Flipboard 2.2.3 - app

Flipboard is a media aggregation app that pulls content from a wide variety of sources and creates a magazine layout of the information to read.

Much like an RSS feed, Flipboard imports content from a many different sources and publishes it in the app, formatted like an interactive magazine. As opposed to showing off entire webpages, Flipboard formats the content to read like a magazine article.

The included sources are among the biggest sites online, but you can also connect your Facebook or Twitter account into the feed of content.

The layout of Flipboard works best for articles or images, so Twitter and Facebook content is not easily formatted. It actually looks very sparse and contains a lot of empty space.

You can also add other sites through their RSS feeds which will display their content in the main menu of Flipboard. The search function in Flipboard is difficult to locate in the settings and takes some maneuvering to find because it defaults to already added topics. Once you are able to access the general search, adding new content is very easy.

Using Flipboard is intuitive. Swiping up and down will switch between articles, and tapping will open them. You always have the option of opening the original source in Flipboard If there is some content missing. One thing Flipboard does not do well is support embedded videos in posts. When loading content, Flipboard only accesses text and images to make posts.

The app is almost identical to the iOS version and contains the same functionality. On tablets, Flipboard does have some delay, which could be attributed to the fact that it is not the final release version of the app.

Flipboard is one of the best e-magazine readers available.

Aldiko Book Reader 3.0.4 - app

Aldiko Book Reader allows you to turn your phone into a mobile ebook reader. You can download electronic books online and store them in a virtual library on the app.

The collection of titles available to download through Aldiko Book Reader is immense. You can choose from thousands of free and paid-for ebooks from the store. Currently, the selection on offer is based around the collections from Feedbooks.com, All Romance Ebooks, Smashwords and O'Reilly. There's a good mix of genres in Aldiko Book Reader, and plenty of free eBooks to download.

The Aldiko Book Reader store boasts a handy search tool, but unfortunately books are not categorized very well. You cannot browse titles by genre, which is very frustrating if you're a fan of a particular kind of book. It's not completely disordered though, and Aldiko highlights picks such as the New York Times Bestsellers, or a topical collection.

Each book available through Aldiko Book Reader has its own description and image, though you'll need to leave the app in order to view reader reviews.

Managing books you've downloaded in Aldiko Book Reader is a delight. The attractive, iBooks-esque library that houses your ebooks can be ordered by title, author, rating, recent reads, recently finished or recently added.

The viewer itself in Aldiko Book Reader blends the simplicity of flicking side to side to turn pages with several useful features that can be accessed with just a tap of the screen. Tools include text, brightness and orientation controls, plus bookmarking, sharing, a Day/Night mode Go To... option, and one-click access to the contents page.

Although its collection isn't as big as that of Wattpad, Aldiko Book Reader has a nicer user interface, which makes for a very pleasant Android reading experience.

Skype 2.15.0.154 - app

With Skype for Windows Phone you can chat via voice, video or text message with other Skype users.

The function of the app is the same as other versions, but the interface follows the Windows Phone 7.5 look. Once you sign in, your Skype contacts are displayed as a list and you can swipe to see different lists. Skype’s contact list integration is the same as the contacts list so the default settings are easily deciphered.

Calls in Skype for Windows Phone can be made over 3G and Wi-Fi. If you have Skype Credit, you can call landlines and mobile phones like the other versions. There are not any new features in this version and it has the same options as other devices.

Skype is very easy to use, though it's not the most polished VoIP app around. Video quality isn't amazing, and the app has a tendency to drain battery.

Skype is a VoIP app for Windows Phone that is a must-have if you're a regular user of the service.

Twitter 5.0.12 - app

Twitter, the official Android app for the service, has moved into version 3, presenting some pretty major interface changes.

Probably the biggest change to Twitter for Android is the appearance. It's really grown up, losing the multi-access homepage and launching instead straight into your timeline. It looks more sophisticated too, with a streamlined user interface while still using the recognizable blue header and black and white layout.

As far as Twitter for Android goes in terms of features, it parallels the online site, but sticks to the basics. The standard areas exist like the main timeline, @mentions, and your profile, but Twitter added a hashtag "#Discover" feature allowing you to browse what is trending. Tapping on a tweet now shows the @reply, retweet, favorite, or share options and lists who has performed any of the options.

Among Twitter’s nicer features is a cool tool to search your telephone contacts for Twitter users, and varied suggested users for you to add. You can also modify your profile pretty well from the app, while Twitter for Android also lets you create as many public and private lists as you want.

Twitter for Android supports multiple accounts, easily switchable from the taskbar. The configuration settings are still limited, especially in comparison to apps like Plume and Tweetcaster. Even so, if you’re a low-spec Twitter user who likes to keep things simple, the official Twitter app for Android might be right up your street.

Twitter for Android does its job very well, focusing on working like the online site.

Download Twitter 5.0.12

IMDb Cine & TV 4.1.1.104110110 - app

IMDb Cine & TV has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Endomondo Sports Tracker 9.4.0 - app

Endomondo Sports Tracker has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download Endomondo Sports Tracker 9.4.0

Instagram 5.0.6 - app

Instagram lets you take photos and videos with your Android device, apply a few special effects and share them with family friends on its own social network - or via other social networks.

What can you do with Instagram?

You take your pictures, add a customized filter, and post it to Instagram’s community or through Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare or Tumblr. Through the Instagram app, you can give “likes” and give or receive comments on your pictures.

Instagram has a Facebook-style feed, in which you can view all the photos uploaded by yourself and the people who you follow on Instagram.

The latest version of Instagram for Android allows you to tag people in the photos you upload, in much the same way as you would with Facebook. This will then show up in their Instagram feed. Instagram supports geo-tagging so you can add your location and see where others took their uploaded pictures.

The best thing about Instagram are the filters included in the program. There are many to choose from (Lomo-fi, Earlybird, Lily, Apollo, Nashville, 1977...) with different color, brightness and lighting effects. If chosen wisely, you can obtain really awesome results.

Instagram also includes support for videos, allowing you to capture up-to 15 seconds of footage to share via the Instagram network. As with photos, you can choose from a range of effects to apply to your videos to get them looking great.

Is Instagram complicated?

The Instagram app is very easy to navigate. There are icons at the bottom of the interface which represent the different features of Instagram: the photo feed, photo/user search, photo capture, news feed (recent activity on the network from you and those you follow), and profile settings. When viewing pictures on your profile you can choose to display as a list or as a series of tiles for easy navigation.

The presentation of the photos themselves in the photo feed is very clear, and likes and comments are shown underneath each picture. You can like or comment on a photo with a single click of an icon. However, it's a shame you can't open images full screen (i.e. you can only ever see them within the feed).

Applying filters and retouching your photos in Instagram is very simple. You can snap an image through the app or choose one from your phone then view live previews of what each effect will look like. Cropping and editing effects are basic but easy to apply and preview. There's also a handy image straightening feature that lets you correct pictures that were taken at a jaunty angle.

Unforunatley there's no 'Undo' feature in Instagram's editor, so if you make a mistake you have to start right back from before you started editing.

Now with video messaging via Instagram Direct!

Instagram now includes a photo and video messaging feature called Instagram Direct. It allows you to capture images and video then share them with Instgram friends. You can send messages via Instagram Direct to up-to 15 of your contacts at once.

The service is very easy to use, and if you have many friends on Instagram it could be a more practical alternative to sending multimedia messages via other services like WhatsApp or Snapchat.

