Best iPhone/iPod Texting App Winner: Tango
2013 iPod/iPhone Readers' Choice Awards Winners
The results are in and the winners of the 2013 About.com Readers' Choice Awards are ready to be unveiled.
Readers nominated over 375 products for the finals this year and then cast tens of thousands of votes. With all that activity, there were a lot of contenders for the top spots.
As we've seen in the past, just because a big name company or app is one of the finalists, that doesn't automatically guarantee a victory.
Many scrappy underdogs prevailed over larger competitors this year. Read on to discover whether your favorite apps and products took the titles or if upsets were common.
NOTE: Many of the categories in this year's awards were audited for evidence of automated voting scripts, poll gaming, or other unfair attempts to win. In each category where this review took place, I've added a note to explain the result.
As always, huge thanks to everyone who participated--especially the readers who nominated products, voted for finalists, and helped get out the word!
Best iPhone/iPod App Winner: iXpenseIt
Percentage of Vote: 82%
Purchase iXpenseIt at iTunes
Whether you need to use it for your personal finances or to keep track of business expenses, iXpenseIt can be a key tool in helping you stay on budget (or get welcomed reimbursements after business trips!).
iXpenseIt offers a host of valuable money-management features, including quick entry of expenses, reminders of upcoming bills, income and cash flow reports, and budgeting options.
Business users will likely appreciate the support for multiple currencies, a mileage tracker with a customizable reimbursement rate, and simple PDF reports. Password protection helps you keep prying eyes away from your financial data.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best apps in 25+ categories
Best New iPhone/iPod App Winner: Rojo Word
Percentage of Vote: 77%
Purchase Rojo Word at iTunes
Devotees of Scrabble and other word games may find a lot to love in the winner of the Best New App award: Rojo Word.
Like Scrabble, Rojo Word gives users a set of letters on a tray, but rather than making a crossword with them, users are challenged to create as many words as they can from their letters within a limited amount of time. Solo play offers great practice for challenging up to 4 of your friends in head-to-hear mode.
Red vowels--the titular Rojo Word--lets you rack up double points for the word you use it in.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit changed the winner.
Our choices for the best apps in 50+ categories
Best iPhone/iPod Business/Productivity App: Clipboard
Percentage of Vote: 66%
Purchase Clipboard at iTunes
It's hard to remember every great thing we discover online, and impossible to save it all to our computers in a useful way. Clipboard solves that problem for many users by letting them save interesting finds and important information to its web-based service.
The Clipboard app lets you copy any content--text, images, links, etc.--and then save them to your online Clipboard account.
Use either the app or a browser to access the clipped items in your account. Found something so great you just have to share it? You can offer it privately to just friends, family, and colleagues or let anyone on the web check it out.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Check out our picks for the top Business apps.
Best iPhone/iPod Comics App Winner: Brave Interactive Comic
Percentage of Vote: 67%
Purchase Brave Interactive Comic at iTunes
Fans who just can't get enough of the hit Disney/Pixar film Brave will love this app, the winner in the Best Comics App category.
The app includes a 48-page comic book retelling the story of the movie, but adds a lot more besides. The comic comes alive thanks to music and sound effects, as well as interactive features that users discover.
Fans who really want to go behind the scenes will enjoy hearing from the Pixar artists who created the movie, as well as how-to tutorials that teach how to draw some of the main characters.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best comics apps
Best Educational iPhone/iPod App Winner: Write it Versus
Percentage of Vote: 45%
Purchase Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword at iTunes
Creativity in imagining and telling stories is rewarded in the Best Educational App award winner, Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.
Players of Write it Versus choose from built-in game elements like words, characters, and titles and then combine them to create new stories. Rankings and trophies are awarded for making up creative stories quickly.
The game can also be played with friends via a hot-seat mode. When users have created stories they're proud of, they can print or share them via Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Best iPhone/iPod Game Winner: Write it Versus
Percentage of Vote: 66%
Purchase Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword at iTunes
Write it Versus also won the Best Educational App. To learn about the game, check out its description on the previous page.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Best iPhone/iPod Kids' App Winner: Sock Puppets
Percentage of Vote: 46%
Purchase Sock Puppets at iTunes
In this multimedia era when people aren't content to just watch videos, but want to create their own, Sock Puppets, the winner of the Best Kids' App category, helps kids join in the fun.
