Ipad & Iphone User

REPLACE APPLE’S APPS NOW

APP REVIEWS, TIPS AND BUYING ADVICE FOR iOS ADDICTS

93 APPS & GAMES REVIEWED

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO iWatch revolution iPAD COMIC READERS Nothing will be the same

Master iCloud Advanced syncing masterclass Meet the PowerSkin for Apple® iPhone 5 www.powerskin.co.uk

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Untitled-1 1 21/03/2013 11:34 WELCOME

EDITORIAL Editor David Price 020 7756 2867 [email protected] Editorial assistant Ashleigh Allsopp 020 7756 2918 [email protected] Email me your thoughts: [email protected] Art director Mandie Johnson Or contact me on Twitter: twitter.com/pricivius 020 7756 2881 [email protected] Production editor Rob Woodcock 020 7756 2876 [email protected] Games editor Alec Meer [email protected] WHAT’S NEXT? ADVERTISING Head of sales Steve Marshall h, Samsung. Will your cheeky capers never end? [email protected] You accuse Apple of valuing marketing magic above Group ad manager Tom Drummond [email protected] product innovation, then you outspend Apple’s Senior account manager Michael Newton marketing budget by $68m. You make snide adverts 020 7756 2836 [email protected] Account manager Tom How about Apple customers queuing up for new iPhones 020 7756 2833 [email protected] Owith tiny changes, then unveil a Galaxy S4 that couldn’t be picked Sales executive Becky Clewarth 020 7756 2803 [email protected] out in an S3 police line-up. And you claim not to copy Apple’s products, but then do everything you can – bar resurrecting Steve PRODUCTION Head of digital production Richard Bailey Jobs to do a zombie keynote – to copy its launch events. 020 7756 2839 [email protected] In the world of Apple and not-Apple (a position currently

CIRCULATION & MARKETING occupied by Samsung), double standards are par for the course; Marketing manager Ash Patel but the contrasting receptions given to the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4 020 7756 2861 [email protected] are still vexing. Everyone else rolls FINANCE out cautious, iterative upgrades Financial director Chris Norman In an ideal world, of Credit controller Dawnette Gordon and gets a cheer for trying, Purchase ledger clerk Lyn McNicol but Apple has to redefi ne the course, every Apple Accountant Parit Shah product category every time. launch would be like PUBLISHING In an ideal world, of course, Editor in chief Mark Hattersley 020 7756 2879 [email protected] every Apple launch would be like the fi rst iPhone Publishing director Simon Jary the fi rst iPhone: thrilling, new, 020 7756 2808 [email protected] Managing director Kit Gould and ripe with possibilities. But no company can keep that up forever. Some, as Samsung has shown once again, never manage it at all. Still, we can all dream, and like most of you, we love to come

iPad & iPhone User is published by IDG UK up with ideas for future Apple products. Starting on page 16, we IDG UK, 101 Euston Road, London NW1 2RA sift through some intriguing concepts for the next iPad, iPhone and Tel: 020 7756 2800 Printer: Wyndeham Press Group Ltd 01621 877 777 version of iOS. Who knows? These could appear in the Apple launch Distribution: Seymour Distribution Ltd 020 7429 4000 line-up of 2014. And, perhaps, in the Samsung line-up of 2015. No material may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission. While every care is taken, the publisher cannot be held legally responsible for any errors in articles, listings or advertisements. David Price All material copyright IDG UK 2013

Cover artwork: artist’s conception of iWatch by Nickolay Lamm from MyVoucherCodes.co.uk by Nickolay Lamm from conception of iWatch Cover artwork: artist’s EDITOR

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iPad & iPhone User 2013 3

003 Intro 73.indd 3 25/03/2013 18:12 CONTENTS WIN A YEAR’S BROADBAND SEE PAGE 9

16 APPLE: NEXT GENERATION From iPhone mini to iPad 5, from iPhone 6 and iWatch to iOS 7; we bring you our fantasy Apple launch line-up for 2013 and beyond.

14 THE iWATCH REVOLUTION 24 What would change if Apple READING COMICS ON THE IPAD announced an iWatch next week? Tablets have breathed new life into Almost everything, we predict. comics. We show you the best ways to enjoy comics on your iPad.

NEWS NEW GADGETS 03 WELCOME 6 All the hot 10 The tech kit 06 NEWS HEADLINES headlines in and accessories 10 NEWS NEW GADGETS your iPad, we’re currently 12 NEWS APPS & GAMES 56 HIT LIST BUYERS GUIDE iPhone lusting after. 66 OPINION KIRK MCELHEARN and iPod world.

4 iPad & iPhone User 2013 iPAD & iPHONE USER ISSUE 73: MAY 2013

44 I’ve got the power Charging tips to prevent you running out of juice 46 Seize the moment Jot it down quickly with CaptureNotes 2’s range of advanced tools 48 Living in the past with Timehop Find out what you were up to a year ago today 50 Syncing with iCloud Get down to business with iCloud 54 Productivity-boosting stock app alternatives Four awesome replacements for Calendar, 50-53 Syncing with iCloud Mail, Notes and Reminders Learn how to master iCloud’s syncing components, among its 55 Clean your lawn in Plants vs Zombies most valuable core offerings, in this months iCloud how to. Games academy: master a classic iPad game

31 Sonoro cuboDock One-box stereo loudspeaker, with the option of Bluetooth wireless HARDWARE: 30 Gear4 StreetParty 5 Lightning speaker dock Orbitsound M9 wireless soundbar/sub-woofer 31 Otone Varsa mini soundbar Just Mobile Gum Plus 32 Sonoro cuboDock wireless speaker Neat, smart little battery unit 32 Just Mobile Gum Plus portable charger Wahoo RFLKT bike computer 33 Belkin Thunderstorm iPad case Musubo Retro iPhone 5 case Dodocase Classic iPad case

APPS: 34 ProCutX for Final Cut Pro X iStopMotion for iPad 35 Kodable Wood Camera – Vintage Photo Editor Alt Photo 36 WeatherPro Horizon Calendar MeteoEarth

BOOK CLUB:

▼ ▼ 37 The Hare With Amber Eyes: 34 iStopMotion for iPad 35 Kodable The Illustrated Edition Version two of the excellent animation app Teach your kids coding basics GAMES:

38 Real Racing 3 39 Shifts Year Walk Capsized+ 40 Little Inferno 41 iCueda Zombies, Run!

SEQ ▼

41 Zombies, Run! ▼ 38 Real Racing 3 Undead-themed ﬁ tness app A free, fun and beautiful driving game

iPad & iPhone User 2013 5 Should Apple be scared of Samsung’s new Galaxy S4? Not really, say analysts, following Samsung’s latest smartphone launch

n 14 March Samsung revealed the Galaxy S4. We’ve since seen Apple react with a new web page describing what’s so Ogreat about the iPhone, coupled with a promotional email. We’ve seen analysts question whether the S4 will be a match for the next iPhone. And we’ve laughed at the rumours from around the web about Samsung’s “misogynistic” and “embarrassing” launch event. So what’s the big deal about the Galaxy S4, and should Apple be worried? The general consensus is no, and following the S4 launch Apple’s share price has risen. The Galaxy S4 won’t actually be available until late April, nor is it all that different to the S3. It’s marginally smaller than its predecessor and slightly Battle eld Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 is the latest challenger to Apple’s iPhone 5 thicker than the iPhone 5. Samsung’s handset has a Super Amoled display with MacKenzie said: “I went from laughing to feeling embarrassed a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080, compared to the iPhone 5’s at some of the acting. Watching the presentation, it looks like 1,136 x 640 resolution, while its 441 pixels per inch is also they invested a lot in marketing instead of innovation.” higher than that of Apple’s handset, which is 326ppi. The S4 comes with a 1.6GHz octa-core processor; the iPhone Analyst reaction has a 1.2GHz dual-core chip. In the run up to the event there was talk about how Apple The S4 also features two cameras, and signiﬁ cantly, the should be scared about the new phone – in fact the company’s ability to use both cameras at the same time. We wonder at marketing head, Phil Schiller, even gave two interviews the the practical implication of this, additional bandwidth aside. day before the launch Some experts expect that the advanced features, which also event in which he “Looking at the include eye-tracking functionality, may overwhelm some users. blasted Google. presentation, it The concern may Distancing from Google have been unwarranted. looks like Samsung Samsung has, however, decided to use the year-old Android Topeka Capital Markets invested a lot in 4.2.2 as its operating system, and the company went to analyst Brian White great lengths to demonstrate its own software at the launch was unimpressed with marketing instead event, leading some to suggest it’s trying to distance itself the S4. He claimed of innovation” from Google. Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg tweeted: that the plastic casing – HTC president “What’s interesting is Samsung clearly pushing their own is “no match” for the ecosystem over Google’s.” aluminium enclosure The Korean company introduced a number of new of the iPhone. The S4 is “evolutionary” but it is also “heavier, software features, including Group Play (for sharing music, fatter and less reﬁ ned than the iPhone 5,” White said. He also photos, documents and games using NFC); S Translate noted that adding features is “the easy stuff to do” but when (voice-based language translation); Smart Pause (pauses a it comes to the app ecosystem, the iPhone still holds the cards. video if you look away); and Voice Drive (for using maps Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray also suggested that the S4 and navigation when driving). was “unlikely to meaningfully impact the iPhone”. The launch wasn’t received well. Described as “cringe- However, Ben Reitzes of Barclays Capital sounded a note of worthy”, the event consisted of sketches that featured warning. “Samsung’s momentum is a major issue for Apple,” “50s-era stereotypes” of women. HTC president Jason he said. “We need to see Apple expand its iPhone market this MacKenzie called the Samsung event “embarrassing”. year in a big way – and improve its platform.”

6 iPad & iPhone User 2013 UNPLUGGED.

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RUMOURS

iPHONE 6 COMPONENTS TO BEGIN SHIPPING END OF MAY iPHONE 6 WILL HAVE ‘KILLER FEATURE’ TO BEAT GALAXY S4 APPLE’S WWDC EVENT TO TAKE PLACE 10-15 JUNE iPAD 5 TO ARRIVE IN APRIL OR JUNE iWATCH TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR AROUND 10-15 JUNE Apple executive blasts APPLE RELEASES iOS 6.1.3 Apple released iOS 6.1.3 on 19 March, Android, Samsung an update to the operating system Marketing boss Schiller tweets “Be safe out there” that powers iPhones, iPads and iPod touches. Included in the update is a pple’s marketing chief, Phil Schiller, has criticised Samsung and Google’s fi x for a recently discovered means of A Android, which he says is fragmented and has security issues. On 7 March, breaking past the lock screen, along he took to Twitter to have a dig at Android, highlighting a security report that with Maps improvements for Japan. shows malware threats on the operating system have increased. However, less than a day after the Schiller wrote: “Be safe out there” in his tweet, linking to F-Secure’s latest update was released, it was discovered Mobile Threat Report, which reveals 96 new families and variants of Android that iOS 6.1.3 has a new bug that malware were found in the fourth quarter of 2012 alone, almost doubling allows users to bypass the lock screen the number recorded in the previous quarter. No new iOS malware was found on an iPhone 4. during this period. It’s worth noting that, following his tweet, three researchers Apple’s iOS 6.1.3 update plugs revealed App Store users had been vulnerable to attack for six months because exploits that allowed Evad3ers Dev Apple didn’t fully encrypt traffi c travelling between its App Store and users. Team to release an unthethered In addition to his tweet, Schiller also highlighted the “plain and simple” jailbreak. Apple did, however, credit fragmentation of the Android operating system as a problem, which he said the hackers for fi nding the exploits in “extends to the news we are hearing this week that the Samsung Galaxy its iOS 6.1.3 security note. S4 is being rumoured to ship with an operating system that’s nearly a year old” during an interview with Reuters on the eve of the S4’s launch. In a second interview on the same day, this one with The Wall Street Journal, Schiller argued: “Android is often given as a free replacement for a feature phone, and the experience isn’t as good as an iPhone.” Sculley: Apple needs ‘creative leap’ That’s what Apple excels at, says ex-CEO John Sculley he former CEO of Apple John Sculley believes the Tcompany is experiencing a “lull in innovation”. What it needs is the next creative leap, he argued APPLE PATENTS INDUCTIVE during an interview on CNBA Asia. “You have periods of time that are ‘creative leap’ SMART COVER WITH BATTERY areas,” he elaborated. “That’s what Apple excels A new Apple patent spotted this at – it’s a creative leap company. In the last 10 years, month describes an iPad Smart Cover we’ve had a creative leap decade in technology. We’ve seen social media, that acts as an inductive charging we’ve seen 3G, mobile wireless, you’ve seen companies like Apple, Google, point to provide wireless power to Facebook, all doing extremely well. Then you run into a decade like we’re the iPad and other devices. Apple’s just sort of in right now – the fast follower evolution decade. invention could take power wirelessly “We’re not at a big breakthrough point in time, but fast followers from a plugged-in iPad and store it excel. So Samsung, an excellent fast follower, is doing well. What within an internal battery to send Apple needs is the next era of creative leap.” the other direction when you use the Sculley also believes Apple should focus its attention on emerging tablet, or it could be plugged into the markets such as China and India. “Right now, Samsung is much more mains via Apple’s Lightning connector. aggressive in this part of the world,” he argued.

8 iPad & iPhone User 2013 Win a year’s iPad broadband!

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Competition in association with Activeyou. Activeyou.co.uk is a third party competition site. †sim activation required to enter the prize draw, this requires £10 credit to be applied online, please refer to O2 terms and conditions for further details. 12 months iPad sim broadband applies to a maximum of 1GB data per month and will be applied as credit to the person’s account. ††20% discount applies to all O2 accessories in the O2 accessories shop online, with every verified sim request. This offer is open to UK residents only. Entrants must be 18 years of age. Proof of age will be required before the prize is dispatched. This promotion may be conducted over several different websites simultaneously. 10 winners will be selected at midday on Monday 13th May. Please review our terms & conditions for more information. Images and brands shown are for illustrative purposes only. By entering the competition or promotional offer you consent to receive information and promotions from ActiveYou.co.uk; digitalbox, our Clients and our Partners; IDG UK; plus selected third parties. IDG UK’s terms and conditions can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/T8DAZg. digitalbox / ActiveYou 3rd Party competition terms and conditions can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/Rp88Jn. Copyright © 2013 digitalbox Limited. ActiveYou is a trading style of digitalbox Limited. All rights reserved.

IDG_O2iPadSIMBroadband_IPAIPU.indd 1 21/03/2013 13:32 ASHLEIGH ALLSOPP PRESENTS THE BEST NEW & NOTEWORTHY NEW KIT FOR YOUR iPAD, iPHONE AND iPOD

Flying high

Fli Tunes £12.95 www.prezzybox.com This crazy contraption could come in handy as summer approaches. Ideal for trips to the beach or picnics in the park, Fli Tunes is an audio ampliﬁ er for your iPhone or iPod that also doubles as a Frisbee when ﬂ attened. As well as being waterproof, lightweight and wire-free, the Fli Tunes doesn’t require batteries in order to give your iPhone’s music a boost.

VERDICT: Fli Tunes is a neat little gadget for holidaymakers and outdoor lovers. Just don’t forget to remove your iPhone before you throw it!

Natural noise On the case

Griffi n WoodTones PowerSkin Over-The-Ear Headphones £64.99 £79.99 www.powerskin.co.uk www.griffi ntechnology.com If your iPhone 5 runs out of power on a regular Available in beech, sapele and basis, you might benefi t from a PowerSkin walnut, the Griffi n WoodTones battery case, which offers up to 6.5 hours Headphones have noise- additional talk time, according to the company. isolating over-ear pads that The PowerSkin aim to ensure comfortable for iPhone 5 listening for long periods also doubles of time. The headphones as a protective come with a remote control case, while only and microphone on the adding 8mm to detachable cable. For extra the thickness of portability, the WoodTones the device. LED have foldable earcups. indicators help you know when to charge the PowerSkin, and an included earphone extender means you can listen to music without removing the battery case.

VERDICT: The Grifﬁ n WoodTones VERDICT: A great solution to keep your Headphones bring a touch of nature power-hungry iPhone 5 on the go as long as to audio technology. you. The ultra-angular design is a real bonus.

10 iPad & iPhone User 2013 CATWALK

THE BEST-LOOKING iPAD & iPHONE CASES

Crystal clear

Crystal Acoustics i-40-EN £29 www.crystalaudiovideo.com The new Crystal Acoustics i-40-EN in-ear headphones aim to make good-quality audio affordable. At just £29, the i-40s are made from aluminium, and include a microphone and three- BELKIN LEGO CASES PRICE: TBC button remote on the anti-tangle ﬂ at cable. URL: www.belkin.com Crystal Acoustics provides three sizes of soft silicon ear tips and extra double- and triple-stage dip ear canal tips for added noise cancellation. A carrying case is included.

VERDICT: You get lots for your cash with the Crystal Acoustics i-40 in-ear headphones.

BE.EZ LAROBE ALLURE PRICE: £19.95 URL: www.amazon.co.uk

Hot stuff

Epiphany onE Puck From $150 www.epiphanylabs.com CUSHI PLUS RETRO PRICE: $24.95 (£16.53) Picture this: you’re in the pub and your iPhone’s URL: www.idamericany.com battery is on its last legs. Enter the Epiphany onE Puck, which uses heat disparities, such as a hot or cold drink, a candle or ice, to charge an iPhone or other USB device. The onE Puck connects to your handset using its USB cable, and will charge it up when a mug of coffee, an icy glass of water, or in this case a cold pint of beer is placed on to its coaster-like surface.

VERDICT: Cool! Epiphany says the tech could power a household in the future.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 11 NEW & NOTEWORTHY THE BEST NEW APPS, GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT

NEW APPS ON iTUNES

SequenceApp (Free) PicTapGo (£1.49) BBC Earth Wonders With eight patterns By remembering your (£2.49) to play with and 30 favourite photo effects, This new app from samples from classic and allowing you to the BBC brings users drum machines, customise and save images, video clips this circular audio fi lters, PicTapGo helps and interesting facts sequencer is ideal for speed up snapping, about creatures that creating polyrhythms, editing and sharing roam the Earth and the electronica and techno. photos on your iPhone. landscapes they live in. Facetune (£1.49) RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We were impressed by Facetune’s powerful yet easy-to-use photo editing features. Ideal for touching up portraits, the app lets you whiten teeth, smooth skin, emphasise details and even Path on (£1.49) Meetings for iPhone Files App (69p) reshape the face of your subject. It provides a patch Add text to photos (£2.99) Keep everything in one tool for removing blemishes and a tones tool that with this new app, Designed to make place with Files App, can recolour grey hair, for example. There’s red- which lets you draw a meetings more which lets you read eye removal and a defocus tool for blurring out path of any shape with productive, this app PDFs and Offi ce fi les, backgrounds. To top it all off, Facetune also has a your fi nger to fl ow your offers easy minute- view videos and photos, fi lters tool to add various effects and frames to your words along. There are taking, action planning listen to music, get fi nal image. It’s one of the best photo-editing apps also pre-made paths to and cloud syncing fi les from Dropbox and for iPhone we’ve tried. choose from. between devices. store ZIP and AVI fi les. NEW GAMES ON iTUNES

Infect Them All 2: Nightmerica (69p) Cognition Episode 1 Zombies (69p) Use randomly (£2.49) This sequel to Infect generated weapons FBI agent Erica Reed Them All has eight to fi ght monsters in needs your help to playable zombies to this retro-style arcade catch four serial killers. help you turn everyone game. Three arenas, Find clues hidden by a in town into the walking 20 different monsters mystery aide to track dead. Each zombie has and wave-based down ‘The Hangman’ in different moves, skills battles make for an this fi rst episode, drawn and upgrades to unlock. action-packed app. by comic book artists. Slingshot Puzzle HD (69p) RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Alawar Entertainment’s Slingshot Puzzle HD is a challenging but addictive iPad puzzle game, with gorgeous graphics and a fun soundtrack. The aim is to get the golden ball into the hole by using the slingshot to propel it towards the goal. Trenches II (Free) Up In Flames (69p) 1001 Attempts (69p) Of course, it’s not that easy. You’ll need to avoid Lead your troops Chillingo’s new physics- This universal game obstacles and use various objects to help you reach into battle across 50 based puzzler sees Baff aims to make you the hole, while trying to collect three blue gems on locations. Customise the Dragon unleash his addicted to its simple the way. There are 126 levels of varying diffi culty your army, either fi re-breathing powers gameplay. Dodge to complete, with seven different worlds and three British, German or to free his friends missiles, sawblades and board types to choose from. French, with more than from sharks, wolves laser beams to collect 20 different units. and yetis. loads of jewels.

12 iPad & iPhone User 2013

NEW COMICS ON iTUNES

FAVOURITE NEW Ellerbisms (£3.49) MAPS APP Ellerbisms is a collection of Marc Ellerby’s autobiographical web comics. They began as sporadic tellings of trivial events, but became a love story when he met a Swedish girl called Vio (£1.99) Anna at Gatwick Airport Turn your voice into an instrument in 2007. with this universal app that uses pitch correction, harmonies and gesture control within an interactive visualiser. Avengers Prime (£4.49) Marvel has collected all ﬁ ve issues of Avengers Prime from 2010 and 2011 into one iBooks Field Trip (Free) comic that sees heroes RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Thor, Iron Man and Steve Rogers (aka Captain Google’s customisable Field America) band together Trip app helps you discover once more following the new places of interest. Siege of Asgard. You can set it to let you know when you’re close CaptureAudio (£1.49) to something cool such as Record voice memos and organise them. Jaybird (£2.99) an historic building or an With CaptureAudio, you can also ‘Flag’ This 133-page-long upcoming concert. important points within memos, so you graphic novel by Lauri can easily come back to them later. Ahonen and Jaakko Ahonen portrays the story of an adorable little bird, who lives in a large, dusty, cobweb- ﬁ lled house, with just his bedridden mother and spiders for company.

Young Justice Vol.1 Penumbear (£1.49) Gravity.Duck (69p) Eighty-Eight (£1.49) Play with light to This universal puzzle Test your number (£7.49) solve puzzles and help platform game has logic skills in this Based on the Cartoon Penumbear escape the 100 levels and three addictive puzzle Network series, DC’s dark castle basement environments though game for iPhone. Win Young Justice Volume 1 across this platformer’s which Gravity Duck badges to help you sees teenage heroes 100 levels. Fight against can walk on walls and beat your high-score, Robin, Kid Flash, Superboy monsters and bosses ceilings to avoid death- and show off your and Miss Martian take and discover secret by-spikes and reach the achievements on on the League of Shadows levels and characters. goal. Quackers. Game Center. and the Joker.

