What happens when over 150 people meet beneath the Tower Bridge with cameras in hand and Temple Coffee in the other? Don’t be alarmed: You’re probably just at an Instameet, the most epic  photography event in your community. And when you find yourself climbing a tree or staring out into the sunrise because a few photographers asked you to, then you know it’s the real deal.

On the weekend of March 21 and 22, 2015, all kinds of Instagrammers participated in the World Wide Instameet 11. Instameets are planned to connect local creatives and help people build community, explore, and share their art with the world by using the official hashtag #WWIM11 (and locally via #WWIM11Sac).

There were quite a few meets going on in the Sacramento area during the WWIM11 weekend. I went to the one that started at 7:00 am on a Saturday. Some called it crazy; I called it worth it, especially when it involves a beautiful sunrise and doubled as a fundraiser for Charity Water. (The free Temple Coffee and Bakers Donuts helped too!) This particular meet was hosted by Faith Mari, Dinelia Noel, Society Church, and City Scout Sac, all ‘grammers and organizations that I definitely fangirl over.

In this safe place, everyone is celebrated as a story waiting to be told. Everyone brings something valuable to the table.  It’s humbling to connect with world travelers, adventure enthusiasts, hand-letterers, baristas, designers, musicians, and bloggers (just to name a few), all in one place because we have a shared love of creativity. Better yet, how awesome to see things from someone else’s perspective. I mean, how can the guy next to me make his coffee cup look like a superhero, while I made mine look like… a coffee cup? It’s pretty inspiring, to say the least.

It’s no secret that I’m an Instagram enthusiast and tech-lover for life. But when we separate likes and followers from our humanity, we’re able to really meet a person face-to-face (no clicking required) and look them in the eyes when we speak the words from our heart (rather than sending them ten of my favorite heart-eyes emojis). It’s the little connections we make in these meets that turn the bigger picture into something grand for our lives.

For updates on upcoming Instameets, be sure to follow Visit Sacramento. Come find me at the next one, I’d love to say hi! Photographers of all levels and ages are welcome and encouraged to come.

Jayla Lee is an Assistant Account Coordinator at Appency, and loves grammin’ about her adventures. (Does the Farmers’ Market count?)

The most trusted name in password management unveils newly updated iOS and Android apps with enhanced features to keep personal data organized and secure.

Los Gatos, CA, November 13, 2014 — In recent months, news of data breaches with millions of passwords compromised, photos leaked, or financial data stolen have been all too common. Today online security is a top priority, but finding a simple and secure way to keep personal data safe isn’t always easy. Now it is with the newly updated SplashID apps for iOS and Android.

For over 12 years, SplashData’s SplashID has provided a seamless way to store and lock the confidential information of over 1 million users with smartphone and tablet apps, Mac and Windows desktop applications, and web access. Now with SplashID’s latest upgrade to version 8, the SplashData team has added additional security measures and convenient features to ensure SplashID users have access to their personal digital wallet whenever and wherever they are.

While individuals can always resort to keeping usernames, passwords and account numbers on a piece of paper hidden in their desk or on an Excel™ file saved to their computer, it’s easy for passwords to be forgotten, files to be erased, and hard copies of documents to be lost. With SplashID, data is quickly and easily accessible, private and customizable, but—most importantly—secure.

With the new version, SplashID is available as a free app for the first time. To use SplashID with multiple devices or browsers requires an easy upgrade to SplashID Pro.

“Now more than ever, people need simple and effective ways of keeping their personal information private and secure,” said Morgan Slain, SplashData’s CEO. “With version 8, we are excited to make SplashID’s combination of security and convenience free for a new generation of users and at the same time bring powerful new features to our advanced users with SplashID Pro.”

SplashID 8 offers a unique combination of features and benefits:

• Access: Only SplashID provides free, native, secure apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and the web, plus a browser plugin for Chrome. Version 8 updates for SplashID’s native apps on Windows Phone, BlackBerry, other browsers, and USB drives are coming soon.
• Choice of sync and storage: Users decide how to store and sync their records with convenient cloud sync, local network Wi-Fi sync, or on-device storage.
• Touch ID login for iOS.
• Customizable record types and categories keep information organized.
• Photo capture feature quickly and easily stores credit card information.
• File attachments: Upload photos, documents, and add notes to any record for reference.
• Protection features include 256-bit encryption and 2-factor authentication.
• Secure sharing: Safely share records with other SplashID users or even those who don’t use SplashID.
• Automatic SplashID Backup service to ensure data never gets lost.
• Security dashboard provides usage statistics and tools to monitor and fix weak, reused, and old passwords.
• Web autofill saves typing in usernames, passwords, addresses, and credit card numbers and delivers the correct address from the secure data vault every time to prevent phishing.
• Refer a friend to SplashID and both parties receive a 25% discount on a SplashID Pro subscription.

SplashID is available now for free on the iTunes App Store and Google Play. For access across multiple devices (for example, iOS and Mac) and additional services like sync and automated backup, upgrade to SplashID Pro for $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year.

About SplashData and SplashID
SplashData (http://www.splashdata.com) has been a leading provider of security applications and services for over 12 years. The company’s secure password and record management solution SplashID has over 1 million individual users worldwide as well as hundreds of business and enterprise clients. SplashData was founded in 2000 and is based in Los Gatos, CA. https://splashid.com/

The iOS educational app provides interactive learning components to encourage children to embrace individuality.

Cologne, Germany, November 12, 2014 — Discover the magic of bombardier beetles in Little Luna – Big Talent, Bastei Entertainment’s newest addition to their portfolio of mobile applications. Designed for children ages 4 to 8, this delightful interactive story teaches children about the importance of embracing their own individuality.

The story of Little Luna begins with a lesson on a bombardier beetle’s special talent – tooting! While typically bombardier beetles use tooting as a defense mechanism in the wild, for Luna and her family it is a way to express themselves. Children will enjoy following along with Luna as she introduces each of her family members and the unique ways in which they utilize their talents.

Through fun mini games like practicing toot target-shooting with her dad, doing yoga with her mom, and matching musical melodies with her brothers, the story of Little Luna and her family encourages children to pursue their own special talents even if it sets them apart from others. Additionally, the app’s interactive activities promote concentration, musical expression, and coordination.

“Little Luna was designed not only to teach children about bombardier beetles, but also to allow children to embrace and cherish the qualities that make them unique,” says Sabrina Glodde, project manager for Bastei Entertainment. “With the help of our entire team, we were able to make an engaging app to celebrate children for the individuals they are.”

Features of Little Luna – Big Talent include:

•     Interactive storybook with games and more!
•     Simple navigation for a smooth-running interface.
•     Beautifully designed with delightful music to match.
•     Timer for parents to monitor a child’s screen time.
•     Designed for preschoolers and elementary school aged children.
•     Narration in English, Mandarin Chinese, and German.
•     No in-app purchases.

Little Luna – Big Talent is available for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.

Video trailer: http://youtu.be/KRQrU_nCPqU

About Bastei Entertainment:
Founded in 2010, Bastei Entertainment is the digital department of parent company Bastei Lübbe AG, a leading German trade publisher home to famed authors David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Jeff Kinney, Ken Follett, Lesley Pearse and many more. Dedicated to the development of new innovative products and global digital entertainment, Bastei Entertainment’s in-house development team continuously creates unique multi-media content which translates the written world into digital works such as eBooks, mobile applications and other digitally enhanced products.

For additional information about Bastei Entertainment, please visit the company website at http://www.basteientertainment.com/.

The top-rated meal-planning app gets a fresh look and joins the Android platform just in time for the holiday season.

Garner, NC, November 3, 2014 — Butterball is proud to announce the release of its newly redesigned meal-planning app, Butterball Cookbook Plus, now for iOS and Android users. Previously only accessible on iOS devices, Butterball has completely transformed the look and feel of its top-rated cooking app to give Turketarians everywhere easy access to hundreds of recipes, tools and tips to make cooking a complete Thanksgiving feast, or a weeknight family meal, a breeze.

