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Observe the Passover seder with new iPad app

“The Haggadah App” from Melcher Media offers an interactive look at the seder tradition that begins Friday.

For those who will observe the Passover Seder Friday night, a new iPad application can help guide you through the important Jewish ritual and teach you some things you didn’t know.

“The Haggadah App” ($7.99, Melcher Media) offers both the tradition of the ritual that commemorates the Israelites’ flight out of Egypt with new features to help users of the 21^st century connect with the rich history of Passover.

“Many of us have been using the same copy of the Haggadah all our lives,” said Charlie Melcher, founder and president of Melcher Media, in a news release. “But today we celebrate, share and learn in new ways. So it’s time for a new Haggadah that both honors the old and celebrates the new.”

The app, released April 4, offers songs, lists, recipes, interactive commentary, history, beautiful art, games and coloring pages for children and more.

Using the app, you can plan the holiday, learn as a group about the history and explore versions of the Haggadah that you might not have seen before. It also features a contemporary, alternative approach to the seder, audio recordings of Passover songs and commentary and photos of rare illustrated manuscripts dating back to the 1300s.

Even if you’re not Jewish, the app is a good way to find out more about the symbolism involved in the seder that marks the beginning of the eight-day Passover holiday.

Described by developers as a “rich and beautiful multi-sensory experience,” “The Haggadah App” was developed in collaboration with a team of people steeped in the history of the Passover.

David Kraemer, the app’s primary author, is the librarian and professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Also contributing to the app with audio commentary about the art and meaning of the ritual are: Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of Clal, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership; Sharon Liberman Mintz, curator of Jewish Art at the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary; Amichai Lau-Lavie, a founding director of Storahtelling.

For more information about Passover and the use and the importance of the Haggadah read The Oklahoman’s Life section on Saturday or see NewsOK.com/religion.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

On Monday, NBC’s ‘The Voice’ to launch new voting app for Facebook

A news release from NBC has details of a new Facebook app for the popular music competition show “The Voice”:

Beginning April 2, when NBC’s hit music competition series “The Voice” (Mondays, 7-9 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Central time and Tuesdays) goes live, fans of the show will be able to vote for their favorite artists via a new app that people can add to their Facebook timeline. The app, which enables people to share their viewing and voting with their friends, creates one of the first truly social voting options for any network competition series while providing a deeply engaging experience for fans.

Vivi Zigler, president, NBC Universal Digital Entertainment, and Justin Osofksy, director of Platform Partnerships at Facebook, announced the timeline this weekend.

“What better show to launch a new Facebook timeline experience with than ‘The Voice’?” said Zigler, “This app gives our already socially savvy fans another way to connect and share. From declaring their favorite artist to discovering friends’ preferences to interacting with more content, the app creates a fully social online voting experience.”

With the timeline app, fans will be able to show their support for their favorite teams and artists by casting their vote each week, connecting with their friends and other viewers, tracking their artists and seeing if they made it to the next round. The new app also will allow them to discover new content, including performance videos and blogs. Additionally, people using the Facebook app on their iPhone, iPad and Android devices will also be able to engage with “The Voice” timeline voting app.

“We’ve always watched and talked about TV shows with friends and family,” said Osofsky. “The Voice’s timeline app for Facebook will make it easy for people to do this online, enabling fans to vote for their favorite singers and share their votes with friends.”

“The Voice” returned Feb. 5 with celebrity musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Oklahoma’s Blake Shelton and Carson Daly as host. Christina Milian joined this season as social media correspondent.

“The Voice” is a presentation of Mark Burnett’s One Three Inc., Talpa Content USA, Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who executive-produces along with Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers and Lee Metzger.

For embeddable clips and full episodes, please visit NBC.com’s official show site.

Find the Voice on Facebook  and or on twitter at @NBCTheVoice and #TheVoice.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com.)

Say goodbye to Encyclopaedia Britannica in book form, but volumes will live on in apps and on DVDs

 

News today that the Encyclopaedia Britannica would no longer publish its print editions after 244 years should not discourage anyone who want to peruse the entries that have served as credible, scholarly sources for term papers for as long as most of us can remember. Instead of paying $1,395 for the 32-volume set, you can still get a CD copy or download the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch application free with limited content and pay $1.99 per month for access to all of it.

I got to try it out last December for a “Get App-y” column. Here’s more information.

