Apps 101
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Mobile applications are gradually becoming popular each and every day as smart phones begin to take over the journalist world. Although, journalists may face an issue in regards to what applications are useful as well as accessible. Therefore, I will share with you the most highly suggested apps available.
Everyone uses there smart phone in order to receive calls and make outgoing calls, as well as SMS (text). However, there are plenty of applications available that help improve these features.
· Skype is a program that allows the user to instant message and live-voice client. This app allows the user to go beyond the norm and give a new twist to communication. (iPhone, Android and Blackberry).
· Facetime allows the user to have a video conversation face-to-face. (iPhone).
· Fring is similar to Facetime, yet works for the Android as well.
· GroupMe lets the user organize and send SMS messages to groups of people. (iPhone and Android).
· Fring is similar to Facetime, yet works for the Android as well.
· GroupMe lets the user organize and send SMS messages to groups of people. (iPhone and Android).
A common necessity that most journalists need are apps that improve note taking. I will discuss several applications that will allow users to make this process become more easy and organized.
· Evernote is a program that lets the user take notes. Once the notes are completed, the user can tag them and then sync them to multiple devices. (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm and Win Mobile).
· Simplenote is a popular note taking app that can be a substitute for the standard iPhone app. National Velocity is an app for Mac users that works well with Simplenote because you can sync them together. (iPhone and Mac.)
Another common need for journalists are apps that capture photo, video and audio.
· Instagram is a program that lets the user take photos and upload them shortly after. (iPhone.)
· Picplz functions the same as Instagram, but is created for the Android.
· Cinchcast and AudioBoo are good programs when it comes to audio. Both quickly capture and publish the audio while working with social sites. (iPhone and Android.)
· Bambuser, JustinTv, Qik, and Ustream are good apps for live streaming video. (All work with Android and iPhone.)
All of these applications are very beneficial, especially for a journalist, because they supply you with tools available whenever you need them. I strongly recommend a future journalist to look into using these apps because they will allow you to be a better reporter, while staying organized.
Photo Credit: CreativeCommons.org
5 comments:
It's amazing how much technology has increased throughout the last few years. Smartphones are a very beneficial tool for journalists to get their news. Do you think smartphones will result in people not using their computer as much in the near future?
Wow there are some apps on here that I've never even heard of. It seems like nowadays we have apps for absolutely everything. I agree that smartphones are very beneficial and maybe in the future they will be essential for journalists.
I did not know there where so many different apps with a similar purpose. I find it interesting that apps differ by computer company or phone company and the solution is to just make a similar app.
I'm excited to see how technology grows in my lifetime. Smart phones do open a lot of doors with apps but when one is to purchase a smart phone and is interested in a certain app they need to make sure that app is compatible with their phone. For example, I purchased a BlackBerry curve and Skype is not yet available for BlackBerry Curve. I was very disappointed.
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