Feel a bit ill? Consult the doctor in your pocket first
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Web MD Apple, Android Price: Free
THIS app doesn’t beat going to a doctor but if you feel a bit off, it’s a good place to start. Symptoms are listed under various headings to help you submit what exactly is wrong and it then gives you a list of potential diagnoses. Special pregnancy and baby versions are also available to download.
Nutracheck Calorie Counter + iPhone, Android Price: Free
NUTRACHECK’S database contains calorie counts for more than 10,000 food items so you can scan food barcodes to get instant calorie information, then plan meals, track your calorie intake and also work out how much energy you’re using through exercise. It’s a real aid to any weight-loss campaign.
Echo 112 Apple, Android Price: Free
FIELD-TESTED for two years by Swiss emergency services, Echo 112 links you to the emergency services wherever you are in the world when you press its red SOS button. It provides peace of mind for travellers in the back of beyond or the infirm and elderly alone in their homes.
Sleepbot Apple, Android, Kindle Fire Price: Free
SLEEPBOT watches over you when you’re in the Land of Nod. Put your phone under your pillow and the app logs when you move around or snore, tracks your sleep patterns and calculates your ‘sleep-debt’ – the difference between the amount of sleep you get and the amount you should aim for. Its ‘smart alarm’ wakes you when you are sleeping lightly to avoid the shock of waking from deep sleep.
Relax Melodies Apple, Android, Kindle Fire Price: Free
TESTING this app was a tricky business, as it’s so blissfully snooze-inducing it’s hard for eyes to stay open. A selection of natural wind, water and bird sounds can be mixed with gentle music to create the perfect relaxing background to ease that stress away and bring on the deepest sleep.
Accupedo Apple, Android, Kindle Fire Price: Free
WALKING is one of the best forms of exercise and we should all take 10,000 steps a day. But sometimes it’s hard to know just how well you’re doing. Accupedo is a pedometer that counts every step you take, records how far you’ve walked and how many calories you’ve burned. It even links to your music library to keep you entertained as you stride along.
SPORT
BBC Sport Apple, Android Price: Free
IF YOU download only one sports app, this should be it. Almost every major sport is covered, with latest news, live text commentary and video interviews and highlights. If you’re out and about on a Saturday afternoon and afraid of missing out, this is the perfect way to keep in touch with the latest action.
GAA/GAA Now/ GAA Go Apple, Android Price: Free
DOWNLOAD the official app to get the latest news, fixtures, results, photos, videos and venue information. Try the GAA Now app for even more coverage from various news outlets and select your home county for extra information. And for those abroad, don’t forget RTÉ’s GAA Go app, which allows you to watch matches.
Sky Sports/Sky Sports Mobile Apple, Android Price: Subscription only
THESE apps let sports addicts watch the biggest games and events on the move. But there’s a catch – Sky Sports and BT Sport are reserved for existing subscribers.
One Football Apple, Android Price: Free
LAUNCHED as The Football App, One Football has all the latest news, fixtures and results from around the world so you can follow leagues and cups from Albania to Uruguay – but unfortunately, not Ireland. A ‘My Club’ function will also keep you up to date with whichever club you support and alert you to any breaking news.
Official F1 Apple, Android Price: Free
IF THE hours of TV coverage aren’t enough for you, this app – and its paid-for add-ons – will provide analysis of every turn of every wheel, lap times, exclusive team radio transmissions and live commentary. Vrooom!
Cricbuzz Apple, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows Price: Free
THE No.1 app for anyone who can’t live without the latest news of every form of cricket around the world: scores, live text and audio commentaries, player profiles, tables, rankings, stats and even more stats are offered. If someone, somewhere hits a ball with a bat, Cricbuzz will tell you about it.
Hole 19 iPhone Price: Free
HOLE 19 is a golfer’s best friend. It tells you where every shot you’ve struck has gone, calculates yardages to greens and flags, tracks all your scores and provides data to improve your game. More than 20,000 courses around the world have been mapped and yours can be added on request.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
WalkingRoutes.ie Android Price: Free
THIS app was created by hillwalkers to compensate for the lack of trail maps in Ireland. It includes some routes that only locals might know about. A great advantage of this app is that it works offline.
Star Chart Apple, Android Price: Free
WE’VE all gazed in wonder at the stars, now Star Chart tells us what we’re looking at. Open the app, point your phone or tablet at the sky and it’ll describe the stars and planets above you.
Birds of Britain and Ireland Apple Price: €15.99
HUNDREDS of birds that are either native to Britain and Ireland or migrate here are listed, described and illustrated, along with maps showing where to find them. It’s a little pricey but a must for bird-lovers and ramblers.
Bird Song ID Apple Price: €4.49
IF YOU can’t work out just what bird it is making a call, this could be the app to help you. Simply record the sound and it should be able to identify it. However, it warns that it needs a good, clear recording.
Map My Hike Apple, Android Price: Free
THIS is one of several ‘Map my…’ apps for fitness. All show you where you are, provide coaching tips, then record distances covered and calories burned.
OS Mapfinder Apple, Android Price: Free
IF you’re planning a walk, you need a proper map. Use this app to buy ‘tiles’ – or sections – of full Ordnance Survey maps. Most are between €0.90 and €3. Plus, for safety, a GPS link will tell you exactly where you are.