Sunday, April 30, 2017

Free App Alert: Game Studio Tycoon 2, ToonCamera, and More [iOS/Android]

"Free App Alert" is a series where we list out a few useful premium/paid apps which are available for free for a limited period. In today's edition, we have a range of games and utility apps for you to download on both iOS and Android. Feel free to suggest any app that you like which has gone free (forever or for a limited time). Please note that the app developers can change the pricing anytime, so please be fast.

ToonCamera

tooncamera-1

Starting off with an iOS camera app – ToonCamera. As the name suggests, it lets you turn normal images or videos into cartoons in real-time. There are a ton of filters and effects for you to choose from. ToonCamera usually costs two dollars but is available for free right now.

App Store Link

Game Studio Tycoon 2

game-tycoon2

Ever wanted to run a virtual gaming startup? Well, now's your chance as "Game Studio Tycoon 2" is on sale right now. The strategy game simulates the gaming history where your character starts off as an independent developer and later expands his studio, hires employees and more. It's definitely one of the most interesting mobile games you can try out, so go ahead and download it for free. Unfortunately, the discount is limited to Android devices only.

Play Store Link

Ubongo

ubongo

Ubongo is a cross-platform puzzle game where the user is supposed to figure out patterns of interlocking shapes. Additionally, it also comes with multiplayer support, hence, you can challenge your friends or any other random player. There are 6,000 random levels for you to solve. Ubongo is available for free for a limited period on both Android and iOS.

App Store Link

Play Store Link

Gif Me!

gifme1

Next up is a camera app for Android users – Gif Me! As you'd expect, the app can create GIFs from video clips and you can also apply various filters over them later or in real-time. The app even comes packed with a few other options such as time lapses, text annotations and more. The pro version of Gif Me! generally costs INR 90, but you can grab it without any fees right now.

Play Store Link

gTasks Pro

gtasks-pro

Perhaps the most popular Google Tasks client for iOS, gTasks Pro is available for free dropping from a whopping six dollars fee. The app itself is quite straightforward and comes with all the essential features you need in a task manager including syncing options between Mac and iOS. If you're in need for a new to-do app, this is certainly worth a shot.

App Store Link

Little Stars for Little Wars 2

little-stars-android

Another Android game which has been lifted from any sort of price tag recently is "Little Stars for Little Wars 2". The strategy game features an unorthodox environment where the user needs to move through the neutral star systems and capture all enemy systems. There are 54 levels to try out and it also supports local multiplayer.

Play Store Link

Briefcase Pro

briefcase-pro

Handling files on iOS is still a terrible experience. However, to ease the situation, you can download Briefcase Pro. It allows you to import files from multiple sources such as the camera, PC/Mac, emails, Google Drives and more and you can then interact with or read them all at one place. It is absolutely a must-have app for any user and as a bonus, it's now free as well.

App Store Link

That's about it for this edition, do let us know if we missed any good ones in the comments section down below.


Source: Free App Alert: Game Studio Tycoon 2, ToonCamera, and More [iOS/Android]

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Price Drop! Turn yourself into a cartoon with 'ToonCamera' – now free

ToonCamera has gone completely free for a limited time

Photo effects apps are ten a penny, but they rarely offer live previews while you get into position and seldom focus on a particular effect. ToonCamera does one thing: transform you and your surroundings into cartoons.

Point your camera at something and it'll be transformed into a detailed comic book-style moving drawing. Some effects look like pencil sketches, some like oil paintings, but they're all distinctly cartoonish in nature. It's nothing new, but it's a neat effect done well and works on both photos and videos. Definitely worth picking up while it's free!

From the App Store description:

"ToonCamera is an amazing video and photography app that turns your world into a live cartoon. Apply real-time cartoon and art effects to your camera feed, record video, snap photos, and convert existing video and photos from your albums to create instant works of art. Save your creations and share them with friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Instagram, and YouTube, all from within ToonCamera."

Note – this pricing is accurate at the time of publishing, but is likely to revert to normal in the next few days. Act fast!

ToonCamera – was $1.99/£1.99, now FREE – get it now for iPhone or iPad

tooncamera1

app-store-badge


Source: Price Drop! Turn yourself into a cartoon with 'ToonCamera' – now free

Friday, April 28, 2017

Apple iPhone 7 Camera Problems: Camera app missing, blurry photos, out of focus, flash not working [Troubleshooting Guide]

One of the smartphone features most people would consider checking before making a final purchase is the camera. Aside from calling and texting purposes, many smartphone owners would consider using their devices as a secondary camera, which they can use whenever and wherever they wanted. The higher the camera specs, the better. This is why smartphone manufacturers are working hard to equip their new device releases with top-notch camera features. Among the leading devices to integrate the best camera features to-date is Apple's latest flagship smartphones — the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

The iPhone 7 sports 12 MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras with optical image stabilization among other highlighted specs. Indeed the overall camera specs of this iPhone are truly impressive. But not all iPhone 7 users have the same positive impression with its camera features. In fact, many are complaining about various camera issues they have encountered while using the iPhone 7 camera app in taking photos and recording videos.

Among the complaints being raised would include but not limited to poor image quality, blurry or out focus images, and not working camera flash. Others were having trouble finding the camera application or the camera app is missing on the Home screen. What causes these problems to occur on such a new powerful mobile device? And what must users do in order to fix these problems on their end. These questions are basically what this post is trying to address. Read on to learn more.

For those who have other issues, however, make sure you drop by our iPhone 7 troubleshooting page for we support this device and we provide free support to our readers. You can always contact us by completing our iPhone issues questionnaire and providing us with sufficient information about your problem.

What can possibly cause camera problems on your iPhone 7?

There are many factors that can trigger issues to occur in mobile apps including the new iPhone's stock camera app. Majority of the reported cases are software-related. This means that the problem lies within the iPhone system or software. There are also other issues where the camera problem is tied to a faulty hardware like a damaged camera lens from a hard drop or liquid exposure.

Listed below are common factors that can inflict problems to the iPhone 7 camera application.

Corrupt contents – downloading or saving corrupted contents into your new iPhone can likewise affect its overall functionality. For example, when you download corrupted image or video files and save them in your iPhone, there is a higher chance for these files to affect the camera especially as you attempt to open or view these files using the camera app. In most cases, the camera app can become unresponsive or crash unexpectedly.

  • Incorrect settings – responses and outputs of the camera app may vary depending on how the app settings are configured in the first place. That being said, if you configure the settings incorrectly, there is a higher chance for you to encounter errors or get undesirable outputs from the application. Just like when you failed to adjust the camera settings or missed to turn on some options. It's possible for you not to get your expected output for these reasons.
  • Bad updates – software updates are officially rolled out by device manufacturers as their way of keeping their existing device systems optimized. Other updates also serve as bug fixes. But sometimes, software updates can also contain bugs, thus inflicting post-update issues to arise on a device. You can say that the issue you have with the iPhone 7 camera is caused by a bad update if it started after you install an iOS update in your device.
  • Memory problems – although this is not likely the case given that what you have is a new device with high storage capacity, it's a possible trigger that you should consider especially if you've already installed a number of complex apps or other contents in your iPhone. Errors associated with memory issues on your iPhone are usually depicted by relevant warnings and error prompts while attempting to save new photos or videos taken with the stock camera app into your iPhone storage.
  • Faulty hardware – damaged camera lens or other relevant components on the iPhone can be the worst possible culprit. You cannot rule out this factor especially if there were previous incidents of dropping or liquid exposure on your iPhone 7. Hardware damage generally requires tech service (hardware repair) in order to get fixed. 
  • How to fix iPhone 7 camera problems that are software-related? 

    Software-related problems with the camera app are usually resolved by performing a series of troubleshooting procedures on the user's end. Majority of these types of problems don't require tech service.

    Here are some generic solutions and recommended workarounds you can try on:

    Step 1. Restart the app.

    Just like any other misbehaving apps, restarting the camera app might be able to fix the problem especially if it is just a random glitch. To do so, simple quit or exit the Camera app and then after a few seconds open the app again. It's the same concept applied when something goes wrong with computer programs. Usually, minor app glitches are resolved by restarting the application.

    To restart the stock camera app on your iPhone 7, follow these steps:

  • Quickly press the Home key twice or double-tap the Home key to open a new window containing all your recently opened applications. These apps are in standby mode and remain in the background to help users when multitasking.
  • Swipe left or right until you see the Camera preview screen.
  • To close the Camera app, swipe on the app's preview. Doing so will quit the app.
  • After a few seconds, tap the Camera icon to open the app again.
  • Test the camera app and see if the problem is fixed already. If not, then try other applicable solutions.

    Step 2. Reboot your iPhone 7.

    Apps glitches that are not rectified by restarting the app can be dealt with be a reboot on your device. Others would call this method as a soft reset. And here's how it's properly done:

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider shows up on the screen.
  • Drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
  • Wait for at least 30 seconds.
  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
  • If the camera app or the device itself is not responding, you can do a force restart on your iPhone instead. The process will not remove any data from your device, thus it is deemed safe. Here's how a force restart is done on your iPhone 7:

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down key simultaneously for about 10 seconds and then release both keys when the Apple logo appears. Your iPhone will then reboot.
  • After the reboot, try to open the camera app again and see if it is already working properly.

    Step 3. Check memory status.

    Consider doing this method especially if you are fond of downloading complex files to your iPhone. You may not have noticed but it is possible that your device is already running low in storage. Here's how to access the internal storage menu on your iPhone 7:

  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Select Storage & iCloud Storage.
  • Tap Manage. Doing so will let you see details on how much storage each app is using.
  • Tap an app from the list to view more information about memory usage for the selected application.
  • Generally, iOS devices like the iPhone 7 are designed to automatically optimize storage by removing temporary files and caches. But a time will come for it to no longer be able to free up more space, especially when the memory gets full. At this point, you will need to do something to free up some space for your iPhone to be able to allocate new contents.

    If necessary, you can free up some space of your iPhone storage by quitting all running apps in the background, deleting old or unnecessary files, and through a regular restart or reboot on your iPhone. Moving some of your important contents to other storage media is also an option to consider in this case.

    Step 4. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version available.

    Camera app issues inflicted by a bug are usually resolved by installing an iOS update that contains bug fixes. Your iPhone 7 originally comes with iOS 10. Shortly after it's official rollout, minor software updates have been rolled out by Apple not only to keep the iPhone system optimized but also to fix existing bugs affecting certain iPhone features including the camera.

    If you haven't updated your iPhone iOS yet, then you better do it now.

    To check for available iOS update for your iPhone7, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Select Software Update.
  • If an update is available, you will a message prompt telling so. To proceed with iOS update installation, tap Download and Install.
  • Whenever you're ready, continue by following the rest of the onscreen prompts and instructions to complete the iOS update download and installation process.

    Specific Camera Problems and Solutions

    If ever you encounter any of the following issues, then you can try the recommended solutions and see if it'll work the same on your end. These solutions have been proven to work by other iPhone users who have dealt with similar issues while using the stock camera app on their respective devices. Hopefully, you'll get the same luck.

    Problem 1: Camera Flash is not working

    Solution: Try to test the LED flash on the Control Center of your iPhone and see if it turns on. To access the control center, swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen. Then proceed with these steps:

  • Tap the Flashlight icon on the bottom-left corner of the control center.
  • If the LED flash turns on after tapping on the icon, the flash is working. If it does not turn on, try to check the flash settings by tapping the black lightning icon or flash icon found on the upper-left of the screen.
  • Select a different setting to use.
  • After doing all these, try to open the camera app and see if it is working fine already. 

    Hint: Try not to use your iPhone in an extremely hot place. A very warm ambience can also result to the same problem while using the camera flash when taking photos or videos. You'll likely be prompted with an alert message saying that the flash is disabled. This therefore denotes that you need to let your iPhone cool down a bit and then use the camera flash again in a not so warm environment.

    Problem 2: Blurry photos or out of focus

    Solution: Check the camera lens and make sure it is not clogged or covered with dust or dirt. If necessary, clean the lens using a microfiber cloth. Photos can become blurry if the camera lens is dirty or dusty.

    For photos that are out of focus be sure to make necessary adjustments or center the subject before capturing. Here's what you should do when taking a photo or recording a video in center focus:

  • Tap the object or person on the preview screen to let the camera make necessary adjustments automatically.  After doing so, you will see the screen pulse or notice that the screen briefly goes in and out of focus. The camera will automatically refocus to the center if you move too far in any direction.
  • When you see that the subject is already at the center square, tap the Capture icon.
  • Problem 3: Missing camera app

    Solution: Try to search for the camera app using Spotlight search on your iPhone. To use Spotlight search, just type in the Camera app or other related keywords in the Spotlight search box. You will then see a list of suggested results based on the keyword you entered. Look for the Camera app from the search results.

    Alternatively, you can check restrictions on your iPhone 7 and make sure that the Camera app is not restricted. Putting restrictions on the app might be a possible reason as to why the Camera app is no longer visible from the Home screen or any other folders.

  • To check restrictions on your iPhone 7, go to Settings-> General-> Restrictions-> Allow-> Camera. If necessary, remove any restrictions imposed to the Camera app.
  • Restart your iPhone after making necessary changes.

    Problem 4: Black screen or closed lens

    Solution: Make sure your finger is not blocking the lens while taking photos or videos. If it is not your finger that is blocking the lens, then the problem is likely triggered by something else like a closed lens. Here's what you can try to deal with closed lens issue on the iPhone 7 camera:

  • Force restart the camera app. Quit or close the app and then open it again.
  • Reboot your iPhone.
  • Open the camera app again after the reboot. 
  • You can also try switching between cameras and see if the problem occurs to both cameras. If it only occurs to one of the cameras, then it's possible that the other camera lens (not working) is damaged. You may need to have it checked by an authorized technician.

    Contact Apple Support for further assistance 

    If you think you've tried and done every suggested workaround in this page and yet you're still having problems with your iPhone 7 camera app, you should now consider escalating the problem to Apple Support. Give them a call and request further assistance or other recommendations. But if calling is not your choice, then you can just take your iPhone to an authorized service center for hardware check and/or repair. 

    Engage with us

    If you have other issues with your Apple iPhone 7, we are always willing to help. Contact us through our iPhone issues questionnaire and provide us with all necessary information about your problem so we can find a solution to your issue.

    You Might Also Like These Posts...
    Source: Apple iPhone 7 Camera Problems: Camera app missing, blurry photos, out of focus, flash not working [Troubleshooting Guide]

    Thursday, April 27, 2017

    Amazon Echo Look camera guides you what to wear

    Amazon is trying to be a top player in fashion by announcing a voice-controlled camera by name, Echo Look and also an app which will guide you what to wear.

    This newly announced product recommend which outfit suits you the best based on the advice by fashion specialists and algorithms which keep checking for the latest trends in the market. Amazon's voice assistant Alexa, which helps people right from playing music to cooking, is now updated to help someone dress as well. You can take the help of Alexa when you are confused what to wear.

    Also Read: 5 easy steps to setup Amazon Fire TV Stick

    The Amazon's new "Style Check" service guides you in this process. By using Echo Look camera, one just has to click a full-length picture of them in two confused outfits to receive the best recommendation from Stylish experts.

    If this new experiment by the company gains the appreciation by the user, then it will help them to grow further by providing some more recommendations based on the user's outfit preference. Werner Goertz, a Gartner Inc analyst says, "The Echo Look opens up a new realm of shopping experiences."

    The Amazon's Echo Look camera can also be used for other purposes as well. One can make use of it in home surveillance, video conferencing and in various other enterprise applications.The device also includes the functionalities of the Echo Dot and standard Echo.

    For now, the device is priced at $199.99 and not made available for general public. Amazon has already sold around 10 million or more Alexa devices and now it is the turn of Echo Look to make some space in the fashion world.


