"If there is an app for that"

Easter break is around the corner: Five apps to help you save money while you roam

March 14, 2016 by macjeff

Eir recently announced that it is abolishing EU roaming fees, meaning that eir customers can use their existing call and text allowances in the EU and get access to an additional 1GB of EU roaming data.

Typically, when travelling, you absolutely shouldn't use an app that requires internet access, or if you are going to use such an app you should do everything you can to track down a Wi-Fi hotspot. With 1GB roaming data you have a little more freedom if you do need to go online.

With that in mind, here are some of the best apps you can use while abroad.

Wi-Fi Finder

You may not have to pay for roaming when in the EU, but you don't have unlimited data. It's still best to use Wi-Fi for certain tasks and especially if you want to use apps, or simply browse the net, for a prolonged period of time. Wi-Fi Finder will help you track down sources of wireless internet, and there's even an offline mode so you can download maps before you go.

Google Translate

It helps to have a few words of a local language when travelling, if even to show that you made some sort of effort. Google Translate puts a world of languages at your fingertips, helping you to fill in blanks or translate phrases wholesale. It's very useful when staring at a menu without English translations, for example.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a great tool to use before you book your holidays, helping you to find accommodation at your chosen destination. But it can also be beneficial when you're out and about. If you see a restaurant that looks tempting, or you simply want some inspiration, TripAdvisor will help you find the top rated restaurants in the vicinity.

Waze

It can be intimidating to drive in a foreign country, but Waze may make the ordeal a little more straightforward. Not only does it provide you with point to point navigation, but it provides real-time traffic updates, which are generated by fellow commuters. Users can update one another on traffic, construction, and even elements like police traps and speed cams.

Google Maps

While Google Maps now offers the option to download maps, there are times when you'll stray outside of the boundaries of your saved maps or you need directions. Google Maps can help you get from point A to point B, no matter where in the world you are.

Check out these top five apps of the week

March 13, 2016 by macjeff

Looking for some apps to try? This week we've got an app that will change your photos into works of art, the official South by Southwest app, a messaging app that makes texting more interactive, and more.

The post Pikazo, Swell, Cola, and more: Download these five new apps of the week appeared first on Digital Trends.

‘Cream’ gives your iPhone watchOS-like colored Control Center toggles

March 12, 2016 by macjeff

If you’re interested in adding a touch of color to your Control Center interface in a way inspired by that of watchOS itself, then you’re going to be interested in a new free jailbreak tweak called Cream. Cream can be had from Cydia’s BigBoss repository today, and in this review, we’ll talk a little more about how the tweak works.

Using Cream to colorize Control Center toggle buttons

Cream is a jailbreak tweak that gives iOS a new look and feel in a very subtle way. Even something as small as changing the colors of the Control Center toggle buttons can make a huge difference in the user interface’s attractiveness.

The developer notes that the tweak was based off of watchOS, which, in case you’re not familiar with it at all, the toggle buttons in your settings Glance will turn similar colors when you turn them on and off:

Although the watchOS toggle buttons only include three toggles, one each for for Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, and ringer/silent, the iPhone has a total of five: Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, and Rotation Lock.

The additional toggles the iPhone has means the developer had to get a little creative with two additional colors, but nevertheless, they look pretty spot on with what I’d expect to see if additional toggles were ever added to the Apple Watch in any way.

Although it’s a simple tweak, Cream is fully compatible with FlipControlCenter and Polus, which are both incredibly popular Control Center modification extension platforms.

Configuring Cream

Cream will add a preferences pane to the Settings app, but there aren’t a whole lot of options to configure. What you’ll find is a kill switch to turn the tweak on or off on demand, as well as an option to configure custom colors for your Control Center toggles if you’re using FlipControlCenter or Polus.

When you want to pick a custom color for yourself, you’ve given a full color picker rather than pre-set colors, so the options are literally endless:

My opinion on Cream

I think Cream is a well-crafted port of a rather nice-looking watchOS feature over to iOS. I always liked this feature about the Apple Watch, and having it on my iPhone makes me feel a little more complete.

