Category: App Reviews

Which Apps Can Help Me Keep My Financial Resolutions for the New Year?

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Credit, Lifestyle, Reviews, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Q: I’m looking for tools to help me actually keep the financial resolutions I made for the New Year, but I’m confused by all the options. What are the best personal finance apps that can help me stick to my money resolutions this year?

A: These days, there’s an app for virtually anything; and personal finance is no exception. The app market is flooded with personal finance apps, but there are a select few that stand out for their excellent functionality and ease of use. Here, we’ve reviewed five of the most popular personal finance apps to help you stick to your financial resolutions.

  1. Mint

A quick look at this app:

  • Function: Full money management
  • Cost: None
  • Free Trial: N/A
  • Basic Features: The wildly popular money management app lets you track your bills, categorize and review your spending and monitor your credit health, all at no cost. 

Mint excels at providing a complete financial picture in one location. You can link your credit and debit cards to the app, and Mint will read your transactions, categorize them and show you how you’re spending your money. Access your credit score and get a breakdown of how your score is determined. You can also easily create a budget within one of the most popular personal finance apps on the market. 

The one significant downside to Mint is the ads, which many users find excessive, intrusive and annoying. 

  1. Personal Capital

A quick look at this app:

  • Function: Budgeting and investment tools
  • Cost: Budgeting tool is free. Wealth management costs 0.89% of the balance, up to $1,000,000.
  • Free trial: No
  • Basic features: Allows you to manage your assets and investments along with your everyday spending. 

Personal Capital promotes itself as an overall personal finance app, but it really shines at investment management. Track your portfolio by account, asset class or individual security and identify new opportunities for diversification and risk management, all on the app.

The disadvantages of Personal Capital include the relatively high cost for wealth management and complicated budgeting features. 

  1. You Need a Budget

A quick look at this app:

  • Function: Budgeting and tracking expenses
  • Cost: $98.99/year or $14.99/month
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Basic features: Import transactions from your checking account and apply them to each budget category to get a full picture of your spending habits. Adjust budgeting categories as necessary and review detailed reports of how spending is progressing throughout the month. 

You Need a Budget (YNAB) is an app built around YNAB’s famed four rules for improved overall financial health:

  1. Give every dollar a job.
  2. Embrace your true expenses.
  3. Roll with the punches.
  4. Age your money.

The app provides highly detailed budgeting tools and spending reports for the ultimate in money management. YNAB claims its users save an average of $600 in the first two months, and more than $6,000 in the first year.

The cons of YNAB include a premium subscription price and multiple features that can be confusing for new users and those who prefer a simpler interface. 

  1. Prism

A quick look at this app:

  • Function: Bill payment and tracking
  • Cost: Free
  • Free trial: N/A
  • Basic features: Track and pay your monthly bills with ease.

Prism takes the stress out of bills. Sync the app with thousands of billers nationwide, add your bills and Prism will automatically track them for you. You’ll get friendly reminders when a bill is nearly due and you can even use the app to schedule payments several days in advance. Never miss a bill payment again!

Prism is an excellent app for bill payment, but it’s otherwise limited in its money management functions. You won’t be able to create a budget or track expenses outside bill payments on the app.

  1. M1 Finance

A quick look at this app:

  • Function: No-fee investing
  • Cost: Free
  • Free trial: N/A
  • Basic features: Blends automated investing with expansive portfolio customization’s.

M1 Finance offers more than 60 pre-built portfolios, or “pies,” for users to choose as their own investment strategy. There’s also the option of building your portfolio on your own in the app. M1 can be a fabulous tool for investors who are looking for automation that aligns with their personal preferences, risk tolerance and investment goals.

While M1 shines as a no-fee investment app, it fails at offering several key features that other competing apps boast, including tax-loss harvesting, advisors and syncing external accounts for investment purposes. 

It’s a new year, and a new chance at improving your financial wellness. Use this guide to find the perfect apps to help you reach your financial goals this year.

Your Turn: Which apps are you using to help you keep your financial New Year’s resolutions? Share them with us in the comments.

