Not long ago, I asked the question “Would an iPhone make it easier?” Many of you shared your thoughts. After owning an iPhone for all of about 48 hours, I am not really ready to answer my own question, yet. But I thought it might be fun to share about… well, about the fun my family and I are having with my new phone so far.
QR Codes
One of the reasons I wanted to get a smartphone now is so that I can explore using QR Codes in my marketing efforts.
Since I got the phone, my husband and daughters have been looking for QR codes. Mr. Becky found some in his Sporting News and the girls found several in ads in my Parents magazine.
Here’s what I don’t understand: several of the codes we’ve found require specific readers. Why? It seems counterproductive. I get that advertisers may want to use colorful and unique images. AND, I would think they would want to make it easy for people to access their advertising. I don’t personally care enough about your ad to download another code reader.
So, we’ve been playing with making, and reading, QR codes.
If you’re using QR codes, for fun or for business, I would love to hear about it!
Music
Mr. Becky put lots of cool music on my new phone. Often, rides to and from school include whining and fighting. Now, we have music at the ready. (Yes, I have a CD player in the van. And a radio. But everyone fights over which CD to play. Not anymore.) And we rock it out during car pool.
Games
I’m not a gamer. I’d rather tweet. But my kids have played a few and Mr. Becky has discovered Angry Birds. I may never get my phone back.
My Kindle App
Yesterday, I discovered that I can read on my Kindle app and run on the treadmill at the same time. Yes, I’m talented. Expect me to get in better shape, mentally and physically, fast. Right now, I am reading Seth Godin’s Poke the Box. Great stuff. And I run faster when I’m thinking about something besides running.
Happy iPhone to me. Now I just have to take care that it doesn’t end up in the dryer.
Tell me something! What are your favorite iPhone apps? How do you use QR codes? What fun do you have with your smart phone?
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Oh Beckster! This is your best post yet! @allisoncbeck loves her iPhone but like you, she just learned about QR codes and now is scanning everything.
I asked our graphic design guys and they recommended “Scanlife”.
I am excited to see your adventures with your new iPhone!
You are the best little sister in the world!
J
App suggestions based on my iPad experience …
Facebook and Twitter for iPhone
BBC News — global perspective on news in a nice interface
WeatherBug, for well, weather
GoodReader for reading PDF documents
I use them all.
Oooh, Becky, we need to talk live. I’ve had an iPhone for nearly two years and an iPad for nearly a year. I’ve got a number of “fav” apps for the iPhone. Short list:
– Kindle app (you got that)
– Todo online ($20/yr.; no iDevices have a native task manager)
– Hootsuite (social media dashboard)
– Facebook
– USA Today
– Netflix
– Siri
– For the traveling folks: TripIt, FlightTrack Pro
No experience with QR codes. I think it’s still the “wild west” for that technology at this point in time.
AND – I am remiss. Have I not sent you a Jones & Raine band debut CD? I’d love you to have one! Maybe you’d like it well enough to put it on your iPhone! (The band is writing for the second CD – having too much fun.)
Cheers!
C.