The App Store takes delivery of hundreds of new apps per day. The overwhelming scene makes it possible to easily overlook an exciting game, valuable productivity suite, etc. However, we have a solution. Today’s Best Apps tackles this problem by providing you with a handpicked and tested list of apps that are truly worth your consideration each and everyday.
Remember: Even though in-app purchases typically require your iTunes Store password for processing, you can further prevent them and other unauthorized actions by enabling local restrictions using the passcode locked iOS parental controls
Google Play Music by Google, Inc. (Free, 3.8 MB): The official Google Play Music app has arrived for iOS. The cloud-based service, i.e., streaming, allows access to your entire, or likely most of, music library without taking up precious iDevice storage space, well, as long as you have regular access to Wi-Fi or a forgiving cellular data plan. The app features a simple, flat user interface that nicely accents each of the personal music library section's content with an appropriate image, such as a dominant landscape photo showcasing the band members under the Artists tab, large cover art for Album view, and thumbnail-sized stuff in Song list view. In addition, you can search and create custom playlists. Beyond on-demand uploaded music, feel free to go ahead and start themed radio-style mixes based upon artist, album, or song. Unlimited and ad-less "mix" playback requires an All Access pass priced at $9.99 per month. Be sure to also install the Google Music Upload Manager.
The Budget - Save your money by Troy Mora ($0.99, 2.9 MB): Intelligently manage your money using this budget-based finance tracking app. There's nothing wrong with manually recording transactions, though let's go ahead and admit that most of us don't feel a need. If we must know our balance or question an amount, it's just a few taps away to access credit card and bank statements, which is also the case here. However, budgets are the real big deal here, a system offering distribution control as well as a warning sign. Basically, after the required rent/mortgage, utilities, you can determine reasonable caps for entertainment, dining, etc. Throughout the month, or whatever length of chosen time, you monitor the progress and should be able to better maintain the restricted amount, reducing such transaction when the gap is closing. Of course, you may adjust budgets as needed or desired, but do so responsibly. As final perks, the app includes the fairly standard pie graph reports for overall income and expenses, along with expenses breakdown by category, all of which are exportable by email in HTML, CSV, or PDF, plus an optional passcode lock, manual database backup, and optional input reminder notification setup. A trial version is available.
