The best new apps, from practical timesavers to the fun and frivolous

Our technology writers explore the latest apps

Tiny Planet photos.

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1. STACKS

You'll find this in the app store under its full name Stacks - The Smart Currency Converter. You can search by country or currency code and it updates the rate each time you open it (assuming you have a data connection). You can keep your favourite currency pair at the top of the app, which makes it ideal to quickly convert potential purchases back to Australian dollars when travelling overseas. Handy for frequent flyers.

Apple iOS / $1.99

2. TAPESTRY

Tapestry - Connecting Seniors and Families has existed as an Android app for a while. Now it has expanded with an iOS app. For those seniors not comfortable with social media, this is a simple way to exchange photos and messages with family members. If you don't want to store messages or photos in the app, you can stick with the free version.

Google Android / Apple iOS / free

3. TINY PLANET

This will put some creative zing into your smartphone photos, turning your images into either what looks like a tiny planet or like you're looking up through a rabbit hole. Recent improvements to the app mean it links better with popular photography apps such as Camera+. It's iOS only but Android users can try Tiny Planet FX Pro ($3.18) which is similar. The artistic results are addictive.

Apple iOS / 99 cents

4. QUIZUP

Think Words With Friends meets Trivial Pursuit. This app, which lets you challenge friends or strangers to quick-fire trivia quizzes, has reached one million users faster than Twitter, Foursquare or Instagram. The strength of the game is that there is a broad range of trivia topics, from history to Harry Potter. The developers say the Android version is coming in January.

Apple iOS / Google Android coming soon / free

5. STOW

Rather than update the original Stow app, the developers have released a new app for iOS 7. This gives you editable templates to use as a packing list, whether you are camping, going on a cruise or staying at the beach. If you link it to your travel plans in the popular travel app Tripit, it will also give suggestions based on the weather of your destination. You can email your lists and sync them over multiple devices.

Apple iOS / free

6. CAL

This calendar app by Any.do caused a fuss when it debuted on iOS earlier this year, with its ability to link your calendar with contacts, location and email interactions. Now it's available for Android users. It has a simple but attractive interface that adds features to a standard calendar, such as quickly sending the directions for a meeting to the list of attendees or a one-tap option to book an Uber car to come and get you.

Google Android / Apple iOS, free