When I first got an iPhone I thought it was a bit indulgent, but now I don't remember how I got on without it. I love exploring new apps, especially free ones. Here are five that make life easier for me from what to do when my toddler hides the tv remote to keeping him entertained in a pinch.
• i.TV (free)
There are lots of things you can use i.TV for (find local listings, remotely schedule your dvr or Tivo, etc.), but the number one thing I use it for is to turn my iPhone into a remote control. My son must be part ferret because he seems to hide our tv remote in odd places at least once a week. After I've checked all the usual places (between the couch cushions, behind the dvd player, in my husband's shoe) I just load up i.TV until the remote surfaces.
• Virtuoso Piano (free)
This nifty app turns your iPhone into a miniature piano keyboard. The creators suggest you could learn to play the piano this way, but that seems a bit of a stretch to me. However, it's great fun for kids to play with especially as we kill a few minutes waiting for the bus.
• Just Light (free)
Among the simplest apps out there, this simply turns your screen into a bright white screen which gives off enough light to check in on your child at night and enough to get back to your room without stubbing your toe.
• Kideos (free)
I've been using Kideos since I wrote about it back in April: "Kideos streamlines the best online kids videos into one place so you know each video is kid-suitable." My son and I have started a playlist of our favorites which include a rapping Cookie Monster and cats flushing toilets.
• Hipstamatic ($1.99 to get started and you can purchase additional "Hipstapaks")
One downside to having an iPhone is that we tend to rely on it to take photos and are less inclined to take a real camera on outings. The quality of iPhone photos is only okay, but one way to jazz them up is to give them an old school feel with Hipstamatic's stylized lenses, flashes and films.
What's on your iPhone or iPad that you love?
(Image: Carrie McBride)
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I have a droid and a lot of those apps are avail - come on Kideos! I want you on my droid! (peggle too pls!)
What I do have and use all the time
FX camera - is an app like hipstamatic - love it. Have the first poop in the potty as a Polaroid. sad but true.
Find Starbucks - does what it says
Evernote - best digital helper a modern mom ever had
NPR - can download any segment to listen to when I have time
and my hubby has something which is basically a noise machine, rain, crickets etc - great for naps!
Another Android user here listing top 5..
Fx Camera - Not as cool as Hipstamatic, but cool enough for creating faux analog shots.
Facebook - Nuff said.
Daily Horoscope - I need some fluff on my phone.
Evernote/AK Notepad - A tie between the two. Evernote is somewhat more complicated to use... so sometimes i cant be bothered with it.
Accuweather - I live keeping track of the weather in all my favorite cities.
Talking Carl!! It's completely ridiculous, but fun. Poke him and he yells, tickle him and he laughs, and the main function: talk to him and he repeats it back to you, but in a higher-pitched voice. (Yes, that sounds like what most toddlers do all day anyway, but it's pretty entertaining for kids.)
Baby Pack & Go - I keep packing lists for each person, and for each type of trip (weekend, winter, summer, air travel, etc.). I update it as needs change.
lots of other things, some of which are useful, and some of which are just fun time-wasters.
ive got an android phone too..
camera 360, much like fx camera (which i also have) but more options. even on the free version of the app.
weather channel.
facebook.
yeah, thats about all i ever really use.
my 2 year old LOVES an iphone app called Wood Puzzle. He has learned with it coordination, colors, shapes and he is even able to pick the shape he wants.
here are my top 5 for me…
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2010/04/fridays-5-at-5-my-must-have-iphone-apps/
and top 5 for my kids…
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2010/03/fridays-5-at-5-iphone-apps-for-kids/
My toddler is OBSESSED with Monkey Preschool Lunchbox and Monkey Preschool When I Grow Up. Very cute apps!
Yes! My 3 year old gave monkey preschool lunchbox a solid workout before moving on to his newest obsession: MORE TOAST by Lifestyle. He toasts the bread, adds tons of toppings anything from fried eggs to sprinkles and then pokes it while it crunches and leaves bite marks. I have to admit...I've made several slices myself.
I have a 2 year old so my apps have to be a little more visual and less cerebral, so don't judge.
Gloop: It's like a lava lamp, but you control the lava.
Uncolor: It uncovers a picture as your child wipes.
Petit Dummy: By far the creepiest and the most intriguing-place a mouth on a picture and the mouth will sing to you. Pay a little and you can put the mouth on any picture. Pay a little more and you can use your own audio. If you have an iPhone or a microphone, it'll mouth whatever you say into it. Just plain fun.
Meowmania: Creepy meowing cats appear under your child's fingers.
iXylophone: Like Virtuoso, but with a xylophone.
Look Baby!: Stop crying and start popping bubbles.