Technology is pretty great. From the big and extravagant—like satellites—to the basic and common—like cell phones—technology helps make our lives better. Our phones alone can help run almost every aspect of our lives through the use of apps. Aside from the basic applications you probably already have (Facebook, Snapchat, etc,), there are others you may not currently have but definitely should.
1. Overdrive
If you like to read, then you need this app. It lets you borrow eBooks directly from your local public library as well as from some international libraries. Also, it automatically returns them when they are due, so, no late fees.
2. Mint
Let’s be real. Unless you have an extremely large disposable income, we can all afford (pun intended) to have a budget. Mint lets you do just that; you can link your accounts, and it monitors your spending.
3. Goodreads
Looking for the next book to read but unsure of what to pick? Goodreads helps you find what to read next based on books you’ve previously read.
4. Pocket
Ever see an article online that you want to read but don’t have the time? With Pocket, you can save articles and read them later, even offline. New features allow you to follow people and read articles they recommend while recommending your own.
5. Flipboard
Flipboard is a news app unlike any other. Rather than just showing you the basic popular news, it allows you to follow news topics that you care about. These topics are then curated into a magazine; you can create your own magazines and follow those created by others.
6. Duolingo
We can all benefit from learning a new language, and with Duolingo, you can do just that. You can pick from a list of languages and set a goal for how many points you want to try to get daily. It feels just like a game but you’re learning a very valuable skill.
7. Hopper
Trying to plan a trip is hard work, this app makes it a little easier by telling you when it is cheapest to book your flight. All you have to do is set a destination and desired dates; the app does the rest and tells you if your flight is likely to decrease in price or if it will increase and you should book it now.
8. Evernote
Evernote, at its core, is a note-taking app. What sets it apart from other note-taking apps is that it gives you the ability to create a variety of notebooks. You can make these notebooks private or share them with a group in order to work on projects.
9. Mindshift
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 18 percent of adults in the United States suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder, yet only a small percentage actually gets treatment. Mindshift is an app designed by the Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia; it has different tools that help to manage different types of anxiety. This app is not meant to replace a mental health professional but rather to serve as a tool to manage anxiety.
10. Quizlet
Most students are already familiar with Quizlet, a.k.a. the website that has been saving our lives for some time now. But not many know that there is an app; it works just like the website but it’s better suited for mobile devices.
