Smart Devices and Apps Help Support Research, Extension, and Teaching

With advances in communications technology, smart devices have become essential tools for day-to-day activities in research, extension, and teaching. The objective is to describe the ways tablets, smartphones, and apps support our work related activities. Searching by keywords or journals, the Read by QxMD app automatically finds the latest scientific research articles. Cloud storage apps (Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive) allow file storage and file synchronization among mobile devices, computers, and mobile device applications. RSS news reader and news aggregator apps (Feedly, Pulse, and Zite) locate articles, websites, and videos about the latest news and technological developments in horticulture which are disseminated to extension personnel and stakeholders. Weebly, an iOS app website builder, was used to create mobile websites such as "Micro‑hydroponics" about noncirculating hydroponic vegetable systems. Keynote is an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch app used to create and deliver oral presentations. The latest version of Keynote enables an iPhone or iPod touch to be used as a remote control to run a Keynote presentation on an iPad. Mind mapping apps (SimpleMind+, Total Recall, and instaGrok) create mind maps of the topics that are covered in a presentation or classroom lesson. Students use mobile devices with QR code reader apps (i-nigma) to scan QR codes to get relevant information to supplement class discussions. The Video Tube app finds and views YouTube videos for flipped classroom discussions. Notability and Evernote are useful for taking notes by typing or writing with a stylus while simultaneously recording audio, or taking photographs to incorporate into the note.  Notability also annotates PDFs, and has the capability to back up notes to cloud storage sites such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box. Social networking sites such as Line allow researchers to set up groups, share photos, voice, or video call using Wi-Fi connections. Facebook hosts plant groups where hobbyists and scientists can exchange information. Camera apps can range from the simple Camera app to more sophisticated apps like ProCam and KitCamera. AppsGoneFree explores at no cost apps with 3-star or better rating in the iTunes store. In conclusion, smart devices and apps help support our daily work related activities in research, extension, and teaching.