Since that time, we’ve had a chance to work with and test the premium version of Todoist on the Android platform. Now we’re ready to give a review of how this to-do app stacks up and what users can expect from Todoist.

Skip to the end of the article for a special 1/2 price discount on Todoist Premium.

Todoist Review

Learning Curve

As with a number of productivity apps, there can be a bit of a learning curve in terms of functionality and usability. If an app is too difficult to navigate or the complexity of commands is great, then users will move on.

Todoist sidesteps a lot of those problems with short, quick tutorials during the first run of each feature. The guided instruction is great for beginners and although Todoist isn’t incredibly challenging to learn, the tutorial helps get users up and running right away.

Projects

Projects are Todoist’s way of sorting and organizing tasks. Each task or to-do item is categorized by project. The idea being that not everyone wants to view tasks by date, so sorting by project provides another method of task organization.

Projects are required in order to add tasks which can seem a bit cumbersome at first, but part of the app’s appeal is it’s ability to organize your tasks so by forcing a task into a project you’re automatically more organized. Those with simple to-do list needs would benefit from a default categorization of Tomorrow or This Week. Perhaps Todoist will implement something similar in the future.

Tasks

Tasks are wildly simple to create. A simple tap of the + sign and away you go. Tasks can have due dates and labels (tags) with prioritize and indent features. Tasks are of course editable and can be annotated with notes or postponed (postpone feature automatically moves the task to the following day).

The postpone feature is especially nice since often tasks are left incomplete or unattended for one reason or another, however we’d like to see more options such as postpone for a week or next Monday or even add a calendar feature to choose specific dates.

By default Todoist opens on the Tasks list for Today. We aren’t overly thrilled with that and would prefer it opened to the main menu area so that users can choose which project or timeframe they’d like to view.

Labels

Just about any decent organization or productivity app these days has to employ a tag/label system. They are a phenomenal way of tracking and organizing items. To that end, Todoist has incorporated labels which again separate tasks for more precise viewing.

I admit, labels and tags are something I employ on a regular basis no matter which app or program I’m using. They are crucial in remembering tasks. Todoist labels work exactly as expected and offer color coding to further enhance the feature.

There is one drawback to the labels feature. It’s a premium feature. While labels are important, we’d like to see them as a standard feature as is the case with other productivity type apps.

Other Features

Tasks can be filtered down by using queries which Todoist applies via short phrases and partial words to lessen the amount of typing. Examples include “tom”, short for tomorrow or “4 days”, to highlight tasks due in the next 4 days or “od”, short for overdue as well as many other queries.

Email reminders are not specifically tied in with the Android app, but can be accessed through the Todoist web app. It’s not a deal breaker feature for the mobile app, but the email reminder feature is something that would enhance Todoist and could be a nice trade-off premium feature to get labels put in the standard version.

Interface

At first the interface came across as bland and barren, but after some time working with it began to feel comfortable and simplistic (in a good way). Navigating between tasks, projects, labels and filters in Todoist is easy with task view cleanly displayed with labels and project colors.

On a tablet the app is appealing and equally appealing on smaller smartphone screens.

Todoist is fast and responsive. Todoist syncs as well if not better than any other app we’ve tested. Swipe works smoothly yet Todoist caters to all users by utilizing tap between screens as well.

Conclusion

Admittedly, I’m a productivity app junkie. Organization, productivity and downright useful apps get my attention. Todoist fits a hole that is otherwise missing from simple note-taking apps and expands on middle of the road task filing apps. The combination of task recording, scheduling and project/label organization puts Todoist in a class with other top productivity apps.

Downsides include typically standard features such as labels packaged in a premium version and the rather odd position of ‘Add Project’/’Add Label’ buttons in comparison to other Todoist buttons.

Overall, Todoist functions exceptionally well, is ultra fast, optimized for all screen sizes and provides a need in the app market. As a free standalone app, Todoist is definitely worth the download and we highly recommend it. The premium version, at $29/year, is worth the cost if you intend to use Todoist as your primary source for task management.

Special GeekITDown reader discount (valid through 1/10/13): 50% off Todoist Premium

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Part of that entertainment involves games. In fact, a large part of smartphone and tablet use can be pointed towards gaming. Whether you’ve got a new Android device or are an existing user, here are 3 titles to keep you having fun and entertained.

Beach Buggy Blitz

Beach Buggy Blitz is a lighthearted yet intense racing game with endless courses and a ton of upgrades and achievements. You’re the driver of a number of different beach vehicles with a single mission – drive as long and as fast as you can, picking up coins along the way to use for upgrades and power-ups.

Optimized for Tegra 3 devices, owners of the Nexus 7 or various ASUS tablets, etc. will experience lens splash, real-time shadowing and other great effects generated with heavy in game physics. Though even without a Tegra 3 device, Beach Buggy Blitz is the ultimate in fun racing and you can pick it up free from the Google Play store.

Jetpack Joyride

One of 2012’s best Android games, Jetpack Joyride delivers action packed missions with upgraded jetpacks, obstacles, leaderboards and a host of other features. You’re task is to guide your jetpacker through a series of missions, avoiding obstacles, taking out the baddies and collecting coins.

Jetpack Joyride offers hours upon hours of gameplay time and lets you relive the days of arcade game fun. You can pick up Jetpack Joyride free in the Google Play store.

Quell Reflect

In mid 2012 we recommended Quell. Quell Reflect is simply the next incarnation with additional puzzles and brain teasing obstacles to put your mind to work. The object is to guide your bubble through a blocked out frame to reach tokens placed throughout the frame. In your way are bubble bursters, movable blocks, bubble transporters and other items.

Quell Reflect is a brain stretching puzzle game that is a ton of fun and genuinely increases in difficulty to push your problem solving limits. Quell Reflect is .99¢ in the Google Play store.

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Apps like Pinterest and Evernote are no doubt in use by many current Android users. Those with new Android devices, perhaps given as gifts this holiday, might benefit from looking through apps such as Pocket and Pixlr Express.

11 of the 12 are free so they’re definitely worth a look. With a market stuffed full of apps and is ever expanding, this list offers a nice way to quickly grab some apps to fit those niches you didn’t know you had.

You can view the entire list by following the link below. Have a favorite of your own? Let other readers know in the comments!

Google Play Best Apps of 2012

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OpenTable

OpenTable is an app used to make free reservations at restaurants. This app is perfect for finding special holiday dining locations and booking a table without ever calling the restaurant. Features like search, map/gps, menu listing, reviews and reservations make OpenTable a must have not just during the holidays but for those who regularly dine out. Search can be refined by cuisine, price and reservation time to make choosing an establishment easier. Each OpenTable listing displays a star rating with price point so diners know what to expect in the way of service and meal cost.

With over 20,000 restaurants in the OpenTable database, there is no doubt users can find a holiday dining spot and take advantage of this app’s offerings.

Download OpenTable for Android
Download OpenTable for iOS
Download OpenTable for Windows Mobile

TripIt

Going away for the holidays? Well it is the most traveled time of the year so it’s no suprise travel apps have made their way into the mobile game. TripIt is probably one of the most popular travel apps on the markets, but we feel it’s a good idea to remind folks before they head out on their travels.

With TripIt, gathering trip information is a breeze by importing data from outside sources. For example, users can email their flight information to TripIt to add it to their itinerary automatically. TripIt stores travel plans along with schedules, stops and itinerary. Users can even add guests to their information so they can keep track of their group and share the information through social networks, email and links. Users can also add travel notes and photos to their TripIt itinerary. TripIt is robust so there are a lot of features to utilize. During the holidays, TripIt can be an invaluable app for those who plan to travel.

Download TripIt for Android
Download TripIt for iOS
Download TripIt for Windows Mobile

Popcornflix

Heard of Netflix? Rhetorical question, but the point is that like Netflix – Popcornflix delivers popular movies and videos through your iOS mobile device or the Roku streaming media player. In our usage of Popcornflix, we found the library to be adequate, though much larger than expected. The interface is very satisfying with bold, appropriately sized graphics, a menu that is easy to navigate and video playback that was smooth and clear.

As the holidays are now upon us, many would like to relax with a good movie and enjoy some time away from the crowds. Popcornflix is definitely an excellent way to escape the holiday stress and with free movies, you can’t beat it! We had the opportunity to pick the brain of Screen Media Ventures, LLC Senio V.P., Gary Delfiner and asked him about the future of Popcornflix. Gary told us,[blockquote align=”center” style=”style1″]”Popcornflix is among the fastest growing free movies streaming apps worldwide. We are currently in the top 5 most popular on Roku, Top 10 under most movies searches on IOS, and about to deploy several connected TV platforms. We expect our viewership to double by the end of the first quarter of 2013.”[/blockquote] Popcornflix is a free iOS app with plans to deliver an Android and Windows mobile app in the future.

Download Popcornflix for iOS

Christmas HD ($1.99)

If you’re looking for a fantastic Christmas live wallpaper, then look no further. Christmas HD has just about everything you could ask for from a cozy holiday home scene. This live wallpaper draws immediate focus to the roaring fireplace flames and animated illuminations of the tree lights, but has so much more.

Features include:

[list style=”square” color=”green”]

• Customization of tree lights, garland, presents and ornaments.
• Fireplace fire intesity.
• Fireplace customization with lights.
• Poinsettias option.
• Customization of stockings.
• Storybook display option.
• Countdown calendar.
• Customizable photo frame to depict your own gallery photos.
• Snow intensity setting.
• Custom Santa note with cookies.
• ..and many more customizations.

Christmas HD delivers many of the little things that make it special such as tap on ornaments to jiggle them, steam rising from a cup of hot cocoa, frost on the windows and that personalized feeling you get when adding one of your own photos to the mantle photo frame.

As a live wallpaper, this app is wonderful. The high quality graphics and animations are eye-catching, the transitions from screen to screen are smooth and the customization and continuous animations make this app well worth the $1.99 price tag.

