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Five apps that'll help you bike like a Tour de France champion
The 101st edition of the Tour de France is coming to close with only two stages left until the 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi) race is completed. If all this world-class cycling has you pining to improve your own road time, then you should check out these five top cycling apps the next you pull out your bike. Cyclemeter [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases] If you must have one and only one app for tracking your cycling progress, then you should check out Cyclemeter. Cyclemeter tracks a variety of metrics on your iPhone and compiles that data into beautiful bar and pie charts that can be analyzed on your iPad thanks to iCloud syncing. The tracking and planning features are unrivaled, though they do make the app a bit challenging to use. Routie [iPhone; $4.99] Routie is a basic GPS tracking app that makes it drop dead easy to track your bike rides and other fitness activities. The app provides live metrics of your workout, auto-pauses when you stop and allows you to add photos to your route using the lockscreen camera. iBiker [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases] iBiker is both a workout planner and tracking app that uses GPS to track your performance. It also integrates with a wide variety of fitness devices and apps including Withings, Fitbit, Jawbone Up, Runkeeper, Loseit! and more. Bike Gears [iPhone; $0.99] Bike Gears is the tool for bike mechanics and cyclists who like to tinker and customize their bike. The app allows you to calculate gear ratios and find the right gear combinations by changing the chainring, sprocket, crank length and tire sizes. Bicycling Magazine [iOS Universal; Free, subscription] Whether you prefer fat tires or thin ones, Bicycling Magazine is one the best bike mags for reviews, helpful tips and more. You can purchase a one-year subscription for $14.99 or buy each issue individually for $5.99 each.
Five apps to make your Fourth of July fabulous
Here in the US we will close out the week with the best summer holiday -- the Fourth of July. The Independence Day holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Most people choose to celebrate the day with good food, even better friends, parades, parties and fireworks. If you are in the planning stages for your Fourth of July, here are some apps to make the holiday the best it can be. iExit [iOS Universal; Free] Desperately need a cup of coffee to make it to your parents house for the 4th of July, but don't know which exit has the next coffee shop? Then you should download iExit, a navigation app that displays the upcoming exits and the point-of-interest that are located off the highway. PicTapGo [iOS Universal; $1.99] It's the 4th of July, which means you will be taking a lot of photographs of parades, kids and fireworks. Download PicTapGo to grab a photo, apply a quick photo and send it to Instagram with minimal loss of quality. Omaha Steaks Steak Time [iPhone; Free] Not everyone loves steak on the grill, but those who do will appreciate the Steak Time app from Omaha Steaks. The app includes a steak grilling timer to help you find the perfect cooking time and works with iGrill bluetooth cooking thermometer for improved accuracy. It also supports recipes and has a details Steak 101 section for new and experienced cooks alike. If you are an Omaha Steaks fan, the app even has a link to the Omaha Steak store. Oh Ranger, Park Finder [iPhone; Free] Want to spend some time recreating before you swing by your friend's picnic? Then you should check out your local parks using the Oh Ranger, Park Finder Guide. The app uses your location to find local parks and provides detailed information on the park, its activities, hours of operation and more. Slow Shutter Cam [iPhone; $0.99] Slow Shutter Cam has a light trail mode that'll adjust the shutter speed and other settings of the iOS camera to allow you to capture moving light such as fireworks. Flickr image at the top from North Charleston's 4th of July Festival.