    Source: Amazon Echo Look camera guides you what to wear

    Wednesday, April 26, 2017

    Amazon's new Echo device is a hands-free camera that helps you decide what to wear

    Amazon Echo Look, Closet ShelfAmazon

    If you've ever needed some help getting dressed, Amazon's newest Echo device is here to help. 

    Called the Echo Look, it's an Alexa-enabled camera that can take full length photos or videos of you, help you build a "personal lookbook," and give a second opinion on your outfit. 

    By saying, "Alexa, take a picture" or "Alexa, take a video," the device uses its depth-sensing camera and LED lighting to capture your look and create a lookbook of all your outfits. Amazon even built in "computer vision-based background blur" to make your outfit photos look more high-quality. The device is now available on Amazon's website for $199.99. 

    Amazon Echo LookAmazon

    Amazon is also launching a feature called Style Check, which uses machine learning and a team of "fashion specialists" to help you compare two looks and decide which one is better. The feature is similar to one called Outfit Compare, which is available to Prime members. But an Amazon spokeswoman told Business Insider that Style Check incorporates machine learning, whereas Outfit Compare currently relies on the opinion of a human fashion specialist. 

    The Echo Look's accompanying app will save all your outfit photos rather than clogging up your camera roll. But be advised that the photos are stored in the AWS cloud until you manually delete them, a company spokesperson told Motherboard. 

    The Echo Look has many of the same features as the Echo and Echo Dot — like the ability to check your calendar, weather, and commute — but more features will be "coming soon," the spokeswoman said. If you don't want to the device watching or listening to you, you can turn the camera and microphone off by pressing a button on the side of the device. 

    Amazon has recently gotten serious about expanding its fashion business. In a recent job posting for a software engineer, Amazon wrote that it wants to become "the number one online shopping destination for Fashion customers."

    Plus, Amazon has quietly launched seven new fashion brands, was said to be planning to introduce its own private-labeled bras priced around $10, and plans to launch its own line of athletic clothing, or "athleisure."

    SEE ALSO: Here's a simple reason why Amazon is so obsessed with growing its fashion-apparel business NOW WATCH: 6 things the Samsung Galaxy S8 can do that the iPhone can't Loading video...
    Source: Amazon's new Echo device is a hands-free camera that helps you decide what to wear

    Tuesday, April 25, 2017

    Neha Aggarwal app launch

    Check out the pictures of Bollywood actress Neha Aggarwal during the app launch on April24th,2017.

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    Actress Neha Aggarwal during the app launch on April 24th,2017 - Photogallery

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    Neha Aggarwal at the app launch on April 24th,2017.  Neha Aggarwal at the app launch on April 24th,2017. 
    Source: Neha Aggarwal app launch

    Sunday, April 23, 2017

    How to customize camera options with a Windows Store device app

    Last Updated: 4/22/2017

    In Windows 8.1, Windows Store device apps let device manufacturers customize the flyout that displays more camera options in some camera apps. This topic introduces the More options flyout that's displayed by the CameraCatureUI API, and shows how the C# version of the Windows Store device app for camera sample replaces the default flyout with a custom flyout. To learn more about Windows Store device apps in general, see Meet Windows Store device apps.

    Note In Windows 8.1, the built-in camera app does not display a More options button and therefore can't display a Windows Store device app to show more camera options. However, the CameraCaptureUI class, that's available to all Windows Store apps, does have a More options button and can display Windows Store device apps from it.

    The C# version of the Windows Store device app for camera sample uses the DeviceAppPage.xaml page to demonstrate the UI of a custom flyout for more camera options. The sample also applies camera effects using a camera driver MFT (media foundation transform). For more info about that, see Creating a camera driver MFT.

    Note The code examples shown in this topic are based on the C# version of the Windows Store device app for camera sample. This sample is also available in JavaScript and C++. Download the samples to see the latest versions of the code.

    More options for cameras

    The more camera options experience is the functionality that a Windows Store device app provides when another app, a Windows Store app, captures or previews video from the camera by using the CameraCaptureUI API. It is accessible through the More options link in the Camera options window. It is not full-screen, but displays within a flyout, which is a control for displaying a lightweight, contextual user interface that is dismissed when a user clicks or taps outside of it.

    This experience can be used to highlight differentiated features for your camera, such as the ability to apply custom video effects.

    When a Windows Store device app is not installed for a camera, Windows provides a default more camera options experience. If Windows detects that a Windows Store device app is installed for your camera, and that the app has opted-in to the windows.cameraSettings extension, your app replaces the default experience provided by Windows.

    To invoke the flyout for more camera options:

  • Open a Windows Store app that uses the CameraCaptureUI API (the CameraCaptureUI sample, for example)
  • Tap the Options button in the UI
  • This opens a Camera options flyout that shows basic options for setting resolution and video stabilization
  • On the Camera options flyout, tap More options
  • The More options flyout opens
  • The default flyout appears when no Windows Store device app for the camera is installed
  • A custom flyout appears when a Windows Store device app for the camera is installed
  • This image shows the default flyout for more camera options beside an example of a custom flyout.

    Prerequisites

    Before you get started:

  • Get your development PC set up. See Getting started for info about downloading the tools and creating a developer account.
  • Associate your app with the store. See Create a Windows Store device app for info about that.
  • Create device metadata for your printer that associates it with your app. See Create device metadata for more about that.
  • Build the UI for the main page of your app. All Windows Store device apps can be launched from Start, where they'll be displayed full-screen. Use the Start experience to highlight your product or services in a way that matches the specific branding and features of your devices. There are no special restrictions on the type of UI controls it can use. To get started with the design of the full-screen experience, see the Windows Store design principles.
  • Step 1: Register the extension

    In order for Windows to recognize that the app can supply a custom flyout for more camera options, it must register the camera settings extension. This extension is declared in an Extension element, with a Category attribute set to a value of windows.cameraSettings. In the C# and C++ samples, the Executable attribute is set to DeviceAppForWebcam.exe and the EntryPoint attribute is set to DeviceAppForWebcam.App.

    You can add the camera settings extension on the Declarations tab of the Manifest Designer in Microsoft Visual Studio. You can also edit the app package manifest XML manually, using the XML (Text) Editor. Right-click the Package.appxmanifest file in Solution Explorer for editing options.

    This example shows the camera settings extension in the Extension element, as it appears in the app package manifest file, Package.appxmanifest.

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <Package xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/2010/manifest"> <Identity Name="Microsoft.SDKSamples.DeviceAppForWebcam.CPP" Publisher="CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US" Version="1.0.0.0" /> <Properties> <DisplayName>DeviceAppForWebcam CPP sample</DisplayName> <PublisherDisplayName>Microsoft Corporation</PublisherDisplayName> <Logo>Assets\storeLogo-sdk.png</Logo> </Properties> <Prerequisites> <OSMinVersion>6.3.0</OSMinVersion> <OSMaxVersionTested>6.3.0</OSMaxVersionTested> </Prerequisites> <Resources> <Resource Language="x-generate" /> </Resources> <Applications> <Application Id="DeviceAppForWebcam.App" Executable="$targetnametoken$.exe" EntryPoint="DeviceAppForWebcam.App"> <VisualElements DisplayName="DeviceAppForWebcam CPP sample" Logo="Assets\squareTile-sdk.png" SmallLogo="Assets\smallTile-sdk.png" Description="DeviceAppForWebcam CPP sample" ForegroundText="light" BackgroundColor="#00b2f0"> <DefaultTile ShortName="DeviceApp CPP" ShowName="allLogos" /> <SplashScreen Image="Assets\splash-sdk.png" BackgroundColor="#00b2f0" /> </VisualElements> <Extensions> <Extension Category="windows.cameraSettings" Executable="DeviceAppForWebcam.exe" EntryPoint="DeviceAppForWebcam.App" /> </Extensions> </Application> </Applications> </Package> Step 2: Build the UI

    Before building your app, you should work with your designers and your marketing team to design the user experience. The user experience should project the branding aspects of your company and help you build a connection with your users.

