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Carol's Favorite Tech Tools

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

"All the technology in the world will never replace a positive attitude.”
– Harvey Mackay

"Attitude determines altitude."
-Zig Ziglar


This month's ActiveRain Challenge is to share our favorite tech tools, why we love them, and how we use them. I use several different apps that I wouldn't want to be without, but since I am retired they don't have to do with work. They are more about convenience, safety, and fun.

Phone Link:
Others have mentioned this one or similar apps. It is the one I use most (several times a day). I love being able to text from my computer.  I am a fast typist, and typing on a full-sized keyboard is much faster and makes better use of my time than typing on my phone's small keyboard. It’s especially useful when I have a lot to say, which is kind of often. Yes, I could use the voice-to-text feature, but the translation isn't always accurate, and I spend more time correcting the errors than it takes to type it out in the first place. The other thing I like about Phone Link is I can pull in pictures from both my phone or the computer. I can't easily pull in pictures on my computer direct from my phone... at least not that I know of.

GPS:
For a solo road tripper like me, I probably don't need to explain why I love this. It is my co-pilot. This makes solo travel so easy and stress free. I do keep an Atlas in my car, so I can plot out my routes ahead of time. If I totally left it up to the GPS, it might send me into a high traffic area I can avoid by rerouting the GPS.  Something I've learned about the pre-programmed maps in my car GPS is they aren't always the most current. Sometimes, I also use my phone GPS to compare routes. The phone always has the most current maps. I like the car GPS because it is larger and easier to see.

Waze:
I don't actually use Waze a lot but when I need it, I am glad it's available. Waze provides live traffic data by incorporating input from other users. It alerts me to accidents, road closures, traffic jams, and hazards in real-time, allowing me to reroute and avoid delays. I especially use this when I get into traffic jams. I can tell on the Waze map how far the slow down goes so I can decide whether to re-route or wait it out.


Google Keep (list maker)
This app does a lot more than what I use it for but I absolutely love it for keeping a bunch of different lists at my fingertips. I can update any list at any time. I have a lot of lists itemized by specific stores, including my grocery list, Costco list, Sally Beauty list, Walgreens, Amazon, etc. I also keep a books to read list, a To Do list, people to call list, and a packing list for my road trips. Every list is easily updated whether I want to add or delete items. One thing I love about the grocery list is when I check off an item, it drops it down into a sub-list, so I can add it back when I need to restock. Or, I can delete an item completely, which is what I should do with the cookies and donuts. This is a FREE app.

Audible 
This is what I listen to while I am traveling. I rarely have the radio or Sirius on. I download books on my phone and it links into my car Bluetooth system, so I can listen to books anywhere anytime. I like to read and you can imagine, on a long road trip that I can do a lot of "reading". I subscribe to the annual membership. It's a little less expensive than buying credits individually. There are cheaper ways to get audio books, and I use some of them too, but Audible has the largest selection. It's rare that I can't get the book I want through Audible.

Note: You don't need to download the book onto your phone as long as you have an internet connection. I sometimes lose internet on my trips, though, so I do download them and remove them when I am done. Of course, those removed books are always in the archives if I want to upload them again in the future.

Life 360  
This is a location sharing app for selected family and friends. I set up separate "circles" for different groups of people. For example, I have one circle with my closest set of friends, and another circle for my brother and a few other family members. My family and friends love to follow me when I am traveling, so they know I am where I should be... and vice versa. They can literally see the movement of my vehicle as I drive down the road (and how fast I am going). Of course, I can follow them too. We have one friend in our circle that we've told to slow down!  I have one family member who has called me to see if I'm ok because I haven't left home for two or three days. It's kind of funny but kind of nice that she checks on me, even though she knows I have a daily check in buddy. There is a paid option on this app but I just use the FREE version.

Two of my other favorite tech tools are Chat GPT & Suno. I've written about those before, though, so I won't go include them here.

This is my entry into the ActiveRain October Tech Tools Challenge .

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!




Comments(17)

Frank Worrell
BPOS FOR LIFE LLC - Chesapeake, VA
Turning BPOs Into Six-Figure Incomes

Carol Williams   Thank you for sharing your favorite tech tools! I love hearing about how different apps can make life more convenient, especially when it comes to travel and staying organized. I noticed you mentioned Suno—I’m curious to know more about your experience with it. How has it been helpful for you, and how do you incorporate it into your daily life? It’s not an app I’ve used much, so I’d love to hear how you’ve found it useful!

Looking forward to hearing more about it!

Best regards,
Frank 

Oct 14, 2024 02:13 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Frank Worrell 
Thanks for reading my tech tools post. Here is a post I wrote about my experience with Suno. I've been so busy, I haven't gotten back into it for a while but I sure had fun when I did.

Oct 14, 2024 10:41 AM
Michael Elliott
Fathom Realty - Burlington Township, NJ
Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales

I really like Audible!   But I haven't been on that app in a bit,  thanks for the reminder.  

Oct 14, 2024 03:24 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Michael Elliott 
I love Audible, and have a couple books going at any given time. Usually a fiction and non-fiction, so I can listen to whatever strikes my mood.

Oct 14, 2024 10:42 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Carol. I can text from my computer and it is easier than from my phone. Has not cured my typing slow and making many mistakes. I do use Waze for long trips and it has helped me avoids major backups. GPS is a must these days. Have to explore the rest. Enjoy your day and your found conveniences. 

