My own iPhone 5s usage/preference situation update.

It's official.  I don't hate the iPhone 5s.  I know that statement might be offensive to some dedicated Android users reading this; but honestly I've never been one to like or dislike something, just because it makes people happy.

I find the actual experience as a user about equally as enjoyable as the Moto X was.  I absolutely LOVE the fingerprint recognition, which along with some Cydia modifications has made installing apps, and navigating between the ones I'm using pretty easy.  I do need to say that I still find that process easier in Android; given that there is a specific "button" for it.   I miss Moto's active notifications, and voice controls, but I haven't yet had the time to figure out how to set something similar up on the 5S to compare voice controls. I also miss being able to access the Play store for music on my device, as well as having a queue that I don't need to set up every time I open Google Music.

I also have gotten over my prior hatred of it's shape.  While I find that the Moto X with it's curved back and it's "finger dimple" are preferable for a clumsy person such as myself; and I hope I never have to test the durability of the 5S falling down the basement stairs, The iPhone is not uncomfortable to hold or use.  I haven't had any mishaps where the speakers crackle. The camera takes great pictures (unlike the Moto X) and iOS users get at least ONE app from Google that Android users still have not.  YouTube Capture, which simplifies video making (to an extent) for upload to YouTube.

Ingress is regrettably missing from iOS still; but I already hit level 8 mid 2013, so I can deal with using a tethered tablet for that.  Speaking of which; I may have to use some of this incredibly huge amount of downtime at Lionbridge to work on an #ingresswear submission.

Craigslist made me try iPhone 5s

It all started when my Moto X began randomly rebooting on me. I would spend several hours ticked off about it, and then I would be back to just loving touchless controls, the shake to open camera (even while the camera was a disappointment), and it's durability which allowed for countless drops and abuse including two trips down the stairs. The worst that happened was cosmetic damage and the camera opened every time. 

Each time my husband would post an ad for a trade on Craigslist hoping for an iPhone 5 or maybe a 5c. Each time there was an offer it just didn't work out, either because I couldn't let go, or because plans to meet with people fell through. 

Yesterday I got a text from someone who wanted to know if I still wanted to trade, only this time they offered a 5s, which tbh is worth more than a beat up Moto X, or even a new Moto X, which means if nothing else means that I can make $100 off it. 

So accept I did. I took a 20 minute drive and traded my beloved Moto X for a black iPhone 5s, and tried not to cry as we switched SIM cards and phones. The whole time I was wondering who in their right mind would make this trade knowing that they could sell the iPhone and a brand new Moto X. The answer is simple, she missed Android, and couldn't handle the change to iOS. 

So I will be giving iOS a chance to win me over, and if I miss Android too much, I'll just sell this, and go get a brand new Moto X. 

I will probably talk more about the change, and how I'm dealing with it in the future but for now; I switched to an iPhone because Craigslist offered me a deal I couldn't turn down.

Aviate (Beta) -- The Review

I've used launchers in the past, and while they have tended to allow more personalization; they mostly just made life more difficult.  Aviate has deviated from that course, and I must say that it definitely paid off.


 Let me just break things down a bit.

• Interface - The UI for this launcher has no learning curve, because of how simple it is.  There are no complicated settings; just organization that requires minimal effort.
• Usability -  I think a monkey could figure out how to use this launcher, and without trying to insult anyone; I mean, that the least technology inclined person you know could probably figure it out in under 30 minutes.
• Performance - Not that I'm certain that this is the right word for what I'm talking about, but regardless; I have found Aviate to be the "Speedy Gonzalez" of launchers, it is smooth and zippy and JUST WORKS! 
• I did notice that Moto Assist doesn't seem to be functioning well with it...  which I find pretty bothersome, since that's part of why I love the phone to begin with.
• Screenshots!

As of 10/23/2013 I still have invites for people who need them!  Get me your email address if you want me to TRY and send you one. I say "TRY" because several times I've been beaten to the punch by the waiting list, and people have already been sent invites.  Also, keep in mind that I personally have 4 left, and when you install, you will also get 5 invites to share (at least that's how it WAS working when I got it).

Employed!

Hello folks!  I realize that it's been more than a month since I have posted anything, and so to bring us all up to date:

1. I am no longer looking for work!  I have been busy preparing my home office to be worked out of for quite some time now.
2. I have found a most awesome legitimate "Work from Home" opportunity, which lets me put my kids on the bus in the morning, and walk downstairs in the afternoon for work".
3. I did sign a NDA for this job.  This means that I am a work at home Ninja, you know I'm out there, but you will never know where!
4. I decided that since I found a code for a free month of Xbox Gold membership, that I would give it a shot. I might post my gamertag publicly once I've decided if I will be keeping it or not; so if you are expecting me to share it simply because I have it; you'll just have to get over that little feeling of entitlement.

I am still IN LOVE with my Moto X, and as I have posted on Google+, I am in the process of taking "Aviate" (it's still in beta so you need to get an invite if you want it).  I will not give anything away as far as my thoughts on the launcher, I hope to find time to post a detailed review of it in the near future.

That's all for now folks!

