Hi there!
It's been a while! It's just, you know, winter and all that, I go into hibernation, hence, no blogs! Anyway, happy belated new year to you all, hope you are well! My first blog of the new year is to review my most favourite apps of 2011.
My list includes things that; keep you amused for half an hour - to things that I use on a day to day basis.
So, here goes, in no particular order…
A nice little camera app that allows you to take photos and add different effects to your images. You also create an instagram account (justinmyfocus, in case you were wondering) with which, you share your photos with the rest of the world. It creates a news feed of other instagram feeds that you follow and other users can share and like your photos.
There is also the option to upload your photos to Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr and many more, which is handy if you want to show your photos off to a wider audience.
The app is free to download and is only available on iPhone.
A third party messaging platform where users of iPhone, Blackberry and Android can all send each other messages over data - at no cost. You can also send your contacts pictures, videos, voice notes, contacts and even share your current location.
Great app that helps me to keep in touch with friends in America on Blackberry's without the added dent in my bank balance.
The app costs 59p to download on iPhone, free on Blackberry, free on Android for the first year and $1.99 USD/year after that.
Such a great app; an up to date TV guide that shows you everything on every Sky channel for the next 7 days, the ability to search for programmes and a showcase section. Once you have browsed for these, you can then schedule your Sky+ box to record the programme and if it's a series, you can even series link it.
You can do all this, from your phone and it is automatically sent to your Sky+ box, how can this not be cool?! I once set Match of the Day to record whilst I was in Brugge!
The app is free on both iPhone and Android. I don't think it's available on Blackberry but I am not 100% sure on that.
You also need a Sky iD to be able to use this service.
A great little app where you can create your own images using endless amounts of colours, shapes, backgrounds, text and much more. You can then upload your created pictures to both Facebook and Twitter.
The app definitely keeps you entertained during those boring times and is well worth it's value at only 59p!
This app is only available on iPhone.
Lovers of the web game stick cricket will spend endless hours playing this game, just as I did! Using your expertly timed button pressing, you slog the balls out for fours and sixes (if you're good enough) and have a certain amount of overs to beat the score that the bowling team have set.
There are options of all star slog, world domination, two player and more.
The app is free to download but to add the extra games to it, it costs £1.99 but it is definitely good value for money.
It is available on iPhone and Android.
Again, Sky have made another cracker of an app here. This app allows you to watch your movies and sports channels on your iPhone, iTouch and iPad. As long as you have Sky Movies and Sky Sports in your Sky package, you can watch live television over 3G and Wi-Fi.
The app is free to download and is available on iPhone and Android.
You also need a Sky iD to be able to use this service.
The app from the popular TV game show on ITV1. You get to take on the cube and carry out the same activities that contestants on the show tackle.
Obviously, it's not as good as doing it in real life for real money! But it's a great app nonetheless.
The app costs £1.79 for iPhone and $2.32 USD for Android.
There you have it, some of my favourite apps for 2011!
Hopefully it inspires some of you to explore the apps mentioned above! All the best for the coming year.
By Justin O'Connell
