My Favorite iPad Applications

It is no secret that the iPad has made my life much easier as I have stated in a previous blog entry. Today, I am excited to share with you my favorite applications (also known as "Apps"). You will know why an organized nut like me loves this piece of technology so much!

1) Mail
I have different e-mail addresses for different sets of correspondence: personal, business, happysammy.com, online subscriptions/purchases, and ministry. The Mail app connects to all five e-mail servers and I can easily check all unread e-mails in one place but still presented in a compartmentalized manner.

2) Calendar
I have used the calendar on Microsoft Outlook for years and it has served me well. However, I have decided to transfer my date book to the Calendar App because of my more mobile lifestyle. I still have the option of synchronizing it with Outlook although I prefer to use the app as standalone for now -- which works perfectly!

3) To Do
The best to-do list application I have ever used. Trust me, I have used both paper and web-based tools. The tabs and colors are a dream to work with!

4) Notes / iDo Notepad / Chronicle
These applications have taken my frequent note-taking habits to a digital and more organized level. Once again, the keyword is compartmentalized. I use Notes for random ideas, thoughts and information that needs to be filed later. I use iDo Notepad for all sermon and conference notes. Chronicle is a password-protected journal for my private exchanges with God.

5) Bible
I have Bible applications for different translations: The Message, TNIV, NIV, NLT, and ESV. Carrying my Bible has never been easier on my already strained back. I love that I can interact with it by being able to neatly highlight verses and write notes on them. It just looks way cleaner doing it digitally than on paper. (Although I will forever love my torn Women's Devotional Bible in NIV).

6) Twitter
Twitter is my primary tool in socially connecting with my friends on the web. I use it more than any social networking site out there. I have tried different applications such as Tweet Deck, Twitterific, and Tweet Flow. However, nothing compares to the application that Twitter itself made -- the single, linear format that I have grown to love!

7) PDF Reader Pro
This wonderful app keeps all of my PDF documents that I need to go over. I have tons of e-books, articles, and book summaries that I need to proofread for work. I have copies of contracts, resumes, and personal information that I saved in PDF -- just in case an emergency situation requires these documents. I also keep free Bible study resources that I find valuable. I also have workout guides kept in this application -- which is convenient to refer to when I suddenly have some free time.

8) Pandora
Pandora is a personalized Internet radio service that helps me stumble upon new and old songs based on the songs I currently like! It is literally like having my own radio that plays only the songs I want to hear. I keep it on when I am getting ready and I tune in to the "Sleep" radio station when I need white noise when hitting the sack. The only thing that makes me sad is that this service is not available in Manila.

9) ABC Player
How can I not love an app that plays my favorite TV shows: Brothers and Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Modern Family, No Ordinary Family, What Would You Do? and 20/20. It plays the all the episodes any time I want as long as I have an Internet connection. No need to download or buy from iTunes. However, like the Pandora, it only plays in the United States.

10) Amazon Kindle
I love to read and I have always to own a Kindle. However, getting an iPad allowed me to enjoy the features of a Kindle without purchasing an additional device. I still have a lot of physical books on my shelf that needs to be read but new purchases have all been done with the Kindle. I have discovered the Kindle versions of books help me save up to 30%. Hurray for instant savings and less book shelf clutter!

11) NewsRack
Blogs have become an important source of information alongside traditional news. I keep up with my favorite blogs through Google Reader. The beauty of NewsRack is that it synchronizes with all my saved feeds on Google Reader and it appears on this application immediately. I can now read these blogs without having to turn on my laptop!

12) Words With Friends
I am not naturally competitive but I do enjoy the thinking process of word games. Being able to do that with friends all over the globe is pretty neat to me! Are you on WWF? Add me (happysammy) and let's start a game!

13) Plants vs. Zombies
Pop Cap develops the best games, don't you think? PvZ is my go-to game for relaxation. Yes, it relaxes me! I jokingly call it the "marriage wrecker" because Robert and I fight over who gets to play it.


If you are on the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, what are your favorite applications for productivity and entertainment? I would love to know what they are!

My Personal iPad Review

"How do you like it?" is the question I have been asked a whole lot ever since I got the iPad back in April. I decided to do a review until several months down the road so that I can get immersed in its usability and really know what I like and don't like about it.

