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Foldify/Vimeo

5 apps worth downloading this week

Featuring a mobile browser that focuses on privacy, a new way to learn a second language, and the sequel to one of the most popular smartphone games out there.

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 mobile browser that focuses on privacy, a new way to learn a second language, and the sequel to one of the most popular smartphone games out there.

Dolphin Zero
For: Android (iOS version in the works)
Cost: Free

Why should I care?

- If one issue dominated 2013, it was privacy. It was even Dictionary.com’s word of the year should you need further convincing.
- With that in mind, enter Dolphin Zero which describes itself as a “streamlined privacy-focused browser.”
- All information displayed or entered in the browser is deleted as soon as you move away from it.
- The only drawback is that it’s a very basic browser, you can’t save bookmarks for example.
- However, if you’re in any way concerned about how your data is being used, it’s worth playing around with.

image

(Image: Dolphin Zero/Google Play)

Duolingo
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

Why should I care?

- Most of us would like to learn a new language, and even put it down as a new year’s resolution, but don’t follow through.
- Duolingo wants you to learn a new language, but in a bite-sized format.
- You can set daily goals, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes, as you learn Spanish, French, German, Portuguese or Italian.
- Lessons are bite-sized and visual so you will never feel overwhelmed.
- More importantly, it’s just fun meaning you can pick up the basics of each language very quickly.

(Video: Duolingo/YouTube)

Kirik Settings
For: Windows Phone
Cost: €1.99

Why should I care?

- You know how iOS and Android have shortcuts that you can access anytime. Kirik Settings lets you do the same on Windows Phone.
- Kirik lets you cycle through all your apps through volume control, which is a nice work around.
- It lets you access WiFi, Bluetooth, location and airplane mode from anywhere on your phone.
- Only thing you need to be aware of is that it doesn’t work when music is on and vice versa.
- Still, it’s handy if you find yourself constantly switching between apps and features.

image

(Image: Kirik Settings/Windows Phone)

Foldify
For: iOS (iPad)
Cost: €3.59

Why should I care?

- Off all the uses you could think of for your iPad, papercrafts would be close to the bottom, but
- Foldify lets you draw, and create 3D paper figurines which you can later print out.
- Using it is simple. Pick a template, and draw away, meaning both kids and adults can enjoy.
- All 3D figurines are previewed while you draw, letting you see how your masterpiece will look before it’s printed out.
-  That said, you don’t necessarily have to print it. You can just share it so the world can see your magnificent creation.


(Video: Foldify/Vimeo)

Cut The Rope 2
For: iOS (arriving on Android in early 2014)
Cost: €0.89

Why should I care?

- Cut the Rope is easily one of the best smartphone games out there. Easy to learn, yet hard to master.
- How do you improve upon a much-loved game? The answer is by adding new characters, worlds and a number of small changes to keep things fresh.
- Being able to move On Nom around might sound like a minor improvement, but the ways you can do it, like scaring him or carrying him around, gives you something new to think about.
- It’s also brilliantly animated. Everything that happens in it is smooth and crisp.
- The 100 levels available are quite short, but collecting all stars in each level will take up a lot of your time.

(Video: ZeptoLab/YouTube)

Read: 5 apps worth downloading this week – 14th Dec >

Read: EU passes deal on universal mobile phone charger >

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12 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vinny Mulhall
    Favourite Vinny Mulhall
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 10:20 AM

    Information is power. These companies are now more powerful than states.
    It concerns me when IBM Computers owns a company like G4S and G4S is bidding to buy Police forces in the Uk.
    So what is law.?
    Is law a profit making exercise.?
    Is policing interested in a community or is that just naive.
    Is police only interested in collected intelligence / data , issuing fines, and protecting corporate interest under the guise of health safety and well being.
    Well my research to date leads me to say that the police forces of the world are only about protecting vested interests .

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee4
    Favourite Dee4
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 11:07 AM

    good news for Leitrim and Roscommon right?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lawlor
    Favourite Paul Lawlor
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:20 AM

    This Internet is doing my head in !

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Murphy
    Favourite James Murphy
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    Apr 15th 2014, 9:43 AM

    Well don’t go on it then

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johngahan
    Favourite johngahan
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    Apr 15th 2014, 1:28 PM

    I look forward to the day my boss can go to my google+ page and observe me live on the drone cam, stretched out in my back garden with a flagon of linden village and a bag of tayto when I am meant to be at the office.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Doheny
    Favourite Darren Doheny
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:16 AM

    I’m happier it is in the hands of Google and not Facebook. Google have a culture of making the world better and simpler and where possible providing products for free.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 11:47 AM

    Yeah, they really have our interests at heart, god bless them.

    This latest one is just what humanity has been crying out for……
    http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/14/google-patents-tiny-cameras-embedded-in-contact-lenses/

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael G O'Reilly
    Favourite Michael G O'Reilly
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:28 AM

    They’re watching YOU !

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
    Favourite Dave O'Hanlon
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:07 AM

    Google have drones!, there’s no way we’re gonna get more tax off them now.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank
    Favourite Frank
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    Apr 15th 2014, 12:23 PM

    This will help them find MH370

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr.Phil.Officer
    Favourite Mr.Phil.Officer
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    Apr 15th 2014, 10:36 PM

    Google are buying up a lot of tech companys lately, I can’t wait to see what they come out with.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlie Woods
    Favourite Charlie Woods
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    Apr 15th 2014, 11:47 PM

    Jesus, Muhammad, and the Buddha were holding a seminar on religion. In turn they asked each other the same question. “Why are most of our people so unhappy with their lives?” They debated, and came to this conclusion. People were seeking the Holy Grail through.. Money, luxury, and affluence. However, this only gives a quick fix before a downer sets in. Then, they were each given a piece of paper on which to write where they thought the Holy Grail was hidden.

    When they checked, they each had the same answer.

    “The Holy Grail lays hidden inside everybody’s heart. Alas, the last place anyone looks!”

    1
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