Appy new year

With 2021 behind us, it may be a great idea to explore some apps that could help us get through 2022 as it unfolds

DuckDuckGo 

Keeping with the theme of securing and reclaiming your online data, it may be a good idea to change browsers to one that doesn’t track its users. DuckDuckGo, the famous online search engine, has created a browser that protects the user’s privacy. The browser has a fire button that instantly deletes the user’s private information. It also rates the privacy of sites, giving the users a simple rating system that informs them on how exposed their data is while visiting a website. The app is available both on iOS and Android.
duckduckgo.com/app

Duolingo

Learning a new language is always useful, so why not learn one this year. Duolingo offers courses in over 30 languages including German, Spanish, French and Korean. Not to mention even fictional languages like High Valyrian from Game of Thrones and Klingon from Star Trek. The lessons are in bite-size format and they are fun to do when you have a quick break. That said, Duolingo is good at teaching some basics but may not be the best for learning actual conversation. So think of Duolingo as a gateway to a new language where you can gauge your interest and then maybe take a proper course to learn your favourite language. The app is available on both iOS and Android. 
www.duolingo.com

Forest

Mobile phone-based procrastination is a productivity killer. Forest gamifies your focus, letting you stay present and attentive regardless of the task at hand. The concept is simple; you create a timer with the amount of time you want to allocate to a task. Then you plant a tree to start. As you stay focused, the plant grows to a full-fledged tree. Loose focus by checking your phone or switching apps causes the tree to die. Once mature, the tree can be planted in your forest. The size of the forest signifies the number of completed focus sessions. You can use this for studying, working and even when spending time with friends or family. The app is available on iOS and Android. 
forestapp.cc

Crumblyy

Crumblyy is an app that features short hacks for everything including food, travel, health, fitness and even tech tricks. The hacks are displayed visually and are easy and quick to read. The app also shows you all the trending hacks and also shows you cards for topics you have selected. Crumblyy verifies their tips and hacks which means they are way better than the forwards your uncle sent to you. The app is available only on Android.
crumblyy.com

Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts is a simple and much focused podcasts app that makes the process of listening to podcasts simple. The app has cross-device sync which means you can playback from where you left off just like you do with Netflix. You can also broadcast your podcasts on Airplay, Chromecast, Android Auto and CarPlay. Pocket Casts lets you burn through the podcasts a little faster by trimming the silent bits and even speeding up or slowing down your podcasts. The app is available on iOS and Android.
www.pocketcasts.com

Nord VPN

This year, also think about investing in a VPN. Sure, most people think of it as a way to watch Netflix from different countries, but more importantly, it is a way to protect yourself online. You don’t need to get Nord VPN. You can get any VPN you want as long as you pay for it. Free VPNs don’t usually protect the user’s data in any way. Nord VPN is one of the easiest VPN providers that you can use. They have an app for almost every platform and you can connect up to six devices at the same time. 
bit.ly/smdnordvpn

8fit

If you are planning to get some more exercise in the new year and probably eat a little healthier, you must check out 8fit. The app asks you a bunch of simple questions when you start including your height weight and goal. Using the collected data, the app then creates a custom workout and eating plan for you to get into shape. The free version of the app only gives you the exercise regime. If you are willing to pay its subscription fee it will give you a bunch of recipes, shopping lists and a schedule of how much to eat to get fit. The app is available on both iOS and Android. 
8fit.com

Walnut

With the new year, you want to be more strategic with your finances. That is where Walnut comes in. The app lets you track your expenses, set bill reminders and even split expenses with your friends. The app also creates charts so you can see where you spend the majority of your money. Walnut supports a huge list of Indian banks and credit cards. Tracking your expenses is a great way to curb unnecessary spending which in turn can help with savings. The app is available on iOS and Android.
www.getwalnut.com

Presently: A gratitude journal

We often forget the things we need to be thankful for especially when we are having a bad time. Presently is a personal gratitude journal that lets you record what you are thankful for daily. You can then use these past moments of gratitude to motivate yourself especially when you are feeling down. The app is completely free and private. The makers have no intention of ever capitalising on it. They have shared the source code of the app on Github. It is available only on Android.
bit.ly/smdpresently

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