Let me tell you first why I decided I needed one.

1) My full-time job requires that I create updates in dozens of social media and bookmarking websites all throughout the day. I have gotten accustomed to bringing my laptop with me all the time to keep my tasks going.

However, there are a lot of times where I have already created massive content with my laptop and I don't need a heavy computer to bring with me as I become mobile to spread the word about what I created. My back problems have gotten severe because of a lifestyle of carrying around a heavy work bag.

Remember: I also carry a camera, a notebook and a couple of books with me all the time!

2) I have been looking around since late last year for a solution to my problem. These modern smart phones seemed to be the most popular and available solution except that I was not feeling the thought of integrating my phone with a complex mini-workstation.

I have never been a big mobile phone user nor am I great at texting. Blame it on never having a home phone until I was 19!

Yes folks -- I got through my entire high school life never having to be on a phone with a girlfriend or worse, a boy. The cell phone that I use today is the most basic you can ever see and will probably be like that for a while.

(Note: I laugh at the thought of my future children trying to justify to me why they need a cell phone while they are still in high school)

3) I found something more appealing than an all-in-one power mobile phone. I thought that the newest generation of iPod Touch will meet my needs.

It had access to Wi-Fi and add some more tools that will eliminate me bringing heavy documents and notebooks every day. I made a decision to set aside $100 out of my paycheck every month so that I can buy it.

(Note: I have never been known to drop hundreds of dollars for a huge purchase. I love "earning" my way to get it. Therefore, the process of setting aside money every month brings so much more satisfaction.)

Just in time for Christmas season, I have saved up enough.

As I was about to buy it, I looked at the gadget and put off the purchase. Every time I played with the model unit, I found discomfort in using a tiny touch screen.

I kept on saying to myself, "I wish Apple would make a larger iPod Touch." Then I'll be 100% comfortable buying it.

Until then, I'll hold on to my "normal" way of working. I guess you know what happens next in our story.

Around that same time, a rumor was strong about an Apple "tablet" coming out. I admit that the rumor hardly made me excited because I figured that it was simply going to be a mini-Macbook (sort of like a net book).

However, on January 27, 2010, Steve Jobs answered the longing I kept on saying to myself. He introduced the iPad and what unveiled was indeed a larger version of an iPod Touch!



My dear husband said he will add whatever was needed to my gadget fund so I can finally get my hands on one and start working more efficiently. And finally, I went out and got it.

After a lot of thought, I got the 32GB Wi-Fi only model. Why? 8GB cannot accommodate my latest photos and videos. 64GB was just too large.

It turns out that the size I got is perfect. I get to use about 14GB any given day. If there was a 16GB model, I would have probably gotten that one.

I also decided to pass on the 3G model because I was certain I was not happy with current 3G providers in the Philippines and that I did not want to stay connected to the Internet all the time. I know that this poses real danger to me as I know this might tempt me in being online during those times that I should be spending in prayer and reflection.

6 months later, I still cannot believe how I was able to work without it. I get to check e-mails, edit content, update social networks, collaborate with co-workers, and stay in touch with trends related to my job.

And on top of work benefits, it does bring a lot of entertainment in my down time. I get to watch my favorite TV shows, listen to podcasts, review sermon notes, track my food journal, play my favorite Plants vs. Zombies, and read on the Kindle application.

For iPhone power users, this piece of technology will most probably not serve any more purpose than the mobile phone does. However, if you are like me who is looking specifically for something lightweight with a big, gorgeous screen -- the iPad is truly a blessing!

Is there anything I don't like about it? -- NOTHING! This I promise you. Everyone has given me their 2 cents about waiting for the newer generation iPad with a camera and Face Time (estimated release is January 2011).

The truth is, all of my laptops have webcams and I can remember using it only a couple of times. I did not see the point of waiting for newer technology that I know I will not be using much.

However, if you are a heavy video chat user, you might want to wait until early next year. Until I have a good need for it, I decided that the basic one will meet my needs perfectly.

If you are thinking of getting one, I hope this feedback will give you a better idea on how the iPad will (or not) meet your needs.

Watch out in a future blog post: My favorite iPad apps!