I turned to Twitter and pulled up the #sutton hashtag. What I was shown was frankly terrifying – the high street overrun with looters; police arresting an 11 year old; HMV smashed in; Nando’s chicken restaurant attacked (along with cries of “OMG no, anything but that!”); ASDA first looted, then up in flames.

I’m scared, and I’m not afraid to admit that. All I ever hear about is how Twitter is changing the world by providing up to date news reports before the mainstream media – I’m certainly not seeing this on the BBC yet. Twitter will destroy traditional news outlets, they say. Social media is literally causing revolutions! But none of what I’ve read is in fact true. Nothing is burning, nothing is vandalized – the local council and police cannot verify a single incident occurring there.

The following day, Sutton council said the previous night’s tweets were entirely unfounded, and that tonight they would be providing verified information from the police. That’s a relief. So if I want accurate up to the minute information, I have to specifically follow only reliable sources then? Wait – doesn’t that ruin the whole point of Twitter? I thought being able to get the news from the average Joe on the street was kind of the whole point. If I can’t trust any of it, I may as well just watch Sky News!

The attitude of some Twitter users continues to shock me, with some people seeing the whole affair as a chance for traditional British humor to shine, and some even brazenly inciting violence as well as proclaiming their involvement. In general though, it was all just rumors and people asking for more information. It’s hard to tell how this is going to end, but for now, this tweet seems to summarize the situation around me quite well.

Watching the official #riots hashtag seems like a stream of nonsense to be honest. I’ll admit, it’s almost addictive as crack though – “another 19 new tweets!” – she teases me.

So Is Twitter Organizing the Revolution?

Certainly not. While traditional media outlets have been busy demonising Twitter and Facebook for playing a part in organizing the riots, they are completely wrong. No one would seriously publish their next targets on Twitter or Facebook for the simple reason that everyone, including the police, could see it. While I have no doubt that Twitter and Facebook have played a crucial role in the revolutions we see in the Arab springs, they have played no part in the London riots.

The BlackBerry, however, is a different story. I wouldn’t personally class the device as any kind of ‘social media’; BlackBerries are single handedly the most popular communication device among teenagers in Britain. There are two very simple reasons for this.  One, they are free on a rental plan – even my iPhone cost me £100 with a two-year contract. And 2, they have an extensive FREE private messaging system, with the unique ability to broadcast very easily to every single one of your contacts.

It’s a feature similar to the upcoming iOS5 iMessage ability but the broadcasting ability is very much unique. There remains no way to monitor the system, unlike Facebook or Twitter. In fact, the BlackBerry is the method of choice for teenagers in the Emirates too, to talk about the government without being arrested. And while police are able to obtain a warrant for an individual BlackBerry user’s activity, they can’t simply ask for anyone who messaged the word “riot” over that period.

Conclusion

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Blackberry messenger system was heavily used by thugs to organize their next targets – convictions have begun already. During the 7/7 bombings, police exercised a power to actually shut down major communications networks such as the BlackBerry – why the decision to not to do so this time will be one question on many peoples minds. The main argument against this kind of widespread action is that the rioters would have simply moved on to other apps or means to spread the word, whilst thousands of innocent BBM users would have also been affected. Regardless, the BBM was the tool of choice for these riots.

Personally, I have lost all faith in Twitter, and this is the last time I ever try to get accurate information from it. The trouble with crowdsourcing anything is that 99% of the crowd are idiots. My solution for now is to stick to Facebook. At least there I can trust first hand accounts from real friends.

I’m sure my fellow writers will have their own take on this, and I’d invite you to comment too if you think I’m way off on this one – but bear in mind that what I’ve written is from personal experience and relevant to the London riots only. I’d especially like to hear from any other UK people who were using Twitter during the riots, and how accurate they found it to be; or if there are any BlackBerry users out there who received a riot related message broadcast. Please, let’s keep this discussion on the topic of tech though, and not get distracted by the cause of the riots.  This is a tech blog, not a party political conference.

