Monday 31 March 2014

Period Calendar / Tracker 1.401 - app

Period Calendar / Tracker has been tested by Softonic, but it still doesn't have a review in English.


Download Period Calendar / Tracker 1.401

Romantic dance 3 - app

One of the most romantic app on Google Play. Watch the love couple, dancing in the night. They are spinning in the dance and disappearing in the clouds. On the night sky you can see the birds and falling stars, which will make wallpapers even more vivid. Different settings will help you adjust wallpapers as you wish. If you like it, please rate it or buy full version, I will be grateful.

- You can adjust falling stars frequency

- You can enable/disable flying bird (in full version)

- You can turn on/off fog (in full version)

- You can enjoy this app :)

It is high quality 2d wallpaper that does not consume much energy like 3d live wallpapers. Cute dance animation makes the view looks very natural. Also it has sky meteor on the background and a little bird, which cannot sleep.

This wallpaper was designed for romantic users, users that want to set high quality 2d live wallpapers to their phones.

SoundHound Free 5.9.0 - app

SoundHound is a music recognition app that will tell you what song you're hearing or thinking of.

Figure out the song and save it for later

We were very impressed by both the speed and the accuracy of SoundHound and found it faster and more reliable than its more famous rival, Shazam.

SoundHound is very simple to use. One tap of the large button is enough for SoundHound to start 'listening' to what's being played or hummed, and all of the track and artist resources are well organized.

How to use Soundhound

You can use SoundHound by pointing your phone at the speakers while a song is playing, hum or sing the track, or perform a text search.

Once SoundHound has found the track it will pull up a wealth of information and resources relating to that song.

You can buy the song from Amazon, bookmark it, access related videos on YouTube, look up the lyrics, read artist biographies, and view other songs on the album. You can even share your discovery via email, Twitter, Facebook or SMS.

A rival to Shazam

Overall, SoundHound is a very competent music recognition app that is a worthy alternative to Shazam.


Download SoundHound Free 5.9.0

myBattery Lockscreen 1.1.0.0 - app

myBattery Lockscreen displays your battery level in a large, easy-to-read text while your phone is locked.

It also centralizes a lot of your settings into one app: you can change the lock screen wallpaper, displayed text, font sizes and opacity.

Granted, all of these options can be changed in different settings tabs, but having it consolidated in one place is handy.

Overall, it's a clean and well-presented app that won't impose on the aesthetic of your phone.


Download myBattery Lockscreen 1.1.0.0

Baby Lara’s Growth Milestones 1.12 - app

We all want to know that our children grow and develop well.

This is a useful app in helping parents keep track of their baby and/or toddler's development stages.

Growth stages are grouped by age and by development area (social and emotional, language and communication, cognitive development and physical development).

It also lists the milestones which, if not reached, signal that a visit to the doctor may be necessary.

- You can add notes and pictures for each stage event and can see them as a journal.

- All events are grouped by age and type.

- You can see warning of development troubles.

- This program is designed for parents carefully watching the baby or toddler developmental progress;

- Nurses and doctors that want to have a fast searching e-book.

LD TOEFL iBT Practice Lite 1.4 - app

Are you a non-native English language speaker wishing to enroll in universities using English as the medium of communication? Practice now with MUST have English words for your TOEFL ibt preparation. This feature rich android app for TOEFL test includes reading, listening, speaking & writing exercises through quizzes and games to score high in TOEFL test. Unlike other apps which give you mundane flashcards to cram for TOEFL ibt preparation

Start your TOEFL test practice today by using this app which will change the way to learn and practice for any English as a foreign language exam. Be it for TOEFL iBT test, TOEFL iTP test or TOEFL Junior test. Build a strong vocabulary with synonyms, antonyms, etymology and usage of words. Practice better with interactive games like Scramble, Match It and Army of Synonyms. Play quiz and score better with every attempt to score the best in TOEFL ibt preparation.

Main Features:

Free TOEFL iBT practice for reading, listening, speaking.

Staples feature allows you to add your most practiced words of english vocabulary.

Potpourri gives you every field of a particular word like meaning, synonym, antonym etc. in one table.

Revise & practice for the quizzes you have played to enhance your memory.

Clues are included in every game to help you for your TOEFL test practice

This app is compatible with Android OS 3.0 and above.

Google Play (ex Android Market) 4.5.10 - app

Google Play is the official app store of Google's mobile platform. It allows you to search for and download Android games, apps, widgets, and live wallpapers. The Google Play APK is no longer officially available to download and install, but comes pre-installed with almost all Android devices.

What does Google Play provide?

Google Play is a platform for you to view applications and other content before downloading to your phone. It indexes lots of information about each app, including the author's description, images, ratings, user comments and alternative suggestions. 

Using Google Play (formerly known as Android Market), you can consult the charts of the latest free and paid games and applications. Though Android is able to update applications automatically, Google Play allows you to check if you have the latest version of an app installed and download the latest update if necessary.

Google Play now offers more content besides apps, including Google Play Music, Google Play Books, and Google Play Movies & TV. Like Apple's iTunes for iOS, this makes Google Play an important hub for your digital life. 

