Appinions – News and current affairs

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A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Hannah Harrison, Emma Yi Kwan Lau, Bibiana Lebersorger, Katie Stoker, Nia Burkinshaw and Conor Macdonald.

HannahEmmaKatieNiaConor

May 2023 – News and current affairs

News has a profound impact on our lives in various ways. It keeps us informed about the latest developments in our fields of interest, saves us from spending hours stuck in traffic on the M32, reminds us to carry an umbrella even on seemingly sunny days, lifts our spirits when our team score a last minute winner, and most importantly, it shapes our understanding of the world.

However, we live in a time where misinformation, sensationalism and divisive narratives are widespread. It can be challenging to discern which sources to trust amidst the competition for attention and the struggle to maintain ethical principles and values.

Epigram

epigram app icon

In print, online and in a custom-made app, Epigram is the University of Bristol’s award winning independent student newspaper. Discover the latest news and culture at Bristol University via engaging and well-presented content, featuring breaking news, reviews, opinion pieces and even seasonal recipes. Run for students, by students, and with a combined readership of over 20,000, Epigram’s content is not controlled by the University or the Students Union and strives to remain politically neutral.

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Student made and student focussed
  • New articles added every day
  • Simple layout and easy to use on a small screen
  • Articles organised by topic, author and section
  • ‘For you’ tab which recommends articles based on your interests
  • Searchable content so you can find a specific story
  • Multiple sharing options

Cons

  • Not compatible with all devices
  • Few options for customisation

The epigram app has a sleek layout, eye-catching visuals, and with recent articles on topics ranging from the latest sporting news to fashion advice to film reviews, there really is something for everyone. The app is completely searchable, making it easy to find articles on a specific topic, and sharing options make it easy to share what you have read with friends. Epigram is a great way to learn about the latest news and culture of the university, and it is really inspiring to see such amazing content produced by fellow students!

Reviewer: Hannah Harrison

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Bristol Live

Bristol live app iconBristol Live is a website and app providing daily updates on news around Bristol and the wider South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Northeast Somerset area. It was launched by the Bristol Post news agency in April 2018. It offers students instant access to news around the greater Bristolian’s community. If you live quite far away from campus, you may want to keep an eye on the news! They often provide live updates on the traffic if accidents occur or in circumstances where bus services are postponed. As a veterinary student, I have lectures/practical on the Langford campus three times weekly. There was one occasion earlier this academic term where there was severe traffic diversion around Bristol Airport due to a traffic accident. However, there were no updates on Firstbus app or from the university regarding the diversion. Fortunately, Bristol Live have a live blog updating me on the traffic situations around the area, allowing me to plan my journey ahead to attend my lecture on time. The live news is undoubtedly my favourite aspect of Bristol Live. However, no apps or websites are completely perfect, same applies to Bristol Live.

Pros

  • You can follow area-specific information once logged in.
  • News includes recommendations to restaurants from locals, enabling students to find their right place to eat out/ have a takeaway from.
  • “Food and drink” tag includes articles with cooking tips and recommendations which are perfect for students who are new to cooking.
  • “Traffic and travel” tag includes live updates on road diversions.
  • Readers can comment on an article that can be viewed by other users.

Cons

  • “News” column in the app always displays an error and no articles can be found under this section.
  • Not all tags can be navigated under the “Discover” tab.
  • Need to create an account and log in to fully access the app.
  • No frequently asked questions and assisting tool for the app.
  • Difficult to create a username as the app does not allow the same display name to be used by different users.

Overall, I would recommend downloading this app to raise our awareness to things happening around the community. There are undoubtedly aspects that I think the app can improve in. However, in terms of general usage, the layout is clean and neat, making it user-friendly. Commenting function is another plus point to the app. Not only would we like to know the information, but we also want to know how other people perceive the topic. Personally, I do not create comments but reading others’ comments help to grasp a deeper understanding of the wider situation.

Reviewer: Emma Yi Kwan Lau

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Met Office

met office app iconWe’ve all been in a situation where we’ve left the house to bright skies but come back drenched, after being caught in an unexpected shower: this is where the Met Office weather app comes in! This interactive weather app allows you to have personal, accurate forecasts for your favourite locations, with options to switch between hourly and daily forecasts. Another key feature is the interactive rainfall map that shows the next 5 days of planned rainfall, so you know exactly when to bring your raincoat with you to work/uni.

Under the ‘Warnings’ tab, you can see real time ‘UK National Severe Weather Warnings’ for your saved locations, including snow, ice, fog and rain, with the option of turning on instant notifications. Other key features include actual and ‘feels like temperature’, pollen and air pollution forecasts (with the option of turning on pollen push notifications) and UV index, so you can plan for eventualities come rain or shine.

Pros

  • Free to download.
  • World-leading weather forecasts direct from the Met Office experts.
  • Local weather forecasts for unlimited locations.
  • Option to have notifications for weather warnings/pollen count.
  • Includes probability of precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, hail and drizzle).
  • Opportunity to switch between hourly and daily forecasts.
  • Winner of two awards in the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) International Weather App Awards 2020.

Cons

  • The app is supported by ads but includes a £2.99 in-app purchase to remove all advertising.
  • App is designed to work on iOS 14/ Android 8.0 only.
  • No option for forecast past 7 days.

The Met Office app really came in handy when planning for my recent trip to Naples. I’d been told to pack t-shirts, shorts and sun cream as this area of Italy is usually super sunny in mid-May, however, having checked the app a few days before I flew, I knew to expect rain and thundery showers. Using the 7-day forecast and probability of precipitation feature, I knew to pack appropriately for heavy rain which was a true life saver! I’d really recommend this app for anyone planning their next trip away, or simply to keep up to date on the local forecast 😊  

Reviewer: Bibiana Lebersorger

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Sofascore

sofascore app iconKeeping up with your favourite sport can be difficult when busy with daily commitments. That’s why Sofascore is a great app for following scores, fixtures, and results in a simple and convenient space. The app is super easy to use, allowing you to follow multiple sports simultaneously!

Sofascore has a massive range of sports including football, tennis, rugby, and snooker to name a few. For each sport you can check the schedule, including upcoming and live games, and catch the featured match too.

You can also create a Sofascore profile where you can follow your favourite events, teams, leagues or players. Switch on notifications and you only need to glance at your phone to check the latest score…

Pros

  • A range of sports are available on Sofascore, great if you follow more than one sport
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Option to customise the app so that you can follow your favourite teams, players etc
  • Real-time updates

Cons

  • The app has betting advertisements. You need to pay £4.99 a year to remove these
  • Not all leagues of each sport are shown
  • While the app follows a good number of sports, there is room for the addition of a few more!

Overall, Sofascore is a simple app which offers information about a whole range of different sports. The app is super easy to navigate and can be nicely tailored to your own personalised experience. The option to turn on notifications for specific matches makes keeping up to date with your favourite games quick and trouble-free. I would definitely recommend giving Sofascore a go!

Reviewer: Katie Stoker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Finimize

Finimize app icon

Finimize is a financial newsletter updated daily with the latest news on investments and stock analysis, alongside more educational material.

Daily Briefing is a three minute article (which is also available in audio form) which gives the top investment news of the day, while delivering a summary which is quick and easy to read. It then points you in the direction of two more in-depth related articles. I really liked how succinct the summary was, but at the same time gave you enough knowledge to go and find out more. However, this is a premium only feature.

Like the Daily Briefing, the Analysis Insights articles are premium only. They vary in length from 2-minute reads to 15, depending on the size of the topic, such as looking at Microsoft earning reports to a longer analysis of “commercial real estate is on shaky ground.”

The app also features general news articles, which are less analytical and look to provide a wider economic context to the more specific analysis of individual companies. These are generally short reads, often looking at the bigger picture.

Educational guides cover a wide range of topics, from an introduction to robo-advisors, understanding different industries such as biotech, to basic guides on how to get into investing. These were very insightful and explained everything incredibly well, offering definitions for keywords. The guides are kept light with a little bit of humour. Furthermore, it was nice to be able to cement your knowledge with a quiz at the end.

Markets is a feature which allows users to easily check key stock metrics such as value (comparing PE ratio with the rest of the market, free cash flow yield, enterprise value to sale) alongside risk factors.

Pros

  • All of the articles can be read on audio
  • If you choose to, the app can send you a daily reminder to check the news at a time that is convenient to you (eg. While travelling)
  • The articles have suggested read times so you know how long it will take
  • The app covers such a broad range of knowledge from basic introduction to investing to compiling key stock data alongside in depth analysis of this data and how this relates to the economy on a larger scale
  • Despite being fairly expensive, there is a 7-day free trial for premium, and Finimize claim to offer a student discount if you email help@finimize.com

Cons

  • There are only a few features available if you don’t have premium (news articles and the educational guides)
  • Premium costs £59.99 a year or £7.99 per month
  • The news and analysis articles catered towards those who have a keen interest and an understanding of finance, and possibly not suitable for someone with only introductory knowledge.

Overall,  the app seems great for those heavily interested in stocks and finance, to further their wider economic knowledge and to easily keep up with current trends, with the possible view to investing. However, as someone who has slightly less knowledge in those areas, I felt that I did not get the most out of some of the app’s features such as Markets and some of the Analysis Insights, which took me a while to understand. Having said that, the educational guides were great for someone with my level of understanding, and I felt like I learnt a lot in a relatively short space of time.

Reviewer: Nia Burkinshaw

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Good News

good news app icon

Whilst it’s often a good thing to stay informed, doom scrolling on Twitter or watching the 24/7 news cycle can be exhausting. Also, it’s probably not great for our mental health. This is where Good News comes in. The app aims to hand-pick what it calls “solution-oriented stories” that offer optimism and new perspectives. It aggregates around 7-8 stories daily from news sources from across the world and offers a bite-sized summary.

The app takes some design cues from Instagram’s Stories features by having users navigate to each new story through simple swipes. This certainly makes it easy to incorporate the app into your daily routine.

If the daily selection isn’t enough for you, Good News allows users to view past editions too. This extends to all past editions, so you’re unlikely to run out of stories.

