Over the past year I’ve found a few apps that have really stuck with me. Some are new, some are just new to me, but all of them have become regulars in my daily routine. Whether it’s for staying connected, cooking, managing money, or just having fun, these apps have made life a little easier (and more entertaining).
Social
From the creators of Tweetbot, Ivory is hands down the best client for Mastodon – my social media platform of choice. When I left Twitter a couple of years ago, I thought finding a worthy replacement would be difficult, but Mastodon has completely exceeded my expectations. It’s not just a replacement; it’s a genuinely better social platform. While it might not be the perfect fit for everyone, as a tech nerd, I’ve found my community there. For anyone exploring Mastodon, Ivory is the client to use – it makes a great platform even better.
As I near a year of owning the Vision Pro, I’ve found that only a handful of apps have truly leaned into spatial computing as an opportunity to rethink digital interactions. inSpaze is a shining example of exactly that. It answers the question of what a social experience should look like in the realm of spatial computing, and has truly become the best place to be for socialization on the Vision Pro. Everyone gets their own customizable space to decorate however they like (which brings back fond memories of the best parts of MySpace). And the ability to invite others into your space for face-to-face (or spatial persona-to-spatial persona) conversations feels completely natural and intuitive. It has been a fun way to meet other early adopters and Apple fans all around the world!
Games / Puzzles
Starting as a TikTok series, followed by a website, and now an iOS app, Minute Cryptic is another entry in the growing daily puzzle games category. This app brings quick, bite-sized cryptic crossword puzzles to your fingertips. Perfect for fans of riddles and crosswords, it trains your brain to think laterally and creatively.
Another daily game, Coffee Golf has become an addictive addition to my phone. With a fresh, bite-sized hole to play each day and unique power-ups, it’s the perfect way to unwind for a few minutes while still keeping things fun and engaging. When I have a bit more time, the game offers even more to explore – whether it’s competing more seriously against other players or advancing through the story mode. It’s the ideal balance of casual daily gameplay and deeper challenges, making it a fantastic way to enjoy a quick gaming break or dive in for longer sessions.
What’s there to say? Everyone already knows Delta is an incredible emulator app that has been long overdue to come to the App Store. Paired with a Backbone controller, it has completely leveled up my mobile gaming experience. It is so nice to finally be able to play classic games on my phone without having to jailbreak or side load an emulator.
A special shoutout to the Apple News app and its growing collection of puzzles. Thanks to its daily crosswords, sudokus, and other puzzle games, I was finally able to cancel my New York Times subscription!
Utilities
After testing nearly every budgeting app out there (Monarch, Copilot Money, YNAB, etc) I found myself frustrated by how overly complicated they all were. That’s why Debit & Credit feels like such a breath of fresh air. It strips away all the unnecessary complexity – no bank syncing (which only ever works for a couple banks), no attempts to automatically categorize my transactions, no “clever” budget displays, and none of the extra bells and whistles. Instead, it offers exactly what I need: a straightforward way to track what I’m spending and where. The simplicity is what makes it so effective. With clear, simple reports and budgeting tools that project how my finances will look in the future, Debit & Credit exemplifies the “less is more” mentality when it comes to managing money.
Using Flighty has completely transformed the way I travel – making it so much more convenient and stress-free. The ability to stay up-to-date on every detail of both my flights and those of my friends is a total game-changer. I no longer have to rely on airport screens to figure out which gate I’m heading to, where to pick up my luggage, or when boarding starts. Everything I need is right on my phone and easily glanceable in a live activity. I also love being able to see little details like how old the plane I’m flying on is and whether or not it is a plane I have been on in the past.
I have not leaned into the usage of AI as fully as some people have, but I’m gradually exploring ways it can add value to my life. While I haven’t had much success using AI to write code or generate entirely new information, it has become a useful tool for rewording or refining my ideas. When I’m trying to think of different ways to phrase something, ChatGPT has proven to be a surprisingly valuable tool.
Created by the talented Will Bishop, Pestle is my go-to app for managing recipes. With its smart features to parse recipes from websites and even TikTok videos, it makes saving any dish that catches my eye super convenient. Sharing those recipes with others is a breeze too, thanks to Pestle’s customizable sharing options. And I love the guided cooking mode with voice control to walk me through each step without needing to touch my phone with dirty hands while I’m cooking.