The Walking Dead (£7.49) The Walking Dead comic, which has been adapted into a hit US TV series, Cyto (69p) Unmechanical (£1.99) Dojo Danger (69p) follows the story of police Cyto is a cute creature Embark on a puzzle- It’s Ninjas against ofﬁ cer Rick Grimes, one who needs your help ﬁ lled adventure with Zombies in this turn- of the few survivors of a to collect memory a little helicopter who based strategy game zombie apocalypse. There fragments throughout has become trapped in that lets you choose are currently 17 volumes his colourful universe. a mysterious 3D world from more than 30 of The Walking Dead There are 81 puzzling full of secrets that you’ll characters, each with available on iBooks. levels to play through. need to uncover. individual abilities.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 13 THE iWATCH REVOLUTION

The iWatch revolution What would change if Apple announced an iWatch next week? Almost everything, predicts Ryan Faas

efore we begin, a confession. We including the Pebble watch, which can pair haven’t tested the iWatch yet. To be with an iPhone or Android phone. Many are B honest, we haven’t seen it. You know also anticipated uses for Google Glass, which what? We don’t even know it exists, or that is expected to ship by the end of the year. it’s ever going to. Phew! Glad that’s out there. All of these capabilities have direct What we do know is that wearable business potential. The updates that can computing is one of this year’s major trends, be displayed on an iWatch are often those whether or not Apple decides to join in. that professionals check throughout the day. (And between the two of us, there’s a fair bit Accessing them in an unobtrusive way on a of evidence that it will.) From the Kickstarter- wearable device would allow workers to check funded Pebble smartwatch to the Google notiﬁ cations in real time without disrupting Glass head-mounted display, numerous a meeting – or even a casual conversation – companies are responding to consumer by pulling out their phone and unlocking it. interest in super-portable communications. It’s likely to be a highly disruptive trend, Two-factor authentication too: almost all aspects of personal computing While distraction-free meetings are a big will be affected. If and when Apple drops business innovation for an iWatch, they’re its iWatch, you can expect some ﬁ reworks. relatively small compared to what such a device could mean in terms of data security. In iPhone’s best friend? Business potential fact, an iWatch could be the perfect solution (opposite) Reports about the iWatch indicate that it to many IT concerns about mobile devices. Will the iWatch work would be tethered to an iPhone or iPad The key is that the iWatch would be with the iPhone, or bring that would provide a stream of content and designed to pair with a mobile device – most its usefulness to an end? alerts to the wearer, including email, caller likely an iPhone. That offers an easy way to set Artist’s impression by ID, calendar info and updates of pre-selected up advanced authentication. The iWatch could Nickolay Lamm from information like weather reports and stock replace a passcode on an iPhone or iPad. If MyVoucherCodes.co.uk. quotes. All of these ideas are present in the iWatch is in range, the iOS device could Main illustration: existing smartwatches coming to market, unlock without a passcode, saving users’ time. James Walker

14 iPad & iPhone User 2013 iPHONE IS DEAD, LONG LIVE iWATCH? IF APPLE LAUNCHES A SMARTWATCH, ITS OWN PRODUCTS MAY SUFFER

It’s not just Apple’s rivals that face people access the internet and In fact, back in the summer a rude awakening. Some analysts connect to each other.” another analyst was suggesting that reckon wearable computing will Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Apple needs to kill the iPhone, and land on the world of mobile Munster has argued that wearable that disruption is the path to the technology like a prehistoric computers could replace the iPhone future. It’s not only disruption of asteroid, pulverising the iPhone just and smartphones in general over markets that makes Apple successful as much as non-Apple smartphones. the next 10-plus years. “We believe – it also disrupts its own products. Author Jay Yarow, writing for technology could progress to a Asymco’s Horace Dediu explained: Business Insider, has seriously point where consumers have a “Apple creates new categories and considered the idea that the tablet plus wearable computers, self-cannibalises in a way: the iPhone smartphone era will perish almost like watches or glasses, that enable was about killing the iPod. Apple’s as quickly as it began. “Lots of simple things like voice calls, texting, number-one job today ought to be people disagree with me, but I quick searches, navigation and so on killing the iPhone. Even though it’s think something like Google Glass through voice control. Longer term, the ﬁ rm’s biggest product. Apple or whatever Microsoft is working screens in glasses or projectors could should be doing that, and if not on could end up replacing the replace the necessity of a screen it will face a crisis in a few years.” smartphone as the dominant way from a smartphone or tablet.” Karen Haslam

More dramatically, the iWatch could encrypted data on a computer or access is expected, the company could ensure be used as a physical security token to a secure network. Similar systems are that the wearer is the legitimate owner alongside a passcode to offer multifactor also used to control access to offi ces and of both the iWatch and a paired device. authentication. If the iWatch isn’t secure buildings. They’re also becoming A bit like James Bond’s gun in Skyfall. detected by the device, it would remain common features of automobiles that The most obvious biometric locked even after the user (or someone rely on a keychain fob rather than a authentication is a thumbprint scanner – who has stolen it) enters the passcode traditional car key. In fact, depending quite possible, given Apple’s purchase of It could wipe all data (or all corporate on the technology used in an iWatch, it AuthenTec last year. Other options might data). Or even send out an alert, to help could be used for all of these purposes. include an iris scan or facial recognition. ensure sensitive data is securely erased All of these ideas would require specifi c and/or aid in recovering the device. Biometrics hardware like a camera to be built into The idea isn’t all that different from Apple could ratchet up the security the iWatch, but there’s another option many token-based access systems, even further – almost to the level that might be just as secure and much including smartcards. Such tokens are of a spy thriller – with a third level easier – listening to a user’s heartbeat. often used to secure access to sensitive of authentication. If Apple includes Given the popularity of devices like devices or computers as well as to biometric sensors in the iWatch, which the Nike+ Fuelband and Fitbit activity monitors, it seems logical for Apple to build such features into an iWatch. The company has had a long relationship with Nike for pairing devices with running shoes. That would mean sensors to detect movement, temperature, and heart rate. Heart-rate monitoring offers an easy biometric identifi cation option. Much like we all have unique fi ngerprints, we also each have a unique cardiac rhythm. Cardiac biometric recognition systems are already on the market as standalone solutions or as part of even more comprehensive biometric authentication system by companies like Bionym. Incorporating that into a iWatch already designed to measure cardiac activity should be a relatively easy task that wouldn’t require additional sensors or hardware.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 15 APPLE: THE nEXT GEnErATiOn

From iPhone mini to iPad 5, from iWatch to iOS 7; here’s our fantasy Apple launch line-up for 2013 and beyond

Where next, Apple? ou’ve got five minutes with Apple boss Tim Cook. 2 The next iPhone(s) 17 Quick: how would you use your time? What idea 2 iWatch 18 2 The next iPad 19 would you pitch? Which product would you beg him 2 The next iOS 20 Y 2 The App Store 20 to launch – or ditch? And (assuming he asks) where would 2 No more secrets: you advise him to take Apple over the coming years? company policy 22 For this fantasy feature, we put ourselves in that wonderful COnTribUTOrS (and entirely imaginary) position. We created an Apple Ashleigh Allsopp, Serenity Caldwell, Kirk McElhearn, manifesto for 2013 and beyond. From iPhone mini to iPad 5, Abbi Perets, David Price from iWatch to iOS 7, here’s what we’d like to see from Apple’s next round of launches. Oi, Mr Cook! We’d like a word…

16 iPad & iPhone User 2013 THE NEXT iPHONE(S)

After seeing a comparatively major physical overhaul in the launch of the iPhone 5 – among other things, Apple made the ﬁ rst change to screen dimensions since the ﬁ rst iPhone – expectations are high for the follow- up. What can we expect? And what should Apple do, if it knows what’s good for it?

1 LOWER PRICE TAG Let’s start with that price tag. Seems a bit high, don’t you think? Could you sell the iPhone 5S for a few hundred quid less, Tim? We jest, of course. Yes, it would be nice to pay less for a top-of-the-range iPhone, but we’re talking about something more complex: either splitting the iPhone into two product lines, with one aimed at the budget market, or overhauling Apple’s entire supply chain to shift its focus towards emerging markets such as India – the latter being the policy recently advocated by former Apple boss John Sculley. Numerous industry rumours suggest Apple will create a lower-cost version of the next iPhone; the latest reports propose this could have a see-through plastic design. We’re not convinced by Sculley’s drastic conceptual leap – shifting from rigorous 3 FINGERPRINT- perfectionist to budget box-shifter would SCANNING SECURITY undermine everything that makes Apple Speculation over an iPhone with a fi ngerprint unique – but that doesn’t rule out some sensor was sparked in July of last year by kind of compromise. We’d like to see Apple Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec, a company experiment with a parallel line of lower-cost that specialises in related security systems. iPhones, produced with cheaper materials Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted Mini-me or less powerful components: an iPhone 5S. that Apple will fi nd a way to conceal the One artist’s conception of And then go to town on an iPhone 6 proper. fi ngerprint scanner in the iPhone 6’s Home an iPhone mini (left, of button to maintain the minimalist design. course!) next to iPhone 5 2 SMALLER BODY But this is our fantasy, so One theory is that an ‘iPhone mini’ will be we can be more specifi c. The launched at a lower price alongside a full-sized fi ngerprint scanner replaces iPhone 6. Much as the iPad mini’s non-Retina the passcode, of course, but display lets Apple keep the price down and why not go further: if Apple target the upper end of the e-reader market. adds multiple user accounts But we’re going to wish for something to iOS 7 (see page 20), the else. The iPad mini is increasingly looking like scanner could enable the the all-purpose portable computing device of iPhone to punch up your choice, with a form factor that suits gaming personal apps, email accounts on the go, surfi ng, email, eBooks, and so on. and system preferences. And the logical companion for a jack-of-all- And what if using different trades iPad mini isn’t a full-sized iPhone, which fi ngers produced different serves a similar purpose; it’s a specialist phone. results? Touch your index fi nger Our fantasy iPhone mini is the size of a to the Home button and the mobile from the late 90s. It doesn’t have the iPhone activates normally, screen for gaming or video, but you can read use your middle fi nger and it your email and surf websites on a stripped- brings up the camera… using back, Instapaper-style optimised interface, and your left thumb could even a range of apps enables you to customise the call the emergency services experience almost without limit. if you’re being mugged.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 17 APPLE: THE NEXT GENERATION

4 ADVANCED GESTURES To start with, this could offer another labour-saving substitute for a passcode. Already available on a wide range of Android handsets, gesture unlocking lets you open a smartphone by swiping across a grid of nodes in a preset pattern. But let’s go further. Like our fi ngerprint sensor, the grid would be sensitive to multiple gestures, each one unlocking a specifi c user account or function. And within iOS the gestures could continue: the iPad game Infi nity Blade interpreted a range of gestures as triggers for magic spells, so why not let the user program gestures on the Home screen? At the swipe of a fi nger, you could activate apps, send off frequently repeated messages (a text to your wife that says “leaving the offi ce now”, for example), jump to a bookmarked Safari page or do essentially anything that a PC user could set as a keyboard shortcut.

5 NFC E-WALLET PAYMENTS You may well have heard users of non-Apple smartphones talking about something called NFC. This stands for near-fi eld communications, and is a set of short-range wireless standards that let mobile phones communicate with each other – or with other electronic devices. Plenty of NFC-equipped Android phones can act as an e-wallet, paying for goods with a swipe of your handset. We’d like to see Apple join the NFC party. Passbook – which offers a partial e-wallet experience already, providing quick access to tickets, boarding passes and loyalty cards – could be expanded to include NFC and mobile payments. iWATCH 6 CUSTOMISABLE HARDWARE SWITCHES 4 THINGS WE WANT FROM We’ve toyed with the idea of adding an extra hardware switch or two, but that would probably be a step too far for Sir Jony. Instead, we’d like to take APPLE’S MYSTERY MACHINE an existing idea from the iPad – that you get to pick whether the side switch controls lock rotation or mute – and run with it on our next iPhone. 1 iPHONE AUTHENTICATION On our fantasy iPhone 6, an option lets you program the mute button to Discussed in more detail on page do almost anything – switch vibrate or 3G on and off, set Do Not Disturb or 14, this concept would enable your Airplane mode, or activate emergency battery measures (see overleaf). iPhone (or a desktop PC or Mac) to unlock when it detects the presence 7 LASER KEYBOARD of its paired partner iWatch, saving The iPhone’s keyboard can be a bit cramped for typing, so why don’t we you typing in a passcode or password. give our iPhone 6 the ability to project a laser keyboard on to any nearby fl at Or you could require both, for thief- surface? Aatma Studio’s conception of such a setup is pictured below. thwarting two-factor authentication. If you think this sounds fanciful, you should know that standalone products that do this are already available. ThinkGeek.com’s Cube Laser Virtual Keyboard 2 HEART/PULSE MONITOR connects to iOS devices via Bluetooth and retails for $149.99 (£98.75). Our conception of the iWatch encompasses a wide computing 8 FACE RECOGNITION – THE NEXT GENERATION experience, but why ignore the more Our iPhone 6’s front-facing camera runs all the time in quiet low-power mode, obvious applications? A wrist computer simply looking for anything head-shaped; when it spots one, it scans it to work would be perfect for fi tness, and its our how close it is, and if the face belongs to its owner. If the answer is yes, it constant proximity allows it to monitor wakes up the iPhone. Better still, it could immediately start taking shots with the your lifesigns at all times. rear-facing camera, helping you grab pictures before you hit the shutter button. Even with the low-power stipulation this would hobble battery life, so 3 SIRI naturally we’ll make face-scanner mode optional. What about controls? If the iWatch is going to be more than simply an iPod nano on a wrist strap, a 1.5in touchscreen isn’t going to cut it. This is a situation that screams ‘voice controls’.

4 HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTOR And until the linked iGlasses are available, we’ll need to be able to display images full size on a nearby wall… or hanging holographically in mid air.

More iWatch analysis on page 14

18 iPad & iPhone User 2013 THE NEXT iPAD

1 TOUCH-SENSITIVE BEZEL 4 UNIVERSAL PORTS Strictly speaking, the wide bezel around the iOS devices have never been blessed with a edge of the iPad’s screen is wasted space. So huge amount of storage space, and a long- our fantasy iPad 5 has alert lights built into term item on our iPad wishlist has been the its bezel; a blue light at the top indicates ability to bolster this with an SD card (or one unread emails from VIP contacts, for instance. of its mini or micro equivalents). For that The most vital of notifi cations are continually matter, a mini-USB port would let us use a visible without having to turn the screen on. wide range of chargers and accessories with The smart bezel is also touch-sensitive, our fantasy iPad. Apple has never been big on so you can swipe through eBooks or up and universal connectivity, but we can dream. down web pages using off-screen gestures, instead of putting your fi ngers in the way 5 INDUCTIVE CHARGING of the stuff you want to see. In fact, Apple Inductive wireless charging is one of those Hologram sham secured a patent for this idea back in 2010, technologies that’s been the Next Big Thing This ‘demo video’ so it might not be fantasy at all. for years. We think it’s ready for the big time. showing how to enable Inductive charging lets you transfer power hologram mode on the 2 HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS wirelessly, provided the distances are small iPad 2 is actually a terrifi c This one, on the other hand, is a bit more enough; with current products this basically bit of video editing fakery of a long shot, particularly in the next few means being able to place your iOS device on by the clever chaps generations. But we can dream. a charging mat instead of having to plug it in. at FinalCutKing. But Shortly after the iPad 2 appeared in 2011, The down sides are that the technology hasn’t something like this might a video appeared supposedly showing how been embraced by Apple itself, so you have to be possible in the future to unlock ‘hologram mode’, which projected use a third-party case along with the charger; app visuals upwards into the air above the but if Apple built inductive coils into the iPad’s Opposite page iPad (pictured below right). In classic Minority chassis you could use whichever case you like. Artist’s conception of Report style, the user could move photos and Then all that’s left is extending the wireless iWatch by Nickolay Lamm documents around by swiping through the air. range. Whenever you’re ready, science. of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk Of course, there was no such technology built into the iPad 2, and this was just a clever fake (watch it yourself at bit.ly/fV8Nvp). But leaving aside the more fanciful ‘swipable hologram’ sci-fi part of the equation, imagine the possibilities. Gaming, on a 3D projection that appears to leap up from the coffee table, would be a mesmerising experience; as would watching sport or talking on FaceTime: it would be like actually being there.

3 LINKABLE DISPLAYS If you’ve got time for one more concept video, check out Aatma Studio’s idea of 3D, multi- iPad gaming at bit.ly/wwDk4y. Again, it’s an idea illustrated through digital trickery rather than a plausible demo, but since this is our fantasy iPad, we can cherry-pick the parts that make sense and wave away the difﬁ culties. What we like about this video is the ease with which two iPads can link up (we’d suggest that NFC, discussed in our iPhone section, is the most practical approach) and share an image between their displays. The advantages for multiplayer gaming are obvious, particularly on boardgame apps; and viewing photos across two iPads would be a delight. If you could put up with the join down the middle, a pair of iPads would make a rather ﬁ ne living-room cinema, too.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 19 APPLE: THE NEXT GENERATION THE NEXT iOS

1 MULTIPLE USER ACCOUNTS your account, enter a Picture this common scene. A family shares an passcode, and access iPad, with each person struggling to maintain your own setup. control of it long enough to play their Many couples favourite game, check Facebook, send email and families share and surf the web. But since an iPad can have an iPad; with a only one account, Mum can’t perform such system of multiple everyday activities as checking her personal accounts, each user email account (unless she uses webmail), would be able to checking Facebook (without logging out and set up a separate logging in with her credentials), and saving home screen, and her high scores or recording the levels she each would have has completed in a game; in addition, her personal settings, bookmarks and browsing history are visible just as happens to all other users, as are any saved auto-fi ll with OS X accounts. information and passwords. Users would have their own email accounts, Login screen Most people get around this problem by bookmarks, contacts, calendars and so on. Having the option to not using a shared iPad for email and other And their games would be linked to their create multiple user personal data – but why should they have Game Center accounts: they’d see personal accounts is standard to limit their use of the device? Apple could stats and high scores. Finally, each user could in desktop computing. easily fi x the situation by adding multiple user hide any of the apps installed on the device. Why not in mobile? accounts to iOS. Naturally, Apple would prefer that we Logging in and out of a shared Mac or PC just buy more iPads to serve each member is no big deal: lots of people do it regularly. of the household. But for people who can’t On an iPad, having multiple user accounts afford the expense, the best way to make would enable you to wake it up, see a screen iPads more fl exible is to allow each user to with several icons, tap or swipe the one for have his or her own account. THE NEXT APP STORE THREE IMPROVEMENTS WE’D LIKE TO SEE

1 APP VIDEO PREVIEWS this down to experience; the only We get to listen to 90-second clips of alternative is to report a problem songs on iTunes before shelling out (fun with the app, which usually leads to a fact: at one stage the record companies refund but is obviously unsatisfactory wanted to charge royalties on these). And if you don’t want to spoil the record we can view trailers before buying digital of a blameless developer. ﬁ lms. So why can’t we see what an app We’d like to see a ‘Silly me! I hit does before clicking ‘download’? download by mistake!’ button, which Considering the number of negative would refund your money if pressed reviewers on the App Store who complain within 15 minutes of the download. that the app they’ve just bought isn’t what they expected, it would be in all 3 SMART SEARCH parties’ interests to include brief video Finally, and most importantly, Apple previews as well as a few screenshots. needs to sort out search on the App Store. There’s 800,000 apps on there, Call off the search 2 REFUNDS but most are effectively invisible because Looking for version 3 Whether you got bored of typing your the search function is so weak. of iBooks? Whatever password and disabled the warnings, It should be sensitive to version you do, don’t type in or just clicked on an app too soon after numbers, for one thing, since many ‘iBooks 3’. The App Store’s buying another, the chances are that users won’t know if a sequel to an app search functions leave you’ve bought an app by mistake at some is an update (iBooks 3) or an entirely something to be desired point. Many of us swear, sigh and put new release (Fieldrunners 2).

20 iPad & iPhone User 2013 2 PARENTAL CONTROLS back to the default: Safari. When Microsoft Microsoft has so far struggled bundled Internet Explorer with PCs, it got to stand out in the smartphone taken to court for monopolistic practices. It’s and tablet war, but its Windows time for Apple to give the other browsers a Phone 8 platform contains chance, or it might as well ban them. one fairly fantastic innovation: Kid’s Corner. It’s effectively a 4 MULTI-USER FACETIME user account within the phone Skype lets you speak to more than one person – accessible at any time by at once; Google+ Hangouts allow you to do it swiping left from the lock screen for free. Apple is offi cially behind the times. – that’s designed to be safe for children: one in which the apps 5 CUSTOMISED AUTOCORRECT and settings are all controlled Apologies to the comedy websites that would by you. They can’t make calls or be put out of business if autocorrect stopped texts, and social networking is changing “See you in fi ve minutes” to “I like severely restricted. wearing dresses”. But it’s time for Apple to Windows smartphone users give fi ner control over when and where this swear by the convenience of much-mocked function weaves its magic. this feature. You can simply Pages, for example – where you create long hand the device over to the pieces of writing, want to work fast, and are kids, safe in the knowledge that likely to check through at the end for howlers they won’t waste your money – really benefi ts from autocorrect. In emails on in-app purchases, stumble and tweets it’s more dangerous. It would be on to 18-rated games or view nice to have the option to selectively apply inappropriate websites. Unlike autocorrect on an app-by app basis. owners of iPhones and iPads, who have to activate parental 6 BATTERY EMERGENCIES controls on a case-by-case basis, A staple proposal of these kinds of article is Kid-friendly and have far fewer options even then. “a better battery”. But even in our fantasies, Microsoft’s Windows So why not pinch Kid’s Corner for iOS 7? we’re grimly realistic about battery lives. Phone 8 operating system With all the extra features we’re adding, has a superbly convenient 3 DEFAULT 3RD-PARTY BROWSER Apple is going to have to work hard just to set of parental controls Many of our colleagues use Apple Macs, keep battery life the same. that Apple would do but almost none of them use Safari as their Instead, how about a set of customisable well to imitate default web browser; most favour Chrome or actions set to kick in when your iOS device Firefox instead. So why does Safari maintain reaches 10 percent power? Instead of just Ortocorekt… such a stranglehold on iOS? Because you still popping up that annoying warning, the …might save you from can’t make a third-party browser the default. device could be programmed to automatically some embarrassing errors, Dolphin is a great web browser; Chrome lower the brightness, switch off 3G, Bluetooth but it’s better known for for iOS has its fans. But as soon as you hit a and location services, and generally do creating gaffes of its own link in an email or on Twitter, you’re yanked everything in its power to stay alive.

