Posted on December 30, 2021, 07:07
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You just unboxed a brand new iPhone for the holiday season. A new year is coming. And if you can get away with migrating to the same apps you've always used, now's also the time to try something new. Whether you have a new iPhone 13 or a new iPhone SE, here's a list of apps that are practical, fun, or just better than the ones that come preinstalled on your iPhone.
Look, Apple's Mail app is great. Gmail is slightly better. Microsoft Outlook is a classic for a reason. But Spark Mail is a simple, solid, and free option that offers plenty of customization options. You have the option to turn on smart notifications (no more notifications from that random service you signed up for six years ago) and integrate services like Dropbox and OneDrive.
Sure, you could get by with Apple's Reminders app, but there are much better options. Todoist is a good place to start, especially if you need something a little more powerful than a bulleted list in the Notes app or that sticky note you've stuffed in your pocket. It's a flexible tool for everything from personal errands to professional projects. It also works with a ton of third-party apps like Slack, Calendar, and Spark.
If you've ever struggled to keep a plant alive, you're not alone. Who really has the discipline to check the soil moisture level every day? There are many apps for plants, but Planta is the only one that has helped me keep them alive and, dare I say it, make them thrive. It helps you figure out which plants should be placed where in your home, tells you when to water and repot, and notifies you of temperature alerts for your outdoor babies. He can also identify the mysterious plant your aunt gave you. There is a free version, as well as several other subscription options.
If you want to be more active, few apps do it better than Strava. You don't need a fitness tracker or smartwatch (although you can integrate most popular trackers), and the app supports a wide variety of activities, including activities basics like cycling, running and walking. There are also a host of third-party integrations, making it easy to use it as a platform for all your exercise goals. Along with challenges that allow you to earn discounts on fitness equipment, there are also thoughtful personal safety features and plenty of ways to measure your progress.
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The title says it all: You need a budget. If you really want to be proactive about how you spend and save for the future, YNAB is hard to beat. The categories and methodology can seem a bit daunting at first, but you can make them as complicated or simple as you want. It comes with two subscription options – $98.99 per year or $14.99 per month – which may seem a bit pricey. However, after several years of use, I found that the app paid for itself within the first month. That said, there's a 34-day free trial to see if it's worth it for you. Otherwise, Mint is another great free option.
Buying e-books is a lot, especially if you're a voracious bookworm. Libby lets you connect to your local library to borrow free books, magazines, and audiobooks. You can read within the app itself or send your books to your Kindle. Another plus: Libby automatically syncs with all your devices, no matter what device you're reading on. It also integrates with CarPlay and allows offline playback.
Do you know how often you need to sharpen your knives or oil your cutting boards? And when to change the coating of your shower or turn the mattress? Tody is a handy, customizable app that automatically notifies you when it's time to clean what and when. You can organize chores by room, assign chores to your family or roommates, and battle Dusty, a dust gremlin, to keep things fun (and clean). For the neat freaks among us, it also helps you visualize how clean your home is – and settle disputes over who actually does most of the cleaning. The app is paid ($6.99), but there are no other in-app purchases.
Password managers are the foundation of security hygiene. Personally, I like 1Password because it also works with my Apple Watch and is cross-platform compatible. It works with Touch and FaceID, is easy to set up, and even securely saves your credit card information for online purchases. It also alerts you to passwords that aren't perfect, and it's easy to generate new ones on the fly. Unfortunately, there is no free version (you get a 30-day trial period), but you can choose from many other free password managers, such as Bitwarden, Dashlane, LastPass and even the built-in ones to Safari or Google Chrome. Each has its pros and cons, but any password manager is better than none.
Related to this article:Gift Ideas: CarPlay and Essential iPhone Accessories for the RoadIt's a stressful time for everyone. The great thing about Calm is that it offers meditations tailored to your specific needs, like better focus, reduced anxiety, or just everyday topics to mull over. If mindfulness isn't your cup of tea, Calm also has a number of sleep stories and music tracks. Sure, you probably already have YouTube and its dozens of free white noise videos, but sometimes it's nice to get carried away by Idris Elba reading you a bedtime story. Headspace is another popular option that is more for beginners if you just want to get familiar with this space.
Venmo is great, but it's also great to have a record of all the money you owe your friends, family, and roommates. While there's a paid version, the free version does everything you need, whether it's automatically splitting bills, recording recurring expenses, or linking to Venmo to pay those expenses. .