Mobile App Review: The Weather Channel, Free App (7.7 Samsung Galaxy, Android)

I regularly use two weather apps: The Weather Channel and Accuweather. I like The Weather Channel better as a mobile app, but the two apps often give slightly different forecasts and I find it helpful to have both pieces of information. The Weather Channel tends to be more optimistic, Accuweather is more likely to forecast rain.

The Weather Channel app is a well designed app that scales to the screen size of your device (I use 7.7 Galaxy tablet), where as Accuweather is designed for a smaller screen of the phone. It does not scale and does not respond to zoom gestures. Thus the font (grey on black) is hard to read. The icon for 10 day forecast is not descriptive, located by itself, and was so hard to find that I was about to give up when I accidentally stumbled onto it.

I am using both apps on 7.7 Samsung Galaxy Tablet (my Galaxy 7.7 review) running Android Honeycomb 3.2 with no technical problems.

Overall, I like The Weather Channel app a lot more, but when it really matters I check both.

This app is free from Amazon Android Store and You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

You can find reviews of other mobile apps I use under Blog Label "Galaxy 7.7 Tablet" on the left navigation pane of the blog.

Mobile App Review: Dropbox, Free Mobile App (Samsung Galaxy 7.7, Android)

I recently purchased my first Android device (Samsung Galaxy 7.7 running Honey Comb 3.2) and asked my friends what essential applications they use all the time. Dropbox was one of them. Dropbox allows you to share files and images between different computers. Dropbox supports Windows, Linux, Mac, as well as mobile devices (Android, Amazon Fire, iPad).

Dropbox provides 2 GB of space for free, you can purchase bigger Dropboxes if you need more space. You can also increase your space if you refer people to use Dropbox. Dropbox is secure. It uses high level of security using public key encryption (same type of security used by banks) by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and AES-256 bit encryption. By default the files in Dropbox are private. But it also provides a way to share files with someone else by dropping your files in the public folder.

Dropbox is very simple to use. You just need to install it on the computers you want to share files, secure it with a good complex password, and it creates a folder on the computers where it was installed. As soon as you move something into that folder it becomes visible on all machines.

This app makes it easier to manage all your devices, and I now use to move things not only between my PC and my tablet, but my PC at home and my PC at work.

This app works well on my Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet (my Galaxy 7.7 review) running Android HoneyComb 3.2. I had no technical problems and the app scales to my screen size very nicely.

I recommend it!

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

You can find reviews of other mobile apps I use under Blog Label "Galaxy 7.7 Tablet" on the left navigation pane of the blog.

Product review: Capacitive Stylus/styli for touch screen Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet

When I purchased these pens my expectations were rather low, but at the low price I figured I would give them a try. But these pens surprised me. They really increased my precision on the keyboard and speedup data entry.

I have a Samsung Galaxy 7.7 tablet (see my review of the tablet). I am fairy new to capacitive touchscreen and it requires some getting used to. I am getting better at moving things and getting the right rhythm for data entry (short pauses between each keystroke). With this pen I am need to pause less and I am more precise especially to pointing to icons in the corners of the screen and inserting letters in a specific spots to correct typos.

Photos for size reference:
(1) One of the pens on the digital scale, it weights 0.4 oz
(2) Photo next to 7.7 tablet

These pens are shorter than a regular writing pen. The top of the pen contains a small hole, so you wanted you could put it on a chain around your neck. The colors are pretty, my favorite is the metallic blue you see in my photos.

I am planning to do a lot of typing on it during upcoming trip and I was a bit worried that it will take a lot of time. However, with this pen this task is going to be much easier. I thought my main use of these pens will be in the winter when I need to wear gloves, but I find myself using the pen much more frequently.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand for Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet

I purchased a nice folio/stand (see my review of the folio) for the Samsung Galaxy 7.7 tablet (see my review of the tablet). However I noticed that when I use it as the stand the nice soft inside covering of the folio comes into contact with whatever I put it on and picks up dirt that then is deposited on my beautiful screen. So I decided purchasing a nice little stand will be better, and picked this Arkon Folk-up stand based on outstanding reviews. I have to whole heatedly agree that this is a well designed product.

I am attaching a collage of 6 photos which shows the stand from different angles with and without my tablet on it.

The best feature of this stand is its versatility. It can fit a tablet of any size, in both vertical and horizontal orientation. One can also completely control the angle at which the screen is held.
Photo #1,#2,#3,#4 show my tablet in horizontal and vertical orientation from the front and from the back. Photos #5 and #6 show the stand without the tablet.

