figure byPexels
This was the year that Instagram became a new app , Google became known for its Io apps , and Pokémon Go became a phenomenon .
Here are the apps that grab our attending and kept us compulsively on our iPhones all class long .
Image byGoogle
If you use Gmail to get confirmations for airline flights , hotel bookings , and dinner reservations , then you ’ll understand whyGoogle Trips(free ) has become my favourite locomotion compantion in 2016 . For coming trip-up , this Google app automatically amass all my selective information from Gmail and organizes it in a visual way akin to my own personal travel guide .
As if that were n’t helpful enough , Google Trips is linked up to Google Maps so I can easy tap to see all the saved shoes in my finish . I already use Google Maps to asterisk places that I want to check out , and I have used the download choice so that I can shop a mathematical function arena even while offline . This is vital in home where Wi - Fi is hard to hail by , or if I do n’t want to pay for international information wander charges .
Google Trips borrows the concept of offline - browsing , so you may see your travel entropy , a geotagged function , and even new testimonial , all while still in aeroplane mode.–Oscar Raymundo
Image byInstagram
Instagram(free ) is 6 years old and has 600 million drug user , so it ’s not just the new app on the stop . But this year , the Facebook - possess photo - share-out internet added so many features that it palpate like a entirely different experience .
The biggest add-on was Stories , the disappearing visual diary that echoes Snapchat ’s most popular feature . Stories launched in Augustand quickly added a ton of shaft to make it private-enterprise with Snapchat . The goal : to keep Snapchatters on Instagram , and to make Instagram more compelling to people who do n’t understand Snapchat .
Now you could shoot picture , videos , livevideos , and boomerang to add to your Instagram Story , andyou can chase other users in your Story caption and add customizable stickers ( which are standardized to Snapchat ’s geofilters ) that indicate the time , location , and even the conditions . And where Snapchat only let you summate one filter at a clock time , with Instagram you could add all the stickers you want at once .
Instagram was n’t solely focused on Stories : The electronic web also contribute prick to prevent revilement and new Direct electronic messaging features like disappearing photos , plus made it potential to to shop directly from an Instagram post and zoom in on an image . It ’s no wonder the app added 100 million users in six months.–Caitlin McGarry
Image byVirgin America
This yr , Virgin America(free ) eventually launched its first roving app . Like most other airline business apps , it combine flight - booking and checking - in capableness but with a more streamlined experience and that nervy Virgin America flair . The app was design to let you book a flight in just 60 endorsement , and that even includes the meter it take to take a seat .
The airline business also partner with Spotify so that after you check - in you could pelt a play list inspired by your goal . You will postulate to have the Spotify app installed to stream these playlists , however , which admit “ Mile High ” ( yes , that case of “ high ” ) if you ’re flying to Denver and “ A Night on Broadway ” if you ’re fly to New York City .
In addition to helping you book a flight of steps , turn back in , and rock out at 35,000 feet , the new Virgin America app sends you real - time notifications about your flight status and personalized deals based on your favorite travel destination . you’re able to also store other preferences , like your nonpayment credit rating card entropy , your go - to cabin class , and whether you prefer a window or aisle seat.–Oscar Raymundo
Image byApple
Apple tug at my nerdy heartstrings withSwift Playgrounds . Learning BASIC on an Apple II was one of the shaping experiences of my childhood , and letting kids get hands - on with Swift coding in a free and friendlyiPad appthat plays like a puzzle secret plan is just the best .
I ’ve enjoyed play with it myself , too . It ’s cool how the app teaches coding conception without take any anterior cognition , and it ’s generate that just - one - more - mystifier addictiveness that proceed me do back.–Susie Ochs
persona byFacebook
Unlike Facebook Marketplace , Fundraisers , Live Video , Pokes , and Instant Games , I actually swear on the big blue giant for events . And I ’m not alone . allot to Facebook , over 100 million people check Facebook to find things to do .
That ’s why I was excited to check outEvents from Facebook(free ) , a new standalone app for finding events in your expanse and managing your RSVPs . The late Facebook spinoff let me see only an event - focused Newsfeed from all my friends , so no sister pictures or cringe - desirable political update . And I can even seek for consequence in a unlike city — perfect for hang up out with topical anesthetic during a trip .
The most interesting aspect of Events , however , is the built - in calendar . At first glance , it take care a lot like Sunrise , the much - loved calendar app that was acquired by Microsoft and finally shut down . Like Sunrise , Facebook ’s Events let me bring third - political party calendars to the fold , like my Google Calendar and iCloud calendar , so I can view all my approaching event in one app and quickly recognize any programming conflicts.–Oscar Raymundo
No game burst on to the scene in 2016 likePokémon Go(free ) . The augment reality game , where you catch Pokémon monsters that appear based on your geologic location , was so popular that reports said that developer Niantic land in about$200 millionduring the first month of the game ’s release .
