The Apps Blog

Basically, at this point, everyone either has a smartphone or will be getting one for Chanukah or Christmas. So, what really separates these devices apart from each other? Software or Apps. It's all about the apps and honestly, if you are on the fence about what to choose — you need to look at the apps. And if you are looking at investments — look at apps, too.

As Wired Magazine said, "In short, apps are the new gadgets." Your phone can be a security device, a flash light, an astronomical navigator or a calculator. As Wired said, "Even the laptop itself is in peril as today's most-have gadgets are all apps."

It's ALL about the APPS.

Picking a smartphone is important, but it is not about the phone as much as it is about the apps that support it. The following categories will be addressed in this blog:

1. Photo Sharing
2. Puzzle Games
3. DIY
4. Airline Booking
5. Banking (Finance)
6. Recipes
7. Calendar (Scheduling)
8. Password Management
9. Reading
10. Gardening

To Note: I have chosen apps that are available for both iOs and Android, and got the highest ranking or grade from WIRED Magazine.  And where all of the above is the same I picked the app that is either free or the cheapest.  Let me know what you think of these picks in these categories, let me know what you like to use.

The following are the results:

1) Photo Sharing 

INSTAGRAM

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - A

PRO: Deep social integration; largest app-based community

CON: No easy way to see photo in web browser

2) Puzzle Game

WORLD OF GOO HD

iOs  and Android ($4.99 each)

Grade - A

PRO: One of the most challenging and creative; level design increasingly inspired

CON: Controls; bad phone/ good tablet usability

3) DIY

IFIXIT
iOs and Android (Free)
Grade - C
Pro: links allow you to go to go ifixit.com to buy components  needed to fix things

Con: Differences between iOs and Android

4) Airline Booking

KAYAK

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - A

PRO: Confirmation emails into itinerary; notification when fares drop

CON: Doesn't show total for multiple passengers; Windows phone doesn't show alerts

HIPMUNK

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - A

PRO: Syncs with Calendar; tells you if planes have WIFI

CON: Can't rank flights by on-time

5) Banking (Finance)

LEMON WALLET

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - B

PRO: Stores PIN-protected photos of credit and loyalty cards

CON: Pro-upgrade costs $10 / month

MINT.COM

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - C

PRO: Investment tracking; color coding

CON: Annoying "advice" emails

6) Recipes 

EPICURIOUS
 iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - B

PRO: Dishes from major food magazines; also recipes by specialty diet factors

CON: Needs more images; needs network connection 

PEPPER PLATE

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - B

PRO: Scale function versatility

CON: Have to go to website to import recipes 

7) Calendars (Scheduling) 

TOUCH CALENDAR 

Android ($2.45)

Grade - A

PRO: Syncs with Google Calendar; jumos to any date from menu

CON:  No list or agenda view 

CALENDARS 

iOs  ($6.99)

Grade - A

PRO: Works with iPhone and iPad; supports offline mode

CON: Pricey for an app 

8) Password Management

MSECURE

iOs  and Android ($9.99 / each)

Grade - B

PRO: Secure backup to DropBox

CON: No auto-sync 

9) Reading 

KINDLE

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - A

PRO: Perfection. (Should be an A+) Sync allows buying directly from authors

CON: Can't buy directly from iOs 

10) Gardening 

LANDSCAPER'S COMPANION

iOs  and Android ($4.99 / each)

Grade - B

PRO: Gorgeous to look at

CON: Inconsistencies 

GARDENING GUIDE FROM MOTHER EARTH NEWS 

iOs  and Android (Free)

Grade - C

PRO: Good navigation

CON:  Limited, need more imagery

Please note: Comments and  grades were based upon 2012 WIRED APP GUIDE.