Mac App Review:Blast

Blast

Android App Review: Google Goggles

Google Goggles is one of the most fun apps to play around with in the Android Marketplace. You can take pictures of labels, logos, barcodes, book covers, landmarks, etc. This app can come in handy frequently and that is why I give it a solid 9/10, especially because it is free, so there is not much to complain about! If you have an Android phone (it is coming to the iPhone shortly), I highly suggest downloading this app.

Twitter

ISW Recorder & Editor: A Very Useful, Free iPhone App

ISW Recorder & Editor is a brilliant new, free iPhone app for recording your audio and mixing it around. I previously wrote a review of the paid version for this app on my website and thecreativeone.tv. This app is very useful for almost anyone.

Easy to Use
This audio recorder and editor is very easy to use, not to mention fun. The app has a very clean interface, which is very clearly laid out and is one of the rare apps in the App Store that is actually very well designed in both the UI and the icon. I was immediately able to use the app and navigate around with ease.

Many Uses
ISW is an incredibly versatile tool and can be used by pranksters, students, songwriters, especially with its scriptwriting feature. Another great feature is the Input Percentage Meter, which can go up to 500% and pick up even the tiniest of vibrations. This feature could be convenient for spying on people. Not that I’m endorsing this sort of behavior. Absolutely not. As I said in my review, “a student could use the arrangements feature to make one arrangement for a topic that was discussed in several lessons.”
This app really is amazingly useful, especially considering that it’s free. Of course, if you choose to go pro, then that’s cheap too, at 99 cents. Read on below to find out how to get it for free.

Promo Code
I have a promo code for the paid version of this app. If you want to have a chance of winning it, then email me at ha.alamin@gmail.com, with the subject: ISW Giveaway. Then tell me why you think this app would be useful for you. The winner will be the person with the most creative way of using it. You don’t have to write what you will actually use it for and you can make it up. I might also give it to the funniest email. You’ll just have to see.

Edit: I have two new promo codes to give away, that makes a total of three codes. 

Mashable iPhone App is WIN

It takes a lot for an iPhone app to make it to my dock on my iPhone. Hardly do I ever add a third party app down there, but Mashable hit the nail on the head. And it is the first version of their app. They know what they are doing. They know how to make an app, and make it right the first time. Other developers need to take notes.

Besides the fact that the interface of the app is gorgeous, yet simple, the functionality is what wins me over on this app. I have a small following of 700+ people on Twitter that look forward to my tech tweets. I am a middle man, a referrer, a source that points people to latest in tech. And with this Mashable iPhone app, it just made my job a lot easier, especially on-the-go.

The Twitter integration is downright easy. Mashable will ask what Twitter app on your iPhone you would like to use with their app. I am a fan of Twitterific, so I chose that.

What this does is when I want to share a story I like on the Mashable app, I hit the Twitter button within the app, and it automatically launches the Twitterific app. It automatically shortens the URL, and writes the tweet, so all I have to do is press enter. And just like that, the tweet is posted and all my followers are happy. If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, this is a MUST app. I can not stress that enough.

App Review: Sleep Cycle

Sleep Cycle is a brand new app for the iPhone that is designed to analyze your sleep patterns and make you feel more rested. It was created by LexWare Labs AB. It was developed using proven sleep science. I don't know about you, but anytime I hear that a product was developed using proven science I automatically think it's a scam. Then I noticed this app had four out of five stars with sixty-six ratings. At this point I was very skeptical, but I decided to read the reviews anyways. To my surprise, every review I read was good with the exception of those written by disappointed iPod Touch owners. This app doesn't support the iPod Touch, which it clearly states in the description. Since the app was only ninety-nine cents and it had so many good reviews, I decided to purchase it. I'm glad I did.

I've used Sleep Cycle for the past two nights, and even though I only got about six hours of sleep each of those nights, I've felt more rested each morning. I definitely recommend this app to anyone reading this who wants to have more energy in the morning. I am extremely happy with this purchase. It is well worth the ninety-nine cents. So, for those of you who are wondering,

Here's how it works:

First, you set the alarm. Then you have to press a button and lay the iPhone face down, next to your head on the mattress. The app then uses the iPhone's sensitive accelerometer throughout the night to determine which state of sleep you're in based on your movements. In the morning, the app looks for you to be in a light sleep phase within a thirty minute window that ends at your set alarm time. The app then wakes you during a light sleep phase, making you feel more rested and less likely to reach for a snooze button. The app also gives you detailed graphs for each night of sleep, so you can see how well you're resting. You also have the option to share your sleep graphs via Facebook or email.

Warnings:

Because Sleep Cycle analyzes your sleep based on your movements, it works best on spring mattresses. The app's description page even warns against purchasing it if you have a Tempur-Pedic. As I mentioned earlier, you'll also read in the description that the iPod Touch is not supported.

Basically, if you follow the directions you will be in love with this app. It is by far one of the most useful apps and most original concepts that I've seen in the App Store.