Best Photo Editing Apps for iOS [2013]

These days, smartphones are deemed to be one of the most important things for most people. That’s because a smartphone can get you through with your day-to-day activities with just a few taps, swipes, and toggles. It’s pretty smart, it gets to feed and satisfy even your cravings for entertainment. And that is why communication is no longer the sole purpose of having a smartphone. Are you sure you still know what the purpose of a smartphone is?

Each year, the big boys of the mobile industry produce their flagships with full of surprises. It’s also the reason why the war of phones never seizes as every launch sparks up the war with all those staggering features. Although these upgrades can at times seem as something superfluous, most of them proved how helpful and useful they can get. Not to mention the innovation of smartphone accessories that gets to spark up the mobile warfare all the more.

And let the focus be on the features. And since we’re trying to focus here, one of which would be the camera. There is always—I repeat, always a moment in a day that is worth remembering and worth capturing. If I didn’t know any better, your phones might even have a gallery full of your selfies. But not all selfies or captured images are worth to be disclosed to the masses. Sometimes a little tweak can save you from all the bashes. Do you want to know what the best editing apps are? Let’s have a spin on the apps below:

#1: Tadaa SLR App

Tadaa SLR is everything you’d expect it to be—and yes, the quality image it produces is just like from SLR cameras especially on its feature, depth-of-field. Although the iPhone already has the crowd-pulling feature of tap to focus, still, the depth-of-field is something that makes the image more elegant. Using the Tadaa SLR app, all you have to do is snag a photo or upload an image from your camera roll, then mask out the object that you want to stand out. Tap to focus on your object afterwards, then tadaa! The subject becomes sharply focused, and evidently, the background fades. This app is also absolutely free of charge. What’s not to like?

#2: ProCamera 7

Have you heard of ProCamera app already? If you did, then you’ll definitely love to hear from it more. This app had actually been revamped in order to take advantage of the features that are exclusive on iOS 7—it’s more than just an upgrade. If you want to shoot like a pro, then this app is definitely the way to go. Get to capture all the warmest moments with every feature of this app to play with. Here in this app that has 76 filters and effects, you can adjust the shutter speed to snag a sharper and cleaner photo even at night, and just have a blast with mobile photography. Although you can’t avail this app for free, it’s still one of the apps that offer great phoneography experience. This app retails for only $1.99.

#3: Mextures

Mextures… yes, you’ve read that right; no, it’s not a mistype. Another app that gives your pictures a new taste is the Mextures. Believe me, this is not your ordinary photo editing app. it showcases over 80 original textures that have been made for photographers by actual, professional photographers. This app also boasts that it is the best app for applying film grain, textures, light leaks, and beautiful gradients to your photos in just a few seconds. If that still doesn’t suffice, then here they are, boldly acknowledging that no app can do it faster than this app. So, you got your eyebrows creased? Try this app for only $1.99, and you’ll experience how refreshing this unique app can get.

With so much photo editing apps that are meandering over the internet, one would definitely be hard-pressed to know which one is the best. But, I say try these apps I’ve enlisted above. You’ll definitely be satisfied every tap of the way.

Top 3 Android apps for eBook Reading

Dredging up back to the good ol’ days, most people who are certified bookworms are found to be covered up with the pile of books around them. You don’t even know if they are still there since they are already “in the zone.” It seems like every turn of the page makes them forget and escape reality for awhile—live in a whimsical world where anything you imagine can happen.

Fast forward to today, how do you see most of the bookworms now? And to answer that question, you’re definitely going to see them staring down on their smartphones and tablets. Not to say that the paperback or hardbound books are on their way to the bin—trust me, a lot of people still read on real books—but in this digitalized world, it’s not hard to find people reading digitalized books especially if it proved the convenience it offers. So, are you ready to flip the pages? Check out these Android apps for eBook Reading to know how much handiness eBook reading could get:

#1: Moon+ Reader

First on the list is the Moon+ Reader app. Why, you ask? That’s because you’re going to love every bit and piece of this app. It has a complete useful controls compared to other eBook readers and has a neat interface that you’d definitely enjoy as you read with all convenience. You can even customize it so as to cater your needs and preferences. Here in this app, you can adjust the screen brightness by simply sliding your finger at the left edge of the screen, select your preferred font type, size, and color; and also tweak the page flip animation. You think that’s going to be all that it offers? Well, not exactly. It also boasts some features such as bookmarking, highlighting, annotating, sharing, and the list goes on. Moreover, if you’ve ran out of eBooks in your library, you could search and get countless of eBooks for free with this app right off the bat. This app supports formats like ePub, txt, chm, html, fbt, zip, umd, or OPDS. Sadly, it can’t support pdf files. But for a free app, it’s pretty good.

