5 Apps Designed To Make Our Lives Easier in Malaysia.

In this modern day fairy tale of technology sweeping us off our feet, it is but surprising that our lives are seemingly getting easier by the day. Supercomputers and smartphones are necessities in our life which would leave us seemingly uncomfortable without their help with our day-to-day activities. Who would have thought that we would be able to have a cab pick us up just by a tap on the screen? There's even an app which can help us order food without us having to talk to the waiter! 20 years ago - when I was still fascinated by the wonders of videotapes - all this would not have been possible. Who would have imagined? It amazes me, to look at how far mankind has come and how much we have accomplished. I suppose this is only the beginning, and I'm excited to see what more we are capable of.

Dramatization aside, I have listed out five smartphone apps and platforms which have significantly made my life easier. From ride-sharing to maid-hiring, I am sure you will benefit from them too!

Photo credits: www.huffingtonpost.com

Malaysia GST Calclulator (ADV) 

With the government's recent implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST Malaysia), many have been left scratching their heads (me being one of them) trying to figure out the whole shebang. What are taxable items? How does the calculation work? Why are we even being taxed?! With tons of clueless citizens expressing their confusion through social media, several apps have already been developed to ease the burden of the rakyat. The free version of this app is pretty basic but useful. Besides offering basic GST calculation, the app also offers GST calculations on second-hand goods, mixed supplies, imports and capital goods adjustments on mixed supplies. The paid version allows users to calculate the flat rate scheme vs standard GST rate and a GST registered vs non-GST registered calculation. Both features include a recommendation for standard voluntary registration with the latter providing additional cost and benefit analysis. All you have to do is pay a fee of RM3.50 for the full version. Currently only available for Android.

MyTeksi (GrabTaxi) (Android & iOS)

Photo credits: www.theantdaily.com

MyTeksi - otherwise known as GrabTaxi out of Malaysia - is an app which allows users to book a taxi which is fast, safe, and reliable. Now the leading taxi-booking app in Southeast Asia makes it so easy to get a cab with just a few simple taps! Besides Malaysia, this app can also be used in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. With safety concerns on the rise, MyTeksi promises their users safety: MyTeksi drivers have a valid license and taxi rides can be tracked via GPS. Another perk of this app is that it gives its users certainty: users get to know their estimated metered fare before booking a taxi. This app has been my personal life-saver numerous times during my last job. I would have to get cabs for customers and boy did this app come in handy! However, I don't like the fact that taxi drivers get to choose their patrons. They may reject your request if your destination is not where they would prefer to be at. Available for both Android and iPhone.

Photo credits: www.uber.com

Uber pride themselves for being everyone's private driver, and they sure do deserve to keep their pride! They are a ride-sharing service app which allows you to request a ride and be picked-up within minutes. Unlike MyTeksi, Uber drivers do not get to be selective with who they pick up and will be on their way to you once you have confirmed your request. And like MyTeksi, Uber offers their users the convenience of knowing their estimated fare before proceeding to confirm their request. I like how users are able to choose between UberX, UberBlack and UberLux. UberX are for those on a budget (like me) but I promise you they offer you a 5-star service without a doubt! I have gotten to sit back and relax in comfortable Myvis and Sagas while on the way to my destination. I was even lucky enough to get picked up by a Volkswagen Golf once! UberBlack consists of more continental cars and UberLux, well, luxury cars. Between MyTeksi and Uber, I would almost always choose the latter. Their quality, efficiency, and service is worth paying every cent! Available for both Android and iPhone.

MaidEasy

Many Malaysian homes have been and still are facing domestic maid problems. I can't recall the number of maids who have run away from my house when I was a child, some even took our money and belongings! As of late, many households have opted for part-time cleaners instead as it provides more privacy for the members of the household. This is where MaidEasy comes in handy! MaidEasy is a Malaysian company which aims to revolutionize the cleaner industry in Malaysia.  Founded in 2014, they provide a straightforward platform for homeowners to book part-time cleaners anytime and anywhere from any mobile or web device. Even though this service has not developed an app yet, it generally comes in handy when I need to schedule a cleaner to come over. So far the maids are quite friendly and nice with their work being above average. This really saves me a lot of time and hassle arranging for a cleaner to come over. It is all settled with a few taps on the screen!

Slurp

Photo credits: www.vanityshack.my

Slurp is an effortless cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system for small and medium F&B retail businesses. It basically allows users to order food from their smartphone, how cool is that? Users can order upon reaching the restaurant or while they are on the way to the restaurant. According to Slurp's founders, they aim to help retailers run their business better by reducing their waiters' tasks. They believe that that way, waiters are able to focus on more important tasks at hand and accomplish more work. A few restaurants have already taken to using this app such as Boat Noodle, Little Taiwan, and The Morning After. I have had the chance to use this app at Boat Noodle, Gamuda Walk to immense success! All I did was sit down at the table, took a look at their menu, placed my order through the app, and waited patiently for my food. It was so easy, need I say anymore? You can even call for the bill through the app. However, it may not be ideal for the older population who may not be as tech-savvy but I guess they can work that out later. Available for both Android and iPhone.

By Andrew Tai
April 13, 2015 | Seasonal