The verdict

The Instagram app makes it easy to apply fun effects to your photos and share them with your friends. Although it requires you to sign-up to share images, the possibilities of pictures are vast.

Download Instagram 5.0.6

Despicable Me: Minion Rush 1.6.0u - app

Despicable Me: Minion Rush is a fun-packed endless running game starring the characters of the movie, Despicable Me 2.

Become the Minion of the Year!

In Despicable Me: Minion Rush, you play the role of one of failed evil mastermind Gru's loveable minions. Your mission is to run as far as you can in order to impress your boss and earn the title 'Minion of the Year. In order to achieve this you need to jump, slide, dodge and be as 'despicable' as you can.

Going further than most endless runners

The basic format of Despicable Me: Minion Rush is much the same as classic vertical-scrolling endless running games such as Subway Surfers, Temple Run, Sonic Dash and the like. However, there's plenty of twists on the basic dodge, jump and slide gameplay that make Despicable Me: Minion Rush a real treat to play.

You run through a varied game world based around the movie, which includes scenes based around Gru's weapons factory and residential areas. You must evade all the obstacles in your way, whether they are pipes, bombs, missiles or even other minions. You can knock minions out of the way to add multipliers to your points tally, which is based on the distance you travel. Besides this, you can bounce off springboards, slide down chutes and even fly through the air.

There are some fun mini games within Despicable Me: Minion Rush, include one with Gru's arch enemy Vector, and another villain who doesn't appear in the movie.

In Despicable Me: Minion Rush you collect bananas which you can use, together with game currency, to purchase power-ups, weapons and costumes. These unlock new dimensions to the gameplay such as flying on Gru's Rocket, riding a fluffly unicorn (in an amusing parody of Robot Unicorn Attack), and being able to fire frozen rays.

Even though Gameloft has done a great job to keep Despicable Me: Minion Rush entertaining, the gameplay is still repetitive by nature, although not as much as most other endless runners, especially since obstacles and environments change every time. The inclusion of social support with challenges and the ability to send funny minion taunts adds to the longevity, too.

Controlling your minion

Anyone who has played a vertical scrolling endless runner, like the ones mentioned above, won't have a problem picking up Despicable Me: Minion Rush. The controls are very simple, and are based around swiping left and ride to weave from side to side, swiping up to jump, and down to slide. Tilt controls are used for some parts of the game, such as where you slide down chutes in the factory.

On-screen instructions appear when you first start playing to explain the various controls and these are on the whole very clear, although one of the instructions for the Vector mini game was a little confusing (it seems like it says to swipe up whereas you actually need to tap the drone).

Just like the movies

Despicable Me: Minion Rush is an immaculately presented game. Fans of the movie are in for a treat because it manages to capture the essence of Despicable Me perfectly. It's not just that the 3D graphics are well rendered and look like the movie world - they actually feel right as well.

This is realized in a number of ways, from the use of original voice actors from the movie, through monitors that pop up in the background featuring characters from the film, to the hilarious antics of the minions who perform their strange little routines in the background as you play. Be careful because watching them clown around can seriously put you off your game!

One of the things that distinguishes Despicable Me: Minion Rush from ordinary endless runners is the way the camera angle can change as you're running, adding variety to the game and giving it a real cinematic feel.

The verdict

Despicable Me: Minion Rush is an accomplished endless runner that is highly enjoyable to play. Fans of the movie will love the game, since it makes great use of the license to create a fun experience with bags of charm. As is the norm with endless running games though, it ultimately becomes repetitive.

Download Despicable Me: Minion Rush 1.6.0u

KakaoTalk 2.0.3.0 - app

KakaoTalk is one of the best VoIP and SMS apps available.

How KakaoTalk works

KakaoTalk started as an SMS service that could connect users from different parts of the world but now it also allows for free voice calls. Using your phone number, KakaoTalk creates a user profile that is connected to it allowing for calls and messages.

You can also create a KakaoTalk profile so other users can find you. For friends who live in different countries, it is easier to use a username than using the general search. The app also allows for group messages and photo sharing.

The Plus Friends feature lets you "connect" with many Korean pop stars which is kind of a gimmick, but shows updates from pop groups in South Korea. KakaoTalk's best use is when you are traveling overseas and still want to connect with friends via Wi-Fi without costly international rates.

Other useful features of KakaoTalk include the ability to send multimedia (photos, and voice and video messages), participate in group chats, and apply voice filters, featuring characters from Talking Tom and Ben.

There's plenty of fun to be had with KakaoTalk, thanks to mobile game add-ons and a wide range of amusing emoticons that you can insert into yor chats.

Fast and functional

The service that KakaoTalk offers over data or Wi-Fi connections is great, since Wi-Fi is usually available in most countries, KakaoTalk is the best way to stay in contact with friends back home through voice and text. It is less bloated than Skype and offers a quick interface and function.

The verdict

KakaoTalk is one of the best SMS and voice apps available.

Google Drive 2.2.2 - app

Google Drive is a productivity application that allows users to access their documents and files from Google's cloud.

If you're a Google Drive on Mac user, you're going to want to download this app for your iOS device. Google Drive for iOS allows users to access their documents from the cloud but there is pretty big limitation, which I'll get to later.

Google Drive's interface is simple and intuitive. The main screen shows quick categories for your documents including starred, recent, and offline. There is also a search bar on the top for quick access. Images are easily viewed by swiping through them.

When you tap on a note or folder, you can view its contents or the document itself. You can also make comments on Google Docs files. Clicking on the small arrow on the right will bring up options for changing permissions and saving for offline viewing.

Unfortunately, Google Drive only allows users to view their documents but not edit them. There is an option to open up your documents in another app for editing but Google should really bake editing into this application to make it truly useful.

In the end, Google Drive is a good first step in bringing Google's cloud service to iOS but its lack of editing features makes it lag behind its Android counterpart.

Download Google Drive 2.2.2

Viber 4.0.0.0 for Windows Phone 8 - app

Viber, an app that lets you make calls and send messages to your friends using your phone's Wifi or 3G connection, is finally here for Windows 8 Phone!

Cool new features

The newest version of Viber for Windows 8 Phone includes some interesting features including interactive tiles, notifications on the lock screen, group chat for up to 40 people, and the option of opening conversations from the Start menu.

Easier than dialing 1, 2, 3...

To start using Viber, just enter your phone number to identify yourself as a Viber user. From here, your contact list is automatically imported from contacts saved in your mobile phone that already uses Viber. Every time one of your contacts installs Viber, or you add a new contact that already uses Viber, they will automatically be added to your Viber contact list.

Use Wifi or 3G for calls

Similar to popular messaging app WhatsApp and LINE, Viber lets you make free calls, send instant messages, share photos or share your location. The quality of calls is generally good but is dependent on your connection speed and strength.

A great competitor

Viber is a great application to rival WhatsApp and LINE for sending messages and making calls using a Wifi or 3G connection. Viber is available for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7, and because it allows you to make calls between them, it's the perfect app for communicating with almost anyone!

Download Viber 4.0.0.0 for Windows Phone 8

Facebook for Android 5.0.0.26.31 - app

This official Facebook app for Android allows you to post photos and status updates, and keep up with your friends' activity on the go.

The main page in Facebook for Android gives you the option to view different parts of your network, including News feed, friends, photos, inbox, profile and friend requests.