#2: Google Play Books

Since we’re talking about Android apps made by Google itself, why not mention the other brainchild of Google, which is Google Play Books? Google Play Books have more than four million books to choose from. And it doesn’t just stop there; it still keeps growing up to this day. You can get all the eBooks you want directly from the Play Store as Google supplies eBooks directly on it. This is to save the users from the pain of hunting books over the internet. Play Books organizes all your purchased eBooks from the Play Store and it can also sync devices so you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of hopping from one device to another. If you want a more simplified eBook reading experience, Google Play Books is your way to go.

#3: Audible for Android

As what the name of app Audible for Android implies, this one narrates the books you download. Simply put, the reading has been done for its users. Let’s face it; we all get to the point when we’re so tired to glue our eyes on our phone’s screen protectors and read. Yet, we have been left on a cliffhanger scene and just wouldn’t want to wait any more. Not to worry since Audible can read it for you. Also, with this app you can do multitasking, so you can be updated with the next chapter even if your texting, cleaning your nails, or *insert anything that could steal away your attention when you’re reading here*. It’s definitely worth a try, especially now that it has over 150,000+ books. Apparently, hearing their books can cost $14.95 each per month. But, the good thing about this app is that it lets you experience your first listen with no cost at all.

Don’t just turn your heads, turn the page as well. Enjoy these Android apps for reading books with your gadgets!

Top 3 Luxury Headphones That Are Worth the Price

Allow me to share my daily routines at work:

First off, I set up everything I need the moment I am facing my computer. And then I do all the tasks I have to fulfill. You think it stops there? Well, I plug in my mobile earphones first to get hyped or to get back to the rhythm. As you all know, a routinary work would always find its way to get you bored-stricken. And this is even what I do in the “unholy hour.” Unholy-what, you ask? It’s the time after lunch where everyone wears their heavy eyelids and automatic yawns. And so, this is where music plays an important role. Keep up with the beat, bob your head, and oh, don’t thump your fingers, and stay alert! You might want to learn some manners with your gadget to get started, though. Anyway, it’s what I do.

But for all you know, those earpieces aren’t going to live as long as we do. And so, I was pushed to buy a new pair so as to keep me alive and alert at work. Then it boiled down to the question: What type of headphones should I buy? One thing popped in my mind: I sure am going to spend, then why shouldn't I spend big time to fit my needs?

Have you been tired of the typical pair of earphones that is bundled up with your smartphones? You’re in luck since I’m about to give a glimpse with the top three best luxury headphones that are worth the price! And so, for the audiophiles, here comes the list:

#1: AKG K812

Here is one of the hottest cans there is: AKG K812. Did you know that these nifty cans are built for sound engineers and producers? With that being said, expect that this one comes with a hefty price. Nonetheless, when you try it, you can literally pick out even the slightest noise in the mix. You’ll hear it like the song is live. What a hi-fi sound system indeed with its breathtaking level of detail. Could you even get this off against your ear once you’ve tried it? And since I have mentioned that it really comes with a price—get ready for your pretty penny—it retails for £1000 to satisfy your ears.

#2: KEF M200

Now, if you don’t want to have a pair of bulky headphones—and of course, a pricey one—you can get this KEF M200 that costs for only £150. If you have heard of KEF, it has a reputation of making hefty speakers to satisfy all the hardcore hi-fi fanatics. Speaker, but these are headphones? Well, this is their first-ever in-ear headphones of KEF, and I believe it’s just the start. But it’s not just like the other in-ear headphones. It is neatly designed, which is pretty impressive, and you won’t be disappointed with the sound quality. It also has an inclusion of in-line controls so you don’t have to scramble through your phone just to switch track and whatnot.

#3: Parrot Zik

Oh, don’t get the name wrong. You won’t hear your favorite artist singing like a parrot with these over-ear headphones. And surely, you’ll be amazed on what it can do. Parrot Zik uses a Bluetooth technology, which evidently indicates that they are wireless. Not only that, they also have the NFC technology. And how cool can it get when it also offers a touch control on the left hand can that lets you pause, adjust volume, and skip tracks? Just tap, swipe up, and swipe across respectively. And if you take the headphones off, it will stop the music automatically. Who wouldn't love these fascinating headphones that only cost £299.95?

Now, which one do you need? Which one will you choose? They may turn out to be some kind of bank breakers, but they are definitely worth the price. Have fun rocking!