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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.
We’re going to assume that you already have a lot of the most popular apps, so let us do the hard work for you and pick out the latest apps that are deserving of your time.
This week features a new and intuitive lock screen for Android users, a native Gmail client for Windows Phone users and a classic PS2 game arriving on the small screen.
Cover (beta)
For: Android
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- One of Android’s strengths is that you can customise both the lock screen and extra screens, but most of the time, you will want to access the app proper.
- Cover is currently in beta mode, but is a very intuitive app allowing you to switch between apps without unlocking your phone.
- Replacing your current lock screen, it learns what apps you use the most and sets it up so that they’re only a swipe away.
- Switching to and from apps is also handy. All you have to do is swipe down from the top-right hand corner when you’re in an app.
- If you use your smartphone or tablet for work, it can present you with relevant apps suitable for each place.
(Video: Cover for Android/YouTube)
12 Days of Gifts
For: iOS
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- If you’re an iPhone user and you haven’t been availing of Apple’s Christmas app, get on it now.
- 12 Days of Gifts offers you paid apps to download for free between 26th December to January 6th.
- The apps offered are only free on the day so having notifications switched on so you don’t miss them is a good idea.
- Quality of apps can be hit and miss, some days you get something like Broken Sword or Toy Story short movies, other days you’ll get songs from Maroon 5.
- Still, you’re getting paid apps for free so there’s very little to complain about.
(Image: 12 Days of Gifts/iTunes)
Diptic
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: €0.99 for iOS, €0.75 for Android, Free for Windows Phone
Why should I care?
- If you’re the kind of person who loves creating collages, there are many good apps out there but Diptic is probably one of the more consistent examples out there.
- Diptic provides both a large number of layouts, and a vast number of adjustments so that your collages look perfect before they’re published.
- Using it is a breeze and it manages to cram a lot of features in without overwhelming users, which is impressive in itself.
- You can purchase additional layouts, but unless you’re very particular about how your photos are placed, the basic ones are more than enough.
- It just arrived on Windows Phone, where users get it for free. iOS and Android users aren’t so lucky.
(Image: Diptic/Windows Phone)
GTA: San Andreas
For: iOS (Android & Windows Phone out next week)
Cost: €5.99
Why should I care?
- Vice City is usually the favourite GTA game, but San Andreas is wacky and never takes itself too seriously which makes it fun.
- It was released in 2004 meaning it’s almost ten years old. Let that sink in for a moment.
- On the game itself, it’s been modified for touchscreen players, meaning there’s two separate control systems for driving and moving as well as a more forgiving checkpoint system.
- Probably the exciting part is that for iPhone users, it’s compatible with iOS controllers. We’re going to assume/hope that the Android and Windows Phone version will get similar treatment.
- Only iOS version is out now, Android and Windows Phone will be out next week.
(Video: PlayscopeTimeline/YouTube)
MetroMail
For: Windows Phone
Cost: €1.49
Why should I care?
- If you’re heavily reliant upon Gmail, either for work or personal reasons, MetroMail brings the experience to Windows Phone.
- A lot of work has been put into the app, It’s been built from the ground up, meaning it integrates with WP perfectly.
- Pretty much every major feature associated with Gmail can be found here.
- It’s only the first version, with the developer hoping to add extra features like drafts and attachments support.
- The native mail app is still good, but if you use Gmail for work or personal use, you should give it a go.
(Image: MetroMail/Windows Phone)
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We have three bathrooms which is far from what i was reared with it but i would suggest that the majority of homes built in the last 10 to 15 years would have at least two.
It is bad enough going into the bathroom and hour after my husband has vacated it, not hope of me being anywhere near it when he is doing doing his business.
A feed of Guinness, a kebab and a taco chip put an end to that.
@Fay Moynihan: So you’re saying that you can”t tear yourself away from your booze and nosh to go and be with your husband for a little while?
@Paraic McDonagh: No, what i am saying is after he has had a feed of Guinness a kebab and a taco chip that he can move in with you.
@Fay Moynihan: your husband sounds like quiet a catch ….
@Fay Moynihan: Nice of you to share your grub with him before sending him packing. But it could never work out. My place has a meagre 1 bathroom. He’d never be able to readjust from the lifestyle he’s accustomed to.
@Paraic McDonagh: He’s banned from dumps in our En-suite so has to use the main bathroom with the fancy flushing toilet although he complains about it as the Wi-fi signal is very poor and he can’t close the door because the piano is in the way.
@Steve Austin: Stone Cold.
@the druid: ohhhh are you offended ..Snowflake …as life is gonna get tougher as you get older ..let me break you in ..there is no tooth fairy….and you weren’t your mammys special boy.
@Joe Bloggs: or in your gob !?
@the druid: it’s a quote from Fawlty Towers ..doesn’t get more lighthearted than that.
No, but the dog sometimes watches.
@Reg: Ah here
@Reg: my dog sits in the loo too…. on more than one occasion she has squatted and peed next to the toilet…. smarter than the average bear
When we had the kids, my other half took all keys from the doors so they wouldn’t lock themselves in rooms, so with the 3 kids standing watching I’m not to sure if the missus would fit in the bog also, but may be a new family game to try on Saturday night.
I still laugh when Father Stone drops trou with poor old Ted in the bath.
For a hit and miss yes. A donal trump no.
Time to split up if this ever happens
I’d get ‘stage fright’ so no point.
@Tony Gordon: glad I’m not the only one
@Tony Gordon: #metoo
Uh, yeah? How else can you manage living together? Usually though for a poo we just ask the other for privacy and then they leave. Simples. When you’ve “been intimate” with those parts you eventually stop being prissy about their usual function.
@Veronica: bit of back door action, go you girl.
@Veronica: I’m all in …
@Veronica: Watch out, we have an ass eater here
If you can’t talk to your partner while having explosive diarrhoea then you don’t have true love.
no..but if they barge in,they then must pass me the bog roll…
I’ve often dropped a duce in front of my wife while she’s having a bath. Give us time to ponder and discuss the more important things in life. After all some of our greatest ideas come while we are using the crapper!!
Come on Journal.This is just ridiculous and unnecessary.Im not being a prude but is there no privacy anymore?
Move on quick.
@gerry fallon: You’re being a prude.
liam Whelan: your just an old romantic at heart,
My wife has no problem entering with me doing a No.1 or 2. She only complains when her Respirator Strap gets caught in her hair.
If she ever has a baby chances are you will see your partner take a dump, as will the midwife and nurse.
*an
No. 1 or No. 2???
what a shitty question :D talk about muck raking, journal open door dumping all over the place
Why would you even ask!! Idiot
Sometimes i even show her
have your say