Author: Steve August

Steve's Author Bio: Steve bought an iPhone in 2009 with no idea what it could do to him. Now he is into the world of mobile applications, specializing in iPhone app reviews. He scours the App Store several times a day to find the very best iPhone applications.

AireTalk Android App Review

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Just when we thought communications can’t get better than this, there are developers out there who outperform what is already there on the table. VOIP has been one of the prime focuses on development, and with the sudden burst in Android market, more and more developers are now pouring into creating state of the art applications that dramatically increase chatting, calling and messaging services. Recently, making its mark in this field has been AireTalk – an application by PingShow which attempts to provide these features on Android and iOS.

Nothing comes for free in this world, although the prices might not be visible or charged in a different sense which is neither direct nor hidden/masked. Being able to make free calls, AireTalk suggests that the calls will be made using the internet connection to any other AireTalk user and the caller doesn’t have to bear the charges of the “carrier” network.

Although this app might seem very similar to all other apps in this genre, AireTalk comes with an interesting feature which is inspired from Radio Stations and Yahoo’s famous chat room concept. This feature head is termed as “Studio”. This is like radio stations, which has different languages as “Stations”. Users can select a particular Language station – just like chat rooms and enter, also invite their friends and chat in that language. A very innovative idea which still requires more polishing, all in all this can be used as a good language tutor guide and practice zone.

Walkie Talkie screen of AireTalk

Some most common VOIP features are added by default. What is interesting to note in AireTalk is its Walkie Talkie feature. Just as the name suggest this feature can be most useful in camping trips and adventure tours where you would want a quick chat or message to be delivered. Since internet services are at use here, this app like all others doesn’t have restrictions on international calling as well.

Since its initial launch, Android has evolved at lot both in sense of performance and user experience. Although, many apps on the market still need to upgrade themselves a lot to avail the maximum that Android has to offer its developers. AireTalk has still to go a long way in becoming seamless and intuitive in sense of user experience. The options bar is responsive, while both the landscape and portrait views show the same layout; it can be improvised further to enhance visual effects and transitions between screens.

Facebook login might have become a bit old fashioned nowadays; nonetheless it has become an essential part in increasing effective user experience and ease of customization. This app enables users to login using Facebook, this way users cannot just connect with AireTalk friends but also with their Facebook friends thus accessing a wider range of people set. If you have an inquisitive mind towards what other upcoming apps have to offer to their users, you can try AireTalk.

AudiobooksNow Android App Review

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AudiobooksNow is an Android app that makes buying and listening to audiobooks simple. Using just shy of 9 MB, it was a quick download and you can pay per book, billed through credit card, or pay only $5 a month to obtain access to discounted prices – but please utilize the 30 days trial before making any decision on buying books.  You can also browse the vast selection of books and even listen to samples to judge the quality of the audiobooks for free.

While the app started out somewhat slow with long loading times, the more I used it, the faster it got, until it began playing my book as soon as I tapped it.  Another feature I found interesting is that the application has the ability to run in the background, so you are able to listen to the book while texting, viewing pictures or looking something up online. By pressing the icon in your status bar, you can return to the app.

My Library in AudiobooksNow

AudiobooksNow provides a very easy way to change your password if you feel someone else knows it or you just like your account more protected. These things will ensure that your credit card credentials are kept safe. If you have any issues with anything in the app, you can visit the “Help/FAQ” section, where there are common questions and answers that hope to address your issue.

At present, this app has a selection of almost 8,800 books, a rapid expansion in comparison to an estimated 3,200 books earlier this year.  Let us expect to see it grow even more along with more users. In addition, most books are offered as both abridged and unabridged. Books can be searched by nearly any piece of information you have including Keyword, Rating, and Narrator.

There are also a few downsides. The “browse” option was somewhat limited, which I felt crippled the app, having you choose very specific topics, narrowing your selection down to about ten or less before you are able to even see any books. This is app is also unavailable in many parts of the world. I don’t know whether this has something to do with the copyright policy or the developer has deliberately chosen to exclude many countries.

AudiobooksNow needs Android 2.2 and up and it seems like this app has crossed a few thousand downloads in Google Play.

SEAL Fitness Challenge iPhone App Review

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SEAL Fitness Challenge app developed by JGo Labs features a fitness program based on the U.S. Navy SEAL fitness requirements. This app pushes you beyond the highest limits and helps you achieve total fitness without the aid of equipment or a gym. However, it needs dedication and discipline in order to reach the goal of total fitness.

SEAL Fitness Challenge is an intensive training program that takes the help of AI and gaming engines to keep you on the move. The journey from a ‘wannabe’ to the gold status is fun-filled and helps you enjoy the different stages of the fitness regime. As time progresses, you can earn higher ranks with the help of a series of real world Qualification Challenges. The failure to succeed in any level may put you down in the ranks.

homescreeen of seal fitness challenge

This app provides a variety of exercises and keeps you on your toes as you never know what to expect in the next training regime. The fitness regimes have different time limits too and you are allowed to work out for as little as one minute to 90 minutes depending upon the time available. The intensity of the workouts can be managed according to the needs of each individual. Exercise regimes too are tailor made to suit the individual choices of the users. If we like to do our own exercises then we can incorporate them in this program which not only gives us our choice but provides variety to the daily regimes. Moreover, SEAL Fitness Challenge keeps a track of our previous exercise regimes and provides us with in-depth information about our journey to the present stage.

Chief Halpern, a Navy SEAL and a tough coach, can guide you in this endeavor. He looks after your exercise routine and you have to work hard in order to save yourself from his caustic remarks. He can also help you get through the rigors of training to keep you going till you achieve the desired level.

The negative aspect of this app is its tough training. The user may get carried away to achieve greater levels and this may lead to stress and excessive exercise. Occasionally this may lead to injuries or negative health effects. Hence this fitness program should be started only after taking proper advice from a doctor and it is always advisable to curb yourself and not get overburdened.

SEAL Fitness Challenge is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad and requires iOS 5.1 or later. It costs $1.99.