essential apps for your smartphone or Tablet

november 2025: 

The Tech version of "If you were stranded on a desert island

At our club's Executive Board meeting this month, our opening Tech Activity was for each of us to answer the question "What is one app, website or gadget you ‘can’t live without’?" 

Now, according to my Android phone (in Settings > Apps, under "Recently opened apps"), I have 478 apps installed! 😮 Further down the screen, I'm told that 163 of those apps are unused. Android versions vary in how they determine when an app becomes 'unused' but they must typically be unused for several weeks, at which time Android puts them into a form of hibernation. In this state, Android will delete temporary files to free up space, revoke all permissions for the app, stop the unused app from running in the background, and stop the unused app from sending notifications. iOS has a similar feature in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, where you can select any app and then tap "Offload Unused App".

Clearly, these are all apps that I don't need - but I'm hesitant to delete in case I might need or want to use it in future. Does that make me a "tech pack rat"? 😄

All of this is to say that I had to think long and hard to choose one app I must have (some of our choices were available as both an app and as a website). We also each gave a reason for our individual choices. Here is a small sample of our answers:

• Susan: Notes app (in particular, Notes which comes installed on iPhone and iPad) to make lists wherever she goes.

• Ron: Calendar app (in particular, Google Calendar - an app and a website) to track when and where he needs to be, and using the Notification feature to alert him 15 minutes ahead of time. By entering a street address for "where", he can tap the field to cause Google Maps to open and show him directions to the destination.

• Lew: Calendar app (in particular, WeekCal)

• Ian: Maps app (in particular, Google Maps - another app and a website) to find the best way to reach a destination (even if I know a way to get there), based on traffic conditions. The app is also very helpful when walking to find directions, and when taking transit to locate the best routes and stops.

• Jean: Pinterest (also an app and a website) where she can find almost limitless ideas for quilting, garment sewing, and recipes. As she stated, "A true dream at the click of a mouse!!"

How would YOU have answered this question? 

Well, you have a chance to tell us by clicking here to complete a very short survey. We'll even make it a bit easier for you by leaving out websites and gadgets, while letting you choose your top TWO "must have" apps (and your reason for choosing each one). Your answers will all be anonymous, and are just for fun. We'll share the collection of answers in next month's Tech-splorations column!