We at MacTribe often hear from you about how much you love our regular App Spotlights. But also you have frequently requested that we assemble the best free apps out there to try. Wellwithout any more delay readers, here we are with the best new, no cost, apps for your iPhone. We've tested and researched the latest in media, personal interest, entertainment and productivity apps to make sure the time you spend on your devices is quality, and trust us, we've lined up some real winners. Whether you're looking to get work done, travel, or just create the world's best cup of coffee we've got something here for you.
Coast to CoastIn the mid 90's, radio DJ Art Bell went on the air with a groundbreaking radio show called Coast to Coast that delved deeply into esoteric subjects like psychic phenomena, UFO abductions, government cover-ups, secret societies, ghosts and other paranormal goodies that made the hit series the X-Files seem like Sesame Street. When George Noory took over the reins of the show in 2003, it became even more popular and fascinating and now includes such topics as the Illuminati world government, time travel, crop circles, past life regressions and more. Noory has now succeeded in taking the show one step further than his revered predecessor, who still makes an occasional appearance along with Las Vegas TV news reporter George Knapp who pioneered investigative journalism into Area 51, the mysterious off limits Air Force Base where the military develops secret weapons and aircraft.
The guest list frequently includes such alternative luminaries as Whitley Strieber, Deepak Chopra, Graham Hancock, Jaques Vallee, Wayne, Dyer, Linda Moulton Howe, Stanton Friedman, Buzz Aldrin, Gregg Braden and more. Sometimes you will even find celebrity guests such as actor Dan Aykroyd, director James Cameron, director Peter Bogdonavich, and actress Daryl Hannah spilling their beans about various unorthodox beliefs they hold or they may even be sharing true life ghost stories.
The app gives you the ability to listen to and download current and previous shows; it also provides headlines from the Coast to Coast Website and even has a basic alien abduction game that is sure to amuse. The app is free, however, the show requires a subscription fee of just $6.95 per month to hear the programs, including the live show which airs from 1am to 5am EST. In terms of entertainment and information combined you will be hard pressed to find a more stimulating app. Furthermore, you can start to get your remote viewing skills working just in time for 2012.
www.coasttocoastam.comPandora Radio
Multi-tasking complaints aside, this is one of the best free apps ever. Period. It works just like the web version, and if you choose to sign in it'll import the stations you've already created. We love listening to music, and when our friends get sick of hearing us say "Please, you know what I like, just make me one more playlist, I need some new stuff" this is a sure-fire way to pick up some new artists without getting stuck in one genre. Actually, we're going to pull this app up right now.
NPR National Public Radio's iPhone app is one of our news favorites so far -- the app really delivers on content and makes your iPhone your new radio. News, arts, music and lifestyle stories get equal coverage and you can even search for your local (or favorite) NPR station for on-demand streams. Also, NPR iPhone app gives you the ability to share stories over e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook. User reviews agree--this is the news app to download. For the other guys, stick with Safari. Fluent News Both The New York Times and CNET have names this aggregator "App of the week," and who are we to argue? Customizable with three sections defined by keyword searches you can go as high brow as you like...or give in and get all the TMZ you're craving. Options abound: pick Top News for a broad selection of filter for technology, celebrity and all the other good stuff out there. It's quick, easy and keeps you informed--articles are even available without an internet connection, crucial for those morning commutes by train or subway.
Fwix
Fwix is the idea app for newshounds on the go. This new application allows you to access the local news and blogs as well as report anything newsworthy that you see on the streets. The reporting feature, however, requires that you have at least 2G on your iPod touch or iPhone. Connect to Facebook, sign in to Twitter, and generally stay updated to the minute with what's going on in your city whether it's good, bad or ugly! The cool map interface also allows you to see thumbtacks where events have occurred and shows you where upcoming entertainment options like shows and music are set to occur.
ZipcarGetting into a Zipcar has never been easier with the advent of their new, free iPhone app. Not only can you use it to reserve a car and find your preferred model with Locations, the app allows you to compare rates, view models and specifications of the cars you're considering, and contact Member Services in the event you need to extend your reservation or report damage. Probably the coolest part of the app though is being able to honk the horn, lock and unlock the doors using only your phone...we're a sucker for the small things.
Carticipate
If you're too far from work (or, let's face it, unwilling) to bike, you can still make a stand for cleaner air by using carticipate. The network of users is still growing, but it works like this: you plug where you're headed and when you're going and post it, then the app matches you with people with the same idea. It's also available on Facebook for a wider rideshare pool and you can even tweet your ride to find passengers.
Google Mobile
We know, we know...Google is shaping up to Apple's arch rival. But until war is declared and we have to choose sides, we're going to keep using Google Mobile on our iPhones. Linking you vertically through Google, Google Maps, Images, News and Shopping, this app uses Locations automatically and lets you do voice searches...which is probably the most intuitive thing we've ever heard. Speak your search into your cell phone? Of course we will.