But no secret plan has fizzled like Pokémon Go , either . secret plan download are on the decline , and taxation is down ( though the game brought it$15 million in November , which is nothing to sneeze at ) . You do n’t see people on the streets play anymore . Except you ’ll catch me still playing . My addiction to the secret plan is as strong as it was back in July . genuine , the game can be a grind at clip , but late events by developer Niantic , like thecurrent holiday consequence , have kept me interested .
I still get a kick out of finding a Pokémon while walking home from work , and the game fall in me something to cerebrate about while walking my domestic dog . And the game appeals to the gatherer in me ; I want the collect them all , and I wo n’t stop until I do.–Roman Loyola
Image byCombatant Gentlemen
Menswear startupCombatant Gentlemencreated an iOS app to help oneself you find the perfect outfit for a hymeneals , a job audience , or a first date . TheCombat Gent app(free ) has built - in algorithms that commend outfits found on the weather in your locating , your skin color , and your premature shopping habits . For example , the app will not suggest a sweater if you ’re going on a date in cheery Miami , and it will also know that you ’ve already lately purchased a navy blazer and discontinue suggesting them .
You get started by selecting what type of kit you ’re looking to buy . Then you input your zip code and day of the event so the app can figure out what the weather is going to be like . in conclusion , you choose your cutis quality , and the app will propose product with a complementary RGB based on the monochrome colouration theory .
Combat Gent also incorporates the company ’s proprietary “ Fit Tech . ” This algorithm can help determine the proper suit size without a measuring tape . It estimates your entourage size by taking into account your stature , weight unit , gasp size , neck size , and whether you favor a slim paroxysm or a modern fit.–Oscar Raymundo
Image byTinycards
My baby of late move from San Francisco to Beijing , and adjudicate about a week before she leave behind that she should probably seek to set about learning how to speak Mandarin ( because all foreign languages can be learned in a few day , right ? ) .
She was bummed that her language - acquire app of choice , Duolingo , did n’t have Mandarin as an choice — but luckily for her , Duolingo launchedTinycards(free ) shortly after she make it in China , and it include a bunch of lessons from another educational tool telephone Chineasy .
The Tinycards approach is staring for a language as complicated as Mandarin — yes , it ’s a flashcard - establish learning biz , but it swear to a great extent on visuals to assist you remember the newfangled word or phrase you just learned . For example , the character for “ piddle ” is run to look like a drop of water system , and the character reference for “ sun ” is drawn to face like an heart-to-heart windowpane . ( You ’ll just have to imagine the sun shining through in the recession , but I appreciate Tinycards ’ effort . )
Plus , the cards themselves are adorable , specially when they smile back at you for getting a question right . Oh yeah , did I observe I started using the app , too ? I have n’t tried any of the non - language learning decks , but they follow the same principal — cute image - based flashcards presented to you as kind of a biz . The app is stretch with a ton of different subject , and if you do n’t see the topic that you ’re await to study , you’re able to create your own deck.–Leah Yamshon
epitome byLively
lively photograph is one of my favorite feature on the new iPhones . But unfortunately not everyone has an iOS machine to be capable to view them .
Lively(free ) has helped me commute my Live Photos into GIFs or videos for share with non - iPhone users . The app show up only the springy Photos from my television camera roll so I do n’t have to desolate clock time trying to find just the moving simulacrum . And I get to trim the Live Photo before converting to take away any undesirable character that were captured . In addition to convert alive Photos , Lively also offers editing thaumaturgy for the leave GIF . I can hotfoot it up , flirt it in slo - mo , or tot an auto - reverse .
This may sound very similar to Google ’s Motion Stills app , but Lively has a feature that makes it my Live Photo spiritual rebirth tool of choice . Lively also lets me pick out a differeent still border from my Live Photo to save to my photographic camera roll . This realize it possible to use lively Photos as a transposition for burst modality . Lively is liberal , but it cost a single in - app purchase of $ 2 to remove the Lively logo water line from appear in your exported GIFs , videos , and stills.–Oscar Raymundo
I ’m cautiously affirmative aboutTV , Apple ’s fresh app that supervene upon Videos in iOS 10.2 , while also debuting on the Apple TV . It ’s designed to help you jump back into what you were watching , no matter which other tvOS / iOS app that show or movie is in .
However , right now the list of supported apps includes just a few of my favourite like Hulu , HBO Now , and FXX Now . But other sonorous hitters like Netflix are missing , and I interest that if Apple does launch its own cyclosis service , that will get most - favored status over more established competitors . ( You know , similar to how Siri has full mastery of Apple Music , butApple did n’t add music controlto the Siri SDK for third - political party services to utilize too . )
Still , the goggle box app ’s user interface is a upright path to sail the Apple television set than the grid of app icon , it ’s a with child fillip to have on the iPhone and iPad too , and 2017 should see the app take major strides — hopefully in the right direction — Susie Ochs
