10 top apps to make life easier

Citymapper will help you navigate some of the biggest cities in the United States and Europe. The app pulls in data from local public transit and puts maps and directions at your fingertips.

It also works offline, so you can get around even without data connection. Citymapper connects with Uber and Hailo to help you get rides around town, too.

Available for: iOS and Android

Whether you’re a news junkie or simply want to browse headlines on your way to work, Flipboard has you covered. After you select the topics you’re most interested in, the app creates themed magazines that are personalized to your tastes. You can also connect Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to quickly flip through updates from all your social networks in one place.

Available for: iOS, Android, Windows Phone

Also try… If you fall into the “less is more” camp, check out Yahoo’s News Digest, which offers a handful of carefully curated stories twice daily.

When you have to go, you have to go. Flush will prevent the frantic rush to find a suitable place to do your business.

The app has listings for more than 100,000 public restrooms around the world, including information on disability access, key requirements and user reviews.

Available for: iOS and Android

Turn on voice searches to find everything from directions home and weather conditions to recipes, simply by saying, “OK, Google.” The app also acts a personal assistant with Google Now cards that show reminders and other information you need to know about your day.

Available for:: iOS and Android

Android users, step it up a notch with the Google Now Launcher, which puts Google Now’s superpowers directly on your home screen.

The simplest way to save things you want to find or read later. If you’re browsing in an app or on the web, save articles, videos, recipes and other items to your Pocket account for easy access later. Your account syncs across all devices and on the web; offline capabilities ensure you can always find that #longread when you want it.

Available for: iOS and Android

One of the first apps that made the iPhone seem magical, Shazam can identify that song you hear but just can’t place — in seconds — even with background noise or voices. Music charts show you the latest trending tracks around the world, and its discovery features recommend new music based on your music tastes.

Available for: iOS and Android

Also try… Have a song stuck in your head but no clue what it is? Try SoundHound, which can identify songs based on singing or humming.

There are a lot of great smart calendar apps on the market, but Sunrise’s balance of features and its dead-simple user interface make it a winner. The app syncs with Google, Microsoft Exchange and iCloud accounts to put all your appointments and reminders in one place.

The app also pulls in weather and Google Maps data to add relevant info to your calendar events and connects with Facebook and LinkedIn so you can see the faces of people you’re meeting right in your calendar.

Available for: iOS and Android

Also try… If you’re a calendar power user and want even more features, try Fantastical 2, which helps you manage nearly every aspect of your day and has an almost endless range of customization options.

Hands-down the easiest way to pay friends, Venmo makes it simple to send money to people you know. You can also use the app to request payments, and money sent through app is easily transferred back to your bank account. Check out our beginners’ guide here.

Available for: iOS and Android

If you spend a lot of time in the car, this is a must. The app crowdsources traffic data, road conditions and other information like speed traps and camera lights. If you’re sitting in traffic, the app will automatically reroute to bring you to your destination more quickly. It also displays nearby gas stations (and prices), along with other nearby businesses.

Available for: iOS and Android

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new restaurant to try or just want to double-check a menu, Yelp remains one of the best ways to check out most businesses in town. If you’re searching late at night or an otherwise odd hour, be sure switch on the “open now” filter.

Available for: iTunes, Android, Windows Phone

Also try… If you’re after a reservation, try OpenTable, which will help you snag a table.