Seniors, Boomers, and everyone else is getting into “apps” these days. These “add-on” programs extend the functionality of your computer, smart phone, or tablet computer. Here are a selection of free apps to explore:
Lose It is an app that allows you to track what you’re eating everyday. This is a helpful tool if you want to lose or maintain your weight. Extra weight is the root of several “old age” diseases and complicates your life. This is app helps you fight the battle.
Stay connected with other AARP members and on top of news that affects seniors with the AARP app. It will also show you local discounts available to members, a helpful tool when you are traveling.
Smart Money Retirement Tracker
Whether you’re still building your nest egg or beginning to draw it down, this app from Smart Money will help you visualize and track your spending and saving habits. Use it to chart your assets or visualize different financial scenarios.
iHealth BPM is the only app available to measure blood pressure, an issue that affects many seniors. This app isn’t technically “free” because it requires a iHealth Blood Pressure dock. Those that suffer from high or low blood sugar can find out more at the iHealth website. A similar app that measures blood pressure is the HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker (only available on iPad).
The Tru app is only available for iPad owners right now, but it’s pretty cool. It allows users to make local and long-distance phone calls for free. It is similar to Skype but suitable for the larger screen of the iPad tablet. This is particularly helpful if you want to call family or friends abroad.
Last but not least seniors should install the Flipboard app! Flipboard was voted the best app of the year (2011) because it creates a customized newspaper just for you. It pulls news, photos, videos and other content from what your friends and family share online . Then, it presents you with a curated site where you can easily “flip” the pages and read it. More interesting, Flipboard “learns” what stories interest you and presents more on the same topic. Very cool!
[...] year we featured six free apps for seniors — and more great apps keep [...]