This week on the Tech Dump, I am on vacation! And what does everyone need to get through the long car rides? Apps and such. This week I will be breaking down my favorite apps to get me through trips.
Before I get started, I just want to clarify that these are apps that can be used to distract you from being in the car. If you want a navigation app, I recommend Google Maps. It is available on Android and iOS. The app is quick, responsive, and accurate. The best part is that is free. There is a version for Windows Phone, but as is the constant problem with the platform, there is little support for the app from Google.
Threes!
Threes! is my favorite time-killer app. I literally play this game at some point every single day. It is a puzzle game where you match numbered tiles that are multiples of three with the same numbers. As the numbers get bigger, the board gets harder and harder to clear. Every time you make a move, a new tile appears on the board from the direction you swiped in on. If you run out of moves, the game is over.
My high score is 28, 860. If you start playing, let me know on Twitter at @rkatz94 when you beat my score. It’ll be a while.
Threes! is available on iOS and Android. There is a free, life-based version similar to the lives you get in Candy Crush. There is a full version with unlimited play available for $2.99
Spotify (Other Music Streaming Services)
How else can you make a trip pass quickly than by listening to your favorite music at full volume while zooming down interstate? If you somehow have been living under a rock and have missed all of my coverage of Apple Music and Beats 1, you will be surprised to know that I am not the biggest fan of Apple Music. Beats 1 is an entirely different story, and if you want to know more about that you can go to this link to read my thoughts.
In terms of music services I prefer, my favorite has always been Spotify. I was one of the first people to jump on the bandwagon in America back in 2011 when the service finally came here, and I have not looked back since. Spotify has almost everything I have ever wanted in its library, and I never get the sense that the service is lacking content. Every Friday, in alignment with the music release days, Spotify adds new music.
There is an app for Android, iOS, and Windows phone.
Pocket Casts
If music streaming isn’t your thing, podcasts are an awesome way to learn new things, keep up with the news, or find something completely new to hear about. iOS has a built in podcast player, which can be good if you really want it to be, but I recommend Pocket Casts due to the simplicity and easy-to-understand UI, not to mention the huge library of content they offer.
While the app does cost a premium $3.99, I find that the wealth of features, such as cloud syncing if you use the app across a range of devices, makes the app worth it.
Bonza
Bonza is a crossword puzzle-like game where you are given a clue, a bunch of letters in grid patterns, and an open space to make all of the letters connect into words.
There are a ton of levels to choose from, with more added weekly. There are even “celebrity” packs from famous cruciverbalists. If you enjoy words and puzzles, I highly recommend Bonza.
Bonza is available for free on iOS and Android.
You Must Build a Boat
While the name alone may be enough to confuse you, YMBAB is a game about a protagonist looking for treasure, but the only way to do that is to build a boat to get out of town. You get money and upgrades through going into “caves” and surviving as long as possible. You have to clear tiles that fall in as you clear groups of three tiles to fight enemies and open chests. It sounds lame, but it is insanely addicting.
You Must Build a Boat is available on iOS and Android for $2.99.
Obviously the app list here is completely by my own preference and not at all objective. But I recommend these apps for the amount of time you can spend on them for the price. While there are a few of them that are premium that cost a bit, most of them are free. I also decided to write this because I am on vacation this week, and I wanted to let you know what I was using to make it through the car ride. Thanks for reading, and see you next week.