Apples to App(les)

A lot of people like to define Millennials by our obsessions with technology.  According to our generational stereotype, we are never able to completely "unplug" because we are constantly on our computers, iPads, tablets, iPods, and iPhones, and sometimes we use all of those things at once.  I would argue that this isn't a "Millennial" phenomenon.  It's a 2016 phenomenon.  I, for one, pride myself in not bringing my phone to the table at family dinners unless there's an emergency, and I know many people my age who try to do the same.  On the other hand, my middle-aged family members are the ones who seem to never be able to get off the phone and just live in the moment (or whatever we're supposed to be doing at those dinners).  However, I will admit that I have fallen victim to many of the viral iPhone apps (I'm looking at you, "Tiny Wings") that I play during my internship commute.  Here are a few of the apps that had me hooked for an extended period of time.


1. Two Dots: "Two Dots" is my one of my current go-to games and I've noticed that there's an underground obsessed following of Two Dots players that doesn't talk about the game unless they just happen to see someone playing.  Then they go crazy.  I actually have a friend who will leave her apartment late to go to social events just because she's finishing out her five lives on the game.  I started playing it last year when I was in Italy (the game doesn't require an internet connection, which is super helpful) and finished the game.  Since then, they've added hundreds of more levels, which reignited my love for the app. 

2. Temple Run: Okay, so I'm pretty sure that we all had at least a brief love affair with the insanity that is Temple Run.  The greatest (and most addicting) part about it is that there aren't any "life" limits, so you can literally sit and play the games for hours without realizing any time has passed.  There's also really catchy (and really annoying) background music for the game that gets stuck in your head.  My only issue with Temple Run is that it makes me very stressed because there aren't any breaks!  The Temple Run era was not a very zen time in my life.





3. Family Feud: I'm not sure if this app is also on iPhones, but I've been playing it on my Kindle Fire since I got the thing.  The only flaw with the app is that it doesn't come with Steve Harvey.  That being said, I never get bored playing, and I really like that it keeps my mind active.  At this point, who doesn't love family feud?!?







4. 94%:  This is another app that has current presence on my phone.  It's kind of like Family Feud, but without the three strikes rule, which is great.  I also like that the app's developers are constantly adding new levels to the game, so you're never really finished playing.  Again, it's great if you don't have any other obligations in life that involve looking up from your phone screen.








5. Candy Crush: How could I make a list involving addicting apps without talking about Candy Crush?!?  At this point, I've deleted the app because I couldn't pass any of the levels anymore, but somehow my middle-aged family members continue to send me requests for the app on Facebook.  I really need that to stop.  Regardless, the Candy Crush era was great because it brought a solo-app to social media.  I totally judged people based on how many times they sent me lives vs. how many times they asked me for lives.  And today, EVERYONE on the subway plays Candy Crush.  They just don't talk about it anymore.