In this edition of his regular AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights Tshwane Free WiFi, NLife Africa, WordFlex, miCoach, Hub++, Flapp, Opera with sidebar extensions and Safety Score from Momentum.
Tshwane Free WiFi
Citizens of Tshwane can now find free WiFi hotspots thanks to a new app developed by Project Isizwe, a provider of free WiFi in selected areas. The app is easy to use, with a screen showing a map with the hotspots around Tshwane. A second screen shows hotspot details, including the distance from a user’s current location. The last screen is more interactive, letting a user search for a hotspot by point of interest, for instance all hotspots in clinics or libraries.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Availability: Visit the store linked to your device.
NLife Africa
The NLife Africa app offers users offline maps, live traffic updates and turn-by-turn instructions. The app’s interface is easy to navigate, offering the ability to search for a destination by its address or as a point of interest. Once a destination is chosen, options are given to walk or drive, and the user can chose to stay off high-ways and avoid toll-roads. NLife pulls its maps and data from TomTom and, because it is available offline, no ongoing data charges are incurred. The premium app offers navigation for 19 countries, including South Africa.
Platform: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: A 15-day trial period is offered, thereafter a once-off fee of R800.
Availability: Visit the store linked to your device.
WordFlex
WordFlex is similar to Scrabble, but uses hexagons with letters and lets users build words backwards, forwards, to the left and to the right. It can be played in single-player mode, but also offers the ability to play with friends or complete stranger around the world. After each game, a user is ranked and the score is uploaded to the leader board.
Platform: iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Availability: Visit the iTunes Store.
miCoach
The miCoach train and run app works with training techniques offered by some of the top Adidas athletes and coaches. It includes GPS tracking and real-time voice coaching to help a user build speed, endurance and strength. Various strength and flex exercises are on offer. The app makes full use of the tile features in Windows 8, giving access to online training videos at the touch of a button.
Platform: Windows Phone 8 and above.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Availability: Visit the Windows Phone Store.
Hub++
Hub++ is an upgrade to the default BlackBerry 10 Hub notification system. Users can drill down into specific notifications based on e-mail sender, subject line and priority, and activate a variety of LED, vibration, and tone notifications. Hub++ makes managing larger e-mail boxes easier and is great for users who receive high-priority messages that need to be actioned immediately.
Platform: BlackBerry OS 10 and above
Expect to pay: R25
Availability: Visit the BlackBerry App World.
Flapp
Instead of searching the Internet for the cheapest flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg, Flapp presents users with list of flights on one screen and though one search. All it needs is a date and time, and corresponding flights from various airlines will be displayed. Once a flight is chosen, the user is re-directed to that airline’s online booking system, where a seat can be booked and paid.
Platform: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: A free download.
Availability: Visit the store linked to your device.
Opera with Sidebar extensions
The latest version of Opera for desktops and notebooks brings Sidebar extensions. These are small bits of software that add additional functionality to the browser. For example, a user can decide to have a Twitter window open while still browsing the Internet. A separate extension can be dedicated to a Facebook timeline or even incoming e-mail. Users can also include a notes option.
Platform: PC and Apple.
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit www.opera.com
Safety Score from Momentum
Safety Score is an online app that assesses how effectively South Africans protect their homes and vehicles. After filling in the online form, the app offers suggestions on how users can further protect themselves and their possessions. It will offer suggestions like installing burglar bars around the home, or linking an alarm system to an armed response company or even getting involved in community policing forums.
Platform: Any device with an Internet browser.
Expect to pay: A free tool.
Availability: www.momentum.co.za
* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher
