Thing 3: Utilities

Thing 3 is Utilities. I already have a QR code and barcode scanner, so I decided to download Google Search for this Thing. I had it on my previous Android Google phone, so I was vaguely familiar with it.

I used the Google Goggles feature in the Google search on my Charley Harper calendar. I used it on this photo on my calendar, which is titled "Maritime Maternity":

It brought me to more information about Charley Harper, who was an American modernist painter and designer.

The 'Thing' instructions are to explore whichever app we download. I didn't really discover anything new, aside from the Google Goggles option. Siri takes care of most of the things I liked about the Google app when I had it on my Android, so it seems a bit superfluous. I will see if I use it much over the remainder of the 23 Things experience.

Thing 2: Mobile Device Tips

Thing 2 asks us to learn more about settings and options for our specific device:

Look at some of these websites and/or videos and try some of the tips on your device. Write a blog post telling us some new tips you’ve discovered. If you know of additional tips for your device, tell us about them in your blog, too.

I've got an iPhone 5s (gold, of course) so I watched this:

And read this list. Most of the tips from the video I was already aware of, because my dad also has an iPhone and showed me a lot of things right when I got my new phone back in December. One tip I could see being handy is finding images with Siri, simply by telling her "Show me images of ______." I was able to find this image of a cute dachshund puppy by asking Siri to find me images of dachshunds:

From the list of tips, I learned quite a few things. I had wondered how to delete Cupertino, CA off my weather listing, because it comes as the default location for weather (Apple is based in Cupertino). Now if I could only figure out how to get Siri to realize that, in Minnesota in January, 25 degrees isn't all that cold! I found the tips about maps the most helpful. I'll definitely be using some of those (like the Quick Route feature). One of my favorite tips is that Siri can send a message or write an e-mail for you, which I've found very handy. You just say, "Send a message to _____" and Siri will ask what you'd like it to say, so you can dictate pretty much hands-free. I also learned this week that you can ask Siri, "What does the fox say?" or "Who let the dogs out?" and she will answer accordingly.

Ahoy! I'll be participating in the 23 Mobile Things learning program, and this is my blog to check off for Thing 1. I recently got a new iPhone 5S and gave up my Google Android phone, so there are things I'm still learning about my new device and thought this would also help me answer questions from patrons.