AppDate: Eleven dictionaries, one desktop

In his round-up of the latest apps, SEAN BACHER highlights Merriam-Webster’s Dictionaries, LinkedIn for Nokia Asha, the latest version of WeChat, the BlackBerry TapCam app and the123on ringtone maker.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionaries

This new dictionary app gives users access to eleven language references right on a Mac OS X desktop. Users can search for single words or sentences, find synonyms, and use a wildcard search should they be unsure of the exact word spelling. The morphology module will even translate a word into the correct grammatical spelling for when using it in different parts of a sentence. Audio pronunciations are provided by native speakers.

Platform: Mac OS X Lion or higher.

Stockists: Apple App Store.

Expect to pay: R10 for the app, which includes 100 sample entries of each of the 11 dictionaries. Full dictionaries cost R100 onwards.

LinkedIn for Nokia Asha

Nokia Asha users can now install the LinkedIn app, allowing them to access their Update Stream and Inbox. They can also search and message friends and co-workers as well as add new contacts.

Platform: Nokia Asha phones using the Series 40 Full Touch Operating System.

Stockists: Download from Nokia Store on an Asha device.

Expect to pay: A free download.

WeChat 5.0

The latest update of the WeChat mobile social app sees the introduction of a Sticker Shop, which is supported by online payments, allowing users to download and pay for stickers without having to leave the app. Location-based services are also included via the Hold Together function that connects nearby friends and colleagues. The app update sports an improved and less cluttered user interface. It has the ability to connect to Facebook and has the option of saving those sentimental voice and text messages

Platform: iOS, BlackBerry OS 6 and above, Android and Windows Phone 8

Stockists: Visit the store associated with your device.

Expect to pay: Free to download.

BlackBerry TapCam

The TapCam app is an integrated camera app that brings the best BlackBerry camera features into one place. Photos can now be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter. Minor edits can be made directly on the phone and users can set their shutter to silent mode when taking pictures in conferences and board meetings.

Platforms: BlackBerry OS 6, 7 and 10.

Stockists: BlackBerry World.

Expect to pay: Downloading the app is free. In-app purchases are available.

123on ringtones

The ringtones that come with many Android smartphones are very basic, with some being variations of the standard ‚”ring-ring‚” tone. But, with 123on, a phone’s ringtone can be changed to a movie sequence or even a sound clip of the cheer as your favourite sports person or team scores a goal. The home screen can also be changed to show the video clip that is associated with the sound clip. The app is easy to install and offers users the ability to download from thousands of pre-created videos and sounds, or use their own videos that have been created on the phone.

Platform: Android

Stockists: Google Play

Expect to pay: Free to download, with some in-app purchases.

* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher