Smartphones continue to be a popular piece of consumer technology, but it's the apps that help keep them interesting. Here are six new Smartphone apps that are changing the way people work and play on the go.

 

Doodling is entertaining for all ages, and the Draw Something app introduces a little Pictionary®-style competition into the mix. Players draw something on the Smartphone screen then send it off to an opponent to be deciphered. This addictive game is free with ads and also comes in a $2.99, ad-free version. Check out www.facebook.com/playdrawsomething for more information.

 

The popular TED lecture series website is a go-to source for many who want to get inspired or learn something new. The site now offers an app that brings the lectures right to your Smartphone. It's free and provides viewers with more than a thousand videos that can easily be browsed and searched by theme, tags or rating. Visit www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/ted/id376183339?mt=8 or www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ted.android&hl=en for more.

 

Like apps, social networking has contributed to the popularity of Smartphones. Facebook, which brought together millions of people from around the world with its website, has created an app that lets you instantly upload photos to your account. To learn more about the free Facebook Camera app, visit www.facebook.com/mobile/camera.

 

There are numerous translation apps, but many of them require users to type words into the app to see the written translation. iTranslate Voice allows you to talk into your Smartphone and then hear the word or phrase in another language. More than 30 languages are supported by the app, and users can download it for 99 cents.

 

Storing information on “the cloud” has become a common way for consumers to manage their electronic files. Numerous backup services exist, and various companies provide cloud-based drives where people can get files on the go. The free Google Drive app allows Smartphone users to access their files from literally anywhere. For details, visit www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs&hl=en.

 

For many consumers, the Smartphone's true appeal is its games. App-based games number in the thousands, and developers are constantly looking for new ways to build on popular ideas. Bike Race is a physics-based game that puts a bike on a complicated track filled with loops and jumps. It's quickly gaining popularity and available for free. Check out www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/bike-race-free-by-top-free/id510461758?mt=8 for details.

 

Today, the Smartphone has become a way to communicate, conduct business and be entertained. New apps are always being released, and software companies are scrambling to meet the demands of consumers. While Smartphones are a key part of today’s technological lifestyle, it's the apps that keep them fun and fresh.