Dare To Be Domestic

There’s An App For That?

Okay, I’ve given into the hype and recently purchased an iPhone as a birthday present to myself.  Can I just tell you that I feel like I’ve been missing out on life—almost reborn!  Besides all the crazy cool features that are standard with the oh-so-sweet phone, I’ve discovered some Apps that are so “Dare To Be Domestic” it’s not funny.  They honestly make Home Life so easy.  Here is one of my favorites, the Grocery Gadget Shopping List by Flixoft Inc.

WOW, it has so many features it’s not funny (yeah, I said "it's not funny" twice).  Now, I shop for a living literally and this App is saving my life one barcode at a time.

You can:

• Make quick lists
• Make reusable lists
• Add pictures of the items you need to buy
• Add coupon reminders
• Email your shopping lists
• Import recipes so know which ingredients to buy
• Sort items by store
• Program aisle numbers so you can find items faster
• And even share lists with other iPhones.

and much more...

There is a free version and an upgraded version that costs $4.99.  Check it out.  I give it two thumbs way up.  Go iPhone Apps!

Images screen shots from iTunes Application Store.

How Apple Brought Me Holiday Joy

Can you believe the holidays have come and are almost gone?  For some strange reason this year, a big part of my holiday revolved around Apple.  What did I ever do before my iMac?  My PC never inspired a blog entry.  I give you the Top 5 Reasons Apple Brought Me Holiday Joy: 

5.  I was able to loop Mariah's Christmas album on my iTunes over and over and over and over again.  That just might be the best Christmas album ever!

4.  My iPod prevented me from slitting my wrists as I waited in line at Target.  If the economy is doing bad, I saw no signs of it at Target.

3.  With so many holiday movies being released Apple Trailers was my best friend.  You actually feel like you are watching the movie on your computer.  By the time I watched a trailer on this amazing site I was like "What a good movie," I felt like I had no need to actually go and see the movie.  So basically Apple saved me a good $15.00 - wait add on popcorn and a soda and that's like a $60.00 savings.

2.  I got to video chat will my family back on the Easy Coast with my built in iMac Camera.

1.  I was able to buy three last minute iTunes gift cards at 7-Eleven.  HELLO!

Here is a hilarious take on Apple from The Simpsons.  Even if you don't own an Apple product you will love it.  I watched it like three times.  Apple makes home-life easy. That's why I'm addicted...

 

Mapple - The Simpsons
by aarplane

And in case you didn't quite get the shattered screen ending, take a look at this.  A big thanks to Solomon for my Apple History lesson.

Gadget Batteries: Beat Them At Their Own Game

Frustration with my cell phone battery and laptop battery has been building and building and finally came to a head this past weekend.  After visits to both the cell phone store and my local computer shop, I found out I was to blame for my own battery drama.  Did you know your batteries have memories and get used to a certain charge cycle?  And, if you charge your battery every time your battery indicator gets to halfway full, you are hurting the battery and are more likely to have a weak one? 

Here are some tips to get the most of out your cell and laptop batteries:

Cell Phone 

• Let your battery run a full cycle.  This means you should let it die before you recharge.
• Only charge a battery until the battery is full.  It’s best not to let it stay charging overnight.
• If possible, charge your cell phone battery with the phone off.
• Program your phone to go into power save mode earlier and turn off any indicator lights you don’t need.
• Be aware that vibration settings take up more battery juice.
• Be sure to always use the correct charger - just because it fits doesn't mean it's compatible.

Laptop 

• Condition your battery every two to three weeks.  Completely discharge it and then recharge it completely.  This will optimize its life.
• Set up your power settings to turn off the hard drive when the system is in an idle mode, same with the screen.
• If you don’t plan on using your laptop for a long period of time, remove and store the battery with a 50% charge.

Who knew?