Is Readability better than the browse reader?

Who has time to read all the great articles available on the internet? Nobody, right? So, this is the reason why most browsers have added the Reading List as an option for their users. However, most of those Reading Lists just make you save thousands articles which go to a long list of headlines you will never read. But, the free app Readability can give you a hand to make it more usable and also offer a comfortable layout to enjoy reading.

When I saw Readability to download I thought it would be a waste of time, because what this app offers didn't seem any different from the Reading List on my iPhone Safari. But I said, let's give it a shot and I'm glad a did it. Readability doesn't only organize my articles from the internet, but it also gives me a better reading experience.

Even though it is necessary to create an account on Readability website to start it, this app's design is easy, clean and fast. I compared it with Safari Reading List and I think the result can help you visualize which one can be better for your reading goals. Check it out.

Skills	Safari Reading List	Readiability
Time to save a article	10,3 seconds	4,9 seconds
Different font	No	Yes (five different fonts)
Lighting control	No	Yes
Share	Yes (FB, Twitter, email)	Yes (FB, Twitter, email)
Print article	Yes	No
Top reads	No	Yes

Readability is available for iPhone, iPod, iPad and Android Phones.

Mauricio Miranda

Giving more utility for your Calendar

I don't know about you, but my calendar was getting a bit boring lately. Despite the birthday parties and an amazing trip to Puerto Vallarta, it wasn't too exiting. But after I found the app UpTo I've got say that my calendar is much more attractive. To be honest, now I want to check out my calendar. And, seriously, who wants to do that? 

It just happens because UpTo lets you know when most of the things you like will be released, such as movies, songs, gadgets, softwares, etc. Who loves football, for example, can schedule all the games in the year (if they have a calendar in the a claud service, of course) and also get an alert on their devices when each one is going to happen. 

Being a social networking app as well, UpTo allows you to share all the events you have enjoyed with your friends and here is the problem which most reviews have complained. Although the UpTo design is very easy and fast (and reminds me the Facebook App), the users have found a hard time inviting friends to their networking. Many people say the app crashes all the time when the invitation is done using the Facebook contacts. However, I only can tell you my own experience and it didn't crash when I tried it, but unfortunately it didn't work =( . My partner only got his invitation when I sent it by email, one of others two options to invite somebody to UpTo and start sharing calendars.

But this Facebook issue is not a big deal, what really bothers me in this app is the alert settings. It is not clear that we have to tap the our calendars to view the selected events. It seems to work by self, but it doesn't and also it doesn't pop up any instructions.

In spite those small problems, I think this app has a huge potential as a social networking calendar, if Facebook doesn't get the same idea.

UpTo is available for iPhone and iPod. Android and Windows Phone owners have to wait a little bit more. The Rock City, the company that developed UpTo, is working on a version for you guys.

Mauricio Miranda

Who doesn't like Pocketbooth?

Take a picture like a photo booth

This app was released in 2010 by the Project Box, that also has a funny app called Cheats & Words which is supposed to help to find a solution for word's games. Despite that, Project Box took the cake with Pocketbooth app. This app is easy, fun, nice and fast. I only can't say complete, because as the users said on their reviews at App Store, it could have a option to add words and frames on the pictures. Although, I think (and let me bold this: I just think), the fact it doesn't have words and frames is exactly what makes Pocketbooth so charming and easy.

Most people on their reviews say this app is amazing and brings a lot fun moments for their family and parties. I have to agree with that. I had so much fun taking pictures during my father-in-law's birthday and I also had fun showing the pictures latter.

(Also watch this video about Pocketbooth)

What the people really like about this app is the way you can share the strips (each strip comes with four pictures). When you tap the share button you have a option to mail, email, Facebook, Twitter or Air Print it. But my favorite is the Print and Ship. It costs $ 1.99 to mail your favorite strip to your friend. Is it not fantastic?

The Project Box offers this app to iPhone, iPod, iPad (on the reviews, the users said it works amazing on the iPad), Android and Nokia Phones.

I tested it on my iPhone.

Mauricio Miranda

Welcome to Thx App

I am a brazilian journalist living in Bay Area, California, who is very curious about apps and how those things became part of our lives in such a short time. Apps have become more than just little squares on the screen of our smartphone and tablets, they are important tools that have been used to make our travels easier to book, parking in the city faster to pay and movies trailers easier to find.

And it is the reason why I want to dissect those little squares and explore them more so I can feed my curiosity and, maybe, bring some new stuff to talk about.

So Thx App!

Mauricio Miranda