5 apps for Memorial Day

Here in the US, we're celebrating Memorial Day. It's the day we set aside to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to our country.

It's also the unofficial start of summer, a time when we dust off our grills, cook with fire and spend time outside. Before you step outside, grab one of these five apps to increase your fun. Happy Memorial Day!

Bug Spray (free) supposedly emits high-frequency tones that repel flying insects. Back in my day, we just set up one of those zappers. if you prefer a more contemporary approach, this may be it...with a few caveats. From the manufacturer: "Do not use around infants, small children, individuals who are hearing impaired or people who are incapable of physical response to sound." Hmm. Seems this app repels more than bugs.

Weather Bug for iPhone and iPad (both free) will let you know if you're planning a backyard BBQ in vain. Get up-to-the-minute weather updates for your neighborhood, browse weather cams, watch animated maps and more. If you like a more minimalist presentation, consider WeatherStation Pro ($1.99) for iPad or Outside ($2.99) for iPhone.

[Apologies for the mischaracterization of Memorial Day above; it has been amended. –Ed.]

TomTom USA ($50) will help travelers find their destinations. This 50 dollar turn-by-turn app from TomTom offers real time traffic updates (via an in-app purchase), a great looking UI, accurate maps, music fading when announcements are made and more. Of course, you could go the less expensive route and rely on the built-in GPS of your iPhone 3GS, but if you're going to do a lot of unfamiliar traveling, a turn-by-turn app could be worth it.

Grab some games! Those nieces and nephews are going to show up looking for something to do. Instead of having them "help" you cook, hand them Plants Vs. Zombies ($2.99 iPhone, $9.99 iPad), Pickin' Time ($0.99), Doodle Jump ($0.99) or Real Racing HD ($9.99).

Weber's On The Grill for iPhone (US$4.99) and iPad ($4.99) is our favorite grilling app. It's loaded with recipes (nearly 300!), of course, but that's not all. You'll find instructional videos, a grilling timer and option to add your own notes. It looks just fantastic on the iPad's display and is super convenient when paired with an iPhone and a MoviePeg. In fact, it's so good, we picked it as our Daily App today.

There you have it, five (actually, 10) apps for Memorial Day. Check them out, have fun, and thank a veteran.
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