Google Voice

I love the Google Voice free service. I've had mine for quite awhile now, yet I'm sure I haven't begun to use or know all it's features and functionalities yet.

The main reason I use it is to send text messages to my kids (and just a few other people). It is so much easier for me to type a text message from my computer than to type it on my phone.

The transcribed voicemail is great, too. I've begun using it when I fill out sweepstakes forms that request a home number. That way I can use it as a screening tool.

Plus it's nice to be able to use it from my iPod Touch as well. There's no app for it, but I can access it through the Safari browser and use it.

Jim Kelly

I mentioned that I'm currently reading several series(es) and I'm alternating between them. They are the Jonathan Kellerman books, the Stephen White books, the William Kent Krueger books, and a new series I found by Jim Kelly.

I found this one just by browsing the shelves in my library. It looked interesting and proved to be a great detective story. The main character is a reporter who used to work for a larger-city newspaper but prefers to work in his hometown. He stumbles on some links between an old murder (recently discovered) and a new murder.

Jonathan Kellerman

Since I love reading books in series, I finally decided to start the series by Jonathan Kellerman, featuring psychologist Alex Delaware. I'm so glad I did, since these are great books.

I just finished the 8th one, and I usually keep one or two more on my bookshelf ready to go (interspersed between other series book, though, so I don't get overwhelmed. I will tell you which other series books I'm reading in my next post.)

Check Points

Another app that I like is CheckPoints. It's a rewards program where you get points for scanning bar codes of certain products or downloading apps and trying them. Then you redeem the points for prizes.

So far, it only works on iPhones. You can download the app for iPod Touches, but the scanning feature doesn't work for it (yet). The points for downloading apps DOES work for the Touches, though.

I've seen ALOT of requests to make it more workable for WiFi and Touch users who don't have iPhones, so I'm hoping there will be more features in the near future.

If you use my name "janetmango" when you join, I do get points for referring you.

Goodreads

One of the first apps I wanted to find was one that would let me keep listings of all the books that are on my "to read" list.  I had been tearing pages out of my book club magazines, putting them in file folders, and taking these to the library to look for books that I wanted to read.

So I was thrilled when I found the Goodreads app. I can add the books and categorize them into "shelves." Each book listing will show me the cover, a brief description, and let me see reviews by other members.

IPod Touch

My son got a new iPod Touch for the holidays, so he gave me his old one.  It is so cool !!  I feel like I have a mini-computer that I take with me.  I've been downloading apps for websites that I use daily, so I'll be telling you more about those.

I haven't even started putting my music on it yet. I guess I'm still too used to my CD's playing in the car. I do already have the FM transmitter so I can play the iPod through the car speakers, though.  I bought that when I was using a VERY old iPod Shuffle.

William Kent Krueger

I found this series at my local library while browsing the shelves.  It's a series of mysteries set in Northern Minnesota and features a sometimes-sheriff who is part Ojibwe.

The stories are fantastic, but it's the characters who are the most engaging.  Cork O'Connor (the sheriff) is a very devoted father who goes through some internal struggles about what he wants for himself and his family.  He's a decent, caring guy but also an excellent law enforcer.

There are a few more books in the series and I'm hoping he continues to write, since I'm really enjoying these.