Juice: Complication for iPhone Battery - App Review

Have Apple Watch; need battery level. The Apple Watch comes with a standard complication that shows the percentage remaining, as well as a circular icon.

This App gives you a complication so that you can monitor the level of charge left in your iPhone from your Apple Watch.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
As an Apple Watch owner, you will know that the first thing you need to do is add the complication to your Apple Watch, through the Watch App on your iPhone... and then wait for it to complete.

On your iPhone, you set the frequency with which you want the monitoring (20/30/60 minutes), as well as if you do (or do not) want notification of fully/half/low power settings.

You can then add the complication on your Apple Watch, as you would any other, choosing Juice as the complication.

It looks good!

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
This is one of those Apps/Complications that can be classified as useful.

Dependability
It can take a while for the complication to install but, this happens with many Apps.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Monitor iPhone battery on Apple Watch.

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

You can get Juice: Complication for iPhone Battery here and support for the App here.

Simple Repeat Timer. - App Review

I've been moaning that Apple don't include a repeat timer ever since iOS was launched... this App resolves the issue.

Repeat timers (you set the interval) and then are reminded every time the interval lapses are invaluable, in particular for changing habits...

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
Start by pressing the + and then sliding up to set your timer. You can free text name it whatever you want (especially useful when you are dealing with multiple timers).

You enter a value in the 'green' field which is the timer, and then a value in the blue field which is the interval before the restart of the timer.

Tap once to start the timer and tap again to stop, or double tap to reset.

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
If you're looking for a simple timer that will repeat (that's not the same as an alarm that goes off at a set time) then, give this a try.

Dependability
It works, which is all we're looking for.

Security
The App needs to send you notifications.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Reliable repeat timer... and apparently coming to Apple Watch soon.

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

You can get Simple Repeat Timer. here and support for the App here.

Oilist - App Review

We don't usually review Apps that are 'all about the graphics' but, this one is so different that it merits looking at.

How about creating an oil painting?

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
Start off by either taking a photo, or choosing one from your library.

Next is to choose a style from wavy, oily, chaos (very different), sprayed/chaos, feathered, linear, expressive, shapes, ethereal, runny, abstract, soft/hard brush, big/small brush, messy, chaos vortex, light trails, modern art.

Now just watch your painter at work, and save whenever you want, as well as being able to change the settings 'on the fly'.

You can then still change the texture and share your 'painting'.

Cost
The App Costs $3.

Indispensability
Sure, you don't 'need' this App but, if you are looking to create some really stunning images, without being a painter yourself (hand up here!) then, this is just so easy to use and produces spectacular results.

Dependability
It's actually quite amazing just watching your photo morphing into a painting; it works.

Security
The App needs access to your camera and/or photo library.

You can easily share your paintings by e-mail or other App.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Very different and brilliant!

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

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

Pin Points - Flight, Driving Distance Calculator - App Review

So, how far is it from A to B (possibly via C)?

This App answers that, for 'as the crow flies', as well as on foot or by car.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
Absolutely as a one-off, I have taken the instructions from the developer, as these are clear, concise, and most importantly, accurate...

To plan a route or trip, you first need to set the starting point. This will be shown in the upper area. You can add as many midpoints to it as you like and plan your route or trip stretch by stretch.

You now have 4 different ways of setting your position to choose from. You can either use your current position as a waypoint, set one on the map yourself, search from an address, or add from a contact.

To set a waypoint on the map, zoom in to the desired area and hold your finger for one second on the spot you'd like the point to be set.

To move a pin on the map after it has been set, hold your finger on the pin until it moves. Now you can drag it to where you want it to be.

To recall a previous calculation, tap the list icon in the upper left of the main window. All previous calculations will be shown.

To see the distance between your selected waypoints click the "calculator" button. It will show how far away from each other individual points are. There are 3 different options for calculating the route (straight line, foot, car).

Want your route visually displayed on a map? Click the map icon in upper right of the calculation window.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
Sure, there are other Apps for doing the same thing but, not as easy to use, not giving instantaneous answers to the difference between line of sight and reality.

Dependability
This App works perfectly, within the limitation of Maps.

Security
You can, optionally, allow the App access to your location, which can be very useful.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Distances, instantly.

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

You can get Pin Points - Flight, Driving Distance Calculator here and support for the App here.

InstaWeb: Web to PDF Converter, Article Reader - App Review

Regular readers will know that I am PDF fanatic, so anything that makes life easier in that direction is welcome.

This App simply takes a web page and turns it into a PDF document.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
This App is designed to do one thing, so there are not loads of distracting gizmos.

At its easiest, simply enter the URL, or search term you are interested into the address bar, exactly as you would in Safari.

If it was a URL then, the page is loaded and if it was a search then, you are in the Google search result.

All you need do now is touch the PDF button at the bottom right of the screen, and enter a name for the file (or keep the default).

The very bottom of the screen has three options:

Browser - does exactly that!

Files - shows the documents you have stored as PDFs

Settings - here you can pick your search engine, set a home page, and set up PDF parameters.

Your created PDF can be shared by any of the usual methods (including e-mail).

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
If you're into PDF, this is just so easy to use.

Dependability
Works as expected.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

Web page to PDF with no fuss.

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

You can get InstaWeb: Web to PDF Converter, Article Reader here and support for the App here.