What do we think of..
Travel
GasBuddy – Gas prices seem to rise and fall by their own accord, while keeping a steady price above $3.00. Fortunately, GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest pumps in your area through the use of reported prices from registered users. You can sort by grade (regular, premium, etc.) and even get directions to your station of choice. (Android/iPhone: Free)
RoadNinja – If you’re traveling back home after a rough semester or taking a trip with friends and want to try something new along the way, give RoadNinja a shot. This awesome app finds information about things to do at upcoming exits, nearby locations or places across the U.S. Categories range from attractions and education to nightlife and tacos. (Android/iPhone: Free)
Education
iStudiezPro – Looking to get more organized this semester, but don’t want to carry around extra books and folders? iStudiez pro is a powerful planner used to sort your homework assignments, tests, exams and everything in between. The interface is simple and allows you to input deadlines, locations and even teacher contact information all within the same assignment. What’s more, iStudiez allows syncing to iPads and MacBooks so you’re never out of the loop. (iOS: Pro-$2.99 | Lite-Free)
TeamBox – Trying to coordinate and collaborate with a group of people can be a real pain. Through its project management tools, Teambox aims to make the process more streamlined without sacrificing any power. It features a Twitter style timeline for communication and boasts integration with Dropbox, Github and Google Apps through the Chrome Web Store. You can create several project files right from your iPad and, from there, assign tasks, add people to different projects and participate in an integrated group chat. (iOS: Free)
Happy Hour
AlcoDroid – Every night on the town doesn’t need to end with fights, lost wallets or random encounters—awesome as they may be. AlcoDroid was created to help you drink responsibly by measuring your blood alcohol level throughout the night and predicts when you’ll sober up. After inputting your weight and sex, add drinks by choosing from a few presets, or create a new preset if your particular drink isn’t listed. The only catch is remembering to add another drink after your third shot. (Android: Free)
Textalyzer – Two ingredients that never mix well together, alcohol and bitterness, can be an even more toxic combo when technology comes into play. This is why Textalyzer exists—to prevent you from messaging your ex when you’re several scotch-and-sodas deep. First, enter your “forbidden list”—those folks you fumble through your contacts to find every time you’re hammered. Then, when last call rolls around, you’ll have to complete a series of tough memory and concentration tests if you want to unlock the list and make some bad decisions. It’s the sober babysitter you never knew you needed. (iOS: $0.99)
Information
Appsfire – Trying to keep up with new apps can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there’s an app for that! Appsfire is updated on a daily basis to give you information about featured products, apps that have dropped in price and, if you connect via Facebook, apps your friends have downloaded. Android users can also choose to get results from Google’s Play Store or Amazon’s own app store. (Android/iOS: Free)
If you want to play catch-up from the past year or so, here are some suggestions for the best items you may have missed.
Literature
Educational
4-Hour Work Week: Get ideas and techniques from Princeton graduate, Tim Ferriss, on ways to enjoy a millionaire lifestyle. Ferriss tells the story of how he became a record holding tango dancer, a cage fighter, business owner, and much more, all while asserting that your ideal lifestyle can be achieved by working only four hours a week.
A Classic
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: There were a slew of deaths last year including actor Michael Clarke Duncan, author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, and music legend Whitney Houston. Each was artistic in their own way, and, to get a sense of what it’s like to evolve as an artist, it may be time to take a closer look at this read. James Joyce’s classical story on religious rebellion, sexual frustration and struggles for independence features an overarching theme of the potential dichotomy between loyalty to society and loyalty to oneself. Sound familiar?
Film
Documentary
Gun Fight: In light of last year’s tragedies and the increasing number of gun related deaths, American gun control laws are worth another round of consideration. That being said, this film is a bit biased due to the people portrayed on both sides — cautious intellectuals versus lowbrow gun lovers, but the bigger discussion concerning tighter gun control should still be explored.
Indie
Beasts of the Southern Wild: A story showcasing the development of a nine-year-old girl, Hushpuppy, as she struggles to connect with her father and the culture behind a group of people willfully separated from society. Leading lady, Quvenzhané Wallis, puts on an excellent performance and is currently the youngest actress nominated for an Academy Award.
Music
Rap – If you liked Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” then try… “R.A.P Music” | Killer Mike – Producer El-P creates an interesting mix of new and old school style beats, as Killer Mike delivers energetic verses over each track. If you want something different from radio hits, give this album a try. Notable tracks: “Go!”, “Don’t Die” and “Willie Burke Sherwood.”
Rock – If you liked Torche’s “Harmonicraft” then try…
“Yellow and Green” | Baroness – This is a fun double disc undertaking that offers a nice mix of high energy and melodic tracks to dig into. The tonal progression from one track to another is very well done, which keeps things interesting, though the second disc is a little more stagnant than the first. Notable tracks: “Twinkler”, “Sea Lungs” and “MTNS. (The Crown & Anchor).”
