App

 FRANKFORT - The Kentucky Historical Society features historic downtown Danville in a new smartphone application tour. KHS launched a series of “ExploreKYHistory” smartphone tours in summer 2012. Available tour themes now include Civil War, War of 1812, Abraham Lincoln and University of Kentucky. “Explore Danville, Kentucky” is the first community-based tour. “Explore Danville, Kentucky,” includes 19 historical markers, all within walking distance of Danville's downtown business district, pertaining to Kentucky's pioneer past, the state's founding, early medical advancements, education, the Civil War and more.

The Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission has launched a mobile Android app, allowing anyone with an Android-powered phone to find community information at the touch of a fingertip. The app, identical to the iPhone app the panel launched about two years ago, was made available on June 15. Both apps are called Tour Winchester, and list local events, shopping and dining venues, hotels, attractions, recreation, agritourism, tours and regular community updates. The Android app, like the iPhone app, is free to download.

With cell phone companies competing for our business, smartphones are becoming a more affordable option for many people.   We recently took advantage of a great upgrade offer and got an iphone. That opens so many new ways to save money, get work done more efficiently and simply have some fun.   Here are a few free apps I've discovered you may enjoy: Dragon Dictation: If you find yourself with thoughts buzzing and no paper or computer to write them down, this free app is very helpful.  You just push the record button and speak into your phone.

What do you get when you combine Google TV, the OnLive streaming game service and a set-top box that streams Internet content? According to Vizio, it is its new product, the Vizio Co-Star. The Vizio Co-Star is a tiny set-top box that is small enough to fit in one hand. The player “merges live TV, Web, and apps into one interface,” according to their Web site.  Among the features of the Vizio Co-Star include connections for HD cable/satellite receiver, built-in Wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB and it also supports DLNA devices via the PlayPoint app. The player also features an HDMI port for up to 1080p full HD, it supports 3D, picture-in-picture and it is capable of playing MP3, AAC and WMA audio files.  In addition, the player includes a full-screen Google Chrome Web browser with Adobe Flash Player and HTML 5 compatibility and Google TV. The Vizio Co-Star provides access to thousands of apps via Google Play (formerly known as the Google Android Market)

Many people have iPhones, iTouch or iPads. These mobile devices offer great opportunities to save money and enjoy books, games and resources. There is no end to how many free apps you can find. But one thing some new users often overlook is how to keep from spending money by accident.   Don't pay for in-app purchases There are tons of free apps for kids and adults available on the iPad, iTouch and iPhone. Many of these free games give you the option of spending real money to buy “shells, bucks or smurfberries” to build the game faster or enhance your game experience, but I never spend money on these games.

Canonical is best known for its popular Ubuntu Linux operating system. Recently, the company has developed a new product, Ubuntu for Android, a potential game changer in the world of mobile computing. Ubuntu for Android smartphones is a product that will allow a docked Android smartphone to run a full version of the Ubuntu desktop OS along with Android as a dual-OS. Therefore, a user would have both a phone and a portable desktop on a single device. When the Android smartphone with Ubuntu for Android is off its dock, it operates as a regular smartphone.

With the everyday changes of technology, the way parents interact with and monitor their children also is changing. Southland Christian Church of Danville held a seminar Monday evening to discuss the changes and help parents keep from getting lost in translation. “Back in my day, we had photo albums,” said student ministry leader Scott Hatfield. “Not the virtual ones, but actual photo albums.” But Hatfield said the way people communicate now has changed, and there is even such a term as “technology addiction.” “Everywhere we go people are stuck to their mobile devices,” he said.

I love freebies especially when they can improve skills and make things easier to do. Also, it doesn’t hurt if you learn something along the way. Amana invented the countertop microwave in 1967. In 2007, the microwave celebrated its 40th year of existence, so Amana offered a free microwave cookbook to download. I suspect many microwave users, myself included — a self-proclaimed microwave queen — never knew of this cookbook’s existence. Recently, on a random search, I came across this microwave gem. This microwave cookbook features tips and recipes for appetizers and snacks, sides, savory main dishes, and sweets and treats.

Windows 7 is the talk of the tech world these days. At the moment, everyone is eager to see what Microsoft is planning as far as upgrades are concerned. Many computer users stuck with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system and happily skipped over the company's Windows Vista OS. However, now it seems this decision may prove to have been a costly choice with Windows 7 nearing its release date. Microsoft was set to launch its Windows 7 upgrade program at 8 a.m. on Friday. The company even set up a special Web site for the program at https://windows7upgradeoption.

Midnight today marks the official federal tax deadline for those filing their 2011 tax year returns on schedule. Those with a filing extension still have until Oct. 15 to file. If by chance you have procrastinated until the very last minute, there still is time for you to grab some great software. If you have the know-how, you could save yourself some money by preparing your own return and e-filing. This will aid in getting your returns in on time and without worry. There are a ton of software packages available to file your taxes.

