App Focus: Best Apps Mar '14 Edition
A good number of apps have debuted over the last two months since my last write-up on the best apps of 2013. While some aren't necessarily new, they have been included in the list considering the splendid features they pack in. So without wasting further time, here's presenting the best new apps on iOS, Android and Windows Phone:
Writing Aid: iOS only (paid) - Simply put, Writing Aid is one of the best and the most essential apps I've come across. Not just being a simple dictionary, what's even more spectacular is that it works as a reverse dictionary. You can check out the developer's behind the scenes making of the app here (9TO5Mac).
Storehouse, Steller: iOS only - Fantastic apps that let you combine text, pictures and videos into beautiful stories.
Paper: iPhone only - Not to be confused with Fifty Three's sketching app, this is Facebook's take on Flipboard, Circa and a zillion other news reading apps on the App Store. I haven't been personally able to give it a try as I don't have a Facebook account, but given its fresh design, the app has been met with positive reviews all over. So is the case with Yahoo! News Digest, the Summly-based app that serves news summaries twice a day.
Unread: iOS only (paid) - Tired of using Feedly, Newsify, Reeder and other RSS readers? Then it's time to give Unread a try. Simple, functional and gesture-driven, it's one of the best-looking RSS readers on the App Store.
INKredible: Android/iOS (free/IAP) - A beautiful handwriting app for the iPad, INKredible offers a distraction free interface for writing out stuff that you want. The fountain pen tool is free, but you will have to purchase calligraphy pen, ballpoint pen and wet brush tools via in-app purchase for $0.99 each.
Peek: iPhone only (paid) - Calendar is one category that is very popular on iOS (apart from weather). Fantastical, Sunrise, Agenda, Readdle Calendars, Horizon and Any.do Cal notwithstanding, Peek is the new kid on the block that offers a simple, gesture oriented approach to keep track of your daily calendar.
Tuner: iPhone only (paid) - It's being rumoured that YouTube may soon offer a dedicated music subscription service, and also given that almost everyone of us inevitably land on YouTube to play any new song, what's better than turning it to a music player! Tuner's interface may not be up to the mark, but it gets the job done and is a godsend considering the fact that YouTube app doesn't support background playback (unless you play from Safari browser).
Globo: iPhone only (paid) - A well-designed world clock utility that cleverly makes of colour-codes to denote the passage of time a la default Weather app on iPhone. It's a shame that the default Clock app doesn't do the same.
Muzei Live Wallpaper: Android - Roman Nurik's DashClock was the only widget that I entertained on my home screen (apart from Google Search) during my tryst with Android and from the same developer (cum Googler) now comes Muzei Live Wallpaper, a snazzy live wallpaper app that you would want for keeps. And all it does is take pretty pictures, apply Gaussian blur, and add them as home screen backgrounds. Much like DashClock, it is completely extensible. Check out some of the popular extensions here and here.
Reporter: iPhone only (paid) - Want to keep track of your daily activities and quantify your life? Reporter helps you craft questions according your needs, for example - how many cups of coffee am I drinking per day?, how long do I work each day?, and present the results in a easy to understand, graphical format.
Poki: Windows Phone - Are you a Pocket user? Are you using a Windows Phone? Pocket still doesn't have its own app on the platform, but Poki should more or less take care of your needs.
Telegram Messenger: Android/iOS - If you are one who is troubled by Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, Telegram Messenger is the one you are looking for. Emphasising on security and ephemerality, this latest instant messaging app has got all the basics covered.
Instapaper - Pocket may be the best designed read it later app, but Instapaper wins brownie points for its export capabilities, especially to Kindle .mobi and .ePub formats.
Drippler - Probably the best app to stay abreast of latest news, tips and updates tailored to your Android or iOS device.
Writing Aid: iOS only (paid) - Simply put, Writing Aid is one of the best and the most essential apps I've come across. Not just being a simple dictionary, what's even more spectacular is that it works as a reverse dictionary. You can check out the developer's behind the scenes making of the app here (9TO5Mac).
Storehouse, Steller: iOS only - Fantastic apps that let you combine text, pictures and videos into beautiful stories.
Paper: iPhone only - Not to be confused with Fifty Three's sketching app, this is Facebook's take on Flipboard, Circa and a zillion other news reading apps on the App Store. I haven't been personally able to give it a try as I don't have a Facebook account, but given its fresh design, the app has been met with positive reviews all over. So is the case with Yahoo! News Digest, the Summly-based app that serves news summaries twice a day.
Unread: iOS only (paid) - Tired of using Feedly, Newsify, Reeder and other RSS readers? Then it's time to give Unread a try. Simple, functional and gesture-driven, it's one of the best-looking RSS readers on the App Store.
INKredible: Android/iOS (free/IAP) - A beautiful handwriting app for the iPad, INKredible offers a distraction free interface for writing out stuff that you want. The fountain pen tool is free, but you will have to purchase calligraphy pen, ballpoint pen and wet brush tools via in-app purchase for $0.99 each.
Peek: iPhone only (paid) - Calendar is one category that is very popular on iOS (apart from weather). Fantastical, Sunrise, Agenda, Readdle Calendars, Horizon and Any.do Cal notwithstanding, Peek is the new kid on the block that offers a simple, gesture oriented approach to keep track of your daily calendar.
Tuner: iPhone only (paid) - It's being rumoured that YouTube may soon offer a dedicated music subscription service, and also given that almost everyone of us inevitably land on YouTube to play any new song, what's better than turning it to a music player! Tuner's interface may not be up to the mark, but it gets the job done and is a godsend considering the fact that YouTube app doesn't support background playback (unless you play from Safari browser).
Globo: iPhone only (paid) - A well-designed world clock utility that cleverly makes of colour-codes to denote the passage of time a la default Weather app on iPhone. It's a shame that the default Clock app doesn't do the same.
Muzei Live Wallpaper: Android - Roman Nurik's DashClock was the only widget that I entertained on my home screen (apart from Google Search) during my tryst with Android and from the same developer (cum Googler) now comes Muzei Live Wallpaper, a snazzy live wallpaper app that you would want for keeps. And all it does is take pretty pictures, apply Gaussian blur, and add them as home screen backgrounds. Much like DashClock, it is completely extensible. Check out some of the popular extensions here and here.
Reporter: iPhone only (paid) - Want to keep track of your daily activities and quantify your life? Reporter helps you craft questions according your needs, for example - how many cups of coffee am I drinking per day?, how long do I work each day?, and present the results in a easy to understand, graphical format.
Poki: Windows Phone - Are you a Pocket user? Are you using a Windows Phone? Pocket still doesn't have its own app on the platform, but Poki should more or less take care of your needs.
Telegram Messenger: Android/iOS - If you are one who is troubled by Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, Telegram Messenger is the one you are looking for. Emphasising on security and ephemerality, this latest instant messaging app has got all the basics covered.
Instapaper - Pocket may be the best designed read it later app, but Instapaper wins brownie points for its export capabilities, especially to Kindle .mobi and .ePub formats.
Drippler - Probably the best app to stay abreast of latest news, tips and updates tailored to your Android or iOS device.
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