PR Nerds Don't Leave Home Without These Apps

by Katelyn Powers, Vollmer Public Relations New York City

The following re-enactment is based off of real events:

Situation: A PR rep is writing a press release about the grand opening of a museum, suddenly develops writer’s block and can’t think of another word for “tourist”.

Solution: PR rep highlights the word tourist, right clicks the mouse and finds the angelic “synonym” option glowing on the drop down menu. Magically, the words traveler, sightseer, visitor, holidaymaker, vacationer, day-tripper magically appear. Glorious!|

Outcome: PR rep finishes writing without having to use the word traveler more than once throughout the entire release and has one happy client!

Sound somewhat familiar? C’mon, we’ve all right clicked one too many times and can mostly agree that it’s been ages since we’ve even set eyes on an SAT vocabulary book. In PR, we’re always looking for the perfect words to keep everyone’s attention, making sure information is being distributed in the best way possible for our clients and their customers. Here’s a couple apps that PR folks can take advantage of when in need of writing assistance:

Flash of Genius App - http://www.flash-of-genius.com/iphone.php

Test your vocabulary skills by using this SAT prep app. Flash of Genius makes special lesson cards tailored to the individual, to help them see the connections.

AP Stylebook App - http://www.apstylebook.com/?do=product&pid=iphone

Search the downloadable listings for the main, sports, business and punctuation sections. This app also gives the ability to add custom entries as well as notes on AP listings.

No one is going to judge the over usage of the synonym short cut – it’s just all too convenient. But if not for press releases and writing in general, these apps can certainly help towards completing that darn newspaper’s crossword puzzle that gets indecently difficult by the end of the week. Happy downloading!

Love App First Site: Apps for Valentine's

by Katelyn Powers, Vollmer Public Relations New York City

Yikes, Cupid has hit the mother lode this year with everyone's obsession with phone applications. Computerworld.com says that, according to projections by Gartner Inc., users of mobile devices will download some $6.2 billion worth of applications from online stores in 2010, nearly double what was spent last year.

What better time to spread some techie love than with a few new mobile/messaging apps that are sure to heat you up this Valentine's Day - err, at least your phone?

Date Check
Date Check, developed by Intelius, can help you figure out who your prospective date really is. With features such as Sleaze Detector, Compatibility, $$$, Interests and Living Situation, you can do a background check simply by entering a name, phone number or email address. In the company’s words: "Look up before you hook up."

Q?pid
Developed by QEntertainment, Q?pid is a social puzzle game for iPhone and iPod touch users. It's a two-player game that can serve as a social ice-breaker or flirtatious entertainment.  It's made up of puzzles that require players to work together in a single gesture, each using a finger, in order to reveal a mystery photo.

Vpype Greeting
A social video company just recently launched a free vGreeting messaging application for this Valentine's Day. Anyone on Facebook can create a personal V-Day video message and send it to a shared network of loved ones.

In hopes that old school chivalry will persevere, these mobile/messaging cherubs are just a fun little addition to help you enjoy Valentine's Day.