Don’t Get Caught in a Shopping Scam!

by Advantage One, posted in Announcements, App Reviews, Budgeting, Checking, Convenience, Credit, Debit, Lifestyle, News & Events, online security, Saving, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Shopping in 2022 is worlds away from what it was at the turn of the century, or even just a few years ago. According to retail research firm, Digital Commerce 360, ecommerce sales surpassed $870 billion in 2021, a 50% jump over 2019. Online shopping is quick, easy and convenient. 

Unfortunately, though, when a lot of shopping moved online, it also ushered in a wave of scams that are often successful. Some of these scams can be difficult for the untrained eye to spot, and many offer no way for the victim to reclaim their lost funds. Here’s what you need to know to recognize an online shopping scam and avoid being the next victim. 

How these scams play out

There are several variations to the online shopping scam. 

In one version, a shopper will scour the internet for a specific item in their desired price range. They’ll find the item retailing on a site at an attractive price and then proceed to make the purchase. They’ll share payment information, input their delivery address and complete the transaction. Unfortunately, though, the item never arrives on their doorstep. Alternatively, a cheap knockoff of the product will arrive instead of the item they’ve purchased. When the buyer tries to demand a refund, they are unable to reach the seller. 

In another variation, a shopper finds an item online and tries to make a purchase. They’ll be asked to input sensitive information, such as a credit card or checking account number. At this point, the shopper will be unable to complete the transaction and will continuously run into errors on the site. However, the scammers now have their information and can proceed to empty the victim’s accounts, or worse.

In a third version of the online shopping scam, a seller clicks on an ad, or on a site that came up in a Google search for one of their favorite stores. They’ll proceed to make an order, not knowing they’ve actually clicked into a bogus look-a-like site run by scammers. The rest of the scam will follow one of the scenarios described above. 

Red flags

Watch for these warning signs that you may have stumbled upon a shopping scam:

  • Prices are too good to be true. If you find an online offer for a new iPhone retailing at just $450, you’re likely looking at a scam. 
  • The offer urges you to act now. If an offer warns that the bargain prices it’s offering won’t last until sundown, it’s likely a scam. 
  • The seller demands specific means of payment. If an e-tailer insists that you pay via prepaid gift card or wire transfer, opt out. 
  • The website is full of typos and grammar errors. If the site is badly in need of editing, it may be run by scammers. 

Stay safe

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe from online shopping scams:

  • Only shop on safe, secure sites. Check the URL for the lock icon and for the “s” after the “http”.
  • Check the URL for proper spelling of reputable sites. Make sure the URL of the site you’re on matches the authentic URL for that retailer and that you haven’t landed on a spoof site. You may want to save the genuine URLs on your computer for future use. 
  • Avoid clicking on high-pressure pop-ups and banner ads. These are often scams.
  • Pay with a credit card when shopping online. A credit card offers the most protection for your purchases. 
  • Never share personal information with an unverified contact. Don’t input your credit card number or account details unless you’re absolutely sure you’re dealing with a reputable website. 

If you’re targeted

If you’ve fallen victim to an online shopping scam, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage. 

If you’ve paid via credit card, call the company to dispute the charge. At this point, you may want to consider closing the card and placing a credit alert and/or a credit freeze on your name. Next, alert the FTC about the scam. If the alleged retailer is on the BBB website, you can let them know, too. Finally, let your friends know about the scam so they know to be aware.

Stay safe!

Your Turn: Have you been targeted by a shopping scam? Tell us about it in the comments. 

All You Need to Know About the Metaverse and NFTs

by Advantage One, posted in Announcements, App Reviews, Lifestyle, News & Events, online security, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

If a time-traveler from the 19th century landed in your living room, you’d likely have a hard time explaining the way our world works – especially the way we deal with finances. Your visitor can watch as you hold an oblong object in your hands and proceed to order a full summer wardrobe, new bedroom furniture or maybe even airline tickets. Who would have imagined we’d be able to do all that and more or without ever touching a dollar bill, coin or even a credit card?

