英语播客 A Cup of English An app for A Cup of English.

Today, I have an announcement to make. I am very excited to tell all of you that A Cup Of English is available in app (or application) for the iPhone, the iPod touch, the iPad or similar devices. It is already available in iTunes. For those of you who have such a device, you can have instant access to all of my podcasts with the text, grammar notes, and photos that automatically come with the blog. Pretty cool, isn't it? No more need to turn on a computer and download; it's all there at the push of a button. I had no idea that I would get an app. until I was contacted by the company that hosts my podcast, Libsyn. They told me that there was a time-limited offer for producers of podcasts. There were a few forms to fill in and sign, and details to work out, but the whole process went quite smoothly. Have you ever looked at some of the apps that are now available? There are so many of them! My husband has a Droid which also uses apps. He has one that gives step by step directions to anywhere you want to go. Another lists restaurants, their times of operation, comments on the food, and makes recommendations. And the list goes on. Apple first opened its app store in iTunes in July, 2008. As of 15th of January, there were one hundred and thirty three thousand nine hundred and seventy nine applications made by different producers. And guess how many downloads? About three billion. I love those big numbers! I suppose apps are supposed to make your life easier by giving you quick access to needed or wanted information. What a great invention. Technology is changing and getting updated so quickly that I feel I need to keep up with the changes. When I think back to the first computer games we had, Pac Man and Pong, I am amazed at the progress that has been made. In this area, I certainly don't want to be left behind.

Grammar notes.

Using the past participle of a verb as an adjective: watched, needed, signed, recommended, left.

1. The new movie has been watched by more people in recorded history.

2. You are needed in the conference room please.

3. The document will be signed and delivered tomorrow.

4. That hotel is not recommended by people I know.

5. The passports were left on the kitchen table; the couple didn't realise until they arrived at the airport.