Google Play allows you to set up wish lists of applications and content you'd like to download at a later point. It also lets you remotely install applications to your device from a web browser, syncing via your Google account.

Alternatives to Google Play

Although Google Play is generally easy to get around and it's simple to download and install Android apps, it's not perfect. Discovering new or interesting applications beyond the top lists offered by Google Play isn't always easy and there are other market apps for Android that can do a better job in this respect: 

AppBrain App Market provides app recommendations and shows you the new and hot apps of the day. It also contains a filter for seeing which Android apps have had a price drop.

Softonic Moba is our very own Android application guide. This app allows you to read Android app reviews from our team of expert independent experts. You can get recommendations of the best apps for a particular need be it traveling, eating out, networking and more â€" through Softonic Moba’s unique Hubs feature.

Aptoide is another useful program for discovering new apps. Alternatively, you could install the Amazon Appstore, which includes exclusive applications not available on Google Play.

The verdict

Google Play is an essential component of the Android operating system. However, it's worth trying some of the above alternatives or other app recommendation services to help you unearth apps that lack visibility on Google Play.


Download Google Play (ex Android Market) 4.5.10

Microsoft Word for iPad 1.0 - app

If you've been missing Microsoft's Office suite on the iPad, you don't have to worry anymore because the company has released Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the iPad.

Instead of a quick port of the iPhone version, Office for iPad consists of a trio of apps designed specifically for use on the iPad.

It's important to know that to create and edit documents, an Office 365 subscription is required. The free versions can only view or present Office documents.

A high learning curve to learn all the options

Microsoft Word is an excellent suite on desktop. It's a powerful tool that still hasn't been defeated. The difference with Microsoft Word for iPad is that it replaces all functionality that was formerly used with a mouse with touch controls.

If you have previous experience with Microsoft Word, then using the app for iPad won't be a problem. All the major features are present like creating documents through different templates, writing text with a ton of different fonts, and editing documents stored on the iPad or OneDrive.

Touch-based control isn't precise

While it's easy to create documents and edit text, performing more advanced functions is more difficult. Typing text through the on-screen keyboard is okay, but there is a limit in typing speed unless you are very familiar typing with Apple's keyboard.

Manipulating images is more difficult because you have to prepare the document before adding them. If you want the image centered, you have to change alignment before adding it. Photos are imported from the Camera Roll. Once the image is placed, you can't change the alignment which is very annoying.

As a creation tool, it makes more sense for rough drafts rather than full documents. The editing options are present, but if you're dealing with images then it's better to wait until you have a mouse. Though the shared real-time editing available could be a great tool for collaboration.

Integration through OneDrive is great because it will save and sync all changes when you exit the document. But the necessity of the Office 365 subscription makes the app's real usability only available if you pay for it.

Only useful if you have Office 365

As a free app, Microsoft Word can only be used as a viewer. You can't edit or create any documents through the app.

With the subscription, the app is useful for quick edits for text. Photo manipulation is trickier, but can be learned if you spend a lot of time with the app. For a casual user, Microsoft Word for iPad isn't really useful next to Apple's Pages. But if you already have a Office 365 subscription, then this is the app to use.


Download Microsoft Word for iPad 1.0

Thermometer 1.0.0 - app

Thermometer is an app that uses your mobile's GPS and Wifi to tell you the temperature outside.

The interface for the app is very simple: there's a thermometer that displays the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

This app isn't a "must-have" as most weather apps display the temperature. If you'd prefer to leave out battery-draining graphics common in weather apps, then give this Thermometer a try.


Download Thermometer 1.0.0

Drag Racing 1.0.0.21 - app

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


Download Drag Racing 1.0.0.21

Sunday 30 March 2014

Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets 5.1 - app

Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets is an app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that lets you search for nearby theaters and movie start times from your mobile device.

Most people are familiar with Fandango's popular movie ticket purchasing service on the web. Now you can achieve the same results from your mobile device. Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets lets you browse movies, look for showtimes and even view trailers, no matter where you are or what you're currently doing.

If you're using your iPhone or iPod Touch, you can rate and review movies you've seen directly from Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets' interface so other Fandango users can see them. You can also post the same movie reviews to your Facebook wall through Facebook Connect and sync to your web-based Fandango account to view your purchased ticket history, among other things. You'll need a Fandango account already set up to do this. If you don't have one yet, no worries. The app will prompt you to create one after you install it.

If you're an iPad user, Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets also gives you quite a few extras. There's a category on the app called The Pulse that will show you where tickets to the movie you're considering purchasing were sold (at least via Fandango itself). It's arguable that this won't actually help you avoid huge crowds since Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets only shows you the tickets purchased through its own service. It's still an interesting feature.

Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets also allows you to filter movies by genre, MPAA rating and also the format, such as IMAX or 3D. You can also search Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets via a filter to find specific features available in theaters like closed captioning, stadium seating, and on-site arcades. Plus, watching movie trailers on Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets is a real treat on the iPad's gorgeous screen.

Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets is truly an excellent all-in-one theater and movie time locating app.


Download Fandango Movies - Times & Tickets 5.1

Saturday 29 March 2014

Plants vs. Zombies 2 2.1.1 - app

Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time is the sequel to the hugely popular horticultural-based tower defense game.

