“Radio” Days and More

AGOGO has curated channels with stories from world and local news agencies, streaming music stations from around the world and cleverly named, curated “playlists” of news, comedy, and music. The playlists are intended to channel your interests – think sports, science, business, comedy, etc.

You can add any channel, news station or specific stream to create your own personalized “GO Channel.” From there, you can hit the GO Channel at any time to get a hands-free, automatically generated mix of music, news, comedy and whatever sources you have in your GO channel. Each news story or song is announced by voice, and if you like, you can add it to your favorites. You can see the history of what you heard if you want to save or share it.

The only bummer for me was that you need to have wireless or a good 3G signal to use AGOGO , so I did not do so well commuting in Chicago (el/bus) with it. I do like the look and feel of it and will try again!

AGOGO is available on  iOS only (free), but they are working on an Android app, too. You can download AGOGO (Free) on the iTunes App Store.

 Swell a free app that streams content from NPR, iTunes, the BBC and more. Swell is powered by an advanced algorithm with a simple goal, to play content that you want to listen to right now. The algorithm evaluates content with a formula that combines many factors: expert rating, user rating (from you), content rating, community (Swell users) rating and peer rating (people in the Swell community who like what you like).

When I opened Swell, it asked me if I wanted it to use my iTunes to get started. I have LOTS of podcasts so I said “yes” and got today’s NPR news, a TED Talk of James Lyne on cyber crime and a Freakonomics podcast on (the sudden lack of) Carpal Tunnel. OK – good start!! Well, hello, Swell, you have my number.

Now, I can give feedback and the app learns what I like. I will “like” all of these so that similar items will be added to my queue. If you choose to, you can hit “skip” to start a new story. The app calculates your preferences based on how much time you spend on a particular selection, and the more you use it, the better it gets.

According to Swell, the services behind the app “includes a sophisticated content management system that dynamically manages freshness, timeliness, and quality attributes of media available to users at each moment for streaming.”

Swell is available on  iOS only (free), but they are working on an Android app, too. You can download Swell (Free) on the iTunes App Store.

I think that Swell is one for me! I am looking forward to  getting some more recommendations from Swell– and, of course, I will pass them along here!!

Are you addicted to news and podcasts like me? What are your favorites? How about apps for managing your content?

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I found some fun deals this week, as usual:

• Hey parents – check out this great Living Social deal on Pijon – send 4 care packages to your college student for only $49! Save 55%
• Need some exercise?
  • Get one month free online yoga from My Yoga Works with the code BALANCE.
  • Get a 30 day trial workout plan and access to videos from Daily Burn. You will not be charged until your 30-Day Free Trial is complete. After 30 days, you will be charged $10 (plus tax where applicable) recurring monthly. Cancel anytime before your free trial period ends and you will not be charged.
• Get 50% off all Women’s Dress Pants from ThredUp! Use code: DP50 at checkout.
• Get 30% off on natural beauty products from YesTo with the code YESTO30. Bundles not included.
• Get 50% off of your first curated box from Conscious Box with code FACEBOOK50.
• New customer get $5 off $75 on already reduced gift cards from major vendors at Raise with code RAISE75AF.
• Check out great deals on Steep and Cheap or their gear cache (great kids deals right now!)
• Check out great end of season deals at ModCloth. If you like them, sign up for a free account and get $20 for every friend you refer who buys $50 or more.
• Hey moms – Great deal on Happy Family snacks for kids from my friend Lisa. $12.99 for 12 on Zulily.
• Travelzoo has local deals all over the country!
  • In Chicago, 40% off on brunch + cocktails for two at Takito Kitchen in Ukranian Village or if you are visiting Chicago by the end of the year, save 49% on a 9 day Citypass for lots of attractions!
  • In NYC, check out 59% off on 4 drinks and 2 apps at the Sky Room ($39 in NYC!!) or save 64% on a one-hour massage or facial at Supple Spa – only $49!
    
  • (For a change of pace) In Atlanta, get 47% of apps/cocktails for 2 at Cucina Asellina in Midtown.
• Who knew I had things in common with Jenny McCarthy? Check out her picks at Gilt City (new customers get an extra 25% off if you sign up with that link) this week. Last week included Mercury Method, Prasino and the Roof@ The Wit, Nellcote and now Hubbard Inn, Vertigo Lounge and more! (Oh and other great national and deals in other cities, too!)
• Lifebooker Loot has great deals on health, beauty, spa, fitness and more in major metros including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, DC, NYC and more! Get an additional 20% off with the code PRETTYPARTY.