Categories are another feature of the app. With this, users can choose topics which particularly interest them such as “Conservation and Animal Rights” and “Circular Economy and Sustainability”.

Pros

  • Intuitive design akin to that of Instagram’s Stories feature
  • Daily frequency, giving something for you to go back to each day
  • Categorisation lets you see the good news that you’re interested in

Cons

  • Doesn’t set itself apart that much from its competitors
  • No original content
  • There may be too few stories a day for some

The app essentially succeeds in what it sets out to do, which is to provide good news. But it could set itself out even more. Organisations such as the BBC already have a section dedicated to good news (see their Uplifting stories section). Perhaps the team at Good News could create original content to make their offering more appealing.

Whilst you may be able to find good news elsewhere, the ease of use of the app coupled with the frequency it updates its stories puts it on par with its rivals. Good News could offer an uplifting moment or two throughout your day, and that’s reason enough to download it.

Reviewer: Conor Macdonald

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Wellbeing

Posted in Uncategorised

Appinions – Sustainability

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Hannah Harrison, Emma Yi Kwan Lau, Conor MacDonald, Katie Stoker, Bibiana Lebersorger and Rosie Neville.

HannahEmmaConorKatieRosie

April 2023 – Sustainability

We are regularly reminded of the negative impact our mere existence can have on the environment. Some play it down, others have grown apathetic, but at least to some extent, the majority of us want to reduce it. It can be unclear how we can help effectively. Maybe the answers lie within our mobile apps to provide practical tips, track carbon footprints and help connect with our community to make informed decisions.

No Waste

no waste app iconNo Waste is an inventory app aimed at helping to reduce food waste by helping you to keep track of what you have and when it expires. There are separate lists for your freezer, fridge and cupboards to keep things organised. This can help you to see what needs using first, plan meals and avoid buying foods you already have – saving you money and reducing the weight of the bags you have to carry back home! There is also a shopping list function so that you can add items straight away when you run out. You can also track your monthly food waste and compare it to both the global average and others using the app, and see which foods you buy have a high environmental impact.

Pros

  • Simple layout and very easy to use
  • Free version available which has most features
  • Separate inventories for freezer, fridge and cupboards
  • Notification feature for expiry dates
  • Shopping list with option to mark items as essential
  • Can adjust suggested expiry dates if the product comes with one
  • Can scan barcodes or add foods manually
  • Can see which foods you buy are CO2 heavy and compare your waste percentage to the average.
  • Food databases for different countries with a huge range of foods
  • Multiple languages

Cons

  • Requires quite a bit of work, especially if you buy lots of items at once.
  •  Limited inventory space and number of inventory lists in free version
  • To unlock all features requires a subscription
  • Some ingredients come up multiple times in a search with different expiry dates so it’s not always easy to know which to choose.

The app is well designed and very easy to use, with options to use a barcode scanner or search for your food manually, and suggested expiry dates for products which don’t come with one. I also really like that the shopping list is integrated into the app so that you can add items straight away when you run out. The basic version of the app is free, and contains most of the features. The only real restriction is that you can only add up to 500 items to your inventory, so the premium version might be worth it in a larger house or if you buy many items. The downside to the app is that it does require quite a bit of work to upload all of the foods you buy, and mark what you’ve opened and what’s been used up – which could be especially difficult if you share food with someone else! However, as an individual it is manageable and can definitely be worth it if you often find yourself throwing things away after they’ve expired. It can even help with productivity as you can spend less time trying to figure out what to have for dinner!

Reviewer: Hannah Harrison

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Olio

Olio app iconOlio is a mobile app for sharing by giving away, getting, borrowing, or lending things in the community for free to reduce household and food waste. It is a fantastic way to connect with your neighbours and share resources. Not only can individuals share surplus items from their houses, users can also become food heroes to help collect and redistribute potential food waste from companies. The companies include Tesco, OneStop, Iceland, Booker Group and more. It is an opportunity for us students to contribute to the wider Bristol community!

Pros

  • Get connected with the community
  • Can get some nice free food
  • A volunteering opportunity to write on your CV
  • An easy way to donate clothes and other items that we no longer need

Cons

  • May need to drive to collection points if you work as a food hero
  • Occasionally people may not show up to collect items
  • Users do not have to verify, so the source of food may not be reliable
  • Can be competitive to get the items we need

I was a frequent user in my second year. It was undoubtedly a great way to contribute to the community. I do not use Olio as much this year because collection points can be far away from the university campus and my house. However, I highly recommend people start using Olio, particularly if they have a car! It is an easy way to save food waste and give back to Bristol’s community. According to recent data, the UK throw away 9.52 million tonnes of food yearly, contributing to 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions! If we can, why not take a step forward to reduce the amount of waste created and create a more sustainable lifestyle?

Reviewer: Emma Yi Kwan Lau

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Giki Zero

giki zero app iconGiki Zero is an app designed for those of us who want to live more sustainably but have no idea where to look. Its slick and accessible design will have you cutting your carbon footprint in no time. Upon opening the app for the first time, you’ll be asked a series of questions relating to your carbon footprint. Unlike some surveys you may have done in the past, Giki Zero’s style of questioning is engaging and fun. Its questions are relevant and interesting, with small animations guiding you through it all.

The app will soon figure out your carbon footprint – mine came out at 5,333 kg of carbon emissions. Giki Zero will also provide a frame of reference so you can actually understand what your emissions mean. For instance, if everyone lived like me, Giki Zero predicts that the global carbon budget would run out in just over 6 years. This offers a stark reminder of the challenges we face. Reassuringly, below this reminder is the “Time to take a step” button. This leads you to all sorts of ways in which you can cut your carbon emissions.

In addition to your general carbon footprint, the app allows you to take a deeper dive into your food, transport, and consumer footprint, among other things. Unfortunately, this feature is only available through a web portal on the app – it’s still fully functional, and hopefully this will be improved soon.

You’ll get shown a few key steps that Giki Zero thinks you should commit to. My ones included always using the dishwasher in eco mode and avoiding plastic wet wipes. Scrolling down provides you with a litany of other actions too. These can be searched through and filtered so that you can find ones for yourself. The steps you commit to will be shown on the app’s homepage. You can log and track your progress here too, which is ideal if you’ve committed to a lot.

It’s encouraging to know the thought that has gone behind the app. It’s run by the social enterprise Giki which according to its website is led by “net-zero experts” which include climate scientists. They say their mission is to help people cut carbon.

I would definitely encourage people to give the app a go (it’s free after all!). Just by even getting a sense of your carbon footprint you may unconsciously start taking little steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle, and that can only be a good thing. By encouraging your friends and family to also take part, their small steps may add up to make a big impact.

Reviewer: Conor MacDonald

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

TooGoodToGo

TooGoodToGo app icon

Aiming to be more environmentally conscious and sustainable can be great. However, it can be super easy to get a little lost or feel that you don’t know where to begin. One way that we can be more sustainable is by reducing the amount of food waste that we produce. TooGoodToGo is an app which allows you to buy food from restaurants and grocery stores in your area which have a surplus of food. The app is a great solution to not only contribute to reducing the amount of food waste in your area, but is also a chance to get hold of groceries or treats for only a fraction of the usual price!

The app is super easy to use. Simply enter your location and the available ‘Magic Bags’ in your area are listed. Each listing shows you the restaurant or grocery store name, price of the bag, distance from your location and collection time. While you don’t know the exact items you will be getting, there is a short description of the sort of products you might receive.

Pros

  • Cheaper than the usual price
  • Can contribute to reducing food waste in your local community
  • Option to ask the store about allergens or specific ingredients
  • The app is simple to use. You can even favourite restaurants and stores to easily check if there is anything on offer.

Cons

  • You don’t know the exact contents of your Magic Bag until you pick it up. However, this is understandable as most places don’t know what will be left over at the end of the day…
  • Pick up times are restricted to specific time slots.
  • While the app is great if you are living in a busy location/city centre, there are limited options for those living in smaller towns/not close to the city centre.

TooGoodToGo is a great solution for reducing food waste, and is a great way to be more sustainable. Depending on location, the range of food on offer can vary. Getting more stores involved would be a great idea. Specifically within Bristol, there are a wide range of options available (especially for those living in and around the city centre). The app is also a really nice way for students to try some of the food on offer in Bristol, but on a student budget! Overall, I would definitely recommend giving TooGoodToGo a try and grabbing a Magic Bag next time you are feeling peckish!

Reviewer: Katie Stoker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

HappyCow

HappyCow app icon

HappyCow is the perfect app to download if you’re looking to expand your repertoire of local vegan and veggie eateries, or if you’re travelling and want to find a healthy plant-based spot nearby. By entering your location, the app lets you discover the range of restaurants and cafes that are available locally according to your dietary preference. The filter function means you can easily narrow down your search, selecting vegan-only places, different types of cuisine or gluten-free friendly options. It’s perfect for planning ahead, as you can read up on reviews and ratings before deciding where to eat, and the option to save places offline is handy if you think you’ll be somewhere with unreliable internet. If you’re looking to connect with other avid foodies, the community feature is great. It lets you interact with other HappyCow users around the world in via chat, a cool new feature added since I downloaded the app in 2016!

Pros

  • A really good tool if you are traveling somewhere new and want to find veggie and vegan restaurant options at the tap of a screen
  • The dietary filters are really good if you have restrictions e.g., GF-friendly
  • Each restaurant/café has been reviewed, so you can scroll through what other people think before deciding on a place.
  • Once you’ve chosen a location, you can use the ‘navigate to’ map feature to direct you right to the door.
  • HappyCow is currently being used in over 180 countries, so there is something for everyone regardless of your travel plans.
  • App interface is very user-friendly.
  • Over 3 million app downloads worldwide.

Cons

  • £3.99 initial download cost may be off-putting.
  • You need to remember to save places on the map if you plan to use the app without having internet access.
  • Although the dietary filters are good, if you have specific allergies the app might not be able to cater to your needs.