But the changes to the way we handle our money continue, and the world of finance evolves along with technology in the most incredible ways. Let’s take a look at two major innovations in the world of technology and finance, as well as how they may affect us in the very near future: the metaverse and NFTs. 

The Metaverse

What is the metaverse?

The term “metaverse” has generated many curious Google searches since Facebook rebranded itself as Meta in October of 2021. In short, the metaverse is a scaled, interoperable network of real-time rendered 3D virtual worlds that can be experienced simultaneously by an infinite number of users. In addition, the metaverse has continuity of data, which includes identity, objects, communications and payments. In simple English, the metaverse is an all-immersive digital universe where users can live, connect and even make financial transactions through virtual reality and augmented reality. If you played “Second Life,” you’ve already had a taste of this.

Does the metaverse exist?

While some forms of the metaverse already exist, the full experience that tech giants envision likely won’t be ready for consumer use for another five to 10 years. However small aspects of the metaverse, including ultra-fast broadband speeds, online worlds that are always “on” and virtual reality headsets to bring the user into another world are already quite common across the internet and gaming world. 

What are some examples of the metaverse?

Here’s where you can get a feel for what the metaverse is actually about: 

  • Meta. Formerly known as Facebook, the platform’s CEO speaks openly and often about the metaverse and the role Facebook will play in its rollout. 

“The next platform and medium will be even more immersive and embodied than the internet, where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it, and we call this the metaverse,” Zuckerberg said after the company’s rebranding. 

  • Microsoft. Similarly, the software giant has made no secret about where it believes the future of technology lies. Microsoft is already developing mixed and extended reality applications through its Microsoft Mesh platform, which blends the real world with augmented reality and virtual reality. Of course, Xbox Live already connects millions of gamers across the globe in a small-scale metaverse. 

 How will the metaverse affect the world of finance?

Experts envision a world where a consumer can enter a massive virtual shopping mall, purchase a unique digital item and sell that item in a different virtual world, such as on Twitter or eBay. In addition, the expected meteoric rise in popularity of the metaverse creates a unique investment opportunity for the savvy investor. 

NFTs

What are NFTs?

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are a kind of crypto asset in which each token has a unique value. This is as opposed to “fungible” assets like Bitcoin and dollar bills, which all have exactly the same value. Because every NFT is unique, they can be used to authenticate ownership of digital assets including artworks, recordings and virtual real estate or pets.

How do NFTs work?

NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain. Ethereum is a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, but its blockchain can support NFTs as well. It’s important to note that other blockchains can easily implement their own versions of NFTs. 

NFTs can be anything digital, like music, videos or drawings, but digital art has been monopolizing NFT trading since its inception. NFT art collecting is not unlike fine art collecting in the real world: Millions of people can buy a Monet print, but only one person can own the original – and pay for it. Similarly, while anyone can own a copy of a digital piece of art, the original can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, or in some cases, even millions. The irony here is that while the owner of an authentic Monet has a genuine piece of art, there is no real difference between owning a copy of a digital artwork and owning the original.

As bizarre as it may sound, NFTs are gaining popularity at record speed. A 50-second video by Grimes sold for $390,000, a tweet by the founder of Twitter sold for just under $3 million, and a video by Beeple sold for $6.6 million.

What’s the purpose of NFTs?

NFTs present a world of financial possibilities for artists and collectors alike. 

Digital artists with real talent can earn a pretty penny through NFTs. Instead of posting a creative meme they designed on their Facebook page, digital artists can now try selling their work as an NFT. The good news is the artist will continue enjoying dividends of their work far beyond its sale. Every time the NFT changes hands, the artist gets paid a percentage of the profits. This way, if the work only becomes popular a while after it’s created, the artist can still pocket their share of its ultimate value. 

Collectors can use NFTs to purchase unique digital artwork as a financial asset. A work of art always carries with it the possibility of becoming wildly popular and spiking in value. Digital artwork is no exception. In addition, owning an NFT comes with some basic rights, which include being able to post the image online or use it as a profile picture.

