Five handy apps to knock out multiple tasks

By Brien Posey September 19, 2014, 6:02 AM PDT

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Five handy apps to knock out multiple tasks

Introduction

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the move away from full-featuredrnmobile apps to simpler mobile apps that perform one specific function. Althoughrnsingle-purpose apps do have their place, I am personally a fan of apps that arernmore versatile. That being the case, I thought that it might be fun to writernabout some apps that could be considered to be multipurpose.

My original idea was to focus on tools similar to Jack of Tools, which is a Windows Phone app that includes a compass, level,rnaltimeter, speedometer, GPS, etc. Unfortunately, that type of tool is relativelyrntough to come by, especially if you’re looking for one that works on a varietyrnof mobile platforms. So I decided to focus on useful apps that perform arnvariety of related functions.

Note: This gallery is also available as an article.

Zip Code Tools

You may not need Zip Code Tools on a daily basis, but it provides such a great wealthrnof information I just had to include it in this list. Zip Code Tools allows yournto perform all manner of lookup related to Zip codes. It can answer questionsrnsuch as what are the zip codes in California, what zip code am I in right now,rnwhat is the demographic data for 90210, or how far is it to zip code 40258 (andrnmany, many more). It can even point you toward the nearest post office.

Zip Code Tools

So why do I consider this app to be multipurpose? Well, asrnit turns out, the app can be used for more than just zip codes. You can also dornphone number searches. And you can find area codes by state, find out whom arndialing prefix is registered to, and perform other types of location tracking.

Zip Code Tools is available for free on iOS andrnAndroid devices.

Waze Social GPS

Waze Social GPS is a free multi-function tool that’s a big help forrnthose who have a daily commute. As the name implies, Waze uses real-time datarnfrom other drivers to alert you to traffic problems along your normal route. Ifrna traffic problem does exist, Waze can route you around it. It can also alertrnyou to things like speed traps and road closures.

Waze Social GPS

In addition to automatic routing, Waze can help you to findrnthe cheapest fuel along your route. It’s even smart enough to pick up on otherrndestinations you visit frequently.

And here’s my favorite thing about Waze: If you have a grouprnof friends who are all traveling to a common destination, it can track everyone’srnprogress. You don’t need to worry about texting anyone (they’re probablyrndriving at the moment) to find out if they’ve left yet or when they expect tornarrive. Waze can even work with your Facebook events and your calendar.

Waze Social GPS is available for iOS, Android, andrnWindows Phone.

Trip38 Travel Assistant

Trip38 Travel Assistant also contains information about embassies and offers anrnoption to call a cab. The only thing that could make this app better would bernif it could organize your tickets to local attractions and rental carrnreservations.

Trip38 Travel Assistant is available for iOS,rnAndroid, and Windows Phone.

By Brien Posey

* 1988 - Started teaching myself about computers \ * 1992 - Mainframe programmer for an insurance company \ * 1993 - Network Administrator for a different insurance company \ * 1996 - Author for The Cobb Group \ * 1998 - Network Administrator

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