Your smartphone is only as good as the apps that you download onto it.
With the right apps, you can turn your phone into an entertainment center, a personal assistant, a mobile office, travel agent, navigator, and so much more. Below are 10 apps to turn your smartphone into instant genius:
1. Photology, $1.99 (iPhone/iPod Touch only)
Lets you view your camera roll photos arranged according to date, create and manage albums, and use a password to protect them from nosy friends. Facebook and Dropbox integration are also ready so you can share snaps on social networks.
2. Travel guides by Triposo, FREE (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad/Android)
Gives you up-to-date content on interesting waypoints along your journey. These interactive mobile guides gather free content from sites like Wikitravel, Wikipedia, World66 and Openstreetmap in one easy to access app. Be your own tour guide!
3. Good Player, $2.99 (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)
This movie player lets you play popular video formats like AVI, Xvid, Divx, WMV, MKV and AC3, without the need to convert your favorite videos to Apple’s preferred MP4 format. You can easily transfer your videos via a Wi-Fi connection or through cabled file transfer. Subtitles are also supported and you can even connect your device to a TV set for easy playback.
4. Evernote, FREE (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad/Android)
Jot down a quick reminder or a photo memo and Evernote will save it to their servers for you to access later. Download the desktop and mobile version and you’ll be able to see your notes on whichever device you’re on. iPad 2 users studying for exams will also enjoy Evernote peek that uses the Smart Cover feature and turns your tablet into flashcards for review.
5. Mapify, FREE (iPhone/iPod Touch)
This nifty location app lets you plan your day-to-day itinerary. Errands or tasks are literally mapped out for easy prioritization according to location. You can also bookmark favorite restos or shops, complete with phone numbers, website links and notes.
6. Filmic Pro, $2.99 (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Designed by filmmakers, Filmic Pro’s controls are placed in such a way that camera shakes are minimized. Other advanced features like selectable resolutions and variable frame rates are built into the app, as well as three focus and exposure modes. Google the trailer “Best Served Cold,” shot entirely using Filmic Pro and an iPhone 4 and doubt no more!
7. Blogger, FREE (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad/Android)
Ideal for on-the-go blogging as this app lets you publish posts, photos, tags and location info. Allows switching between accounts so multiple accounts possible. Needed: advanced features like resizing photos or video uploads.
8. BeatBurn, $3.99 (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)
Touted by Apple as a fitness essential, BeatBurn is part DJ and part (cheap) personal trainer as it also provides coaching and encouragement audio while tracking your speed, incline, distance, calories burned, etc. and displaying the data in a graph.
9. Video Message Shrinker, $2.99 (Android)
Instantly compresses large video files into sizes that can be sent via MMS. Share any video not exceeding 100 MB instantly: You only need an Internet connection and the app will compress the video via its servers, saving your battery and KB allowance.
10. Viber, FREE, (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad/Android)
Lets you make free phone calls and send free SMS to other Viber users. No hidden charges or additional purchase for credits required.