The bottom section of this page displays latest photos from friends in an attractive sliding viewer. Viewing latest notifications can be done simply by sliding up the bar from the bottom.

The news feed is obviously the main section, and this can be navigated by scrolling up and down. Clicking on a story allows you to like or comment on it.
Your wall works in the same way as it does on the Facebook site. You can also view and write messages within the app.

The Facebook app also allows you to take and upload photos, which is a really well integrated feature - it really couldn't be done any better.

There's even a button to instantly add it to an existing album once you've taken it. Viewing upcoming events is also a pleasant experience. Facebook for Android displays events in a vertical timeline, allowing you to see very clearly exactly what's coming up.

The app offers a pretty stripped down Facebook experience You can't view or upload video using this app, nor use any of your Facebook applications.
It would also be nice to have a feature to sync Facebook events to the Android calendar, like you can do in Facebook for iPhone.

This Facebook application is promising, and so far is slick and fast moving. However, it is missing a few features to make it a full Facebook experience.

Download Facebook for Android 5.0.0.26.31

KakaoTalk 4.3.0 - app

KakaoTalk is one of the best VoIP and SMS apps available.

How KakaoTalk works

KakaoTalk started as an SMS service that could connect users from different parts of the world but now it also allows for free voice calls. Using your phone number, KakaoTalk creates a user profile that is connected to it allowing for calls and messages.

You can also create a KakaoTalk profile so other users can find you. For friends who live in different countries, it is easier to use a username than using the general search. The app also allows for group messages and photo sharing. There are some basic image editing tools within the app.

The Plus Friends feature lets you "connect" with many Korean pop stars which is kind of a gimmick, but shows updates from pop groups in South Korea. KakaoTalk's best use is when you are traveling overseas and still want to connect with friends via Wi-Fi without costly international rates.

Other useful features of KakaoTalk include the ability to send multimedia (photos, and voice and video messages), participate in group chats, and apply voice filters, featuring characters from Talking Tom and Ben.

There's plenty of fun to be had with KakaoTalk, thanks to mobile game add-ons and a wide range of amusing emoticons that you can insert into yor chats.

Fast and functional

The service that KakaoTalk offers over data or Wi-Fi connections is great, since Wi-Fi is usually available in most countries, KakaoTalk is the best way to stay in contact with friends back home through voice and text. It is less bloated than Skype and offers a quick interface and function.

What's new in the latest version

The latest version of KakaoTalk improves upon the user interface of the chat window, moving the chatroom menu to where the keyboard is situated. A winter theme has been applied to the splash image of KakaoTalk.

The verdict

KakaoTalk is one of the best SMS and voice apps available.

Download KakaoTalk 4.3.0

Facebook Beta 5.2.1.1 - app

Facebook Beta is an early version of Microsoft's next Facebook app for Windows Phone. The app is free to download and use and can be run side-by-side with the existing Facebook for Windows Phone app.

What can you do with Facebook Beta?

Although it's not a final release, Facebook Beta packs in a lot of features that allow you to post to Facebook, chat, and follow what your friends are posting.

Just like the original Facebook client for Windows Phone, you can post status updates, access messages, check your news feed, upload photos, access events, view notifications and more.

Facebook Beta includes some features that set it apart from the official iOS and Android versions of the service. For instance, you can customize your lock screen with photos pulled from your Facebook albums, get toast notifications to alert you of Facebook activity even when the app isn't running (though this feature didn't always seem to work in our tests), and see live tile updates.

Other neat features of Facebook Beta that are not present in the standard client are the ability to pin pages/groups to your start screen and (finally!) the ability to share stories from friends.

The chat and messaging features of Facebook Beta are still not as advanced as they are in the iOS and Android versions. Disappointingly, you can't attach voice or photos into messages or see photos that have been uploaded to group chats.

How does Facebook Beta handle?

Facebook Beta is a little easier to get around than the existing Facebook app for Windows Phone. The user interface is much more common to the iOS and Android versions so if you're familiar with those you'll be able to pick up and start using Facebook Beta without too much bother.

The options menu and chat windows pop out from either side of the screen so you don't have to swipe across and go hunting for the option or contact you want.

How does it look?

Facebook Beta looks a lot more modern and stylish than the standard version. Although it appears more like other mobile versions of the Facebook app, it retains the 'flat' feel of the Windows Phone UI, making it easy on the eye.

The app seems much faster to load than the previous version, and you seemingly are no longer confronted with that awful 'resuming' screen when restarting the Facebook Beta app.

Although performance seems OK, Facebook Beta is still in development stage so of course you'll notice some strange behavior (patchy toast notifications and live tile updating are examples).

The verdict

Overall, Facebook Beta seems like an improvement on Microsoft's previous Facebook app for Windows Phone. The design is easier on the eye, and the new features are genuinely useful.

If Microsoft can iron out some of the performance and stability issues, this could one day become the best Facebook app for mobile.

Download Facebook Beta 5.2.1.1

Twitter 5.0.11 - app

Twitter, the official Android app for the service, has moved into version 3, presenting some pretty major interface changes.

Probably the biggest change to Twitter for Android is the appearance. It's really grown up, losing the multi-access homepage and launching instead straight into your timeline. It looks more sophisticated too, with a streamlined user interface while still using the recognizable blue header and black and white layout.

As far as Twitter for Android goes in terms of features, it parallels the online site, but sticks to the basics. The standard areas exist like the main timeline, @mentions, and your profile, but Twitter added a hashtag "#Discover" feature allowing you to browse what is trending. Tapping on a tweet now shows the @reply, retweet, favorite, or share options and lists who has performed any of the options.

Among Twitter’s nicer features is a cool tool to search your telephone contacts for Twitter users, and varied suggested users for you to add. You can also modify your profile pretty well from the app, while Twitter for Android also lets you create as many public and private lists as you want.

Twitter for Android supports multiple accounts, easily switchable from the taskbar. The configuration settings are still limited, especially in comparison to apps like Plume and Tweetcaster. Even so, if you’re a low-spec Twitter user who likes to keep things simple, the official Twitter app for Android might be right up your street.

Twitter for Android does its job very well, focusing on working like the online site.

Download Twitter 5.0.11

GPS aWhere 2.05 - app

When you want to find a save point the app will show you the direction, distance and position on googlemap, you can send your location via SMS or email.

It works correctly even without internet connection.

It can be useful in many situations:

- Return to the hotel without knowing the city and address

- Return to where you parked your car

- Save the coordinates of an area where you find mushrooms

- Find a Pharmacy

- Back at sea on a reef, a fishing ground or in port

- Return to your umbrella on a crowded beach

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BeBuzz Free - LED Light Colors 6.0.95 - app

BeBuzz Free - LED Light Colors has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download BeBuzz Free - LED Light Colors 6.0.95

PicMix 5.6 - app

PicMix has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download PicMix 5.6

Iron Man 3 for BlackBerry 10 1.1.0.1 - app

Iron Man 3 is an elaborate endless runner-style game in which you star as the famous superhero featured in the third installment of the movie series.

Endless running expanded

The format of Iron Man 3 is essentially that of an endless running (or, in this case, flying) game. But it's far more in-depth than many popular titles of this genre (Temple Run, Jetpack Joyride, Monster Dash, etc.), following a story based loosely around the plot of the Iron Man 3 movie.

