There's an App for That!
In 2008, a year after the first iPhone was released, the Apple App store launched with just 500 apps. Eight years later, there are now over 1.5 million (and counting) apps available on the Apple App store and the mobile market is a modern day gold mine; growing substantially over the years into an estimated $46 billion a year business. With such astonishing numbers, it's no wonder those at the top of the app game can generate over a $1 million a day.
Today there's an app for almost everything. Games, education, entertainment…you name it, there's an app! With so many available at the touch of your fingertip, how can you choose a favourite?
We asked around the UC Marketing and Alumni office to spill their app-solute favourite…
This free app has been designed by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to help households and businesses save money on power bills by choosing an energy efficient appliance. The app uses the popular Energy Rating label that appears on over 7 million appliances each year and is the first of its kind to display power use in dollars rather than kilowatt hours.
"I like the Energy Rating app for appliances because it shows you the running costs of big electrical purchases. Making it more justifiable to buy!" – David, Digital Marketing Manager
For all those times you sit down at your computer and swear you will be productive, before logging onto Facebook and ending up your friend's cousin's boyfriend's page. StayFocused is a productivity extension for Google Chrome that helps you stay motivated to work by restricting the amount of time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allocated period has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day.
"I like to use Stay Focused as it's great for keeping on track when studying. I set Facebook or Instagram to a limit of 20min per day and after that I can't access those sites. It's also great for work!" – Rosa, Student Recruitment Officer
If you want to be better with your money then Pocketbook is the app for you. The only personal finance app that gives you the option to synchronise with Australian banks, this app makes personal finance and budget planning easy.
The only negative – I can't hide my shopping from my husband!
"Pocketbook is my favourite as it links to your bank accounts and helps you track your spending. It lets you know when you are spending too much and lets you know when bills are due." – Jenny, Development Officer
If you're a loyalty card junkie, then you want to download Stocard, a free app that lets you scan the barcodes on your loyalty and membership cards and then digitally store your membership details in one handy place. No more wasting time at the checkout rifling through your wallet as this app lets you conveniently access all of your loyalty programs from your phone.
"My obsession with loyalty cards is amusing to my colleagues, but honestly, my wallet is so much lighter now that I'm using Stocard. The best thing? I can now see which loyalty cards I don't have, which means I know which ones I need to go out and get!" – Sam, Advancement Services Coordinator
The app that has revolutionised the world – Uber is an online transportation network company that allows customers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars. This service is now available in over 66 countries around the world and frequently holds special one day only services, including delivering ice-cream and kittens!
Uber is the best invention since the rickshaw!
"Not only can you see where cars are and split the fares, but you don't need any cash. Plus it's a cheaper option than taxis." – Dan, Web Publisher
Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has continuously grown to become one of the most popular social media tools in the world. With over 100 million users, it's the best way to connect with others, express your voice and stay in touch with current events as they occur.
"Twitter is my go-to! It keeps me up to date with breaking news and is a source for information! A valuable app for anyone working in the media industry" – Ricky, Marketing Services Manager
The VSCO Cam is a must for anyone that loves taking photos or looking at what other people have captured. The app allows you to shoot and edit images, then publish to your own VSCO profile. As well you can view other content from the people you follow and explore exclusive editorial content from VSCO Originals.
"The VSCO app has a HUGE range of pre-set filters and tools for ultimate customisation of photos. This app is hugely popular particularly among social influencers and bloggers – and you can see why! It also has a GIF making app called DSCO that is similar to Instagram's Boomerang app." – Laura, Digital Communications Officer
This one is for anyone who wants to slow down the frenetic pace of life and take note of the little things every day. 1 Second Everyday encourages you to take a one second video of something every day for a year and then cuts all of your clips together into a single video. It's a bit like the 'one photo per day' challenge, but with video. The app itself is very easy to navigate, and you can even have a number of projects on the go at once.
"Using this app started out as a little creative project for me and has grown into something much bigger. It definitely makes me more mindful of capturing some of the big (and little) things that happen to me each day and I can't wait to see what a 'year in the life of me' looks like at the end of the year." – Chloe, Alumni Relations Manager
This app records your sleeping patterns as well as any noises you might make throughout the night such as sleep talking, snoring or general rustling. You can playback any sounds that the app records and view a graph that shows you how long you slept for and the quality of your sleep.
The top ten list had me in tears of laughter.
"The absolute best thing about this app is that you can listen to and vote on the recordings of other people sleep talking.. Besides that, it really is a good way to track your sleep, particularly if you're having bouts of restless sleep." – Caitlin, Alumni Events Coordinator
Words by Stephanie Cossetto, images via Pixabay.
Have an idea for an app? Or interested in starting your own business? Sign up to the Alumni Workshop Series events: