WhatsApp Messenger : This Cross-Platform Instant Messaging Service Has Taken Off Like Wildfire And That Isn’t Surprising, Since It’s A Free Alternative For SMS, Provided Your Friends Are Using It.
WhatsApp Messenger : This cross-platform instant messaging service has taken off like wildfire and that’s not surprising, since it is a free replacement for SMS, provided your friends are using it.
The app allows you to chat with your pals and family, see when they’re online and even share pictures and audio and video clips with them.
Kindle : Whether or not you own an Amazon Kindle ebook reader, the app for smartphones is an absolute must-have. It downloads and syncs the books you’re reading between devices. So the next time you’re standing in a queue, why not waste some time by reading that e-book you just can’t, er, put down?
Skype : Everyone knows Skype for Windows or Mac, but the voice and video calling program also runs on a range of smartphones, and now even on the iPad.
SoundHound : Listening to a song on the radio and would like to know what it is? Run this app. It’ll upload a small audio sample, provide the info in just a few seconds and enable you to purchase the track or read the lyrics. You can even hum a tune to it, and some of the time it’ll get it right. Also, try the Shazam app.
TuneIn Radio : Listen to thousands of free streaming radio stations from across the world. Stations are grouped into categories music, sports, talk and the app makes ideas about stations based on your location. See also Slacker Private Radio and Pandora Radio.
Google Reader : Subscribe to and read your favourite stories sites using Web feeds. The app makes it easy to filter stories that matters to you and syncs across your Reader accounts.
Sharenet : This is a great SA app that will let you check on the markets, including JSE and world indices, get delayed stock quotes and set up watch lists. Also take a look at the free Bloomberg app.
Google Maps : This is just the best free app for maps available to SA smartphone users. It includes Google Street View and, if you have got an Android device , offers turn-by- turn navigation. Now if only it would offer real time traffic information.
Sky Map : This one works on Android only but it is worth including here. An absolute must for astronomy geeks, this Google app uses the digital compass and GPS in your smartphone to change it into a “window on the night sky”. Simply point your telephone skyward to see what constellations or astronomical bodies you are looking at. On iOS, check out Star Chart (US$2,99).
Picplz : Quickly take and share photographs with friends, applying a selection of special filters and effects on the go. Also have a look at Instagram if you’ve an iPhone.
TweetDeck : The official Twitter application is good, especially on the iPad, but TweetDeck is arguably still the king of the tweeting jungle on smartphones.
FNB app : This transactional banking app, which runs on a spread of smartphone platforms, shows First National Bank is leading the client technology pack among the big four. Word is Absa is planning one, too. Allegedly Standard Bank already has one good luck finding it, though.
Zinio : Generally the best app for subscribing to and reading magazines on your tablet or smartphone, Zinio has thousands of titles to make a choice from, including an expanding list of SA publications. Best used on a pill, it is also alright to read Zinio magazines on the newest large-screen smartphones as reported tagza.com.