Uber
Free for iOS and Android
What it is: An app that orders pickup by a private car in more than 35 cities worldwide, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington domestically, and Amsterdam, London, Paris, Toronto and Zurich internationally.
How it works: You launch the app, and it uses your phone’s GPS to determine your pickup location. You choose the type of service, which includes UberBLACK (limo quality), UberSUV, uberTAXI (in some cities) or uberX (least expensive). Then, Uber finds the driver closest to your location and messages you with the driver’s name and rating. Customers and drivers rate each other, eBay style.
Why it’s great: It’s like hailing a limo or taxi with your phone. I primarily use uberX because I’m usually a single passenger, and uberX is the least expensive ride. If you have a few friends traveling with you, the Uber app helps travelers split the cost. Whenever I’ve used Uber, my ride arrives arrived within 5 to 7 minutes.
Why you might hesitate: The app sometimes gets confused by odd street addresses, so you may have to call or text the driver to clarify your location.
Wahoo Fitness
Free for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad using iOS 5 or later
What it is: An app to track and store workouts, including running, walking, cycling, swimming, etc. The app uses ANT+ Bluetooth technology to seamlessly bridge connections between wireless fitness devices and iOS devices.
How it works: You launch the app, choose your workout and press “start.” When you define a new workout, you can choose which sensors to use, including GPS, heart rate, bike speed, bike cadence and stride sensor, depending on which sensors you have.
Why it’s great: Unlike other “free” fitness apps, Wahoo Fitness will monitor your heart rate, distance, workout time, etc., for free. Most others require a subscription if you want to monitor your heart rate. Though Wahoo Fitness sells a heart-rate-monitor band and other sensors, this works well with the MIO Alpha heart-rate watch.
Why you might hesitate: No reason. Even if you seldom exercise, the app could monitor your heart rate while sightseeing or hiking, or monitor your spouse’s pulse if you go on a shopping spree.
Polamatic
$1.99 for iPhone; $1.99 for iPad; 99 cents for Android
What it is: An app for creating “Polaroid” snapshots from photos shot in app or imported from your device’s photo library. The iOS app has 12 classic Polaroid frames, 12 filters and 12 fonts. The Android app includes more frames and photo effects; iOS users can buy extra features with an in-app purchase.
How it works: After launching the app, you shoot a photo or import an image to create a Polaroid. Emulsion, Gelatin, K-Lab, Lomo and Mono are a few of the onboard photo filters to alter color, tone or mood. The finished Polaroid can be saved to your device or shared via email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Why it’s great: This app flashes me back to my Polaroid past but gives me photo-effect powers my old Polaroid never had. Classic borders include Almost New, Crumpled, I Sat on It and Dirty. It’s a fantastic app to use at a party or celebration when you want to catch someone “in the moment.” I love the multicolored fonts available to title a Polaroid.
Why you might hesitate: I wish the iOS version came with more frames and filters or only cost 99 cents. I hate having to make in-app purchases for extra bells and whistles.
