Favorite ? and Useful ? Branded iPhone Apps
The Succulent Wife - July 19, 2010
One of the most popular apps. They claim 10 million fans. It?s perfect for all the concerts that you will be attending this summer. This app is such a clever way to reinvigorate a brand that might easily have been swept under the rug as the ranks of non-smokers keeps on swelling.Free.
As a marketing professional by day, I?ve really enjoyed observing how the big brands are applying themselves atenhancing their social presence through iPhone apps (ok, and some on other smartphones too). Here, I?m not talking about the Netflix, or the NPR or the Alice.com kind of apps that simply extend online websites functionalities to the mobile world. I love and use these too. Butwhat I really admire, are companies that developed creative, entertaining and/or useful applications thatare not meant to create anything but a better experience with the brand and increase goodwill? for free in most cases. Hey, it?s almost altruistic!
Not all branded apps are successful or useful or even usable. It?s not because the companies have big budget that they will necessarily create something clever. But some are definitely worth sharing. I have been collecting my favorite branded apps for a while now, and the idea that many were useful for summer prompted me to put this list together now (yeah, before summer is over? I know, I know).Here are some of my favorites. You?ll notice that a few are not so new, like the Zippo?s app which is now considereda ?classic?, but I like them and best of all, all but one of these are free:
Coppertone MyUV Alert: This is the most logical app for Coppertone to create. It definitely offers much more than I would ever use (Suncare profiles??) but the alert to reapply is actually not a bad idea.Free.
Oakley Surf Report: For the surfers out there, a surf report is all important to learn about current conditions. I don?t surf, so I can?t tell how good this is, but this app seems to be well rated. But if I were a surfer, I would certainly want to tap into the app?s community. Free.
Coleman (of camping gear fame) actually has three different apps, all of them wonderfully relevant to the brand:Campfire tales (creepy stories for kids and teens), the Lantern which will act as a flashlight, and the Camping Cookbook which includes a meal planner so that you know exactly what to shop for and pack. Free.
Weber?s On the Grill: This app is $4.99 but it?s been touted as one of the best on the web. With grilling season in full force,I?m guessing the recipes, the timer and tips might fully justify the price.
Virtual Zippo Lighter: One of the most popular apps. They claim 10 million fans. It?s perfect for all the concerts that you will be attending this summer. This app is such a clever way to reinvigorate a brand that might easily have been swept under the rug as the ranks of non-smokers keeps on swelling.Free.
Sit or Squat Bathroom Finder. This app is sponsored by Charmin, another perfect tie-in.It helps you find the nearest restrooms, which are reviewed and rated and mention features like changing tables, etc? Great to know when traveling. Free.
Stanley Bostitch Level: What a beautifully simple ? and useful ? brand tie-in of an app. I love using this level app, just to verify my suspicions that something is, indeed, not exactly straight! Free.
Ben Color Capture: Let?s you snap a picture and match it with more than 3,000 colors in the Benjamin Moore repertory.Proposes color schemes too. A great tool for designers and wannabe designers in any field. Free.
Lego Photo: Fun for the kids. This app let?s you transform photosinto a lego-pixelated images. Free.
Kodak SmileMaker: While you?re goofing around with photos, you might as well have the kids try the SmileMaker to create ?funny faces? of all sorts. As long as they are not of you. Free.
Tide Stain Brain: This app has been around for a while too and might also be on its way to becoming a classic. All necessary instructions and tips on how to handle 85 different types of stains. Useful. And free.
That?s just a sampling. As you can see, there really is an app for that?
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