App Recommendations for Readers

Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our everyday life; something most of us can't bear to leave the house without, like our keys or wallet. While any smartphone with internet access is useful, it's the apps on the phone that make it both indispensable and fun. Every so often, this blog will feature apps for people who love books, music, sports, art and more. We will also feature apps to help increase productivity and make your life a little easier.

This week we are going to showcase some apps designed for people who love books and reading. Most of these apps are available on several different devices, but a few aren't so we'll be sure to specify.

Overdrive Media Console

It's pretty much required that we start with Overdrive because we're a library, but honestly we'd put it at the top of the list anyway. Overdrive is an app that allows you to read eBooks and listen to audio-books on your phone or tablet. It's part of your library account, so there's never any charge. The books return automatically so you can't even be charged late fees. New books are added to the collection every day. For some of these books, you'll need an Adobe ID. This is a free ID that you create using your email one time only. If you're not comfortable with creating an Adobe ID, don't worry! There are plenty of books you can still access.
Overdrive is available for: Apple (via iTunes) Android (via Google Play), Windows Phone.
Download for other devices including Kindle, Nook and your PC can be found on the Overdrive Website.

Purchase eBooks

There are several options for purchasing books on your tablet or eReader. The apps are handy as they allow you to purchase books while away from your computer and allow you to read the same book across different devices. You can read a book on your tablet on your lunch break and then pick up right where you left off when you're stuck standing in line at the grocery store and need to distract yourself from all those impulse buys and candy bars. (or maybe that's just us.) 

Kindle

The Kindle App allows you to download books from Amazon to your device. You don't have to be using a Kindle in order to use the Kindle App, but you do have to register on Amazon before you can purchase any books or audiobooks. 

The Kindle app is available on: iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone. You can also download it on your PC and other apps at www.amazon.com

Nook

The Nook app allows you download books from Barnes and Noble to your device. Like the Kindle App, it is not necessary to be on a Nook to use the Nook app, but you must register at BarnesandNoble.com in order to download books. 
The Nook app is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone

iBooks & Google Play Books

These apps comes installed on your device and allow you to purchase books from iTunes, or Google Play. . It is important to remember that any purchases you make in iBooks can only be read on an Apple product like an iPhone or iPad.  For example, if you buy books in Apple iBooks and then switch to a Samsung Galaxy, you will not be able to transfer those books to your new Samsung. Other apps like Kindle or Nook work on any device so your purchases can be transferred. 

Keep Track of the Books You Read

There are several apps that allow you to keep track of the books that you've read and get recommendations for books to read in the future. We're just going to cover two of these apps

GoodReads
GoodReads is a website and mobile app that allows you to list any books that you've read or want to read in the future. You can also rate the books and receive recommendations for books to read based on those ratings. There are discussion groups and online book clubs as well. Because authors have GoodReads pages as well, you can get updates on upcoming books and works. GoodReads is free but you will have to register with an email address.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.

BookCrawler
BookCrawler is similar to GoodReads in that it allows you to keep track of books you've read. BookCrawler lets you scan the barcode of the book itself to add it to your list, letting you skip typing all the book titles manually if you'd like. Of course, you can still search for books by title or author as well. There is a free version that allows you to input up to 25 books, but for more than that you'll have to pay for the full version. Luckily for those who are serious about cataloging their personal library, the full version is usually around $2. Unfortunately BookCrawler is available only on iTunes. Hopefully an Android version will be released soon!

Reading Can Mean More Than Just Books

Reading means more than just eBooks or audiobooks.

Comixology
Comixology allows you to purchase and read comics on your phone or tablet. You can purchase the same day the comics are released in stores. You can find sales, discounts and even free comics! Comixology app is free, though you'll have to purchase the comics.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.

Poetry from the Poetry Foundation
This app allows you to read a new poem daily or search for your favorite poets. Feeling romantic? Need something to cheer you up? There are collections based on every mood and occasion. You can even search by memorable lines! This app is free and available on iTunes and Google Play.

What are your favorite reading related apps? Have ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook or Twitter. 

Win a new iPad from BPL! Two different ways to win!

Do you want to win a new iPad? Bossier Parish Library will give away a free iPad in November and you could win! There are two different ways to get your name in the drawing for the new iPad and you can even win smaller prizes every week!

Library Love Letters

The first way to participate and get your name in the drawing for an iPad is to show Bossier Parish Library a little love and write us a Love Letter. We want to hear what you like about Bossier Library. Each Bossier Parish Library branch has a special Library Love Letter display where you can fill out a letter telling us what you love about Bossier Library. Or if you prefer, you can fill one out online here on our newly updated website. Each love letter is entered into the drawing for a brand new iPad on November 7th.

