There's more to the social networks
than just Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter. This week, Inside Apps takes a look
at some of the (other) best Social Networking apps for your iOS device!
BUMP
This app brings a whole new dynamic to the
fist bump. It allows users to exchange information, contacts and photos by
simply opening the app on two phones, and bumping them together. Somehow this
app magically does all the work as the two phones share the same data almost
instantly.
All you need to do is set up your
initial info; bump hands while holding your device and accept the transfer. Not
only does it allow you to exchange info with friends but you can sync your own iOS
devices easily and quickly.
It would be great to see this app
expand to music and videos but for now it's still a highly convenient and
futuristically cool way to exchange basic info.
BOXCAR
This app is ideal for all of your
social networking by handling push notifications in one handy place. It uses
OAuth for authentication - so you never have to surrender all of your passwords
and sends you a notification for pretty much everything on Facebook and
Twitter.
But it doesn't stop there. You can use
Boxcar for email, RSS, Growl, GitHub, Google Voice, Google Hub and Google Buzz
amongst a bunch of other services available through the search function. Boxcar
will then compile all of your notifications in one convenient list while
indexing each of the services and even allowing for users to launch their
social networking apps directly from Boxcar itself. It's super convenient and
very easy to use.
TUMBLR
Tumblr is still one of the most popular
forms of social networking and this app still ranks highly among free apps. Its
popularity is built on the ease with which people can post text, photos, links,
sound clips, videos and more.
The app naturally gives users access
to all of these options in a very user friendly and clean design that doesn't
hinder the user from exploring other profiles. The Post section is divided into
the seven types of Tumblr blog posts, starting with text through to video.
Each of these buttons in turn opens
another interface where you can post the content you have chosen while the Dashboard
keeps you up to date-just as it would on the main website.
This app is integrated into iOS
devices allowing for videos and photos to be directly added from your camera roll
as well as save drafts, queue posts and customize tweets. Tumblr the website is
designed for easy blogging and this app is similarly designed for easy blogging
on the go.
WhatsApp Messenger
Currently one of the highest ranked social networking
apps on iTunes, WhatsApp Messenger provides an alternative messaging service closely
resembling SMS text messaging without any hidden costs.
The catch is your friends must have
the app installed as well, but at 99c with availability on multiple brand platforms
it's hardly prohibitive. Conveniently, the friends in your address book that
have the app installed will automatically be listed in your favorites so you
can see at a glance who you can and can't message using WhatsApp.
It integrates flawlessly with your address
book without the need for an additional login and it works much like any instant
messaging services allowing you to set a status, send video, audio and images amongst
many other features.
The only thing to be aware of is your
internet charges as WhatsApp uses 3G or Wi-Fi. Use home or free Wi-Fi, and
you're golden.
