The following is a list of apps that I simply would not be able to function in normal society without (...based on 200+ possible apps currently installed on my iPhone!):
My top 10 favorite iPhone apps:
1. Facebook
Need I say more on this one? ...but I think the true reason I love the FB app so much is that I can keep in touch with friends & family whom I would otherwise only hear from once every 3 years! And I can also update my business fan page, which is the biggest bonus!
2. Instagram
This one is awesome. I have to admit that I didn't really "see" what the big deal was, until I finally made myself join the bandwagon and try it out. But "really" try it out. I started to participate at least once a day in scrolling through other people's photos and taking my own. The biggest bonus? I can basically chronicle my life in little neat photos. And the best part is that it actually helps you hone in your photography skills. Each photo is an inspiration, and you truly begin to see the true beauty in even the smallest things around you. Just check out the little portfolio I've already amassed in such a short time! I have linked mine to my facebook fan page & also placed a link on my main website as a fun additive. And the socialization ability? Priceless. Instant gratification, I love you!
3. Wattpad
I love to write and discover new books. Being a romance novel freak definitely helps you out when using this particular app. The best part is that you can actually turn your iPhone into an eReader of sorts. But it's not just an app. They also have the full website version which you can login to. Now, be forewarned, these are stories written by people within the community. But that being said, it also allows for some fresh ideas and cultivates that creativity within each of us. There are also a lot of interactive qualities: social networking integration, fan base, groups, comments... the list goes on. And to that, I give two thumbs up!
4. SelBuk-2011
I now have a fully featured accounting suite on my iPhone! The best part is that I can enter income, create & email PDF invoices, keep track of payments, expense reports... just an amazing little app! Now, it does take a few "trials" just to figure out how to do everything correctly, but it's super easy to use. I just had to get the hang of using an accounting program! What I love about this app is that for about $29, you can unlock the ability to add unlimited invoices, expenses, customers, etc.... but not just that (a million other apps can do that already at a much cheaper price). You can also export your information straight to excel file format, sent to whatever email address you choose. Now, unless I find a cheaper alternative which allows you to do all of this, WITHOUT the need to pay a monthly service fee, this is the accounting app for me! And as a side-note, I chose an iPhone accounting app because I am able to use it on the field. I can even have clients sign their invoices on the spot!
5. Magic Receipt
I love this super simple, and free, app because it allows me to send clients a virtual "receipt" for items paid in cash. Who says simplicity is overrated?!
6. Amazon Mobile
I just love searching for things and adding them to my wishlist, which - of course - I can do through the app! But I think the real reason I love the Amazon app is because I trust them. I love how customer reviews are an integral part of their website. I'm also in love with the "scan bar code" feature which allows me to scan and add items to my wishlist for later view (works great for when I'm out with the boys and they "want" some big ticket item. I just add it to their wish list as a "reminder" during special holidays & birthdays). My parents also use this app for their business. We are all avid yard sale "re-sale gurus", and having the ability to search for certain items just to see how much that little $1.50 product is really going for is amazing. Talk about turning $1.50 into $150 quick!!! Trust me... my parents are whiz's when it comes to this. They base their business just on this "re-sale theory"... how much more fun can it be to search for discounted treasures and then make a killer profit to boot?!
7. MyFitnessPal (& MyNetDiary)
I can track all of the food I eat, exercises I do & measurements. These two tools are similar, so it really depends on which you'd feel more comfortable using. MyFitnessPal, however, has an interactive community feature which can also be accessed online, and they post your daily caloric and exercise completions on the main wall, which can be encouraging if you're too embarrassed to let others see that you're not working out or went over your caloric limit for the day! Again, this can be a real instant gratification tool which can keep you totally motivated! They both do have website counterparts though. And while both also allow custom food choice entries, MyNetDiary has the added ability to input custom foods utilizing a barcode scanner!)
8. SoundHound
This one is simple but definitely a necessary tool if you love music! It basically "listens" to a song and tells you the name, along with a multitude of other things such as lyrics, album info and even stores the song in history so you can view it later. The most awesome thing about this app is the ability to track which songs you've looked up. It's amazing to hear a song that you really enjoy and be able to find out what it is without having to listen intently "hoping" the DJ will repeat the name of the song. AND, as an added bonus, when I find a song I really love, I utilize the next app to do some really, really neat things with that information...
9. iDownloads Plus
Now, there is nothing remarkably distinguishable about this app that any other "downloads" app couldn't do, but if combined with SkullMP3.com as your homepage, you can literally download free music straight to the app in neat self-created folders which can later be transferred into your iTunes account (and even burned onto a CD!). Totally awesome little extra to point out... this browser comes with an iTunes-like music portal where you can listen to music the same way as you do straight from your iTunes app. And it has super fast downloads! If you need help figuring out how to transfer into your iTunes account, just let me know & I'll help you out!
10. Pulse News
My absolute favorite way to stay up to date on the lates & greatest content! Enough can't be said about this app. I can add from a list of already provided RSS feeds to follow - or the best part - I can add my own! You can categorize your feeds into a few different pages which can be customized with a title of your choice and later scrolled through just as easily. I have even added this blog to my list, including facebook status updates & friend's recent posts. I actually use this app most when it comes to staying up to date on the latest iPhone technology updates. I've titled this little tab "geekery" and my main list of contenders includes (in order of favorite): Redmond Pie, Tuaw, Engadget, ThinkGeek, Photojojo... and the list goes on!!! (If you want my full list of RSS awesomeness - all categories included - just let me know! I'll be more than happy to share!)
So there you have it. My top 10 favorite iPhone apps of the moment!
