Showing posts with label App Store. Show all posts
Showing posts with label App Store. Show all posts

Thursday, July 25, 2013

How to Generate an Income with Your Smartphone

Nokia Lumia 900 Smartphone
Economic conditions around the world have made it so that people everywhere have to explore new and simple ways to make an income, sometimes without leaving their home. Fortunately, it’s possible to do just that by picking up your smartphone and downloading a few apps that are specially designed for moneymaking purposes.
High Rate of Usage in the USA and United Kingdom

In June of 2013, the Pew Research Center released the results of a study which found that 56 percent of adults in America now own a smartphone. The rate of popularity is very similar in the United Kingdom. The eMarketer website reported how through the end of 2013, it’s estimated there will be 30.9 million smartphone users there.

All about smartphones

Things to Do Before Getting Started


For years, there have been ways to make money through the Internet, ranging from completing surveys to performing website usability tests. Although many of those opportunities are legitimate, it is still necessary to be diligent and conduct adequate research before signing up for a moneymaking opportunity that seems to be a perfect fit. The same is true if you’re ready to make money with your smartphone.

Get started by asking people you trust if they have recommendations of apps to try, and also search for reviews online to get a broader perspective of whether or not something is worthwhile. You may also discover that designers of apps you use for work-related purposes have also produced platforms that make money.
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After getting that information, dig deeper to find out more about your phone, such as details of the operating system and functionality. That will make it easier to find ways to make money that match well with the things your phone does best, plus the manner in which you’re comfortable using your device.

Read below to get details about particular moneymaking opportunities that exist. Although the possibilities are not exhaustive, they should give you a firm idea of what’s available and how the options could pad your bank account when money is short.

EasyShift: Earn Money for Things You Do Anyway


In many cases, generating income requires us to do things that are at least slightly inconvenient, or perhaps cumbersome. In contrast, an app called EasyShift seems to live up to the first part of its name by allowing users to make money for things they do regularly like going to the movies, shopping for groceries and ordering a cup of morning coffee. Payouts occur through PayPal after the accuracy of a finished task has been verified by the system. The app is optimized for Apple OS X 6.0 or later, and you can use it on an iPad as well.

CheckPoints: Get Rewarded for Shopping

Smartphone Bar Code Scanner
Shopping at your favorite stores no longer has to only be associated with spending money. Available for both the Android and Apple operating systems, the CheckPoints app encourages you to take your phone on the go, find particular products, and scan them into the system. It’s like a scavenger hunt for smartphone users! In time, it’s possible to earn points that you can eventually redeem for things including gift cards and airline miles.

Ipinion: Benefit from Speaking Your Mind


Many people greatly enjoy taking market research surveys, because they feel they’re a way to provide direct feedback about products used on a daily basis. It can also be especially rewarding to take a survey that tells marketers how to properly introduce a brand-new product to the market. By getting a chance to do that, you have even more potential influence than an early adopter, and could help to shape the future popularity of a product or service.
iPhone Apps - Shopping

The Ipinion app works on the Android operating system in conjunction with existing market research panels. If you aren’t already a member of the panels that participate with Ipinion, simply sign up with them and access content directly through the app. You’ll become familiar with a points system where one point is equal to one penny, and you’re eligible to start redeeming them once you’ve accumulated 500 points or more. Some of the things you could earn include cash or gift cards.

The possibilities described above are just a few examples of the dozens of possibilities that exist from moneymaking apps. The ones mentioned here are all free to try, so you have nothing to lose. At a conference in San Francisco this past June, the Apple Corporation announced that there are now more than 900,000 apps in Apple’s App Store. Add apps available for other operating systems to that number and clearly, if you’re willing to put forth a little effort and find apps that make sense with the ways you already use your smartphone, that trustworthy device could help you stay in touch with others and also boost your income.


Andrea Witherspoon works in the marketing division for a business mobile company, www.businessmobiles.co.uk where you can compare mobile plans. You can follow her at @AndreaWTweets.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

AAA Has 3 Apps To Help On Your Next Trip

Image representing iPhone as depicted in Crunc...Image via CrunchBaseI recently wrote about taking my stepson back to college for his 3rd year there. We live in South Florida and his school is in Tallahassee. Its a drive of 450 miles. Even though we have made it many times before I always have the GPS on showing me where I am and it helps when we stray a little to do some outlet mall shopping.

