Blackboard Mobile/Official University of Toronto APP
Price: Free | Website
What are they? Two apps that allow quick access to course information or official university news
Why? Most professors use Blackboard to co-ordinate their courses, and having mobile access to the site can be invaluable when trying to organize your life. U of T mobile is highly customizable and functions more as a mini-operating system than as a traditional app. The “micro-app” system ensures that you only get the information you want.
Why not? If app glitches really bug you, you should be aware that U of T Mobile is new and is still being perfected. Certain screens on the Blackboard app are visually cluttered, and it can be hard to sort through the information presented. Blackboard can also be slow to update course information.
Dropbox
Price: 2 GB of free storage, with options to pay for more | Website
What is it? A multi-platform app that allows for storage and multi-device synchronization
Why? The sign-up and set-up processes are easy. The software design is intuitive. File sharing is very easy. For even more space, there’s a reward system for referrals that allows users to increase their storage to a maximum of 18 GB. The app also does not support ads, allowing for uninterrupted use.
Why not? You may already use one of the numerous other services that offer similar services, like Evernote or Google docs. In its default settings, Dropbox will sync automatically, which can be rough on data plans.
iStudiez
Price: Free (lite version)/ $2.99 | Website
What is it? An award-winning organization and calendar app for university and college students
Why? A truly impressive amount of information can be stored in the app. Terms, classes, lecture sessions, tutorials, assignments, seminars, professors, and teacher’s assistants can be sorted and tracked, and all of this information can be integrated into the schedule. The app also includes a GPA calculator. Despite high information content and functionality, the app is easy to use and rarely feels cluttered.
Why not? The free version of iStudiez limits the amount of information that you can store within the app, though with creative use of the way the app sorts information this limit can be circumvented. The GPA calculator (which can be turned off completely) can be difficult to use. Inputting information can be time-consuming.
Super Note
Price: Free (lite version)/ $1.99 | Website
What is it? A note-taking app with integrated recording capabilities
Why? The app allows students to record their lectures and take notes simultaneously, linking the recording to the notes for easy access and organization. There are two ways to export data to another system: through email or through an easy downloading process.
Why not? The free version only allows for the creation of four notes at a time (if you have time, you can circumvent this limit by immediately uploading or emailing the notes to yourself through the in-app methods). Typing long notes is more difficult on devices with smaller screens.
The Transit App
Price: Free | Website
What is it? A slick navigation app for public transit
Why? The specialization means that routes are ultra-accurate and information is easy to sort through. The app has an amazingly useful ability to re-orient the map to match the direction that you are facing, and automatically updates to give you real-time information about your route. Users are also able to download city-specific, in-app data for offline use of the app. Impressive visual interface.
Why not? An unusually steep learning curve and no in-app help can make the initial use of the app daunting. The app is vastly more effective when location services are enabled, which may upset the privacy-obsessed. It also only works in certain metropolitan centres (the Toronto data package includes the GTA, Guelph, Waterloo and Hamilton regions).