With the everyday changes of technology, the way parents interact with and monitor their children also is changing. Southland Christian Church of Danville held a seminar Monday evening to discuss the changes and help parents keep from getting lost in translation. “Back in my day, we had photo albums,” said student ministry leader Scott Hatfield. “Not the virtual ones, but actual photo albums.” But Hatfield said the way people communicate now has changed, and there is even such a term as “technology addiction.” “Everywhere we go people are stuck to their mobile devices,” he said.

A group of 28 George Rogers Clark High School teachers and staff members are on a mission to become losers. “You have teachers, you have principals, you have sports staff participating,” said Sara Stone, GRCHS biology teacher. The group is using weekly weigh-ins and a little healthy competition to kick-start weight loss efforts, Stone said. Eight years ago, a group of faculty and staff members created a weight-loss competition styled after the reality TV show “The Biggest Loser.” Recently, several teachers found themselves wanting to shed some pounds again, after years of taking care of their children and families and neglecting their own health, so they decided to try the competition again.

 FRANKFORT - The Kentucky Historical Society features historic downtown Danville in a new smartphone application tour. KHS launched a series of “ExploreKYHistory” smartphone tours in summer 2012. Available tour themes now include Civil War, War of 1812, Abraham Lincoln and University of Kentucky. “Explore Danville, Kentucky” is the first community-based tour. “Explore Danville, Kentucky,” includes 19 historical markers, all within walking distance of Danville's downtown business district, pertaining to Kentucky's pioneer past, the state's founding, early medical advancements, education, the Civil War and more.

This week, I will answer questions from the mailbag. Today's question is a two-part inquiry in regards to apps. RH writes: “Can you get apps for laptops or PCs or are they just for tablets and smart phones?” My response: Sure, you can get apps for laptops and PCs. The biggest difference is that it would be a full-fledged program on a PC whereas a phone app is like an extremely trimmed down version. In response, RH then inquired: “Do you go to the same places for computer apps?

Here we are, about to tumble right into the holiday season and by the end of the week, the holiday shopping frenzy goes into full force. Are you ready? Some shoppers, self included, have gracefully bowed out of the traditional Black Friday shopping and have chosen a different method for holiday shopping. We have chosen the cyber way instead, where there is no need to hunt for a parking spots, no waiting in long lines and best of all, no freezing cold to endure, just pure shopping bliss!

With cell phone companies competing for our business, smartphones are becoming a more affordable option for many people.   We recently took advantage of a great upgrade offer and got an iphone. That opens so many new ways to save money, get work done more efficiently and simply have some fun.   Here are a few free apps I've discovered you may enjoy: Dragon Dictation: If you find yourself with thoughts buzzing and no paper or computer to write them down, this free app is very helpful.  You just push the record button and speak into your phone.

What do you get when you combine Google TV, the OnLive streaming game service and a set-top box that streams Internet content? According to Vizio, it is its new product, the Vizio Co-Star. The Vizio Co-Star is a tiny set-top box that is small enough to fit in one hand. The player “merges live TV, Web, and apps into one interface,” according to their Web site.  Among the features of the Vizio Co-Star include connections for HD cable/satellite receiver, built-in Wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB and it also supports DLNA devices via the PlayPoint app. The player also features an HDMI port for up to 1080p full HD, it supports 3D, picture-in-picture and it is capable of playing MP3, AAC and WMA audio files.  In addition, the player includes a full-screen Google Chrome Web browser with Adobe Flash Player and HTML 5 compatibility and Google TV. The Vizio Co-Star provides access to thousands of apps via Google Play (formerly known as the Google Android Market)

The Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission has launched a mobile Android app, allowing anyone with an Android-powered phone to find community information at the touch of a fingertip. The app, identical to the iPhone app the panel launched about two years ago, was made available on June 15. Both apps are called Tour Winchester, and list local events, shopping and dining venues, hotels, attractions, recreation, agritourism, tours and regular community updates. The Android app, like the iPhone app, is free to download.

Midnight today marks the official federal tax deadline for those filing their 2011 tax year returns on schedule. Those with a filing extension still have until Oct. 15 to file. If by chance you have procrastinated until the very last minute, there still is time for you to grab some great software. If you have the know-how, you could save yourself some money by preparing your own return and e-filing. This will aid in getting your returns in on time and without worry. There are a ton of software packages available to file your taxes.

Destination Jessamine, a Jessamine County Fiscal Court organization dedicated to promoting tourism throughout the county, is pleased to announce the launch of a free Jessamine County, Nicholasville/Wilmore app through Kentucky Monthly magazine's Travel Kentucky app program. The app serves as a one-stop-shop guide for visitors to discover and explore Kentucky's unique destinations, including historic sites, attractions, lodging, dining, shopping and much more. The app assists users in finding locations with turn-by-turn directions using Google maps and GPS tracking; learning about attractions and events with web links, photos and videos; and exploring entire regions with walking tours and city guides.