Zombies with a time-travel twist

The idea of the game is to zap zombies through strategic gardening throughout different lands across the ages. There are three different worlds in total, including Ancient Egypt, Pirate's Booty and Big Bad Butte (a Wild West-themed world), giving Plants vs. Zombies 2 lots of variety and helping to make it look and feel distinct from the first game.

There are several levels within each world, which you play through in order. You have the opportunity to unlock new levels within each world through in-app purchases. You need to collect stars by achieving objectives, which you'll need in order to unlock each world.

Green-fingered warfare

The gameplay of Plants vs. Zombies 2 is more or less exactly the same as the previous version. You have a collection of plants at your disposal which you need to use to prevent the zombies reaching your house. Sunflowers provide sun, which is the currency you need to use plants.

Many of the plants in Plants vs. Zombies 2 will be recognizable to you if you've played the first version (pea shooters, cabbage throwers, exploding potatoes are some of the old favorites included in this sequel). However, there are a few new types of plant in Plants vs. Zombies 2 to look out for, such as iceberg lettuces that freeze zombies, Bonk Choy that punches zombies, and Bloomerangm which fires petals at the enemy.

Although planting is at the heart of the gameplay in Plants vs. Zombies 2, there are a couple of new additions to help in your zombie-crushing arsenal. The first is the availability of plant food, which you can give to a particular plant to beef up it's impact for a few seconds. For example, pea shooters will fire like machine guns, cabbages will go off like bombs and, handily, sunflowers will spit out lots of suns when you add plant food to them. Plant food is available by shooting specific zombies or by purchasing with game coins.

The other new innovation is power-ups. These are always available at the bottom of the screen for when times get tough, allowing you to obliterate zombies by pinching them to death, throwing them off the screen, or electrocuting them. It's a fun twist on the gameplay, though each power-up will cost you a lot of coins, so be sparing with them!

On the zombie front, the undead are as mean and moody as ever. The great thing about Plants vs. Zombies 2 is that there are specific zombies for each level (e.g. mummified zombies for the Ancient Egypt level, and pirate zombies for the Pirate's Booty level). There's plenty of variety among the behavior of the zombies, so you'll need to learn the best way to deal with each one.

Obliterating the undead

Anyone who played the first Plants vs. Zombies 2 should be able to pick up and play Plants vs Zombies 2 without having to relearn how it works. A tutorial level is available to walk you through the basics, but luckily you can skip this if you don't want to go through it.

Whenever a new gameplay element is introduced (plant food or power-ups, for example) you play through an interactive tutorial to get used to the controls. In the case of power-ups, controls are based around touch gestures, which are great fun. You can pinch zombies to squish them, hold and drag to throw them, or tap on them to frazzle them with electricity.

Well manicured graphics

Plants vs. Zombies 2 looks more polished than the first version of the game, and both the animation and the detail of the plants and zombies sprites have been shined. Its endearing comedic charm hasn't disappeared though and there's lots of hilarity to look out for in terms of the way zombies look and act and the humorous cut scenes that feature a running dialog between Crazy Dave and a time travelling caravan called Penny (don't ask, just play the game and find out!)

The soundtrack to Plants vs. Zombies 2 is also an improvement on the first game. The classic theme tune remains, but it has an orchestral score, where the tune varies slightly between levels.

The verdict

Although the gameplay hasn't been radically overhauled in Plants vs. Zombies 2, the overall experience is more polished and more varied than the first game. It's the most enjoyable tower defense game for Android that you'll play!

Chrome Beta 34.0.1847.99 - app

Chrome Beta is a test version of the Chrome browser for Android.

Chrome Beta requires Android 4.0 and higher just like the official app. The app allows Google to test features and updates before they are pushed to the stable Chrome browser. Chrome Beta is slightly unstable and has bugs because of the experimental updates that are being tested.

Features

The newest features in Chrome Beta updates with saved passwords and autofill entries taken from your synced desktop browser. This update also includes "an experimental data compression feature" for bandwidth savings.

Quality

While you should be able to browse normally, Chrome Beta is not meant for normal use. When Google announces a new feature in Chrome Beta, you will be able to test it and help Google develop features in its official browser.

What's new

Our latest release contains stability and performance fixes. More information can be found on the Chrome Releases blog at http://goo.gl/CCPRW

Installation

Clicking the download button will take you to the Google Play Store, where you can download this app.

This app cannot be found through search on Google Play

Difference between versions

Chrome Beta is not a finished app, expect bugs and possible crashes.


Download Chrome Beta 34.0.1847.99

Friday 28 March 2014

Flipboard 2.2.9 - 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.

Microsoft Office Mobile 15.0.2720.2000 - 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 lets you 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 OneDrive 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 (OneDrive or SharePoint) 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.


Download Microsoft Office Mobile 15.0.2720.2000

Dolphin Browser 10.3.0 - 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.


Download Dolphin Browser 10.3.0

Badoo 2.31.3 - app

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


Download Badoo 2.31.3

Instagram 5.1.2 - 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.

Instagram includes a photo and video messaging feature called Instagram Direct. It allows you to capture images and video then share them with Instagram 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.

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.

Optimized for Android!


Instagram has released an update that allows for Instagram to run faster and smoother on Android phones. The profile screen now loads twice as fast and the required memory for Instagram has been cut in half.

Instagram also has had its layout simplified and optimized with less intrusive icons.


Get yourself on Instagram

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 5.1.2

Google Authenticator 2.49 - app

Google Authenticator is a two-step verification process for your Google Account.

On your mobile device, Google Authenticator creates a code that must be inputted so you can access your account. Google Authenticator adds a secondary level of security for your device.

Google Authenticator features auto-setup through a QR code, support for multiple accounts, and support for multiple languages.

It is a simple addition to protect your Google Accounts from hijacking. To setup, you have to enable to two-step verification in your Google Account through your Account Settings in your Google Account online.

Google Authenticator is a good way to add another layer of security around your Google Account.

Subway Surfers (Kindle Tablet Edition) 1.21.0 - 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.


Download Subway Surfers (Kindle Tablet Edition) 1.21.0

Subway Surfers 1.21.0 - 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.

Pet Rescue Saga 1.15.6 - app

From the creators of the popular Candy Crash Saga, Pet Rescue Saga has arrived on Android. Colorful and appealing, the goal is to rescue kittens and other animals by clearing the display boxes.

282 levels and big, puppy dog eyes

Pet Rescue Saga has nearly 300 levels. Each level represents different animals, from dogs and cats, to rabbits, and even pigs.

While the game mechanics are very similar at all levels, the game does incorporate new elements and surprises as you progress, even from the very beginning.

The game utilizes a system of in-app purchases that you can disable if the free options are enough to keep you playing the game. 

Quick and addictive

The mechanics of the game are very simple. Like other games in the genre, you have to bring the animals to the bottom of the screen by destroying the colored boxes, grouping them together by color to make them disappear quicker. 

Colorful puzzles

Despite being a puzzle, Pet Rescue Saga takes pays particular attention to its colorful graphics. The movements are very fluid and it's a very quick game.

Like a cat to a cardboard box

Pet Rescue Saga is an addictive game that includes an ever-popular element: cats.

If you've already used the PC version or you like the idea of seeing nice pets on your screen, then Pet Rescue Saga is a recommended download.


Download Pet Rescue Saga 1.15.6

OneNote for iPhone 2.1.5 - app

If you need a way to organize your digital life online then OneNote is the perfect answer.

OneNote is a productivity tool which allows you to make digital clippings and collaborate with others across devices on projects. OneNote is ideal for everyone from those who just want to make shopping lists on the move to those capturing notes for classwork or brainstorming in the office.

OneNote is great for collaborative projects as it also runs on Mac, iPad, Android, Windows and Windows Phone.

Microsoft Office Mobile 1.1 - app

Microsoft Office Mobile allows you to open, view and edit Microsoft Office documents on your iPhone.

What can you do with Office Mobile for iOS?

Microsoft Office Mobile is designed to let you access your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on the go, using your iPhone. Unlike the Windows Phone version of Microsoft Office, the iPhone app doesn't support OneNote documents, although a standalone OneNote app is available.

If you have an iPad, you're better off installing the touch-friendly Office for iPad, which takes the form of separate downloads for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. An Office 365 subscription is needed to access the full features of these apps (this isn't the case with Office Mobile for iPhone where all features are now free to use for home users).

Office Mobile for iPhone lets you 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 OneDrive and SharePoint.

Open and view Office documents on your iPhone

Opening and viewing your documents in Office Mobile is a real delight. The Places tab neatly lists all your various storage spaces with Microsoft (OneDrive or SharePoint) and you can add individual folders to the Places 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 iPhone viewing and resize accordingly. Of course, reading Office docs, particularly Excel sheets isn't great on a small screen but Office Mobile for iPhone makes it as comfortable as possible. The pinch to zoom is smooth and effective for getting closer into big documents.

You are assisted too by the Viewing options icon which includes an Outline view, where you can quickly skip to a particular bullet point, chapter, or part of a Word document. There's also a Find 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.

One of the best things about viewing files with Office Mobile on your iPhone is that it automatically lets you resume reading from where you left off the last time you opened the document, whether it was on your device, on the Web app or through Microsoft Office on your desktop.

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 tocreate 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.

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 hit-and-miss 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 iPhone as their main Office tool for creating and editing documents. This said, editing in Office Mobile could be made a lot easier that it is, and there are some niggly things that make it a poor experience at times.

Copying and pasting in Office Mobile, for example, is a real drag. It's impossible to know if it's the fault of the app or flaws with the iOS copy/paste system, but the seemingly simple task of selecting a piece of text, copying it and then pasting it somewhere else in the document can be so frustrating. Often the text appears not to be selectable, or the 'copy' option doesn't appear, or the app won't bring up the 'Paste' option once you finally have managed to copy text. It doesn't happen always but enough for it to be very annoying.

Another thing that niggles with the Office Mobile user interface is the way that sometimes you can't close the pop-up contextual menu (the Outline view or formatting tools for example). Hopefully these issues will be addressed in future releases.

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.

