Yahuui Blog: August 2013

Friday, August 30, 2013

Apple : Flickr for iPhone adds live filter preview feature ditched by Instagram

Flickr for iPhone adds live filter preview feature ditched by Instagram

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Yahoo today outed a new version of the Flickr for iPhone app, which allows users to preview how each filter will look within their shooting environment before they take the photo.

The updated app introduces a live filter previews, a feature that was once popular with Instagram users before the Facebook-owned company canned it in an update last year.

Beyond that, the major update also gives snappers the opportunity to express their creativity beyond the range of stock filters, with additional effects like vignettes, bursts and focus shifts.

iPhone photographers can now also access a pretty varied array of editing tools allowing for crops, tilts, rotation and flips, while also adjusting colour levels, brightness, sharpness, white balance and more.

iOS 7-inspired

All in all, the new app is a pretty comprehensive shooting and editing package, completely free of charge. It also arrives as one of the fist major apps to boast a new, iOS 7-inspired design and user interface.

The new features make it possible for more advanced photographers to fine tune their snaps, while 'point-shoot-filter' iPhone wielders won't find the depth of options too obtrusive.

So far the updates are only for Flickr's iPhone app and as yet there's no word on when the Android app will catch up, but it's unlikely to be too long.

The company has launched a big redesign to its website and given all users 1TB of free space earlier this year, so this latest iOS app update is a sure sign the company has its sights set on the top again.

Can the former king of photography on the web regain its throne under the stewardship of Marissa Meyer's refocussed Yahoo? Give the app a try and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Software : Become an official Twitter bug swatter through Android app beta scheme

Become an official Twitter bug swatter through Android app beta scheme

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Like having early access to the newest Twitter features? Don't mind using an Android app that crashes and freezes every now and again? Then the Twitter for Android beta tester program is for you.

As Facebook did a couple of months back, the rival social network has made a plea for guinea pigs to step forward and become tests for new versions of its app for Google-based smartphones and tablets.

Signees for the officially-dubbed 'Twitter for Android Experiment' will receive multiple new versions of the app, but have been warned that the test versions will be unstable and will contain bugs.

Kind of like the current ones then, really (Just kidding, Twitter).

VIP access

Willing participants can sign up on the company's Google Play page, but don't worry, it's not one of those 'you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave' deals.

If the annoyance at the crashes start to outweigh the warm fuzzy feeling generated by the access to new features, you can start using the regular app at any time.

Flickr for iPhone adds live filter preview feature ditched by Instagram

Posted:

Yahoo today outed a new version of the Flickr for iPhone app, which allows users to preview how each filter will look within their shooting environment before they take the photo.

The updated app introduces a live filter previews, a feature that was once popular with Instagram users before the Facebook-owned company canned it in an update last year.

Beyond that, the major update also gives snappers the opportunity to express their creativity beyond the range of stock filters, with additional effects like vignettes, bursts and focus shifts.

iOS 7-inspired

The new features make it possible for more advanced photographers to fine tune their snaps, while 'point-shoot-filter' iPhone wielders won't find the depth of options too obtrusive.

So far the updates are only for Flickr's iPhone app and as yet there's no word on when the Android app will catch up, but it's unlikely to be too long.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Apple : Analysis: Skype turns 10: did Microsoft's bet pay off?

Analysis: Skype turns 10: did Microsoft's bet pay off?

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Skype's users like it a lot, and when the Microsoft deal was announced in 2011 they had three key concerns.

One, that Microsoft would cut off support for non-Microsoft platforms; two, that Microsoft would shove it into every conceivable Microsoft product whether it fit or not; and three, that Microsoft would find some way to screw it up.

They needn't have worried. Rather than absorb Skype into its Borg-like embrace, Microsoft decided to keep Skype as a separate division - and that perhaps prevented Skype from doubling down on Windows to the exclusion of all other platforms.

In addition to Windows platforms there are clients for Macs and Linux, iOS, Android and BlackBerry, compatible home entertainment devices and phones and even the PlayStation Vita. Windows does appear to get the most attention, but other platforms are still being actively supported: the Mac client was updated in March and the Linux one in November, with the iOS app getting an update this month.

Skype turns 10: how the video star changed communication forever

Skype's user numbers have grown from 170 million at the time of the acquisition to 300 million earlier this year. Windows Live Messenger, which Skype was bought to replace, had dropped from a peak of 300 million to around 100 million in 2011.

Did Microsoft pay too much?

Skype's users spend 2 billion minutes per day on the service, and according to research from market analysts TeleGeography, Skype usage is equivalent to one-third of all the world's telephone traffic. That research was prior to Skype's replacement of Windows Live Messenger earlier this year, so those numbers should be considerably higher now.

As for shoving it into Microsoft's own products, Skype was acquired to replace the aged and ailing Windows Live Messenger, and it's largely gone where you would expect: it connects with the Microsoft Lync enterprise messaging platform, is available in Outlook.com, is installed by default in Windows 8.1 and takes advantage of the Xbox One's Kinect camera - although you won't be able to Skype on the Xbox One unless you pay for an Xbox Live Gold account.

Skype vs Hangouts

The big question is whether Microsoft overpaid, and the answer is simple: of course it did. $8.5 billion - 32 times Skype's operating profit - was much, much more than Skype was worth, with Steve Ballmer betting that Skype's long-term growth would justify paying what most analysts agreed was four times Skype's value. The numbers are improving - the Skype division's revenues (not profits) are up to $2 billion compared to Skype's $800 million in 2011, although the newer numbers also include Lync - but it'll be a while before Microsoft gets its money back.

However, the acquisition wasn't just about monetising Skype's users. Buying Skype was also a defensive move, designed to fend off competition from Google and Cisco in the enterprise markets, and to give Microsoft a key player in the mobile Voice over IP market - a market that's still very much in its infancy, and one where Microsoft has been taking baby steps.

The long term vision is for Microsoft to be the hub of your voice and video communications, no matter what device you happen to be using, and Skype is a crucial part of that.

A new video messaging feature was added in June. It's like voicemail, but with video

What's next for Skype?

There may be a cloud on the horizon, however. In July, Steve Ballmer announced a major reorganisation: "we are rallying behind a single strategy as one company - not a collection of divisional strategies," he wrote.

Skype will become part of a new Applications Group alongside Office and Bing, and Skype president Tony Bates is off to take charge of developer relationships and evangelism. If Skype owes its current success to its arms-length relationship with Microsoft, then the One Microsoft policy could prove to be its undoing.

Now read Skype turns 10: how the video star changed communication forever

iPhone 5S release date set for Sept. 20? T-Mobile workers' holiday plans shelved

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The next-generation iPhone handset(s) may go on sale on Sept. 20, if reports suggesting T-Mobile employees in the U.S. have been denied time off during that weekend prove accurate.

The U.S.-based Tmo News website said the mobile network has blocked off Sept. 20-22 (a Friday, Saturday and Sunday) as vacation-free times for its in-store employees.

With the iPhone 5S and perhaps the iPhone 5C likely readying for a Sept.10 unveiling, that prospective release date 10 days later certainly plays into Apple's previous form.

The company always sees iPhones release on a Friday, for much the same reason Hollywood movies come out on the same day - to cash in on weekend sales and then boast about the figures come Monday.

Plastic fantastic

Meanwhile, speaking of the iPhone 5C, Apple is shopping around for a top class plastics guy, presumably to oversee its less-premium range of iOS devices.

According to the posting on the Apple jobs site, the company is looking to hire an "experienced plastic materials engineer" who can "lead the development of new plastic materials and processes."

The successful applicant will work on the iPhone/iPad materials team and have reponsibilities relating to the aesthetic and cosmetic qualities of the devices.

The company is widely expect to launch a more affordable, dare we say cheap, iPhone 5C with a plastic casing, as a means of tackling emerging markets.

Judging by this job posting, it appears the company's work in that area will be a growing concern as it seeks to perfect new materials for the more budget-focused devices.

Are you ready for the gold, sorry champagne, iPhone 5S? Apple is apparently preparing to broaden its available colour spectrum.

Software : EA: Xbox exclusives aren't about playing favorites with Microsoft

EA: Xbox exclusives aren't about playing favorites with Microsoft
Windows Start menu makes Mac return in Parallels Desktop 9
Analysis: Skype turns 10: did Microsoft's bet pay off?

EA: Xbox exclusives aren't about playing favorites with Microsoft

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PlayStation fans have been pouting over the number of Xbox exclusives coming out of EA for months, but the game publisher says maybe they're just not being patient enough.

EuroGamer.net today reported that game giant Electronic Arts (EA) denies showing favoritism toward Microsoft, despite the sheer number of Xbox exclusives announced at key industry events this year.

Between last June's E3 2013 announcement of a PC and Xbox-only Titanfall and last week's Gamescom deal from Microsoft that bundles a free copy of EA's FIFA 14 with all European Xbox One preorders, Sony fans have been left feeling downright neglected.

But the head of EA's sports division denies that's the case, instead praising the company's longtime partnerships with both hardware manufacturers.

Long-term relations

"We have relationships with both companies that go back many many years, so I think that what you saw [from Microsoft at Gamescom] was, just from a phasing perspective, you saw a little bit more of the Microsoft stuff," EA Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore, a former Microsoft executive, told Gamesindustry International this week.

Moore claims Microsoft is likely using such exclusives as a way to "catch up" with Sony in Europe, where the Xbox platform still plays second fiddle to PlayStation.

"I don't think that we're favoring one over the other, we love them both dearly. It's important to the publishing community that both are very successful and I think they will be very successful."

The EA executive also suggested PlayStation 4-specific "partnership opportunities" could be forthcoming in the near future, confirming both Sony and Microsoft have aggressively pursued content from the publisher.

We won't play favorites with the latest news on the release of Sony's PlayStation 4.

Windows Start menu makes Mac return in Parallels Desktop 9

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Parallels has launched the latest version of its virtualisation software for Macs, bringing integration with cloud storage services and support for OS X Mavericks.

As with previous versions, Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac primarily lets you use Windows and OS X applications simultaneously without needing to reboot into a different OS through Boot Camp.

Mac users running Windows 8 in a virtual machine will now get Parallel's own version of the much missed 'Start' menu. That's ahead of actual PC users running Windows 8 that will see its return when Windows 8.1 lands next month.

Performance boost

The company is claiming "up to" 40% improvement in disk performance with version nine, a 25% speed boost when starting up and shutting down virtual machines, and a 20% reduction in the time needed to suspend them.

Other features include Power Nap support on Retina MacBook Pro or MacBook Air models to resume quickly when coming out of Sleep mode, Mac gestures such as Dictionary lookup in Windows applications, Thunderbolt and Firewire storage device support, and a new Security Center that hunts down security software subscriptions to keep protect virtual machines from viruses.

Parallels Desktop 9 also includes support for syncing up to cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and SkyDrive.

Going live

Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac is available from today as an upgrade for current Parallels Desktop for Mac users. The full version can be downloaded from Parallels' website from September 5, and packaged versions of the software will hit the shelves at Apple retail stores on the same day for £64.95 (US$79.99, or AU$90).

For a limited time, Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac customers will get a six-month trial to Parallels Access for iPad, which the company released yesterday.

Access is a remote desktop solution that shrinks legacy Windows and OS X desktop programs to make them fit the iPad's screen, allowing them to be used like native apps on Apple's slate with full gesture support.

We ask: What are the best virtualisation monitoring and management tools?

Analysis: Skype turns 10: did Microsoft's bet pay off?

Posted:

Skype's users like it a lot, and when the Microsoft deal was announced in 2011 they had three key concerns.

Skype turns 10: how the video star changed communication forever

Did Microsoft pay too much?

Skype vs Hangouts

The long term vision is for Microsoft to be the hub of your voice and video communications, no matter what device you happen to be using, and Skype is a crucial part of that.

A new video messaging feature was added in June. It's like voicemail, but with video

What's next for Skype?

Now read Skype turns 10: how the video star changed communication forever

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Software : Now you can run Windows and OS X programs on your iPad

Now you can run Windows and OS X programs on your iPad
Google's Waze app acquisition may hit red light as OFT pumps the brakes
Blip: Hey iOS users, you can now download the Chromecast app
BBM may sprout its own roots, branch out as a BlackBerry spinoff
Apple TV update adds more channels, still wants to be set-top contender
In Depth: Best free video editing software: 9 top programs you should download

Now you can run Windows and OS X programs on your iPad

Posted:

Parallels has launched a remote desktop solution that turns traditional Windows and OS X applications into iPad apps to make them easier to use on Apple's tablet.

Named Parallels Access for iPad, it lets you run desktop apps in full-screen mode on the iPad over an internet connection.

The software supports native iPad gestures like select and drag, holding down to copy and paste text or images, tapping and holding to magnify text, and allowing iPad scrolling with two fingers, in addition to switching between open apps with a tap.

