Often what comes to mind when I think of my iPhone is how mindful it really isn’t. I think of the many times the person with whom I am sharing a meal has picked up the phone to make a call or look something up on the internet — or to return a text. Sadly, I also must consider the times I’ve done it to others.

As our minds are sucked more deeply into the electronic netherworld, is it possible that these same little mobile instigators could possibly help us recover some of the precious mindfulness lost to them? A slew of mobile app developers thinks so.

If you’re going to spend some time, and potentially some money, on mindfulness apps, you might consider some of the following suggestions.