New in Apps: Here, destinations come to life

In this week’s apps round-up, SEAN BACHER spotlights Nokia’s Here Maps, a Barcode scanner and new version of LinkedIn for BlackBerry, the IRESS app for stockbrokers, and the addictive Bad Piggies.

Nokia Here Maps with LiveSight

Nokia Here Maps pinpoints exactly where a user is going and, with the use of LiveSight, includes augmented reality. Once Nokia Here Maps is open, tap the LiveSight icon and the phone’s camera is activated, revealing shops, restaurants and other places of interest. Distance to the locations is displayed and, in some cases, contact details will be shown and an image of what the place looks like is also displayed.

Platform: Nokia Windows Phone 8. Expect to pay: Free to download. Stockists: Select the Nokia Exclusives option under the Windows Phone Store.

Barcode Scanner for BlackBerry

The Barcode Scanner for BlackBerry makes scanning barcodes and QR codes quick and easy. Just launch the app, get the barcode or QR code in focus and let it scan. Once scanned, a variety of actions can be performed directly from the app, depending on the code’s content. The scanner supports both 2D and 3D barcodes.

Platform: BlackBerry 10.

Expect to pay: Free to download.

Stockists: BlackBerry World.

LinkedIn version 10.0.3 for BlackBerry 10

The latest version of LinkedIn for BlackBerry 10 now includes an Add Connections Wizard that lets users quickly make connections by inviting them from their phone contacts. The re-designed Inbox displays invitations and messages, and the Learn About Companies feature lets users view details about the companies they follow.

Platform: BlackBerry 10

Expect to pay: Free to download.

Stockists: BlackBerry World

IRESS Mobile for iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini

IRESS Mobile allows local stockbrokers, portfolio managers and their clients to have an advanced and updated mobile solution to trade and view market information on the move. The app follows on IRESS Financial Markets’ introduction of its desktop portfolio management solution, and users of this product will use their same logon details to access IRESS Mobile. The app is designed to take advantage of the iPad’s high-res Retina Display and offers features like a multiple pane display, market depth information and a market activity summary.

Platform: iOS.

Expect to pay: Free to download.

Stockists: Apple App Store.

Bad Piggies HD

Bad Piggies is a spin off of Angry Birds, but the point of this game is to get the pig to the checkpoint while causing as little harm as possible. As with Angry Birds, the user is presented with levels and stages. In each stage, the user must build a wagon made up of blocks, wheels, rockets, TNT and fans to get the pig to its destination. Once a stage is complete, up to three stars are awarded to the player depending on how well the wagon was built, and a certain number of stars determines if the next level is unlocked.

Platform: iOS

Expect to pay: R10

Stockists: Apple App Store

* Follow Sean on Twitter on @SeanBacher