One of the most effective ways to combat weight gain is to count the calories and keep track of your intake, as well as your exercise, in a diet diary. The only problem is that you can’t take a diary everywhere – and so you might forget a meal here, or a snack there. MyFitnessPal solves the problem by having a presence everywhere – on your phone, your tablet or your PC.

Calorie Tracking Where You Are

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the MyFitnessPal free diet tracker, beyond the features we’ll talk about soon, is the number of platforms on which you can use it. There are MyFitnessPal apps for iPhone/iPad, Android and Blackberry. Windows Phone 7 is the only major mobile platform left out.

In addition to this, the MyFitnessPal website can be accessed online from anything with a web browser. Your account ties information between all of these platforms together, so you can count your calories during lunch at work on your smartphone, then finish up the day by counting dinner on your PC.

Massive Calorie Database

MyFitnessPal has been around for several years now, and since the introduction of the service it has constantly added new information to its food database.  The database is easy to search and now includes over 750,000 items. The only food that isn’t commonly found on the database is food from local independent restaurants. If the restaurant is a chain, or if you’re eating something from the grocery store, you’ll find an entry for it in the MyFitnessPal database.

Once you’ve found what you’re looking for you can add it to your meal. MyFitnessPal is very flexible when it comes to adding food; you don’t have to pick one particular type of serving. You can also add servings in any multiplier of the base serving size. If you eat half a bagel, for example, no problem! Just search for the type of bagel you ate, and then enter .5 as the serving size.

If the food isn’t in the database, that’s also not a problem. You can always “quick-add” a given number of calories.

Tracking Your Progress

One problem that often trips up dieters is long-term calorie intake. Going crazy at a favorite restaurant can defeat an entire week’s work of careful, healthy eating – but without a clear way to track calories over time, a dieter may be prone to think “I met my goal six out of seven days, but I’m still not losing weight! What’s wrong?” That’s understandably frustrating.

MyFitnessPal keeps track of your daily calorie intake and provides information showing how you’re doing over time. It also provides information about how your current eating habits should impact your weight in the future.

When you start your MyFitnessPal account you are given a target calorie intake based on your current weight, your height, and the amount of weight you wish to lose each week.  This information can be reviewed in the goals section, and helps you keep on track by reminding you that every calorie counts. Exercise is factored in as well, so you can see how your exercise program is impacting your weight loss.

Social Motivation

Perhaps the coolest feature, and the most likely to keep you on track, is the social networking functionality. If you like, you can hook up MyFitnessPal to your Facebook or Twitter account. MyFitnessPal will automatically let friends know when you’ve met a goal. Being put on the spot like this can feel embarrassing at first, but if you can become comfortable with it, the additional motivation is great.

There is also an active forum community on the site, and the site provides “badges” and “tickers” that can be added to a forum post or a blog post. The badges can be used to show off an accomplishment, while the ticker actually updates over time to show how much you’ve lost.

Conclusion

MyFitnessPal is an excellent free calorie counter and diet tracker. You can input your calories from anywhere with your phone, you can track your progress and calculate your estimated weight loss, and even get your friends in on it! It really doesn’t get any easier than this.

What effective online methods do you use to lose weight?  Let us know in the comments.

But if you and your friends are looking for a completely free, cross platform option, LiveProfile is available as a free download for Android, iPhone and Blackberry phones. It will also work on the iPod Touch and iPad, although it isn’t optimized for the latter’s screen. That said, using LiveProfile, or any other similar application, is a great way to turn your iPad 3G into the ultimate messaging device.

Signing up for a free account is a simple as entering your email address and password, after which you can create your profile. The more information you fill out, the more useful it is if you want your friends to be able to find you using your real name or your phone number. If you’d rather not enter that information, they can also find you by your email address, or by a specific LiveProfile ID that you can give to them.

In addition to your profile information, you can also add an image as your profile picture, and update your status within the app, while simultaneously sending those updates to Facebook and Twitter.

From the “Me” tab you can access all of your settings, from updating your profile, your status, adding friends, and adjusting the app’s settings. To add friends using their profile information, scanning your contacts list to see if anyone is already using LiveProfile, or finding your Facebook friends to see who is already using the app.

iPhone, Android and Blackberry users can send and receive text messages.

iPhone and Android users have the added advantage of sending and receiving images and videos as well, either from their saved images or by taking a new photo or video.

When you receive a new message, you will receive a notification. On the iPhone, you will be able to see a preview of the message, whereas if you’re using a Blackberry, you won’t. You will however have to keep the app running in the background in order to receive these messages, but this should have no effect on your battery life.

Like with Blackberry Messenger, you can tell when your message has been sent, delivered, and read. You can also delete all messages from any given person by closing the chat session, but you cannot delete individual messages.

LiveProfile is the first real competition for its free counterpart, PingChat, since Whatsapp’s Android and Blackberry versions are not free. While there are no real distinct differences between LiveProfile and PingChat, the LiveProfile interface is a little bit more appealing than PingChat, particularly on the Blackberry where more often than not the UI is quite a let down in comparison to the sister Android and iPhone apps.

LiveProfile is available as a free download from the Android Market, the iTunes App Store, and as a direct download for Blackberry users from the app’s website.

Which app do you prefer? Whatsapp, Pingchat or LiveProfile? What other cross platform messenger apps would you recommend? Let us know in the comments.

This time around, the search for the ideal app came to a halt when I found OurGroceries. There are many list-making apps for free on the iTunes App Store, that range from being very simple to those that have more features but offer complete features in the ad-free, paid versions. Very few of them allow sharing lists by features other than email. If I really wanted to email lists back and forth, I could just use the email app, but the OurGroceries grocery shopping software makes sharing grocery lists so simple. It really makes everything easier, especially if you have a family.

OurGroceries [iTunes link, BlackBerry App World link, Android users just need to search for OurGroceries in the Market app] is an incredible free find that does a few unique things, proving it invaluable for anyone that has more than 1 person in his/her household. Let’s see why OurGroceries is a must-have.

Only One User Has To Make An Account

The first thing I thought after reading OurGroceries’ description of having to use one master email address to access the lists, was, “Well, I could just let my trustworthy friend access my wunderlist with my email and password, so I don’t see how this app’s doing anything better.” In reality, with OurGroceries, only one person needs to set up an account and password, but does not have to share the password with anyone. As the owner of the master email address, you can grant others access to your lists. You only need to share your email address with your, say, your roommate Anna, who will input that address in the login information screen in the OurGroceries app, and then, you will get an email about whether or not you give permission to the owner of “Anna’s iPod” to access your account.

Share & Sync All Lists Instantly

Once you grant your roommate (or family member) access to the account, the items sync unbelievably quickly with no need for manual refresh.

You will have the option to create as many lists as you want, but keep in mind that all of them will be shared with your roommate, or whomever has access. You can also add and edit items on the web interface, which sports a very similar look to that of the iPhone app and thus, could be used if you’re on a mobile browser of an unsupported phone model, like a Symbian or Windows 7 phone.

Additionally, you can create recipe lists with only items to buy so if you have planned a weekly menu with KitchenMonki, you will know exactly what you need for that recipe.

Use Categories To Classify Items By Supermarket Aisle

Not only can you use pre-existing categories, but you can also edit and add more categories to match the layout of the supermarket you frequently go to and make navigating it a lot easier. If you go with, say, your spouse to get groceries and both of you own a supported phone, you can even split the tasks, go on separate ends of the supermarket and cross each item off as you each pick up a product. Not only do you save money using a set grocery list, you can also save time.

Create & Share Wishlists

Since you can create all sorts of lists of items to buy, writing a wishlist just makes sense and would ease trying to figure out a gift, and especially, trying to figure out if the other person likes the gift or not.

You could also create a list for all the things you want to try out together with your roommate or family member, like restaurants, movies, places to go, etc. which are all purchases, so OurGroceries could essentially be a planner of sorts, because more likely than not, you will be doing all those things with someone else.

