Get an accurate heart-rate reading by putting the tip of your index finger on the smartphone's camera. If you don't have a phone with a flash, you need to be somewhere well lit for it to work. "I have to admit that I'm the non-runner in the family, but I'm hearing lots of good things about this app. The perfect plan to get someone who is exercise-averse off their butt, out of the house and onto the mean streets. The settings, social-networking links and the integration with your music collection are all designed to swing even the most recalcitrant jogger into action." SH "This app is the perfect blend of analogue meets digital. You can take a photo from your smartphone, then send a physical postcard of that photo straight to your grandma in England." AF An iPhone app that lets you make free phone calls to other iPhone users who Read More

While the holiday season started weeks ago, Thanksgiving really marks the month of tradition that sweeps America, all the way through New Year's Eve. Spending time with family, cooking turkey dishes, and even getting a bit of shopping done is what Thanksgiving has become, and your Android can help you make the most of this favorite holiday. Epicurious is full of creative recipes, with years of archives on holiday specials. The free Android app doubles as a grocery-list manager, importing items from recipes you choose: That should simplify things for shopping day. Tap into the sharing spirit of Thanksgiving by uploading notes on your personal recipe enhancements. With all this cooking, the most important helper you'll have is a timer. Grab the free Kitchen Timer app from the Android Market, and set multiple timers for different dishes or tasks. Mark the exact time or amount of time for each: Kitchen Timer Read More

...installed TripCase http://appaware.org/3la on my #PC36100 - via #AppAware... Read More

Mike Haney puts the latest smartphone applications to the test to find which make work — and life — easier on the road. Don't miss these Travel stories As usual, It's a Snap fans submitted stunning photos from their travels. Check out this week's gallery and vote for your favorite. ON THE MOVE Organize your itinerary:TripIt is the easiest way to consolidate all your travel details—flights, hotels, cars, events—on one site. Just forward your confirmation e-mails to plans@tripit.com and the site will instantly pull the relevant info and build your itinerary. The app includes basic flight tracking, terminal maps, driving directions, and airplane-seat advice (good for Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone; free); the Pro service adds loyalty-program tracking and recommends other flights if yours is canceled ($69 per year). Though a bit slower to upload your trip details, TripCase works in a similar manner and automatically adds itineraries booked through a Sabre Read More