From The Straits Times    |

Whether you swear by your BlackBerry or herald your iPhone as the best thing since sliced bread, we’re pretty sure the apps available for each smartphone are the things that are keeping you tapping. And with thousands of apps to choose from out there, there’s an increasing number that are created specifically for women.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the newest contender in the smartphone lineup. It boasts the same 624 MHz mobile processor as its predecessor, the Bold 9000, but with faster application start and Internet browsing – all sleekly packaged in its sleek satin chrome finished frame coupled with a leatherette back plate.

For the iPhone, the latest offering is its 3GS model. Apps, apps and more apps from the App store are what make up the cool factor of this phone – but watch out for the new 4G version coming soon, it’s got the tech world hyped up.

We’ve got a list of the latest apps you should be checking out, with insight from women BlackBerry and iPhone users, Gwen and Jaclyn respectively.

THE BLACKBERRY APPS:



           

  1. Healthy Recipes – 200k Recipes from SparkRecipes
    Free
    http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3794

    For anyone with a busy schedule but loves healthy home-cooked meals, this app prevents you from getting lazy and just getting take-out night after night. Gwen browses through the thousands of possible recipes on her way home from work, and decides which quick meal she’d like to whip up. Nutritional information like calories and carbs are conveniently listed to help you keep track of your intake.

  2. Gym Technik NextGen
    30 Day Free Trial
    http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3569

    Find out how you’re doing fitness-wise by tracking your workouts and body stats with this training app for the BlackBerry. Gwen uses it to track her progress during her weekly gym workout. Build your own personalized workouts, or select from a wide range of workouts catered to your needs. For first-timers, there is visual and instructional guidance on how exactly to use that machine or body ball.

  3. Foyage
    Free
    http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3680

    Living in a city-suburb such as Singapore means you’re bound to run into jams constantly. Using Foyage however, will give you real-time information on which roads to avoid due to bad traffic. Gwen says that she saves a lot of time using the app’s location-based guides in finding ATMs and restaurants.

  4. iGV
    Free
    http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/5202

    You no longer have to head down to the cinema an hour early to buy tickets or talk to uncompromising automated booking systems when you’re away from the computer. If you’re still undecided whether you’re in the mood for an action film or a chick flick, you can also watch movie trailers with this app.

  5.  

    THE IPHONE APPS:

  1. Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal
    Free
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calorie-counter-diet-tracker/id341232718?mt=8#

    You’ll be able to reach your weight loss goals in no time with the aid of this app. It has an extensive database of over 250,000 foods so you’ll know if the extra heavy lunch you had could be worked off at the gym in the evening. Calories aren’t the only thing being counted – MyFitnessPal also tracks other major nutrients such as fat, protein, carbs, fiber, cholesterol and more. If you find yourself slipping up, get motivated by checking your progress reports or reading up on your fellow MyFitnessPal users’ journeys.

  2. WhosHere by MyRete
    Free
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whoshere/id284973016?mt=8#

    If you’re trying to meet people from outside your circle and Internet dating is giving you poor results, step away from the computer and go outside. While introducing yourself to random cute strangers holds slight stalker connotations, with WhosHere you can find interesting people around the area you’re in – without any obligations. But if someone’s profile does catch your eye, go on and text or call them for a meet up. Mr. Right might just be across the bar or right around the corner! Jaclyn said that she’s currently giving this app a try and so far it looks pretty promising.

  3. SG Malls by Hereing
    Free
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sg-malls-ipod-touch-compatible/id305264988?mt=8

    SG Malls is the essential guide to finding shops and restaurants in Singapore malls. If it slipped your mind whether Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza houses your favourite brand or want to make dinner reservations when you’re out shopping, SG Malls has everything from maps to telephone numbers. One drawback Jaclyn noted is that “updates aren’t terribly frequent”.

  4. iPeriod Free by Winkpass Creations
    Free
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iperiod-free-period-calendar/id340757216?mt=8#

    Ah, to be a woman. We have to take note of exciting events such as our menstrual cycle and all the various ailments that come with it. Labelled discreetly as iP, iPeriod predicts your periods and their average duration, along with your fertile days and ovulation. Additional notes can be made about your moods and symptoms. Jaclyn pointed out that this app would be a real help when planning short holidays, because you can effectively track which dates would be best to avoid.

 

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