Three iPhone Apps that Beat Apple’s Default Versions

by Bakari Chavanu Apr 20, 2011

As great as Apple software is, we've all benefited from dozens of iPhone and other iOS applications that overshadow or completely replace some of Apple's default apps on our mobile devices. For whatever reason, Apple seems reluctant to upgrade its mobile apps until several versions later. But luckily, smart, enterprising developers fill the gaps. Let's explore three useful time-saving apps I've been using on my iPhone.


Instacast
At the top of my list is the podcast player app, Instacast ($1.99). Before I discovered this app, I would have to do a search on the iTunes Music Store for the podcasts I wanted to stream to my iPhone. I rarely make a wired connection to my iTunes library to download songs or podcasts to my iPhone. It's too time consuming and I don't like adding temporary files to my devices. Streaming podcasts directly from the iTunes Store is like waiting in the grocery store to buy one little item.



With Instacast, streaming or downloading podcasts to your iPhone is like doing quick self-checkout. You can search for and subscribe to as many podcasts as you like without eating up precious memory. You can listen to podcasts over Wi-Fi and 3G, and each episode includes show descriptions if provided by the producer.

You can also preload episodes at home, saving your mobile bandwidth when you're out and about on your commute. Furthermore, if a podcast is not streaming well, simply download it to your device and delete after you have listened to it. All this can be done from within Instacast.

The app is easy to use, but it took me more than a few minutes to figure that you need to swipe down the homepage of the app in order to update subscriptions. Updates are quick, and the app is 20 times faster than searching and streaming on the iTunes Store.

PhotoSync
Like I said before, the only time I might connect my iOS devices to my computer is when I'm doing a system upgrade. I always prefer making wireless connections whenever possible. One of the challenging problems about taking photos with the iPhone is getting your images off the device. An app that makes this process easier is called PhotoSync ($1.99), which allows you to wirelessly transfer your photos and videos to and from your computer.



The network connection to my computer via PhotoSync worked automatically. The computer you connect to must have the local, free, desktop version of the PhotoSync installed. After launching PhotoSync on your mobile device, you simply select one or more photos or videos from your library and tap the sync buttons.

With the latest version of PhotoSync you can also transfer images and videos directly to your iPhoto or Aperture library, as well as to your Desktop and Flickr accounts. Seriously simple without all the wired mess. PhotoSync is a universal app, which means a single purchase of the app enables you to add it to your iOS devices with extra costs.

Stash Pro 
Another time-saving photo-related app that I like is Stash Pro ($3.99), which makes Apple's own Photo Library app seem amateurish, or at least in bad need of an upgrade.



With Stash Pro, you can store and manage your photos on your iOS device into albums, as well download images directly from the Internet. The latest version of Stash Pro includes a built-in web browser, so now you can do direct download of images from the web directly from within the application.

Stash Pro includes advance features for adding titles, keywords, and ratings to your photos. (Apple, do you know about his app?) You can set up smart albums, similar to how it's done in iPhoto. So if you, for example, you rate your photos, you can create a smart album that will collect say all your 5-star rated images. You can also present your photos in the slideshow viewer.

If this is not enough, Stash Pro also provides private browsing of your library. You can discreetly stash photos behind a library of other photos. Libraries can be passcode protected.

Images and videos can also be exported wirelessly to and from Stash Pro via a web address. I'm not a big fan of this method, but it's sure faster than making a wired connection. 

If you keep lots of images and videos on your iOS devices, you should definitely check out Stash Pro.

Comments

  • These are defintely killer apps here. Thanks for sharing.
    résiliation asurance auto

    fatfatluve23 had this to say on Jun 27, 2011 Posts: 4
  • Most of the people think that apple can not be beaten in any case but it is a fact that Iphone applications are quite good enough. Keep updating with such stuff as it is a good effort.
    roxy stickers

    iamasters had this to say on Jun 30, 2011 Posts: 7
  • Thanks for sharing these info with us! i was reading something similar best facebook status on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more.

    stevart had this to say on Jul 21, 2011 Posts: 1
  • Thanks for sharing these info with us! i was reading something similar best facebook status on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more. Wholesale Presentation Folders  || Custom File Folder Printing

    poppva1 had this to say on Jul 22, 2011 Posts: 16
  • Apple has been evolving every so quickly! They will soon take over many industry key specific to going mobile. Metal Roofing Supplier

    Orlando Golf Club had this to say on Jul 25, 2011 Posts: 8
  • While Indian Remy locks are thinner and is easily adaptable for curly hairstyles, Chinese Remy is suitable for sleek straight locks. Prior to going for any type of hair for the Full Lace Wig on Sale, you should diligently think about the styles, luster and appearance that you need.

    rbaggio had this to say on Jul 28, 2011 Posts: 95
  • But honestly, think about this: most of us, right now, live somewhere where ice doesn’t accrue naturally year-round. If, pre-ice and pre-refrigeration, you desired food or a beverage colder than room temperature, you can either had to buy it (expensively) from an ice block makers concern or you were simply at a complete loss. Imagine: tepid soda. Lukewarm lemonade.

    rbaggio had this to say on Aug 03, 2011 Posts: 95
  • Stash Pro includes advance features for adding titles, keywords, and ratings to your photos. (Apple, do you know about his app?) You can set up smart albums, similar to how it’s done in iPhoto. So if you, for example, you rate your photos, you can create a smart album that will collect say all your 5-star rated images. You can also present your photos in the slideshow viewer.how to get rid of cellulite on thighs,
    get rid of cellulite,
    get rid of cellulite naturally,

    timona blogger had this to say on Aug 07, 2011 Posts: 6
  • Prince George, BC - New pellet mill plant China in both eastern and western Canada recently launched into production. In early June, Shaw Resources of Nova Scotia unveiled its $9-million biomass chipper in Belledune, NB, the dynamic company’s second wood hammer mill.

    rbaggio had this to say on Aug 10, 2011 Posts: 95
  • Apple is really leader in innovation and brands under name of apple are respected all over the world which is great.Testking VCP-410

    Testking CISSP had this to say on Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 4
  • That’s very useful information having learned that iphone is dominating the apple industry in such a way. hurom slow juicer

    juicer reviews had this to say on Aug 13, 2011 Posts: 1
  • Stash Pro includes advance features for adding titles, keywords, and ratings to your photos. (Apple, do you know about his app?) You can set up smart albums, similar to how it’s done in iPhoto. So if you, for example, you rate your photos, you can create a smart album that wi Pass4sure 642-974Pass4sure 642-446156-215.70Pass4sure 312-50642-617F50-531C-TADM51-70640-864Pass4sure 650-177Pass4sure 642-627Pass4sure 642-647Pass4sure 642-165 |

    Mathew david had this to say on Aug 15, 2011 Posts: 37
  • Amazing topic and rally useful informations inside. I am glad that I can read posts on this blog.
    Informacje Koszalin

    Alpina had this to say on Aug 17, 2011 Posts: 154
  • The dual saw sales is designed to cut freehand similar to using a cutoff wheel on a grinder and that took some getting used to. Because it must be held in both hands with your right hand holding the slide switch and your left hand holding open the spring-loaded guard, some materials need to be secured with a clamp or vise.

    rbaggio had this to say on Aug 18, 2011 Posts: 95
  • Indeed, these applications are great. Thanks!
    Jukatan

    KAMIL47 had this to say on Aug 18, 2011 Posts: 4
  • Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >
You need log in, or register, in order to comment