Apps Magazine.pdf

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ID O DR N A

iPHONE, iPAD & ANDROID

PS P A

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www.knowyourapps.com

FREE APPS! LATEST FREEEDAPPS REVIEW

APP REVIEWS 120

PHOTO & MUSIC

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50

TOP

Great iOS & Android games… for nothing!

NEWS & SOCIAL

100 90 WORK APPS

FREE GAMES

TRAVEL & BOOKS

SUPERCHARGE YOUR PHONE

Apps to boost performance

ISSUE 2 9

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GREAT GAMES

BEST PHOTO SHARING APPS

Instagram vs Snapseed vs Flickr

www.versusuk.com

Stay connected whilst on the move with the brand new TouchTab 7 Dual Core

With built-in Wi-fi to connect to your nearest Hotspot

The TouchTab Collection also features The Apprentice (8” Screen), The Entrepreneur (9.7” PixelBright Screen) and The Film Buff (10.1” Screen). Below are examples of some of their amazing features:

Flash Player

Dual Core

IPS Display

Jelly Bean 4.1

Bluetooth

HDMI

Micro SD Card Slot Built-in App Store

For more info visit www.versusuk.com - © 2013 KMS Components Ltd. All rights reserved. The Versus logo is a registered trademark of KMS Components Ltd. in the UK and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The Android logo is a modiﬁcation of work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License

WELCOME TO APPS MAGAZINE “Your essential apps guide every issue” The only source you need to stay on top of the coolest and most innovative apps in the ever-expanding world of iPhone, iPad and Android

RECOMMENDED

PAGE 44 GOOGLE MAPS

● iPhone+ | Free

PAGE 62 FOODSTER

● Android | £1.54/$2.49

Smartphone and tablets are extraordinary devices, but there is no reason to settle for their default settings. This issue we show you how you can boost your Android’s battery life and increase the memory of your iPhone in our Upgrade Your Phone with Apps feature starting on page 28. We also show you how to replace all your iOS native apps with our Home Screen takeover feature. If you prefer to use your device for more leisurely pursuits, don’t miss our definitive list of the top 50 free games on iOS and Android. If that’s not enough freebie action for you, check out our brand new ten-page Free section of the magazine, dedicated to reviewing the latest apps each month that don’t cost a penny. Enjoy.

PAGE 76 MODERN COMBAT 4: ZERO HOUR

● iPad+ | £4.99/$6.99

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CONTENTS THE APP REVIEWS FREE

066 Get inspired at work with apps

038 Anomaly: Interactive Graphic Novel

068 Sooner

An entire universe on your iPad in this AR sci-fi romp

044 Google Maps

The navigation app returns to iOS 6

ENTERTAINMENT

Reinventing the wheel in the name of productivity with this multi-layered app

070 oneSafe

Keep your whole life safe inside your iPad

GAMES

074 Arcade games reborn

050 iPoe 2

076 Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour

The sinister collection of animated stories is back to spook you again

052 Vjay

Scratch, rewind and mash-up your favourite videos in real time

Supercharge your iPhone and Android device

Essential apps for brainstorming and idea development

048 Make music with apps

Tap your way to techy beats and throbbing base… all on your touchscreen device?

28 UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS

WORK

036 Free alternatives to.. IM+ Pro Why pay for communications apps when you can get it all for free?

THE BEST APPS THIS MONTH

Which classic game has adapted best to the smartphone generation?

36 FREE ALTERNATIVES

TO.. IM+ PRO

The mobile world’s answer to Call of Duty is back

084 Adult board games The best turn-based titles for the more sophisticated mobile gamer

EVERYDAY

058 Photo enhancement apps

66 GET INSPIRED

Sex up your snaps with these featurepacked enhancement apps

AT WORK WITH APPS

060 Pixlr Express Plus Pixlr-o-Matic is all grown up and now comes with photo editing tools

062 Foodster

Another app for the kitchen, but can it handle the heat?

4 www.knowyourapps.com

Turn straight to page 92

The Orchestra

53

Discover classical music with this concert app

Zenonia 5

Battlesquare

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The latest instalment in the epic fantasy RPG series

63

Fight to take control of the city in which you live

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APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR 006 Instagram alternatives

We compare the biggest apps in the social photography scene

008 Finding the best map app Don’t need one? Get lost

010 Catch the Ark

Will this runner float your boat?

011 Apps in Real Life Hailing a cab with GetTaxi

012 How To... Be the best babysitter

Apps for teenagers acting like adults while adults act like teenagers

014 Appcessory Squawk! Parrot Zik headphones

014 Win! A Swissvoice ePure Bluetooth Station Get your mitts on a handset

015 Social

All your letters, tweets and photos

84 ADULT

BOARD GAMES

58PHOTO

ENHANCEMENT APPS

48 MAKE MUSIC WITH APPS Tap your way to techy beats and throbbing bass… all on your touchscreen device?

PLUS: LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR APPS! 086 Tutorials

Step-by-step guides on getting the most out of your applications

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Head to page 47


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GET EXCITED ABOUT…

INSTAGRAM ALTERNATIVES

APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR

08 10 12 13

MOBILE MAPS WHICH MAP APP IS BEST?

APPS IN REAL LIFE GETTAXI PICKS US UP

HOW TO BE THE BEST BABYSITTER IN THE BIZ

COMPETITION WIN A SWISSVOICE ePURE STATION

14 15 16 18 APPCESSORY PARROT ZIK BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES

SOCIAL YOUR LETTERS AND TWEETS THIS MONTH

GEAR GROUP TEST iPAD MINI CASES

GEAR ROUND UP Á LA MODE ACCESSORIES

WE COMPARE THE BEST PHOTO SHARING APPS

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photo can say a thousand words, so goes the old expression, and this is all the more important when you’ve only got a 140 characters. As social media becomes more and more a part of our lives and smart devices grow ever more sophisticated – with improved mobile wireless to view photos and videos on the go, and improved phone cameras to shoot it ourselves – social photography is on a steep rise. One of the biggest success stories in photo sharing is Instagram, which over the course of two years went from only being used by in-the-know hipsters to being used by everyone to apply vintage filters to photos of

their dinner, and was sold to Facebook for an absolutely whopping $1 billion. However, late last year Instagram suffered a PR disaster when updates to their privacy policy suggested they would start selling users’ photos to advertisers. Since then, many social shutterflies have threatened to quit Instagram and take their photos with them. But where to go? There are now so many photo sharing apps out there, that it is hard to choose. Here we run through some of the biggest names on the app market and see how they compare in terms of photo editing tools and having a community with whom to share your pictures.

1. SNAPSEED

2. CAMERA AWESOME

3. HIPSTER

It has a range of tools, including selective adjust, straightening, cropping, adjustable brightness and more. Filters offer a range of colours and effects, with names like Vintage, Drama, Grunge and Tilt-Shift.

Along with a range of filters, Camera Awesome offers adjustable frame size, presets, textures and even borders for your images, which can all be layered to create one-of-akind images.

Rather than providing filters, Hipster converts all of your images into postcards with a set of themes to choose from. These themes include a combination of effects to the image and different fonts.

CAN I SHARE PICTURES?



As a Google-owned product, Snapseed’s go-to sharing option is Google+. However, you can also share via Facebook, Twitter and email. Snapseed will also export to range of other third-party apps.

While it doesn’t have its own network, you can post to all the major sites and set up one-tap sharing. Using the app also entitles to you a free trial of SmugMug, which can be accessed in-app.

Create a profile for yourself in the Hipster community, then view other postcards from your area or from around the world. Share your postcard across Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr and Foursquare.

CAN I UPLOAD PHOTOS FROM MY LIBRARY?



Images can be imported and, half way through your treatment, if you want to compare your tweaked image with the original, simply hold your finger over the image to see what it looked like before.

This app doesn’t support uploading pictures from your Camera Roll, which is quite a pain, so you have to use Camera Awesome as your default camera app to make the most of it.

While a fun feature, the postcard format forces all your images into a horizontal position. If you’re trying to upload a portrait shot, this can have the nasty effect of cropping the majority of your picture.

SUMMARY

IS IT FOR ME?

IS IT FOR ME?

An excellent editing tool, and ideally suited to beginners with tutorials to guide you through every step of the editing process, though it lacks a community of its own or a wide enough range of sharing tools.

Almost unique among social photography apps, Camera Awesome works on iPad as well as iPhone, meaning that you can pour over your pictures in full-size Retina display. The sheer range of filters and related tools is also impressive.

Hipster’s ’s emphasis on location will mean you never forget where a photo was taken, and the option to view postcards from around the world will appeal to anyone with a love of travel photography.

CAN I APPLY FILTERS?

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.5.1 ● Android | OS 4.4 | Free | v1.4.1



● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.1.2


● iPhone | iOS 6.0 | Free | v1.6 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.1.1

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IN TOUCH 4. TWITTER

5. HIPSTAMATIC

When including a photo in a tweet, the latest version of Twitter allows you to adjust the frame size and apply a limited range of filters so they look their best before posting.

Designed as a retro camera, the only way to adjust the look of your images is to experiment with combinations of camera, lenses and films, some of which are free.




CHECK OUT PIXLR EXPRESS PLUS ON PAGE

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It is only possible to post edited images to Twitter, but with over 500 million registered users this still shares your work with a global audience. Copies of the image are automatically saved to Camera Roll.

CAN I UPLOAD PHOTOS FROM MY LIBRARY? Point and shoot photos and video in-app or upload from your library.

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Pictures can be shared across all the main social networks, plus you can order prints to be delivered directly to your door in-app. Users can also enter their images into a monthly competition.

CAN I UPLOAD PHOTOS FROM MY LIBRARY? In keeping with the analogue theme, there is no option to import.

IS IT FOR ME?

IS IT FOR ME?

It’s more of an add-on for the existing Twitter app than anything else, but if you are more interested in being sociable than the pictures themselves, there is no better forum for this.

With its vintage aesthetic, Hipstamatic is going to appeal to users who enjoyed the retro quality of Instagram’s filters best of all. Offers opportunities to be very creative, but purchasing additional lenses and films can be expensive.

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v5.2.1 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v3.60

● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v2.61

6. STARMATIC

7. FLICKR

Create photos that are square, portrait or landscape, and apply up to 26 filters, which like Hipstamatic, are referred to as films, but require a lot less work to use. It’s easier to use, basically.

The redesigned Flickr app offers more than just filters, including all the features that appear on the website. Adjust brightness and contrast, reduce red-eye and other enhancements, and annotate.



The app has an ever-growing community that allows you to find nearby users, follow them, add comments on their photos and view which images are trending worldwide with hashtags.

One of the most developed communities, there’s the option to share stories behind pictures with titles, descriptions, comments and tags. You can also join groups based on your interests, such as cookery.



While the function takes some searching, photos can be imported from the side menu. Starmatic also creates a folder in your Photos to store backups of all the pictures you create in-app.

You can, and all the images you add to your account will appear on your profile in order of date. This makes it easy to search through your library, as everything will be listed in chronological order.

IS IT FOR ME?

IS IT FOR ME?

This app is one of the closest imitators of Instagram, and along with a slick interface it will offer easy adoption for many users looking to find a new social photo app with all the creative functionality of Hipstamatic.

Flickr has become unfashionable, but its redesign boasts many features without feeling cluttered. In addition to the editing tools, the browsing and discussion makes this one of the most sociable apps.


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● iPhone | iOS 4.2 | Free | v1.0.3


● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.01.772 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.5.1


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APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR GET EXCITED ABOUT…

FINDING THE BEST MAP APP DON’T NEED ONE? GET LOST!

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ith the recent release of a Google Maps app for iOS 6, the controversy over Apple ditching the third-party service for their own in-house Apple Maps for the iPhone 5 has been reignited. Apple Maps has been heavily criticised for inaccuracy, such as locating towns in the wrong place and misspelling their names. However, rather than limit the debate to just Google Maps versus Apple Maps, we have compared the five top map apps on iOS and Android to establish which really is the best for navigation.

GOOGLE MAPS

● iPhone | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.0 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies Having been replaced with Apple Maps, Google released its own solution. Accuracy Found every location we searched for every time, even when we intentionally input misspelt place names. Interface A mixture of high-quality maps, satellite images and Street View images, you can even see inside more than 100,000 businesses around the globe. Turn by turn directions Already existed on the Android version of Google Maps, the iOS app now also includes guided navigation. Offline use No offline mode unfortunately: app is entirely reliant on a web connection to find its way around. Social sharing Restaurants, shops and other places include user ratings and local reviews.

SEE OUR FULL REVIEW OF GOOGLE MAPS ON PAGE

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APPLE MAPS

● iPhone+ | Free Only available on Apple products with iOS 6, Apple Maps is an iOS-native app, and therefore cannot be downloaded separately. Accuracy Not as bad as the internet jokes claim if you’re looking for an address with a door number, but often fails to find businesses by name. Interface The 3D flyover effects are superior to Google Maps – if they are available in your area – and menu options are easy to follow. Turn by turn directions Voice prompts are loud and clearly spoken. Siri integration means that you can also speak destinations into the phone. Offline use No offline mode unfortunately: app is entirely reliant on a web connection to find its way around. Social sharing Restaurants, shops and other places include Yelp ratings and local reviews.


WAZE SOCIAL TRAFFIC & GPS

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v3.5.2 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v3.5.1.4 Join forces with other drivers to outsmart traffic. Accuracy With communitygenerated content, map is quick to adjust for real-time traffic and road hazards. Interface Map itself is very basic with limited zoom and no satellite imagery, but controls are intuitive for on-the-go use, even with voice commands. Turn by turn directions Navigator’s voice volume was rather quiet, but a marked improvement on previous iterations that were criticised for being garbled. Offline use With an emphasis on upto-the-minute traffic alerts, Waze is entirely dependent on a web connection. Social sharing You can Map Chat with other users in the community directly for travel advice.

COPILOT GPS

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v9.4.0.147 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v9.4.0.144 Find all the places you need to go without relying on your mobile connection. Accuracy We could find no fault with the accuracy, and to make life easier points of interest are indicated throughout with icons. Interface The basic version of this app includes only a 2D map, navigation is relatively simple and you can call points of interest in-app. Turn by turn directions Full voice-guided navigation is available through an extra in-app purchase. Offline use All maps are downloaded to your phone, which saves on data roaming charges but eats up your memory. Social sharing Use Facebook Check-ins to share your location and view a range of Wikipedia articles on local attractions.

GPS NAVIGATION 2 SATNAV BY SKOBBLER

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v4.3 Designed as a cheap alternative to satnavs, this is one of the best-selling navigation app in the UK. Accuracy Driven by crowdsourced map information, Skobbler admits it performs better in urban areas, as opposed to those more remote. Interface Menu screen slightly awkward to navigate and maps are visually unappealing, but they get you where you need to go. Turn by turn directions Audio can be delivered via Bluetooth and includes audio and visual danger warnings. Offline use Offers a ‘hybrid’ system that allows you to choose between viewing maps online or downloading them. Social sharing To improve any faults you find with maps you can report map errors to improve the service.

IN TOUCH IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF…. ENDLESS RUNNING CANABALT

Escape the city under siege from giant monsters by jumping from rooftop to rooftop in this sidescrolling 8-bit adventure. Easy to pick up but hard to put down, the first time you fail to make it across an abyss, you’ll be hooked. ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.1.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.7

CUTE MONSTERS SNEAK

ESCAPE THE FLOOD IN CATCH THE ARK ‘ARK AT THAT – THEY’VE FORGOTTEN US!

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flood is coming, and Catch the Ark’s three cute creatures haven’t got an invite to board Noah’s Ark. Armed with just a raft, the trio must brave the jungle rapids and dodge outrageous hazards to catch up with the biblical boat. Catch the Ark is essentially an apocalyptic endless runner, in which you try to stay ahead of the crashing tidal wave and reach the ark, steering the raft left and right to avoid hungry crocodiles and snapping fish, not to mention explosive barrels thrown by grumpy old Noah himself. Perhaps somewhat ironically for a game about

the end of the world, Catch The Ark has done away with the instant death associated with making mistakes in the likes of Temple Run. You are given three chances – losing one of your passengers every time you are injured. Collecting coins also earns you upgrades, including replacing your wooden raft with a hovercraft, a rubber ducky and even high speed lift from a flying pterodactyl.

CATCH THE ARK

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0

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If you like the look of Catch the Ark, try this new release. Creep up on your phone from a distance to catch shy creatures, but beware – if you make a noise they will scarper. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v0.0.2

THE APOCALYPSE PLAGUE INC.

If you can’t get enough of global peril, why not instigate your own? Create your own infectious pathogen and watch it wipe out the world in this unique strategy game. ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.4.2 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.1.3

PROFILE

On setting up Food RX, the app will ask you to create a profile registered to your email to track how you’re eating, how much exercise you’re doing, and your weight.

et in shape with Food RX, an easy-touse app that combines tracking your diet along with planning your fitness regime. Designed for the increasingly trendy paleo and zone diets, the app includes a database with thousands of sets of nutritional information, and there are also workout tips, and even a Workout of the Day if you’re unsure where to start.

FOOD CALCULATOR

Clicking on any food will bring up a calculator to help you work out how much you should be eating based on the exercise you’ve been doing.

SHOPPING LIST ABOVE: Discover work out routines and manage your diet with Food RX

WORKOUT DATABASE

Including a wide range of different exercises, Food RX offers inspiration for how to get fit. Scroll through the list and tap on the exercise you want to do for instructions on what to do, and to log the amount of time you did it for.

Add items from the database to a shopping list so you don’t forget to pick them up next time you’re out shopping.

FOOD DATABASE

Containing over 6,800 foods, you can filter them by protein, carbohydrate and fat content and – once you’ve rated them – by foods that you like the most. Foods recommended for the paleo diet are flagged up with a steak icon.

FOOD RX

● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.31


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APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR APPS IN REAL LIFE

“THE PLAN IS TO EVENTUALLY LAUNCH THE SERVICE IN EVERY EUROPEAN CAPITAL”


IN TOUCH

APPS IN REAL LIFE

THE CAB HAILER One evening in 2010, trying to hail a cab in the rain inspired businessman Shahar Waiser to create the GetTaxi app. Three years on, the wheels still haven’t fallen off this $20 million success story

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was interviewing someone for a job, who had a return flight to catch after the interview that was about to take off,” said Shahar Waiser, CEO and founder of GetTaxi, explaining the inspiration for the app. “While waiting for the taxi and getting increasingly stressed about its whereabouts, I thought it was absurd that you can order a taxi when in a hurry, yet not know where it is, or when it is going to show up. Talking to someone to order a cab seemed unnecessary, and the idea to create the app was born.” GetTaxi allows you to order a taxi using your smartphone. View a map of taxis in your area, tap the one you want and order it without speaking to anyone. With the ability to track the cab in real time, you can wait indoors where it is safe and warm while the taxi finds you. GetTaxi is now big business. In just three years, the app has already reportedly facilitated over 400,000 taxi rides worldwide and there are 1,500 drivers already signed up in London, with more joining everyday. Others have cottoned on to what a good idea GetTaxi is and the company has now received $20 million worth of investment.

However, this is not a rags-toriches story. As the reference to hiring personnel in his reminiscence suggests, Waiser is not some first-time developer who just stumbled on a good idea. Including GetTaxi, he has been responsible for building six profitable companies, including vigoda.ru, described as ‘the Russian Groupon.’ Available in 94 Russian and Ukrainian cities, vigoda.ru made $200 million in 2012. When asked if he had any advice for budding entrepreneurs, Waiser said: “The idea of GetTaxi was born out of personal experience. All the companies I founded were born out of a need that I encountered, whether it was when I was looking for a taxi, an apartment, or getting a discount coupon. Every idea I have grows out of necessity.” However, GetTaxi is not alone in the taxi-ordering app market, so here is the necessity? What gives GetTaxi the edge over the likes of Hailo? As well as offering a pre-booking service, Waiser emphasised the nuts and bolts that underpin the network, including dedicated ‘plug-and-ride’ units for drivers that allows them to instantly start earning money from GetTaxi, and a

“SOME COUNTRIES ARE QUICKER TO ADOPT MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEMS”

website for those without a smartphone to book a cab. Only last year, Waiser also launched GetTaxi on BlackBerry, making it the only taxi app available across iOS, Android and BlackBerry. Waiser was born in Moscow, but moved to Israel in 1991, not speaking a word of Hebrew. Having lived all over the world, Waiser has observed how different nations use their smart-devices. “While the way we engage with our smartphone is similar worldwide, there are a few cultural and technical differences. In Israel, many people own more than just one phone for different aspects of their life and the average users’ age is much lower. I’ve certainly noticed that some countries are quicker to adopt mobile payment systems while others can be quite sceptical.” Arguably, Waiser is one of those more optimistic users as he foresees global expansion for GetTaxi. The app is already available in London, Moscow, Tel Aviv and as of last year, New York, but he is not finished yet. “GetTaxi wants to have a big influence on the way people order taxis across the globe. The plan is to eventually launch our service in every European capital and branch out in the US. So, if you are using GetTaxi in London and land in Paris you can continue to use it, and so on in other capital cities: Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Far East and across the United States.”

SHAHAR WAISER’S TOP FIVE APPS GETTAXI

An app that allows for easy taxi booking globally. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.120 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v2.586

BIZZABO

Make your event social with this conference app. ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2.1 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | Public

VIBER

Make free calls and send free text and photo messages. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.3.0 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v2.3.2.61

ANY.DO TO-DO LIST

Syncs with all your devices to create a shareable to-do list. ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.7.2 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v2.24.1

WAZE SOCIAL GPS

Communitygenerated real-time traffic updates. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v3.5.2 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v3.5.1.4


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APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR HOW TO…

HOW TO…

BE THE BEST BABYSITTER

APPS TO MAKE A TEENAGER ACT LIKE AN ADULT WHILE THE ADULTS ARE ACTING LIKE TEENAGERS

YOU COULD ALSO TRY CINDERELLA – NOSY CROW ANIMATED PICTURE BOOK

This cute and colourful version of the Cinderella story is fully interactive and has several reading modes. ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.1.3 | £3.99/$5.99 | v1.1.1

KIDS TV – SAFE VIDEOS FOR CHILDREN

A library of filtered videos that are ideal for the kids – including cartoons and famous shows, with clips sourced from YouTube. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.12

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eing left holding the baby is an expression that normally suggests you’re missing out somehow, and that you’re the one left behind. This doesn’t necessarily need to be the case if you take your smartphone or tablet with you. Now this might panic some, as the idea of using your cool and expensive device as a plaything for youngsters doesn’t sound like it can end well. However, there are ways in which you can deploy your device in order to make sure your evening watching the little ones runs smoothly from playtime to bedtime, and beyond. This How To… looks at the ways you can use your device as an entertainment source, as well as resource for your peace of mind, and a way of staying close even when you’re not in the room. Take inspiration from this, and you’ll be the sitter the kids insist on having.

1 Let me entertain you

2 Pick and Choose

Kids can be demanding, so starting off on the right foot is crucial. We decided an interactive storybook would be the perfect way to go, and we settled on the dependable The Land of Me – Story Time.

The main reason for choosing this app was that it allows users to choose exactly the type of story they want, including the main character, as well as the type of story and the ending, be it happy or sad, and so on.

3 Being Careful

4 Child Health

Having wowed them, the kids are now pretty excited. We start to think it might be a good idea to have some first aid or health advice on hand seeing as they won’t sit still long enough to be covered in bubble wrap.

We eventually found the Child Health app, which is a very useful reference app where you can search through a host of illnesses, disorders and accompanying questions on each to find out symptoms and treatments for almost anything. You know you’re covered in any situation.

5 Bedtime Having made it through the majority of the evening it’s time for the most telling moment of any babysitting session – bedtime. We know we can’t stay by the bedside all night, but of course we do have our iPad with us…

6 BabyPing Combine the app with the physical baby monitor and you can keep an eye on the little ones directly from your device. Set up notifications should certain noise levels be breached, and watch a video feed.

THE LAND OF ME – STORY TIME

CHILD HEALTH

A simple and very useful guide to all the health issues that children can encounter, including symptoms and treatments ● iPhone | iOS 3.1.3 | v1.0.1


A unique storytelling app that allows users to choose the hero of the story, as well as the theme and whether or not there’s a happy ending. ● iPad | iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v0.0.4

BABYPING VIDEO BABY MONITOR

Combined with the BabyPing Monitor this app allows you to check on your child directly from your device. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.11

In touch

competItIon

Win! a SwiSSvoice ePure Bluetooth Station A more comfortAble wAy to cAll

For More inForMation aBout ePure Bluetooth StationS, Scan

Don’t heSitate to enter, SenD your anSwer toDay [email protected]

K

eep your iPhone screen free during calls with the Swissvoice ePure BH01i Bluetooth Station. By automatically re-routing your calls to its ergonomically-designed surrogate telephone handset, you’re then able to use your iPhone to look up a mutual friends’ telephone number or an important date on your calendar. Alternatively, with a built-in charger in the device’s base you can recharge your smartphone in the corner of your room, while, up to 20 metres away, you can carry on with your life and use the wireless handset to make voice-activated calls or command Siri to dictate texts or set reminders. The Bluetooth Station also offers a pair of two-watt speakers so your phone calls are clearer and richer. As well as making callers sound like they are in the room with you, this high-quality sound is ideal for when you’re streaming music or playing a game on your iPhone. The BH01i is only available for iPhones, however the BH01u model works with Android products.

We have three to give away, and three more lucky runners up will receive ePure Mobile CH01 corded handsets. Though they lack the wireless connectivity, these devices are very similar to the BH01i stations with HD-quality sound, and come in a range of stylish two-tone colour schemes, including neon pink, blue, green and orange on white. To be in with a chance of winning these goodies, you simply need to send us the answer the following question:

Up to how many metres away from your iPhone will the ePure Bluetooth Station handset work? A. 2 B. 20 c. 200

terMS anD conDitionS

To submit your answer, simply email [email protected] with the subject line ‘ePure Comp’. Please include your full name, age and address. The closing date for entries is 2 March 2013. Please be aware that answers must be submitted to the above email address only. This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland only. Imagine Publishing has the right to substitute the prize for a similar item of equal or higher value. Employees of Imagine Publishing (including freelancers), their relatives, or any agents are not eligible to enter. The editor’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. Full terms and conditions are available upon request. From time to time, Imagine Publishing or its agents may send you related material or special offers. If you do not want to receive this, please state it clearly on your competition entry.


13

APPCESSORY

APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR APPCESSORY

WIRELESS AND TOUCH ACTIVATED HEADPHONES

PARROT ZIK HEADPHONES parrot.com £299.99/$399.95

PARROT AUDIO SUITE

Get the most from your new Parrots with their tailor-made app. ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.0 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v1.0

SENSORS

These headphones have been designed to make using them as simple and effortless as possible, and that is highlighted in the auto-pause feature, which recognises when you have removed the headphones, and instantly pauses the music.

THE PARROT ZIK HEADPHONES AND ACCOMPANYING APP ALLOW YOU TO ENJOY YOUR MUSIC IN SOME IMPRESSIVE NEW WAYS

I

t seems that these days you’re not somebody until you own a stylish set of on or over-ear headphones. Beyond that, if they can be wireless then you’re even higher up the pecking order, and if they come with their very own client app then you are pretty much bang on trend. This is part of the reason we decided to try out the Parrot Ziks, and it wasn’t a decision we regret. The moment you take this plush piece of headgear out of the packaging, you realise you are handling something serious; and beautifully-designed to boot. Though this is hardly surprising,

given that Philippe Starck, the renowned French product designer is behind them. Put them on and you instantly realise that these headphones have been designed to provide the utmost when it comes to performance and comfort, while taking the minimum of fuss to use – epitomised by the touchsensitive right ear pad where you can alter volume and change songs just by moving your finger across it in different ways. This isn’t a completely fault-free exercise though, as the pad is extremely sensitive and any contact often causes a reaction, so be prepared to find a track skipped when all you intended was to adjust an earpiece to a more comfortable position. The Parrot Audio Suite app is in itself worth some of your time, as it allows you adjust your listening experience in a way that we have not seen anywhere else before. There is the concert hall effect setting, where you can tweak the angle of the speakers within the headphone to create a different type of sound. The app also has an Active Noise Cancellation that uses multiple microphones on the headphones in order to cancel out any background noise. All-in-all it’s a very impressive experience.

WIRELESS

The Parrots are completely wireless and use Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone or tablet, although you can connect them the old fashioned way if you wish. There is also a USB port for charging.

TOUCH

One feature that really makes the Parrots stand out is the touch control to adjust volume and track selection. Slide your finger across the ear panel on the right side to adjust your listening experience accordingly.

“…YOU ARE HANDLING SOMETHING SERIOUS AND BEAUTIFULLY-DESIGNED”

05 MORE APPS TO TRY OUT WITH YOUR PARROTS NAPSTER BY RHAPSODY

The music service returns with millions of tracks and offline playback. ● iPhone | iOS 4.2 | Free | v2.2.14

iPLAYER RADIO

A dedicated app for the BBC’s radio stations that also includes podcasts, built around a great interface. ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.1.0


FIGURE

The brilliant music maker deserves to be heard properly, so why not team it with your new headphones? ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.3

DJAY FOR IPHONE

Mix your own music library together and listen to the results through your swanky Parrots. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.6.3

NODEBEAT

Sonic experiments in a cool interface, with great sound. ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v2.0.4 ● Android | OS 2.2 | £1.26/$1.98 | v1.3.7

We asked… Got any questions for

What is the best American football game for iOS? Adam, via Twitter

I’m looking for a social media analytics app for iPad. I’ve looked at StatNut but it’s only for iPhone. Do you have any suggestions? Alex Marshall, via Twitter

This is a very good question Adam, and the answer very much depends on what you’re looking for in terms of an American football game. If you want the serious, console-like experience, then Madden NFL 12 is at the time of writing the most up-to-date version of the console series available on iOS. Also worth a mention in this area though is the Gameloftdeveloped NFL Pro 2013, which is in fact free to download and play. The issue with these sort of games however tends to be the controls, with making the jump from console to touchscreen still a sticking point for a lot of games. With this in mind then you could also try some of the more arcadestyle NFL games to get the satisfaction you’re looking for. Backbreaker 2: Vengeance is the most well known of these, but NFL Rivals is also worthy of a look, and both of these are available for just £0.69/$0.99 in the App Store. Enjoy.

the Apps team?

above: Webtrends Today in all its glory all the day’s new Facebook likes and comments, as well as your key Twitter stats and your own tweets ranked in an order depending on how many times they were retweeted. In short, this looks like it could be exactly what you’re looking for, and with a smart interface to go with all this extra data not found on StatNut, you could be on to a winner.

Hi Alex, this is definitely a tough one to find. However, we did make one interesting discovery while looking through the App Store. It’s called Webtrends Today, and is a free iPad-only app that allows users to view social media data from places like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You can quickly see

Your messages, tweets & photos Follow us on twitter

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Disclaimer

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

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APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR GEAR GROUP TEST

GEAR GROUP TEST

iPAD MINI CASES

KEEP YOUR NEW iPAD MINI SAFE, SECURE, AND LOOKING OH-SO STYLISH WITH THESE TOP CASES

TUFF-LUV LEATHER BOOKBOOK SLIM-STAND CASE COVER iPAD MINI CASE

This faux-leather Tuff-Luv Slim-Stand Case is ideal for work, with grooves on the inside front that work with a clever joint in the rear of the case so that you can sit your iPad mini securely upright. This does come at the cost of having no room for pockets, but this is worthwhile when you consider that you can vary the angle it sits dependent on your needs. If graphite grey is too bleak, you may prefer the lilac case. Tuff-Luv stands by its products and boast a lifetime guarantee against faulty workmanship or materials.

Designed to resemble an old novel, the BookBook iPad mini case is real leather. This means it is prone to scratching. However, this makes the case look authentic, as the spine comes with an intentionally distressed effect. Despite being made of cowhide, the case is light, weighing in at just 7 ounces. The inside includes a handy desktop wedge, so you can sit your mini upright while you work. This case is vintage brown, but there is also classic black and vibrant red, giving you a choice of colours.

★★★★★

£N/A/$69.99 | Twelve South | twelvesouth.com

£19.99/$N/A | Tuff-Luv | tuff-luv.com

★★★★★

TUCANO CORNICE CASE

The Cornice case feels luxurious, like a premium version of Apple’s official Smart Case folio. The front cover folds in the same way, forming a triangle to support the back of your iPad mini and placing it in either a typing or viewing position. The iPad itself is snugly secured into a large pocket with clear space so you can directly touch the screen. The rear camera is visible through a handy hole, all of the buttons, and the port for the lightning connector, and the speakers are easily accessible.

★★★★★ £34.99/$49.99 | Tucano | tucano.com

OTTER BOX DEFENDER SERIES

The Otter Box Defender case lives up to its name, offering three layers of armour. The mini is initially placed in a plastic case, leaving only access for the buttons and sockets. The touchscreen is beneath a transparent film that protects from scratches, but is thin enough that it doesn’t inhibit your touch. Second comes a rubber outer case that provides an absorbent buffer to reduce the impact should you drop your iPad mini. Finally, there is toughened plastic outer layer that can be used either on the front or back of your device but ingeniously doubles as a stand. This is excellent protection for your mini, but retrieving your device is a lot of work.

