Have you been spending more of your mobile time using smartphone apps than browsing the web? Suffice it to say, you’re not alone.
There are more than a million apps available and users spend, on average, 82% of their mobile minutes with apps and just 18% with web browsers. Below, I have listed the TOP 13 in alphabetical order of the very coolest that are convenient and provide social value.
Note: For consistency, all screenshots were taken from iTunes app store, but these apps are for iPhone AND Android based phones.
#1: Bump
Do you want to easily share documents with those around you?
With Bump you can share contact information, photos, videos and files by simply bumping two phones together. You can also share contacts, photos and files with others and sync with your computer.
“Send your contact info, photos and music to the people around you who have this app.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#2: CardMunch Business Card Reader
Have you been holding onto a whole bunch of business cards from the last conference you went to? Looking for a solution for the cards you collected at Social Media Marketing World in San Diego?
Convert business cards to address book contacts and add them as connections on LinkedIn. CardMunch provides card-capture functionality for faster card scanning.
“Turns your business cards into contacts, now with LinkedIn integration.”
iPhone | Android *Yulu Card Reader
Free
#3: Easy Note + To Do
To-do lists have a way of growing when you don’t chip away at them little by little. Using an app for note-taking and managing lists can make them feel much more doable.
The Easy Note + To Do app allows you to organize notes in folders, check items as complete, assign a due date and prioritize.
“Good basic functionality with an attractive and clutter-free design.”
iPhone | Android * EasyNote Notepad To Do List
Free
#4: Foursquare
Whether you’re in a familiar location or somewhere new, Foursquare has your back and 30 million others, too.
“Open up the app to discover and learn about great places nearby, search for what you’re craving, and get deals and tips along the way.”
“I really like seeing what my friends are doing. It’s also useful to find places I’ve been before or remember when I was last at a certain place.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#5: Google+
You don’t need to decide whether to check Google+ or leave your desk.
The Google+ app will help you stay connected via hangouts, photos and updates from what your friends are sharing.
“Sometimes the best things in life are small and simple yet packed with powerful connections!”
iPhone | Android
Free
#6: Instagram
Taking photos on a mobile phone offers users spontaneity plus the ability to visually transform a picture and share it immediately.
Instagram includes filters and borders, blur effects and easy sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr and Foursquare.
“A photo can say more than a status update ever will.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#7: Meetup
Is online time usurping much of your day? There’s still nothing like the face-to-face experience.
The Meetup app will help locate meetups around topics of interest to youincluding social media, tech, business and entrepreneurship—and of course a range of fitness, hobbies, community, parenting and dog meetups, among others.
“It’s nice to see what people are doing in the community and be able to be involved.”
iPhone | Android
Free
Free
#8: Odometer
Do you need to keep track of mileage for a business trip?
Odometer apps will simplify the process and help you store the date and number of miles traveled.
“Export history as .CSV file on Odometer +.”
iPhone * Odometer + $.99
Android* Odometer Free
#9: QR Reader
Whether you want to scan a QR code (Quick Response Code) or create one, there are a number of apps that will add meaning and destinations (websites, special offers, contact information, etc.) to those ubiquitous codes.
Use the QR Reader to check out how other businesses are using QR codes and see if one makes sense for your business.
“Has so many options, is easy to use and distributes my code!
iPhone | Android *Scan
Free
#10: Square Register
What will your smartphone do next? Take credit cards?
If you’re headed to a tradeshow, conference or a community event where you’re planning to sell your products, the Square Register app makes it possible to swipe credit cards and have payments delivered to your bank account within 1-2 days.
“I love the convenience w/o the contracts and additional fees that are attached to the traditional credit card machine or merchant services contracts.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#11: UberSocial
UberSocial, previously known as Twidroyd, is a mobile app that enables users to post new tweets, monitor and keep up to date on hashtags, lists and people you follow, while also managing other multiple social accounts all in one place.
“It’s always been my most favorite mobile Twitter app because it’s so easy to use and has many features.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#12: WiFi Finder
Need to find WiFi areas while traveling to make a Skype call or save on some of those minutes?
The Wifi Finder app features over 550,000 free and paid locations in 144 countries worldwide.
“Found hot spots I didn’t know were in my town.”
iPhone | Android
Free
#13: Zendesk
It seems fitting that the last app on our list would be focused on customer support.
In this article we’ve run the gamut of the sales process; for example, maintaining and engaging contacts, promoting businesses with photos, QR codes, credit card payments, plus more. Managing customer support via mobile phones has also become a necessity.
With Zendesk you can view, update and create new help desk tickets, configure support ticket fields and add comments.
“Very simple to use, giving you peace of mind while you’re on the move.”
iPhone | Android