Photo Week Recap

We have made it through the week of photo apps.  I know it's quite sad and you may feel nostalgic.  Lets reminisce for a second...

The week got off to a strong start with a photo editing app called SnapSeed.  This app lets you add customizable filters or tweak individual settings like brightness and white balance to manipulate you images.  Next, we head over to Sweden and check out their app Foap, the iPhone photo selling app where just about anyone has the chance to make a quick buck.  Third on the list is the panorama camera, Photosynth, followed up by the collage creator, Pic Jointer.  Later in the week comes our most colorful, or actually least colorful, app of TouchofColor Free.  This app brings the color accent features of some of today's digital cameras to the iDevice.  Continuing we find the photo posting center, Instagram, where you follow your friends and make picture sharing a truly social network.  Last on our list is Private Photo Vault, our home for personal and/or private (aka inappropriate) photos.

These apps are great apps when used individually for you photo/photography needs.  The real power lies in using them in tandem with each other and taking a single photo through a bunch of them.  For example, Take a great photo in Photosynth, change the brightness and contrast in SnapSeed, use the color accent in TouchofColor, combine it with other photos in Pic Jointer, and post it to Instagram!

I hope you try these apps out and as always, please let me know your thought and comments, as well as any apps that you may have found that you like more!

Day 7 of 7 - Private Photo Vault

It's here!  The last day the week of photo apps.  All of the apps this week up until now can truly be considered photography apps.  This one is not technically in that category, but I think it fits in just fine.

Private Photo Vault give you a place to "hide" or store your private photos that you don't necessarily want just anyone to see.  While I don't know, or care to know, what photos you choose to import into the vault, it remains incredibly useful.  Sometimes you just have a personal picture that needs to be kept to yourself, like an embarrassing yet hilarious picture from that party you went to.  Whatever your needs, use vault to keep your most hush hush photos under lock and key.

Private Photo Vault's icon (left) & the album page (left)

And don't forget, you can never be too careful.  Try it out!

Get the app by clicking here!

Day 6 of 7 - Instagram

If you haven't heard of Instagram, it's probably time to get out from the rock that you're living under.  Since the release just about two years ago, this app has become THE photo editing and posting app.  I have already given you ways to take new photos (Photosynth), edit previous taken photos (SnapSeed, Pic Jointer, & TouchofColor), and sell your photos (Foap).  I have not, until now, given you a way to share them. App store, take it away!

"Pick from one of several gorgeous filtered effects or tilt-shift blur to breathe a new life into your mobile photos. Transform everyday moments into works of art you'll want to share with friends and family. Share your photos in a simple photo stream with friends to see - and follow your friends' photos with the click of a single button. Every day you open up Instagram, you'll see new photos from your closest friends, and creative people from around the world." -App Store

Instagram's icon (left) & an edited and posted photo (right)

'Nuff said.  Just get it and tell your friends to get it.  Thanks. Bye.

Get the app by clicking here!

Day 5 of 7 - TouchofColor Free

TouchofColor free sounds pretty much like what it does.  I thought you would be able to add colors to your pictures, but instead you take colors away.  All but one color that is.  That's right, TouchofColor free is a color accent application.

For those of you who do not know what color accent is, you can remove all but one color so that the whole photo is black and white with, say, an accent of red.  Look at the image below to see what i am talking about.  There are applications out there that will let you take pictures with the camera with a color accent filter.  For instance, ColorManager Cam filters your cameras feed with what ever colors you select.  Only problem is that the quality of these pictures is garbage.  Stick with TouchofColor.

So the way this works is that you select a picture from you Photo app. You then get to select which color in the picture to be the accent.  From there you can play around with the color, intensity, and brightness controls until you get the result you want.  You can save the doctored image back into your Photos and upload to Foap or Instagram!

TouchofColors icon (left) and a color accent photo being finished (right)

As a photo junkie, I appreciate the artist affect that color accent has on an image.  For those who also appreciate this enhancement, your welcome!

Get the app by clicking here!

