Evernote

Write notes of all types, from short lists to lengthy research, and access them on any device. Also, collect Web articles, handwritten notes and photos to keep all the details in one place.

Kricket

Kricket is a map-based social network that allows users to post comments, emojis and more in their current location anonymously. Meant for public political discussion while remaining anonymous, each message or emoji lasts 24 hours, then is erased from the map forever.

Selfish - Selfy Camera

How bad are you at taking selfies? Real bad? Well, this app will save you and take the pictures using one of three automatic modes to choose from: Face Detection, Self-Timer and Voice Command. It worked for the fish, so ...

Google Maps

The Google Maps app has comprehensive maps in more than 200 countries and includes a voice-guided GPS navigation and live traffic conditions. It's free in iTunes and the Google Play store.

Star Wars Card Trader

Topps, the famous sports card company, continues its digital expansion with Star Wars Card Trader. Collect and trade more than 1,000 Star Wars digital cards, including your favorite characters. You'll be able to take your digital cards everywhere you go.

Kingdom Rush Origins

The addicting tower defense game has returned with a new adventure, Kingdom Rush Origins. The $2.99 game is part of the Kingdom Rush series, which has collected all sorts of accolades, including the CNET Editor's Choice Award, Apple's Editor's Choice Award and a Pocket Gamer Gold Award.

Miss Hollywood Showtime - Pet House Makeover

Miss Hollywood and her friends live in an animal shelter that has gotten a bit run down. But a little creativity could solve that problem. The young children's game is free, but includes in-game purchase opportunities.

Facebook Messenger

If you're on Facebook -- and nearly everyone is on the social media behemoth -- the Messenger app has become its companion. If you're sending private messages back and forth to your friends via mobile or tablet, you will want this app.

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Highball

Collect and share ****tail recipes with this unique beverage app from Studio Neat. Import recipes or create your own to share with friends.

2048

The fun and addictive math-puzzle game is simple to use and will challenge your abilities. Swipe to move the tiles, when two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one. When a 2048 tile is created, the player wins. Before you know it, you'll be muttering 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 around the house.

FIFA Weekly

The FIFA Weekly app is fairly new and is getting solid reviews. It offers soccer, er, football, fans a blend of the most up-to-date news from throughout the world of the sport.

GasBuddy

Join more than 40 million drivers who are saving money every time they fill up by using GasBuddy. The app helps you find the cheapest gas near you.

R.B.I. Baseball '15

Glad it's baseball season? If so, play baseball on authentic ballparks and modify your lineup with Major League Baseball rosters. There are all sorts of modes and difficulty levels as well. Please note, this game is only compatible with newer mobile devices and tablets, so please check before downloading and paying its $4.99 price.

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio lets you listen online to the best live radio, sports, news, NPR, podcast, and streaming music stations based on your favorite artists and songs. The app is also great for streaming live AM and FM radio.

Retail Me Not

For the compulsive coupon shopper, Retail Me Not allows you to redeem coupons directly from the app, see a map of the best deals nearby and curate a list of your favorite sales and stores.

JellyKing

In JellyKing: Rule the World, your goal is to help Jelly bounce through mazes. The game is simple ... touch and hold down to move your jelly. Just remember, if he doesn't get to rule the world, it's on you.

Meerkat

Want to give a live broadcast to all of your Twitter followers on the go? Meerkat allows you to be your own television station and broadcast whatever you're doing in real time.

LinkedIn Job Search

Along with the main LinkedIn app, this app helps you find career opportunities wherever you want with location-based search, while getting automatic recommendations and notifications based on your job searches. A user can also apply to jobs directly from the app.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual bookmarking tool that helps you discover and save creative ideas. You can use the social site to plan trips, plan improvement projects or share recipes.

Disney Movies Everywhere

With Disney Movies Anywhere, you can watch your Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies anywhere you go. The app includes exclusive videos and special offers. With Disney planning another Frozen movie, it could make sense to get used to this app now.

Crossy Road

Crossy Road is an adorable, free game from Yodo1 Games. How did the chicken cross the road? Very carefully. The game will remind you of Frogger, and it's as much fun.

Waze

Waze is a community-based traffic and navigation app. Join drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info to save time and gas money and improve daily commuting for all. It's a free app.

Netflix

Netflix is a popular subscription service for watching TV series and movies, including on your phone. This Netflix mobile application delivers the best experience anywhere, anytime. Get the free app as a part of your Netflix membership and you can instantly watch thousands of TV episodes and movies on your phone.

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Zite

Zite is a free app that provides articles tailored to your interests. Just like Pandora's music site, Zite caters to readers' preferences: You get more of what you like across countless categories.

YouTube Kids

Google recently launched the YouTube Kids app, which is loaded with age-appropriate videos, channels, and playlists. YouTube Kids features popular children's programming, plus kid-friendly content from filmmakers, teachers and creators.

