As consumers gear up for the holiday season, so must smartphones. Shopping and travel can literally wear a person down, but with the help of some cool apps you can lessen the burden. Here are some top apps to consider adding to your arsenal for the holiday season.
This month’s special App Roundup: Holiday Edition 2011 focuses on retail and travel apps. Normally we give apps a stability ranking, but for this special edition we’re not ranking and instead focusing on usefulnesss. We’re also releasing it in time for our readers to download and test the apps in plenty of time for the holidays, but be sure to check in at the end of the month for our normal App Roundup!
TripAdvisor
If you’re expecting to travel this holiday season, then you’re not alone. AAA expects over 42 million Americans to travel for the holidays this year. TripAdvisor is an all-in-one trip planner for finding hotels, restaurants and attractions. With TripAdvisor you can find cheap flights, check reviews, view photos and take virtual tours at street view level of destinations. As an added benefit for weary road warriors there is a ‘Near Me Now’ tool to find options near your current location. Save destinations and attractions to find them easily in the future. TripAdvisor is a free Android and iOS app.
Newegg
We’ve recommended the Newegg app before, but think a reminder is in order as we head into the holiday rush. If you plan to shop for electronics, computer goods or household items, then you need to have the Newegg app. The built-in UPC scanner is a feature that should not be ignored as it will allow shoppers to scan an in store special and compare it to the price on Newegg. Double checking those prices will guarantee you are getting the best price. Newegg is well known for selling quality products at an excellent price so wise shoppers should take advantage of the comparison shopping built right into the mobile app. Newegg is a free Android and iOS app.
TapBuy
TapBuy pronounces that it’s “..the fastest and most convenient way to save money shopping online..”. TapBuy shows online sales from many major retailers, including Gap, Newegg and others. TapBuy has unadvertised deals and finds coupons to save you money on your orders. Like others, TapBuy gathers deals from Groupon, LivingSocial and others. Additional features TapBuy provides are personalization, to view only what interests you, and simple ordering without ever leaving the app. The real bonus of using TapBuy is the time saved when ordering. By saving your data within the app itself, TapBuy completes the purchase in literally seconds and with only a few taps. TapBuy will save you time and money and is a must have shopping app. TapBuy is a free iOS app.
Yipit
Yipit gathers deals, sales and coupons from a variety of sources to provide you with the best price possible. Smart shoppers love to get deals and Yipit is the latest way to help you shop like a genius. Local shopping is something that is not only convenient, but great for your local economy. Yipit lets you search for deals near you, get recommendations, search by category, save deals and get information about deals before they sell out. Yipit collects deals from various sources including Groupon, LivingSocial and hundreds more. Yipit is a free iOS app.
CardStar
Do you have reward cards from various retailers or merchants? Fumbling through your purse or wallet to find the right reward points card can be a real hassle. CardStar digitally stores and organizes your membership cards, rewards cards and loyalty cards. Simply use your phone’s camera to scan in your cards, then access them when you are at the merchant with a single click on your phone. CardStar helps eliminate clutter and makes sure you never lose a rewards card again. CardStar is a free Android and iOS app.
Etsy
Etsy is an app designed to buy and sell handmade or vintage goods. Small businesses can sell their fashioned items through listings and manage their products through merchant tools. Buyers can browse through Treasury Lists, Art, Jewelry, Housewares and other categorized items and purchase directly from the mobile app. Etsy is a place to find unique gifts for yourself and others which is a welcome change from the typical big box, cookie cutter mentality from other mobile apps and retailers. Etsy is a free iOS app.
Your Thoughts
Do you have another holiday, shopping or retail app that is indispensable? Let other travelers and shoppers know in the comments!
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