Marie Claire guides you through the maze of techie tricks, tips, apps and sites online.
Marie Claire guides you through the maze of techie tricks, tips, apps and sistes online.
Nike Training Club iPhone app
There are lots of fitness apps on the market - but The Nike Training Club is one worth having. Slick looking and intuitive, this has all you need to get super fit, with a choice of goals - from getting slim to building strength. It's packed full of challenging workouts and offers both step-by-step pictures and video to explain each of the exercises, along with a motivating fitness expert to keep you going. Free.
Nike Training Club iPhone app
There are lots of fitness apps on the market - but The Nike Training Club is one worth having. Slick looking and intuitive, this has all you need to get super fit, with a choice of goals - from getting slim to building strength. It's packed full of challenging workouts and offers both step-by-step pictures and video to explain each of the exercises, along with a motivating fitness expert to keep you going. Free.
Beauty Genius by Marie Claire
Stumped over a smoky eye or perplexed about how to achieve the perfect pout? The Marie Claire Beauty GeniusStumped over a smoky eye or perplexed about how to achieve the perfect pout? The Marie Claire Beauty Genius has all the beauty know-how you need to ensure you look gorgeous every minute of the day. Get the hottest hair and make-up looks straight from the catwalk, with over 45 minutes of exclusive bite-sized how-to videos by the world's leading make-up artists and stylists. Find out how to recreate Cheryl Cole's va-va-voom waves or Kate Bosworth's perfect red pout with the collection of Celebrity Looks by make-up artist Jackie Tyson. Plus, we App has all the beauty know-how you need to ensure you look gorgeous every minute of the day. Get the hottest hair and make-up looks straight from the catwalk, with over 45 minutes of exclusive bite-sized how-to videos by leading make-up artists and stylists. Find out how to recreate Cheryl Cole's va-va-voom waves or Kate Bosworth's perfect red pout with Celebrity Looks by make-up artist Jackie Tyson and master beauty classics with top tips and tricks.
GET THE MARIE CLAIRE APP HERE!
Get some support and reach your goals
Need some support to get healthier for 2011? Sedogo is a great app that allows you to set goals on a personal timeline and publish it so other users can see it and support you. Giving you the encouragement you need.
Keep track of what you?re eating
Track how many calories you?re eating and burning off with the Diet Fitness Diary app. You can even customise your own wellness program and track your health history with this handy app for BlackBerry.
Speak to my (virtual) assistant
Springpad is a clever (and free) little iPhone app that can bookmark, categorise and arrange just about anything. You can write and save notes, synchronise contact lists, create and check to-do lists, locate shops and restaurants and even scan in bar codes of products you want to remember.
You ate how many biscuits?
Free iPhone app myfitnesspal will calculate how many calories you consume when you type in what you have eaten that day. A word of warning, though: it will not lie to you about whether your bottom looks big in those jeans.
One for the girls
Period Tracker keeps a diary of your month so you can monitor your entire menstrual cycle, down to documenting your mood, PMT symptoms and weight. It even tells when you're fertile, and it's been cleverly designed with flower and heart symbols so that it's completely discreet.
Complain - and make it count
Remember that most brands monitor Twitter for complaints. If your Virgin Media TV is playing up, they'll respond to a nagging tweet (twitter.com/virginmedia) about it in about ten minutes - which is less time than it would take to sit on hold.
Come Dine With Me at home
It's everyone's favourite cookery show and now you can create your very own Come Dine With Me dinner party. Access 100 easy to follow recipes and create a shopping list so you don't forget an all important ingredient with their app. You can even find the perfect wine for your meal, let guests secretly score your culinary creations and use the Dave Lamb quotes to narrate your dinner party!
Get the knowledge
Put an end to over-priced taxi fares by installing London Taxi. It's the essential app for girls about town wanting to get home safely, while making sure we don't get ripped off in the process. It uses a combination of Google Maps and a rate table to work out the true cost of a taxi fare, and only costs 59p to download.
Travel to fit your budget
Ever been frustrated when the flight you book turns up two weeks later for half the price? Next time try Kayak.co.uk. This site filters data from hundreds of travel sites and allows you to compare and track flight and hotel prices until they meet your budget. You can then book either through the airline site, the hotel site or via a travel agent.
Be your own stylist
Ever thought that the outfit of your dreams might already be hiding in your wardrobe? Find out with the Stylish Girl app. Start by taking pictures of your clothes, then let your imagination run riot as you create new looks from the things you already have. We promise you'll be surprised. The app also allows you to browse fashion items from the biggest retailers and add them to your Wish Bag. What are you waiting for?
Put your wardrobe through its paces
Unclutterer.com is a cult blog dedicated to organising your clothes, and being ruthless in the process. So which of your clothes pass the velvet rope test? 'Consider yourself to be the bouncer, and you get to decide what items make it past the velvet rope, and what items don't,' suggests Unclutterer. Show no mercy.
Once upon a time, in a wardrobe long ago?
The battle to command the vintage online fashion market, as any style e-tailer will tell you, is a fierce one. Right now we're loving QueensOfVintage.com, which gives you all the latest vintage news and gossip, inspiration from other vintage lovers? looks and the best make-do-and-mend tips.
