1) Quora: I keep this app in my News folder, although it is not really just that. Quora allows users to search for and add topics of interest, of which they will then see related questions posted by other uses on their home feed. By clicking on the question they can see answers that have been posted by people and of course can post their own questions. The topics cover literally everything, from food and health, to controversial debates to zombies and doomsday preppers, there is nothing you cannot find on Quora. Social sharing options are available for posts too. The app is FREE and worth at least trying out.
2) Zite: I am not sure what words I can use to justify how great I think this news app is to me. It is also FREE, and once downloaded users can set it up by picking their categories of interest (Politics, World News, Music, Food/Cooking, Top Stories, etc) of which Zite will then create sections that users can slide across. Each of your sections will constantly have articles and feeds posted from a large variety of sources. What makes the app even better is that when you click on a specific feed or article, after reading it you can hit the thumbs up or down button and Zite will give you more or less of said feeds. The more you use it the more personalized it becomes 😉 And yes, you can share articles via email, facebook, twitter, sms, whatever you prefer. Although I have not been able to share on Google+, I consider it a minor setback compared to the apps awesomeness.
3) Instagram: Most people have heard of this by now so I won’t need to do much explaining here. I have a love for visuals/arts (used to draw/paint a little haven’t gotten back into it but still admire it), and pictures are a natural for me to indulge in. This app allows registered users to take pictures, or use already taken pictures, and add certain light effects or tricks to customize the photo. The photo is then posted on the Instagram board for followers to see. You have the option to approve or disapprove of people who request to follow you, usually starts off with close friends who are on Instagram as well, and can follow others too upon request. Photos can be commented on and tagged. There is a section for most popular user photos too where you can view a vast array of different photos taken and customized. Settings allow you to decide who sees your photo, all the Instagram public or just your chosen friends and followers. Sharing to facebook is optional as well, I have not done so yet but many others have. Oh and another plus, each photo you customize is automatically saved in your iphone camera gallery. I do believe android has this app now too!
4) Chess with Friends: I am promoting this gaming app because not enough people are on it and playing, and my fiance and I both are fond of it. Rather than playing Scrabble with Friends (sorry it’s just not the same as playing Scrabble in real life) or any other “with Friends” game, give this one a go, it is fun yet challenging and deserves more attention!
5) Google Currents: Yes another option for a news app, but you can never be informed enough especially with all the different sources and opinions out there! This one is obviously headed by Google, and is also FREE. It provides sections as well which you can add to your library, and the sections provide an interesting array of articles daily. You will not get just your mainstream news sources, it is the internet after all, which makes for a more complete and diverse news feed. I personally enjoy articles in my library under The Daily Beast, ThinkProgress and Mashable but have many others as well. Social sharing is of course available and this one surely includes Google+ in its choices.
6) Menstrual Calendar Premium (the pink symbol): Men step aside for a second, this one is for you ladies out there and it is available on Android as well I have used it on both phones. Obviously by the title, we know the app tracks your monthly cycles allowing you to mark the days it starts, ends, details which all don’t need to hear but most definitely helpful in tracking! While there is a free version the $2 upgrade to premium is well worth it. The app allows you to track so much more, including sexual activity (more important if you’re looking to conceive cause it works with the other features, but also helpful if you have had physical issues too), daily symptoms and moods, pill tracking, pains, and much more. There is a Notes section too, if you’d like to include extra info which I use for jotting the vitamins I take each day and workouts. In settings, females can customize what they would like to show in each day of the month, for example you do not have to display pill tracking or bodily temperature, for as I said that may be more important for specific uses. Over time, the app records your info and alerts you as your cycle approaches and which part (is it that time of the month or is it your “best” time of the month). A recently added feature is the discussion board which I think is a great add on. Users can post in many different health and body related sections and see answers as well as respond to other users. With the Android, depending on your phone you can choose to store your records on your memory card or on the phone’s memory. Women, definitely a worthy app for us.
7) Viggle: Back to all users, this app makes tv watching a little more worthwhile. Even if you do not watch a lot of television, the app is free and won’t hurt you. Anytime you happen to be in front of the tv, just open the app and log in to what you are watching (it listens to your tv for a few seconds and tells you what show it is), then confirm it. Users get points each time they log in in front of the television, and the points down the road can be used for rewards which come in the form of gift cards starting at $5 or $10 and going higher. If you’re going to watch some tv why not get a little reward for it?
8) ZocDoc: This app is fairly new but is surely revolutionizing the way we pick doctors and schedule apointments! I am very excited as I just recently downloaded this and started using it, I have my first two appointments set up through them next week 😉 By registering with the app, users can easily find doctors within there area that take their insurance, in many different needed fields from general practitioners to pain management, dermatologists and so on. Doctors profiles are given upon clicking on them, as well as reviews and date availability. If you select the date you are looking for from the beginning, the app will show you which doctors are available on that date and the times, or the dates closest to it. Appointments can be scheduled by clicking on the desired time for the chosen doctor, and confirming. Zocdoc has amazing customer service!! Being that the app and system is fairly new, doctor’s offices are still getting used to using it in their system as well, so some of the times are not updated enough or they may need to reschedule. The doctor’s office usually calls you very quickly as happened with me, to reschedule for a better time or day. Better yet, ZocDoc calls you with an extremely friendly representative, apologizing for the inconvenience it may have caused and taking notes on your troubles if any. I was given a $10 Amazon gift card sent via email for my first rescheduling, even though I wasn’t even mad (I only had to reschedule for the next day). I’d say within a few weeks, once doctor’s offices are more accustomed to the new system, the app will be even smoother and even better. Definitely worth it though and it is FREE as well.
Ok, these are pretty much my top favorite iphone 4s apps. Surely there are other great ones like MapMyRide (for biking its pretty great), Dropbox, myBus, iReddit, HotelTonight and others. But exploring on your own is the best way to go! I have given a few that are a little less talked about but very great in my opinion. Alright, back to more important things and my workday, Keep Calm and CarryOn!!
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