SAN FRANCISCO — Frankly, I can't remember the last time I picked up my digital camera. Since a smart phone is always on me, either in my bag or back pocket, I use its camera constantly while my perfectly capable point-and-shoot sits on a shelf at home gathering dust. I know I'm not alone. As cell phones have gotten better and better, their built-in digital cameras have advanced immensely. While they're still not as good as dedicated cameras, smart phones have a couple of big advantages on their side: they run third-party software, and they have Internet access. That means I can add applications that let me manipulate photos in interesting ways, using the phone's touch screen to go beyond the "black and white" and "vivid color" modes of dedicated cameras, and then share the results. Here's a look at some noteworthy apps that can make your photos pop: Instagram (iPhone, free): Instagram is as much of a social app as it is a camera app, and it makes it easy and quick to share artistic shots with your buddies. After downloading the app and signing up, take a photo or choose one from your photo roll. Then, choose from more than a dozen "filters," or manipulation schemes, that are conveniently previewed at the bottom. The filters generally give photos an old-fashioned look – not surprising since the team behind the app, Burbn Inc., cites Polaroid cameras as an inspiration. (The language of old-school photo buffs permeates the apps. Photographers who shot on film used to manipulate their photos with clear glass "filters" they put in front of their camera lenses.) You can add a description and location to your photo, and then add it to your Instagram photo feed, which shows the photos you and your friends have posted. You Read More
Jamie Oliver's 2010 TED Prize wish was for people to get behind a movement to combat obesity. "My wish is for you to help a strong sustainable movement to educate every child about food, to inspire families to cook again, and to empower people everywhere to fight obesity," he said. Partially as an effort to realize Oliver's wish, Snaptic, in partnership with HopeLab and TED, launched the Move Your App competition, which challenged developers to create an Android app that would "inspire and track physical movement." A total of 246 developers from twelve countries and three continents registered for the Move Your App challenge. The Huffington Post is pleased to unveil the ten finalists. These apps, created by developers from places as diverse as Cambodia and Turkey, LA and Seattle, enable people to use their Android phones to get fit. The ten apps range from an augmented reality game featuring interactive alien enemies, to an experimental drawing app that lets you create art as you walk. Some of the apps use the phone's GPS and accelerometer to track your activity. Others take advantage of geolocation to make sports more social. A panel of judges will rate the apps according to three factors: 1) Does the app get people moving? 2) Is the app appealing? 3) Does the app have "tech cred?" The winner gets an all expense paid trip to TED Global 2010. Check out the ten apps below, and vote for your favorite. 1 of 10 Facebook: Twitter: Read More
The 'Move Your App' Challenge Finalists: 10 Android Apps To Get You Moving - Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post