    Design guidelines

    It's important to review the Windows Store app flyout guidelines before designing your custom flyout. The guidelines help ensure that your flyout provides an intuitive experience that is consistent with other Windows Store apps.

    For the main page of your app, keep in mind that Windows 8.1 can display multiple apps in various sizes on a single monitor. See the following guidelines to learn more about how your app can reflow gracefully between screen sizes, window sizes, and orientations.

    Flyout dimensions

    The flyout that displays more camera options is 625 pixels high and 340 pixels wide. The area containing the More options text at the top is provided by Windows and is approximately 65 pixels high, leaving 560 pixels for the viewable area of the custom flyout. A custom flyout should not exceed 340 pixels in width.

    flyout dimensions for more camera options.

    Note If your custom flyout is more than 560 pixels in height, the user may slide or scroll to view parts of the flyout that are above or below the viewable area.

    Suggested effects
  • Color effects. For example, grayscale, sepia tone, or solarizing the entire picture.
  • Face-tracking effects. Where a face is identified in the picture and an overlay, such as a hat or a pair of glasses, is added on top of it.
  • Scene modes. These are preset exposure and focus modes for different lighting conditions.
  • Suggested settings
  • Your Windows Store device app's custom flyout can provide a switch to enable hardware-implemented settings, such as manufacturer-provided color correction schemes.
  • Implement basic properties that supplement the other settings exposed by your Windows Store device app. For example, many devices may expose controls for adjusting brightness, contrast, flicker, focus, and exposure, but a device that implements TrueColor to automatically adjust the brightness and contrast may not need to provide these settings.
  • Restrictions
  • Do not open your Windows Store device app's custom flyout from your main app (by calling the CameraOptionsUI.Show method) when the app is not streaming or capturing.

  • Do not provide a preview or otherwise take ownership of the video stream from inside your Windows Store device app's custom flyout. The custom flyout is meant to function as a companion to another app that captures video. The capture app has ownership of the video stream. You shouldn't try to access the video stream using low-level APIs. This may cause unexpected behavior, in which the capture app loses access to the stream.

  • Do not adjust resolution in the custom flyout.

  • Do not attempt to display pop-ups, notifications, or dialogs outside of the area intended for the custom flyout. These types of dialogs are not permitted.

  • Do not initiate audio or video capture inside the custom flyout. The custom flyout is meant to extend another app that is capturing video, rather than initiate the capture itself. Additionally, capturing audio or video may trigger a system dialog, and pop-up dialogs are not permitted inside the custom flyout.

  • Step 3: Handle activation

    If your app has declared the camera settings extension, it must implement an OnActivated method to handle the app Activation event. This event is triggered when a Windows Store app, using the CameraCaptureUI class, calls the CameraOptionsUI.Show method. App activation is when your app can choose which page will launch as the app starts. For apps that have declared the camera settings extension, Windows passes the video device in the Activated event arguments: Windows.ApplicationModel.Activation.IActivatedEventArgs.

    A Windows Store device app can determine that the activation is intended for camera settings (that someone just tapped More options on the Camera options dialog) when the event argument's kind property is equal to Windows.ApplicationModel.Activation.ActivationKind.CameraSettings.

    This example shows the activation event handler in the OnActivated method, as it appears in the App.xaml.cs file. The event arguments are then cast as Windows.ApplicationModel.Activation.CameraSettingsActivatedEventArgs and sent to the Initialize method of the custom flyout (DeviceAppPage.xaml.cs).

    protected override void OnActivated(IActivatedEventArgs args) { if (args.Kind == ActivationKind.CameraSettings) { base.OnActivated(args); DeviceAppPage page = new DeviceAppPage(); Window.Current.Content = page; page.Initialize((CameraSettingsActivatedEventArgs)args); Window.Current.Activate(); } } Step 4: Control settings and effects

    When the Initialize method of the custom flyout (DeviceAppPage.xaml.cs) is called, the video device is passed to the flyout through the event arguments. These arguments expose properties for controlling the camera:

  • The args.VideoDeviceController property provides an object of type Windows.Media.Devices.VideoDeviceController. This object provides methods for adjusting standard settings.
  • The args.VideoDeviceExtension property is a pointer to the camera driver MFT. This property will be null if no Driver MFT interfaces are exposed. For more info about camera driver MFTs, see Creating a camera driver MFT.
  • This example shows a portion of the Initialize method, as it appears in the DeviceAppPage.xaml.cs file. Here, the video device controller (videoDevController object) and the camera driver MFT (lcWrapper object) are created and the flyout is populated with the current camera settings.

    public void Initialize(CameraSettingsActivatedEventArgs args) { videoDevController = (VideoDeviceController)args.VideoDeviceController; if (args.VideoDeviceExtension != null) { lcWrapper = new WinRTComponent(); lcWrapper.Initialize(args.VideoDeviceExtension); } bool bAuto = false; double value = 0.0; if (videoDevController.Brightness.Capabilities.Step != 0) { slBrt.Minimum = videoDevController.Brightness.Capabilities.Min; slBrt.Maximum = videoDevController.Brightness.Capabilities.Max; slBrt.StepFrequency = videoDevController.Brightness.Capabilities.Step; videoDevController.Brightness.TryGetValue(out value); slBrt.Value = value; } else { slBrt.IsEnabled = false; } if (videoDevController.Brightness.Capabilities.AutoModeSupported) { videoDevController.Brightness.TryGetAuto(out bAuto); tsBrtAuto.IsOn = bAuto; } else { tsBrtAuto.IsOn = false; tsBrtAuto.IsEnabled = false; } if (videoDevController.Contrast.Capabilities.Step != 0) { slCrt.Minimum = videoDevController.Contrast.Capabilities.Min; slCrt.Maximum = videoDevController.Contrast.Capabilities.Max; slCrt.StepFrequency = videoDevController.Contrast.Capabilities.Step; videoDevController.Contrast.TryGetValue(out value); slCrt.Value = value; } else { slCrt.IsEnabled = false; } // . . . // . . . // . . .

    The camera driver MFT is demonstrated in the Driver MFT sample. For more info about camera driver MFTs, see Creating a camera driver MFT.

    Step 5: Apply changes

    When changes are made to the controls on the flyout, the Changed event of the corresponding control is used to apply the changes to the video device controller (videoDevController object) and the camera driver MFT (lcWrapper object).

    This example shows the Changed methods that apply changes to the video device controller and the camera driver MFT, as they appear in the DeviceAppPage.xaml.cs file.

    protected void OnBrtAutoToggleChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Brightness.TrySetAuto(tsBrtAuto.IsOn); slBrt.IsEnabled = !tsBrtAuto.IsOn; } protected void OnBrtSliderValueChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Brightness.TrySetValue(slBrt.Value); } protected void OnCrtAutoToggleChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Contrast.TrySetAuto(tsCrtAuto.IsOn); slCrt.IsEnabled = !tsCrtAuto.IsOn; } protected void OnCrtSliderValueChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Contrast.TrySetValue(slCrt.Value); } protected void OnFocusAutoToggleChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Focus.TrySetAuto(tsFocusAuto.IsOn); slFocus.IsEnabled = !tsFocusAuto.IsOn; } protected void OnFocusSliderValueChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Focus.TrySetValue(slFocus.Value); } protected void OnExpAutoToggleChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Exposure.TrySetAuto(tsExpAuto.IsOn); slExp.IsEnabled = !tsExpAuto.IsOn; } protected void OnExpSliderValueChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { videoDevController.Exposure.TrySetValue(slExp.Value); } protected void OnEffectEnabledToggleChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { if (tsEffectEnabled.IsOn) { lcWrapper.Enable(); } else { lcWrapper.Disable(); } slEffect.IsEnabled = tsEffectEnabled.IsOn; } protected void OnEffectSliderValueChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) { lcWrapper.UpdateDsp(Convert.ToInt32(slEffect.Value)); } Testing your app

    This section describes how to install a Windows Store device app that provides a custom flyout for More options of a camera, as demonstrated in the Windows Store device app for camera sample.

    Before you can test your Windows Store device app, it must be linked to your camera using device metadata.

  • You need a copy of the device metadata package for your printer, to add the device app info to it. If you don't have device metadata, you can build it using the Device Metadata Authoring Wizard as described in the topic Create device metadata for your Windows Store device app.

    Note To use the Device Metadata Authoring Wizard, you must install Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2013, Microsoft Visual Studio Ultimate 2013, or the standalone SDK for Windows 8.1, before completing the steps in this topic. Installing Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows installs a version of the SDK that doesn't include the wizard.

  • The following steps build your app and install the device metadata.

  • Enable test signing.

  • Start the Device Metadata Authoring Wizard from %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Kits\8.1\bin\x86, by double-clicking DeviceMetadataWizard.exe
  • From the Tools menu, select Enable Test Signing.
  • Reboot the computer

  • Build the solution by opening the solution (.sln) file. Press F7 or go to Build->Build Solution from the top menu after the sample has loaded.

  • Disconnect and uninstall the printer. This step is required so that Windows will read the updated device metadata the next time the device is detected.

  • Edit and save device metadata. To link the device app to your device, you must associate the device app with your device. Note If you haven't created your device metadata yet, see Create device metadata for your Windows Store device app.

  • If the Device Metadata Authoring Wizard is not open yet, start it from %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Kits\8.1\bin\x86, by double-clicking DeviceMetadataWizard.exe.
  • Click Edit Device Metadata. This will let you edit your existing device metadata package.
  • In the Open dialog box, locate the device metadata package associated with your Windows Store device app. (It has a devicemetadata-ms file extension.)
  • On the Specify Windows Store device app information page, enter the Windows Store app info in the Windows Store device app box. Click on Import Windows Store App manifest file to automatically enter the Package name, Publisher name, and Windows Store App ID.
  • When you're done, click Next until you get to the Finish page.
  • On the Review the device metadata package page, make sure that all of the settings are correct and select the Copy the device metadata package to the metadata store on the local computer check box. Then click Save.
  • Reconnect your device so that Windows reads the updated device metadata when the device is connected.

  • If you have an external camera, simply connect the camera.
  • If you have an internal camera, refresh the PC in the Devices and Printers folder. Use Device Manager to scan for hardware changes. Windows should read the updated metadata when the device is detected.
  • Note For info about installing a camera driver MFT, see the Testing section in Creating a camera driver MFT.

    Testing the samples

    To test the camera options experience, first download these samples:

    Then, follow the sample testing instructions provided on the Driver MFT sample page.

    Send comments about this topic to Microsoft


    Source: How to customize camera options with a Windows Store device app

    Saturday, April 22, 2017

    Apple iPhone SE Camera Problems: Flash not working, blurry photos, out of focus, random app crashes, camera app missing [Troubleshooting Guide]

    One of the key features smartphone users would check out before procuring a new mobile device is the camera. Apparently, mobile phones are now being utilized by many people as a primary replacement camera for capturing photos and recording videos on the go. This is one reason as to why people would over-react when their phone's camera suddenly misbehaves.

    Among the most common issues affecting mobile camera app would include but not limited to the flash that is not working, blurry or out of focus photos, random app freezes or crashes, and a missing camera app. These issues are also among those that were raised by many owners of the Apple iPhone SE, particularly with the stock camera app.

    If you happen to be among those who are plagued with the same problems on the same iPhone's camera app, then this content might be able to help you out. Read on to learn why these problems occur and what should be done in order to fix them.

    Now, before we proceed with our troubleshooting, if you have other concerns with your new iPhone SE, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already published some guides and tutorials. You may also contact us by completing our iPhone issues questionnaire. This is a free consultation servicer we offer and all we need is information about the problem. So please give us that so that we can help you better.

    Possible causes of camera problems on the iPhone SE 

    Majority of the problems raised by iPhone SE owners on the phone's stock camera were software-related. This means that the problem lies within the software components. The good thing about software-related problems in mobile devices is the fact that they can be resolved by end-users without a technician's aide. Hardware-related issues however are a different story. For camera problems that are caused by a faulty hardware component, particularly those parts within the iPhone's camera,  a tech service is more likely needed either for repair or component replacement.

    Software-related issues with the camera application are usually caused by corrupt contents, bad updates, misconfigured camera options, as well as memory problems like insufficient memory.

  • Corrupted files can include bad contents downloaded from online sources and saved in your iPhone's storage. These can include corrupted photos, videos, or other types of erroneous files. When these files are saved in to your iPhone's system, there is a higher chance for any existing apps or the device itself to become affected and become unstable or dysfunctional. Among the pertinent symptoms would include random crashes, lags, and unresponsiveness of the app or the iPhone itself.
  • Misconfigured or incorrect settings can also be the one to blame in some cases. When some settings within the camera app are not configured correctly, certain functionalities or camera outputs might not be the same as what you expected. For example, setting a wrong camera mode or failure adjust the appropriate camera settings or options can likewise end up having an undesirable output in both photos or videos taken using the iPhone's stock camera.
  • Bad software updates are also among the potential culprits. Lots of iPhone owners have been raising various complaints and device issues, which instigated after installing a software (iOS) update. Needless to say, camera issues are tagged among other post-update issues transpiring on Apple's special edition iPhone. This kind of problems are usually resolved by installing an official fix patch which comes in a form of minor iOS updates released by Apple to address any issues found on the current software implementation.
  • Memory issues or insufficient memory can also affect the camera app's overall functionality especially when it comes to storing photos and videos captured using the app. With insufficient memory space, you won't be able to store new photos or videos on your device. Photos and videos are considered as multimedia contents, which usually come in bigger file size. And the bigger the file size is, the more memory space it requires to allocate. If your iPhone is already low on storage, then you are likely to get memory error when saving new photos or videos. Usually, users are prompted with a memory error in this case. So if you happen to see a relevant message prompt, then you need to manage your iPhone's internal storage first so you can save more photos and videos afterwards.
  • Hardware damage can possibly be the culprit especially if there were prior incidents of dropping or liquid exposure, which eventually damaged the camera or other relevant components. If you suspect that your iPhone's camera is damaged, then you should consider taking a trip to the nearest Apple Genius bar in your place.
  • Recommended Solutions to Specific Problems with the iPhone SE Camera

    Listed below are specific problems with the iPhone camera along with the recommended solutions. Try to see if yours is similar to any of these problems then follow the given solutions.  

    iPhone SE Camera Problem on No Flash or Flash Not Working

    If the flash is not working, try to test the LED flash on the Control Center and see if it turns on. If it does, then it means that the flash is working. Here's how you do it:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to open the Control Center.
  • Tap the Flashlight icon on the bottom-left corner of the control center.
  • If the LED flash turns on after tapping on the icon, the flash is working. If it does not turn on, try to check the flash settings by tapping the black lightning icon or flash icon found on the upper-left of the screen.
  • Select a different setting to use.
  • Test the camera app again to see if it's working now.

    Note: Using the iPhone in a very warm environment can also lead to issues using the camera flash. Typically, you'll see an alert prompt telling that the flash is disabled. In this case, all you need to do is let your iPhone cool down for a few minutes. Once it cools down, try to use the camera again.

    iPhone SE Camera Problem on Blurry photos, Out of Focus, poor quality videos and photos

    The first thing you need to do in this case is to check the lens of the camera and make sure they're clean. Photos can get blurry or have dark spots with dirt or dust covering the camera lens. When cleaning the camera lens, use a microfiber cloth.

    Photos that are out of focus might simply need a little adjustments or repositioning of the camera when taking a photo or video.

