(MoneyWatch)  Are you banking on your smartphone yet? If not, research suggests it's only a matter of time - especially if you're a young adult carrying an iPhone or Android phone. The global mobile banking industry is expected to reach 1.1 billion customers by 2015. Many major banks, including Bank of America, Citibank, ING, Wells Fargo and Chase, have free mobile apps that allow customers to check bank balances, make payments and find their bank's nearest ATM on-the-go. In fact 75% of the country's major banks are offering mobile apps, according to a But no matter where we bank - a large financial institution or a credit union - there are some useful and convenient mobile banking applications we can all take advantage of. Here's a round-up of six that boast convenience and ease: : You can organize and track all your financial accounts and bills with this free app available Read More

There's just under a week to go until Tax Day which is April 18 this year. As the deadline nears, so does our anxiety about filing taxes. Luckily for you, there are several Android apps that can help you prepare your taxes, and even file them. It’s great to see financial institutions and services target consumers on the mobile level -- I did a list of Android tax apps last year, and there were far fewer apps dedicated to tax services. Here are some useful Android apps to help you survive tax season this year. TurboTax SnapTax lets you do all your tax work on your Android. Use the camera phone to take photos of completed tax forms, complete the detailed forms in the app, and submit your e-file securely. This Intuit-powered app works for federal and state taxes, and will help you through the basic filing process. The app is Read More

The past year has been huge for Google Android, as the 2-year-old mobile platform has finally begun to gain some major traction.  As a result, Android has filled its Market with over 9,000 apps, creating an array of choices for smartphone users. The growth has attracted some apps that were already popular on the iPhone, and others that take advantage of Android’s unique features.  Here are some of the top Android apps I’ve found to be difficult to live without. EasyNote makes the list because of its multi-use capabilities. Create shopping lists, track daily tasks, or simply jot down your thoughts. Folders offer organization, while custom options make nearly every aspect of EasyNote able to serve your needs. Any note or list can be turned into a home screen widget, making for even easier access to your content. ShopSavvy’s free app was one of the first bar code scanners for Android, and Read More

Posted by Comments Personal Assistant Premium. 10 essential life management applications in one great app: Credit card Control, Bank account status, Investment portfolio, Cell Minute Tracker, Frequent flyer miles, Travel Itineraries, Shopping Management, Bill management, Netflix queue, Alerts. Price: Free, $6.99 Pros Cons Personal Assistant Premium Android App by Pageonce is an awesome way to integrate, manage and keep track of your personal and financial accounts in one convenient place… now do it on the go with Android! Great for adding credit cards to quickly check balances, bank accounts, travel itineraries, social networks, Netflix queues and much more; plus receive Android notifications. Pageonce provides a dashboard and notifications of changes in accounts. (Via CNET) Very useful to those who would like to keep track of their accounts in one app versus using many. Add an account either with online dashboard or via the mobile app. Manage your notification settings too. User dependent, Read More