The 10 iOS Apps You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Use)

Apps keep this mobile world rolling along, and they play a vital role in helping small business owners stay effective and competitive while on the road. With 1.2 million apps in Apple’s iTunes store, there are plenty of unsung heroes—apps that are worth your while, but most likely have escaped your attention.

The following are 10 lesser-known iOS apps that I use regularly, both in my small business as well as for personal reasons. I list them here in alphabetical order.

10 Unsung iOS Apps

GorillaCam

This free camera app combines two great features: (1) a self-timer with countdown notification for selfies or group shots (with your iPhone on a tripod); and (2) a time lapse mode, which lets you take a series of shots one after the other. When you use both features together, you can take an entire series of self-portraits, which is great if you’re taking your own LinkedIn portrait or just goofing around with co-workers or friends. 

PaperKarma

Liberate your mailbox from unwanted catalogs and other junk with this free app. After setting up an account, you can use PaperKarma to snap a photo of the offending mail’s address label. The app’s minions will contact the mailer on your behalf and tell them to nix the junk mailings. You can view the status of your requests within the app, too.

PaperKarma iOS app 

Figure 1: PaperKarma

Postagram

This free app lets you snap a photo or use one from your iOS camera roll and turn it into a postcard that’s sent via snail mail to one or more recipients. It’s an ideal way to send a personalized thank-you card to professional or personal contacts. Example: If you hit it off with a new business contact, you could take a selfie with them, and then send them a thank you Postagram later with the photo. Sending a Postagram costs $1 in the U.S. and $2 outside the U.S., but those prices include postage. And each Postagram includes a pop-out 3 x 3 photo. 

Scout

An excellent GPS app with turn-by-turn directions and it’s yours for free. Among the many features I like is the ability to search for a point of interest while I’m following a route in the app. So if you’re riding along the highway and feel sudden caffeine cravings, you can do a quick search to find the nearest Starbucks and add it to your existing route.

There’s also a Share ETA feature that I love. At the beginning of your route, tap the Share ETA button to quickly send someone an email or text, and the app calculates when they can expect you. Recipients receive a link to let them track your progress, too.

You’ll find plenty of free GPS apps, such as Waze and Google Maps—each with its benefits and drawbacks. Scout is my current favorite because it’s easy to use and gives me good directions.

Scout iOS mobile appp

Figure 2: Scout

Yahoo News Digest iOS app

James A. Martin is a marketing consultant specializing in SEO, social media, mobile apps, and business blogging. Follow him on Twitter and Pinterest.

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