Thursday 27 March 2014

Human 2.0.1. - app

The Human app for iOS is a passive activity tracker that motivates you to move at least 30 minutes a day. Like Moves, whether you're walking, cycling or running, the combination of location data and built-in motion sensors let Human know exactly how you're moving. The interface is uncluttered and elegant, respresenting one of the biggest benefits of using the app: simplicity. Human isn't overload with with all kinds of stats, simply telling you how much you've moved in one day to keep you going.


Download Human 2.0.1.

Microsoft Excel for iPad 1.0 - app

If you've been missing Microsoft's Office suite on the iPad, you don't have to worry anymore because the company has released Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the iPad.
Instead of a quick port of the iPhone version, Office for iPad are a trio of apps designed specifically for use on the iPad.
It's important to know that to create and edit documents, an Office 365 subscription is required. The free versions can only view or present Office documents.

Touch controls actually transfer really well

With Excel, the range of uses for the app are wide. You can make really simple spreadsheets or advanced databases of information interconnected with different equations.

While Microsoft Word for iPad has a small problem adjusting to the iPad, Excel for iPad works almost better than the desktop app. Containing a lot of different templates to use, Excel has the same core function only utilizing touch controls to complete tasks.

Moving from column or rows takes a simple tap, and combining columns to create equations is pretty simple. For basic functions like making a spreadsheet for banking would be very easy. A more advanced Excel dealing with multiple equations over multiple sheets may prove a little more challenging.

Like Word for iPad, Excel for iPad isn't catered to creating a spreadsheet from scratch. It's better used as an editing tool for adding new information. With the Office 365 subscription, Excel for iPad is a great tool to get some quick work done, but probably isn't the best to start a quarterly breakdown for business.

Easy to use, but will take time to master

Since Excel for iPad is designed for the bigger screen size, Microsoft was smart to keep all the important functions at the top of the app. Excel is also designed to be used specifically in landscape mode. Using it in portrait hides too much information.

Adding information is easy, just tap the space where you want to input and the keyboard will pop up. Excel even supports freezing panes which is actually easier than in the desktop version.

Overall the app is somewhat simplified compared to the desktop version, but supports all the main features including a massive amount of formulas for you to use.

If you are a power user of Excel with the Office 365 subscription, it's one of the best tools for iPad.

Needs the Office 365 subscription to work

Like the other Office for iPad apps, the free download only lets you view files. You can't edit or create any spreadsheets. This makes Excel one of the apps that absolutely needs the Office 365 subscription. OneDrive support is a strong feature in Office for iPad and really useful if Office is your main productivity suite.

It contains all the tools you need to manipulate data and the touch controls work really well. For the casual user, Excel might not be an app that's necessary, but the advanced user who has to constantly use Excel will find the app very useful.


Download Microsoft Excel for iPad 1.0

Angry Birds Epic 1.0.0 - app

Angry Birds Epic throws the world's most popular birds into medieval combat in this RPG battle game. It's an interesting departure for Angry Birds, but does it really bring anything new to a well-trodden game genre? 

It is currently only available in the New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian App Stores, and players outside of these locales will have to wait until later in the Spring to play the final release. The following preview of Angry Birds Epic is based on the soft launch version.

From catapults to swords

Angry Birds is a game franchise which is expanding much further than a piece of catapult elastic. What started out as a basic bird-hurling physics game in the original Angry Birds became more elaborate with Angry Birds Space and Angry Birds Star Wars.

But Rovio is expanding the game universe even further, by diversifying into other game genres. It started with the kart-game romp, Angry Birds Go! and now, in Angry Birds Epic the characters make the leap into the turn-based RPG combat world. 

Final Fantasy with feathers

In Angry Birds Epic you take control of the famous birds, who must overcome all manner of nasty piggies in a medieval-themed adventure.

In order to progress through each level in Angry Birds Epic you'll need to tool yourself up with weapons and armor, use magic potions, and upgrade your bird to become an ultimate warrior. There's a crafting system, whereby you can make weapons and armor with items you collect during the game. Likewise, there are alchemy and potion-mixing sections for concocting things that can help you defeat your foes. You should concentrate on upgrading your characters as you go.

Fighting in Angry Birds Epic is turn-based, using a similar dynamic as games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, or Pokémon. That's to say, just one character can act at a time, choosing to attack, defend, use a special power, apply a potion, etc.

The battle gameplay is fun, but I felt more attention could have gone into the story of the game. The soft-launched Angry Birds Epic definitely feels like a series of battles have been stitched together loosely in the attempt of making a story, rather than an engrossing adventure where the plot keeps you battling on to find out what will happen next.

Inevitably, it reaches the stage where 'grinding' (replaying levels again and again) is necessary to progress in order to have the right resources to craft items, the right materials for making health potions, and getting armor strong enough to withstand the increasingly mean and grumpy opposition.

As yet there are no online multiplayer modes in Angry Birds Epic and, surprisingly for a Rovio game, there's little Facebook or social integration. However, once the game gets a worldwide release, we'd hope that this would get added.

Is it easy to play?

If you haven't played turn-based RPGs before, Angry Birds Epic could be a good place to start. It's got a gentle learning curve, and you can feel your way around the controls and the gameplay system in the first few levels without really running the risk of dying.

Actions in Angry Birds Epic are explained in a subtle way with hand icons that explain what to do. This goes for everything from combat to crafting and purchasing items from the shop. 

