You can tell a lot about a person by the apps they have on their mobile phone.
We asked Flowstars to tell us which apps they make regular use of – and the results are quite revealing! We discovered they really love their coffee, followed by good food, and are happy to let a professional do the driving.
We share some of their favourite apps:
Christine Marot
What is your favourite app?
The Weather Channel.
What do you use it for?
To see what the wind and precipitation forecast is, so I can plan time to bodyboard over the weekend.
What do you like most about it?
Hour-by-hour information. It can be used anywhere in the world to find out about local weather conditions.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Pinpoint all the best coffee shops in South Africa and take me there.
Quathar Jacobs
What is your favourite app?
I have many, many apps on my phone but my favourite one at the moment is MSQRD. It allows you to record video selfie animations, or take photos and share them. And it works on facial recognition software, so it either filters your face entirely with a mask or adds to it.
What do you use it for?
I use it to amuse myself, mostly, and keep my little person entertained. Although he usually just frowns.
What do you like most about it?
I like that it’s updated often – which always excites me, as you never know what new masks to expect.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
My husband is also a MSQRD fan, but he’d never admit it! He says he’d create a very similar app, but one that would allow you to see what a new hair colour or hairstyle would look like on you before dyeing or cutting your hair at a salon. I also the like idea of a MSQRD app with local masks. The current one is very American, so they’ve featured Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Imagine the fun you could have with well-known South African faces!
Lauren Gentle
What is your favourite app?
WhatsApp.
What do you use it for?
Keeping in contact with friends, family and colleagues.
What do you like most about it?
It’s cheap and user-friendly.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Make me good coffee ... lol (I wish).
Willem Steenkamp
What is your favourite app?
Although it’s on my wife’s phone (we always use it together), my favourite app is Uber.
What do you use it for?
We use it, obviously, when we go out and know that we’re going to have a drink or two.
What do you like most about it?
I love it because it’s so convenient – it’s easy to use, cost-effective and backed by great service.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
I have no idea what kind of app I’d come up with that isn’t already there ... I’m spectacularly unimaginative that way! But it’d probably have something to do with food, because cooking’s a passion of mine.
Edwin Reichel
What is your favourite app?
Ster-Kinekor.
What do you use it for?
Checking new releases, and storylines of movies on circuit.
What do you like most about it?
That I can book tickets using the app.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
An app that makes me coffee first thing in the morning!
Camilla Kohlmeyer
What is your favourite app?
Zomato.
What do you use it for?
Finding new places to eat in and around Joburg.
What do you like most about it?
The ratings are usually very accurate, and so you know what to expect when you’re eating at the restaurant you’ve chosen.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Deliver food from the restaurants I find on Zomato to my doorstep 24/7.
Richard Frank
What is your favourite app (on your mobile phone)?
Uber.
What do you use it for?
Catching taxis.
What do you like most about it?
Instant geolocation of where I am, and automated credit card payments.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Log my time for me, automatically.
Ally MacDonald
What is your favourite app?
My favourite app is Google Maps, because I have the sense of direction of a Maltese poodle.
What do you use it for?
Put me outside my front door, turn me around three times and I’ll get lost trying to find my way home again.
What do you like most about it?
Google Maps saves my life, my time and my sanity. I could not live without it.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
My dream app would tell me where my car keys are every morning, as I’m about to head out the front door.
Angela Blake
What is your favourite app?
Uber.
What do you use it for?
To easily and safely get around town without having to drink and drive, or find parking at a big event.
What do you like most about it?
The convenience of not having to carry cash and pay a taxi, and also being able to get an estimate before booking.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Immediately block spam calls and emails for good by being able to push a button to block them in the future (I know this is available on one type of phone, but haven’t seen it myself).
Alex Cowling
What is your favourite app?
Google Keep.
What do you use it for?
Keeping track of EVERYTHING!
What do you like most about it?
That it integrates with all my other favourite Google products/apps – the best of which is adding my reminders to my calendar.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
Now listen, you’re not getting all my genius ideas for free! But an app that logs my time for me ... now there’s an idea! Or an app that rewards me for not shopping when I’m hungry.
Mkhuseli Vangile
What is your favourite app?
I have an app called Wunderlist.
What do you use it for?
I use it to organise my day, and it helps with tasks I need to do. It works like a reminder, but much better.
What do you like most about it?
I like the fact that it’s very convenient for my professional life.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
I would devise an app that can cook food, because let’s face it, I suck at cooking.
Tara Turkington
What is your favourite app?
Uber.
What do you use it for?
I couldn’t live without it. I recently used it in Washington, DC and New York, which was an interesting experience. It’s less popular there than in South Africa, as there is more of a pre-Uber taxi culture and infrastructure there, I think.
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
If I could devise an app, it would be an email filter that would figure out for me which of my mails every day is important and would present those in an easily readable, super-quick format.
Tish Haridass
What is your favourite app?
Twitter.
What do you use it for?
Posting all my hilarious jokes/sad life stories. Everyone should follow me: @star_says.
What do you like most about it?
All the people who chat and laugh with me even though we aren’t “real life” friends. Also found two jobs via Twitter, including this one (yay).
If you could devise an app yourself, what would it do?
It would predict when I was going to run out of shampoo and remind me to buy it, instead of me standing in the shower, wet hair, and only then realising the bottle is empty. I would call it “Shop For Shampoo”.
There you have it. We love our mobile phones and expect far more from them than just being fancy communication tools.