Each month we’ll look at 10 recommended apps for the month.
A few will be classic apps which you might well have already but we’re including them for those who are really new to iPhone and iPad. Some will be recent releases that have caught our eye or lesser known but excellent apps. Some months we’ll cover a certain theme – maps, photos, games – but sometimes we’ll just shout about apps that we think every iPhone owner should have.
And, lastly we’ll always include a selection of paid apps that have been made free by their publisher for a limited time. We never know when the publisher will revert these apps to paid apps, so grab them as soon as you can. Every month these apps will be a saving that is more than the cost of your monthly subscription! Meaning that really, you get our newsletter for free!
5 Must Have Apps:
Google Maps
I guess you’re thinking this is just too obvious, but imagine that you didn’t know that Google Maps app existed. And if you don’t and you don’t have it on your iPhone, you are in for the greatest treat.
Whilst Apple’s own Maps app is vastly improved and comes with transit data and a ‘Transport’ view in iOS 9, Google Maps app is still the better tool.
The global mapping that Google have undertaken means that the quality of the maps is first class and the turn by turn navigation makes a standalone Sat Nav unnecessary.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/GMaps’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Free
CityMapper
Over 8000 5 star reviews and almost never a bad word said against it. This app is a city map and public transport guide like no other. You simply enter the address of where you want to go in one of the cities that the app covers and it will give you directions to get there by car or on foot, but, crucially by all forms of public transport using their real time data. It will plot changes between buses, trains, trams and underground and tells you when each of these services are actually going to arrive at your stop. If you’ve never used it you will be amazed!
The app began in Europe so the cities covered are mainly European but it is expanding to the US rapidly, currently covering London, Manchester, Birmingham, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome Milan, New York, and the SF Bay Area.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/Citymapper’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Free
Another app that you’ll probably know and love, but bear with me for those that don’t, because this is another life changing tool.
Different generations tend to use What’s App in different ways but it is a core tool for many. WhatsApp is more than just a nicely-done messaging app that lets you send text, pictures and video to your contacts anywhere and for free.
Crucially, it is free to send messages, and works across any mobile platform like an SMS so friends on Android can receive your messages, but there’s no charge.
It also has voice calling and group chats. If you’ve never used it, install it now!
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/Whatsapp’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Free for a year and then most people re-install!
Microsoft Translator
I like the Google Translate app, but have included this one from Microsoft as it’s only been released a few months and it’s a very simple slick design that will translate from text or audio into and from the world’s most common languages.
They are both doing basically the same thing but for once I wanted to give the new arrival a chance against the Google offering and I preferred it.
If you need a translator, give it a go.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/MSTrans’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Free
Uber
If you haven’t experienced Uber, it’s another one of those technological leaps that will give you a future shock!
Uber is a taxi service that works from the app on your iPhone. Only available to date in major cities, it is quite incredible – even though many are concerned with the firm’s operating practices and the effect on other taxi drivers.
However, for users, it’s simply incredible. You request a taxi on the app, telling it where you want to go. The app shows you the nearest taxi and you can watch it on a map drive to your door. You hop in and when you reach your destination you are billed to your credit card that you have attached to the app.
It’s amazingly simple and very handy. There are some questions over the cost of some taxi fares at very busy times but as a tool that has made getting a cab anywhere at any time a breeze it has revolutionised urban transport.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/Uber’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Free, plus cost of Uber fare!
5 Apps That Were Paid But Are Free Right Now:
Each month we look for a handful of Apps that are usually paid but that have been reduced to free by their publishers for a limited time. These Apps can return to their price at any time but are free on the date we publish the newsletter, so grab them ASAP!
ManCam
ManCam is one of the most simple and easy-to-use manual cameras that comes with custom exposure options for your iPhone. This is a powerful camera app that gives you full control over your pictures. It’s easy to quickly adjust all the settings for your photograph and should help you avoid tapping and hoping to get that perfect picture. For aspiring and accomplished photographers who are trying to take that perfect picture with lots of manual settings and controls.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/ManCam’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:This is an app that usually is priced at $1.99, but is currently available free.
Hashtap
If you are an avid Instagram user this Hashtap app is going to make your search for more likes and more followers even easier. This app helps you discover and use the top trending hashtags from all over the globe. And you’ll know that adding 30 popular hashtags to your own images massively builds your reach. The better your hashtags the more people will see and like your photos and then follow you.
You can use this app to find the most popular hashtags and instantly copy them to your own Instagram posts. This is truly a brilliant way to increase the number of followers you have on Instagram since it is providing you with the real-time information on the most popular hashtags that people are using right now so that you can easily target your pictures to them.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/Hashtap’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Normally $0.99, this app is currently free.
Jetpack Johnson
Jetpack Johnson normally costs $0.99 but is currently available for free. It does have in-app purchases but you don’t need them to enjoy this permanently sideways scrolling fun action game.
Your mission is to keep yourself away from danger and get stuck into hard-core space fights using the intuitive controls to fire your character’s jet pack and get shooting with his laser.
Given that this is currently a free game, it’s well worth a try.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/JetpackJ’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Normally $0.99, this app is currently free.
Flexible Shopping List
This is probably my favourite of this month’s apps which are currently on offer for free.
This Flexible Shopping List app is normally $2.99 and for that you get a great easy to use custom shopping list app. It makes so much sense to get in the habit of using your iPhone as a shopping list as you’ll almost always have it with you as you head to the shops or go around a supermarket. And, sure, you can use Notes, but a dedicated app for the task has to be worth a look. Given that this highly useful tool is now free it makes it one of our apps of the month.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/FlexShop’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Usually $2.99, but currently free.
Doodle Jump SpongeBob SquarePants
Man, I love SpongeBob – but not as much as my kids do! If you’ve got kids you’ll know what I mean!
This game is a rework of the absolute classic ‘Doodle Jump’, but this time featuring SpongeBob and all the crew. If you or your kids like SpongeBob, then this is an absolute riot. It’s usually available for $1.99, but at the moment it’s free. It does have in-app purchases, so if you’re going to let kids play with it, see our advice below. If you know Doodle Jump you will know that this is a dead simple jump and survive game but this time it is set in SpongeBob’s classic Bikini Bottom location.
[thrive_link color=’blue’ link=’http://geni.us/DJSponge’ target=’_blank’ size=’small’ align=’none’]Get The App Now![/thrive_link]
Price:Usually $1.99, but currently free.
How to Disable in-App Purchases
If you’re worried about having apps that allow in-app purchases, then you can disable them completely for your peace of mind.
Probably a sensible thing to do if you’re letting kids play a game that has them since often they don’t even realise that items offered in a game cost money and they will click and be charged without knowing it.
Here’s how you can be sure that in-app purchases are disabled:
> Settings
> General
> Half way down that screen > Restrictions
> click ‘Enable Restrictions’
> You’ll be asked to create a passcode. Make sure that the passcode is a number you’ll remember!
> Slide the green On/Off toggle to white (Off) to turn off In-App Purchases.
In this section you can also disable other functions of your iPhone or iPad such as installing or deleting apps.
That’s it for this month’s app round-up. Lots more brilliant, classic, new and discounted apps next month. I’ve already got some great ideas lined up!
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