Where To Find iPhone Apps A Baby Boomer Could Love

In a few short years, the Apple iPhone has made standard cell phones an outdated concept. The iPhone’s 3G services (with 4G just around the corner), wireless transmission of information, books, music, games and video have created a new world of communication, one that Baby Boomers are discovering – and loving. Who says we can’t embrace new technology, especially one that has become an incredible all-purpose tool.

If you have an Apple iPhone, you probably have tried out the few programs that came with it. But maybe you didn’t know that it has plenty of space for additional applications AKA “apps” for your personal use. There are so many apps available these days that you’ll be able to find one for every interest and need you have. Apple’s app store, that you can access from your iPhone is where you searching for apps. If you have particular needs that cannot be met from the site, there are plenty of places available that offer free and low cost apps.

You’ll find that many websites are now dedicated to displaying the latest and greatest iPhone apps. You can stop by these sites to get a helpful review of a particular app or to comparison shop for apps in a certain niche you’re interested in. There are so many helpful and fun “starter” apps for Baby Boomers to experiment with. Once you get the hang of finding, downloading and using apps, you’ll see your iPhone transform into an amazing gadget and helpful companion.

Whatever your interests, there’s probably already an app for it. If not, there’s an enterprising programmer out there who can create it. That’s what I found when I decided to take my online outreach to people over 50 to the iPhone platform. I found business app developer, Phil Wright at Touchopia who created the free Amazing Life After 50 app for me. Many apps, like Amazing Life, are now being designed for both the iPhone and its new cousin, the iPad.

Now I don’t have an iPad yet. But I’ve seen it and am predicting that it will definitely appeal to men and women 50 plus. For instance, just imagine Baby Boomer grandparents on the go sharing photos of the grandkids and staying in touch via iPad. I want one for my grandmother’s hope chest!

But I digress – iPad or iPhone, it’s time for you to venture out into the world of apps and pick some that appeal to you. Visit my blog to read about iPhone apps a Baby Boomer could love where I list some great apps to get you started. Then venture out on your own and visit these great online resources for apps to find apps that sync with your particular interests:

• First, look for the blue icon on your iPhone screen with a white “A” in a circle. This icon will take you right to the App Store where you can order an app and download right away to your iPhone.
• 148 Apps – My favorite place to read app review and find out about the newest releases.
• Best App Ever -2009 winners
• Crazy Mikes Apps
• 101Best iPhone Apps
• App Safari
• The iPhoneApp Review
• App Advice

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Getting Direction iPhone Apps A Baby Boomer Could Love

Do you remember the days before everyone walked around talking on little hand held devices? As a Baby Boomer, I remember the first portable phone – in a bag! It was like carrying your lunchbox around, it was so big. Now of course, the bag phone is a distant memory for those of us over 50. Now there are a wide variety of handy little smart phones including my all-time favorite – the Apple iPhone.

Among the many things you can do on your iPhone through little programs called “apps” is figuring out where you are – and where you want to be. Getting directions on the road, at the airport and to a new restaurant can now easily be done on your iPhone.

For starters, your iPhone comes with built-in GPS that uses available cell towers or even wireless local area networks to pinpoint your position. You can even post your position to others if you need to be located in an emergency.

Gate Guru – This is a must-have app for Baby Boomers on the go. You can become intimately familiar with 85 airports as you search for ATMs, restaurants, first class lounges and even kids play areas. You really don’t have to try to plot a blind course through your layover; you’ll know the best places to hang out, find food, drinks and even entertainment. You’ll be the go-to person of your business group and comfortable in any airport when you’re flying for pleasure. $1.99

Urbanspoon – If you want to put a little adventure into your culinary outing, try this app. You can choose a particular restaurant or use the “Magic 8 Ball” random search feature to find a restaurant you might never have known about but for this helpful little app. You pick the general location, price and type of food then let the culinary slot machine go to work. Free

Trip Journal – This is the #1 Google Awarded Travel Application. Men and women 50 plus will love its trip tracking capabilities, along with its sheer ease of documenting, sharing and recording. With Trip Journal you can thoroughly document your vacation experiences and share them in real time with others. An added feature are the beautiful graphics on this app. $0.99

AroundMe – If you find yourself in a strange part of town and running out of gas, how would you find the nearest service station? That’s one of the great features of this app. It will pinpoint your location and help you locate the nearest hospital, service station, or any other service you might need. You get to check out a complete list of all the businesses within your chosen category along with how to get to them. AroundMe is just the app you need when you find yourself in a pinch. Free

Whether you’re planning a vacation, business trip or just searching for a fun new place to eat, the broad reach of wi-fi and iPhone 3G networks along with your favorite new direction app can help turn your iPhone into a powerful navigational tool. Get ready to step out into the brave new world that is your amazing life after 50!

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Handy iPhone Apps A Baby Boomer Could Love

I’m a Baby Boomer, “techie come lately” life coach having a midlife love affair – with my iPhone! If you haven’t gotten one of these cutting-edge innovative smart-phones, you’re missing out on a great mobile phone experience and other “perks” you didn’t even know existed. The perks are tiny computer applications or “apps” designed for a specific task.

