Monday, 15 July 2013
Smartphone Apps that Help You Save
App developers, whether mobile providers like it or not, have developed a number of apps over the years that can help consumers get around voice and text requirements that drive up monthly service plan costs. Many of these apps are free to download and use, while some come with a download cost. Regardless of the initial cost to download an app, the savings offered over time are well worth the investment.
Voice and Text Savings
The most popular money saving apps, by far, are those that allow consumers to get around the expense of having high numbers of voice minutes and text messages added to their plans. With some carriers, unlimited text messaging plans alone can cost as much as $30 (£19) extra each month. The following apps can help avoid the added expense of greater voice and texting plans.
First, there is WhatsApp. This is by far the most popular texting app available today. The app is available on iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry and allows users to send text messages for free over 3G/4G mobile networks and WiFi at home. The app is free to download and the service is free for one year.
There is competition in the market however. Viber is a similar app that allows users to make free phone calls and send text messages over 3G and WiFi connections. The only downside to Viber is that those calls and texts must be placed to other Viber users, a restriction not in place on WhatsApp.
Secondly, there are services like 08 Wizard. This app has a fee to download for iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone but allows users to lower the cost of calling 0800, 0845, and 0870 numbers in the UK. The app works by redirecting these calls as 01 and 02 landline number calls, allowing mobile users to access the minutes on their mobile plan rather than paying the premium rates usually attached to calling those numbers on mobile devices.
Finding Deals
Comparison shopping or finding coupons for local establishments on the go is one of the biggest advantages of a smartphone. There are apps available that allow users to stay in one place and bring the deals to them rather than driving all over in search of a bargain.
RedLaser is an app owned by eBay and allows shoppers to scan the barcodes of merchandise in stores. Users can then comparison shop from their phone to see if the in-store price is the best, or perhaps a lower one is available elsewhere. If a lower price is found elsewhere, users can either purchase through the app and have it shipped to their home or arrange to pick it up at another store. RedLaser is available on iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone as a free download.
Redeemia is an app similar in concept to Groupon and Living Social where discounts are negotiated with retailers and service providers, with the savings passed on to customers. Redeemia collects all the daily deals for a user’s preferred services and locations and sends them directly to a mobile device. The app is available as a free download for iPhone only.
Travelling
Travel can get expensive quickly, whether it is across town for the day or across the country for a weekend; travel expenses can get out of hand. There are apps to help travelers save on things from parking to hotels. Trivago and AA Parking are here to help though.
Trivago works in a similar fashion to lots of hotel booking sites. The difference however is that users can enter the hotel they wish to stay at and Trivago will tell them which site allows them to book a room for the lowest price. There is also a feature that allows users to search for hotels near their current location and then find the cheapest site to book through. The app is available as a free download on iPhone and Android.
AA Parking helps direct drivers to the cheapest parking ramps and garages near their location by comparing the parking rates at various locations. The app only works with garages that have parking rate data available and is currently only available for use in major cities. The app does cost money to download and is available on iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone.
Whether it lowers monthly data plan costs, comparison shops, or seeks out travel deals, there is a great deal that a smartphone can do for a consumer beyond simply making phone calls and accessing the web. These smartphone apps can save money for users each month by offering alternatives to mobile plans and shopping around without having to run all over town.
Author Bio:Elizabeth Garvey enjoys keeping up with the latest techno logy, especially when it involves saving money. She also enjoys sharing her tips online through blogging. Visit NextDayLenses.com to see how you can save on ordering lenses.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 Responses to “Smartphone Apps that Help You Save”
Post a Comment