EACH WEEK, WE highlight five apps that are worth downloading for your smartphone and tablet. There are a lot of apps released every day, but not all of them are worth paying attention to.
This week features hyperlapses, staying away from your phone during dinner time and getting rid of spam SMS messages.
A5 Browser
For: Android
Cost: Free
- We’re already flooded with different types of web browsers, each one offering different things but what does A5 Browser offer that others don’t?
- To start, it describes itself as the ‘lightweight browser’ and while it certainly is this in the sense of how much space it requires (690k), it does a pretty decent job in loading up mobile sites quickly.
- The design is rather basic and clean, but everything you need immediately is there and it’s pretty easy to operate.
- Although the only drawback is that lightness comes at a price. Some of the functionality you would associate with other browsers isn’t here, which limits its use.
- For those looking for a quick and easy alternative to Chrome, Firefox or Opera.
Hyperlapse Mobile
For: Windows Phone (Android version coming soon)
Cost: Free
- In case you’re wondering, this is Microsoft’s version which has finally arrived (It’s not arriving on iOS since there’s already another app called Hyperlapse out).
- This version not only allows you to record new videos, but take old videos and give them the same treatment.
- Much like Instagram’s version, it’s a lot of fun to play around with. The level of customisation – you can make it normal speed or go up to 32x – and the smooth results make it so much better.
- There is an Android beta available, but it’s not available through Google Play yet so you’re better off waiting until it arrives.
- Definitely worth getting just to play around with it, and see what else you can do with old videos.
DinnerMode
For: iOS
Cost: Free
- You know the joke about there being an app for everything in existence. Well, there’s an app for helping you concentrate on your meal. No, seriously!
- That’s what DinnerMode is all about. An app that challenges you to put down your smartphone and concentrate on the food in front of you.
- You set the timer, put your phone down on the table (or level surface) and try not to check it during that period.
- That’s all it does really. The visuals are nice, but that isn’t really important when the whole point is to keep your phone down.
- For those who just can’t seem to tear themselves away from their smartphone screen and need extra motivation.
Clean SMS
For: Android
Cost: Free
- Remember when we all used to send each other SMS messages? While its popularity has been falling, they’re still relied on by many.
- Yet on Android there aren’t many SMS apps to rely on with Hangouts and Google Messenger muddying the waters. Which is where Clean SMS comes in.
- Alongside offering a simple design, it will port over your original messages and block any spam SMS from getting through.
- The latter is very dependant on how many of these messages you get, but it does a good job in guessing which ones are important and which ones aren’t. The text preview for each read message can be a little faded but new messages are bolder and stand out more.
- For those on the outlook for a new SMS service.
Kindo
For: iOS
Cost: €1.99
- If you’re looking for a game that offers a similar feel to chess (in that it’s unforgiving), but lovingly crafted, you should definitely take a look at Kindo.
- The aim of Kindo is to take over your opponents kingdom. Each turn allows two moves where you can take over a free square or fortify your own. It’s a little more complicated than that description, but it doesn’t take too long to get the hang of.
- It’s a game that rewards careful and deliberate moves. On lower difficulties, you’re allowed a slip-up or two, but the higher you go, the more costly such mistakes are.
- Although if you’re doing badly, you won’t have to worry as the ranking system pairs you with players of similar skill. You can also train against the AI which has three different difficulty levels.
- For those looking for a minimalist yet engrossing strategy game.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say