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Review: Squaready provides layout tools for Instagram

The purpose of Squaready is to provide additional features for Instagram, which is admittedly lacking in some areas when it comes to layout and editing of photos. Unfortunately, because of a poorly designed and labeled interface, Squaready doesn't offer the intuitive add-on that many Instagram users are looking for.

When you first open Squaready, it shows you which buttons to press in which order. Unfortunately, those numbers go away the moment you tap the "Open Picture" button labeled with the number 1. From there, we were tapping and testing each button to find the tools we needed, … Read more

For Galaxy Tab, odd Samsung-Intel partnership emerges

Samsung is putting an Intel chip in an Android Galaxy Tab. That's unusual.

As CNET reported back on May 20, Samsung is slated to disclose -- either privately or publicly -- the next Intel-based Galaxy tablet at Computex, which starts June 4. It will run Android 4.2.2 and sport a 1,280 x 800 display.

What's odd is that Samsung is a chipmaking giant in its own right and considered an Intel rival in Android mobile devices. For example, its Exynos series of chips power the Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy tablets.

But it may have good … Read more

Review: SugarSync offers an iOS-centric cloud storage tool for photos/videos

SugarSync attempts to do what other services before it have done well--provide an extended storage solution for the iOS platform. However, due to limited upgrade options, it will only work for a certain group of people. While the focus on video and image backup is good on a device with a camera and far too little built-in storage, it doesn't offer more than its competitors to truly stand out.

SugarSync is very much like other cloud storage tools like Dropbox and Box.net. Sign up for a free account and you receive 5GB of storage that you can use … Read more

Review: Talking Tom Cat 2 turns the cute, animated cat into a puppet

Talking Tom Cat 2 is the kind of interactive experience that only the iPad can offer, but for numerous reasons it is also one that is well suited for only certain personalities. The gimmick of the app wears off quickly, and while there are numerous things you can do beyond putting words in the cat's mouth, sputtering animations and simplistic jokes make it a limiting app.

In Talking Tom Cat 2, there is an animated cat onscreen that will mimic whatever you say. Talk to your device and the cat will repeat it back to you. The effect is … Read more

Review: Smiley Central expands the options for your text messaging and e-mail

SmileyCentral offers a range of new emoticons, images, and animations for integration into e-mails, Facebook messages, and text messages on your phone or tablet. The result is a fun-to-use, easy-to-set-up app that provides numerous additional options if you are eager to stay in active communication with people in ways that go above and beyond the boring old :) and ;| options you've been using.

The app has dozens of emoticons, smileys, and images built in, upon installation, including seven different categories--many of which are new to the iPhone. You can also download new packs according to the specific types you want. … Read more

Review: Smart Multiplication visualizes core concepts but lacks depth

Smart Multiplication uses visualization tools to teach the core concepts of multiplication in a well-designed, but restricted educational tool. It starts off well, but quickly shows its limits in terms of menu modes, unlockables, and other features that are not immediately available to players.

The basic idea of Smart Multiplication is to visualize how it works. The classic diagonal slash method that children have been taught in school for decades is used here to show how the numbers interact with each other; and a well-designed interface, combined with well-executed tutorials, make for an easy-to-follow start to the app. The higher-level … Read more

Review: Tattoo lets you emulate what a tattoo will look like

The idea behind Tattoo, of placing a digital tattoo over an image of your arm, leg, back, or wherever, is a fantastic way to prepare for tattoos and ensure you get the right one in the right location.

Tattoo is a well-designed app that is relatively easy to use. Open the app and either take a photo or choose one from your library. Then choose an image from the tattoo library and drag it to where you'd like to see it placed. Then rotate and adjust size to get it just right. The entire process is quick and easy … Read more

Review: Tiny Monsters offers yet another village-building simulator

Tiny Monsters doesn't do anything new in the village-building and simulation genre, but it is a well-crafted, fun-to-play game with a few unique twists. While the core concept here is very similar to other games like it, Tiny Monsters has its own unique style and presentation method that make it a good pickup for anyone looking for a new sim.

Tiny Monsters plays much like other games such as Dragon Vale. You will be collecting resources, building habitats, farms, and buildings, and growing monsters that will in turn allow you to build your city even faster. The game is … Read more

Review: Puzzle Craft combines match-three mechanics with RPG world-building

Puzzle Craft is a game that uses two of mobile gaming's most popular genres to create an immediately compelling experience that is addictive and entertaining for a wide audience of players. It is easy to pick up, but hard to master. All of these combined make it one of the best games to hit the App Store in the last few months.

The goal of Puzzle Craft is to build a city. You do this by farming things like wheat, chickens, and pigs, and mining for ore, or cutting down wood. As you build up resources (gathered by completing … Read more

Review: PicsArt Photo Studio offers a streamlined editing experience for iOS

PicsArt Photo Studio doesn't offer many features that other photo editing tools don't already, but it is well crafted, smartly designed, and filled with options. When combined, these options allow you to do everything from frame and text-tag your images to filter and add masks and effects to photos.

What PicsArt Studio has done is combine many of the most common features provided in other free photo editing apps into a single interface. In many cases, this would have led to a messy, convoluted design, but it works here, even with the text labels on each of the … Read more