It’s the end of the year, and you know what that means – time for the “Best of” lists. As 2011 ticks down, rather than worry about SOPA or Mayan prophecies, check out my list of the year’s best iPhone and iPad apps.
- StreamToMe – An ingenious media player app that plays video, music and photo files in over 40 file formats. You don’t have to pre-convert to a size or format for your iPhone or iPad – this app converts the files so fast that playback starts in as little as five seconds. Yep, that means you can play something in a format that iTunes would otherwise have kicked to the curb.
- Evernote – If you’re like me, struggling to keep your information available to you on the go and on every device you use, then you need Evernote. It helps you remember things by taking notes, snapping a picture or even making a quick voice recording on your iPhone. Later, you can access it on your iPad or computer by seamlessly syncing all of your devices. What’s cool about it is you can even share notes and collaborate on projects with friends and colleagues.
- Scribblenauts Remix – Yes, Angry Birds is addictive, but it’s not going to improve your vocabulary like this great app. You solve puzzles by typing in words or phrases, or you can get a starite for Maxwell, the hero. Let your imagination run riot – type in a noun and then modify it with adjectives. Do you need a helicopter to reach your goal? How about a pregnant giraffe? You got it! As the tagline says, “Write anything. Solve everything.” And with 50 levels to explore, you won’t get bored any time soon.
- Flipboard – Are you tired of the manic newest-on-top format? This app is the answer. It puts anything that’s been shared with you – Facebook updates, articles from your favorite magazines, Instagram photos, etc – into a personalized magazine format. Connect it to your many social networks, and you’ll have one convenient place to enjoy, share, and comment on the news, updates and photos you care about.
- Instagram – Apple’s favorite app of the year and a wise choice, says I. Snap a photo, enhance it with one of the supplied filters, and then share it with your friends on Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, et al. Go up a level by using the built-in social networking option to share your creativity with the world. After all, why keep your light under a bushel?
Do you have a favorite app that didn’t make the list? Tell us about it below.
