Duolingo App Review – The fun way to learn language

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I do not consider myself much of a linguist and that is surely not for lack of trying. I have on more than one occasion attempted the Pimsleur Language Guides or found myself buying phrase books only for them to collect dust on my bookshelves. My best friend, who is a linguist, spent hours torturing me with language CD’s in her car on the way out to a party. So far I can say only one sentence in 5 languages. Great help that does for when I actually need to say something it will be ‘Hi my name is’ or ‘Where is the bathroom?’.

I was a bit reluctant to now have to attempt another language learning programme. Duolingo is an application for your phone that you can sync to an account you create with them to track your progress. You can learn English, Spanish, French, Italian, German or Portuguese. The course is designed to be fun and let me tell you that from someone with my language history, this app is Awesome! The course work is designed in such a way that each phase you do only takes a few minutes at most.

I decided to tackle Spanish and found myself really entertained and absorbed for about 20 minutes just trying to get past phase 1. You get little hearts that accumulate at the top for each question you get right. If you do not get enough then you do not advance. The course has a really incredible layout with such stunning graphics.

Phase 1 takes you through pictures where you select the correct words, every click on the answer will say the word out in that language. You can also have an opportunity to translate the sentence and it all is really easy. There is a section where you select the missing word from multiple choice answers or translate the sentence. If you do not get enough hearts then a very sad owl tells you that you did not make it.

By simply just scrolling through the course material you will be so excited to see how they have laid everything out. The course starts with basics and divides all the material into such interesting sub categories. If you feel you know the work there is even an option to take a shortcut and advance to the level that is best suited to your language experience.

I am now for the first time really excited to learn a new language and not feel like a complete moron repeating phrases over and over again. Duolingo is designed with such great imagery and an extremely fun way of learning. It has now become a game to advance to the next level in each language and I am so entertained doing it.

This app should be commended for making such a useful way of learning and for making it so much easier to understand. I look forward to the hours of fun I am about to have learning a language that seemed so difficult before.

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Udacity App Review – Online education just got better

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I could not have been happier when I heard that Udacity became available for android. Now I have access to courses at my fingertips wherever I go, could it get better? Udacity is an app that is a testament to online learning and definitely one of the forerunners. This app is there for anyone who has a thirst for knowledge no matter what your interests may be.

I would especially consider forcing kids about to go to college to do some of their courses and get a taste for what they are in for.

You create an account and then read through the different courses available until you stumble across one that peaks your interest. You can find a detailed description of the course materials and the lecturer. The course material is also made up of videos of lectures and course material. Once you have made your choice, it is as easy as simply starting your course.

A huge benefit is that you can do these courses at your own pace and time. No stressful deadlines or teachers breathing down your necks. This is great as you can take your time and really ensure you grasp the course material. You choose the time in your day, whether you have 15min or an hour, it is all your choice. There is no age limit or credit restriction, the world of knowledge is available to you for a more affordable price than some of your other options.

The concept was that this style of learning would appeal to your more ambitious students who are self disciplined. Your options are endless, from how to design an app to the beginner basics of psychology. Your thirst for knowledge can be satisfied right in the palm of your hand. You even get a verified certificate upon completion that you can attach when applying for jobs to show you have the required skills. Udacity allows you to do the courses on a beginner, intermediate or advanced level.

The courses are more affordable than a college education would be. They even offer you the option of earning credits towards your fees. What a great way to motivate the world into learning without restrictions.

You can do some free courses and track your progress as you go. The videos auto-forwards once you have completed each one without you having to open them one at a time. There are many discussions you can join to communicate with others who are also taking advantage of this great learning experience.

The only downside that I can seem to point out is the fact that the app does not have an offline function. This would be really helpful for those situations when you do not have Wifi access. Not the end of the world though as most coffee shops these days have free Wifi anyway. So all you have to do is take a seat, have a cup of coffee and learn something you did not know before.

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Slingshot App Review – So disappointed

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Well I know I must probably stand as a minority when it comes to disliking this app as the exceeding popularity grows daily.Slingshot is pretty much the same concept as Snapchat and is just as simple to use with only one real function, to capture images.

You take a picture and send it to a friend. Here is the catch, your friend is only able to view the picture once they ‘sling’ a picture back to you. You can upload pictures from your gallery or one that you take on the spot, it is your choice. The idea is fun if you are looking for a game to play with your friends. There are just unfortunately far too many varieties of apps on the market that do the same thing built in.



The true genius behind this app is the way they have taken advantage of human curiosity. As human beings you cannot have someone send you a blank picture that you cannot see and not keep wondering what it looks like. They must have spent more time and money developing on the brain science instead of the app itself.

Our need to know now becomes a pain in our side for those who are too busy to be sending images back and forth. The developers know however that not knowing will just drive us insane until we see succumb and capture an image so we can see what we were sent.

