Who would’ve thought that 2020 would be the year of ‘staying-in’? From going to the movies or a day out shopping, we’ve had to ditch the sunshine and opt for a little more downtime as we continue to deal with the global pandemic. Now, almost six months in, as we come to the end of our streaming watch-list and have reduced ourselves to re-runs, what initially felt like a blessing is now becoming a bit of a struggle. While spending time with the family was one of the best things that came from the lockdown, keeping things engaging and keeping the morale high has become a little more difficult. Additionally, the global economic slowdown and complete lifestyle overhauls have made people susceptible to stress and anxiety. However, as we grapple with our COVID-19 reality, technology has been our trusty companion, consistently giving us much-needed distractions from our stagnant new-normal. Apps have come to the rescue with innovation and engagement, helping people sail through this storm. There are innumerable apps that have caught the attention and made the pandemic journey worthwhile.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the best apps among others that took charge and kept us glued:
StepSetGo
StepSetGo (SSG) is a fitness rewarding platform that believes in providing constant motivation to its users for leading a healthier life. The app tracks the number of steps one has walked over the day and rewards users with SSG coins for those steps. These SSG Coins can be redeemed in the Bazaar (in-app marketplace) to avail amazing offers and free products. SSG has collaborated with leading brands like Bajaj Avenger, Xiaomi, Bewakoof, Skechers, Puma, and Decathlon among others to reward its users and encourage them to stay healthy. With over 6 million-plus registered users, SSG is one of the market leaders in the fitness space. The app is available for free on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Ludo King
This particular app has become India’s number one gaming app on both Android and iOS, it adds a modern touch to the royal game of Parchisi. This game used to be played between Indian kings and queens in ancient times has now surpassed top gaming titles like Candy Crush Saga, PubG, and many others in monthly active users in India. It has reached a count of 100 million-plus downloads since it was launched in 2010 by Vikas Jaiswal. You can download the game for free on the Google PlayStore or the Apple App Store.
Inshorts
Staying up-to-date with the news has never been more important. Inshorts runs two apps; Inshorts is the news app that offers card-based curated news while ‘Public’ which is a location-based social network that enables people in Tier-1,2 and 3 cities to record and share happenings around them to provide real-time local updates. It was launched in 2013 and is headquartered out of Noida, Delhi- NCR. Both apps are available on the Google PlayStore (Inshorts, Public) and Apple’s App Store (Inshorts, Public) for free.
Audible
With Audible you and your family have access to the biggest library there is. The app includes a vast variety of audiobooks, documentaries, and scripted shows as well as Audible Originals to entertain you and your family during the lockdown. Further, you can receive news and updates from media sources such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. You also have access to some guided wellness programmes from certified coaches and trainers. The Audible app is available for free download through Google Play and Apple App Store. You can also access the app through Alexa-enabled devices. However, you do need to purchase audiobooks separately.
Calm
Mindfulness is the key to maintaining mental health. To stay calm and avoid panic in this tough situation, you can install the Calm app on your mobile device and start meditating along with your family members. The app offers breathing programmes, masterclasses, and soothing music to help you relax and manage stress. There are also guided meditation sessions available for up to 25 minutes. Moreover, you can set your personal goals on the app to get a personalised experience. Calm is available on both Android and iOS devices for free download through Google Play and Apple App Store, respectively.
