There are currently more than 9 million registered app developers, submitting more than 1,000 apps a day to the Apple Store (including several Noodle Live event apps). Consumers download around 800 apps per second. Not bad for a service that launched less than 10 years ago. 2015 was the year that apps ended their love affair with the smartphone and admitted they were looking for an open relationship. TVs and Watches didn’t waste much time inviting them over for a Netflix and Chill.
Apple’s Top 5
With so many apps on offer, how do you know what you need and what you don’t? To help out, Apple release a list of their top hand-picked apps every year. Here’s what they picked in 2015:
1. Periscope
Well that’s a surprise! Oh no wait, we got confused, it’s actually not surprising at all. No list of 2015’s best apps would complete without a reference to live streaming app Periscope.
What is it?
It’s owned by Twitter and was launched in March to huge approval from social media fans everywhere. It’s an easy-to-use app that allows you to broadcast skype-style to your network so that they can follow what you are up to.
Useful App for EventProfs?
Yes, it can be.
How should I use it?
EventProfs spend a lot of time out and about so this could be a great way to connect with your social media community and let them know where you are what you are up to. It’s also a great tool for expanding the impact of your event to the online community or sending out teasers to your guests before they arrive.
Download for iOS
Download for Android
2. Enlight
There are so many photo editing apps on the app store that you could probably successfully turn a photo of Donald Trump into the Mona Lisa if you tried hard enough. Despite the fierce competition this photo editing app has managed to stand out even in that dense crowd.
What is it?
It’s a powerful photo editor that goes way beyond simple filters and touch-ups. Using Enlight you can zoom in for high quality touch-ups at a pixel level, you can crop, add text, alter the framing, add perspective or even refit.
Useful for EventProfs?
Yes.
How should I use it?
At £2.99 it’s worth asking your events team and social media managers to download it and have it ready to add value and style to images on the go. Whilst at an event you can add text captions, your company logo or stylish backgrounds to any images you send out over social media. This is a great tool to help you avoid dull or dreary event photos. You could also purchase it as a gift for all delegates and encourage them to play with it at your event, which would help to generate more photos and hopefully more social shares.
3. Robinhood
One for the rebels and mischief-makers who want to shake up the status-quo of banking and investing.
What is it?
An investment app for people who don’t really understand investment. The best thing about it it’s totally free and they don’t charge you anything for the trades you make. Currently it is only available on Google Play in the UK and on iOS in the US. It’s one to watch in 2016 as it is expected to move to international markets.
Useful for EventProfs?
Not unless you’re planning on moonlighting as an investor.
4. Workflow
The only productivity app to make it to the final 5.
What is it?
Workflow creates custom actions to help you achieve the tasks you complete most often. It is super easy to use and can create task chains that allow you to tell your phone how to help get things done quickly. For example you can tell it to tweet an update about songs you have been listening to, create an email containing addresses for every meeting you have today or call an Uber directly to the meeting address without re-inputting it.
Useful App for EventProfs?
Only for those EventProfs who get super busy and need to save time and maintain efficiency. So, all of you.
How should I use it?
Spend some initial set-up time creating short cuts for the actions that you complete most often and you will save a lot of time in future.
5. Instagram
No surprises here then.
What is it?
Unless you’ve been living in Second Life you will probably already know that Instagram is a huge social media phenomenon that allows you to share photo updates with anyone who follows your account.
Useful for EventProfs?
Absolutely.
How should I use it?
Encourage delegates at your events to take and share photos using a specific hashtag. You can set up live streaming displays that will show the pictures being uploaded. Instagram can also be great for promoting events to your network or your client’s network. Create a beautiful image with a simple headline introducing the event and include a link to more information in the text.
Download for iOS
Download for Android
Team Noodle’s Favourite Apps
Ditto to everything Apple said. Plus some of this:
Jess’ Favourite: Xero App
“I love the Xero app because it makes previously tedious tasks super easy. Submitting my expenses used to be a headache each month and now I can do it in moments using their beautiful shiny app.”
What is it?
The companion to Xero’s popular cloud accounting and bookkeeping service for small businesses. It allows you to manage all aspects of your finances including reconciling accounts, sending invoices, creating expense claims and recording receipts.
Useful App for EventProfs?
Yes. It could really help you to keep up to date with your cash flow and spending.
Download for iOS
Download for Android
Clemi’s favourite: Bands in Town
“At work, it’s all Noodle event apps but for my downtime I love listening to live music. This app alerts me when my Spotify favourites release tickets.”
What is it?
The app will send you an email, push notification or Facebook update when your favourite bands are coming to town or when tickets are going on sale. It saves you hunting through event listings and prevents you from missing out when your band is in town.
Useful for EventProfs?
If you work with live music then yes, absolutely. You can upload details of upcoming shows and events to inform fans that they need to buy tickets.
Download for Android
Download for iOS
Giles favourite: Duolingo
“It’s fantastic for learning all manner of foreign languages, plus, you’re helping translate the internet as you do so! I’ve been learning Danish for the last few months.”
What is it?
One of the best apps for learning a new language. More than 70 million people use Duolingo to pick up language skills, including Bill Gates. The app builds up challenges slowly, allowing time for your brain to digest new information and grasp new concepts.
Useful for EventProfs?
Perfect if you work internationally.
Download for iOS
Download for Android
Team Favourite: Be My Eyes
We featured this on our Noodle Live blog back in May.
What is it?
It connects blind people with volunteer helpers from around the world via live video chat. When a blind person is in need of assistance they can request it using the app. A sighted person can then connect with them via video to complete tasks such as reading expiry dates or navigating new surroundings.
Useful for EventProfs?
This app is really clever, but we can’t see it adding much value for EventProfs or being incorporated into any event apps.
Team Favourite: Recho
We wrote about this one on our blog in November.
What is it?
The app that allows people to leave auditory stories in specific geo-locations. Other users with the app can pick them up and listen in when they are passing by. It can be used around the world to leave recordings that fall under the categories of ‘story, moment, guide, tip, game, music or other’.
Useful App for EventProfs?
It has huge potential for creative ideas and uses at events. There is a pro feature that allows you to record sounds and geo-locate them anywhere using a map, so you can set out trails or populate a chosen area with ease. You can also brand the events app and access user statistics to see how many people are listening to your content.
What were your favourite apps of the year? Tweet us @NoodleLive to let us know. Interested in finding out more about event technology and event apps? The team at Noodle Towers love to chat and will never use pushy sales tactics. Book one of our free workshops to learn more about what we offer and how it could benefit your events.
