It used to be that if you were looking for information you would head to the book shelf at home to pull down the Oxford English dictionary, the World Atlas or the Encyclopedia Britannica. These days, thanks to DIY app builders and free app markets like appcatch.com, you simply pull out your smartphone.

Appcatch was launched in June of 2012 and initially served as free app market for users of the DIY app builder appsbar.com before expanding to include all app developers who wish to see their apps in the world-wide distribution channel. By making appcatch open to all app developers and app lovers, the company has furthered its goal of truly democratizing the app building and app user experience.

While you can buy apps for the mobile versions of the periodicals listed above, they come at a very high price and in most cases fail to address specific questions about singular topics that may be the subject of a search.

Unlike encyclopedias that give you short excerpts regarding a wide range of subjects (literally every subject under the sun deemed noteworthy by huge editorial staffs) reference apps can be more niche oriented, more focused, and more comprehensive on a given subject.

Appcatch reference apps reflect that focus. The PBS SE Region app is a perfect example of a reference app that is niche focused. The app serves as a reference to past, current, and prospective members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity's Southeast region.

The app covers everything from hazing policies to information on how to join, an upcoming event schedule, and the fraternity's history. As stated by its creators, the app serves "as an important vehicle in promoting our vision and creating a viable communications network among our brothers in the region."

Similarly, the Boots to Suits app is a reference app that aims at creating an outreach to soldiers integrating back into the civilian world.

The organization exists to empower the U.S. Military veteran to gain meaningful employment by understanding and utilizing his/her benefits through counseling and assisting in local job placement. The app helps spread the word about hosting informational seminars, how to team up with local employers and universities, linking veterans with the help they need and providing benefit counseling on a one-on-one basis to every veteran seeking help from the organization.

The app is a perfect example of how a reference app can be niche focused and also comprehensive in dealing with a singular subject. Also, like all apps that are part of the appcatch marketplace, these apps are free for download.

If you are looking to enhance the power of your smartphone, load it with some apps from appcatch.com. Join now and start downloading your favorite apps or uploading the apps you've developed and immediately share them with your social networks. Do you have an app idea but not sure how to get it from the idea stage to completion? Use the free app builder at appsbar.com and upon completion your app will automatically be included in the dynamic new appcatch marketplace.