Top free phone apps for E.M. residents

Thousands of cell phone applications are now available. Some applications are entertaining and others are informative. Numerous applications help save money and almost all are created to make day-to-day tasks simpler. However, a few apps focus on local news and are essential for East Meadow residents.

1) The East Meadow High School app - Christian Turkoanje, an EMHS graduate, created an app for students and parents alike when he was still a high school student. The app allows users to record their schedules, determine when the next bell will ring and access important contact numbers and a variety of school forms. Turkoanje is currently a student at Stony Brook University and is working toward a degree in software engineering and web development.

2) The Amazon Kindle app – By creating an account with Nassau Digital Doorway and Amazon, library cardholders can rent books for free and read them on their phones. Fiction and nonfiction audio books and electronic books are all available. Currently, the most popular online fiction rentals include “The Help,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Water for Elephants.” Visit www.eastmeadow.info for more information.

3) Groupon app – Groupon is an online coupon that is available after a specified amount purchase the deal. Residents can search for deals in a multitude of places, including Long Island and New York City. Coupons vary daily and include discounts on restaurants, gym memberships, boat rides, teeth whitening, movie tickets and more.

4) HopStop app – For locals who commonly take trips to The City and are still paying for taxis, download this the app. Open the program, add a starting and destination address, decide to take the bus, subway or walk, and press go.

5) Social Networking apps – Want to know what is going on around town and keep track of friends and family? Download Twitter and Facebook, and among others, start following the East Meadow Herald on Facebook and emherald on Twitter.