★★★★★ £N/A/$69.95 | Otter Box | otterbox.com


IN TOUCH

TUCANO AGENDA INCIPIO LGND PREMIUM HARD-SHELL FOLIO

The Incipio LGND case is like a tough smart case for your iPad mini. Consisting of just a hard case with a suede cover, it uses embedded magnets so that when you close or open it the iPad will awaken or go in to sleep mode. This fabric cover also folds up to form an easel, but it is a much more origamilike affair than the official Apple Smart Cover, which takes some getting used to but looks very swish. The plastic case doesn’t look as durable as say the Otter Box, but it provides more protection than the Cornice case.

★★★★★ £N/A/$29.99 | Incipio | incipio.com

While it is not quite as nostalgic as the BookBook case, the Tucano Agenda has a certain vintage flair. Red vinyl with a brown stripe down the outside and a centimetrewide hole for the mini’s rear camera, the Agenda looks elegant and stylish. Inside, additional corner straps hold the iPad mini in place and there is a grey fabric lining with a geometric print. There is also a large pocket capable of holding a notepad with two inset pockets – one that includes a free screen wipe. There is also a loop in the spine of the case that is suitable to hold a pen or a stylus.

★★★★★ £24.99/$29.99 | Tucano | tucano.com

03 APPS FOR YOUR iPAD MINI OF THE BEST…

iMOVIE

Make the most of that 1080p HD video camera but shooting and editing movies. ● iPad+ | iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.4

BAD PIGGIES

This cartoonish physics game from the makers of Angry Birds doesn’t need the Retina display of larger iPads to be enjoyed. ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1.0 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.1.0

KINDLE

The reduced size of the iPad mini makes it an ideal eReader, and this app is one of the best. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v3.5 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies

QDOS LIBRIS LEATHER CASE

Perhaps it is the Libris Leather Case’s tailored fit, but while it is the same dimension as many of the other cases in this group test, through some optical illusion it looks much smaller. A simple fauxleather diary case with an elastic strap, the Libris comes in either black or red. The iPad mini is stored inside the case in a pouch, with the touchscreen, cameras, buttons and sockets fully accessible. The inside front is fitted with two stands, one in the portrait position and the other horizontal, so you can use it however you prefer.

★★★★★ £34.99/$N/A | QDOS | qdossound.com


17

APPS ★ PEOPLE ★ GEAR GEAR ROUND UP

GEAR ROUNDUP

À LA MODE ACCESSORIES

WE TOOK ON THE ENVIABLE TASK OF REVIEWING THE COOLEST CLOBBER FOR YOUR SMARTDEVICES

02: FANTABULOUS iPHONE 5 CASE: VISION COLLECTION 01: QUIKSILVER BLUE CHECKS SAMSUNG GALAXY SIII CASE

This hard shell case is very easy on the eye and snugly supports and protects your Android device. The casing is robust yet soft to the touch, with access points for all buttons as well as for the camera lens and flash. There are two designs on offer, and both bring some extra style to your Samsung Galaxy SIII.

★★★★★ £19.95/$26.95 | Quiksilver | quiksilver.com

03: CYGNETT TUBEMAP

Negotiating the London Underground can be a daunting task if you’re not a regular user, and there never seems to be a map when you really need one. Cygnett are hoping to come flying to the rescue with this case, that’s a hard plastic cover with almost the whole of Zone One printed on it – hopefully allowing you to negotiate central London with more success in future.

★★★★★ £14.95/$N/A | Cygnett | cygnett.com


Protection for your iPhone 5 mixed with style, the Vision Collection cases are the result of a partnership between designer Fantabulous and DW & LC Photography. There are twelve designs in the collection, with each individual image filling the back cover of the case, with clear sides to create the illusion that the design is on your phone. The polycarbonate casing also offers solid protection.

★★★★★ £N/A/$28.00 | Fantabulous | fantabulous.it

IN TOUCH

04: STEELSERIES FREE MOBILE CONTROLLER

A long standing criticism of mobile gaming is that touch controls will never be able to compete with consoles, because you’re constantly having to look where you press as opposed to the natural feeling you have with a controller. SteelSeries are challenging this with their Wireless controller, which has an effortless Bluetooth set-up, and familiar controller lay out for users to work with. Be sure to check their website for the list of compatible games, however.

06: URBANISTA POWERCASE – LAS VEGAS

★★★★★ £64.99/$79.99 | SteelSeries | steelseries.com

It does add a fair bit of bulk to your iPhone in terms of size and weight, but this case and charger fusion can help to double your battery life. It isn’t all about convenience either, with a choice of coloured borders to put around the battery part of the case that provide extra protection for your device. There are three colours to choose from; Red Snapper, Dark Clown and Gun Metal.

05: SPHERO

If you’re looking for something a bit different in terms of mobile gadgetry then this might just be exactly what you need. Sphero comes with a smart charging stand, as well as more than 20 apps on the app market that add fresh new ways to play with the electronic ball. It’s potentially unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, and wonderful geeky fun to play with.

★★★★★ 06

£69.00/$99.00 | Urbanista | uk.urbanista.com

★★★★★ £N/A/$129.99 | Sphero | gosphero.com


19

FEATURE | TOP 50 FREE GAMES

0 5FREE

TOP

S E M GA right now t e rk a m e h t n ames o The hottest g n’t cost you a thing that wo


TOP 50 FREE GAMES | FEATURE

50 | LOGO QUIZ GAME ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.4.0 You will be surprised how much mass marketing has entered your subconscious when you play this addictive trivia game. Simply type the brand name that fits the logo to earn points and advance through the levels, with over 800 icons to identify and more being added with each update. If you get stuck you can ask your Facebook friends for help. Perhaps with a whiff of irony, Logo Quiz Game’s main weakness is that the pop ads can become tiresome.

49 | BEJEWELED BLITZ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.2.5

48 | STORM THE TRAIN

The classic game of matching three or more gems in a row to earn points has been given a frantic makeover in this sequel. The game is faster than ever and highdefinition graphics celebrate your point scoring, with lightning bolts, flaming horses and more running across the screen. Use Boosts to earn extra time and send you score soaring by collecting Rare Gems. For bragging rights, challenge Facebook friends to beat your 60 second score and compare stats on the leaderboard.

Shoot vampires, zombies, robots, werewolves, and ninjas on a hurtling train rooftop. If this alone doesn’t pique your interest into Storm the Train, we don’t know what to say. There is little to no story to speak of to explain why you play a secret agent helicoptered onto a moving trains to defeat these monsters, but that is not the point. This side-scroller is pure self-indulgence, designed

to be played whenever you find a spare five minutes. Slaughter ever monster you come across before it hideously dismembers you and all that murder will charge your Mayhem level, which entitles you to free gifts such as drones that kill everything in sight for a limited time. While the object of the game is to keep moving forward, jumping from train to train, there are boss battles and side missions, such as rescuing hostages and gaining a jet pack, to keep you interested.

47 | SUBWAY SURFERS ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.5.2

46 | ATARI OUTLAW 45 | LETTERPRESS – WORD GAME ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3

44 | SHIPWRECKED 43 | FOREVER DRIVE ● Android | OS 2.1

● Android | OS 2.3.3 | v1.5.2

Dodge oncoming trains as you ride your skateboard on the railway lines, spray painting walls with your boombox blaring as you go, while always trying to stay ahead of the security guard and his dog. The game is entirely gesture driven, swiping left or right to control where your character goes double tapping to tumble roll under objects. Beyond escaping the watchman, the aim of the game to collect gold points to earn points. Daily challenges also offer some potentially endless gameplay.

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.1

| v1.0.2

The traditional fairground shooting gallery is updated for the 21st century with Atari Outlaw. Set in the Wild West, a cursor on the screen moves your weapon sights, requiring just a single touch for your trigger finger to either shoot or reload, so you can effortlessly take out the endless stream of bandits that pop up and shoot at you. You can collect coins to earn increasingly outlandish weapons, including a buzz saw and a Tesla gun.

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | v1.2 Better-looking than Words with Friends and more strategic than Scrabble, Letterpress has you competing to control a 5x5 grid of letters by being inventive as possible with spelling. The object of the game is not to earn points from words, but using words to steal tiles and defending your own tiles from attack. Compete against your friends or randomly selected users on Game Center in this addictive word game.

| v1.0.1

This charming communitybuilding game offers a great cast of characters and deep gameplay. Think Gilligan’s Island instead of Cast Away, as you transform the debris of your ship on a desolate island into a livable, sophisticated tropical paradise. The lush graphics are the game’s real selling point, but between creating your town and solving one of the island’s many creepy mysteries, Shipwrecked offers more than a few hours of entertainment.

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.30 ● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.07 This game is a race against time on an endless track you create yourself. As well as being able to carve your own route through a futuristic neon city, you can customise your car from the body work right down to the vanity plates. The aim of the game is to earn XP from how many miles you can cover in the shortest time to level up and unlock new cars.


21


42 | CURIOSITY ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | v1.1

● Android | OS 2.3.3 | v1.2 Chip away at layers of a mysterious cube to discover what’s inside. However, you can only chip away at a small piece of a layer at a time, meaning thousands of players have to work together to uncover the truth hiding within. More of a social experiment than a conventional puzzle, Curiosity promises a lot, but the day-to-day gameplay can get to be repetitive.

41 | GRABATRON ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.5.7 ● Android | OS 1.6 | v1.5

Crush puny humans as an invading UFO with a gigantic, retractable claw. Both tilt and on-screen controls allow you to operate the claw in this side-scroller, which can be used to bulldoze buildings and pick up objects – for example, hurling a US Army tank at other soldiers (excellent fun). Despite having only a vague B-movie plot, Grabatron has impressive graphics and sound effects.

40 | FLOW FREE ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.1 | v1.4 ● Android | OS 2.2 | v2.0

This addictive puzzle game sounds simple when it is described as drawing a line between all the coloured dots on your screen. However, these lines, or pipes as they are called, will break if they overlap so you have to be strategic about how you lay your pipe and circumvent other pipes. The game includes hundreds of levels and a Time Trial mode.

39 | SMASH COPS HEAT ● iPad+ | iOS 4.2 | v1.04.00 The action of this top-down racer follows a police car chasing criminals. Rather than bring these perps in for questioning or issuing them with a speeding fine, your job is to shunt away at them until their vehicle explodes. All of this takes place on a busy highway and you have to weave in and out of civilians to catch up with your speeding target.

38 | THEME PARK ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.4.80

● Android | Varies | Varies This simulator allows you to control every aspect of your own amusement park, from building the roller coasters to hiring and firing the staff. Some rides also contain minigames, but you will have to tap on them to find out. However, like a real park it is not cheap to get these attractions – you have to earn them first by selling lots of tickets or through in-app purchases.


37 | SCI-FI HEROES ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | v1.0.1 In this colourful RPG you face off against the evil Space Horde with a band of intergalactic underdogs. Pick and choose up to four characters to form your team, including a space marine, a Jedi-like monk, and a robot, unlocking more as you progress through the game. They all have their own special attacks and strengths for you to utilise when repelling the Horde, so for all the witty dialogue and sci-fi pastiche, this game requires strategic thinking to get ahead.

35 | ANARGOR ● Android | Varies | Varies Bringing third-person fantasy adventure to Android, Anargor offers a massive open world to explore, rendered in polished, slick graphics, which gives the impression it is a console game. However the on-screen joypad is perfectly designed for your touch screen, with fluid navigation and responsive controls. Fighting everything from wolves to monsters, you collect gold from slain enemies to earn upgrades to become the ultimate hero, and preventing the end of the world.

34 | ZOMBIEWOOD ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.0.0

● Android | OS 2.3 | v1.0.3 When the undead overrun Los Angeles, a Hollywood director seizes the opportunity to make real-life zombie movies. Playing his best stuntman, you have scenes to complete, rather than levels – killing the undead and wreaking havoc along the way. This makes for a lot of fun, but the freemium paywalls can be quite restrictive. Saying that, new levels can be unlocked at no extra cost by replaying old ones in search of Golden Reels, creating hours of extra (though ultimately repetitive) gameplay.

36 | ORDER UP!! TO GO ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.42

● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.50

Have you ever dreamed of running your own restaurant? Now you can, with this top simulator. Order Up!! To Go is a mix of preparing dishes to order – using gesture controls to chop vegetables and stir pots – and empire building – making your business a success and franchising it. Earning enough cash through gameplay rather than in-app purchases for new recipes, equipment and locales can be a arduous process, but the game is varied enough with multiple mini-games to keep it interesting.


33 | SIX GUNS ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.0.6 ● Android | Varies | Varies

Explore a wild frontier of open gaming in this 3D adventure, in which you play a outlaw who has faked his death and headed west to start a new life. Having only the clothes on your back, you must take on missions to earn weapons, a horse, and coins to buy further upgrades. Like a ten-gallon Grand Theft Auto, you are free to roam, picking your preferred missions. These range from shoot outs with banditos to racing your horse against other cowboys. Gameloft also channel Red Dead Redemption, incorporating zombies, banshees, and vampires into the mix. The multiplayer adds a whole new dimension, and you can take part in an eight-player showdown or play capture the flag.

RING A P E R P F O IX M A “ PIRE DISHES… ANMD AEMKING YOUR BUILDING –A SUCCESS” BUSINESS

32 | BOMBSHELLS: HELL’S BELLES

31 | SHADOW ERA TCG

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v2.0.0

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.700

● Android | OS 2.1 | v2.0.0

● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.700

Soar through spectacular dogfights in this airborne spin off to Gun Bros. Use tilt controls to fly fantastic looking fighter jets, destroying on your friends in multiplayer mode. The campaign missions offer some varied gameplay, taking on waves of bad guys, shooting specific targets and protecting ground forces – but the extent of replay required to earn enough credits for upgrades can grow a bit tiresome.

This crossplatform collectible trading card game offers Retina display card art and multiplayer battles. With over 200 cards to collect, you have to fight AI and online opponents using your deck’s hit points and abilities to strategically seize control of your enemies’ own cards. There are many TCG’s out there that imitate Magic: The Gathering, but to our minds, Shadow Era offers the most original features.

30 | NFL PRO 2013

29 | PIXEL TWIST

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.0.2

● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.0.5

● Android | OS 2.3 | v1.3.1

In this unique puzzle game, you have to rotate a screen of 3D blocks with your finger until they line up to reveal an image. In early levels, this can be as simple and banal as a strawberry, but as the levels progress there is even an image of the Mona Lisa. Pixel Twist is reminiscent of a digital Rubik’s Cube, with the added difficulty that it is also set against the clock. If it wasn’t for the calming soundtrack, this so-called ‘zen game’ would turn out to be quite the stressinducing brain-teaser.

If you love a game of gridiron and get pleasure from the pigskin, this American football simulator features all of the NFL teams displayed in revamped graphics with animations developed using motion capture to make them more lifelike. The gameplay itself is enjoyable and you can micro-manage your team in detail, from the line up of your players to the stadium in which you play, and even the individual plays that they make.

28 | DON’T LOOK BACK ● iPad + | iOS 4.3 | v1.0 ● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.0

From the creator of Super Hexagon, this 8-bit odyssey is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus, who descended into Hades to rescue Euridice. Play consists of crossing lava pits by jumping across platforms, circumnavigating other hazards, and fending off spiders, bats and snakes. In line with the legend, you must also stop your character from turning round to look at his wife. The ending also offers a surprise revelation.

27 | ENCHANT U ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v2.0.0

● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.2.2

Enchant U is a cross between a teen romance and Charmed, as you play a beautiful young girl on campus, going to parties and on hot dates, but discovering dark and magical mysteries in quests on the side. Essentially a mission-based RPG, quests slowly reveal the secrets about the heroine’s parents, while shopping for clothes and going on dates will earn you bonus points.


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26 | NUN ATTACK ● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.0.6

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.5 The Sound of Music meets Resident Evil in this kick-ass RPG about four sisters of mercy on a mission to defeat the Fallen Nun, who has succumbed to the dark side and unleashed hell on Earth. Make use of each nun’s different weapons, strengths and special powers, with the drag-to-move control system an elegant method of targeting Satan’s minions. While some might question the developer’s sense of humour, Nun Attack is written with panache, and the cartoon-like graphics are very sharp.

OVE “THE DRAG-T]OA-NMELEGANT SYSTEM [ISF TARGETING METHOD O INIONS” SATAN’S M 24 | BIG WIN BASKETBALL ● Android | OS 2.2. | v2.0.4

25 | GT RACING: MOTOR ACADEMY FREE+ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.2.1 | v1.3.4

● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.4.0

Experience the richest racing game ever released on Android devices. Pass driving tests and win races to progress as you unlock more cars and events with in-game credits and XP. Cars on offer include 119 real world cars, including Nissan, Audi, Ferrari, and even the Model T Ford. If you want to put the pedal to the metal

and unlock everything fast, you can purchase XP multipliers and credit packs directly from the game. Once you’ve completed Career mode, you can compete against up to six local or online foes.

22 | SPICE BANDITS

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.13

23 | TO-FU 2 ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | v2.3.0

● Android | OS 1.5 | v1.0.3

This platform game sees players trying to negotiate spikes and obstacles as a selfaware block of tofu. By collecting Chi as you go, you can power up To-Fu so he can smash through wooden blocks. Points are achieved by meeting three objectives: completing a level, collecting all of the Chi, and doing it in a set number of moves. This can require multiple attempts to achieve all of the goals, and with over 100 levels to enjoy, To-Fu 2 offers hours of fun.


In this unique tower defence game, you play as alien invaders trying to protect your space ships from harm while your troops steal the Earth’s spice supplies. It is an odd concept, but it might help you appreciate the game’s humour if you learn that it was originally called Spice Invaders. Despite the name change, this sense of whimsy continues across 55 levels with brightly coloured creatures and weird weapons.

21 | SPELL SWORD ● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.0.2

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | v1.1 In this retroinspired fantasy hack and slash adventure, you power up your Spell Sword using magic cards as you journey on a heroic quest. Essentially a side-scrolling platformer with some RPG elements, you complete missions and explore massive arenas full of monsters. The downside of this app is that it experiences some lagging issues when the game loads between missions.

With slightly retro graphics and bobblehead players, Big Win Basketball could be mistaken for sports game that doesn’t take itself seriously. Create your own unique dream team by earning new players and customising their look, then get ready to slam dunk your way through the Amateur and Pro trophies. In a unique feature, as well as playing the game, you can sit back as a coach and watch the AI battle it on your behalf. This can be surprisingly entertaining – almost like watching the real thing.

20 | MAJOR MAYHEM

19 | CLASH OF CLANS

From the twisted minds at Adult Swim comes this cel-shaded, cover-based shooter that offers actionpacked adventure. Fighting across three locations, taking on ninjas, Russian mafioso, mummies and more, you simply touch the screen where you want to target your weapons. The real fun is in stringing together multipliers to gain as many Mayhem Points as possible.

Lead your clan to victory in this epic combat strategy game. Build your village, train your troops and battle with other players online. Starting out as mere Barbarians, you must complete tasks and plunder other clans’ treasure to upgrade your village from a shanty to an undefeatable fortress. While the multiplayer mode offers endless fun, there is also an epic campaign against the Goblin King you can play offline.

● iPhone+ | iOS 3.1.3 | v2.2 ● Android | OS 2.0.1 | v1.0.1

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v2.111


18 | DEATH DOME

14 | KUMO LUMO ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | v1.3

● iPad + | iOS 4.3 | v2.1.0 ● Android | OS 2.1.1 | v2.1

Trapped inside a quarantined area known as the Death Dome, which is chock-full of psychopathic mutants, you play as a woman who can’t remember anything other than her name: Phoenix. Your only chance of escape is to fight your way out, and the only way you can defeat some of the gigantic monsters is by becoming infected with the same virus that mutated them in the first place. While this is a good premise and the gritty 3D graphics capture the plague-ridden wasteland beautifully, the game boils down to fighting lesser mutants and earning XP to level up before taking on the increasingly strong bosses at the end of each chapter. Fighting consists of one-on-one attacks, using parrying, blocking, and counter-attacks, and learning combo moves as you progress. Defeating your foes will also earn you the spoils of war, adding various items to your arsenal – but most importantly death diamonds, which can buy you weapon upgrades.

Great fun and massively original, you play as a cloud, tapping yourself to generate trees, extinguish fires and rid the world of pests. You can rotate your circular world to patrol the ground below and collect water-replenishing clouds and other bonuses. It’s compelling stuff and within a level or two you will be hooked, helped by the cutesy graphics reminiscent of LittleBigPlanet.

13 | CLAY JAM ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.2

● Android | Varies | Varies The visuals in Clay Jam are amazing – the whole game is animated using claymation. Squash monsters and absorb their clay along the way so you can make yourself bigger and create objects. There are over 130 quests to complete, but unfortunately it is difficult to complete this game without eventually buying additional clay from the in-app store.

17 | AGENT DASH ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.1 | v1.4

16 | THE SIMPSONS TAPPED OUT 12 | RADIANT DEFENSE ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v4.0.0

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to run as fast you can for Queen and Country in this high-speed spy spoof. Sprint after super-villains or escape bomb blasts using gadgets such as parachutes, jet packs and more to dodge hazards along the way. In addition to intuitive slider controls, recent updates have given in to fan demands and added tilt-control to Agent Dash, so even if you have played this game before, now is the perfect time to try it again.

If you have ever wanted to visit Springfield (and who hasn’t?), this is the game for you. To be precise, you have to rebuild the Simpson’s home town after a devastating nuclear meltdown caused by you-know-who. With the help of your favourite characters, you can rebuild Evergreen Terrace and beyond from the ground up. This involves growing Tomacco on Cletus’ farm, partying with Duffman, and putting Apu to work at the Kwik-E-Mart. With HD graphics, the yellow characters never looked yellower on Retina display.

● Android | OS 2.3.3 | v1.4

15 | TOTEM RUNNER ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.3

Play as a mystical warrior trying to defeat an evil force plaguing a dying world in this unique running game. To aid your quest, you can transform into animals – gouging your enemies as an armour-plated rhinoceros, and soaring over chasms as a hawk. Earning enough gems will also transform you into an all-mighty and unstoppable dragon spirit. Alternating between man, bird and beast is the key to success in Totem Warrior, with each form having its own strength and weaknesses. It becomes very addictive trying to press the on-screen buttons in the right combination and in quick succession to avoid threats. Switching to a hawk also switches Totem Runner from automated endless running to tilt-based controls, allowing you to move up and down to dodge hazards, which varies the gameplay. The silhouette-like, cel-shaded graphics also deserve special mention as they are hauntingly beautiful and add to the brooding mystique of the game.

● iPhone+ | iOS 3.2 | v2.0.2 ● Android | OS 2.2 | v2.0.4

Don’t be misled by the neon graphics, Radiant Defense offers a complex tower defence game. There is a lot of information to take in, including the ability to alter the path enemies must take, but tutorials help you adjust. While there are some in-app purchases, all of your weapons are available from the start and these default tools should be enough to carry you through most levels.

11 | HEROES OF ORDER & CHAOS –● iPad+ MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAME | iOS 4.3 | v1.0.2 ● Android | OS 2.3 | v1.1.6

The massively popular MMO has taken on a new twist in this game, with battles firmly centred at the heart of the app. Team up with your friends and take out enemy bases using the range of warriors on offer – from brute strength brawlers to powerful wizards, levelling-up as you go to improve your chances in this battle royale arena.

10 | SHADOWGUN: DEADZONE ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | v1.1.1 ● Android | Varies | Varies

It was hard to choose between Heroes of Order & Chaos and this latest edition of SHADOWGUN for the tenth spot, but the Retina graphics of Deadzone just about give it the advantage. Fighting against other online players across two different modes and multiple maps, you can also talk with them using voice chat, creating strategies with alliances you form, and taunting your enemies with trash talk.


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6 | TRIPLE TOWN

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.1 | v1.73 ● Android | Varies | Varies

9 | HERO ACADEMY

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.4.1 Battle friends and random users online in this spells and swords turn-based multiplayer. Choose your team, whether the Human Council, Dark Elves, or others, and compete to control a grid, using magic and special abilities to gain the upper hand. However, you are assigned a finite number of troops, items and power-ups, adding an element of cool calculation.

8 | THE HOBBIT: KINGDOMS OF MIDDLE-EARTH ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v2.1

● Android | Varies | Varies

Loved The Hobbit movie or the LOTR trilogy? Build your own Elven or Dwarven city and battle with other players to rid Middle Earth of invading Goblins. While on the one hand, this game is all about cooperation, forging alliances with other players and discussing combat strategy in live chat, there is nothing to stop you seizing control for yourself. Featuring familiar faces from the source material, you can lead the likes of Gandalf and Legolas into battle with legions of militia, and develop your city.

7 | PLAGUE INC

Part puzzle, part town planning, the aim of Triple Town is to group objects into threes. If you form a line of three matching objects on a grid, for example three bushes, they transform into a single tree. Three trees become a cottage, three cottages become a house, and so on. Each combo earns you points and clears two more spaces on the board, allowing you to create more threesomes. The game will only be lost when you fill you board with pieces you can’t match together. Working against you are bears that wander about the grid, squatting on the squares you want to plant bushes on. Also, you’re only entitled to so many turns to achieve your town, and once these are gone you have to buy more turns with in-app credits. Alternatively, you can pay real money for unlimited turns, which also includes multiple landscapes to play on and a time trial mode, but this pay wall is at no point a barrier to completing the game.

E SOURCE TH OM FR S CE FA AR ILI M FA NG RI TU “FEA ES OF GANDALF MATERIAL, YOU CAN LEADLETHWEITLIK ONS OF GI LE H TT BA TO IN S LA GO LE D AN MILITIA, AND DEVELOP YOUR CITY.”

5● Android | ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS | OS 2.2 | v1.0.2

4● Android | BAD|PIGGIES OS 2.2 | v1.1.0

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.4.2 ● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.1.0

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1.0

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1.0

Create your own lethal infection with the aim of wiping out humanity in this unique strategy game. Design your pathogen from the ground up and unleash it upon the world, mutating it – for example, making it airborne – to spread more rapidly and survive in different conditions. You can even name your own virus. This prompted a meme on Tumblr, with gamers posting screenshots of their custom bug killing everyone. For example, ‘Romney infects thousands’ was popular during the US election. Inevitably ‘Tumblr to destroy humanity’ was also posted.

In this fusion of two universes, you play as an avian adaptation of the Rebel Alliance, aiming to make bacon out of the evil, Nerf herding Pig Empire. To destroy their bases on multiple worlds, including on a Death Star lookalike, you have to use the special abilities of the birds you are given – including a Luke Skywalker with a lightsaber, a Chewy that can smash through anything, a Han Solo with a blaster, and an Obi Wan with the force – to overcome obstacles and kill all the Pigtroopers. The game is only free on Android, but there is a free demo for iOS users.

Also only free on Android, this Angry Birds spin-off is from the point of view of the pigs. Help the green hogs steal eggs by constructing wacky contraptions to navigate levels. To make it through the 84 levels you have to pop your balloons or release sand bags at exactly the right moment, making this challenging physics puzzler as much about your reaction time as the gadgets you create. However, if you become obsessed with building flying machines, the Sandbox mode gives you free reign to create whatever you like.



3 | TEMPLE RUN

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.6 ● Android | OS 2.1 | v1.0.8

Arguably the biggest game of last year, Temple Run sees you steer a terrified treasure hunter round a ancient maze, demonic monkey monsters hot on your heals. To stop the beasts from catching up with your Indiana Jones lookalike, you use your tilt control to turn left or right round tight bends, swipe up to jump over gaping holes and slide down to duck beneath tree trunks, making the most of your touch controls and accelerometer to great effect. As an added bonus for Android players, in that version of the game you can also tweak the sensitivity of your controls. Coins you’ve collected or in-app purchases will earn you power-ups such as Resurrect, which lets you immediately restart from where you die, rather than at select save points along your path. Crucially, the game has no end, only further variations on the labyrinthine assault course, which proves limitless fun.

2 | DEAD TRIGGER ● iPad+ | iOS 4.2 | v1.7.0 ● Android | Varies | Varies

Offering 3D blood and gore rendered in almost console-quality graphics, Dead Trigger is a killer game. Set after a zombie apocalypse, you complete various missions to keep the few human survivors alive. Essential to any first-person shooter, the on-screen controls are tight and responsive, whether it is turning on your heels to flee or making that vital kill shot when the zombie is on top of you. Unusual for a bloody shoot-’em-up, Dead Trigger is actually driven by a plot line, with your character investigating the source of the zombie plague. However, if you’re more interested in sating your blood lust than getting to the bottom of the mystery, Survival Mode offers endless waves of the undead to defeat. While critics complain about the need for in-app purchases to acquire some weapon upgrades, this game could easily give Black Ops a run for its money.

1 | JETPACK JOYRIDE

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | v1.4.3 ● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.3.5 Flying head and shoulders above the rest, Jetpack Joyride is the greatest free game on both iOS and Android. It has been around for quite a while now, but with its simple yet addictive premise, it has stood the test of time. Playing as colourful 2D hero Barry Steakfries, previously seen in Age of Zombies,, you steal a jet pack from evil scientists and try to escape their secret lab. The momentum of the machine-gun mounted jet pack keeps you always moving forward, while you use the one-touch controls – tap and hold the screen to blast Barry up, release it to lower him to the ground – to dodge obstacles such as electric fences, lasers and missiles. In the best tradition of arcade games, there is in fact just one level, where increasingly difficult obstacles merge with Barry’s increasing speed the further you get making this side-scroller hard. As if it was possible to ever get bored with a jet pack, at set distances there are special vehicle power ups to discover, including curious items from a rocket-powered motorcycle to a mechanical dragon.


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FEATURE | UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS

UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS S

Get under the hood of your device and tune it up

martphones seem to be on a never-ending evolutionary road that is a constant wave of new releases and software updates. So much so that trying to keep up is both very difficult, and also a fast-track to emptying your bank account. This got us thinking; given the power and ability of the apps on iOS and Android – which also seems to be evolving at an impressive rate – is it possible to upgrade and improve your device with a trip to the App Store or Google Play? The answer is a resounding yes, with apps to help you manage and ultimately improve a host of embedded device


features, for example battery life, data usage and storage space. These are the sort of things that a lot of us assume are beyond the power of thirdparty app downloads, but this feature will show you that there is plenty you can do to customise and tweak even these settings. Of course, this is something that jailbreaking also makes possible, giving you complete access to the deeper areas of your iOS device. Given the trend and popularity of this way of ‘upgrading’ your iPhone, we have touched upon it here. But remember readers – it’s not a decision to be taken likely, and does void your phone’s warranty.

Android is, in general, a much more open operating system and as such, a deeper amount of customisation is possible, meaning there are more apps around promising to give your device a performance boost. We have tried to pick out the best of the bunch here for you, across the key areas you can upgrade, as well as looking at Android rooting – the little green robot equivalent of jailbreaking. No matter what smartphone you’re using then, there should be something here to help you give it’s performance something of a polish without the need for major overhaul or a handset upgrade.

UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS | FEATURE

BATTERY LIFE BATTERY LIFE PRO – ALL-IN-1

BATTERY DOCTOR

BATTERY HD+

Built around a smart interface, Battery Doctor is impressively detailed, even containing a ranking system to show users which aspect of their device is draining the most battery so you can adjust accordingly. The app also gives you tips on how to extend the life of your battery, suggesting features to turn off and how much battery this could save.

Smart and simple, Battery HD+ is centred on an animation showing your remaining battery life, as well as remaining times for all the different activities you do on your iPhone. You can set alerts and push notifications for when your phone is fully charged to avoid overcharging, and potentially damaging the battery. This is a relatively simple app, but nonetheless one that is useful and effective.

BATTERY

EASY BATTERY SAVER

A clever little app that adds some nice little features to your Android, Battery allows users to add a battery percentage monitor to their status bar, as well as to keep track of usage using the estimates section. The app also syncs with your device’s notifications, so you can get live updates on your battery health and how well it’s charging.

One of the most hands-on apps in this section, Easy Battery Saver actually contains several modes that change setting on your device in order to save battery power. The amount of time before your smartphone enters sleep mode and screen brightness are adjusted in order to save you precious percentage points that add up over time.

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v3.6 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v2.1.4


Battery Life Pro is incredibly heavy on information, and as such makes monitoring your battery and keeping it healthy a much easier process. The app has multiple interfaces to choose from when it comes to displaying the remaining life in your iPhone, and you can swipe through a detailed breakdown of battery life that gives you a reading on how long remains depending on how you want to use your iPhone. The app also includes reports on your memory usage that you can email out from the app, should you wish to go through them in more detail at some point.

MEMORY

Get more from your battery by monitoring and managing your power usage

● Android | OS 1.5 | Free | v2.1.1



Manage and monitor the space on your device to get it running smoother than ever

SYSTEM STATUS

BOX

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v3.5

An in-depth memory and system analysis app that also covers battery life and data usage; this is an ideal app for giving your phone a boost. From within System Status you can view and analyse how and where your memory is being used, and you can even release system memory in order to free up space. The app contains a comprehensive monitoring system for your memory, with real-time updates and stats for free and used space, so you can see how and where you can make improvements and ultimately better organise how your memory is put to use.

