Sefiras HaOmer (ספירת העומר) Application Comparison & Reviews (updated 5773)

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Sefirat Haomer Widget by Android-SoftIT (version 4.0)

Type: Application and Widget
Cost: Free
Overview:
This is a full sefira application with included widget. The 3x1 or 4x1 widget shows the Arabic number and Hebrew text for the sefira. A single touch brings up the application which, in one well laid out page shows the entire Hebrew text for the Omer service (but not that night's "serfira" in the later "yehi ratzon." All of the text is in Hebrew.

+Custom alarm times, tones, and vibration options.
+Three Nusachim.
+Shows Hebrew date at top of application.
+Correctly aligned nekudos (vowels)
+Ability to turn off vowels
-This app can lead to possible confusion as to which night it is. It waits until around sunset to switch to the next day. If one forgot to count that day, and checks at around this time, he may be unsure which day it is. This should be a serious consideration when considering this otherwise well-made product.
-Default background is too busy and the text doesn't flow that nicely 


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Counting the omer Widget by Wiegand Tech LLC (version 1.04)
Type: Application and Widget (4x1)
Cost: Free
Overview: This installs as an app with Widget option. Designed for the English praying and speaking, it offers an English "Tonight is the X night" on your home screen (if you install the Widget). A single click of the widget (or a load of the app) loads a very simple English transliteration of the Hebrew blessing and the actual day stated in English.

Pros: Simple Application for those not versed in Hebrew
Cons: No reminders or check-off days aside from the home screen widget.

Verdict: Ideal for those that can't read Hebrew
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Sefira Reminders - Lite (And Sefira Reminders) by Yossie/Tizkor.com version 1.6.2

Review: Updated 04/07/13
Type: Application
Cost: Free (Lite) and $.99 (regular)


+Clean, very easy-to-read text, with clear nekudos (vowels).
+Sefira check-off list for all 49 days.
+Completely avoids confusion by showing in-line (in English), for example, "Monday night" and "Monday Before Night" on the same screen. Even other apps that attempt to avoid confusion still leave room for misunderstanding. For instance, if it's after midnight, and the app has moved to the next day, and says "today before nightfall, and "today after nightfall" what is it referring to? This app leaves no question. 
+Options for many Nusachim. 
+Allows one to choose tune for reminder.
+Later remind time for Saturday night (custom in paid version).
+Special early remind time for Friday.
+Daily (day-time) reminder option included as well
+Tested on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) as well as earlier releases.
+Includes the nightly "sefira" (kaballah) at the end.
04/19/12: Added option to silence alarm but keep reminder until count.

Cons: Requires paid version for full control of reminder times.

Verdict: Best over-all sefira app! This is the one we use exclusively.
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Sefirat HaOmer סדר ספירת העמר (v. 1.0) by RustyBrick

Type: Application (New for 5773)
Cost: Free, but additional $.99 for notifications (paid in app)


+Clean text with nekudos aligned properly.
+Includes the nightly "sefira" (kaballah) at the end.

-Only one nusach (custom)
-Even when one pays for the notifications, they can select the time but not for different days of the week.
-Uses a very rough sunset for the changeover to the "next day" which can lead to confusion for one who still hasn't counted the previous night
-Pretty background actually wastes screen real estate and requires more scrolling.
-No check-off list.

Note: Reminder feature not yet tested
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Sefirat Haomer and Sefirat Haomer Pro by Chaim Turkel (version 1.18)

Review revised 04/07/13
Type: Application and Widget (Pro only)
Cost: Free and $1.00 (Pro)
Overview:This app seems a bit more suited for those living in Israel. This is a full Application with the complete text.

+Tracks days and allows you to specifically mark missed days. 
+Uses GPS to find your location and give you limited zmanim. 
+Has setting for "Diaspora" to limit alarms on days that are Yom Tov in Chutz La'Aretz. 
+Three Nusachim. 
+Pro version Includes an (untested) audio counting feature.

