Top Ten Apps for an Urbanite!

Let’s be real, this is an app-world and we’re all just living in it. We rely on an app to check the weather, bank account, social media, and even our health. If you’re an Urbanite – a person who lives in a city or town – you probably depend on these apps even more. That’s if you’re a cool urbanite. Here are a few of the must have apps for cool urbanites!

1. Snapchat
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First on the list: Snapchat, by Snapchat, Inc.

Snapchat came into the social media game late but has slowly taken over. For those who are unfamiliar with the app, it allows you to share photos/videos that automatically self-destruct after a couple of seconds (which you get to pick). Not only does it allow you and your buddies to send each other pictures making silly faces, it also has “live stories” which are live feeds from “x” event. They recently had a NASA live story in which they had live feeds from the International Space Station – it was truly out of this world. ;) Now, here’s the real reason why it’s an Urbanite MUST. One word: Geofilters. If you’re running around town and you want your friends to know where you are, just use a Geofilter. Snap a selfie, swipe through the Geofilters, and voila, your friends know you’re in “Downtown Tempe.” (p.s. we have a SWEET Downtown Tempe Geofilter.)

2. Transit App

Second up: Transit App, by Transit App, LLC.

If you’re an urbanite, you probably like to explore the city, find new cool spots, and do it in a convenient way. Well, the Transit app will be your urbanite-buddy. The Transit app allows you to find the perfect public transportation route in real time! Yes, you heard that right, IN REAL TIME. The app finds your location, scopes out what transit lines are near you, and gives you directions on the route. It works like Google Maps/Apple Maps – you enter the address, it finds your location, then gives you a route. Except, unlike the Maps apps, the Transit app will give you walking directions to the bus/rail/street car stops. Never again will you find yourself chasing after the bus – with the Transit app you will be able to know exactly what time to be at the stop.

3. Uber

Up next: Uber, by Uber Technologies, Inc.

This is actually one of my most used and probably my favorite app (after Snapchat, of course). For those of you who have not had the virtue of using this app, I will go ahead and explain what it is. Uber is a “ride-sharing” app – a fancy term for people using their personal cars as Taxi’s – that allows you to request a “ride” 24/7 and in most cities (https://www.uber.com/cities/). Uber allows you to select a destination, find your location, but on Uber, you select “request” and someone will come to your doorstep. Or at the bar. Or if you’re stranded out in the middle of nowhere. They will come get you! It’s like the life-alert for an urbanite. So, don’t get stranded – hail an Uber!

4. Map My Run

Fit Urbanite Time: Map My Run, by Under Armour

Running, oh, running – we all either hate it or love it – or both! Well, what if you had a personal running trainer? Would that change it at least a little? With Map My Run, you will have a little voice pushing you to the next distance. It will tell you when you hit half a mile, and keep you posted on total distance and pace for the entire duration of your workout. You can also set up "challenges" with your friends (no matter where they are in the world!), which are totally customizable. Setup a weekend challenge to see who can log the most miles by Monday, loser Venmo's (see #7) the winner $10. When you're in an active challenge with a friend, you'll receive a notification as soon as your friend logs a run. Talk about motivation! I guarentee you'll pop up from your couch and lace up those sneakers to one-up them. Not only does it keep you motivated, it will also calculate how many calories your burned during your run. This way, after every workout, you will know exactly what the health benefits were from your run. And the best of all – it’s all kept on a log. You can use this app to better your speed, go further distances, and overall better your health.

5. Hooked

Foodie Urbanite’s rejoice: Hooked Deals, by UMeTime

Maybe running really is not your thing… but food is. The Hooked Deals app is the perfect app for a foodie urbanite and works like a charm in Downtown Tempe. Always looking for the best deals for lunch, but have no idea how to find them? Hooked has you covered. The process is simple. The app will notify you when a Hooked deal becomes available near you and the rest is left to you. Whether it’s a bogo deal at the local Greek place, or a 50% off coupon at the local ice cream shop. Hooked has it all. You get the notification, walk over (or use an Uber… or the Transit app) to the Hooked deal location, present your Hooked app and select “Get Hooked” and viola, that’s it. Cheap lunch, with just one tap of a button. The neat thing about Hooked is the availability of the deals. They will almost always have time-frames for the deals, but there is always a deal worthwhile.

6. Yelp

I am coming at you again, Foodie Urbanite: Yelp, by Yelp.

If you care about reviews, good deals, and having access to both in one nifty app, then Yelp is right for you. The Yelp app does exactly what the website does: shows reviews, business hours, pictures and allows check-ins. On the app, you can look up “x” restaurant to see what others have thought about it. People tend to be very honest, you can find super happy reviews and also some very bitter reviews. It’s perfect for exploring a new urban city. Not familiar with the area, but want some delicious Chinese food? Well, just Yelp it! As an urbanite, you want to be informed on which places will give you a smile and not a trip to the restroom… with a frown. 

7. Venmo

Up next: Venmo, by Venmo.

In a world where physical money is becoming obsolete, paying for food with your card in behalf of the entire squad and trying to split the total later has become a hassle. Venmo came to solve this problem and made it social. With Venmo, you can request and send money to your friends without any physical money exchange. You add your bank account information and that’s it, request away. The money is stored in your “Venmo Bank” until you decided it’s time to transfer into your account. The social aspect is the most hilarious part. On your homepage, you will see all the transactions between your friends… and their comments. “For the electricity bill, thanks fam.” “For the hot dogs last night – let’s go back soon.” “*combination of random emojis.”

8. New Times

For the social Urbanite: (Phoenix) New Times, by Voice Media Group.

If you’re looking for local news, local events – anything local, the New Times app has your back. From low-key concerts, to major music festivals, Phoenix New Times will have a story on it. The app turns their website into a perfect event calendar, and news source. Their navigation bar shows: News stories, Food stories, Music Stories, Arts Stories, Films and Showtime’s, Calendar of Events, Concerts, Restaurants, Bars and Clubs, Best of, and Daily Deals. Phoenix New Times releases the “Best Of” awards once a year, and picks the top picks from every category. If you’re looking for a good Mexican food restaurant, check out the New Times app and they guide you.

9. Social Bikes

Biker Urbanite: Social Bikes (formerly GRiD), by Social Bicycles Inc.

Unfortunately, Downtown Tempe does not have this awesome bike share program – yet. It’s in the works and should be popping up in our town soon. Social Bikes is an app that allows you to rent bicycles from bike “hubs” around a city. You set your account up, look at the map to find your nearest bike hub, pay for the time you need it, and hop on. This app will even map your bike ride to share with your friends. Time to show off them legs, and your route.

10. Park Mobile

For the driving urbanite: Park Mobile, by Parkmobile USA, Inc.

One word: Parking. This word gets different reactions depending on who you ask. Park mobile is here to save the day! Park Mobile allows you to pay for your garage/meters all from your phone. That’s right, what parking meter? Your phone is your meter now. You simply add your car information, card information, and enter your “zone,” “space” number, amount of time desired and you’re done. It solves the parking-headache some people get, and puts you in charge. Let’s say you’re going to a business meeting and it happens to go longer than you thought (which NEVER happens!), well, you can pull out your phone and add more time. Yep. No need to run to the meter before time runs out, you can do it all from your phone! What a time, life, and parking ticket saver.

These are ten apps we think are essential for any urbanite, especially in #DowntownTempe. Download away and tell us what you think! Which apps are most essential to you?