  • Try to tap the object or person on the preview screen to let the camera make necessary adjustments automatically.  After doing so, you will see the screen pulse or notice that the screen briefly goes in and out of focus. The camera will automatically refocus to the center if you move too far in any direction.
  • Note: Only start taking a photo or recording a video when the subject is at the center focus.

    iPhone SE Camera app missing

    This can possibly happen especially if other people have access to your iPhone. Other users can make changes to your iPhone settings, or re-configure apps options as they would prefer. Therefore it is also possible for them to move the camera app to other locations. The app can also become invisible when restricted. If this is the case, here are the things you can try:

  • Use Spotlight search – try to search for the camera app by typing in "Camera app" or other related keywords in the Spotlight search bar.
  • Verify restrictions – to check and make sure the app is not restricted on your iPhone, go to Settings-> General-> Restrictions-> Allow-> Camera. Remove any restrictions assigned to the app.
  •  After doing so, restart your iPhone and see if the Camera app is already visible from its usual location afterwards.

    iPhone SE camera problem on black screen or closed lens

    The camera viewfinder screen can appear black if it's covered or blocked. For example, your finger might have blocked the lens while attempting to take a photo or record a video. Other than that, the issue is on closed lens. If you are sure that nothing is blocking the camera lens and yet you're still seeing a black screen or closed lens, then here's what you can do:

  • Force restart the camera app. Quit the app and then open it again.
  • Open the camera app again after the reboot.
  • Or you can also try switching between the front and rear cameras. If the black screen occurs only in one of the cameras, it means that something is wrong with that camera and thus needs to be diagnosed further by an authorized technician.

    Potential Solutions and Recommended workarounds to deal with camera problems on your iPhone SE 

    Highlighted in the lower section of this page are generic solutions, which should serve as general troubleshooting guide for you or any iPhone SE owners who would opt to try fixing the camera problem(s) they're experiencing on their end. You too may refer to these steps, when needed. Again, these methods only work if the problem you are dealing with is software-related. If you've positively identified the underlying cause, then you can jump straight to the method which you think best applicable to your condition. Otherwise, you would have to try all applicable methods until the problem is resolved.

    Note:

  • Be sure to test your camera app after completing each step so as to determine whether the problem has already been fixed. Proceed to the next method, if necessary.
  • Method 1: Restart the Camera app.

    Random issues happen to any application including the iPhone's stock camera app. If this should be the case on your end, restarting the application might be able to rectify it. By restarting here simply denotes quitting the app and then open it again. This trick usually works with minor software glitches as the main cause. The same method is applied to computer programs that have gone rogue due to minor glitches.

    Symptoms like lagging, freezing, or not responding app are usually rectified by this method. So you might as well consider trying this on your end to see if it works. Just close the Camera app then re-open after a few seconds.

    For starters, follow these steps:

  • Quickly press the Home key twice or double-tap the Home key to open a new window containing all your recently opened applications. These apps are in standby mode and remain in the background to help users when multitasking.
  • Swipe left or right until you see the Camera preview screen.

  • To close the Camera app, swipe on the app's preview. Doing so will quit the app.

  • After a few seconds, tap the Camera icon to open the app again.

  • Now, try to observe and see if the problem is gone. If not, continue to the next method.

    Method 2: Reboot (soft reset) your iPhone SE.

    Minor software glitches that are not rectified by an app restart can be dealt with by a soft reset or simply rebooting the iPhone. A reboot usually eliminates random issues caused by minor glitches on the application.

    Here's how to perform a soft reset on your iPhone SE:

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider shows up on the screen.
  • Drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
  • Wait for at least 30 seconds.

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

  • Alternatively, you can force your iPhone to restart, especially if the camera app is not responding or your iPhone is freezing and not responding to touches. A force restart will not erase any data on your device, thus it is considered a safe process.

  • To force restart your iPhone SE, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Home key simultaneously for a few seconds until the Apple logo appears.  Your iPhone will now reboot.
  • After the reboot, try to open the camera app and see if it is now working fine. If not, proceed to the next applicable method you want to try.

    Method 3: Check and ensure your iPhone SE has sufficient memory space.

    If necessary, manage your iPhone's memory so as to free up more space to allocated new contents including photos and videos taken using the phone's camera app. The memory is likely to blame if symptoms would include lags, random crashes, and sluggish performance on the app. In most cases, users are prompted with insufficient memory prompt or pertinent alert message. To check memory status and manage your iPhone's internal storage, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Select Storage & iCloud Storage.
  • Tap Manage to view how much storage each app on your iPhone is using.
  • To view more information about memory usage for each app, simply tap an App from the list.
  • By default, iOS devices are designed to automatically optimize storage by removing temporary files and clearing caches. If your device gets full and the iOS is no longer able to free up more space, this is when you'll get to see an alert message telling that your iPhone's memory is almost full and that you need to free up space for new contents.

    There are many ways to free up space on your iPhone's memory. And these are the things you can do on your end:

  • Quit all apps running in the background (standby mode). To do so, double tap the Home key or quickly press the key twice. Doing so will open the apps previews. Swipe up on each app's preview to close the app. If necessary, view more apps preview by swiping right or left then swipe on the app's preview to close it.
  • Delete old files. Files or contents that are no longer used or needed must be deleted to free up space on your iPhone storage. These include photos, videos, audio files, messages and other unnecessary contents that are still saved in your device. If deleting is not an option for you, then you can move these files to other storage media instead.
  • Restart your iPhone. Restarting is also one way to clear your iPhone's memory. This is one of the reasons as to why it is recommended to restart your device more often especially after extensive use of complex apps.
  •  Try to use the camera app afterwards and see if there are any improvements.

    Method 4: Update iOS.

    Software updates are released periodically for device optimization or fixing bugs. Post-update issues that occur after major iOS implementation are usually fixed by a follow-up update. That being said, if the problem(s) you encounter with the camera app started after installing a major update to your iPhone iOS, then that update is likely to blame. In this case, check new available update for your device and install (if there's any). Here's how:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Select Software Update.
  • If an update is available, you will a message prompt telling so. To proceed with iOS update installation, tap Download and Install.
  • Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  • If none of the aforesaid methods is able to fix the problem and that the stock camera app on your iPhone SE is still not working, then you may temporarily resort to using a third-party camera application for taking photos or videos.

    Contact Apple Support or your carrier for other options

    Since you've done everything on your end, tried every possible means to fix the problem but to no avail, you should now consider contacting your carrier or Apple Support, escalate the problem and ask for other options or recommendations. If calling is not your preference, then you may take your iPhone SE to a service center instead. It's possible that a defective component is causing the stock camera to malfunction.

    Connect with us

    Visit our troubleshooting page to view more solutions to other iPhone problems we have addressed in our prior posts. If you wish to reach our iOS support team for further assistance, then you may do so by filling up this form with all the required information. Be sure to provide us with the significant details of the issue that you need help with so we would be able to give you the best possible solutions and recommendations to try on.

    You Might Also Like These Posts...
    Source: Apple iPhone SE Camera Problems: Flash not working, blurry photos, out of focus, random app crashes, camera app missing [Troubleshooting Guide]

    Friday, April 21, 2017

    Foxshot could be the lightest portable action camera for iOS

    Let's hear it for all our GoPro fans out there. It's a great opportunity to have the ability to capture the action on your biggest trips in life. Unfortunately, the GoPro tends to be out of some of our price ranges. It would be nice to have some additional options for lower-cost action cameras that still perform highly.

    Foxshot is a 500% funded Kickstarter product that can shed some light on the situation here. Not only is it an ultra-portable mini camera that shoots 1080p HD video, but it can also stick onto many surfaces like glass, wood, and marble.

    At the approximate size of a single Oreo cookie, the Foxshot brings true ease of traveling with an action camera. You can take a family picture without a selfie stick and without asking someone to take the shot. You can easily stick Foxshot onto a wall or pole to do take the photo for you.

    What's the secret to the unlimited stickiness? The Foxshot only weighs about 0.1-lbs, which is pretty neat. The back of the camera has a magnet sheet, a rubber ring, and a durable gel that together make this possible. You can wash the sticky adhesive, let it dry, and it will soon be sticky again and ready to use for another shot.