Iron Man 3's gameplay is based around flying over various different levels, dodging obstacles and shooting enemies as you go. There are lots of objects and power-ups to collect that can help you upgrade your suit, purchase new suits (18 in total!) and weapons, and boost your defenses.

Besides the goal of traveling as far as you can without dying, there are lots of missions in Iron Man 3 which, if completed, give you rewards such as credits and 'ISO-8', the game's currency. There are even daily missions to complete which help you to piece together the story and earn more credits.

Like many games these days, Iron Man 3 relies on in-app purchasing to help you progress through the game. Without paying your progress is severely hampered and you'll be waiting around a lot for Iron Man to be repaired, or left with not enough capabilities to complete the missions. It's frustrating, but it's a fact of life in these days of 'freemium' gaming models.

There's no multiplayer mode as such, though you can pit yourself against others online by comparing your high scores.

Taking flight

The first few times you play Iron Man 3 you'll no doubt be a bit bewildered by all the missions, items to collect, baddies you can shoot, baddies you can't shoot, and the way that Iron Man chooses for himself whether to fly high or low.

What's more, controlling the metallic superhero in Iron Man 3 feels a little clunky and awkward. The default movement controls are based around swiping the screen left or right to change direction but it isn't particularly precise, making it difficult to avoid obstacles. However, the controls can be optimized, allowing you to adjust the sensitivity or even switch to tilt-based controls (which we found to be more comfortable).

Once you've fine-tuned the controls and got used to what all the on-screen mayhem is all about, Iron Man 3 becomes a joy to play and you'll find yourself gradually becoming addicted to the action-packed gameplay.

Hollywood look and feel

Iron Man 3 is one of the most elaborate endless runners you'll play in terms of its presentation. The 3D graphics are eye-popping, explosions are over-the-top, music is thundering and the voice acting is very good. All of this combined leads gives Iron Man 3 a real Hollywood feel, befitting of a blockbuster movie tie-in.

The verdict

Iron Man 3 is tricky to master at first, and the waiting around before being able to play does get annoying if you're not a fan of paying as you play.

However, with its Hollywood presentation, action-packed gameplay and plethora of challenges and missions, Iron Man 3 is less repetitive and monotonous than many endless running games.

Download Iron Man 3 for BlackBerry 10 1.1.0.1

Office Mobile for Office 365 15.0.2413.2000 - app

Office Mobile for Office 365 allows you to open, view and edit Microsoft Office documents on your phone.

What can you do with Office Mobile for Android?

Microsoft Office Mobile is designed to let you access your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on the go, using your Android phone. Unlike the Windows Phone version of Microsoft Office, the Android app doesn't support OneNote documents (for this, download the Microsoft OneNote Mobile app).

Office Mobile requires you to have an Office 365 subscription in order to use the application. You can then access all of your Office documents that are stored in the Cloud and any changes you make will be saved and synchronized. Office Mobile supports sharing via SkyDrive, SkyDrive Pro, and SharePoint.

Open and view Office documents on your phone

Opening and viewing your documents in Office Mobile is a real delight. The Open tab neatly lists all your various storage spaces with Microsoft (SkyDrive, SharePoint or SkyDrive Pro) and you can add individual folders to this menu to give you quick access to your frequently-used content. The Recent tab offers a handy way to load up documents you've just been working on, and these are neatly organized by date.

Viewing documents in Office Mobile is surprisingly clear and easy. Documents are optimized for small screen viewing and resize accordingly. Of course, reading Office docs, particularly Excel sheets, isn't great on a small screen (and there’s no support for tablets at the moment), but Office Mobile for Office 365 makes it as comfortable as possible. The pinch to zoom is smooth and effective for getting closer into big documents.

Once inside a Word document, you are assisted by the Outline view option, where you can quickly skip to a particular bullet point, chapter, or part of a document by scrolling through a list of markers. There's also a search option for if you quickly want to pinpoint a particular word or phrase.

Viewing options in Excel include the Outline view and Find, but are extended to include the ability to sort or filter data. The PowerPoint viewer doesn't include text search or filtering, but you can open a thumbnail panel where you can see a small preview of each slide and jump to the one you want.

Create and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files

While viewing and reading documents is a breeze with Office Mobile, when it comes to making edits to your documents, the application falls short.

The app allows you to create and make edits to Word, Excel and Powerpoint docs and the formatting will be kept intact. There are safeguards built into the app that ensure you can't make changes to a document if it's already open in Office 365 on the web or the desktop, locking it for editing on one platform.

The scope of the editing you can do with Office Mobile is very limited. In the case of Word documents, there are only very basic formatting options. You can apply bold, italic, underline and strikethrough text, choose from just three text colors, applying highlights, and change the text size. In the case of changing size, there are only plus and minus buttons for changing, and you can't see the point size.

Other than these basic formatting options, there's very little you can change in a Word document using Office Mobile. There are no page layout options to speak of, and neither can you insert items into your documents. However, it is possible to add annotations to your document, which is good for collaboration.

In terms of Excel, again you have some basic formatting options, plus Undo/Redo functions, AutoSum and the ability to create basic charts from your data sheets.

To assist document creation, there are some Word and Excel templates included in Office Mobile, though again these are basic and limited to just three templates for each program.

A reduced user experience

The limitations of editing documents on a small screen device are obvious and perhaps Microsoft wasn't keen to pump Office Mobile full of editing features because it knows that most people won't be using their Android device as their main Office tool for creating and editing documents.

Editing documents in Office Mobile for Office 365 on an Android device is more of a smooth experience than it is on the iOS version of the app, where copy and paste can be fiddly and the contextual menus have a tendency to have a mind of their own. The user interface of the Android app feels more polished and intuitive.

The verdict

As a document viewer, Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers works very well and rivals Google Drive in this respect. However, the formatting and editing experience needs to be worked on in order to improve the usefulness of the app.

Dolphin Browser 10.2.3 - app

Dolphin Browser is a fast and easy-to-use web browser for Android phones. It is packed with useful features to help you navigate the web more efficiently.

Dolphin Browser makes it easy to browse for sites and enjoy their content on your mobile, thanks to its excellent browsing features. Pages are opened in the form of tabs (you can have up to eight open at once). You can flick between sites effortlessly by clicking on the tabs or sliding the screen down to access the thumbnail window view, where previews of all the currently-open sites are displayed.

Other helpful browsing aids in Dolphin Browser include a bookmarks panel, which slides out from the left of the screen, giving you quick access to your favorite pages. You can easily customize the order of the bookmarks by clicking and dragging them around the list.

Dolphin Browser includes a Speed Dial for fast access to commonly visited pages. There's also a Webzine feature for reading Facebook, Twitter and news feeds in a comfortable way, through timelines with thumbnails.

Touch friendly

Dolphin Browser features full multi-touch support. You can navigate around sites with the flick of a finger, zoom in by tapping or pinching (a feature which is sorely missing in Opera Mini and Firefox Mobile.

On the subject of touch, this latest version of Dolphin Browser HD adds even more support for touch gestures. This allows you to draw a letter or a symbol on the screen to access a particular site or perform a function. For example, writing an 'f' will open Facebook; or drawing left and right arrows will move you back or forward through pages. You can even create your own custom gestures!

Getting around quickly

Handily, Dolphin Browser includes address auto-complete, which speeds up URL entry by suggesting likely matches from your bookmarks or from the web. There is no search bar to speak of in Dolphin Browser, but if you type a word into the URL bar and hit Enter you'll be taken to a Google search results page. There's even a voice search feature powered by Google, which works very well.