The app lets kids record their own voices and then choose from a variety of sock puppet characters that will lip sync to the recording so it looks like they're speaking with a kid's voice.
The videos can be customized by choosing different puppets, backgrounds, and props (individual in-app purchases expand your options, while the $3.99 full app gets all the choices). When the videos are complete, they can be shared on Facebook or YouTube.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Best iPhone/iPod Music App Winner: Bandsintown Concerts
Percentage of Vote: 54%
Download Bandsintown Concerts at iTunes
Whether you're in your hometown or visiting a new one, Bandsintown Concerts, the winner of the Best Music App category, makes sure you'll never miss a show by your favorite band.
Bandsintown Concerts lets you see who's playing nearby in two ways: first, it lists all the bands playing in your area today, and second it shows you a concert list based on the bands in your iOS device's Music app.
In the first view, you'll see listings and top acts. In the second, tap any musician in your library and, if they're on tour, you'll see the dates and locations. Choose from concerts tonight or in the future.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best 10 free music apps
Best iPhone/iPod Radio App Winner: TuneIn
Percentage of Vote: 55%
Purchase 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner at iTunes
When I was a kid, my dad had a police band radio that, on summer nights, we'd turn on and listen to to see what was happening in our town. The Best News App winner, 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner, lets you do that--for towns all over the world, no matter where you live.
5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner offers access to over 35,000 police radio feeds from across the world, all streamed over the Internet to your iOS device.
But police radio isn't all you can hear. You can also tap into fire department, ambulance, air traffic control, and railroad broadcasts, as well as music, news, and comedy streams. So, while its name might suggest one thing, this app is really designed to let you listen in to virtually any kind of information around the world.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Best iPhone/iPod Recipe App Winner: BigOven
Percentage of Vote: 47%
TuneIn Review | Purchase TuneIn at iTunes
Being able to take tens of thousands of your favorite songs with you on your iOS device may be great, but sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. In that case, the Best Radio App, TuneIn, is a top choice.
Not only does TuneIn offer over 70,000 live radio stations, it also gives you access to over 2 million podcasts, and concerts that you can sort by genre, location, popularity, or language.
You can then save your favorites for repeated listening. With a TuneIn account, you can access your favorites on other iOS devices and desktop computers.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit changed the winner.
Our choices for the 15 FM radio apps
Best iPhone/iPod Ringtone App Winner: Pimp Your Sound
Percentage of Vote: 89%
BigOven Review | Download BigOven at iTunes
For the third straight year, the Best Recipe App in the Readers' Choice Awards was taken home by BigOven.
BigOven has its legions of fans thanks to its virtually endless supply of recipes and a powerful selection of tools for cooks. The app packs in over 250,000 recipes, from brand new ideas to cool new takes on staple meals. Outside the kitchen, the grocery list and meal planner features will help you keep track of everything you need to buy, and plan to eat, by day, week, and month.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the 14 best recipe apps
Best iPhone/iPod Running App Winner: Gazelle GPS
Percentage of Vote: 63%
Purchase Pimp Your Sound at iTunes
Adding custom ring and alert tones is one of the most fun ways to customize your iPhone and this year, the Readers' Choice for ringtone apps was Pimp Your Sound.
With it, you have the option to either create your own ringtones from music you already own, or choose from included, licensed tones. Add in effects like pitch adjustment and reverse sound and the options for creating new tones are myriad.
One particularly nice feature is Sound Themes, collections of related sounds that change all of your tones to give your device a cohesive sound.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best 9 ringtone apps
Best iPhone/iPod Shopping App Winner: SnipSnap
Percentage of Vote: 74%
Gazelle GPS Review | Purchase Gazelle GPS at iTunes
For the second time in the last three years, the Readers' Choice Award Best Running App goes to Gazelle GPS.
Gazelle GPS accompanies a lot of people on their runs thanks to an interface smartly designed for use while running. Instead of showing a lot of small numbers and buttons, Gazelle GPS features big readouts and buttons that are easy to see and use while the iPhone bounces up and down during a run.
Add in the ability to track time, distance, lap speed and more using the iPhone's built-in GPS and you've got a popular app indeed.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best 10 running apps
Best iPhone/iPod Texting App Winner: Tango
Percentage of Vote: 48%
Download SnipSnap at iTunes
Everybody likes to save money--and the voters in this year's Readers' Choice Awards aren't any different. That's one reason they voted SnipSnap the Best Shopping App.
SnipSnap focuses on one major way to save money: coupons. But forget the old way of getting and using coupons--there are no scissors here. Instead, you can take a photo of a coupon or search for coupons online by product and then download them to the app.
Add in a feature that reminds you of when the coupons you have expire and you've got a great ally in the battle to save some extra money.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our picks for the top iPhone shopping apps
Best iPhone/iPod Travel App Winner: TripAdvisor
Percentage of Vote: 55%
Download Tango at iTunes
Texting is just one of the many powerful communications features of the Best Texting App winner, Tango.
Tango lets you send texts, pictures, videos, and even make Internet phone calls to friends all over the world. Photos, texts, and calls can have their look customized with photos, filters, graphics, and effects. Whether you're connected to Wi-Fi or 3G/4G, you can use Tango to communicate--and over 90 million users worldwide already do.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best texting apps
Best iPhone/iPod Accessory Winner: Kensington Proximo Starter Kit
Percentage of Vote: 41%
Download TripAdvisor at iTunes
Reviews contributed by other travelers are one of the major ways people decide where to go on their trips these days, and they helped drive TripAdvisor to take the title of Best Travel App this year.
TripAdvisor offers easy access to reviews of over 75 million hotels, restaurants, and things to do all written by TripAdvisor users. The app lets you search by category or by proximity, using the iPhone's GPS.
After reading reviews, you can call the location or get turn-by-turn directions to help you get there. Inspired to add your own reviews? The app lets you do that, too.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best travel apps
Best iPhone Case Winner: LifeProof
Percentage of Vote: 70%
Buy Direct
Everyone's lost their keys once or twice. An iPhone accessory that uses the power of wireless technology to make finding them easier--the Kensington Proximo Starter Kit--won the Best iPhone Accessory category.
You get a fob for your keychain and a small Bluetooth tag with the Proximo Starter Kit. Install the Proximo app on your iPhone and it can let you know when your keys are a certain distance away from your phone and help you find them when they're missing.
It can do the same with the Bluetooth tag, which is handy for keeping track of important items like briefcases or purses. If something does go missing, though, you can use GPS to track it down.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner of the category.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Percentage of Vote: 54%
The winner of the Best iPhone Case category--LifeProof--aims to be just what it's name says: a case that can take whatever beating your life dishes out while still protecting your iPhone.
LifeProof's cases for the iPhone and other products are rugged, waterproof up to 6 feet, cold proof and have been tested to meet military specifications for sturdiness. Plugs cover the headphone jack and Dock Connector to keep the case practically impervious to dust, too.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
The results are in and the winners of the 2013 About.com Readers' Choice Awards are ready to be unveiled.
Readers nominated over 375 products for the finals this year and then cast tens of thousands of votes. With all that activity, there were a lot of contenders for the top spots.
As we've seen in the past, just because a big name company or app is one of the finalists, that doesn't automatically guarantee a victory.
Many scrappy underdogs prevailed over larger competitors this year. Read on to discover whether your favorite apps and products took the titles or if upsets were common.
NOTE: Many of the categories in this year's awards were audited for evidence of automated voting scripts, poll gaming, or other unfair attempts to win. In each category where this review took place, I've added a note to explain the result.
As always, huge thanks to everyone who participated--especially the readers who nominated products, voted for finalists, and helped get out the word!
Best iPhone/iPod App Winner: iXpenseIt
Percentage of Vote: 82%
Purchase iXpenseIt at iTunes
Whether you need to use it for your personal finances or to keep track of business expenses, iXpenseIt can be a key tool in helping you stay on budget (or get welcomed reimbursements after business trips!).
iXpenseIt offers a host of valuable money-management features, including quick entry of expenses, reminders of upcoming bills, income and cash flow reports, and budgeting options.
Business users will likely appreciate the support for multiple currencies, a mileage tracker with a customizable reimbursement rate, and simple PDF reports. Password protection helps you keep prying eyes away from your financial data.