This “Get App-y” column originally appeared in The Oklahoman on Dec. 20, 2011:

Those who look up “Christmas” in the Encyclopaedia Britannica get a litany of choices among the entries — they can read about the holiday, the island, the tree, the carol, the famous novel by Charles Dickens and the cactus, among others, as well as detailed information about each one.

 

 The oldest English-language encyclopedia — it was first published with three volumes in 1768 — is now available on one of the most modern devices, the iPad, and its smaller counterparts, the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The 32-volume encyclopedia is still available in print, and the $2,000 price of the books includes support material such as DVDs and online access. For $195, people can buy reprints of the three volumes first published more than 240 years ago.

 But as more people get their news and information on their mobile device, Encyclopaedia Britannica is meeting them there. Users can download the free mobile application to their devices for limited access and for $1.99 a month have access to all 80,000 or so of the articles that Britannica offers.

The company also is developing Android and Microsoft versions of the mobile app.

If you want to start researching a topic, this is a good place to start, with content provided and verified by experts — scientists, historians, Nobel laureates and political leaders that include former U.S. and international presidents.

When the app first opens, a large “Did You Know?” screen about an entry appears, as well as something that happened on that day in history.

For the most part, entries on the app stay current — news of the Oct. 20 death of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi is already incorporated.

In the app, it’s easy to search for an entry, email, download for offline viewing or save to favorites. Entries are cross-referenced and linked.

For those who want to learn a little bit about everything, the encyclopedia is the place to get it. Britannica’s mobile versions make it even easier to find that knowledge. For one man’s funny abridged version, author A.J. Jacobs offered that a few years ago after reading the entire set from A to Z and tossing out his new wisdom in “The Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World.”

I wonder if he’d feel even smarter reading the encyclopedia on his iPad.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman, lbrinkman@opubco.com

After Temple Run, here are more endless games

Temple Run is addictive, mindless, endless and free, as noted in Get App-y today on NewsOK.com. But it’s not the only one that fits this description available on the iTunes app store. (Some have Android versions, too.)

In a recent talk with sixth-graders, all agreed that they loved the running, jumping, swiping and coin-collecting from Temple Run, but they’ve moved on to Jetpack Joyride (free, Halfbrick), starring “Barry Steakfries,” who is riding a jetpack through some sort of scientific lab facility. He flies, collects coins and crashes into obstacles, an act that ends the game.

I also have laughed at “Sky Burger” recently, which involves creating a hamburger to order from the lettuce, tomatoes, patties, pickles, onions and bread that fall from the sky. The level is over when you add the top of the bun, but if you add it too soon, you lose. It, too, is free.

I’ll post more later, but here are two to get you started if you’ve already achieved all the objectives in Temple Run.

Then again, these are endless, too.

Email me your favorites or comment below.

~ Lillie-Beth (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

Make your loved one’s day special for Valentine’s Day and beyond

Today’s Get App-y column on NewsOK.com and in The Oklahoman featured dating apps for singles, but U.S. Cellular offered some free app ideas and websites to help couples. Since I’m late to post these, they’re probably too late for use on Valentine’s Day, but they can help in future planning for romance.

The National Retail Federation has found that the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day will spend $126.03, the highest amount in 10 years. Total spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion.

Here are some suggestions from the Oklahoma City U.S. Cellular office for the phones that they offer — Android-powered, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile. Some of these apps are also available for iPhones. These are some of the mobile service company’s ideas to make your loved ones’ day special:

The gift. Smart phone users can access the Internet service Thoughtful.co through their Web browser and enter information about their Valentine. Thoughtful.co offers unique gift ideas and experiences based on their likes and interests, as well as reminders about upcoming milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries.

The dinner. Yelp.com and corresponding apps provide listings of local restaurants and consumer reviews and ratings. The service recently added the ability to make dinner reservations at select local restaurants. Enter the time, date and party size, and your table is booked.

Flowers. Send real or virtual flowers to your loved ones through 1800Flowers, which also links you to exclusive offers.

Choolate. The Godiva mobile app conveniently gives you access to the premier chocolate company’s products, ready to order.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

 

http://newsok.com/get-app-y-find-your-appily-ever-on-valentines-day/article/3648619

Get App-y: Connect to home from anywhere with Splashtop

I have found apps from Splashtop handy at different times, such as when needing to retrieve a document on my home computer or when I want to watch something on my iPad that requires Flash. Here is more about them, as well as links to the various apps:

Originally Published in The Oklahoman’s Life section, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

Get App-y: Connect to home from anywhere

App offerings from Splashtop for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices let you connect to your home computer from wherever you are.

BY LILLIE-BETH BRINKMAN (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

As I cooked dinner one night downstairs in my split-level house, I needed a recipe from my computer, located in a bedroom all the way upstairs.

Whether you call it laziness or convenience, I used an application on my iPad to retrieve it without having to walk up the two flights of stairs. The app, Splashtop Remote Desktop, connected to my desktop computer via my wireless Internet, and once I opened the app and typed in a password, I could view my home computer screen on my iPad and use the tablet to navigate to the recipe file that I needed.

The same app is available as Android or BlackBerry apps as well, so it works as a gateway link between any computer and almost any mobile device, whether an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android smartphone, Android tablet, Sony Tablet or BlackBerry.

The app’s cost ranges from $1.99 to $6.99, depending on what device you’re using. Install it on your device, and then use your computer to go online to www.splashtop.com to download the desktop companion app, the free Splashtop Streamer, to the computer you want to use on the app.

Using the app, I have accessed my home computer while at work to retrieve documents and looked at files on my hard drive in Oklahoma while on a trip to Asia.

Connecting by remote to another computer is familiar to those who have ever called a customer support help line and had technicians request permission over the phone to access their computers to try to diagnose the problem.

It’s neat to be able to do this on a mobile device. To use Remote Desktop, make sure the Splashtop Streamer opens when you turn on your computer so the two machines can “talk” when you need them. Lately, I have had a few problems with error messages that tell me my device can’t communicate with my computer, so success isn’t always guaranteed. However, much of the time the app works as planned. The first screen I see each time explains which fingers and motions I need to use to control my computer, which is handy.

The app recently won Laptop Magazine’s app of the year at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev.

When you go to the website to download the companion streamer, take a look at the other apps that Splashtop.com offers for your iPad, including:

Splashtop Whiteboard ($19.99), which turns your iPad into an interactive whiteboard; Splashtop Remote Browser, which makes it possible to view Adobe Flash files streamed from the computer to your device; and Splashtop XDisplay, which lets you use your device to extend your computer monitor.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman

Send app column ideas or suggestions to lbrinkman@opubco.com.

The Big Game: Commercials, recipes and Super Bowl apps for every interest

For fans tuned into the Super Bowl today, the Oklahoma City office of AT&T offers a list of apps for your mobile devices that might interest you, whatever part of the game that interests you. From football trivia to game day snacks, there are iOS apps for iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches and apps for your Android devices to help plan every party, and I thought I’d share this list directly from AT&T.

Here are some:

BIG GAME TRIVIA

 Super Bowl Winners. (free version and $1.99 version)

, iOS) Astound your family and friends with your knowledge of football history by brushing up on some facts using the Super Bowl Winners app. The app includes information about the first Super Bowl in 1967 and lists all the winners. (Free)

 Super Bowl Trivia app (Android)

Test your knowledge of prior seasons with The Super Bowl Trivia app.  By playing this game you can brush up on your trivia that may come in handy when getting together with friends this season.  The timed question and answer format includes questions on coaches, MVPS, game scores, winners and losers.  (Free)

ESPN ScoreCenter app (Android and iOS)

Show off or boost your knowledge of this football season by checking out ESPN’s free ScoreCenter app.  Get recaps, stats, and summaries; and the latest news on teams still in the hunt, plus more.

Android version available here:

iPhone/iPad version available here:

BIG GAME COMMERCIALS

Super Ads:  Super Bowl Commercials ($1.99, iOS)

The Big Game is also about the bigger than life advertisements.  Get geared up for this year and stoke your memory about seasons past by checking out the Super Ads:  Super Bowl Commercials app.  There are dozens of ads for each of the past three years.

Madden NFL 12 by EA Sports (99 cents for the iPhone, $2.99 for the iPad and 99 cents for the Android)

If you just can’t wait for game day and want to see how your favorite team will measure up against the opponent check out this app.  You can do it over your noon hour or coffee break right from your tablet or phone.

Visit Indy App (free for Android, but not tablet)

If you are traveling to the Big Game check out the Visit Indy App.  It’s the Indianapolis Visitors and Convention Bureau official handheld travel guide to the Circle City.

NFL Pro 2012

Get hyped for an awesome NFL season you can play for FREE!