Five apps that'll help dog lovers care for their four-legged friends
It's new pet season for the staff at TUAW with both Editor-In-Chief Victor Agreda, Jr. and fellow editor Steve Sande both welcoming new kittens into their homes. Lest the dog-friendly folk be worried about us being overrun with cats, I am happy to say that we have balanced the scale with a new 9-week-old yellow labrador retriever, Remington. Being a techie pet owner, I just had to search the App Store for the best apps for new puppy and adult dog owners alike. Dog Park Finder Plus [iOS Universal; $1.99] One of the hardest parts about having a dog, especially in an urban area, is finding a spot to safely take Fido outside for a walk. Dog Park Finder Plus is an app for North American dog owners that lists over 6,000 dog-friendly parks and beaches as well as 12,000 dog-friendly restaurants for those necessary post-frisbee snacks. Pet First Aid by American Red Cross [iPhone; $0.99] After my 9-week-old puppy grabbed a scrunchy and gobbled it down in under a minute, I realized then that I needed to have a First Aid app on my phone for pets. Though not a replacement for a veterinarian, the American Red Cross Pet First Aid app provides quick access to easy-to-follow advice for those everyday emergencies that need attention, but are not life-threatening. The app also includes pet profiles that allow you to store important health details and veterinarian contact information for your pets. Peterest - Pet Photo Gallery [iOS Universal; Free] What pet owner doesn't absolutely love pictures of pets, especially when they are adorable? If you can't get enough cute animal photos, then your must download Peterest, a free social image gallery for pet pictures. BringFido - Pet Friendly Hotels [iPhone; Free] Traveling with a pet can be challenging as not every establishments is accepting of our furry, four-legged friends. If you plan to bring Fido along with you, then you should consult the BringFido app to find the best hotels, attractions, and restaurants that welcome pets. DogVacay [iPhone; Free] Sometimes taking your pet on vacation is impossible. For those moments, you can check out DogVacay, a US-based service that helps you find a loving sitter instead of a kennel for your animal best friends.
Five St. Patrick's Day apps that'll bring out the Irish in everyone
It's St. Patrick's Day, recognized in select countries worldwide primarily as a cultural holiday. The holiday honors Ireland's Saint Patrick and celebrates Irish heritage. Here in the US, it is the day we adorn ourselves in green, eat a corned beef dinner and pour out a Guinness. If you want to bring some of that shamrock-loving fun to your iPhone, then you need to check out these five apps that'll teach how to speak, drink and cook like an Irishman. Focal Me - Irish (Gaelic) Words & Phrasebook with Audio [iPhone; $1.99] Focal Me is a cheat sheet for popular Gaelic phrases with audio that'll help you pronounce each one correctly. Lucky Patty's Leprechaun Run [iOS Universal; Free] Lucky Patty's Leprechaun Run is a lightweight platformer that'll have you jumping over spiked clovers, hot kettles and more. Beer Buddy - Barcode Scanner [iPhone; $3.99] Beer Buddy is filled with over 300,000+ beers and millions of user reviews. The app allows you to browse and rate beers from local and national breweries. You also can find local stores, restaurants and bars that both serve and sell beer. Ireland Travel Guide by Triposo [iOS Universal; Free] A travel guide for destinations within Ireland for major tourist attractions such as Dublin, Cork, or Galway. Great for those with an upcoming Ireland trip or those who like to visit from afar. The Irish Farmers' Market Cookbook [iBook; $11.99] Both a cookbook and a culinary tour of Ireland that focuses on cooking with the fresh foods available at Farmer's markets.
Five apps that let you try out the new Fleksy keyboard
Fleksy announced this week that its SDK for iOS has exited the private beta stage and is now available for all developers to use. Integration with Fleksy is easy for developers to implement and takes just a few steps for users to setup on their device. To try out Fleksy, here are five apps that already support this alternative keyboard. To use Fleksy within these apps, you must first install the Fleksy iOS app and then enable it within each app by selecting a piece of text and looking for the Fleksy icon in the cut/paste menu. Cotton Notes [iOS Universal; $4.99] Cotton Notes is a polished note-taking app with a collaboration feature as well as Evernote and Dropbox integration. You also can use markdown to stylized your notes and add attachments like photos, GPS coordinates and more. You Doodle [iOS Universal; Free] You Doodle is a light-hearted image editor that allows you to doodle on images as well as modify them by cutting out parts, adding stamps and more. You can use Doodle to be as silly or as serious as you want. Vert 2 Unit and Currency Converter [iOS Universal; $1.99] Vert 2 is full-fledged converter with support for over 900 units across 34 categories and 164 currencies that are updated with the most recent exchange rates. The app is easy on the eyes and easy to use. MUDRammer [iOS Universal; $3.99] MUDRammer is a MUD client for the iPhone and iPad that allows you play online multiplayer text-based games. Now you can see if Fleksy can give you the edge when you are Mu*ing. SnapStatus [iPhone; Free] SnapStatus does one thing and does it well -- it allows you to post to Twitter and Facebook at the same time.