Dolphin Browser is very quick and it includes full support for HTML5. Unlike Skyfire, Dolphin Browser doesn't support Flash video within the browser, and instead it'll prompt you to launch a separate player.

Plug in to new features

There aren't a huge amount of advanced features built into Dolphin Browser, which may be part of the reason for its streamlined performance. However, you can beef up its capabilities by installing add-ons, which are accessible from a slide-out panel on the right of the screen. Among the downloadable extras are a password manager, YouTube search, ad blocker and Google Translate.

Given its slick performance and ease of use, we rank Dolphin Browser as the best alternative browser for Android.

PicsArt - Photo Studio 3.16.0 - app

PicsArt - Photo Studio is an excellent program for creating, discovering and sharing photos with your friends.

Packed with editing tools

Much like other photo editors for Android such as VSCO Cam or Photoshop Express, PicsArt Photo Studio lets you personalize the photos you take on your phone. 

The reason PicsArt - Photo Studio is such a stand-out program is due to the sheer number of options you have for customizing your photos. You can take pictures off your phone's traditional camera or else within the PicsArt - Photo Studio app itself. 

Once you've taken a picture or loaded one, you have a lot of different editing options to play around with. PicsArt - Photo Studio has lots of different effects to alter the feel of the picture you just took. You can also add clip art images to it, and give it a special message with different text fonts and colors.

You can apply effects to your photos with PicsArt, choosing from a range of preset filters, some of which can be tweaked. There's also a collage maker, where you can create impressive montages based on photos you've taken. 

By creating an account on PicsArt's website, you can share your images with other PicsArt - Photo Studio users, as well as browse photos taken by others. There's also the option to export and share your photos on social networks like Facebook, as well as other platforms like Tumblr, Dropbox and Flickr.

Needs time and patience

The only noteworthy negative noticed during testing was some occasional lag time between clicking an effect and actually seeing it applied. It also takes a bit of time to get the hang of all of the features available to you just because of the sheer number to choose from. Otherwise, your options on PicsArt - Photo Studio are almost limitless.

The verdict

PicsArt - Photo Studio is an impressively comprehensive photo editing and sharing app

Camera360 Ultimate 4.8.6 - app

Camera360 Ultimate has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download Camera360 Ultimate 4.8.6

Temple Run: Oz 1.6.0 - app

Temple Run: Oz is the fourth installment of Temple Run, the popular game where your character runs away from non-stop danger, collecting coins along the way.

After the success of Temple Run and Temple Run 2, Temple Run: Oz follows in the steps of Temple Run: Brave as the official game for the Oz the Great and Powerful film.

Adventure through the land of Oz

Temple Run: Oz joins together the Temple Run universe and The Wizard of Oz in an updated game full of amazing 3D visual effects increasingly common in both the film and the game.

Forget about Dorothy and get to know Oscar Diggs, the protagonist of Temple Run: Oz who travels to the places and scenarios in the fantastic and unusual land of Oz where nothing is what it seems and everything changes along the way.

In Temple Run: Oz, flee from flying baboons as fierce as the monkeys in Temple Run and the giant gorilla in Temple Run 2. As you escape, earn coins to acquire bonuses that will make you immortal at times and even let you fly in a balloon, just like in the film.

Oz in three dimensions

The graphics in Temple Run: Oz are the same great quality as those seen in Temple Run 2, well made and in 3D, giving more depth and realism to the game.

This latest installment blends the graphics of Temple Run 2 with the fantastic scenery in the world of Oz which changes unexpectedly as you progress through the game.

The same yet different

If you've played Temple Run 2, you'll find many similarities with Temple Run: Oz. However, this game also includes elements from the Oz the Great and Powerful film with its fantasy world and the ability to fly in a balloon which is new as compared to the original game.

If you want to travel through the fantasy world of Oz</em>, and you liked Temple Run and Temple Run 2, then download the app now and discover the enhanced world of Oz in Temple Run: Oz.

Download Temple Run: Oz 1.6.0

KakaoTalk 2.0.2.1 - app

KakaoTalk is one of the best VoIP and SMS apps available.

How KakaoTalk works

KakaoTalk started as an SMS service that could connect users from different parts of the world but now it also allows for free voice calls. Using your phone number, KakaoTalk creates a user profile that is connected to it allowing for calls and messages.

You can also create a KakaoTalk profile so other users can find you. For friends who live in different countries, it is easier to use a username than using the general search. The app also allows for group messages and photo sharing.

The Plus Friends feature lets you "connect" with many Korean pop stars which is kind of a gimmick, but shows updates from pop groups in South Korea. KakaoTalk's best use is when you are traveling overseas and still want to connect with friends via Wi-Fi without costly international rates.

Other useful features of KakaoTalk include the ability to send multimedia (photos, and voice and video messages), participate in group chats, and apply voice filters, featuring characters from Talking Tom and Ben.

There's plenty of fun to be had with KakaoTalk, thanks to mobile game add-ons and a wide range of amusing emoticons that you can insert into yor chats.

Fast and functional

The service that KakaoTalk offers over data or Wi-Fi connections is great, since Wi-Fi is usually available in most countries, KakaoTalk is the best way to stay in contact with friends back home through voice and text. It is less bloated than Skype and offers a quick interface and function.

The verdict

KakaoTalk is one of the best SMS and voice apps available.

Download KakaoTalk 2.0.2.1

uTorrent 1.22 - app

With uTorrent you can exchange files with millions of users worldwide.

Unlike uTorrent Remote, which downloads files via the uTorrent software on your PC, this uTorrent client for Android downloads files directly to your mobile device.

Programs like uTorrent and BitTorrent are almost the fastest methods to distribute files over the internet. Millions of users across the world use the software to download media and files, which is now also possible via mobile phones with Android.

uTorrent works in a very simple way: after installation, a smart menu appears, from where you can search for torrents and see what's being downloaded. On the left side of the screen you will find include a search button and the app's settings.

As with aTorrent uTorrent nestles in the system and connects itself with your phone's browser. Visit a web page with torrents on it and they will appear as clickable links. You can just click on a link to open the torrent in the uTorrent app right away.

Although it works well, uTorrent eats system memory on your Android device and there's the chance that files will fail when downloading them. This is not such a problem in aTorrent, though it's an alternative that's loaded with ads.

Despite a tendency to slow your phone down, uTorrent offers a very simple way to download torrents on your phone.

Learn Spanish with Babbel 1.0.10p - app

Learn Spanish with Babbel has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download Learn Spanish with Babbel 1.0.10p

GO Launcher EX 4.12 - app

GO Launcher EX is a theme customization app that replaces your stock launcher.

Installing GO Launcher EX is easy, but the initial launch includes a lot of placeholders for widgets Go Launcher has developed. These widgets do not do anything except link you to the Google Play Store so you can download them. If you want to customize GO Launcher EX, you will be spending a lot of time initially removing all the associated apps that Go Launcher wants you to install.

There are other launchers that do not include first party in-app links and they may be a better option for users looking for a simpler experience. As a launcher, GO Launcher EX works well, but includes too many "ads" for their own apps.

GO Launcher EX is a good launcher option, but there are less intrusive ones available.

Shazam 4.3.0-JB81291 - app

Ever hear a song you like on the radio, on TV or at a party but don't know what it's called? Install Shazam on your Android and you can find out.

