I rely on my devices for everything. Whether it’s my recipe book, my alarm clock, to help me get work done, or entertain me during my downtime, my devices are a critical piece of life. Having apps that help me in those situations (or just make them a little more fun) is key.
This week, an app that makes short work of dealing with obscure files, a way to manage your favorite color collections, and a delightful game to enjoy. As usual, if you have something you want us to check out for a future Awesome Apps post, be sure to email your suggestion or tweet them over!
Wondershare UniConverter
Photo: Wondershare
Sponsored: I’ve been working with video files for years. And in all of my years messing with video, converting video files from one format to another remains a frustrating hurdle. Fortunately, what used to take complex command line tools or expensive video-editing software is now way easier. Whether it’s taking video from a camera or smartphone and converting it to something more “editor-friendly,” or converting my final videos into a more YouTube-compatible format, UniConverter from Wondershare makes it all dead simple.
With UniConverter, you can choose from more than 1,000 formats and convert your media with a few quick clicks. And if you ever find yourself needing to convert a huge collection of files, UniConverter can convert and encode in bulk, all while retaining quality.
If that’s not enough, UniConverter also works on images and audio files. This means that photographers, designers and even music or podcast producers can take advantage of the software’s incredible power for compressing, converting and trimming their files.
UniConverter is available for macOS and Windows, and offers a free trial to test things out. When you’re ready to dive in, you can subscribe for just $49.99 per year, or $79.99 for a perpetual license. Wondershare also offers team and business pricing, educational discounts, and bundle options with the company’s other apps.
Price: $49.99 per year or $79.99 for a perpetual license
Download from: Wondershare
Pastel
Screenshots: Ian Fuchs
Focus modes on iOS have been around for a while now. With iOS 16, Apple made them far more personal. For me, that means uniquely themed wallpapers when I shift between different modes. Pastel for iOS and Mac is an excellent utility for creating beautiful, colorful, and unique color swatches and turning them into backgrounds for your phone.
Designed as a color palette tool for designers and developers, Pastel allows you to create a collection of colors for quick access or reference. Similar to the color chips you might find at your local Home Depot (or other big box hardware store), but for your digital projects, you can mix and match colors to see what colors go best together. Pastel also features a handful of pre-configured palettes to inspire your creativity.
Once you have your palette set up, you can see all the colors in full screen to check for dissonance, or can grab the individual color values for use in your project. If that’s not enough, you can export your palette directly to Procreate,
The final awesome feature is the ability to create a wallpaper from any palette. This feature allows you to set the wallpaper style (pattern) and create beautiful, simple, personalized wallpapers for any of your devices. This means that even if you’re not a designer, you can enjoy what Pastel has to offer.
Price: Free (unlock all the features for $4.99)
Download from: App Store
Lucky Luna
Screenshots: Ian Fuchs
I have been a long-time fan of the Alto’s Adventure games. Now, their developer’s latest offering, Lucky Luna, has captured my attention and stolen some of my time.
Released through Netflix Games, Lucky Luna is a simple side-swiping platformer with fun, easy-to-learn mechanics and beautiful level design. From learning the basics of in-game movement to collecting pearls and avoiding in-game hazards, Lucky Luna gradually introduces you to gameplay. This makes it great for even the most casual of gamers.
What really makes Lucky Luna unique, though, is the design. Blending 8-bit style with a modern synth-based soundtrack and quality animation, the game is mesmerizing and quirky. Those familiar with the Alto’s Adventure games will certainly feel the similarities.
Whether you’re a fan of simple phone games, want something that’s free from obtrusive ads and in-game currency, or just want something a little different to play, Lucky Luna is a delight.
Price: Free
Download from: App Store
