This article was first published in The Next Great Generation on April 5th, 2012.

While some less-than-classy Instagram fans vent about how the availability of the app to Android users will ruin the quality of their established community, I think to myself, it was about time to make my favorite app accessible to all.

Don’t get me wrong, I also believe that the content shared on Instagram is gold and as an addicted Toronto-based Iger, I believe that the communities created by the app is one of the most valuable currently active in the space. However, most of us are forgetting to look at this initiative as a very strategic move, not to mention the myths related to the threat that Android users represent to the homogenous community of iOS users.

Android Devices and the User Experience

One of the most popular arguments amongst iPhone users who are against Instagram for Android is that the rival devices will be adding low quality images to the community. Being an Apple user for years now, I confess that I started to have second thoughts about my loyalty to Jobs’ brainchild when I came across the sleek HTC One X 8 Megapixel camera. We are all drinking the Kool-aid, but it’s getting harder to ignore that Android devices are catching up with market demands faster than Apple can respond.

Apple fans may argue that the HTC One X is the top of line when it comes to Android devices and don’t really reflect the average quality of most devices out there. Fair enough, you have a point! However, when it comes to artistic expression, rudimentary technology can actually become the artist’s signature. Who am I to judge in a time when we are all producing and sharing content?

A Growing Community

As a business decision, the Instagram team had nothing else to do but enter the biggest mobile market. According to recent Comscore data, Google’s Android hit 50.1% share of the U.S. market last February and is not showing signs of slowing down.Research conducted by the website Business Insider last year concluded that Android users tend to be more loyal to the operating system than iOS users. According to the study, Android users would never buy an iPhone because they “hate Apple,” while iPhone users would switch to an Android device if it was better than the iPhone (guilty!)

When it comes to a community-based app like Instagram, growing its audience is crucial to the product’s survival. Nearly half a million people shared their email addresses with the company hoping to be notified early about the Android release after Instagram’s co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger announced the Android version of the app at SXSW. So far, the app has been rated by over 79,000 people on Google Play and is signing up more than 2,000 new users per minute.

Will the App Store be the Same After That?

Another important variable that has been ignored by most Apple fans is the impact that the Instagram for Android app will have on other apps used to develop pictures and/or use the Instagram API to offer additional services. Apps such as Camera Plusand PicFrame would be ignoring a great opportunity if their developers decide to stick with the iOS market. Now that Instagram have done it, it makes it okay for everybody else who is not a bank or the government to explore both markets and still be cool.

And for those skeptical iPhone users questioning the quality of Android Instagram pictures, take a look for yourself.

In your opinion, which other popular iPhone app will launch an Android version soon? Will the “Android user invasion” scare you away from the Instagram community? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember when I said that I started writing for The Next Great Generation? So, this is the first article that I wrote for the website inspired on Valentine’s month and published on Feb 24th in the technology section.

There is still time to find yourself a belated Valentine (or a hook up if you wish).

You would think our generation had it all figured out by now, but judging by the number of flirting (a.k.a. hook up) apps and websites out there, we still have a long way to go. I know that we’ve talked about how technology can help our generation find a date before, but since you’re still single, five more online resources won’t hurt your dating strategy. It may actually increase your chances of scoring a date before the end of Valentine’s month. No matter what’s your age, sexual preference or the city you live in, we assure you, there is an app for that!

Grindr (iPhone, Blackberry and Android)

The geo-location hook-up app that gained the news last year after a Republican politician was caught using Grindr and posting very spicy pictures of hisderrière online is still a precious download if you are a gay man who appreciates chatting but wants to get to the point fast. Present in 192 countries and with over 2.6 million active users according to last year’s stats, Grindr is the perfect app for guys who want to date locally or are travelling and want to establish connections where they are.

Setting up a profile on Grindr is simple and you gain access to the local hotties immediately after you complete the set up. The app is available on the most current mobile platforms through the Apple, Android and Blackberry stores. But yes, you’ll be left out if you’re still rocking your little sister’s old pink Motorola Razr.

Blendr (iPhone, Android, Facebook Connect)

Blendr is being called the straight-friendly version of Grindr, although it’s more subtle than its inspiration. Also a geo-location based app, Blendr has been marketed as a modern way to meet new people with similar interests and tastes, but we all know what this approach actually means.

With an interface very similar to Grindr and Facebook integration, Blendr can be a great platform for flirting and getting to know people before going on an official date. Online chatting is available and you can also star all the big catches that you find along the way.

