Square

This may seem like a no brainer, but if you're not setup to use Square in your youth ministry, do it now!   Square is a simple way to take credit cards for youth trips, candy from your snack shack, and everything in between.  It's also a great way to send parents a receipt for cash or checks they may give you for their teens.  Think about adding credit card payments to your next car wash!  This concept is huge.

ARTICLE: The Dark Knight Would Love To Dock His iPad In This Amazing Bat-Cycle [Gallery / CES 2012]

I saw this article and had to share it. It's not exactly a solution to 15 passenger van, but somewhere that has to be a church board or group of elders willing to take a chance on this as the church's transportation vehicle.

-J

The Dark Knight Would Love To Dock His iPad In This Amazing Bat-Cycle [Gallery / CES 2012]:

LAS VEGAS, CES 2012 — How did professional auto-modder Mark Abate build this custom iPad-integrated Bat-trike? He started with a stock 2010 Can-Am Spyder trike, then worked a whole lot of Gotham-inspired magic on it, that’s how. Full gallery ahead!

MORE PICS...

Edit Office Docs On Your iPad For Free

Check out this new app in the AppStore called CloudOn.  It is a free app and links into your DropBox account, which is also free, and let's you edit any of your Microsoft Office documents.  It also has an autosave feature so you don't have to worry about saving.  One more nice feature is a connection status to verify that you are connected online and your doc is saving correctly.

Pick up this app ASAP!

Check out this application on the iOS iPad App Store: Notability - handwriting, note taking, audio recording, annotate PDFs, cloud sync your notes to Dropbox, and more.Ginger LabsCategory: ProductivityUpdated: Nov 08, 2011I was looking through the "top 25“ list and I noticed what appeared to me to be a new program to the paid list (although I'm fairly certain it's been ranked somewhere in the list at some point). It's another note taking app, but at only .99 it's currently a real steal. It's on sale so make sure to pick it up soon. This app has a PDF reader/annotated, word processor, hand writing, audio recorder, and will take images for your notes using photos, your iPad 2 camera, websites, and more. Definitely a new tool in my arsenal for when I go to meetings. So pick it up and let me know your thoughts.

Review: Group Text App for iPhone

Have you ever needed to message a consistent group of people but at some point accidentally failed to message 1 person in the group? Yeah, me too.  Sometimes online services just aren't handy enough. I, and many of you, need something in our hands.

A friend and fellow youth pastor and iPhone user had a need expressed to me the other day.  He needed a group messaging app that would allow him to overcome AT&T's 10 contact per message barrier.  Basically, he needed a simple way to make groups (lists) of students and people so that he could send out a single text message to them.  Maybe for an announcement, maybe for a reminder, maybe for a "snow day" notice...the sky is the limit.

I admitted that I didn't currently use such an app because up until now I've been paying for a text blast service through Simply Youth Ministry.  My service plan, their lowest, costs my budget $10 each month and is a bit of a hassle because I either have to use their web interface that isn't mobile friendly at all, or have the right email for the particular list I was wanting to message. Due to budget issues, this wasn't an option for my friend.  He already has unlimited texting on his cell plan, and he wanted his students to see that the messages come from him, not from some proxy service.

So what does a guy do? I did a little searching on iTunes and made a suggestion, Group Text ($2.99) by Redbits.  I didn't know much about it, but the description seemed to match his needs and the images that were provided seemed like it might be adequate for his needs.  So I sent my friend a link and offered that this might be a decent solution.

It didn't take long for him to declare this as his favorite and most useful app.  So, I've jumped and am trying it.  He's right, it does for a total of $2.99 what my $10/month plan did.

Here are the features:

• universal app (works on iPod, iPhone, or iPad)
• allows an unlimited number of groups (ie...parents, students, sr. high, jr. high, volunteers, certain schools)
• easily uses either your contacts from your phone, CSV (comma separated value) list, or just manual entry into each list to build your groups
• you can build templates for your messages
• and create 1-time custom groupings easily as well
• and so much more.

Nothing is perfect though.  Right now with iOS 5 you have to turn off iMessages and group messaging that is build natively into iOS when you need to use the app.  They are aware of the problem and are working on a solution.  Another thing my friend noticed, and it wouldn't be long until I did as well, is that when you update a contact in your Contacts on your iPhone it doesn't automatically update the number in your list within the app, a bit of an inconvenience. 

