Searching for a Way to Block Unwanted Spam and Robo Calls: TrueCaller

If you have a phone, you are no stranger to robo and spam calls. Towards the end of June things were getting so bad that I was having up to three calls a day. It was frustrating because I couldn't always tell the difference between valid, important calls, and the spam because some of them came from my own area code. Day by day it was getting worse. Finally, after three long weeks of this, I began to research my options.

First and foremost, if you are receiving a large number of spam and robo calls I recommend making sure that you are on the Do Not Call registry. There are actually two of these, state and national, I recommend covering your bases and registering for both. To register, or check your registration simply go online to these websites:

• National Do Not Call Registry: This website will give you more details about the Do Not Call Registry, what is included, what the exceptions are, and what to do if you receive unwanted calls.
• Indiana Do Not Call Registry: This website will allow you to register for Indiana's Do Not Call Registry. 

Both registries will allow you to register your cell phone numbers now, and don't require you to re-register unless something has changed. For instance, I kept my number, but switched Cell Phone Carriers. This caused me to drop off the list and receive more calls. Once I re-registered, those calls were cut significantly.

Keep in mind that these will not stop all calls. Many of the calls we get these days are from scammers, and since they are already breaking the law, the Do Not Call registries will not stop them. In the past I have tried blocking the scammers using the blocking options on my phone, but since they use so many different numbers it was impossible to block them all. So that's when I started looking for a technical solution--an app.  I researched a number of websites and the one the experts seemed to like best was TrueCaller, so I thought I would give it a try.

TrueCaller is supposed to identify spam when you get an incoming call and uses your contact list to filter out your friends and contacts. In a perfect world this would have been a perfect solution, but unfortunately it wasn't. My first call TrueCaller identified as spam was actually from my doctor's office, and trying to get TrueCaller to accept it as a legitimate contact after someone else has said it was spam was next to impossible. I actually had a couple of Spam calls come through that weren't identified, so I marked them as spam with TrueCaller. Overall, it has faults, and I wish it were easier to switch calls from Spam to legit, especially in the case of my doctor.  I am no expert on how the program works, but it seems to take input from all the users--if one user identifies a call as spam, it is that for all users. Still, with very little options out there for stopping those calls, this is definitely worth a try. Just remember, you may want to accept some of those Spam calls--especially if they have a local area code because they might be a call you are waiting for.

TrueCaller

• Name of App: TrueCaller
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: The app will allow you attempt to identify spam calls, but keep in mind it is not perfect.
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS 
• Cost (at time of review): Free

BRAINSCAPE

While out shopping for school supplies this year, don’t forget to look into getting the best apps to make this school year the best one yet. Brainscape is a must have app for every student. With Brainscape you can find, create and share thousands of smart flashcards covering almost any topic.

Brainscape uses three sources for creating its flashcards—Educational experts, students and you! Top experts in the field lend their expertise to ready-made flash cards in fields such as Foreign Languages, SAT prep, and AP exams. You can also browse for flashcards from over a million subjects created by other students and teachers. Finally you can create and customize your own set of flashcards for any subject you want. You can also share your creations with other students!

Brainscape works by personalizing the timing between different cards. You rate how well you know a subject and the app creates a unique pace that is ideal for each individual user. Brainscape boasts that they offer "flashcards on steroids." With data from over 800 academic studies backing them up, Brainscape is a must have for all students. Click hereto read for yourself.

• Name of App: BRAINSCAPE
• Audience: All ages
• Platform: iOS
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: This app gives students access to over a million ready-made flash cards and the ability to create their own in order to learn quicker and more efficiently.
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS 
• Cost (at time of review): Free 

Charity Miles: Give Back While You Get Fit

Getting fit is becoming a national phenomenon.  Everywhere you turn newspapers, magazines, TV and the internet are telling us all the benefits of getting fit.  Even though we know it is good for us, many lack the motivation to start their fitness journey.   Charity Miles is an app that can help you with that.  For every mile you bike or walk/run Charity Miles makes a donation (10 cents per mile you outdoor bike and 25 cents per mile you walk/run) to the charity of your choice.  There are several charities to choose from including Stand Up to Cancer, The Alzheimer's Association and Autism Speaks.

The app is very easy to use.  You set up a profile, select your charity, start the app and off you go.  The app keeps record of how far you go and will also let you set up "reminders" to let you know when it is time to work out.  This app also allows you to Tweet or put a post on Facebook regarding your progress.  So give your workout a purpose and download Charity Miles.

