Handsy - App Review

Do you want something 'different' in your iMessages?

This App adds actual (static) hand gestures.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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After you download Handsy, it installs as a 'keyboard' for use in iMessages.

You use it by simply opening Messages and then choosing the 'scribbles A' and then picking the Handsy icon. You will now have immediate access to many hand gestures which are made with real hands and not graphics. These also include a number of 'presents'.

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
OK, this couldn't be described as indispensable but, it will be much quicker that taking a photo of your hands (the plural is the challenge here).

Dependability
The App is straightforward and works, as expected.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Please, please (hands clasped together)... now there's a better way.

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

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

GoodCounter - App Review

Anybody out there remember the days when airline stewardesses used to go up and down a plane with a clicker to confirm the number of passengers?

It always struck me as a bit of an inefficient exercise, as the number of seats was fixed so it would have been far quicker to count empty seats.

Anyway, this App reminds me of those days; it is a counter.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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Press the + to create a new counter, assign it a name, number of 'steps' (count) per click, pick a colour (from a choice of 6), set an initial value (default is 0000), and choose whether or not to show in the Today widget. Now press Save and you're good to go.

The best thing is to scroll the counter left to right and pick the option Fullscreen.

Having done that, anytime you press anywhere near the middle of the screen, the counter will increment by the value you set, together with a reassuring click sound.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
If you need a counter (or multiple counters) that reply on manual input, this is very easy to configure and use.

Dependability
Works perfectly.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Click, there goes another one (whatever 'it' might be).

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

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

GoldenHour.One - App Review

If you're a photo pro, you already know but, if you are a mere amateur and just take snaps then... why is it that some are very good and others not so much... lighting makes all the difference.

This App enables you to get the best chance of being in the right place at the right time.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The App starts with a very useful 9 page tutorial. This explains in detail when the Golden and Blue hour occur, anywhere.

The home screen contains four buttons at the bottom:

Clock
This shows the current time, as well as the Golden Hour and Blue hour for lighting conditions, as well as the sky and light indices. Scrolling left to right (or vice versa) will show you other days than today. You can set a reminder from this screen.

Map
This shows your current location and lines for Golden/Blue periods, as well as allowing you to set a reminder. Again, the date can be scrolled, although with a marker.

Weather
Choose Sky or Light index and see 6 days at a glance.

Reminders
Here you can see any reminders you have set and delete any with a right to left swipe.

Cost
The App Costs $4.

Indispensability
If you are interested in taking better photos then, this will help you achieve just that.

Dependability
The App works very well, obviously the vagaries of weather forecasting need to be taken into account.

Security
The really needs access to your location, in order to be able to calculate the position of the sun. You can optionally allow the use of notifications (essential if you are going to rely on reminders).

ACIDS Test Rating:

Better photos... almost guaranteed.

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

You can get GoldenHour.One here and support for the App here.

Audio spectrum analyzer and dB - App Review

The developer says : 'Spectrum Analyzer is a powerful real-time audio analysis app. Ideal for room tuning or speaker tuning, this app provides precision audio measurement and visualisation that fits in your pocket!'.... couldn't have put it better myself.

There are also other applications like finding out why a noise is irritating.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The main screen provides realtime analysis of the sound in your environment.

There are a number of controls at the bottom of the screen:

Play/Pause
Does exactly what you would expect.

Peaks
Here you can choose whether or not to mark individual peaks.

FFT Size
Choose between 512, 1024, 2,048, 4,096, 8,192, and 16,384

Scale
Choose between linear and logarithmic.

Graph
Choose between line or bars.

The exact options change as you vary between Octave and FFT Plots.

Options

Cost
The App Costs $4.

Indispensability
This is one of those Apps that you will use rarely, unless sound is your business/hobby, in which case it will rapidly become a mainstay of your iOS Apps armoury.

Dependability
Without access to calibrated equipment to effect a comparison, we'll assume that it works.

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

The App needs access to your microphone in order to operate.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Sound analysis (pun intended, apologies).

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

You can get Audio spectrum analyzer and dB here and support for the App here.

Cheetah Note - Watch & Widget Note - App Review

Some of us take notes all the time (guilty as charged) but, accessing them can be a bit of a pain.

Cheetah Note allows you to access your notes from the Today widget on your iOS device, as well as from your Apple Watch.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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It couldn't be simpler really.

Press the + to add a note and then use the keyboard to enter your text. The note can then easily be edited by simply touching it.

In Settings you can set the font size, as well as allowing you to export your database in a variety of ways.

Where this App differentiates itself is that you can view your notes directly from the Today widget (scrolling through them in order), and, most importantly, can do the same on Apple Watch.

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
Notes are indispensable and if you want quick access, this could be what you have been waiting for.

The App would be further improved by allowing editing on the Apple Watch (please).

Dependability
The App is simple and simply works, just how we like it.

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

The App will allow you to export the contents for backup purposes.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Simple notes, easily accessible.

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

You can get Cheetah Note - Watch & Widget Note here and support for the App here.

PDF to Word Converter - Convert PDF to Word - App Review

Those of you who have been kind enough to follow these reviews for a while will know that I am an absolute fan of PDF documents. This App enables conversion from PDF to Word.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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What this App purports to do is convert a PDF document (it could be on your iOS device, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, Box, or a web page) directly into a PDF document (and other formats are available with a separate Business Extension).

It's probably simplest to take an example and work through it... and it's very straightforward.

Open the App and then choose from one of the sources to locate the file you want to convert. The file will immediately open and all you now need to do is pick Convert to at the top left of the screen and then choose Word. The file will now appear on the home screen of the App with a Word document, complete with a '.docx' suffix.

Choosing your newly created Word document from the list will open it and enable you to easily rename the document, as well as share it by any of the methods your iOS device allows. One example would be to e-mail it to yourself.

Another way of using the App is to open any PDF document in its native App and then use the share icon in your App and choose 'Copy to PDF to Word'. This converted file will appear on the list in exactly the same way as above.

Cost
You can get this App absolutely free but, if you are a serious user, there is a $10 investment (well worth it).

Indispensability
If you use PDF documents and want to be able to edit (not just annotate or highlight) them, this is an absolute must have.

Dependability
The conversion will handle text but not images, and any diacritical marks are ignored.

Security
The App is self-contained, so no concerns on this front. However, obviously, the App will need to have access to any of Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, Box from which you wish to import documents.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Edit PDF text to your heart's content

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

You can get PDF to Word Converter - Convert PDF to Word here and support for the App here.