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.8.2 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies

Box is a seriously impressive cloud service where not only can you store your files, but it is also possible to edit all manner of documents direct from your phone. The app gives you a healthy 5 GB of storage space, and there is an almost social aspect to the app in that you can leave comments on files for others to see should you be sharing an account.

GOOGLE DRIVE

DROPBOX

MEMORY BOOSTER – RAM OPTIMIZER

Google Drive offers 5 GB of storage and the ability to make items you upload available offline, so they’re accessible even when you don’t have an internet connection. The app also has Create settings, so you can write documents and take photos from within the app, in addition to uploading them to the cloud.

One of the best ways to save memory is to use cloud servers to store your files elsewhere. Arguably the best way to do this is to use Dropbox, where you get 2 GB of cloud space completely free. Then you can access these files across a multitude of devices without encroaching upon the precious space on your device.

Memory Booster goes further than simply identifying the spare or used memory on your device, this app actually reclaims lost memory that is not being used properly. The app can run in the background and automatically reclaim memory from defunct applications and even allow users to manually boost their memory at the touch of a button.

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2.1 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.1.470.15

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.0 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies



29

FEATURE | UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS

DATA

PERFORMANCE

ONAVO EXTEND

SYS ACTIVITY MANAGER PLUS

Manage and streamline your data usage

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.8.0 ● Android | OS 4.0 | Free | v1.2.7ex

This app is one of the highlights of upgrading your smartphone via the App Store or Google Play, as it quite brilliantly squashes your data so that you can get more out of your data plan. This means more surfing for your money automatically through the app’s ability to compress data, but you can also see and analyse how much is being used by your various apps, and make personal adjustments as a result – saving yourself some more money in the process. The app’s clean and easyto-understand interface makes the whole process a very simple one, and selfmonitoring such an elusive subject is suddenly very simple.

CONSUME

DATA USAGE

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99 | v2.13

An app that is actually designed to be a monitor device for your various loyalty schemes also comes with a really handy data-monitoring app. If you enter your monthly allowance, the app will keep track of your data usage so you know exactly where you stand with your contract. The app will also notify you should get close to your limit.

WI-FI

● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v4.5.1 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.1

Set yourself, daily, weekly or monthly data limits, as well as track things like Wi-Fi usage. The app can be set up to send push notifications when you reach different levels of your set allowance. The in-app graphs then allow you to analyse and adjust how you consume data on your smartphone.

MY DATA MANAGER

Keep your device sharp and your impatience at bay

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v4.0

A bit of an all-rounder when it comes to working with your iPhone, this app not only cleans up your memory to improve the speed of your device, but also monitors battery life and Wi-Fi speed. The app will identify networks within connectivity range and analyse whether or not they are safe for use. Users can also manage and close background apps in order to free up CPU and memory. This has an added purpose, in that it is known to conserve battery life. The app is also designed very simply, with all the various aspects you can monitor just a tap away, in the menu at the foot of the screen.

● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v2.4.0 Not only can you set usage alarms for your data, but you can also see an app-by-app breakdown of exactly how much data it is using – in terms of MB, as well as total percentage of your allowance. The app also contains various charts and graphs with Wi-Fi, roaming and mobile data usages all shown.

PUFFIN WEB BROWSER ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v2.3.5 ● Android | OS 2.2 | £1.93/$2.99 | v2.3.7113

Most definitely an upgrade for your device, Puffin Web Browser is a very simple looking browser, but one that offers a real alternative to Safari and co. Puffin even makes it possible to view Adobe Flash files on your iPhone (ye gods!), not something that is normally possible, of course. Puffin is also impressively fast, and altogether it adds up to a better web experience on your device.

PERFORMANCETEST MOBILE ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | Free | v1.1.0

Originally a PC benchmark that has now made the jump to mobile devices, PerformanceTest gives you a thorough breakdown of how the inner workings of your iPhone look. There five test suites in the app so you can analyse everything from graphics to memory, and then make any necessary tweaks to get the most from your iPhone.

DIAVLO – DEVICE ANALYZER ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.2

Built around a really smart interface, Diavlo tests the capacity of your iPhone and then displays all the results on a single screen for users to react to. As well as data, the app also gives you tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your phone.

Find and access safe Wi-Fi networks quicker than ever

NETWORK ANALYZER

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99 | v3.0

A very in-depth app that allows users to visualise the entire route of a request through servers. However, our interest lies in the ability to check the speed of your Wi-Fi network, with tests for both download and upload speeds. Get all the information you need to find the quickest and best Wi-Fi network for your usage.


WIFI @

● iPhone | iOS 3.0 | Free | v2.0

Very simply, this app is a Wi-Fi hotspot and location finder that covers both free and paid locations around the world. The app allows you to search by area, or even address, so you can find the nearest hotspot in your immediate vicinity, and the in-app map will point you in the right direction, should you need to travel to get to it.

WI-FI FINDER

WI-FI ANALYTICS TOOL

This app contains a seriously impressive database of Wi-Fi hotspots, both free and paid, and being available on both iOS and Android means you can locate one no matter which of your devices you’re using. The app also allows you to search by provider should you have a preference for internet use.

With a cool interface and some useful features, this app is must for any Android users looking to streamline their Wi-Fi experience. As the name suggests, the app can be used to analyse your various Wi-Fi channels, showing speed, channel clarity and other aspects in graphs, so users can select the best network for them.

● iPhone+ | iOS 3.2 | Free | v2.9.2 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies

● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v1.08

UPGRADE YOUR PHONE WITH APPS | FEATURE

JAILBREAKING

The best apps should you wish jailbreak your iOS or root your Android smartphone

FOLDERENHANCER ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | Free | vN/A

If you are a serial app downloader, then sooner or later you are going to start having to use the folders option on your home screen in order to keep your iPhone looking neat and tidy. And, of course, to prevent you from having to swipe through endless pages in order to get to your latest downloads. However, the limit of the amount you can store in folders – currently set at 20 apps, means that in some cases, especially games – you find yourself with more than one folder. This app removes this limit, allowing users to put up to 320 apps in single folder.

SBSETTINGS

● iPhone+ | iOS N/A | Free | v5.2.2

Open the screen gestures and interactivity of your device with this app, which allows you to edit the Notification Center layout and what appears in it. You can also change the theme of your device away from the native Apple setting, as well as alter how and where you access and view the Notification Center.

F.LUX


An app designed to put an end to the days of checking your phone in the middle of the night, only to find yourself blinded by the brightness of the screen. This app automatically adjusts the brightness of your screen to match that of the lighting conditions around you, preventing eyestrain.

UNDELETE FOR ROOT USERS

EXTRAS

A few more clever downloads to help upgrade your phone

SKYFIRE WEB BROWSER

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v4.2.1 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v4.1.0

A sleek web browser that gives iOS users the chance to access those elusive Flash videos (while they still exist), as well as providing a customised web experience. Users can choose whether they visit the mobile or desktop version of particular websites, and the toolbar groups together any videos that are available on each page.

iSAFEPLAY


Ensure the security of the files across your device by adding passwords and security walls to all manner of areas of your device. For example you can add put a passcode in place in order to access your photos, as well as on apps that deal with file transfers, so you are in control of your media files.

TORCH


Turns the camera flash built in to your iPhone into a very useful torch. The app comes with a brightness control so you can adjust your torch light accordingly, and there is even a range of strobing modes should you need to attract attention or simply to create effect. There is even a built-in SOS signal should you ever be in an urgent situation and need to signal for help.

● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v2.1.3.6

An app designed to counter a problem that all of us have had at some point or another, as it allows you to recover deleted files from your SD card or internal storage. The app adds a folder to your device that saves everything you delete, meaning you can recover them easily should you accidentally hit Delete one day.

SD MAID

● Android | Varies | Free | Varies

As well as being able to recover lost or deleted files, this app aids general tidiness by searching out useless or leftbehind data from deleted files and apps, and removing them from your device. The result is more space for the things you do want, and a smoother running Android device on which to use them.

FIND MY iPHONE

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.0.1

Despite the name this can be applied to any iOS device, and the app serves as a way of locating and even remote accessing your device should you lose it. All you have to do is log in using your Apple ID and you can then see your device pinned on a map, or get it to play a sound should it be close by but you can’t find it.

APPSFIRE (FREE)

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v4.0.1 ● Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v3.2.1

A brilliant resource for anyone who loves a good deal, and apps this download keeps you updated on all the best deals on the App Store and Google Play. See apps rated and be alerted when they go free as well as share those you find with friends on Facebook. The app will even build a list of recommendations for you.


31

feaTure | Home screen Takeover

Home screen Takeover

Don’t settle for default, replace all your native apps with third-party upgrades

Home sweeT Home

Every app on your main menu can be replaced with ease 1

T

hey say people can find out a lot about you through the way you dance, eat and even lay out your office. It’s also true of your smartphone home screen, so deciding what to have on it is difficult. This is the place where your essential apps need to be; accessible the moment you unlock your phone. Apple are not too far away from getting it right, but most of us outgrow the native apps they provide quickly. This feature will show you how to keep all the functionality you’re used to, but replace all the native apps on your home screen with leaner, meaner downloads.

5

wHaTsaPP messenGer

2

3

4

PockeTLife caLendar

iPHoTo

Picfx

l iPhone+ | iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.1

l iPhone | iOS 3.2.2 | £1.49/$1.99 | v5.2

Replacing Messages

Replacing Calendar

WhatsApp allows you to share images, videos, locations and audio notes. Set up group chats and link with your contacts.

Similar functionality to the native Calendar app, but PocketLife comes with many more features, and personality.

l iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v2.8.7

7

8

9

YouTube

sTockToucH

GooGLe maPs

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.1.0.4136

l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.7.5

l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.0

soLar : weaTHer

squaresPace noTe

Do more than just view your own videos with this app that sticks much closer to the design and functionality of the video sharing site we’re all familiar with.

Replacing Stocks The stunning interface of StockTouch will make you look at the markets very differently; a brilliant piece of app craftsmanship for the red-braced bunch.


Replacing Maps

Don’t put up with cloudblocked satellite views or questionable map information any longer thanks to the recent launch of the thirdparty Maps app for iOS.

Replacing Weather

l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.0.3

Add more colour to your weather forecast with Solar, which changes colour depending on weather and your location.

Don’t just point and shoot, with PicFX you can also apply multiple effects in-app. For accurate customisation, use the scrollbar to control how intense effects are.

A greatlooking storage space that is packed with features and editing facilities. iPhoto is an obvious step up from the Camera Roll app, packing a punch.

l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v6.1

6

Replacing Videos

Replacing Camera

Replacing Photos

Replacing Notes l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.0.3

A sleek notetaking app that not only gives you a place to save your notes, but also can be used to send them to multiple destinations.

10

30/30

Replacing Reminders

l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.0.6

Reminders is another app that sticks a closely to a safe idea and interface. 30/30 is an eye-catching way to organise your life, with an adjustable timer.

HOME SCREEN TAKEOVER | FEATURE

IN THE DOCK

Improve on your iPhone’s most basic functions 1

2

3

4

CHROME

SPOTIFY

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v23.0.1271.100


Replacing Safari

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Replacing Music

With its brilliant multiple tab viewing setup and cloud links for your bookmarks, this is a definite step-up in terms of mobile browsing capability.

The music service heavyweight has millions of songs instantly at your fingertips, as well as curated playlists for the best music library you could imagine.

GMAIL – EMAIL FROM GOOGLE

SKYPE


Free voice and video calls around the world mean you can stay in touch without ever going near your monthly minutes and texts allowance.

Replacing Phone ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v4.2.2

Replacing Mail

16

With links and syncs to other apps like Google Calendar and Google+, Gmail is an impressive social connector and organiser.

11

12

FACECLOCK XBOX ANALOG CLOCK SMARTGLASS Replacing STAND Game Center Replacing Clock ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.2.3

Change the clock face and use the in-app music player to help you pass the time with a tune of your choice.


If you’re an Xbox Live user, this is the perfect way to interact with your friends when away from your console.

13

ZINIO

Replacing Newsstand


A slick, digital magazine store where you can still use your iTunes account to make purchases, and adjust the reading settings to suit you.

14

NAPSTER BY RHAPSODY

Replacing iTunes ● iPhone | iOS 4.2 | Free | v2.2.14

Build playlists and a library, as well as download tracks for offline listening and featured playlists for you to try. There’s a free trial, so give it a go.

15

16

FACEBOOK MESSENGER

Replacing Contacts


All your Facebook connections at your fingertips, complete with the ability to instant message them.

COMPASS°

Replacing Compass


An incredibly simple and sweet interface that gives you heading and degrees in one screen; nice and straightforward. Go get your bearings.


33

1

GreatDigitalMags.com

2

Filter titles by your favourite store

Visit the website

3 Purchase in-store, 4 download & enjoy! Choose a digital magazine or book

FREE | GROUP TEST

FREE ALTERNATIVES TO… IM+ PRO

WHY PAY FOR COMMUNICATIONS APPS – OR EVEN PHONE CALLS OR TEXT MESSAGES – WHEN YOU CAN GET IT ALL FOR FREE?

THE PAID APP IM+ PRO

One of the top paid-for apps on the App Store and Google Play for social networking, IM+ Pro provides a crossplatform forum for all your instant messaging needs. Talk one-on-one with friends, group chat with strangers, and post status updates all from one place. IM+ Pro supports Facebook, Skype, Live Messenger, Google Talk, and what’s more, it notifies you when you receive messages and emails and provides an in-app browser. You can make new friends by searching for other users in your area using the Neighbors function, or find people with similar interests to you. Additional features are available by in-app purchase. ● iPhone+| iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 | v7.5 ● Android | OS 2.1 | £3.09/$4.99 | v6.4.5


GROUP TEST | FREE

THE ALTERNATIVES SKYPE

FACEBOOK MESSENGER

GOOGLE+

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.1 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | 2.2.2-release

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v4.2.0 ● Android | OS Varies | Free | Varies

LINE

VIBER

SONAR: FRIENDS NEARBY

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v3.4.0 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v3.4.0

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.3.0 ● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | v2.3.1.59

Skype is synonymous with video calling. Calls between users are absolutely free and you can ring mobile and landline numbers by topping up your account with credit, with rates lower than standard mobile operators. Like many other communication apps, Skype also allows you to send photos, with the added bonus that there is no cap on file size, giving this fun feature a practical use as an alternative to reaching email size limits or paying expensive MMS charges. The app interface is easy to use. However, loading times when signing in are subject to lag. Skype has earned its title as one of the biggest names in online communication. ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v4.2.2 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v3.0.0.6181

Make free calls and send unlimited messages worldwide to both mobile and desktop users with Line. Voice calls are crisp and clear and you can also send photo, video and voice messages to contacts instantly. Line also supports group messaging with up to 100 participants at once, which is slightly impressive or slightly ridiculous. Rather than offering emoticons, express your feelings in Line instant messaging with stickers. Additional sticker sets can be purchased in-app, and there is even a game with some of the characters featured in the stickers. In addition to free voice calls and messages , Line also has whimsical side.

A simplified version of the Facebook app without the clutter of banal status updates or endless stream of old school friends’ holiday snaps; Messenger offers only the instant messaging aspect of the social network. In addition to optional group chatting and photo sharing, swiping sideways allows you view a menu of who is online to chat, so you know when to expect a response. However, some Android phones from Samsung, HTC and LG also allow you to send SMS text messages in-app to your contacts, so even if they are not logged in, you can still reach them. Facebook streamlined, with SMS threading offering a new dimension for Android users.

Recently updated, Viber now offers a Send Location feature that allows users to send maps, in addition to making free calls, instant messaging and sharing photos. The Android version also allows users to apply their phone’s existing alert tones, adding a new level of integration. However, Viber is still limited to userto-user chatting only, with no support for calling landlines or mobile numbers. The only way to communicate outside of the Viber is by sharing messages to Facebook and Twitter, or by sending SMS invitations to friends to join the network. While it has innovative features, it needs to connect across mediums to be worthwhile.

KIK MESSENGER

Kik Messenger is an easy-to-use messenger app that provides SMS-style communiqués either one-to-one or in group round robins. Photo sharing is also available and there are a limited number of emoticons, but the strengths of this app lie in its functionality, not its special features. The interface is clean, and it displays sent reports. However, the registration process is frustratingly long-winded, and this app would benefit from adopting the simpler process based on your phone number that many of the other apps here use. Perfect for texters and doesn’t clutter your conversation with unnecessary extras.

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v6.1.0 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v6.1.0.20

Google’s social network is often an afterthought when compared to Facebook or Twitter. However, the app is extremely intuitive both on Android and on iPad, as recently the app’s glossy, image-driven layout was optimised for the tablet. Video chat with up to nine friends using mobile Hangouts, chat with one all of your friends with Messenger, and circulate photos directly among a select group using the Events function. Beyond this the functions are fairly standard, including status updates, searching for nearby posts, and what’s trending worldwide. A stylish app crying out for a larger uptake in users to harness some of its clever functions.

This app leverages powerful networks, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Foursquare, sending you alerts when your friends check in near you. If you’re looking to meet new people, you can also discover so-called Future Friends in your area, with recommendations made based on similar interests (as seen on Facebook or based on those you follow on Twitter). Sonar allows you to post status updates, send instant messages to your friends directly (regardless of whether they are nearby or not) and reach out to new people via their Twitter accounts. Great for arranging meetings, but not suited to long distance communication. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.9.2 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.1.100

REBTEL

The Swedish rivals to Skype, Rebtel offers an almost identical package of free calls, video chats and instant messaging, plus low cost rates for calling non-users. The major advantage of Rebtel is that it is not wholly reliant on wireless internet to connect your call. If you lose Wi-Fi or hit your data limit, Rebtel will jump to being a local phone call. This currently only works on iPhone, but is a tremendously useful back-up system. Critics argue the connection is slower than Skype due to the way Rebtel assigns numbers, but this is only a few seconds and we didn’t notice it. Very similar to Skype, but the Keep Talking function clinches the deal. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.4.1 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies


37

FREE | REVIEW

ABOVE: If it’s cosmic exploration you’re after, Anomaly doesn’t disappoint

ABOVE: Some of the fullscreen panels are stunning, as is the audio

ANOMALY: INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL AN ENTIRE UNIVERSE ON YOUR iPAD

PROS/CONS

▲ From a visual

perspective it’s close to perfect

▲ The Auto reading

mode is a brilliant way to experience the book in a new, fresh way

▼ The audio has

a tendency to stumble between pages sometimes

▼ The lack of a play/ pause option is frustrating

The iPad was always going to be an avenue explored by the world of comics and graphic novels, with the opportunity to take already engrossing stories and make them more immersive a chance too good not to at least try. The levels of success differ depending on what you download and indeed the type of stories you enjoy, but Anomaly should grab your attention no matter what your taste is. The original story, and indeed the artwork that it uses to present it are unlike anything we have ever seen on the iPad. Anomaly is a sci-fi fantasy adventure set in the distant future when deep space exploration is the norm and the human population are governed by one giant corporation, who discover and mine new worlds for their resources. This

INTERVIEW: DAVID PENTZ Anomaly’s lead developer takes us through the production process


DOWNLOAD NOW!

looks and feels like a graphic novel that was made by those who love the subject, with everything in Anomaly being on a grand scale. In print form it comes to almost 400 pages, and this interactive version comes with around three and a half hours of voice acting to go with the stunning panels of art. Interspersed with all this are hundreds of touch points that provide extra information and back story that runs alongside the central narrative. Spend a few minutes within Anomaly and it becomes clear that this isn’t just a story you’re moving through, it’s an entire universe. The central content of Anomaly, the story and artwork, are of a very high

quality – of that there is no escaping. Just presenting that as an app with no extras would be enough to entice plenty of downloaders. But impressively there is in fact a huge amount of interactive and additional content to make use of to further explore the world of Anomaly. You’ll notice that throughout the book, highlighted touch points appear on characters or objects of interest, and tapping these icons takes you to an in-app journal, giving you more back story or just some additional info on a species or character. This is a clever feature as it really adds to the depth of story, and indeed the universe that you are currently exploring, making the

“THIS ISN’T JUST A STORY YOU’RE MOVING THROUGH, IT’S AN ENTIRE UNIVERSE”

WHAT MADE YOU CREATE A DIGITAL VERSION OF ANOMALY? Anomaly was designed from the get go to feel like a cinematic experience with its wide landscape format. The iPad didn’t even exist when we started the project, and when it did come out it was obvious we needed to be on it. The story was just begging to be read by professional voice actors. This, combined with the music tracks and panel animation, becomes a pretty engaging experience that’s obviously not possible with a printed book.

HOW WAS IT CREATING FOR RETINA DISPLAYS? There is some work that went into making the interface elements appropriate for Retina displays, but nothing had to change as far as the artwork since the images are from very high-resolution print files. Unfortunately we did have to limit the app to the iPad 2 and later – the first generation iPad couldn’t handle it.

THE AUTOMATIC READING FUNCTION IS CINEMATIC. WAS THIS PART OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT WENT INTO IT? We figured we would probably have two types of readers; a mainstream audience and a comic fan audience. Comic fans would want to go slowly through the book taking in the artwork and advancing manually; similar to flipping though pages. This might not be as important to the non-comic fan, so we thought, ‘why not automatically advance the story so it plays out like a movie?’ That’s the great thing; the user can choose how they want to experience it.

IS THIS THE FIRST OF MANY APPS RELATED TO THE ANOMALY WORLD? IS THERE MORE TO COME? Yes, most definitely. The Anomaly universe is huge with a very rich story. Right now it is set up to be a trilogy, with part two coming in 2014. Unfortunately creating a hand painted book with over 300 pages does take some time.

Review | Free

How to…

Bring the hardback version to life 01 open sesame The Anomaly Ultimate Augmented Reality app is free to download, and once you have opened the app this is the screen you’ll see. Tap Get Started to fire up your camera.

02 page list

whole story feel more engrossing. In sheer entertainment terms this is great, and these touch points add around 100 extra pages to the book, upping the already incredibly impressive levels of content even more. For a free download – although you will need to carry out one in-app purchase of £2.99/$4.99 in order to fully unlock the app – this is a serious amount of pages, story and entertainment. Anomaly is plenty of things, but its great value is not pointed out nearly enough. When it comes to actually making your way through the story there are some interesting choices to make. The app actually gives you three ways to digest the story. There’s a directed version, where you make all the touch gestures and pace through the story yourself, a setup that you find is the default in most interactive story apps. There is also a free mode, which allows users to swipe through entire pages at will, as opposed to viewing each panel. Arguably the best setting is the Auto mode, which plays the entire story to you, complete with voice acting and movement between panels, without you having to lift a finger. This might actually

be a good thing as the response of the app is not always perfect, with it being unclear at times exactly how to navigate between pages. However, there is no way to easily pause the app when in Auto mode. So should you need to step away from your device for a moment you have to change viewing mode in order to stop the story from moving forward. These are issues that could easily be resolved in an update, and the ending of the story suggests that there could be more to come in the future from this universe, and that will excite many sci-fi fans because of the taste you get here. The unique and detailed artwork and fantastic array of additional features ensure that you don’t just get an initial story but an entire universe to completely submerge yourself in, and the extra depth in the form of interactive touch points mean that if you want to turn into an Anomaly geek, you can – effortlessly. Incredible depth, breadth, and visually compelling. A must see.

In the top-left corner is a book icon; this contains a list of all the pages that have interactivity on them. There are extras to be found, but use this as an initial guide.

03 Frame tHe page In order to activate the AR, you must frame your device’s camera so the entire page is visible on screen. Wait a second, and the page, or something from it, should come to life.

04 animate! These 3D models can become even more interactive if you give them a tap. This will animate them in some way, be it to let out a roar, run away, or even attack the screen.

l iPad | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.1 l Android | OS 4.0 | £3.09/$4.99| v1.0.6

The sTory and arTwork are incredibly engaging, so how and why did you decide on including The inTeracTive Touch poinTs ThroughouT The sTory? The idea behind the interactive touch points was, ‘why not combine an encyclopedia about the universe and a graphic novel in the same app?’ Not combining it in a way in which the encyclopedia content is tacked on, but intertwining it with the story. As people are reading along and they see a character or creatures they want to learn more about, they can just touch one of these hot spots. There is another aspect for why the touch points seemed to make sense for this project. The art process that was used to construct the Anomaly graphic novel is a fairly unique process in the comic industry. All the panels were laid out using 3D models as a base. Then our artists digitally painted over them to give a hand sculpted look. We were sitting on a large cache of 3D models, so

why not try to include them as additional content? When launching a touch point you can spin 360 degree 3D models of the various spaceships, planets, characters, etc. It’s a very cool effect that people seem to enjoy.

when The whole projecT was being puT TogeTher, was There anywhere else you looked or Took inspiraTion from? We’re obviously not the first interactive graphic novel in the app store, so we did look around to see what others were doing, but we didn’t feel like anyone else was doing exactly what we thought a digital graphic novel should be. I think the industry is still exploring what this medium should/can be. There’s a line between a comic that you read and an animated movie you watch. Interactive graphic novels should rest somewhere in between, and I think we have found the right balance.

05 inFo Tap the arrow next to the object’s name. This page gives you background information and characteristics of creatures and objects in the Anomaly world.

whaT has The feedback been like so far? The feedback has been amazing. People seem to love the story and are blown away by the artwork. The two features that seem to be resonating with people are the amazingly talented voice acting and the encyclopedia-like touch point content where you can read the back story while reading the story.

are There any plans in place To updaTe The app? Yes, we are busy creating even more back-story content. We plan to add additional touch points to the existing 175 within the app. This will give the reader an even more detailed look at the places, creatures, and characters within the Anomaly universe. Besides interactivity and audio this is probably the coolest thing about a digital comic. It’s not static like a printed page, it’s an organic living thing that can change over time.


39

FREE | REVIEW

ABOVE: You can personalise your setup to view only the information you think you need

ABOVE: Delays are highlighted, with detailed information as to the reason and waiting times

ABOVE: Simply tap on a CCTV marker to view the road conditions up ahead

TRAFFIC WALES TRAFFIG CYMRU It seems that these days, in order to have a successful and stress-free car journey, you need to be one step ahead of the game in some way. This is usually with satnav, or one of the navigation and route planning apps that have appeared to coincide with the smartphone revolution. Traffic Wales is very much in this mould, with the land of dragons and leeks’ entire road network available for users to scout in order to plan out their journeys. Undoubtedly the result of the fact the app was developed by the Welsh Assembly Government, the app grants users an impressive amount of access to CCTV images of various roads up and down Wales, so you can check

the volume of traffic for yourself rather than simply relying on the text updates within the app. If you want to warn friends about traffic jams and accidents causing blockages, you can also share CCTV snapshots across Facebook and via email. Users have the option of viewing the app in either English or Welsh, which is a boon for Welsh speakers and is also a nice touch for any visitors that might want to learn more about the country’s culture. As an added extra, there is also some traffic info included for areas in England leading up to the Welsh border. While this app isn’t a journey planner per se, you can plot out a route and then scroll through all the roads you’ll use and whether you are

ABOVE: The CCTV view can be shared via Facebook or email to notify other motorists

YOUR COMPANION FOR GETTING AROUND WALES

likely to encounter any delays along the way. Though it does feel like a missed opportunity, when all the roads along any route you input are shown, and yet the app won’t provide full navigations. We can only hope this could be improved in an update. Traffic Wales then may not be the most spectacular app in terms of appearance or interface, but it does a solid enough job of providing the information you need ahead of a journey, and updating it to stay current as you go. Solid and reliable when keeping you up to date with traffic flow, and the CCTV is a cool touch. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.0.0 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.0

DOWNLOAD NOW! Pros/Cons ▲ CCTV images are

produced so you can see the roads ahead of you

▲ The icon-filled map

showing delays and live updates will get you from A to B

▼ Journey planner is prone to crashes

▼ Updates only cover Wales only so only has a limited use for many drivers

DODGE THE TRAFFIC Use Traffic Wales to your advantage

01 TRAFFIC ALERTS

Once you have opened the app, make sure your first stop is the Traffic Alerts section, where all the latest news and updates are displayed.


02 DISTANCE DISPLAY

These updates and incidents are displayed in distance from you, with the closest appearing first. You can also flip to the map view to see them.

03 ALERTS

Next, you can receive specific alerts relating to your route by entering your journey into the app and seeing where any issues may be, should they exist.

04 MAP

Use the in-app map to plot start and finish points of your journey, and the app will then generate a list of the roads you’ll likely use.

05 ORDER

You can then view this list in chronological order with any incidents along the route marked alongside the road. Tap the markers to get more info about the alert.

REVIEW | FREE

SHERLOCK HOLMES FOR iPAD

BRING SHERLOCK TO LIFE WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL INTERACTIVE NOVELS The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes have entertained and enthralled across a number of mediums, with books, TV shows, films and apps attracting audiences across generations. One of the latest additions to this list is Sherlock Holmes for iPad. Only released in December, the app has varied in price since hitting the App Store, and is essentially a storefront. One story – The Five Orange Pips – comes free with the download, so without any extra expenditure you can dive right in. No regular eBooks, these are interactive stories, each uniquely designed and illustrated. While the text is clear and legible, it’s everything else on the page that makes this app stand out. Firstly, the main image is interactive, with a tap or a drag bringing it to life. While there’s nothing

ABOVE: The five available books are on display in the table of contents jaw-dropping, it’s a nice extra layer to the story. Possibly the best feature is the atmospheric background music that can be turned on or off using the horn icon in the top-left corner. The menu at the bottom also allows you to jump to a page in the book, return to the beginning, or back to the app’s table of contents. While the app looks lovely, the fact that only five books are available will limit the appeal, and

ABOVE: The pages of each book are lovingly crafted, with interactive elements on each one each are an extra in-app purchase. But you have to admire the effort and attention that’s on show here, and for fans of the books this will be a new way to enjoy some classic adventures. A less than elementary way to enjoy the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, but could do with some more content. ● iPad | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.2

SHADOWGUN: DEADZONE

You might remember the name Shadowgun. It made a splash on the iPad last year with top-end visuals and console equivalent gameplay. Now here’s DeadZone, a multiplayer-only component that’s pretty good fun, too. Its controls are exactly the same – digital analogue sticks – while the various abilities and options are all a quick screen tap away. As a multiplayer game it’s fast-paced and frantic, with a level of quality seen more and more on tablets. The high-speed action is sometimes a little incongruous with the controls, and no amount of sensitivity adjustments will help. All this means is that every so often you’ll overshoot your target – which means an unfortunate, but forgettable, death on your part. With two modes available you’ll have enough choice to dip in as and when you like, though a poor team balancing system does mean that Control The Zone will often leave one side with an unfair advantage. That said, few multiplayer shooters can match this level of quality. Fantastic fun, though the server-side connections could do with work.

GET INTO THE ZONE

BELOW: Teamwork provides a sense of reward

when you dominate enemies

● Android | Varies | Free | Varies ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.1.0


41

FREE | REVIEW

BEER CITIZEN THE BEER CONNOISSEUR’S POCKET NOTEPAD

ABOVE: The scoring system is hard to really use consistently, especially since there’s no strict template you’re required to follow

The world is filled with beer, and with it a variety of tastes, textures and tipples that no one person could experience in their entirety. However, Beer Citizen aims to, in some small way, make the dream of trying as many beers as humanly possible a little easier. There are a number of functions crammed into the app, primary among them being a database of beers – whether lager, bitter and every minute difference in between – stuffed with reviews from other beer fans. Reviews can include a number of different aspects, from taste and flavour, to shape, consistency, and even the longevity of the drink’s head. The overwhelming number of topics can be a little much – especially considering each is rated on a 100-point scale – but it’s good to see the general consensus among the community. Of course, such a thorough review system means two things: first, that you can enter a pub and never worry about what you’re going to drink, and second, that you can keep track of all those fancy-named beers you’d like to try. The app itself is easy to use and wellpresented, which is impressive considering the wealth of beer and brewery information stored

KLIP VIDEO SHARING


ABOVE: People with

a goal in mind, like motivational speakers, are pretty popular

ABOVE: Scrolling up and down the homepage will preview the video beneath your finger

of a trackbar in klips. With a little polish and more users, something might emerge from this. For now, though, it’s a five minute distraction at best. A good attempt at video networking that is potentially let down more by the concept than the content. ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v4.1.0 ● Android | OS 2.3 | Free | v1.6.1

inside. It all links up to Facebook and Twitter so you’ll easily be able to share your latest discovery, though the app can sometimes be a little slow and unresponsive. Stop shouting lager, lager, lager and appreciate a fine tipple. Lag aside, this is a great little app for fans of the independent beer brewer. ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.1.1

RIGHT:

Comments are a good place to start a dialogue and request klips

TWITTER WITH VIDEO – THE PROGENITOR OF A NEW NETWORK?

