September 23, 2012: From gossiping aunties, to kids in the classroom, it seems that everyone these days is using some sort of apple product. From iPods to iPhones to iPads — these devices not only keep us connected, but also make our lives a whole lot simpler.
Being a self-classified techie, I try to keep up with the ‘latest’ products, as much as I (and my wallet) can. I don’t know about you, but I love having the entire world right in the palm of my hand. If I want to know who directed the new Harbajan Maan movie, all I have to do is pull out my phone and search using my IMDB app. If I want to find the best Shahi Paneer in my area, Yelp’s app has got my back.
The possibilities are endless and thanks to innovative people within our own community, we have seen a huge flow of Sikhi apps in Apple’s App Store. Here are my top 4 picks:
- Gurbani Anywhere: One of the first apps designed to help search for any shabad right from your mobile device. Similar to Sikhi To The Max, it has the same capabilities, but makes them mobile. With its new iOS update version available in the app store, this app is a must have!
- Key features include: (1) A customized favorite shahad list, (2) Quick List of Japji Sahib, Laavan, etc. in English and Gurmukhi, and (3) Random Shabad generator. All in all, this is the one of the best Gurbani apps out there.
- SikhNet Radio: This app is not free, but is worth every penny. Made by the creators of SikhNet, this app streams live Gurdwara programs around the world. From Darbar Sahib in Amritsar to San Jose Gurdwara in California, you can stream it all LIVE and right on your device.
- SikhNet Gurbani Media Center: This cool app brings the absolute richest Sikh content ever to mobile devices. such a large amount of shabads that you can listen to anywhere with an internet connection. You can stream overer 15,000 Gurbani audio tracks to your device. It displays the shabd text onscreen as well! If you buy this app, you do NOT need the SikhNet Radio app too. SikhNet Radio is included in this one.
- FlyRights: Created by the Sikh Coalition, a community-based civil rights organization, this app is designed for the traveling Kaur or Singh. It allows you to file TSA (Transportation Security Administration) complaints while traveling to and from any airport in the United States. Make sure your “random searches” are reported straight to the source with this very valuable app.
- Sikhism FAQ: This is by far my favorite app. I use it when I have a question about anything Sikhi related. With sections dedicated to topics such as Youth Issues and Sikh History, it’s a great first-stop to researching your answer. This app is perfect for anyone that wants to learn about Sikhi, or doesn’t know how to answer a question. You can even ask a question that isn’t logged and someone will email you back!
All of these apps are available on any iOS device — iPod, iPad, and iPhone.
With the launch of the new iPhone 5, these apps will only be getting better and better. Who knows what’s to come — the possibilities are endless!
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