As smartphones and their software evolve, apps just keep getting smarter. Whether you’re trying to get fit, improve your photos or kit out your home with new furniture, there is almost definitely an app that can speed things up for you. And the good news is that apps are now getting a boost from the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and big data analytics.
Here are some of the best apps that are using cutting edge tech to make your life easier…
Ikea Place
Brought into the mainstream by the Pokémon Go craze, AR is rapidly gaining popularity, especially in retail apps. The ability to overlay graphics on top of the real-world view from your smartphone camera means you can try out products without even having to be in the same room.
The Ikea Place app uses AR to allow customers to see what furniture might look like in their homes. Not only can you see if each piece matches your existing decor, you can also find out if the true-to-scale virtual models will actually fit into the space.
Smart Gallery
We all take so many snaps on our phones nowadays that it can be hard to locate them again among hundreds of similar photos, which is where Smart Gallery comes in handy.
This nifty feature is found in new smartphones like the LG G7 and automatically tags and categorises your pictures as soon as you take them, giving you an organised picture gallery that makes it much easier and quicker to find the photos you want.
AR GPS
The AR GPS Drive/Walk Navigation combines GPS location data with the smartphone’s camera to create an AR-powered navigation system. The idea is that it’s easier and safer to use than a traditional satnav system, offering an easy-to-follow virtual path so that the driver doesn’t need to follow along on the map.
AI Camera
Getting the ideal shot for Instagram on the first try isn’t always easy. The good news is that AI can now be integrated into camera apps to make sure that you get the perfect shot every time.
For example, the AI CAM app on the new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone analyses the environment where you’re taking your shot, assigning one of 19 scene categories including Person, Landscape and Sunset, as well as providing four optimised filters. What’s more, the AI will know if it’s too dark and automatically increase the brightness of your snap.
Google Translate
Whether you’re on holiday in an unfamiliar country or you need to read a business document written in another language, a swift translation is now easier than ever before.
The incredibly useful Google Translate app uses an artificial neural network to offer text translations between a massive 103 languages. It can even translate the text in images if you point your smartphone at something you don’t understand, which is very handy if you’re lost and can’t read the local signs.
Car Finder AR
Car Finder AR
We’ve all had that sinking feeling when returning to a car park only to realise you have absolutely no recollection of where you parked. Naturally, there’s an app to help you.
Car Finder AR uses GPS to save your location then uses AR and 3D maps to guide you safely back to your car. It also includes a handy parking timer so you can avoid going over your time allocation and getting stung with a fine.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is an incredibly useful tool for organising your life. From arranging meetings, setting and timers to sending texts, playing music and and asking questions, the Google Assistant is a personalised organization tool that makes life that little bit easier.
Smartphones like the LG G7 ThinQ are making things even easier. The LG phone is the first smartphone in the world to have a dedicated Google Assistant button to get you what you need without having to say “OK Google”.
SwiftKey Keyboard
If you’re fed up with your phone’s keyboard inexplicably autocorrecting words to things that are completely different to what you were trying to type, then a new keyboard app might just be the answer.
SwiftKey Keyboard uses AI to learn your writing style, including everything from slang to the embarrassing nicknames you use for your loved ones. This enables you to type much faster and it’s even got bilingual autocorrect so that you can switch between two languages within the same text.
AR MeasureKit
Gone are the days when you had to get down on your hands and knees with an unwieldy tape measure in order to find out the vital statistics of the room you’re decorating. Now, technology is here to give us a helping hand. Using AR tech, this app makes it easier to measure things in the real world just by using your phone. Simply point your phone’s camera at the object you want to measure, tap, and you’ll see the measurement on screen as you move the device around.
The LG G7 ThinQ is your perfect co-pilot
If you want to use the latest and greatest apps the world has to offer, you’ll need a quality smartphone. The LG G7 ThinQ sports a massive 6.1-inch Solar Bright Display that’s still viewable even in direct sunlight, offers lightning fast voice command, an in-built search pilot, AI image editing and Boombox Speakers. It’s available from O2 and Carphone Warehouse.