Klip tries to bring video into the world of social networking and, while it makes a reasonably good effort, perhaps this medium simply isn’t as adept at bringing people together as text and images have proven to be. Essentially, you hit the large record button on the app’s home screen and use its camera to shoot a quick clip, or choose one to upload from your device. Your klip is then thrown onto the main page for the world and any followers you may have to see. In that sense, the app is a little like Twitter – even down to the @username structure and use of hashtags to make klips searchable – but it just feels awkward. For the most part, klips are uncertain; users shooting quick videos because they’re bored and feel the need to tell the world, or panning around their current location to give followers a flavour. The idea is there, but there is none of Twitter’s wit or the personality involved in visual networks such as Instagram and Facebook. There are exceptions, though, and you’ll occasionally find people sharing their talents – a lot of guitar here – and interests in a genuinely entertaining way. The infrastructure is a little rough, too, with a sporadically unresponsive back button and lack

ABOVE: Every type of beer ABOVE: Follow your is in here, and if it isn’t favourite beers, you can add it! reviewers, or breweries

Fuze

Some apps seem far too good to be true, but Fuze is one of those mobile solutions that will knock your socks off from the first time you try it. Just think of it as a visual conference call that can be hosted or joined from your phone with VOIP (Voice over IP) support, and you will not be far wrong. In practice the service works well, and there is even a live demo with a real person available the first time you try the app. On a phone screen it can get somewhat crowded with multiple users, but it really does work very well.

recipe Search

Recipe Search gives you access to more than 150,000 recipes, which is a huge number. Add to this a lovely presentation and complete ingredient lists and instructions, and it offers just about everything you will need to create some culinary masterpieces. The visuals are mouth-watering and the navigation is simple, with the only downside being the need for an internet connection to access most of the content. Despite this, in a very crowded market this app does stand out, and should be high on your list to try because you may not need anything else.

SeatSync

SeatSync is like a focussed version of eBay that is designed purely around tickets. Currently it supports sporting events and is very US-centric, but that should not take away from the innovation that has been built into the service and the minimalist design which makes it exceptionally easy to use. It is an app with lots of potential, mainly because the number of tickets available appears to be currently quite low, and it will need to spread to more countries to become a force in the world of mobile ticket sales and exchanges.

A clever and innovative video conference system that really does work, even over 3G.

A visually-enticing recipe search tool with many extra features.

A nicely designed app which needs more users to become a true ticketing solution.

l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v2.0.1472 l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v5.2

l Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v3.09 l iPhone | iOS 6.0 | Free | v1.0.1

l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.0 l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.0.3

get gangnam style

01 learn gangnam style

Learn the dance with step-by-step tips and video tutorials. HHHHH

l iPhone+ | iOS 6.0 | Free | v1.1

02 gangnam DanCe sCratCH OFF Waste time with this

Android app. Stroke your screen to reveal images of celebrities going Gangnam.

Sector Strike

It’s never easy to make an old-school style game relevant in a time of advanced mobile technology, but Sector Strike manages it with ease. It’s a classic side-scrolling shooter with the difficulty pitched just right for most players, and it is painfully addictive. The controls take some time to get used to, but once you are familiar with the system it is difficult to put down. Whether you remember the classic shooting games from days gone by or you just want to experience them, this is one of the best ways to do it. Old-school gaming brought bang up to date in a highly addictive side-scrolling shooter. l Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.1.0 l iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.1

Slice ice!

Slice Ice! is based on one of the earliest computer games, which simply involves slicing ice away from a playing field until only a small part is left. It sounds simple, but it really isn’t, and has 165 levels of increasing difficulty through which you progress. Few games can match Slice Ice! for replay ability when you have some spare minutes. Everything from the graphics to the sound to the gameplay are perfectly designed for the mobile environment, and we honestly can’t find anything to criticise. It is cute, hugely addictive and will drain your spare time very easily. A fun time-waster that will keep you coming back for more. l Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v2.2.8

XboX SmartGlaSS

A remote control for your Xbox that uses touch gestures to navigate the Xbox environment, and a keyboard lets you type with ease in webpages and when talking to friends – as well searching the games catalogue from your phone. It all sounds too good to be true, but this free app does all of this and much more within a vibrant and highly usable environment – and social features mean you can catch up with friends at any time. It is the perfect app for any Xbox gamer. An indispensable Xbox companion that offers lots in a free package. l Android | OS 4.0 | Free | v1.0 l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.1

HHHHH l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.13

03 gangnam style maker Can’t get enough of Psy?

This photo booth app will turn you into the K-pop star.

HHHHH l iPhone | iOS 4.0 | Free | v1.0

04 gangnam style stOryDance your way across an

assault course and play with friends on Facebook.

HHHHH l iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.3

05 gangnam party esCape Help an imposter pretending to be Psy escape a South Korean nightclub after the crowd rumble him in this game.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.0


43

FREE | REVIEW

ZENONIA 5

This is one of the best Android games on the market. Further refining their tap‘n’slash style, GAMEVIL has produced a console RPG with fully fleshed out game mechanics, gorgeous graphics and an addictive combat system with near-perfect pacing. The standard ‘get item, get XP’ trope is used to great effect, providing you with side quests that ensure you don’t get stuck grinding away until you’re tough enough to face the boss. You’ll also find enough healing potions and equipment to prevent you having to continually run back to town for supplies. In fact, non-repairable items subtly encourage you to keep moving forward, showing the thought that’s been put into real game progression. Delving into the menus, you’ll not only find a gargantuan skills tree but also a host of materials you can combine to make potions and powerups, not to mention the intricate evolution system for weapons and armour. Even better, while a freemium model is employed that allows players to access more powerful items and combos, it isn’t necessary to enjoy this game – you won’t progress any slower if you choose not to open your wallet – so it enhances the gameplay. Plot isn’t just bolted on to the combat, either – a compelling story line

POLISHING A PROVEN FORMULA, GAMEVIL RELEASE ITS MOST IN-DEPTH ACTION RPG YET

makes this a genuinely engaging RPG. Add into the mix some PVP and wave combat options, with an upcoming ‘Raid’ mode, and you have a solid winner in every respect.

GOOGLE MAPS

RIGHT: Finding a route

to your intended destination is as easy and accurate as ever

GOOGLE’S APP IS ONCE AGAIN AVAILABLE FOR ALL TO ENJOY Google Maps will be familiar to many iOS users, as the app came preinstalled on devices prior to iOS 6. Apple now includes its own Maps app on iPhones and iPads, but many have been left disappointed with the replacement (to put it mildly). However, with Google Maps now available on the App Store, those who wish to return to the old app can. All the familiar features are included, and it has received a slight aesthetic makeover, with the page curl in the bottom-right being replaced and the menus receiving an overhaul. Zooming and panning is as responsive as ever, and typing any location into the search bar will take you to the place you’re looking for. The app is the perfect directional tool, and entering your required destination and a starting location will provide you with turn-by-turn navigation on-screen, as well as listed directions for you to view. Activating Location Services will allow the app to pinpoint your current location within seconds, and from the menu options you can select to view traffic information, change the map view to Satellite, and access Google Earth. If you’re looking for a more in-depth view, you can zoom


ABOVE: Street View is included, allowing you to view locations at ground level

in to a location and bring up address information. Dragging up on this screen will access Street View, plus you can find businesses, places nearby to eat, and more, from the main Map screen. While Google Maps faces competition from Apple’s app and Nokia’s new HERE Maps, for now it’s still the best option. Still the best mapping app available on smartphones and tablets. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.0 ● Android | Varies | Free | Varies

BELOW: Enter Abyss mode to

take on demons in wavestyle combat and see how long you can survive

A fast-paced, hugely entertaining RPG with excellent gameplay. ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.0.4

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NEVER MISS A GOAL

01 ESPN GOALS

Customise this app to alert you for your favourite team’s every goal, with video highlights and stats for each match. ★★★★★

COASTER CRAZY GROOVE COASTER ZERO

HEROES OF ORDER & CHAOS GAME

It’s not a thrill-a-minute ride for everyone, but fans of the Theme Park simulator games will love it like their own child.

A heart-pounding and intense rhythmic action game that is slightly marred by loading times.

A breathtaking online adventure game that allows you to gang up and run riot in mischievous ways.



INTO THE DEAD

PLAYED IN BRITAIN

YPLAN - LONDON

Whether you are studying theatre or just have an interest in plays that have had a seismic impact on society, this is well worth exploring. For your free admission price you can download a sample of three of the 100 featured plays – plenty to persuade you to lay down the £7.99/$12.99 for the full bundle. The package includes essays that explain each play’s significance, reviews of the opening night, interviews with theatre practitioners, and it’s all introduced by lovable thesp, Simon Callow.

Stuck for things to do in London? Then YPlan comes bearing great offers for enticing nights out to coax you out of your bedsit and help you explore the hottest venues in the UK’s capital. Whether it’s gigs, theatre, clubs, cinema or just a quick bite to eat, YPlan lets you purchase tickets through the app and then stores them safely for times of need. And when that time comes, you can simply whip out your device and get the code scanned for quick and easy admission. Sophisticated, useful, and very, very cool – and endorsed by gadget-man Stephen Fry himself!

Too simple for long-term satisfaction, but nevertheless an enjoyable way to kill five minutes.

A highly-polished chronicling of some of theatre’s most explosive British post-war plays.

A tour guide, booking service and wallet all rolled into one that delivers nights to remember.


● iPad | iOS 5.0 | Free | v001


From the makers of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, this is, as you would hope, a theme park engineer’s dream stuffed with cool effects and parts to help you construct the coaster of the gods. A clever new twist comes in the form of characters, who get you to undertake challenges, and a career that sees you circumnavigate the globe – and the stars – to build evermore outlandish coasters. Whether you opt for the career route or just enjoy the feature-rich construction sandbox that this game provides, you’ll be transfixed for months.

After a farcical amount of loading time, Groove Coaster Zero mercifully ups the ante by taking you on a full-throttle surge along a line of notes that you have to hit. You have to tap the screen at just the right time to catch the beat and send your score skywards. The tracks are pretty good and there is a decent challenge here to test your sense of rhythm and reflexes. The only downside is that it requires a great deal of concentration – you certainly wouldn’t want a notification to come through while playing it.

What with The Hobbit putting Tolkien-esque mythical worlds back in vogue, this MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game stirs the imagination, by allowing you to venture forth in search of great adventure and bloodshed. There are 30 unique and varied characters to choose from, and the stunning environment into which you are plunged immerses you in a way few games do. The only drawback with this epic offering is that it seriously drains your battery.

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.0.2 ● Android | OS 2.3 | Free | v1.1.6

● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.5 ● Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v2.5

02 FANATIX Newsfeed and social media

feed for all your favourite teams and video highlights.

★★★★★ ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.5.1

03 BBC SPORTS Includes detailed football

live scores, match stats and text commentaries, along with coverage of other major sports.

★★★★★ ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2.0

04 THE FOOTBALL APP Covering more than 60 international leagues; never miss a goal anywhere in the world with this detailed app.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v2.6 ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v3.2

05 SKY SPORTS NEWS All the latest scores and fixtures. You can also stream Sky Sports Radio through the app and, for subscribers to the satellite channel only, watch exclusive video content.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2.1 ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.25


The aim here is to survive for as long as possible as you run headlong into an onslaught of shambling zombies. Starting out with only the shoes on your feet to out-manoeuvre the undead hordes, the controls consist entirely of left or right to sprint through a gap in their numbers. But you can soon pick up weapons so that in the event of your path being blocked (strangely, you are on one continuous sprint as if you legs are working independently of you and you can’t slow down or stop), you can simply blast your way straight through them. Good fun.

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EntErtainmEnt | group test

makE music with apps tap your way to techy beats and throbbing base… all on your touchscreen device?

BLOOm hd

If you view music as relaxation – a way to unwind after a hard day – then Bloom HD will have you horizontal within minutes of launching it. By touching the screen in certain places, this app generates ambient sounds that you can coax together to make fantastically tranquil melodies. The effects are instantly pleasing, but there are no options to save or export. A compelling and chilled-out music-making app that makes for some unique compositions; shame you can’t save them. l iPad | iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99 | v1.1.1

kOrG iELEctriBE GOriLLaz EditiOn

If multi-layered electronica is you thing then KORG produces a first-class selection of virtual synths, sequencers and drum machines. For us, the iELECTRIBE is the pick of the bunch as its interface breeds inspiration in allowing you to stack up a spinetingling wall of sound with just a few taps. Used professionally by Gorillaz, this special-edition provides a rich musical palette. The ultimate in knob-twiddling indulgence – you’ll be set adrift on sonic bliss with this box of beats. l iPad | iOS 4.2 | £6.99/$9.99 | v1.6.0

rEactaBLE mOBiLE

Reactable mobile feels more like a game than a music-making app. But what first appears gimmicky in the way that you compose sound structures, by placing tiles on the screen, soon becomes a serious musical tool as you can hear how basic manipulation of these components (including synths and oscillators) can dramatically affect your sound. You can also share your compositions with a thriving community. Makes music creation fun and accessible for everyone, by providing the tools for you to unleash your creativity. l iPad+ | iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99 | v2.0.4

FiGurE

A lot of music-making apps merely provide building blocks for you to create your own grooves based on existing sounds – the downside being that it is hard to compose something truly unique. Figure provides the instruments for you to fashion your own tunes from scratch using a very intuitive finger-sliding interface, enabling you to compose sweet-sounding riffs and tunes in seconds. This app makes it quick and easy to get those tunes in your head down with its mini pocket orchestra.

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.3


group test | EntErtainmEnt

nils

This versatile app lets you create your own unique sound effects using your iPhone’s internal mic, or with accessories such as iRig. It comes with bitcrush, delay and gain for pleasing distortion effects, and doubles-up as a simple sampling device. All of your creations can then be exported via email, SoundCloud and MAPI audio copy to get your tunes out there. A really handy tool for creating unique new sound effects to add layered depth to your fullscale compositions.

l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$2.99 | v1.1

rEBirth

Incredibly, ReBirth incorporates the Roland TB-303 Bass synth and the TR808 and 909 drum machines to provide a sophisticated pocket recording studio that is effortless to control. The result is that you can compose some seriously retro-tinged electro tracks with the minimum of effort. You can also sync with your friends’ devices to create room-shaking live performances. For the price, this is exceptional value, letting you play with dance music’s most hallowed instruments.

l iPhone+ | iOS 3.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.2


49

ENTERTAINMENT | REVIEW

iPOE 2 PROS/CONS

▲ Gorgeous artwork

that comes alive at a touch

▲ Some genuinely

scary moments within the stories

▼ Less stories

included than in previous volume

▼ The swipe-to-turn gesture can be unresponsive

ABOVE: Most of the animations require a tap of the screen in order to bring them to life

THE SINISTER COLLECTION IS BACK TO SPOOK YOU AGAIN

He was without doubt one of the best horror writers to have ever lived, and his work has already been brilliantly represented and re-imagined once for mobile devices. Now there is a second volume of the classic works of Edgar Allan Poe available on iOS. On the App Store this might be an easy app to skip over or pass you by – taken on icon and name alone – but if you’re someone who is willing to give something different a

DOWNLOAD NOW!

RIGHT: The menu screen

allows users to jump to any page at will, as well as change the language and interactivity settings


try you then will be greatly rewarded. Poe’s stories are presented as illustrated and interactive works that support the text wonderfully, enhancing rather than overshadowing the original genius – the story itself. Though Poe’s stories are undoubtedly timeless, the 21st century face lift they have been given is a big part of why this app is so engaging and thrilling. The artwork is breathtaking and at times truly frightening, giving extra weight to some already chilling tales. Users are advised to wear headphones when reading the stories and this is something that we second wholeheartedly. The music is perhaps the unsung hero of this app – a completely original score that changes and evolves as you flick through the pages and change stories. It prolongs your suspense and heightens the whole experience in much the same way that it would in a big movie, and it’s such a satisfying comparison to make with something that you’re interacting with on your iPad. Even if you’re not already familiar with the stories, the app and its design ensure that you wont quickly forget them. Both stories available – HopFrog and The Black Cat, are individually designed to look as though they are traditional storybooks, complete with colourful borders and chapter breaks

themed with the story. The pages of text are then quite wonderfully broken up by the appearance of a fullscreen piece of artwork that comes to life when you tap and interact with it. You can drag objects around the screen as well as simply tap them to start an animation sequence. The actual functionality of the app is kept quite minimal, with an on-screen menu used to navigate between pages as well as take you back to the homepage. You can swipe to turn pages also, but this is actually the only aspect of the app that is a little temperamental and not always instantly responsive. Overall though things are kept very simple in terms of gestures and interactive shortcuts, iPoe 2 wants you to spend your tapping time bringing the various pieces of artwork to life, and turn pages in fear of what is to come. Users who are already familiar with iPoe will see much of the same recipe that made the first volume of stories such a compelling piece of digital reading. But there is no doubting that everything feels a little more intense this time. There are more fullscreen animations, and indeed more of them in general that helps to create the feeling that you are closer to the centre of the narrative, and in sense then more vulnerable to it’s terror. Its a very cool effect that seems to

REVIEW | ENTERTAINMENT ABOVE: The full-page animations that are available throughout the collection are simply fantastic to pour over

SHOWCASE

The five best screens in iPoe 2 01 CAT’S EYE A layered animation that might actually take some users by surprise due to the shocking nature of it.

BELOW: As well as the two stories, there is also a sketchbook of concept images for users to enjoy

02 HOP-FROG’S FIRE This page is included because of the stunning way the artwork and animation are beautifully fused together, with the fire dancing up one side of the screen.

03 THE SKELETON CHANDELIER It’s hugely sinister, but being able to knock it back and forth by interacting with the screen brings a twisted sense of fun to it.

ABOVE: The stunning artwork has been fused with animation to marry text and image

“…SHOWS OFF THE WORK OF POE IN NEW WAYS AND TO A NEW AUDIENCE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ARTISTIC INTEGRITY OF THE ORIGINAL CONTENT” have come about from minimal changes in the way the app is presented and experienced, but you will certainly notice it. Perhaps it’s something to do with the stories involved? One thing that is most definitely new is the special features section at the end of the collection, where not only is there a sketches section for users who wish to admire the app’s artwork in its original form, but also a short interactive section dedicated to the different places in which Poe lived and wrote. While iPoe 2 is most definitely meant to be seen and used as an entertainment app, there is still an undercurrent of celebration to the way it is presented – showing off the work of Poe in new ways and to a

new audience without compromising the artistic integrity of the original content. It can be argued that when the source material is this good then developers would struggle to not make this app appealing, but the way in which these classic stories have been re-imagined makes iPoe 2 – much the same as the original iPoe app – a credit to the App Store, and an app that deserves your attention and the chance to shred your nerves to pieces. Dark and chilling tales given a vicious edge by stunning artwork, iPoe 2 takes an impressive step forward.

04 HOP-FROG’S TEARS A scene that seems to have taken inspiration from the layout of comic books, given the panel setup of the page.

05 THE WALL The very last page of The Black Cat offers a genuine scare. We won’t spoil it, but it’s brilliant animation and interactivity.

● iPad+ | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.1

ALTERNATIVELY…

Five More Great Interactive Stories

01 NUMBERLYS

A celebration of Twenties cinema, users must help the Numberlys create the alphabet to spread colour. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | £3.99/$5.99 | v1.0.8

02 ALICE FOR THE iPAD

The Lewis Carroll classic is given new life on your iPad, with tilt and touch gestures all over the place. ● iPad | iOS 3.2 | £5.99/$8.99 | v3.01

03 CHOPSTICKS NOVEL

Page after page of interactivity, with your actions dictating how much of the story you uncover. Revolutionary. ● iPad+ | iOS 4.0 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.0

04 PEDLAR LADY

Complete with impressive and unique 3D animations – one of the original interactive stories on the iPad. ● iPad | iOS 6.0 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.4

05 iPOE

Of course you could always go back and enjoy the first collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories in this app. ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v2.3


51

entertainment | review

above: If you want to share your mashup on Twitter, you’ll need to send it to your Camera Roll first

vjay

above: Some music videos and visual loops come pre-installed, although you can also use your own content

above: The app has six different video transitions to spice up each cross fade

Scratch, rewind and maSh-up your favourite videoS in real time

Despite its inherent ability to record and share video, vjay isn’t a traditional editing app. Instead, it’s a visual mash up tool, built from the ground up to look and feel like a set of turntables. Up to two video clips can be queued at any one time, forcing the user to bounce between them with the cross-fader and ultimately try to create something new or unique. The sleek, almost symmetrical interface that splits up the different screens, sliders and effect buttons is impressive. Given that all of vjay’s editing is done in real-time, it’s great to have all of the most important features at your fingertips, and not buried under various sub-menus. Unfortunately, there are no tutorials here to speak of to guide you through

it. It’s a shame, as this alone might be enough to turn off anyone who is new to the concept of live video mixing. Experimentation is vital here, and you’ll need to do a lot of it if you want to produce anything worth sharing. Videos shot with the iPhone’s camera and music tracks saved to iTunes can be imported at any time. The app also comes with some pregenerated content by the likes of Fareast Movement and J-Live though, allowing you to start a mashup straight off the bat. Once you’re familiar with the interface, the gratification of creating a mashup is immediate. Playback is incredibly smooth and jumping between content is often thrilling due to the impulsive, almost organic nature of live mixing. If a clip seems too dull,

it’s simple to switch it out or start experimenting with an effect in the preview pane. Music and video clips also loop by default, allowing you to practice indefinitely until you’re ready to hit the record button. Although the app’s built-in effects are a bit silly and overdone, they’re also hugely enjoyable to experiment with. Pixellation, strobe lighting and a Fisheye view are just a few of the more bizarre editing tools at your disposal. Coupled with traditional DJ moves such as loops, slices and rewinds, it’s easy to get lost for hours just playing around with it. Real-time mixing and a polished interface sell this unique, if less polished approach to video editing. l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0.1

download now! Pros/Cons s Mixing on the

fly is quick and compelling

s Adding effects is simple and instantaneous

▼ Easy to lose track of what is live or in preview

▼ Adding music wipes the audio from each clip

how to…

...apply effects in real-time

01 view

Tap the 1 or 2 symbol on either side of the screen to access the clip currently playing.


02 SeleCt FX

Select the VideoScratch icon, followed by the FX symbol.

03 SearCh and aPPly

Cycle through the effects and then hold your finger on the graph to apply it.

04 PreSS and drag

Hold your finger on the screen and move it to change the intensity of the effect.

05 again!

The change will apply in real-time. Release your finger to select a new effect.

revIew | entertAinment

The OrchesTra It mIght just convert you to classIcal musIc

Even the most hardened pop music lover has likely had that moment of awe that comes from hearing a live orchestra for the first time. The Orchestra is designed to appeal to those of us who have had such thoughts, as well as the more hardened classical music fan. The idea of creating ‘something for everyone’ was definitely the mantra for Touch Press when developing the app. What you’re getting here is, in short, eight pieces of iconic music played for you by the world renowned Philharmonia. It is what surrounds each piece though that is the really interesting part of this, as the moment the orchestra starts playing through your speakers your screen comes alive and nothing feels classical anymore. It’s a multimedia feast with multiple camera angles to watch the conductor and co, as well as live scores that carry you through the piece, and even an impressive beat map that is reminiscent of the one used to curate your own music in GarageBand, though that couldn’t feel further away at this point.

Above: See the sheet music as the piece plays, alongside videos of different sections of the orchestra at work What’s great about The Orchestra is that it rewards curiosity. There are audio commentaries from the conductor, video introductions to the instruments, and even interactive images. There are buttons everywhere on the interface of The Orchestra, almost enough to make it feel like a

Plex

l iPad | iOS 6.0 | £9.99/$13.99 | v1.0.1

left: You can add a number of extra online channels at no extra cost below: Even if your movies don’t have all the related metadata, Plex will fill in the information for you

access musIc, movIes and photos

While iTunes offers an adequate solution for viewing your media on your iOS device, there are a few issues with the system that makes the whole thing a little unwieldy. Limited storage and issues with incompatible files can be a real cause for frustration. Thankfully, Plex offers a simple and brilliant solution to both of these problems. First, the service enables you to add all your media to a server on your Mac or PC, and from there you can stream it easily to any devices that are also connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Secondly, you are able to stream any kind of file, whether they’re iPhone-friendly or not, and watch them without a hitch. The app itself is easy to use, although if you’re new to Plex it might take a little while for you to organise your Mac or PC as your media server. Options like BBC iPlayer are present and correct, and if you add a free MyPlex subscription to your account, you can even watch movies when you’re away from your home network through the wonders of 3G or 4G. We found quality varied hugely in our tests, and in some cases films were almost unwatchable – even when sitting still with a 3G

complicated wind instrument, but one that is fantastic to experiment with. Charming, interesting and wonderfully feature-rich.

signal – but connecting to any Wi-Fi network will solve the issue immediately. Still, the interface is simple and the app works brilliantly; if you’re looking for a media player to upgrade to from your current app, this is a fantastic option.

A simple player that takes the hassle out of putting media on your device. l iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99 | v3.0.2 l Android | OS 1.6 | £3.09 | v2.2.3.3


53

entertainment | Review

TurnTaBle dJ deck is this mashuP machine uP to scRatch?

aBove: The app is packed with settings that allows you to manipulate the audio in lots of ways

This app caters well for amateurs and professionals, pulling songs from your iTunes library and letting you perform audio magic on them. The main screen shows a turntable onto which you can pop a variety of ‘vinyl’. By moving your fingers on the record, you can scratch it or move the needle to another section of the song. Music can be played forward or in reverse with a tap, and you can also record your efforts. The features make this app truly stand out, but if there is an annoyance it is the add-on packs that need to be bought. Saying that, there is a lot of quality here, with precise waveforms and advanced pitch control, as well as hot cues and loops. The effects come at a price but you will have to weigh up whether you want them. Although the app looks complicated at first, there is a tutorial that gives you get a general feel of what you have to do, which is most welcome. It can be called up at any time – but tap it by mistake and it takes a while to cancel. A rocking app that will have you spinning the platters that matter in no time. l iPad | iOS 4.3 | £3.99/$5.99 | v1.0.2

Beside Myself

Reading fRom coveR to coveR? Pah – so old fashioned

The idea of this interactive book is as twisting as the plot itself, given that you are able to read the contents in any order you want. Each chapter can be shuffled as you follow three versions of the protagonist Jeff Gomez and his frequent decisions which take him down different paths. The three characters are variations on themselves, with one Gomez single, another married, and one with a family. The story is one of discovery and overlap as each of them discover the existence of the others before finding an underground society of similar people. If the genius behind the idea was simply to produce a mixed up book that can be read in any order or from whatever perspective, riffing on the idea of the paths we go down led by the choices we make, then it would be decent enough. But it goes even further with photos, music and social media integration. That is not all though. You can visit websites, take a quiz and even email characters from the book. All of it is relevant to the plot and it drives the reader ever deeper into the fictional world that has been created. And if you really want to bend your mind, then you can also turn the iPad on its side and read


all three of the perspectives at the same time. It shows what can be done with a book on the iPad and leads the way for other authors to innovate and move fiction forward. Or sideways.

Below: It looks and reads like a standard novel, but

there are some great tricks up its sleeve

Below left: Chapters can be shuffled and read in any order you wish and it still makes sense

Magazines have proved innovative on the iPad, but novels have lagged behind – until now. l iPad | iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.0

REACTABLE HUNTEMANN

KORG iPOLYSIX

COLOR THE CARTOON: FARM

Joining the ranks of Björk and her Biophilia app, Oliver Huntemann and Reactable have put together a truly interactive experience, producing an album that, while not setting the benchmark for others, certainly sets out its stall. As well as being able to listen to the album, you can also play and remix in real-time along with his performance. Original samples can be looped, effects can added and you can generate tunes with a synthesizer, oscillator and sample player. Music made to be enjoyed.

While it’s not the cheapest app around, this app is a perfect replication of a Korg Polysix; a six voice programmable polyphonic synthesizer from the early Eighties. The sound of that era comes across well, with analog synth sounds pouring from the app’s two synth units and 16 to 64 Polyseq sequencers. It also has a six-part drum machine. All of which sounds amazing – it fits well with the programmable polyphony of the original synthesizer too, but including modern features. The app also looks great – anyone who has used a Polysix will feel instantly at home.

It’s easy to keep children occupied by Color The Cartoon: Farm. In days gone by, crayons would be enough. Not now – which is why this painting book adventure works so well. It centres on a cute kitten trying to get milk from a cow. As the story plays out, children have to swipe their fingers to colour in the animals. This will prompt the animals to talk to the cat and further the narrative. It’s amazingly inviting, with colourful graphics and lots of hidden objects. Interactive colouring books have seldom been so fun.

Innovative and enticing, this is music that you can take part in.

It comes at a price, but the power and versatility makes it a bargain.

It does exactly what it says on the tin, but with a huge dollop of flair.

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.0.2

● iPad | iOS 5.1 | £10.49/$14.99 | v1.1.0

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0

ENTERTAIN THE KIDS

01 PEPPA PIG STARS

Follow the twinkling North Star in this magical storybook app. ★★★★★

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$3.99 | v1.3.1 ● Android | OS 2.2 | £2.49/$2.99 | v1.0

02 OM NOM: CANDY FLICK Enjoy augmented reality fun

RECALL –

REMINDERS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

We live in a mediasaturated world in which apps, TV, podcasts, music and movies bombard our senses. It can be headache-inducing. Recall wants to be the saviour, keeping a list of media you may want to buy and then reminding you that they are around so that you don’t overlook them. Cleverly, it places digital media into categories so you can delve in depending on your fancy. If there is a gripe, however, it’s that it’s not quite comprehensive enough. Never miss a recommendation again and buy straight from the app – or wait until later.

● iPhone | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.1.1

THE WORLD OF SAM

Each of the 20 screens ooze quality of a type that children will lap up, watching little pig Sam enjoy life in a mischievous manner. The story has been produced by Sophie Jansem and contains lots of interactive elements, whether it’s building a totem pole or engaging in some sport. The music fits the whole ensemble perfectly and the interface has been designed to be as simple as possible for little jammy fingers to get to grips with. A fine example of what can be done with a storybook on mobile. ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.2.0 ● Android | OS 2.2 | £2.19/$3.89 | v1.4.0

iMASHUP

Producing professionalsounding and seamless mashups isn’t easy, but with iMashup you can blend tunes together using a cut-down version of a piece of software that already makes a noise in professional circles, and can now be used by the masses. You take songs from your iOS music library and instantly see the tempo and key information stored against it. The program then shows the way the harmonics of each track match, and this lets you begin to produce incredible sounds. Feature-packed, this is little short of a bargain. Not one for novices by any stretch of the imagination, but an amazing use of an iPad. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.6

feeding the star of the Cut the Rope games.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.0

03 HELLO KITTY REMEMBER PLAY Improve your kids’ memories skills with this themed card-matching game.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.0

04 TALKING GINA THE GIRAFFE Play games with Gina and she will talk to you.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.1 | Free | v2.0 ● Android | OS 2.1 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.2.4

05 READ ME STORIES Receive a daily story that this colourful app will read aloud to children.

★★★★★ ● iPad+ | iOS 4.0 | Free | v2.3.1


55

ENTERTAINMENT | REVIEW

MX PLAYER PRO

A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ANDROID MOVIE PLAYER WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED Creating an Android movie player is not easy for a number of reasons – of which the main one is the already impressive ability of the core system

to handle video playback. It takes something special to make an app worth buying in this area, but MX Player Pro has enough features and options on-board to make a purchase viable.

ABOVE: The controls are simple, yet cover all of your movie management needs

9GAG+

BRING THE WORLD OF VISUAL GAGS TO YOUR MOBILE DEVICE ANYTIME

9GAG is a popular website designed to present visual gags that rely on imagery alongside text, and the 9GAG+ app is designed to make the entire experience mobile. The ‘+’ in the title signifies a lack of adverts, which is the main change from the free version – and the price is low which will be a bonus for fans of the main site. However, in our tests we found some problems that slightly restricted our enjoyment. The content is excellent and you will always be able to find humorous images with just a few swipes, but at times the app is slow and feels like it isn’t performing as smoothly as it should. The lack of instructions on how to use the app when you first open it don’t help either, and it would be true to say that the first few minutes are somewhat bewildering. An app like this is supposed to replicate the desktop experience in mobile form, and, to be fair, it does do that, but it needs a tighter interface, and more care given to making it feel like the main website. It will be of value to fans, of that there is no doubt, but others may expect a little bit more from the 9GAG stable. An adequate app that replicates the full desktop service in a simplistic manner. ● Android | OS 2.2 | £0.99/$0.99 | v0.7.7


ABOVE: You will need to log in to enjoy many of the features in the app

For starters, the presentation of the main screen is informative enough to give you everything you need to make quick adjustments, but gets out of the way when you want to watch a video and there are no visual cues left at all when it is in the hidden state. Indeed, the hidden features of MX Player Pro are what makes it stand out. Hardware decoding features enable blistering fast performance and it can use multicore processors to smooth out the experience even further. On top of this, a large number of video formats are supported natively and you can choose from many different subtitle formats if you like to watch foreign language movies or have a specific need for these visual cues. All in all, the visual and performance experience that MX Player Pro offers is subtle, but potentially more powerful than most of the competition. If you watch a lot of movies on your Android device, we can think of few reasons not to use this solution. A clean looking and very powerful video player with a bundle of clever hidden features. ● Android | OS 2.1 | £3.50/$5.60 | v1.7.10

AppDisco (betA) KAiny (remote movies gAming/DesKtop) horror films Finding apps is extremely difficult in Google Play, thanks mainly to the sheer volume on offer. AppDisco is designed to let you narrow down the options. It offers choices that are similar to apps you already own, and the ability to customise your feed and receive notifications that are genuinely useful. The interface is quite cluttered in places, and it takes some time to get to grips with, but ultimately it succeeds in the most important area, which is to recommend good apps. Overall this is one of the better app curation services we have seen.

