Should I Update to iTunes 11?

Apple recently sent out a new update to iTunes that made many changes, and not everyone is enjoying them. As with most software updates by any company, there are always people wondering if the update is worth doing and if they should update now or wait. Unfortunately for Apple, iTunes updates have put a sour taste in the mouths of many Windows users that have made them doubly skeptical of doing updates. Let's take a look at what the update changed and from there you can decide for yourself whether it's worth doing:

First thing you'll notice is an all-new look and feel of the program. In true Apple fashion, the new iTunes is even sleeker and more minimalist than before. While this is very eye-catching, some people have been complaining about needing to "re-learn" where everything is located. Personally, I don't think this is a major issue. You move to different areas of your iTunes library using a drop-down now instead of using a left-side navigation bar.

The thing I enjoy most is the new "Up Next" option for the Mini Player. The mini player is the miniaturized iTunes player you can use to play music instead of having the large program window open and taking up space on your computer screen. Apple's updated that (again, making it more minimalist), but also added the Up Next feature that allows you to see what song is slated to play after the one currently playing. From there you can rearrange the order they play in, remove them from the to-be-played list, rate them, or get more information about them.

Lastly, more iCloud updates. This one is actually quite handy for people with multiple Apple devices that access iTunes. Now you can access all of your content from any of your devices. While Apple had a version of this previously through their paid iTunes Match program, it is now offered free and means that that song you bought on your iPhone instantly appears on your Mac (or PC) at home without having to plug your phone in to sync.

Practical Tip of the Day:

Still not sure if you want to update? It's not uncommon for a smaller bug-fixing update to be released within a few weeks of a major update to a program (this rule of thumb is true for most programs regardless of who makes it). If you're concerned that the new update will mess something up on your computer, wait for the next update and down both of them at the same time. This will make the updating process take longer, but it'll mean you're also minimizing the chance for something to get lost-in-translation during the update process, and as always, I recommend backing up your data before any major software update.


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Best iOS Apps for Stay at Home Parents

Often times people think of business people and college kids when they think of smartphones like the iPhone, but there are plenty of stay-at-home/work-from-home parents who own iPhones and iPod Touches as well. That's why I've decided to share my top three app recommendations for the the home:

Grocery iQ- This is one of my favorite apps because it allows my husband and I to share a single grocery list. It syncs between our phones so he can add something to the list from work, it'll automatically add it to my phone, and when I purchase the item and mark it off, it automatically removes it from the list on his phone so he knows he doesn't have to stop at the store. This app also has lots of coupons, a favorites list for commonly purchased items, a store locator and it can save your savings cards so you don't have to carry them with you.

Betty Crocker- The Betty Crocker app is one of my favorites for those "I need to use this up before it goes bad" times. You can search through recipes by ingredients ("I have kielbasa and black beans..."), browse by main ingredient "What can I make with chickpeas?" or search recipes by name "Lets make chicken enchiladas." Once you find a recipe you like, you can save it right in the app so you don't have to search for it all over again.

Mint- There's a reason stay-at-home parents are also called home economists. Mint is a financial app that ties into a website that helps you manage and track your finances with ease and sans jargon. It's easy to make a budget, link your credit cards and bank accounts, and then track how you're doing on your budget right from the app. Considering ordering dinner out? Open the app and see if it's in your budget to eat out this month. The website also allows you to track your loans and credit card balances so you have one place to see how far you've come in paying them off.

Practical Tip of the Day:
Have kids that like to play with your iPhone, but sometimes leave it in... odd places? Sign up for iCloud for free using your Apple ID (the log in you use to purchase apps) and then turn on "Find My iPhone" in your iPhone's settings. Lost phone? Go to icloud.com, log in, and click "Find My iPhone." It'll use the GPS to locate your phone ("Oh good, it's not at the daycare center!") and from there you can send it a message (if maybe it IS at the daycare center) or make it ring, even if you left it on silent! The last part is particularly helpful if you're like me and often leave your phone silenced, and tend to find it between couch cushions or under a pile of stuffed animals.