Ipod apps

[Scrapalatte]

I am the proud new owner of an iPod Touch.  There's a free app for facts on the USA, and in it are documents-Dec of Independence, Articles of Confed, & the Constitution.

I am just giddy with all this information at my fingertips!  Technology rocks!

[Lunal_Tic]

Congrats.  I use mine almost exclusively as a internet radio streamer at work, through an Audio-Technica dock, and read RSSs to and from though some of the games are a nice diversion.  Did you know that the new 3.0 upgrade this Summer will let you use the Bluetooth chip in it?  That's what I'm waiting for since I have some BT mini speakers already.  Just for grins I installed the Skype app too, that's fun.

-LT

[Scrapalatte]

Do you have a touch? or a phone?  Are you telling me I can turn my touch into a phone this summer?  Cuz that would be very cool.

Last night, I put the Kindle app in and loaded some free books from Amazon.  An entire book sent to my hand held unit in less than a minute.  Amazing.

What is Skype?

I am glad the kids are going to school today, so I can play with it. 

[Lunal_Tic]

I've an iPod Touch 2nd Gen, it should be the same as what you have.  If that is the case you can already use Skype if you are near an open WiFi network.  The Touch already can connect to that.  While it isn't the same as a cell phone it still is quite handy, at least it has been for me. 

This Summer Apple will release version 3.0 of their software for it and will activate the Bluetooth chip that it already contains.  That will give you wireless access to headsets, speakers, headphones, keyboards etc.  Currently the only way to use the microphone function in the Touch is the have either a set of Apple earbuds that have an inline mic or use and adapter for the earbuds you already have.  I use the latter.

www.skype.com is a way to communicate free over the internet, kind of like an internet phone.  You can call another Skype user on their Skype enabled device free of charge.  They also have a prepaid arrangement so that you can call land line phones as well.  I use the computer version to video chat with my Mom a couple times a week from Japan.  The pre-paid version I use to call US tech support when needed.

If you have a wireless network at home you can also use the Touch to browse the net, stream audio and video, fiddle with Google Earth, and just plain tinker with a bunch of the free applications from the App Store.  I have yet to spend any additional funds for things that keep it useful for me, free is good.

-LT

[Scrapalatte]

Thanks for the excellent info LT!  I am hooked into our wireless network.  I have put the dictionary ap, google earth, a whiteboard, a recipe ap, iheartradio, a dot game, and facebook into this thing this morning

Too much fun for a Monday!

[Lunal_Tic]

Here are a few apps you might find interesting (all free):

Radio Paradise
FlyCast
Google (kind of a suite of things, RSS reader, books, email)
Who is Hot
iHandy level
Speed Test
Sol Free
Tower Bloxx
Pocket Tanks
Mancala
SpawnLite
Fluide
Zippo Lighter

Good luck,
-LT

[Scrapalatte]

Thank you LT!  I just loaded many of the games you suggested. 

Free is good

[Lunal_Tic]

One thing I should mention about "free", if you like the way a game plays and you've had no problems with it I wouldn't recommend updating it.  I've found that sometimes they start with out nags and ads then in an update or two they start making you wait for adverts or hassle you every new game.  I haven't tried it but I believe a safe way to keep this in check is to sync your Touch before you update via the WiFi on your iPod.  If you don't like the changes revert to the back-up sync but like I said I've not tried it yet.

-LT

[Lunal_Tic]

Forgot to mention that there is a free translator program, the maker is Codesign I think, that will handle English to Japanese (and Japanese to English if you install the Japanese keyboard).  You might use it just to get things going with that Japanese student you mentioned in another thread.

-LT

[Scrapalatte]

I will trot right over to the app store and find that translator program.  Thank you so much!  What an excellent suggestion!

[Lunal_Tic]

You can easily install the Japanese romanized keyboard so the girl can type in things she wants you to know and you can type in Japanese words in characters you recognize.  Just be aware that as with most dictionaries/translators sometimes what you get isn't exactly what you expect.  For instance I put in arigatou and got thanks and hello and got konnichiwa while both are correct there's more to them that would be helpful to know.  I just figured that the interactive part would be both fun and useful for both of you.  If you have any questions let me know.

Good luck.
John

[Lunal_Tic]

One other thing and I consider this one pretty important for my use of the Touch, get a Zagg Invisible Shield.  It's a film that's a "very durable military film originally made to protect US military helicopter blades from high-speed damage".  Get the one that covers the whole unit.  Screen protectors are fine but the full body treatment really is a plus on this slippery little devil.  The film has a bit of a tacky feel to it and it keeps it from slipping out of pockets or skittering off of a car seat.  I don't keep my Touch in a case because of this stuff, that and the case takes all the fun out of having this thing be small.  One thing though, when you apply the film take your time and use lots of the mystery fluid they provide.

On an considerably less important tangent, Greenpeace has a free app that will let you know which toilet paper to buy.   

-LT

[Scrapalatte]

LT, you are a wealth of information!  Thank you!  I will bring it along tomorrow morning when I tutor

I bought a hard case for it and extra scratch covers, but now I'm thinking I want a case that closes (something like a day planner).

Thanks for the info on Greenpieceofcrap.  We have a septic tank, so I have to be careful anyways.

[Lunal_Tic]

Glad to help.  Good luck tomorrow.

-LT