Your smartphone and tablet come with a lot of programs pre-installed. Those programs are called Apps (short for applications or software applications) You can also add Apps to your smartphone or tablet. Some Apps are free and some are not. You’ll shop for Apps using the “store” provided by the manufacturer of your device which can be found on the screen of your smartphone or tablet. In Chapter 12 of “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking and Screaming I show you step-by-step how to find and add an App to your device. 

There are literally millions of Apps – Android users have 2.1 million and Apple users have 1.8 million to choose from – so shop around! Don’t be put off – even if you only plan to use free Apps, you won’t be able to download (or add or install) an App to your smartphone or tablet without putting in your credit card information. 

I’m a Connecticut Yankee so I only go for the free apps. Here are some of my favorite (FREE) apps:

Sit or Squat – Find public bathrooms all over the world!! This bladder relieving app not only directs you to public bathrooms wherever you are around the world, but each bathroom is described in detail – the clean, the dirty, and the co-ed. Available on IOS and Android platforms.

Amazon Kindle – Even if you never intend to purchase a book from Amazon, you’ll want this app because it allows you to borrow public library books wirelessly. When you renew your library card be sure to make a donation to your local library!

Units – Have you been wanting to convert feet to kilometers, pesos to rupees, ounces to drachma, or whole notes to quavers? This little app will do it for you in a second (or 0.016667 minutes). See it here.

iTranslate – Ever have a non-english speaking Polish fellow standing on your fire escape cleaning your windows and not knowing how to offer him your bathroom without humiliating charades? I did. iTranslate to the rescue – and here it is. Need I say more?

Pandora – This music app is a lot like having a customized radio station. The app allows you to search by artist, song, or composer. When you hear a song you like, let the app know and it will then make a suggestion of the next song which will be similar in nature. Look for it here. 

TapWord – There are 10s of thousands of game apps. This one is similar to Boggle – check it out here. I like this app because I learn new words every time I play. Search for your favorite game and I’ll bet there’s an app available.

CheckPlease Lite – Don’t let a lovely evening out with friends become awkward when the check arrives. Let this app figure the tip and per head cost of that yummy meal. The only thing better is if it would pay the bill! Available on GooglePlay here, or look for it on Apple.  

Now, I have a favor…If you find an app that you love, let me know and I’ll share it on my website – AskAbbyStokes.com. Email me at abbystokes@gmail.com.

Abby Stokes is the author of  “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes and the Kicking & Screaming. Click on a book overview, book excerpt, or purchase the book.

Abby Stokes will give a “There’s an App for That” lecture on July 24 from 6pm-7:30pm at the Senior Planet Center at 127 W. 25th Street, NYC.   RSVP required. To RSVP, email rsvp@seniorplanet.org or call 646-590-0615.

You can also follow Abby’s talk by clicking here to view on Youtube. Don’t forget to subscribe to Senior Planet’s Youtube channel!  

Abby Stokes is the author of  “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes and the Kicking & Screaming. Click on a book overview, book excerpt, or purchase the book.