The app market is flooded with more than 2 million apps, and new ones debut all the time. We’re all familiar with popular options like Facebook and Google Maps, and there are plenty of pointless apps too. What about little-known apps that provide real value, though? There are some surprising options out there, and we’ve hand-picked 10 of the most notable ones for your convenience.
1. Horizon
Isn’t it annoying when people post videos that were recorded while their smartphones were being held vertically? This cuts off the image and makes the picture look much smaller. If you constantly forget to hold your smartphone vertically while recording a video, this is the app for you. Regardless of how you hold your phone, it records the video in landscape – or horizontal – format.
2. Sleep Cycle Power Nap
All naps aren’t created equal. Research shows that a short, quick nap – or power nap – is far more refreshing than a long sleep during the middle of the day. This app helps you avoid oversleeping by playing a gentle alarm when the appropriate length of time has passed. Handily enough, it also includes a recovery nap mode and a single sleep cycle mode that lets you go through one full sleep cycle so you don’t wake up in the middle of REM sleep.
3. PaperKarma
Today it’s easy enough to keep spam out of your email inbox. What about the paper junk mail that fills your real mailbox, though? There’s finally an app for that! With PaperKarma, you just snap a photo of whatever unwanted mail you receive. As long as it’s addressed directly to you, the app will automatically contact whoever sent it to have you removed from their list. The best part is that it really works.
4. Nu Skin TR90
If you want to manage your weight better this is the app for you. It not only helps you track of your waistline, it lets you track your food intake and record your exercise activities too. In one swoop, you can keep track of your most important health-related tasks to stay as fit and healthy as you can be.
5. Sleep Talk Recorder
Ever been told you talk in your sleep? Not convinced? Give this incredible app a whirl. It only triggers when sound is detected, so you don’t have to play back an entire, night-long recording. You’re sure to be amazed and surprised by the things you say while you’re fast asleep.
6. Action Movie FX
This fun app lets you add cool special effects to your videos as you record them. From missile strikes to car crashes, it lets you quickly and easily add a little more excitement to any video you record with your smartphone. For a minimal extra fee, you can download a huge array of additional effects too.
7. Any.Do
Stop jotting your to-do lists onto paper. With Any.Do, everything you need to take care of is right there in front of you. In fact, its “Moment” feature shows you at a glance what needs to be handled in the immediate future. You can finally get rid of that nagging feeling that you’re forgetting something important by using this app.
8. RunPee
Nothing is worse than missing a crucial part of a movie because you have to go use the bathroom. Thanks to RunPee, you never have to worry about this anymore. Just turn on the app when the movie starts, tell it which movie you’re watching and it will alert you to the optimal times to go.
9. Venmo
Make share payments with just about anyone for free with this clever app. You can also send requests for payments from practically anyone. Quick and easy to use, this app is sure to become one of your favorites in no time.
10. Walk Up Alarm Clock
Tired of oversleeping from hitting snooze again and again? This app will change your life. Once the alarm sounds, it won’t stop until you’ve walked at least 10 steps. You can adjust the number of steps to up to 100, so it’s sure to work no matter how deep a sleeper you are.
11. RadarScope
If you want to see what’s really happening with the weather this app will provide you with the best and most up-to-date radar views of the world around you. If you want to read what the weatherman reads, this is it. If you’re an enthusiast about the weather, this app is for you.
12. Tunein Radio
Have access to over 100,000 radio stations, including all of the sports stations in the world and listen to how your favorite team is doing. This is not only the ultimate sports lovers app, but it’s the ultimate music lovers app, too.
13. SafeTrek
At certain moments in your life you may feel like your life is at risk. It can be walking to your car late at night, or even just being in the wrong part of town at the wrong time. With SafeTrek all you have to do is press a button that says, “Hold until safe” and if something happens just let go of your phone and it will call the police automatically and notify them where you are. This app is better than pepper spray and it has been receiving 5 stars across the board. It’s considered one of the best safety apps.
14. Qwiki
Do you have a newborn? Chances are you’re taking a ton of photos. Qwiki helps you pick out the best pics. After all you don’t want to post every photo, then your friends get slightly annoyed.
15. Countdown +
Exciting events come all of the time in life. If you want to keep track of them and count down to them, this is the perfect app for you.
After downloading these apps, you’re sure to agree that they’re among the cleverest little-known apps you’ve ever used.
Featured photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons via flickr.com