7 DEFAULT APP ON WAKE Instead of defaulting back to whichever app you were using last when you wake the iOS device, we’d like the option to set a different app, or the Home screen, as the default.

8 WIDGETS AND HOME-SCREEN CUSTOMISATION Last but not least, a concept straight out of the Android handbook: widgets or mini-apps on the Home screen. Our fantasy iOS 7 device has a Home screen stuffed with widgets displaying the weather, the latest headlines and the ﬁ rst line of unread VIP emails. Much as we like this idea, it’s not very likely to happen: Apple hates the idea of users being able to create their own ‘desktop’ on iOS and has been known to remove apps from sale for attempting to offer this.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 21 APPLE: WHERETHE NEXT NEXT? GENERATION NO MORE SECRETS THREE WAYS APPLE COULD LOOSEN UP

Followers of Downton Abbey will employees end up recall the Lady Grantham’s great working in a vacuum; lament: “Is there anything worse he has described the than losing your lady’s maid?” We “lockdown rooms” believe there is. It’s when you buy a where those developers new iPhone on launch day and, due toil. The problem is that to its new shape and size, you can’t when employees can’t get a decent case for it – or connect see the whole picture, it to any of your old accessories. they can’t always make Sure, this is a minor issue in the good decisions. (Might broad scheme of things, but it’s just the launch of Maps have one example of how Apple could gone better if more of stand to temper its legendary secrecy Apple’s employees – with a little more openness in order and their spouses and to improve its customers’ lives. This is friends –had been able the fi nal item on our Apple wishlist. to provide more real- world testing?) BOTTLED LIGHTNING And the thing is, In the weeks leading up to the cross-innovation could launch of the iPhone 5, rumours very well help Apple. abounded about the phone’s shape Remember back in 2011 shifting and, in particular, about the when iCloud was fi rst replacement for the dock connector. released? It worked But many vendors – like consumers – beautifully with iOS. , 1941, by Nina Vatolina and Nikolay Denisov Don’t Gossip! , 1941, by Nina Vatolina didn’t have a chance to see the new With Mac OS X Lion? connector until launch day. Not so much. If the iOS and OS X a new shipment of iPhones. Yet they This meant that vendors couldn’t development teams had merged were surrounded by unoffi cial sellers update their docks and other back then, we might have been a in kiosks with plentiful stock at a accessories ahead of the launch. So step ahead of where we are now. hefty markup. In some places, 16GB they rushed to implement those And that would be a good thing, phones were being sold for as much changes without, in some cases, at least from where we’re sitting. as $1,250. The price gouging only adequately testing their products. feeds the frustration of even the The end result? Consumers suffered THE BLACK MARKET most dedicated Apple fans. from a less than optimal out-of- When you walk into most high- the-box experience. And that type street shops and they’ve run out of HERE COMES THE SUN of disappointment undermines the whatever you came for, the staff can Despite these and similar issues, excitement of an Apple launch. generally tell you when the item will there are signs that Apple may Likewise, while a few apps here be back in stock. They might even be be lifting the cone of silence. Last and there had been optimised to able to locate you one nearby. October, the company announced take advantage of the new, larger When you walk into an Apple a restructuring that put several key screen, the overwhelming majority Store and ask for an in-demand item executives in a position to oversee of developers had to head back to that’s out of stock, don’t expect a lot larger groups of developers. If we’re the digital drawing board, or suffer of information. Sure, they can put lucky, this will, as the press release the indignity of seeing their apps in an order for more iPhones, but promised, “encourage even more with black bars displayed at the according to one former employee, collaboration between hardware, top and bottom of the screen. that might not be granted, since software and services teams.” corporate powers-that-be determine We can haggle over whether iWORK IN SECRET where units are most needed. “even more” is the right term to You can make an argument for not This lack of information from use, but Tim Cook doesn’t seem releasing information outside the Apple also creates some truly insane to be afraid to kick down a few company prior to a launch (especially black markets, particularly in the Far windowless walls and open things up Apple, which so often has to play the East. In Singapore in late October a bit. So we think there are grounds expectations game). But why keep 2012 – after the iPhone 5 had been to be cautiously optimistic that your own employees in the dark? offi cially released there – we visited things are changing for the better. According to Inside Apple author six or seven Premium Apple Resellers, And that’s one secret that should be Adam Lashinsky, many Apple and none could say when they’d get shouted from the rooftops.

22 iPad & iPhone User 2013 No matter which iOS device you have, we have the Complete Guide for you

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091 Digital Editions.indd 91 19/03/2013 11:31 READING COMICS ON THE iPAD

A SUPERHEROIC REVOLUTION The iPad has breathed new life into comics BY JASON SNELL

ablets, led by the iPad, have the potential to shake up the comic book industry even more than eBook readers have begun to change T the world of prose books. Large, mobile colour screens are perfect for reading comics. They’ve got a portability that desktop and laptop PCs can’t match and, of course, they show off the source material in a way that small black-and-white Kindle screens can’t. The original iPad started the revolution, and the Retina display on both the third- and fourth-generation models provided dramatically improved image quality. Larger Android tablets such as Google’s Nexus 10 have joined the party. And tablets running Windows 8 offer some distinct size advantages of their own.

24 iPad & iPhone User 2013 When the iPad was ﬁ rst released, we found it to be an excellent (albeit imperfect) comic book reader. A few hardware and software upgrades later, it’s a lot harder to spot imperfections. The only problem we have is that we’re now buying several comics a week, with a growing credit card bill to prove it.

Single-issue comics There are a few different options when it comes to reading comics on your tablet, and in some ways they parallel the choices – and the pros and cons – that comic readers face in the printed comic market. Traditionally, comics were published monthly in small, fl imsy issues: that’s what we remember purchasing from our local newsagent as a kid. To this day, the major comics publishers still produce these issues – but they cost £2 or £3 now instead of the 20 pence we (okay, our parents) paid others don’t. It’s not much of a hardship to Comic book store for our fi rst comics. zoom in a little and pan around, but it’s nicer Comixology’s comics look The best source for these single-issue when you don’t have to. great on the iPad 3 comics is a company called Comixology, Comixology’s app also has a guided view, which makes an app called Comics for iOS which moves you through the comic panel (free, bit.ly/YE4iZH), as well as Windows by panel as you tap. This view is necessary 8 and Android. (You can also buy and read on the iPhone as its screen is too small to comics directly on its website.) Comixology comfortably view a full comic page. On the is also the company behind the offi cial iPad, though, the feature is superfl uous. Marvel (free, bit.ly/13jnKzJ) and DC Comics While Comixology has risen to become (free, bit.ly/13iNHAt) apps, which are just the industry’s dominant provider of digital Now the comics relabelled versions of the Comics app. comics, not everyone’s on board. If you’re a we buy don’t The Comics app (in all its forms) provides fan of Dark Horse Comics, you’ll need to use a storefront that’s inspired by iTunes and the the Dark Horse app (free, bit.ly/16GVj1e) take up space App Store, with a showcase for featured to buy and read comics. We’ve used this in a garage or comics, as well as lists of new and popular to buy several issues of the Buffy Season items. You can purchase a comic within the 9 comic, and have experienced numerous carry-on bag app, or read comics you’ve purchased via download and purchase failures. The reading Comixology’s website (comixology.com). experience also fails to match up with the One of the best things about Comixology’s Comics app – it’s just not as smooth. But for approach is that the company keeps track of now, that app is the only digital source for all your purchases, regardless of where you Dark Horse comics. made them. If you buy them on the web, you can read them on an iPad. If you buy Trade paperbacks them on a Nexus 10, you can read them on These days, lots of comic book readers aren’t the web. Just as your Amazon Kindle eBook just readers of the fl imsy monthly instalments. purchases are available across any device with A long time ago, comics publishers realised a Kindle app, all your Comixology purchases that many readers preferred to buy longer, are available for download and redownload more expensive trade-paperback editions of at any time from any device running the comics. (Some of these are self-contained Comics app and viewable on the web. ‘graphic novels’, while others are collections Reading comics using the Comics app is of several issues of a monthly comic.) pretty straightforward, as well. Once you We now see that trend mirrored in the open an issue, you can spread your fi ngers world of digital comics. You can buy many to zoom in and pinch to zoom out. Swiping to of these trade-paperback-style collections, the left brings up the next page, and swiping sometimes at a discount over buying the right takes you back. In portrait orientation, individual issues, via Comixology. But they’re the iPad’s screen is just big enough to make also available where other books are sold: reading a pleasant experience. We equivocate on Apple’s iBookstore, Amazon’s Kindle here because some comics seem a bit too Store, the Google Play bookstore, and small when fi t to the iPad’s screen size, while Barnes & Noble’s Nook Store.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 25 READING COMICS ON THE iPAD

care about what’s happened in the past couple of years, it’s an interesting option. The subscription doesn’t give you access to read those issues in the iOS app, though.

It’s about content Even if the iPad is a nigh-perfect comic- reading device, and its comics apps are all PDF comics perfectly good, the whole thing falls down GoodReader is a useful if there are no comics to read. In the early option if you need to days of digital comics, publishers were read comics as PDFs. reluctant to release their digital issues at the Its zoom functions same time they hit local comic book stores. mean it can even This artifi cial scarcity was an attempt to prop cope with comics up the often-precarious businesses that still annoyingly saved as form the bulk of comic sales. two-page spreads, However, in the past couple of years that like this one. Whoever dam has burst. Almost every major comic – made that decision from Marvel, DC, and all the independents is a JERK! – is available digitally on the same day that its paper equivalent appears in comic book It’s nice to see publishers trying to reach shops. On Wednesdays (the day new comics casual comics readers via mainstream are usually released), we often scan the bookstores, but the reading experience is “same day as print” section of the Comics better in Comixology’s Comics app, which was app and buy far too many comics. purpose-built for reading comics. It’s easier If you’re a comics fan from the era to pan, zoom, and navigate through a comic where Marvel and DC dominated so utterly using the Comics app than it is to use Kindle that the indie comic scene was more of a or iBooks apps, but the gap is narrowing. curiosity, you’ll be delighted to discover there are numerous independent comics that are Netfl ix for comics made by the best creators in the business, Marvel Comics offers a unique approach to and most of those comics are available in reading digital comics: a subscription service one or more of these apps. We’re big fans called Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. of Robert Kirkman’s teen-superhero series Originally launched in 2007 on the desktop Invincible, Brian Clevinger’s Atomic Robo, (and requiring Adobe Flash), it’s now and Joe Hill’s Locke & Key. compatible with the iPad. There’s no app – everything works within a web browser A quick mention of piracy – but there are still some bugs to work out. If you’ve heard about CBR and CBZ fi les, it’s For $10 (£6.60) per month or $60 (£39.70) most likely been in the context of pirated a year, Marvel DCU is like Netfl ix for (Marvel) comics. Now, not all of the comics out there comics. Like Netfl ix streaming, you won’t in CBR and CBZ format are pirated, just most fi nd hot new releases, but there’s unlimited of them. Still, if you happen to have some Bigger and better access to more than 10,000 individual comics. fi les in those formats – and we’ll admit to Comics look fantastic on If you just want to read through back issues having loaded an iPad with some comics that the iPad’s Retina display of classic Marvel comics, and don’t really are stored in paper form at home – there’s an answer for you, too. We’re happy with Comic Zeal (£2.99, bit.ly/10Lhgbq), which handles CBRs and CBZs with aplomb. There are lots of other good ones, too. There are a few comics we own that are in PDF format. For these, we’re generally using GoodReader. It’s a fi ne comic reader, and even Marvel’s unfortunate decision to save all of the X-Men issues as two-page spreads rather than single pages can be worked around with a little bit of pinching, zooming and tapping.

Big tablets, small tablets The original iPad debuted with a 9.7in screen, which is close to an ideal size for comics

26 iPad & iPhone User 2013 WHICH COMICS SHOULD I READ? FIVE LESS WELL-KNOWN GRAPHIC NOVEL RUNS WORTH A LOOK

1. TOP 10 by Alan Moore as mature as the previous entry, but packed with violence and titillation, and (under Moore’s Watchmen and the earlier issues Warren) wittily, creatively written. of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen are fantastic, but Top 10 deserves a mention. The main characters are charged with policing 4. SUPERMAN: RED SON a city in which absolutely everyone is a by Mark Millar (pictured) superhero: vagrants, criminals, cats and mice. Short but sweet. A three-book series set in an alternative universe where Superman 2. THE ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY lands on a Ukrainian farm instead of by Chris Ware a Kansas cornfi eld, and thus grows up Superb, Jazz-Age-tinged panel stories about defending the ideals of the Soviet Union. loneliness and sexual frustration, nostalgia and social history. Also: good jokes. Really! 5. THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK by John Byrne 3. DIRTY PAIR by Adam Warren Featuring the Incredible Hulk’s cousin and The sci-fi adventures of two genetically lots of metatextuality laughs. “Subplots sure enhanced ‘trouble consultants’. Not quite beat subways for getting round the traffi c!” reading. (It’s still a shade too small, but The future of digital comics it’s in the right sort of area.) However, the When we fi rst wrote about the state of intervening years have seen the release of comics on the iPad in 2010, it was still early numerous smaller tablets such as the Kindle days. Since then, the industry has really got Fire, Nexus 7 and iPad mini. its act together and embraced the digital Everyone will have their own take on the version. Most comics are available online ideal device for reading comics. There are the day they’re in shops, high-defi nition fi les also those who read comics on their iPhones, display beautifully on high-resolution tablet a practice we dropped the day we bought displays, and even Marvel’s formerly Flash-only an iPad. Personally, we fi nd any device subscription service works on iPads now. smaller than this to be less than ideal for What hasn’t changed is that tablets like reading comics. the iPad are excellent comic reading devices. Subscription service We prefer to read comics page by page, Now the comics we buy don’t take up space Marvel’s Digital Comics more or less replicating the printed page in a garage. We’re buying comics regularly for Unlimited offers unlimited of paper comics. (Maybe this makes us the fi rst time since we were a teenager, and access to more than old school, but as long as comics creators the iPad is the reason why. 10,000 comics are building pages in this shape, we think it’s only right that we read them as the creators intended.) Smaller screens require a lot of pinching and zooming, or reliance on Comixology’s Guided View to pan and zoom the panels. It beats not reading comics at all, but we wouldn’t choose it. Even now, when we’re using the iPad mini far more than the original full-sized version, we fi nd ourselves digging out the iPad to read comics. Throw in the much higher resolution of the iPad’s Retina display, and it’s clear that bigger is better when it comes to reading digital comics. Though we haven’t spent more than a few minutes reading comics on a Windows 8 tablet, a colleague who has reports that it’s an even better experience than reading on the iPad. Bigger screens make a difference when it comes to reading comics.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 27 420 x 297 mm

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Gear4 StreetParty 5 Portable sPeaker for lightning devices

ost speaker manufacturers seem to have the multi-layered M simply ignored the lightning connector harmonies on some on the latest ios devices, with many of them old Queen tracks. deciding to ditch the dock altogether and go however, the thin with bluetooth wireless connections instead. speaker panel bluetooth is fine for streaming music, but doesn’t produce very there are down sides to the wireless approach: strong bass, and the for one thing, you can’t charge your ios sound lacks weight. devices without a dock. gear4 has therefore to be fair, you bitten the bullet and become one of the first can’t expect audiophile sound quality from Lightning strikes manufacturers to produce a speaker dock a speaker that costs just £50, and the the streetParty 5 uses with a lightning connector. streetParty will do the trick if you just want apple’s new lightning other than this innovation, the streetParty to listen to some music over a barbecue or in connector 5 is very similar to other models in gear4’s a holiday apartment. You can also run it off streetParty range, consisting of a flat-panel the mains, or insert four aa batteries, which speaker that measures 241mm wide, 140mm should last for six to eight hours. high and just 30mm thick. the dock with £49.99 Gear4 • www.gear4.com the lightning connector folds back into the Verdict Product page: bit.ly/Yzntcl speaker when not in use, and the entire unit the sound quality of the streetParty 5 is rating ★ ★ ★ only weighs about 580g, so you can easily relatively modest, and you’re paying a little Likes: carry it from room to room at home, or slip extra for that lightning connector. however, slim, portable speaker it into a backpack when you’re travelling. it’s still a good choice if you’re looking for a lightning connector sound quality is also similar to that of the compact speaker that you can quickly pick DisLikes: other streetParty models. higher frequencies up and carry around with you. Cliff Joseph Modest sound quality are clear and detailed, and work well with read More: bit.ly/16tt4ww no built-in battery

Orbitsound M9 coMPact bluetooth sPeaker with a MightY subwoofer

rbitsound’s t9 and t12 speaker systems output, and there’s o have proved popular with both ios a separate volume users and people who want to use them control on the as soundbars with their television sets. subwoofer, so you the new M9 sticks with that winning can adjust the bass formula and looks very similar to its for different types predecessor. like the t9, it consists of a of music. higher compact soundbar that measures just 300mm frequencies are clear wide, 90mm high and 100mm deep, and and detailed, and the M9 boasts a thunderous Compact and mighty which can sit comfortably on a shelf or be 200w total output. we could barely push it to the M9’s separate tucked under your tv. that’s accompanied by 80 percent of maximum volume in our offices wireless subwoofer has a larger subwoofer unit to go on the floor. before it became uncomfortably loud, so it’ll a thunderous bass kick there are a few key differences, though. certainly work well for parties or as part of a the M9 abandons the old iPod dock and home cinema system when watching movies. opts for bluetooth wireless instead. the £299.95 subwoofer is wireless too, and has been Verdict Orbitsound • www.orbitsound.com designed to reduce latency and ensure that it the M9 is a full £100 more expensive than Product page: bit.ly/106oue5 syncs properly with the main soundbar. and the t9, and it’ll be complete overkill if you just rating ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ in addition to bluetooth, the M9 includes want a compact speaker for your bedroom. Likes: three separate inputs for wired connections however, it’s great value if you’re looking for Powerful 2.1 speaker system – 3.5mm line-in, stereo rca and optical – so a powerful, high-quality system that you can with bluetooth wireless you can connect it to a tv or other device. use as part of the home-entertainment setup DisLikes: the result is pretty impressive. the large in your living room. Cliff Joseph big price jump from the t9 subwoofer provides really strong bass read More: bit.ly/Yasuhe no iPod dock

30 iPad & iPhone user 2013 WE TEST REViEWED PRODUCTS fOR PERfORmANCE, USER-fRiENDLiNESS, BUiLD qUALiTY (fOR HARDWARE) RATiNGS ExPLAiNED AND VALUE fOR mONEY, THEN RATE THEm ON A 5-POiNT SCALE. HERE’S WHAT THE SCORES mEAN. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ = STAR BUY: SUPERB ★ ★ ★ ★ = VERY GOOD ★ ★ ★ = GOOD ★ ★ = POOR ★ = UNACCEPTABLE Otone Varsa NOVEL, TWO-iN-ONE miNi SOUNDBAR

he Varsa is one of a small but growing gamers, the speaker T number of speaker systems from the UK- system adds a fair based company Otone Audio. manufactured bit of excitement, in China and available for under £80, it’s an especially if you affordable alternative to your computer’s like to be immersed desktop speakers or a modest addition to in the action. your TV set-up. its unique selling point is its A solid if versatility: both single horizontal soundbar unspectacular and 2.0 separate speakers in one neat and design and build is fairly portable package. complemented by touch-sensitive power on/ Doing the splits The speakers clip together easily to form standby, volume control and mute, which This quirky horizontal the soundbar, or can be set on either side proved responsive despite their diminutive soundbar can be transformed of your desktop or laptop computer at a feel. The Varsa is available online via Otone into a 2.0 system simply by variety of angles. it’s a cool option, but one and Amazon, and instore at PC World. pulling apart the speakers that only makes sense if you’re likely to fiddle with speakers regularly. After a little Verdict £79.99 experimentation we found both options to While the Otone Varsa 2.0 speaker system Otone Audio • otoneaudio.co.uk Product page: bit.ly/14hHnex be agreeable on the ears, with a sound that offers some flexibility, we’re not sure how RATiNG ★ ★ ★ copes particularly well with bass-heavy dance often users will feel the need to switch from LikeS: music. The Varsa copes less well with more soundbar to separate speakers and vice versa. Solid bass sound complex music, where detail seems lost. That said, it’s a decent-sounding and -looking flexible modular design Sat in front of you, the combined 20W compact audio accessory that should improve Reasonably priced output offers more than enough oomph; on your computer’s audio without breaking DiSLikeS: turned up, it’s enough to fill a small room, either the bank or your desktop. Nick Spence Despite good bass, sound when in party mood, without distortion. for READ mORE: bit.ly/16TkmVw lacks detail