The world of finance is constantly evolving as technology races to stay ahead of current trends and futuristic visions. The metaverse and NFTs are just two mediums that can change the way we handle our finances in the near future. Use the primer here to learn all about these technological wonders so you are better prepared to participate in and invest in the future. 

Your Turn: Do you think the metaverse and NFTs will play a major role in our finances? Why, or why not? Share in the comments. 

All You Need to Know About Multi-factor Authentication

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Convenience, Lifestyle, News & Events, online security, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

In our digital world, passwords are as much a part of our lives as Netflix and Amazon. Keeping information stored in dozens of accounts across the web can make it easier to stay on top of your finances, order a new pair of jeans or even schedule a dentist appointment. Unfortunately, though, passwords can be relatively easy for scammers to hack, opening the door for identity theft, credit card fraud and more. 

Here’s where multifactor authentication (MFA) comes into play. As a means of securing your information, MFA provides an extra layer of protection for your accounts and sensitive data. 

Here’s all you need to know about MFA, how it works and why it’s an important step in protecting your information. 

How multifactor authentication works

Multifactor authentication utilizes two or more factors to allow the user to sign into an account. Generally, these will consist of something the user knows, like a password or PIN, along with one or both of the following: 

  • Something the user has. This can include a phone, key fob or smartcard. 
  • Something the user is. This can include an iris or fingerprint scan, or voice or facial recognition.

Accounts that use MFA will not allow the user to sign into their account unless both factors are verified.

Why multifactor authentication is crucial for protecting sensitive information

While passwords can provide some protection against hackers, they’ve proven to be an abysmally weak barrier against hackers. A recent study by Digital Shadows, a digital risk protection company, found evidence of approximately 15 billion passwords and logins floating around the darkweb as a result of 100,000 data breaches. These passwords are up for sale to  other cybercriminals, potentially providing them with access to the victims’ financial accounts, credit card information, Social Security data and more.

In addition to opening up the door to sensitive information, a single password can give the hacker entry into a victim’s private life. For example, by hacking into a victim’s Google password, the cybercriminal now has access to their email history, which can include important correspondence and other information; calendar, which can provide a complete picture of the victim’s upcoming events and meetings; YouTube account, which unlocks the victim’s viewing history and uploads, and any other apps that allow users to sign in with a Google account, such as Asana and Mint.

Unfortunately, passwords can be cracked by amateur hackers, even without a data breach. Many consumers make it even easier for hackers to break into their accounts by using weak, ineffective passwords that are simple to guess, and by using the same password across multiple accounts. For these reasons, using MFA when available — especially for accounts that store highly sensitive information — is crucial for ongoing security and protection. This way, in the event of a data breach or hack providing a criminal with your password or login credentials, your information will still be protected. Without access to your account’s second factor for authentication, the hacker has no way to gain entry into your account. 

Where you may encounter MFA

In general, the more sensitive the data an account stores, the stronger security measures the company hosting or providing the account will use. Consequently, you’re most likely to encounter MFA on banking apps and accounts, money management apps, investment apps and the like. Depending on your line of work, you may also need to use MFA to sign into your personal workplace account. Finally, some retailers may offer clients the option of using MFA to sign into their accounts. 

Under each of these and similar circumstances, using MFA means a login time that’s a bit longer and more complicated than just inputting a password or PIN. However, measuring this inconvenience against the time, stress and money it will take to recover from a potential data breach makes it more than worth the extra few minutes. 

Stay safe!

Your Turn: Which means of MFA is your favorite? Tell us about it in the comments.

Is Plaid Safe?

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Checking, Convenience, Lifestyle, online security, security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

Q: When using peer-to-peer payment apps, banking apps and free-trading apps, I’m often redirected to the Plaid network, where I’m asked to input personal information. Can I feel safe using Plaid?

