Store and Retrieve Location-Based Text Messages with Dropp

August 31, 2011

Dropp is a fun and useful new iPhone app that lets you share location-based messages and photos with friends, family, and even people you don’t know. For example, let’s say you’re at a restaurant and eat a particularly good cheeseburger. You know your friend Dan likes cheeseburgers, so you can drop a message just for him that says “Dan, you have to try the cheeseburger here!” Whenever he enters the restaurant, he’ll get the text message on his phone.

Dropp is a fun tool, but it can also be used for work. Here are two examples, for law firms and CPAs.

Example: Using Dropp in a Law Firm

Jim is an attorney at a 10 person law firm. He attends a hearing at the local courthouse one day and finds the judge has postponed the hearing for a date and time that is yet to be determined. Before he leaves the courthouse, Jim drops a note for the runner to get a copy of the court schedule. The next day when the runner comes to the courthouse, he’ll get the message to pick up the schedule.

Example: Using Dropp in an Accounting Firm

Charlotte is a partner at a mid-sized accounting firm. One morning in January, she meets with the CEO of a large commercial client to discuss their upcoming audit. The client’s staff is working to retrieve bank statements from multiple accounts from the last twelve months, but they’re not ready quite yet. Charlotte drops a message for the field auditor for this account. When he comes to the client’s office, he’ll get the message to ask about the bank statements.

Can you think of any other examples of how Dropp could be used for your business? I’d love to read some of your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Stuart Avera | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

How to Track Flights on Your iPhone or Android Phone

November 2, 2010

As of this writing, Stuart is on his way to Chicago to visit a client, but that didn’t stop him from sending me a new tech tip. He is always great about giving me ideas for Tech Tips articles, even at 38,000 feet.

In his words:

“I downloaded an app called AirportRemote this morning that shows all flight gate information on the iPhone. Basically you don’t have to wait to see a monitor for where your plane is arriving or departing. Just about all the major airports and airlines are supported. Worked great. Only costs $3.99.”

I did some research and found that the Airport Remote app is supported on both the iPhone and Android phone. To learn more about the app and to watch a video demo, visit the Airport Remote website.

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Business App of the Week

August 4, 2010

Yellow Pages Mobile

Business App of the Week Yellow pages mobile is a great way to find phone numbers, directions and nearby places of interest. You can even save business contacts to your phonebook for easy access later on. Check it out from your mobile device (available on iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Palm and Android). Look up “Yellow Pages” in your phone’s app store, or visit m.yp.com from your phone.

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The New “Distracted Driving” Laws and What They Mean for Georgia Drivers

July 28, 2010

The new texting law says that drivers cannot read, write or send anything from their mobile phones. This includes text messages, instant messages, email and using the internet on your mobile device. Violators of the new law will be fined $150. Drivers over the age of 18 are still able to talk on their mobile phones while driving, but talking is prohibited for drivers under 18. If you must talk on the phone while driving, I recommend you use a Bluetooth headset. With a Bluetooth headset, you can use voice-activated dialing and talk hands-free while you’re driving.

Want to learn how to use Bluetooth on your iPhone? Attend our iPhone/iPad Lunch-N-Learn on August 12!

Posted by anne | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Voice-to-Text iPhone and BlackBerry Application

June 29, 2010

Easily Dictate Emails and Text Messages With Your Smartphone

Dragon Dictation for the iPhone (and Dragon Email for BlackBerry) is an easy-to use voice recognition application for your smartphone. The application allows you dictate messages that are quickly converted into text that you can use in an email or text message. The best part: it’s absolutely free!

To try Dragon Dictation, go to the App Store on your iPhone and search for “Dragon Dictation.” On your BlackBerry, visit App World and search for “Dragon Email.” Download the app, and you’ll be ready to go!

This app is great for attorneys who need to dictate case notes, or doctors who want to transcribe patient information.

How to Make the Most of Your iPhone or iPad at Work

A Nexxtep Lunch-N-Learn Hosted by Chief Technology Officer Ryan Williams

You’ll Learn:

Essential Business Apps for the iPhone and iPad
Tips and Tricks
How to Improve Information Management
What’s New in iPhone 4
Answers to Any Questions You Have About iPhone and/or iPad

Wednesday, July 14th

12 PM – 1 PM

LaQuinta Inn and Suites, Valdosta, Georgia

Cost: Free for Nexxtep Clients, $15 for All Others

Seating is limited to the first 30 registrants.

Posted by anne | Filed Under iPhone Developer | 1 Comment

What’s New in iOS4

June 22, 2010

iOS4 is the newest version of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system, which is the software platform used by all models of the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The biggest new features are enhanced security, multitasking (ability to run more than one app at the same time), email threading, the iBooks app, a digital zoom for the camera, and folders.

This update is available on the iPhone 3G, 3GS and comes with the new iPhone 4. Some features are not available on the iPhone 3G (multitasking, wallpaper changes), and it is not available at all on the first generation iPhone or the iPad. A new operating system for the iPad is expected to come out at the end of this summer.

Updating the software is free and easy.

Simply connect your phone to the computer using your iPhone cord.

Wait for iTunes to open. It should ask you if you’d like to upgrade. If not, click on “Check for Upgrades” on your iPhone summary screen and then you will be prompted to update. Just follow the steps and you will be upgrading in no time. The update does take about an hour, but once it starts you can just leave it alone till it’s finished. Your apps, music and files will all be backed up during the upgrade.

The video above shows some of the new features of iOS4.