Whenever you hear a tune you like, simply hold your phone's microphone to the speaker and hit the 'Tag Now' icon. Shortly after, details of the song will appear in the Shazam interface, including the name of the song, the singer, and the album it appears on.

Shazam provides a link to the song's video on YouTube, and offers the possibility to buy the track from the Amazon MP3 site. You can view a history of all the songs you've searched for using the 'My Tags' option.

But how can Shazam know so much about all this music? Well, Shazam 'hears' the song through your phone's microphone and uses your mobile Internet connection to compare the sounds it receives with those recorded in a huge online database of music. If it finds a match Shazam will provide you with the information immediately, and offers you the ability to email it to a friend if you wish. While Shazam can't recognize every song in the World, it managed to get most we tested it with.

The interface in the Android version of Shazam is very simple, and it only takes a few seconds to look up a song. It's a bit limited on features at the moment, and it would be nice to see more links to resources, such as Wikipedia biogs, when you've found a song.

That said, Shazam is so impressive that everyone should give it a try - especially as it's free!

Spotify 0.9.3 - app

Spotify is a music streaming app that lets you listen to millions of songs from your iPhone.

Already supremely popular as a desktop app for Windows and Mac PCs, Spotify's mobile app was once exclusively aimed at Premium subscribers. Now it's available to everyone, which places it squarely in competition with other popular music discovery apps like Pandora.

This version of Spotify for iOS 5.0+ devices looks gorgeous and makes it easy to start enjoying Spotify on your iPhone. If you login via your Facebook account, you'll also be automatically be given a free 48 hour trial of Spotify's Premium service that lacks the ads and radio commercials of the free version.

Once installed, you can listen to anything from Spotify's huge and expanding library. You can sync with playlists you have on your desktop, create new ones, or just listen to albums, or artist selections. Unfortunately, it's not possible to browse music by genre or category, which would've been a nice addition for people who don't always know what they're looking for.

Spotify's iOS interface is really easy to navigate. Searching is simple, while song results are easy to browse and well organized. Any track you listen to can easily be added to playlists, which themselves are easy to edit, reorder, and shuffle. Album art looks crisp as well.

There is support for offline listening too, although obviously you can't use saved music in any other app. The Spotify app is also quite a battery drainer when you're streaming via 3G.

In addition, Spotify now also offers the ability to start a Radio station based on your favorite playlist, album, artist, or song. Much like Pandora, you can now also vote songs up or down, based on how much you enjoyed listening to it. Hopefully Spotify will learn your musical tastes over time.

Spotify really gives other music discovery apps a run for their money with its intuitive interface and impressive song library.

Terraria 1.1.7 - app

Terraria, the best-selling indie sandbox adventure in the style of Minecraft, has finally arrived on iPhone. With role-playing elements, Terraria is a game with great lifetime value that's finally available on and specially designed for mobile devices.

The perfect mix of genres

Terraria takes its cue from several types of games: action, construction, platform, roleplay... The gameplay is very rich, and you'll get in hours and hours of play before finally mastering the game! The principle is very simple: you create a character (with loads of customization options) that appears by chance from a randomly generated world, and your only friend is a guide who's there to help you survive in this hostile world. It's up to you to build your home, upgrade your equipment, and mine deep into the bowels of the earth to collect the rarest materials and battle monstrous creatures. The concept recalls Minecraft, while being much more focused on the action due to the many ground mobs and secret game zones.

Designed with mobile devices in mind

This mobile version of Terraria arrived some time after the PC version, and the developers have had time to prepare a version specially designed for our expensive smartphones. Once you get going with it, the game leaves quite an impression: the menu navigation is easy and enjoyable and a bunch of features have been added to make it easier for the novice player to get up and running. A tutorial is included that explains the basics of the game and prevents new players from feeling lost in this huge world. The controls are accessible via a virtual joystick that appears on the touchscreen, with the ability to mine fairly easily (even if it takes a little time to master the "zoom" feature that lets you mine with precision).

Old-school graphics

The graphics in this mobile version of Terraria are largely based on the PC version (with the exception of options for customizing the avatar, which are much improved, by the way), and the style is kind of old-school. Fans of 16-bit graphics will be won over, while those who swear by HD may be left wanting more! Terraria is decidedly old-school when it comes to the graphics and music, but the gameplay definitely has a modern feel.

Our verdict: this standout game, finally on mobile devices

A version of Terraria for mobile devices was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. Quite simply, it's a game with a unique concept that offers huge lifetime value. Although multiplayer mode is sadly lacking from this version, the gameplay has been completely redesigned for mobile. We strongly recommend Terraria to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a mobile version of the game, and especially to the uninitiated!

Download Terraria 1.1.7

Meetup 4.0.1 - app

Meetup has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download Meetup 4.0.1

My Talking Tom 1.3.0.0 - app

My Talking Tom is a virtual pet game featuring the star of Talking Tom Cat and Talking Tom Cat 2. You need to keep Tom happy by feeding him, petting him, taking him to the bathroom, putting him to sleep, and playing games with him.

More interactive than ever

My Talking Tom retains the same basic functions as the Talking Tom Cat app, but takes things a bit further, giving you much more to do, and casting you more in the role of carer.

You can still do all the basic things you could in Talking Tom Cat and other Outfit 7 talking animal games, namely getting Tom to repeat what you say in a high-pitched voice and interacting with him by touching him in different ways. But the format of My Talking Tom now feels more like the virtual pet game, Pou. There's more to do with your feline friend, such as playing mini games, customizing his appearance, choosing food, and decorating Tom's house to your choosing.

One old feature that's missing from My Talking Tom is the ability to record a video of Tom, like you could in previous versions of the game. This is something I enjoyed and it's a shame it hasn't been included.

Getting new stuff in My Talking Tom requires game coins, which are earned as you go, or can be purchased. There's a leveling-up system where you can rank up by spending time with your cat and making sure his needs are met. As you level up you'll unlock new items and objects from the store.

There are mini games in My Talking Tom, such as whack-a-mole, which give you the chance to win coins, as well as satisfy Tom's entertainment needs.

How to play My Talking Tom

Just like in Pou (and tamagotchis for that matter), your pet in My Talking Tom has certain 'needs' that must be met. These are represented by round meters at the bottom of the screen that slowly deplete and must be filled up again by performing a particular action. The principle is simple to grasp and when you first play my Talking Tom the concepts are well demonstrated to you.

The four needs meters are: entertainment (refilled by petting Talking Tom or playing mini games), food (refilled by dropping food into his mouth) , bladder (refilled by taking him to the toilet) and tiredness (refilled by putting Tom to bed and turning out the light). To perform any of these actions you just need to tap the corresponding meter icon.

How's he looking?

The graphics and overall presentation in My Talking Tom haven't evolved much since Talking Tom Cat 2. The feline largely still looks the same (though you can customize him more) and his squeaky voice is identical. Also, it appears that Tom is the only character that pops up in the game (for example, there's no sign of his girlfriend Talking Angela, or of his nuisance neighbour, Talking Ben the Dog).

The verdict

If you're a fan of Talking Tom Cat or Pou, you'll enjoy My Talking Tom, as it blends the best elements of the two. However, some may find the process of constantly giving attention to the cat a little tedious and repetitive.

