Smart Phone Apps for Potomac Residents

All right, all you smart phone users — you’ve played "Angry Birds" long enough. It’s time to put down the phone and use some applications that are really valuable to Potomac residents.

To help you get started, we’ve made a list of the top five free apps that are helpful to stay informed about what’s up in the community. But the list doesn’t end here. Be sure to add your favorite apps for Potomac residents in the comment section below.

1. Montgomery County Public Libraries: For all you bookworms out there, the Montgomery County Public Libraries’ app is just the thing for you. On the iPhone the app allows users to search the MCPL catalog, place holds, review their accounts, renew material and find library hours. A trip to Potomac Library may not be necessary with this app.

2. Shopping trips can be made easy with the help of the Westfield Montgomery Mall app. The app, for iPhone, iPod and iPad digitally maps the mall, offers directions to and from stores within the mall (and directions to and from the mall itself), links to a searchable store directory and displays information about special events and promotions. It can even tell you where you parked via a voice memo, so you’ll never forget!

3. Starbucks: If you just have to have your Starbucks fix, use the app for Android or iPhone to help. The app will help you manage your Starbucks Card balance, point you in the direction of the nearest Starbucks location, show you the nutrition information and assist you in building the perfect drink for whatever your mood.

4. Trulia: Whether you’re on the market for a new place or consider yourself a real estate enthusiast, the Trulia app is perfect for locating houses on the market. With Potomac’s abundance of open houses and mega mansions you’re just dying to see the listing price for, this app will satiate your need. The app’s map function will point out nearby houses on the market and provide details like listing price, size, real estate contact and photos. Sure, the Potomac Patch House Hunt feature is great, but this app has the same convenience at your fingertips.

5. : It’s a shameless plug, but the Patch app makes it even easier to know about community news, local events and businesses nearby. The app showcases the most recent news, tweets coming from the Potomac Patch editor and what the weather is looking like up to the minute. Be sure to give Potomac Patch some love and you’ll be rewarded with updates on what’s happening in your own backyard.