AppDate: Have fun getting fit with BullDash

In this week’s AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights BullDash, the Next Action! task manager app, Subway Surfers, 3rings,and Skyscanner

BullDash

Grab the bull by the horns and turn an everyday jog around the neighbourhood into something that resembles the running of the bulls in Pamplona without the blood and gore that comes with this activity. The BullDash app shows your position on a map, and behind you are some raging bulls that want nothing more than to poke their horns into you. BullDash uses geolocation to plot the route you have run, giving you stats like time run and distance run and of course the number of bulls you have evaded or outsmarted. BullDash makes running more fun and makes keeping in shape fun at the same time.

Platform: iOS

Stockists: Download it from the Apple App Store here.

Expect to pay: A free download.

Next Action!

The Next Action App is built around David Allan’s Getting Things Done methodology. The app integrates with the tasks feature on Microsoft Exchange, Google Mail and a range of other task managing services. Everything is easily laid out and tasks can be set in a matter on seconds. Once a task has been completed, simply tick it off and move on to the next one in the list.

Platform: BlackBerry OS 7 and above.

Stockists: Get it from BlackBerry World here.

Expect to pay: R80

Subway Surfers for Windows Phone 8

Subway Surfers has been available for iOS and Android for some years, and is now finally available for Windows Phone. Help young Jake, Tricky and Fresh evade the cops by jumping onto moving trains, avoiding barricades and collecting as many coins as possible while on the move. Although there is no real strategy involved in the game, it keeps youngsters entertained for hours and helps adults kill time between meetings.

Platform: Windows Phone 8 and above

Stockists: Get it from the Windows Phone store here.

Expect to pay: A free download, but there are a few in-app purchases

3rings

Before cellphones, many of us used the 3-ring code. After a long drive, arriving home safely, we would phone someone and let the phone ring three times. But, with cellphones, we just send out a text or WhatsApp message. But not everyone knows how to use a cellphone in this way especially the elderly. With 3rings, grandmothers or grandfathers can still use their landlines, but they phone a service, which automatically sends messages on their behalf to pre-registered family and friends.

Platform: Signing up on the Internet: no specific apps are needed to receive messages.

Stockists: www.3rings.co.uk

Expect to pay: Various packages are available, depending on how many households are covered or how many loved ones are added.

Skyscanner

Using a travel agent to find the cheapest flight is pass√©. Users now book online and the process is relatively painless. However, to find a flight that best suits date requirements and wallet often means having to open up a few airline websites to compare flights. Not anymore, with SkyScanner. The app list every major airport in the world and, when a user first starts it up, it finds the airport nearest to them. All they need to do is choose their destination, dates, number of people flying and class and hit the search button. The app scans all the flights available and lists them with their price. It’s then merely a case of selecting the flight and hitting the Book button. Once this is done, users are redirected to the carrier’s website where they can complete the payment process.

Platform: Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and web based at www.skyscanner.net

Stockists: Download the version linked to your device here.

Expect to pay: A free download.

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