Name of App:  Charity Miles

Audience:   Adult and Teen

Platform:  iOS and Android

What the App does and why we recommend it:  The app tracks your activity and gives a donation to a charity of your choice giving you extra motivation to work out.

Cost (at time of the review) :  Free 

Goodreads App: An App for Readers on the Go

Sometimes keeping track of your reading can be challenging, especially if you are an avid reader. I see many people come into the library with notebooks where they keep their lists of books that they want to read or have read. There is another option for those of you who would rather keep that information with you wherever you go--after all you never know when you will be popping into the library or a bookstore.

Goodreads.com is a website I use to track all the books I have read. With Goodreads, I can track my reading, keep a list of the books I want to read, and even add shelves to organize books based on genre. I can even rate and review books on the website so I can remember what I thought about the book when I first read it.  Goodreads.com is also a social site, so you can make friends, follow other reader's reviews, follow authors, and just keep adding to your lists of books.

Goodreads.com also has a free app. While the app isn't my favorite place to write reviews (I personally prefer typing reviews on a full keyboard rather than a touch screen), it is a great place to keep track of the books you have read, look up books, and scan books to add to your shelves.  For instance, let's say you are visiting a bookstore while on vacation and see a book you would like to borrow from the library, but are afraid you will forget it when you get back. You can open the Goodreads.com app and scan the book using the scan feature in the app, or just look it up using the search function. You can then just add it to your "To Be Read" shelf and look it up again when you get back to your library.  The app can also help you remember if you have read a book or not. If you add all your read books to Goodreads.com you can search for the book, or search your "Read" bookshelf for the book to see if you rated or reviewed it. 

I use Goodreads.com to keep track of all of my books. The app is a great resource you can take with you on the go.

Goodreads App

• Name of App: Goodreads
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: The app will help you keep track of the books you have read and the ones you want to read, so at a glance you can see if you have read a book you are looking to check out or buy.
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS 
• Cost (at time of review): Free

Vroom

It's no secret that the first five years of a child's life are the most meaningful when if comes to brain development. Daily Vroom activities help parents and caregivers nurture their children’s growing minds during these earliest years. Daily Vroomturns everyday moments into brain building moments! Vroom activities differ from other app based learning activities because it takes the focus off the device and places it on the world around them.

Daily Vroom is available in English and Spanish.

Vroom allows you to create a daily, personalized activity for you and your child. Each tip is paired with a science-based Brainy Background explaining how the activity supports your child’s brain development. Whether it’s counting cars at the bus stop, learning about textures at the grocery store, or talking about shapes during snacktime, Daily Vroom offers imaginative ways to make the most of your family’s everyday routines.

Vroom offers activities from more than 16 categories to encourage brain building interactions no matter where you are or what you’re doing, and you can receive age appropriate tips for multiple children. It is also available in English and Spanish

• Name of App: Vroom
• Audience: Children and their caregivers
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: Encourages brain development in everyday, routine activities
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS
• Cost (at time of review):  Free

Stitcher - Your place for podcasts

Podcasts, audio files available on the internet that can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device, are becoming extremely popular.  According to the website Statista, in 2015 17% of the population had listened to a podcast and from January to March 2016, that figure had jumped to 21%. http://www.statista.com/statistics/270365/audio-podcast-consumption-in-the-us/

If you are an avid podcast listener or would like to try one out, why not try the Stitcher app.  Stitcher allows the user access 40,000+ podcasts and radio shows via their mobile devices.  Topics range from News and Politics, Education, Games and Hobbies, Science and Medicine, Entertainment, Technology and others.  You mark your favorite podcasts for easy access.  Stitcher will also give you suggestions on podcasts you might like to try.

• Name of App: Stitcher
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: This app allows user to listen to podcasts that might be of interest to them
• What platform we used to recommend the app: Android
• Cost (at time of review):  Free

My Library Rewards: Sign Up, Earn Points, and Get Rewarded

Get rewarded for using the library! The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library has recently added a new program that will reward you for checking out materials. How does it work? 

1. Visit any KHCPL location. 
2. Check out some items and earn points for the items you check out. 
3. Sign up for My Library Rewards at MyLibraryRewards.com. 

Once you fill out the registration it will add your points from your recent visit and you are ready to start earning some rewards. Scroll through the many different offers available to you on the website, or download the app to take My Library Rewards with you on the go. With the app you can review your points, scroll through offers, and even redeem your points.  

My Library Rewards

• Name of App: My Library Rewards
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: The app will allow you to track the points you earn by checking out items from the library and will help you redeem those points for discounts at local businesses.
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS 
• Cost (at time of review): Free