Author: Kristen Fredericksen

Appy Hour: Genius

Posted on by Kristen Fredericksen
App: Genius Genius app
By: Genius Media Group
Price: Free
Device: Reviewed on iPhone

Genius allows you to explore and create annotations on any piece of text from the mundane (song lyrics, poems, novels) to the unexpected (lists of all the deaths on Game of Thrones, restaurant menus, etc.). Read Lin-Manuel Miranda’s own notes about Hamilton and listen to the songs as you decipher the lyrics. Study William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet line by line while watching videos of the play. Contribute your own annotations to the site or discuss pieces with people all over the world.

All of this can also be found at the Genius website, but the app offers more features. Hold your phone up to music and the lyrics will appear on your screen. Genius can identify the music in your iTunes so you can get the scoop on the tracks you love.

Appy Hour: Funny Or Die Weather

Posted on by Kristen Fredericksen
App: Funny Or Die Weather FODW
By: Funny Or Die, Inc.
Price: Free
Device: Reviewed on iPhone

Before you head out for some fun in the sun this Labor Day weekend, check the weather to make sure you won’t be caught in a downpour on the beach. Add some humor with the Funny Or Die Weather app. It shows you real weather forecasts along with funny “facts” like “The humidity of water is extremely high.” You can also share these sarcastic facts, weather tips, and thoughts of the day on social media so your friends can be in on the joke too.

 

This app is attractive, easy to use, and entertaining.

 

Appy Hour: CUA Orientation

Posted on by Kristen Fredericksen

Welcome to Appy Hour, a series in which we review apps related to learning, reading, or that may be of special interest to the CUA community.

App: Catholic University of America  orientation app icon
By: Guidebook Inc
Price: Free
Device: Reviewed on an iPhone

The CUA orientation app is a must-have for new students and their families. You can learn all about it in this video or read ahead to learn about some of the app’s features:

Schedule
View the full schedule of orientation activities and add them to your own personal calendar. You can also add reminders to make sure you don’t miss the important stuff (like meals!).

FAQ
Find out your mailing address and learn what the “Pryz” is.

Staff Directory
See photos and profiles of the orientation advisors. Create a “To-do” to remind yourself to ask them questions.

Campus Resources
Get the address, URL, and hours of many departments on campus. Create a “To-do” to remind yourself what you need to do there, like a list of textbooks to buy at the bookstore.

Campus Map
Navigate with a full campus map in PDF.