Five apps to help you stay fit while you exercise indoors
It's that time of the year when everyone's focus turns away from their wish list and toward their waistline. Depending on how happy your holidays were, that waistline might need some extra attention. If the bitter cold of the polar vortex has driven you inside, you can still keep up with those New Year's resolutions with these five fitness apps. Spinning | Indoor Cycling & Heart Rate Training [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases Folks who opt to ride a bicycle instead of run on a treadmill should check out Spinning. It's full fitness app geared for cyclers and spinners who prefer to log their miles on two wheels, instead of two feet. The app tracks both indoor and outdoor workouts, allowing you to record your time, distance, speed, cadence and watts. It also integrates with fitness trackers and apps like Fitbit, Strava, RunKeeper and others. BeatBurn Treadmill/Outdoor Trainer [iPhone; $3.99] Running on a treadmill can be tedious, so you have to be creative with your workouts. One way to keep things fresh is to use BeatBurn from LoLo, which will mix up your music while you run. The app monitors your workout intensity and picks the best music to match the pace of your run or walk. It also includes a fitness trainer to motivate you when you need it most. Bodyweight Training: You Are Your Own Gym [iOS Universal; $2.99 with in-app purchases] Don't have weights or the time to go to a gym? Then check out this list of 200 exercises that use your body weight for resistance training. The app features a 10-week program with workouts that can last from two to 36 minutes. The videos are the highlight of the app, showing you in detail how to perform each exercise. Yoga Studio [iOS Universal; $2.99] Fitness isn't always about pushing yourself to your limit and then beyond. Sometimes flexibility, breathing and balance are more important than burn. For those times when you want to focus on your inner strength, then you should fire up Yoga Studio from Modern Lotus. The app includes 30 preset yoga classes with HD video and detailed information on over 280 poses. You can pick the best class length (15, 30 or 60 minutes) for your schedule or create your own custom class. 7-Minute Workout Challenge [iPhone; $1.99] The 7-minute workout is great for busy people who only have a few minutes to spare each day. The app includes videos, audio, images and text to guide you through the 12 basic exercises recommended in the 7-Minute workout program. Each exercise is performed for 30 seconds with 10-second rest intervals. The app tracks your workout progress and weight loss.
Five iOS apps to help you find medical advice anytime you need it
Medicine is one field that is poised to change dramatically thanks to devices like the iPhone and iPad. Not only will doctors be using iOS devices to control medical equipment like ultrasounds, but they will also be using tablets and smartphones to interact with their patients. Here are five apps that are paving the way, making it easier for patients to seek medical advice from physicians and on their own. Urgent Care by GreatCall [iPhone; US$3.99 per call] Urgent Care provides you with round-the-clock access to a registered nurse who can consult a physician as needed. Similar to the other physician support app, the doctor can provide medical advice, diagnose a condition and prescribe medicine as needed. The app also includes a symptom checker and medical dictionary for personal use. It is backed by Great Call, the same folks who are behind the Jitterbug phone for senior citizens. Ask a Doctor [iOS Universal; Calls start at $17.99] Ask a Doctor provides access to a physician 24/7. Not only can you call directly with your questions, but you also can upload lab reports, X-rays and other images needed to help in a diagnosis. The service also includes specialists, but those calls cost $34.99. Teladoc [iPhone; Pricing varies, starts around $39] Teladoc provides access to doctors and pediatricians via phone or online video consultations. Adopted by several big-name hospitals, the app can be used to diagnose and prescribe medicine for common ailments like the flu, bronchitis, poison ivy, UTI and more. Pricing varies, but a hospital like Beth Israel in Boston charges $39 per consult. You can request a receipt for reimbursement if your medical plan supports these calls. Doctor on Demand [iPhone; $40 for 15-minute consult] Doctor on Demand is the latest entrant into the online medical advice market. The app allows patients to make a video call to a health care professional skilled in pediatrics, family practice, internal medicine or ER. Unlike its competition, Doctor on Demand is limited in availability -- doctors are only available from 7 AM to 11 PM and the app services customers in 15 states. Overseen by former White House Fellow Dr. Pat Basu, the service is expected to expand in the coming year. WebMD for the iPad [iPad; Free] If you want medical advice, but don't want to pay for a mobile consult, then you can check out WebMD for the iPad. The app includes a symptom checker and first aid essentials that'll walk you through treating minor injuries. There's also a medicine database and longer articles on medical conditions that are reviewed by physicians.