Tradition

The company is hoping that the solution will tempt people away from traditional remote desktop offerings that usually mirror the desktop experience in full on mobile devices, which can result in cramped text due to devices' differing resolutions.

Parallels Access for iPads is available for iPads with support for Macs, and Windows Support is available as a free beta, while support for other devices is apparently in the works.

Each Mac or PC needs its own subscription though, so you'll have to cough up US$79.99 (around £52, pr AU$90) for a one-year subscription for each computer to be accessed.

Access all areas

Clearly, Access could make life easier for companies with iPad-equipped employees that need access to desktop programs on the go.

We could see it opening a few doors for consumers too. Spotify would be a perfect example: instead of paying £9.99 for the monthly mobile subscription, you could fire up Access and load the desktop version of the app to get a similar experience while only having to pay £4.99 a month for the standard, non-mobile subscription.

Of course, factors like bandwidth and internet connection quality will come into play, and you'd still have to pay for the Access subscription itself - but it could prove a nifty solution for those desktop apps that are yet to make the leap to tablet.

Desktop virtualisation can be tricky to pull off. Here's our top five tips to give you a hand

Google's Waze app acquisition may hit red light as OFT pumps the brakes

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Google's recent purchase of the community-sourced Waze traffic app faces an official probe from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on grounds the deal may be breaking competition laws.

The search and mobile giant agreed a deal to acquire Israel-based start-up in June, for a reported $1.3 billion (around £0.83m), in order to boost its own Google Maps navigation app.

However, the OFT has expressed concern that Google's ownership of the app, which offers real time traffic updates, provides petrol price info and police traps, may give the company too large a slice of the pie.

If the OFT finds that Google's purchase gives it more than 25 per cent of the relevant UK market and/or a turnover of more than £70m, then it would have grounds to order divestments.

Lessening of competition

In its announcement, the OFT wrote: "The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether this agreement has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services."

Google has yet to comment on the situation, while the OFT has given interested parties 40 days to weigh in on the debate and have their say.

The OFT's announcement follows a similar proclamation from its US counterpart, the Federal Trade Commission, which announced it'd be looking into the legalities of the deal, back in June.

Blip: Hey iOS users, you can now download the Chromecast app

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A Chromecast app is now available for iOS users to download from the Apple iTunes App Store.

According to the Google blog, the app will run on iPhones and iPads operating iOS 6 or above.

The app will automatically scan for your Chromecast or set up new dongle devices through your Wi-Fi - plus it will show compatible apps like Netflix and YouTube.

Now that Apple devices can join the party, demand for the Chromecast will probably continue to increase despite the recent hubub over AllCast and Google nixing streaming local content.

More blips!

Cast your attentions this way for more blips.

BBM may sprout its own roots, branch out as a BlackBerry spinoff

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Big things are happening at BlackBerry, not least of which is the cross-platform-ization of its 60-million-user strong messaging service, BlackBerry Messenger.

But according to a new Wall Street Journal report, BBM may be on the move in more ways than one.

With the help of "people familiar with the matter," the Journal reported BlackBerry is kicking around the notion of spinning Messenger into a subsidiary.

BBM Inc., as it would be called, would operate with greater independence from the mother-ship TCFKARIM (The Company Formerly Known As RIM, as dubbed by Gareth Beavis).

BBMing into the future

The plan is ostensibly aimed at making BBM a more valuable asset as it moves towards a potential sale. However, the new Inc. would also focus on new services and products.

Extending video chat is one prong of the BBM puzzle, but the report also noted BlackBerry's plans to introduce Channels. The Twitter/Facebook page mash up was announced in May, but it's been stuck in beta since.

The Waterloo-based company is also considering extending BBM to desktops, according to a WSJ source.

BlackBerry Messenger is headed to iOS and Android, as prematurely released user manuals and Samsung teases can attest to. The move to other platforms is likely an attempt to up BBM's value before it's spun off or BlackBerry en masse is sold, chopped up or whatever the special task force looking into "strategic alternatives" decides.

We asked BlackBerry for a response to the Journal's report, but were told that it doesn't comment on speculation or rumors.

Gareth Beavis isn't just good at coming up with acronyms - read on for piercing analysis of BlackBerry.

Apple TV update adds more channels, still wants to be set-top contender

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Apple TV refuses to be overshadowed by Roku and Chromecast and has become even more diligent in continuing to update the set-top.