Medeival mayhem

Angry Birds Epic lives up to the quality values of the Angry Birds brand: it's slick looking, humorous, and a bit crazy. The characters have been beautifully integrated into the medieval setting, with their personalities shining through the armor and medieval get-up they wear. Most of your favorites from Angry Birds games of hold are here, plus lots of new characters, especially piggies.

The grunts, giggles, and groans of pigs and birds that accompany the combat are in keeping with the previous Angry Birds games. This will delight or irritate you - depending on your opinion of the game series as a whole.

Die-hard fans will be pleased to hear that Angry Birds Epic includes a cinema section, where you can check out the latest Toons.tv movies starring the Angry Birds and other characters.

A twist in the tail

Turn-based RPG fans may find Angry Birds Epic a bit simplistic and lacking in depth as an adventure. However, for fans of Rovio's hacked-off avians, the game represents a refreshing new setting in which to enjoy their favorite characters. 

Camera360 2.0.0.0 - app


Camera360 is an essential app for Windows Phone 8. It adds a new dimension to the already fantastic camera that Windows Phone 8 devices already have. Camera360 allows you to add real-time effects, edit images and organize your photos in an attractive and, more importantly, functional way.

Effects, frames and shot configurations

Camera360 substitutes the default camera function on Windows Phone 9 and adds lots of new features.

From Camera360's wheel-like menu, you've got access to 6 predefined image modes: Auto, Portrait, Scenery, Food, Night and Microspur. You also have access to flash controls (front and back) and white balance.

That's not all. From the main menu, you can apply up to 6 frames and a total of 23 effects. These effects and frames are applied in real time, so you can see how the final article will look before you've even taken the photo.

Camera360 also organizes the photos you have stored on your phone in a very original way - like a calendar. From that menu you can then access any photo you want and edit it to your taste.

Lastly, Camera360 lets you share your photos on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Evernote, etc...) and personalize the message.

Digital camera-like menus

Camera360's wheel-like menus made us think of the menus you find on digital cameras - the ones that let you pick the shooting mode. It's very practical, although sometimes it's a little difficult to maneuver with your finger.

In all other aspects, Camera360 is a great example of usability. All the menus are accessible from the main menu and shouldn't cause you any problems at all.

Quality results

Camera360 works well and gives some really great results. The fact that you can see how the photo will turn out before you take it is really fantastic.

The only thing we missed was that the app doesn't support video.

An unmissable app

We think Camera360 is absolutely essential on any Windows Phone 8. It's good to look at, works well and really multiplies your options when you're taking and editing photos. The only reason not to install it and do away with the native camera app is that it still doesn't support video. Other than that, it's a solid 10.

Pou 1.4.32 - app

Pou is a virtual pet app for Android. Pou is a strange alien creature who you must feed, clean, and play with to raise strong and healthy.

A modern day Tamagotchi

Pou starts his life as a small blob. When you run your finger over the screen, Pou will follow it with his eyes. At the bottom of the screen you'll see your various inventory objects, and at the top, the statistics.

The first and most important thing to do is feed Pou. You simple drag food into his mouth to satisfy his hunger. You'll notice that this will improve his mood and reduce his appetite. However, at the same time it will get him dirty. To solve this problem you'll need to start visiting the rooms of the house.

House, you say? Yes, Pou lives in a house complete with kitchen, laboratory, games room, and a bedroom. In the kitchen, Pou gets his food; in the bedroom he sleeps; and the games room he plays, obviously. But what about the laboratory? Well, here is where you can clean Pou and make him better.

You can personalize Pou's appearance to suit your tastes, which requires you to buy objects from the store within the app. Some items cost more than others. You can accumulate game currency over time, but if you run out of patience you can buy stuff with real money.

After a few hours of playing, Pou will have passed its set level of development and will stop being a kid anymore. If you want to take a photo of him you can - or you can choose to send your Pou to visit your friends' Pous.

Owning a pet is never easy

One of the reasons for the huge success of Pou is its simplicity. The creature doesn't move and his eyes follow your finger around the screen. Washing, dressing and feeding Pou is simply a matter of dragging objects onto him.

The indicators help you to not lose sight of your pet's needs, and the two slide-out menus allow you to quickly change the wallpaper of a room or change the selected object.

In the mini games within Pou the controls are just as simple: sliding rows of colored Pous, jumping platforms, or collecting falling food just requires you to slide your finger in one direction or another.

If you haven't got the time to spend with Pou 24/7 don't worry because the app will display plenty of alerts in your Android notification bar. Pou will keep asking you for food, company, or to be cleaned.

Simple, small, and adorable

The first impression you get when you play Pou will probably be underwhelming, due to its basic colors and simple animations. It's fair to say that graphics aren't its strong point. 

After some minutes, however, it's easy to get used to the simple, almost Nintendo-like feel of Pou. In fact, the initial ugliness actually encourages to get to work on personalizing your virtual pet. 

In terms of sounds, Pou's "No" is becoming quite a catchphrase, and his chewing noises is catchy too. The developers searched for an endearing effect from the beginning - and they found one. Pou can repeat anything you say in a funny voice, just like you can do with apps like Talking Tom Cat.

