TAPPING INTO SUMMER
A few apps that can spice up your season
I’m not saying a mobile app is going to make your whole summer. But I’m not saying it won’t either. Lots of mobile apps are seasonal, but how many of us actually switch up the contents of our screens like we do our closets? That’s why I’ve got you covered with this roundup of my favorite mobile apps for summer. All are free and on iOS and Android:
• The Weber Grill App is a must for anyone who likes their summer fare to come from the barbie, which is all of us. The most complete grilling app ever created includes more than 250 recipes, a grilling guide and a timer that will allow you to set multiple preset timers and let you know via your smartwatch or phone whether it’s time to flip and serve.
The recipes include classics done right, such as Burgers with Guacamole Mayonnaise, Beer Can Chicken with Rosemary and Thyme, and Cedar-Planked Salmon. But there are also interesting surprises in the dessert category, such as Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Peppermint Brownies.
A bonus is now that Weber owns the rights to smart thermometer iGrill, by this time next year I’m guessing the app will connect to your thermometer directly.
• Some beer with your burgers? Drizly, the beer, wine and liquor delivery app, is headquartered here in Boston and available to deliver what you need for those last-minute summer soirees if you live in the city. If you’re in the burbs, you can still order with the Drizly app, but you may have to wait a few days for delivery.
• “Collaborative boating” is a now a thing, and you can rent empty seats on scheduled sails or, if you’re a yachtsman yourself, make some extra cash by taking stray landlubbers on a cruise. Rent a boat by the hour on GetMyBoat or by the day or half day with Sailo (iOS only). Both apps have a wide range of selections, with prices as low as a few hundred dollars for a half-day on a small fishing boat to thousands of dollars for event boats. Some come with captains and others are sail-yourself. Another option is the Boatsetter app, which is in beta, but Boatsetter.com provides a fluid search experience. BoatBound.co is a large marketplace for peer-to-peer boating, but doesn’t have an app yet. And if you’re the type who dresses in polo shirts with the collar popped up, the curated list of boats for rent on the YachtLife (iOS only) app might be more your speed.
• And during the downtime on your coastal sojourn, you’ll probably be in the mood for ice cream. The Ice Cream Pleas app alerts you when the ice cream truck is in your neighborhood. The app also takes request for ice cream vendors at parties and events. It may just be the most genius thing to happen to this industry since Ben & Jerry’s launched Phish Food in 1997.
• All this activity is no fun if your skin is burnt, so download UV Lens. This excellent app lets users know details on the UV index in their location and sends notifications when it’s time to reapply. Information is based not just on the location and time of day, but also users’ individual skin tone and characteristics, which the app will ask for.
• Now that you’re set up for a summer of adventure, try the video maker app Magisto. It will take your photos and videos from your adventures and automatically edit together films and slideshows set to your chosen theme or soundtrack.