Owning the latest smartphone may be trendy, but will not make you smart unless you download useful mobile applications. As Singapore becomes a hub for mobile app development, there are apps created for almost every need, from transport and food delivery to shopping and weather forecasts. Here are several noteworthy apps created locally that may be useful when living or travelling in Singapore.
1) SG BusLeh
If you rely on public buses to get around in Singapore, you may have heard of SG Buses, which is a relatively accurate and reliable app to know when the next bus is arriving. More recently, there is another app created for the same function and more. Developed by local mobile app development firm Originally US, SG BusLeh boasts a newer and faster interface than SG Buses. With just a tap of the bus stop’s name, you can view up to three estimated arrival timings of your bus, as well as its space availability. Tapping further on the bus number will show you the bus’s current location, based on real-time data obtained from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore. This time-saving app is available for both android and iOS devices.
2) Burpple
Burpple is an app designed for hungry users to hunt for restaurants in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by location, price level and type of cuisine. The online marketplace hosts both restaurant owners who provide menu recommendations, as well as customers who review the various restaurants for their service and food quality. The app was developed by Singaporeans Dixon Chan, Elisha Ong and Daniel Hum in December 2011, and has received an estimated US$6 million (S$8.45 million) in investments to expand to other Asian cities. The app includs Burpple Beyond, a paid membership for users to enjoy one-for-one deals and other savings at partner restaurants, cafés and bars in Singapore.
3) Carousell
One of the most successful e-commerce apps, Carousell was developed by four graduates from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2012. The web-based marketplace allows consumers to buy and sell their unused or secondhand goods at zero cost. It is based on a trust system where users arrange transactions on their own and leave feedback for each other when deals are made. The app has been hugely popular in Singapore, as well as in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and Taiwan.
4) NLB Mobile
Book lovers can rejoice with the NLB Mobile app developed by the National Library Board Singapore. It is essentially a digital pocket library that allows users to access various services, including borrowing physical and electronic books, and managing loans and payments. To access the e-Books and resources, it is recommended to download the reading companion app called OverDrive.
5) MyENV
Developed by the National Environment Agency, myENV is a comprehensive app that mainly provides real-time information on weather conditions across the island, as well as forecasts of impending thunderstorms and air quality. The app also allows users to check for dengue hotspots, search for nearby hawker centres, and get tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle.
6) Popcorn
Movie goers without a desktop or laptop will find this app particularly handy when they wish to search for showtimes, previews, and book tickets for the latest films. Co-founder Lee Ken Ming created the all-in-one movie booking app in 2012 and has received positive reviews from users and iMerlion. With over a million downloads on smartphone, the mobile app developer Peas in a Pod has also moved Popcorn’s platform from mobile to desktop to cater to more users.
7) Parking.sg
Launched in October 2017, the app was developed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Housing Board and GovTech to facilitate payment for parking at public carparks and kerbside spaces in Singapore, while reducing enforcement costs. Motorists can now use the app to pay for parking conveniently without having to use paper parking coupons. The app is also to be used in tandem with an upcoming satellite Electronic Road Pricing system that will remotely monitor vehicles and calculate their road usage and parking fees through satellites.