Writing Sample: 5 Useful iOS Apps

Devices that use iOS: iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad, are useful for many reasons. Haters can disagree all they like, but Apple has the corner on function and usefulness, with a whole lot of style thrown into the mix. The fabulous user-interface, effortless multi-touch technology, and a seemingly infinite number of apps available for download are just three reasons to use an iOS device.

Here, in no particular order, are five generally useful iOS apps.

Dropbox
Cost: Your first 2 GB of storage is free, subsequent storage space will cost you, depending on how much you want. You can get extra storage space through referrals and by completing a few easy steps as set out by Dropbox.
Dropbox is a web-based storage option that uses the cloud to store files and folders. You can share those files and folders with people or keep them to yourself. Because all data is stored in the cloud, you can access your photos and files from any device, be it your computer or iOS device.

Evernote
Cost: Basic is free and upgrade to a paid account is optional, which gives you more storage space and added features.
Evernote is a great app that allows you to write notes, store photos, save voice notes, copy snippets of text or even whole screenshots, and save them in the cloud. Your info syncs automatically across all of your devices. For anyone who relies on notes for their day-to-day lives like students, writers, and admin assistants, this app is a must-have.

Skype
Cost: Basic Skype is free. If you want to make calls to landlines or cell phones, you need to buy a subscription or purchase credits.
Skype is a great app that lets you make calls over the Internet to other computers (people who have Skype accounts), cell phones, and landlines. The messaging service works great and is an excellent alternative to FB messaging or text messaging. You can also make video calls to other Skype users to stay in touch with people you don't get to see all the time (or even ones you do).

Kindle
Cost: Free (there are free books available, too, but most have a purchase price).
Kindle has more books available for purchase or download compared to iBooks. If you want to stick with Apple apps only, that’s fine. But if you’re a reader, and you want access to tons of books, download Kindle. It’s free. Bonuses include different font selections, different colorations (black background with white text, white background with black text, or dark text on a sepia background.) You can also adjust the brightness manually with a slider. If you like to read in bed, and don’t sleep alone, the white-text-on-a-black-background is a great feature.

Facebook
Cost: Free.
iPad owners rejoice! It took forever, but Facebook finally came out with a version specifically designed for the iPad’s larger screen. The iPhone/iPod touch versions of FB are really quite cramped and not very user-friendly. The iPad version, on the other hand, is a joy: side-bars hold the nav bar (on the left side) and information bars (on the right side) take advantage of all the extra space. You can look at photos full-screen, and you can also zoom and navigate using multi-touch gestures. Facebook for iPad is a must for FB users.

Well, readers, that’s the first five on our favorites list.

What are your favorite apps for iOS?