MOBILE APPS
Pixelmator Photo £7.99 / ipad
Apps like Snapseed revolutionised photo editing on mobile, making the process user-friendly and fast. Pixelmator Photo takes this to a whole new level. By way of a machine-learning algorithm trained on 20 million pro snaps, it’ll try to fix your photo with a single tap. Amazingly, this mostly works, resulting in balanced, natural tones. And should you want something more personal or creative for your photographic chef d’oeuvre, there are plenty of manual controls too.
Stuff says ★★★★★ A first-rate picture editor – only avoid if you don’t have an ipad… or hate making your photos look nice
Korg Gadget 2 £38.99 / IOS
When making music, there’s Garageband for IOS and Caustic for Android, but we remain smitten with Gadget. Its instruments ape everything from classic synths to game consoles, and workflow is silky-smooth.
Stuff says ★★★★★ This could turn you into the next Kraftwerk
BFT – Bear Focus Timer 99p / Android £1.99 / IOS ●
It’s too easy to be distracted by your phone, so BFT trains you to put it out of reach. You define work/break sprints, but the timer only works when your phone’s face-down. Try to cheat and the bear scowls at you.
Stuff says ★★★★★ The best app for more responsible phone use
Moodflow: Year in Pixels
★★★★★ £free / Android, IOS Track moods, find patterns and change your life with this simple self-improvement app.
Bloom: 10 Worlds
★★★★★ £7.99 / Android, IOS Control Brian Eno inside your phone as you bend an organic art/audio project to your will.