Ribbon - App Review

This is an App for checking out where your 'friends' are, as well as planning for meeting up in the future.

This all revolves around you and your friends Facebook accounts.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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After authorising Facebook access (see security for further information), you need to enter a home town (unless you already have that information on your Facebook account). The next step is allowing Ribbon to have access to your current location.

Once this is done, you are ready to explore.

The map shows you how many people are in any given location; tapping the pin will bring up their names.

You can add a trip or event. Entering the town name will also, automatically, bring up a list of potential events. Add one of these, give it a name, and also join your friends on their trip.

The feed shows you recent activity, the first of which is that you joined Ribbon.

You can also search your friends and invite them to join Ribbon.

Cost
There is no charge for the App or the service.

Indispensability
It's a very tidy way to aggregate location information from Facebook, although the information needs to be available in the first place.

Dependability
The accuracy of the information depends on you and your friends.

Security
Ribbon needs to access your public Facebook profile, as well as friend list, email address, birthday, home town, current location, photos, as well as the hometowns and current locations for your friends. Ribbon also asks for permission (which you are free to refuse), to post to your friends on your behalf.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Neat way to stumble upon a friend.

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

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

The Premiership Table

... as it stands at the moment:

Postagram - App Review

There are many card sending Apps you could choose. The difference with Postagram is that the photograph (of your choice, of course) can be popped out of the card. In this way the recipient has the choice of keeping the card, the photograph, or the unforgivable... neither.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The process starts with you picking a photograph, from your photo library, Facebook, Dropbox, or Instagram. You then crop and scale, remembering that the photograph that will be used is printed as a square.

The next thing to do is press 'continue' and enter your message, followed by simply pressing 'continue' again.

You now need to log-in, either with Facebook, or with a Sincerely account (or set one up, of course).

The message 'looks good, send it' appears and then you are about to make someone happy.

It's really as simple as that.

Cost
The App is free and cards are a mere $0.99 in the USA and can be sent pretty well anywhere. You can buy Sincerely credits and save on the total cost.

Indispensability
I hadn't sent a postcard in years and then used an App to send one... funny how things change.

Dependability
The App is extremely easy to use and works as expected.

Security
One of the ways of signing in is with Facebook, where you will need to give the App access to some of your information, as well as that of your friends.

Obviously the App will need access to your photos and contacts, otherwise there will be nothing to send to nobody! You can also manually enter names and addresses (better for security but much more work).

ACIDS Test Rating:

Holiday postcards that don't mysteriously get lost in the (hotel) post.

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

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

Day One (Journal/Diary) - App Review

Have you ever wanted to keep a diary But didn't know where to start (pen and paper might be one place), or lacked motivation (the usual killer)?

This App could be just up your street, as it contains some nice touches and helps you stay on track.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The home screen gives you access to a number of options, as well as giving you statistical feedback on where you are with your diary.

+
This is where it all happens. Press the large plus sign and start entering information for your diary. This can be text, as well as a photograph (either from your photo library, the shot you are going to take, or the last photo taken (this is an excellent idea)).

You can also add the weather, your location (nearby place, current location, or even search on a map), as well as adding tags and favourites.

Timeline
This displays a summary of your entries in time order and is searchable.

Photos
Only entries with photographs are listed in date order.

Tags
Quickly find any entries either in alphabetical order, or by frequency of tag.

Calendar
This displays a monthly calendar (complete with the ever-useful 'Today' button). Pick a date and see your entries for that day.

Starred
Only your entries that are starred (favourites) are listed. this can be extremely useful for entries that are incomplete, so that you can easily find them later to add the missing information.

Settings
Here you choose whether or not to sync with iCloud and/or Dropbox, and whether or not to use a pass code for your diary.

One of the features that will make a difference to the novice diarist is the reminders function; you can't ignore it.

This is also the place where you can choose entries to be exported as PDF, the font and size, as well as detailed defaults for your posts.

Cost
The App is completely free.

Indispensability
If you're interested in keeping a diary and haven't yet managed to organise and motivate yourself, this is the solution.

Dependability
The App works, allowing you to concentrate on your diary.

Security
In order to make your life as easy as possible, the App needs access to your photographs but, these are not shred anywhere (a good thing); location services are also potentially made available. Sharing via Twitter and Foursquare is also directly enabled.

If you use Dropbox and/or iCloud then, the usual precautions should be observed.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Be the next Samuel Pepys.

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

You can get Day One (Journal/Diary) here and support for the App here.

Find My iPhone - App Review

This is (already) the one hundredth App review written on this blog. As a birthday celebration, here is an unmissable free offering from Apple.

