What... no more reviews ?

Today, you 'should' be receiving an App review but, all good things come to an end... in this case, it might be more of a change in periodicity.

The first App review was published on this blog on 18th August, 2012 and over 5 years have elapsed since. During this time 442 Apps have received the STARS treatment.

At the beginning, Apps were innovative, in that they were the first to offer 'whatever'; over time, things have evolved into a 'me too' attitude.

The interest for you (and indeed I) in reading/writing these reviews has therefore, inevitably, declined.

So, from now, only Apps that are 'different', or where the developer/publisher has convinced me that their offering is worthy of a review will receive the treatment.

How does this affect you, the reader? Well, you will receive only occasional reviews... and the occasional rant.

All the best for the New Year.

Mr. Cocktail - App Review

The developer says:

"Every drink and ingredient has an actual picture to highlight its' qualities.

Recipes are historically accurate and have a description about their origins and evolution.

Ingredients are non-specific. Regardless of what brand of Bourbon you own, you can make any Bourbon cocktail. Mr. Cocktail is also smart enough to know what ingredients can be substituted for others".

I like the attitude.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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If you know what you're looking for, use the Search function, otherwise either use the 'all items' (where drinks are based around an alcohol e.g. Gin, Rum, Brandy, Vodka...), or 'all cocktails' (where the emphasis is on Sours, old fashioned, highball, dairy (yuk!), and Tikis).

Each cocktail has some interesting information and tips as well as the list of ingredients.

You can opt for metric or 'standard' measures.

Cost
The App Costs $0... you just need to add the ingredients and work.

Indispensability
I guess that cocktails are great whenever it is but, the 'festive season' might make them even more desirable.

Dependability
If you want to be picky... and start an argument without even having had a drink, the instructions are a bit sparse.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

It's the season of goodwill...

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

You can get Mr. Cocktail here and support for the App here.

PlantSnap Plant Identification - App Review

The developer says:

"PlantSnap is a mobile app that helps you identify plants, flowers and trees. Simply snap a photo of the plant, and PlantSnap tells you what it is!

PlantSnap can currently recognize 125,000 species of plants and trees, which covers most of the species you will encounter in North America and Europe. If you live outside of those areas, PlantSnap will still recognize many plants or trees that you encounter, and ALL of them very soon".

As someone who is horticulturally challenged to recognise anything beyond a rose or tulip, this App had me intrigued.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The first time you start the App you will receive a few pointers. I suggest you go through them as they will increase your chances of 'success'.

The first of those tips is to make sure you take a photo of just one plant (fairly obvious but, worth nothing anyway).

As with all photography, it is best to have well framed, lit, and focused shots (who knows, using this App might even improve your general photography skills).

You now need to either register with Plantsnap (e-mail and password to log in, and first/last name as well to set up account), or use your Facebook account.

Now point your iOS device at the plant you want to 'recognise' and take a snap. You can additionally pinch to zoom in order to get a better rendition. Then, press Done.

The App now does its thing and presents you with options that may fir the bill, as well as the likelihood (in percentage). Place a Tick next to the best match and Accept. The item is then stored in My Collection. Click on it and enter a whole new world; not only have you got a name for your plant but information about the description, as well as many botanical descriptors (Kingdom, Subkingdom, Super division, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species...); very comprehensive.

Cost
The App Costs $4.

Indispensability
This App should appeal to the neophyte (that's me) looking to recognise a flower, all the way to the experienced who are looking for further clarification.

Dependability
The App recognised the plants that we used as tests.

Security
The App needs access to your camera in order to take photographs of the plants/flowers you want to recognise. The App also, optionally, requests access to Notifications.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Grapple me grapenuts, as David Bellamy would have said.

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

You can get PlantSnap Plant Identification here and support for the App here.

8mm for iPad - App Review

The developer says:

"8mm Vintage Camera captures the beauty and magic of old school vintage movies right through your viewfinder. Dust and scratches, retro colors, flickering, light leaks, even frame shakes, all can be instantly added with a single tap of the finger".

Now for the ACIDS test:

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Take yourself back to the Keystone Kops era.

At its simplest, just press the big red Record button and press again to stop. Simply doing so will give you a 'vintage' movie.

The App is however capable of far more than that.

Turn the wheel and choose from various effects: Sakura, XPro, Noir, 60s, Pela, Indigo, Tuscan, Two-Color (sic), 2 Strip, Sienna , 1920, or 70s; that should give you enough choice.