Oct 14, 2024 04:41 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks, Wayne Martin 
GPS is definitely a must these days. Sometimes, I even turn it on around town to see what kind of route it gives me. I know the most efficient route, of course, and it doesn't always give me that... but it gets me where I want to go.

Oct 14, 2024 10:43 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Carol... I also love being able to text from my computer and have been doing so for years. I've had GPS in my car for at least two decades. As for lists, I'm still kind of a paper list girl. Can't do audible... the minute someone starts "reading" to me, I start falling asleep -- probably not a good idea when I'm driving! 😏

Oct 14, 2024 04:43 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker 
I think I bought my first Garmin after our trip to England in around 2005. Our daughter had one (speaking in an British accent) so, of course, I wanted one too. I even programmed it for the British accent. 😊

Oct 14, 2024 10:46 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Carol Williams hi Carol... I had a Garmin a long time ago. But I've had cars with built-in GPS  since the early 2000's.

Oct 14, 2024 11:00 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker and Carol!  I had an early on version of GPS as well and I could switch it to several different languages which I loved to use.  My passenger got a kick of it as well!  Typically I had Spanish or French on as I thought of it as my way to practice and remember words!!  Sounded funny when the French gal would be insisting on exit now - Exit Now ------- EXIT NOW!  She meant it more than the English version!

Oct 14, 2024 03:44 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, I haven't heard of phone link, I will have to check that out and see how it differs from the app that I use, haha.

Oct 14, 2024 05:10 AM
Carol Williams

I'm sure they are similar Brian England. I haven't checked out any other options.

Oct 14, 2024 10:46 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

For me GPS is gold. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Monday and have a productive week! Bill

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Oct 14, 2024 05:39 AM
Carol Williams

Thanks, Bill Salvatore - East Valley 
Yes, these days GPS is pretty much mandatory. I love all my other tools too.

Oct 14, 2024 10:47 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thank you for sharing your list! I'm going to have to look into Google Keep. All my lists are on paper but it might be nice to try keeping that online.

Oct 14, 2024 06:11 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Kat Palmiotti 
My List app is only on my phone. That way I know it's always with me, no matter where I am.

Oct 14, 2024 10:47 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Carol - technology or not, I have seen much evidence where my attitude has helped me far more than my aptitude.  

Oct 14, 2024 06:43 AM
Carol Williams

Attitude is of utmost importance, Michael Jacobs. That's why it starts with an "A", the first letter of the alphabet. 😂

Oct 14, 2024 10:48 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Carol, I thought I had looked for programs to text from my computer, so now have added phone link to my computer, thanks.   While on my trips, I have my Garmin and phone plus my nav system in the car on for a variety of reasons.  Oh, have an atlas too.  LOL   I don't have anyone set up for life links, probably a good idea.

Oct 14, 2024 10:37 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Joan Cox 
I think you'll love Phone Link. I sure do. I still have one vehicle that is so old it doesn't have a GPS in it, so I still have my Garmin too.

Oct 14, 2024 10:49 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Carol I am familiar with Waze, but not with the others.  Maybe I will check some of them out.

Oct 14, 2024 11:10 AM
Carol Williams

Hi George Souto 
That's great, George. I'm really enjoying learning about all the different apps our members love.

Oct 16, 2024 05:39 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Lots of fun and useful apps Carol.  I've heard you talk about a couple of them before.  But now I understand how and why sometimes your texts are long with a lot of questions for me to answer back in a simple text!!   Guess I'm old school 😆

Oct 14, 2024 03:47 PM
Carol Williams

Hey Anna "Banana" Kruchten 
The secret is out!  😂

Oct 16, 2024 05:40 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

And now it makes total sense to me!!

Oct 17, 2024 10:08 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Carol Williams you have a couple in there I have not used but sound good to me so I will be checking them out. Thanks!

Oct 15, 2024 08:44 AM
Carol Williams

That's great, Bob "RealMan" Timm 
I hope you find some that are useful to you. I'm enjoying learning from others too.

Oct 16, 2024 05:41 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I love my GPS.  Cellphones are a treasure chest of help these days.  I also love DuoLingo for learning foreign languages.

Oct 15, 2024 02:31 PM
Carol Williams

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat 
We can pretty much do everything from our cell phones, can't we?

Oct 16, 2024 05:41 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Carol- I use WAZE often when I'm deep in Houston traffic (you remember that!) and Life 360 for many years and love it. I'm going to see if I can get Phone Link for my hunt and pecker Larry!!!

BTW- we called our first GPS Mabel. 

Oct 15, 2024 08:09 PM
Carol Williams

Hi Kathy Streib 
There is traffic in Houston? 😂  Did I tell you about the 5 gallon bucket I had to crush on the freeway in heavy traffic?

Oct 16, 2024 05:43 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

That's quite a few useful apps, Carol. Have thought of using Auduble because my eyes get tired from so much every day reading. Life 360 looks to be very useful when traveling!

Oct 16, 2024 12:03 PM
Carol Williams

Audible is great. I've had it for several years. Life 360 is great too. I have a friend in Spain right now, so it will be fun to follow her.

Oct 17, 2024 07:06 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Carol, That phone link sounds good.  I'll have to check that out, I too prefer to do typing on a larger keyboard.  Thanks for that!

Oct 17, 2024 01:18 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks for a useful app list, Carol. I'm not familiar with Phone Link so will check it out.

I had a Garmin years ago and loved it but the current GPS systems are far better. Still, every now and then they steer me wrong especially with new communities.

Jeff

Oct 19, 2024 07:27 PM