-Leave a little bit of doubt possible as to which day today is when one may have missed counting. 
-Now free version is advertising supported.
-Text is somewhat small and hard to read.  The nekudot (vowels) are not included for the blessing itself but only the ancillary text.
-Vowels require Android 4.0 and above


Verdict: Very nice design. Very little that I would change. Pro version includes Widget. Second best over-all Sfira app here.

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Sefirat HaOmer by AvivoNet Software (version 1.0.3)

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This dated app works only in landscape mode and then doesn't fill the screen. It does show the full text of that day's omer using what appears to be a combination of scanned images and real Hebrew fonts. No reminder functions or options.

Pros: Does contain that day's sefira in the "Rebono Shel Olam." Does prevent confusion by explaining "today before nightfall" and "today after nightfall."

Cons: No choice of nusach. No reminders. Doesn't fill screen or work in portrait mode. Dated application from 2009-2010.

Verdict: Today, this app is a waste of time compared to much more capable free applications.

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Omer Count Widget (עומר) by ybm dev/Kwazi (version 1.7)

Type: Widget only (1x1)
Cost: Free
Overview: This tiny 1x1 Widget shows the number of that day and also the "erev" number with simple Hebrew text.

+ Small and simple

-Possible to still get confused as to which day it is. 
-No brochos. No settings, reminders or alarms.
-Widget incompatible with ICS (Android 4.0) and above.

Verdict: Good as an adjunct to one of the full-blown sefira apps that don't have a widget.
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ספירת העומר נוסח תימן by ami hanya (version 2.1.0)

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
This unique app is for the Teimani (Yemmenite) who says Sefirat HaOmer in Aramaic. Nicely designed with a simple interface. It does not have any reminder functions. 

+Now knows the Hebrew day and appropriate sefira
+Shows you the full text and can even  play an audio rendition on the speaker as an option.

-No checklist function
-No reminders
-Only Nusach Teimani

Note: All Hebrew interface.

Application: iPhone 3,4,5, iPad, iPod Touch iOS 6.0
Rating: ****

Mark Hayden, the author of the SEAiq series of apps, has been very busy lately. He has not only sailed more than 15,000 miles this past year but also has made many valuable additions to his SEAiq charting app.  I originally reviewed the SEAiq USA app back in April of 2012.

Mark and his growing family arrived back at their boat in Australia with an added crew member this year.  Their son joined them as they spent many months exploring the coasts of Australia and eventually moving on to Southeast Asia.  Concerns about pirates forced them to cross the Indian Ocean and onto South Africa.  The last leg of their trip was from South Africa to Cape Verde where the boat will remain until baby number 2 arrives shortly.  They plan to continue their adventures in the Mediterranean. Congratulations Mark and Dana!

You can follow all of their travels on their Northfork blog.

Mark's many ocean miles have given him a unique perspective on what features are valuable for crossing oceans as well as coastal cruising.  He happens to be an accomplished sailor and a very talented programmer.  This combination has produced one of the best charting apps on the market today.

The latest additions to SEAiq have added more functionality to the already feature rich app that is becoming the Go-To-App by many boating enthusiasts and harbor pilots. The variety of features and the versatility to display just about any type of chart make it a must have app.

Features:

• NOAA ENC Vector
• NOAA Raster charts 
• US Army Corps of Engineers vector chart of inland waterways
• For SEAiq Open formats include, KAP and BSB formats, S-57, S-63, Inland-ENC, CM93, and KAP/BSB plus home-made charts generated from satellite imagery
• Offline use of charts
• Night time color modes
• ActiveCaptain points of interest
• On screen instrument display
• iPad vertical instrument display 
• LAT: Latitude, LON: Longitude, ACC: Horizontal Accuracy of current GPS fix, COG: Course Over Ground, SOG: Speed Over Ground, BTW: Bearing To Waypoint, DTW: Distance To Waypoint,VMG: Vector Made Good
• English and metric units
  