A: The instinct to be wary of any service that’s asking you to share sensitive information is appropriate and commendable. Most financial apps will ask you to share your banking information, and some will even ask you to share your Social Security number. But it begs the important question; Should you be sharing this information?

While the safety and security of each financial app is individual, apps that are powered by Plaid are safe to use. Plaid is a reputable company that uses encryption and industry-standard security measures to protect your sensitive information.

Here’s what you need to know about Plaid.

What is Plaid? 

Plaid is a financial technology company that serves as an intermediary between financial services and their users. Apps like Venmo, You Need a Budget and Robinhood use Plaid to securely link their users’ financial accounts to their own platforms. This way, the financial apps do not have access to their users’ information; they instead rely on Plaid to supply it for them.

Plaid works by using a universal Application Programming Interface (API) to share users’ data with other applications. APIs are software intermediaries that allow two different applications to communicate. Plaid has developed an API that can be used by any financial institution or application, making it simpler and safer for users to share their financial information digitally.

How does Plaid work?

When you sign up for any of the 3,000+ financial applications currently powered by Plaid, you’ll be asked to choose your financial institution from a list that’s provided by Plaid. Next, you’ll enter your banking login info and password. Some apps will have you create a new password at this point. Once you’ve logged in, Plaid securely shares the information you’ve chosen to link, such as your checking account number, with the app you’re using.

It’s important to note that Plaid itself does not move money around. The technology merely enables other financial apps and their users to send funds from one account to another. Plaid holds onto your encrypted password information without touching your money, while the linked financial app can move your money, but cannot access or know your login credentials.

Is Plaid safe?

Sharing personal information with an app can be unsettling — and it should be. However, you can rest easy, knowing that Plaid uses the highest levels of security possible. When you link your checking account with a financial application by using Plaid, the company instantly encrypts the sensitive data and then shares it with the application using a secure connection.

According to the Plaid website, the company uses these measures to keep your information secure:

  • End-to-end data encryption. Plaid uses a combination of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) to keep your personal information completely safe.
  • Multi-factor authentication.  An extra login step adds another layer of security.
  • Cloud infrastructure. Plaid uses secure cloud infrastructure technologies to enable quick and safe connection.
  • Robust monitoring. The Plaid API and all related components are continuously monitored by a security team.
  • Third-party security reviews. Security researchers and financial institutions regularly audit Plaid’s API and security controls.

When using an application that is powered through Plaid, practice standard online safety measures. Check the URL to ensure you have the correct site, look for the lock icon and the “s” following the “http” in the address. Also, make sure the security settings on your device are updated and set to their strongest levels. Finally, if you need to choose a new password for the app, be sure to choose a strong, unique code and not to share it with anyone.

In a world that is increasingly mobile, Plaid safely connects users to thousands of financial apps and 11,000 financial institutions across the country. Follow basic online safety protocol, keep your login info private, and you can use Plaid knowing your information is secure.

Your Turn: What steps do you take to keep your data safe? Tell us about it in the comments.

Learn More:
getdivvy.com
plaid.com

Save Money When Shopping Online

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Budgeting, Convenience, Lifestyle, online security, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

With tens of thousands of people still out of work and the economy still limping toward a recovery, wise spending remains important. And with huge parts of life still happening on your screen, for many, this means saving on online shopping.

Here are some tips for saving money when shopping online:

Wait on every purchase 

Online retailers purposely make it quick and easy to buy the stuff in your cart. Outsmart them by waiting between choosing your purchases and actually purchasing them. This trick serves a dual purpose: First, you may find you don’t really need or even want the item after a few days. Second, the retailer will almost always email a coupon for you to use for the “forgotten items” in your cart.

Outsmart dynamic pricing

Dynamic pricing is one of the most powerful tools merchants use to get online shoppers to spend more. It involves using sophisticated algorithms and tracking to show shoppers prices based on their location, browsing history and spending patterns. Retailers learn each shopper’s price point and show them products in that range.

Fortunately, you can outsmart dynamic pricing by following these tips, especially when shopping for items with a wide price range, like airline tickets.

