Let’s face it—apps are part and parcel of 21st century living. There’s an app for just about everything these days, from helping you to make decisions to charting your sleep cycle (no kidding!). Here, we source out six apps that are essential for basic survival in our increasingly complex urban jungle.
If you’ve ever scoured an entire neighborhood in vain looking for an ATM, this is the app for you. AroundMe shows you the nearest bank, bar, cinema petrol station, hospital, hotel, theater, restaurant, supermarket and taxi relative to your location—it even provides you with routes and handy tips from other users. No more wild goose chases, we hope. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android
This app basically utilizes the same concept as AroundMe, though with a stronger local context—on top of the usual ATMs, police stations and convenience stores, you can also locate nearby coffee shops, wet markets and even Singapore Pools outlets (so you won’t miss the next 4D or Toto draw ever again). Available for iPhone, iPad and Android
Singaporeans will queue for anything and everything, especially food. Beat the queues with Chope, an app that enables you to make real-time reservations at over 300 top restaurants around Singapore. There are no charges involved; plus, you’ll even get to view menus, read reviews and cancel reservations hassle-free. This app should be a mainstay in any smartphone, we say. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android
Murphy’s Law and cabs seem to go hand-in-hand—there’ll always be plenty on the roads when you’re not seeking one, but none whatsoever when you’re running late. Fortunately, there’s Uber, an app which enables you to book private taxis within minutes—that means no more waiting in line, or frantically ringing conventional taxi hotlines. Rates are higher than that of a regular taxi, but in this instance, money can buy time. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android
No, we’re not afraid to shamelessly plug ourselves here. If you haven’t already downloaded I-S Now, there’s no reason to wait any longer—our app provides you with comprehensive listings of where to eat, drink, and play, as well as all the latest events in Singapore. You’ll also be updated with the latest breaking lifestyle news and fashion trends. It’s a must-download for all the cool cats in town. Available for iPhone and iPad
However, if crowds and social events nauseate you, we’ve got you covered, too (though you really shouldn’t even be living in a city at all). Cloak is an “anti-social” app that enables you to avoid undesirable people (read: your crazy stalker ex, that annoying friend who won’t shut up…)—it determines where people are by pulling their location data from various social networks, such as Foursquare and Instagram. The people whom you deem undesirable are then flagged, enabling you to avoid any chance encounters. There really is an app for everything these days, eh? Available for iPhone and iPad
For brutally honest app reviews, read our Are apps overrated? cover story.