Final Vote Tally
- Peel: 10%
- Skifta: 3%
- TiVo: 2%
- 5Star Urgent Response by GreatCall: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best apps in 25+ categories
Best New iPhone/iPod App Winner: Rojo Word
Percentage of Vote: 77%
Purchase Rojo Word at iTunes
Devotees of Scrabble and other word games may find a lot to love in the winner of the Best New App award: Rojo Word.
Like Scrabble, Rojo Word gives users a set of letters on a tray, but rather than making a crossword with them, users are challenged to create as many words as they can from their letters within a limited amount of time. Solo play offers great practice for challenging up to 4 of your friends in head-to-hear mode.
Red vowels--the titular Rojo Word--lets you rack up double points for the word you use it in.
Final Vote Tally
- Call Bliss: 17%
- Google Maps: 4%
- Fantastical: 0%
- Clear: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit changed the winner.
Our choices for the best apps in 50+ categories
Best iPhone/iPod Business/Productivity App: Clipboard
Percentage of Vote: 66%
Purchase Clipboard at iTunes
It's hard to remember every great thing we discover online, and impossible to save it all to our computers in a useful way. Clipboard solves that problem for many users by letting them save interesting finds and important information to its web-based service.
The Clipboard app lets you copy any content--text, images, links, etc.--and then save them to your online Clipboard account.
Use either the app or a browser to access the clipped items in your account. Found something so great you just have to share it? You can offer it privately to just friends, family, and colleagues or let anyone on the web check it out.
Final Vote Tally
- Easilydo: 12%
- CamScanner: 11%
- Dropbox: 4%
- Evernote: 4%
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Check out our picks for the top Business apps.
Best iPhone/iPod Comics App Winner: Brave Interactive Comic
Percentage of Vote: 67%
Purchase Brave Interactive Comic at iTunes
Fans who just can't get enough of the hit Disney/Pixar film Brave will love this app, the winner in the Best Comics App category.
The app includes a 48-page comic book retelling the story of the movie, but adds a lot more besides. The comic comes alive thanks to music and sound effects, as well as interactive features that users discover.
Fans who really want to go behind the scenes will enjoy hearing from the Pixar artists who created the movie, as well as how-to tutorials that teach how to draw some of the main characters.
Final Vote Tally
- Marvel's The Avengers: Iron Man - Mark VII: 18%
- Comics+: 7%
- comiXology: 5%
- Dark Horse Comics: 1%
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best comics apps
Best Educational iPhone/iPod App Winner: Write it Versus
Percentage of Vote: 45%
Purchase Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword at iTunes
Creativity in imagining and telling stories is rewarded in the Best Educational App award winner, Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.
Players of Write it Versus choose from built-in game elements like words, characters, and titles and then combine them to create new stories. Rankings and trophies are awarded for making up creative stories quickly.
The game can also be played with friends via a hot-seat mode. When users have created stories they're proud of, they can print or share them via Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.
Final Vote Tally
- TeachMe: Kindergarten: 38%
- Splash Math: 7%
- Word Dog: 6%
- A Whale of A Tale!: All About Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales: 1%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Best iPhone/iPod Game Winner: Write it Versus
Percentage of Vote: 66%
Purchase Write it Versus: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword at iTunes
Write it Versus also won the Best Educational App. To learn about the game, check out its description on the previous page.
Final Vote Tally
- Bubble Mania: 24%
- WordTag: 5%
- Earn to Die: 3%
- Fruit Ninja: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Best iPhone/iPod Kids' App Winner: Sock Puppets
Percentage of Vote: 46%
Purchase Sock Puppets at iTunes
In this multimedia era when people aren't content to just watch videos, but want to create their own, Sock Puppets, the winner of the Best Kids' App category, helps kids join in the fun.
The app lets kids record their own voices and then choose from a variety of sock puppet characters that will lip sync to the recording so it looks like they're speaking with a kid's voice.
The videos can be customized by choosing different puppets, backgrounds, and props (individual in-app purchases expand your options, while the $3.99 full app gets all the choices). When the videos are complete, they can be shared on Facebook or YouTube.