The box now boasts five new channels - Disney Channel, Disney XD, Weather Channel, Vevo and the Smithsonian Channel.

The latter two are already available on Roku so Apple is playing a bit of catch up. However, the company seems to have a few tricks left for conquering television.

Apple still wants a bite out of TV

Earlier this month, Apple picked up video recommendations site Match.tv, showing it still wanted to keep you glued to the set. The Apple TV site also lists iTunes Radio as "coming soon," which we can look forward to with the fall iOS 7 release.

The future of Apple TV involves a steep climb if it wants to stay in our homes meaning the company should update its set-top box to better compete with Chromecast, or finally release the rumored Apple iTV.

Either way, Apple certainly seems determined to stay a living room contender and has even made peace with Google by allowing a Chromecast app.

What's going on with Chromecast's Allcast support?

In Depth: Best free video editing software: 9 top programs you should download

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It's the first law of movie-making: no matter how expensive your camera, or how skilled you are at using it, your raw footage will always be rubbish. And so, if you're looking to add a little professional polish, then installing a video editor will be essential.

Commercial video editors can be very expensive, of course, but you may not have to go that far. Whether you want to trim your clips down to size, add a soundtrack or captions, apply transitions or special effects, there are some great free tools which can help - and these are the very best around.

1. Windows Movie Maker 2012

Windows Movie Maker is supremely easy to use. Just drag and drop a few clips onto the program (most formats are supported) and immediately they're assembled into order; transitions and special effects are just a click away.

Windows Movie Maker

It's just as simple to add a soundtrack, captions and credits, and you can save the results as a video file, or upload them directly to YouTube, Facebook and many other sites.

You can take a little more control when you need it, for instance trimming clips and applying a few other basic options. The program's main focus is on making it very simple to produce quality movies, though, and for the most part it's a great success.

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2. Kate's Video Toolkit

While there's nothing too surprising in Kate's Video Toolkit, it does provide some basic but useful editing features. So you can trim files or join them, link two videos with a transition, create a sequence of videos with a custom soundtrack, and there's a simple file format conversion tool as well.

Kates Video Toolkit

There are plenty of limitations, too (you can't maximise the program window to use your full screen resolution, for instance), but Kate's Video Toolkit is extremely easy to use. If you don't want to read Help files and your editing needs are simple, it could be a great choice.

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3. Avidemux

Avidemux is a small but capable open source video editor which can help you join clips, cut them (without re-encoding), and apply a lengthy list of useful filters (Add Logo, Crop, Flip, Rotate, Resize, Sharpen, Remove Noise, tweak brightness, contrast colours and more).

Avidemux

While this sounds basic, there are lots of options and fine controls to help make sure everything goes as you expect, and an excellent online wiki which documents everything. Overall, Avidemux is well worth a look, as long as you're happy to spend a little time learning how it all works.

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4. VSDC Free Video Editor

Non-linear video editors can take some time to learn, and VSDC Free Video Editor is no exception (a lack of useful documentation doesn't help, either).

If you persevere, though, you'll find a capable editor with plenty of functionality: drawing and selection tools, plenty of colour and lighting corrections, some useful filters, transitions, audio effects and more.

VSDC Free Video Editor

When your project is complete, there are options to save it to file, optimise your movie for various mobile devices, or even burn it to DVD.

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5. MPEG Streamclip 1.2.1b6

With a download size of only 327KB, you'd expect MPEG Streamclip to be, well, a little underpowered. And yet, the program opens multiple files, DVDs or URLs of video streams; can trim, cut, copy or paste parts of your footage; and has options to rotate your footage or export the soundtrack, while its Export dialog provides more control over your finished video than some commercial products.

MPEG Streamclip

It's not all good news - we had problems playing back some MP4 files - but if you're just looking for trimming and file conversion features then MPEG Streamclip is definitely worth a try.

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6. VirtualDub

It looks a little dated now, and only works fully with AVI files, but if that's your format of choice then VirtualDub has plenty to offer.

A clean and clear interface helps you navigate through and trim your clips, there are plenty of filters - sharpen, blur, resize, rotate (at any angle, not just 90 degree increments), brightness, colour and contrast tweaks - and optional plugs add even more capabilities.

VirtualDub

Learning how to use all these functions can take a little while, as you'll need to explore some very lengthy menus to find them. But if you need an AVI processor, though, VirtualDub is still worth the effort.