Imagine being able to play console-quality games on your Android device. Well, stop imagining and take a look at Kainy, which lets you stream your games to your device via Wi-Fi or mobile networks, and performs much better than you may reasonably expect. It’s Windows-only currently, but the ability to use the software as a game controller or to present the entire environment on your mobile screen is surely too good to not try. It’s a clever solution that does not try to do too much and it works well.

It would be easy to look at this app and presume it to be merely a collection of links to cult horror movies. This is the case to a point, but the extra content that is available will be thrilling for those who love a good cheesy horror flick. Everything is quick and easy to use; the design could be better, but in some ways it fits the nature of the content on offer, so overall we are prepared to view the app in a positive light. For fans it will be worth the money – and hey, a load of free films!

A decent solution for finding apps you may like, despite the rather busy interface.

A clever console-quality gaming solution that actually works as it should – which is well.

The cheesiest and schlockiest horror movies you would want, all in one place. It sort of works.

l Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v1.2.2

l Android | OS 2.2 | £1.89/$2.99 | v1.30 l Android | OS 1.6 | £0.60/$0.99 | v1.35

discover what’s new

01 stumbleupon!

Recently redesigned, discover new websites, photos and videos based on your interests. HHHHH

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v3.21 l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v3.0.1

02 ireddit It is easy to find something

new with iReddit, just shake your device to refresh posts.

slingplAyer for phones

The Slingbox is a device for watching TV wherever you are, and with this app the experience is even more convenient. You can take control of your Slingbox and manage your local channels; pay-per-view programming works and so does scheduling DVR recordings. Performance is very reliable, and despite the higher-thanaverage price, it’s hard not to like an app that is the closest we have ever seen to a mobile TV service. A TV on your phone? This is as close as you’re going to get. l Android | OS 2.2 | £8.99/$14.99 | v2.2.3 l iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | £10.49/$14.99 | v3.2.3

solo

viDeoscribe.tv

Solo is different to most guitar apps, in that it is not designed to be primarily a learning tool, but to give you a guitar playing experience on your Android device. The chords are accurately implemented, and you can create your own and also jam along with songs that are already playing in the background. It has some merit and is designed in such a way as to be easily used on any screen size, but the longevity of this app may be limited, unless you want to use it as a creation tool. For those who love their guitars it will have a place.

The idea behind Videoscribe is to let you create unique animations on a phone or tablet, and to then present the finished works immediately. The included content is nicely put together and there is no doubting the quality of the overall product, but when used on a smartphone some of the navigation buttons are difficult to hit and it can feel far too crowded. It is a different story on a tablet, but at times there is a temptation to jump to a desktop computer to do the same job quicker. It is maybe too ambitious?

A fun guitar app with some clever features built in. Will suit seasoned players the best.

Hugely ambitious and very clever, but on a phone it can be complex.

l Android | OS 1.6 | £2.49/$3.99 | v1.55.1

l Android | OS 2.2 | £1.69/$1.99 | v1.0.76 l iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.0.75

HHHHH l iPad+ | iOS 3.1 | Free | v2.1.5

03 digg All of the hottest news on

the internet in one place, available for offline viewing and syncing across devices.

HHHHH l iPad | iOS 4.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.9

04 flipboard View all of the news from your social networks in a stylish magazine skin.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 4.2 | Free | v1.9.8 l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.9.19

05 articles Learn something new by

exploring Wikipedia in this clean, clear eReader app and bookmark your favourite articles.

HHHHH l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v2.3.5


57

EvEryday | group test

Photo EnhancEmEnt aPPs sex up your snaps with these feature-packed enhancement apps camEra+

The scale of features that this modestlypriced app offers makes your standard iPhone camera look like a disposable. Included in the package are all of the virtual apparatus you need to take the perfect picture – stabilisers to eradicate blur, grids to file down unsightly angles, 6x digital zoom, and loads of effects and filters. With this app you can make any throwaway snap look epic. Offers an incredible assortment of top-class features for a bafflingly-low price. l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v3.7.1


adobE PhotoshoP touch

snaPsEEd

This versatile app brings all of the mostused features from Adobe’s desktop Photoshop program (including layers, selection tools and filters), and places them into an intuitive interface that lets you edit and develop your images on the move. However, the lack of RAW support is going to hinder many pro snappers. A stunning package that provides considerable depth, all in an interface that brings magic to your fingertips.

Certainly one of the most popular photoediting apps available, Snapseed is now totally free, so you too can enjoy using well-implemented gestures to touch up your snaps. All functions can be performed manually or with the app itself determining the sharpness and hues of your images. You can also play with filters and share your images on social networks. A popular editing app with a great interface and original features.

l iPad | iOS 5.0 | £6.99/$9.99 | v1.4.1 l Android | OS 3.1 | £6.99/$9.99 | v1.4.1

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.5.1 l Android | OS 4.0 | Free | v1.4.1

group test | EvEryday

FiltErstorm Pro

PhotoForgE2

iPhoto

For professionals whose photos require that extra level of attention, this suite of tools provides unrivalled depth. Everything you could ever need is here – layers, colour correction, noise-reduction, sharpening, vignetting and much more, all delivered in an iPad interface that has been developed from the ground up to make for quick and easy image enhancement on no matter where in the world you are. Provides an extensive set of tools to make any image print-quality.

It is rare that a low-priced photo-editing app covers all bases in terms of the tools you need to bring magic to your images, but this one seemingly has everything. It has the clarity and vibrance controls lacking in Filterstorm, and the masking sorely absent in Photoshop Touch. What’s more, everything is accessible through a dock system that makes it quick and easy to edit. A brilliant all-round editing package that provides more tools than most other apps at a fraction of the price.

Apple’s own photo-enhancing box of tricks lets you browse and organise images on your device and iCloud, auto-tune pictures to make them look instantly more appealing and, of course, let you delve further into the fabric of the image to gently tweak and enrich the clarity with a wide range of effects and tools. Without doubt one of the best photo apps available. The staggering array of features provided by this app makes a mockery of the low asking price.

l iPad | iOS 4.2 | £10.49/$14.99 | v2.5.5

l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99 | v2.1.95

l iPhone+ | iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.1


59

EVERYDAY | REVIEW

ABOVE: There are plenty of vintage-style filters that more casual users will enjoy experimenting with

ABOVE: You can actually layer filters

over the top of each other for an even more striking effect

PIXLR EXPRESS PLUS

RIGHT: Some of the Overlay

effects that are available can have quite a startling impact on your photos

PIXLR-O-MATIC IS ALL GROWN UP PROS/CONS

▲ The interface is

slick and easy to use as an editor

▲ Impressive depth

and range in terms of effects and editing tools

▼ The sharing

features feel a little light on the ground

It’s always an interesting moment when an established name on the app market decides to change or extend what services it’s known for providing, and Autodesk’s Pixlr Express PLUS is the perfect example of this. Until now the Pixlr name has been solely tied to Pixlr-o-matic, the photo editing and sharing app that is more in the Instagram

▼ Saving larger

images can be a slow process

DOWNLOAD NOW!


mould of quick-fire filters and effects applying than a serious image editor. This new app though is a much more grown-up experience all round, designed to give the photo fiends of the iOS world something to spend a lot of time with, tweaking every aspect of their photos. At the same time though, the app is also crammed with the filters and overlays that made Pixlr a popular name in the first place. This then, is an attempt to strike a balance. From the moment you open the app you are struck with a sense that you’re meant to spend time within this app working with and on your photos. With extended use in mind, the interface has been made suitably fluid and sleek, with a simple bar of options in both the header and footer of the screen, the latter of which opens out with more options as you interact with it. It is in this footer menu that you will spend most of your time, as this is where you will find the various layers of edit that you can make to your photos. This is where you can, in a sense, make a choice about the type of editing you want to have. The Adjustments section deals very much with actual photo editing, allowing users to adjust

contrast and colours, as well as sharpen and blur parts of the image and create a focus point. There are in fact 13 individual edit options within this section alone, which demonstrates just how serious this app is as a photo editor, placing it alongside the likes of Snapseed and iPhoto as opposed to the more social apps like Instagram. Most interestingly though is the way Pixlr has found a way of incorporating such features without making the app feel any less fun or accessible. This is clearly being marketed at their current users, and wants to be seem as more of an upgrade than a complete replacement for Pixlr-o-matic. This has been achieved by the way in which users can apply the different tools on offer. Nothing is made over complicated or drawn out – the prime example is the Auto-Fix feature, which balances out colour for you in a single tap. Other features like Blur, Contrast and Brightness are controlled by the use of scroll bars. Simple, intuitive devices that allow you to be precise, but without feeling like you’ve used incredible precision in your screen interactions. It all comes back to the already mentioned idea of balance. Balance in the way the app’s interface has been

rEviEw | everydAy

How to…

Improve your photos in five steps 01 CApture The first thing you need to do is get your image, so either take one inapp or choose one from your Camera Roll.

02 Adjust

Above: Pixlr Express PLUS is a step up from Pixlr-o-matic with plenty more serious editing tools on offer

Above: There are tools to blur aspects of your photos to create a focal point within the image

“Pixlr ExPrEss PlUs has managEd is to crEatE somEthing that will tUrn thE hEads of thE dark room-loving Photo Editors” designed to support and enhance the great depth of features on offer, without ever overwhelming the users. This is why the layering of the menu and indeed the effects you can apply works so well. Even if this still sounds a bit heavy for the sort of image editing experience you’re looking for, Pixlr Express PLUS can still be of very good use to you. The other three editing sections all deal with more superficial aspect of your photos, from lens filters to dramatic overlays, as well as a range of borders with which to decorate your images. You will notice that a lot of the different filter packs need to be downloaded, and while this might take you by surprise the first time – it can suddenly seem like an in-app purchase from nowhere – this isn’t the case at all. All filters are available to all users. Having to download them is a space-saving and creating mechanism, and a lovely surprise, if we’re honest.

Having downloaded the filter and effect packs that interest you, users can also take the personalisation of the app a step further by collating together your favourite features within each area of the app. You can do this by tapping the favourite icon when using a filter or editing tool, and a thumbnail marked Favourites will then appear in that sections main tool list. What Pixlr Express PLUS has managed is to create something that will turn the heads of the dark room-loving photo editors without alienating those who just want to add a filter to their holiday photos. Apps like Snapseed have tried to strike this balance in the past, but this might just be the best attempt yet. Smart, sleek and intuitive, it has the power and depth to be your serious photo editor, or your social image tweaker.

Tap the Adjustments icon to make some deeper changes to your image, for example creating a focal point by blurring around something in the foreground.

03 Filters You can then choose from the seven groups of lens filters, each one themed and full of various interesting effects from you to sample.

04 overlAy The Overlay section contains some further cool watermarks and distinguishing ways to mark your photos.

05 border You can then finish off by adding a border to your photo for further effect. The film strip ones are particularly cool, we think.

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0.1

sHowCAse

Five of the best effects in Pixlr Express Plus

01 sHAAn

We really like this black and white filter that gives a seriously aged look to your photos. The vintage tinge is a nice touch and adds character to your images.

02 rAy

This is not something we had seen before, a combination of monochrome image and a colour Photo Boothstyle strip of areas of the main body photo.

03 Aubergine

One of the cool Tie Dye Overlays, this unusual effect brings an almost Gothic feel to photos, particularly those related to buildings and architecture.

04 Angry

One of the hazefilled, smoggy Smoke Overlays, the light centre of this effect creates a focal point, like tilt shift, as it is brighter than the rest of the image.

05 tidy

Add some Hollywood glamour to your pictures with the film reel effect. This filter creates the illusion your image is a negative or a cutting from a video reel.


61

EVERYDAY | REVIEW

FOODSTER

ANOTHER APP FOR THE KITCHEN: BUT CAN IT HANDLE THE HEAT?

Foodster is having to battle it out with a variety of apps, and attempts to do so using features that are designed to work together when you need help creating dishes. The recipes, which form the main content of the app, are numbered in the thousands and are sourced from many wellknown establishments, but this can mean that you often have to leave the app to read the full details. This is not a major problem because progress is slick, but just having to jump to the web from an app is not something we are used to seeing these days.

ABOVE: The presentation of the app, and particularly the food, is excellent

As you search for recipes, you can add all of the ingredients into your shopping list, which is also built in to the app, and you can share those that stand out using numerous methods. It all works well, and there is a sense that each part of the app is dependant upon the other sections, thus creating a professional environment for your cooking needs. The imagery shows off the food capably, and every part of the navigation is natural enough to not require any instructions. On the downside, we did encounter a few problems connecting to parts of the service at times, which has been acknowledged by the developer as being fixed. This degrades the experience a little, and is a shame because in almost every other area the balance of features and

ABOVE: You do have the leave the app often to read much of the content

presentation is as good as you could hope for. All of your devices will hold your personal choices via Google account synchronisation, and the fact that you can input ingredients into the app and then ask it to search for a recipe is a wonderful touch. If you have some leftovers, Foodster will help you to make the most of them and waste a lot less food in the future. Foodster is one of the best recipe apps we have ever used, and barring the occasional performance glitch, it could be the best around after future updates. As it stands, it’s excellent value for money. Everything you need to cook a variety of tasty meals. Needs some slight improvements, however. ● Android | OS 3.0 | £1.54/$2.49 | v1.1.5

ABOVE: Sharing recipes is quick and

easy, with many options available

Pros/Cons ▲ The images and

presentation are near-perfect

▲ A set of cleverly

implemented and useful features

▼ Jumping to the

web for content feels strange

▼ Performance could be improved in some areas

DOWNLOAD NOW!

ABOVE: The shopping list feature can be semi-automated

ALTERNATIVELY…

Turn culinary frowns upside down

01 EPICURIOUS

28,000 recipes presented alongside shopping list features. ● Android | OS 1.5 | Free | v1.0.1 ● iPhone+ | OS 4.0 | Free | v3.0.5


02 BBC GOOD FOOD

A small selection of free recipes, but the quality is superb. ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.7.1 ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.3

03 MY CHEF OFFLINE

If you prefer to cook simple dishes, this could be the app for you. It covers the basics, all the way through. ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.6

DRINK 04 MIXOLOGY RECIPES

Who’d have thought there could be so many? ● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.2.8 ● iPhone | OS 4.3 | Free | v4.0.2

RECIPES 05 HEALTHY SPARKRECIPES Great advice to eat healthily every day. ● Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v2.1.0 ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.4

REVIEW | EVERYDAY

BATTLESQUARE

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CITY USING FOURSQUARE CHECK INS AND BATTLESQUARE

ABOVE: Battles work very much like Risk, with dice rolls deciding the victor

Foursquare has quickly emerged as a favourite social network, allowing you to Check In at various locations around the world and share this information with friends. A social map shows you where you and your friends have been visiting, and with the app on your phone you can quickly find out who is nearby. Battlesquare takes this functionality and makes it into a game. Checking into a location in one of the world’s major cities allows you to capture it as a ‘territory’. Check into it again and you will add more ‘troops’ to your territory. However, if your friends check in, they will attack your territory, and attempt to take control. The mechanics work a lot like the board game Risk, with dice rolls deciding who wins and who loses. As time goes by and you visit more places, you’ll control more and more of a city, while your friends battle to wrestle control from you. The game works well, but sadly there are currently only a limited number of cities that are supported, and if you’re in the UK you’re out of luck unless you live in London. You can still play with friends in other locations, but the

ABOVE: As you play you’ll ABOVE: If you’re in a unlock achievements supported city, you’ll and win more territories see a map showing and troops territories map isn’t nearly as interesting and really you’ll just be rolling dice for fun. It’s a laugh when it works though, and if you’re looking for a more interesting way to use Foursquare this is undoubtedly it. A great way to add more fun to Foursquare, although it’s currently lacking in cities. ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1

UBERSOCIAL PRO FOR TWITTER THE SOCIAL NETWORKING CLIENT THAT HAS GOT IT ALL

Social networks are strange. Provided you sign up for an account, the provider of the service doesn’t care if you are using the service through their official app or a third-party one (though Twitter is changing this). This is why there are hundreds of client apps promising a more sophisticated way to use the service. UberSocial Pro initially looks and feels like the regular Twitter app, but tap the UberSocial logo and you instantly have access to your own superhero social network utility belt packed with simple, yet brilliant features. Pow! Inner Circle lets you quickly find tweets from friends and family. Blam! Log in to your Facebook account to see all the latest posts from your friends, effectively combining both services into one app. Whack! Mute users quickly with the tap of a button. You can also access these features by swiping left or right across the screen and, as you would expect, swipe down to refresh the content. Delve further into the settings and you’ll also discover that you can customise the interface with a wide range of themes to suite your mood. This really is the Twitter client that has thought of everything.

A Twitter app that provides a range of tools to manage your account(s). ● Android | OS 2.1 | £3.12/$3.99 | v2.2.5.0 ● iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.2.67

ABOVE: Touch the logo and a rack of useful new options appears


63

EvERyday | review

adrian James Boot CamP Inspired by the training routines used by professional fitness model and bit-part actor, Adrian James, Boot Camp is a fitness and workout app designed to get you toned and improve your core strength without equipment. It is, of course, ludicrous to assume that James himself didn’t use equipment when bolstering his own, Herculean frame, but that’s not important right now. As a fitness tool, it is hard to afford this app the respect it perhaps deserves due to the fact that James himself is portrayed within as a muscle-bound bimbo – flexed and chiselled staring out from the main menu, and then paraded around in his pants for the video exercise demonstrations. But to its credit, Boot Camp features 18 exercises, broken down into three different difficulty levels (complete with video tutorials), a workout mode with four randomized levels and a diet plan (although this does heavily promote James’ affiliated Promax products). And the attention to detail is impressive – the colour of the mat that James performs his routines on directly matches the difficulty of the exercise, which is a very nice touch. Also included in the package are links to James’s many social networks and a chart to monitor your progress. But it is very much the

varied selection of exercises (many of which we haven’t encountered in a workout app before) and the workouts, which you can customise to suit your own ability and goals, that make this great.

get Your bodY back in shape – in a big waY

A well-made and highly beneficial app. l iPhone | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.0 l Android | OS 2.2 | £0.69/$0.99 | v2.0.0

iYoga Premium

Yoga poses and how to do them 3D4Medical have already created some very eye-catching anatomy apps for iOS, and this latest release is no different. iYoga is a detailed demonstration of yoga poses so users can ensure that they carry out their moves properly. The app is the ideal companion for when you’re on the mat, as it comes with short video tutorials on all the poses shown on home screen list. Not only can you search by body area or even completely manually using the search bar, there is a clever scroll bar that shows you the active muscles of each pose. This means you can search out poses to suit specific areas that you would like to work on. The app also breaks down poses by difficulty so you can ease yourself in if you’re new to the exercise. As well as the audio and video instructions, each pose comes with text guides to a pose, walking you through the entire process. The app also contains entire programs for you to work through, themed to serve different purposes, and users can even create their own.


Right: The app contains more than 190 different poses that you can put together into your own routines Visually, iYoga looks engaging; the only thing you may notice is the large amounts of dead, black space on the screen, especially when you’re viewing an animation. Beside that the muscle detail is impressive, and this is something we have come to expect from the developer.

Great detail in the animation and muscle system, with some nice personalization settings where you can create your own sessions to suit your needs. l iPad | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0

When I GroW Up… WIKIlInKs Storybooks for children could be heading for an early death if apps like this are anything to go by, taking a great narrative and allowing for interactive elements that a paper page could never recreate. Even those skeptical about such things would be won over by a book that centres on a boy chatting with his mum about his ambitions for the future, and yet lets you add a photo to allow you to become either character. Include a photo of your child and you will see them grow up and how they look working different jobs, from doctor to teacher, zookeeper, and more.

Wikipedia remains a premier and rather accurate resource for the information hungry, and Wikilinks makes navigating through the incredible amount of data online much easier than via the website itself. It lets you access your search results, view articles of the day and have an email sent with suggestions, view articles that relate to the ones you enjoy reading, and it delivers it all in a format that is tailored for your device and so ensures navigation is made easy. We love the dice function that randomises articles and plucks interesting pieces out for you.

Beautiful illustrations and concepts combine for an app that will spark your child’s imagination.

As well as Wikipedia, it also scours Wiktionary, YouTube and the web for the ultimate in referencing.

l iPad | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.0

l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99 | v1.1

the vIdeo CooKbooK

Cooking doesn’t come easily to everyone. Videos are a great way to show how a dish should be made, and even if you are something of a seasoned cook, you will find your skills are more than enhanced with this app’s 124 recipes, all in glorious HD and with beautiful images. There is a good choice of meals; as well as mains, you can grab a snack, choose sides, slurp soup and gobble delicious deserts. A photo shows you the dish, tells you how hard it is to make, and whether it will feed the 5,000.

Appetising recipes and clear instructions – most of the time. l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £3.99/$5.99 | v1.4 l Android | OS 2.0 | £3.99/$5.99 | v1.2

grow your own garden

01 kingdom of plants

Learn about the life of plants with naturalist David Attenborough. HHHHH

l iPad | iOS 5.0 | £7.99/$11.99 | v1.2.1

02 vegetable planting calendar Don’t forget when to plant your herbs and vegetables with this reminder app.

KUvva Wallpapers

KItCam

All iOS devices look the same, so individualising them can distinguish your handset from the masses. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to have a new image on your lock screen or homepage and, rather than rely on those builtin, using an app such as Kuvva to provide some beautiful alternatives. Here are some incredible images produced by some very talented artists and photographers. Whether you are after a comic book character, moody Earth scene, or animal, these are images to get others talking.

Being creative with your photos and videos lifts them above standard point-and-click shots. KitCam is an editing tool for all things visual, giving 30 different files, 18 frames and 13 lenses to play with. Although the levelling tool doesn’t work quite as well as it should, the feature-laden nature of KitCam more than makes up for it. That it does so with an interface as easy to navigate as this makes it all the more satisfying. Images can be taken from your Camera Roll or from scratch, through the app, and the latter lets you apply effects and filters before you get snap-happy.

Constantly updated with new art, you can build collections and share. Beautiful.

It tries to be everything for everyone and it succeeds to a large degree.

l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.1

l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.2

pICsplay pro

We wouldn’t say PicsPlay Pro would blow you away: it does what a lot of other photo editing packages do, whether it be cropping, filtering, editing or adding textures. But it does make for easy editing (and undoing) and, indeed, when it comes to cropping it does so with gusto offering a host of ratios, giving a real-time preview and letting you twist and turn images with ease. The filters are great, the textures allow for fine tuning and everything can be saved or sent via social media. It’s hard to stand out in this field but simplicity can win out.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | Free | v1

03 mysoil View a map of your area to find out the soil quality, including PH, texture and soil depth and other data.


04 flowersnap garden design Visualise how your flower

garden will look even before you plant the bulb with this AR landscaping app.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | Free | v1.1.0

You can’t create or control filters but there are loads to choose from and editing is a breeze.

05 grow your own Top horticultural advice for

l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0 l Android | OS 2.2 | £2.55/$3.99 | v2.9.7

HHHHH

first time gardeners with location-aware reminders about frost and drought.

l iPhone | iOS 3.1.3 | Free | v1.1


65

WORK | GROUP TEST

GET INSPIRED AT WORK ESSENTIAL APPS FOR BRAINSTORMING AND IDEA DEVELOPMENT


GROUP TEST | WORK PROOF

CONCEPT

MINDJET TASKS

Feedback can be one of the largest speed bumps in any project, but Proof seeks to make this process easy and instantaneous. Best suited to visual creative projects such as art or web design, Proof allows you to highlight areas of interest on an image. Using droplets – similar to those used on Google Maps to display locations – you can mark a position on a project and insert a comment or critique, then share them with others. Unfortunately, the app’s interface is rather awkward and the help guide is confusing, but once you get used to the app, it is very useful. Ideal for a collaborative project, Proof lets you give people direction and encouragement.

When an idea strikes you, scribble it on a post-it note in Concept, then develop it by adding in an additional notes, images and arrows to connect them together. Concept works well for both in-the-moment group brainstorming and the slow germination of an idea, building up your board in time. The app is very gesture responsive and you can simply drag and drop items across the canvas, rotating your finger to change the direction of selected arrows. Concept’s main failing is its sharing options, limited to exporting PDFs via email or to your Camera Roll. Use this blank board to brainstorm, then flesh out ideas with sticky notes and more.

Designed for smartphones, Mindjet knows how to make the most of limited screen space. As well as being able to pinch zoom in and out of your spider diagram, the tangential subtopics retract inside larger ones with a simple tap. Mindjet’s graphics are rather basic, but you can bold, italicise and change the colour of fonts and the background. The menu options are very intuitive, with a slider menu and a gesture pad that allows you to apply tools and effects by drawing simple symbols. Create mind maps on the move with an app specifically tailored for the smaller screen.

● iPad | iOS 5.1 | £2.49/$3.99 | v1.0.2

● iPad | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.2.1

● Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v3.0 ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.1

GRAFIO – DIAGRAMS & IDEAS

MEETING MINUTES

PAPER BY FIFTYTHREE

Grafio offers a wide range of diagrams to help you visualise your ideas. From flow charts to Venn diagrams and many more besides, Grafio includes various shapes filed by diagram type in the side menu that you can then insert and organise according to your needs. You can also insert images and attach audio notes to help you express your ideas in anyway that you like. The app also allows you to adjust the size of your canvas, so that once you’ve developed your idea you can export your diagram and present it as an A2-A5 doc or as a webpage. Make impressive flow charts with ease using the smart interface and smooth touch controls.

Some of the best ideas are forgotten before they can be written down. Meeting Minutes is designed to organise meetings, but it also allows you to type notes and make audio recordings of what you discuss. You can also sketch ideas and draw diagrams in a freehand mode and save your images in-app. Any documents you have related to your project can be imported into the app so that they are all saved in the same place for easy access. The board room-like interface also allows you to keep a record of who is present. Audio record your brainstorming and import any related notes into this app to keep them safe.

Create sketches, diagrams, drawings or notes in this blank canvas app. While offering so many uses, Paper by FiftyThree doesn’t get bogged down with endlessly customisable settings and only includes essential tools such as a pen, pencil and paint brush. From a design perspective, these tools mimic their real life counterparts beautifully, with actual brush strokes in paintings and darker pencil marks the harder you press you stylus. Create multiple books for each of your projects and share them on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and via email. Quickly and simply express ideas in whatever medium you prefer.

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £6.99/$9.99 | v2.5.1

● iPad | iOS 5.0 | £2.99/ $4.99 | v2.2

● iPad | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2.5


67

WORK | REVIEW

ABOVE: The organiser wheel has different segments in which you can compartmentalise your various tasks and to-dos

SOONER PROS/CONS

▲ No complicated

data fields to fill in

▲ An attractive

and functional interface

▼ The price seems

slightly high for a productivity app

▼ iCal is the only

possible calendar sync option

DOWNLOAD NOW!

ABOVE: The reminders that you have set for tasks appear on your display in the form of push notifications

REINVENTING THE WHEEL IN THE NAME OF PRODUCTIVITY

The day humanity truly became an innovative race was the day the wheel was invented. To say it has served us well over time is an understatement, but its necessity today is as strong as ever – even in the digital age. This is emphasised by the interface and functionality of Sooner, which formats all your to-dos and scheduling into two wheels that you can personalise as you wish. The app is impressively gesture-friendly, with the process of adding new notes, to-dos and tasks undertaken by dragging the central plus icon outwards into one of the relevant segments of the wheel. You can add and edit these sections to suit your life and way of working – the only thing that’s ever-present is the wheel.

INTERVIEW: DIMA ORLOV Sooner’s developer takes us through the development process of a productivity app


There’s a short tutorial that runs when you first open the app, and this details the main functions of Sooner, and how gestures are key to all your actions. The basic layout of the app is pretty straightforward; a segmented wheel that fills the majority of the screen, broken down into different sections including Profession, Ideas and Tasks. The plus icon at the centre of the wheel can be dragged outwards into any of the sections in order to add a new item to any of the list. There are some nice little touches to make this simple adding process more streamlined and concise, in that depending on how far

into a segment you drag, you can set an item as high priority. There is a darker – coloured section that if dragged into automatically makes an item high priority, changing the text colour to red. When it comes to data input you can also have a say in how urgent an item is by adding reminders or deadlines to them in a single tap from the text input screen. The app will switch to a calendar view so you can set a deadline and how long before that you would like to be reminded about it. It’s seamless to set up, and instantly makes you feel productive and organised – even if the layout is not very traditional.

“THERE’S A REAL LOGIC… THAT MAKES YOUR DAY LOOK CRYSTAL CLEAR AND EASY TO DIGEST”

WHAT WAS IT THAT LED YOU TO CREATE A PRODUCTIVITY APP IN THE FIRST PLACE? The basic idea behind Sooner was to develop a revolutionary, easy, and agile app for planning time and tasks with two main characteristics: great design (as we also believe that design will save the world) and intellectuality, to simplify the decision-making process (not yet implemented, but we have great plans on it, starting with automatic recommendations of the most important tasks based on user’s priorities and deadlines).

THE INTERFACE IS VERY UNIQUE; HOW DID YOU SETTLE ON ITS DESIGN? We started with two objectives: ‘less forms, more gestures’ and ‘agile with core functionality’. All major actions should be intuitive and fast. At the same time, the app should satisfy different productivity styles and provide

fundamental features. We understood that major taskmanagers did not satisfy those requirements, due to their general form. They were either too complex, or didn’t provide the functionality. My colleague, creator of the popular personal finance app CoinKeeper, suggested the wheel-like form for a to-do list, as the centre of a circle is always the same distance to the circumference. So we came up with that dragging functionality, with the distance defining importance of the task. Wheel form was a great start, as it is good for viewing both a catalogue of projects and a timeline. Moreover it is symbolic, and is associated with a wheel of life. You have all the life spheres on one wheel, and are able to control the time flow on the other wheel. But a real challenge was to implement other functions while keeping it quick-to-use. I spent a month working on the design of the first version before development started.

review | work

How to…

Create and sync tasks across wheels 01 Create Start by creating your new item; this is done by dragging the plus icon outwards from the centre of the wheel, remembering that where you drop also dictates the level of priority.

02 reminder

aboVe: Tapping the segments produces their aboVe: Drag the plus icon away from the reminders in a list format centre to add an item to a section As well as this general area of idea and reminder uploading, Sooner has a second layer to aid with organisation in the form of a day planner. This works in much the same way as the first section, except that instead of themed segments the edge of the wheel is filled with the hours of the day, and you can drag and drop your tasks and schedule into it in the same way as the organiser wheel. The app also allows you to adjust the timing of your various appointments using a precise clock tool, and for your weekly meetings at work you can apply the repeat setting so that it will repeat as often as you set it to. There’s a real logic to the app that makes your day look crystal clear and easy to digest, and it’s down to the simple and clean, yet unique, way that Sooner presents your schedule and organiser in two separate areas of the app. Impressively though, it is possible to fuse and link the two should you wish to do so. On your organiser wheel, when you tap a segment to open it fullscreen and view all the items on that list, you can tap, hold and then drag any item to

the top of the screen and it will then drop into your schedule, still colourcoded and ready for you to set a time for it. This means that even when you’re day is jam-packed and you only have time to check your schedule, the key parts of your organiser are still visible. Sooner also supports iCal syncing so you can have all your key day planners on one screen, further emphasising just how good a task manager Sooner is. This is an app that is built around a unique interface presentation, but has smart and simple functionality to match, meaning that although the layout will be new to all users, you will be instantly familiar and confident using it. And in the productivity app market, where everything is about speed and accuracy, Sooner has given itself a terrific head start with the way it has been designed, and how it functions. Just like the original wheel, the simplest design is the most triumphant and useful; Sooner follows that mantra.

Next you must enter your text, and you can also set a reminder for the task. Don’t set a deadline at this stage, as it will prevent you being able to add it to your schedule.

03 View Having input your task to be reminded about, you should now see it appear on your organiser wheel. Tap the section to open it fullscreen with a list of all related reminders.

04 SHare Tap and hold on the reminder you want to add to your schedule and the header will change to allow you to add the item to your schedule wheel. It will remain colourcoded from the organiser segment it was in.

l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0.1

How and wHy do you tHink Sooner SolveS iPHone Productivity ProblemS? There are plenty of techniques to become more organised with Sooner. Some of them are pointed out on our site www.dosooner.com – see the Productivity tips section. Sooner is very agile; it allows you to capture tasks and events, set reminders to free your head from unnecessary must-not-forget worries, and plan deadlines. For those who want to be extremely efficient, it allows easy-but-precise time planning. With the use of the timeboxing technique, you can plan to the minute.

wHy did you decide to Have two SeParate ‘wHeelS’? Two wheels work well together, providing flexibility. One wheel is a backlog of all your tasks and ideas, the other one is used for precise time-planning. With such a combination you can have a number of not-to-forget tasks in backlog with some of them tightly connected to time-slots. And the connection is added very easily – just drag-and-drop a task from the project to the time-wheel. They can be used separately, but together they provide great opportunities for precise time-management.

did you take inSPiration from anywHere?

wHicH aSPectS of tHe interface were you moSt determined to get rigHt, and wHy?

It was more of a very logical and meticulous process, rather than through inspiration. I just tried to make an app that I would love to use myself, that could be used for the easiest time-planning.

