Last week Twitter announced that you would soon be able to poll your followers and other users on the platform with a multiple choice question.

Coming soon! We're rolling out the ability for everyone to create polls on Twitter: https://t.co/pH5a8q9Ujz pic.twitter.com/ijAKEMUdf1

— Twitter (@twitter) October 21, 2015

If you want the public’s opinion on something — what to name your dog, who will win tonight’s game, which election issue people care about most — there’s no better place to look than on Twitter.

For poll creators, this is a great new way to engage with Twitter’s massive audience and understand exactly what people think. And for those participating, it’s a very easy way to make your voice heard.

Here's how it works: 

1. Select the icon you would normally click to compose a tweet (this functionality will be available on OSX, Android, and desktop when it is fully rolled out).
   
2. From there you can click the poll icon which will allow you to create your own two-choice poll right from the compose box.
   
   
   
3. Type your question into the Compose New Tweet box and add your carefully selected two choices into the lines below.
   
4. When you're finished, click Tweet!

Once you click Tweet, your poll will remain live for 24 hours. Anyone can vote on any poll and how you voted is not shared publicly. They can also choose to share, favorite, and comment on the poll using the @Reply function.

So here's my question to you...

How do you feel about the new Twitter Polls? For more info: https://t.co/5MxRBemh7Y #socialmedia #TwitterPolls

— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) November 5, 2015

My Thoughts

• Much needed addition. Although in the past Twitter has offered a few ways to participate in and conduct polls by tweeting questions and tracking replies, tallying hashtag votes, or asking followers to favorite or retweet to vote it was difficult and time consuming.
• Poll choices are kept short. I know Twitter is the king of short-hand but the character limit for the poll responses are so short it's annoying.
• Not enough choices. Two choices?! I'm not saying that there needs to be an unlimted amount of selections but there definitely needs to be more than two. The way it stands there isn't even room for a Yes, No, Maybe option!

Instagram—one of the fastest-growing mobile social networks—recently announced its integration with Hootsuite—a social media management tool—to help you manage, schedule, and monitor your Instagram activity in a whole new way.

My name is Katelyn and I am a shopaholic. There I said it. No shame. I love it.

When I was looking to buy a home, no closet was big enough to hold my haul. So when I finally purchased a house, I turned all my closets into storage areas and built a beautifully gigantic closet in the basement.

But I have to be honest, I don't wear all of it.

After every season I pick out all the pieces I didn't wear that season and most of them I throw in a bag to donate. But now that I've been in the corporate world for awhile, I'm starting to replace a lot of my business basics and I started to look for a better way to get rid of them and find new items at a great price.

Introducing, Vinted!

I am absolutely obsessed with Vinted.com. If you haven't already checked it out, Vinted is a dedicated to a peer-to-peer marketplace for women and men to sell, buy and swap clothes. It allows members to communicate directly and has the features of a social networking service.




First off, a big thank you to Facebook Ads for introducing me to vinted.com.

How It Works

You can sell or swap things you no longer wear, and give your clothing and accessories a new life in the hands of someone else. Iff you feel like you need to update your own wardrobe, you can buy or swap pieces from other members' "closets."

All you have to do is take a few pictures of the item you want to sell, write a detailed description, and price it fairly. With the Vinted messaging system, it’s very easy to negotiate and bundle with buyers/sellers. When a deal has been made, Vinted emails you a prepaid shipping label (paid for by the buyer), and all you have to do is package the item up get it in the mail by either dropping it off at the post office or by scheduling a USPS free pickup.

Cost

I was very surprised at how reasonable Vinted is for both the sellers and buyers. Accounts are free and there are NO fees for listing an item, instead each time you make a sale a 19% fee is taken out of the total price. Vinted is very upfront with this fee. When you’re adding the item for sale, you get to see what your final payment will be with the 19% fee already taken out.

Is It Worth It?