Apple Store AppWe often think that if the only news we had was from the Apple Store we'd be totally fine. Staying on the cutting edge is important for fanboys and girls everywhere; after all, we pride ourselves on it! Now you can indulge all of your rumormongering and impulse buys in one easy click, and we're sure going to be poorer for the access. It's so much easier to use than going to the Apple Store site and the app is designed incredibly well: any surprises there?
Starbucks: Version 1.5Starbucks has been gaining more brownie points from the tech savvy crowd since they added free wifi earlier this year. The new app includes an easy to use store locator, very useful under certain time pressure circumstances when you've spotted that enormous out-the-door line and panic sets in. The drink builder feature is essential for you to create that perfect intellectual muse: the extra, extra dry non-fat cappuccino or the truly uptight, yet always rewarding, venti decaf caramel macchiato.
SkypeAlthough it seems like a no-brainer, we thought we'd give the Skype App a little love considering that this is the last year 3G calls are going to be free! A "small monthly fee" will be charged for 3G Skype-to-Skype calls starting in 2011, so start calling your neglected international friends and relatives...and maybe your national on...and take advantage! Call, IM or video chat with your buddies wherever they may be with the gold standard in VoIP before the charges start.
Personal AssistantThis PageOnce app accomplishes several things at one time: it tracks your spending from multiple accounts, tallies your airline miles and and cell phone minutes and allows you to keep tabs on your itineraries...and lets you tell people you need to check with your Personal Assistant. Excellent. This app has won tons of awards and really delivers the content in an easy to use interface, so no more excuses--with this app in your arsenal you'll have no choice but to stay on top of your stuff.
DropboxEver wish you had a few extra gigabytes of cloud storage space hanging around so you could transfer data seamlessly from your iPhone to your laptop? Apparently a few other people had the same wish, and Dropbox was born. If you have multiple iTunes accounts and just want to bypass the hassle of syncing, pop your pictures, videos, documents or presentations in the Dropbox on your phone to access it from any other computer or device with an internet connection. We've taken to installing the app on anything we get our hands on...because you just never know when you're going to need those files!
YowzaIf you thought that your commitment to saving paper meant your coupon-ing days were over, we've got great news: your iPhone can fix it so saving the earth doesn't mean losing money. With the Yowza app you use locations to identify Yowza sourced deals in your area and up to fifteen miles away for anything from groceries to pilates to dinners. Then visit the merchant, make your purchase and show the cashier your iPhone with the discount barcode--they'll scan and you'll save. These are not internet coupons, and the folks at Yowza worked hard to get merchants on board for the deals...we honestly can't believe it's free.
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Apple 2011
Apple is approximately 20% of the Nasdaq index and therefore is the market, so as the indices of the US markets move, so does Apple. This could be a vicious circle or virtuous circle depending on your point of view, but no matter how much circularity there is in a boom or a bubble it can't hope to keep things going indefinitely. But the first law of investing is: "don't fight the tape" and Apple's progress is fantastically strong. While the value of the company is huge, the P/E, a measure of value as a ratio of profits, is almost reasonable at 22. That is to say Apple's share price is mighty but so are its profits. At $335 Apple is still 20% away from overtaking Exxon as the top dog of US industry so you can imagine there is still further upside.
Apple 400?
With the market in a strong bull phase and the Apple magic still strong, a bear like me needs to stay in the woods until further notice, grumbling that it will all come to a sticky end soon enough. Will we see $400 a share? With the current market running hot and Apple in new high territory and the darling of the market, only a fool would bet against it. However that is not a reason to bet on it either.
Apple Market Report
Everyone's taking a tilt at Apple. If it's not a never-ending stream of iPhone clones, it's a wave of iPad look-a-likes. You'd have thought that would be enough to pull Apple's stock price down. Not a bit of it. Apple's stock has made a very strong move towards new highs after a nasty dip which would have shaken the resolve of even the bravest investor.
Since late August the stock has shot up 15%. The overall market has done pretty well and the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which Apple is part of, has done even better. Yet even still Apple has flown up even further with little apparent resistance.
Apple is still leagues ahead of its competition and it could simply be that now the market has had a look at the me-too emulators they are re-assured of Apple supremacy for quite some time. However, Apple's valuation remains lofty and for now - at least - it is trading in the $240-$280 price channel it's been stuck in for six months. Can it break out and head into the $300-$400 range? The strength of its recent rally suggests yes, its medium-term channel of trading says no. The way I look at it is Apple has gone up 500% in the last five years; it's unlikely to go up 50% from here, ever. As such, a long-term investor doesn't really need to even look. Within 10 or 20%, this is the highest Apple is ever going to get. Do you have the answer? Tell us on Twitter!
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