In addition to recipes for main dishes, salads, sides and desserts, the new Butterball Cookbook Plus app is an ideal kitchen companion. The app provides Turketarians with cooking tools like conversion charts and substitution lists; how-to videos including ones on how-to choose the right turkey, how-to roast it and carve it; and Butterball’s helpful cooking calculator to find out just how long it takes to thaw and cook that Thanksgiving Day turkey. Additionally, the new Butterball Cookbook Plus app features nutritional information and promotional offers from Butterball and its valued partners.

“Butterball consistently searches for ways to meet consumers where they are – and that means providing relevant information to an increasingly mobile society,” said Kimberley Metts, manager of consumer promotions for Butterball, LLC. “The redesigned Butterball app now allows consumers who use a variety of different operating systems to take advantage of our turkey expertise no matter what device they use.”

Features of Butterball Cookbook Plus include:

• Hundreds of recipes: Recipes and tips for appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts are all in one place—ready for weeknight family dinners or Thanksgiving feasts.
• Easy organization: Sort by ingredient, theme, product and more. Bookmark favorites for quick and easy access.
• Simple sharing: Send recipes through Facebook and Twitter, or email recipes to friends, family and fellow turkey lovers.
• Personalization: Bookmark, rate and leave notes for how to add a personal touch.
• Eat smart: Easily access nutritional information and serving sizes.
• Save money: Enjoy frequent promotional offers from Butterball and its trusted partners!

Butterball Cookbook Plus is available now on the iTunes App Store and Google Play for free for a limited time.

For more information on Butterball products, including nutritional details and recipe ideas, visit Butterball.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

About Butterball, LLC: 
Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball is the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S. – producing more than 1 billion pounds of turkey each year. For 60 years, the company has provided foodservice and retail products to customers and consumers around the world. As an industry leader in quality, food safety and animal well-being, the company employs numerous processes to ensure the health of flocks and implements recognized prevention measures to exceed food safety standards. Butterball products are currently distributed throughout the U.S. and in more than 45 countries. Butterball operates six processing plants located in North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri.

For consumer questions or information, please visit Butterball.com or call 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372). Visit ButterballCorp.com for corporate information about the company.

Land tricks, collect power-ups and avoid a wipe out in this addictive, turbo charged surf adventure.

Melbourne, Australia – Gamers, surfers, and retro arcade junkies alike are invited to ride the virtual waves of Surfy, an all-new endless-runner from the Australian app development studio DreamWalk Interactive. Surfy is DreamWalk Interactive’s latest independent mobile game following the very successful launch of their top-rated music app Jam for iPhone.

With simple two-finger controls Surfy is a fast paced and strongly addictive ride reminiscent of 8bit classics such as California Games. The ride begins when players are dropped into a wave by helicopter. Players must then stay ahead of the break while navigating exotic locations, performing tricks and collecting power-ups to compete for a spot on the leaderboard.

From surviving violent tropical thunderstorms to performing radical aerial stunts into outer space, surfers rack up points and coins when achievements are unlocked and tricks are landed. Coins are redeemable in the ‘Surf Shop’ for upgraded boards and power-ups for invincibility, gravity-defying jumps, power boosts and more. Click here to view the trailer for Surfy.

“We wanted to put a modern twist on a classic genre,” says Sam Russell, head of development at DreamWalk. “We hope gamers find Surfy as addictive and fun as the games that inspired us to make it.”

Features of Surfy include:

• Simple controls: Only two fingers needed for success!
• Crazy tricks: Bounce off whales, get thrown by tornados, perform mega-spins, defy gravity to reach Mars, ride the tube and heaps more!
• Earn coins: Find treasure chests and challenge friends to earn coins, then hit the ‘Surf Shop’ to redeem them for power-ups and radical new boards.
• Multiplayer mode: Surfing is even more fun with friends! Challenge a pal to a surf-off.
• Global Leaderboard: Move up the rankings as you compete with the best in the World.

Surfy is available now on the iTunes App Store for free.

About DreamWalk Interactive:
DreamWalk is a boutique app studio based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded by brothers, Joe and Sam Russell in 2008 with the development the world’s first commercial GPS treasure-hunting app, also called DreamWalk. DreamWalk’s most recent game, Jam for iPhone, reached #1 on the App Store music app charts in 26 countries, was featured in dozens of publications and showcased at SXSW 2013.http://www.dreamwalk.com.au/

For the first time, real-time speech-based text scrolling is a reality on mobile devices.