The verdict

Like it or not, the success of Pou as a virtual pet is now rivalling that of the Tamagotchi. As with any real life pet, the novelty of playing with Pou wears off after a while but this Android game is adorable while it lasts.

Angry Birds Windows Phone 8 4.1.0.0 - app

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

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Kik Messenger 7.1.0.83 - app

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

SMS Collection 2 - app

SMS Collection Messages

If you want some good laugh, some inspirational quotes or words of wisdom, you need to get this amazing and free Android App on your mobile phone. SMS Collection brings to you a wide range of attention grabbing SMSs that will not just let you enjoy yourself but will also let you share it with your friends, family and colleagues. Download this fascinating App and get ready for a hearty laugh!

If you want to laugh, say sorry, greet a friend, congratulate someone, wish someone on their birthday, all you need to do is select from the wide category and choose the one the best suites your mood. SMS Collection Messages 50000+, is a free Android application that is easy to install and will definitely disappoint you.

With this App, you can also share your favourite SMS with anyone you want via messaging, Facebook, E-mail, WhatsApp & We Chat. The way to make each day a fun filled happy day is right at your finger tips.

You can also choose from the Top Rated, Latest and Most Popular SMSs of the time. Share your SMS via Messaging, Email, Facebook, WhatsApp ,WeChat and other social networking.

Comet 3D Launcher 1.2.47 - app

When you download Comet 3D launcher, you will be ready to start a completely different journey with your launcher.

You can enjoy a sense of perfect sci-fi and technological, such as:

1 Vivid glass

2 Realistic metal sense

3 Modern shape of 3D widget

4 360 degree perspective

5 Excellent operating mode

3D folder

A new 3D folder, like a treasure box, bring you desktop lots of surprises

Swipe over the folder?it will bring you more hidden space in your launcher!

3D widget

Flipping 3D clock?have you seen this before?!

Shortcut?the cool modeling, let you feel traveling in the galaxy!

Themes

Two sets of built-in themes combine your theme with your launcher perfectly.

Tips: More themes and more wallpaper will be constantly designed!

We'll also continue to produce some live wallpaper. Please look forward to?

Unread message count

An important function suggested by a kind user is added that our launcher should remind user their unread messages and missed calls in time.

1 3D launcher with Unparalleled 3D swipe effect

2 You can adjust the size of the icon

3 Cool click effect

4 Pinch close to zoom into 3D edit mode

5 Swipe around the dock bar; change the icon on it, Customize the most suitable dock bar for you!

6 Swipe over the 3D folder?it will bring you more hidden space in your launcher!

7 Flipping 3D clock?have you seen this before?!

8 Shortcut?the cool modeling, let you feel traveling in the galaxy!

this program is recommended for people who want to enjoy a sense of perfect sci-fi and technological.


Download Comet 3D Launcher 1.2.47

Firefox 28.0.1 - app

Firefox on Android is designed to provide a smoother web browsing experience on your phone.

How does Firefox look on a mobile?

The browser has a resemblance to Firefox for Windows, but it has an interface suited for mobile devices. For instance, pages can be opened simultaneously in the form of tabs, which you access by tapping the number icon next to the address bar. It's an intuitive way to control multiple tabs without filling the screen.

Like the desktop version, Firefox for Android also includes support for extensions, or Add-ons as they're known in this case. These allow you to power up the Android browser with more functionality.

What makes it different from other mobile browsers?

The variety of Add-ons is great to customize Firefox. Just like the desktop version, the variety of Add-ons can improve web browsing or add social media functions.

Other useful tools that are pre-built into Firefox for Android include a slick bookmarks manager and a start page that will show the top sites you have visited. Zooming in and out of pages has improved a lot since the early alpha release of Firefox. Now you can pinch to zoom, or double-tap for a quick in/out view, making page navigation effortless.

Another neat feature of Firefox for Android is its support for Firefox Sync. This grants you access to all the bookmarks, history and running tabs of the desktop version of Firefox, so you don’t have to worry about entering addresses manually.

What's new in Firefox 25

The latest version of Firefox for Android includes a swipe-friendly home that makes it easier to navigate amongst your top sites, bookmarks, and history. Firefox has also been optimized for memory usage and includes WebRTC platform support.

Firefox also now supports South African English, Thai, Lithuanian, and Slovenian languages.

Simple and smooth browser


Firefox is a very good Android browser and it makes for a comfortable way to use the web on your phone.


Download Firefox 28.0.1

Viber 4.3.0.712 - 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 4.3.0.712

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Puffin Web Browser Free 3.5.11577 - app

Puffin Web Browser is a web browser for Android smartphones and tablets. If you want to move away from Chrome, Firefox, Opera and the others, here's a comprehensive alternative in terms of features, offering tabbed browsing, the option to save to favorites, a download and extensions manager, themes, a gamepad and much more to help you browse web from your mobile.


Download Puffin Web Browser Free 3.5.11577

Twitter 5.2.4 - 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.

Telegram 1.4.8 - app

Telegram is an instant messaging app with a focus on speed and security and a good alternative to WhatsApp. Telegram supports group chats with up to 100 contacts, puts a strong emphasis on security and provides generous multimedia support.

