Okay so I know how contradictory this post is if you have read my previous post about shying away from social media. The problem is, I am a complete iPhone addict. Over the moon kind of stuff going on over here. So I thought that I would take a few minutes to tell you why (and what) I love about my iPhone.
It's not that I am obsessed with cell phones in general. I had a huge problem with my last batch of cell phones. I say batch because the last cell phone that I had was replaced 7 times. Yes. You read right. SEVEN TIMES. I cannot stand the Verizon insurance company, but that's a whole new post in itself. Moving on.
I have had my iPhone for about 6 months now. All of the new apps, nifty gadgets that you can sync with your phone, and ways that your phone can help you in everyday life absolutely astounds me. I've narrowed down my favorite apps to 8. Hopefully you enjoy some of the same ones, or after reading this, you download them and find that you are just as obsessed as I am!
(These are in no particular order!)
1. Mint: For those of you who are trying to keep track of your budget but find it extremely hard and overwhelming, Mint is incredible. I use Mint to keep up with my spending, categorize my purchases into different areas, and learn how to budget. Mint basically does all of the hard work for you. You set up your account and sync it with your local bank. Now, that is the part that I had trouble adjusting to at first. Allowing access to my bank account to my phone? How is that safe? I definitely did my research on this one, guys. I Googled, asked my bank, and read up on what others had to say about Mint before I even considered it. After about a week of research and learning that Mint was recommended by some of the top financial minds in terms of iPhone apps, I took the plunge. I couldn't be happier! I can now organize Mint to meet my budgeting needs. Whether I am trying to control my spending on clothing or restaurants, Mint allows me to see exactly where I am in terms of my goals each month. It even sends me end-of-the-week updates directly to my email account, as well as instant notifications should I get a bit too close (or even surpass) my intended budget for the month. Think of it as a calorie counter for your wallet. Bottom line, if you have a hard time keeping budgets and don't want to mess around with a written budget, Mint is essential!
2. Starbucks: Okay so maybe I'm just obsessed with Starbucks in general, but I do have to admit that their app is very useful. It allows me to see where I am in terms of reaching my rewards status, make purchases in-store and pay using my phone, customize my favorite drinks and foods so I remember exactly how I like my coffee, and even search the calorie intake for what I'm consuming. Starbucks has done a great job of working to reward their customer loyalty, and I think that the app is something that more and more people are beginning to utilize. Not only can I refill my Starbucks gift card directly on my phone, but I can also lock my app so that no one else can use my phone to purchase drinks. Yes. That is how much I covet my Starbucks. Leave me alone. It's an addiction. The Starbucks app also allows users to search nearby stores, and even see what jobs are available in their local area. Very nifty. Bottom line, if you are a fan of Starbucks, you will be a fan of their app.
3. Waze: One of my friends actually turned me onto Waze a few months ago. It's a very easy to work travel app that allows you to build a social network-type affiliation with your local travelers. Their tagline is, 'Outsmarting traffic, together.' Basically you sign up, and then Waze allows you to customize your route, see where there is heavy traffic or weather, and earn points for reporting things such as accidents, roadwork, objects in the roadway, heavy traffic, and even cars stalled on the side of the road. It also puts you into contact with people who travel the same routes as you each day. For instance, if you commute from just outside of Atlanta into the city each day for work, Waze allows you to join a group of people who make the same commute. Users can post about traffic, alternative routes, and even hidden police trying to nab you. Much simpler than other travel apps that I have used (I'm talking about YOU new Maps update!), I have quickly fallen in love with Waze and how easy and knowledgeable it is. Bottom line, if you make the same commute each day or even if you just like to stay informed about traffic conditions, Waze is going to be your new best friend.
4. Lift: I just came across Lift last week actually while I was surfing the App Store for new additions. Lift is an app that allows you to join groups according to different habits that you want to keep, start, or get rid of. Their tagline is, 'Unlock your potential' and users are encouraged to "lift" each other up about their different habits. For instance, I am in the groups Drink 1L of water, Eat less than 1200 calories, Go to the gym, Pushups, Sleep at least 8 hours, Take vitamins, Weigh yourself, and Yoga or stretching. Each day when I complete one of these habits, I "check in" and other users in the group can see that I completed my goal for the day. Other users then can give you props for your check in, encouraging you to keep up the good behavior. Groups range from healthy eating habits and saving money, to meditation and reading. I have been pleasantly surprised at how many people are giving me props for something as simple as stepping on the scale each morning, but I have to admit, I find it rather refreshing. It's like having an entire cheering section for your good habits. Bottom line, if you like a little bit of extra encouragement when trying to start a new habit or end an old one, Lift is a great tool to have on your phone.
