Top five... summer apps

Summer is a busy time, with holidays to organise, kids and grandkids off school, and the garden to sort out, all while trying to make the most of the long days. Here are a few apps to help you through the summer months.

Google Translate

Sometimes hand signals and flicking through a phrase book just doesn't work so having Google Translate on hand could make life a lot easier when you're abroad. It even has voice recognition, so you can speak - or get the person you're trying to understand to speak - into your phone for an instant translation.

UV Detector

Judging UV levels isn't too hard, especially in the UK - you just need to look outside and see whether it's sunny or not! But it's not always that simple, especially in unfamiliar climates, and even if it looks cloudy you could still be at risk from damaging UV rays. This app lets you know what those pesky UVs are up to wherever you are.

Postcard apps

Another thing to fall victim of the digital age - you can now send postcards from your phone, using a picture you've taken and adding your own personal message. It's a nice way to keep up with friends and family while you're away but we still like receiving proper postcards, with a funny stamps on them, so why not do both!

AA Days Out App

We all find ourselves with a day or two when there's nothing planned from time to time. If you're looking for inspiration for a fun or adventurous day out, this app from the AA could come in very handy - there are over 1,800 attractions listed throughout the UK.

Rainy Days

Using a number of sources for accurate predictions, Rainy Days is a weather app with one thing on its mind - rain. And, like it or not, that's something we're all too familiar with over the summer months here in the UK, so having an accurate source for predicting those inevitable rainy days could be very useful.

Date: 28/06/2012