As more and more restaurants are starting to add good vegan and veggie options to their menu, it’s great to see an app that champions planet-conscious eating habits, connecting you to great food spots in your area and beyond. HappyCow aims to be the app that lets you ‘carry the vegan world in your pocket’. I think it does this and more by letting you connect with sustainable food options, as well as other like-minded veggie foodies around the world.

Reviewer: Bibiana Lebersorger

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Ecosia

ecosia app icon

There is an increasing awareness of the impact of digital human activity on the environment. For example, the use, transmission, and storage of a gigabyte of information represents around 40 grams of emitted carbon to the atmosphere. Ecosia is a search engine that has been gaining popularity in recent years for its unique mission: to plant trees using ad revenue generated from user searches. The company was founded in 2009 by Christian Kroll, with the aim of using the power of technology to fight climate change.

Pros

  • Environmental impact: The most obvious pro of using Ecosia is its positive impact on the environment. It has planted over 170,000,000 trees! By using Ecosia, you are directly contributing to the planting of trees and the reforestation of areas that have been deforested.
  • Ease: It is both incredibly easy to install –  in a few seconds, you can switch your default search engine from Google to Ecosia – and use – it works like any other search engine.
  • Transparency: Ecosia is transparent about all of its numbers. It publishes both its financial reports and tree planting receipts every month and so remains accountable.
  • Privacy: Ecosia has a strong privacy policy that protects user data. Unlike some other search engines, Ecosia does not sell user data to third-party advertisers.
  • Free

Cons

  • Search Result: Day-to-day use, I would say there is little difference between Ecosia search results and Google. However, I did find a disparity when it came to searching for academic literature where the search results may not be as comprehensive as they would be on Google.
  • Ad Revenue: Ecosia generates revenue from ads – however this is the case with most search engines.

When I first heard about Ecosia, admittedly, I was a bit sceptical. I thought it must either be the case that Ecosia had poor search quality and/or it wasn’t actually planting trees. Surely it wasn’t the case that it provided an easy and effective way to make a positive difference? Turns out I was wrong.

While many tree-planting initiatives are being critiqued for harming local ecosystems, Ecosia has been praised for its thoughtful approach to tree planting. For example, rather than planting imported or invasive trees, Ecosia always plants native trees.

Furthermore, the search results for day-to-day use are comparable. A few years ago, the quality of the search results was noticeably worse for Ecosia, but in the last few years, high quality search results have been a central focus for Ecosia’s product team, which has resulted in remarkable improvement.

I would definitely encourage people to give Ecosia a go. By using it as your primary search engine, you can contribute to reforestation which helps combat climate change. Obviously, to slow climate change, people need to do much more than plant trees. However, using Ecosia as your default search engine is an easy and effective change that does make a positive difference. So why not?

Reviewer: Rosie Neville

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: News and current affairs

Appinions – Augmented Reality

 

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

March 2023 – Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) involves overlaying visual, auditory, or other sensory information onto the real world to enhance one’s experience. Whilst most people are familiar with AR in social media filters or the Pokémon Go craze of 2016, there are plenty of practical applications available with lots more on the horizon.

Written by Hannah Harrison, Katie Stoker, Gen Kawaguchi, Rosie Neville.

HannahKatieGenRosie

Assemblr

assemblr app icon

Assemblr is an image-creation app that uses 3D and AR technology to insert objects and scenes into real life spaces. From projecting potential products into the space they would be used, to filling your room with frogs, the range of functionalities of assemblr is huge, and the app provides many useful templates and tutorials to get you started. Once you’ve finished creating a project, a QR code is generated which allows others to have the AR appear on their own devices, providing an exciting way to add interactivity to presentations or posters. The app itself is free to download, and users pay for parts and templates using virtual gold coins earnt in the app, or with real money via in-app purchases. There is also the option to collaborate with other users, and make creations public – over 700,000 public posts are already available to view.

Pros

  • Free to download and first few projects are free
  • Huge variety of templates available to use
  • Wide range of functionalities and uses
  • Easy to understand interface, with tutorials to get you started
  • Option to start from scratch
  • QR codes generated which allow people to interact with the AR on their own mobiles
  • Can create really engaging content
  • Options to make projects public or private
  • Can connect, follow and collaborate with other users

Cons

  • Coins based system where you buy templates and features – could result in running out of coins mid project and having to purchase more
  • It can be difficult to get the sizes and dimensions of objects right without practise, which can make creations look less realistic
  • QR codes can be tricky to get to work
  • Very reliant on a good Wi-Fi connection
  • Can be fiddly on a small device

 I love how easy the app is to use, as you can just drag and drop objects straight into the environment. However, it can be difficult to guess the right sizes for objects to make scenes look realistic. After some practise though, it is really easy to bring your designs to life, and to view the creations of other users. The downside of the app is that it does rely on having a strong internet connection, and I found it could be fiddly to get things where you want them on a small phone screen, so it would probably be much more useful on a tablet or iPad. It can also be difficult to get the QR codes to work on different devices. The other drawback I found is that it is really easy to use up the initial 1000 coins provided by the app, and if you wanted to create many, or more detailed projects, there would be little choice but to purchase more. Overall, I think that Assemblr is a really handy tool to use as a one-off way to add interactivity to a quiz or presentation, and the user friendly interface makes the app a easy and fun way to learn about AR.

Reviewer: Hannah Harrison

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Google Lens

Google lens app iconGoogle Lens is an image recognition technology which can be used to collect information on the objects and text around us. The tool can be used in many different ways, some of which might be useful for you either in your everyday life, or even at University. Here are some exciting things that Google Lens can do…

For Android users, Google Lens might already be built into the camera app. If not, you can also easily download Google Lens from the Play Store. Alternatively, iPhone users will find Google Lens built into the official Google app. A quick download from the App Store and you can get going by clicking on the Google Lens icon.

Using Google Lens is super simple. First, point the Google Lens camera at something of interest. Depending on which app you are using, either take a photo, or Google Lens can freeze frame the image. Within only a few short moments you will receive some information about what you are looking at…

One super interesting way that Google Lens can be used for is smart text selection. This is when you can scan text through the camera then either listen to the text out loud, translate the text into another language, and even copy the text to notepad or to your computer (just make sure you are signed into the same Google account on the Chrome browser to do this). Text selection could be a handy tool at University to help with note-taking or making a copy of your notes.

Shopping around for the best product or price can be slow and time-consuming. Fortunately, Google Lens is the perfect solution to this problem. Using the shopping tab, you can scan a product or product barcode and get information on the price of the item, as well as where to buy it!

Google Lens is pretty good at recognising cafés, restaurants, museums, galleries or any other places you might want to spend your free time or study breaks. The app could therefore be a great way to find fun and exciting things to do around Bristol, especially if you’re new to the city. What’s more, Google Lens can also be used to scan the restaurant/café menu (useful if you don’t know what the dish is) or even find out a bit more information about that particular piece of art you are admiring in Bristol Museum and Art Gallery…

Google Lens is a super interesting tool which can be used in several useful ways, both at University or during your daily life. It can recognise just about anything around us, making the possibilities feel almost endless. Google are always releasing new updates too, and so the capacity of Google Lens is always growing… What do you think google lens will be able to do next?

Reviewer: Katie Stoker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

SketchAR

Sketch AR app iconSketchAR is a drawing app that helps users draw easily with Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The app projects the image onto a real-world surface using your camera, and you can create your drawings simply by tracing them. It’s really easy to use, and there are lots of tools and functions that help you create amazing art! For example, there are courses and lessons that teach you how to draw objects, such as animals, architecture, and characters. They cover a wide range of arts and difficulties, so it’s recommended for both beginners and amateurs! 

There’s also a great community in SketchAR, where you can share your artwork and get comments. It’s a wonderful place to get inspiration for your next creation too, as you can browse hundreds of designs created by other users! 

Pros 

  • Easy to draw – step-by-step AR guide 
  • Wide variety of drawing objects & tutorial lessons 
  • Even a beginner can create amazing artwork! 
  • Free to download  

Cons 

  • You’ll need to pay £6.99 per week (depending on plans) after 7 days of a free trial  
  • Your phone camera needs to capture the whole piece of paper while drawing, which in my case I had to use a phone holder. 

It’s really fun to draw using this app! Drawing steps in lessons are straightforward and well visualised, so I could create a nice picture without any frustration. You can literally draw whatever you want because there are so many types of tutorials that you can choose from (there are even calligraphy lessons!). It’s also great that the app has a time-lapse recording function, which you can review and share your drawing steps later. 

However, you’ll need to be careful as there are only 7 days when you can use this app for free. You’ll be charged £6.99 per week (depending on plans) once the free trial has ended, so make sure you cancel your subscription before the renewal date if you don’t want to pay. You might also want to use a phone holder because your phone camera needs to detect the whole piece of paper while drawing.  

But overall, it’s a great app! It’s super innovative 😎 

Reviewer: Gen Kawaguchi

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

AR ruler

AR ruler app iconAR ruler is an app that uses augmented reality (AR) technology to tape measure the real world with your smartphone’s camera. It allows you to measure distances, angles, areas, perimeters, volume, and polylines in various units. It is fairly intuitive and easy to use – you point the camera at the place/object you want to measure and the AR technology will detect the plane, which you can start measuring.

Pros

  • Accurate measurements
  • Convenience – as most people carry their smartphones with them at all times, they can quickly and easily measure objects without having to carry around a physical tape measure
  • Easy to use – all you need to do is open the app and point your phone’s camera at the object/surface you want to measure, and move it along
  • There is a free version

Cons

  • Cost – there is a free 3-day trial of the Premium Subscription, but it costs £87.99/ Year otherwise.
  • The app requires a well-lit space and detectable planes
  • Requires a relatively new smartphone with a good camera – if you have an older phone or a phone with a low-quality camera, it may not work as well
  • Lack of relevance/use

I feel like most people have been in a situation where they can’t find a tape measure and have resorted to unconventional measuring techniques – how many a4 sheets of paper long is an old favourite of mine. From my experience, ARuler is a more accurate alternative. However, whilst the app is well-built and accurate, I don’t think it is groundbreakingly useful for your average University student. Its most applicable use is probably checking whether a piece of furniture/ poster will fit in a particular space. The app may be more helpful for architecture, engineering, art and design students, who may do a bit more measuring.

