By When you think of problem-solving apps, the first that come to mind are probably apps like Lumosity and Sudoku World.
But we’re not here to talk about ways to stretch your mental muscles. Instead, we’re going to cover which apps can actually help you to solve everyday problems like finding a lost phone, protecting yourself against cybercrime and locating crucial facilities in a hurry. Check out the best problem-solving apps to help with everyday life below!
Forest
It’s easy to get swept up into the realms of social media and never-ending YouTube binges. It’s even more tempting to pick up your phone when you’re trying to focus – whether you’re at work, trying to study, or out with friends. So to help keep your mind on the task at hand and to stop yourself from spending too much time on your phone, Forest lets you plant a virtual tree that will only grow if you leave your phone alone.
The goal is to grow enough trees to create your own blossoming forest. To do this, you’ll need to leave the app open and refrain from switching to any other apps on your phone. The longer you can last without using your phone, the more trees you will grow! But if you do leave the app and use your device while trying to grow a tree, it will die.
This app is great for phone-addicts and procrastinators alike. Plus, every time you spend the virtual coins you earn in Forest through planting real trees, the Forest team sends a donation to Trees for the Future to plant real trees on Earth.
Document scanners
If your job includes a lot of online paperwork, organising and documenting, document scan and send apps are a must-have. In their simplest form, these types of apps allow you to scan documents into your phone and convert them to PDF format. From receipts and sketches to business cards and handwritten notes, turn all your documents into digital files effortlessly.
You can then send documents via email, save them to your device, and you can even print copies if needs be. If you own multiple devices, you can also sync your documents so you can access them whenever and wherever you are. Popular choices include Adobe Scan, CamScanner, Scanbot and Genius Scan.
Flush
Navigating your way around an unfamiliar place can be difficult enough. But not knowing where the nearest toilets are when you really need to go can be frustrating, and asking random members of the public can be awkward to say the least. So, to avoid embarrassment and discomfort, you could try out a handy app called Flush which locates the nearest toilets using your mobile’s GPS.
Flush contains locations to more than 190,000 bathrooms across the globe and offers you directions and extra information on each one. This includes whether the WC has disabled access, a fee for usage or requires a key. The app also allows you to view other user’s reviews and add your own. Flush is free to download and there are no in-app purchases either, so you can pee for free!
VPN apps
Whether you’re trying to find cheaper flights, bypass geo-restrictions or securely access your online banking profile, there are plenty of reasons why having a VPN app installed on your phone can come in handy.
A VPN, which means ‘virtual private network’, allows you to browse the internet anonymously and securely by encrypting the connection between your mobile and the internet. By using a VPN, you can turn any public connection into one that is safe and secure – allowing you to securely access your online bank account even when you’re connected to your local café’s public WiFi, for example.
Downloading and using a VPN app can also help you get cheaper flights and hotels. Put simply, they allow you to set your device’s IP address to one from another country, and as airlines often offer cheaper flights to lower-income countries and/or the country they’re based in, this allows you to see the prices offered elsewhere in the world.
Even though it appears as if you’re browsing in Ethiopia when you’re actually searching in the US for example, you’ll still be able to book flights or hotels from your chosen departure point. By doing this, you’ll be able to find cheaper deals on tickets and hotel bookings.
Tab
Going out for a meal with a group of friends is great fun, but the most stressful part of the event – apart from deciding which dessert you’re going to have – is without a doubt, the bill. Trying to split up the bill between everyone can be difficult and time-consuming – which is where Tab comes in to save the day.
Tab allows you to take a picture of your receipt, and then the app automatically detects all the items and prices. You can then select which items each person ordered or, if your friends also have the Tab app downloaded, can join onto the bill and select their own items. This enables the entire group to see what they owe in an easy and effective manner. Plus, if it’s someone’s birthday and you want to treat them, you can split their total evenly among everyone else. Check out our article for more of the best bill-splitting apps.
Whether you want to better your focus by planting a few virtual trees or you need to find the loo in an unfamiliar location, there are plenty of practical apps out there that are as great for solving problems as they are fun.
Is there a problem-solving app that you’ve come across which isn’t on our list?
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