I created my free account earlier this week, and have already sold a hot pink blazer (that I only wore once before my mom called me a flight attendant) and I swapped a hardly ever used Kenneth Cole tote bag for two brand Banana Republic sweaters, brand new with tags still attached, and a scarf.

So yes, it's worth it. I've been able to start refreshing my wardrobe for fall without spending any money (I actually made money). I know it seems counterintuitive to be minimizing my closet by also getting new items but you can't pass up the deals!

My favorite feature is that you can shop by brand then narrow it down to your size. I'm finding great deals on business casual clothes from H&M, Banana Republic, The Limited, Express, and Ann Taylor that I would have otherwise spent and arm and a leg on!

Try It!

If you're interested in giving it a try, whether it is to just shop or sell (or both), I highly recommend using my referral link below (or http://www.vinted.com/referral/2036947). By using the referral link to sign up you will receive a $5.00 complimentary credit (and so will I) so it's most definitely worth it!


You can also visit my closet here!

As of January 2014, it had 3 million members and 14 million listings on free iOS and Android apps.

It is available in the United States on Vinted.com, the United Kingdom on Vinted.co.uk, Germany on Kleiderkreisel.de, France on Vinted.fr, Austria on Kleiderkreisel.at, Poland on Vinted.pl, Czech Republic on Votocvohoz.cz, and Lithuania on Vinted.lt.

Facebook Messenger has rolled out to iOS and Android devices, and many users aren’t too happy with it. Now instead of being able to instant message through the native Facebook app, you have to use a seperate app--Facebook Messenger.

Although Facebook Messenger has been available since 2011, many users who have still not downloaded the app are reluctant to do so and are not pleased about the new push to force them into the app. As a result, a lot of users are already looking for loopholes around the messenger app so they can still send and read received messages without downloading a completely different app.

Now I know what you're thinking, "Why is this such a big deal?" Two reasons... People don't like to be forced to do something, especially by a big brand like Facebook who is often reviewed as being too pushy or intrusive. Secondly, there are some people like me who opted for the cheaper iPhone with less storage but still like to take and save a million pictures and there is just no more storage room on their phones for another app.

Plus, I just don't understand. Facebook calls it a faster way to message. However I'm just not sure how closing one app, scrolling through the all my other apps to find Messenger, only to use it to send my message then close it to go back to the regular Facebook app is really faster.

So here is a way around the new Facebook Messenger App...

How to send Facebook messages without Facebook Messenger
Use the mobile browser. Yes, it's that simple. Your normal Facebook app will still alert you when you have a message from a friend but when you try and view it you get an annoying message about downloading Facebook Messenger.

Source: Mashable

So instead, once you get the notification open up your phone's mobile browser and go to facebook.com. You'll be redirected to Facebook's crappy, watered down, mobile site however the messaging piece of it works perfectly.

Source: Cnet

I still recommend using the normal app for all you other day to day activities, but leave messaging to the mobile site.

I recently started a new job and I'm trying to make my best impression. I'm trying to live that "dress for the job you want, not the job you have" motto, which means I choosing more and more to ditch my FitBit Flex for more sophisticated accessories like my new Shinola watch.
Gfiffin goes fresh and fashionable with their Ribbon Wristband--a colorful alternative to the bulky rubber and plastic wristbands that come with your fitness tracker. Inspired by the popular ribbon hair ties seen everywhere, the comfortable, wicking nylon ribbon hides your Fitbit or Sony tracker in a secure spandex pocket. It easily adjusts for a perfect fit; just re-tie the knot.

Tory Burch
Recently, fashion designer, Tory Burch unveiled a new accessory line for FitBit. Burch's accessory collection is made up of four distinctive pieces, including a brass pendant, a brass bracelet, and two artsy silicone bands (pink and blue). Each was designed to house a Fitbit Flex.

A few weeks ago I started testing out a new product called Bitbelt, a product that promises to ease your worries about losing your fitness tracker bands.