Reviewer: Rosie Neville

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Sustainability

Appinions – Fitness

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Katie Stoker, Daniel Cheek, Rosie Neville, Emma Yi Kwan Lau, Nia Burkinshaw, Hannah Harrison, Conor MacDonald and Bibiana Lebersorger

KatieDanielRosieEmmaNiaHannahConor

February 2023 – Fitness

Happy New Year! I know it’s February, but this is our first Appinions blog since September, and I am thrilled to be welcoming aboard new Student Digital Champions.

Many of us are setting fitness goals and looking for ways to stay on track. Mobile fitness apps have become increasingly popular for tracking progress and staying motivated. Who can resist their very own customisable, pocket-sized Personal Trainer, available at your convenience?

Bristol Moves+

Bristol moves+ app icon

The student lifestyle often revolves around endless hours in the library, a tight budget, and during some points of the semester, maybe a bit of stress too! Staying both physically and mentally healthy is therefore essential, and the Bristol Moves+ app can be a great way to do this. The Bristol Moves+ digital platform is free, open to both students and staff and is a great way to motivate yourself to get active. Even better, based on your activity you collect points which can be spent on a range of different rewards.

To get started with Bristol Moves+ you first download the app from either the Apple or Google Play app store and register with your University of Bristol email. Next, connect your preferred activity tracking app, for example Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava or Garmin to name a few, and you’re ready to go. The app can be used to track running, cycling or number of steps. Points are calculated based on the amount of activity achieved: 1 point is equal to 100 steps, 1 mile of running or cycling and 100m of swimming. You can also get involved in a number of challenges too.

Bristol Moves+ offers a range of different rewards, all worth varying points. The first award you might be eligible for is a hot drink voucher which can be redeemed at any Source café on campus. Not interested in a hot drink? Just keep saving up your points and could redeem a reusable coffee cup, water bottle, T-shirt or hoodie instead. These rewards can be easily redeemed at one of the reward collection pop-ups (location and time can be found on the Bristol Moves+ webpage at Moves + | Sport, Exercise and Health | University of Bristol).

Pros

  • Incentive to get more active
  • Can claim a wide range of rewards based on your activity
  • The app is free!
  • Setting up the app is quick and easy. The data is automatically logged onto the app too so you don’t need to remember to log activity or anything.

 Cons

  • Initially claiming a reward can be a little confusing. When you redeem a reward you are sent an email with a QR code – this is how you claim the reward, not through the app directly
  • The app offers only a limited number of challenges. Making challenges more interactive with greater incentives would probably be more engaging.

Overall, I think Bristol Moves+ is a super simple, easy to use app which not only encourages you to get more active, but also offers great incentives and rewards. I would definitely recommend downloading the app and giving it a go.

Reviewer: Katie Stoker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

University of Bristol Sport

UoB active app icon

UOB Active (also known as the University of Bristol Sport app) is developed by the University to provide easy access to live and on-demand fitness classes, timetables, and facility information. Not only is the app an excellent information provider, but it also acts as an activity tracker. The app uses HealthKit to allow users to share their activity and workout data with the app. As a student, we are always busy travelling between lectures. We may not have enough time to sit down and open the computer to check timetables and updates on the university’s sports facilities and activities. However, the app offers you immediate access to all the resources. You can now easily manage everything whenever and wherever you are. All you have to do is to press a button to confirm if you are booking onto classes or B: Active events.

Pros

  • Able to book classes instantly
  • Have a lot of free online classes
  • Key information/updates will automatically appear upon opening the app
  • Allow easy connection to information from outside the app
  • The layout is user-friendly – new users can navigate to appropriate resources/links easily

Cons

  • Occasional bugs in the app prevent you from booking classes/sessions
  • Only provide certain selected updates to users but not all
  • Cannot link my health data on my iPhone to the app
  • Cannot track activities and workouts if users are not using apple devices
  • No personalised recommendations, unlike the online gym portal

Overall, I enjoy using the app due to its easy accessibility to all resources. It is more convenient to check classes’ timetables on an app instead of logging into the online portal on their website. I also like all the on-demand options on the app. It offers me great flexibility on when to exercise and provides clear instructions/guidelines on what exercises can be done at home! I would definitely recommend students use the app as it is tailored to university users with specific updates on sports events run by the university.

Reviewer: Emma Yi Kwan Lau

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Find What Feels Good

Find What Feels Good app icon

Find What Feels Good is an on-demand yoga and meditation app available on both android and apple devices. It provides videos suitable for all levels and focuses. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out, looking to work up a sweat or just need a relaxing stretch before bed, there is always a session for you. The app was made by Adriene Mishler, an international yoga teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and actor from Austin, Texas. You may have already heard of Adriene, as she hosts the popular YouTube channel, Yoga with Adriene, which has over 11 million viewers, owing to the great quality of videos and relaxed teaching style. Adrienne’s videos focus on tuning into your body and ‘finding what feels good’, so whilst many classes encourage you to challenge yourself, there is never any pressure to hold uncomfortable poses. The app also offers meditation, creativity and wellness tips to help with overall health, as it’s much harder to keep up with an exercise routine if you’re not feeling well! Therefore, if you’re looking to begin, grow, or deepen your yoga and meditation practice in a low pressure, supportive environment, this could be the app for you.

Pros

  • 7- day free trial
  • A variety of class lengths to suit any schedule and time available
  • Option to download videos for offline viewing, and it’s possible to just download audio to save storage
  • Videos sorted by length, level, intensity and focus
  • Healthy recipes, wellness tips and classes all in one place
  • 3-, 7- and 30-day challenges to keep you motivated
  • Large community and comment sections
  • Most classes require little or no equipment
  • Positive, motivational instructors
  • In-app calendar and journal

Cons

  • Requires subscription of £9.99/ month or £99.99/ year after the trial.
  • Strong focus on yoga/meditation rather than strength
  • Many of the videos are available through YouTube

Personally, I really like how the app allows you to schedule yoga sessions into the calendar and plan out sessions to ensure that you keep a varied routine. There is also space to write notes afterwards, making it really easy to keep track of which workouts you did, and how they made you feel. This app is all about tuning into your body and offers a really great way to wind down after a hard day of studying. The videos are also downloadable, ad-free and viewable on mobile or tablet, meaning that you can fit a workout in wherever you are. The only real downside of this app is the fairly steep price tag, as many of the yoga videos are available freely on YouTube. However, the app does offer exclusive ‘off the mat’ videos, featuring recipes and wellness advice, and allows the user to sort videos by focus, length and intensity, making it a lot easier to find what you’re looking for. The subscription is also cheaper than a gym membership, so if you find it more comfortable to workout at home or have to fit workouts in on the go, this could make a worthy alternative. Overall, Find What Feels Good provides body-focussed classes and advice all in one place, and can take the stress out of finding time for fitness around a busy schedule.  The 7-day free trial provides a great opportunity to try out the app without any commitment and I definitely recommend having a go at some of the ‘work and study’ flows as they are such a great way to take a break and boost your productivity!

Reviewer: Hannah Harrison

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

feel better | deliciously ella

Feel better app icon

If you’re looking for an app that combines fitness videos, recipes and mindfulness all in one, Feel Better is the app for you! Created by Ella Woodward, a certified yogi and vegan food writer, the app is a one-stop shop for both fitness and food. It describes itself as ‘your ultimate wellness tool’, a healthy living digital platform that provides over 300 fitness videos and over 800 vegan recipes at the tip of your fingers. The layout is easily navigated, splitting the fitness or ‘movement’ videos into 5 categories: yoga; strength; pilates; cardio; stretch; barre. The videos are easily filtered by different requirements, such as time or difficulty level, meaning there is something for everyone of all abilities! The app costs £2.49 each month, so is perfect for those who are keen to dabble into fitness but don’t want to fork out for a gym subscription. Currently, there is a 7-day free trial available, which offers a risk-free way of trying out the app!

Pros

  • Free to download
  • Caters to different types of fitness, from cardio to weights
  • Good for those in a time-crunch, with some videos only 10 minutes long
  • Makes fitness portable; videos can be accessed via phone or tablet
  • Most videos do not require any gym equipment
  • 7-day free trial offered
  • Fitness and healthy food suggestions all in one place
  • Super friendly and encouraging fitness instructors
  • 9 stars on the App Store

Cons

  • Costs £2.99 a month for the subscription, or £24.99 for a year
  • Not currently available for laptops
  • Strong focus on yoga/pilates, over cardio/strength

This app is really user-friendly and is ideal for people looking to fit in a range of different workouts around a busy uni schedule. I love the morning yoga flow videos, as they really help set me up for a productive day and help work out any knots from sitting behind a desk for too long. I would suggest making use of the time and difficulty filters to help work out what workouts are for you! The 7-day free trial is a great opportunity to try out the app without any commitment. Although the fitness videos are the real star, I would also recommend trying out some of the yummy vegan recipes that are offered in-app – a tasty bonus!

Reviewer: Bibiana Lebersorger

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Footpath route planner

footpath route planner app icon

Footpath is a map route app which can be used for a wide range of activities, from running and hiking to skiing, paddle boarding and cycling. Essentially the app allows you to pre plan routes by drawing with your finger according to footpaths, bridle paths and rivers. The app then measures distance and elevation, meaning you can see how far your route will be, and how steep the hills are, by measuring elevation. The app also provides a really great visual representation of this, which is very helpful when running in a very hilly place like Bristol!

The mapping tool is relatively easy to use with a snap-to-map feature so you can directly follow the footpaths. Once you have finished mapping out your route, you can save it and name it. When you are ready to run, walk or cycle the app is very useful to refer to so you don’t get lost. It displays the route as well as your GPS location on the map so you can stay on track.