I can’t distinguish one thing as more important than another. All aspects are important as together they build a whole picture. Every little detail of the interface is influenced by general decisions.

05 time Having dropped it into the schedule wheel you can now adjust the start and end time to suit you and your day.

tHere iS a recommendationS Section tHat iS not yet acceSSible. wHat can you tell uS about it? The idea is for the app to analyse information on users’ priorities, deadlines and so on, and then suggest tasks based on this information. The first step was to develop the tool for collecting information; the second was to add recommendations. The first version of recommendations will be available in January. It will automatically build agendas on the schedule wheel, based on the user’s data. But we have even more great ideas on increasing app’s intellectuality and automating the users’ decision making

can we exPect more uPdateS in tHe future? Sure. Recommendations will be available in the near future. After that we will expand calendar synchronisation functionality, add notes, cloud synchronisation, and some other cool features.


69

WORK | REVIEW

ABOVE: Your information is stored in easy-to-see segments

ABOVE: Remember to make the lock as secure as possible

ONESAFE

KEEP YOUR WHOLE LIFE SAFE INSIDE YOUR iPAD Just stop to think about it: exactly how many accounts, bank cards and store cards, passwords and myriad other details do you actually have? How many do you use regularly? More importantly – how many do you forget all about? Add to that all the additional details such as car or home insurance, temporary reservation codes or work notes – it all adds up. OneSafe can help with that. Any set of numbers or details you might ever need to remember or refer to – however unimportant they may be – can be recreated and stored behind the vault of this app. You’ll need to set a password or unlock method to access all the details and, as simple as that, all your most important details are

HOW TO… ADD TO ONESAFE

Lock your information down

01 ADD

safe. It will require a bit of effort on your part, though, by recreating each of those important details in digital form. It might seem a little risky – but it’s more protected than your wallet. Once everything is set up, however, using oneSafe is a breeze. Pre-built templates mean it’s more than locked note creation software, with customisable folders for particular aspects of your life. There is a bevy of features, too, such as zoom functions for every bit of stored text or the option to copy them to then use online should it be needed. There’s even a second ‘double-secure’ section that requires another passcode for particularly sensitive information. And while there is a fear that this app could expose

Start by selecting the Add button at the top of the screen, which will create a drop-down menu that lists different card templates for you to choose from.


02 WALLET & ADMIN

Select the option you want to create. The majority of options you’ll want are in Wallet & admin, but website accounts will appear under Username.

all your secrets should your iPad be pinched – the onus lies with you to create a secure enough lock – oneSafe does everything it needs to. And there’s more. OneSafe can even be linked to iCloud to ensure all your files are kept under lock and key, while the option to keep files – from word documents to songs and pictures – all behind the app’s entry barrier means it covers all aspects of your life. OneSafe manages to organise your life and protect your sensitive details better than any app before. You have a digital life now – best to keep it safe. One of the best security apps out there, and a must-have for anyone with an active digital life. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.1 | £3.99/$5.99 | v2.0.6

03 TEMPLATE

Once you are on this page, you can specify the template you want – such as Credit Card, ID Card or Driving License – and move on to the next step.

04 INFORMATION

In the next screen you should fill out the various required details. Where necessary, make sure to use your physical copy for reference so you get details perfect.

Pros/Cons ▲ Plenty of

customisation options

▲ Enough templates

to fulfil any aspect of your life

▼ Requires time and patience to set up

▼ Could use a perma-

lock feature in case your device is lost

DOWNLOAD NOW!

05 DONE

Once all necessary details have been completed, click Done in the top-right corner and the card or note will be added to the main screen of the app.

revieW | work

Genius scan

The fully-funcTioning scanner ThaT fiTs in your pockeT comes To android Now you may be wondering what makes a scanning app a scanning app, rather than just the camera on your Android device. Although we can’t speak for every professed scanning app, Genius Scan certainly boasts an impressive array of features to help differentiate between the two. To start the scanning process, all you have to do is tap the camera icon and then start lining up the document you wish to scan. This is where the ‘genius’ bit comes in, because the app will detect the page frame and correct the perspective, enhance the scan with colour or black and white post-processing, and then save it as a PDF or JPEG ready for you to bundle it off to your required destination. It’s a swift process and is particularly handy for archiving receipts, storing notes and scanning printed pages – which you can then annotate and forward (via an extensive range of mediums, including email, Dropbox and Facebook) if you need to. If you activate the Wi-Fi sharing feature then you can also access all of your Genius Scan documents stored on your computer.

We plan on keeping Genius Scan. on our device permanently; this is the high regard in which we hold it. For providing a convenient means of easily scanning documents with crystal-clear results, we love Genius Scan. l Android | OS 2.2 | £0.89/$1.09 | v1.1 l iPhone | iOS 5.1 | Free | v3.1.5

ToDoisT: To do lisT, Task lisT WanT To manage your life more effecTively? Then avoid This app As we know, there are thousands of task management apps available on Google Play, each clambering for your attention with ever more evolving functionality. So how does this particular one stand out? By going backwards and actually removing features that you would consider essential. Through a relatively basic interface, you can swipe right to see your schedule for the current day or the next week, and then create new projects by tapping on the pencil icon. After giving your project a name, you can then create a series of tasks within. Maybe we’re too forward-thinking, but a prerequisite for any task management app has to be the option to set specific time frames for your tasks, right? In Todoist you can set up a project and then enter a list of tasks to accompany it. You can even assign an applicable date to your task. But then you hit rock and there is no more beneficial depth to the app. You can’t set when an appointment needs to start and you can’t set deadlines for when things need to be achieved by. So ultimately this app presents you with a list of goals for the day, but with no clues beyond that – no alerts, no nothing – so completing the tasks relies on you remembering what needs to be done, thus

eradicating the need for this app in the first place. We know this is a free version of a premium app, but the evidence here suggests no upgrading will not be taking place.

Painfully thin on features and benefits. l Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v0.5.5.1 l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | Free | v5.2


71

Handy note

keep track of your dates

01 awesome calendar

Syncing across all your calendars, write to-do lists and attach photo reminders with this top app. HHHHH

HandyBank

offIceSuIte Pro 6

HandyBank is designed to work with the Moneydance desktop app, making your financial information mobile – and overall it does a very good job. The set-up process is a little cumbersome and takes time, but once completed the interface and speed at which the app works creates a positive and reassuring effect. You can synchronise your data via Dropbox or Wi-Fi and hold as many accounts and transactions as you like, so enough flexibility is built in for most users. This is a good solution for those who are serious about their finances.

If you need to manage and create Office documents on the go, there are a few choices open to you. OfficeSuite Pro 6 is designed to let you deal with all of the popular file types and to let you share your work with anyone using an Office-compatible software solution. The number of features is huge and everything you could possibly need is included, but at times it can feel difficult to use as so much is available to you. Synchronisation worked well with the occasional glitch, but overall we were impressed with this solution.

A solution that will serve most users well. The synchronisation is especially useful.

A capable and complex Office app that should give you every feature you need.

l Android | OS 2.2 | £0.64/$0.99 | v4.2

l Android | OS 2.1 | £3.71/$6.01 | v1.6.2.546

l Android | Varies | £9.19/$14.99 | Varies

Send It Pro

taSkS

toucH calendar

Handy Note is primarily designed to let you quickly take handwritten notes and to manage them in any way you like. The design is subtly clean and the interface is logical to navigate, but the main barrier will be that many people prefer to type notes, for a variety of reasons. This type of app can be difficult to use on a smartphone in particular, and even though the writing mechanism is clever and designed to aid writing on a smaller screen, our reservations remain with regards to overall practicality. You will either love it or ignore it. A clever handwriting solution that works well, but may only be useful for a minority.

l iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v3.0.2

02 jorte calendar Voice command this

customisable calendar with cloud backup and widgets.

HHHHH l Android | OS 2.1 | Free | v1.4.18 l iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | Free | v1.0.5

03 business calendar free Easily drag and drop events around your calendar when your schedule changes.

HHHHH l Android | OS 2.0.1 | Free | v1.3.0.3free

04 calenmob All of Google Calendar’s

features redesigned for your iPhone.


05 pocket life calendar Add style to your schedule

with this calendar’s range of background wallpapers.

Send It Pro is supposed to utilise SMS – still the most common sharing platform of all – and to let you share files via Google Drive links with anyone. The file will be uploaded to Google Drive and the link sent to the recipient at the same time, a synchronicity that should speed up your sharing dramatically. It works well, but there are a few taps required to send each file, and it would be nice to see the process streamlined a little. However, overall we were generally impressed with the ingenuity of this app because of its originality.

A clever solution that lets you send links to large files via SMS in one go.

Task managers are incredibly common, but few are as clean and easy to use as Tasks. It is designed to work perfectly with the Google Tasks system, and the more you use it, the harder it becomes to imagine a faster, easier solution. It is easy to understand in the first instance, and takes seconds to add a new task via the app or included widgets. If ever there was a case for a third-party app to be bundled as part of the main Android operating system, this is surely the best example. It’s as close to perfect as we can say.

Touch Calendar is designed to let you see all of your calendars with one glance. The idea makes sense, but on smaller smartphone screens busy calendars can be very difficult to read, thus requiring the functionality to select individual dates to view in more detail. Also, performance can be slow at times, but there is still a sense that care has been taken in the visual design and the way in which everything works. This app will be ideal for some, but many may find it a little too tricky to handle during their busy periods.

A near-perfect and efficient task manager on every level.

A clever idea, but one that suffers from lots of crowding and slow performance.



l Android | OS 2.3 | £1.79/$2.89 | v1.4

l Android | OS 2.2 | £0.99/$0.99 | v1.3.6

l Android | OS 1.1.25 | £1.85/$2.95 | v2.0

It’s a jungle out there. Swing through it

Directory

TM

The definitive review listings for iPad, iPhone and Android apps

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GAmes | group test

ArcAde GAmes reborn We pit classic arcade characters against each other and see Which one has adapted best to the smartphone generation


GROUP TEST | GAMES

STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN MOBILE

SONIC JUMP

Capcom’s biggest brawlers duke it on in this tag-team crossover. The graphics have massively improved since Street Fighter IV Volt, with fluidly animated characters and backgrounds. The on-screen controls are simpler than the arcade interface, with one Punch button, one Kick button, an X button to swap fighters and a Special button, which helps to keep the screen uncluttered. Despite having two franchises to draw from, the initial release only included ten characters, but recent updates have added more to the melee. The graphics are close to console quality and the streamlined controls are highly functional, but multiplayer tends to lag.

Sega have ported many classic Sonic adventures to the App Store and Google Play, but Sonic Jump is an original game. It breaks with the traditional side scrolling, instead having our speedy blue hedgehog-hero move vertically up the screen, jumping from platform to platform. Double-tapping makes Sonic jump higher and tilting the screen directs which way he flies, making for some innovative gameplay. You also have the choice to play in either Story or Arcade Mode, the former consisting of a quest to defeat the evil Dr. Eggman, the latter is endless jumping in an effort to reach a high score. This original game makes the most of your device’s features with crisp graphics and tilt controls.

● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.01.00

● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1

FROGGER FREE

ASTROBLAST

Guide Frogger to safety by telling him when to cross rush hour traffic, and then jump from floating log to log back to his riverside home in this port of the Eighties classic. The thick green border around the outside of this game is supposed to represent an arcade console, complete with a touchscreen joystick, making the actual game feel very small and wasted the lavish space of our Samsung Galaxy SIII. However, the joystick controls themselves were very smooth and responsive and the Phantom Frogger mode (in which you compete against the ghost of your own best time) enhanced the gameplay. Between the limited gameplay and the miniature screen, Frogger does not encourage repeat gaming. ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | Free | v1.0.1 ● Android | OS 1.6 | Free | v1.1.5

ASPHALT 7: HEAT

While this game has an unfair advantage in that it was always designed for intuitive touchscreen gaming, the Asphalt series is the heir to classic arcade games such as Ridge Racer. Tilt-steer 60 sports cars on tracks set in capital cities around in the world, with both the cars and locales looking great on Retina display. Race in leagues, complete goals, earn cash from racing to upgrade your cars for extra speed or race against up to five friends on a local network. The multiplayer option has been improved, so it is very smooth to use, and you can now compare stats. Stunning graphics render real-world sports cars to enjoy in arcade and multiplayer races. ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.6 ● Android | Varies | £0.69/$0.99 | Varies

PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION

No compilation of arcade games would be complete without PacMan. The mechanics of this game mimic the original – but this version is much faster. The screen has also been split in two, so that when you eat all the fruit on the left-hand side a bonus appears on the right. When eaten, this regenerates the cleared side of the maze. Complete missions or compare scores with online players. The controls are not quite reactive enough, but the split-screen gameplay adds something new. ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.2.3 ● Android | OS 1.5 | £2.53/ $3.99 | v1.0.9

BOMBERMAN TOUCH 2 – VOLCANO PARTY

Asteroids in all but name – in AstroBlast you play the part of a dart-shaped spaceship shooting at 2D asteroids and flying saucers as they zip through space. There is even a touchscreen joystick that can swivel your spaceship clockwise and anticlockwise. In the right-hand corner, there is a button to give your ship forward momentum and another that gives you three emergency pulse blasts that destroy all asteroids on screen if you find yourself overrun. While puritans would say these classic controls add to the skill of the game, they are immensely frustrating and there is no reason why you couldn’t just trace a path and double-tap for the pulse blast. Fans will be impressed by how closely this app imitates the Atari legend, but others might say it’s stuck in the past.

In this modern adaptation of the iconic bombardier, you are trapped inside an underground temple and have to race through three automatically scrolling levels to get to the boss at the end, staying one step ahead of an advancing pillar of flame. All in all, this gives Bomberman an action-puzzle quality, but if you prefer there is also a classic Versus mode where you fight against three other bombermen. This mode supports Bluetooth multiplayer for two players, which means you still have to faceoff against two AIs. This sequel harnesses the power of the d-pad for precise control. Bomberman Touch 2 massively improves on its predecessor, but still has a lot of room for improvement.

● Android | OS 2.0 | Free | 2.0.4.3

● iPhone | iOS 3.0 | £2.49/ $3.99 | v2.1

CRAZY TAXI

The Dreamcast classic in which you play a lunatic taxi driver has been faithfully ported. The graphics on this 14-year-old game are starting to date, with a mix of chunky objects and blurry details, but as you get caught up in the rush of ferrying passengers you quickly overlook this. With only a minute to rake in the cash in Arcade mode, and time being extended slightly every time you drop someone off, manoeuvrable controls are everything. A combination of buttons and double-taps make use of device’s functionality but are imprecise for weaving through traffic. While the mechanics are behind the times, its fast pace and sense of humour still make it great fun. ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.2

SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE

Infinity Gene gives you a brief glimpse of the 1978 original before switching to the new game. Defeating invaders earns you upgrades including extra lives and new weapons. These ‘evolutions’ are necessary to keep up with the onslaught of invaders, which also take on new forms and abilities. Beyond the 30 stages, the game will also generate new levels set to the beat of music on your device, adding unique gameplay just for you. Infinity Gene is a virulent new strain in arcade gaming. ● iPhone+ | iOS 3.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v4.1.4 ● Android | OS 2.1 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.0.3


75

GAMES | REVIEW

ABOVE: The opening sequence that shows off the scale and frenetic pace

ABOVE: Auto-aim helps overcome the sometimes clumsy controls

MODERN COMBAT 4: ZERO HOUR THE MOBILE WORLD’S ANSWER TO CALL OF DUTY IS BACK PROS/CONS

▲ Looks great,

with plenty of epic, cinematic gameplay

▲ The multiplayer is wonderfully addictive and competitive

▼ The dialogue does get irritating after a while

▼ Still some issues with guns and clumsy controls

DOWNLOAD NOW!

There are plenty of firstperson shooters out there that want to be regarded as the number one on the mobile platform, and arguably the Modern Combat franchise has the strongest claim to that crown. Now on the fourth instalment of the series, the Call of Duty-esque cinematics and chaotic combat are once again well translated to the smaller, mobile screen alongside some new and innovative tweaks designed to take the game closer to the console experience. The most telling of these ‘upgrades’ is the game engine itself, with impressive object animation and some new ragdoll effects. Be sure to also watch out for the odd flying body part when you take out enemies. There have also been notable improvements in the audio, with

the battlefield sounding more realistic than ever, and money has been spent on the voice acting to make the whole experience that little bit more epic. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue is over-the-top and downright distracting and annoying. The improvements were a necessary step, but this sounds like the developers have overdone it slightly. The early mission where you play as terrorist Edward Page is a prime example. While it’s a cool change of perspective to suddenly be playing as the bad guys, too much of the level’s soundtrack is dedicated to Page’s mad ramblings and over-exaggerated metaphors about how much he enjoys being the bad guy.

“BE SURE TO… WATCH OUT FOR THE ODD FLYING BODY PART WHEN YOU TAKE OUT ENEMIES”

THE GAME HAS BEEN GIVEN SOME FRESH POLISH WITH THE HAVOK GAME ENGINE. WHAT CAN PLAYERS EXPECT?

INTERVIEW:

ALEX CHARBONNEAU & ARNAUD BONNARD

We chat to the lead game designer and HQ producer of Zero Hour


This isn’t the only issue either, with the previously mentioned ragdoll effects also guilty of being overzealous – particularly in certain kill situations. Take out an enemy crouched behind cover and sometimes they fly upwards as if hit by an electric current. It’s great to see more realistic reactions to heavyduty weapons, but this looks and feels like a glitch. While these are flaws that it is possible to get past quite quickly, the one that may take some time and perseverance is the control system. This has long been the sticking point with first-person shooters on mobile devices; accuracy tends to go out of the window until you’ve racked up a fair amount of

AB: Yes, it was a great step for us to add this famous physics engine to the game! Our main goal with this was to work on the death animations, which are a core element of any FPS. Before, they were created with hand-made animations, so we couldn’t have too many of them. It therefore created a fake feeling. The addition of Havok allows us to be far more realistic here; depending on the weapon you use or your grenade orientation, the reaction will be adjusted. It creates some impressive moments when you play. We’re now testing it to push that to other fields – there are lots of things we can apply physics to in the game!

TIME HAS ALSO BEEN SPENT ON IMPROVING THE VOICE ACTING AND THE SOUND EFFECTS. WHAT WAS DONE DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME AROUND?

AB: Thanks for noticing. Our voice acting was criticised in the past, so for Modern Combat 4, we worked with a studio from the film industry. We created deeper script documents, described the background of the characters even more, added lots of barks (all the small words that you hear in the middle of the action that aren’t related to the story itself). All of is deeply thought out, and with the new actors it had a stronger resonance than previous episodes.

THE MULTIPLAYER HAS ALSO HAD A BIT OF A FACELIFT – WHAT WAS THE THINKING BEHIND THAT?

AC: Indeed, we redesigned the skill system now called ‘specializations’, added new multiplayer maps, a new party system to easily play with your friends, and a brand new multiplayer armoury that allows you to fully customise your weapons. Playing Modern Combat is lots of fun, we want it to be the uncontested reference for an FPS game!

Review | GaMeS

ShowcaSe

Five Things to look out for 01 Scenery There is a great array of stunning environments in Zero Hour for you to blow up in the heat of battle.

02 Bad GuyS

playing time. The issue comes when you’re trying to aim, move and fire in a fluid motion, and the truth is it isn’t really possible. There is an auto-aim feature that helps lock onto the bad guys when you get close with your crosshairs, but there is still a clumsiness about the whole set-up. Perhaps best emphasised by the location of the grenade button so close to the shooting one – you’ll soon to get used to accidentally flinging a grenade into an empty room or against the cover you’re hiding behind. There is an option to change the controls in the Settings menu, notably to a dual-joystick setup, mimicking a console layout, but this still isn’t smooth enough to feel comfortable. It’s also less responsive. Putting these issues aside though it shouldn’t be forgotten how good a game this is. The Modern Combat series has always set itself high standards, and it once again the case here, and in many ways it does meet those standards. In terms of experience you will go a long way to see better on a smartphone or tablet, and the Campaign mode has a great range of settings, weapons and suitable levels of carnage to keep adrenaline-seeking gamers happy. The multiplayer system is also a joy, having been overhauled to now

offer a fantastic array of statistics and customisation options that pretty much usurp the single player mode. Users can change their weapon arrangement, using the points gathered in combat to upgrade their arsenal and lay it out as they wish. There is also a very impressive number of game types and locations to try out. There are leaderboards for the general community, the game you are playing, and for among your friendship group to give you various different ways to get competitive – and the whole thing is held together by a stats homepage that shows your current ‘form’ (read: how many people you’re killing). While it may have its imperfections, Zero Hour is definitely a step forward for the series, with the gameplay and physics creeping closer to console quality. Gameloft will no doubt continue to add new layers to the game engine and hopefully rein in some of the dialogue, to keep players coming back to this world, because there are plenty of reasons to. Trips itself up in places, but is still an epic way to liven up your casual gaming night alone or with friends.

You get to see things from both sides by also playing the villain of the piece, Edward Page, fighting off the US military.

03 InteractIvIty There are some cool interactive features such as having to type on keyboards in-game, as well as taking control of drones.

04 actIon Just like its predecessors, Zero Hour is a chaotic and bullet-riddled experience that completely fills your screen.

l iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.0.0 l Android | OS 2.3 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.0.1

We came up with the concept for specializations in multiplayer after observing how players behaved in Modern Combat 3 matches. We discovered that skill selection offered a wide array of options and possible combinations. However, at the end of the day people primarily ended up in one of four main roles: Frontline, Support, Stealth and Technician. So in Modern Combat 4, we designed a system that pushes those roles further with more sophisticated skills and called it ‘Specialization’.

In terms of the game’s locatIons, how do you decIde on where to feature, and then buIld, a level? AC: First, we figure out story elements such as the main challenges, the enemies you will encounter, and the twists that will motivate the player. We choose an exciting location for the player to experience an epic battle, allow for strategies and rewarding combat

situations, decide on the time of the day and discuss key events in the environment that will add that wow factor. Regarding the locations themselves, we want to find one that emotionally reminds players of something. It’s also important to us that it wasn’t over used in our previous episodes or in other console/PC games, and that this location can offer nice vistas (no one wants to only play in corridors!). We often do multiple iterations, make modifications, add elements, and remove elements until we are sure that we have a strong foundation for a quality, actionpacked level. We block or model the sketch with a 3D software. This allows us to walk through the level and see how it feels in-game with enemies and cover points, we can determine if the map is too big, too small, needs more details, alternate paths and so on. The map is then given to the artists so they can start the art layer. During

05 MultIplayer The old ranking system has been overhauled and a new one put in place, which simply serves to make the whole thing that bit more addictive.

this process the artists may come up with ideas that will improve the map, enhance the gameplay, or create a more exotic experience.

beIng able to play as the vIllaIn of the pIece, edward page Is a cool addItIon. how dId you decIde on such a feature?

AB: Working on the script, we wanted to offer a new experience for our players, something that you’re not used to or an obvious twist seen 1,000 times before. To have this switch was interesting because it’s still rare, even on console/PC to play that role in a campaign mode. It was of course discussed a lot, because we didn’t want it to be misjudged or promote something we disagree with. Thanks to all our cinematics (and the voice acting, we achieved to introduce this innovative feature without being an obstacle for the game enjoyment.


77

GameS | review

Sky GamblerS: Storm raiderS Flight combat titles have all but disappeared in recent years. It can be attributed to the stagnation of new ideas, but also a gradual wane in the genre’s general popularity. Atypical Games has used this period though to really reinvigorate the niche, bringing multiple mission types and a tiered control scheme that allows almost anyone, from button-bashers to aviation enthusiasts, to be immersed once again behind the joystick. The single-player campaign is set during World War 2, allowing you to take part in either the Battle of Britain or Asia-Pacific conflict. The vast oceans and idyllic rolling countryside echoes the time period perfectly, although most of your objectives lack historical accuracy or context. It’s really not necessary though, as once you’ve blasted through the initial tutorials, the frantic and engaging combat takes centre stage. The control scheme is as complex or accessible as you need it to be. For beginners, it’s possible to control authentic Spitfires and Hurricanes using an on-screen control pad, coupled with an aiming assist to help you nail the next wave of enemies. For fans of hyper realistic flight simulators though, Storm Raiders also has a setup that will allow you to use the iPhone’s intricate gyroscope, as well as an array of levers and dials, for managing your altitude and speed. It’s an innovative approach which manages to display a whole host of flight information on screen without ever obscuring or disrupting the action.

don’t forget to check emergency exits, and keep your seat belt fastened…

Pros/Cons s A large number

of multi-objective missions

s A sweeping

orchestral soundtrack frames each encounter

Despite the game’s touchscreen ingenuity, it’s all too easy for the experience to unravel in the midst of a firefight. While enemies bank with acrobatic precision, you’re left fighting with both the aiming reticule and directional controls as you chase them around and around. Likewise, missing a crucial target during a flyby can be tiresome and finicky, forcing you to bank back around and line up the dials again before making another approach. Storm Raiders is very expansive though. Alongside the main campaign is a host of quick match options, including classic game types such

as Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch. It’s also possible to unlock dozens of different planes, such as the P-51 Mustang or F6F Hellcat, as well as different sorties to try them out on. The robust menu structure and high production values carry over to a comprehensive multiplayer suite, which can be played seamlessly over Wi-Fi or online. Together, it marks an impressive comeback for the genre. Absorbing campaigns and intuitive controls make this flight sim soar. l iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.2

▼ Landing on any

runway is almost impossible

▼ Chasing enemies can often feel disheartening

download now!

ShowCaSe Online multiplayer modes for every type of gamer

01 deathmatCh

Split your party into two teams and then face one another in the ominously-titled Team Deathmatch. The highest final score wins. Spoils to the victors!


02 CaPture the flaG

Try and steal a marker from your opposition during a game of Capture the Flag. Points are awarded once you’ve flown it back to your own base.

03 free fliGht

Free flight mode lets you take to the skies and simply mess around with friends or strangers. It’s great practice to hone your skills for the other, more deadly modes.

04 laSt man StandinG

It’s every man for himself in Last Man (or more accurately, Person) Standing. Avoid trouble and shoot your enemies down before they shoot you to assure victory.

05 defend!

Defend the Base tasks you with staving off a barrage of incoming warships and planes trying to blow your base to smithereens. Simply endure to succeed!

REVIEW | GAMES

HAMILTON’S ADVENTURE THD GORGEOUS PLATFORM PUZZLER GIVES YOU A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE CHALLENGE

Weighing in at just under 800MB, it’s no wonder it takes an age to install. Once you’re up and running though, you’re rewarded with a beautifully-rendered 3D action puzzler that’s one of the more successful desktop-to-mobile conversions. You will need a Tegra 3-powered device to run this game, but rest assured that it takes full advantage of the hardware and offers some lovely animation. The premise? A retired adventurer tells his granddaughter a tale of traps and treasure, reading from an old

journal that you piece together as you progress through the story. The principle is simple: guide your hardy explorer across each tilebased map – flicking switches to remove obstacles while avoiding the wandering guards – and find the Golden Key that opens the gate to the next level. It sounds simple enough, but quickly become devious. Unstable tiles will disappear once you have crossed over them once or twice (depending on how sturdy they look), so if you want to grab all the loot along the way then you really need to plan each step carefully, or be left stranded and forced to restart. As the puzzles become more complex, you’ll be glad of your feathered friend. With a quick tap, you can switch to Sasha, your airborne secondary character, and fly overhead to get a little perspective on the best route forward. Moreover, you can tilt your

tablet to control altitude, bringing a freeform element to the game that enables you to take a breather from the platform puzzling and swoop through trails of treasure. This unique complement is not just a bolt-on, either – sometimes you’ll need to quickly switch between your two characters to time switch activations, or use Sasha’s taunts to distract patrols as Hamilton barrels through to the next set of stairs. Considering the price, it’s a shame the app only contains the first two stages of the full game that can be finished in a couple of hours. That and the occasional loading glitches are all that keep this from the full five stars. An entertaining puzzler that combines a sedate, tile-based platformer with freestyle flight. ● Android | OS 3.1 | £2.59/$3.99 | v1.0.2 Tegra 3 devices only

Pros/Cons ▲ Unique use of

a secondary character to augment gameplay

▲ Well-crafted both graphically and narratively

▼ A heavy app that lacks longevity

▼ Experienced puzzle fans won’t find it very challenging

DOWNLOAD NOW!

ABOVE: Watch out for airborne enemies that will hunt your feathered friend

ABOVE: You’ll need to time character

switches carefully to get the treasure

ABOVE: Sometimes you’ll need to get an aerial view to work out the best way forward

SHOWCASE

Navigating the puzzles

01 ROUTE

Plan your route over unstable tiles carefully. Tiles will break apart and fall away once you have crossed over them, depending on how strong they are.

02 GOLDEN KEY

Grab the Golden Key to unlock the exit. Each level contains a Golden Key which must be grabbed to unlock the exit. The silver keys usually lead to more loot.

03 TREASURE

Use Sasha to discover hidden treasure. Be sure to explore everywhere in each level, as treasure chests can be found hidden from Hamilton’s view.

04 SWITCHES

Hunt around to find the switches. Portcullises blocking your path will be colour coded and, to open them, you will need to find the corresponding switch.

05 GATE

Open the gate to complete the level. Once you’ve found the Golden Key and satisfied your lust for gems, gold and flight, open the portal to progress.


79

CHAOS RINGS

go on a quest

01 bastion

Explore hand-painted landscapes in this stunning action RPG. HHHHH

CLeAR VISION (17+) HYPeRwAVe The irony of an agerated game that contains shooting and blood alongside simplistic 2D graphics has not been lost on us. Yet it does make for a time killer that involves you using your judgement, wit and patience to kill the right people. It sounds quite violent, but the visuals ensure that it should not offend anyone and the best part is that it is very addictive and one of those titles that keeps you coming back. It lets you feel like a sniper, but without any of the unnecessary realism.

When CHAOS RINGS first came to the mobile world on iOS in 2010, many feared it was too ambitious. However, it was a massive success and this Android version has been equally well adapted. The graphics are lifelike to say the least and offers hours of game play, which results in an immersive experience that is very hard to put down. Even the sounds are realistic and we were left wondering why all games could not be like this. It requires a lot of memory, but this is understandable given the quality on offer. An ambitious, well realised consolequality RPG.

A cute game designed to turn you into a cartoon sniper. It works, and it works well.


l Android | OS 2.2 | £0.65/$0.99 | v1.0 l iPhone+ | iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.1.2

MONOPOLY MILLIONAIRe

RAYMAN JuNGLe RuN

A new twist on Monopoly, but one that lacks the depth needed for long playing sessions.

A classic reborn for the modern era and it still feels great to play.

At first glance Hyperwave appears to marry the best of old-school shooters with some modern visual effects to create a fun experience. The graphics are bright and engaging and the levels and weapon choices offer a lot of variety. However, the major problem is the controls, which are tricky to use at the best of times. Their reactions are not the best and on many occasions we struggled to create the desired effect. If this could be fixed, Hyperwave could be a stunning game with a huge amount of replay ability available.

Great graphics and fun gameplay, but unfortunately it’s let down by a poor control mechanism. l Android | OS 2.2 | £1.29/$1.99 | v1.0.5 l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.4

l iPad+ | iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.1

02 horn Save your village from a

terrible curse in this giant open-world game.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.4 l Android | OS 3.2 | £5.07/$6.99 | v1.0

03 the bard’s tale Enjoy three games in one

starring the roguish Bard in this funny fantasy series.

HHHHH l iPad+ | iOS 4.0 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.63 l Android | OS 2.3 | £1.85/$2.99 | 1.3.3b

04 final fantasy iv The latest edition of the

definitive fantasy series to come to iOS.

HHHHH l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £10.99/$15.99 | v1.0.0

05 avadon: the blackEpicfortress hd role-playing adventure set in a mysterious castle.

HHHHH l iPad | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.0.4 l Android | OS 2.2 | £6.18/$9.99 | v1.0


Various incarnations of Monopoly have been attempted over the years. This is no different, with your goal to become filthy rich still the aim. Unfortunately it is a very large game and there appears to be a bigger focus on the graphics and animations than the actual gameplay, which is shallow in places. We can’t fault the presentation at all and it does still feel like Monopoly, but it doesn’t add enough to the original to warrant the space required.