Bitbelt, a company started in 2013 during the rise in consumer wearable wrist fitness trackers such as the FitBit, that promises to answer the prayers of anyone who fears losing their wrist trackers. The goal of Bitbelts is to protect people from losing their costly fitness trackers due to weak or flawed fasteners or from snagging and falling off. Bitbelt makes safety belts for in sizes for both Fitbit Flex and Force, Samsung Gear Fit, Vivofit, and the Disney Magic Bands.

I've been wearing my Bitbelt for almost a month and I can't image wearing Fitbit without it now!


The two rubber materials of the Bitbelt and the Fitbit band don't slide well against each other making it near impossible for the Bitbelt to come lose. It might be a little difficult to get on but that makes it just that much harder for it to accidentally fall off.

There's not more worrying that my Fitbit is going to snag on my coat or sweatshirt when I'm taking it off and loosening the clasp, allowing for the band to fall off and get lost later.

Thanks to Bitbelt, I now have the peace of mind when wearing my wrist fitness tracker that I won't lose it! It also doesn't hurt that they come in a bunch of fun colors (some even glow in the dark) and they're offered at a great price so there's no excuse not to have at least one.


I love Bitbelts so much that I want to give away a few to some of my loyal readers!
I've giving away two Bitbelt JRs, which can be used to protect the Fitbit Flex, Samsung Gear Fit, and the small/junior-sized Disney Magic Band. To enter, fill out the form below: a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway will be open starting on May 19, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. EST and will end May 30, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Entrants can enter once per day.

Bitbelt wanted to send me some of their rubber safety belts to wear with my FitBit Flex to help ease my worries and to share my experience with my followers.

Today is my first day wearing the Bitbelt and so far so good.

First I slid the rubber Bitbelt on to the side of the band with the fastener before putting the band on.

This new(ish) app was recently brought to my attention called Pulse by BioBeats, which makes music based on the tempo of your heartbeat to generate music based on your bio metrics.

Summary by Healthworks Collective:

BioBeats and the app, Pulse, use Adaptive Media and want to help the people that use the app live more engaging, healthier lives.

Pulse uses the optical sensor in the iPhone camera to detect the changes in color in your finger as the blood flows through it. All you have to do is hold your finger over that sensor for a minute and the app determines the heart rate and makes music off that tempo.

BioBeats was formed in 2012 when two classically trained musicians met with Nadeem Kassam, an entrepreneur who got interested in heart rate and stress following a burnout that forced him to pay more attention to wellness and healthy living. Kasaam believes that healthcare needs a revolution to make it fun and entertaining so that more people will engage in the idea of lasting wellness.

The app recently teamed up with pop group Far East Movement and invited users to stream their heartbeats in to the studio. 1.5 million fans responded to the invitation and the event was a massive success.

Kassam explains, “In the consumer space it’s really about awareness – the fans hadn't thought about monitoring their heart, but the app might turn more and more people onto self-monitoring and working towards prevention.”

They recently won the IC Tomorrow Digital Innovation Contest for Clinical Excellence award for improving digital health innovation. The prize consisted of a grant to work with the University College of London to develop a clinical application for Pulse. They will be working on producing a waveform a bit like an electrocardiograph, or ECG. This can provide clinicians with information about the way the heart is functioning, how much blood is being pumped and the distance between the beats.

From the BioBeats website: "BioBeats believes everyone should have the opportunity to learn about their health and have access to healthcare. Modern technology is enabling our visions. BioBeats builds technologies that respond not only to heart beats, breaths and movement, but also to our evolving lifestyles. We will help power the digital health revolution."

My Review

I've been feeling particularly stressed out lately due to normal life things and I decided to give Pulse a try--mainly as distraction.

I opened the App Store and searched for Pulse. Bad idea. Do you know how many apps are named Pulse that come up before this one? A lot. But eventually I found it and it was free so, so far so good.

Once I opened Pulse I arrived at the first navigation screen:


I immediately had to make a decision between "Single" and "Event." There was no explanation or distinction between each choice so I arbitrarily choose "Event" because that sounded more fun and I was ready to party with this app.

