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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 includes a messaging app based around selfies, 3D photography and a very clumsy ninja.
Seene
For: iOS
Cost: Free
What is it: Creates pseudo-3D photos for you to share.
Why should I care?
- There’s already enough ‘take photos, add filters’ apps out there so it’s refreshing to see something different.
- Capturing an image is simple and is processed pretty quickly.
- It works better when you capture inanimate objects and/or people staying still. Trying to keep your pet still will only end in tears.
- Moving your phone around lets you view the image from different angles, which is a nice touch.
- The screenshots here don’t do it justice, but thankfully its Tumblr page shows off what it can do.
Sportizr Football
For: Android
Cost: Free (€2.40 per month for past seasons)
What is it: A football app jam-packed with stats, lots of stats.
Why should I care?
- If you’re a Premier League fan on Android, this is the app for you.
- Gives you the latest stats from games as they’re being played.
- You can check up stats on individual players, managers and the grounds too. It’s almost like Football Manager.
- The app goes back as far as 20 years should you require that much info.
- Current season is free, but you will have to sign up if you want access to past seasons or extra stats.
(Image: Sportizr Football/Google Play)
Clumsy Ninja
For: iOS
Cost: Free (Includes in-app purchases)
What is it: Ragdoll physics game where you help train an inept ninja so he can save his friend.
Why should I care?
- Shown as a tech demo at Apple’s iPhone 5 event back in 2012, it finally arrived on iOS.
- Think Tamagotchi without the annoying bits combined with ragdoll physics and you’re halfway there.
- Most of the game is figuring out new and bizarre ways to interact with your ninja, and the game encourages it.
- Of course, there’s a main quest should you need something to focus on, but the mechanics are too fun for you to care.
- It’s aimed at kids, but adults will definitely get a kick out of it too.
React Messenger
For: iOS
Cost: Free
What is it: A messaging app that also uses selfies to express yourself.
Why should I care?
- Remember we had that piece on messaging apps? You can add this one to the list.
- Has all the regular messaging features but each message is accompanied by a small selfie of yourself.
- The idea is your photo expresses how you feel, because figuring out someone’s mood through text alone is hard.
- It may annoy you now, but the number of selfies apps are only going to increase with apps like Shots of me and Frontback being released.
- Cause emojis are so last year.
(Image: React Messenger/App Store)
For: Windows Phone
Cost: Free
What is it: Popular photo sharing app that popularised filters. You may have heard of it before.
Why should I care?
- Considering the camera quality of the Nokia Lumia series, it’s about time it arrived (iOS had it since 2010, while Android got it in 2012).
- Currently in beta mode, but most of the standard features like filters and explore are there.
- Despite the launch not going smoothly, the app performs well and will definitely improve over time.
- Video isn’t available yet but don’t worry, you’re really not missing much.
- Despite people’s criticisms, it’s still one of the best photo apps out there.
(Image: Instagram/Windows Phone)
Wow, so young. RIP Liam
‘I remember that summer in Dublin’
A voice so good he could be mistaken for Elton John. RIP.
I love his voice and I love their lyrics. The timeless music will live on in perpetuity, so sad that Liam won’t be around anymore to see the joy it brings. Rest in peace maestro. Thank you.
R.I.P. very sad to hear this.
What truly wonderful songs they were.
Summer in Dublin is iconic.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Thank you for the music.
Xxx
Rock n Roll will never forget him.
Very sad news RIP Liam loved your song Summer in Dublin.
One of the best if not the best band to come out of ireland and Liam was super talented
RIP.
@Eugene Larkin: don’t agree with that
@Eugene Larkin: bit of a stretch there lad
@James Lough: he is entitled to his opinion !!
Brilliant singer and songs from a great band. RIP Liam
So sad, had tickets to see them last May in the Purty Kitchen but was postponed. Can’t believe we won’t see him sing live again. RIP Liam your music will live on.
Sleep peacefully in your heavenly bed R.I.P LIAM
In the end he left on a Friday morning… RIP Liam
“So I’m leavin’ on Wednesday morning tryin’ to find a place where I can hear
The tunes of the birds and the sea on the rocks, where open roads always are near,
And if sometimes I tire of the quiet, and I want to walk back up that hill,
I’ll just get on the road and stick out my thumb.
I know that you’ll be there still”
Shocked and saddened to hear of Liam’s passing this morming. I first saw Bagatelle in 1982 when they played in Bandon and many times at Siamsa.
My sincere consolences to his family and bandmates. RIP Liam
Used to go to the Baggot Inn to hear him play. Great memories. Rest In Peace Liam.
Summer in Dublin always brings me back to my 21st birthday.
My then boyfriend and I spent a week in Dublin after celebrating my 21st birthday at home( no lavish parties then).
We stayed in Leopardstown and got the 46A bus into town everyday. It was a lovely time and I never hear Summer in Dublin without being reminded of it.