I've been using this excellent App literally for years. As it is a standard Apple App, it seems to have missed the net for review (and I thought I said it was unmissable); apologies.

The name of the App says it all, except that it works for any Internet enabled iOS device.

If you ever need to find your iOS device, you will thank your lucky stars that you have this App installed.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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You start out by signing in to your iCloud account and then confirm that you want to allow access to 'Find my iPhone'.

If you're really lucky, that is the first and last time you will have anything to do with the App... and if your life is full of the trials and tribulations, as experienced by the rest of us then, you have just installed the best life raft imaginable.

Some of you will be thinking 'hey, who needs this App? If I lose my iPhone, I just call it from another phone and either hear the ring, or someone picks it up'... if only life were really that simple.

Murphy's first iPhone law states that if you mislay your iPhone, you will have it muted. This means that you can call it but, if you're very lucky, you will hear the vibration but, nothing else. Enter (drum roll, please) 'Find My iPhone'... the App will have the iPhone/iPad/iPod emit a loud sound, even with the volume off or muted. As an extra security measure, you will receive a message informing you of the date and time that the sound was played. This gives you another level of security if someone hacks in to your account.

To find your device just launch the App (there is also a web version at www.icloud.com). Touch the 'Devices' button and all the devices registered under your account are listed. Pick any one of these and it is not only displayed on a map (with amazing accuracy) but, you can play a sound on it, enter lost mode (where you can remotely lock the device), or even remotely erase the device. In addition to this the current (ouch) battery level is shown graphically.

Setting up and use is simple but, if you require detailed instructions, these are available here.

Cost
The App is free, not to say priceless.

Indispensability
This App is an absolute 'must'... just don't understand why it isn't part of the basic iOS.

Dependability
The App works on iOS 5 or later, and most importantly, it does exactly what you would hope; it helps you locate your iOS device.

Security
The 'cost' of making your location visible is far outweighed by the security (in this instance), afforded to you as a result.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Should be compulsory.

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

You can get Find My iPhone here and support for the App here.

Tracks - App Review

The developer describes the App as a way of tracking fashion, food, art, or sports. In fact it's rather more than that as it enables you to make stories (based on pictures) of your own, ably helped by your friends.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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You can start off by either viewing existing tracks which are listed on the left of the home screen. Pick one to see what's in it and then you can share it, see who is a 'member', and jump straight to their tracks.

You can also start your own Track by touching the camera icon (top right). If you haven't given the App access to your photos, the 'Making Magic' message just keeps attempting to access them (unsuccessfully, of course). You can also take a photograph using various effects (some are free and some require an in-App purchase). There is the ability to manually set focus, as well as exposure.

The 'Add' button at the top right of the screen is used to name your Track, add tags, and set whether the Track is discoverable by the community, and whether or not members can add to your track (excellent when you are maybe creating a wedding album, or a memento of an event with friends). You are now free to share your track on Facebook, Twitter, or invite contacts by email (they will then need to sign up in order to be able to see your Track).

Cost
The App is free but there is a charge for effects such as oil painting, LED, and contour.

Indispensability
The indispensable part is that, in order to view a Track, a user must be a member. This reduces the universal appeal.

Dependability
The App works as expected... just remember that access to photographs.

Security
Tracks asks to use your current location. You need to either log-in with Facebook (which means giving access to your basic profile information, list of friends, photos (yours and those of your friends), as well as relationships.

The alternative is to sign up with an email address. In this instance the App will ask for permission to access your contacts and photographs but, these can be refused.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Great if your friends have the App.

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

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

Rockmelt - App Review

From the developer: "Rockmelt brings the best of the internet to you. When you open the app, you'll find an infinite, image-rich stream of great content - personalised exactly how you want it. You can login to customise your stream, react to the best stories, and share the latest and greatest with friends on your social networks".

This is a very fair summary of what Rockmelt is about.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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An excellent idea from the publisher is that you can 'explore as (a) Guest', without the need to fully sign-up.

The home screen provides, initially at least, some random news items. You can tap on any of these to show your appreciation (aww, hmm, like, lol, want, wtf), as well as forwarding (for which Rockmelt asks for access to your Twitter account). You can equally email, message, or Facebook any of these items. Should you log in, you will also be able to follow any of the articles.

Finding appropriate content is simple, either by going through a broad category, or searching for your specific topic of interest.

The App is very graphical and fast; a pleasant combination.

Cost
The App is absolutely free and there is no overt advertising. Publishers who sign up get some benefits, which include being more likely to get their pages under your nose.

Indispensability
Content is indispensable to 21st century life; how it is delivered is up to you.

Dependability
The App requires an Internet connection to grab content (obviously), but you can 'swipe right' to store a story to read later.

