Hilarious or annoying, this week I’ll find out what Ted Woloshyn makes of Hallmark’s popular characters Hoops & Yoyo as we review their new alarm clock app. Plus I have some practical picks with SeatGuru for travelers and Projectbook, a productivity app for who like Getting Things Done.
SeatGuru by Tripadvisor
iPhone/Android
Free
Not all seats on a plane are equal. The next time you book a flight you’ll want to consult SeatGuru. Just type in the flight number and it will pull up the matching seating plan loaded with all kinds of secret details such as which seats are widest, have the most leg room, and more importantly these days, have power outlets for laptops.
The app will also warn you about avoiding seats where you’ll be bumped by passengers headed to the Galley or ones where Player TVs or life raft equipment may take up space not labeled on the standard seating chart. Finally out this week for Android users, a quick check with SeatGuru will deliver a valuable bit of extra comfort.
Projectbook
iPad
$6.99
With Projectbook you can record information in any way that is convenient, from simple text or handwriting, to photographs, voice recordings, drawings and even notes sent to yourself by e-mail. Once added to your notebook, the app analyzes and links content so you can quickly find all the notes that relate to a project simply by tapping on a keyword.
A system of To-Do lists will also help organize content by priority, allowing you to list tasks set with completion dates and reminders. The app will automatically attach any related notes, folders, or tags. Once done you can e-mail to share it and there’s an option to create an Inbox if you use the Getting Things Done system. Designed for the iPad’s screen, Projectbook has a very clean layout that hides deep features.
Hoops & YoYo Sound The Alarm
iPhone/iPad
$0.99
Forget the usual buzzers and ear-splitting klaxons, this novelty alarm clock and kitchen timer will wake you instead with the comedy antics of Hallmark’s popular mascots, Hoops & Yoyo. There are more than eighty audio skits and sound clips to choose from, with the over-enthusiastic funnymen carrying on about the delights of bacon, coffee, Hawaiian dogs, and boring e-mails. As a soundboard to tease your co-workers with you’ll find flirty cat-calls, panic attacks, feint praise for bosses, and cheers for Fridays.
In moderation this is a very funny app and one that might motivate kids to get up for school, but admittedly in the wrong hands it can become an annoyance when overused.
