A recent study by market research firm
Nielsen claimed that the average person uses 27 apps a month, which sounds like
very few considering that Apple and Google’s app stores both have more than 1m
apps available. The key, of course, is that the 27 apps can be almost entirely
different, depending who you ask.
Some apps do have mass audiences: Facebook
and Twitter in the social networking category; Whats-app, Facebook Messenger and Snap-chat for messaging; Google Maps for getting around; Spotify for music;
YouTube for video; Kindle for reading e books; Instagram for photo-sharing; and
so on.
Beyond these 900lb gorillas of the apps
world, though, there is a wide selection of software that can improve your
smartphone’s capabilities: often replacing the default apps that come preloaded
on it, from email and calendar apps to mapping and music.
One of the important trends in this area
is apps working better together, whether through partnerships between them pretty much every fitness-tracking app works with a range of complementary
services – or by features in the smartphone software from Apple and Google
making it easier to move tasks and content between different apps on your
device.
A trend that’s in its earlier stages is
the growth of companion apps for smartwatches, usually designed to take two or
three key tasks from the main app to your wrist, to avoid you getting your
smartphone out of your pocket. Look for Apple Watch offshoots for iPhone apps
on the App Store, and separate Android Wear versions for Android apps on Google
Play.
App developers also have a growing
awareness of issues around privacy, from messaging apps such as Telegram that
make encryption one of their key features, to controversies like recent
criticism of an update to Spotify’s privacy policy, which was (wrongly, as it turned
out) seen as opening the door for its app to root through users’ photos and
listen to their conversations.
App makers have to be sensitive to these
concerns as apps continue to be big business. In 2014, Apple paid out $10bn
(£6.5bn) to developers of iOS apps, while Google paid out $7bn (£4.5bn) to
developers of Android apps.
That money includes upfront payments and
in-app purchases, but not advertising a big money-spinner for companies like
Facebook, which made $7.5bn (£4.9bn) from mobile ads in 2014 alone.
For anyone relatively inexperienced in
smartphones and apps, this roundup offers a good starting point to improve your
handset: even if you don’t find 27 of them useful, several will have a
meaningful effect on your daily life. Meanwhile, even smartphone veterans may
find some apps in here that demand a slot on their homescreens.
Lifestyle/health
1.
Moodnotes
iOS
(£2.99) (US$4.64)
Moodnotes is a digital diary for tracking your
moods, from low to high. It prompts you to explain your feelings to help spot
triggers for low moments, and provides tips on how to avoid the “thinking
traps” that may cause them.
2. Clue -
Period Tracker
iOS /
Android
Part of the trend for quantifying yourself, Clue
focuses on the fertility cycle. Use it to track throughout the month, whether
your goal is conception or simply understanding your cycle’s pattern better.
3.
MyFitnessPal
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
This is one of the simplest ways to quickly log
your calories, setting a daily target to suit whatever your current fitness
plan is. It works well with other health apps too, from Fitbit to Runkeeper.
4.
Rightmove
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
House-hunting can be dispiriting, but at least the
apps for browsing homes are good. Since you’ll be checking Rightmove morning,
noon and night, it’s good that it’s so quick and easy to use.
5. Sleep
Better with Runtastic
iOS /
Android
More quantification, this time of night habits.
Installed on your smartphone at your bedside, it measures your sleeping
patterns, while its alarm aims to wake you at the best time within your cycle –
avoiding morning grumps.
6. Bumble
iOS
This aims for a more female-friendly spin on
dating. Browse and swipe right like Tinder, but if the woman doesn’t chat for
24 hours, the connection disappears. For same-sex couples, either has to act to
stay connected.
7. Peak –
Brain Training
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
Remember when Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima’s Brain
Training was a craze? Peak is doing a similar thing on smartphones and tablets,
with dozens of mini-games designed to test thinking skills and track your
improvement over time.
8.
Zombies, Run!
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
Zombies, Run! has the most creative method of
getting you jogging: a horde of (virtual) undead chasing you. A proper story
from Naomi Alderman keeps your interest high.
Travel
9.
Citymapper
iOS /
Android
From tubes and trains to taxis and buses,
Citymapper suggests several routes, each with a projected time, with alerts on
weather, strikes and other issues. In the UK, it works in London, Manchester
and Birmingham.
10. UK
Bus Checker
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
There are dozens of bus-checking apps, but this is
the pick of the bunch. Covering more than 300,000 bus stops in the UK, it’s a
fast way to check arrivals, or plan your journeys.