New York, NY, August 14, 2014 — PromptSmart, the new teleprompter app available for iPad and iPhone, launches today as the first voice-guided public speaking aid with VoiceTrackTM proprietary voice recognition technology.

VoiceTrackTM is a breakthrough in mobile voice recognition technology. It seamlessly follows spoken words and pauses during a speech, adjusting the speed of scrolling text in real time based on the speaker’s actual words and pace. Because the speaker is in total control over the scrolling, PromptSmart delivers a more intuitive experience than even traditional teleprompters and needs no speed calibration. Additionally, the voice recognition processing is completed on the device itself, eliminating the need for an internet data connection.

PromptSmart also recognizes that many speakers prefer to use notes to guide their talks rather than full texts. For this style, PromptSmart includes a digital notecard feature which enables users to stay on-point with functionality to create, rearrange, and set optimum viewing parameters for notecards.

Whatever the style of the speaker, PromptSmart delivers professional tools with cutting-edge technology and an easy-to-use interface. PromptSmart is the ultimate presentation companion to de-stress any public speaking occasion in business, at school, on the campaign trail, or anywhere else.

Founder and CEO Eric Sadkin on PromptSmart: “From my time coaching MBA students in public speaking, I saw an opportunity to significantly improve the speaking experience using today’s mobile technology. PromptSmart aims to be the most advanced, accessible speech aid for any speaker.”

Select features of PromptSmart include:

VoiceTrackTM proprietary voice recognition: PromptSmart follows vocal cues, adjusting scroll speed according to the user’s pace and position in the text (no data/internet connection required).

• Easy to use: PromptSmart is ready to go as soon as it’s downloaded; no need to calibrate.
• Place-holding: Go off script? PromptSmart will standby until the speaker returns to the text.
• Customization: Adjust fonts, text sizes, text color, etc. Set timers, scroll speeds, and more.
• Speeches on the go: Download .docx or .txt files from the cloud or email and PromptSmart automatically transforms them into speeches and/or digital notecards.
• Voice recording: Record and practice speeches. Play them back to note improvements.

PromptSmart is available now for a special launch price of $9.99 on the iTunes App Store. For additional information on PromptSmart, visit http://PromptSmart.com, like PromptSmart on Facebook, and follow @PromptSmart on Twitter.

About PromptSmart:
PromptSmart was born out of a passion for public speaking. As a Communications Fellow at Wharton Business School, PromptSmart CEO and Founder Eric Sadkin coached and mentored students in the art of public speaking. Realizing that many orators would be better supported by an intuitive, speaker-controlled teleprompter and a way to digitally create and display notes, Sadkin also recognized that today’s mobile devices could address these needs. With these in mind, PromptSmart was created. For more information, visit PromptSmart.com.

Learn what it takes to make it as an artist and win real world prizes in the process in this industry simulation game for iPhone and iPad.

August 12, 2014, Sacramento, CA – Today, music fans everywhere can step into the shoes of their favorite artist and get an inside look at what it really takes to make it as a professional performer. TourStar, conceptualized by entertainment executive Brandon Pankey of Music Players Group and brought to life with the help of Eddie Meehan of GroundCtrl, is the first iOS sim game of its kind to bring tour life and the perks and challenges that come with it to the mobile screen.

Like any new artist just starting out, first-time players of TourStar are faced with a number of decisions like; What should their look be? Should they sign with a label or stay independent? Should they go on tour right away or record an album? Who should they trust for advice?; and much more.

As the game progresses players learn that just like in real life, every decision they make has an impact on their career in some way.

As players make their way through levels of the game, touring the country, recording albums and building their in-game fame, they become eligible to win real world prize packages including concert tickets and VIP meet-and-greets with their favorite artists!

“TourStar is life in the music industry,” states Brandon Pankey. “The game is a fun way to peek into the life of a performer as they try to make it to superstardom. And the fact that gamers get to actually win real prizes like tickets and passes to their favorite artists’ shows is pretty cool too.”