Press the Reels/Clips button and access your movies, which you can optionally with opening and ending titles, and even this gives you a choice of 5 themes (minimalism, elegant, silent film, and light leak.

You can also set the aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9), resolution (480, 720, 1080), and frame rate (normal or 18 fps)

Cost
The App Costs $2, and there is the opportunity to spend a bit more by purchasing additional themes.

Indispensability
For the casual user, one could hardly say that the App is an absolute must have but, it will give you hours of fun, especially when you share your creations.

Dependability
The App works... all the effects are meant to be there.

Security
The App needs access to your photos, microphone, camera, and optionally location.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Amazing that computing power allows us to show things the way they were before

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

You can get 8mm for iPad here and support for the App here.

Blink - Quick Memo - App Review

The developer says:

"Small memo, Huge change, Blink.

Blink has remarkably fast accessibility and intuitive usability. It also has Minimal & Clean UI design. You can check everything at a glance with a unique and non-listing method. You can set priority markers and repeating notifications.

Do you have something to buy on your way home? Things must done today? Plan for dinner with good friends? Or something just comes to your mind?

Type down what you have to buy, to-do list, your dinner appointment with your friends and sparkling ideas on Blink and never forget! You can leave memo with a simple tap! No more complicated steps!"

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The easiest way how the App works is to try it out with an example:

Tap on a blank area of the iOS device screen and this brings up a window into which you can type text. This will appear in 'pole position' on your list.

Tap on your text and it changes colour, cycling through black, blue, and red.

Do this for a few items and the top of the page will display your notes.

Now tap and hold any of the items you entered and you have five icons that appear:

Order - the item you tapped will move to 'pole position'
Edit - self explanatory
Share - send the item through a myriad of services
Delete
Archive

In addition you can choose how often you receive a reminder (based on colour), as well as font and other options.

Cost
The App Costs a nominal $1.

Indispensability
If you're looking for a simple and efficient way to manage reminders, this is just that.

Dependability
The App works as expected.

Security
The App needs access to send you notifications.

The availability for sharing information is the usual double-edged sword.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Reminders, differently and easily.

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

You can get Blink - Quick Memo here and support for the App here.

Display Go - App Review

The developer states:

"Display Go shows large text messages with fantastic visual effects on your iPhone & iPad.

Display Go is the ideal tool to send important notes [or memos], express feelings of love, send messages when you're in the library, order drinks at loud clubs, give silent reminders during meetings, share sports results, great ideas, etc.

Captivate your friends, colleagues and relatives with incredible texts and emoticons. Not only does Display Go have the highest quality resolution but it also has a stylish, logical format to facilitate easy use".

So, how does it rate?

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The basic premise is extremely simple; type some text and it scrolls. What this App gives you lots of control over many aspects.

The circular button allows you to choose a colour from a complete colour wheel, and then the shape of the 'pixels' used in the LED.

The text button allows you to change the font from a choice larger than you can shake a stick at, as well as whether or not the message repeats, as well as the flicker speed (or off).

Another button allows you to set visual effects, which are effectively the same shapes as in the choice for pixels, and again set the colour, size (called height effects), and again flicker speed; all this independently of the other settings.

Then tap the button to run.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
If you want to brighten up your shop display and have a spare iPad why not use it? You might also have a message scrolling across to keep you focused/motivated.

There are only two things that will limit you: your creativity, and whether or not you have a spare iOS device.

Dependability
Simply works, just how we like it.

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

ACIDS Test Rating:

You have a choice; either think of a use and get this App or, get this App and then find a use for it.

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

You can get Display Go here and support for the App here.

Pocket Files Pro - App Review

The developer says:

"Pocket Files+ is the ultimate tool to manage and keep your photos, videos and documents safe and private: File Manager, Media Player (play all popular formats like AVI, DIVX, FLV, MP4 and more), Photos Vault and a Private Web Browser with file downloader all in one app".

Although we can't disagree with that, there is another way of seeing the App, which is a great way to manage content for those of us who like a structured approach. Whereas, especially in the past, there was a tendency to create folders and populate them with items one felt relevant, there is now a tendency for each App to create its own filing structure and guard it jealously.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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Settings allows you to do masses of things, including setting a passcode (length set separately), a recovery e-mail for forgotten passcode, notification of attempting break-in (pick the number attempts before notification), decoy mode (where the screen contains different files and folders), and panic mode (swipe down with three fingers to change to decoy mode).