The classic Rayman has now reached the Android platform, and in a way that feels identical to the experience that the genre has delivered over so many years. The controls take a little while to learn, but once you have, the fun begins. There is a great deal of variety built in, and it’s difficult not to love the cute characters that crop up. It is also nice to see a classic game move to the modern era and to keep all of the goodness that made it so popular intact.

l Android | OS 2.3.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v2.0.2 l iPhone+ | iOS 5.1 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.1.1

SAILbOAt CHAMPIONSHIP

Creating a game that realistically gives you the feeling of manoeuvring a sailboat is not easy, and neither is this. However, the graphics and intricate system used to make adjustments as you race are impressive to say the least. There is certainly a difficulty spike and you will find yourself going back to the same level over and over to get a higher score. This game is unique in so many ways, and worthy of an excellent rating because it is a such a genuine time killer. A unique and addictive game which will keep you coming back. l Android | OS 2.3.3 | £2.89/$3.99 | v1.52 l iPhone+ | iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.52

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GAMES | REVIEW

FPSE FOR ANDROID WHO NEEDS VITA? PSONE GAMING COMES TO ANDROID

ABOVE: Take advantage of an on-screen gamepad when playing games via FPse for Android

Emulation is a rather grey area. On the one hand there are those who firmly believe that if you own the original game and original system, playing it on a different machine is absolutely fine. Others will point to the fact that many older games are still being sold on current-day platforms via digital distribution. Whatever your take on it, FPse is a fine example of a solid, well-programmed game emulator that allows you to load a host of PSone titles to your Android device. You need to load the original BIOS files – a feat that is made easy via the app – and from then on, the idea is that you can find and play lots of games, each of which will be optimised for your smartphone or tablet’s display. The app works particularly well with a tablet, especially the Nexus 7, which is the perfect size for console-style handheld gaming – not as unwieldy as a Galaxy Tab but larger than a smartphone. As well as being able to use touchpad controls, you can link to PS3 and 360 controllers; the menu system makes configuration to suit your tastes a breeze. In terms of compatibility, FPse for Android is top notch. The sound quality is high too, and

PREDATORS


there is force feedback (vibration) for games that handle it. What’s more, buttons on your handset can also be assigned as PSone buttons. It is, in short, an amazing – and crazily inexpensive – gaming app. Intuitive and effective, the quality of PSone titles take on a new lease of life when played via Android. ● Android | iOS 2.1 | £2.27/$3.63 | v0.11.73

BELOW: The action is relentless with

IF IT BLEEDS YOU CAN KILL IT IN THIS WONDERFUL HACK AND SLASH GAME

Although it arrived on iOS as long as two years ago, the fact it has come to the Android party late does not diminish what is, at its beating heart, a fine bunch of 31 missions that involve a whole host of killing. Based on the hit franchise reboot Predators, it is one of the titular alien creatures that you control as you attempt to beat away the elite warriors who have been sent to dispatch of you. The start of the game is something of a red herring, as you go through the visually stunning landscape (albeit one that is quite samey), trying to defend yourself and then realise that it’s ultimately futile. The game proper then starts with the mission and you go back to basics, learning new moves that will prove to be vital in order to succeed and get to the end. Weapons can be collected (as can heads) and it soon becomes clear that this is not a game for the squeamish. Much has been done to tie the game firmly into the movie, with shots of the cast and a back story too. But while the actual gameplay is basic, there is a quality to it that lends it some depth and involvement and ensures you press on, even

ABOVE: ISO’s are the ABOVE: The settings allow gaming files that you for an external gamepad, need to select in order to or you can overlay the play a game buttons on-screen

when the actions ramps up and you can barely pause for breath. Better to play on a tablet given the small nature of the characters, Predators will tear into you and refuse to let go. ● Android | iOS 2.2 | £0.62/$0.99 | v1.4.7

many enemies, especially at the start, and the death count is high

BELOW:

Characters from the movie are used to reinforce the game’s ties to the film

VERTICUS

The comics of Stan Lee provide the inspiration for Verticus. Indeed, he has helped create the game and makes a cameo appearance in it too. While you don’t get to control the comic genius, you do engage in some daring missions, hurtling towards earth to defuse bombs before they blow, scuppering the evil plans of a group of aliens. At the end of the day, however, it’s another dodge-em-up in which powers and upgrades are bestowed among the most plucky (and lucky). That said, it is fun and doesn’t seem to suffer repetition.

CATCHA CATCHA FREEZE! ALIENS! With development input from chat show host Jonathan Ross and national treasure Stephen Fry, Catcha Catcha Aliens! is inventive and fun. The game is an infinite runner that starts rather slowly, but rapidly picks up pace and has you furiously steering, ducking, turning and jumping as you try to catch a bunch of evil aliens (while avoiding the nice ones). The audio is amazing and the graphics excel, ensuring a fun time for kids (and adults too, come to that).

Rather frivolous despite the depths you fall, it’s full on fast action of the highest order.

It may start slowly, but this is a game that picks up pace and keeps interest going.

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.2

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.1

If you love your independent games – and thrive off titles such as Limbo – then playing Freeze! will stop you in your tracks. It’s an oddity but a curious one at that, and while you have visuals that will enthrall and appal combined with audio that will freak you out, you also have a game that takes physical puzzling to the next intelligent level. Taking control of an eye that continues to drop, levels must be rotated to avoid obstacles and get to the end. Throw in the ability to freeze time and it rapidly becomes a demanding yet fun challenge. Beautiful – we’re frozen in admiration at Freeze! ● Android | OS 2.2 | Free | v1.3 ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.5

SOLVE A WORD PUZZLE

01 SCRABBLE

The original word puzzle board game is reinvented for the digital era with intuitive controls. ★★★★★

● iPhone | iOS 3.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.6.40

02 WORDS WITH FRIENDS Not just about the triple word

MICRO MINERS

WRITER RUMBLE MINECRAFT REALITY Here at Apps, we’re lovers, not fighters, but since we began playing this game we’ve been enthralled. Not only do you form words to beat your opponent, but you flick your tiles at them to cause some carnage. The pen is mightier than the sword? In this case, it most definitely is. The characters look great and there are moves a-plenty to employ in the heat of the battle. Perfect for poor losers as well as triumphant winners, it’s a word game that is highly inventive, and so much fun when you are playing against an opponent.

The world of Minecraft is already unique, virtual and creative, but being able to combine that with real life is what this app is all about. A tutorial video takes you through the basics of what you have to do, easing you into the process. After selecting from a variety of Minecraft creations, you use your device’s camera to place it over what can be seen in the viewfinder. You can then find other worlds that people have created elsewhere. It brings discovery and creation to life.

Both seat-of-your-pants and relaxation, Micro Miners is cute and almost spiritual.

Playing alone is fun but against an opponent even better. There will be cross words aplenty.

Compelling and fun; an alternative world that runs alongside the real.

● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0.1

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 | v1.0

There is a bit of history to this game involving the developer of Minecraft and a game he made called Miners 4K. Now developed and on iOS, players can guide – but not control – a bunch of creatures through a 2D world in a similar fashion to Lemmings. As you work their way through the game, they dig and avoid obstacles as you swipe around the screen. It’s not incredibly pretty to look at since there is a hint of blockiness and retro-fun about the whole package, but it also shows that in gaming, looks definitely aren’t everything.

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 | v1.0.1

scores, this game also allows you to play against and chat with up to 20 friends at once.

★★★★★ ● iPhone | iOS 4.3 | Free | v5.41 ● Android | OS 4.1 | Free | v1.9.3

03 LETTERPRESS Wage a war of words to take

control of a grid, stealing tiles and defending your own.

★★★★★ ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2

04 WORDAMENT You have just two minutes to identify as many words in a grid before thousands of other players to earn points.

★★★★★ ● iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.0

05 WORD JEWELS! No time limits or other

players, just relax with this stress-free word search.

★★★★★ ● iPhone | iOS 3.0 | Free | v1.17


83

games | GRoup TesT

adult Board games The besT TuRn-based TiTles foR The moRe sophisTicaTed mobile GameR small World for iPad

Kingdom Builder

fluxx

l iPad | iOS 3.2 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.1.1

l iPad | iOS 5.1 | £4.99/$6.99 | v1.2

l iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 | v1.0.0

dominant sPecies for iPad

stone age: the Board game

reiner Knizia’s Qin

A surreal turn-based strategy game, Small World sees you and another player go head-to-head for control of the world. Use special power combos and an array of mystical creatures, ranging from hobbits to dragon-masters, to help you take control of all the areas of land on offer. There is also a solo player mode where you can take on the AI built into the game. An interesting and fun game to play, though the limit of two players does feel slightly underwhelming.

A tile-based strategy game for up to six players be it online or on a single device, Dominant Species sees each player take control of one of the major animal groups with the ultimate goal being to dominate the others. With simple one-touch controls and special abilities to keep things running smoothly, and you interested, this is a very pleasing board game. Simple to grasp and extremely easy use, this is a great game to dip in and out of when you have the time.

l iPad | iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.0.1


Arguably the app that most resembles an actual board game, in Kingdom Builder you take on up to three other players, be it locally on a single device or online. Gain land and build the most powerful kingdom, unlocking special skills and resources along the way. In order to win you must gain the most points from grabbing resources and other special actions. A great board game for the strategist, Kingdom Builder is easy to get into, and with enough variation to keep you interested.

A board game combined with the strategy management titles that are popular on iOS, Stone Age has players taking control of their ancient tribe and building a settlement, with the ultimate aim of becoming the most powerful chief. There are Game Center links as well as a simple pass and play setup so you can play against friends on a single device. Cool graphics, great depth to the gameplay and nice multiplayer options make this a very good game. l iPhone | iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.1

An incredibly unique card game, Fluxx comes with the ability to take on both human and AI opponents on a single device, as well as online. The aim of the game is to collect the two cards that meet the current game’s goal, and the nature of Fluxx ensures that each single game is different. The app supports games of between two and four players. Probably the most unique and memorable of all the games here, Fluxx is definitely worth trying out.

Up to four players battle to control China by placing tiles to gain territories, and then building pagodas to defend land and launch attacks on others. Each player has a range of pieces at their disposal, and you must use strategy and clever piece placement in order to lay your last pagoda and claim victory. Launched at the same time as the physical version, this may be a new game, but it definitely has the staying power to become a classic. l iPad | iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.0.1

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PROBLEMSOLVING ADVICE AND TUTORIALS TO EDUCATE YOU ON THE INNER WORKINGS OF YOUR DEVICES

• iPhone+

ORGANISE TASKS WITH 24ME

Let it do the hard work by impressively automating your to-do lists

T

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES

86 ORGANISE TASKS WITH 24ME

● iPhone+ Set reminders to complete tasks with an app that includes great Facebook functionality.

88 HOW TO USE LOOKOUT TO SECURE YOUR iPAD

● iPad Keep the terror of losing your device at bay with an app that screams usefulness. Literally.

90 STREAM VIDEOS FROM YOUR COMPUTER WITH EMIT ● Android Link your PC and Android phone to stream video files in multiple formats.

he App Store is packed with to-do list apps, each pretending to be the next big thing. It takes something different to get noticed among the throng, and the developers of 24me believe they’ve hit the jackpot – by syncing with your social media personal data and automating the to-do/reminder process for you. 24me gains access to your Facebook details (contacts, events, birthdays, etc) and compiles the data in the app as and when you need to see it – and it works really well. Once the app has signed in through the social network and you have accepted the permission requests, your friends’ birthdays and communal events are easily viewed through the 24me home screen. Information is automatically and intuitively displayed, and you get the opportunity to post messages to a friend’s wall from the comfort

READ OUR REVIEW OF 24ME IN ISSUE

28

of 24me without leaving the app. It all works perfectly. For US users, 24me goes one step further and provides the opportunity to link your account with service providers to help you pay your bills in-app. It’s a fully encrypted service, but we’re not convinced it’s for everyone. You’d be placing a lot of trust in 24me. Of course, all the usual to-do list functionality is present. In this quick six-step tutorial, we’re going to take you through the process of setting your first reminder with 24me.

“BIRTHDAYS AND COMMUNAL EVENTS ARE EASILY VIEWED”

FACEBOOK INTEGRATION EXPLAINED

>Make the most of the app’s best feature

1 Ecard

Hit this option and you’ll be redirected to a GiftRocket order form . Your birthday card will be sent by email and you can even include money as a gift if you like!

2 Post

More straightforward is leaving a message on your friend’s Facebook Wall. It’s all done in-app, and 24me gives you a default comment to speed up the process.

3 Share

You can share the information with whoever you like. Simply enter an email address or flick through your synced Facebook friends list.

4 Tick

Once you’ve done everything you want, hitting the green tick in a box will draw a line through the reminder, symbolising that you’re finished with it.


Tip

24me

Accept permissions?

The app requires you to accept a host of permissions when you set up your account. Be sure that you are happy with what the app is taking a look at.

1

2

Set up a to-do

>It couldn’t be simpler to set important reminders

1 Sign in

To make full use of the app’s Facebook integration, you’ll need to sign in through the social network with your relevant details. Accept any permissions requested so 24me can use your Facebook data.

2 Home Screen

You’ll notice your home screen is already populated with some of your Facebook details – namely your friends’ birthdays. To add a new to-do to your account, tap the Add a new task tab at the top.

3

4

3 create

On the New Task menu that quickly appears, give your to-do a memorable name and hit Done. You’ll now want to add more specific details. Tap the Time icon to enter information.

4 Set date and time

Set the date and time by touching the relevant icons and use the scroll wheels to set details in stone. Hit Click to Set next to Reminder and you can choose when you get reminded about your task from a variety of options.

5 uSe your voice

If flicking through these menus is becoming tiresome, hit the microphone symbol in the topright to speak out your request and add it to your task. Hit Done and the app will work its magic.

5

6

6 notificationS

As with any good to-do app, 24me provides notifications to remind you of the set task ahead. You’ll be presented with this box on-screen and also a reminder in your notifications panel.

About the app…

24me Download a next-gen personal assistant l iPhone+ | iOS 4.3 | Free | v1.3.6

There’s plenty we love about 24me, that’s for sure. The general day-to-day functionality is well thought out and the app performs tasks admirably. 24me is well designed, and it’s one of the best to-do list apps in terms of ease of use. We would question whether iOS 6 provides a similar service though. We were also a bit wary of giving a free app so many permissions. The financial links you can set up are very US-centric, too. A joy to use, and we love the Facebook integration.


87

TUTORIALS • iPad

HOW TO USE LOOKOUT TO SECURE YOUR iPAD About the app…

LOOKOUT An all-in-one security app that keeps your

device clean and helps you locate it

If you are worried about losing your precious iPad or having it stolen, Lookout will give you peace of mind and keep everything on your device safe and secure

INSIDE THE APP >A closer glance at Lookout’s home screen

1 Call me maybe

A variety of calling features ensure that if someone does find your iPad, you’ll be able to get it back off them with ease.

2 Make a noise

You can make your iPad emit a noise on-demand to find it, or if it’s running low on battery it’ll emit a last gasp signal flare noise.

● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v2.6

Lookout is a simply brilliant app that will help you beef up your iPad or iPhone’s security. Whether you want to keep track of all your contacts in the event your device is lost or stolen, or you want to locate the expensive piece of kit if you happen to misplace it, Lookout is here to help. It’s free, and an app you shouldn’t be without.

I

f you’ve just shelled out your hard-earned cash on an iPad, then the last thing you want is for the device to become unusable, or for you to leave it somewhere and – shock horror – be unable to find it. Sure, iPads may already come with a Find my iPad feature, but it’s a bit limited, and in your time of need it might not be enough. For example, what if you know the area your iPad is in, but can’t pinpoint its exact location? Lookout will not only make your device emit a loud noise (trust us, it gets pretty loud and annoying), but it also provides someone who’s found your iPad with a list of people to call from within your contacts. Aside from location tracking software, Lookout also acts as a point where you can back up all of your contacts to lookout.com (where you’ll also be able to send the commands to your iPad), as well as monitoring your apps for any malicious software that could threaten your device.

“[LOOKOUT] PROVIDES SOMEONE WHO’S FOUND YOUR iPAD WITH A LIST OF PEOPLE TO CALL FROM WITHIN YOUR CONTACTS” 3 Update your iPad

It’s important to keep your iPad up to date to ensure the latest security features are installed, so Lookout will let you know when a new version is available.

4 Wi-Fi safety

If you’re connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, you might be unaware if it is secure or not. This tab will let you know if it’s safe to browse the web.


FOR ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP YOUR INFO SECURE, TRY ONESAFE ON PAGE

70

TIP

Signal Flare

If you’ve lost your iPad and it’s running low on battery, don’t worry. As it reaches the end of its life, Lookout will save its location and emit a final noise so you still have a chance of finding it.

1

LOOKOUT

2

1 CONTACT BACKUP First, your iPad will sync your contacts to

lookout.com for safekeeping. The app continually updates the list, so should you add new contacts they’ll be added online.

3

2 PROCESS MONITOR

While Apple vets its apps very carefully, one or two malicious ones can get through. Thankfully, you can keep an eye on the Process Monitor to make sure there’s nothing untoward going on.

4W

3 LOST DEVICE LIST

If the worst does happen and you misplace your iPad, this list of names and numbers will ensure that someone who picks it up has an emergency contact to reach you on.

4 LOCATE AND SCREAM

The tracking software will locate your iPad in a certain area, but you can make it emit a noise at lookout.com (the volume is automatically turned up) to finally track it down.


89

TUTORIALS • Android

HOW TO STREAM VIDEOS FROM YOUR COMPUTER WITH EMIT

Enjoy your computer’s extensive movie and music libraries anywhere, using your mobile device connected to a Wi-Fi or 3G network

D

esktop computers are great for building up hulking libraries of music and film, often boasting a storage capacity that still puts modern smartphones and tablet devices to shame. The downside is that it usually isn’t comfortable sitting at your desk to watch movies for hours on end – and you sure as hell don’t sit there just to listen to music (you want to be reclined on a couch or dancing in the kitchen for that); so apps such as Emit from BioKoda offer a useful solution by allowing you to stream your media from your computer to your mobile device. For this purpose you will need to install the free Emit desktop software in addition to the actual app on your mobile device. But once done, you can connect the two together by entering your computer’s IP address into the app if you’re going for the straightforward Wi-Fi approach, or if you want to connect remotely over 3G then you simply need to enter a PIN that the desktop app provides. Once you have selected folders from your computer to share, you can access the contents through the app and watch your favourite films or listen to your top tunes on the move.

EXPLORE EMIT OPTIONS

>Get to know your way around 1 Movie options

Tapping on a movie name will launch it, but if you press and hold then a new set of options will appear, including the option to play with a subtitle file.

2 Mark as watched

You can dim a movie in your list by selecting the ‘Toggle watched’ option, which is useful if you are managing extensive libraries of films.

3 Encoding videos

Encoding your videos optimises them for your mobile device, making the playback much better. You can set the default encoding option in Settings.

4 Download videos

READ OUR EMIT REVIEW IN ISSUE

28


If you want to store up a selection of videos to watch later when you won’t have an internet connection, then you can download them to your device.

About the app…

EMIT Watch movies and listen to

music streamed directly from your computer ● Android | OS 2.1 | £2.17/$3.54 | v8.0.1 ● iPad+ | iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 | v4.1.1

With Emit you can access all of your media without congesting your device’s storage facilities. Although the setup process is slightly cumbersome, Emit works remarkably well when it is up and running. It allows you to dip into your computer’s movie and music files and get them streamed to your mobile. You can even download them for offline enjoyment. Extensive encoding options and general ease-of-use make this a sound buy.

“DIP INTO YOUR COMPUTER’S MOVIE AND MUSIC FILES AND GET THEM STREAMED TO YOUR MOBILE”

tip

Emit

Cease playback

If you want to stop a streamed movie, rather than closing the app entirely, simply press the Back button on your Android device and you will return to the original menu.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Setting up for viewing >Prep your smartphone for streaming 1 Make Movie folderS acceSSible 2 add ituneS Launch the desktop app, and using the menu bar item, go to Preferences>Folders, and click the Add Dir button to select folders containing movies that you wish to share with the app.

On this same screen, you should also ensure that the Share iTunes Library option is selected, so Emit will automatically detect the contents of the media libraries. Close the window.

3 link deviceS

4 adding a Server

5 playing your MovieS

6 playback controlS

When the new screen has opened, give your new server (computer) a name and then enter the IP address of your computer.

Once your computer is displayed, tap the name to display all of the available shared folders and then navigate to the film you want to stream.

With the app running on both devices, your computer should automatically appear on the source screen in the mobile app. If it doesn’t, press Menu and tap Add server.

In playback mode, tap on the screen to display the controls, which include Play/Pause, volume, high-speed scrub and full/widescreen.


91

200 GREATEST APPS EVER THE VERY BEST iOS & ANDROID APPS

BOOKS

Letterpress is a word game from the maker of the much-loved Tweetie for Mac. However, this isn't just a more stylish version of Scrabble; the object of Letterpress is not to earn points from words, but to use words to take control of its 5x5 grid. Steal tiles from your competitors and lock your tiles in to place by being both cunning and verbose. One for the wordsmiths. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | Free | v1.2

WHY WE LOVE… EUFLORIA HD

A massive hit on iPhone and iPad, flower power strategy game Eufloria is now on Android. Cultivate a rich eco-system of plants and animals in deep space in this soon-to-be instant classic. ● Android | OS 2.3 | £2.99/$4.99 | v1.0.4

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YOUR FAVOURITE APPS

@Knowyourapps

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ENTERTAINMENT

iPhone/Android

iPad

iPad

Animated graphic novel about basketball in the year 2172 from Hollywood artist Ryan Woodward.

Scan business cards for easy storage and import contact details directly into your address book.

● iOS 5.0 | £2.49/$3.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 2.0 | £1.90/$2.99

View hi-res, rotating images of every element on the periodic table.

Use all those tools in exactly the same way on your iPad as you would on a real canvas, mixing your paints with great results.

iPad

iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Children’s story read aloud by author Michael Morpurgo, plus musical performance and a historical timeline of WWI.

Create documents, spreadsheets and presentations and view PDFs on the go.

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 5.0 | £10.49/$14.99 ● OS 3.0 | £14.71/$19.99

This augmented reality app lets you explore the stars, planets and constellations in the night sky in real-time.

Remotely access music and videos from your desktop, and enjoy content from Plex’s many channels.

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

Android

iPad

Pinpoint all the major cities of the world and learn their locations with this addictive geography game.

Paints, inks and abstract shapes are available, so you can achieve the effect you’re looking for.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH 01

WAR HORSE

Illustrated children’s story and impressive stop-motion feature film about a little pink bear that’s lost in the woods.

CAMCARD

QUICK OFFICE PRO HD

POCKETCLOUD REMOTE DESKTOP PRO

Gain remote access to your desktop from your device.

THE ELEMENTS: A VISUAL EXPLORATION

● iOS 5.1 | £9.99/$13.99

STAR WALK

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

MAP MASTER

ARTRAGE

● iOS 4.0 | £4.99/$6.99

PLEX

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

PROCREATE

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 5.0 | £10.49/$14.99 ● OS 2.1 | £9.35/$14.99

● OS 1.6 | £1.40/$1.65

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

iPad

iPhone/iPad

In this novel experience you are given bits of people’s lives as you weave the story together in your own mind.

Speak into this app and have your words translated into 40 languages, either spoken back to you or sent as a message.

● iOS 4.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

Learn about the work of five great painters, including Van Gogh and Monet, and then experiment with their style.

In this game you literally have to sneak up on your phone from a distance to capture photos of the shy monsters.

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

Create a stunning CV with this step-bystep app that creates a polished final product that can be easily exported.

Includes a full set of sketching tools in a streamlined and intuitive user interface.

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

View the pyramids and temples of Giza in stunning 3D and examine the treasures that were once inside them.

● iOS 5.1 | £9.99/$13.99

● iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99 ● OS 2.2 | £1.22/$1.99

iPad

iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad

Discover T.S Eliot’s epic and revolutionary poem, view interactive notes, and watch related videos.

Visualise seating plans, schedule, meetings, save notes and record audio for taking minutes in this business app.

Takes you deep into the human body, with video content and annotated graphics. A fine app on the iPad.

● iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$3.99

● iOS 4.0 | £4.99/$6.99

Watch the world go by with this unique app that lets you view thousands of public video cameras in real-time.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/Android

Interactive illustrations and music bring the macabre magic of Edgar Allen Poe’s haunting poetry to life.

All-in-one scanner, JotNot can be used to scan text files, business cards, bills and more using your smart device.

Prank your friends and family with classic phrases from the cult TV show.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

A broad approach to the history of the world, combining science, culture and politics in a handy timeline.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 3.0 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 1.6 | £0.60/$0.99

iPad

iPad

iPad

Android

Pick and choose the plot lines of stories in this interactive children’s app.

Gain remote access to either your Mac or Windows desktop from your iPad.

Explore 600 million years of evolution with a fossil timeline and multimedia treatments that explain the science.

● iOS 4.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 4.3 | £9.99/$13.99

The ultimate virtual pet, Tom will repeat what you say and you can also dress him up and customise his appearance.

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPad

Sci-fi comic series about an elderly couple who invest in a radical rejuvination therapy with unexpected results.

Share your portfolio with clients instantly in this impressive app, and even access it without a web connection.

Discover alien worlds outside of our solar system with this immersive app.

● iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99

The infamous streaming service comes to iOS, sharing media from your desktop to your device. Supports AirPlay.

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

This magical children's story encourages kids to use their imaginations to ward off bullies.

Ensure people get feedback, direction and encouragement with this stylish project management app.

This educational game is a fun way to master the Pythagorean Theorem with great graphics and examples.

Very realistic effects in this app, with textured oil paint, virtual pressure sensitivity, and smudge blending.

CHOPSTICKS NOVEL

THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR MORRIS LESSMORE

Breathtaking visuals and a heartwarming story. Essential reading.

THE WASTE LAND

● iOS 4.2 | £9.99/$13.99

iPOE

THE LAND OF ME: STORY TIME

● iOS 4.0 | Free

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE APP?

EDUCATION

iPhone/iPad

KOOKY

WHY WE LOVE… LETTERPRESS

BUSINESS

UPGRADE SOUL

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

DANDELION

● iOS 5.1 | £2.49/$3.99

SAYHI TRANSLATE

CV EXPRESS

MEETING MINUTES

JOTNOT SCANNER PRO

SPLASHTOP 2 REMOTE DESKTOP

SHOWCASE APP

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

PROOF

● iOS 5.1 | £2.49/ $3.99

PLAYART BY TAPOOK

● iOS 4.2 | £2.49/$3.99

PYRAMIDS 3D

DK THE HUMAN BODY APP

LITTLEBIGHISTORY

NHM EVOLUTION

JOURNEY TO THE EXOPLANETS

PYTHAGORAS THE GAME

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

SNEAK

● iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99

SKETCHBOOK MOBILE

iSPYCAMERAS

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99

FONEJACKER

TALKING TOM CAT 2

● OS 2.1 | £0.62/$0.99 iPhone/iPad

VLC STREAMER

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

ART SET

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

TOP 200 | GREATEST APPS EVER

FINANCE

FOOD & DRINK

GAMES

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad

The price you pay for this app is fully justified, thanks to its superior functionality and the useful tips it divulges.

Step-by-step photo recipes, plus extra kitchen tips such as how to sharpen knives.

● iOS 3.1 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 3.1.2 | £4.99/$6.99 ● OS 2.0 | £2.49/$3.99

Hand-painted scenery, evolving landscapes and a reactive narration creates a one-of-a-kind game.

iPhone/Android

iPhone

Track your earnings and expenses with this app, and transfer money between accounts.

Its superb recipes, detailed videos and excellent expert advice make it a great app for cooks of all skill levels.

POCKETMONEY

MY BUDGET BOOK

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 2.1 | £1.59/$2.59

JAMIE’S 20 MINUTE MEALS BASTION

GREAT BRITISH CHEFS

● iOS 4.0 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99 iPhone/iPad/Android

NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED

Hi-res, high-octane street racer.

● iOS 4.0| £2.99/$4.99 ● OS 1.6 | £3.73/$5.08

HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

MEDICAL

iPhone

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

When it comes to fitness, Endomondo is the most social experience you’ll get.

Plan everything, from your big day’s budget, to the colour scheme and the seating plan with this detailed wedding app.

View rotatable 3D images from Gray’s Anatomy of select organs or regions of the body.

● iOS 4.2 | £6.99/$9.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99 ● OS Varies | £1.60/$2.49

iPhone

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

Run to stay alive in a world infested with zombies in this immersive AR workout.

Type in a URL and select a date, then discover how websites used to look with this web history time machine.

Gentle songs and ambient sounds set to child-friendly graphics will soothe your baby off to sleep.

ENDOMONDO SPORTS TRACKER PRO

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

ZOMBIES, RUN!

● iOS 5.0 | £5.49/$7.99 ● OS 2.2 | £2.79/$3.99

WEDDING PLANNER FOR iPAD

TIME BACKER

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99

VISUAL ANATOMY

LULLABY!

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

iPad

iPhone

iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

This is one of the best finance managers around, with easy-to-use functions.

An absolute must for all foodies, this app features mouthwatering full screen photos and some clever features.

A mesmerising puzzle game that has you cutting ropes to feed candy to a gremlin.

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 3.2 | £2.49/$3.99 ● OS 2.3 | £0.62/$0.99

Record your life with this magazinelike app for your memories, ideas, and photos. Share online or keep private.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99

Hold your thumb over the camera and monitor your heart rate. Store results, add notes and export via email.

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

This dissection of the human skeleton goes into incredible detail with plenty of room for adding your own notes.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

Epic dogfights in this airborne adventure with console-quality multiplayer options.

One of many fantastic health apps from 3D4Medical, this breaks away from most by focusing on fitness.

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

Minimalist, gesturedriven alarm clock and stopwatch that will launch your favourite apps for when you wake up.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

MONEYWIZ – PERSONAL FINANCE FOR iPAD

STOCKTOUCH

StockTouch gives you the top 100 companies, but what’s truly amazing is the colourful interface.

● iOS 4.0 | £2.99/$4.99

iPhone/iPad

DEBT MANAGER

OTTOLENGHI

CUT THE ROPE HD

HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING SKY GAMBLERS: AIR The app is perfect for SUPREMACY

any level of cooking experience and can teach you some great new skills in the kitchen.

● iOS 4.3 | £6.99/$9.99 iPhone/iPad

THE PHOTO COOKBOOK – QUICK & EASY

ANGRY BIRDS SPACE

A revolution in physics gaming, this game breaths new life into the franchise.

Military-grade work out app that requires no fitness equipment beyond your device.

● iOS 4.0 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

● iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 2.2 | £1.25/$1.99

This app starring Sir Paul Smith follows the history of bicycle design.

● iOS 5.1 | £6.99/$9.99

Aimed at medical students but suitable for general interest, this app features six tests to revise how the body works.

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

Control the criminal underworld in this epic game.

Unique icons in a range of colours and styles, including animal fur and pastel sweets for your device.

Includes five different ways to explore the musculo-skeletal system and a pop quiz.

Android

iPhone/Android

Reduce stress and see your breathing patterns displayed in colourful graphics.

Videos show you how to select your ingredients, and make your own rice and sushi in this detailed Japanese cooking app.

iPad

Update your expenses in real time with this tracking app with stylish Holo-design. View stats and export to MS Office.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Devilish difficulty and a simple design combine in this minimal action game that will have you addicted instantly.

Compatible with Excel, Google Docs and Open Office – manage all of your finances on the go with this app.

MONEY TAB

iPhone

HD WIDGETS

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Android

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

● iOS 3.1 | £0.69/$0.99

iPhone/iPad

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

Relax with these comforting words set to ambient music.

iPad

iPhone/iPad

Keep track of your in-comings and outgoings with this app that filters for paid, planned, and overdue payments.

Android

COMPLETE RELAXATION GUIDED MEDITATION

● OS 2.2 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 2.2 | £0.69/$0.99

BILLS FOR iPAD

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

● iOS 4.3 | £10.49/$14.99

iPhone/iPad/Android

● iOS 4.0 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

GORILLA WORKOUT

START BY TACK

SKELETON SYSTEM PRO III

An app worth having, but one you hope you never have to use. It stores your emergency contacts in one place.

With images of every ingredient and step to each recipe, it couldn’t be easier to follow.

iSPREADSHEET

iMUSCLE - iPAD EDITION

DAY ONE JOURNAL

Customise your home screen with these stunning widgets for current time, weather forecasts and other utilities.

Clean, simple interface allows you to visualise your debt, organise your incomings and outgoings, and pay it off.

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99

CARDIOGRAPH

TEACH ME SUSHI

LOOK & COOK – ISRAELI CHEF MEIR ADONI

SUPER HEXAGON

GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY

A real-life workout video game for men and women. Complete levels as you get fit.

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 2.3 | £0.62/$0.99

YOU ARE YOUR OWN GYM

ALL-IN YOGA

Use voice activation to control this recipe app for hands free tablet use.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 ● OS 2.3 | £3.74/$4.99

Including over 300 poses with photo, video and audio guides. You can also create your own workout routines.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

GREEN KITCHEN - HEALTHY BEAT SNEAK BANDIT VEGETARIAN RECIPES Part puzzle, part

● iOS 4.2 | £0.69/$0.99

CALORIE COUNTER PRO

ICONS PRO

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

SPB SHELL 3D

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 2

● iOS 3.0 | £0.69/$0.99

MUSCLE & BONE ANATOMY 3D

● iOS 5.1 | £4.99/$6.99

BREATHING ZONE

Stylish interface and inspiring recipes prove healthy eating doesn’t need to be bland or boring.

stealth, all rhythm action. Tap your screen to the beat of the music to navigate levels.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99 ● OS 2.1 | £2.47/$3.99

Get smooth, rotating 3D effects for your home screen, smart folders, panels and other assorted widgets.

● OS 2.1 | £9.45/$14.95

● iOS 3.2 | £2.49/$3.99 ● OS 2.1 | £1.25/$1.99

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

iPad

Simply point and click to find the lowest price on the same or similar products from top online retailers with this app.

Recipe app for those with specific dietary needs, such as gluten and soy allergies, and fans of the Paleo ‘caveman diet’.

