Here’s one thing you can say about Canadians: we’re a mobile-happy bunch. With figures suggesting one in three Canadians own a tablet and 27 million Canadians are mobile subscribers, we’re one of the more connected nations in the world.
Naturally, with the massive levels of mobile accessibility nationwide, apps have sprouted up that seem particularly well-suited to Canadian interests. From travel to the weather to yes, hockey, these apps may find a place on just about every one of those mobile devices.
TimmyMe
Diehard Tim Hortons fans are abundant in the great white north, and the TimmyMe app is essential for anyone looking for their coffee and donut fix.
Track down your nearest location, make mobile payments at the drive-thru, review nutritional information and reload gift cards. You can even craft a ‘TimmyRun’ order to ensure you get your friends’ and coworkers’ orders just right.
Beerometer
Whether you’re a Molson Canadian, an Alexander Keith’s loyalist or a fan of one of Canada’s many locally brewed beers, you know how important it is to have your drink at the perfect temperature. The Beerometer is an ingenious app that ensures every popped can is chilled to perfection.
The Beerometer starts by asking you a few questions about your beverage of choice – including wine and other spirits – in terms of what you’re drinking and your preferred temperature of choice. When your drink is at the optimal temperature, you’ll get a text message or other notification signalling it’s time to imbibe. No more skunked beers, no more lukewarm wine. What more could a Canadian ask for?
Moose Watch
Despite perceptions that Canada is primarily populated by polar bears, the nation’s most treacherous animal is more likely the moose, with up to 800 collisions per year in Newfoundland alone.
This app encourages users to submit moose sightings using the hashtag #moosewatchnl. Those sightings are then filtered into the app, providing map points to help you check if your journey may put you in the path of one of the province’s great big beasts.
Hockey Fight
What would a list of Canadian apps be without one dedicated to Canada’s favourite sport? Hockey Fight is an on-ice wrestling arcade game that pits you against some of hockey’s toughest enforcers for the chance to avenge your team and get recognized as a force to be reckoned with.
The basic Hockey Fight Lite is free, however the pro version is just $0.99 and offers additional gameplay. With multiple play modes, including the chance to battle your friends online, this rough and tumble game ain’t for the faint of heart.
Maple Tap Tool
Few things are more Canadian than maple syrup. If you’ve got a maple tree or farm, or if you’re planning a weekend trek to tap your own syrup, this handy app helps you discern whether it’s ideal tapping temperatures and conditions.
Simply type in your location and the app will provide you insight over the next 10 days as to whether your tree should be tapped and how much syrup you can reasonably expect to collect. While definitely a specialty app for select Canucks, it’s hard not to appreciate how much love someone has for our nation’s most beloved export.
Verdict
While most Canadians flinch at being stereotyped for our love of winter sports and sugary syrup, these apps are a fun, useful spin on things our nation genuinely celebrates about ourselves.
Of course, there are dozens of Canuck-oriented apps available to help you brush up on your Canadian history, explore the country from sea to sea or even track border wait times when you’re heading on a great escape. Simply punch in ‘Canada’ to your preferred app store and you’ll have access to dozens of ways to explore our great country.
