GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- Chances are you're pretty busy so we'll keep this article as brief as we can. After all, we're living in a society where we don't even have time to pronounce words in their entirety. Instead of applications on our smart phones, we're using apps to help us in hundreds of ways.
"I think we're becoming more dependent on apps," Macworld editor Philip Michaels told KARE 11. "I do think more people are becoming more dependent because there are a lot of very productive apps out there." We interviewed Michaels, who works in San Francisco, by using the Facetime app on our respective iPads.
This was the right guy to chat with on the subject. "I'd say maybe about 2,000 apps are pretty much in frequent rotation for me. I believe last week Apple said that they had cracked the half a million mark on their app store," Michaels explained.
Using Michaels' ideas, comments we generated on Facebook and some advice from folks at a local coffee shop, we've come up with 11 awesome apps. None will cost you more than $3 and many of them are free. We've tried to select apps that will be useful to you.
Without further ado:
1. Angry Birds. Though it is probably only useful as a time killer, it was by far the most mentioned app, both on Facebook and in the coffee shop. A brief synopsis: you slingshot birds at targets in this "highly" addictive game.
2. Red Laser. Turn your phone into a barcode scanner. Mike Laatsch showed us how it works. "So I just scanned the Vitamin Water. It tells you how many calories are in it, nutrition, where to buy it, how much it is..." It allows you to price compare and is popular with folks who frequent garage sales.
3. HeyTell. "It'll just send a voicemail to someone, but it's more of a text message/voicemail kind of thing," busy financial advisor Josh Hawkins told us. The person you're trying to contact needs to have the app for it work. HeyTell allows you to bypass passwords and buttons.
4. Nike+ GPS. Several people mentioned this running app. We sent KARE 11 reporter/anchor Jeff Olsen out on 10 minute jog to test it out. It tracked his route, distance, and pace. "I would use this. It's really accurate; very cool," Olsen said.
5. Geodelic. This app is great when you're visiting a new city, but it's also useful at any busy intersection. Hit the button and Geo will tell you everything that's around you, whether it's a store, restaurant, church, hotel or attraction. Click on the business and it'll give you directions from your location.
6. Toodledo. This is a task manager the can help you juggle schedules and save lists. It'll also give you pop-up alarms. Our 2,000 app-using expert in San Fran suggested this one. It's like a secretary in your pocket.
7. Grocery Gadget-Shopping List. Also a Michaels' suggestion. This app helps you organize your grocery list and send it off to your family for additions and consultation. "It's a very good app for carrying around your shopping list," Michaels said. "What I like about it is it allows you to create master shopping lists."
8. Jot Not Scanner. Can't find a fax machine? Jot Not will let you shoot a document and email it in a variety of different formats. Very helpful for a reporter in the field.
9. iHandy Level. This is an application that will help you hang framed pictures or build a house. Use your phone as a level; it'll also tell you if something's "plumb." We took it around the station, checking to see if KARE 11 awards on the wall needed an adjustment (they did).
10. Gas Buddy. Who isn't trying to save some money on gas, right? Your new best friend will help you find the nearest gas station and tell you what they want for a gallon. Better yet, the app will show you a list of nearby gas stations and give you a price comparison.
11. Run Pee. They have thought of everything. If you're going to a movie at the theater, check run pee before you sit down. It'll tell you when is a good time to run out and take a two to four minute.... err.... bathroom break. Handy dandy relief.
Just missing the cut were Dragon Dictation (turns your words into text), Urbanspoon (instant restaurant reviews with pictures of food) and TuneIn (which will let you listen to radio stations all around the world). There are also too many photo-enhancing apps to mention. I was forced to exclude the KARE 11 app, which is FREE!
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
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