Tech Tips for Catholics

In this YouTube Video, Eric Giler demos MIT’s breakthrough version of WiTricity.  This was recorded back in July, at TED Global 2009, in Oxford, England.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• WiTricity Technology: The Basics
• TED Global 2010 (July 13-16, 2010)

I’ve been a fan of Google’s Calendar feature for a few years, as well as a user of Gmail for all of my email needs since before it came out of beta testing.  Google recently answered one of my personal productivity “wish list” items with its launch of a new “Tasks” management system.

The Tasks, available from Google Labs, enables you to add items to a virtual “to do” list, assign due dates, and document details in notes.  The feature even gives “type A” personalities like me the satisfaction of checking a box when you’ve completed a task and seeing it crossed off your list.

I have been using Google Tasks with both my Google Calendar and with Gmail.  A wonderful feature of the application is the ability to quickly and easily create a task from an email in just a few clicks using keyboard shortcuts.  I tend to keep my email inbox stocked up with items that need my attention, so this new Task feature enables me to confidently add them to my “to do” list and then move them out of the inbox and into files without fearing that I will forget to complete the necessary action item if it’s not sitting in my inbox.

If you are already using Gmail, you will need to go to the “Settings”, click on the “Labs” tab, find “Tasks”, select “enable” and then scroll to the bottom of the page and save your changes.  Once you’ve done this, you can add a task either by keyboard shortcut or by selecting “Add to Tasks” from the “More Actions” menu directly above the email you are reading.

Because the task list resides online, you can access it anywhere you have internet access simply by signing into your Gmail account. If you are fortunate enough to own an iPhone, you can easily access your Google Tasks from your phone.

For a complete overview of the Tasks feature, complete with images and easy to follow directions, visit the Official Gmail Blog.  To integrate Google Tasks with your Google Calendar, visit this post.  The simple integration of these powerful tools and their ready access continues to please this Geek Gal.  I love having access to my data and to do list at any time.  It turns waiting situations into opportunities to cross tasks off of my list, which is always a good thing in my book!

This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.

This was an interesting conversation that we had on Twitter today.  The question was posed as such, “Should folks ‘tweet’ or ‘text’ during Church? Different from note-taking?”

There has been a lot of news reports lately talking about how some non-Denominational, mega-churches are encouraging their congregation to tweet and text during their Sunday services — as a way of reaching out to non-church-goers.  Don’t get me wrong, we should be reaching out to non-Christians, but during a Worship service is not the time to do it.  I’m not alone in thinking this.  There were some Protestants who are also in agreement.

It is kind of hard to follow, but here is a screenshot of just some of the conversation:

So, what were some of the key points that Catholic Christians were making in this Twitter discussion?

• That there are distinct differences between a non-Denominational Church service and the Catholic Mass.
• Social Networking is a great tool for Evangelizing, but just not during the Sacred Liturgy.
• During the Mass, we should be focused on Christ, not on what is going on around us.
• There are mixed feelings about note-taking during the homily.  What are your thoughts on this?
• Most view cell-phones and other electronic devices as a distraction or as being disrespectful to others during Mass.

We would love to hear what you think about this topic.  Go ahead and post your comments below, Tweet at us, or continue the discussion on flockNote.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Rant: Cell-Phones in Church : (
• 7 Books for New Catholics
• Mars Ill – “Love’s Not” song lyrics

Skype launches its iPhone application today!  The app itself is free and lets you make calls and chat with other Skypers over WiFi networks.  You’ll notice that the current reviews left by users talk about how the app crashes constantly.  What I think is funny is their disclaimer, “Skype is not responsible for errors or crashes which result from changes to the underlying iPhone OS.”  You can download the Skype iPhone App here.

Here are some screenshots for what it’s worth:

If you’ve installed this app, we’d love to hear your comments.

