While your smartphone can certainly make you more connected and productive, it can also be the ultimate in procrastination tools… so why not kick your idle time up a notch with the cream of the crop in time-wasting apps?
Browser-maker Opera Software has selected 10 top apps for anyone who has some time to kill. Whether you’re bored on a rainy afternoon, waiting in line or simply feel like your day’s plans and chores can wait, these apps will help you truly maximize your potential for procrastination.
1. Do It (Tomorrow) (iOS/Android, free)
Born to be in every procrastinator’s app list, Do It (Tomorrow) is a simple to-do app for everyone who loves to put things off to tomorrow. Add a new task and postpone it until tomorrow with a single click. Unlike other to-do-list apps, Do It (Tomorrow) only allows you to add tasks for today or tomorrow – great for those who hate planning ahead. Why waste your precious spare time doing stuff now, if it can wait until tomorrow?
2. Tiny Wings (iOS, $0.99)
Angry Birds isn’t the only feathered-friend game in town. Tiny Wings is one of the most popular time-killing games for your iPhone. If you think trying to flap your tiny wings to fly can’t be addictive, just try this game right after your plane takes off for a long journey.
3. Pinterest (iOS/Android, free)
There are few things that guarantee as much fun in your downtime as pinning inspiring things with Pinterest, a web tool for collecting and sharing images and videos. Whether you’re looking for ideas for kitchen makeover ideas or just pandas on rocking horses, the more spare time you have, the more you can pin and the bigger your image and video collection will be – so you’ll have even more to share with your friends.
4. Opera browser (Android, free)
Imagine an app that brings you the latest news and stories from a range of titles, for the topics and regions of your choice. With the Opera browser for Android, you can find fresh and interesting articles with a quick swipe from your home screen. Opera’s Discover feature automatically feeds you the most interesting stories from the web in such categories as Sport, Art and Travel.
5. TED Air (iOS/Android, free)
TED Air is a must-have app for anyone who wants to know more. It offers a wide collection of inspiring videos where experts share their knowledge on almost any subject imaginable. And, if anyone accuses you of wasting time, with this app you have the great excuse that you’re learning something, too.
6. Draw Something (iOS/Android, free)
Improving your artistic skills is a great way to procrastinate. And, with the Draw Something app, it can be fun, too. This popular drawing game gets you to draw a random word for your friends to guess, or challenge people through Facebook and Twitter.
7. AnkiDroid Flaschcards (Android, free)
This flashcard-style app helps you memorize new pieces of information, such as foreign words, poems, guitar chords, and much more. Become a flashcard master, as you get the question, try to answer, and put your memory to the test, while you put off doing the housework.
8. Reddit Is Fun (Android, free)
Reddit, the popular social news and entertainment website, allows you to share content and rank posts shared by other users. Whether you’re a hardcore Redditor or new to Reddit links and pictures, Reddit Is Fun will be your favorite time waster. It is an extremely user-friendly app that allows you to follow content, take part in discussions and share information discovered in other apps.
9. Logo Quiz (iOS/Android, free)
How many logos of popular brands are you able to recognize? Hundreds? Really? Take the challenge with the Logo Quiz app, and guess as many as you can. Why tackle your chores when there’s useless pop culture knowledge to test?
10. HootSuite (iOS/Android, free)
There’s no such thing as too much socializing, especially when you feel some things can wait until tomorrow. HootSuite is a social-media client that helps you manage multiple social-network accounts from one powerful dashboard. Access your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram accounts and check in on Foursquare, all in one place – so you’ll always have some social updates to distract you.
So, explore these apps the next time you’re procrastinating, filling time or killing time. And remember – the Opera browser is made to discover. Download it from m.opera.com or your favorite app store today. (Or, even tomorrow.)
About Opera Software ASA
The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 300 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Learn more about Opera at opera.com.
