In his latest AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights Bloodhound Blast, CrashDetech, the latest GarageBand, Samsung’s free access to the Google Play Music store and Folx 5 download manager for Mac.
Bloodhound Blast
Want to know how fast the Bloodhound rocket car will go? How it works? Where it will be driven? Yes, in South Africa! But where, exactly? Sure, one can research all these details on the Internet, but there is also an app offering all this and more. The Bloodhound Blast app gets the user up-close with the car, the team and the technology behind the entire project. It includes great images with data on the cockpit, the propulsion system and the aerodynamics, as well as a quiz to see how much you know about Project Bloodhound.
Platform: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.
CrashDetech
CrashDetech is a smartphone application which, once set up, automatically detects a serious car crash, pinpoints the location and immediately dispatches the nearest ambulance and supplies paramedics with lifesaving information. The app will put you in touch with a trained paramedic to provide life-saving assistance like CPR until emergency services arrive on the scene. CrashDetech also enables users to manage their Road Accident Fund claim, should it apply.
Chivas Regal recently named Jaco Gerrits, founder and CEO of CrashDetech as the South African winner of their Social Entrepreneurship competition, The Venture. He is now one of 27 finalists competing for a share of US$1 000 000 in funding.
Platform: iOS and Android
Expect to pay: Various subscription options depending on services needed.
Stockists: www.crashdetech.com
GarageBand update
The latest version of GarageBand is dedicated to the rich history of Chinese music. It includes a range of Chinese music and instruments, like the pipa and erhu, along with 300 Apple-created Chinese musical loops. Users will also get two new Chinese templates for Live Loops, and new sharing options for popular Chinese social networks.
Platform: iOS or Mac OS 10 and above.
Expect to pay: A free update.
Stockists: Visit the Apple App Store for downloading information.
Free access to Google Play Music for Samsung S7 users
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge users now have free six month access to the Google Play Music store – with unlimited downloads. Customers will have access to over 35-million ad-free songs and can also stream radio stations. They also have the option to add up to 50 000 songs to their own music collection, which can be streamed from almost anywhere in the world.
Platform: Only Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge devices
Expect to pay: Free for the first six months.
Stockists: Access the Google Play Music store from an S7 device.
Folx 5 download manager for Mac
Downloading apps, games, music and movies can sometimes take ages – especially if the server one is connected to becomes overcrowded. However, with Folx 5, one can easily manage downloads by tagging and prioritising them. To speed things up, the app is able to split into two threads and then put it back together once it is completed. The app offers the same classic look and feel of the Mac operating system so getting used to it should take no time at all.
Platform: Mac OS 10 and above.
Expect to pay: Two versions are available, a free one with very basic functionality and the pro version with costs R300
Stockists: Visit www.mac.eltima.com
* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher
