Spotify: I’ve been using Spotify quite a bit while traveling and working in Europe, so I am happy to see it finally launched in the US. Initially Spotify was free and unlimited, with occasional commercial interruption. Recently, the service added a new monthly fee to access the same unlimited music, but it is worth it. The main advantage to Spotify is that you can listen to what you want when you want. If you have the app you can even listen offline. There is also a radio function, new music suggestions, and I can see what my friends are listening to. But sometimes I still have a hard time finding new music I like. Usually I just stick to what I know I like. Another disadvantage is its link to Facebook. I don’t like everything linking to Facebook, and I don’t want everyone to always see what I am listening to, but overall Spotify is my go to music listening program.

Pandora: This service still only works in the US, but that is pretty much the only real downside I can find with Pandora. The main perk is that it is still free, and that it can help you find new artists that are similar in style to your favorites. I guess it can be seen as a negative that you cannot choose what song you want to listen to when, but sometimes I enjoy the mixtape surprise nature of Pandora more than my playlists.

Grooveshark: I used to use Grooveshark when online on my computer, until I learned that it didn’t pay artists despite the heavy advertising on the site. There is still no iPhone app for Grooveshark, which limits its usefulness for iPhone users, but if you are the owner of an android, then you are in luck. You can download the Grooveshark app and enjoy both building your own song lists and listening to the radio as well. The biggest positive is that Grooveshark is free. But since all of Grooveshark’s profits reportedly go to them and not to musicians, I have a hard time recommending this service. I’d rather pay $10 per month and know the artist is getting a few dimes, than listen to something free.

It can be confusing to make sense of the different music applications out there, but hopefully in the future we will end up with more versatile choices which are both musician and listener friendly.

The BeoSound 8 is small and easily transportable, but the speakers deliver high quality sound regardless of location. The bass lines come through without the shaking and rocking of the speakers, despite their small size.

There is even a room adaptor feature that allows the system to readjust its sound quality based on the acoustics of its current location. That means your music doesn’t sound significantly different if you have your player in a large open space or in the corner of the kitchen.

One of the features I tend to use most is the Bluetooth feature, which allows my laptop to connect with the sound system. It means I can sit and adjust my music while I work, but still enjoy the sound quality of the BeoSound 8. If you do not have Bluetooth capability in your computer, you can use a USB cord to connect to the device as well.

The BeoSound 8 also has an iPhone app, BeoPlayer, and BeoLink, which allows you to bring your sound system wherever you go. You can use the app to listen to radio stations and access iTunes; however, aside from its aesthetically pleasing screen visual, it doesn’t seem that unique as a listening app. You can download a basic version of the app at the Apple store. This includes access to 13,000 radio stations and an alarm clock.

The biggest ouch, as usual with Bang and Olufsen products, is the price. The BeoSound 8 is no exception and runs approximately $1000 depending on where you purchase it. You can take it for a test drive at your local Bang & Olufsen. You can even book a time for an appointment if you want to test the machine for a longer period of time.

The Plusses:

Design – The machine is beautiful, and looks great in almost any room.

Sound – For such a small system, you get great sound.

iPad – You can dock your iPad – not a common feature.

The Minuses:

Price – The device probably costs much more than your MP3 player.

Shape – The speakers are quite deep, which could make mounting the device a bit tricky – but doable.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can invite friends from your contact lists who have compatible devices. The app will then allow you to geolocate your friends if they have their mobile devices on them. Friends will appear on a list or as dots on a map. Although the app may seem a little creepy and stalker friendly, keep in mind that you can’t be tracked unless you authorize it through your own device. There are also privacy settings that allow you to only temporarily allow access to your location.

This app can come in handy for a lot of uses. For instance, the Find Your Friends app could be useful if you need to keep track of your teenager who’s staying out late, or if you’re trying to locate the restaurant your friend is waiting at for you. Once you’ve found your friends, you can open up a map app to get detailed directions.

The Find My Friends app is also apparently useful for catching infidelity. One user on the Apple forum, MacRumors, made headlines in the last few days with a post titled, “Divorcing wife. Thanks iPhone 4s and Find My Friends.” This individual claims that he bought his wife a new iPhone 4S and installed the app onto the phone without her knowledge. A few days later, the poster claims he caught her lying about her location, and he suspects cheating. Although this forum poster may be a fake, the concept brings up some possible downsides to the new app.

What happened – my professor was talking about the United States Constitution, and then he asked us all of us to pull out our iPhones. He had us download an app that has the entire text of the Constitution! After, I found out educational apps like this come in categories across the academic spectrum.

I will run through a quick list of the different subjects, and the apps that will help you study, no matter where you are.

English Language Arts. There are absolutely hundreds of apps in this area. From practicing your writing skills, to reading a classic novel, to basic grammar and learning how to read, these apps can help any college student in English classes, or even a Kindergartner learning the ABC’s. Some cool apps include “Words Almost Everyone Mispronounces,” “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss, and the “Shakespeare in Bits” series.

Mathematics. Math apps teach numbers in an interactive and innovative way. These apps make it simple to learn, or brush up on, multiplication, solve algebraic equations, statistics, along with upper level math skills. These apps do something that most math teachers cannot, make math fun and engaging. Some of the best apps for math include the “Graphing Calculator,” “Algebra Touch,” and a game called “Sums Stacker.”

Science. This is one of the coolest sections of educational apps. These are especially great for kids to simply explore the world right on their phone. You can find chemistry, anatomy, astronomy, and even field guides for all general sciences. The apps are divided into Astronomy and Earth Science, Life Sciences, and even Physics sections. The most interesting apps in the Sciences include “Britannica Kids: Volcanoes,” “Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards” for the high school science student, and even “The Elements,” which is an interactive and highly detailed periodic table.

History and Geography. By far my favorite section, the History and Geography apps are educational, but they are also downright fascinating. For a history buff like myself, being able to look up high-definition historical documents and maps is helpful beyond belief. There are even games, videos, quotations, and other add-ons that bring history alive. Check out the “World Atlas by National Geographic,” “The Infinity of Nations,” which allows you to explore the Smithsonian’s entire collection, and “The World Factbook 2011,” which possesses the most up-to-date international information.

Language Development. Finally, the Language apps are perfect for studying English as a second language, or learning a new language. These apps help with reading, writing, speaking, and understanding, along with building your vocabulary of the new language. Some helpful apps are “uTalk HD Chinese,” “Alpha Writer” by Montessorium, and “VocabWiz College Vocabulary.”

To continue to explore this vast section of apps, visit www.apple.com/education/apps.

Post-it PopNotes

Created by the company that brought us the original Post-it, Post-it PopNotes allow all the functionality of paper Post-its to the digital world. With this free app, you can create notes by typing or drawing, then placing them in specific, geo-trigger locations. There are nine different colors you can use for your digital Post-it notes. Anyone within 500 yards of where you post your note can view it. You can also invite friends and family to connect with you through the app.

MyScript Memo

This free app developed by Vision Objects makes note taking on the go easy. Using your handwriting, you can create notes in 30 languages, and then convert them to text. Once created, this digital text can be exported to a number of other applications and websites, including Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, and Evernote. MyScript Memo also can be used to create and edit drawings, pictures, and diagrams that can be pasted to other apps.

Alert Notes

For those who have too much going on and need easy reminders, the Alert Notes app by Purkee may be helpful. For $2.99, this app allows users to turn notes written in English to reminders. The app can understand dates and phrases and turns them into alerts.

Skedi

Although more costly than many productivity apps ($9.99), Skedi, from Rodax Software, provides loads of help for parents coordinating a household. This cloud-based app allows users to see and manage the calendars of everyone within a family so everything from doctor’s appointments to extra-curricular activities can be accounted for in one place. The app also comes with unlimited customer support.

ZenToDone

This app was created by a fan of the popular productivity writer and blogger, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. The app shares the system developed by Babuta in his book, “ZenToDone.” For $4.99, the ZenToDone app allows you to input the tasks, and it helps you get them done in a simple format.

First of all, before I begin, I would like to clarify something for those who did not know. The merger is between TMobile USA and AT&T.  TMobile USA is the division of TMobile responsible for the United States. While TMobile USA is on the smaller size (4th largest in the US, after Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint respectively), TMobile is the third largest multi-national cell phone network.

Personally, I am all for the merger. I would be benefited or unaffected by almost all of it. First of all, the area I live in has poor coverage by TMobile.  TMobile has spotty coverage throughout the entire nation, with the best coverage in the Midwest and portions of the east coast.  AT&T has good coverage everywhere, except for the Rocky Mountains and California, north of San Francisco.   This means that TMobile customers would be greatly benefited. Also, this means that I would now be able to use the iPhone, which is currently Verizon and AT&T only.  The only possible downside is increased prices.

From a business standpoint, it seems to make sense as well.  It obviously benefits AT&T, as they become the largest network in the United States with a 43% market share.  TMobile will presumably benefit too.  They will receive the obvious stocks and money in return, but there is another benefit many people didn’t know about.  The company’s contract customers began to leave them for the iPhone, leading them to lose some of their most lucrative contracts.  If the merger happens, the iPhone will now be available to former customers of TMobile (who will become AT&T customers).

Hopefully the merger is approved by the FCC, so that customers of TMobile and AT&T will benefit from this merger.

1. The Livescribe Echo Smartpen does more than just write. The speed at which a student must take notes in a college-level lecture course is nothing less than frantic. This pen not only writes, it has a built in, 800 hour memory to record the lectures as you are taking notes. This can be exceedingly helpful when studying for exams. Using the pen, you can even set blocks of notes to match up with the audio you recorded. This is a great investment to keep yourself organized, as well as to improve your grades.

2. The NoteSlate is the perfect combination between paper note taking and a computer. It is an electronic tablet that comes with a special pen, and you can write directly on the surface, creating a look much like pen and paper. The benefits of the NoteSlate are that you can save pages and pages of notes, upload them to your computer, and share them. Basically, it is a hybrid between the iPad and a good old-fashioned notebook. If you’re anything like me, there is no feeling quite like taking well-organized notes on paper. Paired with the electronic convenience of the NoteSlate, the perfect school supply may have finally been created.

3. Many disagreements arise between students heading to college and their parents with regards to one object: the cell phone. During my freshman year, I was caught up in this same issue with my parents. In college, it is exceedingly important for your student to have a phone with more than simply calling. College is about networking, homework, and creating a social atmosphere for the student. With simply calling, in the year 2011, your student is at a significant disadvantage. With my favorite, the iPhone, the student can sync their calendars, music, information, and social networking all to their phone, creating a one stop shop for everything. Do not send your student off into the large, busy world of college without the proper cell phone.

4. Finally, the laptop computer is at the top of any list of gadgetry for college students. In college, your laptop is your best friend, your study buddy, your work mate, and your personal assistant. The laptop you and your student choose needs to have been well researched and well thought out.

With the school year looming, and move-in day only hours away, be sure to outfit your students with the best gadgets available for this school year.

There are different levels within the game with different things that you have to do.  For starters, there is Classic mode where there is no time limit.  Slice as many fruits as you can, but don’t let any drop and don’t hit any bombs.  If you hit a bomb or let more than three fruits drop, the game is ended.  There is also Zen mode where you have 90 seconds and no bombs.  You can drop as many fruit as you like and not get penalized.  Lastly, there is Arcade mode in which there are special things that you have to hit.  In Arcade mode there are still bombs, but they don’t end the game, they only take ten points off your score.  Also in Arcade mode, the bananas have special powers.  There is Frenzy where tons of fruit is thrown at you without any bombs.  Double Points is literally what it sounds like, when you slice the fruit you get two points for each piece of fruit that you slice instead of one.  Finally, there is Freeze in which everything gets frosted over, and it is in slow motion.  But be careful, because each banana only lasts for so long.

In Fruit Ninja you can unlock different backgrounds and blades by doing certain things.  My favorite blade is the Butterfly Blade.  To unlock it you have to get 40 combos with strawberries (trust me, it’s much easier than it sounds).  I also like the Disco Blade in which you have to slice 50 bananas.  My favorite background is the Yin Yang background.  To unlock this you have to slice 75 passion fruits.  There is also the Mr. Sparkle Blade, Old Glory Blade, Flame Blade, and Ice Blade.  For the backgrounds there is also the I Heart Sensei background, Great Wave background, and the Fruit Ninja background.

Fruit Ninja is a very exciting game.  It is a perfect game for people of any age and is available on the iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, and just about any smart phone with a touch screen for only $0.99.  If you were asking around for a new app to play, I would suggest Fruit Ninja.  Have fun and watch out for bombs.

I personally learned about one case of technology bringing comfort to a family during the initial natural disaster.  TekTrak , a company which I had profiled three months ago, was able to help ease the worries of one family in Japan.  Rather than paraphrasing this parent’s words, I am pleased to share K.S.’s email:

Hi. This is a short message to let you know what a lifesaver TekTrak was after the massive earthquake in Japan on Friday.

My daughter was at her school and normally it takes an hour for her school bus to reach home in Tokyo. Due to the terrible traffic conditions resulting from the earthquake her school bus took 7 hours to reach home. She has an iPhone which I had loaded with TekTrak a long time ago against theft etc. Little did I know back then that this $4.99 spent was one of the best purchases for us in the AppStore…

We were very anxious as we could not talk to her but since the 3G network was up we could see her progress and felt good knowing that she was making slow but sure progress.

I wanted to share this experience with you and say thank you once again. Keep up the great work!!!

Although technology may have its critics, reading an email such as this, it is hard to doubt that are great benefits.  Instead of spending seven hours worrying about a daughter’s whereabouts, the parents were able to rest assured that she was on her way home.  Peace of  mind is priceless, as is technology.

To learn more about TekTrak, please visit their website.

Soundhound

Soundhound can identify the name and artist of any song after ‘listening’ to just a few bars. Contrary to my expectations, it works with any part of the song – not just the hook. We tested Soundhound on both iPhone and iPod and were amazed at the speed and accuracy of the results.

Soundhound was able to detect songs playing on the computer even amidst substantial background noise. It correctly ID’d Robert Plant’s Central Two-O-Nine - a fairly obscure song – after just six bars of banjo introduction without a single vocal.

The software goes beyond identifying the actual songs as performed by the original artists. Even with my questionable vocal abilities, Soundhound was able to identify Kiss by Prince (or should that be the Artist Formerly Known as Prince Back When He Was Actually Just Known as Prince the First Time?) and 10,000 Maniac’s These Are Days based on my own rendition.

We tried both the paid version ($4.99) and the free version. The free version has some annoying ads and limited features, but all in all it is pretty amazing for a piece of freeware. The paid version is well worth the five bucks for any music lover.

The only caveat for the iPod version is that older versions of the hardware do not include a microphone, which is, of course, necessary for Soundhound to work. External microphones are available if you want to go that route. Overall, we were mighty impressed with Soundhound’s speed, accuracy, and value. Once again, we find that stuff that was science fiction a decade ago is now not only reality, but it is free in the App Store.