Almost two years ago, I carried on (as I am wont to do) about a column I’m pining for that used to run in Lucky Magazine called How I’m Wired. I still miss it, and I’m still waiting for Lucky to call me about resuscitating the column. Le sigh.
Anyway, in the aforementioned post, I listed my Nine Essential Apps. Several of them (Artkive, Audible, Evernote – duh, Routines and Skitch) are still alive and kicking and still favorites. Alas, two of them (Google Catalogs and Ziplist) have met their demise. Despite the fact that all the good stuff is predominantly wireless and everyone is a tech guru these days, my obsession with emerging technology hasn’t changed a bit.
I fault my father, who gave me a Palm Pilot (the now defunct predecessor of the smartphone) in 2002. Five years later, I was beating down the (hypothetical) door of my CEO’s office to explain the merits of our chamber of commerce leading the charge on the adoption of social media. He acquiesced, and I soon found myself training individuals and small businesses on the wonders of these emerging marketing and communication tools.
Very little has changed: I still sit eagerly on the edge of my seat marveling at the array of technology tools and innovative solutions that hit the marketplace daily. I fully intended to be present at this week’s mecca for early adopters: the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas – but couldn’t quite make it fit my schedule this year. Next year, my pretties.
Once upon a time, I thought that sharing thoughts about my favorite app or tool was a waste of time since everyone has access to the same information. While I have zero desire (and a critical shortage of know-how) to be a tech blogger, I find that friends, family and colleagues regularly need an insider view of tools and tech before dipping their toes in the water. Hopefully, my utter zest for emerging technology and trends is offset somewhat by my commitment to a slower, more intentional and balanced life.
With all that said, I continue to post an on-again, off-again (as the spirit moves me) series over on the Magpie Marketing blog about Shiny Objects: the apps and tools that garner my attention. From portfolio tool Contently to inter-office communication solution HipChat, you’ll find an array of business (and marketing) solutions in the Shiny Objects series.
Once in a while, though, the average Jo needs a little cutting through the tech waters in her life. Moving forward, you’ll find those topics corralled here on The Little Magpie under the My Digital Life header (or with the #HowImWired hashtag). First off: the cloud-based photo solution to rule them all is coming up next week and my revitalized Nine Essential Apps for 2015.
If there’s a tech tool or solution you’re coveting, I’d love to hear about it… if I can help or opine, I’ll do it… and if I don’t have an answer, there’s a good chance I know where you can find it. In the interim, here’s my own tech wish list to get your wheels turning:
