Fonteer - App Review

Your iOS comes ready to use with a few pre-installed fonts (remember when that used to be written 'fount'). These may be adequate but, sometimes more are required.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
You simply start by touching the '+' and entering a collection name; don't worry too much about the name (at least if you're at the experimental stage), as this can easily be changed later. You can now download fonts from Google, or ones you already have.

Once you have done that, simply follow the detailed instructions which include tapping 'Install Fonts', e-mailing the profile to yourself. Check your inbox and you will find an e-mail that includes a mobile.config file. By clicking on this you will be led to install the profile.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
Wouldn't you like to be able to change the font in your e-mails... well, we're not there yet. The App supports the Microsoft Office Apps, as well as Pages and Numbers and a few others.

Dependability
Installing new fonts is not something you are likely to do every day, so the inconvenience of having to scroll through a long list (that's the downside to a lot of choice) without a search box shouldn't be too time-consuming.

Security
Deleting a font from the App does not delete it from your iOS device. In order to do this, go to Settings/General/Profiles and then delete whichever file you wish (named Fonteer - the name you gave the collection).

ACIDS Test Rating:

More personalisation; can't be a bad thing.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get Fonteer here and support for the App here.

Toast - App Review

This is an App to edit your photos.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
Simply choose a photo from your iOS storage and then apply many different effects:

Filters - choice of many
Mix - choice of many
Texture
Bokeh - these effects used to be created 'accidentally'
Splash
Stickers - many, which can easily be resized and rotated
Frames - choice of 15, including one which resembles a postage stamp
Text - choose font, colour, speech bubble, alignment, positioning and size
Rotate
Crop

Just hit Apply after each change.

Cost
The App Costs $3 although there can be free versions as well.

Indispensability
If you like to 'touch up' your photographs, this is a fairly complete and easy to use solution.

Dependability
The App works and saves a copy to your camera roll.

Security
The App is self-contained, so no concerns on this front.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Easy to use photo editing tool.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get Toast here and support for the App here.

Advanced Data Usage Tracker - App Review

The name of the App gives a strong clue as to its use... but it actually does quite a bit more.

Although ensuring that you do not go over your data usage if you are not on an unlimited plan, how about checking that nobody is piggy backing onto your wi-fi...

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
In order to monitor and receive automated alerts on your mobile (2G/3G/4G) you will need to enter the type of data plan you have, including the data limit (or the 'free' allowance), as well as the plan renewal periodicity and data. Usefully, you can also enter the amount you have already consumed (get the info from Settings/Mobile Data/Mobile Data Usage (Current Period); obviously this will only work if you are diligent enough to reset your usage to zero at the end of each period (it's so much easier to let the App take over afterwards).

Settings within the App allows you to set regular and emergency data usage alerts.

That's for the textual part; the fact is that the App is visually pleasing, giving weekly or monthly usage graphs, as well as trends.

In addition to this there is a speed test which measures your connection for latency and upload/download speeds, and then keeps an historical record for reference.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
If you are on an unlimited data plan then, you probably won't need the App, although it still supplies very interesting information.

Dependability
There is no reason to suspect that the information supplied is inaccurate (although somewhat difficult to check on a review).

A word of caution (and not a reflection on the App), when measuring wi-fi connection speed, the values may well be throttled by your iOS device, rather than the router.

Security
The App is self-contained, so no concerns on this front.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Never get a surprise mobile usage bill again.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get Advanced Data Usage Tracker here and support for the App here.

Phoetic - App Review

Fancy creating a word cloud based on a photo?

This is just what you've been looking for.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
There are 4 easy steps to creating your word cloud:

1. Create or choose a shape
There are quite a number of shapes that come with the App (including animals, people, and travel) or, you can create your own or even use a photo (those with plenty of contrast work best).

2. Choose a word list
This can be from text (simply copy and paste from another App and choose a font), from a list, or manually. The words can also be edited.

3. Adjust the settings
Change colour, detail, orientation, as well as word placement (spacing, maximum size, maximum number of words, orientation.

4. Generate your word cloud
This is fully automated, just touch the button.

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
This is an easy way to create word clouds and have a lot of control over the final outcome.

Dependability
The App works as described, although some clouds can take a little time to generate (up to about a minute), although simpler ones are very quick.

Security
The App needs access to your photo library if you choose to use this function. Clouds can be shared directly to Facebook and Twitter.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Word clouds made easy.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get Phoetic here and support for the App here.

OSnap! Pro - App Review

To quote the developer: 'Create quick and easy time-lapse and stop motion projects using built-in presets; or customise your projects with a multitude of options'; that sums up the App perfectly.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
You start by either by creating a new project or using a preset (includes Instagram, Vine, Rapid shot, daily portrait, group photo, or onion skin).

Once you have taken the shots, the App will play the results and you can play back your recording (some require a little processing time).

You can also add music, or record anything you want and subsequently render a video with your choice of frames per second.

There are masses of parameters that you can set to really get exactly the output you require, as well as the ability to edit.

Cost
The App Costs $4.

Indispensability
If you like (or need to) speed things up, or slow them down, and easily create a video then, take a look at OSnap.

Dependability
The App seems to work perfectly although the usual issues of lighting and shake are your responsibility.

Security
The App (fairly obviously really) needs access to your camera.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Time-lapse for the rest of us... and also for people who know what they are doing.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get OSnap! Pro here and support for the App here.

Track Kit Pro - App Review

If you're an outdoor adventurer who enjoys keeping track of where you've been, or share the information, or remember it and add your own photos, then this is for you.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
You choose your map type (Satellite, Standard, or Hybrid, as well as access to lots of alternatives), then just set off.

The App automatically keeps track of elapsed time, distance covered, current altitude, and actual speed.

You also have access to a myriad of information, such as sunrise, sunset, weather, as well as a forecast.

Photographs of where you are easily added from within the App and could be used to create a travel blog.

To plan a route all you need do is get the map up and touch the screen to add way points.

Cost
The App Costs $3.

Indispensability
This is an App for outdoor types but useful for everyone else as well.

Dependability
During testing, tracking was absolutely spot on.

Security
The App asks for permission to use your location. You can optionally register (free) in order to safeguard your tracks, as well as share your information.

The App could be used for keeping track of anyone (with approval, of course); very useful.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Great tracker both for self and to share location.

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.

You can get Track Kit Pro here and support for the App here.