Mobile

Snapchat, for Hoarders

I like Snapchat, but if I'm being totally honest, it's not something I use every day. I like it because my kids send me goofy pictures and videos, and it makes me happy that they think to include me in their Snapchatty world.

My +1 Sword of Productivity

If I'm being completely honest, I think the game-ification of a daily task list is a dumb idea. I also love it, and can't stress enough how well it works. Habitica might just be the way I get things done from now on.

Seeing Red and Getting Sleep

I'm always leery when I hear, Recent studies show.... But the idea that looking at electronic device screens before bed can cause sleep issues seems to be fairly accepted. The fascinating part for me is that it isn't really the screen itself, but the blue part of the color spectrum that contributes to the sleeplessness.

BitTorrent Inc.'s Sync

The Sync application from BitTorrent Inc. is simple yet powerful, offering the ability to move large amounts of data directly between devices.

Zappix Visual IVR

Zappix's development of its Visual IVR customer service platform is informed by research showing that 77% of consumers report that valuing their time is the most important element of good service.

Android Candy: Digital Funnies

One thing I truly miss about the "old-school" way of reading the newspaper is that I don't get to read the funny pages. No, that's not all I would read (although admittedly it may have been the first page I turned to), but a little levity always makes the day better. I'm not a big fan of graphic novels or even comic books, but the daily funny pages are just my speed.

Android Candy: Quick Games

The biggest problem I have with gaming is that it takes far too long to get "into" games. I'm generally very busy, and my gaming time usually lasts as long as it takes for the dentist to call me in from the waiting room (or possibly how long it takes me to use the bathroom, but eiw, let's not go there).

Android Candy: How Clever We Once Were

I freely admit I learned about this app from my wife. In fact, I saw a few nostalgic posts on her Facebook timeline and investigated where they came from. It turns out she had installed an app called Timehop.

Android Candy: If You're Not Using This, Then Do That

The "If This Then That" site has been around for a long time, but if you haven't checked it out in a while, you owe it to yourself to do so. The Android app (which had a recent name change to simply "IF") makes it easy to manipulate on the fly, and you're still able to interact with your account on its Web site.

Android Candy: Who Ya Gonna Call? Anyone!

I have a love/hate relationship with the contact manager on my phone. I absolutely love having all of that information available, and I love even more that it syncs with my Google contacts. What I don't love, however, is the cumbersome way you have to scroll around looking for who you want to call.

Bluetooth Hacks

Connect to the Internet, work with your files, lock your workspace, listen to music and do so much more with the help of Bluetooth technology.

Linux and the Internet of Things

I wake up in the middle of the night, mouth parched and vision blurry, and fumble around to find my iPhone. I press my thumb to the fingerprint scanner, and in the dim blue light, just out of instinct, I squint at the screen, find the right app, open it, and check the ambient temperature and air quality indoors.

Android Candy: Copay—the Next-Generation Bitcoin Wallet

When I hear the word "copay", I think of the doctor's office. Thankfully, the Copay app from the folks at Bitpay doesn't cost you anything, and it keeps your Bitcoin healthy and secure. I've mentioned many Bitcoin wallet applications and cloud solutions during the past few years, but Copay truly is different. It has features other wallets can't touch, such as:

Android Candy: Google Photos

Google has become the company that we love and can't live without, but at the same time, I think we all worry a little about just how much Google knows about us. With that caveat, it's hard to ignore Google's newest offering: Google Photos.

Android Candy: Cloud Bonding

Although the title might sound like some new-fangled tech jargon, I'm actually referring to a fairly simple Android app called "Unclouded." If you're a Dropbox user who also has things stored in Google Drive, Unclouded is a single interface to multiple file syncing backends.