Best app for new homeowners
Angi (iOS, Android)
Angi launched in March 2021, but it may be familiar to some. Formerly known as Angie's List or HomeAdvisor, the app connects people with local contractors and home services such as plumbing, landscaping, and electrical work. Shopping for contractors is an absolute pain, but Angi makes the process just a little bit easier, and lets you see real reviews and ratings from professionals in your area. The quotes are free to you, but keep in mind that Angi charges contractors every time they bid on a project.
Best app for rejecting algorithms and putting your faith in human DJs
KCRW (iOS, Android)
Every city thinks its local radio station is the best in the world. But L.A. locals might be right. KCRW DJs spotlight both local and international artists, play live shows, and serve as music supervisors for movies and TV shows.
Luckily, anyone around the world can listen to KCRW programming for free with the station's app. What does that get you? The KCRW app features the excellent "Eclectic 24" channel. As the DJs note on air, this is curated by humans, not algorithms — and therefore isn't influenced by money from record labels.
The app has been around for a while, but as of this spring, it became compatible with Apple CarPlay.
Best app for scanning documents
Stack (Android)
Does anyone of a certain (younger) age even own a home printer/scanner anymore? The good ones cost way too much to justify the rare usage and the cheap ones are, well, cheap and prone to breaking down.
Best app for taking a break from your phone
Forest (iOS, Android)
An oldie but a goodie, Forest — which helps people become less dependent on their phones — remains my favorite productivity app. Set a desired number of minutes you want to focus, and Forest will lock your phone screen while a virtual tree grows in your app. When the tree grows to completion you can use your device again, and you’ll earn coins that you can save and use to plant real trees in Africa, thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit Trees for the Future.
Best app for getting some rest
White Noise Lite (iOS, Android)
White Noise Lite is the only app that's never let me down. It isn't new, but it's literally the only app I could not live without. Quite simply, it plays white noises — for me a fake AC — that drown out outside sounds to aid sleep. The app has been a godsend during a strange year, during which good rest was tough to come by. If you're a light sleeper, it’s an amazing, simple tool to get a better night's sleep.
Best app for practicing self-care
Aloe Bud (iOS)
I've been using Aloe Bud since 2018, and it's the only app that makes practicing self-care feel like less of a chore. It allows you to set daily reminders to stay hydrated, fuel up with a snack, move your body, and more, and encourages you to check-in via your personal dashboard whenever you complete an activity.
