I remember my very first smart phone. It was an android, the original droid, I believe. It was the G1 and it changed my life. However, by the end of my two year contract, I was definitely ready for a phone upgrade. I still get a little nostalgic thinking about my first baby, though. I love that upgrading your phone is such an easy process these days. I was able to easily upgrade one of my AT&T lines at the Mobile Center inside of my local Target. I snagged the super sweet Samsung Galaxy S4 as a graduation gift for my mom.
My mom has been in nursing school for the last two years and is graduating this week. Her phone is ancient and was in dire need of an upgrade. A couple of months ago, we upgraded my step-dad’s phone to an Android and she kind of fell in love with the operating system. I love that Target has such a wide range of providers, plans, and phones to choose from. They’re all right there on display in the electronics section.
In order to upgrade, I needed to provide the basic info like account holder name, last 4 of social, and billing zip code. Quick tip: make sure you know your current plan so you can easily identify it when upgrading your line.
I decided to get my mom the Samsung Galaxy S4, because I hear it’s the bees knees AND it happened to be on sale for $99! I love saving money… especially at Target, where I somehow manage to spend hundreds of dollars on beautiful things when all I needed were some dryer sheets. I can usually save a few bucks using the Cartwheel app on my phone, which is always nice. Of course, you can always save 5% using your Target REDcard!
I love the variety of cases and phone accessories at Target. There must’ve been at least four aisles filled with cute cases and various chargers. I browsed the aisles but decided to let my mom pick out her own case another day.
I’m a pretty wonderful daughter, so I didn’t make my mom wait until her graduation to play with her new phone. Wonderful.. I know. We were both seriously impressed with the camera and the screen resolution. My mom said, “Oh wow, it looks so much nicer than my old phone.” Oh I know, mom. I know.
My mom isn’t the brightest pixel on the screen when it comes to technology. Lucky for her, she has 6 kids who know their way around a variety of operating systems. I quickly set to work downloading all of her favorite apps and some of my own.
Now that my mom is done with nursing school, she’s going to have a little more time on her hands. She fancies herself a bit of a blogger and wants to really give blogging a shot now that she’s out of school. So, I headed to the Google Play store and downloaded my favorite apps that every blogger needs. It should be noted, the Google Play store is so much easier to use than that other store. I love how wicked fast the Samsung Galaxy S4 downloads apps, too.
8 Apps for the Serious Blogger.
1. Instagram –Â This is my favorite social network and is vital for any blogger looking to quickly share his/her awesome photography.
2. Facebook –Â This is what I would call a necessary evil. I’m not a huge personal Facebook user, but I can’t deny the power of Facebook in the blogging world.
3. Starbucks – Caffeine is a blogger’s best friend. Or maybe just a mother’s best friend. Or maybe just a working person’s best friend. OR maybe it’s the best friend of the mother, who works from home, blogging. I gave up caffeine a few months back, actually, but I still hit up Sbux at least 5x a week for my fix of overpriced sugar and cream. 🙂
4. Evernote –Â Ugh. This app was life changing for me. I’m a HUGE list maker and I’m always thinking of new video or post ideas and needing to write them down. I love the interface of Evernote and how easy it is to connect through my various devices.
5. YouTube –Â I’m a vlogger and love to keep tabs on my stats. I’m also a person who loves to learn and get inspired by other vloggers. I love to keep the YouTube app at the ready, in case I have a few spare minutes to sneak in a video or two, throughout the day.
6. Play Music –Â I don’t know about you, but I work best when I have music blasting in the background.
7. Gmail – Gmail is my best friend. I’m constantly getting important emails and I need to be able to respond to them quickly and easily, which I can do through the Gmail app. I can’t tell you how many #CollectiveBias emails I’ve responded to from this app. 😉
8. AT&T Drive Mode –Â This is by far my favorite app. It’s actually a life safer. As bloggers, we are so connected all the time. We are constantly checking our social networks, emails, and blogs to make sure that we are on top of things. But it’s SO important not to get distracted while driving and risk bodily injury of yourself, your family, and other people. I love that you can set Drive Mode to start automatically when your GPS notices that you are leaving.
We have the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Tab 2, and we love them both. I’ll have to checkout the S4 next time I’m in Target. My husband is a huge Android fan! 😀
Karen Coutu recently posted..Giveaway: Develop Storytelling Skills with Moulin Roty’s Les Petit Merveilles Nighttime Shadow Puppets from Magicforest
I never knew about Target Mobile — just another reason to love Target! My sister loves her S4! What a fancy and tech savvy phone! My must have app would definitely have to be Instagram — I’m obsessed just a little bit…
Kait recently posted..Baby Must Have: TinyLove Gymini Developlace Play Mat
What a great daughter upgrading your mom’s phone!
We upgraded to our very first smartphones a few years ago at Target’s Mobile department. As I recall, we were able to get a great price on our phones there.
