Whether you�re going back to school with cool new tech gear or that same crap
you had last year, you can tune it up nice by downloading this year�s hottest
programs and apps.
I�m B.C. with the ones you really need to install, sorted by
the 5 major categories of gear you�ll be packing, starting with �
#5: iPad
Skype
Sure Skype works on just about everything, but on the iPad you sort of sit there
with your mouth open.
It really rocks video calls on that full touch screen, even
though its technically still an iPhone app as of today�s taping.
And of course you�ll
want that iPad to be a 2 with the cameras or you�ll be making a voice call on a
big screen device and that�s kinda lame.
Netflix
I�m convinced the Netflix App keeps scores of new buyers from returning their
iPad.
It reminds you why you just spent 500-800 bucks on a mobile device
doesn�t make phone calls.
It�s what portable TV always wanted to be.
And no,
Netflix is not a ripoff.
#4 Mac
TweetDeck
We like Tweetdeck, which is now owned by Twitter, but we especially like the
Mac version, which isn�t usually the case.
It looks sharp and is a great way to
merge & manage Twitter and Facebook posts from you, your friends, your
followers, and that weird stalker guy.
Spotify
When you�re cranking away on your Mac doing homework you know you�re
gonna be playing music.
Nobody studies in silence any more.
Nothing is hotter in
online music right now than Spotify.
Just launched in the U.S. in time for the
school year, their track library is huge and you pick exactly what you want to
hear, not a �sounds like� think like Pandora.
#3 Android
Kindle
The free Kindle app for Android is a simple, clean way to get a Kindle without
buying a Kindle.
More money for beer that way.
You know all about Kindle books,
periodicals, web feeds and PDF support but the new thing is the just announced
Kindle Textbook store.
You�re probably gonna save huge money renting digital
versions of your textbooks and you get to save your notes and hilites after the
book rental ends.
Evernote
What is school if not one big organization project.
Evernote for Android really fills
a need for one app that swallows up text notes, voice clips, pictures, files, links,
and even locations.
You�ll be like Einstein when he said he never memorized his
phone number because he knew where to look it up.
Unless you lose your
phone, Einstein.
#2 iPhone
WhatsApp Messenger
Put this on your iPhone and save tons on texting, because you can skirt that
texting plan from your carrier.
The catch is your friends & family who you want to
text also have to install WhatsApp Messenger, too.
Then they and you are texting
and even sharing your locations for free.
Yeah, that�s gonna be a tough sell..
Yelp 5/8915
If you�re heading off to a new college, you�re not leaving without A.) a lot of
weirdness from your parents and B.) the Yelp App on your iPhone.
Everyone
thinks restaruants with Yelp but it�s a great pocket guide to finding anything, like
a guitar shop, piercing place, skateboard store or career counseling center.
#1 PC
Chrome 5
Chrome browser is cool.
Really fast, makes all the Google stuff work well, nicely
standards compliant and it seems to run its best on the PC.
Plus you can turn on
syncing so your bookmarks, prefs and settings will follow you to any other
machine that has Chrome just by using your Google login.
Paint.
NET
C�mon, you�re not going to pay for PhotoShop.
And you probably don�t need that
horsepower anyway.
Paint.net is our go-to pick.
It�s open source so no cash is
required, does all the essential stuff and a few advanced tricks, and seems to get
updates all the time.
For more, go to BackToSchool.cnet.com and for more Top 5�s etc, go to
top5.cnet.com.
I am Brian Cooley, thanks for watching.