Love the gym again
The gym can be a daunting prospect, especially if you haven?t been there in a while. Download the Gym Technik Next Gen app for your BlackBerry and use it to plan your workouts and learn how to do routines. The perfect way to help you reach your goals in the gym.
Queue jumper
Be the first to know about H&M's new collections and collaborations with its iPhone app, which provides a 3D gallery, in-store offers plus the latest news before anyone else gets it. Its unique wishlist feature allows users to virtually share clothes they like with friends via Facebook or email (hm.com).
Your virtual high street
When a trawl of the actual high street isn't possible, then a virtual one is only a click away at Shopstyle.co.uk. The site sorts through hundreds of designers and fashion stores to present you with the pick of the bunch, whether you're after this winter's must-have aviator jacket or maxi skirts. But beware - serious self-discipline is required.
Share your creative flair
Recently voted one of Time magazine's best websites of 2010, Vimeo.com is the new YouTube for artistic and creative types. The clips are altogether more visually spectacular than other video sharing platforms. Tap in President, and instead of getting old news clips, you get a humorous music video in the style of a pop-up book that catalogues George W Bush's term in office. Definitely one to watch.
Tweet in your sleep
Serious social networkers are using services like Twuffer and TwitRobot to schedule tweets when they know their international followers are online. Clever.
Keep track of your running progress
Running Log helps you to track your workouts and runs on a calendar straight from your BlackBerry. Track your progress over time and take a look back over your running history for the entire year with this handy little app.
Move over Twitter
Blogging platform Tumblr has had a breakout year and is predicted to be huge in 2011. It sits somewhere between the short, sharp bursts of Twitter and long-form blogging.
Become a twinvestor
Social networking just got lucrative with StockTwits.com. The somewhat secretive site is a by-product of all that financial chatter on Twitter. It tracks conversations between different financial advisors and experts. Find someone you trust, add them to your watchlist, then start collecting some priceless pieces of investment knowledge.
Oh that ? I heard her last year?.
Impress your friends with your music knowledge. Log on to Wearehunted.com and start listening to the 99 most popular emerging songs. You could be among the first to discover the next Lily Allen - and it's all free.
Get your own personal coach for free
Don?t spend money on an expensive personal coach ? now you can pretend you?re a celebrity and turn your BlackBerry into your very own personal trainer! Adidas miCoach uses GPS and real-time voice coaching to help you reach your running goals.
Download it for free from BlackBerry App World.
Be an e-book worm
For every 100 hardcover books that Amazon sells, it sells 143 e-books. There are plenty of e-book readers for mobiles, but Stanza is the most popular - and for good reason. The free application for your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch allows you to download more than 100,000 books and periodicals. A wireless electronic library that stays open 24/7.
Count those calories easily
Look up nutritional information for food easily with the Calorie Counter app for BlackBerry by Fat Secret. This handy little app also lets you keep a food diary to help plan your diet and make a journal to check on your progress.
When beautiful pecs aren't enough
More entertaining than your average personal training app, Fitbyfun.com is a virtual fitness studio with programmes for all fitness levels. A cartoon trainer puts you through your paces, and you can choose workout scenery and a soundtrack that works for you. Some classes require a paid membership, while others are free.
Man trouble?
Losemynumber.co.uk is a new website for dating women that provides members with an additional number for their mobile or landline that can be quickly disconnected if he gets weird or stalky. We also love Wakerupper.com - type in your phone number, assign a date and time, and your phone will ring to relay your message. Great as a reminder, but even better as a pre-emptive get-out-of-jail card during awkward dates.
Borrow, don't buy
Why buy things online when you can borrow them? Ecomodo.com enables you to make a bit of money by loaning out things you have hanging around - or to save money and space by borrowing things you don't use often. There is also a facility to donate proceeds to your favourite good cause. And it's a greener way of getting what you want. Maximum brownie points earned when you log on.
Think before you post
We've heard the scare stories about prospective employers checking you out on Facebook, but have you ever considered what Facebook might be telling your insurance company? According to industry insiders, photos of you doing a dangerous sport might affect your ability to claim for personal injury.
Work out from your desk
Sitting at your desk day in, day out can ruin your posture and leave your body tense and tight. An Office Fitness app on your BlackBerry is a great way to use yoga and other techniques to stretch out those tense muscles ? all from the comfort of your chair!
The more the merrier
Groupon.co.uk is a site that presents you with one-day-only deals on all kinds of venues and events, from restaurants and spas to sports fixtures and concerts. If enough subscribers buy the coupon, then the deal is activated, often giving discounts of up to 50 per cent.
Scan before you spend
Download Android's Barcode Scanner and learn to shop with your head and not your eyes (easier said than done, we know). This sophisticated app enables you to scan compatible bar codes on books, CDs and other products, then searches online sites to find the best price comparisons, as well as pictures, reviews and contact information. The iPhone equivalent is RedLaser.
Beauty Genius by Marie Claire
Don't forget, you can download our very own beauty app right now for all the best tips and ideas for your brand new look. So what are you waiting for? Beauty awaits...
Blitz that body!
Anna Richardson's Body Blitz app includes recipe ideas, a weight tracker and a photo gallery to help you lose those pounds. Download it now and see how much you can lose!