Pros

  • Ability to change map styles so you can check out the terrain (Field, wood or road) before you set off
  • I find it makes running more fun as I can exercise as well as explore new places without getting totally lost, whilst anticipating the difficulty
  • The distance tool is very accurate

Cons

  • Some features are unavailable unless you upgrade to elite. For example, although you can see your GPS location on the map in relation to your route, you have to upgrade in order to access directions on a cue sheet such as ‘turn left at the end of Whiteladies Road.’
  • The free version only lets you save five routes
  • There is no tracking feature, unlike apps like Strava you cannot see how fast you run the route and your pace
  • It can be challenging to distinguish between footpaths and bridleways on the app, which would be difficult for cyclists

Overall, I find the app extremely useful for running routes in places I don’t know, or if I want to check the distance of a route. However, I personally use Footpath in conjunction with an app like Strava, as there are no tracking features.

Reviewer: Nia Burkinshaw

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Strava

strava app icon

Strava is a mobile fitness app that incorporates workout tracking with social media features. You can upload your workouts, follow people, and give “kudos” (equivalent to likes) on posts. While it is especially popular among the running community, it can track a variety of different activities – including cycling, swimming, ice-skating, yoga, rock climbing, windsurfing and so on. It has been dubbed the ‘Facebook for athletes.’

Pros

  • Easy (and free) way to keep track of your activities
  • Data analytics – shows your progress
  • Has a simple and clean UI – easy to navigate through
  • You can keep up with your friends’ activities and progress
  • The social network aspect of the app can be motivating and inspiring e.g. you can “Join a Club” on the app and find new friends, events, and group activities
  • Help you discover new local running routes.
  • Privacy setting e.g. set up a privacy radius from beginning/end of runs

Cons

  • Fear of judgement/ too much comparison
  • Cost – some features are behind a paywall – £8.99/ month for the premium version
  • Occasional issues with tracking accuracy (although likely due to GPS issues with phone or watch)

I find Strava useful to track my own running performance and set goals. I find it motivating seeing my progress, and the app also allows me to compete against myself to improve further. I’m a bit of a data geek so enjoy having access to various metrics over time, such as pace, distance and heatmaps. I have also used it for running fundraisers, to evidence my runs as well as a platform to promote the fundraiser.

I like the founding philosophy behind Strava – the word itself is the Swedish word for to strive. At its essence, it is a fitness tools to help people be more active and push themselves. Furthermore, there is indisputable evidence that exercise can improve your concentration and help you focus. Therefore, an app like Strava can be a great asset to students. However, like many apps with a social media aspect, it has potential to create a ‘false reality’ feed where users only post their “good” runs, leading you to believe that everyone is running fast all the time. For some, it may encourage unhealthy comparison. However, by setting your account to private and ‘hiding’ your activities, you can still utilise the tracking and analytical features of the app, whilst opting out of the social media aspect.

Reviewer: Rosie Neville

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Fitbod

fitbod app iconIt’s the beginning of a new year and many of us will have new fitness goals on our minds. Whether you’re starting to do some weights at home or you’ve committed to the gym, beginning a new fitness routine can seem intimidating. Fitbod aims to solve this. The slickly designed app allows you to pick a muscle group to work out and creates a routine based on your choices. The routines are accompanied by pictures and videos so that you know exactly how to do a particular exercise. If you want to have control of your workouts, Fitbod accommodates that too, allowing you to pick and choose the particular exercise you want to do, along with the number of sets, reps, and weight. It even has suggested exercises depending on their level of difficulty. The app also works with fitness trackers to log your minutes, heart rate, and calories burned, among other things.

Pros

  • The base version is free from the App Store
  • Its mixture of photos, videos, and instructions is great for beginners
  • The app can connect with fitness trackers to log workout information
  • No ads

Cons

  • Monthly plan is £11.49/month. Without this you’re limited to 2 workouts in the app
  • It could become a distraction from your actual fitness goal – fine tuning your workout in the app may not make the actual workout better

All in all it’s a well-made app but the free version is pretty limited. You’re only getting two workouts a week, though this may not be bad for beginners. Using these free workouts could be enough to increase your confidence, ultimately meaning you won’t need the app in the future.

Personally, researching workouts online and using YouTube for help seems enough for me as opposed to spending money on Fitbod. If you are completely lost when it comes to exercise though, or you’re just too busy to research, then Fitbod could be a good investment. Its use of AI and the logging of your previous exercises means that you can be pretty confident it will create a good workout routine for you.

Reviewer: Conor MacDonald

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Strong

Stron app icon

Strong is a workout companion app, designed to help you track your progress. It allows you to create workout templates using over 250 exercises with reps and sets that can then be tracked as you do them, to keep you focused as well as to motivate you by tracking personal bests. It has 3 million downloads and is available on iPhone and Android as well as Apple Watch.

The app functions both as a workout planner as well as a tracker for your progress. The workout templates are flexible, including drop sets and failure sets as options. These sets are manually ticked off as you do them, so you always know how many sets and exercises are left. You can also schedule in rest times which the app will include while you use the template. The database of exercises is wide ranging including exercises with and without equipment, which can be searched with filters to allow you to find them more easily. It also shows previously selected exercises – so your favourites are easy to find. As a tracker, the app allows you to edit the number of sets and reps as you do them. So even if you surpass the volume in your template it is still recorded. After the exercise the app will also offer to update the template with the new sets and reps if you want to make any increases or decreases permanent.

Pros

  • Free to use basic version with paid extras that aren’t vital to its use
  • Descriptions of workouts means you can discover new exercises from the app
  • Provides motivation by tracking progress
  • Allows repetition of exercises and sets easily by storing them all in one place
  • Rest timer so you don’t have to leave the app
  • Well built app that feels smooth to use
  • Apple Watch compatible makes the app more easy to use during workouts

Cons

  • Limited number of templates in free version
  • Paid version is very expensive – either subscription or £80 for permanent use
  • Workout timing means it is recommended to use the app while doing the exercise rather than after a workout – this isn’t always practical

In summary, I found the app very useful and will continue to use it. It is a streamlined way of tracking my progress which has motivated me to exercise more. It has every workout I have heard of and many new ones that I will now try with the detailed description of how to do them being very helpful. It is also very useful to be able to create templates – while this can be easily done in a notes app – the UI is very easy to use on this app, making it a better option for me as a free app. I will likely not pay for the full version as the number of templates I need are minimal and I am not interested in the other tracking aspects associated with Strong Premium. Therefore, I would highly recommend this app if you workout or are looking to start and need a way to track your work.

Reviewer: Daniel Cheek

Google Play linkapp store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Augmented reality

Posted in Uncategorised

Re/Play – timeout errors (now resolved)

This issue is now resolved.

We are aware of a timeout error message when students are accessing Re/Play from a Blackboard course menu link (eg to the unit collection of all recordings). The supplier has identified the issue is related to search based functions in their systems, and is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Recordings added or shared by other methods – eg those added in course folders or other sections – are currently unaffected.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause; we are working to restore access as soon as possible.

The Digital Education Office are hiring!

Following on from last years trial, we are keen to hire some more Student Caption Editors to work with us again starting in February 2023.

Student Caption Editors

We know that captions are incredibly popular with students and that many use them regularly. We use Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to generate captions on all Re/Play content. ASR is not perfect and does generate mistakes. The UoB Digital Education Office (DEO) are looking to recruit 16 Student Caption Editors to help correct captioning errors. Initially we are targeting teaching material from Law, Economics and Biochemistry as they traditionally have high numbers of student views. Candidates with other areas of study will be considered. To apply for this role, you need to be a current student at the University of Bristol. You’ll be working an average of 5 hours per week for a year.

Appinions – Utility

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Polly Davis and Kexin Li

Polly DavisKexin Li

September 2022 – Utility

There is a palpable buzz around campus. Each year we welcome new students. But this will be the first cohort of freshers to arrive unrestricted since 2019.

For many this will be the first time living away from home, staying in shared accommodation and manging their own finances. Sadly, no-one has invented an app which can end an energy crisis or divert a recession (to my knowledge), but these utility apps could make your University journey a little easier.

Monzo

Monzo app icon

Monzo is my main form of payment in university, and I’ll tell you why. Each week, from my student bank account, I load a set amount onto my Monzo debit account to cover bills, grocery shopping, and socialising and this is facilitated by Monzo’s pots. These pots are where you can separate your money into different functions and withdraw money from them when needed, to help you save and budget if you’re like me and cannot stop tapping your card wherever you go. Even further, after each payment, you get to select what that spend was on to summarise in a weekly report- this visualisation of trends helps me organise my spending massively. Another feature which I am grateful for is the Coin Jar; provided by Paragon, this pot rounds up your payments to the nearest pound, and the money is saved into a pot. When money starts to get tight by the end of the week, you will find that these round-ups have amounted to a fair bit of extra money that can help you by.

When it comes to eating and drinking out with your friends, it can always get a bit awkward and tense splitting the bills and then chasing people for money. With Monzo’s ‘Split the bill’ feature, you can enter the total amount of the bill, add friends to the feature and set the amounts each will pay or split equally, and Monzo will let you know when it has all been covered- hassle free! Monzo currently have a joining offer with a free £5 spend when you make your first card payment in the first 30 days.

You may have heard of other bank accounts that have similar features. Starling Bank, rated at the same service level as Monzo, also provides visual saving spaces, categorised spending and ‘split the bill’ features. Nevertheless, Starling also provides you with a budget planner to help give an overview of your own finances. Once you have provided information of any income and transaction history, Starling Bank will calculate your average outgoings and what they are divided into. You can set your own saving and spending goals, and they will direct you to money management support if they detect that you are overspending.

During a cost-of-living crisis this year, this type of financial guidance can make you feel more in control as a student.

Reviewer: Polly Davis

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Acasa

Acasa app icon

Acasa is an app designed for shared households to set up, manage, and split the household bills in a streamlined way. This app can easily help students to keep track of all the expenses in your house such as utilities, internet, home maintenance, food and groceries, and record who should pay the bills and who has paid the bills. It is an effective helper for students to rent a house together, and it can eliminate the complicated process of paying various bills and effectively avoid misunderstanding and disputes related to paying bills. Acasa helps students automatically calculate their share of each bill, and they can pay off all their bill obligations only once a month. This app has a dashboard interface that clearly shows the income and expenditure between each other, making the complex and troublesome problem of paying common bills simple and clear.

