I know a lot of you have smart phones like androids, and blackberrys and iphones. I have compiled a list of my favorite apps for these devices. Most of these are available at least on both android and iphone. Some you may know about and some you may wonder why you didn’t already know about. Either way I hope you enjoy the list and that at least some of you find something you didn’t know you needed.
1. Groupon
This app allows you to not only search through and purchase available offers on the groupon service. You can also use the app to present the deal to the establishment rather than printing anything out. This is one of my favorites because it makes using the groupon service that much easier.
2. Shazam
This app will id any song playing when you run it and tell it to “listen”. Great for when that mystery song comes on the radio or at the bar!
3. Dropbox
Many are familiar with the dropbox service for your computer. This allows your phone to share in the action of allowing you to access documents as well as put them in the dropbox for future access
4. Remote For iTunes
This app allows your android phone to control your itunes playback using your home wifi to communicate. With both the computer and the phone connected to the same network (and itunes running as well) you can select what song or playlist to play, and control volume and other settings. If you’re nerdy like me and have multiple pc’s yes you can program the app to control itunes on all of them. You’ll just have to make sure the correct pc is selected to control.
5. Tango
This is your standard video call application. It ties to your phone number so once you sign up you can see which of your friends have signed up and tied their numbers to tango. I’ve used other similar programs but I like this one a little better for some reason.
6. Waze
This app is part GPS part social networking. Of course you can use it for directions since it’s a GPS app. However, built into this app is a way of passing along traffic sightings to anyone who wishes to join the Waze community. You can report anything from stalled cars on the road to police car sightings to standstill traffic jams. When you sign up for the app you will find different groups for your area based most of the time on where people are driving to and from to get to work and back. You can start a group that’s more fitting for your own commute or join one that fits your needs. When people report things they get the opportunity to report to specific groups.
You can also program your favorite destinations into the app for easy access. There are some goofy parts of it such as picking your car icon, setting your mood, and picking up these little point pellets – which most of the time are not on your direct route as though you’re going to forget you’re going somewhere and go “pacmanning” all around the streets of your city. Most recently in an update they have added a gas price feature. Overall a handy app to know when there are traffic jams ahead that you should avoid.
7. Moe's
This is for the Moe’s fan on the go. I love Moe’s but going there at certain times of the day sucks because of the long line just to get to start the process of going down the line to order bit by bit. This app removes that part of your Moe’s experience. You order on the app and pay with a credit card. When you go to the store you just walk directly to the register and pick up your already paid for order. For me this app is Heaven sent since I only have a half hour for lunch. The only thing to watch out for is if you open it in a quiet area if your media volume is up it yells “Welcome to Moe’s!!!”
8. Team viewer
This app is one of my favorites. I already have this on my pc’s and use it to access one from the other. This app allows you to sign in and access any of your account pc’s from your phone.
This is very helpful if you need a file or just remote access to your pc. I’ve even used it to remote in and shut down my pc when I wasn’t home and saw it was about to storm really badly.
9. Ibiker
Unlike every other app on here this is an exclusively iphone/ipod app. I use this for when I go out riding my bike. The GPS allows it to track my path, speed, calories burned, and other statistics about my rides. It stores all of these so you can look back on your results. The app will even notify you when you break previous records – such as longest distance ridden, longest time riding, and most calories burned. Don’t let the title fool you it also can be used for running, walking, hiking and other activities.
10. Hey Tell
The best way I can describe Hey Tell is it is like an audio text message device. This allows you to send little audio clips back and forth and essentially have not necessarily real time voice conversations. I know lots of people hate texting. This could be the answer for them in certain situations.
