Both good news and bad often come in the box with a new computer. My new MacBook Pro arrived a few weeks ago, so I’m still dealing with the “bad-news”…software updates, lost photos, transferring files, and so on.
However, the good news is better than good. It’s great! When I bought the computer, it came with my first-ever iPod.
The first person to help set up the iPod was my 10-year-old grandson, Gareth. He’s had his for several months, so he knows all about “apps” — a word not previously in my personal dictionary. The only apps I knew anything about was Syl, a hockey player from the 1970s.
Gareth had me downloading all kinds of apps (that’s “applications” for the uneducated). He was most concerned that I get sports scores on my iPod, like he does. I didn’t know how to break it to him that this wasn’t as important to Grandma as he thought.
The next “apps assistant” was number two son, Lerrin. He made sure I had the PGA Tour app. Again, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings…
Then, last weekend, I recruited my son-in-law, Aron, to find an expense tracker. Looks good, but I’m still trying to figure it out.
Today, I finally downloaded my first app — the Cruise Finder! It’s touted as being the most comprehensive cruise planning app in the iTunes store. It’s probably also the only cruise planning app in the store. Also, it’s been in the Top 50 Free Travel Apps since launch (Do they “launch” all apps or only the ones connected to ships?).
So, what can you do with it?
Lots.
View ship photos, cabin layouts and deck plans. Check out ship stats, like size, capacity, crew. Browse 12,000 itineraries from all the major cruise lines. Find port directions. Check out port weather.
And, if you download it this month, iCruise.com is offering a chance to win one of four free Apple iPads, and you’ll automatically be included in a drawing for a 4- or 5-night Caribbean Cruise on the Celebrity Century. The iPads and the trip are courtesy of Celebrity Cruises to mark the opening of their new iLounges on selected ships.
So…do iPads have apps, too?