Thing 10

Augmented Reality

Ugh, not a fan so far. I downloaded Aurasma before I looked at any of the links, so even with the description of what AR is, and specifically what Aurasma does, I was clueless without having seen it in action. So I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do to create my own Aura.

Like I should have to start with, then, I read the quick guide; even then, I found this app hard to navigate. I kept getting stuck in the viewfinder part of it and couldn't figure out how to go back. Then I couldn't find the "overlays." I tried browsing the "Popular Auras," but it would never load--just kept saying "Loading Auras" and spinning, and then finally said there was a problem connecting to Aurasma Central and to check my signal strength and network settings. (I'm doing this at the library, and I know I've got wifi turned on.) 

Finally I found the overlays and made two auras using shots of stuff on my desk. I tried to "Share" it via email, but when I clicked on Email, it gave me the option to share it to Google Drive. I did that, thinking I could then link it to this blog post,but it just saved text. This is where my brain has a hard time remembering the difference between a smartphone and a desktop computer. 

Now I'm trying to go back and look at my Public Auras. I see them there--named "nipper" and seal"--and when I first made them, I saw them "in action." But now when I click on them, all I see is the photo of the objects--none of the AR stuff. And since I've already spent an hour on this one, I'm going to have to let it go. 

So I watched the video clip about the use of Aurasma at the Star Wars thing at DisneyWorld. Parts of that were cool, like the guy hanging out with Chewbacca. And then I watched how teachers are using it. OK, but I don't really see much educational value, other than the fact that the kids get to use a device. Then I tried to watch the PowerPoint about how libraries are using AR, but none of the images showed--the text slides were fine, but most were black. Not sure what's going on with that. 

I do know about QR codes, and for a while now I've wanted our children's calendars to have them so parents could just save them to their phones, and now Elizabeth is making inroads with this on lots of our publications. I do have a QR reader on my phone, but is that the same as AR? 

Still not a fan.

Thing 9

Video

I was forced to figure out how to use YouTube on my son's iPad last year when the veterinary behaviorist at Purdue asked to see how my dog was doing with his "Relaxation Protocol." Chico is a raving lunatic when we see other dogs (and sometimes people) when we are out walking, as many of you know already because I talk about this problem way too much! Anyway, the behaviorist at Purdue is the fifth trainer we have consulted to deal with this, and obviously we can't drive him up there every week, so we communicate via email in between visits. I told them Chico was the perfect angel in our house, and had learned how to stay on his mat no matter what I do, and they wanted me to prove it! So this is my video of Chico staying put while I clap, sing, ring the doorbell, march around him, etc. Also, it's a 10-minute clip, but if you could just watch it up to 2:17 you will see my dear, departed cat Clarence walk around Chico so he can go upstairs. Really, that's why I'm sharing this: in his last months he could no longer walk up the stairs, and I love to see him here. (You'll hear Brian Williams doing the NBC Nightly News in the background too--another dear, departed one in a way.)

ANYWAY. All this to say: I learned a lot here because I didn't realize how nice the YouTube app was until I downloaded it onto my phone yesterday. So much easier to use than it was last year when I had to figure out how to post this and then how to email it to Purdue! I even went to Blogger on my phone (not my computer) to upload this video. Very simple. Now I'm going to film Chico learning to look at me for a treat instead of going after dogs on our walks (he's getting a little better!)

Thing 8

Health & Wellness

Guys who always have pockets for their phones are the ones who get the most out of these cool fitness-tracking apps, at least for things like Human, the all-day activity tracker (not formal workouts). Sadly, I no longer belong to a gym, but if I did, I would get one of those armbands where you can strap your phone on so I could track calories burned, steps, heart rate, etc. If I didn't have a highly reactive dog that requires me to take short walks close to home and be hypervigilant when we're outside, I would love to take long walks (or even maybe do a tiny bit of running?) with him, and the fitness apps would be great for that too. 

So what else? When I saw the Daily Yoga app mentioned on the 23 Mobile Things site, I perked up. I love yoga and have recently started up my home practice again. I downloaded Daily Yoga and selected one of the free video downloads, a 10-minute series focusing on the abs. You can choose to play the new-agey music with it or silence that, and you can select voice prompts or silence them. I turned off the music but turned on the voice prompts. The person demonstrating the postures was a very fit man who could do everything with ease; it's just him with a white background, nothing more. The woman giving the verbal cues had a noticeable Asian accent but was easily understandable. I had to prop my phone up against a book on the floor to see it while I was on the mat. 

Unfortunately, most of the video downloads on Daily Yoga are labeled "Pro," meaning you have to pay for them. I joined DoYouYoga.com about a month ago online, and while they don't have an actual app, they do have a mobile version of their site. But I've found that when doing an online yoga practice, it's a lot easier to follow the videos with the laptop on the floor rather than using the little phone.

I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to download the calorie-counter and food diary app soon. I need all these before my high school reunion this summer.

Thing 7

Books & Reading

This is an easy one. I've been downloading Overdrive books (but mostly not with the app--just reading in my browser) and teaching elementary school kids and other patrons how to do this for a while now. But I had not downloaded the Overdrive app until now. I found it pretty easy to follow the directions, and checked out my first book, Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose. I also added it to my homescreen and have found it so nice to have something to read, even if I forget to bring a book, while waiting for my car to get worked on or a kid to get done with soccer practice.

Goodreads is another site I've used for a long time now, keeping track of my personal reading and work reading. It's helpful with Reader's Advisory if I keep up with it and tag the books right, plus I love to see what my friends are reading. Anyway, now I have the Goodreads app on my phone. So far I find it easier to use on my computer, especially if I'm going to write a review, but if I wanted to browse, I guess it would be handy to have on my phone.