MySky

Here are some notes and scrapped ideas for the MySky app.

Here is the link to our app presentation:
http://prezi.com/ajagnzc7dylm/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Abstinence

As an avid Star Wars fan it was hard for me to stay unplugged for the majority or the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, but I did get to see Force Awakens and the new Battlefront trailer. I Started the abstinence assignment Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and ended Sunday night (technically Monday 12:01).

Saturday was Record Store Day. I've had a record player for the past couple years so this is an annual ritual for me but I figured what better timing than during my digital separation. I went up to the record store in Cedar City and got myself an exclusive Grizzly Bear album. With my new record, I went back and tried to figure out what to do for the rest of my day. I noticed that this was hard to do, even though I thought it would be a cinch. I wanted to send snapchats of ridiculous things to my friends. I wanted to tweet about my pointlessly random everyday tasks. But I couldn't. So instead of scrolling through Facebook for hours on end, I decided to catch up on learning Japanese. These books I had bought months ago and had never been opened had suddenly taken most of my day. I was reading for hours and it felt far more refreshing than my Facebook feed.

But reading for the entirely 48 hours seemed kind of pointless so I tried to do things that I do on a daily basis. Filming. I normally shoot videos with my digital SLR but I suddenly remembered that my grandpa gave me a Super 8 Minolta camera for my birthday. I used it. It was a fun experience (and now I have to try to figure out where I can get it developed).

I had to work on Sunday so I had to use the company computer to clock in so I am guilty of some digital use. I also didn't have cash so I had to use my debit card for my lunch break. And I couldn't help but feel guilty about it!

I got home from work last night and made dinner and then spent some time with my family. I talked with my dad about his recent fishing trip that he was overly excited about. These may have been the most productive 48 hours of my life (at least since I got a smartphone) and it was enjoyable. Even if it was incredibly hard to do. And I will admit that the second my 48 hours were up I went straight to facebook.

App Review

My app review is on the app called Any.do. This productivity app is a to-do list, task manager, checklist organizer, and calendar planner.

Web: http://www.any.do/
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anydo
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/any.do-simple-to-do-list-daily/id497328576?mt=8

Best Device

Google is a technology powerhouse. Google, along with Apple and Microsoft, are among the top tech companies that are out there--releasing devices to better convenience our lives.

Back in July 2013, Google released the device called Chromecast. The Chromecast is a device that uses WiFi to mirror content from a mobile or computer device to a TV screen. The purpose of the device is so you can use applications on your phone but watch them on your TV without any hassle. The Chromecast plugs into the HDMI input on your television.

Within any app that uses Chromecast capabilities, you press the "cast" icon and it will be mirrored to the television within seconds.

With it's initial release there were very few applications that were compatible with the Chromecast. One app that has been compatible is Netflix. The original promotion of the Chromecast included three months of Netflix for free with the purchase of the Chromecast. Now there are over 200 apps that are compatible with Chromecast spread across Android, iOS, and PCs. And even more apps will have this functionality in the future.

One of the great functions of the Chromecast device is that it allows guest devices to connect to it, as long as they are connected to the same WiFi network (to keep it secure from unwanted connection). This way if your friend has something on their phone that they wish to show you on the big screen, they can.

On top of that, there can be multiple Chromecasts within a household. You can connect to your personal flatscreen upstairs or you can connect to the theater room projector in the basement. Along with multiple Chromecast devices, they can all be customized and given a "nickname." When the Chromecast is inactive (but still plugged into the TV) it will display default images on the screen along with the time of day. Though the images are beautiful, you can customize and change them to your own photos or anything images you want.

The Chromcast is very similar to an Apple TV but is more for streaming purposes. It is also smaller and more portable. The Chromecast is very cheap and affordable to almost any consumer. The devices initial price was $35 dollars but now it ranges anywhere from $20-$35, depending on where it's purchased.

I've only owned my Chromecast for a few months but I have not regretted my purchase in anyway. I'm already thinking of purchasing another one for the other room.

The Medium is the Message

The medium is the message. The message is the medium. The saying comes from Marshall McLuhan. To me this means that the medium is part of the message, basically one in the same. The medium influences how the message is perceived.

In 2015 there are a whole lot of mediums and messages and I think this effects us and how we interact with one another. It changes how we feel and how we think. I believe the medium can be manipulated to make you think a certain way. It's important to be mindful of all aspects of communication and never forget that it doesn't hurt to call someone instead of sending them a text.