Academia? There's an app for that
The increasing importance of high-powered handheld devices – smartphones with hundreds of thousands of downloadable applications, or apps – has placed a world of possibility at the fingertips of students and academics.
While there isn’t a perfect combination of apps that will immeasurably improve life for everyone, this list can give Concordians an edge in performance. It was compiled with the help of Elias Makos, Technical Instructor for the Department of Journalism, and technology and trends columnist for CTV News Montreal.
Scheduling
iCal – Free for iPhone
There’s no real need to download an effective scheduling app; it’s already built into the iPhone. iCal can keep track of assignments and appointments for school and life. It can even sync with a MobileMe account and Google calendar. Originally developed by Apple in 2002 for computers, there’s been ample time to work out bugs and refine its functionality. “It works great. It’s the only one I’ve ever used,” says Makos.
iStudiez Pro – $2.99 for iPhone
Dumb name, smart app. A little more specialized than iCal, iStudiez Pro was specifically designed for academic life. This app will organize time according to schedules, keep track of assignments by date, course or priority, and help track GPAs. Back up data by sending it to an email account with the push of a button.
Get Smart
Flashcards Deluxe – $3.99 for iPhone
Just like those old flashcards but not as bulky. Create personalized flashcards with questions and answers to best test brainpower and knowledge retention or download subject-specific cards from a bank of over 10,000. There is also a Flashcards Deluxe Lite. While much more limited than the full version, the price is right – it’s free.
TED mobile – Free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry
Having something super smart that didn’t come out of the textbook is always a good thing. This app allows users to watch the latest, always engaging TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) videos on the go and can pad any back pocket with a few fresh facts and ideas.
Organization
1Password – $9.99 for iPhone, Free for Android
A touch pricey on the Apple side, yet worth the cost for keeping track of numerous bits of important info. This app will store passwords to any number of sites (avoiding the risky practice of using the same password for several sites), credit card numbers, etc. The app boasts encryption and safety measures that make it allegedly uncrackable in case a phone is stolen.
Awesome Note – $3.99 for iPhone
Think of Awesome Note as the iPhone’s default Notes app on steroids. Use it to jot down thoughts on the go, manage to-do lists, create a daily diary, and send any info entered into the app by email quickly. It’s also able to sync with Google Docs and Evernote (see below). Awesome Note Lite is also available for free.
Evernote – Free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry
A digital archive to create text notes, audio memos, snap pictures, and find them remarkably easily and quickly. All notes include a geo-positioning function in case a user remembers where the note was made, but not what it’s called.
Dragon Dictation – Free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry
Say anything into the iPhone’s receiver and Dragon Dictation will transcribe it into text. Push a button and post transcribed text to Facebook, Twitter, text message, or press copy and paste it into plain text. Might not be good for transcribing lectures, but it’s great for study sessions or interviews.
Dropbox – Free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry
Quickly becoming a favourite for the many people with more than one device (computer, iPhone, iPad, etc), Dropbox syncs all devices to allow for sharing of files between all devices with the app installed. Work on a file on one device, drop it in the dropbox, and the latest version will be on every device. “I can write 300 words on my computer, another 300 on my iPad, and bring that file up on my phone with no extra actions. It’s a great writing tool,” says Makos.
Mint.com – Free for iPhone, Android
Recently launched in Canada after much success in the U.S., Mint.com is a personal finance tool that helps track, budget and manage money. Create a Mint.com account and add all online banking accounts, and the app will automatically sync all accounts to give an overview of all finances. The app will show all transactions, where money was spent each month (food, bills, textbooks, etc.), and provide alerts for when bills are due.
Language
Ultralingua French-English Translation Dictionary – $19.99 for iPhone, $29.99 for Blackberry
It’s an expensive app, but for anyone living in Montreal who’s not 100 percent fluent in French or English, it’s well worth the price. While not specifically geared for Québécois French, the app can translate nearly any word or phrase and conjugates thousands of French and English verbs. Once downloaded, no internet connection is required to access its information.
English to French Translation Phrasebook – $0.99 for iPhone
A cheaper option, this app has more than 700 phrases in 14 basic categories such as food, directions, medical, everyday conversation, etc. It even has a sound files for corresponding phrases to hear correct pronunciation. Also accessible offline.
Dictionary.com – Free for iPhone, Android, Blackberry
A useful dictionary and thesaurus that’s perhaps not the most in-depth resource, but it is accessible offline and is free.
ReaddleDocs – $4.99 for iPhone
One of the most useful document viewers on the market. ReaddleDocs supports PDFs, files from MS Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint), as well as FB2, ePub, RTF and HTML files. It also has a built-in web browser that allows whole webpages with images to be saved to read offline. A perfect app to avoid printing reams of one-time-use paper.
Communication
Talkatone – Free for iPhone
Have Gmail account and signed up for Google voice account? Talk and instant message worldwide over 3G or WiFi networks. Using data rather than phone plan minutes is a great way to save money. Surprisingly, Talkatone is not available for Google’s Android phones yet.
Kik messenger – Free for iPhone, Android
A messenger app that turns text messaging into real-time chat. “It’s Blackberry Messenger, but multiplatform. I can send a message to an iPhone, an Android, or Blackberry as long as they have the app installed,” says Makos. Think of the savings if numerous text messages are sent overseas instead of phone calls.
The John Molson School of Business’ Graduate Diploma in Business Administration?
There’s an app for that, too:
Related Links:
• Elias Makos’ blog Ok mobile computer
• Read about TED at Concordia -- NOW, October 19, 2010