I do believe there are people who would enjoy this app and have enough time to get really interesting with it, oh wait, that is not possible. The app has not got any photo editing tools or added features of any kind. So if want to send an edited picture you need to use a different app and then share it. In my opinion this defeats the point as people LOVE to edit and play around with their photos. It just seems like far too much effort when I can just send my friends pictures over Whatsapp, Line or Facebook as I have always done.

I tried to download this app about a week ago but it was not available in my country until about two days ago. What a really big disappointment, I really expected more than what I have encountered from this app thus far. The developers justify not adding any extra tools to ensure it runs faster. In my opinion if I have nothing to do all day but send pictures to my friends, time is not really my concern or how fast it works.

Maybe in time I will find a better use for this app but for now I am too busy enjoying my life instead of spamming it with others. I do tend to prefer apps that are more practical but I can think of at least five that are more practical than this with the same functions. Instagram already owns the photo market so Slingshot should just quit while they are behind as there is no chance for decent competition here.

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Line – The social app of the century

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This app has taken every idea we consider to be social interaction and crammed it all into one perfect app that does everything you could need. Its good reputation started in Asia and it has now gone viral and reached over 230 countries worldwide. To date there are over 470 million users taking advantage of this amazing FREE service. It offers so many features that this app will truly revolutionize the way that we socialize with one another.

It is so easy to set up as all you need to do is put in your phone number and sync it to your contacts. You are now open to a whole new way of sharing your life with others. It is putting apps such as Skype, Viber and Whatsapp to shame. Even stepping on the toes of Facebook and Dropbox a little. I do think their cute manga stickers were what hit the kids market in Asia for sure.

You have access to unlimited voice and video calls and messages anywhere in the world to anyone who uses Line. You are also able to send a variety of media from images and videos to voice notes. It also has an awesome snap movie feature that allows you to take quick videos with amazing effects and backing music to send to your loved ones.

How easy is it to add your friends you ask? So basic you simply have to open Line and shake your phones next to one another. What a clever and fun way to add and make friends. It also automatically links to your Facebook as well as your contact list on your phone.

You can have one on one chat, group chat or chats of up to 100 people. There are thousands of emoticons and cool stickers to add in when words cannot say enough. You also get a timeline much like Facebook that you can share with close family and friends. Line is truly taking the best features from each social networking app and compiling it into one awesome app that cannot be beat.

When you think it could not get better, it does. Line also offers you exclusive access to coupons for all your best social hangout spots. You can even follow your most loved artists, TV shows or celebrities and catch all the latest news and features.

The options with this app are endless and it deserves all the recognition it gets. It is refreshing to know that you can now do all that you need to on one app and can get rid of all the others. The quality of the video calls is great and the layout of the app is simple to use. Line is the social app of the century that will connect the world on one platform and provides us all the tools we need to stay connected.

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Panic Button App Review – The new way of saving lives

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The app was designed by Amnesty International in the hope to be able to better assist human rights defenders in cases of emergency or distress. The hope being to help their colleagues or even journalists in dangerous situations when it is most needed. The first few hours from abduction or arrest are the most crucial and this app allows their colleagues to be found.

It goes without saying that this app is a must for anyone who owns a mobile phone, which is everyone in our technology driven age. You never really think you need such an app until something happens and you wished you did. The increase in crime and kidnappings has forced us to think smart about how to get out of bad situations.

The app itself is easy to download and install. When opened for the first time you immediately begin your set up. It starts with identifying the three people who you would call out to in the case of an emergency. It is advised to ensure they are aware of you having this app and what to do when receiving the distress signal. Once adding in the contacts you can now begin to test to make sure that all the signals work correctly on the phone. The panic button can be pushed either on the screen or by the power button on the side.

The app is designed in such a clever way that once you have completed the setup it automatically disguises itself as a calculator on your phone menu. This ensures that even in the worst case scenario where your attacker takes your phone away from you, there will be no sign of you having sent a distress call.

What happens is that when you repetitively tap on the calculator buttons or power button, your distress signal is sent immediately to your contacts. This is in the form of a text message that is sent to the three contacts given when you set up the app. You can even go as far as to add in what you want the message to say or perhaps specific code words you have shared with your contacts. The message will also give your GPS co-ordinates of the last place recorded which is extremely handy in a bad situation.

The only flaw in design is not with the app itself but with android phones in general that are touch sensitive. I know that I cannot be the only one in the world who has made a few pocket dial calls by having my phone in my pocket or handbag. With most android phones and the slide lock this is not easy to avoid. It will only be a matter of time until you start hearing some stories about people getting false distress signals.

Overall this panic button app is a genius idea and will surely save many lives, especially for those who work in dangerous environments. The design concept is simple and easy to use without any added unnecessary features. You can have that chance to call for help when you really need it.

