The 10 Coolest New Apps Of 2018

Apps for productivity, security and meditation are among the most notable releases of the year.

Apps To Try

Ideally, your smartphone or tablet is a tool to actually help improve your life, rather than just being another source of stress. It will all depend on which apps you choose to spend time in, of course. For our list of coolest new apps of 2018, we've rounded up apps that can help you meditate, get more productive and use your device more securely. We've also included apps for getting free content—e-books, audiobooks and podcasts—for consuming on the go. As 2018 comes to a close and we head into 2019, spending more time in life-enhancing apps (and less time on social media) may be just what you need.

In the following slides, we've rounded up the 10 coolest apps we've come across in 2018.

Brightmind

Platform: iOS

While there are countless meditation apps out there at this point, Brightmind differentiates by offering meditation tracks that are customized to your specific goals. To start, the app has you choose from goals such as "stress less," "perform your best," "aches and pains" and even "just curious." The app then tailors a daily guided meditation series to your chosen goals from among its library of more than 200 meditations.

Dark Sky Weather

Platform: Android, iOS

You've probably already got a weather app pre-installed on your phone, and maybe you've also downloaded The Weather Channel or Weather Underground apps. Dark Sky Weather has something those apps don't, however—forecasts on when it's expected to start raining or snowing down to the minute, at your precise location. Those forecasts also extend to when the precipitation is going to stop. Meanwhile, an update this year to Dark Sky Weather brought an improved user interface that places forecasts on a single page, while the update also offers new features such as an "umbrella reminder" and "sunscreen reminder."

Google Podcasts

Platform: Android

At last, Google has stepped up to offer Android users a podcast hub akin to what Apple offers on iOS devices. The Google Podcasts app provides capabilities for subscribing to podcasts, downloading podcasts for offline listening, and automatic syncing across devices.

Hoopla Digital

Platform: Android, iOS

While there are more ways than ever to consume books these days, how many of them are both free and easy? Not many—with Hoopla Digital being one very useful exception. As long as you've got a library card to one of more than 1,600 participating U.S. library systems, the app lets you borrow e-books, comics audiobooks and more for use on your smartphone or tablet. And what's more, eBooks can be downloaded for offline reading on the go.

HP Smart

Platform: Android, iOS

For anyone looking for an easier way to print, HP Smart app provides support for printing from mobile devices on a wide range of HP printers that were manufactured in 2010 or later. HP Smart also provides scanning as well as sharing images over email, text messages, cloud services and social media, and enables users to manage their HP printers, too. In addition, HP Smart allows users to check their printer supplies status and order supplies.

Microsoft Teams

Platform: iOS, Android

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration workspace that offers group and one-to-one chat—similar to Slack—as well as hosting for online meetings and integrations with other apps. Previously, Teams had required an Office 365 subscription. But in July, Microsoft began offering Teams for free, including on iOS and Android devices. The free Teams version can serve up to 300 people and offers unlimited chat, video and audio calling, and file storage.

Measure (iOS 12) / Google Measure (Android)

Platform: iOS, Android

These apps, made by Apple and Google, respectively, are handy ways for measuring the dimensions of objects with your phone. The apps rely upon advances in sensors and augmented reality, ultimately replacing the need for a tape measure.

NordVPN

Platform: Android

NordVPN is among the most well-known providers of virtual private networks, which encrypt data transmitted from devices across the internet—ensuring confidentiality and security. With an update this year to NordVPN's Android app, the app added a helpful auto connect feature so that the VPN will be automatically initiated any time a user gets on a Wi-Fi network.

Notion

Platform: iOS, Android

Focused on meeting the needs of businesses and highly productive individuals, Notion aims to serve as an "all-in-one" workspace for bringing together notes, tasks, databases and wikis. Features include drag and drop for organizing content, syncing with Mac and Windows devices, and offline access. Originally just available for iOS, Notion launched its first Android app version in June.

Onion Browser 2.0

Platform: iOS

For maximum privacy and security on your iOS device, Onion Browser is a leading web browser option. Powered by the open-source privacy software Tor, the browser protects against website tracking, as well as against insecure wireless networks and ISPs. Version 2.0 of the Onion Browser, launched this year, includes updates such as an improved user interface and support for HTTPS Everywhere encryption.