So now that I’ve listed the features that make OurGroceries shine over other grocery shopping software, we should also mention that the apps are ad-supported, which isn’t bad, but you can always upgrade with the Android app and get rid of the ads. Another thing that would be nice to see in OurGroceries, is the ability to choose what lists to share. All lists get shared, so if you have a gift list, you will probably have to use another app to house that list, unless you want your surprises ruined. Also, like I mentioned earlier, there’s no mobile-friendly site yet, but the web interface sort of makes up for that, as it resembles the iPhone interface and thus, there’s not as much zooming and panning involved.

If you’re looking for a similar app, but that can scan product bar codes to instantly add an item to your grocery list, check out GroceryIQ. Also, if you don’t have a smartphone, check out this list of websites that can help with your printable grocery list!

What do you use to simplify your grocery shopping experience? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Matt MacGillivray

When it comes to keeping track of your secure details, SafeWallet has you covered across multiple platforms “” including your smartphone! So, you can enter in bank details, passport numbers and even more trivial details like clothing sizes. These are all kept safe from prying eyes, yet convenient for you to access when you’re out and about.

This week, MakeUseOf is giving away 25 combination copies of SafeWallet for both your desktop and mobile so you can benefit from this incredibly useful phone and desktop application. Give it a go!

Features

Multi-Device

SafeWallet is available for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, Symbian and Blackberry. This makes it incredibly versatile, so you can easily add information to SafeWallet using your PC and access it later on your phone.

Easy to use

SafeWallet is very easy to use. Once installed on your phone, Mac or Windows device it is fairly straightforward to create a new wallet, some sub-folders and enter some new cards. Start with just one wallet on one device, as you can sync them later very easily. A new card is made for each secure item you wish to document, eg. social security number, credit card, frequent flyer number, etc.

There are also numerous templates for cards ready for you to use, which also serves as a reminder for important numbers you might want on hand. You may also create templates for cards “” those made on your computer will be available on your phone for future use.

To copy data from a card, try clicking in the field. For other useful tools related to that data, look to the right of the information and you will see device-specific icons to send email, browse addresses or make a phonecall.

Wi-fi Sync

To sync your devices, there are two main options. The basic sync is to sync via your local wi-fi network. When your computer and smartphone share the same wi-fi network, you can navigate to the sync screen on both devices and it will share the wallet with the other device (For Android use Menu > Sync; For Windows use File > Settings > Sync or Tools > Sync Manager). Whenever you want to re-sync, simply follow the same process.

Cloud Sync with Dropbox

A more automated sync process is to use Dropbox. However, don’t sync with Dropbox as well as the wi-fi sync as you will end up with multiple copies of your wallet. To sync with Dropbox, visit the settings/preferences menu on each device and check the “Store Wallets in Dropbox” option (For Android use Menu > Settings > Dropbox; For Windows use File > Settings > Library). On a computer where you already use Dropbox, there’s no need to enter more details. The application simply finds your Dropbox folder and uses it. On the phone, you will need to log in to Dropbox via the SafeWallet application.

Once this Dropbox setup is complete, changes on any device automatically reflect in the others quite soon after the change is made. So, it’s effectively a multi-device automated sync.

Try SafeWallet

This handy application definitely worthy trying, as is such a simple and painless answer to the problem of storing your important confidential data on your phone.

If you miss out on the giveaway, SafeWallet is available with a free trial for your computer and a modest fee on Android and iPhone.

How do I win a copy?

It’s simple, just follow the instructions.

This giveaway begins now and ends Friday, December 10th at 2100hrs PST. The winners will be selected at random and announced via email.

Spread the word to your friends and have fun!

MakeUseOf would like to thank SBSH Software LTD for their generosity while participating in this giveaway. Interesting in sponsoring? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via email.

PingChat! now offers a completely free cross-platform mobile chat program that supports iPhone, Blackberry and Android handsets. The app is downloadable directly from their website, which means that Blackberry users who don’t have access to the Blackberry App World can still download and use PingChat!