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5 Best Free Apps For Your Sony Xperia Z1 Smartphone

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Sony has introduced several smartphones into the market until today. However, one such smartphone that is popular amongst people for its amazing features is none other than Sony Xperia Z1. Apart from having great reviews, this phone is well-known for its water-proof and incredible camera feature. In the following paragraphs, we share with you top 5 best apps that you can download for free for your Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone:

1. Adobe Photoshop Express

The first and foremost important app to download for your Sony Xperia Z1 is Adobe Photoshop Express. We all know that Adobe is not only one of the top most developer company in the market, but it is also a company that has come up with many great softwares for professional and personal users. Since Xperia Z1 smartphone comes with a fantastic camera, editing and personalizing the snaps captured by you is a must. Adobe Photoshop Express is a great mobile app that can be downloaded for free. The app comes in with 20+ pre-installed Photoshop effects and can be easily used every time you wish to edit your snaps, or want to make them look more amazing and personalized.

2. Instagram

For all you social network fanatics, GooglePlus, Twitter and Facebook come pre-installed on your phone, but one important app that you must not miss downloading on your Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone is the Instagram app.

3. MapMyHike

The third best app that is a must for your Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone is the MapMyHike app. This app is specifically developed for hikers who wish to keep a track of the time and distance covered by them. This great app also records the pace of the hiker and shows averages.

4. Flicker

Looking for a photo sharing service? Your search ends here with Flicker app. This fast service photo sharing app helps you with sharing your HD images captured on your Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone with friends and family instantly. Thus, downloading this free Flicker app for your mobile phone is ideal.

5. Reddit

The fifth best app for your Sony Xperia Z1 mobile phone is the Reddit app. This application comes in with a great User-Interface (UI) and is mobile-friendly. The Reddit app has something for everyone, be it news, entertainment, social networking service, etc.

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Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd Game Review

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For someone who did play in his predecessor, this one is not easy at all. You may have enjoyed winning on the earlier Project Diva, but this one is quite hard. No level is easy as I can to find out after getting knocked out a number of times, even on the easy mode. It can be disgusting if one is playing competitively but if one has been winning all along in the first version, well this one is for you.

The goodness about it is the return of the Edit Mode- 747MB free and can be downloaded from the PSN store- for anyone who wishes to edit the game to suit them. The accompanying songs however can be downloaded, although these user-created tracks can hove some copyrights in different places, you may need to confirm in you region. The list is good but it misses that catchy ones, having a total of 20 of them, returning a number of them including Sakura No Ame- Cherry Blossom Rain- enhanced from the earlier version in which Miku was singing and dancing under a cherry blossom tree with a few outdoor likes of a school here and there.

The new version has Miku with more power and style. She walks around in her old high school uniform while recording as a school teacher in Japan, quite interesting!

The 2nd version is still the best though, from the menus to the characters and Star notes makes a return although the design is not amusing at all. Activating it with the touch screen, back touch pad or the analog sticks do no good at all because the earlier one had no issues. The goodness with the recent version will be enjoyed more by someone who played the first version; otherwise it won’t bring the goodness desired. Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd is a good rhyme game, am sure all fans will like the tunes.

In short, this version will not require one to go for any Japanese classes although knowledge on some katakana will help figure out on the way in the menu. In the diva room, lots of reading will help one know what they are doing while an advanced level of Japanese will be required to get the meaning out of the music editor commands. If you know nothing about the Japanese, just stick with the default songs. I can summarize this one as 9/10, not bad though!

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Hatsune Miku, Project Diva F 2nd – The Exclusive Game Review

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For those guys who love recent games, Hatsune Miku Diva F 2nd is the ultimate game for them. It is a 2014 game developed by Sega and released on 27th March 2014 in Japan. It is a rhythm generic game available in two platforms; Play station Vita and Play Station 3.With a combination of unique features, the game is prudent and designed for you. The song lists contained in the gameplay ships your world of fantasy to a reality just at your palms.

Hatsune Miku, Project Diva F 2nd has two modes standard and easy modes. I have played both modes and it was a great fun punching the buttons and letting the melodious music sink into my head. The game modes were on its normalcy giving me the options of hard, easy, extreme and highly extreme. Though the game seems easy, you can brush shoulders in one way or the other. The game is so exciting and although there are a few difficulties here and there, the newcomers are recommended to start playing from Hatsune Miku; Project Diva (2013 version) for a grand preparation for Hatsune Miku; Project Diva F 2nd.

With Hatsune Miku; Project Diva F 2nd in your play station, you can make a great edit to the playlists by your own. The edit mode is the best for your preference. I was able to add some more songs to my list of songs and you can imagine how thrilling and exciting it can be to have your favorite track in your song list. Though some songs have copyrights inscribed on them, the user has vast options to choose from especially the user-friendly tracks. Their user-friendly feature makes it the best and wonderful game for you.

This version of Miku is way far better that it’s former. With its brilliant and wonderful menus, the game is made more ideal. If you have not played the game, then it is high time you visit your store and order one. Hatsune Miku; Project Diva F 2nd is a game worth playing. Go for it!

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