EACH WEEK, WE highlight five apps that are worth downloading for your smartphone and tablet. There are a lot of apps released on a daily basis, but not all of them are worth paying attention to.
This week includes an activity tracker with a difference, a game involving a colour mixing sheep and a method for developing good habits.
Fjuul
For: iOS
Cost: €0.99
- In case the policy change surrounding Moves earlier this week spooked you out, there are many other great activity tracker apps out there and one just arrived this week.
- What separates Fjuul from other similar offerings is it not only tracks your activity, but also the intensity and form of your movements. For example, going up a stairs will be counted differently compared to waking on a pathway.
- Once you enter your info about your body type and characteristics, the app does the usual calculations of calories burned.
- The handy part about this app is it takes into consideration normal leisurely activities so you get a more rounded view of your daily movement.
- Should you need motivation, you can set fitness goals or compete against friends who also have the app.
Color Sheep
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Android – €0.74, iOS – €0.89 WP – €0.99
- Judging by the title, you probably expect Color Sheep to be one of the more whimsical games out there, and you’re right.
- Color Sheep is rather simple, change and mix colours to defeat similar coloured wolves.
- Everything is controlled through swipes and taps, mixing colours, choosing between light and dark. It simple and works better than you would expect.
- The only complex part is remembering which colours mix in the heat of the moment, although there are easier modes should normal be too much for you (or if you have kids who want to play).
- A nice little timekiller. Just don’t expect it to take over your life.
Slyde – Floating App Switcher
For: Android
Cost: €0.71
- One of the handier parts of Android is the number of customisable apps are out there.
- Slyde takes your five favourite apps and allows you to access them regardless of what you’re doing.
- Basically, by holding down on the right-hand side of your screen and swiping, you can open up any of the five apps you’ve chosen.
- It’s non-intrusive, and if the apps still appear, a quick double-tap will remove it.
- It’s not perfect, older phones will see it take longer to open, but if you’re regularly checking back on certain apps like Twitter or Gmail or need quick access to services, it’s a handy app.
HabitBull
For: Android
Cost: Free
- Habits takes time to develop, much longer than the 21 or 30 days that are normally suggested, sometimes it can take weeks or months to properly form.
- HabitBull lets you set up habits to take up (or cut down on) so you can document how well you’re doing.
- It’s broken down into its most basic form, setting reminders for each task.
- One nice touch is you get quotes from people who are trying to take up the same habit as you, instead of the Tumblr-style quotes you see floating around Facebook/Twitter.
- Like all things, it’s very much depends on what you put into it, but it’s a useful service for those trying to start smaller, positive habits.
Journey Planner
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
-The Journey Planner app has been available on iOS and Android since October but since Windows Phone users are only getting it now, a reminder never hurt.
- For those who haven’t it already, all transport services are covered meaning options like buses, trains, the LUAS, ferry and Aircoach can be searched for.
- The route planner is pretty decent too. Google Maps might be a little sharper at times, but overall, it’s does the job it sets out to do.
- Only thing is that the map is a little clunky, zooming in and out can be a bit of a pain and it will only zoom in so far, meaning there will be some frustration if you’re trying to select stops that are clustered together.
- If you’re using more than one service to get around, it’s a handy app to have on you.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say