free

The SpeakText line of apps is designed to provide a more robust suite of tools for text-to-speech integration on your iOS devices, including translation into over 30 languages. SpeakText for Me FREE combines the abilities of several SpeakText apps, but has quite a few shortcomings, not the least of which is a pretty hefty price tag if you opt to upgrade from the limited free version.

The interface for SpeakText for Me FREE is the most immediate issue. Messy, ad-supported, and sprawling, it lacks the clear direction and sharp design needed to recommend a paid upgrade. It actually proved fairly … Read more

The iPad is a great device for translations and multilanguage dictionaries. Because it is frequently "in your pocket" and because the device is connected to the Internet for regular updates, it works extremely well for trips out of the country. Unfortunately, not every app provides the same high level of translation quality that you might hope for when away from home. Portos Dictionary is one such app -- offering an uneven, poorly executed experience in serious need of an upgrade.

The Portos Dictionary is labeled as free and so should be expected in some ways to lack a … Read more

At first glance, InstaThis HD appears to be yet another barebones free image editing app for the iPad. However, while the app does limit what you can do in the free version, there are quite a few functions available that allow you to do everything from creating multi-image montages to editing and adding effects to those images.

When you first open the app, you'll be prompted to upgrade to the paid version, which features dozens of additional filters and editing tools. However, the free version is quite robust on its own, allowing you to use any of the app'… Read more

The standard YouTube application doesn't offer the ability to create a playlist for automatic playback. Fortunately PlayTube Free offers this function as well as a few more that make it a fairly valuable download for YouTube fanatics all over the world.

The setup for PlayTube Free requires no time at all. Once the app has been installed it opens to a simple user interface. With a black background and crisp white text, the menu is easy to read and navigate. The main menu allows the user to search for new videos, browse favorites, check out the history, or playback … Read more

You're lucky if your Android gadget came with more than three fonts by default. Galaxy Font For FlipFont@ free tries to liven things up by adding around 20 fonts to your phone, but it isn't terribly easy to install. While the fonts are certainly stylish, you might have more trouble than you want actually getting them onto your gadget.

This font pack is designed to work with a program called FlipFont®, which is remarkably hard to find online. Samsung and Nokia devices can usually get it, but most other phones will need to be rooted to install … Read more

Studying math is not high on the list of exciting activities for some children. So with Math Decimals: Addition, developer Mango Learning attempts to make learning decimals and their addition not only more fun, but also engaging.

When you turn the app on, you are prompted to enter a name and choose an avatar (male or female). You can then choose what clothes that character will wear (changeable at any time), a fun touch that makes Math Decimals: Addition even more fun. You're prompted to first complete a warm-up round, but afterwards, there are several games to play that … Read more

Math is very exact and there is no give or play to it. You solve a problem and get the answer. In order to be instructional and amusing a math-related game must integrate that very same level of accuracy into an interface that is enjoyable to play over and over again. That's what Math: Decimals Subtraction attempts to do, and for the most part, the game succeeds quite well.

Math: Decimals Subtraction starts up much like many games. You enter your name, choose a character, and even select the clothes you want the character to wear. The home screen … Read more

Math assignments can be dull and most children would rather play video games or watch movies. With Math: Decimals Multiplication, they can finally do at least one of those while practicing their math homework, and the results are pretty good.

There is some setup involved, so you might need to lend a helping hand as the game starts up. First, they enter a name, before choosing an avatar and outfit for that avatar. From there, they are asked to complete a short warm-up exam, and then the games unlock. The games are unique and thematic, though the actual math is … Read more

The concrete nature of math and its focus on dry numbers and decimals make it hard to really engage students who are not already interested in the subject. So games like Math: Decimals Division are a welcome tool for any parent that wants to really inspire their child to try harder. While you'll need to pay up for more than the basics, and we found a few minor bugs in the app, we can agree that this is a good game for adding some fun to study sessions.

Before you get started, you'll need to create a profile, … Read more