The iPhone already comes loaded with some built-in apps that might appeal to students--Voice Memos for recording lectures, Calendar for keeping tabs on class schedules, and the like. But peruse the aisles of the App Store, and you can find plenty of apps aimed at students, whether you're starting your senior year of high school or working on a Master's degree.
We've compiled a list of 10 apps we think are at the head of the class, but they're not the only . So feel free to add to our list with the back-to-school apps that have earned your top marks.
If you still can't summon the info you need, time for the experts. The free ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ) taps into the world's most famous search engine--all you have to do is talk to it. The app's easy-to-use voice search feature locates what you are looking for in no time. Google Mobile App also gives you one-stop access to all of Google's major players, including Gmail, Calendar and Docs--handy functions on their own.
Whether it's in paper form, on a Kindle, or even via an iPhone, you're going to to do a lot of reading in the coming school year. Try ( Macworld rated 4.5 out of 5 mice ), which offers more than 50,000 books available to download for free, and more for purchase. Brush up on , get spiritual with , or explore your Machiavellian side with . With a list like this, you're sure to find something you can read for English class.
Textbooks are a reality for students. But why pay what the college bookstore is asking if you can find a better price somewhere else. Look for your books with the free ( Macworld rated 4.5 out of 5 mice ), the mobile companion to the Amazon.com Web site. You might just find whatever textbook you're looking for, and for a lot less. The app's search feature is quick, and Amazon has virtually everything. Even after shipping, you might still get a better deal and get your books in time for the first day of class.
When reading or writing, having a good dictionary is essential. The App Store offers a number of possibilities, both and . The $2 ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ) is debatably the best in the latter category, with more than 150,000 entries, a built-in Thesaurus, Web links and even spoken pronunciations; it even does a passable job as a spell checker. This wealth of information is indispensable to the student, and even fun to use. No one ever said that about their dusty old dictionary.
While working on anything from an AP History essay to a Masters' thesis, allows you to bring your .doc or .docx files along for the ride, storing them on your iPhone or iPod touch in full formatted glory. At $5 for the Microsoft Word version, Docs To Go is inexpensive, allowing you to do real work instead of settling for a watered down "text only" version. Format, cut and paste, and find and replace to your heart's content. Now you can feel free to jab out that research paper late into the night, and worry about getting the style right on the bus. APA formatting never looked so good.
The iPhone's built-in calendar is nice enough, particularly if you turn the device on its side to access more advanced functions. Still, today's math courses require some serious number crunching. And the beast most professors are looking for is the Ti83, faithfully recreated by PigLit as the . Tally statistics, algebraic functions, trigonometry and other fun stuff all without spending a fortune--the app costs $1--or carrying a giant, geeky calculator. Graphing not your thing? Try the $5 or the $15 , both from Thomas Fors, for great apps representing two other popular devices.
Not all of these school materials are free. To keep from getting in over your heard, turn to ( Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ), a free app that helps you keep track of your financial situation on the go. Set up your account on your computer, then sync your financials direct to your iPhone. Check balances, maintain a budget and see your spending before you ask mom and dad for a loan.
School isn't all work and no play--there's nothing wrong with some entertainment while studying. ( Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ) serves as your instant music collection on your iPhone. Just build playlists based on your favorite songs or artists, and listen as Pandora fills your ears with the songs that keep you going for those long nights of cramming.
This whole school scenario can be a mess of classes, lectures, concerts, and dates. ( Macworld rated 3 out of 5 mice ) helps students stay on top of their busy schedule. Get your assignments organized by list or calendar, edit details, and track your class schedule, all with an interface that might make keeping up with your homework fun.
You're going to need all the help you can get studying for that big exam. Don't discount the power of flashcards when it comes to drilling and memorization. ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ) offers extensive customization, especially when compared to some of the other flashcard-creation tools on the App Store. And it uses an algorithm specifically designed to boost both memory and retention--just the kind of study aide that pays off come test time.
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