I also am a AAA member. I like them because they are great for money saving deals and of course when your locked out of your car they save the day. They have a great website which gives you a lot help when you need to make your travel plans. But when your on the road it's not always convenient to take the laptop. Luckily AAA has made some great smart phone apps.


AAA TRIPTIK MOBILE

Previously available for iPhones, you can now download it to your Android! The AAATripTik Mobile app is a GPS-based mobile version of AAA’s popular TripTik Travel Planner. Services provided by the app include:

  • Turn-by-turn directions, including voice if enabled.
  • Pinpointed AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, attractions, AAA offices and discount locations along a user’s route.
  • The option to call for lodging reservations with the touch of a button.
  • AAA office locations
  • Points of interests are automatically updated as your location changes or as you move the map
This is my favorite because when you hungry, in an area your not familiar with,finding a good place to eat is a problem. Not with this app, it gives you a birds eye view of all the restaurants around you, including the ones that give discounts.
Named one of the “Top Six Apps to Battle Rising Gas Prices” by the Associated Press, the app also identifies the cheapest fuel near you using data updated daily from more than 100,000 fuel stations nationwide, making it a valuable savings tool in everyday driving.


AAA Discounts

This app also taps into the phone’s GPS technology to acquire the user’s location in order to display AAA Member Discount locations nearby. Downloaded more than 1.1 million times, the app displays discounts at more than 164,000 establishments across the U.S. and Canada, including:
  • Attraction tickets: AAA offers discounts at dozens of the most popular summer attractions, including Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Six Flags and Busch Gardens.
  • Lodging: With more than 31,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings, travelers are sure to find one that fits their budget and style.

AAA Roadside

While members can always summon service by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP, the AAA Roadside app brings AAA’s legendary roadside assistance to motorists’ fingertips. Downloaded by more than 560,000 users, the app allows members who experience a vehicle breakdown to quickly:
  • Transmit their location to AAA using the phone’s GPS capability.
  • Input and send vehicle description information, including year, make and model. Send specific breakdown details to AAA, which helps the auto club dispatch specialized assistance to help the member get back on the road.
  • Identify the nearest AAA Approved Auto Repair locations and Hertz rental car locations.
  • Utilize additional features, including a digital membership card and maps.


These free apps are available for download at the iTunes Store or Android Market. For more information on AAA’s mobile solutions, visit AAA.com/Mobile.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The I.R.S. has an App to Track Yor Refund

The I.R.S. is trying to make itself more helpful by giving us an app for our phones. The most disliked department in our government is keeping up with modern times. This new app will not help you to avoid taxes, but it will at least keep track of your refund.

The IRS2Go app, introduced on Monday, lets filers check on the status of their refund from their phone and get daily tax tips. The free app is available for the iPhone and phones on the Android system.

I think it's great the stogy old I.R.S. is taking advantage of modern technology to be a little helpful to us. The app is pretty slick with a nice interface. I checked out the iPhone version and it's pretty easy to use. It has 4 buttons consisting of a Get your refund status, Get tax updates, Follow online, and Contact us.

To check the status of their refund through the app, users enter their Social Security number, which is encrypted for security. They then select the filing status they used along with the amount they expect to receive in their refund.

People who file online can check the status of their refund 72 hours after they receive an e-mail from the I.R.S. confirming that it has received their tax return. Those who file paper returns must wait up to four weeks.

Additionally, users of the app can sign up to receive tax tips it promises will be in “plain English,” about topics like child tax credits and education credits. They can also sign up to follow the I.R.S. Twitter feed.

Isn't that special, the I.R.S. is on twitter. I hope they go on Facebook because I can't wait to add them to my friend list.

At the present time there is not an app to file your return by the I.R.S. Though Intuit does have such an app, but only if your using the 1040EZ form.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Maybe a tax audit app.

More helpful links for tax help:


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