Think you don’t need another app on your phone? We’ve curated a list of fun and useful inexpensive or free iOS and Android apps that you might just be missing!
1. Alarmy (Sleep If U Can)
Sleep if you can? Challenge accepted you say? Well, you’ll probably fail, since Alarmy prides itself on being the “World’s Most Annoying Alarm” clock. Yes, that’s right, it shows no mercy, and it’s extremely popular in Europe and Asia, so it seems likely to live up to its claim. The app offers a selection of gimmicks to get sleepyheads out of bed. Shake Mode forces you to shake the phone vigorously to turn off the alarm, Photo Mode prompts you to get out of bed to take a photo of a place you registered, and if you really hate yourself in the morning Math Problem Mode forces you to solve a mathematical challenge before the alarm turns off.
Find Alarmy here:
Cost of Alarmy:
About R29.00
2. CamScanner
If you don’t have a scanner on your phone yet, have a look at this smart app. It automatically crops images you “scan” (take a photo of) and turns them into PDFs. It uses optical character recognition (OCR) on printed documents, and it can also scan QR codes, which is always handy! So if you haven’t started digitising all your photos yet, download this great app and get going. (You were wondering what you’re going to do this weekend.)
Find CamScanner:
Cost of CamScanner:
Free
3. Carrot To-Do
Love making to do lists? Really bad at following through? Then you should find this “to-do list with personality” useful. The app claims that it doesn’t only make getting things done fun, but it also makes getting things done addictive! Sounds good to us. When you ignore your to-do list the app starts giving you lip, but when you keep to your list Carrot will be kind as you complete your tasks. Sound a bit like your mom? It might very well, but let’s face it, there are few things as motivating as a bit of parental guilt.
A new app called Carrot Weather has also recently been released and rumour has it that it features a time machine and evil penguins. How intriguing! Unfortunately these apps are currently only available in the Apple App Store.
Find Carrot:
Cost of Carrot:
R59.99
4. Golden Hour / GoldenHour.One
If you’re an avid instagrammer and love hunting sunsets then this is the app for you. Actually, these are two different apps that essentially do the same thing, one for Android and one for iOS.
These apps are designed to help you track the golden hour, which is the time period right after sunrise of before sunset in the evenings, when the sky lights up with all the magic nature’s paintbrush has to offer. With this app you will be sure to wow your audience with astounding photos of fiery skies. These apps will help you track golden hours, blue hours, get weather forecasts, identify the best spots for photos and save your top spots, so you know where to go back for perfect shots.
Find Golden Hour:
Cost of Golden Hour:
Free
Find GoldenHour.One:
Cost of GoldenHour.One:
R58.00
5. Reigns
Reigns is making use of the crucial bit of information that people apparently love swiping left or right when making decisions. In this game you get to rule over a medieval kingdom, where you encounter a constant stream of allies and enemies, and you have to make decisions by electing to swipe left or right – reminds me of a choose your own adventure novel! Each decision will have implications, so you need to consider carefully before you put your crown at risk with the swipe of a finger. It’s easy to play and will give you something to do on the sly when you’re bored or need a break from hunting Pokémon.
Find Reigns:
Cost of Reigns:
R43.99
6. Vivino
Love a brilliant glass (read: bottle) of wine with dinner? Then this is the app for you. Vivino is your wine buddy, which will help you pick and remember your favourite wines. All you need to do is take a photo of a wine label, no matter where you find it, to “uncork” pricing, reviews, food paring suggestions and recommendations from a community of over 10 million winos, I mean wine lovers. Discovering new wine has never been this easy or as much fun. The more you use the app the more honed your personal taste profile becomes, which will help you learn more about the wines you like and discover new ones you might adore.
Find Vivino:
Cost of Vivino:
Free
7. Plant Nanny – Water Reminder
Dehydration is one of those issues that are easy to fix, but that an incredible amount of people don’t even know they are suffering from. Pounding headaches? Dull aches in your muscles? Feeling listless in the afternoon? Dried out eyes? All of these things could be signs of dehydration. Plant Nanny is here to save you from yourself and to let you have fun while you do it. A cute plant (of your choosing) keeps you company every day by living in your phone.
In order to keep it alive and help it grow, you must give it water at certain times during the day. And of course, at the same time, you give yourself water! Adorable and according to its many fans – effective!
Find Plant Nanny:
Cost of Plant Nanny:
Free