• Import/Export
  
• Detailed Vector chart information
• Waypoints creation and edit
• Route creation and edit
• Tracking
• Smooth chart quilting
• World chart view
• Multi-touch gestures, pan and zoom 
• NMEA WiFi instrument and AIS data
• AIS display
• Weather Grib downloads from the Internet or Saildocs via Sailmail
• Wind, pressure isobars
• Anchor Alarm
• 7 Day evaluation period
• Drag and drop Variable Range Markers
• Drag and drop Electronic Bearing Lines

Mark continues to add many useful features to an already great app. He makes it easy for you to try the app with his Free version. All the features of the app are available for 7 days.  The premium features are colored a light magenta so you know what you get when you purchase the upgrade.

The premium features will no longer be available after the 7 day trial period.  They do allow you to un-install the app and reinstall it for another 7 days if needed.


Chart Types:

SEAiq has a very wide range of charts that can be displayed.  Unlike most charting apps many of the charts can be downloaded and updated for free.  For SEAiq USA and SEAiq Free, both raster and vector charts and updates can be downloaded free from NOAA within the app.  Vector charts for inland waterways published by US Army Corps of Engineers are now available too. The app allows you to switch back and forth between displaying the raster or vector types of charts.  The Raster setting in the settings menu will switch the viewed charts between Vector and Raster.


For the SEAiq OPEN version, you can load charts in the KAP and BSB formats. SEAiq OPEN now supports formats including S-57, S-63, Inland-ENC, CM93, and KAP/BSB.  Many of these can be downloaded from the Internet and imported using the Open In feature. Support also includes home-made charts generated from satellite imagery.  This is useful for areas that do not have good chart coverage. The OPEN version is free to download and with an in app purchase of $19.99 it will upgrade to the premium version with all the features.  No other app allows you to download and use so many different chart types.

Mark provides links to many free S-57 chart sources within the app's help screen. (See below). Help for downloading other types of charts is also explained nicely within the app.

NOAA provides high quality charts of the USA and territorial waters:
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/ENCs

The US Army Corps of Engineers provides charts of some inland waterways in the USA (in both S-57 and Inland ENC formats):
http://www.tec.army.mil/echarts/E_download.html

Numerous charts of inland waterways in Europe. Below are some of the links. Note that these links change from time to time:
Austria: http://www.doris.bmvit.gv.at/fileadmin/group_upload/8/ECDIS_Download/Edition_5.zip
Belgium: http://ris.vlaanderen.be/IENC/
Czech Republic: http://193.86.76.109/lpm/maps_S57.asp?lang=en
Germany: http://www.elwis.de/RIS-Telematik/Inland-ENC-der-WSV/IENC-Dateien/index.php.html
Netherlands: http://www.vaarweginformatie.nl/fdd/main/infra/enc
Romania: http://www.afdj.ro/electronic_map.html
Serbia: http://www.plovput.rs/elektronske-navigacione-karte
South China Sea (requires registration): http://scsenc.eahc.asia

Status Bar:

Another new addition to the app is the Vertical Status Bar.  This is available for iPad versions when in landscape mode.  When you rotate the app into landscape mode the status bar will move from the top of the display to the side of the display.   The data is now organized into more logical groups for display.  The GPS position and senor data is separated and shown on top.  The SOG and COG readings are displayed using a bigger font which makes them stand out and easier to read.

Context-sensitive information is also displayed when certain features are turned on so you only see the data when it is useful to you.  When the anchor alarm in enabled, the information about relative position of the anchor is displayed. When AIS is being used, information for the most recently selected target is displayed.

VRL/EBL:

Variable Range Markers and Electronic Bearing Lines are some new tools added for measuring distance and bearing.  These can be added to you chart by simply double tapping at any point and making a selection.  The VRM tool allows you to specify a distance around your present location or a point. A circle is then displayed at that radius.

