These grocery apps make shopping a breeze

If you own a smartphone, it's likely you are using the device to some degree for in-aisle shopping at the grocery store and other retailers.

According to a study by market researcher White Horse, nearly 85 percent of smartphone owners use their devices to build lists, compare prices and learn more about products they buy.

These five apps will help you navigate the aisles, discover new recipes and save money:

Grocery iQ

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android; free)

Jotting down your weekly produce, dairy and cleaning supplies purchases on a scrap of paper is a thing of the past thanks to apps like Grocery iQ. This app lets you create and copy grocery lists via text or voice-based instructions. The app offers brand-name choices, so it's unlikely it won't be able to display your chosen items. Grocery iQ lets you share your lists with friends, family and roommates easily. A list can be originated on an iPhone, for instance, and later updated via an Android device or through the Grocery iQ website. Coupons also are provided.

Pushpins Grocery Coupons & Lists

(iPhone, iPod Touch; free)

Pushpins is another grocery-list-building app that also showcases coupons related to items you already plan to buy. Have peanut butter on your list? Look for a jelly coupon. The app also includes aisle-sorting tools so you can arrange your list based on how things are positioned at your favorite store. You can also access nutritional information and store circulars.

CardStar

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android; free)

Tired of carrying around all those store loyalty cards? See if the free CardStar app will work for you. Import your cards for your favorite stores and just pull up this app when it is time to check out. You can also access coupons that link directly to your card at checkout.

In Bloom

(iPhone, iPod Touch; 99 cents)

Do you buy premade guacamole because you are stumped when it comes to buying a ripe avocado? Do you run screaming at the thought of picking a fresh melon? Never fear, simply get In Bloom. The app not only informs you of which fruits and vegetables are in season, but it also tells you how to pick the best one from the crop. Do not be caught in the produce aisle without this app.

Real Simple Recipes: No Time to Cook?

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android; $4.99)

After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is slave over a homemade meal. If you are looking for quick dinner ideas, this app is perfect for folks who do not like to order in all the time, but who also don't want to spend hours cooking. The app even has no-cook recipes and an easy way to email grocery lists if you need your roommate or significant other to do the shopping. With more than 850 recipes, a shopping-list generator and how-to videos, the app can help during weekdays.

This story was compiled from reports from Appolicious.com and Tribune Media Services.

Billion 'Style' points

After surpassing Justin Bieber's "Baby" to become the most-viewed YouTube video ever last week, Psy's "Gangnam Style" is poised to become the first video with 1 billion views, probably before year's end. The South Korean rapper's video, a satirical look at Seoul's super rich that features wild dance moves, has been viewed more than 850 million times. The video attracts about 7 million new views each day.

Reading the fine print

It sounds like something out of a "Mission: Impossible" or James Bond movie, but hackers may be able to read documents printed on some Samsung printers. US-CERT, a unit of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said an attacker could remotely access the printer and intercept network information and other data, including files sent to the printer. Samsung said it is working on a patch.

Healthy response

Advocates for electronic access to health records say it reduces telephone calls and office visits to doctors because patients can review test results and order prescription renewals online. But Kaiser Permanente health plan found "a significant increase" in visits and phone calls to physicians among members who accessed their records online. One reason cited for the surge was patients identified additional health concerns after seeing their records. -- Peter King