  • Clear your browsing history and cookies or shop with your browser in incognito or private mode.
  • Log out of your email and social media accounts.
  • Choose localized websites of international brands instead of being redirected to the U.S. site.
    Time your purchases right

Believe it or not, there’s a method to the madness of online pricing. Learning how to crack the code can help you unlock substantial savings.

Sunday’s your day to score cheap airfare, with Mondays being the most expensive day to book your tickets, according to Airlines Reporting Corporation.

Bookworms are best off shopping for new titles on Saturdays, as this is when Amazon and Barnes & Noble launch most book sales.

Shopping for a new laptop or desktop computer? Major retailers, like Dell and Hewlett-Packard, distribute coupons each Tuesday.

For most other purchases, it’s best to wait until the end of the week for the best deals. According to Rather Be Shopping, most stores roll out discounts and special deals on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Layer coupons

You may already be in the habit of never completing a purchase without doing a quick search for coupons, but even when you have those coupons on hand, there’s a technique that will guarantee the best savings.

Always use a promo code before a discount coupon. A promo code will take a specified percentage off your entire purchase while a discount code will take off a dollar amount. For example, say you have a 15% off promo code and a $5-off coupon to use on a $100 purchase. First use the promo code to shave $15 off your purchase. Next, apply the discount to bring your total down to just $80. If you’d do it the other way, you’d save less money.

Ask for price-drop refunds

Discovering that an item you purchased yesterday has just dropped in price can be incredibly frustrating; however, some companies take the edge off by offering to refund the price difference within a specific time-frame. Amazon, for example, gives a grace period of seven days from the delivery date to claim discount refunds. You can use camelcamelcamel.com  to monitor price changes on the retail giant’s website.

Use multiple emails for discounts

Many online retailers offer one-time promo codes for new customers, but you can be a new customer more than once. All you need is a different email address.

Don’t shop alone

Take advantage of the many apps, websites and browser extensions that can help you save money every time you shop online. Here are just a few you may want to try:

  • PriceGrabber – Use this app to compare prices on millions of products to find the best deal.
  • Rakuten – Shop your favorite retailers through this site for instant kickback cash.
  • Ibotta – Shoot a photo of your receipt for rebates that will go right back into your pocket.
  • Retailmenot.com  – Check this site for discounts and coupons you may have missed.

Online shopping just got cheap again!

Your Turn: How do you save money when shopping online? Share your best tips with us in the comments.

Learn More:
lifehack.org
blesserhouse.com
people.com
rather-be-shopping.com

5 Apps to Download this Holiday Season

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Lifestyle, Reviews

Todoist
With the holidays coming, there’s so much to do! Keep it all organized with this top-rated productivity app. With Todoist, (iOS, Android) users can create and manage to-do lists, track completed tasks and set reminders for those last-minute oft forgotten holiday errands. Download the free version, unlock additional features for $3/month or upgrade to the premium version for $5/month.

Key features:

  • Task management — The app’s slick interface and many convenient features make task management easy, even when your to-do list is longer than Santa’s beard.
  • Prioritize tasks — Make sure you get the most important stuff done before moving on to your holiday wish list by prioritizing tasks.
  • Project goals — Set goals and timelines for when you want a specific task to be completed and let the sophisticated visuals keep you focused on your goal.
  • Reports — Track your progress on various tasks with the app’s measurement and reporting features.
  • Cross-platform use — Todoist lets you sync your lists across all devices for easy task-tracking and management.

Christmas Countdown
Get into the holiday spirit with the ultimate snowy countdown to Christmas (iOS , Android) !

Key features:

  • Choose from eight beautiful, holiday-themed backgrounds to customize your app.
  • Enjoy classic Christmas music without intrusive ads.
  • Unwrap a new virtual gift every day of December.

Christmas Gift List
Significant others, kids, parents, friends, workmates, gym buddies, great aunt Martha — there are so many gifts to keep track of this season! Ward off that migraine that starts forming each time you tackle your multiple gift lists by downloading this super-convenient app. The Christmas Gift List (iOS, Android) app will organize your lists and let you track your ideas, spending and progress as you shop. Gift-shopping is fun again!

