This week we check the size of our suitcase with easyJet’s AR, find expert advice with SnafWho, make music by sampling everyday sounds in LoopField, and go back in time with GTA: Vice City.
Stepz – Step Counter & Tracker
Photo: Stepz
Stepz is the first of this week’s updates, and it is also the first one to avoid. It’s revamped, and looks nicer, etc. But the important thing is that you now have to upgrading to the paid tier to continue using the Today View widget. That is, this update removes one of its primary features without warning — when I updated the app, the only description of the new version was that it had been completely redesigned. There was no mention of it removing the most important part and then charging for it. That would be fine, of course, but don’t hide the fact.
I deleted it and reinstalled Pedometer ++, which is way better anyway.
Price: Free
Download: Stepz – Step Counter & Tracker from the App Store (iOS)
SnafWho
Photo: SnafWho
Sponsored: The best way to find out how to do so this is to ask an expert. But clearly finding a true expert on the internet is almost impossible. That’s where SnafWho comes in. It’s a service that lets you connect with consultants and freelancers, via video chat, audio chat, or IM. The consultants get paid, and the user gets solid advice.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Download: SnafWho from the App Store (iOS)
easyJet: Travel App
EasyJet’s app is tight as its plane’s legroom.
European low-cost airline easyJet added AR to its app. Why? You’re going to love this: It lets you measure your carry-on bags to make sure they conform to the maximum size limit. easyJet is one of the better low-cost operators, and its app is probably the best one I’ve used.
Price: Free
Download: easyJet: Travel App from the App Store (iOS)
MIDI Guitar
Photo: Cult of Mac
Another update, this time for an app that takes the sound of a guitar and converts it to MIDI so you can play synthesizers (or any other MIDI instrument). These can either be apps inside your iPad, or hardware devices connected to it. The update fixes some problems the old version had with iOS 12, but also brings an entirely new interface. And a good thing, too, as the old one was confusing as hell. This is the best guitar-to-MIDI app on iOS.
Price: Free
Download: MIDI Guitar from the App Store (iOS)
Pixelmator
Photo: Pixelmator
Pixelmator is one of the premier image and photo editing apps on iOS, so it’s pretty mind-boggling that it has taken until now to update the flagship iOS app to support the 2018 iPad Pro, and the Apple Pencil 2. To be honest, I find the app too annoying to use except for in emergencies. They took all the bad Unser interface ideas from Apple’s iOS iWork apps, and applied them to a photo app.
Price: $4.99
Download: Pixelmator from the App Store (iOS)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Just six years after launching on iOS, GTA: Vice City has gotten an update to enable full-screen support on the latest iPhones and iPads Pro. Our own games “expert” Luke “Bizzle” Dormehl had this to say about it:
It might look a bit dated to someone who has only played the later installments of the game, but it’s still surprisingly impressive on an iPhone screen. And, hey, a game is about more than just the way it looks! Either way, Vice City is an undisputed classic.
Price: $4.99
Download: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City from the App Store (iOS)
Loopfield
Photo: Cult of Mac
LoopField is an addictive music tool. It samples sounds from the real world through the iPhone’s microphone, and loops them into 1-4 bar loops. These loops can be combined with a rhythm track (built-in, or import your own). You can speed up your loops, or slow them down, and add rhythmic effects.
It also interacts with other music apps on your iPhone. Or iPad, and can export your loops to be used as samples anywhere else. Highly recommended.
Price: $3.99
Download: Loopfield from the App Store (iOS)
Atmosphere Weather
Photo: Cult of Mac
Atmosphere Weather is an ugly iPhone app that puts the weather forecast around the edge of a 24-hour clock. This is designed to make it easy to read. The app also integrates with your calendar, adding to the confusion by overlaying your day’s appointments onto the weather.
Price: $3.99 per year (with two-week free trial)
Download: Atmosphere Weather from the App Store (iOS)