Final Vote Tally
- Grimm's Rapunzel by StoryToys: 32%
- Splash Math: 16%
- The Kissing Hand: 3%
- The Poky Little Puppy: 1%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Best iPhone/iPod Music App Winner: Bandsintown Concerts
Percentage of Vote: 54%
Download Bandsintown Concerts at iTunes
Whether you're in your hometown or visiting a new one, Bandsintown Concerts, the winner of the Best Music App category, makes sure you'll never miss a show by your favorite band.
Bandsintown Concerts lets you see who's playing nearby in two ways: first, it lists all the bands playing in your area today, and second it shows you a concert list based on the bands in your iOS device's Music app.
In the first view, you'll see listings and top acts. In the second, tap any musician in your library and, if they're on tour, you'll see the dates and locations. Choose from concerts tonight or in the future.
Final Vote Tally
- amp - Audyssey Media Player: 33%
- Dr. Seuss Band: 4%
- iMashup: 4%
- exfm: 2%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best 10 free music apps
Best iPhone/iPod Radio App Winner: TuneIn
Percentage of Vote: 55%
Purchase 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner at iTunes
When I was a kid, my dad had a police band radio that, on summer nights, we'd turn on and listen to to see what was happening in our town. The Best News App winner, 5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner, lets you do that--for towns all over the world, no matter where you live.
5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner offers access to over 35,000 police radio feeds from across the world, all streamed over the Internet to your iOS device.
But police radio isn't all you can hear. You can also tap into fire department, ambulance, air traffic control, and railroad broadcasts, as well as music, news, and comedy streams. So, while its name might suggest one thing, this app is really designed to let you listen in to virtually any kind of information around the world.
Final Vote Tally
- Flipboard: 41%
- BuzzFeed: 3%
- Fluent News Reader: 0%
- Taptu: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Best iPhone/iPod Recipe App Winner: BigOven
Percentage of Vote: 47%
TuneIn Review | Purchase TuneIn at iTunes
Being able to take tens of thousands of your favorite songs with you on your iOS device may be great, but sometimes you just want to listen to the radio. In that case, the Best Radio App, TuneIn, is a top choice.
Not only does TuneIn offer over 70,000 live radio stations, it also gives you access to over 2 million podcasts, and concerts that you can sort by genre, location, popularity, or language.
You can then save your favorites for repeated listening. With a TuneIn account, you can access your favorites on other iOS devices and desktop computers.
Final Vote Tally
- Slacker: 44%
- iTuner Radio: 4%
- Pandora: 3%
- Stitcher Mobile Radio: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit changed the winner.
Our choices for the 15 FM radio apps
Best iPhone/iPod Ringtone App Winner: Pimp Your Sound
Percentage of Vote: 89%
BigOven Review | Download BigOven at iTunes
For the third straight year, the Best Recipe App in the Readers' Choice Awards was taken home by BigOven.
BigOven has its legions of fans thanks to its virtually endless supply of recipes and a powerful selection of tools for cooks. The app packs in over 250,000 recipes, from brand new ideas to cool new takes on staple meals. Outside the kitchen, the grocery list and meal planner features will help you keep track of everything you need to buy, and plan to eat, by day, week, and month.
Final Vote Tally
- Cook4Lyfe: 8%
- Lose It!: 1%
- How to Cook Everything: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the 14 best recipe apps
Best iPhone/iPod Running App Winner: Gazelle GPS
Percentage of Vote: 63%
Purchase Pimp Your Sound at iTunes
Adding custom ring and alert tones is one of the most fun ways to customize your iPhone and this year, the Readers' Choice for ringtone apps was Pimp Your Sound.
With it, you have the option to either create your own ringtones from music you already own, or choose from included, licensed tones. Add in effects like pitch adjustment and reverse sound and the options for creating new tones are myriad.
One particularly nice feature is Sound Themes, collections of related sounds that change all of your tones to give your device a cohesive sound.
Final Vote Tally
- Mobile17 - Ringtone Maker: 25%
- Ringtone Director: 10%
- Ringtones #1: 1%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best 9 ringtone apps
Best iPhone/iPod Shopping App Winner: SnipSnap
Percentage of Vote: 74%
Gazelle GPS Review | Purchase Gazelle GPS at iTunes
For the second time in the last three years, the Readers' Choice Award Best Running App goes to Gazelle GPS.
