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The best apps for New York City
Make your life easier in every way with these essential NYC apps
We’re all agreed that NY is the greatest city in the world, right? We’ll admit that sometimes the sheer size of the city can be intimidating, but once you shrink it down to the size of your smartphone, it’s a lot easier to manage. Fortunately, there’s a whole universe of apps out there that help you do just that—here are twenty of the best. Of course, none of them beat the all-purpose Time Out New York app, but who could expect them to? Feast your eyes on our selection of the greatest Gotham apps right now, then get busy with our list of the best NYC life hacks. The city is your oyster.
RECOMMENDED: Best of 2014
Food and drink

CUPS
What it does: Gets you great deals on coffee drinks at independent shops all over the city at several subscription levels, including $120 for all you can drink for a whole month.
Why you need it in your life: You need your coffee in the morning, and there are places to get it other than Starbucks— Gotham is a veritable treasure trove of damn fine indie coffee shops.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: cupsapp.com

Happy
What it does: Consider this app your personal stopwatch for any-hour-happy-hour at select bars in ‘hoods like the East Village, LES, Williamsburg and Fort Greene. Just open the app, check-in to the bar and hit the "start" button for discounted beverages.
Why you need it in your life: Need a drink and need it fast? If you love half-priced drinks—and seriously, who doesn’t—then you understand that the 4–7pm happy hour restriction can be downright annoying. So, forget that—happy hour happens when you make it happen, dammit!
Works with: Anroid, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: happyanyhour.com

Minibar
Why you need it in your life: The convenience of New York’s famous Chinese takeout is great and all, but is sorely lacking in alcohol content.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: minibardelivery.com

NYC Wifi + Coffee
What it does: Exactly as it sounds! NYC Wifi + Coffee offers a curated list of spots, from small cafes to parks, with both free wi-fi and easy access to hot, delicious java.
Why you need it in your life: Because what says New York like conspicuously laptop-wielding coffee drinkers sitting around in public?
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: everplaces.squarespace.com

Shout
Why you need it in your life: In a city of 8 million people, all vying to experience the same sources of entertainment and culture, Shout renders the notion of “sold out” forever obsolete.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: useshout.com
Getting around

iTrans
Why you need it in your life: You sure don’t want to risk squinting at one of those wall-mounted maps in the station and risk looking like a tourist. Plus it will be nice to know when your train is coming for once.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: itrans.info/landing/NYC

Exit Strategy
Why you need it in your life: Think of all time and effort you’ll save on your morning not having to traverse the entirety of the platform while (barely) avoiding subway preachers and oblivious headphone-wearers.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Blackberry
Get the app: exitstrategynyc.com

CitiBike app
Why you need it in your life: A bright blue bike is the hippest way to get around the city, and this app will help you get to Point B as directly as possible so you don’t incur any of those nasty overtime fees. Cool as a cucumber.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: citibikenyc.com/get-the-app

ParkMe
Why you need it in your life: What’s the worst part of living in NYC? If you answered “Ebola,” then take off the tin foil hat—the correct answer is “parking.” ParkMe eases that epic hassle just a little.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: parkme.com
Dating

OkCupid
Why you need it in your life: What, you still think you’re going to meet someone at a bar? Get online and ignite that big city romance you’ve always dreamed of already!
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: okcupid.com

Tinder
Why you need it in your life: NYC is DTF. Don’t get left behind.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: gotinder.com

Scruff
Why you need it in your life: Seeing the same old fellas at the same old Village bars can get fatiguing—expand those horizons.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Windows Phone
Get the app: scruff.com

Wyldfire
What it does: This new app puts the power in women’s hands: Only men can join the network once they get invited by one of their female friends, who are each given 10 invites apiece. And only dudes you approve can contact you and view your profile.
Why you need it in your life: Unlike, say, OkCupid, Wyldfire goes above and beyond to weed out the creeps. And the app is LGBT-friendly: Any woman can join and set her preferences to women. Ditto gay guys who get the green light from a lady pal.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: wyldfireapp.com

CitySocializer
Why you need it in your life: Custom events make this app the closest you can get to artisanal dating (think: an afternoon at the Dumbo Arts Festival or a Lower East Side food crawl).
Works With: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: citysocializer.com/new-york/meet-people

Glimpse
Why you need it in your life: Unlike Tinder, it awesomely allows you to go back and change your mind if you reject someone initially.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: itsglimpse.com

Distinc.tt
Why you need it in your life: The social network allows you to browse nearby singles who you can message—and you can even get groups together for trips to the museum.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: distinc.tt

JSwipe
Why you need it in your life: For the quirk factor. A swipe right leads to a green smiling Star of David; a swipe left a red-star frowny face. You can also let your matches know if you’re kosher, conservative, reform, orthodox or “just Jewish.”
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: jswipeapp.com

How About We
Why you need it in your life: If your first date is an adventure, you’re not likely to get hung up on the same old, boring first-date banter.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: howaboutwe.com/about

Match
Why you need it in your life: Because it can be pricey to receive messages (a six-month subscription is $24 per month), the website tends to appeal to people more seriously looking.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Get the app: match.com
Taking care of business

Sit Or Squat (Lifehacks)
Why you need it in your life: When you’re out in public and it comes time to answer nature’s call, there’s nothing worse than bursting into the facilities at the pizza joint on the corner and finding it looking like GG Allin had just passed through. Never go in blind again.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: sitorsquat.com

NYC Condom Finder
Why you need it in your life: This app could mean the difference between getting some red-hot (and safe!) action and spending the night cold and alone. Again.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: findnyccondoms.com

FlyCleaners
Why you need it in your life: Odds are your local laundromat is the least hip place in your neighborhood to hang out. Let someone else venture in there for you while you spend your time on more productive pastimes.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: flycleaners.com
Shopping

PS Dept
Why you need it in your life: Combines the otherwise unattainable glamour of having your own team of personal shoppers with the ease of sending a text message.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: psdept.com

ShopDrop
Why you need it in your life: Seems like you never hear about the best samples sales until they’ve quickly come and passed. With ShopDrop, you’ll be clued in before anyone else.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: shopdropapp.com

ASAP54
Why you need it in your life: It’s an extensive fashion database with the added lurid thrill of covertly snapping photos of random people on the street (or you could ask permission, but where’s the fun in that?).
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: asap54.com/#!/
Parks & rec

Central Park App
Why you need it in your life: Even for lifelong New Yorkers who have been there, done that, it’s worth really savoring a few hours in Central Park every once in a while.
Works with: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: centralparknyc.org/tours

Avoid Humans
Why you need it in your life: There are a few places in NYC that aren’t constantly packed to the gills, you know. With Avoid Humans, they’re easier to find.
Works with: All smartphones, online
Get the app: avoidhumans.com

Dog Park Finder
Why you need it in your life: City dogs yearn to roam free like their country brethren, but urban dog parks can be pretty hit or miss. Dog Park Finder will help you avoid the jankier ones.
Works with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Get the app: doggoes.com/iphone/dog-park-finder-plus