7 Must-Have Holiday Apps

Whether it's running to the mall for that last-minute gift for Aunt Phyllis or getting the kids' letters mailed to Santa, the holiday season can get quite hectic! appSmitten makes your life easier with a list of must-have apps that will help you get organized and keep you on budget this holiday season. 

1. Easy Gift List

An easy way to keep track and budget

 

Why we like it: All those wish lists and present ideas at your fingertipsPut the old-school, easily-lost pen and paper away because this app is definitely the better way to go. It’s very basic but easy to use – create ‘events’ such as a birthday, anniversary, holidays… then add the person (or people) you need to buy for plus your gift ideas.  The app is great because it also lets you set a budget and track your purchases. Now you can have your niece’s and nephew’s clothing and shoe sizes at the ready when you find yourself at the sale rack. Mark the item’s status as  ”bought,” “wrapped,” “mailed,” etc. Now if it could only do the shopping for us…FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/easy-gift-list/ 

2. Find My Car!

Locate your parking spot

Why we like it: It reminds us of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer loses his car.
Parking at the airport…the shopping mall…the concert arena…can be daunting if you forget to take note of where you parked. Even worse – finding a rental car when you don’t remember what the car looks like! We’ve all been there, walking around in circles.  This app solves the problem by noting where you parked (using GPS) and then leading you back to the car when its time to go home.  It's a brilliant use of our smartphones! 
FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/find-my-car/3. Postcards from Santa
Imagine their surprise 
Why we like it: Personalized cheer from the North Pole! Amazing.

Do you remember writing “Dear Santa” letters and being somewhat disappointed that you never heard back? With this app Santa responds with a personal note written on a postcard that is actually delivered by a U.S. Postal Carrier. Choose your Santa image and app will incorporate your child’s name and hometown in the message. It’s free to download, but costs $1.99 to send. They are too darn cute to resist. Just imagine the surprise to anyone who believes in ol’ St. Nick!

FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/postcards-from-santa/

4. Pinterest

Visual Inspiration

Why we like it: Easy way capture and sort images that inspire you

Have you discovered Pinterest yet? They say it is the fastest growing phenomenon since Facebook. It took us a while to decipher the name, but it basically means Pin your Interests.

How it works: First you create “boards” or files for you to organize your interests. Then pin an image from anywhere on the web – shoes you want, kitchen-remodeling ideas, food or buildings, any kind of beautiful thing that inspires you. Browse other people’s amazing images and re-pin them to your boards. Whether you use them for wish lists or mood boards, you’ll find it is soooo addictive! With the app, you can pin photos you take with your camera. Add a location and others can find the same awe-inspiring places or things. Appy pinning!

FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/pinterest

5. Fancy

Beautiful things we love

Why we like it: Get inspired by beautiful things

Similar to Pinterest (why don’t they offer an app for Androids??), Fancy offers “ooohhhing and aaaahhhing” opportunities for the visual amongst us. Browse topic categories: Men’s, Women’s, Kids, Pets, Gadgets, Art, Food, Media and note whether you “Fancy” the images or not. Upload your own images for others to view and vote on. It’s like creating your own personal treasure folder (with followers). From innovative and stylish products to awe-inspiring images, you’ll be Smitten with this one.

FREE for iPhone, iPad, Anroid: http://appsmitten.com/fancy/ 

6. Red Laser 

High Speed Comparison Shopping 

Why we like it: You see an item you like but you’re not sure the price is right. Use RedLaser to scan the barcode and it will instantly tell you where else you can find the item and at whatprice including local stores and online retailers.
What can you do with a barcode? In addition to finding your favorite beer, shampoo or diaper brand cheaper, you can even see if your local library branch has a book and whether it is checked out. Don’t have a bar code? No problem. Type the brand you are looking for into RedLaser’s search box and instantly see online and local retailers who have the product, complete with easy access to the store’s web site, phone number and location. Comparison shopping has never been easier or more rewarding.

• FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/redlaser/      

7. The Find 

Simple, savvy shopping 

Why we like it: More efficient internet and catalog shopping

We’re all bombarded with mailer coupons, catalogs and online discounts but they never seem to be there when you need them. With the Find, you can scan any barcode to see if another store is offering the same item for less money. Plus, browse hundreds of catalog like J.Crew, Athleta, Godiva or The Land of Nod. It shows you the items visually with prices attached for quick viewing. This app helps you stop the ‘hemming and haawing’ so you can just buy the darn thing already!

• FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/the-find/ 

About the Brand: 

appSmitten helps iPhone, iPad and Android users discover, share and purchase great mobile apps. Each day, they deliver one recommendation to your inbox, highlighting apps that will make your life more productive, connected and fun.  Sign up for a free daily (or weekly if you prefer) app recommendation delivered directly to your inbox at www.appSmitten.com. 

Resource: The Must Have Breast Cancer Apps- Appitalism

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming to a close, I wanted to point out some apps  surrounding this great cause.

With a little help from technology and folks over at Appitalism.com, the mobile app superstore, here are the most helpful apps that are free to download on your iPhone.

Below are Appitalism’s top 5 Breast Cancer Awareness apps that every woman should have to help stay update on everything associated with Breast Cancer.

 Keep a Breast (Free on iPhone)
This app is designed to help you prevent breast cancer. It teaches you how to give yourself a breast exam at home and set up an automatic exam reminder. It also helps you educate yourself on facts of breast cancer.

Breast Health GPS (Free on iPhone)
This app uses your GPS signal and locates the nearest certified mammogram screening center. It also includes access to their website with more information, advice, and phone wallpapers.

Your Man Reminder (Free on iPhone)
This app is similar to “Keep a Breast,” except that it’s designed to have an attractive man tell you to check your breasts. This is more of a fun way to remind you about breast cancer prevention, as well as including instructions and information.

 Breast Cancer: Beyond the Shock (Free on iPhone)
This is a resource, first and foremost, designed to provide more information for those who were diagnosed with breast cancer or have a loved one who was. This is a resource for information, as well as inspirational thoughts and stories if you need a boost.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis Guide (Free on iPhone)
This app is designed with those who have breast cancer in mind. It has medical illustrations, personalized articles, and other helpful information. It walks you through the reports and the tests, so you’ll know what’s going on.

I hope these apps are very useful to your readership! For any additional information or if you would like to speak with Simon Buckingham, CEO of Appitalism, please feel free to contact me at 646-278-0759 or nweatherhead@5wpr.com. I’d be more than happy to arrange and coordinate an interview.

Top Apps for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day will be even sweeter this year thanks to mobile app superstore, Appitalism's anticipated Valentine’s Day debut of the Android version of Angry Birds Valentine’s Day Edition, free of cost.

“With more than 50 million downloads having already flown the nest and landed on devices everywhere, Angry Birds is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, and we’re happy to have the special Valentine’s Day edition available on Appitalism,” said Simon Buckingham, Chief Appitalist.

Additionally, preparing for this love-filled holiday has never been easier thanks to mobile app experts at Appitalism.  Here are some other apps provided by Appitalism.com to make Valentine’s Day a breeze:

1800Flowers Mobile Gift Center (Free for the Android) - Ordering flowers has never been quicker thanks to the 1800Flowers mobile app. Part of a great gift is timing, and thanks to this app you’re guaranteed on-time delivery on Valentine’s day.

Famous Love Quotes ($0.99 for the Android) - Madly in love but can’t find the words to describe how you feel? Download this app to have the most famous love quotes and poems at your fingertips and impress your partner.

Coupons and Shopping Discounts by GeoQpons (Free for the iPhone) - If you’re on a budget but want to buy your loved one a great gift for Valentine’s Day, this app will provide you with coupons and deals from brands such as Ann Taylor, Sports Authority, H&M, Aeropostale, Kohls, and many more.

Valentine's Day Tips (Free for the iPhone) - If Valentine’s Day plans are not your forte, use this app to provide you with advice geared specifically towards this holiday. From selecting a gift to planning a date, these simple and practical tips will make for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.

"Dr. Gourmet" Releases Free Weight Loss App for iPhone

With the beginning of a new decade on the horizon, I’m sure one of your new year’s resolutions is to get healthy and get into shape. You probably told yourself that you will simply “eat healthy and exercise.” But we all know that doesn’t really work.