Five apps to help you read faster and remember more
Ever feel like you are trudging through an article, reading so slow that it makes your head hurt? If you want to improve your reading skills by reading faster and retaining more, then you should check one of these five outstanding apps that'll train you to consumer those words at a faster rate (all prices are USD). QuickReader [iOS Universal; $4.99] QuickReader uses a vast catalog of classic and modern eBooks to help you improve your reading speed. The app promises that you will never run out of content to refine your speed reading technique. QuickReader is chock full of settings so you can customize your speed reading plan to fit your needs. Velocity Speed Reader [iPhone; $2.99] Instead of eBooks, Velocity focuses on personal content, allowing you to tap into your email, personal documents and your Instapaper or Pocket Articles. The app has an iOS7-inspired design and includes a typeface for dyslexic readers. ReadQuick [iOS Universal; $4.99] ReadQuick mixes web content with partner content to provide you with all the material you need. The app allows you to access articles from Pocket, the web and partners like Talking Points Memo, GigaOM and more. It also supports Readability. When you start an article, the app gives you a target time to finish based on your current words per minute pace. It also shows you the words one at time, which helps you pick up the pace of your reading. Syllable [iPhone; $2.99] Syllable, as its name reflects, looks at more than just the printed word. The app tries to help you reduce subvocalization, which is a method of reading by repeating the words you read in your head. The app takes text and presents it on the screen at a predefined rate. Rather than saying the words in your head, you are forced to read them quickly. Less subvocalization equates to faster reading. The app accepts text input from URLs, Instapaper, Readability, Pocket, the clipboard and more. Acceleread [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases] Acceleread is more than just a speed reading tool. It's a guided speed reading course with lessons that'll improve your overall reading technique, so you can read faster and comprehend more of what you read. It's a custom course that you can tailor to your speed reading goals. The app is free, but you'll have to pay to unlock the full course. It costs $7.99 for the iPad upgrade, $4.99 for the iPhone upgrade and $9.99 for the universal iOS upgrade.
Five apps to help you give thanks this Thanksgiving
Here in the US, everyone is gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is just a few days away. While you are cooking that turkey and charging up that credit card for Black Friday, you should also take a break to count your blessings. Here are five apps to help express your thanks this holiday season. The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks [iOS Universal; Category: Books; US$1.99] The Berenstain Bears reenact the first Thanksgiving and teach an important lesson about thankfulness and family. Has a religious theme. Ink Cards: Personalized Greeting Cards Delivered in the Mail [iOS Universal; Free] Ink Cards picks up where Apple's Cards left off, with an app that allows you to say thanks from the comfort of your couch. Ink Cards lets you create a personalized greeting card and send it off via regular mail to your friends. Each card is printed on 5 x 7-inch glossy card stock and costs $1.99 for printing and postage. justWink Greeting cards [iPhone; Free] justWink from American Greetings has more than 200 cards that you can use to say thank you to your friends and family. You can customize each card with your own message, signature and photos. Once created, you can send them off via email or share them on your favorite social network. You can also send them off via snail mail. Cheers - Celebrate Life and Happiness [iPhone; Free] If you want to share your thanks with other joyful people, then check out Cheers. The social community app encourages its users to share their happy moments with the optimistic people of the Cheers community. Thnkfl [iPhone; Free] Thnkfl challenges you to be thankful for three things each day. You can capture your thankful moments in words, photos or drawings and then drop it into your glass. You can review your thankful moments and share them with your friends and family.