I clicked on Event and my camera flash came on with a prompt to place my finger over the camera. I kept my finger on the lens for a few minutes and nothing happened. I took it off and the prompt came back up to put my finger back on the lens. So I did. And I waited. Then I saw this screen.

The second screen shows what I'm assuming are genres-ish of the music you can create. Let's be honest, I tried them all. I recommend Dubstep.

Once you click on a genre, your flash will turn on and you will be prompted again to place your finger over the camera lens. After a second you'll start to hear a digitized version of your heartbeat which will then start to transform into a techy song with a twin tempo to your heartbeat.

Your screen will display a biometric chart showing your vitals in real time.


So you may be looking at the above picture and thinking, "Cool! But what does it mean?" And you're not alone.

Once I listened to my personalized beat, I referred back to the screen to see my biometric output but all I could find was this circle chart that I really couldn't tell what any of it meant. I thought this was supposed to be part of some healthy lifestyle revolution?

Let's read their statement from their website again... "BioBeats believes everyone should have the opportunity to learn about their health and have access to healthcare. BioBeats builds technologies that respond not only to heart beats, breaths and movement, but also to our evolving lifestyles. We will help power the digital health revolution."

How is this app helping me to learn about my personal health so I can make changes to live a more healthier lifestyle if it doesn't give me interpretations and conclusions drawn from my biometrics? Does that just make the data useless? Yes, it gives me a catchy song to listen to for a few minutes but how am I supposed to "self-monitor" like Kasaam  says they're going for? There's no long term data collection for comparing and there's no explanation of your data or inferences. This makes self-monitoring a little unrealistic.

For the entertainment value, Pulse is pretty cool for about 10 minutes... until you've exhausted your six song options and the app sucks your battery dry. But as a healthcare tool, it's just not useful. They talk a big game and it sounds really cool--who knows maybe there are going to be some updates in the future--but it's pretty disappointing and lackluster.

Apple sent invitations to members of the press for an event to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco on October 22, 2013, which will mostly cover the iPad.

I love TEDxDetroit. I look forward to it like a kid waits impatiently for Christmas! And, as always, TEDxDetroit did not disappoint this year.


I have always rooted for Detroit, showing my support in any way I can, and attending TEDxDetroit is like being a part of a huge Detroit Pep Rally. So many supporters. So many positive-minded people. So many great ideas and bright highlights of the future.

So I started the day by meeting up with an old time friend Joe Carioti who, as you may know, I've podcasted with intensively over the past 10 years on a plethora of subjects--most recently Social Media Meltdown. He introduce me to his friend Alex then introduced us both to his friend Tara. Joe is one of those guys that knows everyone. Not only is TED about the talks but it's about meeting new people and making new connections.

At TEDxDetroit with @katelynshelby @alexissoinman and @Tara_M24 pic.twitter.com/1wM92KLOue
— Joe ~ Speedyf40 (@speedyf40) October 2, 2013

There were so many great, awesome, fabulous, inspiring speakers that took the stage on October 2, 2013 at Cobo Center's new Grand Ballroom. Here are some of my favorite soundbites and highlights from the day:

Even if your worst nightmare comes true, life is still worth living. @Johnubacon #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @TEDxDetroit: Your fears are holding you back. If you don't take care of them, they will own you...@Johnubacon #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

It's in our nature to be be creative, connected, collaborative, contribute, and to make a difference. @ManagingThought #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @TammieJones: The difference between "and" and "but" in idea generation - excitement vs. life-sucking force @ManagingThought #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Changing the city of Detroit from a city of victims to a city of innovation. Jackie Victor @avalonbread The future looks bright #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Jackie Victor, owner of Avalon Bread in Detroit, makes a great point here. Detroit is in a big mess and only true innovation will bring it out of that dark place.

