The best (new and free) apps of 2014
Whether you're looking for something to tap through while relaxing over the holidays or expecting to unwrap your first smartphone or tablet this season, you'll want to download some apps to get the most out of your new digital device.
With more than 1.3 million apps at Apple's App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and even more at Google Play for Android devices, it can be difficult to know where to start.
We can help.
The following is a look at a number of stellar and free picks that debuted over the past year — for both iOS and Android, unless otherwise specified — not including games. And be sure to suggest your favorites in the Comments section, too.
• Elevate
As an app developer, it doesn't get much better than being called "App of the Year" by Apple. This is the honor bestowed upon Elevate, a mobile "brain-training" program designed to improve your focus, memory, speaking skills, reading retention and comprehension. It does so with some 25 minigames (daily "cognitive workouts") based on what you'd like to improve. Also available for Android devices, Elevate is fun, attractive and appears to work — not just in our testing but based on the many comments.
• Disney Movies Anywhere
If you ever felt like screaming "Help, I've got kids!" then look no further than Disney Movies Anywhere, an app that lets you access Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies on all your devices. Sign up is mandatory but free, and you'll get a free film in the process (Wreck It Ralph), along with exclusive videos and special offers reward points for all your eligible digital purchases going forward. With the library of hundreds of movies, users can either stream or download to watch offline. Optional parental controls are built into the app.
• SideChef: Step-by-step cooking
While 2014 saw some new and impressive cooking apps like Yummy, we loved the Kickstarter-supported SideChef for making learning to cook fun and easy — thanks to its voice prompts, step-by-step photos and accessible onscreen instructions. A Siri-like voice will read through the 1,000+ recipes aloud to you while you chop, whisk and stir, plus you can use your own voice to say "Next" or "Back" during the instructions, as well. Other features include: recipe search based on ingredients you have; an integrated timer; and the option to upload your own recipes.
• Dubsmash
Want a fun (nay, silly) way to communicate over the holidays? Dubsmash lets you choose a famous quote from a TV show, movie or stand-up routine, record yourself lip-syncing it and then send the video to your friends or family. That is, after you choose a clip uploaded by another user (which is likely how the app gets around the copyright issues), move your mouth so it looks like it's you saying or singing it, and your front-facing camera records and then playbacks the "dubbed" video before. Be aware of some profanity in the app.
• Google Now Launcher
Previously exclusive to Nexus devices, Google Now Launcher gives you relevant information when and where you want it. Simply swipe right from your Android home screen and you'll see your custom Google Now cards, such as traffic to your next appointment, live sports scores, flight information, weather and more. When you're on your home screen, say "OK Google," followed by a command or question, be it "Text John Smith I'm running a few minutes late" or "How tall is Barack Obama?" While not with the "launcher" feature, Google Now is also available for iOS devices.
• Raise
What are you going to do with gift cards you receive over the holidays — from stores you don't like to shop at? You might consider re-gifting, but even better perhaps, you can sell it via the Raise app? An extension of the Raise.com marketplace, the iOS (and in January, Android) app lets you buy, sell and redeem gift cards, which are all verified and insured by the company. And you'll often be able to buy the gift cards you want at a discount (16% off, on average, says Raise).You'll have access to more than 3,000 brands and 800-odd stores, including the likes of Home Depot, Apple, Starbucks and Best Buy.
• Health Mate
From Withings, Health Mate for iOS and Android is a comprehensive health and wellness tracker designed for anyone who wants to lose some weight, get fit, reduce stress and/or have a more restful night's sleep. Not only does Health Mate use your smartphone's sensors (or companion apps or optional accessories) to capture information while you're on the go, but the app displays the data in a meaningful and motivating way and helps you improve over time. The device's camera can even analyze your heart rate by placing your finger over it.
• Mailbox
Looking to boost productivity? Consider Mailbox as one of the key tools in your arsenal. Now owned by Dropbox, this e-mail app alternative for your iOS or Android device (or Mac) helps you get more done in less time. A clean, minimalist view makes it easy to see what's waiting for you in your unified inbox (supporting many services), which you can read and reply (with a chat-like window to see the conversation thread), swipe to send to trash or hit the snooze button on some messages to appear at a later time. The app learns from your actions to better serve you.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at techcomments@usatoday.com.