The Clinton Patch Gets Geeky

Summer fades regretfully away and the breakneck pace of back-to-school promises to take us into fall - whether we are ready or not. 

The wonderful men and women in the world of mobile phone application technology feel your pain. Though your mind might need some time acclimating to the seasonal race, here are some applications one step ahead of the game:

Google Goggles: This application helps users identify products, landmarks, storefronts, artwork, and popular images through recognition technology and their smart phone camera. The application can also extract content from business cards and translate words in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.

Tether: This application works like an air card, providing internet access for your laptop using your smart phone’s data plan. The application runs on both Mac and Windows computers.

Dropbox: This is a cloud-based storage service that syncs your home computer, mobile phone, and laptop to give you access to photos, documents, and video from anywhere there is an internet connection. The service also lets you share files with friends.

iHandy Carpenter: Have five professional carpentry tools in the palm of your hand. iHandy Carpenter is a mobile protractor, ruler, plumb bob, surface level, and spirit level.

Layar: This application uses augmented reality technology to display information about your location using your smart phone camera. Layar has many uses, providing insight on historical events, restaurant reviews, games, arts performances, and more.

DriveSafe.ly: This is a text-to-speech application that converts email and text messages into audio so you can concentrate on the road. The application allows you to repeat messages, send text responses, and call your sender through voice commands.

CardStar: Easily store, manage, and retrieve reward, club, and loyalty club card information on your smart phone.  

Lose It!: Stay in shape with this health management application. Lose It! lets users track their food and exercise to stay within an established calorie budget. Eighty-five percent of active users lost weight using the application.

Poynt: This is a free search application that provides information on local businesses, restaurants, events, movies times, and gas stations using your phone’s GPS settings. Searching through the application is customizable and it easily syncs to your phone’s navigation system.

Scan R Business Center: This application converts images from you phone to a pdf file and allows you to share information as an email, text, or fax. The application also uses character recognition technology to convert scanned documents into searchable text.