Rachel Heine

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Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks on Your iPad

October 28, 2013

November is about one thing, and one thing only: Thanksgiving. Whether you celebrate with family across the country, throw a potluck with your friends, practice gratitude, or just want to make a silly paper turkey with construction paper, everyone loves Thanksgiving. I dare you to find one person who can’t find a little joy in a big plate of creamy mashed potatoes and turkey (or Tofurkey, for all our vegetarian and vegan readers).

There are so many tools out there that can help you plan your best Thanksgiving ever, especially your iPad! Welcome the holiday season with some of our favorite seasonal apps.

Thanksgiving Menu Maker from Fine Cooking • iOS App (Free)

Sweet potatoes or yams? Canned cranberry sauce or homemade? Everyone does Thanksgiving differently and there’s never one sure way to do it. Take the stress out of planning your Thanksgiving menu with this free app for your iPad. First, pick your recipes. Recipes are divided by course, including Starters, Main Dishes, Sides, and Desserts. Experiment with different turkey variations, try a new side dish recipe, and fill your entire table with delectable Thanksgiving fare. Once you’ve assembled the perfect menu, the Thanksgiving Menu Maker will create a shopping list for you so know exactly what you’ll need to purchase. Bring your iPad with you and check off items as you go. After you’ve assembled your ingredients, check out your menu’s schedule to see what dishes you can make ahead of time. From start to finish, this free iOS app will help you create the best Thanksgiving menu your family has ever seen.

Bonus features include wine pairings, turkey tips, how-to videos, Thanksgiving 911, and more!

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by Rachel Heine in Culture, Tips

Wherefore art thou iPad?: Studying Shakespeare with Apps

October 7, 2013

If there’s any storyteller whose works are recreated again and again, it’s William Shakespeare. Each year there are films born out of his plays. While some are retold in another time period or loosely based on a particular Shakespearean arc, many, like this month’s upcoming Romeo and Juliet adaptation, use his famous rhymes. Though the tragic teen lovebirds’ tale is arguably the most popular of the Bard’s works, each has something magnificent to offer. In honor of the latest interpretation, here are some of the best apps for enjoying and understanding Shakespeare’s masterpieces from a variety of angles using your iPad.

SwipeSpeare from BookCaps – iPad App (Free)

Sometimes it’s difficult for a Shakespeare novice to fully grasp his meaning… you have to learn the lingo first. Luckily, there’s SwipeSpeare, the app that does it exactly what its name implies. Take a look at a passage of Shakespeare, then simply swipe to see a modernized translation. Swipe again and it will change back! That’s not all, though. SwipeSpeare also includes a free, searchable Shakespeare dictionary, biography, a Swipeable copy of Romeo and Juliet, original and modernized versions of the major Shakespeare plays, as well as accompanying study guides and lesson plans.

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by Rachel Heine in Culture, Tips

Useful iPad Apps For Managing and Understanding Breast Cancer

September 23, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As many of you may already know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). NBCAM is an annual health campaign that was founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries to promote breast cancer awareness. NBCAM is now an international campaign that includes hundreds of breast cancer charities and awareness groups. NBCAM promotes mammography and other methods of breast cancer detection, provides support for those affected by the disease, and raises funds for research into breast cancer’s cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Breast cancer affects millions of people every single day. Luckily there are many new sources of information, support, and treatment available. Between iOs and Android, there are many podcasts on the subject on iTunes, apps to help patients and family members understand diagnoses, health reminders, and of course, organizations for the cause.

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by Rachel Heine in Tips

iOS Connectivity Apps for the Elderly

September 9, 2013

Helping the Elderly Stay in Touch

In our bustling age of modern technology, we often forget that there are users out there who are not as familiar with the ins and outs of iPads, iPhones, apps, accessories, and other fun gadgets. Some grandparents are well-versed in Apple speak, but many still need a little bit of help. Despite the generation gap, more and more senior citizens are finding ways to keep in touch with their family and friends with their smart devices. If your grandparents have an iPad or tablet, here’s how to help them stay connected with the best apps for the elderly. (more…)

by Rachel Heine in Tech, Octa, Culture, Tips

iPad on the Tennis Court

August 22, 2013

String up for the last tennis event of the season, the one we’ve all been waiting for: the US Open. As your favorite reigning champs prepare to defend their titles and dominate the courts, we rounded up some of the very best in tennis apps for your iPhone or iPad. From keeping score of your stats to streaming the games live, here are our top players available in the app store today.

