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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.
This week includes a board game version of the popular Hitman series, an excuse to explore Ireland on your bike and a service which makes multi-tasking a breeze.
Youmigo
For: Windows Phone
Cost: Free
- Ever had a question about a country or culture that couldn’t be answered through Google? Of course you have and now there’s a handy way to get those answers you were looking for.
- Youmigo is somewhat similar to Jelly in which you ask questions, but is focused purely on cultural questions.
- Asking questions is straightforward, simply tapping an area on a world map before letting you ask locals your burning question.
- Best part is it translates answers should an answer come from a non-English speaking area and vice versa.
- It’s very early days for the app, but the core of it is fun and it has a lot of potential.
IFTTT
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
- We can always do with more efficiency, and if you find yourself repeating actions regularly, this is the app for you.
- The basics behind If This Then That (IFTTT) is combining actions together. So for example, you can create an channel which automatically tweets an image anytime you post something on Instagram.
- iOS and web users get an impressive amount of customisation. You can choose pre-made combinations or create your own.
- The newly released Android version takes this a step further with six extra channels such as emailing reminders to text someone or changing your wallpaper anytime you post something on Instagram.
- Even if you don’t repeat actions, IFTTT an essential download as there are so many combinations you can work with.
Cycle Ireland
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €4.99 (lite version also available)
- With us coming into summer now and with the weather getting better (fingers crossed), now might be a good time to explore Ireland in a different way.
- Cycle Ireland features 100 pre-selected routes covering more than 6,800km of cycling, with different lengths to suit all levels.
- Each route is designed to bring you through scenic locations, and maps feature relevant landmarks such as cafes and nearby services should anything happen.
- There is a lite version available on both iOS and Android should you need to try it out first before purchasing (Note: it only features four routes).
- If you’re looking for something a little bit different to do during a quiet weekend (and it’s nice outside, lets not forget that), give it a spin.
Start Perfect
For: Windows Phone
Cost: €0.99
- While it hasn’t officially arrived yet, Windows Phone 8.1 has brought with it a new collection of apps which are being released already.
- Start Perfect allows you to customise your start screen any way you like, allowing you to get the layout and start screen you want.
- Alongside customising tiles and settings, you can choose and do up your background, add tiles for websites, and offers support for a large number of apps.
- A nice touch is allowing you to add space to your screen to show off your background image should you need it.
- As mentioned before, it’s designed for Windows Phone 8.1 so if you haven’t the developer version yet, you will have to wait until May at the earliest to use this.
Hitman Go
For: iOS (Android version arriving soon)
Cost: €4.49
- Turning a tense action-stealth series into a turn-based board game may sound like a strange move, but in this case, it’s an inspired move.
- Taking the style of a board-game, you move (slide?) Agent 47 across a collection of grid based levels. It’s surprisingly fluid and easy to get to grips with.
- Like most mobile games, it’s broken up into small segments with you having to carefully plan your route by using whatever means necessary.
- It’s quite impressive just how much of the series hallmarks translates onto the small screen. Nothing beats the feeling of competing a level by just the skin of your teeth.
- It is one of the more expensive iOS games out there, but it’s a game which will take you a while to crack.
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Wouldn’t happen in Funderland
And if it did they’d be charged for the extra time on the ride
World’s largest Ferris wheel in an area that gets many hurricanes!! Top marks for that idea.
I have lived in Central Florida for nearly 30 years and in that time only 3 Hurricanes have come through the area, all in 2004. We build to 120 MPH wind standards.
The Wheel is a very solid piece of equipment undergoing some teething problems.
Only 3 that’s nice to know….
Was in Florida for tropical storm Fay in 08.serious wind and rain if we had it here the country would shut for a week.but they just got on with it over there
Faulty Ferris- coming to a park near you soon!
I’d never get on a Ferris wheel again, the last time I was on one, It felt like someone was following me.
The guy in front of you had two people following him, round and round it goes.
I bet Kay Burley could make a “proper” story out of this.
If a member of the royal family was on it her head would literally explode with excitement.
sods law it would be the time you needed a pee
What is it with all these amusement park rides breaking down all over the place?? Alton towers then one in Germany and one in Denmark another in Alton towers again and now this? Is it simply more reporting that would not make news in the past ?
It’s the end of days !!
and only yesterday the seesaw in Mountjoy Square. I think it’s near the end of the world
Stop keeping us all in suspense , tell us what happened and do not hold back on the gore. Might just be the best piece on the Journal all week….
Was at the wheel yesterday at that time. No one was overly concerned. Seemed to be under control.
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