RIP Liam and thanks for the memories
@Mary Walshe: I spent a few years in College in Dublin many years ago and just that mention of the 46A in that gorgeous song brings me back… it really conjures up the Dublin I knew and loved and which I fear is long gone. RIP Liam.
Saw them in the Jet club in Ennis nearly 40 years ago. Great gig. May he Rest in peace
RIP
Honored to have wrote the bands biography and worked with liam. musical genuis
@Brian Kennedy: do you have a link for it?
@Brian Kennedy: ‘to have wrote’!
@Brian Kennedy: I got my copy today looking forward to reading it. Gabrielle
@Seosamh: book is on http://www.briankennedywriter.com (just click Buy Now) or on Amazon (Uk) paperback or kindle
Condolences, some really great and well structured songs deserved more attention..
Ah so young .. very sad I had the privilege of seeing Bagatelle Live a few times in Dublin and other places in Ireland, they were an amazing live Band..RIP Liam
So sorry to hear this news. Summer in Dublin was a classic . Condolences to his family .
So saddend to wake up to this news. An outstanding musician and songwriter. Remember Summer in Dublin a No 1 hit in May 1980 when I came to Dublin. Discovered the 46A bus went to Dun Laoighre.. RIP Liam
Buíochas as an ceol iontach; mairfidh sin go deo, agus do ainm leis.
Shocked and saddened to hear of Liam’s passing this morning. I first saw Bagatelle in 1982 when they played in Bandon and many times at Siamsa.
My sincere consolences to his family and bandmates. RIP Liam
So sorry to hear about the death of Liam Reilly yesterday.
A sad day for music.
I toured with Bagatelle back in the early 80s when we worked with real sound systems!!
At the time we were the biggest in the country
A lot of hard work but serious craic!
We met up a few years ago (after 34 years!!) and they were great crack and courteous.
Good times indeed .
RIP Liam.
Such a talent. Summer in Dublin hit a cord with so many….. so relatable. It will live on for ever.
RIP Paddy
Rip… Excellent singer, songwriter..love their rendition of Jersey Girl… Going on to Spotify now to have a listen to some timeless classics.
Had tickets to see them in the Purty Kitchen last May but it was postponed. Can’t believe we won’t see them live again. RIP Liam your music will live on
Ireland’s Elton RIP…
His songs will live forever..
Bagatelle were a bit before my time but I did have the pleasure of seeing him perform back in the 90s at a corporate event. I genuinely felt for him because he performed his set during the meal which seemed to me to be a bit odd. Still had what it took and did a great show. A fine talent gone too soon.
RIP
RIP liam
Remember buying their Summer in Dublin album in little record shop in Wexford St. In 1979 and still have it. Played it non stop, analysised the cover, the song words etc visualised the songs and played regularly.
12 amazing songs.
RIP Liam such a great band to go see in the 80′s, Bagatelle always drew a crowd, Liam has left us with fabulous songs, too young.
R.I.P Liam such a talented musician your music will always live on.
Second violin and Leeson St Lady absolute classics. Listened to the band through the ‘80’s and thankfully someone brought me to see them in The Olympia a couple of years ago.
RIP Liam My prayers and thoughts are with you and you family .You were a legend .
RIP Liam, I loved Bagatelle
Great singer and band. Sad news to start the year. R.I.P. Liam
Such sad news, Summer in Dublin just takes me back to my youth. Could jump on a 46A only for the restrictions. RIP Liam
yesterday.
A sad day for music.
I toured with Bagatelle back in the early 80s when we worked with real sound systems!!
At the time we were the biggest in the country
A lot of hard work but serious craic!
We met up a few years ago (after 34 years!!) and they were great crack and courteous.
Good times indeed .
RIP Liam.
“As the liffey as it stank like hell”. Never a truer was word sung.
Johnny Set Em Up Tonight.
Sad to hear of his passing at such a young age. Thoughts are with his family.
May he rest in peace
These guys were probably one of the best bands if not the best band to come of ireland and Liam was the the King, long live bagatelle music.
RIP what a legend of a man thought are with he’s family.
Never realised that Bagatelle were from Dundalk. 65 is very young to die these days, RIP Liam.
So sad-such a great talent. RIP
Olympic Ballroom in Newcastle West ..County Limerick ..lined up outside ,till We packed in like sardines then onto Chip wagon for a Belly full of grease & on out toward some gap with Molly in the Ford Capri…windows down slapping ould tape into Dashboard banging out Lesson st Lady …Thanks for the memories Liam may you rest in peace…
Play your second violin now Liam. Rest easy sir.
Ana-cheoltóir! Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam
Sincerest condolences to Liams family and friends from Killarney
Thank you for the music,Eternal rest Liam ,until we meet again.
Summer in Dublin. Brings back so many memories. And I was 14.
R.I.P.
Sad news respect what a gent r.i.p.
Very sad,another great loss RIP
RIP Liam. So sad. Condolences to all his family and friends
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