You can download them for free or a small charge. Apps are a computer programmer’s heaven and an iPhone user’s dream. More importantly, all of this wireless technology has given us Baby Boomers a new lease on life with a wide variety of apps to make life easier and more fun – on the go.

But the big question is how do you get apps for your iPhone (or iTouch and iPad) from the gazillion out there. Well, Apple gets you started with a small group of apps that are loaded on your iPhone when you purchase it. From that point on, you’re on your own.

There are apps for business, for fun, for personal productivity, for safety and for just about any hobby or interest you might have or want to have. In fact, as of April, 2010, there were more than 185,000 apps available so you have lots to choose from. As a woman who’s 50 plus and loves to shop – even I’m daunted by the selection of apps to choose from.

That’s why I decided to put together a list of apps that Baby Boomers could love to get you started.  This collection has grown out of my explorations in the iPhone App store and beyond. Because there are so many apps available, I want you to have some to play around with to get you familiar with the big wide world of apps. Then you can add more that suit your particular interests and needs. Getting started is easy:

1. Sign up for an iTunes account from your computer so you can purchase your apps. Once you’re on iTunes, you can buy them online or directly through your iPhone. Make sure to save your username and password because you’ll be prompted for that every time you purchase an app.
2. Visit the iPhone App mega-store online where you’ll find a video tutorial and other help. You can make a purchase from the App store now or -
3. Go to your iPhone and click the blue icon with the big white “A” in the middle – that’s your mobile entrance to the App Store.
4. Pick an app from the list below, buy it and you’ll be prompted to “install” from you iPhone. If you’re on your computer, buy the app, plug your iphone in and sync the app from your iTunes online.

All the apps listed here for Baby Boomers are available in the App store for instant download to your iPhone. For the most part, the apps I like and recommend range from under $10 to absolutely free.

Alarm Clock Pro – This is not just a slight upgrade from the alarm that comes with the iPhone. It’s a wonderful power tool that allows you to customize your smart phone for various tasks. You can start your day with music from your iTunes play-list instead of waking up to an obnoxious buzzer. This iPhone app also allows you to preset operations on many of your phone functions. $0.99

Google – What can you say about the world’s leading web browser and business juggernaut? Google offers a host of apps for the mobile phone format. They have given you all the standard tools in smart phone format including handy voice-activated search for anything you’d look up on Google from your computer. Free

2Do – is another great tool for task management. There are loads of functions in this app to customize your tasks and track your progress. If you are into productivity tools, this one might permanently replace your pencil and notepad. $6.99 for the full version, the “lite” 2Do is free.

G Park – This is one of my most useful app because there are times when I’m directionally challenged when it comes to finding my car in a huge parking lot or deck. Just set your location before you leave your car and the app will get you back with pinpoint accuracy. $0.99

RunPee Mobile – Don’t laugh! This is great if you have young kids who almost always have to go to the bathroom during the most crucial points in a movie. But if you’re a Baby Boomer man or woman, you may have  this problem too (and it’s not uncommon). You’ll appreciate how this app lets you know the best times for taking those quick breaks without missing the best parts of the movie. Free

Trip Cubby – If you need to track mileage for tax purposes or company reimbursement, try this one. It is IRS compliant and exports reports easily to your excel spreadsheets. $6.99

Dragon Dictation – is an easy-to-use voice recognition app powered by Dragon Naturally Speaking. It allows you to easily speak into your iPhone and have the information and ideas transferred into documents or just handy so you don’t forget that thought. Free

Mint.com Personal Finance – Now you can track, budget and manage your money. Just sign up for an account at Mint.com and enter your account information; access your personal finances anywhere. Free

Amazing Life After 50 - If you thought I was kidding about being in love with my iPhone, the fact that I now have an iPhone app of my own lets you know how much I think of this technology. As a Baby Boomer over 50, I know first-hand that midlife change and transition at  can leave you frustrated, disappointed and just plain stuck. All that said, I believe this is also the gateway to the best half of your life. So whether this is “midlife crisis” for you or not, it helps to have a little inspiration and practical information along the way. Free

This is the first of my posts about iPhone apps a Baby Boomer could love. Watch for more on:

• Apps that are good for you
• Apps for direction
• Apps for social networking, like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Apps for fun and games
• Apps for safety
• Apps for inspiration
• Must-have iPhone gadgets and
• Websites where you can learn about the latest, greatest iPhone apps and ones that sync with your interests and needs.

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Thinking Differently About Problem Solving

All of us from time to time are faced with difficult situations. Sometimes these problems may seem insurmountable. However, there’s almost always a solution. When you can’t figure out the solution to a problem, try to take a different approach to the situation to see your problem in an entirely different light.

Looking at the problem from a different perspective can often make the solution obvious instead of impossible. This technique is one of many creative problem solving techniques that can help provide solutions to your trickiest problems.

