AppDate: Office comes to iOS and Android

In this roundup of apps, SEAN BACHER highlights Microsoft Office for iOS and Android, Thumb Tom, QuizUp and App Stalker for the BlackBerry Passport.

Microsoft Office for iOS and Android

iOS and Android users can now edit Excel, Word and PowerPoint documents for free on their devices. The app’s look and feel is very similar to the standard Office apps found on PCs and Macs, so users won’t have too much of a problem finding their way around. Unfortunately though, the free versions of the apps are rather limited and users will need an Office 365 to access all the features.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists : Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: The basic version is a free download, but users wanting the full Office version will need to pay up to R1000.

Budget tool for Capitec Bank app

The new Capitec app now includes a Budget tool allowing clients to track money coming in and leaving their bank accounts. SMSs are sent the moment there is activity on their account and clients are then given the option of allocating the transaction to a category like Household, Insurance or Car Repayments. The Budget Tool is designed to help customers manage their budgets and ensure they are not overspending each month.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: A free download.

Thumb Tom

The Thumb Tom lets users earn money every time they unlock their smartphone and interact with an advert. Once downloaded, users select various categories, like yoga, sports, travel and entertainment. Adverts and promotions relating to these categories are then displayed on the phone, giving the user the option to share them and in the process earn Tom. Users also earn Tom by inviting new users to the app and by answering surveys and polls. Accumulated Tom can be used for things like buying airtime and iTunes vouchers.

Platform: Android

Stockists: Visit www.thumbtom.com to download the app.

Expect to pay: A free download.

QuizUp

QuizUp allows you to challenge friends and family around the world on topics ranging from movies to cereal types. In fact, there are over 400 topics with over 220 000 questions. The more you challenge other players the higher your score and, obviously, the more difficult the questions become. The game integrates very well with Facebook, as you are able to invite friends directly from your friends list or, if you don’t have them as a Facebook contact, you can send them an SMS asking them to download the application.

Platform: Android and iOS

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Expect to pay: A free download – with no in-app purchases.

App Stalker for the BlackBerry Passport

S4BB Limited has updated App Stalker with full support for the BlackBerry Passport. The new App Stalker takes advantage of the large screen and now also shows paid apps that just became free and run on the BlackBerry Passport.

Platform: BlackBerry Passport devices

Stockists: Visit the BlackBerry marketplace

Expect to pay: A free download.

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