Dimensions:
1. When totally folded the stand is 6 3/4 inches long, 1 inch wide, 3/4 inch thick.
2. The notch on the bottom is 4.5 inches away from the pivot joint.
3. The pivot on vertical part of the stand is 3 inches away from the bottom pivot. In the position I have chosen in the photo it is 2 4/3 of inches away from the horizontal support.
4. The portion above the pivot on the vertical part is 3 inches

The bottom of the legs and the piece that holds the tablet is covered with soft suede-like material for good traction. You can spread the bottom legs to a multitude of positions to fit tables of various sizes, and you can angle the top but to control the angle of the screen.

My tablet is very stable on this stand. The stand itself folds up well and is easy to carry around. It is very easy to set up again, all joints move smoothly.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


I am very pleased with the stand and recommend it.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Croakies Eyeglass retainer / holder / cord

I have worn Croakies for many years however recently switched to Chums, and like Chums a little better. Below some of the reasons:

I like:

1. Croakies are made out of neoprene and provide a good grip on your frames.
2. Because they are made of neoprene they and are soft they fell comfortable around your head.
3. Neoprene is stretchy and adjust to a relatively wide variety of thicker frames.

I don't like:

1. The retainer is very short as it designed to fit snugly around the head. With age I found I need to switch glasses often for example take off sunglasses to put on reading glasses. With a short retainer this is difficult to do, you need to remove the retainer etc. Chums retainer provides a long leash which is easy to adjust by moving the ball mechanism in the back.

2. I like to hang my glasses around my neck when I don't need them (sunglasses when coming into a room, reading glasses when not reading) and a short retainer puts them uncomfortably close to your neck. Chums with its long retainer solves this problem.

3. Several of my neoprene Croakies unraveled at end the retainer. I cut those parts off but retainer became too short.

4. Croakies did not hold thin framed glasses well.

Bottom line: Depending on how you use your glasses this may or may not be the best retainer for your use. If you like to hang your glasses around your neck or need to switch to different glasses often check out Chums Original Cotton Standard End Eyewear Retainer.

You an find "Croakies Unisex Adult Eyewear Retainer" on Amazon via this link


Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Book review: Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money by Steve Repak

I really enjoyed this book. It is written in approachable manner with a great sense of humor yet without sugaring up some of the tough parts.

This book is aimed at those who live paycheck-to-paycheck and think that they just can't afford to save money. Steve Repak will show them how.  Using his unique mix of skills as a motivational speaker and a drill sergeant the author teachers the readers how to take control of their spending and become a saver.

This book is not abstract and theoretical, the author is very specific and practical. The author builds on a premise that you don't have to make a lot of money to have a lot of money.  And then shows the reader how to do it.  Making more money won't solve people's spending problems. No matter how much more  someone makes, if this someone spends more than they make they will have no money and be in trouble. One needs to learn to spend money differently.

The book starts with strategies for saving and finishes with investment strategies for keeping the money you saved.  It also contains worksheets he uses in the book for monitoring spending and budgeting.  At the end of the book there is a glossary with financial terminology with excellent explanations.  The author also includes a list of useful websites, places where you can find best rates, your credit rating, a site which will help you determine if need flood insurance, and many more.

Steve Repak has been a CPA for 12 years, before he took control of his finances he was deeply in debt and living from paycheck to paycheck himself.  What he discusses in the book is not a theory, it is a situation he can relate to and was able to deal with himself. He is genuine, he straightforward, he is right.

Highly recommend.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Food review: Back to the Roots Oyster Mushroom Kit

These mushroom are fun to watch and tasty to eat! I just cut the package, sprayed twice a day with a provided mister, and in about 10 days got the mushrooms! I got 4 crops out of one package, with each successive crop being a little smaller than the previous one. Note that the mushrooms don't like drafts, so keep them away from fans and air conditioners.

Oyster mushrooms are mild in flavor, have a slightly nutty taste. The oyster mushroom absorbs other flavors well and change their flavor to go well with whatever you are cooking. You can use the whole mushroom the cap and the stem. They are easy to use in many different ways. They taste great just sauteed in butter. I saute and then add them to pasta. I also add them to stews or as ingredient for any sauce I make for cooking chicken. I also found they go great with any Indian sauce, like Pataks: Pataks Vindaloo Curry Paste 10 Oz

In this order you will receive 1 package of mushrooms (even though three packages are shown in a photo). However the product description does say that the total weight of the package is 2.6 pounds, and the title says that each kit is 3-pounds. So the info is there, but could have been more clear.

 The photo show the mushrooms from day #1 when the package is cut to day #10.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★