5. Key Ring: For people who have a bajillion loyalty cards floating around their keys, in their wallet, and scattered throughout their purse, Key Ring is so helpful. It allows users to log each of their loyalty cards onto the app, and then produces the bar code when you click on each of the titles. For instance, I am a loyalty member at stores such as Lowe's Home Improvement, Lowes Foods, Ingles, Food Lion, Petco, PetSmart, Target Pharmacy, and Ulta. Instead of having tons of cards on my key ring that makes me jingle around and then hold up the entire line while I search for the correct loyalty card, Key Ring helps me keep everything stored in one place, silently and neatly on my phone. Another useful aspect about Key Ring is that it automatically updates coupons and incentives onto your loyalty card, so that you don't have to keep track of them. It shows you sales on different items, and certain cards, such as Lowes Foods, allows you to clip coupons directly to your phone. Bottom line, if you prefer your key ring to actually have keys on it instead of loyalty cards, Key Ring is the app for you!
6. Catch: While everyone was obsessing about EverNote, I was advocating for the lesser-known Catch. For me, EverNote was a pain. Slow to load, hard to figure out, and it created a freezing-frenzy on my phone every time I tried to use it. As I'm sure you can guess, it didn't take long before I was searching for an alternative. Catch is an app that allows you to create and store notes, pictures, alarms, and to do lists all in one place. By sorting your notes into categories, you are able to multi-task and keep all of your ideas in one place. For me, I wanted a place to keep pictures after I deleted them from my Photos on my phone. Nothing weird, good lord. I had taken pictures of the boy's Christmas present, and instead of having him stumble on them while looking at my pictures, I wanted a safe and secure place to keep them handy. Enter Catch. It allows me to store the photos in a separate category, and even to lock the app for prying eyes. Yes. I'm talking to you, Brian. Another thing that it allows me to keep in one place is all of the books that I want to read. For those times when I'm walking around Barnes & Noble, searching the web, or even watching TV, I can take a picture of the cover, type the title, or simply speak the name into Catch, and my ideas and lists are stored instantly. Everything is organized, clean, and secure, just the way I like it. Bottom line, if you are constantly writing to do lists on sticky notes and pieces of scrap paper that you then lose, Catch is for you.
7. Find iPhone: How many times have you misplaced, flat-out lost, or even had your phone stolen? For those of us who know the terror of these situations, this is the best app ever. It's an app that you would rather have and not need, than need and not have. Find iPhone allows you to register your iPhone onto your created account (and even your other Apple products!), and then control them from another phone if they are lost, stolen, or misplaced. Example. Let's say that you are in the process of cleaning your room, and in the abyss that is your dirty laundry, you lose your phone. What's worse, it's on DUN-DUN-DUH....SILENT. Oh good lord. How are you EVER going to find your phone? Easy. Simply sign onto your online account or find a friend with an iPhone. Log in to your account and click on the device you are looking for. Find iPhone allows you to play a sound to your phone (even if it's on silent), lock your phone in case someone else may have it, or even delete all of your data from your phone if you believe it was stolen. That way, no one has everything that you may keep on your phone. Bottom line, if you have a tendency to lose your iPhone or if it has ever been stolen, Find iPhone is a great resource to have.
8. iHeartRadio: How many of you had a favorite radio station at home? I know I was always listening to 98.1 or 93.7 growing up. Unfortunately, I went off to college and those radio stations that I had grown to love weren't on my FM range anymore. What's a kid to do? iHeartRadio gets rid of your heartache by allowing you to listen to any radio station anywhere. Let's say you're living in Charlotte but you hail from Sacramento. No problem. Simply search for your favorite station and BAM. There is it. For me, iHeartRadio is an essential tool when I'm in the gym. The wifi connection in my office (which is where my gym is) allows me to play content for free, so all I have to do is turn on iHeartRadio, find a fun station, and I'm ready to go. For those of us who don't remember to download music (or who can't afford to!) iHeartRadio allows you to listen to your favorite songs for free. Bottom line, if you love your old radio stations and want to take them with you anywhere, iHeartRadio is for you.
I hope you all have enjoyed learning about some of the awesome apps that I have. Hopefully you learned a few that you want to download. If you think I'm missing the best app ever, or if I've left something you love off the list, comment and let me know!
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