Two Stories that Could Help you Out

I had an article I was working on to disable notifications for Chrome but I can't find it.

Here are two articles that I found helpful:

How to Backup your iOS device on Your PC or Mac
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/technology/personaltech/finding-your-ipad-backup-files.html

20 Cool Command Line Tricks
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/20-cool-command-line-tricks-for-windows-and-macos-1797222311

Hopefully I will write something soon, just been super busy.

Apps in the News

Mental Health: In a recent study the use of specially created apps helped reduce anxiety and depression in a significant number of study participants. More studies are necessary to verify the results but it was so promising that some participants claimed to have little to no more symptoms of anxiety or depression. To learn more read: http://www.livescience.com/57394-mental-health-treatment-smartphone-apps.html

Google Voice has received its first major updates in five years. The app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to use a single phone number across multiple devices and with the current update users can send group texts, photos, and receive voicemail transcriptions. To learn more read: https://www.cnet.com/news/google-voice-update-adds-new-design-group-messaging-support-and-more/

Google Plus is not dead. The social media platform that receives little attention received three recent updates that upgrade  handling comments, seeing more in your feed that you might be interested in, and bringing back events to the community. Learn more here: http://www.androidcentral.com/google-update-adds-new-comment-moderation-brings-back-events

Evernote released an interface update to their app for iOS. The update is intended to allow users to access options much quicker and easily and integrate photos, audio, and text in a single note with less steps. To watch a video which illustrates the changes and read more check out: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2017/01/evernote-8-ios-major-overhaul/

Blynk is a new app that makes it easy for makers using Arduino or Raspberry Pi computers to control a process through their smartphone. Before this app users would have to create an app from scratch but now it is possible to create something in 50 seconds. The article has a step-by-step video showing how it works: https://lifehacker.com/blynk-makes-creating-mobile-apps-to-power-arduino-or-ra-1791446978

Meitu is a new viral app that allows users to use filters to create cute anime looking images. It reminds me of some Snap Chat filters, BUT it asks for a lot of permission on your device like your unique identifier, contacts, location, carrier information, SIM card information. Wi-Fi network information, and more. You might say, "I'll use it once and then delete it.". The problem is once a user says yes to the permissions they have handed over a lot of information about them selves that they don't take back after they delete. To hear what experts have to say, read: https://lifehacker.com/blynk-makes-creating-mobile-apps-to-power-arduino-or-ra-1791446978

Merlin Bird Photo ID, is a free app available for both iOS and Android created by researchers from Caltech and Cornell University. It needs a clear, quality photo, to match the picture against a database of 650 North American bird species. The app takes advantage of a database of over one million photos then leverages machine learning and visual classification data. Read all about it: http://www.seeker.com/snap-a-bird-photo-and-this-app-tells-you-the-species-2178518321.html

In iOS 10.3 (the next version of Apple's operating system) , apps will be limited to asking users to rate the app three times in a year. If you use apps as often as I do this is a relief because certain apps ask almost every time you use them. Another improvement is that users will not have to leave the app and go to the iTunes / App Store to review an app. http://www.recode.net/2017/1/24/14375558/apple-limit-app-rating-reminders

Netflix users on Android can now download certain titles to their SD card instead of internal storage. This can be helpful for users that want to download with a phone and watch on a tablet or if they have a small amount of internal storage with a large SD card attached. Get the details: http://www.pcmag.com/news/351283/netflix-adds-sd-card-download-support-to-android-app

Best Apps of 2016

I decided that I would limit my list this year to free apps and not include game apps. There are some apps that I left off the list because they seemed too niche for most people; the kind of app users only need in a certain situation and then delete it later; and apps that have had major issues in the last year (crashes, data loss, questionable future). I tried to give the main reason the app is on the list and eliminated any app that is not available on both Android and Apple phones. Doing all of that is tough, there are some great apps that are perfect for really specialized tasks or are available but only for Android, iPhone, or they cost money. If I forgot one of your favorite apps or you think... why isn't this on the list! Please let me know.

I linked the name of the app to it's website where the developer usually explains the app, has tutorials, and links to the app's download link for each platform. If they don't have a website (or the website does not link to the app downloads) I added the links to their spot in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). One of the issues with apps is that many apps do not work on all versions of the operating system. If you have an older phone you may find that less and less apps are able to be used on your device. I see this happen more with Android apps but it can also be true of older Apple devices. In some cases users can "side load" an app but it may not work correctly and it does take some more advanced technical skill.

Outlook - great calendar and e-mail integration

Gmail - (iOS and Android) upgraded user interface and graphics make it even better     

ProtonMail - encrypted e-mail that allows multiple security features

Facebook - (iOS and Android) Live video, groups, and almost everyone you know

Instagram - (iOS and Android) adopting some video features,updating the interface, and cutting down spam makes it better

SnapChat - it's where everyone under 30 is, group chats added, and users can save their snaps

LastPass - one of the best password managers is now free on mobile, plus interface upgrades

Chrome - (iOS and Android) one of the best mobile browsers improved the amount of memory it uses

Opera Mini (iOS and Android) - the fastest light weight browser with the best privacy features

Waze - a navigation app that gives users traffic and location information, and remembers where you parked

Google Maps - (iOS and Android) the information it can provide about locations on top of its navigation keep it great

Opera VPN - a free Virtual Private Network can come in handy on free Wi-Fi, easy to use

(Facebook) Messenger - video messaging (now includes groups), stickers, and encryption if you want it.

