The Most Rewarding Apps

Rewards

Running errands, doing chores and even watching TV can be monotonous, day to day. A new class of mobile applications seeks to spice up these daily tasks by turning them into games. Some apps even award users prizes, both virtual and tangible. To find out how to incorporate rewards and games into your life, read on.

Checkpoints

App Type: Shopping

Rewards: Gift cards, products, airline miles

The idea behind the just-launched Checkpoints app is simple: Scan bar codes and earn rewards. The key is that the product needs to be affiliated with a participating brand or company, such as launch partner Tyson Foods.

Shopkick

App Type: Shopping

Rewards: Gift cards, products, music downloads, charitable donations

Shopkick takes the same idea--barcode scanning--and gives it a twist. Instead of asking users to scan certain products in any store, the app rewards people for walking into certain stores, such as Macy's and Best Buy.

SWAGG

App Type: Virtual gift cards

Rewards: Loyalty points

SWAGG is for people who like the functionality of gift cards, but want more convenience and faster delivery. The app, which will debut in coming weeks, translates gift cards into 16-digit codes that can be stored on phones.

EpicWin

App Type: Productivity

Rewards: Advancement in iPhone game

Everyone needs a little encouragement to cross items off their to-do lists. EpicWin provides motivation by integrating tasks into a role-playing game. Users get points for completing tasks. The points then help users in the EpicWin game.

GetGlue

App Type: Social networking around entertainment

Rewards: Points, stickers, discounts (eventually)

GetGlue builds on the fact that people like to share what TV shows, movies and music they are consuming and their opinions of them. Users who contribute a lot of comments and reviews can compete to be "gurus" of particular shows or films and earn stickers.

SCVNGR

App Type: Location-based game

Rewards: Points, badges

Like other location-based services, SCVNGR revolves around a "check in" system. It adds extra interest by presenting users with "challenges." Completing challenges generates points, which lead to badges. Points can be redeemed for tangible rewards, too.

MyTown

App Type: Location-based gaming

Rewards: Virtual money in mobile game

MyTown is another location-based game. When MyTown users check into locations, they are rewarded with virtual prizes. Virtual cash, for instance, can be used to purchase real estate in the MyTown game.

Fable 3 Kingmaker

App Type: Location based game

Rewards: Gold added you earn from app transferred to Fable 3 for Xbox.

Fable 3 Kingmaker is an innovative approach to a new game launch, creating a series of tasks based around real life interactions - giving you a specific reward within the massive upcoming Xbox title Fable 3.

Whrrl

App Type: Location-based social networking

Rewards: Points, various real-world items

Users of the app Whrrl that check into locations have the ability to win real-world prizes. People who check into Murphy gas stations, for instance, can win free gas.

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