Thursday's Helpful Apps

Today's Thursday Apps are under the heading Organization for me. They help me organize my data, my schedule,  and my thoughts and ideas. Do you use any of these apps, Reader? Which do you like best? Or do you use something different altogether?

1. I have some apps to organize my to-do list, and notes. I previously noted the Notes app that comes on the iphone. It used to look like a yellow legal pad of paper but since the iOS7 update, it looks a white lined pad of paper. It is just a place to jot down things. I have put addresses in there, foods to look up a recipe for, lyrics to songs to look up or even t-shirt sayings I liked from cross country meets. Again, it's not a fancy app, just a place to jot things down to remember or some people to use it as a to-do list and jot down plans for the day.
2. I also use the Reminders app quite frequently-actually more since the operating system update. On this site, they mentioned these notes below about the app: With Reminders, you can: Create and organize multiple lists, Use Date/Time or location-based notifications, Search for specific reminders, Reorder to-dos, View your reminders by list or scheduled view, and Automatically update all your devices and calendars using Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud.
3. I have a wonderful journaling app, DayOne, also. I had heard about it on someone's blog where they touted its wonderful qualities, but I didn't want to pay the price. Then, I saw where they had a try-it-free promotion, which is when I downloaded it and have been using it ever since. You can add tags to things, for example I have my daughters' names as tags so if I'm looking for a journal note about them I can search by tag. You can also put in pictures, places, links. You can also set reminders. I have one set at 8:00am each day. It reminds me to journal each day then. You can also sync between devices. 
4. Another favorite is GoodReads. I have the app and I use it frequently. I'm pretty sure I've blogged about it before, but I was just telling a friend about it recently and was surprised she'd never come across it before. It is worthy of blogging again. ;) It you are on it and would like to share book information, let me know, Reader! :) I often like to look for books I like at the bookstore, scan their bar code into my app and then I can look them up at the library. It's a nice way to see what I have read, what I want to read and books I have liked so I can look up similar books. Here is itune's description: Keep track of what you want to read, review the books you've read, and organize your reading history by adding books to your shelves. Find new and interesting books by looking at what your friends are reading, and comment on their reviews. No other app combines the power and depth of the Goodreads community with an enormous catalog of books and reviews. Use our barcode scanner the next time you are in a bookstore. Add the book in your hands to your "to-read" shelf and easily view its reviews before buying.
5. I have also mentioned Pinterest, here, as well, I think. I love it. It is also a website, but I think the iphone app is even easier to use than the site. Such a good place to organize ideas for all areas of my life, like organization, gardening, teaching, Bible verses, and so much more. I can get lost on it before realizing how much time has passed. :) It is also nice to use the app from my phone sometimes to send a funny meme to my daughters. A nice, quick, simple way to share our interests and sometimes a laugh. Here is itune's description:Pinterest is a tool to find your inspiration and share it with others. Use it to collect things you love, organize and plan important projects, and more.
   Features
   • Pin images from around the web
   • Explore pins and boards you’re interested in
   • Get inspiration from DIY, Travel, Food and other categories
   • Pin with your camera
6. I used to use Google Reader until it was no longer up and running. I loved having blog posts I read from several different blogs and websites in one place. I chose Feedly as my replacement. I like the website better than the iphone app, but they are making nice changes to it over time, as their user base continues to grow.  "Feedly is a better way to organize, read and share the content of your favorite sites."
7. Last, an app I have and go in phases with. Some phases I love this app, Evernote, and some phases I don't open it for days. I'm sure it could be a wonderful tool to organize so many things, but I haven't gotten into the habit of using it. I could probably use this app for all 6 of the items above, or at least 4 of them. I may, still, but not today. Their theme is "remember everything". Here is the description from itunes:Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. Stay organized, save your ideas and improve productivity. Evernote lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders--and makes these notes completely searchable, whether you are at home, at work, or on the go. 
   
   New York Times ‘Top 10 Must-Have App’, Winner: TechCrunch Crunchies, Mashable Awards and the Webbys. 
   
   Key Features:
   • Sync all of your notes across the computers and devices you use
   • Create and edit text notes, to-dos and task lists 
   • Save, sync and share files 
   • Record voice and audio notes
   • Search for text inside images
   • Organize notes by notebooks and tags
   • Email notes and save tweets to your Evernote account
   • Connect Evernote to other apps and products you use
   • Share notes with friends and colleagues via Facebook and Twitter
   • Works with Evernote Business: Capture, browse, search, and share Business Notes and Business Notebooks from your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
   ◦ Premium feature: take notebooks offline to access them anytime 
   ◦ Premium feature: allow others to edit your notebooks
   ◦ Premium feature: add a PIN lock to your Evernote app
   
   Evernote is free to download and use. Evernote Premium adds the great features above and is available through an auto-renewing subscription.
   
   Two subscription options: 
   ◦ Evernote Premium monthly for $5 
   ◦ Evernote Premium annually for $45 
   
   Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel a subscription during the active period. Manage your subscriptions in the Account Settings after purchase.
   
   Here are some ways to use Evernote for your personal and professional life:
   • Research smarter: snap photos of whiteboards and books
   • Take meeting and class notes, draft agendas and research notes
   • Plan a trip: keep track of travel plans, plane tickets and passports
   • Organize and save recipes; search by ingredients later
   • Create a grocery list or task list and check things off as you go
   • View web pages saved in Evernote on your desktop
   • Capture ideas and inspiration on the go
   • Access files and notes you create on your phone from your desktop
   • Keep track of products and prices for comparison shopping purposes
   • Keep finances in order: save receipts, bills and contracts
   • Reduce paper clutter by taking snapshots of restaurant menus, business cards and labels
   • Use Evernote as part of your GTD system to help you stay organized
   • To get the most out of your Evernote experience, download it on all of the computers and phones that you use.
   
   Evernote is available for: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Web
   Web clippers available for: Evernote for Web; Web Clippers for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer
   
   Learn more: http://www.evernote.com/about/getting_started/