We don't live in the City of #Detroit to heal the city. We live in the city for it to heal us. - Jackie Victor #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Never stop three feet from your millions. - @ishitagupta #TEDxDetroit Don't give up. A life lesson that is invaluable.
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Show me real success not fleeting success. Real success is based on rock bottom.- @ishitagupta at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Spotted some #GoogleGlass in the wild today at #TEDxDetroit! @ Cobo Center http://t.co/OOvcKqTdzW
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

I thought this selfie with the Google Glasses was cleaver. Then later this guy was featured in Jason Vazzano's talk about Vectorform and wearable technologies. Sorry, guy.

It's a beautiful day in #Detroit. Enjoying the break from #tedxdetroit outside. @ Cobo Center http://t.co/J4Ju0iTQ2H
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

It really was a beautiful day. And when we were roaming around Cobo on breaks all pumped up from the talks it felt so good to stand in the sun and bask in Detroit's beautiful skyline.

We're all superheroes. Superheroes love their cities and protect their cities. #TEDxDetroit @ingridlafleur
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Surgery on a cockroach? Must be a new one for #TEDx! #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

We're all speechless... a remote control cockroach. New innovation by @BackyardBrains for Parkinson's disease! #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Yes, you're reading that correctly. Backyard Brains did some crazy neuroscience stuff on a cockroach. You can read more about it on their website.

If you want to know what to do with your life, ask your inner 8 year old. - @menloprez at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Detroit is a place that knows how to make stuff. It's in our DNA. #TEDxDetroit @menloprez
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

You don't need money. All you need is a lot of good ideas and a lot of red wine. According to @detroitbikes #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

I'll remember the red wine next time!

RT @YazakiNA: Automated driving is happening. GM has been innovating the technologies since the 50s says GMfuturist John Capp #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Being in automotive and a technology junkie, John Capp's talk abut how automated driving isn't too far away made me so excited! Can you imagine everything we can accomplish during our work commutes when we no longer have to drive or pay attention?! Can you say naptime?

#thisisthelife RT @speedyf40: The Extremely savvy @katelynshelby going nuts tweeting up a storm @TEDxDetroit pic.twitter.com/rT24z91H7U
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

What can I say? Doin' my thang.

All those who succeed go through heartbreaking struggle. @ishitagupta at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

If people aren't telling you that your'e idea is crazy then it is likely not a very good idea. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

If you're honest and transparent you earn trust. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

The guy I took this selfie with earlier was just featured in this #TEDxDetroit talk. http://t.co/dy9QXTySHs @vectorjv #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Like I said earlier, sorry for the selfie. I hope you saw this and didn't think I was too creepy.

At #tedxdetroit and confused what is going on? @charlieleduff is what's going on. #thisishowiexpectedittogo
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @mikekmcclure: Charlie LeBuff is killing it. Freakin straight talk, talking crap and taking names #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @markmichaelsaid: #TEDxDetroit @Charlieleduff always tells it like it is when most people are afraid to #Detroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Charlie LeDuff, wow. I really have a newfound respect for him and for him telling it like it is. He left the crowd speechless with his bluntness.

People demand choice. People demand local. #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Here is what the mainstream media is saying:

• TEDx Delivers Ideas, Aspirations to Turn Around Detroit Area by Serena Maria Daniels for the Detroit News
• 2013 TEDxDetroit Conference (review + video) by Alexis Wiley for Fox 2.

It's our responsibility to show #Detroit in a positive light. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

You can lead, you can follow, or you can get the hell out of the way because progress is going to continue. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

"Come off the edges, come to the middle, and let's work together." -@charlieleduff #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Being amongst a room full of people of this caliber is like no other. #tedxdetroit Here's to next year! http://t.co/vqnEMOFBvr
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

If you didn't already know, I have been sharing my experiences as a first time home-buyer on my other blog, Adventures In Homeownership.

Today I reviewed the Ryobi One+ power tool line. I might not know anything about tools but I thought the review turned out pretty fantastic.

Check it out here!