Adding files and folders is super easy, by merely hitting the + button (very intuitive).

Cost
The App Costs $0... in other words, free (unbelievable).

Indispensability
Do you need an file manager for your iOS device? Apple seem to be catching on to the idea that it's not such a bad idea but this App is brilliant, as it does so much more.

Dependability
The simple bits simply work (the file manager part).

Security
The App needs optional access to your location to notify you of break-ins, as well as your camera. On the plus side you get a photo of the person attempting to get into your account, and they won't even know (at least not until you confront them).

ACIDS Test Rating:

If you even dream of a file manager, you have to wake up to this App.

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

You can get Pocket Files Pro here and support for the App here.

Good Woofy - App Review

Good Woofy - Train your dog when you're not there.

Apart from not annoying neighbours, this App should also give your pet a calmer existence when you leave.

This works by the dog hearing your commands to both desist and praise.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The App starts with an invitation to record a command that will (should/could) get your dog to be quiet. In order to do this you need to choose Settings. Here you can record both a command, as well as praise.

Additional settings allow for picking sensitivity (low/normal/high). In addition you can record audio only, so can later listen to 'what happened', or data, in which case you will only have the number of times that the App was set off.

You can also set the delay between the command and praise.

Now when you leave, tap on Good Woofy and set the start delay between immediate and 5 minutes, and leave the iOS device (not in silent mode, obviously) somewhere your pet will hear but cannot touch.

Cost
The App Costs $2.

Indispensability
Although the App is aimed at dogs, it could also be used in other situations.

Dependability
You'll have to ask your pet for that... seriously, it works.

Security
The App needs to access your microphone (so that you can record the command/praise).

ACIDS Test Rating:

Something different, even if you do need a dog to make it work!

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

You can get Good Woofy here and support for the App here.

Pocket - App Review

The developer says: "The next time you find an article, video or link you want to read or watch later, just save it to Pocket. It’ll sync across your phone, tablet, and computer so you can come back to it whenever and wherever you’d like, even when you’re off-line".

Read on...

Now for the ACIDS test:

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You know how it is, you come across an interesting article but haven't got the time to read it so... you usually forget about it.

Pocket allows you to store the article, and the best bit is that you can store it from pretty well anywhere, including a browser on your device (or PC) such as Safari, Firefox etc., as well as via e-mail, and other apps like Facebook, Twitter, Flipboard, and Feedly.

Then, when you use the App, all those articles are ready for you to read in My List. Additionally, you can, optionally, have access to recommended articles (which is based on you choosing from various feeds).

There are various settings for choosing how pages are viewed.

Cost
The App is absolutely free, although there is also a premium version for those of you who want more bells and whistles; such as a Library to keep a backup, Full-Text searching, and Suggested Tags (the free version allows tags but you enter them).

Indispensability
Absolutely brilliant for catching up on your reading.

Dependability
Works flawlessly, except when a web page includes protection.

Security
To get recommendations you can, optionally, connect your address book, Facebook, and/or Twitter. You can also turn on notifications to be informed when a 'friend' shares an item.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Why read a newspaper when you can read just the best bits of many.

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

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

Noteworthy Notes - App Review

Oh no... not another note taking App... but, it needs a closer look.

The point of this one is that, especially for people who enjoy colours and personalisation, it beats the iOS Notes App hands down.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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Hit the + (top left of screen) and start entering your first note.

You will be prompted for a title and then a large coloured area to enter your text. Towards the bottom of the screen are icons to set Priority (Very High, High, Medium, Low, Very Low), Alarm (on or off selected with a slider), and a paintbrush. This is the one that really makes this App stand out as you can select from 21 solid colours for each note.

In addition to this the Settings Cog allows for the setting of various parameters:

Notes Size - choice of 5
Alignment - Left, Centre, Right
Organise - by priority, or alphabetically, and both in either direction
Text size - anything from 9 to 40 point
Text font - choice of 12 different ones
Text colour - black or white
Red Badge Icon - this allows you to pick up to 20 colour to be shown as options
iCloud Sync - toggle on/off
Password - you can, optionally, set an password; if the character is on the keyboard then, it can be used.

Cost
The App Costs $0; it's absolutely free.

Indispensability
If you want something different to the iOS bundled 'Notes' then, take a look at this App.

Dependability
Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Security
The App requests permission to send Notifications.

The Password is much more secure than a 4/6 character numerical code.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Great notes at a great price.

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

You can get Noteworthy Notes here and support for the App here.