5 Apps To Help You Through Your Back-To-Work Week

Hello all! I hope your holidays were merry and bright - and I hope you stayed safe in the polar vortex (how epic is that name, seriously? Polar vortex)!


I don't know about you, but this week certainly has been a one-way trip on the struggle bus. According to research, the Monday back from the holidays was called "Blue Monday" - because it was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year.

So how do you bounce back from the holiday blues? With a little help from technology, of course. These apps have helped me come back swinging after New Years...or at least have kept me awake at my desk.

Coffitivity (iOS& Android) is a bizarre but absolutely brilliant concept: for those of us that can't work along to music but can't stand complete silence either. Coffitivity emulates the sounds of a coffee shop with three settings: Morning Murmur, Lunchtime Lounge or University Undertones. You can add your own music as a background, or simply listen to the soothing coffee shop sounds by themselves.

Happier (iOS) is a 21-day course that helps boost your attitude through short daily lessons. The course costs $50, or you can get the free app here. If nothing else, this app will help you keep your perspective as you are remembering how late you got to sleep over the holidays. Sigh.

Have a really great quote that always helps you get through the day? Write it down, put a really cool background behind it and then share it with the world using Quollective (iOS). Or, if that just seems to hard, just browse around the Quote Library. Someone's quote will be sure to inspire you. How do I know? Oprah uses the app. Bam. Your argument is invalid.

Need help getting your life back into shape after the holidays? Meet your sadistic new friend, Carrot (iOS). Carrot  promises to be "your new task master" and will get upset if you "persist in sloth" (Carrot's words, not mine). Complete the things on your to-do list and Carrot will reward you. It makes crossing things off of your to-do list not only fun...but necessary. 

Color Zen (iOS & Android) is an addictive soothing game that combines a gorgeous interface with soothing music that will have that four hour budget meeting becoming a distant memory. As much of a puzzle as it is an addictive zoning-out program, the object of Color Zen is to match the shapes with colors to fill the screen with one outside color. Check out the trailer, it is about as soothing as the actual game is:

What apps have got you going this work week? Tell me by commenting below!

I've Been Nodding My Head And Smiling At...The New iOS 7 Features

iPhone iOS 7 interface by Apple

Hello all my techies! Welcome to the portion of TKTN called "I've Been Nodding My Head and Smiling At...", where I explain something you may have just been nodding your head and smiling at when it comes up in conversation.

That's just the kind of person I am, you are so welcome.

Now, If you know anything about the tech world, you should know that everyone is absolutely going ape poo over the interface changes on the iPhone with Apple's next update. It seems everyone is on one of two sides: the side that is excited about the simplicity of the new look, or the side that thinks Steve Jobs is rolling over in his grave right about now.

Let me back this up a bit to give you a greater understanding.

On June 10th, Apple announced its plans for the new and improved iOS 7 download at its Worldwide Developer Conference. They unveiled a whole new look for the iPhone interfaces. Gone are the 3D-looking icons: they are being replaced with flatter, simpler looking icons that are in an updated color scheme. iPhone's interface is going technicolor.

Many say that this is going against the direct wishes of Steve Jobs, who had approved the older icon designs personally. As he put it, he wanted the 3D icons to be so attractive that they would make people want to "lick them"* (no, seriously, he said that).  While not exactly lick-able, the flatter icons add a simplicity to the iPhone user interface that rivals that of Android and Windows phone, just as the Apple creative directors wanted.

Want to know more about the iOS 7 changes? Check out some of these highlights:


Control Center

The Control Center is a swipe-up menu that has certain settings features, like Bluetooth connection, wireless connection and Airplane mode. You can also control your music from the Control Center, as well as a new feature called Airdrop.

Airdrop

In answer to other smart phone's share capabilities, you will be able to share content with other iOS 7 users through the Control Center. It will also let you know which iOS 7 users are nearby, making content sharing easy and fast.


iTunes Radio

iTunes Radio, like Spotify, Pandora, etc. will enable you to chose songs to stream, and will allow you to choose radio stations based on your music choices.


And finally, my favorite iOS 7 feature rumor:


Blocking cell phone numbers by using your phone

Instead of having to call the phone company to block a number from your phone, there is a rumor going around that you will be able to block someone's number directly from your phone. THAT WOULD BE SO HANDY. Seriously.


For more information, check out this video that Apple released:

What do you think about the new iOS 7 functionalities? 

*http://mashable.com/2013/06/15/top-comments-ios-7/