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by Rachel Heine in Culture

Remembering Steve Jobs

August 8, 2013

Steve Jobs was a visionary. Known by many as the “Father of the Digital Revolution”, Jobs created consumer technology again and again, year after year. In fact, he continues to influence well beyond his untimely passing in 2011. As the co-founder of Apple, Jobs oversaw the birth of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad, App Store and everything in between. Everything you use on your smart phone, all of the music and movies and content you access directly on your computer or devices, is thanks to the charismatic brilliance of Steve Jobs. He literally changed the world forever.

It has only been two years since Steve Jobs passed away, but his work left an indelible mark on society. This month, Open Road Pictures is releasing their version of Steve Jobs’ life story with Jobs, a biopic starring Ashton Kutcher. The film will no doubt explore Jobs’ illustrious career, from the founding of Apple, to his revolutionary return to the company and its worldwide success over the past thirty years.

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by Rachel Heine in Tech, Culture, Evolution

Tee Up For The PGA Championships With These iOS Golfing Apps

July 30, 2013

This year, the PGA Championships are all about fan interaction. The Professional Golfers Association of America lets you, the fans, vote to choose the 15th hole. Whether you’re simply a fan of golf, an avid watcher, or a player yourself, you can learn more about the sport, perfect your game and follow along with the Championships with the use of your various smart devices. You can get even more involved in this season’s final major with your iPad, tablet or smartphone, and these must-have golfing apps.

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by Rachel Heine in Culture

Baseball Apps for All-Star iPad Players

July 11, 2013

Sports fans know that July means the Midsummer Classic: the Major League Baseball All-Star game. By this point in the game, you’ve made your choices and cast your vote — now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy. If you’re like most modern baseball aficionados, you spend every commercial break checking stats, arguing scores, and making bets with your buddies. Combine these essential iPad apps with your handy iPad stand to make sure your All Star experience earns its title.

MLB.com At Bat • iPad App (Free)

This is the one to beat. As the official MLB app, MLB.com At Bat is free to purchase, and only $9.99 for a subscription to the 2013 season (MLB.TV Premium subscribers receive a free subscription). This app has it all — an updated news section, classic games library, live video, individual team pages, and customizable backgrounds for your iPhone. On the iPad, this app features batting, pitching and fielding statistics for iPad users.

MLB.com At Bat

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by Rachel Heine in Culture

Amp Up Your Fourth Of July Party with an iPad

July 3, 2013

Summer is finally here, and that means three months of sun, surf and celebration. Whether you’re out of school for the summer, have the kids at home, or just have the day off from work, one of summer’s most cherished holidays is the Fourth of July. With Octa’s MonkeyTail iPad stand, you can bring your iPad — and the party — wherever America’s birthday takes you. Check out some of these patriotic apps to use with your iPad this summer.

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by Rachel Heine in Culture

iPad Case for Mad Men, Season Six

April 30, 2013

Last season our favorite Mad Men and women shimmied through 1967 with newlywed bliss, impromptu acid trips, birth and death. As the AMC drama makes its way through the 1960s, anything is possible in the upcoming season. Break out your iPad and tablet mount, settle in with a mod-inspired cocktail, and take a peek at these Mad Men inspired iPad accessories.

Peggy Olson • iPad Case ($63.90)

Swap your typewriter for an iPad stand with this stylish sixties’ iPad case from Redbubble.com. Who wouldn’t want to emulate Mad Men’s most driven copywriter? Multitask like Peggy with one eye on the show and your finger on the pulse of pop culture by using Octa’s TabletTail: Whale Kit as a tablet mount.

Peggy Olson by TatiDuarte

Mad Men Cocktail Culture • iPad App ($0.99)

While you show off your Mad Men iPad case, mix up a classic cocktail along with Don Draper. Peruse vintage recipes or sample your favorite characters’ drink of choice. Just add a snappy suit and one of our iPad stands and you’ll be ready to celebrate a new client with the rest of the gang.

Mad Men Cocktail Culture by AMC Network Entertainment LLC (more…)

by Rachel Heine in Tech, Culture