High level of privacy and security

One of Telegram's main focus is security and privacy compared to WhatsApp. For example, Telegram features something called "Secret Chats" - an encrypted chat connection that self-destructs messages similar to SnapChat and prevents others intercepting them. In fact, security is one of the things that started attracting users to Telegram in the first place and now that WhatsApp has been bought by Facebook, this looks set to increase. The developers also claim that they do not sell or share user data with third-parties, there is no in-app advertising and yet it's completely free to use.

Send up to 1GB of video

Telegram also features a good level of multimedia support with up to 100 people and allows sharing of videos up to 1GB although you may find uploading and downloading quite slow. You can send batches of photos rather than just one at a time and you can store pretty much as many images as you want because Telegram allows unlimited online storage. However, you can't send audio files with Telegram or images in certain formats.

Note that like WhatsApp, Telegram is strictly a messaging app - there's no voice or video calling as yet.

An excellent secure alternative to WhatsApp

If you want an instant messaging client that offers more security than WhatsApp, Telegram is a very interesting alternative.

Netflix Android 3.2.1 - app

Netflix is a video entertainment streaming subscription service.

Netflix allows subscribers to watch television, movies, and other video content through their mobile devices. Netflix's library continues to increase as new content is loaded into the service. Netflix on mobile is one of the many ways subscribers can access their subscriptions.

The app's interface is broken into different categories like suggested content, recently viewed, and new arrivals. While new content is easy to find, using Netflix’s search tool is a little awkward. While Netflix contains a huge library, it is not a complete database of all video content.

Since Netflix uses streaming technology, the quality of the video depends on a few factors. Whether on Wi-Fi or a data connection, a strong Internet connection is vital for smooth playback. Netflix buffers the video stream so there are usually no problems with watching video.

Quality control is dynamic so Netflix will downgrade the quality to keep streaming the content. Over both Wi-Fi and a data connection, Netflix had little issues with playback, but skipping ahead in video did result in waiting while the video was buffered.

Also with the streaming connection, the source of the video plays a big part in quality. Older video does look aged while recent high definition video looks much better. There is a tradeoff between quality and consistent playback. When there is a solid connection, the app is great, but slower connections will cause the app to slow down while it starts the video.

Netflix is an excellent app for users who enjoy watching television and movies wherever they are located.


Download Netflix Android 3.2.1

Solar : Weather 1.4 - app

Solar presents the weather in a sleek and fresh way on your mobile.

What sets Solar apart?

Solar is designed for people who love design. They aren't flashy graphics or battery draining animations; there's just beautiful colorscapes and the ocassional rain or snow animation which fall based on the way you are holding your phone. As the day progresses, the color scheme changes with the top of the screen reflecting the shades of the sky and the botton of the screen showing colors above the horizon. For just being a weather app, it's incredibly stylish yet subtle. 

The most impressive feature of Solar is its 24-hour forecast. Scrolling up displays the change in weather down to the minute. As you scroll up, the color scheme seemlessly changes between light and dark shades adding another elegant visual touch to the app. 

Solar also has a whole bunch of ways for you to share the weather (if you are into that sort of thing) including Whatsapp, Facebook, and Twitter.

How to use Solar

Using Solar is easy, but at first it can be tricky to figure out all the options available. Right off the bat it pulls your GPS data to give you local weather. Adding other cities is easy: simply swipe right on the screen and enter the city name.

Swiping down and holding brings up a three-day forecast. Swiping up cycles through the 24-hour forecast. Double-tapping returns you to the home screen which has all your saved cities.

Beautiful weather

Who knew that a weather app could be one of the most elegant and stylish programs on the market? Aside from all its beauty, Solar : Weather is an excellent weather app displays the weather in a creative and easy-to-use way.


Download Solar : Weather 1.4

Spotify 0.7.8.566 - app

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

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 looks gorgeous and makes it easy to start enjoying Spotify on your Android device. 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 Android 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.


Download Spotify 0.7.8.566

WhatsApp Messenger 2.11.662 - app

WhatsApp Messenger allows you to send free text messages over the internet, saving you the cost of sending SMS.

What does WhatsApp do?

You can use WhatsApp Messenger to send messages over WiFi or 3G to anyone else with the app installed on their phone. The software works across mobile operating systems (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, etc.) so it will function with contacts who have other versions of WhatsApp Messenger installed.

WhatsApp Messenger gives you a number of other handy options aside from just sending text. You can attach a picture (taken from your camera or stored on your device), voice note, video, contact, and even your location. There's also an option to email your chat history.

WhatsApp Messenger has been optimized for BlackBerry 10 users, offering instant push notifications even when your screen is locked! It also scans contacts automatically so you have a list of exactly who you can contact through WhatsApp.

Is WhatsApp easy to use?

The setup procedure for WhatsApp Messenger is a bit fiddly and it can take a few minutes to get it up and running. Once set up, though, it's pretty easy to use. The chat window displays the history of the conversation in linear form. Just type and hit Send to post the message.

Yes, there is a catch!

The drawback with WhatsApp Messenger is that it only works if both people in the conversation have the app installed.

Overall though, WhatsApp Messenger makes for a handy way to chat for free on your BlackBerry.