    Using the smartphone app as a remote, you can set a time-lapse or record a video. A preview of what the camera sees in real time is available on the app as well, that works via a Wi-Fi connection generated by the camera.

    And just like our GoPro, it is water-resistant for the occasional water-sport action capture. Also included is a noise-cancelling microphone that can help film scene more realistically. The battery lasts 2 hours for time-lapse shooting. Out-of-the-box settings have Foxshot taking a picture every 15 seconds, which can be changed in the settings of the app if so desired.

    Replaceable surfaces customize Foxshot to make it truly yours and they also help the camera blend into the shooting environment. If you want to disguise your camera in a certain area, simply tailor the photo of the environment by Foxshot's size and attach it to the camera's surface. Then just stick it on the desired location and you're good to go.

    The Foxshot can be pre-ordered online for $45, and will deliver this August. Its Kickstarter page still has bonuses for backing the project if you want to check that out as well.


    Source: Foxshot could be the lightest portable action camera for iOS

    Thursday, April 20, 2017

    9 paid iPhone apps on sale for free right now

    Have rumors that Apple's upcoming new iPhone 8 might feature an atrocious design got you down? Don't worry, you'll perk right up when you start digging through today's list of the best paid iPhone and iPad apps on sale for free. We've got nine for you in total on Thursday, and you'll definitely want to check them out as soon as possible since these sales could end at any moment.

    These are paid iPhone and iPad apps that have been made available for free for a limited time by their developers. There is no way to tell how long they will be free. These sales could end an hour from now or a week from now — obviously, the only thing we can guarantee is that they were free at the time this post was written. If you click on a link and see a price listed next to an app instead of the word "get," it is no longer free. The sale has ended. If you download the app, you will be charged.

    Moogli

    Normally $3.99.

    • Moogli is designed for families, couples and flat shares and is perfectly suited for collaborating on shopping lists and all kinds of daily tasks.

    What users say:– "I really enjoy using the app!"– "Thank you so much for the fantastic app!!"– "By the way – your app is great and has big potential."

    • The name Moogli comes from a combination of "Common Moorhen" and "Sugar Glider" – two animals that are among the world's cleverest to help each other in everyday life!

    – Create shopping lists and get quick suggestions for articles you've used before.– Assign tasks or put them into a joint group called "Pool".– Be informed about the activity carried out by those you're with.– Define a reward in form of points and/or text label.– Simply put up repetitive tasks, and get notifications of whoever's turn it is.– Set Objectives, they can be anything (object, gift, an adventure, etc).

    • Moogli synchronizes content fast and automatically across multiple devices.

    • Moogli has an easy to use activity feed and Push Notification support.

    • Moogli provides a world class opportunity to accumulate points/credits by performing tasks throughout the month. How about giving rewards related to the total? Anyway, it is not required to give points for doing tasks.

    • What else can Moogli do?– You can set Objectives to collect points. Or make a contest and have fun towards the goal.– You can easily postpone task that has a due date.– You can set permission to members, so only you can give points or approve completed tasks.– You can globally and individually change the properties of reminders about not completed tasks.– You can easily categorize tasks by selecting "areas" such as kitchen and bathroom.– You can choose among more than 60 symbols to get recognizable appearance on the tasks.– You can use color to get even better visual control of tasks / chores.– You can enable more details in lists, so you can quickly see whether they are repetitive or have a due date.

    • It is certainly not Ok if you feel that things are not working out as expected. Therefore, send an email to: mail@moogliapp.com

    • Future development plans:– Image support.– Wall / tablet to handling information and such. Also project management.– Ability to create contests on tasks / chores.– Lists / TAG to get a better opportunity to prioritize and get a better overview.– Priority of tasks (visually).

    Download Moogli

    Captiona

    Normally $0.99.

    Always find the perfect caption for your post."Captiona can help you save time and avoid stress with its extensive searchable library of caption suggestions" – AppAdvice.

    *New* Submit your favorite captions at http://www.captiona.net

    Features:Find on-trend captions that match your postGet more likes and followersSave time and stressFind Captions in EnglishCaptions are updated daily

    Say it better with Captiona.A well-crafted caption can help your post stand out.Captiona's extensive range of captions and quotes make it easy to choose something that your followers will love.

    Pick a caption on the go. The Captiona keyboard lets you select a caption within App's like Instagram, so that you can save time and return to the moment.​If you're serious about your Instagram, you'll love Captiona.

    For a tutorial on installing the Captiona keyboard, please visit: http://www.captiona.net/support.

    Please allow 1 minute for the captions to download when opening for the first time.

    Download Captiona

    Manageable

    Normally $2.99.

    ● Have a goal. Make it manageable. ●Manageable helps you to focus on the next task no matter how many projects you have to juggle at the same time.

    Start with your projects, goals or even dreams and split each one into steps required to complete it. Split each step further into lists of subtasks until you end up with simple actionable items.

    Manageable collects final actions across all subtasks of your selected project in a plain ordered list, hiding complexity when you only need to go from the topmost action to the next one.

    Features:

    • Clutter-free hierarchical lists• Clean gesture-driven interface• Reorder and prioritize in one gesture• Efficient color-coding of your items• Two-tap navigation between your favourite projects• Search• Import or share your project outlines• Backup data to iCloud, DropBox, etc.• Today widget in Notification Center• Unlimited undo/redo

    Gestures:

    ● Task viewPull down/up to add itemHold and drag to reorder/prioritizeSwipe the title left for Action listSwipe the title right to go to the topPull down with 2 fingers for import menuPull up with 2 fingers for export menu● AnywhereSwipe item for menuTap and hold item to editTap title for Navigation view, tap again to dismissShake to undo/redo● Action viewPull down to filter by priority

    Download Manageable

    Duel

    $5.99 in-app purchase currently free.

    Now kids can enjoy competing with your friends in class or with siblings at home with our brand new Monster Math Duels! Have fun and improve in math at the same time. Download an intelligent multiplayer game in which you can compete with kids of your own grade as well as with kids from completely different grades; on a single or across multiple devices!

    Choose between Grades K – 5 and over 60 skills to help your kids do some good old arithmetic practice in a refreshingly new way. Our algorithm allows pairing of kids across different grades while keeping the difficulty level of the problems aligned to each kids' grade level.

    Monster Math Duels gives kids 3 modes to engage in math duels with friends at school or at home, to practice math and do homework in an effective and a refreshingly new way!

    The 3 modes in Monster Math Duels are:

    Nearby Mode – Use this mode to let your kid play against other kids over a wi-fi or bluetooth connection.

    Split Screen Mode- This is one of the most loved features of the first Monster Math. And, it just got better! Use this mode to let your kids challenge each other or yourself in a game of math. Get to know your kids some more and have some quality family time together. (note: this mode is available only in iPads)

    vs. Computer Mode – Use this mode to hone your kids' skills against self-adjusting difficulty levels at anytime of the day, even when there are no human opponents.

    Monster Math Duels helps your child practice and learn over 60 skills within arithmetic, basic geometry, fractions and decimals. It is suited for Grades K–5, with all skills aligned to the Common Core Math standards. These skills are also fully customisable, thanks to standard skill presets, to suit your kids' aptitude.A simple and intuitive toggle switch allows you to select advanced or basic skills which are presented as a neat progression within the parents section of the game.You can also receive weekly emails.

    Monster Math is designed to test multiple skills in one go, unlike flash cards or simple quiz based apps, which only ask one question at a time. It is a great way to practice mental math and doing math drills, in a fun game environment. Regular play will lead to faster recall and use of Math facts.