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7. Free Video Dub

At first glance Free Video Dub looks like just another video trimming tool: step through the source movie, select the left and right points, cut that section from the video and save the results.

Free Video Dub

What's different here, though, is that the program doesn't re-encode your movie, so no matter how much trimming you do, no video quality will be lost. And if you have a lengthy clip which requires a lot of work then that could be very useful indeed.

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8. Lightworks

If it's real editing power you need, then Lightworks is the best of the free package. Its feature-packed timeline, strong multicam support, realtime effects and smart trimming tools are so impressive, in fact, that the program has regularly been used to help produce top Hollywood movies such as Mission Impossible and Batman.

Lightworks

There is a price to pay for all this functionality, though: an extremely steep learning curve. This is not a tool for beginners, and you should expect to spend plenty of time reading the documentation before you can do anything useful at all.

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9. Freemake Video Converter

As you'll probably guess from the name, Freemake Video Converter is primarily a video conversion tool (and a very good one, too) - but it can also double as a simple video editor.

Freemake Video Converter

Drag and drop your clips onto the program and you can arrange them into order, cut each one to suit your needs, flip or rotate individual clips and convert them to your preferred format (or even upload the finished movie directly to YouTube). And all in a polished, professional and very easy-to-use interface.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Software : Chromecast app for streaming your own videos? Not on Google's watch

Chromecast app for streaming your own videos? Not on Google's watch

Posted:

Chromecast is Google's answer to Apple TV and Roku, but it seems users who want to stream their own videos will have to look elsewhere for now.

Previously users were streaming custom content to Chromecast with an Android app called AllCast (or sometimes AirCast, due to a trademark dispute).

But the most recent Chromecast firmware update killed support for the app, seeming to make it clear where Google stands on streaming unofficial content.

We've asked Google to confirm that it really did intend to kill AllCast support (maybe it was an accident!) and we'll update you if we hear back.

"A heavy handed approach"

When it worked AllCast could stream users' videos from Dropbox, Google Drive, or a phone.

AllCast was in beta, and the app's developer, Koushik Dutta, was planning to release it on Google Play. But he told The Verge that he believes Google killed the app intentionally.

"The policy seems to be a heavy handed approach, where only approved content will be played through the device," he said, drawing the conclusion that "the Chromecast will probably not be indie developer friendly."

Chromecast currently supports official content from the Google Play store, Netflix and Youtube.

But the Google dongle can also mirror browser tabs in Chrome, so creative users will no doubt find ways around most restrictions.

Chromecast: Is it third time's a charm for Google and TV?

Updated: 30 best apps for college

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30 best apps for college - best document apps

University life is all about finding a balance between having fun and studying because whether you're a freshman or a senior, it's tough to stay focused with so much going on around you.

You're juggling a social life with studying plus holding down a part-time job and applying for internships all the while struggling to figure out your major (and life in general). Whew, it's tiring just thinking about it.

So with all that in mind, we've rounded up the 30 best apps to help you study and organize, plus a bit more (think exercise and finding good deals).

Some apps are free, and some are not, but we've tried to find the cheapest Apple and Android apps for your student budgets to help make everything about college just a tad easier.

Best document apps

These apps are great for saving your papers and for writing (or recording) notes during lectures. Plus you won't have to worry about losing files again if everything is saved to a cloud server, which can be accessed from multiple devices.

1. Google Drive

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Who needs Microsoft Word when you have Google Drive? Nothing against Word, but you can at least access your Drive files from any other device with an internet connection. You can only create documents and spreadsheets but you can upload photos and access PDFs.

Google Drive

2. Pages

Price: $9.99 (£6.41, AUD$11.06)

Available on: iOS

Pages is an iOS-only app and you have to pay to get it but it works really well. You can create different types of documents and save them to the cloud server and work on later if you prefer using a larger screen. The automatic saves are also a nice little feature.

Pages

3. Super Note

Price: Free, or $2.99 (£1.92, AUD$3.31)

Available on: iOS

This app is a decent little note-taking tool. There are a few color coded options to choose from all with the ability to record voice memos and makes it easy to avoid clutter. You can also download your notes but it involves the extra step of emailing it to yourself or manually typing in a link address. There is also a limit to the amount of notes you can take but for the small amount of $2.99 (£1.92, AUD$3.31) you're getting a deal.

