AppDate: Take control of your Inbox

In his latest app roundup, SEAN BACHER highlights Inbox by Gmail, Truecaller, Quip Spreadsheets, MySidekick and The Sims 4 for PC.

Inbox by Gmail

The Inbox by Gmail is designed to help users manage their mail with ease. It does this by grouping similar messages together and allowing a user to handle all of them at once – great for spam messages. It also highlights important messages, allowing them to be read without being opened. Reminders can be set and messages can be snoozed – they are removed from the mailbox and re-appear after the snooze period has come to an end. Overall the app works very well. However, as with most new apps, there are still a few bugs. For instance there is no easy way to delete an email and when you mark a message as ‚Äòdone’ or ‚Äòread’ – it still appears unread when logging onto Gmail through a web browser.

Platform: Android, iOS and PC or Mac running the Google Chrome web browser

Stockists: Users need to request an invite by e-mailing inbox@google.com

Expect to pay: A free download.

Truecaller

With Truecaller for Nokia Lumia devices, users get access to Live Caller ID, which lets them identify unknown numbers during incoming calls, even if the user has not stored that phone number in the phonebook. This is made possible with Truecaller’s cross-stage call and contact administration, with more than 85 million clients internationally. It’s similar to a universal crowdsourced phone directory – everybody who registers with Truecaller can reveal their contacts, including phone numbers and names, to the group.

Platform: Windows Phone 8 and above.

Stockists: Access the Nokia applications section on the Windows Store from a Lumia device.

Expect to pay: A free download.

Quip Spreadsheets

With Quip Spreadsheets users can now combine chats, documents, and checklists in a simple and elegant interface that makes collaboration easy. With Quip, spreadsheets are not a separate file type or app. They are a part of Quip documents, so everything is stored in a central place. The spreadsheets support formulae with over 400 functions and all the data formatting options found in major spreadsheet applications.

Platform: iOS, Android and can also be accessed through any web browser.

Stockists: www.quip.com

Expect to pay: A free download.

MySidekick

MySidekick provides users with an up-to-date overview of specials, promotions, sales, products and coupons available at major retailers throughout the country. The app can be thought of as a virtual shopping assistant that has relevant details about local emergency services, retailers and malls. A quick reference to the app and the user will receive all necessary contact and location information of services such as ATMs and petrol stations.

Platform: iOS

Stockists: Visit the App store from an iOS device.

Expect to pay: A free download

The Sims 4 for PC

The Sims 4 for PC lets players create Sims filled with personality and discover a new way to play with life, where every decision opens up possibilities. Every Sim is unique in The Sims 4: your own individual creations that come to life with big personalities. In The Sims 4, the Sims are smarter, more relatable and emotionally aware. Every action is affected by who they are, what they’re thinking, and how they’re feeling. Players control the mind, body, and now the emotions of these new Sims.

Platform: PC

Stockists: www.takealot.com

Expect to pay: R540

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