Day 4 of 7 - Pic Jointer

So far this week I have given you ways to edit your photos, sell them, and even take panoramic pictures.  Today's app falls in the photo editing category, but not in the way you might think.

Pic Jointer is a photo collage creation app.  You can add up to four photos at a time to create beautiful collages to enhance your pictures.  Customizable features include:

• the color and thickness of the border
• the amount of rounding of the corners
• the placement of divider bars
• the amount of zoom on each photo
• the layout of the collage

Once you have finished playing around with your pictures and editing the collage, you have the chance to upload to Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr right from within the app.  The finished jointed picture is also saved to your Photos on your iDevice.  There are other collage apps out there that I have tried that can provide the same functionality as Pic Jointer.(kinda a dumb name right?)  I find that most of those features/apps come with a price that is more than Pic Jointer's - FREE!

Pic Jointer's icon (left) and the collage editing screen (right)

Aside from the stupid name, this app is superb for creating collages.  While I don't have use for it every day, having it on my phone lends itself to me finding ways to use it more and more.  Give it a shot!

Get the app by clicking here!

Day 3 of 7 - Photosynth

The built in camera on iDevices is an incredible tool for taking your standard photos.  If you are looking for more than your "standard photos", look not further.

"Photosynth for iOS is the panorama creation app that makes it easy and fun to capture and share interactive panoramas of the places, people, and events that are important to you. Using the latest in computer vision techniques, you can not only make a panorama from left to right, but also up and down..." -App Store

I find that whenever I have a great view in front of me, I jump to Panorama right away.  It captures the full scene all around me, preserving the moment forever.  Photosynth also boasts a fantastic user interface.  You simply open the app and touch the screen to begin capturing your surroundings.  Then all you have to do is spin around and tap the screen again to finish.  The final picture gets saved in your devices Photo app.  Easy peasy!

Photosynth's icon (left) & the capture screen (right)

While I absolutely love the app, I do have one small complaint.  As you will all see when you download the app (as you know you should), the final image that the app stitches together has an annoying scalloped edge. It's easy to fix by cropping the picture in Photos.  Still, it bothers me.  In reality, its a small negative for an otherwise stellar app!

Get the app by clicking here!

Day 2 of 7 - Foap

"Foap is a photo application which turns your iPhone photos into dollars. Snap a photo, upload it to Foap Market and it will be available for companies that may buy it. We love filters and frames but our buyer's don't, so be sure to upload photos without." -App Store

You may be thinking, as I once did, why would someone want to purchase a photo that I took on my iPhone.  Or, if you're are a cocky piece of work, you might think "who wouldn't want my photos!"  And that could be true.  Using Foap to upload and tag your photos onto their marker, you have the potential to make a bit of easy cash.  I uploaded only 7 photos when I first got the app and after about a weeks time I had made my first sale.  Granted it's only $5 per photo, but when you sell a couple like I did, it adds up!  You use PayPal to cash out your earnings which couldn't be easier.

Foap's icon (left) & the 20 Latest Sold list (right)

Anyone who takes a decent, not blurry, iPhone picture has the potential to make bit of easy money.  Adding photos to the market is quick and easy so even if you don't make anything, no harm done!

Get the app by clicking here!

Regrettable News Update

Just a quick update! I am sad to say that SnapSeed, while still an incredible app, is no longer free, making it the first app I have reviewed that you must pay to get.  Keep an eye out for another sale and I will do the same.  If you see a sale, comment on this post and I will help spread the word!

Day 1 of 7 - SnapSeed

To kick off our photo week, I present to you SnapSeed!  This is a premier photo editing app that features the most detailed editing functionality around.  You can spot-edit your photos to make smaller corrections. Mess around with your picture by adjusting a multitude of settings like brightness, white balance, or contrast.  Why not try out a variety of filters that also have adjustable settings.  Make the ehh picture alright, the alright picture great, and the great picture incredible.

Most of these apps that let you really change your iDevice photos are expensive as all heck.  SnapSeed comes to your for just a bit less than expected.  It used to be $4.99, then became free. Then went back to $4.99, but now it's FREE!  You have nothing to lose by trying out this easy-to-use app.