Super Note

4. Noteshelf

Price: $5.99 (£3.85, AUD$6.63)

Available on: iOS, iPad

Noteshelf is even more comprehensive than Super Note. This app is essentially your very own virtual notebook shelf with tons of customization options for each notebook and a bunch of editing tools - which is great for all the classes you'll be taking.

Noteshelf

5. Evernote

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Evernote is probably one of the most popular note-taking apps, and upon download, it's not difficult to see why. The app does nearly everything, from syncing across multiple devices to creating notes and lists, Evernote is bound to be a staple for college life.

Evernote

30 best apps for college- best textbook apps

Best textbook apps

College textbooks are ridiculously expensive (on top of your already ridiculously high tuition) so we've tried to find the best apps that give you the best priced books in an easy to use, hassle-free way.

6. Chegg

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Rent or buy from Chegg's app and then read your e-textbook on the go! Nifty features also include previews, scanning barcodes and buying the physical copies if you're not into e-books.

Chegg

7. OverDrive Media Console

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Your university probably has more than one beautiful library on campus for your perusal. But if your back is going to break with all your books, the OverDrive Media Console app houses an e-library with a huge selection of e-books and audiobooks. Create lists, place holds and automatic returns with no late fees are great perks of this app, however a valid account with a participating library is required (as it should be).

OverDrive Media Console

8. Google Play Books

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Boasting an equally large library as OverDrive, Google Play Books has an assortment of books you can read. There are the usual free classics for English class readily available but the store also lists the best sellers as well.

Google Play Books

9. Kindle

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Similar to Google Play Books, Kindle also has a wide range of books to choose from including a bunch of free classics. The Kindle app also has the added feature of borrowing e-books from your local library and having them delivered to your device.

Kindle

10. CourseSmart

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Essentially a rental service for e-textbooks, CourseSmart provides decently priced textbooks and even subscription packages. After signing up on CourseSmart's website for a free account, you'll have access to the app's textbooks. Nice features include offline access, adding, editing and syncing personal notes plus keyword searches.

CourseSmart

30 best apps for college - best organization apps

Best organization apps

Stay on top of your classes and extracurricular activities with these organization apps. A few seem to repeat, but we figure you can try them out to see which one works best for you since we think they're all pretty darn useful.

11. Timetable

Price: Free

Available on: Android

Seemingly aimed at high school students, this wonderful little organization app shouldn't be overlooked for college. With a simple yet great looking UI, Timetable has calendars, grids for classes, notifications for lessons, task lists and syncing between devices. Timetable also has a neat little tool that auto-mutes your phone during class.

Timetable

12. Google Keep

Price: Free

Available on: Android

Similar to Evernote, Google Keep basically does the same thing - checklists, photo notes with annotations and voice notes. It's worth adding to this list since it can be synced with Google Drive and sometimes, it's just nice to have everything in one place. Plus it's great for making a quick list of things to do.

Google Keep

13. Mailbox

Price: Free

Available on: iOS

Though Mailbox is only available on iOS and for Gmail, it's a great tool that goes beyond the limited inbuilt mail system from Apple. Mailbox is capable of easily sorting through your mail into whatever folder you need in an efficient manner to keep your inbox clutter free so you don't lost another important email from your professor.

Mailbox

14. Google Calendar

Price: Free

Available on: Android

If you just need an event-only calendar without the fuss of notes and memos options, then Google Calendar is a great app for you. It syncs with your Gmail and can even invite people to your parties. It's also got a lovely UI with customizable colors but remains simple and easy to use. For the iOS version try downloading CalenMob.

Google Calendar

15. Any.DO

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Any.DO is beautifully designed planning app that has almost everything you would need. It allows cloud syncing, has time and location reminders, calendar view, speech recognition, repeating tasks and more. With Any.DO, you'll never need a paper planner again.

Any.DO

30 best apps for college- best reference apps

Best reference apps

Giant reference books are tools of the past thanks to the internet, and now you can take them with you everywhere. We've found a small bunch of reference apps that we've deemed the best (plus an app that's more of a graphing tool) so you don't have to do all the digging yourself.

16. Dictionary.com

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Stuck on a word in class? This handy app is incredibly useful and surprisingly thorough and fast. Peruse the whole dictionary and even the thesaurus, plus listen to audio pronunciations for when you come across words like "floccinaucinihilipilification." (Don't know what that word means? Download the app and look it up! No cheating and using your computer though).

