One Cool Thing: Easyshift & Gigwalk

Smart phones are expensive — often too much so for younger users, or even those suffering through the economic downturn.  But there are now apps to help a smart phone pay for itself.  As this article outlines, apps such as easyshift and gigwalk (both VC backed) allow users to do simple local tasks: take a photo of a menu, or product placement in a drugstore.

The average gigwalk user apparently makes over $200 a month. Enough to let your kid earn back the cost of a new phone. Or to pay for when he breaks yours.