1. Chameleon Launcher
Price: $9.5.
Tablet: Android
If Android is too cluttered for your
liking, this Kickstarterfunded homescreen might be the solution. It isn’t
cheap, but it lets you add resizable widgets to its customisable tablet
desktops, and has a more professional look than most. However, that’s only the
beginning. Create one panel with your work email and corporate Twitter feed,
and another with your home accounts, then set conditions for each. So if you’re
on the office Wi-Fi, your work panel shows up; after 6pm, the home one becomes
default. It’s a wonderful way to use your tablet for work and play without
mixing the two.
Chameleon
Launcher for Android Tablets
2. Chrome
Price: Free.
Phone: Apple, Android
Tablet: Apple, Android
This year has seen Google’s browser launch
first on Android and then on iOS. Its main strength is synchronisation: open
tabs on a work PC, continue working in them on the train home on your tablet,
then access them again on a home laptop. This seamless working has quickly made
it a favourite in the PC Pro office, even though the iOS version lacks
some of Safari’s integration with the rest of the OS.
3. FileBrowser
Price: $4.5.
Phone: Apple
Tablet: Apple
No-one likes syncing their iPhone because
of iTunes. With FileBrowser, you can move files on and off your iOS device
another way, albeit with restrictions. It can see your Photo Library and your
iTunes sync files by default, but you can use your own folder to store files,
and copy them to and from any network-connected device for which you know the
address. It requires tech knowledge, but with Dropbox integration for an extra
69p, and the ability to stream files to your phone, it’s Android-esque feature adding
for iPhone and iPad users.
4. μTorrent
Price: Free.
Phone: Android.
Tablet: Android
We only condone this for legal uses, of
course, but popular peer to peer service μTorrent is now an Android app. It has
all the features you’d expect, including customisable upload and download
limits, TCP port selection, subscriptions and more.
5. Traffic Monitor
Price: Free.
Phone: Apple, Android, Blackberry
Tablet: Apple, Android
From the plethora of data-tracking apps,
this one from RadioOpt wins our vote for its multiplatform operation and clean
UI. It keeps an eye on your Wi-Fi and 3G data usage, warning when you hit
selected daily or monthly thresholds. Android users get the better deal: their
version breaks that traffic down by app.
6. Prey Anti-Theft
Price: free
Phone: Apple, Android.
Tablet: Apple, Android
Open source app Prey protects your phone or
tablet (or laptop). In the event of theft, it can use GPS to provide a location,
deactivate it via text message, and notify you if the SIM is replaced. A
camouflage mode hides Prey from savvy thieves, and pro accounts enable features
such as constant hardware tracking, reporting options and real-time device
management.
7. NoLED
Price: Free
Phone: Android
Tablet: Android
NoLED is for Android devices that lack
notification LEDs (it was created for the Samsung Galaxy S). Whenever you
receive a new notification – such as a new email or text message – NoLED
places a small colour coded dot (or icon) on the standby screen, so you can see
at a glance if you have pending messages or appointments. Battery consumption
will vary depending on your device, but with a non-backlit AMOLED screen, it
shouldn’t be high.
8. Clear
Price: $2.5.
Phone: Apple
To-do list apps are ten a penny, and it
comes down to which one you like the feel of. Still, this minimalist iOS app is
as effortless as they come. Create, delete and clear items with simple swipes,
and drag items up and down in the list to keep your priorities in order. And
that’s it. It’s a doddle to learn, and its colour coded entries give a suitable
sense of urgency to your tasks.
9. LastPass Premium
Price: $18/yr
Phone: Apple, Android, BlackBerry, Windows
Tablet: Apple, Android
With a lower (albeit recurring) price and
wider platform support than 1Password, LastPass is a worthy alternative. Plus,
it’s free on the PC. Enable its two-factor authentication, and its one-time
passcodes for use on public PCs. Just be aware that the app is less intuitive
than 1Password’s, and the desktop browser plugins are far less polished.
10. 1Password
Price: $10.5.
Phone: Apple, Android
Tablet: Apple
1Password
If we could use only one password
management system across our devices, it would be 1Password. Whether it’s the
basic app for iPhone or the Pro app that also supports the iPad, it offers the
most intuitive way to use a different, randomised password for every site you
visit without having to remember them. Combine it with the desktop software for
Windows and Mac, which can store credit cards, passport details and even
personal notes, and you have the ultimate password solution. Our only gripe is
the cost – the desktop version is $50– which is why we’ve also
included LastPass on this list. Note the free Android app is only a password
reader.
