10 apps that will make your life infinitely easier

BY Karissa Bell

We get by with a little help from our apps.

From smartphone apps that help get you places to those that remind you about morning meetings to those that give you life updates from friends, many basic tasks have become much easier.

But, as a simple scroll through Google Play or the App Store will prove, the app space is crowded; there's a lot to choose from. So we saved you the work and rounded up 10 of our favorites — from maps to news to restaurants — that will help you get things done faster and more efficiently.

Take a look through our list, and then let us know in the comments below which apps help to supercharge your productivity.

• 

  Citymapper

  Citymapper will help you navigate some of the biggest cities in the United States and Europe. The app pulls in data from local public transit and puts maps and directions at your fingertips.

  It also works offline, so you can get around even without data connection. Citymapper connects with Uber and Hailo to help you get rides around town, too.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  IMAGE: CITYMAPPER LIMITED

• 

  Flipboard

  Whether you're a news junkie or simply want to browse headlines on your way to work, Flipboard has you covered. After you select the topics you’re most interested in, the app creates themed magazines that are personalized to your tastes. You can also connect Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to quickly flip through updates from all your social networks in one place.

  Available for: iOS, Android, Windows Phone

  Also try... If you fall into the "less is more” camp, check out Yahoo’s News Digest, which offers a handful of carefully curated stories twice daily.

  IMAGE: FLIPBOARD INC.

• 

  Flush toilet finder

  When you have to go, you have to go. Flush will prevent the frantic rush to find a suitable place to do your business.

  The app has listings for more than 100,000 public restrooms around the world, including information on disability access, key requirements and user reviews.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  IMAGE: JRUSTON

• 

  Google Now

  Turn on voice searches to find everything from directions home and weather conditions to recipes, simply by saying, “OK, Google.” The app also acts a personal assistant with Google Now cards that show reminders and other information you need to know about your day.

  Available for:: iOS and Android

  Android users, step it up a notch with the Google Now Launcher, which puts Google Now’s superpowers directly on your home screen.

  IMAGE: GOOGLE

• 

  Pocket

  The simplest way to save things you want to find or read later. If you’re browsing in an app or on the web, save articles, videos, recipes and other items to your Pocket account for easy access later. Your account syncs across all devices and on the web; offline capabilities ensure you can always find that #longread when you want it.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  IMAGE: READ IT LATER, INC.

• 

  Shazam

  One of the first apps that made the iPhone seem magical, Shazam can identify that song you hear but just can't place -- in seconds -- even with background noise or voices. Music charts show you the latest trending tracks around the world, and its discovery features recommend new music based on your music tastes.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  Also try… Have a song stuck in your head but no clue what it is? Try SoundHound, which can identify songs based on singing or humming.

  IMAGE: SHAZAM ENTERTAINMENT

• 

  Sunrise

  There are a lot of great smart calendar apps on the market, but Sunrise's balance of features and its dead-simple user interface make it a winner. The app syncs with Google, Microsoft Exchange and iCloud accounts to put all your appointments and reminders in one place.

  The app also pulls in weather and Google Maps data to add relevant info to your calendar events and connects with Facebook and LinkedIn so you can see the faces of people you’re meeting right in your calendar.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  Also try… If you’re a calendar power user and want even more features, try Fantastical 2, which helps you manage nearly every aspect of your day and has an almost endless range of customization options.

  IMAGE: SUNRISE ATELIER

• 

  Venmo

  Hands-down the easiest way to pay friends, Venmo makes it simple to send money to people you know. You can also use the app to request payments, and money sent through app is easily transferred back to your bank account. Check out our beginners' guide here.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  IMAGE: VENMO

• 

  Waze

  If you spend a lot of time in the car, this is a must. The app crowdsources traffic data, road conditions and other information like speed traps and camera lights. If you're sitting in traffic, the app will automatically reroute to bring you to your destination more quickly. It also displays nearby gas stations (and prices), along with other nearby businesses.

  Available for: iOS and Android

  IMAGE: WAZE INC.

• 

  Yelp

  Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new restaurant to try or just want to double-check a menu, Yelp remains one of the best ways to check out most businesses in town. If you’re searching late at night or an otherwise odd hour, be sure switch on the “open now” filter.

  Available for: iTunes, Android, Windows Phone
  
  Also try… If you’re after a reservation, try OpenTable, which will help you snag a table.