Creating the next hit app doesn’t just happen in California tech temples—your neighbor might be burning the midnight oil coding a new way to shop, listen to music or commemorate a big game.
These innovative apps were developed right here in the Chicago area. Currently, all these apps are only available for the iPhone, but many have plans to expand into other platforms.
This on-the-go mobile app is perfect for those moments when you’re in the carpool line and need a little inspiration or problem-solving advice. We love that all the tips are easily read—literally in the promised 30 seconds—and range in topic from parenting to nutrition to beauty. Elisa All, a successful web entrepreneur in Evanston, is the brains behind the 30Second Mom websiteand app.
Snap a selfie at a game, and Fanmento uses your location to add fan-appropriate logos to your photo. You can order prints or turn your embellished photo into a poster. As of now, the app features college teams, but it plans to expand to pro teams and other entertainment venues in the near future. Developed by Chicago superfan and Highland Park native Jason Muslin.
Busy shoppers, this app is for you. GimmeAnother allows you to reorder favorite products in less than 10 seconds via your iPhone. The app links to retailers and producers, and is perfect for items you need all the time. President and CEO Jon Roketenetz hails from Chicago, while Andrew Sannes of Lake Forest is the Chief Legal and Business Development Officer.
Put your headphones on and escape to a sea of tranquility or a summer mountain valley. Using your headphones and cool holographic sound technology, this app transports you with 3-D sounds of wildlife and nature. Skeptical? Try the demo and you’ll be impressed by the sound engineering for this app, developed by John Buehler of Skokie.
Similar to what Flipbook does visually, Rivet News does audibly. The app allows you to create a custom news feed with options for Chicago, national, international and topical stories. Want North Shore traffic reports and weather before you walk out the door? Done. Then you can move to the fun stuff, like “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.” Founder John MacLeod lives in Kenilworth.
Developed by our favorite music gal (Val Haller, who lives in Winnetka and writes the popular Valslist column for Make It Better), this new music-streaming app helps busy adults keep up with new music. Want to impress your kids? Or not just listen to the same-old, same-old music all the time? This app has wonderfully curated lists to get you rocking or humming to a new sound.
