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
Jot - Refined Text Editor by Bosco Ho ($3.99, 8.3 MB): This smartphone-optimized plain text word processor offers a few neat features to tame those common typing annoyances. Like a convenient joystick or trackball, the Jot control sits at the center of it all, allowing quick and comfortable single thumb cursor navigation and text selection. To operate the dual-function device, simply twitch the disc in any direction to move a single character space at a time, drag to fast move the cursor, or single tap to select one word, double for the sentence, and triple for the entire paragraph. As usual, once the text is highlighted, you're presented with options, such as copy and paste, though these shortcuts are now even more helpful because they always appear directly above the Jot control, i.e., consistently in easy reach. Better yet, in fact, everything follows that behavior, which leads me to the next benefit, improved auto-correct. In theory, automatic word correction is helpful, however, we all know those instances where the service creates problems, including some embarrassing ones. To better handle these hit-and-miss situations, the app does replace your apparently faulty input with an attempted correction, but provides the original entry above the Jot control for effortless restoration, just a single tap away rather than fighting the system until it learns. Next up, an extended keyboard with bonus undo and redo commands kindly eliminates the need to switch back and forth to the special characters modes to access the comma, colon, and hyphen, quotations. Finally, we address storage and utilization. There's always the simple copy and paste from Jot to a different app, although, the (required) connection to Dropbox allows for friendly access to the files from any computer and, of course, automatic backup.
Smash Hit by Mediocre AB (Free, 46.2 MB): With such a wondrous combination of calm and challenging play as well as eye-popping visuals, it's tough not to get swept away by this explosively unique first-person shooter. The journey begins as you pass through a doorway into a dreamlike environment of vivid light and simple shapes, including panes of glass and luminescent blue triangular crystals. Not so obvious are the metal balls you possess, which get thrown when tapping anywhere on the screen to target. You're only provided a limited supply, therefore, paying attention to the few requirements and laws is essential. Shatter glass panes or figures, such as DNA strands, as efficiently as possible and hit the green buttons to open doors before any collisions along with smashing crystals to slowly replenish the ball supply. Once your weapon has been depleted, attempt over. The game features beautiful 3-D graphics, energized and atmospheric soundtrack, 50 sections, 11 fluorescent color themes, single finger control, Game Center leaderboards and achievements, plus iCloud backup and sync support, auto-saving progress checkpoints, and a statistics report if you upgrade to the Premium version for $1.99.
CASHFLOW - The Investing Game by Torn Screen Entertainment, Inc. ($4.99, 51.8 MB): Prove to yourself, family, and friends what it truly takes to be financially successful in this digital version of what USA Today dubs "Monopoly on steroids." If one things for sure, money management is tough, but there's nothing like the real thing. Rather than placing players into some fantasy position, Cashflow mimics authentic struggles of the lower and middle classes, from small budgets to unexpected expenses. In fact, every person in the game has an updating financial statement to overview details such as mortgages, loans, credit card bills, investments, and so on. Also just like real life, the game offers actual scenarios in foreseeable and unpredictable ways. For example, maybe you'll come across a fantastic foreclosure investment or an up and coming company's stock. However, that might prove just enough gain to balance out the tuition or unexpected car maintenance. Ultimately, again, as in real life, certain aspects are beyond your control, but plenty relies on great planning and plucking opportunities. Will you achieve the goal or become bankrupt? The game features 3-D graphics, charming sound effects, and up to six person turn-based tabletop or pass-and-play action supporting a mixture of nameable human and AI-controlled opponents.
