The 1st app of Christmas that Sonja Thompson
gave to you is a shopping app called Grocery iQ.

In the spirit of the holidays, we thought we’d create a
smartphone series based on a popular Christmas song. The 12 Days of Christmas starts on Christmas Day, but our 12 Apps of Christmas begins today, and we’ll continue to post one app per day, leading all the way up to the holiday. However you celebrate this season, and whatever device you own (or platform that it runs on), we hope
that you find some gems over the next 12 days — as these are the apps that the
TechRepublic’s editorial staff and bloggers actually use and feel passionate
enough to write about.

For those of you who know me, it should come as no surprise
that my all-time favorite app is Grocery iQ. I’m a foodie, and I use it more
than any other app on my Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD. You can download it on
your PC, Android
device, or iPhone/iPad.
The best part is that it’s absolutely free.

Here are some of Grocery iQ’s features:

  • Auto-suggest
  • Favorites & history
  • Organize items by aisle
  • Add item details
  • Print or email coupons
  • Email list
  • List synchronization

The ability to synchronize lists across multiple devices and
share lists with other users is what makes Grocery iQ especially useful in my
household. If you check “milk” off the list and then sync the update, you can
finally avoid duplicate shopping efforts and having to make room for two
gallons of milk in your refrigerator. Likewise, if you’re at the store,
checking off items on the list as you place them in the cart, you’re able to
immediately receive new entries from other users you share a list with. That
certainly helps avoid holiday disasters, like finding out after you’ve already
gotten home that you’re running low on peppermint mocha coffee creamer.

I used to make actual grocery lists, with a pen and a piece
of paper, but Grocery iQ has simplified my shopping life with this one little
app. Don’t wait to find this app in your stocking. Download it on your device
today, and see if it doesn’t immediately become one of your main go-to apps.