Utilities

Scanbot 2.0 brings iPad support and smart QR code scanner

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2014

Scanbot is an awesome PDF scanning utility that allows you to create high-quality PDF or JPEG scans with 200 dpi and higher. You can then upload the images to a number of cloud storage services, share them online and what not.

It's an indispensable productivity tool for paperless office aficionados and good for just about anyone who needs to scan those receipts, contracts, print outs and other document types. Plus, it's now available on the iPad.

The new Scanbot 2.0, available as a free update for those who've purchased it, is now a universal binary whose UI has been specifically tailored for both the tiny iPhone screen and the iPad's larger canvas.

Filed as Germany-based Doo GmbH's biggest release yet, the refreshed software also brings out a smart QR code scanner (more on that later), an improved grayscale filter and a host of other improvements and bug fixes...

1TapVolume makes audio adjustment a snap

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

I know what you might be thinking right now. Why would we be spotlighting such an ugly looking app, right? This is one of those occasions where looks don’t matter. It’s ability that counts, especially in the case of this volume control app.

1TapVolume is a utility app that makes it possible for you to turn your iPhone’s volume up to full, mute it, or adjust it to any preset level with a single tap, no jailbreak required. No more futzing about with those pesky volume buttons, especially if those buttons have stopped working on your iPhone…

Luna Calculator puts a unique twist on a basic calculator app

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

I don’t normally focus too much attention on calculator apps. Some of them can be pretty cool. But for the most part, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. There has to be something special about a calculator app to catch my attention.

Luna Calculator is an app that has something special. In addition to the simple mathematical equations that the average calculator app includes, this one lets you create lists of numbers and save them for future reference…

AnyFont lets you install additional fonts on your iPhone

Lory Gil ∙ March 7, 2014

If you do a lot of productivity work on your iPhone and iPad, you will likely have come across the issue where Pages or some other app doesn’t recognize a font and will convert it to something else. It isn’t a huge deal, but it can be a pain in the butt if you constantly have to convert and reconvert fonts between your iOS device and your desktop computer.

AnyFont eliminates the “font not recognized” issue by making it possible for you to add any TrueTypeFont (.ttf) or OpenTypeFont (.otf) to any compatible font editing apps on your iPhone or iPad…

iBetterCharge reminds you to charge your iPhone before it is too late

Lory Gil ∙ March 7, 2014

I constantly forget to charge my iPhone before leaving somewhere that I’ll need it for. I’ll drive to San Francisco for the day and run out of battery power before I leave to go back home and be left stranded with no Google Maps. I end up having to weave my way through the labyrinth that is downtown San Francisco. What I need is something to remind me to charge it up ahead of time and not when my iPhone is down to 20 percent.

iBetterCharge is a software download from Softorino that sends a signal to your Mac or PC when battery power on your iPhone gets low. The notification will remind you to charge up before it is too late…

Catchr lets you find out if someone’s been snooping on your iPhone

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Do you have a nosey mom? Is your significant other the jealous type and tends to read your text messages when you leave the room? Are you paranoid that the government has access to open apps on your iPhone?

Catchr is an app that monitors the activities that take place on your iPhone. If the device moves or if someone has opened an app, Catchr will know it and tell you. Now you’ll have proof if you think your mom is reading your emails when you are gone…

RC Trackpad turns your iPhone into a trackpad for your Mac

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Using remote applications on your mobile device to control your desktop computer can be very helpful. It increases productivity, gives you more space to display things, and makes it possible for you to be a lazy bum who won’t get off the couch to check your email.

RC Trackpad is a remote app that gives you access to programs on your computer, lets you adjust your music playback, and turns your iPhone or iPad into a trackpad so you can control your computer’s mouse from across the room…

This app will fix your wallpaper scaling issues in iOS 7

Lory Gil ∙ January 3, 2014

Since the launch of iOS 7, adding custom wallpaper from your photo library has become a complete pain in the back. When you find the perfect pic and assign it to your Home or Lock screen, it always zooms in way closer than you wanted it to be, cutting of heads, or generally ruining a perfect composition.

Wallpaper Fix is an app that corrects that problem, letting you display your family photos behind your list of apps without worrying about cutting little Sarah off at the knees…

How to keep your MacBook awake while its lid is closed

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 3, 2013

NoSleep is a handy menu bar utility that I use each and every day to keep my MacBook Air awake. It’s like speed for your Mac. Even with the lid on the MacBook closed, it stays awake.

The best thing about this utility is that it can be easily toggled on or off by means of a single click on its menu bar icon. NoSleep is a simple tool, yet it does feature a few options to customize the way it works. Have a look inside as I showcase NoSleep on video.

Shiori: my favorite Pinboard utility for the Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 3, 2013

In episode 002 of Let’s Talk iOS we talked about Pinboard, and why it’s such a useful service for saving bookmarks. I won’t get too much into the specifics about Pinboard on this post, so I urge you to listen to that episode if you haven’t already. The episode does a good job of explaining the methodology behind Pinboard, pricing, etc.

What I do want to talk about is an awesome Pinboard utility called Shiori. A free download for OS X, Shiori is a Pinboard utility that allows you to quickly add new bookmarks to your Pinboard account and just as quickly search all of the contents of your account.

Shiori runs in the menu bar, and both its add and search functions can be accessed by a pair of useful keyboard shortcuts. Have a look inside as we go hands on with Shiori on video. If you’re at all interested in saving bookmarks for the longterm, then I’m positive you’ll find Shiori useful.

Yoink is an awesome drag and drop utility for the Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated December 3, 2013

Sometimes dragging and dropping items between multiple windows and full screen apps and folders can be challenging. But dragging and dropping doesn’t have to be a tedious or perplexing task. One of my favorite utilities for the Mac is called Yoink, and it allows you to simplify the process of dragging and dropping on OS X.

Its description in the Mac App Store states that Yoink simplifies drag and drop between windows, apps, spaces and fullscreen apps. As a long time user of the tool, I can vouch for developer Matthias Gansringler’s description. As you’ll see in the video walkthrough that follows, Yoink is one of those apps that you don’t realize you need until you see it in action. Have a look inside for the full walkthrough.

iOS BitTorrent client iTransmission gets long-awaited update

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2012

BitTorrent users rejoice. iTransmission, the popular iOS BitTorrent client, has finally been updated to support the latest versions of Apple's mobile software.

The jailbreak utility, which was abandoned by developer Mike Chen sometime last year, has just been resurrected by ioshomebrew as iTransmission 2...