6tag 3.2.1.0 - app

Windows Phone doesn't have an official Instagram app but applications such as 6tag allow you to access your account, upload photos with filters and view the images your friends and other members of the Instagram community have published.

One of the most comprehensive apps available

 

6tag stands out for allowing most of the original Instagram functions.

For one, you can take photos and apply the popular Instagram original image filters. The same goes for videos. And you can also tag photos, add the location, etc.

After installing the application, you can log into your account or register as a new user. From then on, you'll also have an option to mark which photos you like or add comments.

Whatever you need, you have

 

Although it isn't the official application, 6tag works without problems at the moment. Navigation is easy and don't forget options such as using the front camera. It also lets you share photos on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr and Foursquare.

The Share, Like or comment functions are always easily accessible, as are the main options of the application.

Instagram outside Instagram

 

Barring any stability problem, 6tag works pretty well. It's full of options and comes with an attractive design - basically it's a good solution for Windows Phone users looking for Instagram.

While we wait for the official app...

 

6tag is a great way to use Instagram from a Windows Phone. As long as Instagram doesn't make any problems for unofficial apps, 6tag is an excellent alternative to get into the world of Instagram.

LINE 3.2.0.274 - app

LINE has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download LINE 3.2.0.274

Candy Crush Saga 1.23.0 - app

Candy Crush Saga is super-sweet free strategy game for iOS. Tiffi and Mr. Toffee need your help!

Gameplay

Candy Crush is a puzzle game where brightly colored candy takes the starring role.

Your task is to link a minimum of 3 candies, vertically or horizontally, so that they will disappear from the game grid.

Successfully doing this will allow you to accumulate points, which will give you access to new levels. It's a well-structured game and the difficultly level is well calibrated, so you'll get just the right degree of a challenge.

Playability

When you're playing Candy Crush, it's important not to get stressed by the time limits. If you do, you're likely to hit a bomb at a crucial point, loosing the game completely. Keep cool, and solve the puzzle before the time runs out!

Graphics and sound

Candy Crush, as you might expect, is bright, colorful and cute. That said, we think the graphics and sound are second-rate - it looks cheap and gameplay is jumpy and ragged, which is completely unnecessary and a real pity.

Conclusion

Candy Crush is an overwhelmingly popular game. It's quite likely lots of your friends are playing and sharing their progress on Facebook, so we can't blame you for wanting a go.

That said, we think Candy Crush Saga is a whole lot of hype over nothing. The gameplay is cliched and overdone, the graphics are poor and the whole game looks second rate. If you're looking for a cute timewaster for iPhone, you can do much better.

Real Racing 3 BlackBerry 10 1.0.0.77 - app

Following the success of its two previous installments, Electronic Arts brings you Real Racing 3, with great graphics, the largest roster of cars yet and, best of all, it's free. 

What's new in Real Racing 3?

 

For starters, more than 50 different models of the best brands of vehicles: Porsche, Lamborghini, Dodge, Bugatti, Audi, BMW, Ford, Nissan, etc. You'll start off driving basic models, but as you win races, points and experience, you'll get to drive more expensive and spectacular models.

What about the circuits? Real Racing 3 takes you all around the world. You run at Laguna Seca, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, and other real circuits.

To say that Real Racing 3 is a racing game doesn't do it justice because it includes all variants: individual races where speed is important, group runs, eliminations, endurance challenges, drag races, and more. In short, with the wide variety of events available for you to participate in, you won't be bored.

An interesting feature of Real Racing 3 is the way it chooses your opponents. You don't play alone but instead play against other people around the world. For each race, the player names or aliases along with the flag of their country of origin are visible.

Real Racing 3 uses a system that lets you race against others, even if they're playing at the same time. And they're chosen based on their performance and level of play. No worries since Real Racing 3 chooses your opponents based on your expertise, matching you against similarly-skilled racers. 

Your phone is the steering wheel

 

Your device may be rectangular in shape, but in Real Racing 3, it becomes a professional wheel. That's nothing new; the vast majority of racing games use this form of gameplay. What makes Real Racing 3 a standout is that the controls are easy to manage; you activate the gear shift and automatic braking with ease, and you simply tilt the device to one side or the other to turn on the track.

Experienced racers need not worry, as Real Racing 3 features seven different control methods, and there are lots of options for modifying the amount of brake and steering assist, as well as the ability to turn "traction control" on or off. 

A great game at the right price

 

Real Racing 3 joins the list of EA racing games including the Need For Speed series: Need for Speed Most Wanted, Need for Speed Shift, etc. However, this time around, EA has opted for the freemium model: the game is free, but to advance faster in the game, you have to unlock options with micropayments.

Real Racing 3 will please fans of racing games as well as newcomers to the genre. Its menu system and controls help beginners but they're also customizable for those who want more control over their vehicle.

This coupled with the long list of available models and circuits, and very well-designed graphics, exploit the features of your BlackBerry. 

For driving enthusiasts

 

Not everything in Real Racing 3 is perfect. The music is very repetitive and the low sound quality is reminiscent of another era. And the in-app micropayments are required to unlock tiers, drive better cars, and advance to a higher level.

These details aside, Real Racing 3 is a highly recommended experience with the quality expected from the Electronic Arts label. 

Snapchat 4.1.07 - app

Snapchat is the instant photo-sharing app that lets you take photos and send them to friends, who can see them for a maximum of 10 seconds before they're gone forever! With no way to save the photos or view them for longer than the allotted time, Snapchat is the perfect way to share quick snaps with your friends!

Now you see me, now you don't

The concept of Snapchat is really simple: you take a photo with the in-app camera, add up to 40 characters of text or use the pencil to draw in the odd mustache or devil horns, choose how long you want your friends to see the photo (anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds), choose which friends you want to receive it, and hit send.

When you receive a snap, you press and hold the message to view the photo. The timer starts as soon as you click the message, and counts down on the screen even if you're not holding down to view the photo. 

The newest features in Snapchat include the option to share videos, as well as Snapchat Stories, which lets your friends view photos an unlimited number of times for up to 24 hours.

Be careful what you share

When you start Snapchat, you use your phone number as an ID and can add friends through your phone contacts or using your Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Snapchat home screen is the camera itself. You can navigate to your notification feed and your contact list using buttons at the bottom left and right of the screen, but you must return to the camera to access one from the other.You can access the settings through the notifications section. It's not obvious at first, but because there are so few options, it's easy to get the hang of quickly.

Snapchat keep images secure by deleting them immediately, but there is no way of knowing if the images are archived somewhere else. There is also the danger of inappropriate images being shared (Snapchat has gotten the reputation of being the perfect 'sexting' app).

A new social network?

What used to be considered a 'sexting' app is now evolving into a social network with its newest feature Snapchat Stories. Regardless, Snapchat is still a good app for sending quick photo messages to friends as a hybrid between a messaging app and a social network. 

Viber 4.2.0.1656 - app

Viber allows you to make free calls and send free text messages from your Android device to anyone who has the app installed.

What can you do with Viber?

Viber works in a similar way to Skype, using VOIP to let you talk for free to other Viber users over 3G or WiFi. It also supports free text messaging, like WhatsApp Messenger, allowing you to send and receive short messages from your Viber friends.

There are plenty of features within the chat interface of Viber that help to liven up your conversations. You can send photos and videos, share your location, add emoticons, and choose from a range of fun stickers to insert into the conversation.