Pros

  • Automatically help everyone in the house calculate their accounts payable
  • Avoid the embarrassment of debt collection
  • Other payments can be included in addition to household bills
  • This app is free for users

 Cons

  • Some users commented that this app is unorganised and hard to navigate
  • Customer service is appalling and inefficient
  • Costs may occur for additional services
  • The dashboard design may confuse the people who are splitting the bills, and incorrect calculations may occur

Reviewer: Kexin Li

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Please be aware that hidden costs have been discovered in some bill-splitting apps.

As one door closes, another opens. On behalf of the Digital Education Office, I want to thank the outgoing Student Digital Champions: Leah Parker, Georgie Pitts, Kexin Li, Polly Davis, Olivia Muggleton and Amy Preston for writing wonderfully engaging Appinion reviews. If you are interested in applying to be a Student Digital Champion, subscribe to this blog so you always see the latest recruitment news.

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

There will be more Appinions in 2023

Appinions – Gaming

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Georgie Pitts, Kexin Li and Leah Parker: Student Digital Champions.

Georgie PittsKexin LiLeah Parker

August 2022- Gaming

The age-old battle for control of the gaming industry has been waged between console and PC. Improvements in mobile technology, 5G networks and AV/VR integration could see mobile gaming closing the gap.

Unlike their rivals, mobile game developers often adopt a freemium business model, where games are available for free (or very little cost) and users are encouraged to make in-game purchases known as microtransactions.

Powernode

Powernode icon

Powernode is a puzzle game which requires you to “combine numbers to create energy sources and feed the network”. Essentially, power stations are numbered, and when numbered nodes pop up, you need to sustain them using these power stations. For example, you can use two “3” power stations to sustain a “6” node.

However, if you connect a power station to multiple nodes, it becomes less efficient, so you need to consider how you’re organising your board!

When you open the app, there are two game play options: Zen or Rush. I believe Zen is a slower version, whilst Rush is more fast-paced (although this isn’t explained).

Pros

  • It’s a very aesthetically pleasing game
  • It is challenging, which can be a good thing if you enjoy a challenge
  • Requires you to multitask and plan ahead
  • There is a global leader board, and as its a relatively new game, there are only 2000 people on it, so you could work your way up quite quickly

Cons

  • I couldn’t locate the “How to Play” section. Whilst there was a brief introduction, this was not enough to fully teach the game rules, so it was hard to get the hang of it!
  • It is challenging, which can also be frustrating if you’re looking for an easy game
  • Whilst there are two different modes of game play, there are no levels, so the only way to track progress is using your score

The aesthetic of the game is great. It claims to be very “zen”, and I would agree.

It is not an easy game to get the hang of and was actually quite frustrating at first! However, once you get the hang of the game, it is fun and challenging.

It is definitely a game you could spend hours playing, and I do get better every time I play it. At first I was unsure, but now I would definitely recommend if you like to be challenged, and enjoy focusing on different things at once.

Reviewer: Georgie Pitts

Download links:

Google play icon. Link to appapp store link

Brawl Stars

Brawl stars app icon

Brawl Stars is a mobile e-sports game from Supercell. The game is a multiplayer shooter where players battle each other in multiple competitive modes with different goals, from being the last brawler to collecting the most diamonds. Brawl Stars will display many different events as the player’s experience value increases such as Bounty, Gem Grab, Heist, and showdown, Brawl Ball, and Boss Fight. Brawl Stars’ gameplay takes the basic logic of MOBA games and cuts it down to the bare minimum — there’s no equipment, no pre-development time, and mostly you’re just waiting for wave after wave of group battles. The match time of about three minutes is also in line with the characteristics of mobile games. It makes full use of people’s fragmented time. Even if you lose the match, the frustration will become very small because of the short match time.

Pros

  • You can team up with friends for game battles
  • No advertisement
  • The game takes very little time, allowing players to start a game anytime, anywhere
  • Compared to other competitive games, the game is low in difficulty and very friendly to newcomers
  • The game design and the characters are very cute

Cons

  • Communication between teammates is difficult and can only be communicated through emojis
  • You need to pay for gems to buy boxes, skins and other things from the shop
  • Some players reported bugs in the game

I personally like this game very much, it makes me feel very relaxed and fun. It doesn’t require me to have any game skills, and I can adapt to the game very quickly. I often play this game in groups with my friends, and we discuss strategy or chat together during the game, which makes the game more interesting. My favorite event is the Showdown, its logic is the same as PUBG, which is to get the final victory by shooting the enemy, but this game is very easy to play, and I don’t need to spend a long time to finish a game. Besides, the game’s characters(Brawlers) are very cute that I’m tempted to spend more time in the game to collect them.

Reviewer: Kexin Li

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Luminosity

luminosity app logoBrain training app aimed to improve your cognitive skills including memory, attention, reasoning, flexibility, processing speed and problem-solving, using a variety of exercises. Lumosity claims it takes research from labs and has converted this into over 50 fun minigame-type exercises, using your performance score form to provide you with feedback on how your mind works.

Lumosity sets you a daily brain workout, consisting of multiple tasks that aim to improve your performance in one the training modules mentioned. If completed daily, this feature will allow you to track your progress on these exercises over time, providing you with information about your game strengths and weaknesses. Analysis of your game play is used to help understand your cognitive patterns and set up braining training habits, and subsequently used to curate a programme personally tailored to the individual.

Pros

  • Basic version is free on iOS and Android
  • Easy to navigate around the app
  • Unique and fun minigames

Cons

  • The free version only allows for three minigames in three training modules each day, meaning you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version to get extra features.
  • Insights, including game progress report and game strength profile, remain locked on the free version.
  • Subscription only, cannot buy game outright.

Overall, I liked the features of Lumosity and found it quite fun to do the daily fitness workout games and see how I was improving over time. However, with the free version you are fairly limited in what you can do on the app. A lot of the cool features I was excited about, including progress reports and all the games, can only be accessed on the premium version of the app. As such I did the premium free trial, and I would definitely say the premium features make the experience a lot better and more exciting, so the quality of brain training may depend on your subscription. All in all, the free version is still fun and challenging as modules and games are alternated each day, so it is an app I am definitely going to continue using.

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Bad north app iconBad North is a strategy game in which you and your troops defend islands, travelling along the map and avoiding defeat.

You open the app and begin a campaign (you’re able to have 5 at once on different accounts), choosing your commanders and deciding on an “easy”, “normal” or “hard” option. Then, the game begins and you’re deployed to an island. The enemy approaches on boats, and if you defeat them, you get coins.

Your troops are replenished when the next level begins if they died on the previous island, but if your commanders (and all your troops) die, then it’s game over for that campaign, and you must restart it again from the beginning. However, you can recruit new troops if you win a battle on an island they already live on.

If your troops are low health, you can replenish them in a house on the island, but be careful if there are enemies approaching as you’ll need to fight them.

You can even upgrade your troops with different classes, skills, items and traits. For example, equipping them with bows and arrows and developing that skill until they’re veterans.

Pros

  • Option to restart the level midway through or flee if the battle seems lost
  • It is very simple to understand the rules
  • You can unlock different achievements which is great way to track progress and keeps you engaged
  • Easy, medium and hard options for the campaign
  • Good variety within the map in terms of islands you defend
  • Can have 5 campaigns going on at once

Cons

  • It is a bit frustrating that once your commanders die, it is game over and the campaign is lost
  • I didn’t realise that the shadow gradually covering the map was Vikings taking over the islands, and accidentally allowed them to take over mine, meaning it was game over
  • It is £3.49

I really enjoyed this game. It is different to the puzzle games I normally play, and requires different skills. However, it was really simple to understand the basics, although some elements required trial and error to get right.

I really enjoy the look and feel of the game; it has a minimalist feel which is effective and feels modern. It appears to be a rather simple strategy game that looks easy, but does require you to plan ahead and can be challenging. Like any good game though, you get better every time you play. The little troops are fun and easy to move around, and it’s easy to gather coins to upgrade them as the game goes on.

You’ll need to be good at planning and strategizing, thinking ahead and multitasking!

After beginning on the “normal” mode, I’d probably recommend starting on “easy”, unless you’re accustomed to games like this!

Reviewer: Georgie Pitts

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Stumble Guys

Stumble Guys app icon Stumble Guys is a knockout game where players can use different methods on different maps to pass levels. This game consists of 32 players competing against each other on random maps, either individually or in teams until a champion is determined. During this process, players need to pay attention to the traps in the level. If you accidentally drop a trap of the level, you will probably be left behind by other players. Each time has three levels and only one player can win the final game. This game is very similar to the current popular game Fall Guys, no matter the game name or the game design, but this is the version of the mobile game, so players can play the game anytime, anywhere. This game is very interesting and challenging, and players need to try repeatedly to get a certain level of winning skills.

Pros

  • Players can get skins, gems, and tokens by watching advertisements
  • This game is very simple and suitable for all game players
  • You can team up with friends to play this game and compete together for the championship
  • Each game is short and doesn’t take a lot of time.
  • This game takes up a relatively small amount of phone memory, only 512MB

Cons

  • The maps will not be updated regularly, so players may get tired of playing a map quickly, resulting in low game stickiness.
  • Players are often paired with robots in order to quickly fill rooms or levels
  • The lack of changes and new features in this game compared to the Fall Guys has raised questions about plagiarism.

This game was very challenging for me, I played for half a month and only got the final victory once. I need to play a map many times before I get used to the tricks. This game is friendly to Apple users. Fall Guys is a platform battle royal game, available on Steam and can only be downloaded by Windows users. Stumble Guys can be downloaded by both Android and Apple users, so this game satisfies my curiosity about Fall Guys to some extent. However, I’m not very satisfied that you need to watch ads to get extra skins. Players have four chances to watch advertisements for lottery draws every day, but these advertisements take a long time, which worsens my overall impression of the game. In addition, this game will not unlock new maps (like they do in Brawl Stars). I always play the same scene over and over again, which makes me less eager to keep playing.

