What did we do without apps? They let us connect with our nieces and nephews, help us be better-organized Aunties, and record memories of fun times with nieces and nephews.  This app round-up features a way to find cheaper gas and remove grass stains.

Over the past few months, we’ve discovered several interesting apps, as well as the website AppSmitten.com, where you can find reviews for various iPad, iPhone and Droid apps. Check out our lineup of some great apps we have discovered that can help make your life easier, Auntie, as well as ones that you can suggest for your niece or nephew.

For Auntie:

Flashlight. As the name implies, you can convert your phone into a flashlight, a strobe light or an SOS signal.  Find anything inside your purse, once you’ve found your phone!

GasBuddy. Gas prices are on the rise, and since summer leads to road trips to visit nieces and nephews, find the lowest gas prices around you with this handy app, which can help avoid the gas station gouging.

CameraAwesome. This app lets you can take several photos in a row, like you can on a regular camera. Smartphone cameras always give you a pause between shots, but you can catch more of those action shots of your active little nieces and nephews with CameraAwesome.

HomeRoutines. This isn’t a new app, but it’s a good standby. It helps you organize your home cleaning routine and create a schedule, so you can look forward to your nephew’s next visit.
Good Housekeeping @Home. Clean up stains and decorate your house with this handy app. Niece gets grass stains while playing soccer? No problem. You spill red wine on the carpet? No problem. Need ideas on decorating your dining room? Got it.

RxmindMe. Set up reminders to take medications with this app. This is helpful if you’re dealing with a chronic or short-term illness and taking care of your nieces, nephews and other relatives who may need to take regular medication.

Due. Speaking of reminders, here is another app you can use to remind yourself of tasks and appointments. Use the timer to remind yourself of the parking meter, to wake you for a nap, and anything else you can come up with.

Walgreens, CVS and Medco. Refill your prescriptions with these handy apps. Scan your barcode, and the pharmacy refills your prescription. Since Medco specializes in bulk prescriptions, you can see how many pills you are supposed to have left in your prescription. If you’re helping care for your niece or nephew, or aging parents, this will be helpful to make sure no one is taking too much medication.

For Nieces and Nephews:

Draw Something. Several of my friends, and lots of nieces and nephews, are addicted to this game. It’s basically a Pictionary version of Words with Friends. My pals report the iPad app works better for them than the iPhone version, mainly because the screen is bigger, and most of us are at the age where reading glasses are starting to become a fashion accessory.

Where’s My Water? Clear the water pipes so Swampy the Alligator can take his bath. This is a fun game for younger nieces and nephews.

Doodle Fit. Make the squares, rectangles and other shapes fit into the blocks on the screen. It’s fun and sometimes a little frustrating. Helps nieces and nephews learn to solve puzzles!

Photo: David Castillo Dominici
Published: April 26, 2012