Scott Gerber is the founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes youth entrepreneurship as a solution to unemployment and underemployment. The YEC provides young entrepreneurs with access to tools, mentorship, and resources that support each stage of a business's development and growth. I handle 90% of my workload and business activities on my iPhone. I write blog posts and articles (including this one), create documents, assign tasks to teammates, host conference calls, schedule meetings, process purchases — you name it, it's done on my phone. I even fling a bird here or there to blow off some steam.
Today, mobile apps enable a business owner to manage his entire operation from the palm of his hand. They also allow consumers to interact, communicate and purchase products with ease, something app developers should certainly take note of when developing around trends and needs.
However, with the glut of mobile apps out there, it's important to get solid recommendations so you don't waste your time or money on crappy, time-draining apps. I recently asked a group of successful young entrepreneurs about their favorite mobile apps.
1. Voxy — A Language Learning App
Voxy, based in Manhattan, teaches Spanish speakers in Latin America how to learn English by incorporating words and phrases into their everyday life activities. The innovative app changes the nature of language learning, both pedagogically and stylistically. It has been the top iPhone app in 13 countries for most of 2011.
- Zach Cutler , Cutler Group.
2. Thumb
Thumb is an app where you ask questions and share opinions. What amazes me most about the app is the amount of activity. Once you've uploaded a picture, people immediately begin to rate it and comment. Within five minutes you'll usually receive over 30 votes.
- Ben Lang, MySchoolHelp.
3. Apple Store EasyPay
The official Apple Store app for iOS devices has been updated to accept payments when you are inside the store. You can scan a product barcode when using the Apple Store Wi-Fi network, and purchase it one-click with your credit card or billing information already on file. It eliminates lines, the hassle of shopping and having to deal with a salesperson. More retailers will likely build this.
- Lane Sutton, Social Media from a Teen.
4. Instagram
Instagram wows 'em all. This photo sharing app quickly and easily allows you to add one of 16 filters to your images and photos to take them from ordinary to evocative in just seconds. It's a great way to make amateur images look professional and avant-garde without the process or price tag.
- Benjamin Leis, Sweat EquiTees.
5. Sent: A Great GMail App
It's funny how solving the smallest of problems can create such an immense value sometimes. In this case, an iPhone application called Sent simply strives to be the best Gmail app out there. It is and I love it. It's basically just an improvement on the iPhone's basic mail application, but the slight differences make my life a whole lot easier while I'm on-the-go.
- Logan Lenz, Endagon.
6. Instapaper
Throughout my day I'm constantly coming across web-based articles, blog posts and other content I want to read but don't have the immediate time to read. With Instapaper, I just save the article to read later on my iPhone, iPad or computer, preferably while I'm on the subway or waiting in a long line. Instapaper is totally simple and totally brilliant.
- Lindsey Pollak, Lindsey Pollak.
7. Uber
Uber lets you locate private car services from your phone in mere minutes. You pay for the car through your phone and the geo-targeted app tells you exactly when you are going to be picked up, and allows you to text your driver. It's a great alternative to a cab, especially in the rain, for trips to the airport or meetings with a client.
- Matt Wilson, Under30CEO.com.
8. Dwolla
Dwolla is like the online version of cash. It allows people to exchange money online or through their phones without paying any sort of credit card fees. I've used it at local businesses, or to split hotel/travel costs with friends. Definitely something to watch in 2012.
- Andy Drish, Referral Squirrel.
9. Soundtracking
Soundtracking creates a rich experience by letting you share your location, music and photos all in one. It sounds like something you've seen before, but is surprisingly addictive to use. And Soundtracking integrates with Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, so it's a way to enhance the networks you're already on instead of having yet another network to join.
- Laura Roeder, LKR.
10. Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper 2012
This app is more than just a barcode scanner, it provides the inside scoop on thousands of products. It allows you to see Consumer Reports ratings, brand reliability, recommendations, ratings and user reviews. This app provides all the information necessary to make a well-informed decision before buying the product.
- Anthony Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings.
11. OmniFocus for iOS
There are hordes of productivity apps available, but none rival OmniFocus's power and beauty. What really struck me about the way the Omnigroup developed OmniFocus is how it truly leveraged the power of the iOS devices at the same time that it integrated with and spurred development of their Mac OS app.
- Charlie Gilkey, Productive Flourishing.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Jorge Quinteros
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