Boses Muhinda
The holiday is almost done and a new semester is round the corner. This means we need to put our smart phones to better use this semester by frequently using the apps I am listing below;
Money Lover Expense Manager
Wallets are always smiling at the beginning of every semester but towards the middle, people are so broke because they miss-managed their dime. This app helps you track you expenses and earnings, you will be able to record who you lent money or from whom you borrowed money. Use it to find out your priorities and save. Oh! There is a pin lock feature so bae won’t know how much you have.
Opera mini
Data bundles and mbs can be a problem during the semester. This lightweight browser will reduce you data usage when surfing websites by up to 70%. However the user experience on some websites may be terrible. Just use a better browser when using wifi or a big data bundle.
Google Calendar
Before you wrinkle your face, try remembering the number of lectures, parties, conferences and plot you missed because you forgot. Google Calendar lets you add events and schedules together with notifications even SMS to remind you about an event. I have my lecture timetable, inserted on repeat which saves the stupid hunt for my timetable.
Shazam
If you happen to ever go for a party or date and a nice song plays but you can’t figure out who sung it or its title, then download Shazam. Shazam will help you know that song title and spare the lost swag when asking your probably clueless neighbor the title of the song. Ugandan songs will require you to kiss the DJ to find out though.
Google Drive, Dropbox & OneDrive
Lecturers are no longer accepting excuses like “the virus ATE my coursework.” Because the statement itself sounds stupid and lame. My personal preference is Google Drive however you can use either Google Drive, Dropbox or Onedrive to backup your coursework and collaborate with group members on both any Internet enabled computer and smartphone. These apps will also help you open documents and digital handouts on your phone or tablet.
Photo Editors (Photogrid, Camera 360…. blah blah)
All smartphone photos seem to be edited these days. Those moments captured on your phone need to be shared looking “better” than they existed using filters, grids and effects. Guys will need to be careful though, results of these apps can be highly misleading. Choose from PhotoGrid, Camera360, Avairy Photo Editor or the simple Instagram. Just one request though, keep the Instagram photos square and don’t leave spaces on the side.
Matatu and Candy Crush
For those “cool kids” who get bored during lectures, discussions, fake parties and shuttles to and from campus. Download any of these games to keep you occupied. I choose these because they are rather casual, simple and won’t make you look like a fool twisiting and turning his or her phone.
WhatsApp
I don’t think I need to explain its importance. Unless of course your phone has a 1 inch screen or you prefer paying for SMS.
The list of apps is endless but these are the ones I believe will make your Campus life easy.
Boses is an IS student at Makerere University, a tech guru and a practicing Internet Security expert and UI/UX designer
