LEFT: The author used her ‘OpenTable’ app to score a table at Volanti’s overlooking the Scottsdale, Ariz., airport, then opened up ‘FlightAware’ to see where all those jets were off to. RIGHT: Apps galore on the author’s iPad. Several of them have been pruned. To subscribe, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To pitch a ‘My Turn’ guest column, email . Want to purchase today’s print edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locations. It wasn’t long ago that “app” was slang for an order for chicken wings, nachos or perhaps the hummus plate. Well, times have changed and we now can use an “app” to order an “app” for delivery from our favorite restaurant. We live in a world of conveniences and few things illustrate that more than the vast collection of application icons on our cellphones and tablets. As the saying “there’s an app for that” claims, there really is an app for almost anything. The question is, how many do we really need/use/benefit from? As part of my New Year’s “goal” (I find resolutions too defeating) to spend less time mindlessly scrolling and instead focus on using technology to enhance my life, I did an assessment of the hundreds of apps I’ve downloaded. I decided which ones I’d keep and which ones I’d delete — or at least banish from my home page. As I went through the day, I took note of how frequently I used each app and what the benefits and convenience were before deciding its fate. One of these “app analyses” happened while on a morning walk with a neighbor. She noticed me fiddling with my phone, and I explained that I was starting up my Strava app to track our walk. Intrigued by the concept, she asked me to install the app on her phone so she could also track her walks. Now I’m not the techiest person on the block, but my 79-year-old walking partner was pretty impressed. And now we are Strava “friends.” There are many other apps I use on a regular basis — several that have helped me become more organized, efficient, informed, and dare I say, healthier. Like most people with smartphones, I use the standard included apps several times each day: “Calendar,” “Messages,” “Photos,” “Camera,” “Clock,” “Contacts,” “Maps,” “App Store” and “Settings,” along with several social-media apps that are gradually being relegated to the last screen swipe. But in addition to the utilitarian apps, I have many other not-so-well-known favorites. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find on my home screen — my “MVP” apps.
Apps galore on the author's iPad. Several of them have since been pruned. ‘The News-Gazette’
I really do open the News-Gazette app first thing in the morning (unless there’s a text from one of my kids — then they get priority). It’s my “go to” for the local news. And every two weeks, I get to see my musings in print.
‘Strava’
My husband turned me on to this app. It’s social media for people who exercise and like to track and share their workouts. He uses it for his bike rides, but I mainly fire it up for walks, hikes and the occasional round of golf. One of my favorite features is that it tracks your exact path, speed and mileage — including elevation gains.
‘Libby’ and ‘Hoopla’
For the avid reader, you can’t beat these apps. They are virtual library cards. I love being able to reserve several e- and audiobooks and stagger them for different delivery dates. You can renew loans with a simple click, which is handy for those ultra-long novels. It’s free to anyone with a library card.
‘Zoom,’ ‘Pandora’ and ‘Clock’
When I’m working out or teaching online fitness classes, I use the “Zoom” camera feature and “Pandora” for music (splurging for the paid subscription to avoid commercials.) I use “Clock” for timing things like minute-long planks. Complain and it’ll be two minutes next time ...
‘Venmo’
Perfect for paying the dog/house-sitter, contributing to group gifts or meals and paying contractors. Just make sure you have the right account before hitting “pay.”
‘Spot Hero’
Ideal for finding inexpensive and convenient parking spots when visiting family in Chicago. No more $70 parking days.
‘Maps’
Essential for travel near and far. I appreciate the direct-from-calendar capability — just click on the event and as long as the address is included, the map will show you the way. Did I mention that I live for the “avoid highways” feature? Call me a chicken, but some highways just need to be avoided.
‘Open Table’
I’ve used this dining app for years. It’s great for finding new spots or old favorites. Reserve a table and send an invite to your friends or family. I recently booked lunch at an airport restaurant where my husband and I used the “FlightTracker” app to see where those private jets had been — just type in the tail number for any plane to track its journey. Also useful for following your loved ones while they are en route.
‘Substack’
This is a great publishing platform for both established journalists and aspiring writers. Friendlier than Twitter, this is the place to go to read, write, comment or start your own newsletter. Guess who happens to have one?
Podcasts
A must-have for queuing up my favorite shows: Mel Robbins, Bari Weiss, Bill Maher and many more. You can keep track of episodes you’ve missed, pause to listen later and share with others who “really need to hear this ...”
‘NYT Games’
Not all of my apps are practical. I’m addicted to puzzles, “Wordle,” the “Mini Crossword,” “Strands,” “Connections,” “Letter Boxed” and more. I consider time spent on these to be brain exercises and proudly share the results when I ace them.
Health care, business, membership apps
I love the convenience of patient portals, banking and auto apps. Being able to make appointments, check test results, account balances — or start, lock or unlock your car with a few clicks and swipes — sure saves time and never-ending customer-service phone calls. Register for a class at your gym? Book or cancel a massage? No problem. I’ve shared just a few of my favorites, and there are millions more — with new ones constantly being developed. Some are destined to become instant favorites, while others are a colossal waste of time, but one thing’s for certain — pick any product, company, problem or service, and there’s definitely “an app for that.”
Apps readers can’t live without
Kat Yutzy: “Yuka.” Scan the UPC code on food items for a score to see how healthy or unhealthy they are. It makes label reading easier and gives healthier alternatives.
Cindy Magsamen: “Sleepiest.” Sleep stories and meditations for those rough nights falling asleep.
Lisa Sifuentes: “Paprika 3” and “Plan to Eat” for cooking and meal planning. They are amazing!
Tina Colombo: I like “OrganizEat” for recipes.
Trevor May: “Google Drive” (G-suite) has rocketed my productivity, being able to recall documents and make edits in real time in the middle of nowhere with one bar of cell service is absolutely astonishing. I’m starting to use all of the AI apps — “Copilot” and “Gemini,” among others, are a really powerful thought-partner.
Tish Stanner: “Key Ring.” It holds all my cards for grocery stores and such so I don’t have to carry them on my keys.
Carolyn Ragsdale: “Rome to Rio” gives specific travel logistics here and abroad for all modes of transportation. “HotelTonight” offers great deals — especially when it is less than a week away. On “Our Groceries,” we keep all of our shopping lists — groceries, Binny’s, CVS.