Once you’ve downloaded PingChat! to your phone you will be required to register the app. All that means is you will be asked to enter a unique username, which is linked to your phone number.

In order to chat with your friends using PingChat!, you have to have their username. They do make it easy to get the word out there, giving you a quick and easy way to broadcast your username on Facebook, Twitter or via email. As you start to add contacts and receive messages, you can easily link your PingChat! contacts to your address book.

Once you’re all set up, you can start sending and receiving messages. But you’re not just limited to text. You can send picture messages, by taking a photo while the app is open or by choosing a photo saved on your phone. You can record a voice note up to 30 seconds long. Using PingChat!, you can also send videos saved or recorded on your phone to your friends. iPhone 3G users can send videos that have been recorded with other third party apps that have been saved to the camera roll. Blackberry, Android and iPhone 3GS/4 users can send videos recorded with their native video camera apps. You can also send the contact details of anyone in your address book.

And it doesn’t end there. You can send your exact location using Google Maps, a feature that would be of huge help if you’re lost or your car has broken down and need someone to pick you up. Your location will be uploaded to PingChat! as a map.

And of course, PingChat! uses push notifications to let you know when you have a new message. You can choose to toggle the sound and vibration for notifications on and off from directly within the app’s settings on the iPhone. And if you change your number or phone, you can unregister the account, and re-register with so that you don’t have to change your username.

The Blackberry settings are limited to unregistering your account and choosing which sound profile to use with the app. iPhone users will be happy to know that their version supports landscape mode. The app works over 3G, EDGE and WiFi so you can keep in touch with your friends no matter where you are.

Have you used PingChat? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.

face2face is a location-aware smartphone app that solves the problems of privacy and safety that have become synonymous with social networking. By using general proximity – never the precise location – face2face keeps you connected but private. It shares only information between friends who are near each other and no one else.

In this article, I’ll show you where to get face2face, give you an overview of its features, and show you how to use it.

Starting Out With face2face

The first step is downloading the app on face2face’s website. This application supports multiple mobile devices. You can download the face2face app on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, with a j2me version coming soon for Java devices.

You start off by signing into your social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, or LinkedIn. This allows the application to gather the friends and connections you would want to locate or share your connection with.

After you’ve logged in and linked your accounts, you can view your social profiles, list of friends, and status updates. On the main screen you have several options, including inviting/requesting friends, searching who’s nearby, viewing notifications and feeds, and sending instant messages.

The face2face application tells you when your friend is around the corner, but they don’t tell you what coffee shop they’re in. “We make coincidences happen”, says the face2face team, “finding the connections you’d otherwise miss, without sacrificing privacy”.

Locating & Connecting With Friends

Most location services are too open. They’re too quick to share information, and the more you use them, the more you’re putting yourself out there. By using proximity instead of precise location, you can locate your friends while remaining protected.

When you link your social networking accounts to face2face, all of your friends – and friends of friends (LinkedIn) – are added to your contact list. Once they are on your list, you can request their location or contact information like their phone number, or you can send them a message.

If you are near each other, you will be able to see each other on the app. When your friends can see you, you can always see them, so there is no “stalking”. With all of your networks in one place, you can chat with or meet friends across social platforms and different types of phones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, face2face is one of the better geo-location apps out there when taking privacy into account. The face2face application allows you to maintain a socially active lifestyle and still be able to locate your contacts when they are close. If you enjoy accessing your social networks and are looking for a secure way to enhance that experience on your phone, face2face might be for you.

Privacy is always a big concern with applications that broadcast your position over GPS. The costs sometimes outweigh the benefits when you’re comparing letting your friends see your location versus the rest of the world being able to see it. The proximity feature is what makes face2face attractive to me, as it allows you to bump into your friends when you’re out with a little ‘help’ in finding them.

What do you think about location-based apps and privacy? Is face2face a step in the right direction, or are apps like Foursquare getting better at maintaining privacy? Leave your thoughts, ideas, and comments below!