Five lifestyle apps that'll keep you moving with the M7 motion coprocessor
The iPhone 5s has been out for a few months, which has given developers some time to work with the new M7 motion coprocessor in the device. We've covered some of the early adopter apps that took advantage of the technology when the 5s first debuted. Now, we are back with a follow-up post that looks at the latest crop of apps that use the M7 to measure your fitness level. Runtastic Pedometer Pro [iPhone; US$1.99] Unlike Runtastic Pro, which is all about running, Runtastic Pedometer is dedicated to walking. The app uses the M7 to track your walks and measure your steps as well as walking rate, calories burned and more. All the data it collects is shared with your Runtastic account, giving you access to this information across devices. Nike+ Move [iPhone; Free] Nike+ Move is the M7-enabled version of the popular Nike+ series of apps. It tracks your steps and includes a motivational feature to get you up and about every hour of the day. Runkeeper [iPhone; Free] The popular running app has added support for the M7 and now allows you to track your walking. It automatically detects when you are walking, so you don't have to stop or start and activity. The app also analyzes your stride rate and highlights the difference between running and walking. Moves [iPhone; Free] Moves is more than just a step tracker. It tells a timeline-based story of where you've gone and how far it took you to get there. The app now supports the M7 coprocessor, allowing it to automatically track your walking and running. The app allows you to plot your routes and measure your calories. Chronos Find Your Time [iPhone; $1.99] Chronos - Find Your Time is more a lifestyle app than a pure fitness tracker. It tracks all your daily activities so you know where you've been and with whom you've been spending your time. It uses the M7 for step counting.
Five games to fill your Halloween with horror
Tomorrow is Halloween and it's one of the scariest nights of the year. Get ready for some terror-filled fun with these five horror-themed games. Slender Rising [iOS Universal; $2.99] The best Slender game for iOS. So scary, it'll give you nightmares. Dead Effect [iOS Universal; $3.99] Shoot down infected zombies in the science fiction-based first person shooter. With the intense background track, it's a chilling experience. Into The Dead [iOS Universal; Free] A survival game that throws you into the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Eyes - The Horror Game [iOS Universal; $0.99] Walk through an abandoned haunted house as you collect bags of money. Around each corner is a horrible threat that you must avoid at all costs. Yea. And those eyes on the wall... The Haunt 2 [iOS Universal; $0.99] Ghosts are scattered throughout the countryside as you solve a series of puzzling mini-games. You'll have to search for clues carefully as your make your way around dark and mysterious villages. If you want even more games, then check out Haunting Melissa and Year Walk, two unsettling favorites.
Five apps to up the spookiness as Halloween draws near
Fall is in the air, and the spookiest autumn holiday is right around the corner. To help get you in the mood for trick-or-treating, you should check out these five Halloween-themed apps. A StoryBots Halloween - Starring You as a Ghost, Vampire, Frankenstein, Werewolf & Mummy for Kids, Parents, Teachers [iOS Universal; Free] Add up to five photos to create a spooky Halloween video starring you and your friends or family. The app uses JibJab's iconic personalization technology to create these distinctive videos that you can share via Facebook, Twitter or email. Walking Dead: The Game [iOS Universal; Free] Zombies and more zombies, need I say more? A Stickman Pumpkin Shooting Showdown Bow and Arrow Pro : Halloween Edition [iOS Universal; $2.99] Can you shoot the pumpkin off stickman's head? Or will you miss and shoot him through the heart? Pumpkin Creation - Halloween dress game [iOS Universal; Free] Create your own virtual pumpkin carvings using five different shapes, 10 different skins and more than 20 kinds of facial features. Make each pumpkin as gorgeous or as ghoulish as you want. Halloween 13: Daily Spooky Surprises (2013 edition) [iOS Universal; Free] Engage in chilling daily challenges and uncover spooky surprises each day leading up to Halloween.
