I was listening to music on Spotify the other day and suddenly thought of how amazing it was that we could now stream music and create playlists on the fly. And these playlists can be accessed through our phones, computers, or any mobile device really! How far we've come since those Napster days! It was then that I decided to blog about apps that've changed my life. Like literally changed the way I've done everyday things. I've come up with 5 that I think are pretty revolutionary:
1. Google Maps - This has changed my entire mindset on driving to foreign places. With it, I am given the route with the least amount of traffic and exactly how long it will take me to get somewhere, depending on the time of day. Another awesome feature worth mentioning is how you're able to enter in any address and be shown a "street view" 360-degree photo of the place in question. SO useful when you are scoping out a place you've never been. I've personally found it handy for checking out companies I have interviews at and looking for nearby parking.
2. Uber/Lyft (and any other ridesharing app out there) - This. Makes. Travelling. So. Much. Less. Anxiety-inducing. If you are stranded and lost with no help in the world except your phone and a wifi connection, you can calmly open up this app and notify a driver in the area that you can see in real-time on the map. Within minutes, he will come and pick you up. The best part is you don't have to take out your wallet at all - when you first set up the app, you put in your credit card info so that after every ride, the app automatically deducts the ride fare from your credit card. Trust me, you will not regret trying this out. The first couple rides are usually free anyways.
3. Pay by Phone - Ok why are all these apps driving-related? This was not planned lol. This app has been so useful due to the fact that I rarely carry change with me anymore. It's just too bulky to carry around. And it alerts you when your time's almost up, at which point you can extend your parking time in the comfort of the restaurant or venue that you're at. Need I say more? It's perfect.
4. Instagram - People who actively use this app know why it's great. I just thought I'd share my personal thoughts on this. It's changed my life in what I shop for, and how I shop. I am exposed to so many local retailers that without Instagram, I would've never come across. I'm made aware of how great a restaurant is, or things that are going on in my city that I might be interested in. And while all this is capable with Facebook, I feel that Instagram is more to the point. I don't have to scroll through albums or read long paragraphs. And best of all, I have snapshots of memories that I can go back to in an instant. There are pros and cons to Instagram but I'm choosing to see it through rose-colored glasses.
5. Spotify - I've saved the best for last. I pay to use this app because I like to listen to music uninterrupted by ads, but it's free to use. In a culture that is addicted to anything instantaneous and convenient, this app is the epitome of those two qualities. What is "downloading" music anymore? Streaming is where it's at. I'm not sure how this is good for artists and the music industry as I wonder how they make money anymore (I guess mainly concerts and tours?) but for an average Jane Doe who needs music in so many instances in life, this app is IT.
Honourable mention: I must mention Google Drive and Docs - being able to access an app through multiple forms of media is a blessing. USB's are no longer needed. You can upload files to your Google Drive, and access it on any computer as long as you have an internet connection. Beautiful. Google Docs is exceptional for group planning and making things editable by everyone in the group. How were group projects done before the birth of Google Docs? I'll never know.
Which apps have changed your life? I'd love to know what I've been missing out on!
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