Not to be confused with “iMissle”, the portable thermonuclear warhead launcher for the iPhone, iMissal, from Cantcha Inc. (www.cantcha.com) is the iPhone’s first digital Sunday Missal.

Cheese and crackers! What’s a Missal?!? That’s what I often heard as a youth minister working with Catholic teens. A Missal is, according to Wikipedia, a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. Plain and simple, it lets you follow the Mass from beginning to end including the Mass readings and all the text of the prayers said in the Order of the Mass. It’s a tradition that goes way back to at least 1570. So how does iMissal work as a Missal in the digital age? Read on to find out.

Continue Reading »

According to the BlueInstinct website, “iConfess was created in order to make it easier for [Catholic Christians] to have a good Confession.”

iConfess Features Include:

• About Confession
• Examination of Conscience
• Prayers for Confession
• Click here to view more

One of the neat features, is the ability to tag specific content so that you can easily come back to it when needed.  Plus it has a search function so that you can search for key words or phrases.

You can purchase the iConfess app on iTunes.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• Mobile Catholic Prayerbook
• Scripture, Reflections & Prayer

Amazon recently announced the availability of the new Kindle 2 App for the ubiquitous iPhone. As an iPhone owner and someone who’s been coveting the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) since its release, I hustled over to the iTunes app store to download the free application.

I’ve had Stanza on my iPhone for a few months and have been slowly working my way through my free download of Emma. The truth is, I don’t have a lot of time these days to cuddle up with fiction, so I’ve wondered how much I would truly use the Kindle 2. I’m attracted by the thought of discontinuing my periodical subscriptions and going paperless via the Kindle. As of now, the Kindle iPhone app will not allow access to periodicals.

Having downloaded the app, I’ve used it to get a few sample chapters of books that have caught my eye. At this point, however, I likely wouldn’t actually purchase a full Kindle book and read it on my iPhone. For the brief amount of time I spend reading on the iPhone, I will likely stick with sample chapters or free downloads of classics via Stanza.

It’s not surprising that a free app won’t replace a $359 tech toy. For a complete and extremely thorough look at this new iPhone app compliment to the Kindle 2, check out this awesome article by CNET’s Nicole Lee, who owns the real thing!

This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.

Mobile Prayerbook is an app created by Antonia.  It features various Catholic prayers and is compatible with most mobile phones.  Not only that, but the prayers are available in English, Español (Spanish), Latin, and Bahasa Indonesia (Coming Soon: Francais, Italiano and Deutsch).

What prayers are available inside?

• The basics: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, ect.
• Devotions to Our Lady: Memorare, Angelus, Hail Holy Queen, The Rosary, The Litany
• Daily Prayers: Morning Offering, Spiritual Communion, Apostles’ Creed, Prayers before & after meal, Thanksgiving
• Special Prayers: Act of Contrition, Adoro te Devote, Prayers for the pope, Te Deum, Prayer to St Michael the Archangel

I personally would like to thank Antonia for creating such an application.  I am looking forward to using it.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• iConfess iPhone App – Assisting Catholics in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Scripture, Reflections & Prayer

Thanks to Kelly for the heads up on a great post entitled 20 iPhone Apps to Increase Your Productivity.  The selected apps include choices for organization, money & business, travel, and home/personal tools.

Having tried a few of the suggestions on this list, I can vouch for Jott and the Mobile News Network, but am looking forward to trying several of the other suggestions.

20 iPhone Apps to Increase Your Productivity – Web Design Schools Guide

This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.

View our other Mobile Posts!

Catholic Reflections is a daily scripture passage, followed by a saintly reflection and a prayer in the form of a Mobile Widget.  This is a great way to be inspired while waiting at the bus-stop, sitting around on your lunch break, or anywhere else you may find yourself with some free time.

. . .

Please Note: This service is free, but charges from your carrier for usage may apply.

Below are some related links to the iPhone & BlackBerry:

• Catholicize your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch!
• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• Other Apps for the BlackBerry® (and iPhone)