20 apps for the holidays

So it's that time of year again, and you're looking for a way to make your holiday a bit less hectic. If you have an Android phone or iPhone, you're in the right place. Try these applications for your smartphone to take some of the troubles from your holiday grind.

10 Android apps for the Holidays

Wixel (lite version-free / full version-$1.49)

• Every year after the big events are over, many families gather round the table and play board games. If your family is anything like mine, you'll soon enough be picking seven lettered tiles from a cloth sack. Why wait until next year to exact your letter tile board game revenge on friends and family when the key to retribution is at your fingertips? Wixel, a great word search style game, makes passing idle time and expanding your vocabulary fun. The Lite (free) version offers basic word search play options, while the paid version ($1.49) also lets you play online against others.

Where's My Droid (free)

• If the season to be merry leaves you feeling more frantic than jolly, the Where's my Droid app may help keep your phone at hand. This app allows you to text a phrase of your choice to your phone to set off your ringer for a period of time so you can find it when it's lost nearby, or get the latitude and longitude of the phone if you've lost it far away. The great thing is that even if your ringer is turned off, the Where's My Droid app will enable it again, and make it ring until you can find it. A very helpful app that won't even break the bank.

StatusToggle (free)

• Does your inner nerd scream every time you need to use Wi-Fi, but are already knee deep on a Web site using your 3G? Or maybe you just find yourself annoyed at having to jump into Settings whenever you need to use a new W-Fi connection. The StatusToggle app allows you to turn on/off your wifi connection easily without jumping back and forth in the Android system, right from the notification bar on the fly. It even offers to open the wifi availability list if you are in an unfamiliar location and need to choose a connection. Managing Wi-Fi doesn't get any easier than this.

Sherpa (available only for G1 and MyTouch 3G / free)

• Ever find yourself in an unfamiliar place and needing food, gas, or hotel? Then Sherpa is the app for you! An augmented reality app that learns your likes and dislikes, Sherpa works by adding a layer of information over your camera's phone to show you surrounding businesses in your area and more. Once you find what you're looking for, Sherpa gives you contact info as well as options to find the best route to the location.

Google Voice (free)

• Anymore it's not uncommon to have more than one phone number. In fact if you're anything like most you might have a personal cell, a business cell, an office line, and a home line. With Google Voice, managing all your numbers is a breeze. Set one number to ring every line, set up a common voicemail between all numbers and much, much more.

Bedside ($1.49)

• Learning to navigate an unfamiliar alarm clock can be a chore. You're never quite sure if it is set correctly, and even when it is it can be painful to find the off switch in the morning. Bedside to the rescue! Beside, a feature stuffed Android alarm clock, will be a welcome addition to those that want a simpler way to wake up. Bedside launches whenever you plug your phone in to charge, and takes over the screen with a large customizable clock. It also features some great functions like SMS blocking while you rest, the ability to play music to help you fall asleep faster, as well as many other useful functions. Say goodbye to that unfamiliar guest alarm forever by carrying one right in your pocket.

Flyscreen (free)

• Flyscreen, the lock-screen replacement app for Android, is a great way to be able to keep up on the news that matters to you on the go. After launching Flyscreen, you are given the option to load content from news to social media widgets, and just about everything in between. These widgets live right on the lock screen, so whenever you need to play catch-up you wont even have to go past the lock-screen. Receive news feeds, preview / visit stories, or make a posting to your Facebook wall. Never be out of the loop while you travel again.

Bluetooth File Transfer (free)

• Get the ability to share files from your phone to your bluetooth enabled computer, and back again with Bluetooth File Transfer. Forget searching through mounds of wrapping paper to uncover the right cable or cord, and go wireless. Bluetooth File Transfer is a basic file transfer app for Android, and allows you to share content without the hassle of being tethered to a computer. Now its just as easy to snap holiday pics and give them to friends instantly as it is tearing through the wrapping paper on that perfect gift.

Motion and Sound Alarm ($1.99)

• Stop gift snoopers and other sneaky types with the Motion and Sound Alarm. This alarm is activated by motion and/or sound, and gives you the option to set an audible alarm or to call another phone once tripped. Ensure that all the snoopers on your gift list stay surprised on the big day, by hiding your phone in the pile of presents – they'll never see it coming!

ShopSavvy (free)

• If your pockets are feeling a little light as you do your holiday shopping, you may want to try out ShopSavvy for Android. ShopSavvy is a barcode scanning app that, after you scan a barcode of a product you would like to purchase, provides you with price comparisons from both local and online shops. Also helpful is the ability to organize scanned items into a wish-list in addition to reading reviews about the needed item right from your mobile. Save time and money this season by making sure you get the best prices on all your gifts with your personal comparison shopper, ShopSavvy.

