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
Digestable by Zach Dicklin (Free, 3.9 MB): This ingredient explainer is a great addition to any healthy eater's toolkit. When you look at a nutrition label, the itemized display of calories, carbs, fats, sugars, and so forth is generally clear, or enough so anyway. However, the seemingly jumbled paragraph of ingredients, which feel almost impossible to pronounce most times, are completely undefinable for the majority of us, and that's when you utilize this app. Rather than trying to hunt down a description using a Web search engine, just snap a photo of the nutrition label, or enter in the element name manually if automatic processing isn't working out. After processing and identification, you'll get an easy to navigate list, then simply tap an item for more information, such as manufacturing process and any common side effects, typically stated in layman's terms.
Numerical: Calculator Without Equal by Andrew J Clark ($2.99, 2.5 MB): With just a few small changes, this calculator makes a big step forward. Foremost, no equal key/button. Why? Because it isn't necessary. Instead, results are shown immediately. If you're worried about accuracy regarding complex equations like I initially was due to the order of operations, don't be. The app offers parenthesis entry to manually dictate or override the processing order, though the arithmetic of plainly entered equations gets processed in the proper sequence anyway. However, speaking of errors, if one happens to occur, including an unsolvable setup, such as dividing by zero, you'll receive a human-optimized explanation rather than some vague warning or strange code response. Last but most definitely not least, the app features a gesture-based input navigation system. Just swipe left to undo and right to redo anywhere on the output display, tap on the equation display area to get a copy or paste prompt, or alternately grab the very righthand edge of the screen and pull it leftwards to reveal the history panel, which can also be copied one item at a time.
The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon by NBC Universal, Inc. (Free, 26.9 MB): Thanks to this fresh companion app, the late night talk show proudly introduces its new host along with welcoming fans to a modern and fun means of interaction. For starters, you can easily check the week's upcoming guest lineup and share any eagerly anticipated appearances conveniently through an auto-hashtagged tweet, which leads in nicely to the next feature: #Hashtags. Following Fallon from his former gig, the social challenge involves a humorous subject that fans respond to via Twitter in hopes of getting spotlighted by the show for the most amusing, unique, or otherwise noteworthy answer. Of course, the app provides an effortless route to enter as well as the latest and most popular comments for the current topic. Lastly, there's the in-app arcade where you control Jimmy as he dangerously skis down a busy and hazardous NYC street, catches runaway puppies and places them safely in pens, searches for the next guest, or steps aside and allows you to pass the boredom with card matching.
R-TYPE II by DotEmu ($1.99, 41.1 MB): After a successful port of the Irem's foundational side-scrolling shooter, DotEmu has decided to send the sequel over to iOS. Very similar to the company's first re-release of the series, this iDevice version primarily features the original content for the best nostalgia. However, to modernize the experience and spice things up a tad, there's an added touch-optimized control scheme, a fullscreen graphics scaling option, two more difficulty settings, plus a leaderboard and achievements via Game Center. So, go ahead and take down those aliens and the Bydo Empire, again.