Key features:

  • Set a budget for everyone on your list to help keep your spending under control.
  • Share your list with shopping buddies through Twitter and emails.
  • Easily cross gifts off your list by updating their status as you shop.

Elfster
If you’re planning a secret Santa exchange with your friends and family, you need to download this app. Elfster (iOS , Android) will let you create and track multiple groups of secret Santa exchanges and help keep things organized with its user-friendly interface.

Key features:

  • Set a delivery date for each group, along with a fixed budget and a customized message for all group members.
  • Invite friends to join a group through email, or by sharing a group link.
  • Assign a secret Santa for each group member easily through the app’s generator feature.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite holiday app? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Learn More:
mobileappdaily.com
getandroidstuff.com

5 Online Resources for Autumn

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Lifestyle, Reviews, Uncategorized

Fall Foliage Prediction Map (website)
If you’re planning a road trip this autumn or just wondering when the foliage around you will hit its peak, you need to check out this map. The foliage prediction map uses statistical models to predict when the foliage will be most striking in every county in the country. It’s all you need to enjoy the best of fall.

Corn Mazes America (website)
What better way to spend a cool fall afternoon than by getting lost inside an enormous corn maze? This incredible website has taken all the guesswork out of corn mazes with its massive database of corn mazes from all around the country. You can browse corn mazes by state or town, find one on a map and download directions for easy travel. Corn Maze America will help you find the maze you need for an epic autumn adventure.

KOA (iOS) (Android)
Get ready for the camping trip of a lifetime! With its wide selection of campsites, complete with search tools, directions to each location with built-in navigation and several filter options for each search, the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) app will help you bring your fall camping trip to the next level. Many of the app’s features function offline as well, including campground information, search tools and driving directions, making the app the perfect accompaniment for a trip out into the deepest wilderness. The campgrounds await you!

BigOven (iOS) (Android)
The dwindling sunlight and falling temperatures of fall make it the perfect time of year to break out the mixing bowl and whip up some hearty homemade goodies. And if you need some tried-and-true recipes to make it happen, there’s an app for that! Download BigOven for access to more than a half-million recipes that will help you bring autumn into your kitchen. On the super-popular app, you’ll find the secret to making delectable pumpkin pie, butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes and gravy and so many other fall favorites. Don’t forget to check out the other fun features; like money-saving hacks for using up your leftovers, a grocery-shopping organizer and so much more.

LeafSnap (iOS) (Android)
Are you a genuine tree-hugger who always wants to learn more about the beautiful foliage around you? The info you need is just a download away! LeafSnap is a free app that can identify 90% of all known species of plants and trees. Just snap a photo of a leaf and the app will identify the kind of tree it came from in seconds. Your nature walks will never be the same!

Your Turn: What’s your favorite app for autumn? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Learn More:
imore.com
koa.com
plantidentifier.info
bigoven.com

4 Back-to-School Apps for Parents and Students

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews, Convenience, Lifestyle, Reviews, Tips & Best Practices, Uncategorized

myHomework (iOS, Android)
It’s not easy to keep up with assignments, projects and scheduled tests from so manySeptFeatured2020_school-app-icon different classes. Help your child stay on top of their work this year with the myHomework app. With color-coded classes to keep things organized and automatic reminders before looming due dates, the app is super-easy to use. The free version of the app includes assignment tracking, due date reminders, syncing between classes and homework widgets, while the paid version, at just $4.99 a year, offers an ad-free upgrade with file attachment support, enhanced app widgets, external calendar access, a homework import feature and more.

LaLa Lunchbox (iOS)
This adorable app makes meal planning fun again! No more arguments and frustrationsSeptFeatured2020_lalaapp about what to prepare for lunch; with your child on board, it’s easy as pie. Let your child set up a profile with a selected monster avatar, and choose a virtual meal from the LaLa Lunchbox’s food library by dropping their chosen foods into the monster’s mouth. The app will tell the parents what to buy in the grocery store so they can prepare the lunch their kid wants. Parents can also customize the food options for specific diets, and all the choices are preselected by a dietician. Meal planning, done!