Problem Solving Tips

Creative problem solving techniques are valuable skills to cultivate. They can lead to the kind of innovative solutions that allow you to overcome obstacles and find the best possible solutions to even the stickiest of situations. Some of the best solutions are the simplest ones and all it takes to find the solution is to gain a fresh perspective.

Try these creative problem solving techniques in your own life to solve your “impossible” problems:

1. Take a break. You can easily burn yourself out by over thinking a problem over a long period of time. Take a little time away and return to it; it will do wonders for your perspective!

* Take a nap, walk or just think about something else entirely for a short time before returning to the problem at hand.

2. Get an outside perspective. Gather a few trusted friends or family members and explain the problem you’re trying to solve — having fresh input from people less familiar with the problem can be invaluable.

* Brainstorm together and have everyone share their different solutions. Two heads are often better than one.

* While this method can be very helpful, don’t rely on other people to always solve your problems. It’s best to approach friends or coworkers after you’ve brainstormed a few solutions yourself.

3. Get it on paper. Write everything down about the situation. Many of us are visually oriented thinkers and having charts or lists can help clarify the problem and its solution. 


* Organizing a seating arrangement for a wedding reception is a great example of how a chart can help solve problems.


* Your time spent worrying about a problem will decrease significantly when you can physically make changes to your chart and see your solution.

4. Break a large problem into smaller parts. Very often what appears to be a large problem is really a series of smaller challenges. Identify each challenge and work on solving each one separately.

* For example, buying a house is one large task that consists of many smaller items. When you break it down, you would focus on dealing with the realtor and getting mortgage approval first without worrying about movers or home inspections.

5. There’s more than one solution to every problem. Don’t limit yourself to just thinking of one solution. Brainstorm as many solutions as possible, even if they sound crazy or outlandish, and then go back to evaluate which solutions might work.

* In an office situation with multiple workers in a meeting, listen to each idea. Maybe two or more ideas can be developed into a viable and original solution.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of creative problem solving techniques and every technique may not work for every person or situation.

The important idea, however, is to get a fresh perspective so you can open up your mind to find the best solution.

Using this procedure regularly will enable you to view your problems in a new way and discover solutions more quickly. Also, be patient and try not to get frustrated at the process. Some problems are more difficult than others and will take more time to solve. But rest assured there is an answer!

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Organizational Skills for the Unorganized

You might find that some or even all aspects of your life are unorganized. Sifting through the chaos could seem like an insurmountable task, but it doesn’t have to be this way!

The key is to evaluate your situation and make small steps toward an organized life. Don’t try to change all at once or you could end up just adding to the chaos.

Here are some tips and tricks to follow in order to get organized:

1. Have a Place for Everything. There are certain items that you use nearly every day. Make sure that these items have a permanent place in your home. Put your keys on a key holder near the door or your wallet in your desk draw. When your things are put away in their proper place, you’re not only organized, but you’ll save time as well.

2. Make a List. When you have tasks to complete, make a list of everything you need to do in order to reach completion. Writing it down will help you to visualize what needs to get done. Lists also insure that you don’t forget to do anything.

* You can also separate your lists into long-term and short-term categories. The short-term list might be items you need to complete today, while the long-term sheet is your monthly or yearly goals.

3. Start Small. If there are many aspects of your life that you’re trying to get organized, start with the small pieces first. For instance, if your home is unorganized, start with one room – like the kitchen. Give yourself a timeline to complete kitchen organization, and then expand yourself to other rooms once you complete that task.

4. Find a System That Works And Stick To It. There are many different organizational methods that you can choose to implement, but the most important element is to use it consistently. Make sure you understand it and follow through.

* For example, there are different ways you can organize your bookshelf. You can order all books by author. You can order all books by topic. You can order by topic and author. Once you choose a system, all you need to worry about is following through.

5. Get Rid of Clutter. If you find your life is full of clutter, it’s time to get rid of the junk. Maybe it’s time to finally go through all the stacked boxes in your garage to make more room. When you’re going through your clutter, decide immediately whether or not you’ve used the item in the past couple years. If you haven’t, consider selling it or giving it away to charity.

* Always remember that your first instincts are often right. If your first instinct is to get rid of something, don’t over think it. You could end up keeping something that sticks around for another couple years, unused!

6. Sort Your Mail. This is a simple one that can help you greatly. Your mail can stack up fast. As soon as you get it, sort it. Throw out the junk mail and shred the documents you don’t need that might contain personal information. Take care of your bills right away, so you don’t have to worry about it later.

7. Go Paperless. In this digital age, it’s popular to cut out the paper to save yourself some organizational headaches and save the environment. When companies bill you, there is usually an option to go paperless. Use this option and start managing your billing statements online.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

Of course there are many things you can do to get yourself organized. Try to make a positive step forward each day even if it’s something small. You’ll soon find that your life is becoming more manageable and you’ll feel a great deal of satisfaction!

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