Dictionary.com

17. ReferenceME

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Bibliographies are quite possibly one of the worst things about writing papers. ReferenceME therefore, is a fantastic app to have on hand as it can scan a barcaode then email the biblio to you for easy essay input. ReferenceME creates Bibliographies and Citations/Footnotes for Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, MHRA, MLA, Oxford and APA.

ReferenceME

18. Quick Graph

Price: Free

Available on: iOS

Graphic calculators are pretty pricey but not if you download Quick Graph. It's capable of quickly displaying equations in both 2D and 3D, in all standard coordinate systems: cartesian, polar, spherical and cylindrical, which can be copied, emailed or saved to the photo library.

Quick Graph

19. Wolfram Alpha

Price: $2.99 (£1.92, AUD$3.31)

Available on: iOS, Android

Wolfram Alpha uses its massive collection of algorithms and data to compute answers and generate reports covering topics like statistics to linguistics and even colors.

Wolfram Alpha

20. Visual Anatomy Lite/Visual Anatomy Free

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Visual Anatomy is a well made app providing science students with an amazingly comprehensive image and info database of the human anatomy. The app features 58 high-resolution images and more than 300 feature points which can be interactively selected with its own labels and little descriptions.

Visual Anatomy

30 best apps for college - best social apps

Best social apps

Since you'll probably be far from home during your college career (or traveling abroad), we know you'll want to keep in contact with friends and family so we've got the best apps to call home with below. You'll also find a few apps for those celebratory post-exam nights.

21. Skype

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

You probably have Skype on you laptop but why not your phone and tablet too? After all, you never know if you'll feel like calling home to say hi to the family.

Skype

22. Viber

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Traveling abroad is a big part of college and Viber is a great way to keep in touch with home (or your new long distance friends when you're back on campus). Completely free, use Viber to call, text and send photo/video messages worldwide over Wi-Fi or 3G. If you're saving money by using Wi-Fi, the app can cut in and out so be wary of spotty connections. But it's free, so we can't really complain.

Viber

23. DrinkOwl

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

It's Friday night and you want to have a night out with friends. If you're over 21, DrinkOwl is a great app to find drink specials around town based on user input. Just remember to drink responsibly!

DrinkOwl

24. Last Call

Price: Free

Available on: iOS

Speaking of drinking responsibly, Last Call is a blood alcohol calculator app that helps you figure out how much you've had to drink, and acts as a little alcohol log throughout the night. It's also able to call you a cab back to the dorms if you've gone a bit over which is a handy feature to have. Android's AlcoDroid app is a nice equivalent for non-iOS users.

Last Call

25. Groupon

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Dorm life means skimping on meals and eating at the cafeteria as much as possible. However there will be times when hanging out requires a little more finesse and that's where Groupon comes in. The popular deals site as an app makes saving easy if away from a printer and computer=. Since every deal is immediately ready to use, you can snatch it up, head to the location and use the voucher right from your mobile device as easy as 1-2-3 (which is also useful with large groups of indecisive college friends).

Groupon

30 best apps for college - best apps for

Best apps for everything else

None of these apps really fit into our categories so we created a new one because you can never have too many helpful tools.

26. Zillow

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

If you're sick of using Craigslist in your apartment or roommate search, try giving Zillow a go. You'll probably still get headaches from searching, but at least the app is presented in an easy to use layout with a lot of great features.

Zillow

27. Mint

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Don't lose track of your funds in the midst of your studying and socializing. Mint makes this process of budgeting much easier with tracking your spending and proving nice little charts and graphs.

Mint

28. MapMyRun

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Exercise your body along with you brain by using MapMyRun to help motivate you. What sets this app apart is the fact that all you need to do is press one button and you're good to go as it will record your route via GPS, mileage, time and calculate burned calories. Heck, you could map dog walking if you wanted since there are over 600 options to pick from.

MapMyRun

29. Amazon Student

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

Amazon has a great discount program on its site for students and we know you guys need as many deals as possible. Download this app to find discounts on various items plus sign up for Prime at half the price for free two day shipping for however long you're in school with a valid college email address.

Amazon Student

30. LinkedIn

Price: Free

Available on: iOS, Android

It's never too late to start networking and building an online presence (in fact, you should get on that ASAP). Start your internet resume with LinkedIn to connect with professors, classmates and past employers so future employers can see you're putting your college years to work.