Fortunately, with Dr. Gourmet’s new app, you can manage your eating habits right from your iPhone or iPad.  Comprised of a Food Diary and Exercise Diary, the app is designed to give everyone the ability to track their caloric intake and physical activity from anywhere. FOR FREE.

The Dr. Gourmet Mobile App consists of a:

·         Food Diary: Using the database of thousands of foods, with just a few taps you can track breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Keeps a running total of your intake as well as nutrition information, including calories, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and protein.

·         Exercise Diary: Whether you walk the dog, belly dance or run, track the calories you burn every day. Keeps a daily total and compares it to your caloric intake.

The Dr. Gourmet App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch.


 Just who is "Dr. Gourmet"?


Dr. Tim Harlan (“Dr. Gourmet”) is currently the Medical Director at Tulane University School of Medicine and an assistant professor of medicine.  He writes extensively on diet and health.  His books It’s Heartly Fare and Hand On Heart, guide readers on what they can eat for optimum health. His latest book, Just Tell Me What to Eat (Da Capo) is scheduled for release this Spring.  As a recognized expert, Dr. Harlan has been featured on CNN, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and other top-tier media outlets.  On television, Dr. Harlan has been the on-air expert for the Food Network show “Cooking Thin” and is also a host on the DIY Network show “AskDIY.”  His 2002 program “The Dr. Gourmet Show” earned an Emmy Award for excellence in medical programming.

Apperang - Get Paid To Download Games & Apps

Apperang is a great new service that lets you earn money for installing the apps and games you normally have to pay for or get for free. If you've got an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you should check this out. Here's some of the apps I see in my list: DailyBurn, Brain Trainer, iGarageSale Lite, Kingdoms at War, MyTown, Pocket Ants, Slacker Radio, WeReward, Movies, and more!

Here's how it works:

1. Signup for Apperang
2. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the confirmation email
3. Login and browse all the apps (may ask to allow java to run)
4. Click "Install Now" on any apps you want.
5. You'll be taken to the iTunes site and iTunes will launch
6. Install the app in iTunes and Sync your device

Most of the apps are free and the average payout is $0.25 for installing. If an app isn't free, you'll get paid the cost of the app + around $0.25. For example, if an app is $1.99, you'll get paid $2.24. So even apps that cost money end up being free + you make some money!

The minimum payout is $1 and you can get paid via PayPal. Signup then check out the FAQ: http://www.apperang.com/Info/faq.aspx

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Top 5 Mobile Apps For Labor Day Weekend

The number of smart phone applications on the market is an incomprehensible number to download. Family reunions and quick getaways have become a Labor Day tradition for most people, but which apps work best for taking holiday trips? Grip’d.com, the company that develops Web and iPhone applications nationwide, spent several months testing various apps on each platform to see which ones make Gripd.com’s top five travel apps.

If you have an iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone, here’s a quick rundown of the best 5 travel apps:

• Weatherbug – The simplicity of Apple’s Weather app, but with a few extras for your phone. It’s the largest network of professional weather stations in the US and is the only source for truly live, local weather (as taken from their site).
• BePut - enables users to share their whereabouts with people they want to find them. Users simply use the application to locate their exact position and with a touch of a button, have the opportunity to send an email or text message to the desired recipient with their exact location. The recipient gets a special FindMe Key which is secure. The only guaranteed way to not get lost.
• Car Care & Roadside Emergencies - I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate it when things don’t go according to the plan. You have this important presentation, and you end up with a flat tire in an express way. Or maybe you are trying to get home from a concert, and your car doesn’t start up. These situations happen all the time, and they usually tend to happen when you expect them the least. Now some of us have a knack for breaking and fixing things as far as cars are concerned.
• Waze - Waze is a social mobile application that enables drivers to build and use real-time road intelligence. The service includes constantly-updated road maps, alerts on traffic and accidents, and data providing users with the fastest route to get to wherever they need to go. Map and traffic updates are automatically collected and generated as users drive with Waze activated, but drivers can also actively report and update other users with what's happening on the road.
• Shazam – In the car for hours and can’t figure out the song playing on the radio? When you hear a song and wonder what it is, Shazam is there with the answer. Hold your iPhone to the music and within seconds Shazam will tell you the artist and track name. You can even download the song through iTunes on your iPhone.