App reviews: Curiosity, TravelEnvy

Curiosity

This app, which is made by a company that spun out of Discovery Communications, takes the joy of learning and distills it into a form that can suit even the busiest person.

If your goal is to learn one new thing a day, this app will probably put you at least four or five things ahead thanks to a daily digest of curated and interesting facts on everything from ancient Egypt to the far reaches of space.

If you find something particularly interesting, you can like it, which helps the app figure out what subjects interest you. If you really like what you read, you can also share facts to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Users will need an account to use Curiosity. In addition to its daily digest, the app offers facts on a variety of subjects from anatomy to technology.

You can find information on a variety of areas that may strike your fancy - or perhaps try your hand at something new.

Free, for iOS and Android devices.

TravelEnvy

Even seasoned travelers like to get recommendations from others who've gone down paths they haven't seen. TravelEnvy relies on that craving for good advice and lets users browse other people's travel plans to get recommendations about what's worked for them in locales across the world.

So you're in luck if you're looking for preapproved dinner spots, hotel recommendations or detours that are worth taking.

The app provides suggestions from its own team and trusted curators. But the real secret sauce comes together when you invite friends - preferably friends whose opinions you trust - to create plans of their own.

Users will need to make an account to use this app, add friends and save plans. You can also create your own plans for sharing, of course, to share your top recommendations for the best places to eat, see, stay or shop as well as the best people to hire for services. That way you can share your wisdom as well as benefit from the wisdom of others.

Free, for iOS and Android devices.