App and take the NFL on the go!

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/sports/nfl_online_mobile

Nice!

Directv App

Directv App lets you schedule your DVR at home on the go.

It really works!

Hello Kitty Analog Clock App

I found this one and I am posting it for my friend Marianne!  She's a crazy Hello Kitty chick!  So this one's for you Mar!

http://www.appbrain.com/app/free-hello-kitty-analog-clock/ie.dardoz.widget.analog.hellokittyclock

It's actually a widget just like the desk clock (or something similar) that probably came pre-loaded on your smartphone.

Web MD App

Wed MD has an app.  It's easier to use than using your browser on your smartphone. 

http://www.webmd.com/mobile

Google Sky Map App

This is fun stuff. 

You start the app and it uses your location to show you where what's way up in the sky.  It will tell you what you are looking at, even if you can't see it.  Pretty neat. 

http://www.google.com/mobile/skymap/

Google Goggles App

This is fun.  I didn't realize that it was all that useful.  I just thought it was pretty cool that it worked.

How it works:
You open the app and scan an item with the camera.  It does it's thing and viola, it tells you what you scanned. 

That's all cool and all.  I'm pretty good at reading and I know that the can of Diet Dr. Pepper that I am drinking has a Dr. Pepper logo on it.  Well, I googled it and apparently...
It works on text (good for foreign language interpretation (maybe this is how it's useful)), landmarks, books, contact info (could be useful as well), artwork, wine and logos. 

Check yer out:  http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text

So then I stumble upon this...
You know those UPC like symbols that slowly replacing the barcode (see pic below).  Well, you can also scan the darned thing and you get all kinds of info. 

I found this out when I went to look up another app and there was the symbol that the website was telling me to scan.  Huh, who'da thought.  Maybe this will turn out to be useful after all. 

Mixology Drink Recipes App

With the weekend here, how about some cocktails??? 

This fun app has nearly 8,000 drink recipes.  I'm sure to find something tasty.  You can search by category or ingredient.

http://www.bestandroidappsreview.com/2011/07/mixology-drink-recipes-android-app.html 

Angry Birds App

I have to give a shout out to Angry Birds for keeping my kid (age 5) happy.  Although the craze hit our family a bit late, (due to the smartphone resistance) it has hit us hard.  Steel loves it.  He goes from phone to phone and plays, plays, plays.  We have them all, the original, Seasons and Rio.  Steel likes Rio the best.  I will have you know that Cedar Point also has Angry Bird stuffed animals for prizes at some of their games!  (Yes, we have a couple.  I don't dare tell you how much we had to pay for each of them for Steel to 'win' them.) 

We only play the free versions.  I still have yet to pay for any app. 

http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=angry-birds

Steelers News App

With all this Football talk, how can I not give a plug for my Steelers and their Steelers News App?

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.zenmobi.android.app.nfl.steelersnews

Go Steelers!

NFL.com Fantasy Football App

Here's another Fantasy Football App:
http://www.nfl.com/fantasy/help/mobile

I'm not sure what version (Yahoo or NFL.com) is better.  It probably all depends on what website your fantasy football league uses. 

Are you ready for some Football?

Go Steelers!