A recent study by market research firm Nielsen claimed that the average person uses 27 apps a month, which sounds like very few considering that Apple and Google’s app stores both have more than 1 million apps available. The key, of course, is that the 27 apps can be almost entirely different, depending who you ask.
For anyone relatively inexperienced in smartphones and apps, this roundup offers a good starting point to improve your handset: even if you don’t find most of them useful, several will have a meaningful effect on your daily life. Meanwhile, even smartphone veterans may find some apps in here that demand a slot on their homescreens.
MixRadio for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
Much of the chatter about streaming playlists focuses on Spotify and Apple Music. MixRadio might be the curveball alternative though: its themed playlists are a match for its high-profile rivals.
Songkick Concerts for iOS/Android
Songkick picks up your tastes by scanning your music collection or Spotify profile, then pings you when tickets go on sale for gigs by your favourite artists. Dangerous for your wallet, but wonderful for your ears.
TuneIn Radio for iOS/Android/Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
TuneIn has a database of more than 100,000 stations streaming online, including all the key UK channels. A premium subscription adds audiobooks and ad-free stations, too.
Goodreads for iOS/Android
Goodreads is a well-established community of bookworms recommending books. You can write your own reviews, check those of friends and - most useful - scan barcodes in shops to check reviews before buying.
Pocket for iOS/Android (Free + IAP)
Pocket is the best in the “read it later” category of apps, which help you collect articles from a range of sources throughout the day, and save them for a time that suits you. Sensible social features help you share with friends too.
Star Walk 2 for iOS/Android
The best entertainment is often distinctly un-digital: staring at the night sky, for example. But Star Walk 2 is a discreet companion for your stargazing, helping you identify constellations, planets and satellites.
Magic Piano for iOS/Android (Free + IAP)
A welcome app for anyone who ever dreamed of tinkling a piano, but lacks the skills. Magic Piano helps you play along with a range of songs, play with other people over the net, and learn a few tricks to help with the real thing.
Vessel for iOS/Android (Free + IAP)
YouTube is a spawning ground for a new generation of video stars, but Vessel is pitching itself as the app for their superfans. Get early access to videos from popular YouTubers, and discover shows that you’ll love.
Social/Media Flipboard for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
Apple’s soon-to-launch News app has been hailed as a “Flipboard killer”, but Flipboard’s features make it hard to kill. It turns your favourite topics and sites into a flippable digital magazine, bringing in social feeds too.
Periscope for iOS/Android
Twitter’s live-streaming video app seemed a bit of a novelty when it launched but it’s starting to find its place, from celebrities broadcasting directly to fans to journalists reporting live from the scenes of breaking news stories.
Telegram Messenger for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
A big theme of messaging apps in 2015 is security, with more adopting encryption technology to keep your chats safe. Telegram’s appeal goes beyond its self-destructing “secret chats”: it’s well-designed and compares well with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Pocket Casts for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
Real-life whodunnit podcast Serial sparked renewed interest in the spoken-word genre, and Pocket Casts is one of the best ways to browse, download and listen to podcasts on your smartphone. A wide catalogue and sleek interface impress.
VSCO Cam for iOS/Android (Free + IAP)
Built-in camera apps have improved in leaps and bounds, but VSCO Cam remains a connoisseur’s choice for mobile photography. Excellent shooting and editing tools, plus plenty of filters to try out.
FireChat for iOS/Android
FireChat seems like magic until you have the technology explained to you: it’s a messaging app that works without 3G or Wi-Fi, using a network created by the devices around you. Great for a group travelling, as well as public demonstrations and sports/music events.
Google Photos for iOS/Android
Even iOS users see the appeal in Google’s photography cloud service, which uploads your snaps to its servers and makes them searchable and shareable with friends and family. Useful if you start running out of phone space.
Feedly for iOS/Android
RSS feeds haven’t always been the most user-friendly way to keep tabs on digital news - at least, not for mainstream internet users. Feedly walks the line well between an accessible interface and features for more experienced users to drill into their feeds.
EyeEm - Photo Filter Camera for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
On one level, EyeEm is yet another app for taking photos then applying stylish filters. But you can also add your best shots to its market - and maybe end up selling them to media and brands.
Pinterest for iOS/Android
Facebook and Twitter hog the social media attention, but Pinterest, where people “pin” products, places and ideas, has stealthily become a visual way to research holidays and purchases, building your own collections as you go.
Productivity Slack for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
Slack is a messaging service for your work spanning desktop and mobile. It’s a quick way to ping colleagues. When used well, its biggest benefit is reducing your email inbox clutter.
Trello for iOS/Android
If Slack is for messaging, Trello is more about project management - the two work well together - using “boards” and “cards” to break down projects and divide tasks between co-workers. The apps provide a quick way to make edits or additions.
Sunrise Calendar for iOS/Android
Microsoft liked this calendar app so much they bought the company, rebranding it as “an Outlook app” in the process. It works with Google Calendar and Apple’s iCloud too: pulling your diary dates into a clean and clear design.
Wunderlist for iOS/Android/Windows Phone (Free + IAP)
Microsoft bought Wunderlist too this year. This to-do list app takes some beating: from individual tasks to complicated projects, it’s easy to divide, conquer and neatly tick everything off.
Pushbullet for iOS/Android
Pushbullet can be hard to explain, but once you’ve installed it, you’ll see what the fuss is about: it pings files and links between your own devices, or to friends. It’s also a good hub for replying to social messages and texts.
IF by IFTTT for iOS/Android
IFTTT is a wonderful way to connect all your other apps and automate the tasks that go between them. From uploading your social photos to Dropbox to saving stories from news sites, it’s useful in hundreds of small ways.
SwiftKey Keyboard for iOS/Android (Free + IAP)
One of the best apps for replacing your smartphone’s default keyboard, due to its ability to learn your writing style for more accurate auto-corrections. Emoji, a range of themes and translation on the fly are also impressive. i
A Writer for iOS/Android
As word processors go, it looks minimalist, but that’s the point: its interface gets out of the way to let you focus on writing. Designers dribble over the typography, but it’s the efficiency as a writing tool that shines.
Mailbox for iOS/Android
Currently the best tool for reaching (or at least approaching) Inbox Zero. You swipe emails out of your inbox, including making some return later at a time of your choice. For now, it works with Gmail and iCloud email.
Scanner Pro 6 by Readdle iOS
This does the job of a physical scanner well: whether you’re having to print and sign PDF documents before returning them digitally, or simply keeping digital copies of documents and receipts, it’s the best option.
Dropbox for iOS/Android/Windows Phone
Your Google, Apple or Microsoft phone will have a cloud-storage service attached. But Dropbox makes for an excellent alternative, whether you’re storing photos, documents or music.
1Password for iOS/Android
We all (hopefully) know not to stick notes with passwords over our computers. But if remembering passwords is proving challenging, try 1Password. It stores all your details, encrypted, so you can login safely and quickly.
Numerous for iOS/Android
This neat, figures-focused app can be used for work or personal life - or both. It keeps track of any important numbers, from your social followers or exchange rates to your steps or a countdown to a significant date.
Streaks for iOS
Part productivity and part health app, this aims to help you “form good habits” by choosing up to six tasks you want to perform every day, then marking them off to help your motivation. It’ll even remind you about them.
The Guardian