Signal - the best messaging app for the privacy minded, full encryption

MyFitnessPal - (iOS and Android) user interface upgrades

and added features

SwiftKey - a great keyboard that learns how you type and the remembers things you frequently type

Gboard - (iOS and Android) best keyboard if you're a frequent emoji user

Spotify - the best at suggesting new music and playlists, ease of use, and developing exclusive content

Netflix - improved interface, download option, and new exclusive content

YouTube - (iOS and Android) Video content that runs a wide

spectrum. For the younger generation it is indispensable.

Prisma - turns your photos into art and adds new modes frequently

Google Photos - (iOS and Android) save your photos and your devices space, users can edit photos, make videos, and more

PicsArt - Lots of photo editing options, fun stickers, make a meme

Photoshop Fix - the Photoshop features most people use

YouCam Perfect - the ultimate selfie app with all kinds of photo editing features specific to creating the perfect selfie

OverDrive - when it comes to library eBooks, it's the best available

Hoopla - music and videos available from your library

Duolingo - learn a language, their new chat bot helps with conversational language

Pocket - save articles and find new things to read, easy to use interface, multiplatform

Nuzzel - (iOS and Android) find articles through social media connections and the "discover" feature, create your own newsletter based on what you are interested in, reccomend, or read.

CamScanner - scan documents, send them as pictures or PDF, easy to use

Heirloom - scan old photos and share them with family or friends

Yummly - (iOS and Android) find and share recipes easily

Evernote - (iOS and Android) still the best productivity app user interface-wise

Google Keep - (iOS and Android) best productivity app storage-wise

Google Hangouts - (iOS and Android) best video chat app, works with pretty much every device

Fitocracy - learn new workouts, get plans based on your goals, share your progress

My Asics Running Coach - running plans for every distance and adjusts based on your schedule and goals 

Nike+ Run Club - user interface upgrades, additional features, running community, better Apple Watch integration

Strava - the best tracking app for cycling and hiking

WhosCall - caller ID app that helps you avoid scam and spam calls

Cash - send people money by using your debit card powered by Square, nice for splitting a check

UnTappd - beer ratings, reviews, and a community of users. Sale and event notifications are handy.

Mint - the best personal finance app hands down just got some nice graphics and feature upgrades

Weather Underground - crowd sourced information helps it be accurate, the smart forecast allows you to set conditions and it will show you when those are met. Great for runners and other pastimes.

Weather Channel - background is a nice local photo, provides a lot of helpful information in a quick easy to use screen.

NPR One - National Public radio's app has a lot of great content. This app brings both local and national shows, recommends things you'd like, and allows you to share great stories you find.

Yelp - (iOS and Android) lets users know what businesses are available around them and reviews from users

Google Translate - (iOS and Android) 100 languages translated from audio, handwriting, or typing.

ESPN - (iOS and Android) scores, sports news, and content from their magazine, radio, and television channels

Want to know more, see what I read:

Popular Mechanics 23 Best iPhone Apps: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/apps/reviews/g1805/the-23-best-iphone-apps-to-download-now

CNet 100 Best iPhone Apps: https://www.cnet.com/topics/mobile-apps/best-mobile-apps-ios/best-photo-apps-for-iphone/

Time's 50 Best Apps of 2016: http://time.com/4549647/best-apps-year-2016/

New York Times 2016 in Review, Best Apps: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/technology/personaltech/best-apps.html

Digital Trends 100 Best iPhone Apps: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-iphone-apps/

Fast Company 10 Best Apps of 2016 https://www.fastcompany.com/3066678/tech-forecast/the-10-best-free-apps-of-2016

PC Magazine 100 Best Android Apps 2016 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393097,00.asp

PC Magazine 100 Best iPhone Apps 2016 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2391521,00.asp

Photo Scanning Apps

Google recently released a photo scanning app that had mixed reviews. I began to wonder if there were other apps that did the same thing, and which is the best. I did a side by side comparison.

CamScanner (Free) Android and iOS - Usually used for document scanning this app does really well at lining up the photos, cropping, and sharing. The photo quality was good but not great. The photo adjustment / filters features were good not great. https://www.camscanner.com

CamScanner scanning interface

CamScanner adjustment interface

Heirloom (Free) Android and iOS - Heirloom had the nicest user interface. It also has really nice photo adjustments and filters. The app had the best photo quality of the apps tested. The app's focus is on album creation and sharing, but users would have to convince friends and family to download the app. https://www.heirloom.net/

Heirloom cropping interface

Heirloom adjustment interface

PhotoScan by Google (Free) Android and iOS - The app does a good job of trying to eliminate glare and automatically cropping but I found that the photos were a bit blurry. It does a great job at saving and sharing but no adjustments or filters. https://www.google.com/photos/scan/

PhotoScan by Google scanning interface

Pic Scanner (Free with in-app purchases) iOS only - I found the app easy to use. The app tells users that they have the photo lined up. It does well at cropping but unfortunately the app limits the number of photos users can save or share to twelve (more than that costs $2.99). http://m.appinitio.com/

Pic Scanner scanning interface

Pic Scanner adjustment interface

Side by side with each app.

PhotoScan by Google

Pic Scanner

Heirloom

CamScanner

Side by side and I included one with the Camera on my iPhone.

PhotoScan

Pic Scanner

Heirloom

CamScanner

iPhone Camera

Side by side with my top three favorites Cam Scanner, Heirloom, and the iPhone camera.

CamScanner

Heirloom

iPhone Camera

These last two were Heirloom and the iPhone camera with both I used the adjustment and filters.

iPhone Camera with adjustments

Heirloom app with filter

I felt that the Heirloom app performed best and the iPhone was a close second. From all my research it seems that flat bed scanners or a SLR camera with a macro lens are superior for getting the best quality. This website gives instructions for taking the best scans possible of your photos with either one  https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-scan-and-archive-your-old-printed-photos/