You can customize the background of the messaging screen, choosing a photo from your collection or taking a new one. This background isn't shared with the person you're talking to, however.

Another boon of Viber is its support for syncing with the desktop versions of Viber for Windowsand Mac. Messages and chat history are now totally synced, and you can even transfer live calls from your phone to the desktop app. Viber can be used across tablet and phone devices simultaneously.

How to use Viber

Unlike Skype, you don't need to sign up to Viber to use it. You just register your phone number once, and you'll receive an SMS message with a code. Enter this code into Viber and that's it. You'll never need to sign in again.

All of your phone contacts are automatically imported into the app, and a Viber logo is displayed next to any contact who also has it installed. You can then just click on their name to call them for free - regardless of where in the world they are, or even what phone they are using. If a contact does not have Viber installed, you can still ring them through the app, although you will get charged at the cost of a regular call.

The Viber interface is very clearly laid, making it very obvious how to use the app. The program could do with some more features, though, such as conference calling and video calling.

Viber features push notifications to ensure that you don't miss messages or activity.

The quality of calls with Viber is generally very good, and rivals Skype in this respect - although of course, quality isn't usually as crisp as a cellular call. One downside of Viber is that it doesn't give you the option to make video calls like you can with Skype.

What's new in Viber 4.0

Viber 4.0 adds a new 'Hold & Talk' feature, allowing you to send instant voice messages in real time. This is a feature that was popularized by apps like Voxer and Zello, and which is also built into WhatsApp. It's fun to play with and adds a new dimension to your chats.

Also added in the latest major update to Viber is support for up-to 100 participants in group chats (though obviously having this maximum could get messy), the ability to choose conversation backgrounds from the background gallery, and more than 1,000 new Viber stickers from the sticker market.

The verdict

Aside from the fact that you can't make video calls with Viber, it's just about the perfect chat app for your mobile. It looks fantastic, makes it easy to chat with friends for free and is a lot of fun to use!

Download Viber 4.2.0.1656

Camera360 Ultimate 4.8 - app

Camera360 Ultimate has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.

Download Camera360 Ultimate 4.8

avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus 3.0.6978 - app

From the makers of PC super security app, Avast!, comes Mobile Security & Antivirus, an anti-virus and anti-theft app for your Android phone.

Mobile security

The jury is still out on the existence of viable virus threats for mobile phones, but no matter where you stand, you're sure to find other, equally useful tools in Mobile Security & Antivirus. The app is relatively lightweight, and easy to use. It starts working as soon as you have installed it and for basic, all round protection, it doesn't even require any additional tweaking.

Bunches of security features

To get the most out of Mobile Security & Antivirus, of course, you need to take a look around the settings. Once in the app, you'll see just how flexible it it. The antivirus is there, of course, as is a firewall, app manager, privacy shield, call filter and anti-theft function, among others.

Mobile Security & Antivirus is a very attractive app, with a clean interface that will make personalizing these features very easy. Simply tap on the area you are interested in, and Mobile Security & Antivirus will show you your options. For example, you'll be able to schedule the virus scanner for automatic scans, view the apps that track your location (as well as other possible privacy invasions), enable and disable various shields and filters and more.

Anti-theft and Firewall

Mobile Security & Antivirus's anti-theft is really something to be reckoned with. It's an app that, obviously enough, needs to be set up before your phone is stolen. Once you configure it correctly, you will, among other features, be able to geo-locate it, wipe your personal details, trigger an alarm, and enable various remote actions. Mobile Security & Antivirus's anti-theft features are also virtually invisible to the thief, and therefore extremely difficult to get rid of.

There are two things to bear in mind when using Mobile Security & Antivirus. For one, if you want to enable the firewall, your phone must be rooted, which not all users will want. Secondly, the anti-theft features are extensive. This is great, but will require a little effort on your part, making it by far the most complicated part of Mobile Security & Antivirus.

Even Android virus skeptics will be amazed by the efficacy and breadth of Mobile Security & Antivirus.

Drag Racing 1.6.14 - app

Drag Racing is a simple, yet original, driving game for Android in which you have to beat a single opponent over a short strip of track.

There are a wide variety of real-life cars to choose from in Drag Racing, and the object is to tune them up to keep winning races. By winning races you gain money and respect points, which you can then use to upgrade your car or buy a new one. If you're lacking in respect points you can buy more through an in-app purchase.

The key to winning races in Drag Racing is by shifting gears at the optimum moment. The game controls consist solely of holding the accelerator at the start then tapping the stick shifts on the side of the steering wheel as the RPM goes up.

There are all manner of different races you can enter in Drag Racing. In single-player mode you can choose to race over two distances in four difficulty levels, moving up through levels as you complete them all. Drag Racing's online mode includes, Face to Face, Driver Battle, and even a Bet and Race mode where you can stake respect points on the outcome. There's also a Pro League where you can test your skills against a group of other online drivers.

Graphically, Drag Racing isn't that impressive. The side-on viewpoint and uninspiring animation makes the game look very two dimensional, but at least the sound effects are realistic.

Drag Racing is a fun and addictive Android racing game that's ideal for adrenaline junkies.

Subway Surfers 1.18.0 - app

Subway Surfers is a Temple Run-style game where you have to escape from a railway inspector angry with you for spraying graffiti over the station.

Keep on running

The objective of Subway Surfers is very simple. You automatically dart up the screen along the train tracks, and must avoid all the obstacles in your path, such as trains, buffers and carts. 

Along the way you need to collect coins which can be exchanged in Subway Surfers for special items such as coin magnets, hover boards and even paint-powered jet packs. These power-ups really help to make the game more exciting, and often they are needed in order to overcome a particularly tough part of the game.

The game allows you to challenge your Facebook friends and also gives you the possibility to earn more coins for Subway Surfers by inviting friends via Facebook.

Controls in Subway Surfers

The touch controls in Subway Surfers couldn't be simpler. You can dodge by tapping left or right, jump by swiping upwards, or duck by swiping downwards. Running is done for you, so these touch controls are all you need to worry about. You can activate power-ups simply by running into them then using them to perform special feats.

Vibrant environment

Subway Surfers is a good looking endless running game. The 3D graphics are bright and colorful, and there's plenty of fun and humor in there. Sound effects and music are used to good effect too.

The verdict

Subway Surfers is a fun reworking of the Temple Run format, which is addictive to play and will keep you coming back for more.

Cut the Rope HD 2.3.1 - app

Cut the Rope is a physics-based puzzle game with fun, addictive gameplay and a high level of cuteness.

Opening your door one day, you see a package, with a hole, and two cute blinking eyes inside. The adorable little green creature needs to be fed candy - so the Cut the Rope story goes, and feeding your weird pet is the aim of the game.

Each level starts with a piece of candy on a rope. Swiping your finger will cut the rope, letting the candy fall into the waiting mouth of your cute pet. Cut the Rope makes this increasingly complicated, with multiple ropes to cut, floating bubble, spikes and more.

Cut the Rope succeeds mainly because of it's addictive mix of puzzling and dexterity. As well as maddening processes to plan out, you'll need quick use of the iPad's multi-touch screen, cutting and popping with split-second accuracy so the candy reaches its target. But Cut the Rope never get's annoying. This is one of those games that you'll keep playing no matter what it throws at you.

Cut the Rope is destined to be the next Angry Birds, combining apparently simple ideas with highly addictive gameplay.

Download Cut the Rope HD 2.3.1