Question of the Week

The second way to get in the drawing for the iPad is to answer our Question of the Week. Each Monday a new question will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this blog. You can also find the question on the Love Letter board at your local branch. The answer to each question can be found on the BPL website or catalog. Some questions will be about the library itself and some will be about our collection. Library employees will not have the answer but they may be able to point you in the direction of our website or catalog. 

Each week a random winner will be chosen from all of the correct answers. This winner will then be put in the drawing for the iPad on November 7th. 

In addition to being entered into the drawing weekly winners win prizes as well! You can win one of these prizes! 

Don't miss out on your chance to win one of these prizes and be entered into the iPad Giveaway.
Friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to see the questions every Monday!

The Fine Print: This contest is only open to Bossier Parish Library patrons with current accounts.
Weekly winners have until 5 pm on the following Sunday to pick up or utilize their chosen prize.
The grand prize winner has 14 days to pick up their prize.
Prizes are not transferable and have no monetary value.
Library staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Mark your calendars! Both programs start Monday, July 21st. (that's this Monday!)

Buyer Research: Apple iPad2

This is the first of three articles on buyer research for tablet computers. As you know, our focus this month on the Digital Lovers Blog is tablet computers. So far, we have articles defining a tablet computer, the difference between a tablet PC and a tablet computer, and the history of tablets. We also have a podcast that introduces you to tablet computing. But as you can see by the article title, we are going to focus on the Apple iPad2.


The iPad was first released to the public in April 2010. The iPad2, and most recent version of the iPad, was released in March 2011 (less than a year apart). The iPad is the only brand of tablets where the operating system (OS) is unique. What does that mean? Apple is the only company that sales/licenses the iPad OS (which is the same OS as the iPhone and iPod Touch). iPad led the way for the year of the tablets (2010). Apple advertised the iPad as "a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content" (Wikipedia). Apple has not said anything about the iPad replacing your computer, nor can it. Yes, it can be an addition to your computing devices, but the iPad cannot replace your computer.

Features:
iPad, like most tablet computers, is 100% touch screen and does not require an external keyboard or mouse. The iPad has a virtual keyboard that appears when typing information in the appropriate field. Your finger is considered the mouse. The iPad does not have any ports that allow USB use or other external devices. You cannot expand the memory either. When you purchase an iPad, the memory you have is what you are stuck with. The iPad has a decent battery life, "up to 10 hours of video, 140 hours of audio playback, or one month on standby. Like any battery technology, the iPad's LiPo battery loses capacity over time, but is not designed to be user-replaceable." (Wikipedia). Since Apple does not allow its users to change the battery, you have to send the it to an Apple Store.

iPad allows for users to install small applications called "apps." These apps can be a number of things such as games like Angry Birds, utilities such as Google Earth, and ereaders such as Kindle. Some apps are free, others are not. Apps that have to be bought start at $.99 and can cost up to $50 or $60. Most of the higher end apps are for developers who need "fancy" stuff. Apps bought through the Apple AppStore are charged to your iTunes account.

Price:
Apple did their research when they started selling the iPad. They knew that at the time nothing compared to their product. Because of that, they were not limited to other companies offering their product at a cheaper price. Since then, many companies have released their version of the tablet computer. But Apple has not changed pricing strategy. The new iPad2 is available in 6 versions: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB WiFi only | 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB WiFi + 3G. The 16GB WiFi only iPad2 can be sold for $499, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The WiFi + 3G versions cost more and a contract with AT&T or Verizon is needed for the 3G feature to work (for pricing > Verizon Wireless | AT&T). The WiFi + 3G versions are as follows: 16GB $629, 32GB $729, and 64GB $829. (Apple Store). Apple, along with 3G providers, has however lowered the price for the original iPad (or iPad1). See Cnet.com for more details. All in all this is a good product, but when it comes to usage and features that is left to the customer.

Be sure to check back next week as we have more articles about the Android Tablets and Windows 7 Tablets. Also be on the look out for the second part of our podcast on April 26. If you thought the first show was good, then you will for sure enjoy the second half!

Resources | Links: 
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad
3G for Verizon Wireless - http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=plans
3G for AT&T - http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/ipad.jsp
Online Apple Store - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/select?mco=MjE0OTI0MDI
Cnet.com - http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-20046927-243.html

Are they Tablet Computers or Tablet PCs?

During my research for this blog post, I found some interesting information on this topic. In my first blog released this month, I gave a definition of a Tablet Computer. Again they are devices that only have a touch screen, no keyboards or mouses are needed to use or navigate through these devices. They are also smaller than a laptop, but bigger than a smartphone. So are these devices called Tablet Computers or Tablet PCs? Again, this is a great questions and hopefully this blog will help clear the air.

