Apps That
Went Free on
2015-12-24

Bitpoem allows you to be selective. Instead of just applying filter upon filter, you’re able to emphasize critical parts of your photo with their own filters and effects. All you need to do is draw over your photo to block off sections or select them. You’re able to layer as much as you wish, even if you’ve already processed your original creation. The app is absolutely loaded with filters, artistic effects, blending effects, textures, and colors.

Amigo Pancho has you interacting with the various colorful environments in a wide variety of ways, which is why we can’t recommend it enough. There’s something new around every corner. The basic idea of the game is to help Pancho ride his two very small and fragile balloons to the highest places in the world. Along the way you’ll have to clear debris, redirect cactus spines, and even block fireballs to ensure his balloons don’t pop. The game includes a total of six locations and 120 levels, so you better be ready for a challenge.

Sidefari is a neat idea executed perfectly. It allows you to show an extra Safari-based browser on the side of your iPad’s screen via an extension. Simply tap the share button within Safari, and choose the “Send to Sidefari” extension. The current URL in Safari will then be usable in a separate window, which you can resize just as you would any multitasking app in iOS 9. Sidefari also allows those with older iPads and iPhones to utilize a modal window as a secondary browser. It’s not as useful as the multitasking option available for new iPads, but it’s at least something.

This is as close as you’ll come to playing a real guitar without actually owning one. Guitar Elite offers eight different guitars to choose from. You’re able to play chord buttons or put your fingers to the screen and have Guitar Elite find matching chords based on their positions. Once you get the hang of things, go ahead and record your creations and share them via email or SoundCloud. The app also includes a built-in metronome.

Yum Yum Letters allows your child to learn from a porky caterpillar, smiling snowflake, and fluffy spider. They must trace the letter provided to them, and then repeat the action multiple times with even less assistance. After each successful completion, they’ll be rewarded in a unique way related to the character they chose. The app includes the ability to create multiple profiles, two teaching methods, and multiple fonts to choose from.

It allows you to place the current weather and forecast for your location over the top of your photos and videos. You're able to capture a new photo or video in-app or import one form your library. Skins can be added by swiping through the vast library, and you can reposition them at either the top or bottom to avoid blocking your subject. Your new creations can be shared via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. InstaWeather has more than 80 built-in skins, including dynamic ones that adapt to your day.