Sonoro cuboDock ONE-BOx STEREO LOUDSPEAKER, WiTH THE OPTiON Of BLUETOOTH WiRELESS

t may have a Latin-sounding name, but files. The cuboDock i Sonoro is a German design firm. Among its could certainly range of compact lifestyle radios and music handle bass-rich centres is the cuboDock, a straightforward music without any stereo speaker for the iPod and iPhone. creaks or distress it doesn’t break any new ground in its from the cabinet: electronic or acoustic design. instead, it an impressive feat appeals with its simple aesthetics and high- in itself. Treble was quality construction: an all-plastic slope- a little pronounced, Back to the fuchsia fronted cabinet with centrally placed dock just forward of the midband, but we were Other colours and finishes and iPod support, all in a range of colours impressed by the generally tight control. (white, black, walnut wood and finishes to suit just about any taste. There are no additional tone controls to and lime green, for instance) The cuboDock can play music in three tweak the sound, but the palm-sized remote are also available ways: directly from a docked iPhone or iPod, control allows you to skip and pause tracks on through a line-in jack at the back from any your docked iPhone, as well as jump straight £195 analogue source, or over Bluetooth wireless. between the various music sources. Sonoro • de-en.sonoro-audio.com Product page: bit.ly/11Cuxxs Bluetooth results were a little sketchy; the heavy compression common to the low-band Verdict RATiNG ★ ★ ★ ★ LikeS: wireless link was the principle problem here, A neatly constructed, great-looking compact Sharp,clean design compounded by cascading from already one-box speaker for iPods and phones, with Convenience of Bluetooth compressed AAC or mPEG tracks. This a handy fallback to Bluetooth wireless for Strong audio when docked produced a weary, grainy feel to the music. convenience when sound quality is less of DiSLikeS: Best sound quality was heard playing from a concern. Andrew Harrison Audio noticeably weaker a docked iPhone 4S using ALAC lossless music READ mORE: bit.ly/11BS8Eh over wireless connection

iPad & iPhone User 2013 31 REVIEWS

Just Mobile Gum Plus Neat, smart little battery UNit

he iPhone’s battery life continues to vex percent before giving t and confound, and for all our optimism up the ghost; not in the cover feature on page 16, the chances bad as an emergency of apple sacrificing screen fidelity or chassis backup, but don’t slenderness to improve it are low. so if you depend on this as a want your handset to last longer away from tablet power source. the mains, you’re probably on your own. the Gum Plus One option is this neat little battery unit by has a Usb output Just mobile, rendered in the firm’s trademark port at one end and apple-imitating brushed aluminium. it’s about miniUsb input at the other for charging it Portable charging the size of a pack of cigarettes, if a little heavier up. you’ll need to supply your own Usb-wall- the Gum Plus is small, (78 x 57 x 21mm, and 138g) and comes with plug adaptor if you want to charge it from lightweight and robust a black bag with compartments to hold the the mains, but iPhone owners will have one battery and your iPhone. it’s a convenient and lying around somewhere. and it is compatible portable device, in other words. with lightning devices, provided once again £74.95 the Gum Plus is rated at 5,200mah, which that you provide the relevant cable (Usb to Just Mobile • www.just-mobile.com translates, according to the makers, into lightning, in this case) yourself. Product page: bit.ly/106qJi4 three full recharges for an iPhone. Just mobile ratiNG ★ ★ ★ ★ also claims you can charge your iPhone from Verdict Likes: empty up to 90 percent in an hour, but our smart, robust and highly portable, the Gum attractive brushed-aluminium look matches apple products experience didn’t match this: our handset Plus is a convenient power backup unit for robust build quality went from 4 to just 67 percent in that time. iPhone users to tote around on trips. it can Handy backup power source an iPad will obviously get less satisfaction, even save your iPad in a power emergency, DisLikes: but we gave it a shot anyway. a fully charged but don’t expect miracles. David Price test unit didn’t charge as Gum Plus took our test iPad 3 from 27 to 56 reaD mOre: bit.ly/yasm17 fast as we had hoped

Wahoo RFLKT iPHONe-cONNecteD bike cOmPUter is a biG wiN fOr cyclists

niquely, this bike computer relies on an iPhone’s GPs to U iPhone 4s or 5 for all of its data, pairing measure speed. via bluetooth. as a result, it gives you access while it was mostly to smartphone features that rival systems accurate, a few times don’t offer, most notably the ability to switch it reckoned we were your iPhone’s music tracks wirelessly. travelling at near- the rflkt weighs about 60g, and the motorway speeds, back slides into a panel attached to an O-ring, and these blips threw which fits around either the stem or the off the workout’s top-speed measurement in Biker groove handlebar mount on your bike. (you won’t the app. to measure speed accurately, you’ll switch between music tracks want to leave it in the mount, though, as it need an additional peripheral device. (and keep an eye on your would make an attractive item for thieves – Handily, you can choose which of the progress) while riding who could easily pry it out of the back panel.) rflkt’s four buttons perform certain wahoo fitness’s compatible iOs app functions, such as changing the music track £115 tracks your workout time, distance travelled and switching between displays on the device. Wahoo Fitness • wahoofitness.com and speed; it can also connect with other Product page: bit.ly/ZmQeUp sensors over bluetooth to display your heart Verdict ratiNG ★ ★ ★ ★ rate, cadence, calories burned and more. the rflkt is a convenient and customisable Likes: by displaying all your ride data on the app, way to access all of the iPhone’s features Highly customisable the rflkt essentially turns your phone into (as well as the wahoo fitness app) during a let you keep iPhone safe a powerful bike computer capable of giving ride, and the relief from leaving the iPhone DisLikes: you a great deal of information. untouched in a bag is a big plus. well worth speed measurements can most the metrics were reliable, but we a look for techie cyclists. Michael Homnick be inaccurate if you don’t buy found a few hiccups when relying on the reaD mOre: bit.ly/XbsJib an extra peripheral

32 iPad & iPhone User 2013

Belkin Thunderstorm unusual, audio-boosting ipad case

f, like many others, you find the ipad’s rear- over the ipad’s built- i facing speaker less than satisfactory when in mono speaker. watching movies and playing games, this there’s little could be just the solution you’re looking for. distortion at top belkin has combined a case, a stand and a volume, which is speaker system to create the thunderstorm, loud enough to which aims to significantly improve the sound fill a whole room. of apple’s tablet, while also offering a better We found that the viewing angle for video content, and offering speaker vibrated protection against bumps and scratches. quite a lot at higher the ipad fits neatly into the tray-like volumes, however. design, and sliding the dock connector a free app enables into place secures the tablet and provides you to adjust the communication with the speakers. one thing ‘width’ of the sound you’ll notice immediately is the bulkiness to whichever of of the thunderstorm, which is heavier than the three options you prefer for each mode: £180 the ipad itself, at 665g. However, this allows music, video and gaming. a nice touch, that. Belkin • belkin.com product page: bit.ly/YcdRo8 for a built-in battery that can power the Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ thunderstorm’s speakers for up to 10 hours. Verdict Likes: (the device comes with a bundled mains the thunderstorm carries a hefty price tag, significantly improves audio adaptor that charges both the internal battery but it’s difficult to fault the quality of the provides all-round protection and the ipad’s own battery.) speakers. if you’ve been looking for a multi- Free app for customisation When it comes to sound quality, we were functional ipad case to improve your video DisLikes: impressed. the speakers offer clear and loud experience, this is it. Ashleigh Allsopp expensive dialogue, good bass and a vast improvement Read MoRe: bit.ly/13q7Jfp Rather bulky

Musubo Retro iPhone 5 case Dodocase Classic iPad case £34.99 ★ ★ ★ £59.99 ★ ★ ★ ★ www.musubo.com.hk • READ MORE: bit.ly/X7vbuS www.dodocase.com • READ MORE: bit.ly/10cgKlK the Retro’s design is intended to evoke the look of an old- the designers at dodocase pride themselves on the traditional fashioned microphone, but we didn’t realise this at first; it bookbinding techniques they use to manufacture their seemed more like some sort of skeletal ribcage, hugging the gorgeous, authentic-looking ipad cases. the cloth that covers iphone with a dual layer of silicon and hard polycarbonate. the outside of the classic feels just like what you might find You put the silicone cover on first, then place your now semi- on an old used book, and adds to the aesthetic appeal. the shielded iphone inside the plastic outer shell to complete the material is smooth as well, making it easy to wipe off any spills transformation. (the silicone has press-through button overlays or debris that your case might come in contact with. the cover for the sleep/Wake and volume buttons, but the inner case is fairly rigid, as it aims to keep your screen safe from anything is so squishy that we found them more difficult to press that that might scratch or crack the smooth Retina display. inside, we’d have liked.) it should certainly keep your phone protected a bamboo frame holds the ipad in place, with rubber nubs against minor bumps, but if you’re looking for something more in the corners maintaining a tight grip. the dodocase classic minimal, you might want to look elsewhere. the case also is a good (and stylish) option for the price. However, if you comes with an adjustable plastic stand, which offers a choice want more angle options, or a way to prop the ipad in portrait of three angles for propping up your iphone. Albert Filice orientation, there are more suitable alternatives. Albert Filice

ipad & iphone user 2013 33

ProCutX for Final Cut Pro X EDIT YOUR FINAL CUT PRO X VIDEO PROJECT FROM YOUR iPAD

he keyboard and mouse have dominated T the video-editing process for aeons, but could there be a method that’s more convenient? There are a few options available, and Pixel Films Studios has recently joined the fray by releasing ProCutX for the iPad. Rather than replacing it, in fact, ProCutX is designed to complement the keyboard and mouse on a Mac. Installation and setup is a relatively simple process, thanks to the clear instructions on the developer’s website. Once this is done, you can edit with your iPad. Having already received its fi rst major update, ProCutX lets you select a clip, set in and out points, and add it to your timeline often end up looking where your fi ngers are £17.49 (you can even choose to add solely the visuals tapping, instead of focusing on your video. Version: 1.1 www.pixelfi lmstudios.com or the audio). This is in addition to controlling Download: itun.es/i6Jw3M9 keywords, applying speed changes and VERDICT RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ grading your clips, among other features. ProCutX shows a lot of promise, and the LIKES: It’s not a perfect app by any means: the jog recent version 1.1 upgrade makes it much 2 Very responsive wheel has no inertia, you can’t tap and hold more useful: we look forward to future 2 Fast release of fi rst update a button – to move through many frames updates. It’s just a shame about the lack of DISLIKES: in quick succession, for instance – and the tactile feedback. Steve Paris 2 Jog wheel has no inertia lack of tactile feedback can be a pain: you READ MORE: bit.ly/ZKpqOV 2 Can’t customise interface iStopMotion for iPad VERSION 2: A WELCOME UPDATE TO AN EXCELLENT ANIMATION APP

he fi rst version of iStopMotion was a T pretty spectacular animation app, allowing you to take shots with ease thanks to a camera overlay that showed the previous shot through the current one, helping you see what had been moved and what needed further attention; it also included the ability to use another iOS device as a remote camera. Version 2 brings a few welcome additions. Previously, photos displayed as thumbnails, and swiping through could be tedious. Now, a Navigator timeline represents your entire fi lm. Tap anywhere to be taken to that section. The other major addition is the ability to add audio – a welcome move, although the options are fairly limited. You can import only one layer of audio is allowed. And you £6.99 audio from Dropbox, Soundcloud and, of can’t combine the best from multiple takes, Version: 2.0.2 course, your iPad’s music library, but your or create a dialogue for animated characters. boinx.com/istopmotion Download: itun.es/i6Jn4w7 song is displayed in its entirety. If your movie ★ ★ ★ ★ is shorter than the song, the Navigator will VERDICT RATING LIKES: be useless. When sharing your fi lm, that extra This is a fantastic stop-motion animation app: 2 Incredibly easy to use audio will be trimmed, but it’s a shame you’re it’s easy to use and the shooting and editing 2 Ability to use iPhone as forced to see it in your workspace. tools are great. However, you’d be advised to remote camera You can also record a voice-over, but you’d work on sound in another app. Steve Paris DISLIKES: have to choose between that and the music: READ MORE: bit.ly/Wq7Py7 2 Audio tools feel too basic

34 iPad & iPhone User 2013 WE TEST REVIEWED PRODUCTS FOR PERFORMANCE, USER-FRIENDLINESS, BUILD QUALITY (FOR HARDWARE) RATINGS EXPLAINED AND VALUE FOR MONEY, THEN RATE THEM ON A 5-POINT SCALE. HERE’S WHAT THE SCORES MEAN. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ = STAR BUY: SUPERB ★ ★ ★ ★ = VERY GOOD ★ ★ ★ = GOOD ★ ★ = POOR ★ = UNACCEPTABLE Kodable TEACH YOUR KIDS THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CODING

urfScore’s premise for its Kodable app is S simple: a family of fuzzball aliens have crash-landed and need your help to navigate through a series of mazes. You do this by using some of the simple commands and logic concepts that underlie computer programming. The commands are all drag-and-drop, so a little trial and error will get you through, earning rewards and getting to grips with the fundamentals of coding. Our 12-year-old assistant reviewer was initially scathing of the simple, colourful interface, but half an hour later had worked through the entire fi rst world, completely engrossed. The fi rst level teaches the basics: how to go forwards, up and down, and conditional VERDICT FREE (1st world; 2nd £1.49) Version: 1.1 statements: ‘if this, then that’. The diffi culty It’s been said that technology is anything www.surfscore.com then increases with a repeat button, coloured invented after one is born. Today’s kids see Download: itun.es/i6Jw3mB squares as part of the instructions, and loops. gadgets as just another part of life: and RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ The second world (available via an in-app coding will be a vitally useful skill when they LIKES: purchase) adds more complexity and more contemplate the job market. Our experience 2 Easy to learn fuzzes. A third world, which will focus on suggests that kids will eat up Kodable, and 2 A fun, educational challenge debugging techniques, is in development. its programming lessons. It’s not presented as DISLIKES: Kodable is fun to use, challenging and technology, but as mind-food. Angel Garden 2 Fuzzballs could move faster educational, and we look forward to more. READ MORE: bit.ly/131vzxO 2 Variable music would be good

Wood Camera – Vintage Photo Editor Alt Photo 69p ★ ★ ★ FREE ★ ★ ★ ★ VERSION: 2.0 • DOWNLOAD: itun.es/i6Jw9qh • READ MORE: bit.ly/XUWQ2O VERSION: 1.2.0 • DOWNLOAD: itun.es/i6Jn8JZ • READ MORE: bit.ly/Xl6SV0 Conceived by pro photographers John Barnett and Zach Here’s a different take on arty fi lters. Instead of simply Garrett, Wood Camera offers a useful mix of photo tweaks offering styles, Alt Photo seeks to give your iPhone photos and enhancements capable of turning the most casual of shots a variety of fi lm-like looks, emulating the effects of old fi lm into eye candy. Users can shoot directly from within the app stocks and printing styles. You can shoot a photo for editing with live lenses – or fi lters, rather – and edit them on the fl y or from within the app, or pull one from your camera roll. It at a later date. The app currently offers 32 lenses, but they’re doesn’t overwhelm you with fi lter choices. There are only six not all as successful as the developers might hope. A minority categories: Color Film, Vintage Color, Toy Camera, B&W Film, add little, and sometimes actually make things worse. Wood B&W Print and B&W Vintage. Swipe down to move through Camera also offers 28 textures to add drama, contrast and the categories, then swipe to the right to see each of the six grunge to your images, along with 16 varied frames. These variations. Alt Photo’s fi lters serve up a light, subtle touch too are a mixed bag, with the odd dud, but there’s enough with fi lters to give photos a distinctive and unique character good combinations to produce stylish results. Nick Spence without piling it on too thick. And it’s free. Jackie Dove

iPad & iPhone User 2013 35 For iPad & For iPhone & For all four devices (separate Universal. A single version REVIEWS + + iPad mini iPod touch iPhone & iPad versions) works on all devices

WeatherPro Horizon Calendar MeteoEarth DETAILED, DATA-RICH BUT ADDS A WEATHER FORECAST EXPENSIVE, PROFESSIONAL- CONFUSING FORECASTER TO YOUR CALENDAR LOOKING WEATHER APP

£2.49/£2.99 £1.49 £2.99 (Premium version £1.49 for Version: 2.8.1 (iPad version) + Version: 1.0.3 3 months, £3.99 for 12 months) Download: itun.es/i6Jn4v2 Download: itun.es/i6Jn8Jq Version: 1.1 RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ Download: itun.es/i6Jw9V4 LIKES: LIKES: RATING ★ ★ ★ 2 Premium version offers 15-day forecasts 2 Useful, innovative concept LIKES: 2 Lots of graphs and charts 2 Attractive and simple interface 2 Stunning visuals 2 Easy for Calendar users to pick up 2 Great for showing off DISLIKES: 2 Seems expensive, considering that DISLIKES: DISLIKES: so many weather apps are free 2 Suggested locations can be unreliable 2 Overkill (and costly) for day-to-day use

e’ve been taking a look at his calendar app offers something here are free apps out there that W WeatherPro for iPad, the £2.99 T extra, and it’s a beauty: the T are more suitable for checking app from MeteoGroup. There’s also an weather. Enter the time and place of the forecast for your area, but this iPhone version, which is £2.49, and for an appointment, and the app shows professional-looking weather app beats an additional £3.99 you can upgrade to what the weather will be like, up to two most for bigger-picture data, and for a premium version for 12 months. weeks from now. It makes Horizon very sheer meteorological showing off. You get an eight-day forecast that helpful for parents wondering whether It’s very much a display app. Indeed, includes weather types: ‘Cloudy, snow to bring an umbrella for a school trip, or the makers say it was adapted from a shower’, for example. Temperature business travellers unsure how to pack. broadcast tool used by TV presenters. is shown on a graph – it’s Celsius by Horizon syncs with the iPhone’s You can search for towns and cities default – but it’s not really clear what the native Calendar app, and entering to view. Smaller conurbations may not four lines represent. Is one the average appointment data is very similar, except be listed; we couldn’t fi nd Maidenhead, temperature for the time of year? that a Google-powered search function for instance. But we were pleased to see We like the fact that WeatherPro in Horizon tries to predict the precise places that exist in both Britain and the made us feel like forecasters: we were location and city you’ll be visiting, the US came up in the morally correct order. handed all the information, and from better to offer a precise forecast. This You can superimpose maps of that we were able to draw our own doesn’t always work perfectly, though. precipitation, wind, temperature and so forecast. Other apps simply tell you hour Horizon Calendar isn’t just useful; on over the geographical image, then by hour what the weather is expected it’s also lovely to look at. It adopts the swipe to make everything move into the to be like, but WeatherPro makes you stripped-down aesthetic popular among future (up to fi ve days, if you upgrade to feel like you’re being given the raw data. recent weather apps, and switches easily the Premium edition). Alternatively, just It can be confusing at fi rst, though. between daily and monthly views, and hit the play button and watch everything Our main issue is the cost. There are Celsius and Fahrenheit. Best of all, it animate, just like on the telly. plenty of good, free weather apps out helps ensure you won’t show up at your It all looks incredible, but the price there, and WeatherPro faces a lot of next appointment soaking wet from an tag is likely to put off the casual ‘will it competition. Karen Haslam unexpected rainstorm. Joel Mathis rain tomorrow’ crowd. David Price READ MORE: bit.ly/XikLDo READ MORE: bit.ly/11a8pE7 READ MORE: bit.ly/X515qW

36 iPad & iPhone User 2013

The Hare With Amber Eyes: The Illustrated Edition by Edmund De Waal £12.99 Random House www.edmunddewaal.com Download: itun.es/i6Jt7my

RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ LIKES: 2 Slideshow images of selected netsuke 2 The musical excerpts 2 Secessionist watercolours album DISLIKES: 2 Interruption of ﬁ nal audio ﬁ le by standby mode

The Hare With Amber Eyes ELEGANT, EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY MEMOIR TOLD THROUGH A COLLECTION OF MINIATURE JAPANESE CARVINGS

hen the renowned ceramicist Edmund Despite the violent historical upheavals W de Waal inherits his great uncle’s that fall within this narrative’s span, de Waal collection of 264 netsuke – small Japanese tells his story sparingly, with an exactness that sculptures made of bone, ivory or wood – he seems inspired by the netsuke themselves. The is intrigued by their beauty and precision, eBook is similarly elegant in its design, with and resolves to trace their journey through a minimalist scrapbook feel, fi lled with family his family’s history. Alongside a moving photos, maps and documents. Slideshow recollection of the lives of family members, images are very successful this interactive eBook allows readers to delve at conveying the variety and into the story more deeply, with embedded detail of the netsuke (a carved The eBook has an elegant, videos, narration, music, a sumptuous gallery monkey and its young, for minimalist scrapbook feel, of Secessionist watercolours and, of course, example, tumble over and over images of the artefacts themselves. in a fi ercely playful embrace), fi lled with family photos, The netsuke are fi rst bought in the 1870s but leave one wishing that maps and documents in Paris by Charles Ephrussi, the son of a more could have been shown. wealthy Jewish banking family, and a cousin The fi nal audio fi le in the of Edmund de Waal’s great-grandfather. eBook is a reading from the last chapter by They represent the fashion for japonisme at the author. A satisfying ending, but beware that time; one of Charles’s many passions if you sit back to listen: standby mode will in a swirling cultural life – he also collected cut off the audio after a few minutes. Impressionist paintings, and was a partial inspiration for Proust’s character Charles VERDICT Swann. In 1899 he sends the netsuke to his Successful and satisfying, this eBook makes cousin Viktor and his wife Emmy in Vienna. great use of the iPad’s pin-sharp screen to As the family scatter to escape Nazi show off illustrations and archive material to persecution, the netsuke are rescued by the best advantage. The audio and video add an family’s old servant. Passed to safety from evocative element that enhances de Waal’s their hiding place inside her mattress, they beguiling prose and helps the reader to a return home to Tokyo with Uncle Iggie, richer appreciation of the text. Victoria Regan before fi nding a new home in London. READ MORE: bit.ly/ZHfcAo

iPad & iPhone User 2013 37

FREE (with in-app purchases) Version: 1.0.2 Electronic Arts www.ea.com/uk Download: itun.es/i6Jt582 + RATING ★ ★ ★ LIKES: Beautiful graphics Good selection of lovingly recreated cars and tracks A fun driving experience DISLIKES: ’Freemium’ model entails either waiting around for repairs, or potentially ruinous real-world payments Hardcore driving sim fans may ﬁ nd the handling unrealistically forgiving

