Google Currents
If you have not tried out this app for iOS and Android, you need to. It can even pull in your google reader feeds and “make them pretty”…
Android Source : Market
One More Chance To Get An HP TouchPad For $100….
Wow! Just when you thought they were all gone….
What is #CarrierIQ and Why does it matter?
I saw this story breaking yesterday and thought that it could really be a big deal. I am still looking into the “hype vs information” of the story, but here is what we know.
- CarrierIQ is a system implemented at a “deeper than application, but just above Operating System Level” on wide variety of Operating Systems and Carriers. The newest information seems to peg its use on Android and iOS versions before iOS5
- Some carriers use it “for network diagnostic purposes”. The software is capable of far more than that. Including monitoring every keystroke and application launch.
- Is there a way to uninstall it? Yes. On Android, you simply Root the phone, unlock the bootloader if needed and load a Android Open Source Project (AOSP) based ROM (such as CyanogenMod)
- Is there a way to avoid it when purchasing a new phone? Yes. Buy an unlocked, unsubsidized phone (Such as the Google Nexus Series) or one Running Windows Phone (Microsoft claims not to support it)
Do you use TV’s In your Youth Facility? Then Check This Out…
We are looking at some options that will improve and better utilize the space in our Youth Room. One of these options involves replacing a 32″ Tube-Style (CRT, Old School, etc.) TV on a rolling stand with a Wall mounted LCD. I stumbled across a site that calculates the difference between different sizes of displays. It is called Displaywars.com.
I Then used the info on this site and taped out various dimensions on the wall until we got to the needed size…
For example, here is my comparison…. (Keep in mind we use a lot of 16×9 format DVD’s…)
Hope this helps you.
Top 10 Android Apps for Ministry….
Shortly after iOS 5 came out, I made the jump back to Android for my daily use device (Long Story) and went to work. 
Here are some of the Apps I use in ministry on a daily basis in the ministry at FBC:
10. Google Docs (Free) – With every update, Google improves what you can do on your Docs with an android phone or tablet…
9. QuickOffice ($) – Works great to open attachments, including PDF files
8. Google Reader (free) – This is a great way to follow and categorize RSS feeds.
7. Evernote (free) – I use this to catalog, organize, and share ideas.
6. B&N Nook/Amazon Kindle (free) – I have a Nook (am working on replacing it with an iPad2), and these apps work reasonably well to catch up on reading while in waiting rooms, etc…
5. WordPress (free) – I use this to maintain several sites and blogs. It improves with each update.
4. CloudPrint (free) – This is a great app to implement Google CloudPrint from your phone or tablet.
3. GrooveIP ($) – I use this to make free calls over wifi or 3G using Google Voice, making it a reality to lower the minutes on my voice plan.
If you use 3G, it does use the data on your plan. It can even integrate into your dialer.
2. Document Scanner ($) – Smartphone cameras have finally gotten to the quality to enable the camera to capture photos as PDF Documents. It works well
1. Bible (YouVersion) (free) – How can I not put the Bible first? But really, YouVersion is the best Bible App I have used in many years of smartphone use…
What are ones that you use that are not on the list?
Bonus:
Would you like to go to an Android Tablet for free??
You can get an Asus EEE Pad or Moto Xoom for free!
Top Ten Tips for Budgeting for Technology in Youth Ministry….
It’s that time of year. Finance Committee meetings, turning in and modifying budgets, oh my! Did you budget for replacing aging technology that you use in ministry that is either out of date or simply worn out? Or maybe you put in the budget something to take a step forward in teaching students spiritual and Biblical truth using the tools that technology offers. I’d love to share some tips that I have learned from experience.
Top 10 tips in budgeting for technology in Youth Ministry:
10. Remember, things wear out and break. Don’t budget for something you cant afford to replace or maintain.
9. Technology culture is different in different parts of the country (and world). “If it worked there… ” is a never a good enough reason.
8. Make sure you understand what you’re budgeting for enough to be able to explain it to someone who is completely techno-phobic in 30 seconds or less.
7. Before it hits your budget, research, ask lots of questions, and compare pricing. Be a good Steward.
6. Fads, trends, and iStuff do not always equal necessities…
5. For large projects and purchases, look for ways to spread the funding over a longer period of time. Your treasurer will love you for it.
4. Always ask the question “How does this directly impact teaching Biblical truth to students?”
3. “Refurbished” isn’t always a dirty word. However, “Extended Service Plan” is an ugly phrase.
2. Always plan for the learning curve new or added technology is going to present in time to learn and train volunteers and students.
1. You can be “too careful” and miss it. The crazy thing about Youth Ministry is that you sometimes have to jump out there and say, “we are going to try this and pray that it is successful for building God’s Kingdom”. Sometimes you will be right, sometimes you won’t.
Added Bonus:
Here is a way to help fund some of that technology budgeting….
Question of the Day: Church Websites…
If you could change one thing about your church’s website, what would it be?
or
If you church does not have a website, what is one thing you see as a “have to include”?
iOS 5: First Thoughts
Yesterday, I got a chance to load iOS 5 GM on my iPhone 4. It was a very smooth process backing up my information and restoring it. You get several choices that determine how your device is set up. 
The over all user interface design is very smooth and distinctively Apple, like it or lump it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Ministry Tech Tip : Website Prep
If you are using a website in your lesson, always test it on every price of hardware you will be using it with before teaching…
Example: last night, we were planning to use the “restricted nations map” from voice of the martyrs, but the android tablets we were using did not have adobe flash player installed. My fault for not checking… Oops!
Which will you choose
Given the choice between the iPhone 5 on Thursday(or a couple weeks later) or a Samsung Galaxy S II today, what would your choice be?
Is there a wrong one here??
iPhone 5, 4S, or whatever….
Many sites have been covering the rumors well, such as TiPB, BGR, Engadget, and more.
Here’s what we think we know:
- The 5 will have a A5 dual core processor like the iPad2
- The 5 might have n 8MP camera
- The 4S will be a slightly updated iPhone 4 (maybe even with 8GB Memory)
- The 5 might be a different design, possibly a “mini-iPad 2 look” (aluminum back, beveled edges, larger screen)
- Anything released will have iOS 5
Question of The Day: QR Codes
Are you using QR Codes in your ministry? If so, what are you using them for?
Some Ideas:
In our youth ministry, we use one on a label pointed to a GOSPEL presentation.
Personally, I use one as my Twitter profile pic, that points to MinistryPlace.net (See Image..)
I would love to hear what you’re doing….
