Apps have allowed us to do some incredible things from the com­fort of our smartphones. So mu­ch so that activities like checking and sending mails, browsing web and editing documents on the mobile platform are now pretty routine affairs. And, indeed, you can do things such as play HD games, watch movies, read books, shop, edit photos and videos... in fact, pretty much anything that you could do on the computer.

However, among the amazing apps available in market are also some truly bizarre specimens. A few weeks ago, Yahoo compiled a list of weird smartphone apps, and we attempt to do the same here — an amalgamation of some completely loony apps as well as some that will bring a smile to your face.

BubbleWrap

Who doesn’t like popping bubble-wrap sheets? Unfortunately, not only is it messy — not to mention enviro­nmentally unfriendly — to go around destr­oying bubble-wrappi­ng, it would be a rather an odd thing to be seen doing in public. Unless you can do it surreptitiously on your tou­ch-based phone or tablet. The Bubb­leWrap app is available for the iOS pl­atform (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch), and a similar app is also available for And­roid, both free. The iOS BubbleWrap has a pro version as well for $0.99 (le­ss than Rs 50), where you can attempt to out-pop other BubbleWrappers across the world.

Hold On!

Did we mention the bizarre? Well here’s one truly useless app — Hold On! for the iPhone. Lifehacker.com has called it “the most unproductive produ­ctivity app”, and it co­m­pr­ises a button that you must hold do­wn for as long as you can. Why, you as­k? We are wondering the same thing too. Hold On! is free, but one wonders how many users would have paid for it.

Simulated EMF Reader

X-Files fans and those waiting for a message from the beyond might want to try out the Simulated EMF Reader, which turns your iOS device into an EMF meter that picks up electromagnetic fields. This, incid­entally, is how paranormal investigato­rs search for spookiness. However, do­n’t get too excited if your device picks up something—you might standing too close to the power lines. Fortun­ately, the app is free, and the only investment is your time and hope.

Tricorder

Do not fret, Android users. An equ­ally cool ‘geek toy’ for the platform is the Tricorder, a name that Star Trek fans will recognise. This app turns your Android-based device into the tricorder that Star Trek heroes carried around with themselves to analyse their surroundings. The Tricorder app uses your phone’s sensors to detect display acceleration, local magnetic field, local acoustic environment, availability and strength of cellular and WiFi signals, and the current state of the sun and solar wind and more.

Schwartz Unsheathed

Still staying with the sci-fi theme, Star Wars devotees might like to arm themselves with an app that turns their Android phone into a lightsabre! Yes, that cool tubelight-like laser sabre brandished by the Jedis. You can change the colour of the laser, adjust sensitivity and music volume, among others. There are a number of other lightsabre apps for various platforms, including the Star Wars Lightsaber Duel ($0.99) for the iPhone/iPad/iPod touch.

And many more...

‘Bizarre’ is a relative term and there are hundreds of amusing, useless and unbelievable apps available for various mobile platforms (and not just iOS and Android, the ones we have concentrated on). Rest assured, you’ll never be bored on a rainy afternoon!

Payal Dhar is a freelance technology writer