Real Racing 3 A FREE, FUN AND BEAUTIFUL DRIVING GAME. BUT IT’S HARD TO IGNORE THE CONTENTIOUS IN-APP PAYMENTS

he latest instalment in this popular mobile And the chances are that you’ll enjoy the T franchise serves up gorgeous visuals game plenty. It’s utterly beautiful to look at, and a fun, fl uid racing experience. It’s also packed with licensed cars – which can sustain free. That’s a fi rst for the series, and sounds visible damage – and carefully recreated tracks. great; but the game’s in-app purchase system And the tilt-to-steer gameplay is almost as has proved to be a bit… contentious. realistic as the title promises (petrolheads may Real Racing 3 has two currencies: dollars, notice that it’s rather forgiving on corners). earned by completing races and competitions, As for the all-important multiplayer and gold coins, which can be attained by element, this is asynchronous; you’re Is a ten-minute break levelling up your driver or spending real-world competing against friends and other users really so bad? cash. This is where the trouble starts. around the world, but not at the same If you’re not willing to After a few races, you’ll notice that your time. You’re only really taking on computer- cough up real-world cash car’s tyres are in need of a service, or that controlled doppelgänger drivers whose racing for repairs, you’ll have to your engine could use a few upgrades. These prowess and decision-making is based on the wait real-world minutes and modifi cations take time, during which your real-world player’s past performances. hours for them to fi nish. car will be unavailable; you can wait a few Notifi cations like this one minutes, or just fork over some coins to get VERDICT will quicken your heart back in the action. And while you could Ultimately, you have to theoretically ignore calls to fi x the suspension decide how much your or headlights, your car’s performance will time is worth. We’re suffer, making it harder to stay competitive. not averse to spending This is a tricky subject. Like any enjoyable money, but we’ve had gaming experience, Real Racing 3 stimulates no trouble setting our the drive to keep going – ‘just one more iPad aside when the lap!’ – and that impulse is curtailed by old Nissan is in need these seemingly arbitrary limitations. Almost of an oil change. Since paradoxically, the more you enjoy the game, the game is free to the more often you’ll run into these enforced download, take it for breaks, forcing you to choose between racing a spin yourself and conservatively, cracking open your wallet, or see. Nate Ralph simply fi nding something else to do. READ MORE: bit.ly/XpwLDm

38 iPad & iPhone User 2013 WE TEST REVIEWED PRODUCTS FOR PERFORMANCE, USER-FRIENDLINESS, BUILD QUALITY (FOR HARDWARE) RATINGS EXPLAINED AND VALUE FOR MONEY, THEN RATE THEM ON A 5-POINT SCALE. HERE’S WHAT THE SCORES MEAN. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ = STAR BUY: SUPERB ★ ★ ★ ★ = VERY GOOD ★ ★ ★ = GOOD ★ ★ = POOR ★ = UNACCEPTABLE Shifts IN SPACE NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM ‘EVERYTHING’S ON FIRE’

omewhere between turn-based strategy S and a solo board game, Shifts is basically Star Trek if Kirk and co were doomed. You’re in command of a spaceship and its fi ve-person crew, trying to survive a nanobot attack which has all but destroyed humanity, and hoping to establish new colonies before it’s too late. Every turn, the relentless nanobots damage your hull, the colonists you carry, and your repair capabilities. Every turn, you need to make increasingly agonising choices about which crew members to deploy where, and whether you’ll spend your three or four actions on fi ghting fi res or exploring the galaxy in search of habitable planets. vague air of amateur hour. It’s testament £1.49 There’s no way to beat the nanobots, so to the tight, brutal ideas behind this that Version: 1.2 it’s a race against time, striving to establish it works so well regardless. threadbaregames.com Download: itun.es/i6Jt9RN enough colonies before you run out of fuel, ★ ★ ★ hull or colonists. It’s hard and unforgiving, so VERDICT RATING LIKES: it’s more than likely that you’ll wind up as so Shifts is in serious need of a makeover, not to The diffi culty sweet spot much sad space-junk, but it is possible – and mention a fuller tutorial, but it does a fi ne job between impossible and that’s why you’ll keep boldly going. of pulling off space exploration, panic and the theoretically possible Sadly, Shifts’ presentation lags far behind laser-focus of a good board game within its Blissful panic its strategy, with ugly art, a fi ddly interface stark, cramped confi nes. Alec Meer DISLIKES: and a few grammatical errors giving it the READ MORE: bit.ly/YdCkXD Art, interface and writing

Year Walk Capsized+ + £2.49 ★ ★ ★ ★ £1.99 ★ ★ ★ VERSION: 1.0 • DOWNLOAD: itun.es/i6Jt7Dz • READ MORE: bit.ly/Zvf08i VERSION: 1.0.1 • DOWNLOAD: itun.es/i6Jt7DZ • READ MORE: bit.ly/XYGGU1 A difﬁ cult game to describe, this one: much of its power If you played the gem of interplanetary jetpack exploration comes from its twisting, sinister narrative, and it’s arguably that was Waking Mars, but griped that there wasn’t enough more about the experience – and a slow, creepy assault on the action, Capsized+ might well do the trick. Set on a planet senses – than it is about the puzzles. Essentially all you need full of spiky threats and blocked passageways, it’s pleasantly to do is control the movement of an unseen character through large in scale, with a dreamlike feel, despite all the laserguns. a wintry, papercraft-styled forest, chaining together particular The on-demand jetpack means you can create your own path sequences to progress. Some of this is perfectly intuitive, some through the hand-drawn-esque environments, while simple requires throwing conventional logic to the winds, but the physics puzzles abound. Souring things a touch, however, is overall intent is to make you feel lost and confused, muddling how hard it pushes a store full of real-money upgrades. The your way back to what may or may not be safety. This is a controls make the relatively complicated possible on iPad, but multimedia experiment in the form of a game, but it’s effective it’s deﬁ nitely one of those pat-your-head-while-rubbing-your- and affecting rather than arch. Alec Meer stomach affairs, so expect a few sudden deaths. Alec Meer

iPad & iPhone User 2013 39 For iPad & For iPhone & For all four devices (separate Universal. A single version REVIEWS + + iPad mini iPod touch iPhone & iPad versions) works on all devices

£2.99 Version: 1.0 Tomorrow Corporation tomorrowcorporation.com Download: itun.es/i6Jr3Wh RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ LIKES: Dark, destructive humour Something to say, without being preachy Burning things is fun DISLIKES: Is there any point to it?

Little Inferno BUY LAVISH AND EXPENSIVE ITEMS, THEN BURN THEM. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? BECAUSE

ittle Inferno is a satire: a satire of Lest it all sound too vague, rest assured L consumerism, of games built around click- there are optional goals, of a sort. Figuring frenzy compulsion, and of the human urge out certain combinations of items unlocks to destroy things. And somehow it’s good- achievements and bonus coins, while burning natured, despite essentially existing to raise everything in the item catalogue means you an eyebrow at our most scabrous urges. can buy a new one, stuffed with extra weird, There’s very little to it, on the surface. wonderful and vaguely sinister purchases to You drag objects into a fi replace and watch send to the great fi re gods. For a one-screen them burn, via a fi rst-person perspective and game about turning things to ash, it never a one-fi nger interface. There are no points, feels short of things to do. no objectives and no risk of failure. If the fi re Whether there’s any point It’s an extended exercise in goes out, tap anywhere to start it again. If the to its cheerful scolding of our fi re wanes, drag on more objects to watch it desire to shop and destroy futility, but between the hungrily devour them and leap in size. winds up all but moot: Little twisted presentation and Immolating some objects will activate Inferno turns these things, no animations, pleasures in themselves: corn on matter how unhealthy, into compulsive entertainment, the cob sprays into a fountain of blackened entertainment and gorgeously popcorn, a wooden bicycle pedals itself across animated, upredictable it’s somehow joyful the screen in something like panic. Darkly, a spectacle. You might end your ‘family photo’ item asks you to select a picture time with it feeling guilty and base, but you’ll from your library: moments later, you’ll watch also fi nd its fi re has burned into your memory. your dog or grandparents go up in smoke. As the game wears on, more elaborate, VERDICT bizarre and expensive items become available. Little Inferno is a collection of things we In another situation, you might love to own might recognise as ‘gamey’ – earning coins, a giant plushie dinosaur; in Little Inferno, all eradicating things, unlocking other things – you care about is how well it burns. It’s an but at the same time it wouldn’t be unfair to extended exercise in futility, but between the call it an interactive screensaver. A screensaver twisted, Tim Burtonesque presentation and ripe with the childish thrill of making things compulsive entertainment, it’s somehow joyful burn for the hell of it, though. Alec Meer futility. It’s laughing with you, not at you. READ MORE: bit.ly/WeLyTK

40 iPad & iPhone User 2013

iCueda Zombies, Run! SEQ ATTRACTIVE IF LABORIOUS UNDEAD-THEMED FITNESS NINE EIGHT SEVEN… WAIT… MEMORY-TESTING PUZZLER APP: GET FIT OR DIE TRYIN’ SIX FIVE… AAAAARGGGGHH

£1.49 £2.49 FREE (extra level packs 69p each) Version: 1.1 Version: 1.5.1 Version: 1.4 + Download: itun.es/i6Jc9KB Download: itun.es/i6J26JB Download: itun.es/i6Jc6xV RATING ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ LIKES: LIKES: LIKES: 2 Looks great 2 Encourages getting ﬁ t 2 Simple, fun gameplay mechanic 2 Challenges and stimulates the brain 2 Entertaining script 2 Quite addictive DISLIKES: DISLIKES: DISLIKES: 2 Controls can be painful 2 No real ‘risk’ – not gamey enough? 2 Sudden difﬁ culty spikes & can’t skip levels 2 Feels like work, not a game 2 Zombies sometimes super-fast 2 No single-touch restart

ey mislayers, own-head-forgetters here are plenty of reasons to start implicity can be a virtue, and this K and the otherwise memory- T running: to lose weight, build fi tness, S economical puzzle game certainly challenged can exercise their powers of or simply evade that decomposing has accessibility in its favour. It’s dimly recall with this simple puzzler. Each of fi gure grasping for your brains. Zombies, reminiscent of Sudoku, in that you have the 105 levels displays an arrangement Run! casts you in the trainers of Runner to place numbers into a partially pre- of white and coloured tiles, then tasks 5, a mysterious fi gure dropped into a populated grid, but these must follow you with recreating it from memory. zombie-fi lled world, who has to help the sequential paths (hence the name) from Stylistically iCueda is a winner, with survivors by (literally) running errands. coloured high points down to grey clear, attractive patterns and nicely But this isn’t a game as such – it’s more zeroes. Slide your fi nger along a path tactile-looking tiles – these pop out as an interactive radio drama. You really and the game will input the fi gures cubes. But the controls are less of a hit. will be running, and the app tracks you for you. It’s fun, and rather moreish. You swipe your chosen cube until the on your GPS as you collect supplies, and Things get satisfyingly complicated right tile face comes up, but the problem occasionally have to pick up the pace to as the grids enlarge, the number of comes when trying to rotate the face escape the undead chasing you. coloured paths multiply and everything itself, which is fi ddly and a bit of a pain. There’s not much game here, but it’s starts to overlap. But the diffi culty curve You’ll often forget the pattern while a nice distraction while running, and is a bit bumpy – a series of easy levels wrestling the fi rst cube into position. the story is engaging, well acted and is often followed by an absolute killer, The devs boast that playing this game occasionally quite funny. Its not as fi tness- which you can’t skip. And undoing your can improve your visual memory. We feature-oriented as Endomondo or the work can be a pain: double-tapping can’t confi rm that one way or the other; like, but it can be used alongside more a number should unravel the path our scores certainly improved, but we dedicated apps for the best of both back to that point, but it’s sometimes may have just got better at describing worlds: the one that’s full of exciting unresponsive; and we wish there was shapes: “Pac-Man, bow tie, bow tie, zombies, and the one where you just a single-touch restart, as seen on the squiggle.” Which, while amusing, want to lose a stone. Doesn’t hurt to be saintly Pangolin (reviewed last issue). is probably missing the point of an prepared for when the undead walk (or A confi rmation box for level restarts? overtly non-verbal game. David Price run) the earth, either. Alan Martin I’m not a baby. David Price READ MORE: bit.ly/YaND4x READ MORE: bit.ly/15qkjq5 READ MORE: bit.ly/16xBrxE

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054_055 Subs May.indd 55 21/03/2013 17:31 I’ve got the power There’s nothing worse than running out of juice, so get yourself covered for any eventuality by calling on the convenience of a portable charger BY ROB CLYMO

got a constant supply of power can be both stress-relieving and hugely convenient, especially if you simply cannot be without access to your iOS device. Once such item is the Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Duo external battery (around £80, www.mophie.com), which isn’t cheap, but boasts high-output technology that can recharge two iPhone, iPad or iPod devices at a time. Not only is it wonderfully easy to use, but the mophie features LED indicator lights, allowing you to keep tabs on how much life is left in the charger itself. Better still, it weighs just 200g, and is designed to fit easily into a bag when you’re going away. An extra £20 or so will bag you the Just Mobile Gum Max supercharged rechargeable battery (www.just-mobile.com), Bijou solution obile gadgets are all well and good, which sounds rather grander than it actually The TeckNet iEP390 but there’s no escaping the fact that is. Again, this offers up the capacity for 11000mAh external battery Mwe’re all at the mercy of battery powering up your iPad, iPhone or iPod, but pack is good on the eye, life. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got an iPhone, can also be used with other USB devices. The won’t break the bank and iPod, iPad or any other mobile gadget, robust aluminium housing makes it durable, will keep you charged because without power you’re pretty much but it weighs in at a little heavier 273g. dead in the water. If you’re looking for an altogether more There’s nothing more frustrating than muscular power supply to take on your anticipating a lengthy music or games-playing travels, then the Veho Pebble Pro-XT (£99.95, session, only to find that your power bar is www.veho-uk.com) warrants further dwindling away to nothing. More crucially, if investigation. Not only can this bruiser power you’ve got a deadline looming or important your iOS gadgets, but it can also charge larger work to complete and you’re relying on your mobile devices, such as notebooks. It comes device to get it done, then having access to with an array of connector tips, but weighs an ‘always on’ power supply is vital. 396g, so it’s one of the heavier options. The good news is that there are plenty Those aiming for a rather more compact of accessories that can keep you powered power solution might want to look towards up, both at home and while you’re out and the TeckNet iEP390 11000mAh external about. Out of the box, iOS devices come battery pack (www.tecknetonline.co.uk). with the standard mains power source, This portable option comes in at just under which you can of course use in other £60 and is perfect for the Apple iPad 2, iPad, Style on the move locations – and also overseas, with the iPhone 4G 4, iPhone 3G 3GS and iPod Touch The Just Mobile Highway Pro benefit of a simple plug adaptor. That’s fine (1G, 2G, 3G). It weighs 270g and is pretty dual charger offers a slick if you have access to a mains electricity small, and offers 50 hours standby time for and stylish way of recharging supply. If not, the next best thing is a an iPhone 4 and 10 hours for a 3G iPad 2. your iOS gadgets in the car standalone device that’ll keep you topped Slightly less effective, but just as up until you find a plug socket. portable, is the Duracell 2-in-1 USB charger (www.duracell.co.uk). From the same Portable Power oPtions people who brought you the batteries, this Buying a portable charging solution will set little charging solution is handy for a quick you back a reasonable amount of money, bit of juice when you need it most. There and it’s worth remembering that you’ll have are down sides – it takes a while to fully something extra to take with you on your charge – and it’s not compatible with tablets. travels. Nevertheless, knowing that you’ve However, for anyone looking to bring life

44 iPad & iPhone User 2013 back to their phone momentarily then this small, lightweight option is worth a look. The rather cheap-and-cheerful-looking Momax iPower Pro 8000mAh universal portable battery pack can be found online for around £50 (at www.mobimega.com, for example) and is compatible with the iPad and iPad mini. Once out of the box, this little gizmo is surprisingly durable and packs a powerful punch. The design might not be up to the same standard as its pricier rivals, but this is still a reasonably eye-catching package that also fits easily into your luggage. Of course, chances are that you might be out and about in a car. In that respect you’ve got another angle for staying powered up, thanks to a variety of in-car chargers that work with a variety of iOS gadgets. For example, at just under a tenner, you can get Griffin’s PowerJolt Dual (store.apple.com/uk), which works with the iPad, iPhone and iPod. this thing looks great once it’s plugged in and For every device It’s a nifty little thing that allows you to charge is complemented by nifty green micro-LED The Veho Pebble Pro-XT two devices while you’re on the move. power indicators. is a beefy portable power Slightly pricier, but a whole lot cooler Rounding out the pick of the crop when solution that comes with to look at, is the Just Mobile Highway Pro it comes to in-car recharging is the Belkin a variety of connectors dual charger, which costs around £35 and Car Charger (www.belkin.com), complete for mobile devices enables you to also recharge two devices at with the latest Lightning connector. This the same time. In addition, it sports a built-in device costs less than £20 and allows you to fused surge protection feature, meaning that power up your Lightning-enabled iOS device whatever you’re charging will be safeguarded. What’s more, the natty aluminium head on Knowing that you’ve got

Double the fun a constant supply of power The Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Duo external battery features a cool can be both stress-relieving design, and is lightweight and portable. Plus it allows you to charge two and hugely convenient, devices simultaneously especially if you simply cannot be without access to your ios device

while you’re on your travels. It’s got a funky compact design, plugs into your car’s power socket and comes complete with a generous 4ft cable. Meanwhile, the Lightning connector is also fully reversible.

AlwAys on The great thing about this selection of chargers is that there’s something to suit just about any kind of budget when it comes to staying powered up on the go. What’s more, with a wide variety of different devices available – we’ve only touched the top of the pile – there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to stay fully charged, no matter where you’re heading.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 45 Seize the moment Jot it down quickly with CaptureNotes 2’s range of advanced tools BY A ROSS

Get organised Multiple options Tap the arrow to see all Switch between the Notebooks in the modes using the pen, Binder you’re currently the eraser, and the in, or tap the grid to keyboard, or hit the see your full selection red button to start of Binders. an audio recording.

Easy does it Pull up a wrist guard to enable you to rest your hands on the iPad’s Fast forward screen as you work Tap this tab for full without confusing the access to the sidebar, touch sensors. where you can quickly scroll through pages and add Flags.

here are plenty of apps that let you jot down notes on the iPad, but VITAL INFO we haven’t come across many that offer the range of CaptureNotes 2. DEVICE: iPhone/iPad DIFFICULTY: Beginner Designed with lectures and business meetings in mind, it’s a good-looking TIME REQUIRED: 5 mins T app with some advanced features that make it easy to quickly capture all the WHAT YOU NEED: detail you need. 2 CaptureNotes (£1.99, itun.es/i6JN2TH) CaptureNotes allows you to type and sketch, but you can also take audio 2 iOS 5.0 or later recordings. By connecting the app to a Dropbox account, you can import PDFs, meaning you can mark up a set of slides or a document at the same time as capturing the audio from your meeting or lecture. You can even use themed, customisable tags, called Flags, to link a particular section of the audio to the relevant point in your notes, and sort through these easily afterwards. Using your ﬁ ngertip to write isn’t quite as smooth or intuitive as you might think, and it takes a little practice to combine a PDF, Flags and audio efﬁ ciently, but if you’re after a powerful and highly versatile note-taking app, CaptureNotes 2 is well worth a try.

46 iPad & iPhone User 2013 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: dUly noted

1 Bound together In Capturenotes, you work 2 Tweak the settings As well as all the defaults in notebooks, which are then grouped into Binders. you’d expect, Settings is where you can link the app tap ‘new Binder’, give it a name and add a subtitle. to dropbox – it will create a dedicated folder in your you can then opt to change the colour – all notebooks dropbox, into which you put any documents you’re inside the Binder will be the same hue. tap the cog in planning to annotate in Capturenotes. Back up all the corner to alter your preferences. your work using dropbox or itunes in data Backup.

3 A glowing report Capturenotes 2 is the best 4 Flag it up Flags group key information: there app we’ve come across for reading and annotating are ready-made sets or you can create your own. drag documents: import a PdF – or several – from your a Flag off the sidebar and position it in your text. If dropbox by tapping the Paper icon. you can then you’re recording, any Flag you post is linked to that write, highlight and annotate to your heart’s content. moment in the audio. to listen back or delete a Flag, landscape orientation is best for big documents. tap and hold it until the options appear.

5 All the highlights to sift through the 6 Digital pencil case When drawing or writing, information you’ve marked up quickly, tap Filter Flags, press and hold the pen, eraser or keyboard icons then tap on a particular category: you can then surf to change colour, line thickness, font and text size. through each point in the PdF that you’ve tagged with you can also choose ‘highlighter’ for marking up key a Flag. tap on any of the text to go straight to that points. However, with drawing, there’s only one level point. this is brilliant for dealing with large documents. of undo – older mistakes require the eraser.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 47 Living in the past Find out what you were up to one year ago today with Timehop BY ROB BEATTIE

Settings to suit Open the portal Tap here to change Tap the personal or group Timehop’s settings, icons to see your own add or remove social Timehop feed or those of networks, change when your friends who are also it sends new notiﬁ cations using the app. and more.

Private stays that way Timehop only shares posts that you’ve already made available to online services and networks. Photos like this from the camera roll are not shared Circle of life or uploaded. Entries in the Timehop timeline can be shared with others via email or reposted on Twitter or Facebook, thus becoming part of a never-ending circle of social media.

hese days, people live so much of their lives online, cross-posting VITAL INFO between Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and Flickr, that it’s a wonder DEVICE: iPhone/iPad DIFFICULTY: Beginner anyone can keep up with everything. In addition, all that electronic TIME REQUIRED: 5 mins T business has another interesting side-effect, making everything not just WHAT YOU NEED: instant, but also momentary: as if a post – whether it be a photo, a link or 2 Timehop (free, itun.es/i6Jn5nc) a comment – only exists until it’s pushed off the screen by someone else’s 2 iOS 5.0 or later noise and chatter. The free Timehop app gives iOS users a chance to remind themselves of what they were up to in the dim and distant past by grabbing their entries from popular social networking sites (along with photos from the camera roll) and displaying them once a day. Previous posts are shared with other Timehop users, while local photos are not. So it’s a good way to reminisce, while keeping private moments to yourself. Here’s how it works.

48 iPad & iPhone User 2013 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: NOBODY’S PAST IS HISTORY

1 Let’s time travel Start by 2 Add local photos Timehop can 3 One year ago… Nearly there. downloading the app and installing it. tell if any of your friends are also using At the next screen, tap ‘Got It’ and OK Tap the icon to launch the app and then the app and allow you to see the stories to confi rm you’re happy to receive daily tap the Log In or Sign Up button at the they share at the same time as they notifi cations from Timehop. Choose foot of the screen. Necessarily, Timehop can see yours. Tap ‘Got It’ to move on. whether to share your new-found needs access to loads of social media Next, there’s the option to include all Timehop love with Facebook and Twitter data, so tap OK to continue. Next, the photos in the camera roll – note that or skip that step and then let the app choose which services Timehop can scan these aren’t shared or uploaded – tap do its stuff. After a moment, the fi rst for information and tap Continue again. Authorize and then OK. entry appears.

