iPhone App Reviews
Tags : apps, ipad, iphoneCategories : iPhone |
While those of us in Australia have to make do with just our small screen iPads iPhones for a while longer, I thought I’d mention a few cool apps I’ve been using lately.
Ever since I got my iPhone I’ve been looking for a good to-do list app. I’m a big user of to-do lists and often have an old fashioned paper version sitting on my desk at work or the bench at home. I’ve tried a number of free and paid apps including Things, Tasks, and others, but never found one that really suited me. They are either too complicated or not powerful enough or not quick to use. In fact the one list program I use the most on the iPhone is a simple shopping list app called ShopShop that Jenni found. It’s created for creating a number of simple lists that you can cross off (ie when walking around a shop) and even email to other users of the software so they can import lists into the App on their own phone (Jen does this for me sometimes). I use this app not only for going shopping but also for longer term lists of things I need to buy, or tasks related to various groups I am involved in etc. It’s not very sophisticated, but it works.
But now I’ve discovered 2Do. This is a very impressive list app that is worth every cent of it’s A$5.99. It’s visually beautiful, easy to navigate, but packs a powerful set of features under the surface. I really like the tabbed interface where you can easily view tasks in different categories, or all at once. Very easy to create a new task and assign it to a category, set a date and priority, associate it with a contact, set all sorts of alarms and reminders. It supports push and can also send you an email at the time of your choosing. You can associate your tasks with audio recordings or photos from within the app. You can tweet them. It also allows you to sync your lists with the online free toodledo server so you can edit it on the web also. There is truly a myriad of options which you can check out on the website. But the good thing is that it does it’s basic functions very well. Lists are easy to see and tasks are easy to create and edit. This is fast becoming one of my most used apps.
The other App I’ve discovered recently is Gowalla. It certainly doesn’t enhance your functionality in the same way that 2Do does but it takes social networking in interesting new directions. Basically it’s a way of letting people where you are and seeing who else is around or has been there by “checking in” to various locations based on GPS. These locations might include restaurants, shops, cafes, museums, nightclubs, churches – generally any public place is legit. You can then also cross-post these to your facebook or twitter account, and upload photos from the location. There’s also a bit of a game to it where you earn badges and stamps on your “passport” and also collect these virtual items that your can then drop off in the places you visit. I can already hear some people say “what’s the point?” – really it’s just another amusing way of sharing your life with people online, with a functional and attractive app. Heavy duty users of facebook will probably understand. Others may not. Check it out if the idea appeals to you, and take a look at my profile if you want.
3 Other Apps I will briefly mention. The first is the Opera Mini browser, which was just released the other day. It’s faster than safari, but the pages don’t render as nicely. Secondly Doodle Jump, a totally addictive game where you are a little doodle man jumping up platforms (it’s better than it sounds, really). Screenshots of these two below. Thirdly, Angry Birds, another addictive game where you fling birds using a slingshot to try and smash buildings in order to kill evil pigs (once again just trust me on this – it’s quite good)
And finally, once we eventually get our supersized iPhones iPads in Australia, hopefully this app will be available – Pocket Bible for iPad. It’s the ultimate Bible reading app on any platform and the iPad is perfect for this use. If you’re into Bible software then just check out this sneak peak video…
