Mike Laponis

VO

mike@mikesvo.com
909 899 8149

Apps

Apps Worth Using

Apps Worth Using, Business, Mobile Device, Voice Over

You may recall from my ShakeAlertLA Blog, that I am a bit of an App collector. Finding useful, unique, and fun apps is something I enjoy! Some of them I use in my voice over work, content creation work, or just everyday life. I love to pass the info on to you in hopes you will find these apps useful, interesting, and fun. Some are also in a list called #AppsWorthUsing. I started this list on my twitter account a few years ago. You are welcome to follow me there – @MikeRaphone. If you do, please let me know you read this blog and whether you use or tried any of these apps. If you missed the ShakeAlertLA Blog, you can select it here.

Try These On For Size

Through the years I have been on Twitter, I’ve been intrigued by apps I run across. I have built up quite a collection. The apps listed here are mostly useful for those in the business of being a voice talent, content creator, journalist, producer, or recording engineer. So you may or may not have a use for some of these. Most of the apps I am highlighting here cost some money. There are a several that are specific to mobile content creation. While some are just for fun! The app icon is shown with a short description about the app. Here are a few you might enjoy:

Twisted Wave

Twisted Wave is an incredible portable recording and editing software – available for Apple products only. It is intuitive, and fast. Record, edit, then upload your audio by FTP. Excellent for portable voice over work, or other audio recording and editing.

 

 

 

Hindenburg Field Recorder

Hindenburg Field Recorder is a mobile recording app. It allows you to record, edit, and then share the story. Perfect for journalists or those who need to grab quick soundbites. This is available for Apple devices only. Hindenburg has an arsenal of recording software and apps dedicated to specific audio recording needs.

 

 

 

ProPrompter Studio

ProPrompter Studio is a portable teleprompter. Handy for corporate video, video podcasting, commercials, field reporting, speeches, and anything else where there’s a need for a teleprompter. It is available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

 

 

 

TapeACall

TapeACall allows you to use your mobile phone to record a phone call you are on or are about to make. Please Note: Recording phone calls in the U.S. and some other countries requires permission from the party (or all parties, depending on the state). Please check the laws (a link provided in the app). There is an annual cost of $29.99 per year. The free trial version allows you to use it for 7 days without cost. This app is great for journalists, reporters, podcasters, producers, talk show hosts, etc. It is useful for production work too. Anything where it is handy to record a call you are on.

 

 

 

Audio Tools

Audio Tools is an incredible, multi-faceted audio and acoustic test and measurement tool! It includes SPL Modules, Acoustic Analysis, Speaker Tests, Test Modules, Design Tools, Signal Generator, Audio Calculator, and more. It is a little on the pricey side, especially if you go for all the in-app purchases, but this is one professional tool!

 

 

Waze

Waze Navigation and Live Traffic is super helpful in any area where you need directions, and re-routing due to traffic congestion, and roadwork. Super handy for getting to the studio on time for the voice gig you just booked, on vacation, or nearly any other time you need navigation. Incredible tool that has saved me time and again by helping me get to where I am going.

 

 

 

Girl Scout Cookie Finder

The Official Girl Scout Cookie Finder App. They are on sale only once a year. Peanut Butter Patties (aka Tagalongs) are my favorite!

 

 

 

 

WinPoker

WinPoker is a video poker game that teaches you how to make the best choices in building the best hand possible. Learn how to play video poker while having fun playing. There is a cost for the app, but it will improve your odds at the casinos! It takes lots of practice to really play at the level to make money. After all, I’m still doing voice acting! Have fun!

 

Use These Apps in Good Health

I hope you find these as #AppsWorthUsing. I have many more that are useful, entertaining, and fun. If you like these and want another blog in the future with more, drop me an email at Mike@mikesvo.com. Thank you!

ShakeAlertLA #AppsWorthUsing

Apps Worth Using, Earthquake Preparedness, Safety

This App Could Be Considered Earthshaking

A couple of years ago, as part of my Twitter account, MikeRaphone , I began tweeting about #AppsWorthUsing . You see I’m a collector of sorts, of apps. I am not intentionally downloading as many as I can to increase my collection, but rather as I see interesting apps, I try them out. That being said, my collection is now at 723 apps on my iPhone 6+. When people learn how many apps I have they ask, “how many do you really use?” My answer is, maybe about 20 or so. That got me started on my hashtag and tweeting about apps I felt were worth using! These are apps I find useful for my voice over business. Some of the apps are great for content creation.  Others I find useful for social media & marketing, and some are just for everyday life or fun!

A New App that was Just Released

A couple of days ago, Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, the City of Los Angeles, the Information Technology Agency and the Department of Emergency Management, released ShakeAlertLA. It’s a mobile app that sends alerts to users within greater Los Angeles County in the event of an earthquake, greater than magnitude 5.0 or level IV intensity. It’s built on the ShakeAlert system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The most amazing thing about this new app and the technology behind it, is it acts as an early alert system! It notifies you an earthquake has been detected and that you may soon feel shaking in your area. It is really quite amazing!

• Download on the Google Play Store

• Download on the Apple App Store

How It Works

It’s quite interesting to see how the system works. Check out this video. There are two types of seismic waves that carry energy, p-waves and s-waves. ShakeAlert uses those waves to alert you and give you an early alert so you can prepare and Drop, Cover, and Hold On with this early alert of perhaps just a few seconds.

The Threat is Real

Believe it or not, there are about 10,000 earthquakes each year in California! That means there are almost 800 each month, which is about 26 per day. That’s a scary thought! However, most of these are relatively small and cause little or no damage and aren’t even felt my most of us. Here is the statistic that really makes the threat REAL! In California, it is almost certain that there will be a STRONG earthquake by 2037. In fact, experts say there is a 99.7% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater magnitude between now and 2037. Most likely, this would occur in the greater Los Angeles and/or San Francisco area since these cities sit on (or near) the San Andreas fault. This fault is the source of most seismic activity in California.

Makes Even a Californian Sit Up and Take Notice

I’m a native Southern Californian. I’ve weathered many an earthquake, and most don’t bother me…too much. I’ve been through several that have rattled my nerves, and a couple that have scared the ever-loving, pudding out of me! They were less than that 6.7 (or greater) that we are supposed to have in the next 30 years. Scary thought! This ShakeAlert app will help save lives, especially as the technology improves, even if it only gives us a few extra seconds to prepare. Speaking of preparation here are a couple of earthquake preparation links you might find useful:

Ready Los Angles County

FEMA Earthquake Safety Checklist

Even though this ShakeAlert is an #AppsWorthUsing, I am going to give it one more hashtag – #AppIHopeINeverHaveToUse (But Glad I Have It)

Be prepared. Stay safe. – Mike