Smartphone App Wrap: Travel, TV, Google, and sports
As the pleasant weather finally approaches, we start to think about travel, baseball, golf, music, and enjoying time with family and friends. This collection of apps covers all these aspects of life while also including two new Google offerings from the I/O conference last week.
Google Hangouts
Platform: Android
Price: Free
Google has always had a piecemeal approach to communications so I was pleased to see them launch Hangouts as they attempt to consolidate these communications. Hangouts replaces Google Talk and gives you a quick and easy way to chat and connect via a video call.
Hangouts also lets you work across multiple platforms, including your desktop so communications flow better. I look forward to SMS integration like we see in Facebook Messenger.
Google Hangouts
Platform: Android
Price: Free
I was able to enjoy a group chat in Hangouts on my HTC One while my daughters were on iPhones. A nice feature on Android is the ability to use a number of emoticons by tapping the smiley face on the text entry line.
Google Play Music
Platform: Android
Price: $9.99/month for All Access service
I enjoy music subscription services, but also like to store and enjoy my own music collection. The new All Access service that comes with Google Play Music combines these two functions with a new user interface.
You can still use Google Play Music with your own collection, but the Radio option and ability to listen to the entire library they have on hand is a subscription service. If you start the trial before 30 June, the monthly subscription fee is just $7.99 so give it a try now.
Google Play Music
Platform: Android
Price: $9.99/month for All Access service
The player interface has also changed a bit with big button controls and album art that moves around the display.
Remote 4 Roku Free
Platform: Windows Phone 8
Price: Free
I cut the cable over a year ago and enjoy Internet video content on my TVs. The main device I use is a Roku box, but often have trouble finding the remote. Remote 4 Roku now gives me the ability to control my Roku from my phone.
The one improvement I would like to see is the ability to have a library of Rokus since I have one in my rec room, kitchen, and bedroom.
Remote 4 Roku Free
Platform: Windows Phone 8
Price: Free
You can choose to show your favorite channels while also choosing which skin you want on your remote.
My Trips
Platform: Windows Phone 8
Price: $1.99
I travel about once a month for work and find the TripIt service to be invaluable. I have gotten enough in flight fees credited back to pay for years of TripIt Pro. The official Windows Phone app is not very good though, but thankfully there is a great alternative in My Trips.
You can leave the paper behind and view all aspects of your trip itinerary with My Trips.
My Trips
Race to the Pennant
Platform: iOS
Price: $0.99
Baseball season is upon us and with nearly 200 games in the season I think it is fun to see how your team stacks up and if they have a shot at winning the pennant. WIth Race to the Pennant you can quickly see how your team/division is doing and if there is any chance they are going to win it all.
Race to the Pennant
Platform: iOS
Price: $0.99
You can also view some key stats in the app and see how your team stacks up with those racing you to the finish.
Audible
Platform: iOS
Price: Free app, paid subscription
When you are out and about it isn't always easy or advisable to view your display and read a book. I subscribed to Audible about six months ago and am now hooked on audio books.
The application works well on my iPhone and even supports the new Whispersync technology that syncs written and audio books through the Kindle service.
Audible
Platform: iOS
Price: Free app, paid subscription
You can choose which books in your library to download on your iPhone. You can also control your experience with different taps and swipes on the display.
PGA Tour
Platform: BlackBerry 10
Price: Free
Golf is a popular summer sport and while I am not personally a very active golfer, I do enjoy sports. The PGA Tour app gives you the latest and greatest news and tourney status on your BB10 device.
You can view the leader board, check out details of the course, view stats on players, and even view Twitter feeds from staff and players.
PGA Tour
Platform: BlackBerry 10
Price: Free
One of my favorite things about golf is the beautiful courses. I like that you can see course and hole details in the app, which helps improve the fan experience.
CB10
Platform: BlackBerry 10
Price: Free
CrackBerry.com is my favorite BlackBerry site and their CB10 app just won a major award at BlackBerry Live last week. CB10 gives you optimized access to the website and even supports BBM integration.
In addition to news, reviews, and articles you also get access to forums and the ability to easily view and add comments.
CB10
Platform: BlackBerry 10
Price: Free
The slick peek and slide user interface is supported on CB10. This is one of the MUST have apps for BlackBerry 10 and I find new apps and the ability to download them faster using CB10 than browsing through the store.