Reviewer: Kexin Li

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

Elevate

elevate app iconElevate is a brain training program designed to help you speak more articulately and concisely, improve your writing abilities, increase your reading speed, process written information more quickly, improve your focus while reading and listening, perform day-to-day math equations, and more.

Elevate’s games are supported by research and designed in collaboration with experts. Each day, you are provided with a personalized training program that adjusts over time to maximise your brain training results. Upon completion, you are able to measure your performance on these exercises and compare them across the skill groups.

Pros

  • Basic version is free on iOS and Android
  • Enjoyable and fun minigames
  • Weekly performance reports and content reviews available on free version

Cons

  • Need to upgrade to Elevate membership to access all features
  • Game play instructions quite vague

Similarly to Lumosity, I really enjoyed my daily workout, as I was able to play a variety of different minigames which were both fun and mentally stimulating. The app was easy to navigate and being able to my own detailed performance report which tracked my progress did motivate me to keep playing each day. The app was very easy to navigate but occasionally game instructions, and games themselves, were a bit vague. Again, like Lumosity, with the free version I was limited to what I could achieve on the app. Despite this however, I will definitely keep using the app as I did find the games challenging and motivating. I would recommend it to anyone looking for subtle ways to improve their reading and writing skills.

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download links:

Google Play linkapp store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Utility

Appinions – Security

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Leah Parker, Georgie Pitts: Student Digital Champions.

Leah Parker Picture of Georgie

July 2022: Security

Cyber security could be viewed as being an overly complicated topic, and understanding where to start can be daunting. Yet all you really need to know to protect your device, is there are three essential types of app every student should be using: A password manager, Find my phone and Multi-factor authentication (MFA). Our Student Digital Champions are on hand to help you choose which app is right for you.

Insecure passwords can expose your personal details to fraud. Even your University of Bristol password needs to be secure. Authenticator apps provide an additional factor for security above passwords, so even if your secure password gets compromised this will provide a safety net. Staff already use MFA and this will be turned on for all students at the start of the upcoming academic year.

Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft authenticator app icon

Microsoft Authenticator provides an easy, secure sign-ins for all your online accounts using multi-factor authentication, password-less, or password autofill. You also have additional account management options for your Microsoft personal, work or school accounts.

The multi factor authentication (MFA) feature provides a second layer of security. When enabled, during login after entering your password, you’ll be asked for an additional way to prove it’s really you. Either approve the push notification sent to the Microsoft Authenticator app, or enter the one-time password (OTP) generated by the app. The OTP codes are time-based, so are only valid for 30 seconds. The timer aspect means the same one-time password is never used twice. You can also add multiple accounts to your app, including non-Microsoft accounts like Facebook, Amazon, Google etc.

Microsoft Authenticator supports cert-based. This means the app will let your work or school organization know that the sign-in request is coming from a trusted device and help you to securely access additional Microsoft apps and services without needing to log into each time.

Pros

  • Straightforward, quick and easy set-up process.
  • Scan add both Microsoft and non-Microsoft accounts.
  • Allows cloud back-up, unlike Google Authenticator, which is useful if you lose access to your device and still need access to your accounts.
  • Recognises trusted devices and browsers, minimising the amount of log-in attempts requiring MFA.

Cons

  • No way to organise codes into folders or tags.

This is my personal favourite MFA app. I believe it provides multitudes of features that allow users to authenticate in many different ways and allows for more than just two steps in verifying your identity—providing for an even more secure experience. This is extremely important to me as with my school and work accounts I am looking for that extra security. I think as an iPhone user I like the ability as well to lock the app with touch ID, face ID or my passcode, for an extra layer of security. I also like how the app recognises when you’re accessing your account from a new or trusted device and, as such, adjusting the amount of MFA required. Overall, I think it’s a great app, easy to use and I’ve never had any problems with it and would definitely recommend it to those wanting extra security on their school, work and personal accounts.

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download links:

Google play iconapp store link

Norton Password Manager 

App icon for Norton password managerThis is a password manager app, designed to store your passwords in a secure location. You can sign in with Apple or Google, or create a new account (I chose to create a new account using my University of Bristol email). The main area of the app is called the “Vault”, which is where your passwords are stored, and you can even choose to store credit cards or bank account details here too.

Saving a new password is simple. You click “Logins”, and the “+” sign in the bottom right corner. You can name the website, paste the URL and add the password. You can also add a note to accompany it and choose whether to sign in automatically next time you need to log into that account. It autofills the email as the same one you use for the Norton app, but you can change this if different websites use different email addresses.

Some other functions include:

  • Password Generator to provide you with more secure passwords
  • Secure Browser to protect you against online threats
  • Auto-fill, which automatically types passwords for you
  • Ability to save different addresses (home address, work etc), if a website requires you to enter an address

Pros

  • Many other password manager apps I looked at required a monthly subscription, but this one is free
  • Can search passwords by keywords, making it easy to locate the ones you need
  • Has a “notes” section, so you can add any notes you might need in regard to passwords
  • Offers a Tutorial Guide
  • Able to ‘favourite’ certain passwords that you need quickly and often

Cons

  • Logging back in after closing the app was difficult. There are two separate logins: one for the app, and the other for the password Vault specifically.
    • I was able to log into the app fine, but I hadn’t set up a PIN or password for the Vault yet, so couldn’t enter one to log back into it.
    • After deleting the app and redownloading, after logging in on the app, I was able to activate Face ID to access the Vault.

I would probably use this password manager. I like that it was free, especially in comparison to other ones which require a monthly subscription. This is significant, I think, because Google and phones themselves already save passwords for you, so paying for an app to do the same thing (although in a more secure fashion) is not particularly necessary.

I like the layout; it is very simple and easy to navigate, and you can search your saved passwords using keywords or favourite specific ones which would be helpful if you had a lot saved.

The only issue I ran into was logging back into the Vault after creating my account and closing down the app. Having checked the reviews, it seems this has happened to others! Deleting it and activating Face ID seems to have done the trick!

Reviewer: Georgie Pitts

Download links:

app store link

Google Authenticator

App icon for google authenticatorGoogle Authenticator generated 2-Step Verification codes on your phone for your Google Account to provide an additional layer of security when signing in. With 2-Step Verification, signing into your account will require both your password and a verification code you can generate with this app. Once configured, you can get verification codes without network or cellular connection. Features of Google Authenticator, to name a few, include: automatic setup via a QR code, use across multiple accounts, time-based and counter-based code generation and transfer of accounts between devices through a generated QR code.

Pros

  •  This app does not back up to the cloud, which from a security perspective is actually what you would want from a multi-step authenticator app.
  •  Relatively simple and straightforward to set up and use.
  •  Useful if you have multiple google accounts which required another layer of security.
  •  New feature means you have ability to transfer 2FA codes when upgrading to a new phone

Cons

  •  No cloud back up means losing access unexpectedly to the phone you set the authenticator app up on means you lose access to the 2-factor authenticator codes. This could possibly lock you out of your accounts if you are unable to log back into the original phone.

Personally I quite like the Google Authenticator app, it’s a simple app to use and it fulfils its intended purpose. I have set up Google Authenticator to multiple Google accounts and never had an issues with it. I find it is an app I can truly trust. That being said, I could see how this app may cause problems if I was to lose access to my phone. No question that cloud backup is extremely convenient but there is often a trade-off between convenience and security and this is a great example of that. This app is for those who choose a bit of extra security (codes only stored on the device) over the convenience of having their codes stored both on the device and in the cloud. I would say it just depends on the person whether you prefer to use an app with no cloud back up and extra security, or cloud back up and less security such as Microsoft Authenticator.

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download links:

app store link

Find My iPhone

App icon for Find My app

This app allows you to track your Apple devices and notes the last time at which they were used/active. It uses Apple Maps to display your device location and is compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple watch, Mac, AirPods and AirTag. It includes Lost Mode, a noise alert for nearby devices and you only need your Apple ID to log in!

This is a very useful app! My favourite feature is how detailed the map is. Rather than it being vague, you can see the exact time and location the device was last used. Another favourite feature is the Lost Mode. By locking your device, no one can access your personal information, giving you an added level of security if you were to misplace your phone. Whilst this app does allow you to track your friends and family, it is not created for that purpose, and is more targeted to keeping track of your devices.

The fact it is compatible with other apple devices is really useful, particularly AirPods! We’ve all lost our headphones, so to be able to locate them easily is very useful!

Pros

  • Free! It comes with the phone
  • Has a setting which allows your devices to make a noise to alert you to where they are
  • You can put your devices in Lost Mode, which tracks its location; protects your data and even presents a message for whoever may find your device
  • You can even track your friends’ devices and vice versa, which can be turned off if you wish

Cons

  • Only available on Apple devices so Android users cannot download this app
  • If you lose your phone, you need a secondary device to locate it (a MacBook, for example), so if you don’t have one of these, then you cannot access the app remotely

I definitely recommend this app. It comes with the iPhone, and whilst I would be tempted to delete it to save storage space, I actually recommend keeping it around and tagging all of your Apple devices in case you need it in the future!

Reviewer: Georgie Pitts

Download links:

app store link Google play icon

*App Store link above opens iCloud to sign-in with your Apple ID, because the app is inbuilt. The Google Play link opens an Android equivalent called Google Find My Device. There are other available Android apps which share this functionality.

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Gaming

Appinions – Travel

Appinions banner

A great app will keep you glued to your device. Whether it’s lifestyle, social media, utility, gaming, productivity or news; apps are an essential part of student life.
Each month we challenge our Student Digital Champions to delve into a new category, delivering fresh perspectives and making proclamations for essential applications. Which features are dumb? What should be at the tip of your thumb?

Written by Polly Davis, Leah Parker, and Kexin Li: Student Digital Champions.

Polly Davis  Leah Parker  Kexin Li

June 2022: Travel

The travel industry has taken a battering over the last few years. Staffing cuts in aviation have led to recent flight cancellations, whilst providing proof of negative covid tests have once again been dashing plans at the last minute. However we intend to spend our well deserved time off, somebody has inevitably found a way to enhance the experience using a mobile app. But are they any good?