Cozi Family Organizer (iOS, Android)
Between school schedules, meet-the-teacher nights, after-school activities and more,SeptFeatured2020_cozi-app parents have lots to keep track of at the start of a new school year. The free Cozi app helps keep the entire family organized with a synced family schedule and color-coded calendar that streamlines across multiple devices. Save grocery lists and recipes on the app, and keep a running to-do list on Cozi to keep on top of all your errands and chores. You can even manage a family journal on the app for the ultimate in sharing!

Bear Focus Timer (iOS, Android)
If you’ve got a little one at home who has trouble focusing on their tasks, the Bear FocusSeptFeatured2020_bear-school-app Timer (BFT) app might be just what you need. The no-frills Pomodoro-style timer is created to help the smallest of minds stay focused on their homework, chores or other activities with the help of simple schedules and white noise. You won’t find a lot of bells and whistles on this $1.99 app, but the timer allows the user to customize focus times and break times for the ultimate in productivity.

Back-to-school season can be frenzied as the family adjusts to a new routine and schedule. Let these apps help you keep calm and organized so the entire family can ace the start of the new school year.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite back-to-school app? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Learn More:
parents.com
cnet.com
lifewire.com
androidheadlines.com
parent24.com
gazelle.com

 

 

The Top 6 Photo Apps for Summer

by Advantage One, posted in App Reviews

Open Camera (Android)Open Camera
This free camera app can be used alongside, or in place of, your phone’s default camera. Multiple focus modes, nifty color effects, exposure compensation and an overlay grid can help you take your photos to a professional level. New versions of the app include manual ISO and exposure, and aperture control on supported devices. Snap a picture via touch, or take the perfect selfie with the app’s voice commands. Just say “cheese!”

Darkroom (iOS)DarkRomm app
If you’re looking for a camera app that offers the ultimate in control, look no further than Darkroom. This iOS app earned a 4.8 rating out of 5 in the App Store for its broad array of customization features, including hue, saturation, luminosity and curves. Create your own filters and adjust your portrait mode with advanced tools and unlock more features with an in-app purchase.

Pixlr (iOS)Pixlr
There are no intrusive ads or clickbait on this photo-editing app; just a smooth editing experience that offers hundreds of fun effects, like stickers, frames, collage options and more. You can even save your edits with the Favorite button to copy them for your next photo. Bring on the creativity!

Cymera (iOS, Android)Cymera
One of the most popular photography apps on the market, Cymera offers a wide array of options in picture doctoring. The app makes it effortless to cover up blotchy skin and lets users stretch and slim their bodies with its controversial shaping tool. Make your photos shine with more than 100 filters, accessorize with stickers, masking, framing options and apply handwritten messages directly onto your photos. Cymera will satisfy even the most obsessive selfie-taker.

Prisma (iOS)AugustFeatured2020_Prisma
If you’re into photography as an art, try Prisma. This free photo-editing app uses artificial neural networks to make your pictures look like they were painted by Picasso, Munch or Salvador Dali. The app also offers an online community like Instagram, allowing you to share your photos or link them to an external social media app.

Snapseed (iOS, Android)SnapSeed
This mega-popular photo app offers powerful editing for beginners and advanced users alike. Bring your everyday photos up a notch by adjusting their exposure and color, and use the app’s features for smoothing skin and brightening eyes. You can crop, rotate and sharpen your photos for that perfect perspective, and remove unwanted objects with the healing feature. Brushes enable selective editing, and enhancements include vignette, lens blur and double exposure. The “last edits” option will save you time by allowing you to apply identical edits across a large batch of photos.
Use your chosen photo apps to make summer 2020 a season to remember.

Your Turn:
What’s your favorite photo app? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Learn More:
iphonephotographyschool.com
oberlo.com
digitaltrends.com