SnapSeed's icon (left) & the photo editing screen (right)

If you use Instagram, Foap, or other photo posting apps, SnapSeed is a must have.

Get the app by clicking here!

Heads Up! It's Photo Time

Stay tuned to the iOS App Center next week for a full week of photography apps that will help you with taking, editing, and sharing your iDevice pictures!

LogMeIn - Remote Desktop

"Remotely control your PCs and Macs over WiFi/3G with the free LogMeIn app on your iPad or iPhone. It works with LogMeIn’s free award-winning software installed on as many computers as you like. You can remotely access your files, run your applications and control your desktops from anywhere. With everything at your fingertips, you’re finally free to go." -App Store

LogMeIn is more of a service that just an app.  Yes, there is an app, but that is only part of it.  Once set up, it gives you the ability to access your computers from your mobile device or another computer.  By logging in to the web interface and selecting the computer you want to access, you can bring up your computer's desktop as if you were sitting in front of it.  For help setting up LogMeIn, consult the Getting Started Guide.

Ever had to send someone a document that was on your computer and couldn't? Not anymore. LogMeIn's web interface and mobile app have very user friendly interfaces that lets you move control your computer while on the go.  I can't even begin to tell you how often I used it once I had the option to.  Way more than I initially thought.  I even set it up on my family's machines so that when their computers are on the fritz , I can help them remotely.

LogMeIn's icon (left) and the remote desktop screen (right)

So whether you are the savvy tech geek who needs to be connected at all times or the casual computer user who uses them when you need to, you can find many a use for LogMein

Get the app by clicking here!

KeyRing Reward Cards

Many people, myself included until recently, walk around with either a wallet stuffed or a key ring full of loyalty cards and other fobs (love that word).  I had one for groceries, one for the gym, a few for stores, and   one for the movies.  I got so sick of having these things in my wallet and on my key chain that I took them off and left them in my drawer at home.  Whats the point of even having a rewards card if you don't have it when you need it?  The answer is simple.  There is no point!

My wallet and key chain were saved, along with part of my sanity, when I learned about and downloaded KeyRing Reward Cards.  To get started you scan in your cards by either taking a picture of the card in the app or by entering the card number.  Once all of your cards are scanned, you are good to start using it.  Now when you are out and about shopping, you can open the app at checkout, pull up the corresponding loyalty card, and have the cashier scan your phone's screen.  It's that simple!

The other nice feature of KeyRing is its coupon functionality.  You can view coupons that are available at each store and get even more savings all from within the app.

Keyring's icon (left) and the loyalty card list (right)

I know it sounds too good to be true, but trust me when I tell you it's real.  Oh, and it's free.  What do you got to lose....nothing.

Get the app by clicking here!

Voxer - Walkie Talkie

As far as messaging apps go, I am usually not much of a fan.  I always felt like sending a text was easier then going into some app to send a message.  Why did I need to have more than one way of messaging people? All of those thoughts were before I downloaded and started using Voxer.  Now I use it for pretty much anything besides a normal text.

"Voxer is a Walkie Talkie app for smartphones. Send instant Audio, Text, Photo and Location messages to one friend or a group of your friends. Your friends can listen to your message while you talk or check it out later." - App Store

You know when you have to tell someone something that is too long for text but doesn't really warrant a phone call?  Here is your solution to that predicament. Voxer is a real time messaging app that allows you to send rapid voice messages to a single contact or to groups.  Using a simple press and hold button, you talk to you friends who get the message as you say it.  In the same conversation, you can send a text, a voice message, or a picture to whomever you're conversing with.  I find it great to use when you have to ask someone a quick question or let them know you are running late.  There are other rapid voice messaging apps out there (HeyTell is another), but none give you the full experience that you get with Voxer.

Voxer's icon (left) and a screenshot of the conversation screen (right)

Perfect for people trying to make plans, families trying to stay in touch, or a group of friends catching up.

Get the app by clicking here!

