Mothers, as we all know, have a lot on their hands, usually 24 hours, 7 days a week. Whether you be a stay-at-home mom or a career woman, life these days for the female species is even more frenzied and chaotic than their male counterparts. As we come home, play with the kids and sit in front of the TV to catch a game, Moms are checking dinner, talking to household help or hollering for the kids to settle in, and already preparing for the next day. All in a day’s work, so a smartphone is today’s essential deal breaker gadget. These applications we’ve compiled for you should make life a little easier, and a lot more fun!
1. Fring
Maker: Fring
Format: iOS, Android, Nokia
Rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Cost: Freeware
www.fring.com
Fring is the ultimate communicator’s tool. It lets you make unlimited video calls to anyone with the same application via 3G, 4G or WiFi. Group calling is also a delightful feature, and along with these are free unlimited voice calls to other members. Another amazing feature is the chat app - not just limited to friends on Fring, the program supports MSN Messenger, GoogleTalk, AIM and ICQ. Friends not on Fring? Call anywhere around the world for US 1c/minute through FringOut.
Since the world has broadened ways we touch base, Fring offers you expanded freedom. If your teen or big kid has a 3G phone, it’s not a big task to check on them, and make a conference call with your partner as well, or get in touch with good friends to plan a girls night out, or even family abroad.
The only thing is, although this application is gaining popularity, not everybody has it, so I guess it’s up to you to post it on your social networking sites to encourage people to be “Fring Friends” with you!
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2. Evernote
Maker: Evernote
Format: Multiplatform
Rating: 5/5
Cost: Freeware or $5/month or $45/year for Premium
www.evernote.com
If there was a Swiss Amy Knife for PC and Smartphone applications, Evernote is it. This program allows you to organize your notes, as yes, everyone keeps notes albeit oftentimes without a proper system. But even if you are the organized type, this app will make things a whole lot more seamless and sensible. You can take a photo of a business card and save it, jot down things you fancy, or recipes you like for reference at the supermarket. For moms doing college or post graduate work, Evernote lets you keep your notes in one place and share them on Facebook with classmates. It’s also very useful for entrepreneurs because it even helps you do your taxes! You can also save web pages and scan passports and tickets for emergencies and the like while traveling. Also, you can organize a shopping wish list, whether online or in a mall anyplace.
This is truly one great tool!
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3. Happy Pregnancy
Maker: SOFTCRAFT
Format: Android
Rating: 4.5/5
Cost: Freeware
http://www.appbrain.com/app/happy-pregnancy-ticker/com.tracker.happypregnancy
This is definitely one for expecting Moms, and very involved husbands as well! Features include a due date calculator, trimester info, weight gain estimation, contraction timer/baby kicks, discussion forums and facts and an ovulation planner for those just beginning the greatest journey ever. Weekly weight can be tracked and some stored data can also be backed up through email.
Although seemingly complete, one must never neglect to consult your doctor for all health concerns and progress. Accuracy in noting down data is integral as well. Too bad it’s only available for android as of this time, but all in all, this is an awesome app for a happy pregnancy indeed!
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4. Zinio
Maker: Zinio LLC
Format: iOs, Android, Mac and PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Cost: Free to download, Magazine Subscriptions $7 and up
https://www.zinio.com/account/download-reader-page.jsp
Magazines, especially imported ones can be costly. Zinio’s solution is an application that allows you to subscribe to a host of selections digitally. Browse from a seemingly endless collection of titles and a great range of interests. Local magazines abound, including Smart Parenting!
If you’re used to reading constantly with digital illumination, and don’t mind not collecting hard copies of your favorite reads, this app is definitely yours. The drawback is, though it’s not costly to subscribe, it may be addictive.
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5. Mint
Maker: Intuit
Format: iOs and Android
Rating: 5/5
Cost: Freeware
www.mint.com
For Moms out there who want to keep sane despite the burdens of personal and family finance planning and budgeting, Mint offers a simple solution, all with bank level security features. Input all transactions and see them all organized in one place conveniently. This powerful tool offers bill alerts for moms on the go as well as graphs and charts so you can see the whole picture in a few clicks.
