Lara Croft Go, Reeder 3 and other awesome apps of the week

By

appsoftheweek_1024
'Appy weekend everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Another weekend is whizzing by and — with evenings continuing to draw in and memories of summer sun a distant memory — it’s the perfect time to catch up on the best apps currently circulating in the iOS App Store ecosystem.

Whether you’re planning on a lazy game-playing Sunday, or want to be up on the latest secure messaging app, we’ve got something for you. Read on to find out what we’ve picked.

Lara Croft Go

Many console game spinoffs on iOS are unfortunately no good whatsoever. Tomb Raider Go is, fortunately, not one of these resounding disappointments.

This surprisingly fun game has just received its first major content update — giving players a whole new level pack, “The Shard of Life,” to play through. The new levels boast 26 additional puzzles, new enemies and secret items, as well as two unlockable costumes. Best of all? The game has been reduced from its regular price of $4.99, down to $2.99.

Available for: iPhone/iPad
Cost: $2.99
Get it from: App Store

Reeder 3

Now with 33 percent more Reeder. We guess.
Now with 33 percent more Reeder. We guess.
Photo: Reeder 3

A personal favorite when it comes to feed readers for iOS and Mac, Reeder 3.0 adds some nifty updates — including Split View support in iOS 9, an updated UI, 3D Touch for previewing articles, and plenty more.

There are a ton of other tweaks and improvements; adding up to a massive leap forward for what was already an awesome app. Definitely worth a download — particularly if you’re using an iPad Pro.

Available for: iPhone/iPad
Cost: $4.99
Get it from: App Store

SOMA Messenger

Recently launched in the U.S., SOMA stands for Simple Optimized Messaging App. It’s essentially an alternative to iMessage or Skype, but with a focus on end-to-end encryption and capable of hosting group chats up to 500 people, along with group video and voice calls for as many as four.

As one of the most talked about apps of the moment, SOMA is definitely worth a download if you want to join the conversation. Both literally and figuratively.

Available for: iPhone/iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes

A turn-based Star Wars-themed battle game, Galaxy of Heroes is going to sound like tantalizing catnip to a percentage of iOS gamers — which, I should point out, certainly includes myself.

Giving you a comprehensive collection of playable characters from both the existing Star Wars movies and the upcoming The Force Awakens, alongside more obscure entries like the animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this free-to-play game should keep The Force with you until December 18 gets here.

Available for: iPhone/iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Sidefari

Useful? You bet.
Useful? You bet.
Photo: Sidefari

Dual Safari browsers are now possible in iPad multitasking thanks to Sidefari, a neat app available for iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad Pro.

It’s not going to fundamentally change the way that you use your iPad, but the ability to have two websites simultaneously on screen is, as any multitasker knows, enough to make this a must-have.

Available for: iPad
Cost: $0.99
Get it from: App Store

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.