    See the skills your child could be learning with Monster Math Duels –

    Basic Geometry• Identify shapes on various attributes• Symmetry

    Addition & Subtraction• Addition up to 20• Subtraction up to 20• Two-digit addition without carry over• Two-digit subtraction without borrowing

    Multiplication & Division• Times Tables of 1 to 12• Divide by numbers 1 to 12• Multiply single-digit numbers by multiples of 10

    Primes, Factors and Multiples

    Fractions• Visual representations (1/b, a/b)• Equivalence• Whole numbers as Fractions• Comparing fractions• Basic fraction addition

    Decimals• Decimal equivalents to given fractions and vice-versaCommon Core Standards:

    K.G.2, K.G.3, K.G.4, K.OA.5, 1.G.1, 1.G.3, 1.NBT.4, 1.OA.3, 2.G.1, 2.G.3, 2.NBT.5, 2.OA.2, 3.G.1, 3.OA.7, 3.NBT.2, 3.NBT.3, 3.NF.1, 3.NF.3, 4.G.3, 4.OA.1, 4.NF.2, 4.NF.3, 4.NF.6.

    Let your kids practice all of their basic math skills and problem solving while they have fun. Download Monster Math 2 – Multiplayer now!

    Download Duel

    Timeline

    Normally $5.99.

    A world timeline app that show important world event to you.after play game or watch tv, get some time to find what happened in the real world,maybe you will find something different.

    Download Timeline

    3D Earth

    Normally $3.99.

    Meet 3D Earth. The most wonderful app. Ever.A clock and weather app unlike any you've ever seen.

    3D Earth presents a stunning live 3D simulation of our planet with weather, forecasts and world clock for cities around the world.Gaze at our planet floating amongst a universe of thousands of accurately rendered stars and gain a completely new perspective on time and weather.

    The current weather data is gathered from thousands of professionally installed and maintained weather stations installed mostly at airports. 3D Earth only shows current weather from stations that have reported local weather conditions within the past hour. Current weather data is refreshed every 30 minutes; that is twice as frequent as most other weather providers can offer. Unique 48-hour forecasts from over 80,000 locations around the world provide a level of coverage and detail that simply cannot be found elsewhere.

    Current weather information includes: description, air temperature, wind direction and force, humidity, dew point, pressure, visibility, as well as comfort index with reference to current weather conditions.Detailed weather forecast information includes: description, day and night air temperature, wind direction and force, humidity, UV index, probability of precipitation, and comfort index with reference to current weather conditions.

    FEATURES:● Weather maps of temperature, humidity, wind, pressure and forecasts.● World clock, weather and extended forecast for millions of cities around the world with 15 day and 3-hours forecasts..● Notification Center Widget provides quick access to weather essentials (requires iOS8).● Home Screen temperature icon. The current temperature for your location can be displayed on your Home Screen icon.● Sunrise and Sunset times.● iCloud city syncing

    Download 3D Earth

    Remote Control

    Normally $3.99.

    Turn your iPhone or iPad into the ultimate remote control for your Mac. Take full control over your Mac – use your iOS device as a trackpad and keyboard or launch any app from anywhere within your home.

    Tired of sitting on the couch, having to handle keyboard and mouse on your lap to control your media center Mac? Use Remote Control on your iPhone as a trackpad and keyboard to comfortably browse on the big screen TV. Using AirPlay Mirroring and an Apple TV, your Mac could be located anywhere in your home. Simply select your Apple TV from the list of available AirPlay devices and control your Mac from the comfort of your couch or bed.

    You can even start any app on your Mac, send your Mac to sleep, wake it up and perform many more useful actions to control your Mac remotely. All you need to do is download the Mac Helper application and connect your Mac and iOS device to the same WiFi. Remote Control will guide you through the simple setup process.

    AT A GLANCE– Control volume, playback and Airplay speaker selection on your Mac;– Use your iOS device as a Mac trackpad and keyboard;– Launch and quit Apps on your Mac comfortably from your iOS device;– Restart or shut down your Mac, change display brightness and many more useful actions;– Enjoy the ease of use in a slick user interface you will love;– Use the Personal Hotspot of your iOS device to control your Mac when you don't have access to other networks.

    SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS– Mac with macOS 10.8 or above and Helper app installed;– iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 8 or above;– Shared wireless network connection between your computer and iOS device.

    Do you enjoy using Remote Control? Please help us by rating the app, so we can continue to offer more features and implement your feedback into the app to make it even better.

    Download Remote Control

    Create Memes

    Normally $0.99.

    This app brings to the user a meme generator to easily and quickly create simple memes using images from his gallery or picking preloaded memes from the app library and adding the two typical label above and below the image.

    As usual, the app allows the user to share the final image using any app installed in his/her device as Facebook or Twitter.

    Download Create Memes

    Gifio

    Normally $0.99.

    Gifio user to create a gif by building each frame content such as the background image, the background color and the text with its font and its color. The user can add any text he/she want as the text adapts itself to the frame, can add any image from its camera or gallery and can add the Apple emojis as stickers.

    As usual, the app allows the user to share the final gif (as a gif or a video) using any app installed in his/her device as Facebook or Twitter.

    FEATURES:

    – Create gifs using text and images: The app allows to create each frame and edit the content by adding text, an image and changing several properties as the background color.

    – iPhone & iPad support: Works on any model of this family of devices.

    – Share to any app: Thanks to in-built share protocol, you can share the final image using any app installed on your device.

    – Creates both gif & video: In order to provide maximum support to share, the app creates a video and a gif and the user can choose which one to share or save.

    Download Gifio


    Source: 9 paid iPhone apps on sale for free right now

    Wednesday, April 19, 2017

    Marketers have begun eyeing up Clips, Apple’s new camera app

    As the Instagram-Snapchat battle continues to rage, a third competitor is creeping up into the space: Clips, Apple's creative camera app.

    Clips, launched three weeks ago, lets users shoot and edit social videos by combining video clips, photos, and music and then share them seamlessly on all social networks as well as iMessage. Users can also overlay filters, titles and stickers. Sounds familiar? That's because practically every feature already exists on other platforms. For instance: filters on Snapchat and the emoji and text overlays on both Instagram and Snapchat.

    Expect brands to jump on the bandwagon soon to create social videos, say agency execs. The app has several features that could prove to be attractive to brands, including that it lets users create animated captions by using just their voice. Clips has been downloaded a million times and has several hashtags dedicated to it on visual platforms like Instagram.

    "What we're witnessing is a micro-moment in a long transition where Apple moves from hardware to software," said Ben Kunz, svp of marketing and content at Mediassociates. "While it has historically sucked at software, Apple realizes that if iPhones become commoditized and it doesn't improve, its business will implode."

    Clips is Apple's most recent move in its biggest play yet to grab people away from competing social and messaging apps, something it started doing last year. Last September, Apple squarely set its sights on owning the messaging space, rolling out the biggest overhaul of its mobile operating system to date with the launch of iOS 10. It introduced a slew of new features in messages, including stickers, fonts and a dedicated app store.

    "Apple has always owned a huge audience via iMessages but has never enhanced the experience enough or made an emotional play for their audience's attention," said Tom Buontempo, president at Attention, KBS's social media arm. "But this points at an attempt to garner more time and attention from their audience versus other platforms."

    Since then, it has continually attracted new brands as well as old ones, who have been using it as yet another distribution and revenue channel, especially when it comes to branded stickers. Brands including Disney, Starbucks, the New England Patriots and Garfield have all launched branded sticker packs on the iMessage app store.

    "Apple is a growing competitor of Facebook and is becoming a very important platform for brands and advertisers," said Robert Ferrari, CEO at Bare Tree Media, a company that creates branded stickers. "Apple has a competitive advantage over Facebook, given that Facebook seems to focus more on stickers from independent creators and entertainment companies. In comparison, Apple is more brand-friendly."

    Apple is also flexing its marketing muscle to tout stickers, with its latest ad featuring the products debuting just last week. It features a range of diverse millennials running around town, slapping animated iMessage stickers on others — almost a desperate attempt in which Apple seems to be trying to show that it can be fun and rebellious too.

    "From a competitive standpoint, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat currently act as both a video camera and messaging app, and Apple still has these apps separated,"said Sherwin Su, associate director of social at Essence. "In order for Apple to compete, they need to integrate Clips functionality into iMessage, and potentially even FaceTime, and recognize how social platforms have optimized video content, design and consumption and for the mobile feed."

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  • Source: Marketers have begun eyeing up Clips, Apple's new camera app