Trivial Free

So I just got a text from a friend telling me to download a new app called Trivial Free.  He said its a decent trivia app that is in the same game style as the "With Friends" and "With Buddies" games.  Now I didn't think much of it since the last 3 or 4 apps recommended by my buddy were just awful.  But, as he assured me this one was legit, I downloaded it and started a game.  I gotta say, he got this one right!

Trivial Free asks you a series of questions that the more you answer in a row, the more points you score.  Just as in games like Scramble With Friends or Jewels With Buddies, you can select and use power ups that can slow down time or give you a free pass.  Your score is compared to your opponents score and after three rounds of questions a winner is determined!

Trivial's icon (left) and in-game screenshot (right)

As a trivia fiend myself, this app is amazing.  Embarrassing as it is to say, I just started developing an app just like this (I'm not anymore) and it wouldn't have been even close to as good.  Not only should you download it but you need to invite people to join too so you have someone to play with.

Get the app by clicking here!

"Trivial Pursuit Master Edition Game"

Pocket Full Of Notes

"When you find something on the web that you want to view later, put it in Pocket. It automatically syncs to your phone, tablet, or computer so you can view it any time, even without an internet connection." - App Store

Pocket may be confused by some of you with Read It Later.  That is because they are the same thing.  Read It Later was renamed Pocket in April 2012 when the app was revamped.  The updated added thumbnails of the saved content and the ability to favorite your best stuff.  But enough history.

Pocket is meant to help you store the webpage, article, video, or picture that you don't have time to read now.  Hence the old name, Read It Later.  Some apps, like Zite or Twitter, have built in Pocket saving functionality (for full list click here).  Transversely, Pocket boasts the ability to share with other services including but not limited to Evernote, Facebook, Reddit, and Tumblr.  You can tag your saved content to be filtered by tag later.  One of the best features of this app is that it makes all of your saved stuff available offline.  For those with WiFi only devices, this will come in handy.  Don't like reading long articles on your iDevice?  Save things that you find on your mobile device using Pocket and head over to getpocket.com on your computer and view what you just saved.  It's that easy.

Pocket's icon (left) and the in-app home screen (right)

This app is a must have for pretty much anyone and everyone.  If you ever use the web browser or any of the apps that work with Pocket, this app only enhances them.  Don't be stupid and click the link below.

Get the app by clicking here!

Whether The Weather Be Fine

Most users find that Apple's built in "Weather" app is satisfactory and gives them enough information. These people are the ones who have not tried a third party weather app. Two apps in particular are much more thorough and provide significantly more information. I will compare the likes of The Weather Channel and AccuWeather for iPhone.

Both apps offer current conditions, an hourly forecast that shows the next 24 hours, and a weather map with precipitation and heat overlays. They both display an assortment of relevant data including wind speeds and humidity, as well as a "feels like" temperature.  Weather advisories are depicted in both apps with an exclamation point to make you aware of the warning.

The Weather Channel forecast screen (left) & icon (bottom middle) with AccuWeather's icon (top middle) & home screen (right)

The Weather Channel (TWC) features both a 36 hour and a ten day forecast for advanced weather predictions.  I find the user interface (UI) for this app is more instinctual than AccuWeather's UI.  All of the forecast options  are clearly listed on the bottom of the screen (see picture below).  I also much prefer TWC for its ease of use in checking the weather for multiple locations.  You simple slide the screen to the left or right to traverse between all locations.

Get the app by clicking here!

AccuWeather boast a 15 day forecast as its long term weather information tab.  The additional current weather information (humidity, visibility, etc.) is always displayed on the main screen.  Part of what I don't like about this app is that to see the hourly forecasts you scroll to the right and see chucks of forecasts in four hours blocks.  Not a fan.  Most of the time that I am checking the weather I am doing so on the fly and cant be bothered to scroll over 4 or 5 times to see what the next day will look like.

Get the app by clicking here!

Both apps are very good and are much better than the stock weather app that comes on your iDevice.  Either one is a good choice!

The Weather Channel Professional Weather Center