Seven apps that take advantage of the M7 motion coprocessor in the iPhone 5s
The iPhone 5s is the first iOS device to include the new M7 motion co-processor. The chip gathers motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass and translates that information into body motion. There are a small, but growing number of fitness apps that use the M7 to track your daily steps. Some are polished fitness trackers and some are basic pedometers, but all of them will give you a peek into the type of information that is being monitored by the M7. MotionX-24/7: Sleep Cycle, Snore, Heart Rate, Activity Tracker [iPhone; $0.99] MotionX-24/7 is an activity tracker and sleep monitor for the iPhone. It allows you yo analyze your sleep cycle, monitor your workouts and track your weight. A smart alarm feature will track your sleep cycle and wake you up at the optimal time. WeatherRun [iPhone; $1.99] WeatherRun is a tracking app that logs your outdoor activity along with the weather, altitude, humidity and temperature. ARGUS - Motion and Fitness Tracker by Azumio [iPhone; $1.99] ARGUS - Motion and Fitness Tracker is a multi-faceted fitness tracker that monitors your daily activities, food consumption, workouts, sleep, hydration, weight and more. M7 Pedometer - Steps [iPhone; Free] M7 Pedometer - Steps is a simple app that uses the M7 chip to shows your daily and cumulative steps. Strava Run [iPhone; Free] Strava Run is a social exercise app that tracks your running routine as you compete against your friends and climb up the leaderboard. Burning Meter Pro [iPhone; $4.99] Version 3.0 of this fitness tracker and educational app adds support for the M7 processor. It's meant for people looking to get started on their fitness program and is not for the seasoned athlete. Pedometer++ [iPhone; Free] Pedometer++ is a basic pedometer app that shows your daily and weekly step counts. StepTracker [iPhone; Free] StepTracker is a basic pedometer app that shows your daily step counts for the past 7 days. You can view today's data as well as scroll back to see what how much you moved a week ago. App is free, but iAd supported.
Five apps that look fantastic on iOS 7
Today is the big day you've all been waiting for since WWDC 2013. After months of reading about iOS 7, you can finally download this version of iOS and install it on your iOS device. Once you get settled in with the new features, you'll want to install some apps. To get you started, here are five of our favorite apps that look great on iOS 7. 7 Minute Workout "Seven" [iOS Universal; Free] No workout equipment, just seven minutes a day. Reach a goal of seven minutes a day for seven months using Seven, a seven-minute workout app from Perigree. Any.do [iOS Universal; Free] Simple, functional and pleasing to the eye. It embodies the design of iOS 7 and is worth every penny you spend on it. Around Me [iOS Universal; Free] Around Me is a location app that helps you find the nearest gas station or the best restaurant in the area. The latest version adds some color and a lot of iOS 7 style to the app. LetterGlow [iPhone; $1.99] LetterGlow is a newcomer to the photography category, and it made a big impression when it launched. The latest version of the text-over-photo app adds iOS support and a few new features. It's a wonderful complement to the fancy new camera app in iOS 7, and I can't wait to try it with the new iPhone 5s. TED [iOS Universal; Free] TED is known for its innovative talks from the world's brightest people, so it's not surprising the iOS app has a fresh new look to keep in style with iOS 7.
Five apps to end your summer in style
It's Labor Day weekend -- the last big summer holiday before it's back to the grindstone of school and work. Here are five apps to help you recreate in these waning days of summer. Oh Ranger! Parkfinder [iPhone; Free] Plug in your location and find nearby local, state and national parks. Filter by activity to find public places with your favorite activities. History Here [iPhone; Free] Whether you are visiting a new area or spending time at home, fire up the History Here app to get facts, photos and maps of nearby historic locations. Jetpac [iPad; Free] Share the photos of your trip and view photos of your friend's vacations using this wonderful slideshow app that pulls its content from Facebook. Create a travel bucket list from these photos and plan your next trip. Postagram Postcards [iPhone; Free] Mail vacation postcards the easy way using your iPhone. You get two free postcards for signing up, and any additional postcards are available for a small fee. SnappyCam Pro [iPhone; US$0.99] SnappyCam Pro is one of the best photography apps for capturing action photos in rapid succession. Snap that perfect shot as you tube on the lake, dive into the water or reach to snag that ball before it goes over the fence.
Five social apps to help you make a decision
Anyone who knows me well understands that I hate making decisions. From what to eat to where to go on vacation, I'd rather have little to no choice in the matter. For decision-avoiding people like me, there are a growing number of social decision-making apps that let you turn to your friends or the internet at large to help you make a decision. Here are five of them I have stumbled upon recently. Seesaw for iPhone [iPhone; Free] Seesaw allows you take a photo of your choices and then share them with the community to help you make a decision. You can also send your seesaws to your friends in your address book and they can respond without signing up for the service or installing the app. Loop -- Social Polling [iPhone; Free] Loop is a social polling app that lets you ask any question and get an instant answer. People responding to questions can do so without downloading or installing anything. It's more than just life decisions -- you can loop in your Pinboard or Amazon items, so you can use it for shopping advice and more. The app also allows you to create private polls and display an infographic of the voting results from a poll. Deciderr -- Social Decision-Making [iPhone; Free] Deciderr is a social app that lets you post a "Yes or No" question to help you make a decision. You can post your own questions or respond to questions posted by the people you follow. You can also share your question on Twitter or Facebook. PeepAdvice [iPhone; Free] PeepAdvice allows you to get advice quickly by asking simple questions with two choices that are open for voting. Your followers can then chime in with their favorite choice. PeepAdvice is a wide-open forum for discussing health, romance, purchases and more. Polar [iPhone; Free] Polar is a social polling app that lets people both vote and comment on your polls. As you share polls, you can build a following and follow others on the social network. You can chat with others and create or share polls right within the chat messages. It's a social experience that's part talking, part decision-making.