Tablet PCs have been around for a while. Tablet PCs are laptops that have the ability to turn the screen around 180 degrees and lay flat on the keyboard. This allows the user to write on the monitor with a stylus. You can also use your fingers to type or draw directly on the screen. Programs, such as Microsoft Office, can be installed on these devices. Tablet PCs are not as common as they where a few years ago, but they are still manufactured and are still sold by companies like Dell. An image of a Tablet PC is below.

Dell Tablet PC closed

Dell Tablet PC open

Tablet computers are a bit different. They are flat devices, such as the iPad, that are popular today. These devices are lighter, thinner, and more compact than the Tablet PCs. Tablet computers do not have the ability to install programs. However, they have the ability to install small applications or "apps" as they are more commonly called. Apps can be games (Angry Birds), utilities (Battery Saver), and books (Kindle App).

Apple iPad

So what makes the Tablet Computer more popular than the Tablet PC?  Simple; it's smaller, thinner, and more mobile. But it mainly comes down to what the customer wants. If you want to "keep up with the Jones'," and want something that wont weight you down, then a Tablet computer may be the way to go. If you want a devices that functions like a laptop, but with a few more added features, then the Tablet PC may be your tablet of choice. Either way you go, I feel both devices can be helpful/useful in their own way.

iPad Product Review

The Apple iPad made its debut last week (April 3, 2010). With it came questions and debates over whether or not to buy it or to look elsewhere for a similar product such as a tablet (PC). Well today we are going to compare the iPad against its top competitors. If you are still in the market for an iPad and you are asking the ever important question, “Do I really want an iPad?” please feel free to use this as a guide.

*Click on the table below to enlarge it!*

Interview with Jason Jordan/Best Buy GM, Shreveport, LA

Interview with Jason Jordan/Best Buy GM - Shreveport, LA

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So what can you take away from the iPad interview with Jason?
We learned that the different versions of the iPad cost anywhere from $499-$699 and all models are WiFi. In late April, Apple will release 3 more iPads that have 3G capabilities via the AT&T mobile network. The 3 that will be released in late April will cost more and require a monthly contract with AT&T. We also learned that most iPhone/iPod Touch apps are compatible with the iPad. As far as running multiple apps, you are only able to run one at a time. In saying that, Apple apps, such as the iPod feature and surfing the web via Safari, can run at the same time. Another thing Jason talked about was flash in the iPad. He said, “Steve Jobs has a certain opinion about flash.” And as far as the iPad replacing your personal computer, that’s not going to happen.

The iPad has Arrived ...

The iPad is Apple’s newest release of high tech portable devices. If you are familiar with Apple products, you might mistake the picture above left to be an iPhone, but you can’t make phone calls with it. If we were going by looks, we could say it looks a lot like an iPod Touch (right). Although there are some similarities, the iPad offers much more. Just like the iPod Touch, the iPad will also allow you to connect to WiFi and browse the web, watch YouTube videos, and download your favorite songs and TV shows from iTunes. The major difference between the two is battery life (up to 10 hours), the ability to download electronic books (iBooks), the dimensions are about 5 inches more in height and width and the ability to buy a smaller flash drive capacity (16GB).

In addition, the iPad was custom designed by Apple with an A4 1GHZ processor. The first release of the iPad due out April 3rd will be WiFi-enabled and will not require any type of contract with AT&T to fully use this device (i.e., wireless data plan). However, by later this month (late April 2010) you will be able to buy a 3G version of the iPad (appleinsider.com).

Unfortunately, the iPad falls short in that it does not have a camera or any video capabilities. According to InfoWorld.com, there are a few questions that Apple refuses to answer, such as its ability to transfer documents, can you use other media services other than iTunes like Netflix, can it be upgraded, can multiple apps be used at the same time, and will Flash work.

Here is a complete list of the preinstalled apps on the iPad. Join me tomorrow for Tech Tuesday as I travel to the Apple Store located within the Best buy store in Shreveport. There I will interview a Geek Squad agent about the success of the iPad since its release along with the other unanswered questions. Feel free this week to ask your own iPad questions using the Ask-A-Tech form in the right hand column. Until next time happy teching!

· Safari - web browsing
· Mail – email
· Photos – viewing photos
· YouTube – watching videos online
· iPod – listen to music
· iTunes – download songs, movies, TV shows, and more
· App Store – download apps such as games or health tips
· Maps – similar to Google Map
· Notes – jot down quick notes and information
· Calendar – manage your schedule
· Contacts – manage personal or business contacts