SpeedDate (Website and Facebook Connect)

The SpeedDate idea is based on live interaction, but I’d define it as a war zone! The website uses Facebook connect to fill out your dating profile with your profile picture and basic information. If you’re really looking for somewhere to better your self-esteem, this is the website for you. Dating candidates will be inviting you to chat within minutes of your first login. Be prepared!

SpeedDate also offers some perks for a little bit of cash. You can have a verified badge added to your profile for $0.99/month, which will also give your profile priority in searches and open up some other messaging features. The only downside to SpeedDate is when you’re trying to close the chat tabs. The share button is considerably bigger than the close one, which can lead you to share your dating activity on your Facebook timeline.  Awkward…

Are You Interested? (iPhone, Android, Website and Facebook Connect)

One of the largest social applications on the internet with over 55 million installs, Are You Interested? is one of the most well-known dating resources used by our generation.  The website has one of the most user-friendly set-ups with a step-by-step tour to help you get the best out of their searching experience.

Are You Interested? works similarly to the old game “hot or not” that some of us played in high school (okay, some of us are still playing it on Facebook!) The difference is that the application tries to match you with other users and you say yes or skip their profile. Like the other services mentioned here, this app has also a paid service that for $8.75 – $20.99/month allows users to see who viewed their profile and expand the messaging features.

Okay… now you have more than enough information to score a date this weekend. Put yourself out there and find a Valentine (or rather, a hook up) before the end of the month!

Images via avlxyz & Mattastic!

Original post published here.

I realized really early in the game that my student life as well as my research workload should be organized at all times. I was able to find online resources that were able to help me advance with my tasks and also organize my workload and find a place where I could have my questions answered. After surviving six months as a independent student and researcher, I am confident to say that I can turn any coffee shop with a wireless connection into my private office to get the work done. Here is a list of online resources that have made my life easier since I started pursuing a Masters degree:

Google Scholar is the most powerful tool to any undergrad or graduate student. Through this academic-oriented search website you can access thousands of national and international articles. It’s virtually impossible that you won’t find a paper that can help you with developing your argument. You can also integrate your university’s library account to Google Scholar to be able to access paid journals directly through the website, avoiding jumping between sites while trying to access the articles that you want.

I was initially against starting a Facebook group for our class, but now that most of my classmates make use of it, it has become a indispensable tool. I am still not sure if Facebook is the best place to catalogue resources and share documents, however, a class group is an incredible resource to bring the class together and start discussions that will be developed offline.

I lost count of how many times Google Calendar saved my life. The free Google powered online calendar has everything that I need to keep track of, from deadlines to my personal life.

Instapaper is one of those tools that you wish you had when you’re trapped in the subway without anything to do. I thank the genius that made this app a reality everyday that I am catching up on my reading between Rosedale and Dundas stations. This app is fully integrated with Google Reader and Twitter, you just need to bookmark the article as “read later” and remember to sync the app before going underground. Researching for this article, I learned that it’s compatible with the Kindle as well. I’ll try it out and update this post with my impressions later.

Hours Tracker is the solution for students employed as graduate assistants and/or teaching assistants as it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re transcribing interviews (my case) and marking assignments (also my case!). This iPhone and iPod touch app allows you to create and clock in and out of jobs. Hours Tracker has also an email feature that makes invoicing and/or submitting timesheets easier.

Do you have a preferred online resource that was not added to this list? Leave your suggestion in the comments section.

I am using the My 365 iPhone app to keep track of all my pictures. Are you doing a similar project? Add your link to the comments and I’ll add it to this blog post

Finally, Telus released the Iphone on its new 3G network. I might confess that I tried to be tough and resist, but unfortunately I was able to hold on to my proud for only24 hours. And it only happened because the system went down on the new network’s first day (just for the records, I had lots of fun following #telus on the 5th on Twitter!).

Anyway, Madame Heringer’s iPhone and I have been dating for over 30 hours now. I am still hoping that I made the right decision leaving my 10 faves, unlimited data and text messaging behind to join the new network with a world phone. However, I have been receiving an outstanding customer service from Telus and even got a symbolic deal to calm down my Brazilian soul.

I am a PC although I am completely in love with the app and iTunes stores. So far, I managed to download all the TED talks and geek podcasts that I could find. I have been using the network not my wi-fi connection, and it seems that Telus’ new infrastructure will not disappoint me.

Joining the iPhone world is also an opportunity to reconnect with some Apple fans. It only took me one tweet to discover that there is an app for everything, even one to help me write and publish this post on wordpress!