4 Even further back Timehop 5 Sharing again There are 6 Add/Remove services If you doesn’t stop at one year, either. Scrolling annotations under each entry which tell change your mind and decide you’d through the list of entries we found you where it was ﬁ rst published (‘fb’ for rather not revisit your ancient tweets, photos from two years ago. All links are Facebook and ‘tw’ for Twitter), together then tap the icon to the right of the live (assuming the source still exists) so with an email button which opens the Timehop logo and at the next screen, it’s easy to revisit something you may default mail app with the diary entry tap the Settings cog. From here, it’s easy have forgotten about. Here for example, already attached, along with a Share to add or remove services, change how is a gig review of the Alter Eagles, an button so you can post the entry again often Timehop sends you updates (the Eagles tribute band. on Facebook or Twitter. default is daily) or edit your proﬁ le.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 49 SYNCING WITH iCLOUD Syncing with iCloud Let’s get down to business with iCloud’s main functions. This month: syncing BY SERENITY CALDWELL

iCloud is chock full of features for syncing, sharing photos, listening to music, reading, i backing up your devices, hanging out with friends, and more. In this article, we’ll learn how to master iCloud’s syncing components, among its most valuable core offerings.

SYNC YOUR DATA AND DOCUMENTS Once you have iCloud set up on your devices, you can take advantage of the service’s syncing and storage capabilities. Whenever you make a change within an iCloud- supported application, your data is seamlessly pushed across all of your devices; you won’t actively have to choose when you want to sync your device or what you want to sync. Instead, your data is automatically stored in iCloud, and your iOS devices sync to and pull information from this central server on a computer, and then immediately add ‘Eggs’ regular basis, keeping everything up to date. to your iPhone list before iCloud has had a VITAL INFO chance to sync, iCloud will add fi rst ‘Milk’ and DEVICE: Mac, PC, iPad HOW DOES SYNCING WORK? then ‘Eggs’ to your list on iCloud.com. Next, and iPhone Don’t panic: this article doesn’t go into nitty- it will add ‘Milk’ to your iPhone list above the DIFFICULTY: Beginner gritty explanations about online storage and ‘Eggs’ item. Finally, it will add ‘Eggs’ to your TIME REQUIRED: Varies push servers. Instead, we’ll outline the basics Mac’s shopping list. of how Apple’s iCloud sync process works. It’s That said, any sync service – iCloud WHAT YOU NEED: a fairly simple and (usually) seamless process. included – can get tetchy if you try changing iCloud account Step 1. You add or change a reminder on multiple records or the same record in your iPhone. multiple places. iCloud will try its best Step 2. If your iPhone has a network to reconcile your wishes, but you might connection, that change goes up to the occasionally end up with duplicate list entries, central iCloud server. (If, for whatever reason, events, or notes. you don’t have a network connection when you fi rst make an edit, your iPhone stores WHAT CAN I SYNC? the change locally until it can sync with iCloud’s document and data sync makes up iCloud again.) a large portion of the service. You receive Step 3. iCloud confi rms that this is the full sync support across all devices (PC, newest change or addition made to that Mac and iOS) for your iCloud.com email, reminder list. contacts, calendars, reminders, and notes, Step 4. The server makes the change to and that data also appears when you log in iCloud.com, and then sends that change to iCloud.com. Depending on your device, down to all of your other iCloud-connected you can also sync Safari bookmarks and open devices. tabs, Passbook passes, and app documents This all takes place behind the scenes and and data. within seconds of your initial change. Each feature your device supports is “But what if,” you might ask, “I’m listed in the iCloud preference screen; from changing the same reminder on both my there, you get to choose what items you computer and my phone?” While it’s not the want the service to store. For instance, if best idea to do that, iCloud tries to handle you enable contacts sync for your iPhone, near-simultaneous changes by syncing them whenever you enter a new contact there, it in the order in which it gets them, with the automatically gets pushed to iCloud.com and most recent change synced last. For example, any other devices you have set up to allow if you add ‘Milk’ to your shopping list on your contact syncing.

50 iPad & iPhone User 2013 MAIL, CALENDARS, CONTACTS, internet access. On your iPhone or iPad, Reminders (above left) REMINDERS AND NOTES These ﬁ ve areas you access synced tabs by tapping Safari’s We’ve ticked off the most are part of iCloud’s core sync program; they Bookmarks button, and then tapping iCloud pressing task on this list… are the only ones that can be synced across all Tabs. (If you’re already in a sublist in the iCloud-supported platforms and thus the only Bookmarks list, tap the left-facing arrow until (Above right) ones viewable on iCloud.com. you get to the top level, titled Bookmarks.) …and it (fairly) promptly On the Mac and iOS, these areas sync to Tabs are grouped by device, and each tab’s appears under the the programs of the same name: your email entry shows the name of the web page and Completed list in Safari syncs to Mail, calendars to Calendar, contacts its URL; tap any item in the list to open that on a desktop Mac to the Contacts app, and so on. On a PC, webpage on your device. iCloud syncs with Outlook 2007 or later. On your Mac, you access synced tabs When you ﬁ rst set up your iCloud account, by clicking the iCloud Tabs button – which these features are on by default; that means looks like a cloud – in Safari’s toolbar. Tabs when you check off a reminder on your are similarly grouped by device, although on iPhone, that reminder will also show up as the Mac they only display the website’s title completed on your Mac (assuming you’ve set instead of both its title and its URL. up the service on both Mac and iPhone). If you don’t want to sync certain data – PASSBOOK Designed for the iPhone and your contacts, or your calendars – you can turn iPod touch, Apple’s mobile wallet app stores off syncing by going to System Preferences > boarding passes, event tickets, customer iCloud (on your Mac) or Settings > iCloud (on loyalty cards, coupons, movie tickets and iOS) and unticking the boxes or turning off the other assorted passes and cards in one toggles for the appropriate selections. location. Whenever you pick up a pass, ticket, or coupon, your iCloud account automatically Cloud tabs SAFARI BOOKMARKS, READING LIST, uploads these to the service’s central server. Easily view web pages you AND iCLOUD TABS Available for iOS and While you can technically sync Passbook found on your iPhone on Mac users only, the Safari option lets you sync with other devices, the only ones available the iPad’s larger screen bookmarks, your Reading List, and open tabs and windows (which Apple refers to as iCloud tabs). This data doesn’t go to iCloud.com; it gets synced directly between devices. Bookmarks and Reading List are fairly straightforward: add a new bookmark to your browser, or an article to your Reading List, and that change gets pushed to all your other devices within moments. If you’ve ever found yourself viewing a web page in Safari on your iPhone and wanting to instead view it on the larger screen of your iPad or Mac – or, conversely, reading an article on your Mac and wanting to transfer it to your iPhone as you walk out the door – iCloud Tabs is for you. Instead of emailing URLs to yourself, you just tap the iCloud Tabs button and grab the URL from your other device. iCloud syncs any tabs or windows open on any of your devices – assuming they have

iPad & iPhone User 2013 51 SYNCING WITH iCLOUD

are the iPhone and iPod touch – which means days. Your computer automatically downloads that as an iPhone owner, you’d need to also any new synced photos to your chosen own an iPod touch (or two iPhones) to take photography program, or to your designated advantage of this. But if you’re giving your photo library folder. In iPhoto, the photos daughter movie tickets, for example, the sync appear under Events, with a default name feature might be useful. that includes the month and year, along with Photo Stream. You can, however, change the PHOTO STREAM With Photo Stream, you event name, or reorganise those images and can snap a picture from any iOS device – or put them elsewhere. upload a photo to your Mac or PC – and iOS devices, in contrast, won’t have it pushed to all your other devices and automatically download full-quality Photo computers. You can also create Shared Photo Stream images to your phone – they’re only Streams, which allow you to collect and send available for viewing. If you want to edit an albums of images to your friends and family. image or save a hard copy of it, you must On iOS devices, iCloud syncs your Photo ﬁ rst download it by going to Photos > Photo Stream to the Photos app, under the Photo Stream, selecting the appropriate photo, and Stream tab; on a Mac, you use iPhoto or then tapping Share > Save to Camera Roll. Aperture; and on a PC, you must choose You can delete individual Photo Stream a folder on your hard drive to use as your images from iCloud via your iOS device: Just Picture Library. The Apple TV can view your go to Photos > Photo Stream, tap the image Photo Stream, but you can’t upload images to in question, and tap the Trash button. You it from the device (as there’s no actual way to can also delete multiple images by going add photos to the Apple TV). to Photos > Photo Stream, tapping the Edit Photo Stream keeps a copy of the last button, and then selecting the images you 1,000 photos snapped on your iOS device or wish to delete. You can delete Photo Stream uploaded to your Mac or PC; these photos images from iCloud via your Mac by opening are stored on iCloud’s central servers for 30 iPhoto and selecting Photo Stream, and then

iCLOUD SYNC TROUBLESHOOTING

Here’s a couple of common issues Look for these words: “Your Now, move to your iPhone, choose with iCloud syncing, and how we calendars are being synced with iCloud Settings > iCloud, and ﬂ ick the toggle would advise tackling them. over the air. Your calendars will also next to Calendars to Off. Again, you’ll sync directly with this computer. be offered the choice to keep or Diagnosis: merger This may result in duplicated data delete your calendars. In this instance, Content merges – when you try to showing on your device.” delete them (don’t worry, they’re sync an active iCloud account with a This is a strong hint that you’re stored in the cloud). Now switch the device that has calendars and contacts doing A Bad Thing and that you need Calendars toggle back to On. In the on it – can be a source of trouble. to make a choice between syncing sheet that appears, tap Merge. iCloud always attempts to merge with your computer and syncing with What happens? The duplicate things seamlessly: if it’s merging iCloud. You can disable calendar events currently stored on your calendars, and you have two events syncing within iTunes by unticking iPhone (the ones synced from your with the same name, it automatically the Sync Calendars option. When you Mac) and on iCloud are merged into tries to accept the one you created do, iTunes will offer to remove its a single event. Any additional events most recently. Most of the time, data calendar entries from your iPhone. not found in your iCloud calendar merges should work, but there can But suppose you have different get added to iCloud. be mistakes. If you’re worried about events in the calendars synced overwriting data, back up your from your Mac and those device before you turn on iCloud. synced via iCloud, and you’d like to have all of your events Duplicates, duplicates, duplicates on the iPhone. Try this: attach If you’re using iTunes 10 or earlier, your iPhone to your Mac and you’ve switched on calendar and, in the Info tab, disable syncing with both iCloud and iTunes, Calendar syncing. When you could be in for some serious you see the offer to keep or duplication. Connect your iOS device remove the calendars currently to your PC or Mac, select it in iTunes’ on the iPhone, keep them, Source list, choose the Info tab, and then click the Apply button peer at the Sync Calendars entry. at the bottom of the window.

52 iPad & iPhone User 2013 choosing the photo(s) you wish to delete. and open it up later on your iPhone to do Photo stream (above left) You can’t delete individual Photo Stream some tweaking. You can access your projects iCloud (and Photo Streams) images from a PC, though you can clear across all your iOS devices (and, if the app allows you to view your your entire Photo Stream online by logging in question supports OS X, the Mac), so it’s iPhone photos on your iPad. in to iCloud.com, clicking your name in the not necessary to fi le share or email copies to But it doesn’t download top right corner to bring up your Account yourself. Documents & Data will automatically them at full quality unless preferences, selecting Advanced, and then sync your documents through iCloud, so you prompted… clicking Reset Photo Stream. can access them on all of your iOS devices. If you want to share images in your library Apple’s own App Store apps (such as Pages, (Above right) with friends – whether you’ve added them to Keynote, Numbers and iPhoto, among others) …To do this you’ll need to Photo Stream or not – you can create a Shared use this functionality, as do third-party apps select the option Save to Photo Stream on your Mac or iOS device (from like AgileBits’ 1Password, Tapbots’ Tweetbot Camera Roll fi rst iPhoto or the Photos app, respectively). and Autodesk’s SketchBook Pro. Using iCloud On your Mac, select the images you want in apps that support it is simple as can be: to share, click the Share button, and then Just fl ip the Documents & Data switch on in click Photo Stream. From here, you can create iCloud settings. Then, when you download a new Shared Photo Stream, or add it to a an iCloud-enabled app, it should prompt Shared Photo Stream you’ve already created. you to use the service to store documents or Create a new stream, and you’ll need to data. (If the app doesn’t ask you about iCloud choose whom to send it to and whether you functionality automatically, you may need to want to make the images available on the turn on a setting in its preferences.) web. Friends who have iCloud will see the If you ever want to delete an app’s iCloud Which documents are shared stream pop up in the Photo Stream information, on an iOS device, select Settings hogging iCloud’s storage? section of iPhoto or the Photos app on iOS; > iCloud > Storage & Backup > Manage As you can see, Pages is those without an iCloud account can view the Storage > Documents & Data; on a Mac or taking up about 100 times as images on the web. PC, go to the iCloud preference pane or much space as Infi nity Blade You can also easily create a Shared Photo control panel and click the Manage button. II, which makes us rather sad Stream on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad by selecting the images you want, and then tapping Share > Photo Stream. After you make a Shared Photo Stream, your recipients can comment on or like your photo, and even save it to their own computer or iOS device.

DOCUMENTS & DATA This toggle controls the wireless sync and storage of all iCloud- enabled apps. Sometimes referred to by Apple as Documents in the Cloud, Documents & Data keeps your app information ubiquitous across all your iOS devices and computers, allowing you to create a document on one device, save it, and pick up where you left off somewhere else. Accessing documents between iOS devices is seamless. Say you started a Numbers spreadsheet on your iPad; you could save it

iPad & iPhone User 2013 53 Four productivity-boosting replacements for stock iOS apps Awesome alternatives to Calendar, Mail, Notes and Reminders BY RICK BROIDA

f you’re an iPhone user, you’re no doubt further right to delete. Swipe left and you familiar with the pre-installed apps, such get built-in snooze options, an ideal way I as Calendar, Mail, Notes and Reminders. to make mail resurface at the top of your Indeed, these are key tools in any mobile inbox at a later time and/or date. worker’s arsenal – and yet all four have room Mailbox is free, but for the moment you’ll for improvement. Some would say a lot. have to join a fairly lengthy waiting list to Below, we’ve rounded up four great get it. Trust us: it’s worth waiting for. alternatives to the aforementioned apps, itun.es/i6Jr9vq all of which will boost your productivity. REPLACE NOTES WITH SPRINGPAD REPLACE CALENDAR Bet you thought we were going to say WITH FANTASTICAL Evernote. Anything is better than Apple’s If you live and die by the calendar, as so anaemic Notes app, which can’t even sort your many business people do, you’ve no doubt entries, but we fi nd SpringPad to be the better had some complaints with Calendar for iOS. information-management tool. For starters, it’s Instead, try Fantastical, which provides a fresh, much easier to learn, with an interface that’s attractive interface for your appointments, as straightforward as Evernote’s is confusing. and also simplifi es adding new ones. What’s more, it offers handy extras like Specifi cally, you can create an entry just by task lists, reminders and contacts, and you can typing a simple sentence: “Lunch with Thomas collaborate with co-workers on selected items. on Friday at Always Be Chewing.” Even better, itun.es/i6Jc6Bf you can dictate that same sentence and Fantastical will turn it into an appointment, REPLACE REMINDERS WITH ASTRID with all the critical details fi lled in. We can’t survive without a to-do list, and There are a few iOS-imposed limitations, while Apple’s Reminders gets the job done, but we fi nd Fanastical to be exactly that, and it’s a pretty bare-bones task manager. Astrid well worth the £2.49 price of admission. is just the opposite, offering a wealth of itun.es/i6Jt5Hv task-management tools and an attractive, straightforward interface. REPLACE MAIL WITH MAILBOX You can add tasks using your voice, copy The stock Mail app isn’t bad, but Mailbox tasks to your calendar, and, perhaps best of makes inbox management a breeze. all, assign tasks to people in your contact The replacements It’s all about how you swipe. While viewing list. It’ll even import your existing tasks from From left to right: your message list, you can swipe right to Reminders. Not bad for a freebie. Fantastical, Mailbox, archive an individual message, or a little itun.es/i6Jt8Zj SpringPad and Astrid

54 iPad & iPhone User 2013 Clean your lawn in Plants vs Zombies Got zombies on your grass? Here are some tips for playing PopCap’s tower defence gem, designed to keep even the most persistent corpse off your plot BY ALAN MARTIN

THE BASICS Sunshine is everything, so don’t be afraid to plant a lot of Sunﬂ owers/Sunshrooms. Two rows should do it. While harvesting sunshine early on, one neat tip is to put down Potato Mines to hold off the early zombies without having to spend all your sunshine on more expensive plants. Sure, they’re one use only, but at 25 sunshine each, they won’t break the solar bank. Plant them some way in front of the oncoming zombie, though, so they have time to activate. Keep your defenceless plants at the back. It may sound obvious, but plants with no means to defend themselves should be as far away from the zombies as possible. Remember, if the worst comes to the worst, you have one free kill per row with the lawnmowers. If reached, they will kill everything in their path. A helpful safety net.

GARDENER’S TIPS seed slot, and the Sunfl ower upgrade for Fog level The Wallnut (and its cousin, the Tallnut) can double the sunshine per harvest. Foggy levels are tricky, but be a lifesaver. If some zombies are getting You can also use the Wallnut to bottleneck clever use of Planterns and uncomfortably close to your house, you can a bunch of zombies at once. Plant a Wallnut, Torchwood will help if you put one down to stall them (35 seconds for let them gather around it, drop a Cherry can keep them protected the Wallnut, 70 for the Tallnut) while you Bomb and worry about cleaning up the gather up sun-power, dig up defenceless bits of corpse later. plants and put down a pea-shooter or two. Another way to bottleneck zombies is The Gravebuster may seem a luxury item, using the underrated Garlic, which will send but it’s worth using when you have excess zombies into an adjacent row after a single sun for two reasons: 1) it gives you extra cash bite. Putting these on the top and bottom to spend on stuff from Crazy Dave, and 2) columns can funnel the undead into your zombies pop up from the graves in the fi nal four main rows, where you can concentrate waves – if they’re removed, they can’t. all your fi repower. Speaking of Crazy Dave, save up money Jalapeños burn not only the Zomboni, but and visit him often. Top items include an extra also the icy path it leaves behind.

SPECIFIC LEVEL TIPS EXPERT TIP Rooftop levels are angled, so anything on Need more tips? This is only the back fi ve columns will need to either scratching the surface of the be a catapult, or a non-offensive item like a game, but PopCap have a Sunfl ower. But once the roof is fl at, the trusty very neat guide in-game. Threepeater is just as effective here as ever. The Suburban Almanac tells you about all the plants and On ‘conveyor belt’ levels, whack down zombies encountered so far. unwanted plants, then immediately dig them It’s selectable from the main up to clear space on the belt for prize items. menu. The ‘Help’ button, The bowling levels aren’t too taxing, but as however (hilarious as it is), each Wallnut bounces off at an angle from the is best ignored, unless Standard level zombie it hits, you can control which direction you’re secretly rooting for Joke for you: What does a vegan it heads by using the bottom or top lanes, the undead. zombie eat? Graaaaaaaains where it can only ping off in one direction.

iPad & iPhone User 2013 55 HIT LIST

n Hit List you’ll ﬁ nd our picks of the best gadgets, updated INSIDE HIT LIST

each month with the most favourably reviewed kit. 58 iPODS • HEADPHONES Hit List starts with Apple’s devices themselves: on this page I 59 SPEAKERS we look at the current iPad and iPhone line-ups, and the iPods are rated overleaf. Later you’ll ﬁ nd the accessories most worth 60 iPHONE 4/4S/5 CASES your hard-earned cash, from audio gear to cases, chargers iPAD CASES and stands. And ﬁ nally we round up the best apps and games 61 iPAD STANDS • STYLUSES from the iTunes Store. Only the best kit makes it into Hit List: BATTERIES & CHARGERS look out for the golden 5-star logos, which indicate a product 62 APPS

that has earned our coveted Star Buy award for excellence. 64 GAMES

iPhone 5

Long-screened, beautiful upgrade to an already brilliant smartphone

Price depends on mobile contract. SIM-free: to 4in. Partly this is down to the lighter weight, slimmer £529 (16GB), £599 (32GB), £699 (64GB) design and smaller bezel. Depth is down to 7.6mm. www.apple.com/uk/iphone The taller (but not wider) 4in display’s 16:9 ratio RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ is better for watching ﬁ lms and TV shows. In portrait LIKES: Taller screen mode you get an extra row of apps on the Home Thin, light, beautiful design 4G compatibility screen, and many list-based apps can pack in an extra Faster graphics and all-round DISLIKES: story or two. Once they’ve been optimised for the processing than 4S Lightning connector additional space, games will look pretty special. Better low-light photography 4G limitations The A6 processor makes the iPhone 5 around two and a half times as quick as the 4S, and also speeds up otable new technology in the iPhone 5 includes a larger, its camera; this component is again rated at 8Mp but N4in display, 4G LTE connectivity, a new A6 processor, has improved low-light capabilities and a tougher lens. a better camera and an HD front-facing iSight camera. There’s While slimmer and reversible, the Lightning also a new dock connector called Lightning, which replaces connector has its down sides – those old cables the 30-pin Dock connector that’s been present on every and wired accessories won’t work without an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and most iPods. adaptor. But overall the iPhone 5 is marginally The amazing thing about the iPhone 5 is that the device better in just about every area than the 4S. itself manages to feel smaller, while the screen is bigger: up READ MORE: bit.ly/PsYqTf iPhone 4S Fast, great at photos and gaming, and £50 cheaper than a few months ago

