Back in 2008, when only geeks had them, I met iPhone. Don’t believe me? I’ll show you the beltclip I wore to carry it around. Prior to this, I was one of those much hated folks who NEVER carried her cell phone, charged the phone, or hardly even knew a relative proximity of said phone. Queue the offspring, and my husband decides since I ALWAYS had my mp3 player (remember those?) and often complained the camera was too heavy, that perhaps an iPhone would be a combo solution for me to scale down my bulging diaper bag, and finally start using that new fangled notion of a cell phone.
Now singing the praises of iPhone4, I recently wow’d a couple of moms at a playdate when I revealed I created my entire Christmas Card, not only using the iPhone, but in the car before we even got home from the Christmas Tree farm. So what are the apps every mom must have?
1. Shutterfly– My photo website of choice, and with the app, you can do even more. Like drag and drop photos from your iPhone camera to your Shutterfly albums without ever connecting to your computer. Using Instagram? Edited photos are stored in the iPhone album. Drop them in your Shutterfly queue, and then print them using your Shutterfly account at TARGET. Have I mentioned my kids do not allow me one second to sit at an actual computer? Baby #2’s entire first year album may very well be iPhone magic.
2. Shazam– Once able to quote every lyric and name the artist to any song anyone threw at me, I can now barely remember a line from a song long enough to even ask who sings it. Hit Shazam to tag the song, get the artist, the album, link to purchase on iTunes, and if you’re a lucky mom, tour info on the artist.
3. JumpStart Preschool– So, I don’t pay for apps. And as far as toddler and preschooler games go, most of the free ones are pretty lame. A recent 12 hour car trip found me installing every app that may be entertaining for at least half a second to a three year old. JumpStart not only held her attention for the very long last TWO hours, it was intuitive enough she could grasp the concepts herself while choosing from a variety of puzzles, quizzes, and matching games, and then I heard her in the backseat “This is a Q.” I would almost pay for this app. Except I don’t need to!
4. Lem
on– Budget much? Check it out. Scan all of your receipts to load where you spend (sort by stores), what you spend (sort by items), or how you spend (Cash, credit, debit). Customize your spending categories and create graphs to track spending. And maybe think twice before you buy- that old, ‘do I really want to scan this in’ trick.
5. iMapMyRun– I debated including a fitness app, but I never would’ve survived the 100 mile challenge this past summer without it. Start the app with any activity- running, walking, biking, hiking, etc, to record your mileage, speed, GPS route, and more. Connect to your computer (if you are into that sort of thing) for even more data, including mapping your route before you go, then selecting that route on your phone and watching your progress on your next run. GPS watch? One less gadget I carry with me.
Runners-Up: Words with Friends– Not into Facebook? Keep up with peeps through an almost intellectual game that you relay at your convenience; MyCharlotte– It’s 311 for the iPhone, and complaints against your neighbors can be anonymous; Wikipedia– When your kids ask “What is that?” for the millionth time, tell them more than they ever wanted to know; and Animoto– use those awesome iPhone photos and your rockin’ playlist to make your very own movie.
Now, if I can only figure out “texting”…
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So, what are your favorite iPhone apps? Do they help you get through your day or help you waste time?
We’re also ALWAYS accepting new Top Five lists! Submit yours to: katie.harding@gmail.com!
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