Weather Whiskers

There are plenty of weather apps, but how many are dedicated to cats? Yeah, you read that right. Cats. This kitty-themed weather app includes current updates and ... a four-day Furrcast. The app is free on Google Play and Apple's App Store.

Zoobe

The Zoobe messaging app is fun for the whole family. Send animated video messages to loved ones and celebrate things like birthdays, weddings and graduations with an all-star 3-D character cast: Paddington, Om Nom from Cut the Rope, Papa Smurf as well as Grouchy Smurf and Smurfette from The Smurfs. The app will make you smile, and it's free on Google Play and Apple's App Store.

White Noise

Do you struggle to fall asleep because of outside noise? Are hotels too loud? White Noise has a large catalog of sounds that help block out distractions. The looped sounds include rainfall, crashing waves, a train ride or water dripping. The app is $1.99 on Google Play and Apple's App Store.

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Charades!

The classic party game gets an electronic makeover with this app that will keep you hopping. A player puts the phone to his or her forehead, where a word or title is displayed. Team members yell out hints or are prompted to physically act out clues. Cards are in decks grouped by several themes, including trivia, TV shows and dance moves. There are several apps using the name "Charades," but the one tested here is from developer FatChicken Studios. The Charades! app is free on iOS and Android.

Flashlight

Whether you've lost power due to a storm or you're walking on a dark street, this handy app turns your camera flash into a small but power emergency light source. It's free for iPhone and Android.

Longform Stories

A solid app that features free longform articles, magazine articles, feature stories and more.

The Weather Channel

The simple-to-use and popular app allows you to check today's forecast, or take a look at the long-term forecast. The app is free in the Google Play and iTunes stores.

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock is 99 cents in the App Store and Google Play, and it may be worth the money if you're struggling with daylight savings time. The "smart" alarm clock tries to sense when you are in a light sleep phase before it sounds. How does it work? Don't question that, because with one less hour of sleep, you might need all the help you could get.

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Spotify

With Spotify, you have access to artists and albums, or you can create a playlist of your favorite songs. Want to discover new music? Choose a ready-made playlist that suits your mood or get personalized recommendations. Listen for free on mobile, or use the subscription service to listen to any song available on Spotify, anytime.

Hulu

Many popular shows are available the day after they air with the Hulu app. If you subscribe to Hulu Plus, you can watch more than 100,000 episodes of TV, including current episodes and full seasons. Also, enjoy current and previous seasons of reality shows such as Top Chef.

Star Walk

This app costs $2.99 in the iTunes or Google Play store, but it turns your new phone into a mini planetarium. It's an interactive star chart in the night sky, following your movement in real time. Go outside, point the phone in the direction of your view, and be prepared to be amazed. Isn't science fun?

Kindle App

Turn your smartphone into a Kindle by downloading this app. Any book or magazine you've purchased on a Kindle will now be in your pocket.

Shazam

Shazam is a great way to identify songs and other entertainment. In seconds you'll know the name of any song, or more about what you're watching -- tap Shazam to start your journey. Never again will you think, "I wish I knew the name of that song."

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Yelp

Whether you are looking for an open pizzeria or a coffee shop nearby, Yelp is your local guide to finding just the place to eat, shop, drink, relax and play. You can discover local businesses, search for nearby restaurants, shops and services and filter results by neighborhood, distance, rating, price and what's open now.

YouTube

Get the official YouTube app for Android and Apple phones and tablets. See what the world is watching, subscribe to channels, share with friends and watch on any device.

Find my iPhone

This Mac and iOS application is a solid safety blanket. If you misplace your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, iCloud can help you figure out where it is.

Words with Friends

New Words With Friends is a free social word game where your skills are tested. Find the best opponent for you by browsing players' profiles in Community Match, or sharpen your skills anytime and anywhere with offline Solo Play.

MLB.com At Bat

It's the off-season, but stay connected to the latest Hot Stove breaking news or relive the excitement from 2014 with what many call the top sports app of all-time, At Bat. If you're not a baseball fan, download it anyway, just to see how a super sports app should work.

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Map My Run

Track pace, distance, calories and time with audio alerts. For a runner, this is a key app.

Flappy Nyan

Wondering if it's possible to play games on your new phone? Of course it is, but start with something easy. Flappy Nyan, free in the iTunes and Google Play stores, is a fun, simple game. Have fun. Before you know it, your entire phone will be filled with games.

Sudoku

If math puzzles are your thing -- of course they are -- there are a few worthwhile free Soduku games, including Super Sudoku. Take a look at the iTunes or Google Play stores to see which one you like best.

Minecraft - Pocket Edition

This is a more complex game, and it may be a bit much for most new smartphone users. But if you have kids, this app, which costs $6.99, will keep them busy for hours. The Pocket Edition includes survival and creative modes.