Consumption and Apps
I am back writing blogs again because I want to express my opinions about what I like, and things I learn about business on a daily basis. Today, it’s about consumption and Apps I like.
So, I own an iPhone and an iPad, and the reality is that now that I have an iPad, the iPhone is just a phone, email and calendar device, so I can probably move to something more simple…but I don’t have to so I probably won’t.
The business of running a start-up is just that, you are always running. The brain runs 24×7 and every once in a while you find yourself needed to stop and check in to make sure you are on the right path. Arguably it has taken me longer to stop and look at the path and evaluate what that path is and if it’s heading in the right direction. Another topic, another time.
The ability for us to consume information has expanded enormously. In the past, there were reports that we only used 10% of our brain http://bit.ly/YVh6t and that report is a little old. In thinking about the way we can consume information, store it, recall it, and use it, the new “bubble” that people are talking about offers us the ability to accomplish 5-10X more than what we used to just 10 years ago.
In my first job out of college in Los Angeles in 1997, my boss would not have her computer in her office. She insisted that I print out any communication (email only at that time) and preferred to do everything by inter-company memo and fax. We read the Hollywood Reporter and the Daily Variety and that was it. Every once in a while you picked up a magazine (what’s that?) and a newspaper because you might have been covered. I was in PR so in theory we cared about the trades we were in.
Today, I read 18 sites a day twice a day, at a minimum, and then another 10-20 if I can find the time in the evening to do some research. I play words with friends, word ace, and a few other games on my iOS devices, and usually am able to do this while watching 2+ TV shows on 42 minute pp regimen. This is basically 100% time shifted TV. I will not watch sports in a time shifted manner because I like live sports. I like the commercials, and I think in the end, sports will be one of the only live events we consume assuming players and owners and leagues can get their acts together and keep the leagues intact. Massive content consumption.
How do we consume this much information? How do we skim this much material? I use apps when I am not on my computer. I still think that when in the office the best way to multi-task is through a dual or triple monitor set up. So, In no particluar order, here are my apps that I use on an almost daily basis, if not more:
1 – Pulse – better than flipboard for me, because I don’t want a magazine. Pulse because I can skim headlines and photos of things I like and want to know about from as many sources as I want. Pulse becuase the app is just great. Alfonso Labs -Great Job! Here is my pulse
2 – Logmein: essential to access the 5 computers I need. Most importantly, my 5.5 Terabyte media server, Accounting Computer
3 – Dropbox – I can not imagine how we ever lived without multi-machine idiot proof file management, sharing, etc.
4 – Quickoffice – it is just that. A quicck way if I need my MS Office programs and don’t want to boot up the old laptop. And I just got a new laptop.
5 – Watch ESPN. The ultimate cure for Desperate Housewives blues and wanting to be with your wife or girlfriend
6 – Side by side – great app for looking at multiple sites, taking notes, and integrating with Drop box
7 – Words with Friends because I like it and Scrabble is too expensive. Want to kill WWF scrabble? Make it cheaper
8 – MyPad 2 – just in case my Pulse isn’t giving me enough facebook
9 – Twitter – see #8 with twitter instead of facebook
10 – Squeeze Pad, iPeng, Squeezebox – most of you will say what is that or don’t you have Sonos? Sonos maxes out at 60,000 tracks in a library and depending on how you look at it (fortunately or not) I have about 125,000 tracks so I need something that can handle it. Logitech’s Squeezebox product is great for me. I have 3 of them in various forms and when I wnat to listen to something I have I turn it on. When I don’t I use Pandora which is 100% integrated with Squeeze. I look forward to the upgrades they bring.
11 – RemoteX – a native Windows Media Center app controlled on my iOS to control the TV, Netflix…
12 – L5 Remote – IR remote that costs $30 and you can control all your devices with it. What will my iPhone be next? My remote with a lock code that only I know!
13 – Local – you need music when you travel, I need local. Concerts, geolocated with venues and genres.
14 – Word Ace – you like Scrabble? You like Texas Holdem? This is your game.
There are many more apps I have that I don’t use that often and when the AccuScore app comes out, I’m sure I will use that.
Thanks for your time, and if you want to know more about what, when why, and where on apps I use, just hit me up.