You’ve never played football like this before, with NFL Pro 2012 you can choose to play and manage any of the 32 NFL teams with over 2,000 real players. (*Might not be compatible with all smartphone devices)

IN THE KITCHEN

Food Network  ($1.99 for iOS and $1.99 for Android)

The Big Game always means super-sized everything and an unlimited supply of food. If you’re throwing a party, don’t know what to serve and how many people it will cover, check out the Food Network’s app.   The application features recipes great for game day.  Why not try something new like Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Sausage Skewers, or Baked Mini Corn Dogs.

All Recipes.com app (called All Recipes-Your Dinner Inspiration on iPad, All Recipes Dinner Spinner on iPhone, and  All Recipes Dinner Spinner on Android)

If you’re serving a meal and not just appetizers surrounding the Big Game try the All Recipes.com app, which has ideas that can be ready in 20 minutes or less.

Party Planner (free, Android)

Tend to forget things when you plan a party or don’t know where to start?  This provides a checklist that may be helpful.

DRINKS

Mixology™ Drink Recipes (free on iOS devices andfree on Android)

Mixology is the ultimate drink recipe and bartending guide. Whether you are a novice bartender or an expert mixologist, this app help you add diversity to your big game drink specials.

Get App-y: Instagram friendships go offline and into real world

Today in The Oklahoman’s Life section, I wrote about the recent meetup of Oklahoma City-area users of the social media app Instagram primarily for the iPhone. Below are photos of some of the people who attended.

For more from the users, download the mobile application to your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, sign up for an account and search for the keyword “igersokc_instameet,” also known as a “tag.” Look for a Facebook page by the same name to find more. (Note: Links to Instagram photos in this post come from a related online site called Statigram, which lets users see statistics and photos from Instagram.)

For another treat, check out photos that fall under the tag “treecult.” Various users have taken photos of a lonely tree in northwest Oklahoma City, edited them in different ways and tagged the tree with that keyword. The tree and the tag have become well known to Instagram users around the world who follow those in Oklahoma City that have photographed it.  As of early this morning, there were more than 200 photos of the same tree on the mobile application.

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com and @lillie_beth on Instagram)

 

New app connects people with Santa and helpers at the North Pole

Elf Cam and Santa Tracker among activities in Santa’s Big Helper app

If you’re looking for a Christmas application for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, then the people at Wet Nose Design want you take a look at theirs — Santa’s Big Helper: 9 Christmas Apps in 1. It even has an Elf Cam that will capture video of the jolly elf coming down your chimney on Christmas day so you can show your children.

With the app you can track Santa with the Santa Tracker, send letters to Santa Claus, play holiday sounds and see his naughty/nice list, get updates from his director of communications, Dozey Toes the Elf, and submit your own questions.

The app is 99 cents — “to help cover the cost of reindeer feed” — says promotional material about the app. It looks like a cute app to share with little ones this year.

Merry Christmas!

~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

U.S. Cellular to offer free device workshops at Oklahoma City locations

This is an interesting idea that I received in a news release from U.S. Cellular this week, especially if you are trying to figure out how to work your smart phone of the Android, Windows 7 or BlackBerry kind:

“Smartphone and mobile tablet users are invited to learn more about how to use their devices

“With a recent study showing a nearly 80 percent increase in smartphone shipments from a year ago, there are plenty of first-time smartphone users who may want a little help figuring out everything their advanced devices have to offer.

“U.S. Cellular is hosting a free device workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at its story at  6406 N May Avenue to guide attendees through all of the features and functions of the company’s smartphone and mobile tablet line-up, including the Android-powered Motorola ELECTRIFY, HTC 7 Pro Windows Phone and BlackBerry Torch 9850. All questions are welcome from current and potential smartphone and tablet users, and attendees don’t have to be a U.S. Cellular customer.

“’Smartphones keep customers connected and organized on-the-go by making it easy to stay on top of schedules and keep in touch with the people and information that is important to them,’” said Tommy Arens, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Oklahoma.

“Device workshops are helpful for anyone who wants to make sure they are getting the most out of their handsets. Associates will answer questions and demonstrate common features such as e-mail access, web browsing, calendar synchronization, browsing for apps and how the device can be personalized to fit their lifestyles. Attendees can also learn about U.S. Cellular’s free Battery Swap and Overage Protection programs as well as its high-speed nationwide network.”

~ Lillie-Beth (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

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