The downside is that the bank sync application only allows for a link up with US institutions, but nevertheless, this neat tool is a godsend!
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6. Cozi
Maker: Cozi Group, Inc.
Format: iOS, Android, Blackberry, PC and Mac.
Rating: 5/5
Cost: Freeware
www.cozi.com
Constantly ranked as a top application by many reputable websites and, well, even in America’s Today Show, Cozi offers a powerful yet easy-to-use family organizer. A centralized family calendar for birthdays, activities and the like is easily accessed by everyone through their mobile phones or computers. To-Do Lists and shopping lists are common in most apps, but Cozi allows you to send them via email or SMS. A simple family journal for fond memories is also in place, as well as other smart features that make this the ultimate app for moms the world over. It also syncs with MS Outlook for ease of use. The best things in life are free … and by that, I meant family. Oh, and this App as well.
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7. SmrtGuard
Maker: Smrtphone Solutions Inc.
Format: iOs, Android, Blackberry
Rating: 5/5
Cost: Free Version, Pro US$3.99/month
www.smrtguard.com
With all the emphasis placed on our smartphones and PDAs, most of us, especially busy moms, forget about security. This serious app is fiercer than it sounds. It backs up all your data automatically, acts as a spam, spyware and malware watchdog (think of all the private information you store on your device!), manages privacy and security, and best of all, can locate your unit in the event it goes missing, or simply misplaced. It also comes with a “Personal Guardian” that alerts family and friends via call, SMS, email or Twitter in the event you find yourself in a precarious situation, and gives them your location via GPS. The pro version is equipped with cooler functions like call or email blocking, and remote deletion of personal data. You’re a bonafide VIP with this app!
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8. Pink Pad
Maker: ALT12 Apps LLC.
Format: iOs and Android
Rating: 4.5/5
Cost: Freeware and Pro Version US $1.99-US $2.99
http://appshopper.com/healthcare-fitness/pink-pad-health-period-tracker
http://www.appbrain.com/browse/dev/Alt12+Apps%2C+LLC
A practical application for the modern woman, Pink Pad offers a place not just for women around the word to share health and lifestyle experiences, but it also is an efficient tool to track weight, emotional and physical wellness, and the menstrual cycle. With an ovulation calculator to help plan pregnancy, the charts are also useful for couples who use the rhythm method.
Although some women might be turned off by its pink motif and emoticons, its features are undoubtedly useful. The Pro version however only offers limited features, so the free version should suffice.
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9. Harvest
Maker: Harvest
Format: iOS and Android
Rating: 4.5/5
Cost: US $12-$90/month plans
www.getharvest.com
For the doctor, lawyer, emerging (even current) female tycoon, or mompreneur, this application is a must-have. Equipped with a time tracker, you can start and stop time through the workday, log in yours or employee hours. Invoicing is made simpler by a feature that lets you create and send invoices, and even receive payment via PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and Discover. Automated reminders and multi-currency support are among its myriad capabilities. Real time reports allow you to handle details, manage budgets and uninvoiced reports. See how your business is running through easy to view charts. Also, all data can be synced and exported to your Mac or PC.
The cost may be steep, but indeed as they say, knowledge is power, and power nowadays lies in technology.
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10. Baby-Name-O-Matic
Maker: HM Mobile Apps
Format: Android
Rating: 4/5
Cost: Freeware
http://www.hm-apps.com
http://download.cnet.com/Baby-Name-o-Matic-for-Android/3010-31713_4-75331635.html?tag=metaData;specsBox
Can’t decide on what to name your baby or trying to help a friend? Sorting through the internet may be daunting for some, and baby name books come with a hefty price tag. This application provides you with 10,000 names with basic origins and meanings. It also lets you rate and save your favorites. Sounds too mundane? Before my son was born, I kept a log of favorite names and it wasn’t with me when the time came. But my phone was. It’s more of a novelty than anything, though admittedly, quite fun.
Photo by gailjadehamilton via flickr creative commons
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