11. Hotel
Tonight
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
A growing number of people are choosing not to book
accommodation but to pitch up and use this app on the day. Its speed and
simplicity play into that: a few taps and you’re all booked up.
12. Yahoo
Weather
iOS /
Android
The weather might be grim but at least the forecast
looks pretty in this app. Yahoo’s weather tool isn’t just nice-looking though:
there’s plenty of detail to dig into as you browse ahead for daily and hourly
forecasts.
13.
Duolingo: Learn Languages
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Of the many language-learning apps, this is one of
the simplest, but also most effective. Its bite-sized lessons are a fun way to
get up to speed in Spanish, French, German and other languages.
14.
ViewRanger GPS
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
If your holiday involves walking or cycling, this
is an excellent companion. It taps Ordnance Survey maps and trail guides for
detailed routes to pedal or wander along, and is particularly good for holidays
within the UK.
15.
Hopper – Airfare Predictions
iOS /
Android
The fluctuating prices of airlines are beyond the
ken of most passengers, which is exactly their point. Hopper gives
bargain-hunters an advantage again: analysing prices and trying to predict when
they will be cheapest.
16.
WifiMapper
iOS /
Android
Frequent travellers know all about the search for a
Wi-Fi hotspot when abroad – with a free one being the dream. WifiMapper has a
database of more than 500m hotspots around the world, and will guide you to
them.
17. HERE
Maps
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Google and Apple have their respective Maps apps,
but Nokia’s HERE has plenty of fans. Its key features include storing maps
offline, and its inclusion of public transport and restaurant/shop data.
18.
Microsoft Translator
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
This handy companion will translate words and
phrases while you’re abroad, with support for 50 languages and the option to
have things read out or displayed on screen for you to try the pronunciation.
It also works on smartwatches for even faster access.
Entertainment
19.
MixRadio
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Much of the chatter about streaming playlists
focuses on Spotify and Apple Music. MixRadio might be the curveball alternative
though: its themed playlists are a match for its high-profile rivals.
20.
Songkick Concerts
iOS /
Android
Songkick picks up your tastes by scanning your
music collection or Spotify profile, then pings you when tickets go on sale for
gigs by your favourite artists. Dangerous for your wallet, but wonderful for
your ears.
21.
TuneIn Radio
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
TuneIn has a database of more than 100,000 stations
streaming online, including all the key UK channels. A premium subscription
adds audiobooks and ad-free stations, too.
22.
Goodreads
iOS /
Android
Goodreads is a well-established community of
bookworms recommending books. You can write your own reviews, check those of
friends and most useful – scan barcodes in shops to check reviews before
buying.
23.
Pocket
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
Pocket is the best in the “read it later” category
of apps, which help you collect articles from a range of sources throughout the
day, and save them for a time that suits you. Sensible social features help you
share with friends too.
24. Star
Walk 2
iOS /
Android (£2.29)
The best entertainment is often distinctly
un-digital: staring at the night sky, for example. But Star Walk 2 is a
discreet companion for your stargazing, helping you identify constellations,
planets and satellites.
25. Magic
Piano
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
A welcome app for anyone who ever dreamed of
tinkling a piano, but lacks the skills. Magic Piano helps you play along with a
range of songs, play with other people over the net, and learn a few tricks to
help with the real thing.
26.
Vessel
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
YouTube is a spawning ground for a new generation
of video stars, but Vessel is pitching itself as the app for their superfans.
Get early access to videos from popular YouTubers, and discover shows that
you’ll love.
Social/Media
27.
Flipboard
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Apple’s soon-to-launch News app has been hailed as
a “Flipboard killer”, but Flipboard’s features make it hard to kill. It turns
your favourite topics and sites into a flippable digital magazine, bringing in
social feeds too.
28.
Periscope
iOS /
Android
Twitter’s live-streaming video app seemed a bit of
a novelty when it launched but it’s starting to find its place, from
celebrities broadcasting directly to fans to journalists reporting live from
the scenes of breaking news stories.
29.
Telegram Messenger
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
A big theme of messaging apps in 2015 is security,
with more adopting encryption technology to keep your chats safe. Telegram’s
appeal goes beyond its self-destructing “secret chats”: it’s well-designed and
compares well with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
30. Pocket
Casts
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Real-life whodunnit podcast Serial sparked renewed
interest in the spoken-word genre, and Pocket Casts is one of the best ways to
browse, download and listen to podcasts on your smartphone. A wide catalogue
and sleek interface impress.
31. VSCO
Cam
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
Built-in camera apps have improved in leaps and
bounds, but VSCO Cam remains a connoisseur’s choice for mobile photography.