Create your own world, block by block.

● iOS 4.3 | £4.99/$6.99 ● OS Varies | £4.99/$6.99

Plan your work out in this stylish app and receive motivation from the voice coach.

Create decorative cards in-app with hints and tips from Martha herself.

Life-like depictions of the heart and circulatory system that can be rotated 360o to appreciate its complexity.

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad

Compare mortgages side-by-side, work out what the true price would be, and manage your payments with this finance app.

Import and organise your favourite online recipes so they are all in one place and easy to find when you want them.

Visually-stunning open world fantasy adventure with intuitive gesture controls.

This app is packed with photo, video and audio tutorials to help you reach your peak level of fitness. Also includes yoga.

Aspiring novelist? My Writing Desk for iPad is your space to express yourself in a clean, distraction-free environment.

Keep a digital diary of your family’s shots, vaccinations, medicines, illnesses and more.

● OS 2.2 | £0.69/$0.99

BAKODO

● iOS 4.0 | Free

MORTGAGE MENTOR

● iOS 4.0 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 5.0 | £2.49/$3.99

NOM NOM PALEO

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99

MY RECIPE BOOK

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 3.1.3 | £1.99/$2.99

MINECRAFT POCKET EDITON

HORN

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99 ● OS 4.0 | £5.07/$6.99

Eat healthier with this meal planning and tracking app.

CYCLEPEDIA - ICONIC BICYCLE DESIGNS

RUNTASTIC PUSHUPS PRO

● iOS 6.0 | £1.49/$1.99 ● OS 2.2 | £0.79/$0.99

FITNESS FOR iPAD

● iOS 4.1 | £0.69/$0.99

MARTHA STEWART CRAFT STUDIO FOR iPAD

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

MY WRITING DESK

● iOS 3.1 | £0.69/$0.99

HEART PRO III

● iOS 5.0 | £6.99/$9.99

FAMILY ILLNESS + SHOT TRACKER

● iOS 3.1.3 | £1.49/$1.99


93

200 GREATEST APPS EVER THE VERY BEST iOS APPS FROM EVERY CATEGORY IN THE APP STORE

WHAT’S HOT?

TABLETOP TRANSLATOR

Translate face-toface conversations with side-by-side dictations. Ideal for meetings. ● iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99

FACEBOOK POKE

The Poke returns and it has its own app! Poke Facebook friends with photos, images and videos. ● iOS 5.1 | Free

ZOMBIES RUN 5K TRAINING Get in shape by running for your life from zombie hordes. ● OS 2.2 | £0.69/$0.99

RISE ALARM CLOCK

This gesture-driven alarm can be switched off with a simple swipe. ● iOS 6.0 | £1.49/$1.99

HUNDREDS

This game seems as simple as its elegant design, but is actually a very crafty puzzler. ● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99



YOUR FAVOURITE APPS

@Knowyourapps


/AppsMagazine


[email protected]


MUSIC

NAVIGATION

NEWS

PHOTO & VIDEO

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

With a multitude of instruments, plus multitrack recording, this is a magical music box that anyone can enjoy.

This app provides near real-time air traffic maps that let you track the positions and paths of aircraft above you.

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 4.2 | £4.99/$6.99

Newspaper skin for reading your favourite new media news sites in an old-fashioned, but intuitive interface.

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

The final piece in the iLife puzzle for iOS, iPhoto comes with an astonishing suite of editing tools to tweak images.

● iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

Android

iPad/Android

Make music in minutes with this easy-to-use interface. Export results to iTunes Audio Sharing.

Join the world’s biggest treasure hunt with your friends and family by becoming a Geocacher. It’s great fun.

Easily sync your favourite subreddits for later offline viewing in this clean, easy-touse Holo interface.

Edit images on the go with a range of touch control tools using this essential software.

● OS 2.2 | £1.25/$2.00

● iOS 5.0 | £6.99/$9.99 ● OS 3.1 | £6.99/$9.99

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Take tracks from your iTunes library and start mixing them together on this fully featured turntablist app.

Crowdsourced maps with offline functionality to save on data costs.

Access your Google Reader subscriptions in a newspaper-like interface. Top articles can be starred and shared online.

Great on the iPhone and iPad, this moviemaking app allows you to capture, edit and share footage anytime.

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

Android

Explore three centuries of classical music with this interactive mix of music and video content.

Access more than 7,000 maps from around the world, and download them to your iPad or iPhone for use offline.

Toggle easily between original news sites and an elegant magazine reader, and save articles for offline use.

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

Create time-lapse and stop-motion videos with this sleek app. Customise the frame rate to get the effect your looking for.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone

iPad

iPhone/iPad

Ideal for the mountains, view 3D maps and aerial images, and plan your route.

Learn to speed read while taking in the news headlines. Set the pace words appear one at a time to train yourself.

Create a comic book starring your friends and family by applying speech bubbles and borders to images.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

Android

Hum a tune or sing a lyric and SoundHound will give you the full name of the song and artist.

Maps work offline, however online use also includes Google, Wikipedia and Yelp searches.

Reddit redesigned for a large touchscreen; includes increased interactivity.

The fastest camera on Android, this app will take ten shots per second and offers a range of filters for your images.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone

iPhone

iPhone/iPad/Android

View guitar tabs, create lists of your favourites, and view chord diagrams.

Augmented reality navigator and compass that lets you track your location and work out bearings in real-time.

Save feature articles on the web and long blogs posts for later offline reading and enjoy in this paper-like reader.

Transform your photos into colourful works of art with picture editing and painting app.

● iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 2.1 | £3.19/$4.99

iPhone/iPad

iPad

Android

iPhone/iPad

Record live airplay, set up a radio alarm clock on your iPhone or iPad, and AirPlay radio stations to other devices.

Provides geographical details for highland, hilltop and mountain walks across United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

This client for Google Reader offers a customisable interface, as well as the option to have articles read to you.

Simply pan the camera left to right while taking photos and watch as they are stitched together seamlessly.

Android

iPad

Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

Wirelessly sync your Android device with your desktop iTunes so you can enjoy your music on your smartphone.

All-in-one compass, GPS, map, zoom camera (photo and movie), range finder, and twoaxis inclinometer for iPad.

Apply paper texture and cartoon effects to your photos and real-time video shooting.

● iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99

Simply swipe through this clearly laid out app to read articles offline with ease. Double-tap images to zoom in.

● OS 4.0 | £1.22/$1.99

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 2.1 | £1.19/$1.99

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Import all of your Google Maps data, including starred places and web history, to Apple Maps.

Download and listen to your favourite podcasts directly from your iOS device without the need to sync with iTunes.

Edit your photos with an impressive set of tools. The app even handles RAW images, if you have space for the file size.

GARAGEBAND

FIGURE

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

DJAY

● iOS 4.3 | £13.99/$19.99

THE ORCHESTRA

● iOS 6.0 | £9.99/$13.99

REACTABLE MOBILE

Create music with this clever app that includes synthesisers, samples and oscillators.

● iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99 ● OS 2.2 | £7.99/$9.99

SOUNDHOUND ∞

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99 ● OS Varies | £3.99/$5.99

ULTIMATE GUITAR TABS

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 1.6 | £1.86/$2.99

OOTUNES RADIO

● iOS 3.0 | £2.99/$4.99

iTUNES TO ANDROID SYNC

● OS 1.6 | £1.27/$1.99

VINYL THE REAL RECORD PLAYER

Add authentic crackle to your digitised music and watch as your album art ‘discolours’ with time.

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

PLANE FINDER HD

GEOCACHING

● iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99

GPS NAVIGATION 2 SATNAV BY SKOOBLER (UK/ROI)

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

CITY MAPS 2GO

MAPS 3D - GPS TRACKS FOR HIKE, BIKE, SKI & OUTDOOR

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

COPILOT LIVE PREMIUM

● iOS 4.3 | £24.99/$35.99 ● OS 2.1 | £24.99/$16.99

SPYGLASS

● iOS 4.0 | £2.49/$3.99

HILL LISTS

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

THEODOLITE HD

MY PLACES FOR GOOGLE MAPS

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99

PULP

REDDIT SYNC PRO

NEWSIFY RSS READER

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

LONGFORM

READ QUICK

● iOS 5.0 | £2.49/$3.99

ALIEN BLUE FOR iPAD REDDIT CLIENT

● iOS 5.0 | £2.49/$3.99

INSTAPAPER

gREADER PRO

● OS 2.1 | £3.19/$4.99

PRESS (GOOGLE READER)

DOWNCAST

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

iPHOTO

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

iMOVIE

● iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99

LAPSE IT - TIME LAPSE PRO

● OS 1.6 | £1.99/$1.99

HALFTONE

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

CAMERA ZOOM FX

● OS 1.6 | £1.79/$2.99

PHOTOVIVA

360 PANORAMA

● iOS 4.0 | £0.69/$0.99

PAPER CAMERA

SNAPSEED

● iOS 5.0 | Free

TOP 200 | GREATEST APPS EVER

PRODUCTIVITY iPhone/iPad

NUMBERS

REFERENCE iPad

BRIAN COX’S WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE

SOCIAL iPad

TWEETBOT — A TWITTER CLIENT WITH PERSONALITY FOR iPAD

SPORTS iPhone/iPad/Android

F1 2013 TIMING APP CP

TRAVEL

WEATHER iPad

iPad

AELIOS WEATHER

FLIGHT+ FOR iPAD

Whether you’re taking a flight or keeping track of your friends and family, Flight+ is one of the best apps around.

There are plenty of weather apps around, but this is one of the best we’ve ever used, and we would highly recommend it.

● iOS 4.2 | £3.99/$5.99

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Android

Make friends and have lively group conversations with this video chatroom app – or remain silent and just watch.

Pennant displays stats in a brilliantly animated way, and one that is simultaneously cool and traditional in feel.

Book a room, track a flight or rent a car and view maps of hundreds of airport terminals with this all-encompassing app.

Create your own weather station with customisable features, beautiful graphics and a range of widgets.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

This versatile app allows you to create, edit and view documents, and create attractive, customised pages.

Find essential information that is well-presented and easy to use in this clever app.

Manage your dream eleven with the leading fantasy football app.

Get live departure and arrival times for trains and download timetables for offline viewing.

● iOS 5.1 | £6.99/$9.99

● iOS 4.1 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 2.1 | £1.86/$2.99

Includes extras for Twitter, such as dictated tweets, scheduled posting and more.

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99 ● OS 1.6 | £0.70/$0.99

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 ● OS 1.5 | £2.99/$4.99

Vivid, real-time animated radar images of weather across the United States, with storm alerts and bookmarks.

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPad

message new people near you or around the world

View maps and track your position on golf courses across the world with this GPS app.

A combination of lifestyle and travel tips in a stylish magazine interface covering cosmopolitan cities.

Get seven day forecasts and radar imagery of the USA and much of Europe with WeatherPro for iPad.

This spreadsheet was designed for your touchscreen, allowing you to calculate figures and create graphs with ease.

With wonderful images, animations and video content, it’s a must-have for any stargazer.

● iOS 5.1 | £6.99/$9.99

● iOS 5.0 | £4.99/$6.99

● iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99

● iOS 4.3 | £23.99/£33.99 ● OS 2.1 | £23.99/£33.99

iPhone

Android

iPhone/iPad

This purely gesturebased app has one of the most innovative and intuitive interfaces of any app around.

Based on satellite imagery, view the Earth displayed at any time, in any location. Also works as a live wallpaper.

iPhone/iPad

CLEAR

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

PAGES

GRAFIO – DIAGRAMS & IDEAS

For a little brainstorming session at work you can’t go wrong with Grafio.

TERRATIME

● OS 2.0 | £1.99/$2.99

WOLFRAMALPHA

Tweetbot is perfect for heavy Twitter users on iPad.

TINYCHAT

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

TWEETCASTER PRO

● iOS 4.3 | £2.99/$4.99 ● OS 1.6 | £3.07/$4.99

DICTIONARY.COM – SKOUT+ DICTIONARY & THESAURUS Create and manage a profile and instant – HD IPAD An amazing resource to have available on the iPad.

The live map tracks every race, with detailed profiles for both cars and drivers.

TOPPS PENNANT

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE 2012/13

GOLFSHOT: GOLF GPS

KAYAK PRO

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

MYTRAINS

CITY GUIDES

WEATHER LIVE

● OS 2.3.3 | £0.61/£0.99

NOAA RADAR PRO

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

WEATHERPRO FOR iPAD

● iOS 5.0 | £5.99/$8.99

● iOS 4.2 | £2.99/$4.99

● iOS 4.3 | £6.99/$9.99 ● OS 1.6 | £6.21/$9.99

● iOS 4.3 | £20.99/$29.99 ● OS2.2 | £18.57/$29.99

Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

The innovative keyboard learns the words you use for more accurate auto-correction and predictive text.

This exquisite app brings the night sky to your device with all major planets and constellations displayed.

Forget SMS, this app allows you to send messages, pictures and more at no additonal cost and with consumate ease.

● iOS 3.1.2 | £7.99/$10.99

● iOS 3.1 | £0.69/$0.99

All the latest footy news and transfer gossip in one app with notifications for your favourite team.

The interactive bucket list offers photo-laden travel features of dream global getaways.

As well as a slick interface with a wealth of useful data, you get weather info for over 58,000 cities.

● iOS 4.0 | £2.49/$3.99

● iOS 3.2 | £0.69/$0.99

iPad

iPhone/iPad

Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Endlessly large canvas for simple sketching that you can export as PDFs.

Interactive 3D globe for children, beautifully rendered with details of all the countries of the world.

Improve your team’s performance with video analysis and draw directly onto images.

● OS 2.1 | £1.89/$2.99

● iOS 6.0 | £2.99/$4.99 ● OS 2.1 | £3.09/$4.99

A list-making app specially designed for your holiday packing, with a detailed pre-departure to-do list with over 100 tasks.

Simple and accurate 7-day forecast for UK tidal time. Scroll through hundreds of locations on the British coastline.

● iOS 5.0 | £13.99/$19.99

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

Manage your social networks in one place and view your Facebook and Twitter accounts in one timeline.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPad

Android

iPad

Elegant sketching app, also allows you to import photos to trace over and record your sketching for playback.

Browse Wikipedia using this excellent reader, which offers great formatting and customisation options.

Find out when someone unfollows you on the photosharing site.

Record and review your swing in slo-mo, compare it with that of the tour pros, and get feedback on improving it.

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

A retro weather app with beautifullydesigned dials and gauges that appear in stunning Retina display

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

Keep track of your position using GPS or switch to offline maps when out of mobile signal range.

● OS Varies | £6.99/$9.99

● iOS 4.0 | £6.99/$9.99

iPhone/iPad

Android

iPad

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Create a world-class presentation with this top app with a range of impressive themes and customisable features.

View all of human history on a colourcoded timeline and tap for detailed descriptions of specific events.

Designed to use your iPad’s touch functionality to manage your blog. Drop media into your posts with ease.

Create winning football strategies with this animated playbook app.

Discover great adventures around the world, then create your own wish list of places you want to visit.

● iOS 4.0 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 4.0 | £1.99/$2.99

Visual representation of real-time space weather caused by coronal mass ejections in our solar system.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Pad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

Write a list and sync it between devices so that you and your flatmates can all keep track of who’s buying what.

Clear, accurate and occasionally witty definitions, and detailed thesaurus.

● iOS 4.3 | £6.99/$9.99 ● OS 2.2 | £6.13/$9.99

Multipurpose playbook includes features for a variety of sports, from soccer to hockey to roller derby.

Turn your device into a radar dish and see what air traffic looks like in real-time.

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99

View all of your social networks in one place with StatNut and display them in a simple, colour-coded interface.

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.49/$1.99

● iOS 4.3 | £1.99/$2.99 ● OS 2.2 | £1.99/$2.99

View animated hourly and weekly weather forecasts for up to nine different places around the world simultaneously.

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

Explore 2,000 years of one of the world’s greatest cities with articles, photos and video.

Keep your username, followers, and direct messages, but delete all of your tweets with this social network spring clean app.

The rules to 74 major sports from golf to Greco-Roman wrestling, with illustrations.

Use Google Maps’ Street View and your device’s GPS to create an intuitive map that responds to your movements.

Charming animated weather illustrations belie the useful functionality of this five-day forecast app.

SWIFTKEY 3 KEYBOARD

● OS 2.1 | £2.99/$3.99

SYNCSPACE: INFINITE SHARED WHITEBOARD

SKETCHTIME

● iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99

KEYNOTE

● iOS 5.1 | £6.99/$9.99

GROCERY LIST

REAL MEMO PRO HANDWRITING

Freeform draw and write notes when you in a hurry. Tilting will create a new note.

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

REDSHIFT – ASTRONOMY

BAREFOOT WORLD ATLAS

ARTICLES

● iOS 5.1 | £2.99/$4.99

WORLD HISTORY

● OS 2.2 | £2.53/$3.50

CHAMBERS DELUXE

LONDON - A CITY THROUGH TIME

● iOS 4.3 | £9.99/ $13.99

WHATSAPP MESSENGER

SEESMIC PRO

MY FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM

BLOGSY FOR iPAD

● iOS 5.0 | £2.99/$4.99

STATNUT

TWEETICIDE

● iOS 5.0 | £1.49/$1.99

FOOTBALL RUMOURS 2

● iOS 4.1 | £0.69/£0.99

COACH’S EYE

SWINGREADER GOLF HD

THE MASTER TACTICIAN MOBILE PRO

COACHNOTE

CURLY’S POCKET GUIDE TO SPORT

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

● iOS 4.3 | £2.49/$3.99

1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE

PACKING PRO

● iOS 5.0 | £1.99/$2.99

BACKCOUNTRY NAVIGATOR PRO GPS

SULLIVAN’S LIST

FLIGHTRADAR24 PRO

LIVE STREET VIEW

● iOS 5.0 | £0.69/$0.99

● iOS 5.2 | £2.99/$4.99

FIZZ WEATHER

TIDE TIMES

● iOS 4.3 | £0.69/$0.99

PEEPOMETER

SPACE WX

● iOS 4.0 | £1.49/$1.99

MAGICAL WEATHER

● iOS 4.0 | £1.49/$1.99

WEATHER DOODLE

● iOS 3.2 | £0.69/$0.99


95

BOOKS

iPhone/iPad/Android

For functionality and design we would take Kobo every time. Free books and cool reading stats.

One of the most powerful education tools around, with full university courses available directly on your device.

Track your accounts and bills all in one place, with the abilty to set budgets thrown in as well.

phenomenon is one of the best free downloads you can make.

● iOS 3.1

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.1

There is nothing quite like the feeling that comes from discovering a new artist and falling in love with them – a new soundtrack to your life. Band Of The Day gives you that feeling every day. Potentially.

A brilliant way to watch all the best TV on your iPad. ● iPad+ | iOS 5.0 | v2.44

CAMERA AWESOME

Despite the name this a very serious photo editor and sharer. ● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | v1.1.2

ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS A quite brilliant combination of two franchises we love. ● Android | OS 2.2 | v1.1.0



YOUR FAVOURITE APPS

@Knowyourapps


/AppsMagazine


[email protected]


● iOS 5.0

POCKET EXPENSE TEMPLE RUN The free running PERSONAL FINANCE

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

Apple’s own native book store comes with iCloud features, as well as the ability to change reading settings to suit you.

A library of over 3,000 videos to help users learn pretty much anything they want, no matter what their interests.

Bloomberg is a must for City traders and anyone interested in the stock market.

● iOS 5.1

● iOS 4.0 ● OS 1.6

A real challenger to Temple Run, this endless platformer has one touch controls.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

iPad

Android

Essentially a portal to read over 12,000 comics, and over 500 of them are free.

Everything NASA in one place, including news on missions and stunning imagery.

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.1

● iOS 5.0 ● OS 2.1

Monitor your spending and ultimately save money thanks to the charts, graphs and stats that are provided here.

● iOS 5.0

The Angry Birds franchise collides with Star Wars, complete with lightsabers and the force to help you.

● OS 2.2

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

A great app for book recommendations, Goodreads also has wishlists and social links.

As well as a class timetable and planner, you can add contacts, get notifications, and back up data.

Send money between accounts using just a mobile number, from your device.

● iOS 5.0

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.2

Gem-matching and settlement management have been neatly fused together.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

Regular programming with remarkable speakers and lectures for free via this app.

Check your current balance, view your account, and send money via 16 currencies.

Such a fantastic looking game for a free download – just try to survive a zombie onslaught.

● iOS 5.0

COMICS

GOODREADS

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 1.5

iPhone/Android

AUDIOBOOKS FROM AUDIBLE

Part of the Amazon family, so you have plenty of choice.

● iOS 4.2.1 ● OS Varies

● iPhone+ | iOS 5.0 | v3.0.2

FREE FAVOURITES NETFLIX

iTUNES U

iPhone/iPad

iBOOKS

WHY WE LOVE… BAND OF THE DAY

GAMES

iPhone/iPad

● iOS 5.0 ● OS Varies

PRICELESS APPS FOR iOS AND ANDROID THAT DON’T COST YOU A THING

FINANCE

iPhone/iPad

KOBO

FANTASTIC FREE APPS

EDUCATION

iPhone/iPad/Android

BUSINESS

KHAN ACADEMY

NASA APP

CRAFTSY

TED

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.1

ENTERTAINMENT

BLOOMBERG

SPENDING TRACKER

BARCLAYS PINGIT

PAYPAL

● iOS 4.2 ● OS 2.2

JETPACK JOYRIDE

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.2

ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS

TRIPLE TOWN


DEAD TRIGGER


FOOD & DRINK

HEALTH

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

iPhone/Android

Remotely access your desktop PC or Mac, so you can take your business along wherever you should be going.

So much more than an extension of the iPlayer catch-up serivce, with a great interface and plenty of content.

An essential destination for when you want something great to eat.

● iOS 5.0

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 1.6


iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

Cloud storage so you can save and access all your key files across all your devices.

Keep up with your favourite shows anywhere; just sign in with your Sky ID.

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.2

Your ultimate kitchen companion, Whisk helps you order ingredients and portion sizes.

● iOS 4.0 ● OS 2.2

Your ultimate calorie guide with a massive database as well as exercises and social links.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

A very clever workbased network where users across a team can delegate tasks.

Give your home videos some epic Hollywood effects with this brilliant free app for your iOS device.

LOGMEIN

● iOS 4.3

BOX


PODIO

● iOS 5.0 ● OS 2.2

iPLAYER RADIO

SKY GO

ACTION MOVIE FX

FOODSPOTTING

WHISK

EPICURIOUS RECIPES & SHOPPING LIST

An absolute must for culinary masters and budding chefs alike.

iPhone/Android

ENDOMONDO SPORTS TRACKER

Endomondo is the most social fitness experience you’ll get.

CALORIE COUNTER


NIKE+ RUNNING

This app requires a pair of Nike shoes that have an insert for the Nike+ sensor.

● iOS 5.0

● iOS 4.0 ● OS 1.5

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Android

This handy app lets you to connect to iTunes wirelessly and play music and movies on your Mac or PC.

The app that’s perfect for any level of experience, from oven wizards to toast burners.

check symptoms and conditions, but you can also get drug information.

● iOS 3.0

● iOS 4.3

● iOS 3.0 ● OS 2.1

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

This app instantly translates the spoken word into text. Send notes and reminders to yourself, and so much more.

Cross device viewing thanks to the cloud. An absolute must for subscribers to the service.

Find a table and book it in just a few taps, whether it be a lastminute plan or planning ahead.

Post you concern and a qualified quack will respond with a diagnosis fairly swiftly.

iPhone/Android

JAMES CAAN BUSINESS SECRETS

Find out about hiring staff, raising money, and more in this app.

● iOS 4.0 ● OS 2.1

DRAGON DICTATION

● iOS 4.0

REMOTE

NETFLIX

● iOS 5.0 ● OS 2.2

● iOS 4.0 ● OS 2.3.3

HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING WEBMD ESSENTIALS Not only can you

TOPTABLE

● iOS 5.0 ● OS 2.1

HEALTHTAP

● iOS 4.3 ● OS 2.2

top 100 | fanTaSTic free appS LIFESTYLE

MUSIC

NEWS

PRODUCTIVITY

SOCIAL

TRAVEL

iPhone/Android

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

With voice, bar code and cover image search available, this app will find what you need.

Quite literally a wall of sound for users to interact with, as each ‘brick’ hosts an artist, their music, and cool photos.

It’s not only one of the best news apps around; it also happens to be one of the most interactive and fun.

Create a note on your device and save it to the cloud, where it can be picked up and edited anywhere you like.

The official app of the social network heavyweight to share your thoughts and more.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.1

iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

This app is not only great to keep up with your shopping, but also a wonderful place to browse for bargains.

Build customised playlists from millions of tracks and share them with the world using this custom radio app.

Bring together a huge number of personalised RSS feeds for a one stop shop for all your interests.

With cloud syncing you can create your lists and share your tasks across devices.

l iOS 4.3

l iOS 4.3 l OS 2.2

The ultimate social networking tool has regular updates. Easy to use, and fairly foolproof.

This excellent app even goes beyond the booking phase to give you important packing guides and a trip itinerary.

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

Searching and sharing on Fancy is all about becoming a curator of cool.

A cool combination of calendar and music discovery, with each new day bringing with it a new artist for you to enjoy.

Pocket lets you save any article, image or video you find online and read it later when you have more time.

Essentially giving you Microsoft Office on your device, completely free for all.

This is one of those definitive apps, giving you access to pretty much anywhere on the globe.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 5.0 l OS 3.1

This growing community is a great way to discover new things, and a hell of a timesink.

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.2

l iOS 4.3 l OS Varies

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad

This is a handy app to use in an unfamiliar place when you need to find local amenities.

An extraordinary app, Shazam can identify songs by listening to them for a short amount of time and give you the info.

This app allows you to watch live news feeds over Wi-Fi, so you can always stay current with the breaking news.

A simple and satisfying interface that Facebook and Twitter can only dream about.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 3.1.3

A wonderfully character-filled sketching and creative app where users can purchase other themed tools.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 4.3 l OS 2.1

iPhone/iPad

iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone

This never-ending cloud of music bubbles is one of the most creative ways to discover new music.

Watch live streams from the TV station in the palm of your hands. Feature-rich, brimming with content and totally free.

Access your images, documents or any other type of digital file you like, anywhere.

Bring your loved ones closer to you, no matter where they are with the video calls of Skype.

You can download full city guides, plus maps, for over 60 of the most exciting destinations on the planet.

GooGle Shopper

l iOS 4.3 l OS 2.1

eBay for ipad

l iOS 4.0

fancy

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.2

aroundMe

l iOS 4.2 l OS 2.2 iPhone

SnapGuide

This communitydriven guidebook is a wonderful resource. Browse its many topics and get all sorts of handy tips.

l iOS 4.3

awediToriuM

l iOS 3.2

SpoTify

l iOS 5.0

Band of The day

l iOS 5.0

ShazaM

hiTlanTiS

l iOS 3.1.2

MEDICAL

flipBoard

l iOS 4.2

pulSe newS for iphone

pockeT

BBc newS

Sky newS for ipad

l iOS 4.2

NAVIGATION iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

This app tests your vision through a series of exams, and includes an optician finder.

Back on iOS and still the undisputed king of the mapping world. This app is all you need.

The native app is gone on iOS, but this free replacement is actually much better.

GooGle MapS

wunderliST

cloudon

paper By fifTyThree

dropBox


PHOTO & VIDEO

iPhone/iPad/Android

ViSion TeST

eVernoTe

youTuBe

TwiTTer

ScriBd - The word’S larGeST online liBrary All the reference books you’ll need, available offline.

hailo

Sets the standard and changes the way people order taxis on iOS or Android.

l iOS 4.3 l OS 2.2

faceBook


kayak MoBile

l iOS 4.3

pinTereST

paTh

GooGle earTh

TripadViSor hoTelS fliGhTS reSTauranTS

Find hotel and restaurant reviews, cheap flights, and virtual tours all for free.

l iOS 3.1

Skype

l iOS 4.3 l OS 2.1

REFERENCE iPhone/Android

iPhone/Android

Guidepal ciTy GuideS

l iOS 4.0

SPORTS

WEATHER

iPhone

iPhone/iPad/Android

The dedicated app for the official site, users can set persona settings to adjust the news they see first.

Fill your screen with some great themes to accompany your weather forecast.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 4.0 l OS 2.2

BBc SporT

weaTherwiSe

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.2

l iOS 3.0 l OS 2.2

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPad

iPhone

A large body of reference material laid out in such a way that it can be used to access specific symptoms in seconds.

A quite brilliant example of just how engrossing and stunning navigation apps can really be on iOS.

Give your images an impressive boost with the range of filters and editing tools on offer in this app.

Translate to and from 64 languages, speech from 17 languages, and listen in 24.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 3.0 l OS 2.1

The Sky Sports channels on your device, as well as some impressive in-game stat screens and graphics.

A solid and professionallyproduced app, this is free and therefore a musthave anywhere in the world.

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone/iPad/Android

iPhone

iPhone

Comes with data visualisation and stats so you can track the whole family, and medication.

Waze is a social app for drivers, letting users share info on incidents and delays.

This app has quite simply become the go-to image editing app across all devices.

l iOS 4.0

For the amount of info at your fingertips, this app is a must for every sports fan – and it won’t cost you a penny.

You never need to aimlessly trawl the coastlines looking for the big waves again, thanks to this free app.

l iOS 5.0

l iOS 5.0 l OS 4.0

The place to go with your burning questions, with the community providing answers

iPhone

iPhone

iPad

iPhone

iPhone/iPad

iPad

This app streams high-quality sports content so you can watch the hottest action live from around the world.

Forecasting with a difference as this app is truly social, allowing users to share their climate and what they’re doing in it.

l iOS 4.0 l OS 1.1


iPhone

aSSiSTance

l iOS 4.0

Blood preSSure MoniTor

uhear

recce - new york

l iOS 5.0

waze Social GpS & Traffic

BuddyTraffic

caMera aweSoMe

SnapSeed

The Guardian eyewiTneSS

GooGle TranSlaTe

Quora

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.2

wikipanion

Sky SporTS for ipad

l iOS 5.0

yahoo! SporTacular

l iOS 4.0

euroSporT player

The weaTher channel

l iOS 5.0

Surf reporT

l iOS 2.2.1

weaTherMoB

As hearing loss usually happens over a period of time, uHear is a good app for monitoring your hearing.

Access more than 7,000 maps from around the world, and download them to your iPad or iPhone for use offline.

Offers amazing images from around the world, covering current events.

An amazing resource to have available on the iPhone, with Wikipedia ar your disposal on your iPhone in this client.

l iOS 4.3

l iOS 4.0

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/Android

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

With a wide range of cool filters and a great community you can create amazing photos.

Everything you could wish to know about the sky above you is in this very handy reference app. Keep looking up.

Another great official app with comprehensive highlights and news from the Major League Soccer season.

Share real-time forecasts so you can see the latest weather from around the world, thanks to other users.

l iOS 2.2.1

proGnoSiS: Your Diagnosis

Uses case studies for better diagnosis in patients by doctors.

l iOS 5.0 l OS 2.2

l iOS 4.3

naVfree GpS liVe uk & roi

With voice-guided directions and no data connection needed, this is a great app.

l iOS 4.3

l iOS 4.0

inSTaGraM

l iOS 4.0 l OS 2.2

Sky Map

l iOS 4.3

l iOS 5.0

MlS MaTchday 2012

l iOS 5.0

wezzoo

l iOS 4.3


97

Make p p A this app There is pretty much an in for everything already th we on m ch existence, but ea ke ar t for expose a gap in the m tionary… something really revolu

The Lamestreamr. SOCIAL LINKS In a tap you can share your latest alert with your social media circles so they too realise that it’s time to put that Animal Collective T shirt on eBay and move on.

Relevance-O-Meter THE DRUMS

LAME SCALE

“KNOW WHEN AN ARTIST MOVES FROM ‘RELEVANT’ TO ‘LAMESTREAM’”

DAYS FOLLOWING

RELEVANCE-O-METER Use this graph to monitor how much buzz an artist is creating in the blogosphere and on social media. The moment their line jumps above the relevance cut-off point, you’ll be notified.

SEND TO FRIENDS

The Drums are officially LAMESTREAMED remove from your Music Library?

STAY RELEVANT Tap the cloud icon to see which artists you need to be adding to your library in order to keep your credibility up. As soon as an artist creates a SoundCloud, The Lamestreamr will add them to the download list.

NOTIFICATION The moment an artist goes above the relevance mention limit, you’ll receive a push notification asking if you’re ready to delete them from your music library.

The Lamestreamr

Make sure you’re never too late getting off the bus when it comes to ditching bands thanks to the alert system of The Lamestreamr The pitch: Are tired of being the person in your friendship circle who is always the last to realise that certain bands are so last year? Then look no further than The Lamestreamr, the app that monitors social media to let you know when an artist moves from ‘relevant’ to ‘lamestream’, and the darling of popular culture. Get them out of your music library instantly and replace them with the latest relevant sounds thanks to a sync with SoundCloud, which automatically updates your library in a tap. The Relevance-OMeter also allows you to track artists you’re worried might be getting a bit too much attention. Staying among the hipster ranks has never been more effortless.

98 Issue 30 of

is on sale 01 March 2013

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