Gazelle GPS accompanies a lot of people on their runs thanks to an interface smartly designed for use while running. Instead of showing a lot of small numbers and buttons, Gazelle GPS features big readouts and buttons that are easy to see and use while the iPhone bounces up and down during a run.
Add in the ability to track time, distance, lap speed and more using the iPhone's built-in GPS and you've got a popular app indeed.
Final Vote Tally
- Hal Higdon Apps: 18%
- MapMyRun: 7%
- 5K101 by Running Mate: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best 10 running apps
Best iPhone/iPod Texting App Winner: Tango
Percentage of Vote: 48%
Download SnipSnap at iTunes
Everybody likes to save money--and the voters in this year's Readers' Choice Awards aren't any different. That's one reason they voted SnipSnap the Best Shopping App.
SnipSnap focuses on one major way to save money: coupons. But forget the old way of getting and using coupons--there are no scissors here. Instead, you can take a photo of a coupon or search for coupons online by product and then download them to the app.
Add in a feature that reminds you of when the coupons you have expire and you've got a great ally in the battle to save some extra money.
Final Vote Tally
- Shopper: 44%
- RedLaser: 4%
- Grocery iQ: 1%
- shopkick: 1%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our picks for the top iPhone shopping apps
Best iPhone/iPod Travel App Winner: TripAdvisor
Percentage of Vote: 55%
Download Tango at iTunes
Texting is just one of the many powerful communications features of the Best Texting App winner, Tango.
Tango lets you send texts, pictures, videos, and even make Internet phone calls to friends all over the world. Photos, texts, and calls can have their look customized with photos, filters, graphics, and effects. Whether you're connected to Wi-Fi or 3G/4G, you can use Tango to communicate--and over 90 million users worldwide already do.
Final Vote Tally
- Kik Messenger: 30%
- Minus: 8%
- WhatsApp: 4%
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Our choices for the best texting apps
Best iPhone/iPod Accessory Winner: Kensington Proximo Starter Kit
Percentage of Vote: 41%
Download TripAdvisor at iTunes
Reviews contributed by other travelers are one of the major ways people decide where to go on their trips these days, and they helped drive TripAdvisor to take the title of Best Travel App this year.
TripAdvisor offers easy access to reviews of over 75 million hotels, restaurants, and things to do all written by TripAdvisor users. The app lets you search by category or by proximity, using the iPhone's GPS.
After reading reviews, you can call the location or get turn-by-turn directions to help you get there. Inspired to add your own reviews? The app lets you do that, too.
Final Vote Tally
- TripIt: 32%
- Packing Pro: 16%
- ProCamera: 9%
- Hotwire Hotels: 0%
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Our choices for the best travel apps
Best iPhone Case Winner: LifeProof
Percentage of Vote: 70%
Buy Direct
Everyone's lost their keys once or twice. An iPhone accessory that uses the power of wireless technology to make finding them easier--the Kensington Proximo Starter Kit--won the Best iPhone Accessory category.
You get a fob for your keychain and a small Bluetooth tag with the Proximo Starter Kit. Install the Proximo app on your iPhone and it can let you know when your keys are a certain distance away from your phone and help you find them when they're missing.
It can do the same with the Bluetooth tag, which is handy for keeping track of important items like briefcases or purses. If something does go missing, though, you can use GPS to track it down.
Final Vote Tally
- Logitech UE Boombox: 23%
- Parrot Hands-Free Car Kit: 3%
- TiVo Stream: 1%
- PlugBug from Twelve South: 0%
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner of the category.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
Percentage of Vote: 54%
The winner of the Best iPhone Case category--LifeProof--aims to be just what it's name says: a case that can take whatever beating your life dishes out while still protecting your iPhone.
LifeProof's cases for the iPhone and other products are rugged, waterproof up to 6 feet, cold proof and have been tested to meet military specifications for sturdiness. Plugs cover the headphone jack and Dock Connector to keep the case practically impervious to dust, too.
Final Vote Tally
- Mophie juice pack: 38%
- BookBook by Twelve South: 5%
- OtterBox: 1%
- Magnetyze by BuQu Tech: 0%
Audit notice: Votes in this category were revised based on the results of a vote audit. The audit did not change the winner.
Note: Rounding may result in voting percentage not totaling 100%.
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