Apps to Celebrate Chinese New Year

You've heard the saying, "there's probably an app for that." Well, for Chinese Lunar New Year there are definitely local companies working on apps for your smartphone that can make your celebrations fun and educational. 

Android

• Chinese New Year Plan. A calendar to plan out your schedule with a Chinese New Year’s theme. Free.

• Chinese New Year - Puzzle Box. Create your own puzzle or solve existing ones. Free. 

• Chinese New Year Firecrackers. Seven classic Chinese firecrackers at your fingertips that don’t require a lighter. $0.99.

• Chinese New Year Live Wallpaper: Features festive lanterns, fireworks and countdown. Other holiday themes included. $0.99.

Apple

• Happy Chinese New Year. Provides a window of knowledge into Chinese New Year traditions and customs. Includes Chinese recipes and New Year greetings. The app is available in English and Chinese. Free.

• Chinese Zodiac. A Chinese astrology app that converts your western birthday into your Chinese lunar birth date. Learn your fortune for 2012. $2.99. There is also a free version.

• Chinese New Year Greeting Cards. Provides templates to customize pictures from their phone to send to family and friends. Free.

• Chinese New Year. Find information about the origins and ancient traditions of the Chinese New Year. Discover prophecies and the meaning of firecrackers. Free.