Price depends on mobile contract; SIM-free: £449 (16GB only) technologies with tremendous potential. Siri, indeed, www.apple.com/uk/iphone is now a stronger proposition than ever thanks to the RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ free software update iOS 6, whose features the 4S can enjoy in full. (See bit.ly/KywxnP.) LIKES: DISLIKES: The dual-core A5 processor is one generation more Faster than 4S Easily outpaced on most advanced than the A4 processor that powered the Terrifi c camera demanding apps by iPhone 5 iPhone 4 and the original iPad, and you can expect Full iOS 6 compatibility Lack of noticeable changes better performance when handling demanding apps Same smart design as iPhone 4 may put buyers off and games. The iPhone 5, however, sees a yet more signifi cant speed bump thanks to its A6 chip. an a £50 price cut tempt buyers to consider last year’s The 4S’s camera saw a jump in spec from 5Mp Cmodel? Perhaps. The 4S hasn’t turned into a bad phone to 8Mp and offers fast response shooting. It also overnight, and at £449 it represents sound value for money, shoots video at 1080p, which is quite a bit higher if lacking in the excitement of the more recent release. resolution than the iPhone 4’s 720p. (This means The 4S earned record-breaking sales by taking the all your video fi les will be larger.) successful look of the iPhone 4 and tossing in a dual- The iPhone 4S is worth considering for its decent speed, core processor for dramatically improved speed, a heavily great camera, extensive iOS 6 compatibility and smart design. upgraded camera and some brand-new voice-command READ MORE: bit.ly/JPUuJW

56 iPad & iPhone User 2013 WE TEST REVIEWED PRODUCTS FOR PERFORMANCE, USER-FRIENDLINESS, BUILD QUALITY (FOR HARDWARE) RATINGS EXPLAINED AND VALUE FOR MONEY, THEN RATE THEM ON A 5-POINT SCALE. HERE’S WHAT THE SCORES MEAN. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ = STAR BUY: SUPERB ★ ★ ★ ★ = VERY GOOD ★ ★ ★ = GOOD ★ ★ = POOR ★ = UNACCEPTABLE iPad with Retina display (4th gen) Looks the same, but it’s faster than any previous iPad

Wi-Fi only: £399 (16GB); £479 (32GB); £559 (64GB); £639 (128GB) So what are the real differences? First, Wi-Fi+Cellular: £499 (16GB); £579 (32GB); £659 (64GB); £739 (128GB) the iPad 4’s A6X processor, which is roughly www.apple.com/uk/ipad twice as fast as the iPad 3. Still, it’s going RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ to be a little while before companies start LIKES: Better camera performance shipping apps that can take advantage of all Incredibly fast performance DISLIKES: the horsepower the iPad 4 brings to bear. Lightning connector offers Slightly decreased battery life The rear-facing camera is now a 5Mp an improvement over Lightning accessories are model – providing a much crisper image than the dock-connector still in short supply its predecessor – and the front-facing camera gets a bump to 720p for video conferencing. ood luck telling the iPad 3 and 4 apart. In fact, the only The iPad 4 also extends 4G functionality, which means Goutward difference is the cable you plug in: the iPad 4 – the iPad now works with the UK’s version of 4G. And which entirely replaces the 3, leaving the iPad 2 as the budget a huge 128GB of storage has just become available. alternative – features the smaller Lightning connector. This is a modest improvement on the iPad 3, but that’s Otherwise, though, externally this is the same iPad you no reason to look down your nose at it. This is the most know and love: the same controls, support for the same powerful iPad yet, with by far the most storage capacity. Smart Cover and the same 2,048 x 1,536-pixel Retina display. READ MORE: bit.ly/RaffSm iPad 2 Reduced in price and a decent alternative to the iPad 4

Wi-Fi: £329 (16GB) Wi-Fi + 3G: £429 (16GB) to access the internet and all your favourite www.apple.com/uk/ipad apps with the kind of fi nger interaction RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ that made the iPhone popular. The large LIKES: Only available with 16GB screen also makes it ideal for reading books, £70 cheaper than iPad 4 Camera is poor, especially watching video, and playing games. User-friendly and enjoyable compared to the new iPad The display here looks sharp, bright and Wide range of apps available Will start to feel sluggish clear – right up until the second you read DISLIKES: as fi rms create apps with the some text on the iPad 4’s Retina display. The No Retina display super-fast iPad 4 in mind difference in non-text environments is less marked, but is likely to increase as developers ven fewer Apple fans are going to spare a thought for the take advantage of the extra detail. E humble old iPad 2 now that the iPad 4 has hit the shops. The price is £70 below the equivalent iPad 4, but all but But this is the same sparkling, all-conquering tablet we loved the lowest storage versions (of both Wi-Fi and 3G models) just a few months ago, and it’s had £70 slashed off its price. have been discontinued: it’s 16GB or nothing. This is likely A quick go on the iPad 2 and you’ll understand just why to fi ll up quickly if you watch fi lms and play lots of games. it proved so popular. Instantly switching on, it enables you READ MORE: bit.ly/OUaNGA iPad mini Most of an iPad at half the size – but no Retina display

Wi-Fi only: £269 (16GB); £349 (32GB); £429 (64GB) camera and 5Mp back camera of the iPad 4. Of course, Wi-Fi + Cellular: £369 (16GB); £449 (32GB); £529 (64GB) the mini also uses Apple’s new Lightning connector. www.apple.com/uk/ipad Contrary to Apple’s recent trend towards high- RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ res screens, the mini doesn’t have a Retina display. LIKES: DISLIKES: Instead, it offers the same screen resolution as the Most of the iPad experience No Retina display iPad 2: 1,024 x 768 pixels, considerably lower than in a smaller, lighter package Some apps and websites feel the 2,048 x 1,536 of the iPad 3 and 4. If you’re Existing iPad apps run natively cramped on smaller screen accustomed to one of those, the lower pixel density is immediately noticeable, especially on he mini is just 46 percent of the volume of the iPad 4 and text. It’s worth pointing out, however, that after T47 percent of the weight. Yet it has a 7.9in display that’s three days of only using the mini, the difference – a full 66 percent of the screen area of a full-size iPad. while still noticeable – wasn’t nearly as glaring. In terms of internal components, the iPad mini is With the exception of a Retina display, the iPad somewhere between the second- and fourth-gen tablets. It mini gives you the full iPad experience, in a device uses the same dual-core A5 processor and 512MB of RAM as about half the size and weight of the standard iPad. the iPad 2, but it has the 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD front READ MORE: bit.ly/RzhRII

iPad & iPhone User 2013 57 iPODS IN-EAR HEADPHONES OVER-EAR HEADPHONES iPod touch Apple EarPods Parrot Zik ■ £249 (32GB), £329 (64GB) ■ £25 ■ Apple ■ www.apple.com/uk ■ £349.99 ■ Parrot ■ www.parrot.com/uk ■ Apple RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ apple.com/uk RAtinG ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ These EarPods provide Parrot’s new Zik the new touch is slimmer, a significantly improved headphones boast a lighter and taller than its listening experience stylish design by Philippe predecessor. the extra screen compared to Apple’s Starck, sound great and space allows for another row previous bundled cost a small fortune, of icons, and many apps will headphones. And though they work hard be built (or redesigned) to if you’re looking to to justify the price. The take advantage of the taller upgrade from existing comfortable earpieces display. the touch has the Apple earbuds, or to replace a broken set, the are packed with techno-goodies, including a A5 chip found in last year’s EarPods are easily worth £25, especially considering rechargeable battery, Bluetooth wireless streaming, iPhone, and you’ll find this model noticeably quicker at that they include an inline remote/mic module. touch-sensitive controls and noise cancellation. starting up from shutdown READ MORE: bit.ly/T2W2iV READ MORE: bit.ly/Vyhu2K and firing up apps. As well as a 1.2Mp front- facing camera, it now packs Sennheiser CX 550 Style II Audio Earmuffs a 5Mp rear-facing iSight ■ £80 ■ Sennheiser ■ www.sennheiser.co.uk ■ £19.99 ■ KitSound ■ kitsound.co.uk camera that reveals far more RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ details, is better in low light Sennheiser’s new noise- At this time of year, and has superior colour isolating headphones are our thoughts turn to accuracy. the old touch’s a stylish and sturdy set. physical comforts, and camera tends to drench images with a blue hue and They’re designed with these headphones will produces grainy results in low a small arm that’s tilted certainly keep your ears light. indoor skin tones are forward to help the cable nice and toasty. They warmer with the new iPod. stay in place and the are comfortable to headphones comfortably wear too, and there’s in the ear. Sound-wise, the CX 550 Style iis are a an easy-to-use volume control on the cable. The strong choice – balanced and detailed. Pricey, but audio quality is strong for the price: warm and rich, worth it for the quality and comfort. although there’s not much punch to the bass. READ MORE: bit.ly/KSnyXr READ MORE: bit.ly/13ewB6R

iPod classic ■ £199 (160GB) Denon AH-C560R Air-Fi AF32 ■ Apple ■ £70 ■ Denon ■ www.denon.co.uk ■ £70 ■ MEElectronics ■ www.meelec.com ■ apple.com/uk RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ RAtinG ★ ★ ★ ★ Denon is known For a set of Bluetooth the classic is a tried and for its high-quality wireless headphones tested way to carry media; audio systems, but its in this price range, it’s brilliant if you want to earphones can be quite the Air-Fi AF32 on-ear take a large collection of pricey. However, the AH- stereo headphones are music and video with you. C560R costs £70, and extremely comfortable the latest version is 160GB, which represents still provides excellent and offer good sound excellent value for money, quality. A high frequency quality. And you can’t and if capacity is your prime range results in a very clean, clear sound with rich beat the feature set or the 12-hour battery life. concern, the classic is the iPod echoing bass and detailed higher frequencies. Leaving aside minor quibbles about hot ears and to own. it also offers superb includes a mic for making and taking calls. not-quite-perfect audio, we really like them. battery life: it’ll play tunes for READ MORE: bit.ly/JRSOKZ READ MORE: bit.ly/iEBiTW almost two days before the battery dies. And the click- wheel is still a design classic. Etymotic HF2 Sennheiser RS 220 However, it isn’t really ■ £99 ■ Etymotic ■ www.etymotic.com ■ £349 ■ Sennheiser ■ www.sennheiser.co.uk made for the kind of fine RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ touch you need to precisely RATing move from cover to cover. A phenomenal set of There are less expensive And it’s hardly a quick way earphones – the HF2s wireless headphones to find one out of several might be at the top end that provide comparable hundred albums and then of most budgets, but quality – the RS 160s play a they deliver the kind of (bit.ly/Ji9UXX), for particular sound that can cost a lot example, are half the song. there more. Etymotic has also price – but the extra are easier teamed up with hearing input and output ways to experts ACS to offer a custom eartip service, which features built into the transmitter unit will appeal to explore and play makes for a comfortable fit. This costs an extra £90. audiophiles and home cinema buffs who want to your music. Moulds can be done at your local Boots. integrate these into their entertainment system. READ MORE: bit.ly/KoA9Ly READ MORE: bit.ly/M85cni

58 iPad & iPhone User 2013 SPeakerS WireleSS SPeakerS iPODS

Gear4 Xorb UE Boombox iPod nano ■ £129 (16GB) ■ £69.99 (£89.99 for Bluetooth) ■ Gear4 ■ gear4.com ■ £199 ■ Logitech ■ ue.logitech.com ■ Apple ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING RATING ■ apple.com/uk The Xorb’s 30W output As its name suggests, RAtinG ★ ★ ★ ★ is fairly loud, but its the Boombox is designed the latest version of the compact design means it with portability in mind. iPod nano reverts to a more doesn’t produce the most It’s well built, with a traditional tall-and-thin expansive sound. It’s metal grille covering the design that provides room probably not quite beefy speaker drivers and a for a decent-size display enough to be used as the rubber coating on the once more. it measures a still-modest 76.5 x 39.6mm, main speaker system in base. The speaker can but increases the size your front room, but it’s a good, affordable choice pair with three Bluetooth devices at once, so you of the screen to a more if you need a compact speaker for your bedroom, and your friends can use it together. Sound quality practical 2.5in. the nano or for a small studio apartment. is good too: nice and detailed, with a firm bass. also regains its ability to READ MORE: bit.ly/YG7r15 READ MORE: bit.ly/15lcmV7 play video. the screen is touch- sensitive as before, but the BeoPlay A3 SuperTooth Disco 2 increased size makes it a lot ■ £449 ■ Bang & Olufsen ■ www.beoplay.com ■ £79.95 ■ SuperTooth ■ www.supertooth.net easier to browse and flick RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ through your music and video collection. Battery life A novel iPad speaker The price tag isn’t one is rated at a maximum of 30 and stand that embraces to be taken lightly – a hours for audio, although Apple’s tablet snugly, quick search online will video playback is a more the BeoPlay A3 is clearly demonstrate that good- modest 3.5 hours. the nano a quality product from quality wireless audio can looks good, too, with an a quality brand, and it’s be had for £20 less – but aluminium exterior that’s especially suited to those the look, portability, available in more than half who keep their iPad at convenience of use and a dozen colours. home and close to hand. Great for desktops and audio output of the SuperTooth Disco 2 all tell in bedside tables, the A3 offers a rich, detailed sound. its favour. The wireless speaker market is thick with The price, however, makes it a serious investment. contenders, but this is one of our favourites. READ MORE: bit.ly/N1z2DT READ MORE: bit.ly/11dajEi

iPod shuffle Rechargeable Speaker S715i Braven 650 ■ £40 (2GB) ■ £129 ■ Logitech ■ www.logitech.co.uk ■ £159.99 ■ Braven ■ www.braven.eu ■ Apple RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ apple.com/uk It may be bigger and The Braven 650 is worth RAtinG ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ heavier than most looking at if you need With the redesign of the portable models, but the a sturdy and compact fourth-generation iPod S715i is still practical as a travel speaker. Measuring shuffle, Apple has brought travel speaker and should 6 x 2.5 x 2in, it will easily back a classic design that works well with any set of fit into a backpack or slip into a backpack. It’s headphones. At £40 for bag fairly easily. Its also light, at just under 2GB, it’s not only the perfect eight-hour rechargeable 400g, but its aluminium entry-level iPod, it’s also a battery is great for listening to music on the go, casing is a lot more sturdy and durable than many solid second device for iPhone and the chunky design allows it to generate enough plastic portable speakers. It sounds good too, as the users who want to keep it power and bass to really get things swinging. aluminium seems to add weight to the audio. simple while exercising. READ MORE: bit.ly/MyYk6Q READ MORE: bit.ly/10bhLzl While the reduced size makes it a bit harder to clip on clothing than the second- Orbitsound T9 Libratone Zipp generation model, it’s hard to quibble about small details ■ £199 ■ Orbitsound ■ www.orbitsound.com ■ £329.99 ■ Libratone ■ libratone.com without focusing on the RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ big one: Apple has backed Compact one-piece One side effect of Apple’s off its misguided design of speaker docks are a new Lightning connector a buttonless iPod shuffle and popular and convenient table is a boost to returned to the right path. option, but often suffer the appeal of wireless throw in the VoiceOver from poor bass output. accessories. And with features and the longer To counteract this, the T9 its clever AirPlay and battery life, and it’s easy comes with a separate PlayDirect, simple setup to say this is the best iPod subwoofer. The speaker and attractive design, the shuffle Apple has ever made. dock itself has a similar soundbar, with an iPod dock Zipp is easy to recommend. If you want a portable on the top. It’s also equipped with digital audio and AirPlay speaker, it’s an excellent option – as long video output connectors to hook up to a TV. as the £329.99 price tag isn’t too steep for you. READ MORE: bit.ly/OLLhmh READ MORE: bit.ly/SuM6TQ

iPad & iPhone User 2013 59 iPAD miNi CASES iPHONE 5 CASES iPAD CASES

Sena Florence Griffin KaZoo LifeProof Nüüd for iPad mini ■ £19.99 ■ Griffin ■ www.griffintechnology.com ■ £84.49 ■ LifeProof ■ lifeproof.com ■ £79.99 RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ Sena Cases This elephantine The makers of this case ■ www.senacases.com iPhone 5 case is very claim you can submerge ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING comfortable to hold in your Nüüd‑clad iPad to Leather iPad cases seem to one hand. It’s fashioned a depth of 2m, drop it be today’s go-to accessory from soft silicone with from 1.2m and expose for travelling business execs, and Sena’s Florence is a a pleasing matt finish. it to dust, ice and snow. beautifully crafted example. The visuals are a treat. Getting the iPad in isn’t A magnetic clasp reproduces That nice, vibrant colour hard, but requires some the Apple Smart Cover’s on/ makes it stand out so much that it’s easy to find at patience. Once it’s inside, you have access to all the off functionality, and the front the bottom of a bag, and we love the attention to ports and buttons. You’re compromising on weight cover folds detail: the Home button is covered by a ‘paw print’. and bulk, but this is some serious protection. to form a READ MORE: bit.ly/TvON4Y READ MORE: bit.ly/ShLAL9 triangular stand. The fit and finish are nice, Proporta Ted Baker Taylor Smart Stand Sleeve ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ and this is a £29.95 to £39.95 Proporta www.proporta.com £49.95 Case Addict www.caseaddict.com stylish piece RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ of work. Proporta has one of the This partially stiffened largest collections of sleeve is also a stand. A Powis iCase mini iPhone cases available, stitched groove on each ■ £60.45 but the ones we like best side lets you fold it into ■ Powis are these Ted Baker print two neat tetrahedral ■ powiscase.com models. You can choose structures: a shallow one ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING from a basic protective for typing and a nearer‑ This book-style iPad mini case with smart prints vertical one for viewing case is available in a slew of such as bicycles, bugs and a good old‑fashioned video. Magnets are sewn into the mouth of the patterns, from tartan to fake animal skin. Alternatively, paisley pattern, but there’s also a flip case made out sleeve so it clamps shut when the iPad is inside and you can customise the of faux leather with a geometric pattern print. holds itself together when folded into a stand. design with an image of READ MORE: bit.ly/SjZett READ MORE: bit.ly/LzIrmC your own. The well-made case offer protection from drops; but at 19mm deep it Griffin Survivor Flexi-Fold Smart Case adds a noticeable degree of ■ £35.99 ■ Griffin ■ www.griffintechnology.com ■ £35 ■ GGMM ■ thepadzone.co.uk thickness. RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ Magnets Available in a variety This is a great case and hold the of colours, the stand for the iPad 2 or 4. mini in place and trigger Survivor is designed It’s a tight fit, but that’s sleep and to meet UK and US not a bad thing. The wake, and military standards. folding stand idea (the there’s a The case consists of covering flap can be bent kickstand. a shatter‑resistant into various supportive polycarbonate frame shapes) is a clever and QDOS Libris with silicon padding to cushion your iPhone from effective concept. It’s not super‑cheap, but Apple’s Red for iPad mini drops, and a screen protector. The port covers are Smart Covers set you back just as much without ■ £34.99 sealed to keep out dirt or rain. offering any protection for the iPad’s back. ■ QDOS READ MORE: bit.ly/XnZBVX READ MORE: bit.ly/NhGVSG ■ qdossound.com RATING ★ ★ ★ Fashioned from red imitation Cygnett Urban Shield South BookBook Vol 2 leather, the Libris covers the ■ £19.95 ■ Cygnett ■ uk.cygnett.com ■ £69.99 ■ Twelve South ■ www.twelvesouth.com iPad mini’s display with a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ front flap that can be held RATING RATING in place with an elasticated Cygnett’s Urban Shield The BookBook is a band. Within the flap are is a smart‑looking striking iPad case that two pull-out leather stands case that’s also tough comes in black, brown that prop your iPad mini in enough to provide good or red. A zip runs around either vertical or horizontal protection. The sturdy three edges, where the orientation. The Libris adds a polycarbonate frame pages would be visible if fair amount has a rigid plate of this were an actual book. of bulk, but aluminium mounted on A leather frame on the offers decent the back panel to deal with knocks and scratches, right‑hand panel supports the iPad 2 or later. When protection and is but also has a smart brushed‑metal finish to give it’s all zipped up, the BookBook does a good job of stylish, too. it a touch of Apple‑esque style. protecting your iPad, and gives a distinctive look. READ MORE: bit.ly/TWrILf READ MORE: bit.ly/TxX4I6

60 iPad & iPhone User 2013

iPAD STANDS BATTERIES AND CHARGERS STYLUSES

Gogo Stump Portable Stand BioLite CampStove Sensu Portable Artist ■ £19.95 ■ Stump ■ www.stumpstand.com ■ £149.95 ■ BioLite ■ www.biolitestove.com Brush/Stylus RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ $39.99 (around £25.60) This cylindrical rubber The CampStove is an ■ Sensu stand has a deep slit ingenious portable ■ sensubrush.com ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ that can hold your iPad charging device that RaTing The Sunsu Brush offers or iPhone in portrait uses a fan to oxygenate something special – it’s a or landscape position; and help maintain paintbrush. You can use it a round cut-out lets a fire inside a small, on a touchscreen thanks to you easily press the stainless-steel chamber. metallic particles embedded Home button. it offers The fan is powered by a into the bristles, which make it three viewing angles and is weighted for stability. rechargeable battery, but in a convenient twist, that conductive. it also comes with Available in black, red, green, yellow or pink, this battery is itself recharged using the heat of the fire, a handy stylus at the other combines utility with simplicity at a reasonable price. and can then be used to charge your other gear. end. it’s expensive, but then READ MORE: bit.ly/RadkyB READ MORE: bit.ly/Vd5Z48 it is a high-quality item. if you create images on an iPad, you should consider one of these. Slate iPad Stand XtremeMac InCharge X5 ■ £71.99 ■ Ergonomic Cafe ■ ergonomiccafe.com ■ £129.99 ■ XtremeMac ■ www.xtrememac.com RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ The Slate lacks the if you own a whole range finesse of other iPad of iOS devices, the appeal stands and feels the work of XtremeMac’s inCharge of a smaller company; X5 will be clear: it’s a Scribbly and it took a little getting compact, no-clutter way ■ £9.99 used to. But we found to stash up to five such ■ Scribbly the benefits became devices for charging and ■ scribbly.eu ★ ★ ★ ★ clearer over time. Some storage. Each (30-pin) RaTing The Scribbly stylus resembles a fine-tuning would be welcome, but for now this dock cradle provides a full 10W of power, letting permanent marker pen, but its is a worthy option for anyone concerned about you simultaneously charge any combination of five chunky looks are misleading improving posture while working with an iPad. iPads, iPhones or iPods. Deservedly popular. – the soft, seemingly durable READ MORE: bit.ly/QS6VaJ READ MORE: bit.ly/11bmeBi nib is precise and responsive, offering good control. its build quality is good, and has HoverBar Juice Pack Powerstation Mini so far survived numerous trips ■ £75 ■ Twelve South ■ www.twelvesouth.com ■ £50 ■ Mophie ■ www.mophie.com in pockets and bags without RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ signs of wear and tear. The HoverBar is a At just 80g, the malleable metal arm Powerstation Mini with a clamp at one packs a 2,500mAh end and an iPad mount battery into a case at the other. Attaching about the size of a the clamp to an object, credit card, and a few such as an iMac, lets you mm thicker than the position your device at iPhone 4 or 4S. The top any angle or height you find convenient. A ball joint and bottom are made of a rubberised (and fairly 2 in 1 Stylus & Pen behind the iPad enhances flexibility, allowing the scratch-resistant) material, and the Mini’s small ■ £9.99 user to rotate and tilt the device with ease. size means it’ll easily slip into a pocket or bag. ■ The Snugg READ MORE: bit.ly/z8gU8i READ MORE: bit.ly/QaTqkU ■ www.thesnugg.com RaTing ★ ★ ★ ★ For professional artists looking for an advanced tool, this may UpStand Crosskase Solar 15 not be the best choice. But ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ £41 Just Mobile www.just-mobile.com £139.99 Crosskase crosskase.com at £9.99 it’s perfect for the RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ RATing ★ ★ ★ ★ average touchscreen device The UpStand is a real The Solar 15 is a sturdy, owner who wants to use it looker, with a solid well-made rucksack for drawing, painting, taking circular base and arrow- with plenty of pockets notes, and more. With the shaped supporting and a solar panel on the added ink pen and headphone bracket, all made of front. The slim battery jack attachment features, you gleaming aluminium that can charge an iPhone can’t go wrong. complements the iPad 4S twice over. Filling beautifully. The stand the battery requires at is a bit on bulky side, but the aluminium design is least eight hours of solid sunshine; shady periods surprisingly lightweight, so you can easily move it mean the reality is likely to be more. But as a from room to room. Smart and convenient. backup power supply, the Solar 15 is a nice option. READ MORE: bit.ly/KDRZst READ MORE: bit.ly/OL5JUm

iPad & iPhone User 2013 61 PHOTO APPS APPS

iPhoto Twitterifi c 5 Google Maps ■ £2.99 ■ £1.99 ■ Twitterrifi c ■ itun.es/i6Jd4yg ■ Free ■ Google ■ itun.es/i6Jf2V7 ■ Apple RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ itun.es/iPL6n6 The Iconfactory’s Google Maps is a very ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING willingness to completely solid mapping and Drop-dead gorgeous with redesign Twitterifi c every navigation app. It looks swift animated operation, few years is part of the remarkably similar to iPhoto for iOS is also deep, complete, equipped with a reason for its continuing Apple’s own Maps app, huge number of functions success. Version 5 is right down to the blue and easy to use – putting more competitive than dot that highlights your photo viewing, editing and ever. The new version current location. Features sharing at your fi ngertips. features a more seamless design. But above all, include public transport information, the ability to We expect most people who even though there are plenty of customisation bookmark frequently visited locations, Street View, try it will end up turning to options, the app’s simple, not overwrought. and turn-by-turn directions. Welcome back, Google. iPhoto for iOS as their default READ MORE: bit.ly/10RDpI5 READ MORE: bit.ly/UqEEH9 mobile photo editor.

Postr for Tumblr Feedly ■ £1.99 ■ Tomaz Nedeljko ■ itun.es/i6jt3Qh ■ Free ■ DevHD ■ itun.es/i6Ds5jk RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ Given its popularity, it’s Touted as a baffl ing that Tumblr ‘personalisable and doesn’t have an offi cial beautiful magazine’, Photosynth iPad app. Postr is a Feedly is a joy to use, ■ £1.99 decent substitute, thanks to a simple, ■ Microsoft allowing you to post intuitive design that ■ itun.es/i6DB5j7 photos, quotes, links, makes browsing more ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING video, audio – whatever considered. It isn’t for Photosynth lets you take takes your fancy – from within the app. You can news junkies seeking an instant fi x, but for anyone panoramic photos. It uses a even shoot video on your iPad and share it at once. who wants to explore and share the wider world rectangle with a centred dot to indicate the area being It’s the best Tumblr app we’ve come across. online, it’s well nigh essential. captured. It paints edges READ MORE: bit.ly/NjoXB2 READ MORE: bit.ly/Vk13pe using dotted lines to show what’s missing, and as you move the camera around, it Bento 4 for iPad Popsicolor tries to capture new portions ■ £6.99 ■ FileMaker ■ itun.es/ibf9Gq ■ 69p ■ Tinrocket ■ itun.es/ibD3xP automatically. RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ Tap fi nish, FileMaker should be Popsicolor offers a and the app congratulated: Bento 4 way for iOS users to shows a for iPad boasts a look create watercolour-style preview of all the frames and feel that are both paintings with minimal captured, intuitive and pleasing fuss: simply select a then stitched to the eye, and there photo from your library together. are 40 new themes and and wait for the app to 25 templates; more are make a mess. Despite a Afterglow available for free via a built-in link. A major update few shortcomings – the tools and colour palette are ■ 69p which, despite some quirks, should make life easier both limited – it offers attractive, painterly results ■ Simon Filip for anyone needing to pull data together. way above the standard set by most other art apps. ■ itun.es/i6Dn9vt READ MORE: bit.ly/MshhO6 READ MORE: bit.ly/LobhQn RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Afterglow has many of the tools found in other photo editors, but combines them GarageBand iBooks 3 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ in such a clean, intuitive £2.99 Apple itun.es/iPL6n7 Free Apple itun.es/i6Jk62Q interface that it’s a joy to RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ use. It currently offers a We found it hard iBooks 3 is a free fairly modest range of fi lters, to imagine how update, and offers a but these are all of a high GarageBand could work few improved features quality and on any iOS device except without changing any include a the iPad, and while it of the basic functionality selection works best on the larger of the app. Getting it of worthy device, the designers is a no-brainer. There’s ‘guest have generally done a still a lot we’d like to fi lters’ created by good job of transferring it to the iPhone. There see from iBooks (not least of which is a Mac OS X Instagram are also enough improvements to ensure that this version) and Kindle fans may remain unconvinced. users. remains a must-have app for musicians everywhere. But it’s still a terrifi c e-book reading experience. READ MORE: bit.ly/vva1UV READ MORE: bit.ly/TAcLk0

62 iPad & iPhone User 2013

TV APPS

Mailbox Sound Uncovered BBC iPlayer ■ Free ■ Orchestra Inc ■ itun.es/i6JR3Q2 ■ Free ■ Exploratorium ■ itun.es/i6Jr4wH ■ Free RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ BBC Mailbox feels beautifully Sound Uncovered ■ itun.es/i6Jk5Ry ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ polished, but it has is designed like an RATING The BBC’s iPlayer now lets depth. You can mark interactive magazine. It you download TV and store a message as unread features articles, videos, shows for 30 days for offl ine again by tapping on sounds and interactive viewing in a choice of fi le its timestamp, and experiments to help users sizes. A good selection from conversation threads engage with sound, all BBC channels includes with earlier messages science and the ways some feature fi lms. BBC collapse, then expand if you tap them. Composing the two intersect. Even though it’s a sound app, iPlayer also benefi ts from an messages is easy and you tap the camera icon it’s very visually interesting, with lots of high-res attractive user interface and as you write your email to add a photo. photography and interactive images. good navigation. READ MORE: bit.ly/YaaA31 READ MORE: bit.ly/XlCoFO

Remote Note Taker HD ■ Free ■ Apple ■ itun.es/i6J83Fn ■ £2.99 ■ Software Garden ■ itun.es/i6Jd6YL RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Apple’s app lets you One of the challenges use an iOS device as of writing on an iPad a remote control for a is trying to fi gure out Mac or Apple TV – to where to rest your hands. TVCatchup control playback, adjust Note Taker HD resolves ■ Free the volume and pick this problem with a ■ GZero songs or movies to play. simple zoom feature that ■ itun.es/i6Jk6pf ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s also had a makeover allows you to write at the RATING This app offers around to support the new features in iTunes 11 and bottom of the screen, while the actual text appears 50 live or almost live complement its visual style. To switch between wherever you want it. A simple yet powerful tool TV channels. A simple devices, press the large button in the bottom left. to help you capture notes no matter what they are. interface shows channel READ MORE: bit.ly/11cASs0 READ MORE: bit.ly/Wdpeu8 listings and now and next EPG information down one side of the screen. Picture Pholium 1Password quality, over Wi-Fi at least, is ■ Free ■ 58 North ■ itun.es/i6DN8GH ■ £5.49 ■ AgileBits ■ itun.es/i6J34kV excellent, with clear pictures. RATING ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This app will let you Passwords act as create virtual photo gatekeepers to our email, books. You start by banking and just about importing some photos everything else we do. into Pholium’s Gallery, Unfortunately, most of us which provides some aren’t very good at either modest editing tools. creating or remembering Your book can feature as them. 1Password works many pages and place as many photos as you like; by creating a virtual vault in which you can store RTÉ Player you can also add captions. Once you’re fi nished, your passwords, and if you’re having trouble ■ Free you can publish your book to your Pholium Library. coming up with one, it will generate it for you. ■ RTÉ READ MORE: bit.ly/U2l2XU READ MORE: bit.ly/12twKD9 ■ itun.es/i6Jk6pq RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ Content from Ireland’s National Public Service iPlayer Radio OmniFocus Broadcaster is available for up ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Free BBC itun.es/i6DM7Tr £13.99 Omni Group itun.es/i6jt88c to 21 days after transmission. RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Playback is generally The BBC has set out to If your red badge count excellent, free of the video revamp its online audio of unfi nished tasks never loading and audio sync issues content in style, and the seems to go down, try and sudden crashes we found dedicated BBC iPlayer this superb to-do list with some iOS TV apps. Radio app for iPhone, app. Although it takes iPod touch and iPad some effort to learn, it’s is an impressive start. well worth it. Eventually, While it lacks some of OmniFocus changes you. the features found in the excellent and exhaustive You stop being tied to just getting that wretched list TuneIn Radio Pro, the BBC’s involvement should of tasks down, and instead look to see what you can ensure further enhancements and features. do now. A terrifi c, mindset-changing app. READ MORE: bit.ly/Tjug82 READ MORE: bit.ly/Mri2q9

iPad & iPhone User 2013 63 ROLEPLAYING GAMES GAMES

Bit Dungeon Granny Smith Letterpress ■ 69p ■ £1.49 ■ Mediocre AB ■ itun.es/i6Dc5rY ■ Free ■ Atebits ■ itun.es/i6J38f4 ■ Tom Heinecke RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ itun.es/i6JS5Sw Granny Smith likes Beautifully designed, ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING her apples, and in this with a sparse, minimalist A no-frills, high-action take wonderfully whimsical appearance, Letterpress is on the roleplaying dungeon- app, she’ll outrun a for two players; you can runner concept. The only time you’re not cheerfully hitting a robber with some play random opponents cartoon monster with a sword surprisingly spritely or Game Center friends. is when you’re rummaging parkour moves to get Each turn, you can use through its corpse to see if her ﬁ ll of vitamins. Each any of the letters on the there’s a better sword inside. level is a compulsive side-scrolling race between board to build a word. The tiles you use turn blue, the player and an AI player. Make sure you collect while your opponent’s turn pink. The aim is to have every apple to get a three-fruit rating. more tiles in your colour when the game ends. READ MORE: bit.ly/UU39ix READ MORE: bit.ly/Tg2s2s

Super Hexagon Bad Hotel ■ £4.99 ■ Terry Cavanagh ■ itun.es/i6Dw7hQ ■ 69p ■ Lucky Frame ■ itun.es/i6J38f2 RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ You play a tiny arrow on Bad Hotel is a remix Baldur’s Gate: the edge of the hexagon, of the tower defence Enhanced Edition and it’s your role to game. You manage a ■ £6.99 rotate around the centre series of hotels, but the ■ IdeaSpark Labs and ensure you’re not building’s psychpathic ■ itun.es/i6Jq3zG crushed by incoming Texan owner wants to ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING shapes. It sounds a little trash it in order get his This remastering of one of thin when we point out hands on the insurance the most revered roleplaying that you only need to stay alive for a minute to pay-out. You counter his bird-bombers and death games of all time shows its age, but that doesn’t stop unlock the three extra levels. However, staying alive balloons by building the hotel ever higher, adding it feeling like a true iPad for those 60 seconds is incredibly tricky. guns and healing blocks. essential. It’s pricey, but READ MORE: bit.ly/To2OSn READ MORE: bit.ly/UOYPBk it offers weeks of tactical combat and goblin-bashing. Autumn Dynasty The Room ■ £4.99 ■ BulkyPix ■ itun.es/i6jt9By ■ £2.99 ■ Fireproof Games ■ itun.es/i6Dw7Yv RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ With its distinctive, The Room is a calligraphic art style thoughtful, attractive and gesture controls, puzzle game, set on Autumn Dynasty is a and within one intricate thoughtful, distinctive safe, whose surfaces and pleasingly non- are adorned by strange Bastion boring take on historical mechanisms and logic ■ £2.99 strategy gaming, entirely puzzles behind which ■ Supergiant Games built with touchscreen controls in mind. It needs smaller, more challenging boxes lurk. Some of the ■ itun.es/i6Dq9nx a little fi ne-tuning in the interface and diffi culty puzzles are bit obtuse, but the carefully contained ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING departments, but it’s fresh and attractive. focus means you can never go off course. Beautiful both visually and READ MORE: bit.ly/RQeLkO READ MORE: bit.ly/TincnJ atmospherically, Bastion is not so bogged down in its own grandeur it forgets to be a reliably compulsive Tiny Wings HD Fieldrunners 2 stream of action, too. The ■ £1.99 ■ Andreas Illiger ■ itun.es/ibF6mT ■ £1.99/£5.49 ■ Subatomic Studios ■ itun.es/i6jt9gB controls feel a little on the RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ awkward side, but not to the Wonderful, charming, Subatomic has taken an extent that this stops being inventive, simple, addictive little iPhone a memorable few hours of beautiful, fun: pick an game and sharpened monster-bashing. adjective. We were everything up. It’s about happy enough to see as polished, well-crafted Tiny Wings’ clever and enjoyable to play side-scrolling action as the humble tower transferred to the iPad’s defence genre gets. The larger screen, but the new head-to-head two-player graphics are vastly improved – zooming in reveals mode is a massive bonus. This is the fi nest party beautifully rendered towers and vehicles – and multiplayer we’ve seen on the device. there’s a wide arsenal of weapons to choose from. READ MORE: bit.ly/MDWQYR READ MORE: bit.ly/NPVzTj

64 iPad & iPhone User 2013

SPORTS GAMES

Spaceteam Joe Danger Wonderputt ■ Free ■ Sleeping Beast Games ■ itun.es/i6JG7nh ■ £1.99 ■ Hello Games ■ itun.es/i6JG7vK ■ 69p RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ■ Damp Gnat The premise of this Joe Danger was originally ■ itun.es/i6Dc2JN ★ ★ ★ ★ game is that you, and a downloadable gem RATING There’s crazy golf, and then between one and three for PlayStation 3, but there’s Wonderputt: one of your friends, are a lot of thought has connected course of 18 holes, manning the bridge been put into making and a series of beautifully of a spaceship trying the transition to the animated, wildly imaginative to outrun impending small screen as smooth sporting puzzles. It’s a bit of doom. You do this by as possible. You’re a a one-trick pony, perhaps, following a series of increasingly bizarre instructions daredevil motorcycle ace pulling stunts and grabbing but what a trick. It takes the (‘Set Moonsock to 3’) on each other’s screens. coins. The courses are nicely short, but there’s plenty tedium and the posturing out Co-operation and laughter are the main ingredients. of unlockables to keep you coming back. of golf, turning it into a thing READ MORE: bit.ly/WsQh71 READ MORE: bit.ly/XARSEx of delight and surprise.

Hundreds Angry Birds Star Wars ■ £2.99 ■ Semi Secret Software ■ itun.es/i6JL5xw ■ 69p/£1.99 ■ Rovio ■ itun.es/i6Dc2JQ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hundreds’ premise – so Star Wars fans will love simple, yet open to so the mix of characters, many permutations – and Rovio deserves a is this: make the big lot of credit for thinking NBA 2K13 number reach 100 by of ways to include new ■ £5.49 tapping bubbles to grow effects into the game’s ■ G2k Sports the smaller numbers core mechanics. The ■ itun.es/i6DN8mt ★ ★ ★ ★ inside. Starkly beautiful, characters are dressed up RATING Keeping the spirit of its clever and able to pull surprise after miraculous in Star Wars garb – the birds as Jedi and the pigs console version, NBA 2K13 surprise from that simple concept, Hundreds is playing the Empire – and there’s load of powers. raises the bar for basketball an early contender for game of the year. This is a great way to while away a few hours. games on iOS. It’s one of READ MORE: bit.ly/1112I66 READ MORE: bit.ly/UYWC2s the more realistic mobile sports simulators you’ll fi nd. The courts are crisp, clean Super Crate Box King of Opera representations of their ■ £1.49 ■ Vlambeer ■ itun.es/i6Dn7MZ ■ 69p ■ Tuotantoyhtio Tuokio ■ itun.es/i6Ds58Q real-life versions, and the RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ players are recognisable and Super Crate Box is a As with all great party believable in their movements. slapdash port of a PC games, King of Opera’s game – the controls are concept is simple: there infuriatingly awkward – are four operatic tenors, but it’s still as compulsive and only one spotlight as a sack full of Pringles. for them to hog. When That it can succeed in someone else has the spite of such a fl aw says spotlight, everyone else a lot about just how splendid this really is. Death tries to shove them off the stage to take it for New Star Soccer is so regular the control problems don’t wind up themselves. The action gets a bit samey, but within ■ Free being quite the problem they fi rst appear to be. its short lifespan this is a joyfully pure experience. ■ New Star Games READ MORE: bit.ly/UZfKx6 READ MORE: bit.ly/RhFSUd ■ itun.es/isz74V RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ While others try to cram full games console experiences 10000000 Beat Sneak Bandit on to a touchscreen interface, ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ £1.49 EightyEight Games itun.es/i6Dg3mb £1.99 Simogo itun.es/i6jv249 New Star has simplifi ed RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ things. And it’s a testament An effortless blend Beat Sneak Bandit puts to the gameplay that even of match-3 puzzles the emphasis on music football haters will get like Bejeweled Blitz and rhythm. Everything something out of this. Indeed, and dungeon-running in the house follows it offers the perfect mobile roleplaying games such a set rhythmic pattern, footballing experience. as Diablo, this is two from trapdoors to of the most notoriously security guards. Tap to time-devouring gaming the beat on the screen genres combined into one frightening whole. and the cat burglar will step forward. Hit a wall Fortunately, 10000000 is also both innovative and he’ll turn around. It’s harder than it sounds, and brilliant. Highly recommended. but Beat Sneak Bandit will charm everyone. READ MORE: bit.ly/SoW4qz READ MORE: bit.ly/Ozplh7

iPad & iPhone User 2013 65 OPINION GeSTURe POlITIcS Instead of making life easier, iOS’s many complex hand gestures are a nightmare, sighs Kirk Mcelhearn

Kirk mcelhearn is a senior contributor to Macworld magazine and author of the regular column Ask The iTunes Guy. Follow him at twitter.com/ mcelhearn

IllUSTRATION: lOUIS ROSKOScH (louisroskosch.com)

eyboard shortcuts have two advantages: With iOS, this gets even more complicated. they sound they’re convenient to perform, and In addition to various standard gestures – such K(often) easy to remember. But what’s as swiping an item to bring up a delete button more like the equivalent on an iOS device? Gestures, – each app can introduce its own. A recent from swipe and flick to pinch-to-zoom. And email app that I tried incorporates both long figure skating I’m not sure they offer the same benefits. swipes and short swipes; but apparently, the Gestures, on iOS and elsewhere, are developers and I don’t agree about what long moves than getting out of hand. So to speak. It’s too hard and short mean, as I found myself making too to find out which ones do what, and to even many mistakes. As for Twitter clients, some computing pull off the more complex ones. A friend show a conversation if you swipe left; others recently showed me the five-finger-claw to show it if you swipe right; and still others do controls go back to the iPad home screen (difficulty nothing. Granted, most people use only one rating 7/10), and I was amazed. Rather than Twitter app, but it’s a pain to adapt to a new simplifying my use of phones and tablets, one because gestures aren’t standardised. gestures are making it more complicated. Okay, some gestures are simple and logical: one hand doesn’t Know the two-finger downward slide on a trackpad, what the ipad is doinG for example, which you can use to scroll On the Mac, OS X gives you good ways to through long documents or web pages. But learn how to use trackpad gestures. Open deeper in the jungle of gesture controls, you System Preferences, click the Trackpad pane get the two-finger-double-tap, the five-finger- and then click one of the three different tabs. reverse claw, and the six-finger-tap-drag- Apple realises that gestures are complicated, wiggle. They sound more like figure skating so it includes brief videos showing you how. moves than computing controls. And they’re Apple doesn’t provide a cheat sheet for iOS too complicated for me to remember. gestures, and since iOS apps generally don’t have Help, learning the correct gesture for GoinG throuGh the motions each action depends on trial and error. (Some related linKs The proliferation of gestures invites confusion, developers have websites that provide good as does the fact that not all applications help, but many don’t.) It took me a long time Gesture-based interFaces support them. It goes beyond apps, though. to figure out how to untilt a map in Apple’s are out oF control Suppose I’m looking at a gesture-related web Maps app; other apps have had me scratching bit.ly/13TgWM4 page on Apple’s site, aimed at developers. If my head (with three fingers) for far too long. macworld help: cure I try to do the Smart Zoom (difficulty rating To make things easier, Apple needs to For unintended Gestures 6/10) by double-tapping with two fingers, provide more information about gestures, bit.ly/Ys0tXy nothing happens. I assume this is because the developers need to stop trying to invent ‘cute’ content is in a frame, and Safari can’t zoom new gestures, and perhaps an Apple app intel plans to control just the content of the frame. Other gestures demonstrating gestures would make them pcs with a dirty looK bit.ly/14X94Fv fail in other apps for similar reasons: logically easier to learn. But no more gestures, please, they should work, but a glitch prevents this. unless you want to see one of my own.

66 iPad & iPhone User 2013 ® HYPER_iPad_iPhone_User.pdf 1 11/29/12 12:44 AM