Gettin’ App Happy - Page 2

Two of the story's apps are uniquely suited to Kern's lifestyle. Users of 'Mark on Call' and 'Photo Measures' can input dimensions of a room and submit a photo to the site, then experimentally "rearrange their spaces" by moving items around on the photo template and even writing comments on it.

Such rearranging is something Kern admits with a self-deprecating smile to doing regularly in her home, quipping, "I don't know why that is, but it's a personal problem of mine."

Alternatively, her story's featured apps that are most applicable to doing home improvement include 'Buildshop,' 'Home Advisor,' 'Handy,' and 'Prestige Colorpic.' These can help with tasks such as planning and budgeting projects, finding qualified tradesmen, and trying different paint colors on for size.

Other apps in the story are more useful from an everyday organizing standpoint. One is 'About My Home,' in which Tanja writes that you can "log everything about your home—from makes and models of appliances and room dimensions to paint types and colors to maintenance schedules."

"That's nice for a home maintenance schedule," she noted later, adding, "I would imagine it's good for insurance purposes too."

Another app with "fun graphics" that Kern included in the story is whimsically named 'Choremonster,' which was actually recommended to her by acquaintances who have children.

"I have neighbors who use it," she explains. "From what I've heard, it's really good for kids in getting them to see projects through, because it makes it more like a game since they get rewarded."

Likewise, there is a reward for adults in another app that can reduce clutter while saving money for its users. It's called 'Flipp.'

"You get all these emails with fliers [and coupons]. This way you can have them all in one place," Tanja notes, explaining that 'Flipp' will store them electronically and help sync them to an online shopping list.

So set aside those fears of an automated future, Mr. Sherman, RIP. Tell your muddah, tell your faddah, tell everyone you know to check out 'There's an App for That' in the winter '18 CA-Modern.