Step: Your world

app icon Step is a new travel app based on a public, interactive map where everyone can pin their favourite places of culture, drink, health, shopping, stay, and food. With Step, you create your own profile with your own specific tags of places where you are from and where you mostly visit- this does not limit where you can pin, the map covers the world! By simply searching a place you have visited, you can create a recommendation by pinning this on the map. Scrolling around, you will be able to see so many recommendations around you which really helps to get a feel for the culture and life of the community of the place you are in. Even more so, following your favourite Culture Creators and accounts allows you to see their own personal recommendations. This has been extremely helpful whenever I have been in London visiting friends and we are lost as to where to go- each pin is attached with pictures, the website of the business, opening hours, address, and phone number, with additional comments from users. I have found so many places around me that I would not have taken a second look at if I was using Google or even my own eyes.

 

Pros

  • Interactive map with the ability to comment
  • Create your own profile
  • Follow other creators
  • Can add photos
  • Can build up a following

Cons

  • Relatively new app so pins are fairly limited to popular places
  • Cannot specify what type of establishment you are looking for, such as filtering by the nationality of the food
  • Pins are not reviewed by any critics, therefore recommendations are subjective
  • Not available to download via Google Play

Reviewer: Polly Davis

Download link:

app store link

My Travel Tracker

app icon

I love travelling, and I have always been tempted to make a travel blog- but I have also always been quite intimidated by that large and scary environment. My Travel Tracker is a way to document your travels into categorised trips that are displayed on your own personal map. Each trip can be pinned with photographs and geolocations and descriptions to give an in-depth feel to your itinerary. These trips can be viewed by others as it is also a social networking app where you can take inspiration from other travellers and interact by commenting, liking posts, and sharing. Like Instagram, there is a community page where you can view recent travel posts from other creators and view their own Bucket Lists. Even more, there is a section where you can post short films of different places around the world- this is especially helpful if you are stuck on what place to travel next to, get a grasp of the environment, or to simply reminisce on your own time there. Some travellers decide to categorise their posts by the best places to eat, drink, visit or stay in an area which can be searched for in the community section if you need guidance when you are visiting an area!
This app creates a safe and friendly community full of creators with the same passions of adventure and curiosity about the world!

 

Pros

  • Can create a profile area with a colour map that highlights the countries you have visited
  • You are free to post in whatever format you would like, whether it be a blog, tip list or just pictures
  • Can follow other travellers and interact with their posts which will appear on your timeline

Cons

  • Not every place in the world has been posted so popular tourist locations have more posts attached with them
  • The community page is ordered in terms of popularity of a post or profile
  • All communication with other creators is public

Reviewer: Polly Davis

Download link:

app store link

 

Bristol Guide

Bristol guide app icon

This app provides a distinctive guide to Bristol, pointing new visitors wanting to explore the city to an exciting array of attractions, or perhaps even helping residents discover new places they were not previously aware of. This app aims to encompass a full Bristolian experience to the user.

This app allows you to locate the nearest attractions and sites around you for you to go and  visit. Or, if you prefer, you are able to look at places to visit in a specific category you are interested in. These categories include events and festivals, parks and greenspaces, pubs and bars, and restaurants and sport, to name a few. By pressing on the event you are interested in, it provides a brief overview of the site, including contact and website details if you would like to learn more, and its exact location.

Pros

  • Free
  • Simple to use
  • Range of categories containing a wide variety of sites and events, including popular and lesser known ones.

Cons

  • Some categories lack essential information – e.g. the events and festivals tab has no information on the dates and times
  • Would be nice to see some reviews of the places shown
  • Includes some pictures but would say it definitely needs more!
  • Not available to download via Google Play

 

Overall, I really like the idea of the app! I think it includes a wide range of sites and attractions to visit, which would be useful for not only first-time visitors, but also residents wanting to explore more of the unknown parts of the city. Through using the app, I was able to discover lots of green spaces I did not know existed just right near me which was amazing. However, I would say it’s clear this app needs an update, as there is some information lacking which would be useful, such as dates of festivals and events. I also think more pictures would really benefit the app, as it only contains a single image for each listing, which does not always truly represent the beautiful appearance of these sites. Overall, I do like the app and would definitely recommend it to those living in Bristol over the summer so they can go and explore the city.

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download link:

app store link

Voi

Voi app icon

Voi is a new, innovative way of travelling round the city. This app provides a new mode of transport, aiming to cut down our emissions while still getting to places quickly. Voi scooters are bright red, and operate simply through twisting the handle to accelerate, and pressing down bike-like brakes at the front to stop. They are now equipped with indicators as well, which you can use to signal when you are turning left or right.

The way it works is you first download the app, and set up your Voi account on the app by scanning your driver’s license. The app then allows you to find your nearest Voi parking spot, where you can also see the number of Vois available. You simply scan the QR code on the Voi and once you’re ready you can unlock it and begin voing! When you’ve reached your destination, you then park your Voi in the closest parking spot and are asked to take a picture upon completion.

Voi offers regular users the opportunity to buy Voi passes, whether this be just for the day, or a month. There are designated parking spots, discounted parking spots, and also marked slow zones and no Voi zones. Voi scooters also stop working past a certain time and have installed a software aimed to test your reaction skills to promote safe use.

 

Pros

  • Passes are relatively cheap.
  • Quite fun way of getting round.
  • Especially round Bristol, quite easy to find and locate Voi parking spots.
  • The app allows you to locate Voi parking spots and places you can find Vois
  • Voi prevents you riding on the pavements, ensuring the safety of pedestrians

Cons

  • Have to find a designated parking spot to put your Voi in – If travelling to a new destination it may be difficult to determine where exactly to find these.
  • Potentially scary particularly if you are not a licenced driver, or the weather conditions are harsh.
  • The Voi may run out of battery in particularly inconvenient locations.
  • Only accessible in certain cities.

 

Overall, I love the idea of Voi as a way of travelling, especially in a busy city such as Bristol, where bringing your cars may not be feasible due to the lack of car park spaces, or if you’re like me and you just can’t drive! I find it particularly useful when the buses may be unreliable or I need to get somewhere quite quickly if I am running late. Yet, I will admit, I have suffered a fair few scary instances with Voi, and so I personally do not use them often unless I am on quiet, residential roads. I would definitely recommend learning your road rules before attempting to ride a Voi, and definitely practice before heading to the main roads. I think with a careful and responsible user, Vois can be quite fun and provide a cost effective way of travelling to places, and not to mention they are much more environmentally friendly than other modes of transport. I would definitely recommend using Vois opposed to a car when you can, but just as with any mode of transport, make sure you do your research before riding them and learn your road rules!

Reviewer: Leah Parker

Download link:

app store link

 

Google Translate

Google translate icon

One of the biggest problems you may face while travelling is probably the language barrier. Google Translate will be your best aid for basic daily communication in most countries! Google Translate is a free translation service, which provides instant translation between 133 languages, and supports the translation of words, sentences, and web pages between any two languages. The interface of the app is very concise, with only three pages: Home, Saved, and Settings. In addition to inputting text for translation, you can also directly translate the text in the photo through the camera. For tourists, the instant translation of conversations and the transcription function provide great convenience. You can record your voice directly, and Google Translate will automatically translate it into the target language and read it aloud.

Pros

  • All features are free
  • The translation speed is fast, and the communication can be translated instantly
  • Very simple and convenient to use

Cons

  • There may be translation errors leading to misunderstandings, and grammar and structure errors occur frequently
  • The choice of languages is limited. “Conversation mode” is available in 71 languages; “Transcription mode” is only available in 10 languages
  • Accents may lead to inaccurate voice input

 

I personally think Google Translate is the most frequently used and helpful app for travellers, and it helped me immensely when I travelled to Turkey last week. When I was communicating with my Turkish host, we used Google Translate the entire time, making our conversation smooth and pleasant. Google Translate solves all the problems related to language barriers to the greatest extent possible with simple functions, which I think is amazing. Although there may be grammatical errors due to machine translation, I think it has no impact on the communication between tourists and local people, so it is a very excellent app for me in general.

Reviewer: Kexin Li

Download link:

app store link

 

App in the Air

App in the air icon

If you have frequent flight needs and are easily troubled by problems such as flight information changes, App in the Air can effectively help with air-related problems to ensure you travel smoothly! The main function of App in the Air is to help you manage your hotel and flight reservation and give timely notifications and relevant information so you can optimize your travel experience. Different from other OTA (online travel agency) apps, App in the Air is more like a personal travel assistant, because you can not only book air tickets and hotels from this app, but also manually import your flight number and hotel reservation, and it will give you all relevant information and suggestions. Beyond that, it acts as a memoir by collecting statistics on all the flights you’ve ever taken and competing on the global leader board. You can also invite your friends and compete on the friend list for flight stats.

Pros

  • Convenient and easy to use. The app design is very concise and straightforward
  • Helping you record flight statistics and keeping track of your accomplishments during your trips
  • You can add your loyalty programmes to track status and bonuses
  • Providing very detailed information and tips for travellers

Cons

  • There is a fee for membership, and regular users only have a 14-day free trial
    • £9.99/year for Basic.
    • £29.49/year for Pro.
    • £44.99/lifetime
  • The functions of this app are not unique, and most of them can be replaced by other free apps
  • Users have complained about bugs in the app and incorrect flight information being provided
  • Hotel and flight information booked on other platforms require manual input

 

I personally think this app is more useful for regular travellers, but it is not very attractive to me as a student. It can effectively help travellers to manage all reservations and plan your trip, and its notification function can greatly help you to avoid missed flights and other problems during the trip. However, as far as I am concerned, all this travel information can be found on free platforms, and I do not need to spend extra money to obtain such information. This app can only provide flight information, but not bus or train related information, so the frequency of use for me is very low. Also, all the hotel and flight information I booked from other platforms have to be entered manually rather than displayed automatically, which makes the function of recording travel statistics a little troublesome.

Reviewer: Kexin Li

Download link:

app store link

These apps aren’t supported or managed by the University of Bristol. Don’t forget to think about what data you are adding to these apps if you decide to download and use them. Our Online Identity video highlights some of the factors you may want to think about when you are online.

Next month: Security

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