Mobile applications (app or apps) are expanding the functionality of the devices we carry by connecting us to resources and people in unprecedented ways. The Apple iPhone mastered app sales and the delivery platform that is now offered on an array of devices and mobile operating systems including Google Android phones.
“With Google’s entry into the mobile phone space, companies like Apple and BlackBerry will be forced to keep up the pace of innovation,” said Brent Leary Technology Analyst & Co-author of Barack 2.0: Social Media Lessons for Small Business. “The growing dependence on social networks and media from mobile devices will accelerate more application development for mobile platforms.”
From checking in on your Facebook account to finding the closest Starbucks, mobile phone applications offer a great way to step up your tech savvy. Not sure which application is for you? Here’s our Top 10 listing of Mobile Applications to help get you started:
- Facebook – The free mobile Facebook app varies on device but will satisfy your need to connect on the go, update your status, chat, share photos and of course poke via your trusty device. (Free)
- Around Me – A powerful free app that allows users to quickly find out information about surrounding businesses and locations based on GPS location. (Free)
- Tom Tom – Tom Tom’s mobile application provides turn-by-turn navigation support for North America with intuitive voice direction and integration with your device. The hefty price is at the higher end of application pricing scale but cheaper than buying a stand-alone navigation unit with regular updates and support from Tom Tom. ($59.99)
- Banking – Wells Fargo & Bank of America – Time to pay bills, check your balance or make a transfer while you are away from your computer? Fire up your banking application of choice and in no time you can securely login, manage your banking and keep it moving. (Free)
- CNN Mobile – This mobile version of CNN includes live streaming video of breaking news, headlines of the day with location based news, weather and traffic from the palm of your hands. ($1.99)
- Pandora Radio – Start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or music genre and Pandora will create a “station” that plays their music and more like it. (Free)
- Red Laser – Uses the built in camera as a bar code scanner delivering search results for low online and local prices from hundreds of thousands of retailers. ($1.99)
- Scrabble – America’s favorite board game has been reborn for mobile application and allows you to strike up a multiplayer game through the Internet or through a Facebook gaming module. ($4.99)
- Tweetie 2 – For the Twitter aficionado, this mobile interface allows users to seamlessly handle multiple twitter accounts, search all of Twitter, mentions, replies, direct messages, trending topics and post pictures with videos. ($2.99)
- LinkedIn – Whether you are a LinkedIn legend or just signed up, this application will deliver an impressive blend of the popular professional networking sites best features. Send and respond to invitations to connect, send messages to your contacts and update your status all real time from your mobile device. (Free)
“Today’s mobile applications allow us to do things we could only dream about a few short years ago,” adds Leary, “Our productivity is increasing, as is our ability to more meaningfully share information and experiences with people in our lives – both professionally and personally.”
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