Security
You can share information through Facebook, Twitter, and Google+; the usual discretion is advised.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Nice presentation and speed but, plenty of competition too.

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

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

PONS Online Dictionary - App Review

Translating from your native language to another is full of pitfalls. The only way that you can be sure is if each word is fully explained, in context. PONS goes very much in this direction.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The basic screen contains just four basic options, which you access after entering whatever you are attempting to translate in the search box, as well as the from and to languages:

Search
Having entered the search term, you have listed the various definitions in the native language, and then the individual translations. This is very useful... as in a dog collar; wouldn't want to confuse a canine friend with a priest, would we?

Text
Here you enter far more text, such as a sentence or paragraph, and then press 'translate'. No alternatives are offered but there is a 'result satisfactory' button. This reminds you to be very careful when translating. As an example, 'My vicar sports a dog collar' translates as 'my vicar wears a dog's collar'.

Favourites
this enables you to have immediate access to your important translations.

Settings
This has various statutory information, as well as login access to PONS (not mandatory)

Cost
The App is free and supported by advertising.

Indispensability
A dictionary is indispensable. The single word translations are very comprehensive.

Dependability
The App requires an Internet connection... hardly a surprise, given the App's name.

Security
There are no particular issues.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Single word translations are excellent.

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

You can get PONS Online Dictionary here and support for the App here.

Thermo by Robocat - App Review

A neat App to display just the current temperature at your location; seems a good idea.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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There are additional App specified settings, including units (Celsius or Fahrenheit), perceived temperature, yesterday's temperature, history, and sounds.

the basic screen has a thermometer displaying the current temperature, in accordance with the settings above. the 'mercury' rises and falls with the varying temperature.

The bottom of the screen contains an advertisement, complete with what appears to be a 'go-away' box. touching the box brings up a 'confirm your in-App purchase' dialogue, referring to the removal of advertisements; not very friendly.

Additional themes can be individually purchased.

Cost
The basic App is free, complete with the aforementioned advertisement.

Indispensability
The App does display the temperature in a pleasing manner... but see 'Dependability'.

Dependability
The iPhone/iPad hasn't actually got a built-in temperature sensor (at least not an external one, unlike the warning you get when the iOS product becomes too hot itself), so the information you get is provided from a weather centre. this means that whether you are in the sun or the shade, the displayed temperature will remain the same.

Security
There are no issues with the App.

ACIDS Test Rating:

Looks good but...

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

You can get Thermo by Robocat here and support for the App here.

Swisscom iO - App Review

Oh no! Not another App that promises free phone calls... you can't be blamed for your reaction but, this one has a USP.

Have you ever thought that you called someone and gave them a message then, couldn't find the evidence on your phone? You know you did it but you can't 'prove' it. And then you accidentally realise that you didn't actually speak with them, you sent them a text message.

Swisscom iO keeps your calls and text messages in the same place; this is an enormous plus.

You do not need to have a Swisscom subscription to use the service.

Now for the ACIDS test:

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The basic screen gives you access to four areas;

Contacts
This lists your contacts from your address book. It is a neat listing with photographs, where available, and colour graduated boxes in other cases. As expected, there is a search box to quickly find a contact, or an alphabetical tab. Existing contacts who are using iO also have the iO logo on their details.

You can directly dial contacts from here, as well as inviting them to join iO.

History
This is what really distinguishes this App. It lists all the people with whom you have recently interacted. Picking any of these brings up a listing of all calls (in and out) as well as the duration, as well as the details of all text messages.

Keypad
This doesn't really need explaining. Again though there is a very useful feature of entering a number (whether or not you actually dial it), and then saving the number either to an existing or a new contact; very useful.

MyiO
This is where you add your picture, get a password, and check on the ts & cs. Your phone number is also automatically stored here so, for those who can't remember their own number, a useful place to be able to easily find it.

Cost
The App is free, as are all calls, texts and photos to other Swisscom iO users. Texts can be sent anywhere in the world free, even if the recipient does not have iO.

You can purchase additional subscriptions to enable you to call non-iO users who are not in Switzerland.

Indispensability
Today, a mobile phone is well-nigh indispensable, and the ability to send/receive text messages is nearly as much of an imperative. What this App does so well is to combine the two.

Dependability
The quality of call when tested was good. Many thanks to Rachael fro helping test this on an international basis!

Security
Swisscom state that they do not store your address book, and that all date (presumably except the address book) is stored securely in Switzerland, in accordance with Swisscom standards.

ACIDS Test Rating:

The only downside is the unfortunate name!

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

You can get Swisscom iO here and support for the App here.