"My Tracks"

Six months ago when I got my new, first smart phone  - Samsung Galaxy III – I was thrilled to be able to look things up, text easily, check my emails, and feel like I was part of the ‘in the know’ and ‘with it’ crowd.  I excitedly shared my recent knowledge with anyone who asked about the phone.  They, in turn, introduced me to the wide world of APPS.  Based on what everyone was telling me to check out and how great this app or that app was…I downloaded several in addition to the ones already on my phone.

Some are just sitting there looking back at me…

• Bar Code Reader – still haven’t figured out when I would use this (or why).
• Yarn Shopper – I can’t knit fast enough to use the yarn I have; but I’m ready to shop.
• Ring Tones – after hours of downloads and adding specifics to people; I still just answer when the phone rings.

Some are useful occasionally…

• Swiss Army Knife – the name says it all if you ever want to use your phone as a level.
• Angry Birds and Free Cell – keep boredom at bay if I am stuck in the car with nothing to do.
• My Car Locator – unfortunately, I didn’t have this when the car did get lost.

Then there is one app that I use a lot and just love…

        My Tracks – connects me to the GPS satellites and follows me as I go on 

        walks; then provides me with more information about that walk than I ever 

        thought possible on both a visual and data specific detail.

I have become more creative in my walks so that the resulting map at the end is more interesting, which has led me to take longer walks.  Some days, I feel the need for a challenge and have taken to seeing if I can “beat” my previous time over the same route.    

While I am having fun with this app, would I buy a new phone just to have this ability?  No, but it sure makes for a fun way to stay on track with my exercise outdoors!!!