It’s easy to get lost wading in the sea of apps: there are 1.2 million apps on the App Store alone (a 33% climb on last year’s figure!) and roughly the same count in Google Play. With technology paving the way forward in making our lives easier, more efficient, and highly connected, it comes as no surprise that apps are facilitating our daily activities, specifically here in Lebanon. Yes, indeed: Lebanon’s got a slew of super-cool apps, in categories ranging from entertainment to travel, that will streamline the way you go about your day. Here’s our pick of some of the most resourceful apps out there for Beirutis on the go.
1. For Music
To listen to your favorite radio hosts in the office or out on a run, Virgin Radio offers live streaming of its on-air programs. You can also tap into the Top 10 hits, music events in Lebanon, and articles featuring artists in the news. NRJ Lebanon features a rolodex of themed categories, including Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Hot, Dance, Rock, Lounge, Mastermix, Special, Love, Hits, and Live. That’s a dozen distinct channels of tunes to keep you entertained!
Have to swing by the airport to fetch friends visiting from out of town? Nobody wants to wait hours in the airport lounge thanks to a delayed flight. Download Beirut Airport for all the latest info on flight arrivals and departures. You can even arrange for push notifications of flight updates.
Perhaps the latest app to seize Lebanon by storm, Uber is a rideshare, taxi, and taxi alternative app that arranges for prompt pickup and drop-off based on the user’s specifications. A suited-up chauffeur driving a luxury car opens the doors for passengers and drives them to their destination. Payment is automatically made via the credit card linked to the user’s Uber account. Still in testing phase, Uber is working to expand its network on the road, so cut them some slack as they iron out all the wrinkles in their service.
Foursquare is a social app where you can boast to the world every pit stop you make during the day, or how often you check-in at Shake Shack. But did you know you can use it as a navigational tool to get to your destination (assuming it’s a charted venue, of course!). Simply click on the map in the outlet’s profile and have it generate step-by-step directions from your present location. Incredibly convenient, and you won’t have to blemish your pride by stopping and asking for directions!
Explore all the news channels from Lebanon—more than 50 press editors—in one single app called Lebanon Press. Channels are sorted by category (Lebanon, international, economy, sports, and the like), with all three local languages represented. You can even schedule push notifications for your favorite newspapers and post comments on published articles.
It’s become a challenge keeping track of movies and their timings with almost two dozen cinemas throughout Lebanon. The Lebanon Movie Guides app lets you sift through what’s showing, where, and when, in addition to displaying IMDB’s rating and summary on each movie’s profile. You can also nab a preview of upcoming pictures on the Lebanese box office.
If you’re a voucher-toting type of guy/gal, you’ll enjoy Makhsoom’s app, which displays daily deals by product category (dining out, electronics, apparel, etc.). You can make in-app purchases and access your account for history of your transactions. If you’re a subscriber to Beirut Circle, an exclusive program that offers users substantial discounts on a variety of retail outlets, you’ll find that you can’t live without their app. Offers are organized by category, but you can even browse through outlets based on their geographical proximity to you.
For the ultimate app on discovering everything there is to do in Lebanon, Beirut.com is your one-stop shop. An online guide and directory at your fingertips, Beirut.com allows you to explore over 5,000 restaurants, shops, attractions, hotels, concerts—anything you desire. You can also forage through events taking place in Beirut, or better yet use the proximity search to find out what’s happening around you. The app even utilizes Google maps to route the fastest path to your destination of choice. Yup, it’s an all-in-one! And if you don’t have it, shame on you for making life in Beirut more difficult than necessary.