Although I’m quite happy with the stock colors the tweak comes with, it’s kind of nice that it lets you pick your own so long as you use a third-party Control Center modification extension like FlipControlCenter and Polus.

As of this writing, there is a small bug with the tweak related to this and FlipControlCenter, so changing colors isn’t possible at the moment, but it appears to work right with Polus at this time.

On the more critical side of cream, it’s not really a tweak for minimalists because all it does is modify the look and appearance of something to make it pop out more. It’s a tweak for those that like to tinker and make things look unique from everyone else’s, and this is something to keep in mind.

Wrapping up

If you’re jailbroken and are interested in giving your iPhone a watchOS-inspired color makeover for its Control Center toggle buttons, then you can download Cream from Cydia’s BigBoss repository for free right now.

What are your thoughts on Cream? Share in the comments below!

Digit, Dream Machine and other apps to check out this weekend

March 12, 2016 by macjeff

It was a pretty big week for Apple news, with the iPhone-maker sending out press invitations for its long-rumored March event, but it was also a pretty big week for app and game releases. Our list of titles for you to check out this weekend include an app that helps you save money, a more intimate photo-sharing app, and two can’t miss games.

Digit

Having trouble putting money into savings? There’s a new app for that. It’s called Digit, and it’s described as an “effortless way to save money without thinking about it.” The app monitors your spending habits, and withdraws a few dollars from your checking account and deposits it into a savings account, when/if you can afford it. Digit is both free and safe to use—with 128-bit banking level encryption and a guarantee against overdraft. This app is available for free.

Bundler

Looking for a way to zip and unzip apps on your iPhone? Meet Bundler. The app brings Mac-like zipping and sharing to iOS. You can send files or links to Bundler with any standard Share button, as well as post files or links to new or existing bundles without switching apps. You can also view, edit, and share your bundles inside the Bundler app. It doesn’t look like it supports exporting .zip files yet, but the developers say they’re on it. This app is available for free.

Shorts

Shorts is a new app with an interesting premise: follow your friend’s Camera Roll. It sounds kind of creepy, but the idea here is to provide a more intimate look into the lives of friends and family than what you see on Instagram or Facebook. Here’s how it works: each time you open Shorts, it uploads all of your recent photos or videos. Then you’ll see the recent uploads from everyone you’re following. No filters. No special effects. Just people. This app is available for free.

Dirac

From Mediocre, the Apple Design Award-winning team behind games like Smash Hit and Does Not Commute, comes Dirac. It’s a fast-paced puzzler, which plays like a sci-fi version of connect-the-dots. To start with, a couple of dots begin oozing out of a node in the center of the level that you must connect by drawing a line with your finger. There are various bonus and power plays to pick up, and of course the levels get more challenging as you progress. This game is available for $1.99.

Dream Machine

Escape a cold, inhumane factory and free yourself into a mind-blowing fantasy world in Dream Machine. This may look like a Monument Valley knockoff, but rest assured it’s a very different experience with fantastical machinery, hazardous levels and epic boss battles. It is very similar to MV, however, in that it is a 3D puzzler with beautifully hand-crafted levels. Dream Machine also supports 3D Touch, which gives you precise control over your gameplay. This game is available for $0.99.

More apps you should check out

• OneSafe password manager goes free as Apple’s App of the Week
• Social Square puts your favorite social networks in one app
• This Apple Watch app buzzes your wrist if you’re about to leave your iPhone behind

These apps have been updated

• You can now send and receive PDFs in WhatsApp
• Ahead of the big tournament, March Madness Apple TV app gains split-screen functionality
• Google’s Photos app gains support for Live Photos and other new features in latest update
• Google Docs, Slides and Sheets gain native support for iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch screen
• Readdle updates PDF Expert with Handoff support and other enhancements
• Explore the world of Wikipedia in revamped iOS app with 3D Touch, Explore feed and more
• 1Password for iOS gains tighter Spotlight and Voice Over integration and other improvements

Best app deals of the day! 8 paid iPhone apps on sale for a limited time

March 12, 2016 by macjeff

Everyone likes free apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up fast. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

The post Best app deals of the day! 8 paid iPhone apps on sale for a limited time appeared first on Digital Trends.