<p>My husband surprised me with a smartphone and I am looking for ways to get maximum benefit out of it. Tech gadgets confound me, but I have decided that I need to get with the times. Please share some apps that have made your lives easier/more enjoyable. I would like to find tools to help me budget, menu plan, maintain fitness, keep track of family activities and anything else you think would be useful. Thanks for any suggestions.</p>
<p>Do you have Android or iOS?</p>
<p>Samsung Galaxy SIII…</p>
<p>Like this one?</p>
<p>[Free</a> Online Calendar and Mobile Application For Busy Families | Cozi](<a href=“http://www.cozi.com/]Free”>http://www.cozi.com/)</p>
<p>Here’s a website that lists essential apps by category.
[Essential</a> Apps for Android | PCWorld](<a href=“http://www.pcworld.com/article/230629/essential_apps_for_android.html]Essential”>Essential Apps for Android | PCWorld)</p>
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<p>Family activities: google calendar. Easy, already installed, syncs automatically. Everyone can have their own calendar, even,and you can all see
Budget: Mint.com’s app
Fitness: Sports Tracker gps/timer/mapping for running or biking, tracks calories etc too)
I like Our Groceries for shopping lists
Of course get the College Confidential app :D</p>
<p>PdaNet–for $15 you can turn your phone into a internet provider for your laptop–it’s a one time charge, not monthly. It’s wonderful. </p>
<p>Not really an “app” but I use my Maps for my GPS now all the time. It uses Google maps and gives way better directions than my dedicated GPS. I have a docking system in my car that also connects via bluetooth to my car speakers for music, phone calls and even reads my text messages to me :D.</p>
<p>I have been on the receiving end of the benefit of the Flashlight app - friend just used it the other night at a concert when we were walking down the stairs exactly when the lights went out.</p>
<p>Where to begin? I love the Huffington Post. Also tuneinradio is amazing…can get local radio as well as podcasts of a million radio shows, music, anything! The calculator’s good, and inkpad to take notes is useful. The maps app is helpful when I’m lost (often!). Have fun!</p>
<p>I have a whole in-car setup too. Google Maps/Nav, Pandora, music. I have a vent mount for it, a power and aux plug, so it can charge and play music/navigate (Nav will pause music to give directions, love that! Phone calls will pause music too)…even have the Audible app to stream audio books for long drives.</p>
<p>I love my Droid :)</p>