Five fact-filled apps for Shark Week
It's Shark Week -- that time of the year when sharks take center stage on the Discovery Channel and beyond. This year's shows have been marred by the Megalodon controversy, but that doesn't mean you still can't enjoy learning about the shark species. Below you will find five shark-related apps to supplement your knowledge of the finned fish. Discovery Kids Sharks [iPad; Category: Education; $4.99] A fact-filled app from Discovery that teaches children about sharks. The app also includes interactive games and digital trading cards. Expedition White Shark for iPad [iPad; Category: Education; $3.99] Expedition White Shark allows you to receive near real time Great White Shark tracking data thanks to the scientists at the Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI). Data is collected from tagged sharks when they surface and are relayed via satellite to MCSI. Discovery Kids Readers: Sharks [iOS Universal; Category: Books; $1.99] Discovery Kids Readers: Sharks brings sharks to the little ones in your household. The book includes vivid photographs, fun facts and a quiz. Targeted for children 4 to 8 years old. Shark Net - Predators of the Blue Serengeti [iPhone; Category: Education; Free] Another shark-tracking app that allows you to follow sharks as they migrate off the coast of California. Data is compiled from the collaborative shark research of Stanford University scientists and the GTOPP -- the Global Tagging of Pacific Predators project. Learn Sharks Now! [iOS Universal; Category: Education; Free] Learn Sharks Now! includes 30 shark cards with pictures and facts about our this fish. A quiz mode will test your knowledge of the shark. And one bonus app for you gamers out there! Hungry Shark Evolution [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free] Play as a shark and feed on sea creatures, swimmers and fisherman. Eat and grow from a pup into a full-grown Great White Shark.
Five apps for the summer blockbuster movie season
Summer is reaching its peak which means the blockbuster movie season is in full swing. Below is a list of five movie apps, hand-picked by the folks at TUAW, to test your movie trivia and make your movie watching experience more enjoyable. Check out the list below and add your own recommendations in the comments. Anything After -The Movie Credits Stinger App [iOS Universal; US$0.99] Don't miss that funny cut scene because you skipped the credits to hurry out to your car. Anything After will let you know when a movie has a bonus scene or extra content after the credits. Run Pee [iOS Universal; $0.99] Run pee will tell you the best time to take a bathroom break during a movie. You can relax while you relieve yourself knowing you won't miss an important scene. 4 Movie Scenes [iPhone; Free] Challenge your friends by asking them to identify the movies shown in a montage of scenes grabbed from popular flicks. Jumbl: movies [iOS Universal; $0.99] Test your movie knowledge by unscrambling the world jumble to spell the titles of popular movies. MediaStinger [iPhone; Free] Another stinger app that'll let you know whether a movie has extra content after or during a trailer. It also includes news, movie reviews, and trailers for your viewing pleasure.
