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EACH WEEK, WE highlight five apps that are worth downloading for your smartphone and tablet. There are a lot of apps released on a daily basis, but not all of them are worth paying attention to.
We’re going to assume that you already have a lot of the most popular apps, so let us do the hard work for you and pick out the latest apps that are deserving of your time. This week includes a zany platform runner, a way to stream all your music and videos to your smart devices and an app that allows you to turn off notifications on Android.
Rayman Fiesta Run
Why should I care?
- Platform runners are now a staple of smartphone gaming (see Canabalt, Jetpack Joyride, Punch Quest, Robot Unicorn Attack etc.)
- Rayman Fiesta Run is probably one of the most colourful platform runners out there. What other game would create zany worlds around food?
- It’s quick-paced and throws some clever twists on what has become a tired genre.
- You can easily blast your way from point A to B, but the game rewards you for taking the less obvious routes.
- Probably the only potentially annoying part is that ads appear (although very rarely). If they are annoying you, turning on airplane mode while playing means you definitely won’t see them.
(Video: ubisoft/YouTube)
App Ops 4.3/4.4 KitKat
For: Android
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- The most recent Android update KitKat made the App Ops menu, which allowed you to restrict permissions for each app, unaccessible to users. The previous version of Android still has it but takes a lot of searching to find.
- Thankfully, App Ops allows you to access these permissions from your apps screen.
- The level of customisation and control you get huge, highlighting all apps that can access location, personal info, messaging , media, and your device.
- If you really know your way around Android, you can install the advanced version. Most of us will find the regular version more than sufficient.
- If anything, it will make you realise just how much access you give certain apps.
(Image: App Ops/Google Play)
Lightt
For: iOS
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- Video apps like Vine and Instagram Video are slowly growing in popularity so it’s only natural similar apps would appear.
- Lightt sticks with tradition by using a ‘touch to record’ approach, but also includes an impressive range of features with it.
- Alongside adding different filters and effects to videos, you can embed music tracks on your video.
- Probably our favourite part is adding voiceovers when you’re editing your video.
- Only problem is that – unlike Vine and Instagram – videos won’t save on your phone so any amazing videos you post stay there.
(Update: Turns out you can save videos onto your device. Either tap on the Outbox icon when you’re posting, or go into settings and turn on ‘Save to Album’)
(Image: Lightt/YouTube)
LockMix
For: Windows Phone
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- Should you tire of the current look, LockMix lets you add widgets to your lock screen.
- Anything you can do with Android widgets, you can do here.
- You can resize them and place them anywhere, saving you the trouble of unlocking your phone to check something.
- The usual type of widgets such as weather, news, battery can be included here.
- Best part is that you can pin each widget to the start screen as a live tile.
(Image: Lockmix/Windows Phone Store)
Streambels
For: Android
Cost: Free
Why should I care?
- If you have a smart TV and a lot of music and videos on your phone or tablet, this will come in handy.
- Lets you stream music, videos and photos from your smartphone or tablet to any DLNA enabled device.
- It also supports video streaming from YouTube and Facebook videos should you find a video that everyone has to see.
- If you’re using your smartphone, it will automatically pause so you can take your call and resume when you’re finished.
- The makers plan to introduce Spotify, Soundcloud and online radio integration soon.
(Image: Streambels/YouTube)
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My grandfather was in good company so, same unit as Leo!
@winston smith: chip off the old block?
I’d say your Grandfather wasn’t happy calling you after churchill so.
And there’s me thinking I was named after Winnie the Pooh…how could they!
Oriel House is a great story yet to be brought to the wider public! Pseudo intelligence unit doing the Free State Cabinets unsavoury work.
@Paul Maher: would now be known as a murder gang, only this was being done by the so called government.
@Larry Doherty: the so called goverment…… Did they the anti treaty side ever become the goverment or is it still the so called goverment 90 give or take years on
@Paul Maher:
GHQ Intelligence Squad, formed 1919, were based in Abbey Street.
GHQ Intelligence Office were based in Crowe Street.
Dublin Brigade ASU, formed in 1920, we’re based in Strand Street.
The Dublin Guard were based in Celbridge and later Beggars Bush.
Military Intelligence & CID were based in Oriel House – A common mistake made over the years by republicans is to say the Squad ended up being the murder gang in Oriel House. The funny thing is very few of the Squad had connections with Oriel House – only Paddy ‘Specky’ Griffin‘s name has been associated with the place in its early days. Nevertheless, it’s widely known that torture was used in Oriel House and men were murdered by members of the CID. Equally men were murdered and tortured by Dev’s men. It was a brutal Civil War.
Sure wasn’t the bold IRA more than a million brave men and women strong.. or was it two million??
Nice chips but at €3.50 …. They are a bit pricey
@Shane Freeney:
I agree too pricey and not the best in dublin golden chip in phibs way better
Smells fishy ! But great non the less.
When the chips are down, Burdocks is yer only man!
Documents have name listed as Liam Burdock social welfare fraud alive and well way back then.
@TonyF: his father was Patrick and his mother was Bella so who is Liam?
What a man!
Oriel House would make a great book if any historian got around to writing it.
Those in there lost the run of themselves after the death of Collins and were worse than the tans…
The DUP are now calling for immediate closure and decommissioning of all Leo burdocks premises before peace talks can recommence….
Have to visit next time I’m in the big smoke.
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