Here is a collection of mobile applications and methods to help Extension professionals (originally posted on eXtension website.)

 

Helpful Applications for Extension Professionals – (no official extension endorsement of these apps by this posting.)

 

  • Adobe– download as PDF’s to read later
  • Skype, Facetime, GoogleHangout – video access via phone or tablet
  • QR Code – QR Reader, Scan,  link to video and websites
  • Mobile books – Kindle, Nook, iBooks
  • ClickerSchool – poll audiences using App and internet connection… no need for clickers, only uses texts from the audience
  • SOS – first aid
  • Word/office tool: Google Docs/Drive , Documents to go, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers
  • Mobile printing from phone / tablet – HP’s e-print, Google cloud printing
  • Cloud Documents – Google Docs / Drive, Dropbox, iCloud
  • E-mail – K-9 Mail, Yahoo
  • Page scanner – Image to Text
  • Evernote – Capture products (notes, documents, voice)
  • Square  – Payment gateway
  • Package tracker – UPS / Fed ex
  • Meeting scheduler – Doodle
  • Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pintrest, Linked in
  • Social Media Posting – Hootsuite, Facebook Pages
  • News – CNN, Fox, Smart Briefs, Flipboard, Pocket
  • Weather – Weather Bug, Weather Channel
  • Maps – Google Maps (navigate feature), Apple Maps
  • Flashlight – Flashlight (using camera flash)
  • Kids Nutrition Games – Eat this not that,
  • Allowance – iAllowance app keeps track of chores that kids are assigned
  • Extension Apps – myUNLextension, Nebraska Extension 4-H at the Fair, Feed Cost Calculator (SDSU), Backyard Farmer
  • Web Conferencing – Adobe Connect, Web Ex, Go to Meeting
  • Camping – Geocaching, Camp Ohio (4-H camp), Camp Songs)
  • Cell phone provider – check minutes, texting, data plan, so you don’t go over the limit.
Mobile device infographic
Infographic from Flickr by espinr

Mobile app analytics company, Flurry, has released a report saying that iOS and Android mobile devices are being adopted:

  • 10X faster than PCs in the 80s
  • 2X faster than the Internet Boom of the 90s
  • 3X faster than the recent adoption of social media

As we look and this explosive rate of adoption, Extension needs to be looking at how to connect with all these people using mobile devices by designing our websites with responsive design and mobile in mind, creating mobile apps and making sure our content is optimized for a smaller format (information is smaller chunks, etc.).

If you are not yet a mobile user, now is the time to find out what all the hoopla is all about!