By Amanda Wigley |Staff Writer|
In this day and age we can find an app for just about anything.
Apple products, such as the iPhone, are well-known for their astonishing amount of apps. In June 2008 there were approximately 800 apps available for Apple products.
And as of September 2012 there are close to 700,000 apps available.
I spoke with students around campus and Edgar Silva noted that his favorite apps are “ones that keep me informed, like the CSUSB mobile app, just in case I am not close to a computer and need information.” Silva also likes social media apps such as Facebook.
As you can imagine with seven hundred thousand apps, they fill a wide range of interests. After conducting a survey I was able to conclude that Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and different types of gaming apps are on the top of students lists.
Although less popular among students’ list of favorites, some did say Pandora and Maps are in their top three apps. I also utilize and enjoy those apps as well.
Something most students like about apps is that a lot of them are free; Facebook, games, news, sports and hundreds upon hundreds of other free apps are available in the app store.
All smart phone operating systems offer apps. The iPhone and the Android boast the most available apps, with the Blackberry coming in a distant third.
However, apps are not just limited to smart phones. Systems such as the iPad and Microsoft Tablet have apps as well. The iPad for example has approximately 250,000 apps to choose from.
I recently won an iPad Mini at my work and am looking forward to all the helpful and fun apps that I will be able to download!
One of the best things about apps for your smart phones or iPads is that you can take them on the go. I notice that more recently than ever students are bringing their iPads and tablets to class. A small, easy to carry way to take notes, or play games, whatever it is we do in class.
There have been many occasions when I needed to find a store and all I had to do was get the address and let my Maps app lead me to my destination.
The CSUSB app liked by Silva can help you find a classroom, access your MyCoyote account, find places to eat on campus and so much more.
You can download the free CSUSB app by accessing the app store on your smart device and then typing CSUSB mobile device in the search field and install it to your phone.
With the way we utilize apps in this generation, it is amazing that a few short years ago there was no such thing as an app. I am not even sure how we managed without them!