App Review #14
My thoughts on apps I’ve been using for the past week+, all of which I’ve loved
Previous App Reviews — Week 13, Week 12, Week 11, Week 10, Week 9, Week 8, Week 7, Week 6, Week 5, Week 4, Week 3, Week 2, Week 1
Twindr (FREE — 8.5/10)
Twindr shows you a preview of each person you are currently following. Simply swipe right to continue following or swipe left to unfollow. I follow about 1100 people and found it to be an extremely useful tool to unfollow some people. In terms of the interactions in the app, it is very straightforward, mirroring Tinder’s swipe animations; Left to unfollow. Right to keep following.
In addition to the profile preview, I would love to be able to filter the people I follow and then get results based on these. (EX: show me users with locations in NYC or less than X amount of tweets in past 3 months)
I would recommend Twindr as a monthly tool to clean out some of the folks you are following. (Same as I do with Flic to save/delete my pictures)
Be My Eyes (FREE — 10/10)
Of all the apps I have reviewed, I truly believe that Be My Eyes makes the biggest direct impact on the world. The concept is quite simple. I was surprised it did not exist. It is an app that connects blind people with volunteer helpers from around the world via live video chat.
As their site explains, ablind person requests assistance in the Be My Eyes app. The challenge that he/she needs help with can be anything from knowing the expiry date on the milk to navigating new surroundings. The volunteer helper receives a notification for help and a live video connection is established. From the live video the volunteer can help the blind person by answering the question they need answered.
Unfortunately, I have yet to be requested as a volunteer. That is a great sign as it shows there are tons of volunteers eager to help! Of the interactions in the app without helping someone, I love the statistics display on the bottom of the screen. It really shows how much of an impact the app is making.
To learn more, watch the video on their site and download the app.
Hoodline (FREE— 8/10) Hoodline provides a great way to see what is going on in your neighborhood. You are able to select the neighborhoods that you would like to see in the app. Unfortunately, the app is only in San Francisco at the moment.
The experience of the app is very well designed with a headlining picture using text overlay. It reminds me of Secret (before the update) as well as Super.me. Additionally, at the end of each story, it is very easy to share, see more info or click to other relevant stories nearby.
If you live in San Francisco, you should definitely check out Hoodline to see what happening around you neighborhood.
SurgeProtector (FREE — 9/10) This app has “come up in the clutch” multiple times over the past few weeks. Regularly, I use Uberpool or LyftLine as I’m not usually in a rush and enjoy sharing rides, in addition to the heavily discounted rate. However, when I am with friends an unable to share a ride, it also tends to be at peak times when surge is peaking. As its name implies, Surge Protector helps you avoid Uber surge pricing. You can click “Goodbye Surge” and it will take you to the nearest location that is regular pricing. Once on this location, you can request a pickup and you will be taken to the uber app to request your ride. I’ve used it multiple times to request a ride and while the Uber is one its way, I walk to the no surge destination.
P.S. — I would love an app that was a map with my location and showed me if Uber or Lyft were cheaper based on surge + my trip
Washio (FREE — Pending)
After a terrible experience at my local dry cleaning, I decided to give Washio a go. It allows me to get my laundry or dry cleaning picked up within a 30 minute window and dropped off the next day! The setup process was very quick and sleek and I particularly liked the focus they put on using Apple Pay when entering your payment information.
After setting up my account, I chose my pickup time and dropoff on the screen above. I really loved that after confirming my order, the app brings you to an order status page showing the two people that will be picking up + dropping off as well as what stage your order is in. It’s a nice touch that gives me a sense of confort after placing my order.
As my order is still ongoing, I will update shortly with how it goes! Hoping for the best ☺