Excellent shooting and editing tools, plus plenty of filters to try out.
32.
FireChat
iOS /
Android
FireChat seems like magic until you have the
technology explained to you: it’s a messaging app that works without 3G or
Wi-Fi, using a network created by the devices around you. Great for a group traveling, as well as public demonstrations and sports/music events.
33.
Google Photos
iOS /
Android
Even iOS users see the appeal in Google’s
photography cloud service, which uploads your snaps to its servers and makes
them searchable and shareable with friends and family. Useful if you start
running out of phone space.
34.
Feedly
iOS /
Android
RSS feeds haven’t always been the most
user-friendly way to keep tabs on digital news – at least, not for mainstream
internet users. Feebly walks the line well between an accessible interface and
features for more experienced users to drill into their feeds.
35. EyeEm
- Photo Filter Camera
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
On one level, EyeEm is yet another app for taking
photos then applying stylish filters. But you can also add your best shots to
its market – and maybe end up selling them to media and brands.
36.
Pinterest
iOS /
Android
Facebook and Twitter hog the social media
attention, but Pinterest, where people “pin” products, places and ideas, has
stealthily become a visual way to research holidays and purchases, building
your own collections as you go.
Productivity
37. Slack
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone
Slack is a messaging service for your work spanning
desktop and mobile. It’s a quick way to ping colleagues. When used well, its
biggest benefit is reducing your email inbox clutter.
38.
Trello
iOS /
Android
If Slack is for messaging, Trello is more about
project management the two work well together using “boards” and “cards” to
break down projects and divide tasks between co-workers. The apps provide a
quick way to make edits or additions.
39.
Sunrise Calendar
iOS /
Android
Microsoft liked this calendar app so much they
bought the company, rebranding it as “an Outlook app” in the process. It works
with Google Calendar and Apple’s iCloud too: pulling your diary dates into a
clean and clear design.
40.
Wunderlist
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
Microsoft bought Wunderlist too this year. This
to-do list app takes some beating: from individual tasks to complicated
projects, it’s easy to divide, conquer and neatly tick everything off.
41.
Pushbullet
iOS /
Android
Pushbullet can be hard to explain, but once you’ve
installed it, you’ll see what the fuss is about: it pings files and links
between your own devices, or to friends. It’s also a good hub for replying to
social messages and texts.
42. IF by
IFTTT
iOS / Android
IFTTT is a wonderful way to connect all your other
apps and automate the tasks that go between them. From uploading your social
photos to Dropbox to saving stories from news sites, it’s useful in hundreds of
small ways.
43.
SwiftKey Keyboard
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
One of the best apps for replacing your
smartphone’s default keyboard, due to its ability to learn your writing style
for more accurate auto-corrections. Emoji, a range of themes and translation on
the fly are also impressive.
44. iA
Writer
iOS /
Android (£7.99) (US$12.41)
As word processors go, it looks minimalist, but
that’s the point: its interface gets out of the way to let you focus on
writing. Designers dribble over the typography, but it’s the efficiency as a
writing tool that shines.
45.
Mailbox
iOS /
Android
Currently the best tool for reaching (or at least
approaching) Inbox Zero. You swipe emails out of your inbox, including making
some return later at a time of your choice. For now, it works with Gmail and
iCloud email.
46.
Scanner Pro 6 by Readdle
iOS
(£2.29 (US$3.56) + IAP)
This does the job of a physical scanner well:
whether you’re having to print and sign PDF documents before returning them
digitally, or simply keeping digital copies of documents and receipts, it’s the
best option.
47.
Dropbox
iOS /
Android / Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
Your Google, Apple or Microsoft phone will have a
cloud-storage service attached. But Dropbox makes for an excellent alternative,
whether you’re storing photos, documents or music.
48.
1Password
iOS /
Android (Free + IAP)
We all (hopefully) know not to stick notes with
passwords over our computers. But if remembering passwords is proving
challenging, try 1Password. It stores all your details, encrypted, so you can
login safely and quickly.
49.
Numerous
iOS /
Android
This neat, figures-focused app can be used for work
or personal life – or both. It keeps track of any important numbers, from your
social followers or exchange rates to your steps or a countdown to a
significant date.
50.
Streaks
iOS
(£0.79) (US$1.23)
Part productivity and part health app, this aims to
help you “form good habits” by choosing up to six tasks you want to perform
every day, then marking them off to help your motivation. It’ll even remind you
about them.
No comments:
Post a Comment