Every week we pull six apps to share with KGO Radio and the Ronn Owens show. Sometime, they’re apps we love, or just love to talk about because they’re newsy, controversial, or just plain wacky. Here are six of our favorites this week, for a variety of reasons.
I was cycling this past weekend with a friend along in the Oakland hills and came across a place where someone had dumped a bunch of old furniture and trash along Skyline. She showed me the SeeClickFix app. It’s a free app – and they have them specific to San Francisco, Marin, San Jose, Oakland – most neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area. Whenever you see a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood you can type it up – submit a service request to local government and then track the response and add-in any other messages or notes until it’s fixed if you want.
2. 5calls
A lot of people are wanting to make calls to representatives right now. This app helps you do it. 5 Calls uses your location to find your local representative, then gives you phone numbers and scripts, plus a background on why each issue is important so you can judge how important each one is to you. It also keeps track of who you’ve called about each issue so you can make your way down the list.
Okay, those are my two serious-ish ones. Now for some fun.
Take a photo or choose from your photo gallery, then speak into the microphone to see your pet realistically speak back to you. You can share it as a video on Facebook, or email it as a special greeting to your friends and family. This is a #1 app in the app store, and there are a bunch of new features: Turn your real-life pet into a digital personal assistant. See them come to life on your phone as a widget on the lock screen. Have them tell you the weather forecast, news headlines, or even get them to remind you of your appointments! (Okay, that’s a little creepy.) Cost is $1.99
4. Kirakira+
Because everyone needs more sparkle in their lives. The kirakira+ app adds actual? sparkles? to videos as you’re taking them. The app’s been around since 2015, but went viral during fashion week in London and New York as fashionistas posted their shiny, sparkly creations. Instagram’s head of fashion really blew the app into the top of the charts.
5. Got It
Okay, parents and college students – here’s one for you. You know when you’re stuck on a homework problem, test question, or assignment and need to solve the problem right away? Take a photo of your problem with the free Photo Equation Solver, and instantly get a step-by-step solution. Need additional tutoring help? Get a quick 1:1 tutoring chat session within 30 seconds with a Study Expert tutor. We make it really easy for you to stress less, save time, and get better grades! This company is also hiring more experts with a note to make around $400 a month.
6. Havenly
Havenly is one-on-one interior design help from the pros, conveniently on your phone. Chat for free with your very own interior designer, upload photos of your space, and get expert advice. It lets you share your style, inspiration, and photos of your space with your designer to collaborate on the perfect home. You can also shop home furnishing products from 100’s of name brand vendors in one spot, with a best price guarantee. If you want to take it to the next level, you can book a custom interior design starting at $79.
Want to suggest apps? Be sure to do it via social media or email to jj@techish.com.