Moto X Adventures part 2

I suppose following a brilliant revelation about the case I have been using that the Moto X was not intended for a case.

I had been having a problem with getting the screen to come back on after answering a call. I couldn't figure it out until I had to do a voice audition for a potential job tonight.

My husband reminded me that it didn't used to do this. Realizing that he was right we took the case off, and magic! Problem solved. Except that now we're taking bets on how long before I stop this one and have to call the insurance people to replace it.

Grocery Apps

I have been working with several of the available (and "free") grocery applications for Android since my last post.  A few were tossed out of the competition quickly; having proved themselves to be unacceptable for normal use.  The 3 that are still installed on my phone have immense potential for everyday use.   List Ease, Out of Milk and Our Groceries are those lucky apps.
Let's discuss the good, bad, and ugly of these 3 Inventory/Grocery List Applications


List Ease

• Keeps track of $$$$ -- Allows you to input the cost of each item, as well as sales tax.  Will estimate the cost of your shopping list.
• Large barcode "vocabulary"  recognizes most products when scanned.
• List share and sync
• More features available when you upgrade to a subscription

Out of Milk

• Different types of lists -- Shopping, To Do, and Pantry(Inventory).  User creates sub categories within each to further organize items.
• This application is tied to an account, which means that you will not lose your lists if you uninstall for whatever reason (Like your SI surprising you by making Google Wallet work while you're putting groceries away; yes this happened during the course of my testing)
• Customization seems to be a huge part of this app.  Not only within the lists themselves, but in the settings as well.  The ability to change what actions do what is easily available, and fairly idiot-proof.
• List Sharing -- share lists using whatever means you wish

Our Groceries

• List Sharing/Sync -- can be requested or allowed from the app.
• Recipe section -- allows user to add ingredients to a shopping list

List Ease

• No dedicated section for recipes (although this could be done by making a new list for each recipe)
• Switching phones means lost lists.  Syncing does not work, leaving me to think that the developer abandoned users.

Out of Milk

• Scanning an item multiple times does not increase item count; instead creating another instance of the item, which can be slightly helpful if you have scanned two entirely different things, and the scan has resulted in identical item information.

Our Groceries

• Having switched phones this weekend I cannot access lists on the new phone that were created on the old. This was expected since there is no "sign-up" or "log in" to lead anyone to believe that it would sync.

I had totally planned on putting in the Ugly section as well.  Unfortunately, between life (aka looking for work and parenting) and a change in technology (I am now rocking a Moto X, and handed off ownership of my Note 2 today) I was unable to get as far as deciding just what the Ugly for each one was.  

Moto X Adventures

If you follow me on Google Plus; you may have noticed that I've got a new phone!  I'm now working with the Moto X, and given that it's SUCH a gigantically different user experience I was surprised how much I actually enjoy using it.

My favorite things (so far):

• Small enough to use easily; and not too small to use for what I actually do with my phones
• Camera is fast, simple and easy to use (quality of pictures is a bit lower than the Note 2, but I no longer have to struggle to both hold my phone still and take the picture) There are also some pretty cool things it lets you do with your pics after they're taken.
•  The look of it!  Lines are simple, and it just isn't a flashy phone at all.
• I have yet to experience that "echo" during a phone call, and I could actually understand what my mumbling older brother was saying the last time he called, and I didn't hear what I said repeated in my ear 2 seconds after saying it.
• GPS is spot on...  We visited Elmira, NY over the weekend to assist in rebuilding their Level 8 status (and yes, to also Max out our inventory) and I experienced absolutely no drift (granted from time to time GPS signal was completely lost; and took a bit of time to get back, however I might attribute that to the area/Network)
• I can actually hear a notification from 2 rooms away w/ a door closed.  I could never do this with the Note 2 even with the volume all the way up. 
• Assist; absolutely has yet to fail at knowing when I am in a moving vehicle!
• "Okay Google Now" yeah; I absolutely love that this works; and only works for my voice. Yes, my family has tried and failed.
• Also; Anyone who has ever bought a smartphone knows that the film on the display usually has a bunch of text or whatever on it; to tell you (who they think must be that dumb) where all the buttons are...  The film on this phone has only a small white corner, and is otherwise clear, allowing me to use it while waiting for the ones I ordered to get here.

The stuff I could do without (so far)?:

• It's a slippery bugger, just like the Note 2 was, only the back panel is prettier (which is helpful since it's not the regular snap-on variety)
• The battery is NOT removeable, which means when the battery dies; you have to be near a power source
• Video chatting in low light; not happening.  It just doesn't gather light the way the Note 2 can.

An Inventory/Grocery Shopping Adventure

Awhile back, I attempted to change some details as far as how the URL for this blog was going to work.  I can safely say that it failed miserably; and for a while I even forgot if my domain name was still registered!  This morning I finally gave in and decided to see if I could fix what I screwed up, and Voila! I have things back the way I had them set up originally.

Now, if you head to http://erintotten.com you will end up here (on the homepage I'm sure) again through the magic that is url forwarding.  I'm not ready to try that whole mess where I remove the "forwarding" part, and redirecting isn't needed.