TOP 10 APPS FOR MEN
Behind every great man is a great set of apps. In this day and age, there’s an app for everything, and everyone. Used correctly, they can operate like a trusty side-kick. Neglect them, and you may just be a step behind your fellow man. The Play Store and iTunes have spoiled users for choice, so SWAG has decided to make things easy for you. Check out our list of top 10 apps (in no particular order) for the man of 2014 and beyond.
1. GYMGOAL 2
Name: GymGoal 2
Price: €3.11
Available for: iOS
Meet your brand new digital gym coach. This isn’t your ordinary gimmicky workout app, it boasts an insanely long list of useful functions, from its body measurement feature to its step-by-step workout instructions and tracking system for various workouts. Videos, pictures, text – all workout material is accessible without an internet connection. Whether you’re benching double your own weight or struggling to pick up a kettlebell, GymGoal 2 will cater to your level. Analyse your workout history and tweak your routines, and don’t forget to save your data or send it to yourself via e-mail. It’s great for personal trainers as it allows up to 30 accounts, meaning keeping track of clients is simple.
2. MR PORTER
Name: Mr. Porter
Price: Free
Available for: iOS & Android
Stylish gentleman look no further. This easy-to-use app allows users to peruse through hundreds of designer men’s brands and have them delivered to your doorstep. Linked to the main website, just setup an account and wait for your favourite Gucci and Alexander McQueen clothes to arrive. Manage your shopping basket and mark items of clothing you’re interested in. It’s also helpful for keeping up to date with all the latest sales, so that luxury pair of shoes you wanted may finally fit into your price range. Yes, they do ship internationally.
3. IFIXIT
Name: iFixit
Price: Free
Available for: iOS & Android
Women love a man who can fix things around the house, and they won’t mind if an app does most of the work for you. iFixit provides comprehensive guides to help you repair anything from a toaster to a smartphone. The app willingly holds your hand through the entire process thanks to high-definition photos and easy-to-understand instructions. It’s constantly updated with the latest fixes, for new and old devices. Fix your dusty old console and host a retro gaming night or return your expensive digital camera back to its former glory. If you’ve been too lazy to search for those hard to find parts online, iFixit can do that too. You might even save some money along the way.
4. SAS SURVIVAL GUIDE
Name: SAS Survival Guide
Price: € 5.99
Available for: iOS & Android & Windows Phone
Imagine having Bear Grylls’ survival knowledge at your fingertips. Quite handy in a life-or-death situation, wouldn’t you say? Well, maybe you’ve already mastered jungle and desert travel, and you can construct a boat out of sticks and leaves at the snap of a finger. Perhaps you’re well-versed in hunting, shelter building and first aid. In that case, look away. If you can’t tell your twigs from your tinder, this thorough app is for you. Based-off the SAS survival book, it has 9 categories including information on survival essentials, staying alive in polar landscapes and urban disasters. An app for the pure survivalist, or any man looking to expand his knowledge of dealing with dire situations.
5. MIXOLOGY
Name: Mixology
Price: Free
Available for: iOS & Android
Perfect for impressing drinking buddies on a night out with your extensive knowledge of cocktails. Possessing a huge database with thousands of beverages, you’ll never run out of crazy new drinks to try. Mixology has received over 4,500 five-star ratings on Google Play and has been featured on countless media outlets including Time magazine and Wired.com. You can select a random drink, save your favourite ones or learn techniques that experienced cocktail technicians have worked on for years. If you feel like getting hammered in style, upgrade to the paid app for just €1.17, it’s got even more functions than the free version. Go on, take a shot.
6. WEBER GRILLS
Name: Weber Grills
Price: Free
Available for: iOS
Every man loves a mouth-watering steak, but how many can cook one to perfection? Weber Grills’ 75+ recipes and countless tips and tricks will have you barbequing like a pro. Summer might be over, but grilling season lasts all year round. It’ll aid you from the minute you enter the supermarket until you’re prepping the food for your famished guests. There’s also a brand new tasty recipe featured every Friday. If you’re already master of your own grill then try the paid version, which has triple the amount of recipes (including marinades, sauces and more).
7. TINDER
Name: Tinder
Price: Free
Availabke for: iOS & Android
An obvious choice for the single man. Tinder received global media attention, and had just about everybody talking about it. And yes – people are still using it. You already know how it works – upload up to six pictures of yourself and stroke away as you browse through hundreds of females in your proximity to ‘like’ or ‘ignore’ them. Of course, in Malta, everywhere is in your proximity. Besides being quick to setup, plenty of women have joined in the fun this time. It’s no longer a 10:1 ratio with horny singles chasing down every female lead possible. Whether they’ll like you back is, however, a different story. If you’re not interested in dating, Tinder can be a lot of fun anyway.
8. HSBC / BOV MOBILE BANKING
Name: HSBC / BOV Mobile Banking
Price: Free
Available for: iOS & Android
Living in Malta probably means you have an account with either of these banks. Tied for first in the financial apps department, both the HSBC and BOV apps will save you the stress of queues and annoying children at the bank. Guaranteed security and the ability to check your accounts and transactions anywhere you go are standard. Make transfers with a single-tap or top-up your mobile. A financial man on the go requires these tools in today’s world. There are other critically acclaimed financial apps like Mint, but certain key features won’t function outside of North America.
9. 1ST4 FANS
Name: 1st4 Fans
Price: Free
Available for: Windows Phone
This is the ultimate football fan app. Ideal for staying up-to-date with your club’s latest news, it showers you with information from multiple sources, and presents them in 4 convenient news feeds. Categories include news, matches, opinion and video. Whether you’re a casual fan or die-hard fanatic, or whether you support Manchester United or Sydney F.C, 1st4Fans will keep you in the mix. It even succeeds in brightening up your home screen, with live news coming in instantly. iOS and Android versions are currently in development.
10. RAW ATTRACTION MAGAZINE
Title: Raw Attraction Magazine
Price: Free
Availale for: iOS
Interestingly, this app was banned from the Play Store for allegedly violating the code of conduct. Providing access to the ‘Raw Attraction’ digital magazine, its content ranges from relationships, dating advice and understanding the opposite sex to orgasms and sexual attraction. Well-suited for an alpha-male flying solo, or for a clueless fella in a relationship. Raw is genuinely interested in helping partners understand each other, on many different levels. It will definitely inspire you to spice things up in the bedroom if you’re tired of the missionary position – so download it now before it gets banned by iTunes. Subscription is free for the first month.
Martin Calleja Urry is a guest writer for SWAG. You can check out his work on Last Ditch Tackle.
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