The 10 Coolest Apps Of 2016

Apps To Try

The one thing that all good mobile apps have in common is that they make life better. That might mean making the day easier or more productive, or making a drive safer, or increasing mental clarity through meditation. Apps for all of those purposes debuted in 2016 -- some for iOS, some for Android, and some for both platforms. In the following slides, we've rounded up the 10 coolest apps we came across in 2016.

Android Auto

Platform: Android

With the aim of providing a safer way of using mobile devices while driving, Android Auto provides larger buttons, a simpler interface and voice actions. The app -- which can be used either on the phone itself or a compatible car display -- works with services such as Google Maps and Google Play Music, as well as for phone calls and text messaging.

Bear

Platform: iOS

For iPhone and iPad users in search of a better note-taking experience, Bear is a new, pretty option. Along with bringing a bit more visual appeal all-around -- thanks to a stylish design and different options for themes and typography -- Bear is a good alternative to other note-taking apps because it's simpler than Evernote but has a bit more to offer for organization than Apple's native Notes app.

Doo

Platform: iOS

Many users are no doubt weary of to-do apps -- which often are more work than they're worth -- but new app Doo might be worth a look due to its novel approach to breaking up the to-do list. Doo lets users create cards that they can look at later, one at a time, and either swipe them down (to come back to them later) or swipe up (when they're done with).

Dropbox Paper

Platform: iOS, Android

The Dropbox Paper app, which came out of private beta this year, offers a way to create and collaborate on documents on your device. Features include the ability for users to work together on the same document at the same time, along with adding comments and embedding images and videos. Meanwhile, by using the "@" symbol, users can tag fellow team members inside documents.

Genius Scan 3.0

Platform: Android

Easy-scanning app Genius Scan brought over some of the popular features from the iOS version in a major recent update for Android. Those features include quicker scanning of multi-page documents, a magnifying glass for better adjustment of cropping and easier document naming and tagging.

Pokemon Go

Platform: iOS, Android

It's been the most played and most discussed app of 2016, but this simple augmented-reality game also has big implications for the future of business and technology. Mixing virtual reality and "actual" reality is, after all, exactly what Google Tango and Magic Leap, among others, are working on feverishly. The first phone from Google Tango, made by Lenovo, was just released -- and the early success of Pokemon Go strongly suggests that Google, Lenovo and others are, in fact, on to something.

Prisma

Platform: iOS, Android

This photo editing app was a big hit in 2016 with its novel approach of turning photos into artworks that are in the style of famous artists. Rather than putting a filter on photos, Prisma uses artificial intelligence and other technologies to combine photos with the stylings of artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh -- essentially rebuilding the photos as works of art.

SharePoint

Platform: iOS

For the first time, Microsoft debuted a mobile app version of the SharePoint workplace collaboration app for the iPhone. The app provides users with site activities and files from SharePoint Online, and also from SharePoint Server, versions 2013 and 2016. Among the other features are access to important links, such as the user's company intranet, and information on a user's co-workers (with photos) to browse.

10% Happier

Platform: iOS

You've thought about meditating -- maybe even tried it -- but it hasn't become a habit. Maybe that's because you needed someone to teach you -- and that's what 10% Happier offers, through a variety of no-nonsense mindfulness courses from esteemed teachers. The app includes bite-sized video lessons alongside guided meditations to get you going with mindfulness and realizing the benefits -- including better mental clarity, less stress and, yes, even a bit more happiness in your life.

Tinycards

Platform: iOS

Flash cards remain a popular approach to learning for a reason: they're effective. And flash cards for learning all sorts of stuff are now available as part of the app Tinycards from Duolingo. Learning languages (which is Duolingo's specialty) is one area Tinycards can help with, but users can also learn math, history, geography and a number of other subjects with the new app.