Over all, I can highly recommend this app. At only $2.99, it's a bargain (compared to some services) for those of us who are on the front lines of student ministry and want to keep in touch, send reminders, and keep communication lines open.  At this point it looks like I may be canceling my online service and saving $10/month to take some students out for a Coke or coffee. Check it out and let us know your thoughts or if you have another suggestion in the comments.

The World of Apple just got better!

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At the 2011 WWDC today the world of Apple seriously got an revolutionary bump.

If you have multiple devices from Apple, your world just got a huge bump of easiness.

• Basic features of contact, calendar, and mail went free for syncing between ALL your devices. (MobileMe is no more)
• iCloud syncs and backs up all your devices automatically, apps, documents, and even photos and makes them all available easily within your devices.
• You no longer have to have a computer to use a iDevice, the cord has been cut.
• Wireless syncing has been introduced for all your iDevices with iTunes
• purchase a song on any device within iTunes and it is automatically downloaded to your iDevice
• Take a photo on your iDevice and it is automatically stored (up to a 1000 photos for 30 days), and synced with your other devices, and automatically downloads to your computer for permanent storage.
• Play a game on one device and your save state is automatically uploaded to the cloud and synced between your other devices....(personally love this for angry birds)

So much more too, that's just a quick snapshot of the iOS portion of the presentation! Let me know your thoughts.

Worship Band with GarageBand

Let's face it, music instrument apps are cool as is.  Students love to play them and bands that have them are that much cooler.  But is there a better reason to add some iPads on your worship team besides the coolness?  YES!

One obvious reason is you may be cramped on space.  Maybe your stage is tiny or it's big but loaded with tons of stuff.  Either way, having an entire drum kit fit on your lap is a huge space saver!

An even better reason than space is smart instruments.  With the new GarageBand app for the iPad comes a new feature called smart instruments.  It makes playing the guitar, base, keyboard, and drums as simple as pressing one button for every chord change.  It makes music accessible to people who aren't musical!  There are a couple downsides to the app.  The smart drums may be too difficult to control for a live band unless you start out the song with them and then let them run.  You also may have to be creative with the chords as there is a limited number of them.

Bottom-line, this app is definitely worth the $5 they charge and can really help a small youth group worship band add key players without finding musical geniuses!

ARTICLE: The Best Facebook Apps for iPad

Here's an article for you iPad users who surf FB connecting with teens!

Best Facebook Apps for iPad

Flash on iPad

I just recently heard about a new app (currently free and on the iOS app store) that will allow you to browse and view websites with flash.  It's called iSwifter. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but if you need to occasionally view flash on your iPad this may be a great option for you.

Let us know what you think.

So here it is: iPad 2

So...I did it.  I waited in line with my family for around 5 hours on Friday in front of the Apple Store in our mall. We made an event out of it.  Bought some cheese-cake from the Cheesecake Factory (we had a gift-card lest you think we're wealthy), listened to music, played games, watched movies and relaxed together with our iDevices that we had with us.

Why did I get it? My high school daughter needs a laptop.  So we plan to do a little shifting of the tech in our home.  While I use the new iPad2 (32Gb wifi in black), my wife will begin using the original iPad (16Gb with 3G) as her main computer.  This does incur a learning curve and a little bit of a change of patterns and habits, but she primarily uses a computer just for email, calendar and browsing news and such, which the iPad is perfect for.  I will let you know later how this transition is going.

Why did I get the new one instead of saving a little change with an original model?  Here's a little thinking about my choice:

REVIEW: Simply Youth LIVE Curriculum App

Recently Simply Youth released an app for their LIVE Curriculum that works beautifully on both the iPhone and iPad. Let me tell you that it is an awesome compliment to this small group material. I had been using the PDF version and printing for my other leaders, but this streamlines everything.  The app allows me to be able to post announcements, information, calendar items and the lesson schedule to my leaders easily.

Let me encourage you to try it out. They have a free demo of the material that you can try out, allowing you an opportunity to take it for a test run before you decide to make the purchase. They have 2 versions, a 4-year Sr High and a 2-year Jr High set.  6 years of highly useful and flexible material.

There are a few things that I wish the app could do, like add their text service function (as it is on their website), and a little better calendar view, but over all it's a great app.  Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

Olive Tree Sale

We have mentioned Olive Tree's Bible app for your iPhone and iPad before. It's among the best you can buy and it's on sale this weekend. In fact, everything is on sale for 20% off this weekend. Go to www.olivetree.com!

