Smartphone Apps of the Month- February

On February 14th many of us will celebrate Valentine’s Day, and we’ll be in good company. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are valentines. But just in case you’re running behind and forget to send your loved one a card, buy flowers, or make reservations for two at your favorite restaurant, don’t panic.

There’s a smartphone app riding to your rescue. This month I’d like to mention two such apps: one for making restaurant reservations, the other for sending flowers.

Open Table: Available on Android and iPhone  

Open Table enables you to quickly find restaurants near you, as well as which restaurants or reservations are available. You can filter your search by a range of variables, including distance, price, star ratings and cuisine, not to mention “Most Romantic.” You can view each restaurant’s menu as well as see photos of their best dishes. And you can read what others are saying about the place. More importantly, the comments you’ll get are not testimonials from the restaurant beating its own drum. You’ll be able to read the most current and sincere reviews from actual guests who dined there.

Making a dinner reservation couldn’t be easier or faster. Open the app and instantly pick your desired restaurant. Then select the time you want to reserve. Presto. You’re in! You can add special requests, such as telling the restaurant you’ll be celebrating an engagement or mentioning specific food allergies. You can even send an Open Table invitation to others via your phone.

Let’s face it; the last thing you want during a romantic dinner on the most romantic evening of the year is to find yourself in the wrong restaurant. Open Table helps ensure a memorable dining experience, with more than 20,000 restaurants in at your fingertips.

Florist One & Florist Now: Available on Android: and iPhone

Whether it’s a single stem rose or a full bouquet, nothing says “I love you” more directly or instantly than flowers. That’s why, with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, I’d like to talk about two floral service apps that I think can help you say those special three words magnificently. Florist One, a free smartphone app, enables you to easily order flowers from a local florist by using your Android mobile phone. While Florist Now, another free smartphone app, provides a similar floral delivery service for our iPhone users.

It doesn’t matter if you want to send red roses or blue violets, they’ll deliver exactly what you want. And if you don’t know what arrangement you want, rest assured the professional florists can recommend an unforgettable bouquet. These apps automatically contact the best local FTD or Teleflora florists, ensuring you get the freshest flowers, most imaginative designs and quickest deliveries.

For procrastinators there’s even better news: in some cases, depending on when your order is placed, you can get same day delivery!

From a simple greeting card to an expensive piece of jewelry, we all celebrate February 14^th in different ways, shapes and forms. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day this year, no matter where or how you celebrate it.

May the apps (and the love) be with you.