Gone are the days where the primary purpose of phones was to make phone calls. That has now expanded to communication using various apps and channels. Besides that, we have maps, a good quality camera, a gaming device, unlimited newspapers, books, entertainment device and so much more, in just one device! We are going to look at some of the most popular apps people in Singapore use, and how useful they actually are in our daily lives. And if you are into mobile app development, they might give you some inspiration as well!
Getting around
Carpark@SG
We can all agree finding a parking space in overcrowded Singapore is a major pain, so this apps takes away a little bit of that pain. Users can find available lots and the price comparison of the car parks within your vicinity.
iChangi
This app not only allows users to check the flight details of the present day and the next two days, it also lets them navigate their way around the airport (with a bird’s eye view of the place), get information on the attractions and services at the airport. They are also able to find out where their favourite food places and shops are located, as well as get information about the latest promotions.
WhereTo.sg
This is perfect for users who want to find the nearest ATM, AXA machine, 7-eleven, navigating themselves to places which usually don’t appear on Google maps.
Explore Singapore MRT Map
This app shows users the accurate and most updated Singapore MRT map, as well as the shortest routes to take when they want to get from one station to another and the time required to get there.
Uber, Grab
Taxis are out, Uber and Grab are in. Most of us know about these two apps and have probably used them on more than one occasion. They allow users to check the price of getting to places even before they have booked the trip, and then there are the slightly cheaper options of Uberpool and GrabHitch. Both require users to share ride with a couple of other pick ups and take slightly longer to complete the trip.
Citymapper
Imagine if Google maps improved themselves such that they provide the accurate time required for users to get from point A to point B using various transport modes, as well as give them the amount they would be spending depending on which mode they are to choose. Not only that, it is also able to give them multiple routes including ‘heat safe’ and ‘fewest transfers’, and tell them the best section of the train to be in, in order to minimise their transfer times in the stations. But why wait for Google maps to update themselves to include these services when Citymapper already has them?
SG Buses
This one allows users to check for bus stops near their vicinity, the buses that stop there and how long their bus will take to arrive. For the most part, the information is very accurate. They can also check for first and last buses, and the route the bus takes (including the bus stops it stops at).
Food
Ubereats, Foodpanda, Deliveroo
Singapore is a fast paced society and most of the time we are too busy to cook. But we can’t be too busy for food. Recognising this growing need for food delivery services, these companies did not fail to ‘deliver’. Users are spoilt for choices as they look to each app for their favourite food at affordable prices, and with the convenience of having them dropped off at their doorstep. None of them take much more than half an hour and for Foodpanda actually provides 24 hours of service.
Chope
Starving while we wait in those long queues while we are waiting to be seated at a restaurant is not a memory most of us look back at fondly. But now we can leave them in the past as we use Chope to make free online reservations. They also include curated restaurant reviews along with personally recommended dishes, exclusive promotions, restaurant updates, special menus and events.
Shopping
Lazada, Zalora
These days we can order anything and expect them on our doorsteps. These apps make shopping convenient for the laziest shoppers. While Lazada allows users to purchase a range of products from electronics to apparels, Zalora is more for fashion and carry over a thousand different brands.
Pocketmalls
Googling store locations while I am in a shopping mall is a hobby as getting to the directory is often a chore. With Pocketmalls, users are able to access the complete directory of whichever mall they are in, search the store names and it comes complete with directions.
