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The Daily App: Caynax Alarm Clock For Android

January 25, 2013

Whether you're waking up or remembering when you need to leave for an appointment, alarms can do what the brain sometimes cannot. Today's Daily App combines the reliability of alarms with highly customizable features. Caynax Alarm Clock, by business-app developer Caynax, is a beautiful and option-filled alarm clock app for Android that sports a lot of advanced features without looking bloated. The app is on sale right now for $.99, but there is a free demo version that is ad supported and lacks some features.

What makes Caynax different is its "time group" feature. When setting an alarm, it allows appointments to be assigned a time group, such as for work (Monday - Friday), all (Monday - Sunday), one, timer, or cyclic. This gave us the impression that Caynax is intended as both an alarm clock and daily planner, with options like titling your alarms and timers and an every-morning alarm clock. Alarm options also include math problems and controls for advanced audio. With its gray and blue accents, the gesture-based interface lends to an attractive and smooth experience, even if it's just for setting alarms. When testing the free version, Caynax proved to be more than competent at letting us know when it was time for things.

PUBLISHED JAN. 25, 2013

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The Daily App: Podcasts For Windows 8, RT

January 24, 2013

When Windows 8/RT launched, the benefit of Metro-styled apps may not have been immediately apparent. But, as Redmond's fledgling Windows Store began to fill out, some standouts have already appeared. Today's Daily App is one such standout.

Unlike its namesake phone OS, which includes a native podcast subscription app, Windows 8 launched without one. Filling that gap nicely is Podcasts, a free app from independent developer Melting Bot Software. Podcasts is done in Metro style with a loud neon design. It's a bit jarring at first, actually, but we found the design to be quite functional once our pupils had a chance to adjust. Finding and subscribing to favorite podcasts were a snap. And on that subject, Podcasts supports Win8's Snap feature, snapping nicely into a third of the screen while you take care of business in the other two-thirds. Also, the app handily puts the play/pause control on Win8's volume control widget, which seems the logical place.

If you regularly listen to podcasts, you want access to your favorites on every device you own. And for that, Podcasts would be our choice, as long as your devices all run Windows 8 or Windows RT, that is.

PUBLISHED JAN. 24, 2013

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GasBuddy For Android, Blackberry, iOS, Windows Phone 8, 7

January 23, 2013

When we looked at GasBuddy for Android, Blackberry and iOS just after Superstorm Sandy last fall, it became one of the most widely viewed blog entries in recent memory. Our coverage of the useful tool was timely for blackout victims seeking the free GasBuddy Web service to find the precious juice. Now that there's a Windows Phone version, we revisited the free app so that we might delve a bit deeper into its capabilities.

The service has found a clever way not just to leverage the mobility of smartphones but also to crowdsource information about the location of the cheapest gas. To keep the database current, GasBuddy rewards those reporting prices through the app with chances to win free gas. We've been using the app for a few days now, and the reporting process creates a somewhat addictive feedback loop.

The Windows Phone version is as easily navigable as the others, and it's designed in such a way that local gas prices are only one tap away. That's smart design, given the fact that some may be inclined to open this app while (dangerously) operating a car. Delving into the options allows for customization of the grade or type of fuel users are looking for, and a map function will pin all nearby gas stations to users' navigation app. The ubiquity of the service helps things along as well. The only complaint that comes to mind is that GasBuddy could use voice command functionality. Anything that makes the app easier to use while driving is certain to go a long way.

PUBLISHED JAN. 23, 2013

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The Daily App: Teleprompter Pro For Windows 8, RT

January 22, 2013

Whether you're making a speech from a podium or working on a podcast, having a way to easily organize and view your speech can make anyone sound like a pro. Today's Daily App -- Teleprompter Pro -- turns your Windows 8 laptop into a mobile, customizable teleprompter. Developed by utility tools maker Purple Wizard, the free-to-try Windows teleprompter app is available for Windows 8 and Windows RT, and it could be the best $2.49 ever spent on speech-giving.

Teleprompter Pro is a simple application that emulates a professional teleprompter; it offers a script editor, playback controls and a few customization settings. Text can be imported from a text file and/or created and edited with the script editor, which can then be saved as plain text. Scrolling speed, text size and colors are all configurable along with an option to mirror the text for use with reflective glass.

One word of caution: Despite its satisfying simplicity, the app lacks any kind of help function or readme text, which we learned when we were initially stumped as to how to stop the teleprompter from playing automatically. We could also find no developer website. Another concern is the indeterminable length of the trial period, and whether the trial might suddenly end mid-speech, or perhaps when the Windows Store was inaccessible. Concerns aside, we found that using a laptop as a pseudo-professional teleprompter is an incredibly intuitive idea for speech-making and recording scripted videos. Teleprompter Pro makes it easy.

PUBLISHED JAN. 22, 2013

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The Daily App: Inaugural 2013 For Android, iOS

January 18, 2013

January 21, 2013, will mark the 57th inaugural ceremonies, in which President Obama will be sworn in for his second term. Today's Daily App was created in commemoration of the event and to act as a guide and information center for the inaugural ceremonies. The Inaugural 2013 app for Android and iOS was created by AT&T Services, Inc. and the Presidential Inauguration Committee of 2013 to effectively relay information such as maps, events and videos to its users with minimal setup.

When first accessing the app, a phone number is requested to keep you up to date on the inauguration via SMS. This can be skipped (thankfully) to reveal a red, white and blue-themed portal with tabs across the top that sort the app's information into categories. The app offers schedules, media, maps, volunteering information, information about the president and a social tab that highlights the official inauguration 2013 Twitter feed. Navigation in the app is simple, and the schedule and maps features are especially useful. The maps are particularly chock full of information regarding the layout and facilities available around the National Mall where the inauguration is taking place. Another notable feature is the option to view the live stream of President Obama's official inauguration straight through the app. Naturally, this won't be available until the ceremonies begin on the Jan. 21.

The Inaugural 2013 app is a great way for the federal government to keep its citizens well informed as the 57th president is sworn into office (again). For the political junkie, history buff or, most obviously, the Inaugural attendee, this app comes highly recommended.

PUBLISHED JAN. 18, 2013

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