In his latest AppDate, SEAN BACHER features Apple Clips, Bidvest Snappdrive, Shazam with AR, Facebook Messenger Lite, and StockupApp.
Apple Clips
Apple Clips is a new app that is designed to create expressive videos on iPhones and iPads. It allows one to combine video clips, photos and music into videos that can be shared via Apple’s Messages app, or on Instagram, Facebook and most other popular social networks. The app introduces Live Titles, a feature that lets users create animated captions and titles using just their voice. It includes comic book filters, speech bubbles, shapes and full-screen animated posters.
Platform: Apple iPads and iPhones running iOS 10.3 or later.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the Apple App Store from any compatible device.
Bidvest Snappdrive
After a long trip, the last thing many travellers want to worry about is organising a rental car. Bidvest’s Snappdrive app makes this is a lot easier. Before leaving for a trip, users arrange a car online. After arriving at their destination, they use the app to locate their car, and will be able to unlock and start it using just a smartphone. In addition to creating a better customer experience, Bidvest is able to monitor a car’s location, speed and fuel consumption – all in real time.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.
Shazam, now with Augmented Reality
Shazam, one of the first apps allowing users to identify an artist by simply letting their phone “listen” to a song, has gone one step further. With its AR platform, users can now scan a QR code on marketing materials, products, packaging, advertising, events and more. Once scanned, the codes are capable of delivering AR experiences, including 3D animations, product visualisations, mini-games and 360-degree videos, directly to their phone or tablet.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.
Facebook Messenger Lite
In an effort to help users with older Android smartphones or slow mobile Internet connections, Facebook has launched its Messenger Lite service. It is a slimmed down, standalone version of the standard Facebook Messenger for Android that allows one to quickly and easily send text, photos and links to anyone else using Messenger or Messenger Lite. It is designed to give people the Messenger experience, no matter what technology they use. The app is less than a 10MB download, making it a lot easier to install and easier to access.
Platform: Android with an iOS version being released later this year.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the Google Play Store for downloading instructions.
StockupApp
Long queues, disgruntled checkout staff and the idea of spending hard-earned money on something as boring as groceries are just a few issues that make going to the supermarket a chore. Although StockupApp doesn’t help with the money that needs to be spent, it does eliminate queues and many of the other shopping problems. Much like UberEATS, StockupApp uses a phone’s geo-location to find stores in an area. One is then able to order a range of everyday goods, including groceries, certain alcoholic beverages and even gifts – all dependent on the retailer chosen. A credit card is used to pay and the items ordered will be delivered to your door in hours.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download but a service and delivery fee is added to each purchase.
Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.
* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher