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10 iPhone/iPod Touch apps for the Holidays

Sleeps ‘Til Christmas (lite version-free / full version-$0.99)

• If your kids (or spouse) ask daily or hourly “How long ‘til Christmas?” just show them this app. For the tiny ones, 14 Sleeps ‘Til Christmas might mean a bit more than 14 days, and when the magical eve gets closer, just tap the sign to switch from “sleeps” to hours, minutes or seconds. This will also be helpful for the parent that needs to know exactly how long he or she has to assemble jr’s bicycle. With several backgrounds and holiday tunes playing in the background, this app will allow you to answer and entertain at the same time.

Christmas Radio (free)

• The name pretty much takes care of the explanation here . . . for those of you who need details, here they are. This app provides 40 channels to choose from, including one station broadcasting from the North Pole. Because this is a free app you can’t choose the songs and there are lots of ads, but at least one of the channels is sure to power your holiday cheer with just the right mix of tunes.

iMistletoe (free)

• OK. This one is really cheesy and loaded with ads, pop-ups and other things you don’t want. It’s really basic. It has only one screen and no options. So why include it? Because it’s portable mistletoe!! What else do you need it to do? Just punch up the app, tap away the ads, and you’ve got something that time-honored excuse for a smooch displaying brightly over your head.

Holiday Plan (free)

• Now for something a bit more practical. Even though it’s already a bit late in the shopping season, this app will help you keep track of every penny. It has areas for your overall holiday budget, gifts, decorations, food, travel and more. You can add individuals to keep track of $$ spent. The only down side is there is not a field to keep track of exactly what you bought them. There is also a section of holiday tips, and because this one is sponsored there are lots of links to the sponsor (you’ll have to download it to find out who). If you are looking for more person and gift-specific functionality, check out “Shopping List.” You’ll need to cough up $0.99 for it though.

Paper Toss (free)

• Yes, paper toss. “That doesn’t sound like a holiday app,” you say, and you’re right. However, I think we’ve all spent some time hanging out at the mall, or the airport, or in a car, or a really dull party, or a . . . you get the idea. The bottom line is that a lot of time during the holidays is spent waiting, so you might as well have a mindless app for that. It’s simple. Pick your difficulty level and flick a wad of paper at a trash can. There’s a fan to make things challenging, and if you’re actually stuck in the airport . . . there’s a screen for that.

Lose It (free)

• Now on to another practical, if somewhat touchy, subject. The holidays are notorious for great food and the additional pounds that result from said food. If one of your goals this year is to not set a New Year’s resolution to lose the weight you put on over November and December, then you’ll want this app. It will ask you a few questions your spouse or best friend won’t even ask you start off (like how much you weigh and when you were born) then move along to your goals. After you’ve completed the initial set up, it’s time to monitor what you eat and how much you exercise. When it’s time for a meal, or time to plan a meal, just dial up the food you want and it will display and store the calories for you. The calories add up through the day, but entering exercise will take them away – of course it won’t work if you don’t actually do the exercise. Good luck, and happy calorie counting!!

iResolve (free)

• If you don’t fit into the category above, then you may need this app to guide you through 2010. iResolve will store your New Year’s resolutions and help you track them as you go. Just enter a new resolution and how you intend to accomplish it then set reminders to keep you on track.

New Year’s Eve Top 100 Songs (free)

• If you’re looking to DJ your New Year’s Eve party, but aren’t sure what to play or where to get the songs, just download this app and plug your iPhone or iPod Touch into your stereo or docking station. It will stream 100 songs in random order (for legal reasons), and if you decide you really like one of the songs, there’s an option to purchase and download it. Prince’s 1999 tops the list followed by Jimi Hendrix’ version of Auld Lang Syne. Some other top hits include Stayin’ Alive by the BeeGees, Shout by the Isley Brothers, Aretha’s Respect and 95 others that I will not type out but will listen to this NYE.

iLove New Year’s Countdown (free)

• Yes, it’s another countdown app, but hey, it’s counting down to a different holiday, so it’s worth mentioning. This is a very simple but free countdown to take with you anywhere. You may not need it if you’re standing in Times Square, but it will work wonders if you’re trying to figure out how much longer you need to stay awake before the first kiss and extended sleep of 2010. It has several backgrounds and other options to choose from as well as a party screen to ring in the New Year.

Champ (free)

• Lastly, you can’t ring in the New Year without a bottle of bubbly. So if you find yourself without one handy (or if you’ve already downed it all), fear not!! Just crank open the Champ app, give it a shake and then pop the cork. Happy New Year!!