Additional Features of TourStar include:
– Design a personalized 3D avatar to match players’ music style and fashion preferences.
– Virtually tour the country, gaining experience and building a fanbase.
– Record albums and release them to boost fame.
– Improve musicianship with mini-games that keep players’ instruments in tune and shows in high-gear.
– Build a virtual band, and get advice from managers, agents and record labels.

TourStar is available now for free on the iTunes App Store. Connect with TourStar on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on prize packages, gaming advice, news, and more.

About TourStar:
Conceptualized by entertainment executive Brandon Pankey of Music Players Group and brought to life with the help of Eddie Meehan of GroundCtrl, a Sacramento, California-based artist engagement company and AtomicChimp, a leading mobile development shop in Redmond, Wash. Additional music for the game was produced by Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats and Dilemma. For more information, visit www.tourstarapp.com.

There’s no denying how much we love apps, but we especially love apps for kids that are not only fun, but also educational. Apps claim to make learning fun, develop important skills, and give kids a head start on learning, but are they actually helpful to your child’s learning? In short — yes! A recent study commissioned by developer Motion Math suggests that significant learning can occur with the right apps. They can improve test scores as well as change a child’s attitude toward a subject. According to researcher Dr. Kate Highfield, quality apps can enhance learning incredibly, specifically when dealing with practicing specific skills or encouraging the child to create their own ideas and communicate in new ways. Quality apps can be like digital blank piece of paper, leaving room for the child to make or do anything with them. When used correctly and in combination with traditional mediums like books, apps do have a place in your little ones growth and development and are much more than a simple distraction device. Check out a few quality apps we love listed below.

1. Fun with Colors
Recommended for kids 2 to 5
$2.99, no in-app purchases
We love the adorable animations and interactions this app offers to its young users. It’s refreshing to see a new approach to experiencing the world of colors. What truly makes this app special is it’s teaching through storytelling that’s easy to follow. This app encourages creativity by allowing the user to create their own images, and this is what makes it such a quality app. Rather than limiting what a child can do on the app, it gives them the freedom to create their very own masterpieces. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here, or for Android here.

2. Freefall Spelling
Recommended for kids 4 and up
$1.99, no in-app purchases
We enjoy the many different options the user can choose from when practicing their spelling, and it’s definitely encouraging to see that Freefall Spelling won a Parents’ Choice Award. What makes this app amazing is the option to enter your child’s own spelling list from school. We love when our little ones stay motivated, so what better way than by the apps use of the reward system. For spelling a correct word, a fish is rewarded for their virtual tank. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

3. Marble Math Junior
Recommended for kids 6 to 8
$2.99, no in-app purchases
We applaud this app for challenging its little users to solve math problems and recognize numbers in a fun way! Their little hands will be able to guide their marble through fun mazes that will make learning enjoyable. Being based on the Common Core Curriculum makes this app worth checking out. Marble Math Junior has been widely recognized, winning the 2013 Parents’ Choice Award and Common Sense Media 2013 ON for Learning Award. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

4. BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week
Recommended for kids 6 to 8
Free, no in-app purchases
We love that this great app gives kids lots to think about —some of its video content may be challenging, but it’s definitely interesting and explained in a manner your youngsters will understand. They’ll learn something new each week with a different animated video. You can even test what they’ve seen though related quizzes and educational activities. The gentle, humorous, and relatable characters serve as guides through each topic, empowering your child to form their own ideas. Plus, the app has no in-app purchases, which protects your own wallet while your kids use the app. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here, or for Android here.

5. Britannica Kids: U.S. Presidents
Recommended for kids 6 and up
$1.99, no in-app purchases
We appreciate how this app makes it easy for kids to learn about America’s history, with concise information and fun facts provided for each president. It makes learning about each president much more interesting and entertaining. It truly brings the Oval Office into your living room and makes it enjoyable for not just your child, but also the whole family to learn something new about their favorite president, or quiz each other. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

Jessica Egan is a music, social media, and Disneyland enthusiast who currently attends UC Davis and looks forward to a career in either public relations and marketing.

Breakout mobile app discovery tool TAPPD teams up with Macworld/iWorld for a chance to win a trip to Australia and an exhibitor space at Macworld/iWorld 2015.