I’ve got the Galaxy S4 now and really enjoy it! Oh, and my favorite app has to be Instagram!
Stephanie recently posted..Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguini
If you want to save on groceries… Favado is an awesome app to help you get saving! Oh and all those great rebate apps too (Ibotta and Checkout 51). I need to look at Evernote too. Thanks for the post!
Mary from Mission: to Save recently posted..Saver Tips Tuesday (3/11/14 ) #SaverTips
I’ve been eyeing that Samsung too! And totally agree about the Starbucks app!!
Charlene DeLoach recently posted..Heartbeat of Home Boston
I was not aware of Target Mobile. Thanks for highlighting these great services. My must have app is My Fitness Pal for tracking my food and activities.
I’m sure you mom was just thrilled with her new Android phone from Target. They do have just about everything you need! And congrats to her for graduating from nursing school.
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What a fabulous phone you got for your Mom, and what a great daughter you are!! I have seen the huge selection of phones and plans at Target, amazing they offer such a selection. And those apps really are must-haves, even the Starbucks one! Great post, Sarah.
Patricia Cook recently posted..Making Chocolate Tarts With Delicious Milky Way Caramel Bites
You are a great daughter! I purchased my first smart phone from Target about 2 years ago and it was so easy.
That phone looks so awesome!
Melanie recently posted..Easy Preschool Planet Craft
I love Target, but rarely even visit the electronics section (unless it’s the holiday season). I had no idea they have so many phones to choose from. The next time I’m in the store I will have to stop by and check them out. I am kind of a phone-a-holic. I love trying out new phones and have literally gone through over 10 phones in the past two years. My husband says he thinks I damage them just so I can try something different.. I plead the fifth!
I haven’t tried anything from Samsung yet, and the speakers on my phone are shot, and wait, what is that, a crack in my screen… uh, oh… Time for an upgrade 😉
Shasta Walton recently posted..Comment on Packing Protein & Preparing For A Fitness Competition by Ashley from Sweaty Girl in a Fur-Covered World
Great post! Live your app suggestions! I use most of them but there are a few I will check out!
Great post! Love your app suggestions! I use most of them but there are a few I will check out!
Great post! I had no idea Target had a mobile center! I’ll definitely be checking it out the next time we upgrade.
Stephanie Pass recently posted..It’s Nearly Spring! Let’s Celebrate with a Cash Giveaway!
I am so with you on the amazingness of the Galaxy line. I have an SII right now, and my plan is up a month EXACTLY from today. I am counting down the days until I can upgrade. I soooo want the S4, although with the new S5 coming, I’m kind of drooling about that one, too!
I love that Target has a mobile center in it, too, since I spend so much time in the store already. Definitely going to have to spend some time browsing the options. Things have changed so much since the last time I upgraded my phone!
So explain the Drive Mode app more? I’ve never heard of it before and don’t fully get what it does – but if it’s in your top 8, there has to be a reason, right?
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Of course, so AT&T has the whole “It Can Wait” campaign about not texting while driving. The Drive Mode app is in line with that and when your phone’s GPS system sees that you are driving it will send automatic responses to anyone that may text you, saying are driving and will respond later. It can also tackle your calls and basically just removes the temptation of getting distracted while driving.
First of all let me profess my undying love for Target. My favorite!! I also have a Samsung S4 and I love it. I’ve taken some great shots with the camera and I totally agree that Instagram is the number one required app:) I just added Pinterest the other day, a new time sucker:) #client
Love this handy list of apps, and I had no idea of the amount of tech options at Target. Thanks for sharing!
You are so sweet! You remind me of my daughter! 🙂 Great info on the Target Electronics Center and all of the phones they have! I love my Samsung Galaxy for sure and I’m going to try out the Evernote App!
shari lynne @ faith filled food for moms recently posted..Just Between Friends
I had no idea that Target had a mobile center. This is fantastic since I am always at Target anyway. We have lots of Samsung electronics at our house and we love them!
Ida recently posted..Fun In The Sun
$99 for a Galaxy S4? Please don’t tell my husband! He currently has the SIII and would love to upgrade to a newer one.
Kecia recently posted..Top 3 Times We Needed a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic Atlanta
Sounds like a great offer and a really nice phone! I love apps, hahha my phone is filled with them!! Thanks for sharing about the upgrade offer.
Kelsey Apley recently posted..Enjoy new 3 MUSKETEERS and MILKY WAY Simply Caramel Bites (Coupons!)
Ha! I love that Starbucks is on your list of essential blogger apps! It’s definitely on mine. I have an iPhone, but the girl across from me at work has the Galaxy and it’s pretty neat. There are definitely a few cool features she has that I do not, and her phone does most of the things my iPhone does too!
Jamie Rippy (@MamaMommyMom) recently posted..Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
I love the dragon dictation app on my phone. This lets me write articles and posts while I’m out walking the dog. Love Target!!!