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Did you get a new gadget for Christmas? Try some of these essential apps. Photo: Bloomberg

There's a good chance you woke up with a new smartphone or tablet on Christmas morning, but as Microsoft can tell you, no one wants to use a device with no apps.

If you've got a new gadget, you need to load it up with the best apps, that way the device can actually improve your life and not just bust your loved ones' wallets. Last year, 328 million apps were downloaded on Christmas, and this year, the number is expected to be even higher.

So what apps should you download?

Top game: Angry Birds Go.

Every user has different needs so no one has the same apps, but the apps below are must-have for most users.

Shazam - This is the app you use when a song comes on and you want to learn its name. Simply open the app, tap the tag button and let Shazam do the rest. Available for free for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

Spotify - Haven't you heard? Paying for individual songs is so 2000s. Spotify users who pay $11.99 per month can stream the company's entire catalogue from their phones whenever they want. Non-paying users can also use the Spotify app to stream songs from playlists and artists they follow on shuffle mode with ads played after every few songs. Available for free for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

Twitter - Not everyone needs Twitter, but this social network is great for following celebrities, brands as well as journalists and news organisations. Available for free for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

There's a million ways to message friends using a smartphone or tablet, but these apps are some of the most popular available for mobile.

Bank apps - One of the best perks of having a mobile device is the simplicity of banking apps. All major banks and many smaller and independent institutions have apps for smartphones and tablets, so be sure to download yours.

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