Five apps to help you identify birds and their beautiful songs
Spring means migration and the return of birds to many parts of North America. It also means warmer weather and sunny days that are perfect for birding. Here is a list of apps to help you get outside and start learning about our feathered friends (all prices are USD). Field Guide for birds [iOS Universal; $0.99 to $19.99] There are several big-name field guides that include photos and illustrations to help identification, bird calls, range data and other information about each bird species. Included in this list of guides are Audubon, Peterson, Sibley and the all-digital iBird. Audubon Birds is a digital version of the popular paperback field guide. It has excellent images of the birds, range maps and multiple calls and songs for each bird. It also includes NatureShare which allows you to find and share local bird sightings. The Audubon Birds app is on sale now for $3.99, down from $14.99. Peterson is another pocket guide to North American birds that has made its way to the digital platform. Peterson has a full version of its paperback guide that sells for $14.99. The company also recently introduced a Pocket edition of its traditional guide that features a lower price tag ($0.99) and a fewer details. Sibley, another paperback guide, is known for its great illustrations and these details look great on the iPad and iPhone. The Sibley eGuide also has a handy comparison tool and a bird song repeat feature so you can call out to other birds while you are in the field. The Sibley eGuide to North American birds costs $19.99. iBird offers a variety of guides to suit your pocketbook and your geographical location. If you want a guide that covers 938 North American and Hawaiian species, then you should check out the iBird Pro Guide to Birds, currently available for $19.99. This version also includes audio songs and calls, a search feature that lets you save frequently used searches and iCloud syncing for your notes and favorite birds. There is also a Plus version available for $14.99 that has fewer search filters than the Pro version. iBird has affordable versions ($6.99) for regions like the Midwest, West, South and North. iBirds also has a backyard birds version that'll get you birding from the comfort of your deck longer for $2.99. Larkwire Birdsong Series [iOS Universal; $14.99 or less] If you want to turn memorizing bird calls into a game, then you should check out the Larkwire Birdsong series. Similar to the bird guides, Larkwire has several universal iOS apps to meet the needs of a variety of birders. A Master Birder version is available for both land birds and water birds. The master land bird version includes 394 sounds that cover 343 land species, while the water bird version has 253 sounds from 135 species of water birds. Between these two guides, almost all the major North American land and water birds are covered. Larksong's regional guides, core guides and backyard guide will introduce you to bird calling on a smaller scale. There's even a basic guide that includes 20 essential bird songs for free. Chirp! Bird Song USA+ [iOS Universal; $2.99] Chirp! Bird Song USA+ is part bird song app, part reference app. It uses GPS to find bird calls that are common in your location. As your bird-calling skills improve, you can branch out to include all 263 bird song and calls in the app. Besides the audio recordings, the app has snippets about each call and quiz feature to test your knowledge. Cornell Lab Bird Q&A [iPhone; $2.99] The Cornell Lab Bird Q&A app is an educational app about birds. It features a question-and-answer format that cover cool facts about birds, bird feeding, migration and more. These frequently asked questions are answered by the experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Birdwatchers Diary [iPhone; $12.99] Birdwatcher's Diary is a journaling app that allows you to log your bird sightings while in the field. Each entry includes field notes, a time stamp, location information and more. When you are done, you can upload your birding lists to eBird or back them up to Dropbox.
Earth Day 2013: Five apps that'll help you protect and enjoy our amazing planet
More than 1 billion people today will take part in Earth Day 2013. Governments, businesses, organizations and individuals will take time to celebrate the incredible planet on which we live. Below, you will find five apps to help you get outside and enjoy nature as well as take steps to protect the Earth in your daily life. iRecycle [iOS Universal; Free] Reduce, reuse and recycle. Use iRecycle to find convenient recycling opportunities when you are at home or away. iRecycle provides you with more than 1.5 million ways to recycle more than 350 materials. Vegetable Tree - Gardening Guide [iPhone; $3.99] Use Earth Day to get started on that garden. Vegetable Tree covers the basics of sowing, growing and harvesting of a variety of vegetables. There is also information on seed depth, germination soil temperature, pH Range, indoor and outdoor requirements and more. MapMyHike+ GPS Hiking [iPhone; $2.99] Get outside today and enjoy some fresh air. When you head out, don't forget to fire up MapMyHike+ GPS, which lets you track your hike and log them for future reference. Keep track of every path you follow and build an online journal of your hikes. WattchIT [iOS Universal; $2.99] WattchIT lets you analyze home electricity costs on a per room basis. Use the tips in the app to make changes in your electricity usage and save money. An excellent, but smaller companion to WattchIT is Stopwattch, which lets you set a timer to measure the energy usage of a single appliance or electronic device. Geography Quiz Game [iPhone; Free] Learn more about the world in the Geography Quiz Game. You can play online against other via Game Center or play against your friends in multiplayer tournaments.