EBL can be made from any point on your chart to another point or location.  It will display the bearing and distance between the two points.  This feature is nice to quickly find distance and bearing from your own-ship or even to an AIS target. These can be dragged and dropped onto or off of a vessel.

Weather:

One of the latest additions to SEAiq is the weather data including Wind, Pressure/Isobar data.  It has the ability to download this data automatically from the National Weather Service. An Internet connection is required. This latest release adds the pressure/isobar lines.  The weather data can also be downloaded manually while underway via SailMail/SailDocs using your SSB.  Additional weather data is planned for future releases.  The settings menu in the Weather sections lets you control what data you want to see and how it is downloaded.

SEAiq continues to add many functional and desired features for mariners.  The app has matured over the past year to become a full featured marine charting app. The latest features including Active  Captain POI, additional chart types, import/export, weather, instrument data, EBL, VRM, AIS, anchor alarm, and NMEA WiFi capability make it a must have for you iPad.   

~~~ Sail On ~~~ /)
Mark

Garmin is charging for Chart Updates?




I downloaded and reviewed Garmin's BlueChart Mobile app several months ago.  It was impressed with the quality of the charts and features in the app. I wrote a full review and tutorial of the features in an earlier post. 

I like the fact that the app was free and the in app purchase of charts was expected.  The chart prices seemed reasonable for what I got for my money.  This is a similar model that other apps use to create revenue from their apps. I went ahead and purchased a chart set and was happy with the quality and clarity of the charts. Garmin does a good job with their charting products.


I opened the BlueChart mobile app the other day and I got a notice that said I had an update to the chart set that I had purchased.  I opened the settings and went to BlueChart Maps to download my updated charts.  The chart update was there but a price of $14.99 was listed next to the update.  I was a little taken back by this additional charge.  I assumed this meant I needed to fork out another $15 to get the update.  This is only a few months after I purchased the US Coastal charts. I think I originally paid $29.99 for the the charts. $15 bucks, or half the original price, seems like alot just for an update.


Easy as 1, 2, 3 $$$$$$$$.  I understand that Garmin needs to make a little money to keep their shareholders happy, but a normal person would think that once you bought the charts you would get free updates like most other app providers.  I have seen many emails and posts by people who are outraged by the fact that they are required to spend money for updates.  Are we getting too use to the inexpensive prices for apps?

Other marine charting apps like SEAiq, Transas iSailor, Plan2Nav and Navionics do the sensible thing and provide free chart updates.  SEAiq Free, Plan2Nav and iSailor apps are free with in app purchases for charts and added features much like Garmin BlueChart Mobile.

Many questions come to my mind. Are these annual updates?  Are these updates random so we have to spend $15 every time the base charts is updated?  How many updates am I going to have to buy in a typical year? The previous chart set was numbered V2012.5. Does that mean there were 5 updates in 2012? 

Well, I don't plan on updating every time Garmin updates their charts, that would put me in the poor house.  I might plan on updating once a year to keep my cost down.  So keep in mind that Garmin's yearly updates come out about the end of the first quarter of each year.  That is if they keep to this schedule.

Are you surprise by Gamin's in app purchases for updates?


~~~ Sail On ~~~ /)
Mark

Ever wanted to get a router Mifi? Well now you can get one on Airtel Network!
Follow these steps ;

Visit any of our Airtel Stores and request for a Mifi
Fill out the contract application form.
Select your contract data bundle.
Install the device at your preferred location.
To install the device , follow the instructions provided on the installation manual.
For further enquiries or complaints , contact customer care on 121 or you can follow us on Twitter @AirtelNigeria or go back to the Airtel store that the device was purchased.

You can also download up to date software for the following devices on our website :
http://www.africa.airtel.com/wps/wcm/connect/africaairtel/nigeria/3g/home/connection_manager/


We will be back with more tips, steps and bits of information , helping get the best out of our Network!

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1. Connect on your mobile.

2. Connect on your computer using your mobile as a modem

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