San Francisco, California, March 27, 2014 – Australian mobile start-up TAPPD is excited to announce the 2014 ‘TAPP & WIN’ Challenge. A competition for both exhibiting app developers as well as conference attendees, the ‘TAPP & WIN’ Challenge at Macworld/iWorld was created to help attendees discover the best apps at the conference while providing developers with a unique way to ‘TAPP’ in to their target audience.

TAPPD, a new app launching at this year’s Macworld/iWorld, provides a unique take on app discovery. While traditional mobile app stores show rankings based on what is being downloaded, TAPPD brings in a social component allowing users to discover the apps their friends and personal influencers are talking about the most.

App developers exhibiting within Appalooza showcase on the show floor are invited to participate in the ‘TAPP & WIN’ Challenge by encouraging fans to recommend their app on TAPPD using the hashtag #Macworld2014. The app that receives the most TAPPS will be named ‘The most talked about app at Macworld 2014’. The winning developer also receives a complimentary kiosk at the 2015 Macworld/iWorld conference courtesy of TAPPD, and an app analysis with app store optimization report from the Appency Mobile App Marketing Firm.

By ‘TAPPING’ their favorite app at Macworld/iWorld, attendees will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Australia (flights and accommodation valued at $5,000)! Attendees can TAPP as many apps as they like to increase their chances of winning. The winner will be selected randomly from all TAPPS made before 3pm PT on the Saturday, March 29th using the #Macworld2014 hashtag.

“What better way to create a buzz around ‘the apps worth talking about’ at Macworld/iWorld than to give away a trip for two to Australia,” says TAPPD Co-Founder David Duncan. “TAPPD makes the social engagement between users and developers fast and exciting. Get ready to discover the best new apps trending at Macworld/iWorld!”

For more information, visit http://tappd.in/macworldcomp/, download TAPPD from the iTunes App Store, view theTAPPD video trailer, and follow TAPPD on Facebook and Twitter.

About TAPPD:
TAPPD is a mobile app discovery tool for iOS. At TAPPD we believe a better way to find apps is by seeing what apps your friends and personal influencers are recommending and which apps are being talked about the most. Learn more at tappd.in.

Find your next favorite app on an all new mobile social network for app discovery.

Melbourne, Australia, March 25, 2014 – An Australian mobile start-up is excited to announce the launch of their new iOS app TAPPD at the 2014 Macworld/iWorld Conference in San Francisco. Created by founding entrepreneurs David Duncan, Frank Coiro and Tony Coiro, along with veteran app developers Dreamwalk Interactive (Jam for iPhone, iClassmate), TAPPD solves the growing problem of app discovery with a social platform designed to help users find what apps are being talked about the most in their social circles.

While traditional mobile app stores show app rankings based on what’s being downloaded, TAPPD provides a more personal take on app discovery by showing the apps friends and personal influencers are talking about the most.

TAPPD is intuitive and engaging. From lifestyle apps, to music and games, users see what’s trending and discover the latest apps being shared in real time. With the tap of a single button, ‘TAPP & TELL’ makes it easy for mobile users to share what they think about any app.

“We hold what friends say in high regard when looking for apps,” says TAPPD Co-Founder Tony Coiro. “We developed TAPPD with this in mind, and created a place to capture and share everyday conversations on the apps friends love talking about.”

Features of TAPPD include:

• Discover – What’s trending and the latest apps being shared on TAPPD
• Personalization – Follow friends and people with shared interests
• Simple Search – Find apps by location, #hashtags, or app name
• Share – Learn about suggested apps from trusted sources
• Time Saver – See what real people are saying before downloading apps
• Daily TAPP – Get expert recommendations on best apps out there right now

Download TAPPD on the iTunes App Store now at https://itunes.apple.com/app/id823376869.

For more information, visit tappd.in, view the TAPPD video trailer, and follow TAPPD on Facebook and Twitter.

About TAPPD:
TAPPD is a mobile app discovery tool for iOS. At TAPPD we believe a better way to find apps is by seeing what apps your friends and personal influencers are recommending and which apps are being talked about the most. Learn more at tappd.in.