25 Smartphone Apps You Should Download For Summer

The summer is officially here. Everyone's ready to catch some rays, hit up some dope parties, and, if lucky, travel to an exotic island to partake in both. But whether you’re headed to San Tropez or chilling on the block, you can get more out of the hot-weather months by stocking your smartphone with the right apps. And with so many upcoming events and personal goals set for this season, it’s only right to equip yourself with the best mobile apps available. Some you should already have, while others may be new to you. From social networking to fitness programs, here's a list of the essential 25 Smartphone Apps You Should Download For Summer.

RELATED: The 25 Best Summer Vacation Movies
RELATED: Sneaker Report - Ranking the Best Apps for Athletes
RELATED: Sneaker Report - 10 Fitness Apps for a Healthy 2014

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

When you trek to a beach or park this summer you're not going to want to lug around a bag full of books. Or maybe you do. If you do, more power to you. But, if you don't, we recommend downloading the Kindle app. Not only can you read any Kindle books purchased on other devices, the app reads a number of different e-book formats so you can import your own reads.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Play, $1

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, $1

Summertime cookouts are in full effect. So if you plan on being stationed at the grille (or hibachi), we recommend getting familiar with, or learning a few, new BBQ concoctions. Grill-It! gives novice chefs immediate access to the latest beef, lamb, seafood, and chicken recipes. Have a cooking question? Tweet or email the company for any culinary inquisitions.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, $1

Anyone planning a cross-country road trip should definitely consider investing in a GPS program. And you won't find a better value than MotionX's app. View live traffic flow maps and real-time traffic-based routing, also share locations via email or Twitter and make direct calls from the search results feature. King of the road.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

So you just scooped up a hot chick at the bar, but ain't trying to bring her back to the crib on the first night. Your answer: Hotel Tonight. Search for nearby hotels across the country and book same-day rooms at up to 70 percent off. Use the extra greenbacks to jump in a cab the next morning.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from App World, FREE

Out-of-towners can search for nearby restaurants by cuisine, price range, or neighborhood. Make reservations straight from your smartphone and let the GPS direct you straight to your grub venue of preference.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Why stream Internet radio when you can access over millions of records from your favorite artists. Yep, the Facebook-required music app expands your music library by offering the opportunity to create (and sync) playlists, while allowing for offline listening and social sharing. Just make sure you secure a strong wi-fi or mobile network signal when using Spotify.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

GateGuru places commuters ahead of the curve by offering real-time flight statuses, security wait times, and up-to-date push notifications. The app also provides accurate airport maps and available amenities across 125 global airports. There's even an option to view your TripIt and KAYAK itineraries. Safe travels.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

If you haven't yet caught onto the Instagram craze, it's never to late to join the party. Through a variety of filters, the photo-sharing app adds flair to your mobile pics and transforms you into a quasi-professional shutterbug. Enjoy unlimited uploads and instantly share portraits on every major social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc.).

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, $1

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, $1

Everyone looks to shed a few pounds and tone up before jumping into their swimwear. Fitness Buddy serves as a digital personal trainer that offers over 1,700 exercises and 1,000 HD videos to get fit for the summer. Build your own workout routines, track body weight and metrics (chest, arms, etc.), and graph your body progress.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Killing some time at the airport or on a flight? Juice up the smartphone, log into your Netflix subscription, and stream over thousands of films and television programs on the go. Need a few suggestions? Peep our lists of the best TV Shows and Movies streaming on Netflix right now.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Before you bar hop across the neighborhood in search of your favorite beers, let Findmytap narrow down the selection. Search for the closest bars with your draught and bottled brews of choice, also receive directions for each one. Bottoms up.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

When surfers want accurate surf reports, most turn to Surfline.com. Now all that valuable information has been distilled into a great iPhone app. Get up-to-the-minute reports on wind speed, tides, weather, surf height and more for thousands of locations around the world. The best part, though, is the live HD cam that lets you see the conditions of 90 locations in the U.S. Be prepared.

Click here to Buy it Now from Windows Marketplace, FREE

The Windows Phone-exclusive is hands down the most powerful and immerse panorama app available on any mobile platform. Capture 360-degree images (horizontal or vertical) by aiming your Windows handset on targeted subjects, then publish your creations on Facebook and Twitter, as well as Bing. Definitely the app on Windows Marketplace.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, $5

Bike riders can use this GPS-enabled app to monitor distance and location, while basking in awesome reporting features to boost their workout. Log performance stats (heart rate, distance, bike speed, etc.) onto your iOS device, and store and transfer data on an iPad via iCloud support. Cyclists, runners, skiers, and walkers need to pin this on their homepage.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

By now you're all familiar with the battery life issues on the iPhone 4/4S. Here's a battery management app that'll help you squeeze every bit of juice from the iOS smartphone: offering breakdowns on memory usage and current running processes (wi-fi, 3G, video, etc.). Just keep your changer on hand. Or cop a Mophie Juice Pack.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Labeled Instagram for videos, SocialCam lets you capture clips and add filters to enhance the viewing experience. Milk the unlimited video length and storage capacity, plus share recordings with your Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr faithful. So much for World Star.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, $5

Most of us don't know what to make of the stars on a beautiful night. Mostly because most us live in cities where you can't see the stars. But if your locale allows you to see past the muck, this app's for you. Space Junk Pro fills in the blanks by using your current location and time to display planets, stars, constellations, and satellites on your smartphone.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

If the plan is to hit up the beach, a rooftop party, or go for a stroll around the neighborhood you still need a heads up on the weather. The Weather Channel app provides updates on climate conditions and forecasts on the hour, plus informs users of severe weather alerts and current temps. Sunny (and scorching) days are ahead of us.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Score tickets for The Dark Knight Rises and every other summer blockbuster straight from your phone with the Fandango app. Browse through showtime listings and use the location feature and GPS to find nearby theaters. Reserved seating is now available.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Missing out on the NBA Finals or Euro 2012? ESPN's sports app should suffice. Aside from offering access to scoreboards for every major sport, you can watch live games on your smartphone. No more rushing back to the crib or a bar to watch a game.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, $5

There are a number of photo apps to enhance your Instagram experience, but none more popular than Snapseed. Toy with new filters, add image borders, and automatically adjust photos using the Auto Correct feature. Once you finish customizing pics, share them across every major social media network (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Use the barcode scanner to find the best shopping deals in town. Scan a product, match price listings from local merchandisers or online, and purchase it directly from the merchant's site.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

If you're big on Internet radio, then Pandora is the only way to go. Simply log into your account and create up to 100 stations based on favorite songs, artists, or comedians: ad-free.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Whether you want to keep up with the latest news from your favorite websites or Facebook updates, this customized magazine app allows users to flip through personal content in an orderly viewable fashion. With Instagram pics, tweets, and even soundbites from SoundCloud, Flipboard is your all-in-one news feed.

Click here to Buy it Now from Apple App Store, FREE

Click here to Buy it Now from Google Play, FREE

Keep busy by engaging in a little wordplay competition with friends and family. Take turns solving crosswords and play up to 20 games simultaneously. It beats Facebook Scrabble.