“Is There an App for That?”
We hear it all the time—on television, in our conversation, in ads. But last week I finally started understanding the importance of the question, as I finally joined the world of people using smartphones. In light of the announcement that the new iPhone 4 was coming out, one of my coworkers actually pointed out that Apple was slashing the prices of the older iPhones—and suddenly I found myself ordering my own.
I’ve only had it a couple weeks and still haven’t convinced myself it’s worth the data plan that accompanies it, etc., but I have become a bit obsessed with apps, and have discovered there really are apps for everything, and the majority of these are free—or at least seem to have a free version. In just two short weeks, I’ve downloaded free apps for everything from cooking, to ordering Outback-to-go online, to tracking exercise, to getting the latest news headlines to following the World Cup. (By the way, as I write this I believe it’s getting underway. Who’s watching and who are you routing for?)
But as I search for all these handy apps, I know many of you have been using smartphones, including the BlackBerry®, iPhone and more in your businesses daily, and that many of the industry’s software suppliers have adapted their products so they can integrate easily with these systems. But I’m sure even aside from that there are other available apps that you find are handy—things like Google™ maps, etc. (I actually just discovered this one by accident.)
I’d love to compile a list of handy available apps for readers, so I’m hoping you’ll send me your suggestions. Please e-mail me at pstacey@glass.com with your thoughts, and please be sure to include what type of phone you are using—so I can include this as well.
And, I’m curious, what apps would be handy to you as auto glass businesses that aren’t currently available?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Penny welcome to world of i-phone!! I got mine almost 2 years ago now and have been addicted right from the start. I use the notes app to record all quotes and information needed for jobs. The calander app is my appointment scheduler. I use the camera to take pictures of issues with the vehicle to show the customer after the install and how I fixed the problem.The maps app helps find where the next job is. I got the weather eye app to keep track of the rain and temperatures. Printershare app lets me print emails, web pages and photos on my home printer or any computers printer that has had the printer share downloaded to it. There is an app called VIN that when you enter the VIN number from a vehicle it will tell you the year make model and the country the vehicle was built. Handy sometimes when determining what part to use on a particular car.Another cool app is called shazam. After activating it you hold the phone to a speaker playing a song you cant think of the name of or the band and it will tell you what it is! I also use an app called convert units, helping to change litres to ounces or tablespoons etc.Of course in Canada its important to know where every Tim Hortons coffee shop is so theres an app for that! I also have apps for Auto Trader, Craigs List, and KIJIJI to keep up with items for sale. An app called 5-0 radio is a police, EMS scanner that you can hear whats going on out on the roads. So other than using my i-phone for my main business telephone, email, and parts lookup and order, I also have a lot of fun with it as well!!