Facepad for the iPad

If you like the official Twitter iPad app, as I do, then you very well may enjoy the Facepad app for browsing and posting to Facebook on your iPad.  It's a near copy for Facebook users.  Browse pictures, status updates and links without all the app mess that Farmville and other Facebook apps put all over your live feed.

Try it out and let us know what you think.

Organize Your Tasks

Writing down a list of things to do or a task list is a critical component to organization.  It can help you organize your time and bring a mental release to the growing cloud of impending things to do in your head.  Speaking of clouds, today's technology can really help you organize your task list.

I use an app on my iPhone called ToDo.  It has all the normal bells and whistles, but the cool part is it syncs all my tasks between my laptop, my iPhone, my iPad, and my wife's iPhone.  Not only can I stay organized, but my wife can add stuff straight to my list.  I can organize my lists into different categories. 

Another app I have used for tasks in Zenbe Lists, which I have already reviewed in my Event Roster post.

One more option to try is Evernote.  You can create lists that sync to a cloud.  It's the least complicated to setup, but you may get frustrated with the "append or copy" options.

AirPrint from iOS 4.2

For some simple instructions on how to enable AirPrint on your Windows Machine, the gracious guys at The iPhone Blog (TIBP) have given out some simple instructions and links to the files you need, click here for the instructions.

If you are running a OS 10.6 you can get your AirPrint on by visiting this link.

Once you follow your instructions, enjoy printing wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad or iPod.

iOS 4.2.1 Update

I understand that many of you already know this, but iOS 4.2 for your iPod, iPhone, and most importantly, your iPad has been released today.  I highly recommend getting your devices updated.  I've been working with my devices under this update for a while and it's very stable, and finally brings the functionalities that you've been experiencing on your iPhone to your iPad.

What does it mean for you individually? Well, some of what it brings to you is:

YouthPastorTech.com Podcast #1

Sesame Street: Song: There's An App For That

iPad as Travel Companion

I'm taking a trip to our regional University this week with some of our students, and I've made up my mind.  I'm not taking my macbook with me.  I haven't traveled without carrying a laptop for a LONG time, but I'm making the break for this 3 day trip.

Why am I doing this? Simplicity...maybe.  Not having to deal with security...possibly.  But the main reason is I can do most of what I need using my iPad.

There are very few things that I can't accomplish with it as my primary tool.  If I throw my bluetooth keyboard in the bag, I'm even better off.  I have most of my needed tools available on it.  I can place enough video for the plane ride and my reading material is loaded as well.  If my flight has wifi, Netflix can fill in a lot of gaps.

The great thing is that by leaving my macbook plugged in and running at home, I can access and run the needed operations from it if the need arises (generally only for a few possible web updates for clients) using a free version of TeamViewer, this app is a must-have for the mobile youth pastor.

I'll update you on my experience upon my return...here's to mobile computing at it's finest!

Event Roster

How do you manage who has signed up for your events?  Are you old school with a piece of paper and a pen?  Do you make a list in Word or Excel?  Do you use online registration forms and generate some sort of list?

Here's an option maybe you haven't thought of: Zenbe List or Team Coach.

Zenbe Lists

Zenbe Lists vs. Team Coach

Zenbe Lists is a simple online list maker that uses cloud technology to sync your lists from the zenbe website to your mobile devices.  I have it installed on my phone, my wife's phone, and my iPad.  I have lists of events with students who have registered in them.  I also have a list of everyone I have a medical release form for.  My wife and I also have our grocery lists so when I run to WalMart to pick up a few game supplies I can do her a favor and grab a few items for her.  Costs only $3.99 in iTunes which includes the iPhone and iPad app.

Team Coach

Team Coach is an app built for sport coaches, but it comes in really handy in youth ministry.  It allows you to create teams, which I use to create events.  Then you add individuals to the teams (events).  And last it allows you to create events for your teams, which I use to create events like "Paid" or "Registered" or "Bowling Team #1".  Team Coach is only $.99 in iTunes and does not have an iPad specific app, but it runs the iPhone version on the iPad.  It doesn't sync and I wish it had a few other enhancements

Neither of these is a perfect solution, but it can make event check-in easier!