Must-Have Apps for iPhone & Android

Apps are perhaps the best thing that has happened in the world next to the discovery of mobile phones. Smartphone could never have been such a hot-selling property if it were not for the apps. Now there is an app for almost everything that you do beginning from waking up to conducting meetings and presentations. Since there are lots of apps available for free that help you improve your efficiency, here are five of the best apps that help you stay productive.

Waze:
Waze is a free crowd-sourced app for navigation. While the Google Navigation is not available for free, Waze is a good alternative. Waze is not a simple navigation app. It can be called ‘navigation going social’. It gives voice directions for every turn you take. It also detects if you take a wrong turn and help you arrive on the right track. It has a few really amazing features.

Outsmart Traffic:
You can actually contribute to Waze. The commuters have one common goal- find the best, quickest possible route to work and back home. This is what has prompted the Waze founders to come up with feature that lets commuters add their own contribution about the condition of roads at particular spots. You can advice fellow travellers on the traffic congestion, roads to avoid, etc. What’s more? Get awarded for all the contributions you make.

Warn You:
You automatically get regular alerts on accidents, road hazards, police, traffic signals, etc.

Customized Maps:
Map editors at Waze continuously edit and update the road maps for your convenience! If there are any changes in a particular locality, they are the first ones to detect and influence the change in the maps. No wonder navigation has a new map everyday.

Google Voice:
If you have a Google account, then using Google Voice is just simple. You can do all that you love doing with the phone through the app, such as, voice messages, voicemails and notifications for new SMS texts, mails, etc.

Common Number:
Google Voice gives you a single phone number, which is unique for you and not unique to the location or device. It simplifies the way you would use phone. It makes voicemails and messaging as easy as your regular e-mails. You can also customize your callers’ experience with this app.

It is commonly misunderstood as a phone service which lets you manage your contacts. However, it is not a phone service, but it integrates all your phones so that it is easier for you to manage them. You can define the rings and even listen before answering the call. Google Voice lets you route all your calls to the voicemail so that you can detect the caller easily and choose whether or not to answer the call! It works just fine with VoIP lines, mobiles, desk phones and work phones.

Mailroom:
Access your Gmail account with Mailroom – one of the best webapps ever found. It integrates the mobile app of Gmail with iPhone’s conventions and has introduced features that were inadvertently left out by Google. It lets you access the iPhone address book, integrate your multiple mail accounts and also access threaded and unthreaded messages with proper distinction.

While the above four apps were for your regular use- to increase your professional efficiency, here are two for fun. With July 4 just round the corner, wouldn’t you like to celebrate the same in your own way with some bash and fireworks on your iPhone? Check these out:

Fireworks Deluxe Full:
You can view the 4th of July fireworks display anytime, anywhere and even any day with great app. They have a 3D display of the fireworks. The app has skyline background of five different cities. However, most users prefer the Statue of Liberty setting. If you are not in town on the 4th of July or if your fireworks get rained out, then you know what to do!

Weber Grills:
If you are taking the Independence Day responsibilities for the first time, then you must have this app. You maybe a novice BBQ or a veteran grill master. However, you are sure to get butterflies in the stomach when you are organizing 4th July grilling for the first time. This app would come in handy. The app has an array of grocery list, recipe for different grills, tips on mastering the best meat cuts and even a social community! This is a good resource even after 4th of July.