Download Christmas HD for Android

Snowfall free live Wallpaper

If you like winter, but don’t want all the holiday bells and whistles that go along with it for your live wallpaper, there is Snowfall free Live Wallpaper. This live wallpaper is simple but pleasing. The continuous snow fall is extremely soothing and is an excellent way to decorate your mobile device for the season. The live wallpaper depicts evergreen trees across a field covered in snow. The weather forecast for this app is snow and lots of it, as it displays an ongoing snowfall.

Snowfall does offer a premium version of the app which provides access to settings that can adjust things like the amount of snow falling.

Download Snowfall free Live Wallpaper for Android

Touchnote

Sent out those Christmas cards yet? Still searching for that one address that every year seems to elude you? Ugh, the process can be exasperating! In steps Touchnote to answer your prayers. Touchnote is a greeting card sending app that uses your own photos to help you create cards and then send them to your recipients.

Touchnote cards are inexpensive at an average of .99¢ per card, holiday cards are slightly more. You design the cards through the Touchnote app, determine the greeting and card to use, then Touchnote gathers your recipients from contacts or requests addresses from Facebook friends on your behalf. Photos can be chosen from Facebook or your phone camera.

Touchnote is an excellent way to get out your holiday greetings without a lot of hassle and the simplified process means you don’t worry about stamps, address hunting and card selection.

Download Touchnote for Android
Download Touchnote for iOS

AnyList

Grocery shopping is a chore and at the holidays it can be even more taxxing. AnyList is an app that attempts to alleviate some of the headaches associated with remembering the grocery store list. Available for iOS only, AnyList stores grocery lists as well as specific dishes with ingredients so that users don’t forget that one oddball item from the recipe. Images help to pretty up the app and the ability to share the list with others means shopping is a cooperative event.

During the holiday rush to bake and cook meals, AnyList is an awesome way to get the family to help with shopping and ensure you don’t forget anything.

Download AnyList for iOS

Out of Milk

Are you in charge of cooking this season? Well Out of Milk can help get you set for the holiday blitz in the kitchen. Think of Out of Milk as your pantry away from home with the added benefit of being a shopping and to-do list. With Out of Milk users can catalog their pantry to keep them informed about what ingredients they have and don’t have. How many times have you wondered whether or not you have a spice at home, but purchase it anyway because you can’t remember? With Out of Milk you won’t have to remember.

Beyond the wonderful Pantry feature, Out of Milk is a list manager as well. Shopping lists grow quickly and remembering all those items can be frustrating, especially during the holidays when there are more items to remember. Out of Milk not only gives users a platform for creating a list, but offers features to list a description of the item, quantity needed, price, coupon availability, tax-free, notes and category for the item.

Out of Milk even has a built-in barcode scanner feature to easily add items to your list and Pantry. Sign-up for a free account to share and sync lists across devices. For holiday cooking planning, Out of Milk is the go-to app.

Download Out of Milk for Android
Download Out of Milk for iOS – Coming soon!

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The post 2012 Holiday App Roundup first appeared on GeekITDown Computer Services & Technology Solutions.

Some folks have a natural urge to workout and train their bodies. Some even naturally stay fit. However, those individuals are not the norm. Most need some sort of encouragement or motivation to exercise and even more to stay on a regular regiment. Multi reps is a mobile app for creating a fitness regiment while keeping the time necessary for workout to a minimum.

Multi reps covers 6 types of exercises which include push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, dips (squats), pull-ups, and weight training. Each exercise is started by creating a program to develop and increase your output. Programs are designed by inputing information about current endurance and goals. The automatic program generator then creates a program based on the parameters. Those who want to regulate their improvement more directly can manually create a program.

Programs run through a series for each exercise which is specially designed to increase output while maintaining overall ability to complete the regiment. Although the app doesn’t pressure users into working out, there is a timer set for each set in the regiment in order to encourage users to finish the program.

The app itself is easy on the eyes. There aren’t a lot of fancy colors or graphics, but the visual aspects are more than adequate for this type of app. During both routines and setup, the app worked as expected and there were no usage issues to speak of. Multi Reps is available for .99¢ from the Android Market, Amazon AppStore and iTunes App Store.

Download Multi Reps for Android

Download Multi Reps for iOS

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If you’re looking for a fun, challenging and at times hysterical game, then Touch Racing Nitro is exactly what you need. Touch Racing Nitro is a car racing game that uses your fingers to guide the vehicles around race tracks.

Racing games are quite popular on the mobile market and continue to grow. Games like Drag Racing, which we’ve recommended in that past, have continuously remained atop the most downloaded apps on the Android Market. Unlike that point A to point B racing style, Touch Racing Nitro takes vehicles on a multi-lap trek around various courses with obstacles, competition, nitro blasts and racetrack twists.

Players control their vehicle by sliding their finger(s) around the screen to guide their car through courses. Finger position determines the speed and direction of the vehicle, although a steady hand is necessary to complete courses successfully. There are a number of different tracks, multiple cars and some very challenging obstacles to overcome within the races.

Touch Racing Nitro is the perfect game for anyone who wants to have fun, but still have a bit of challenge in the competition. When players first start out, they’ll notice the controls take some time to learn and master. As a result cars go flying, crashing and bumping into just about everything on the course creating an hilarious spectacle that is sure to amuse.

The graphics are good and more than acceptable for the smaller screen size of smartphones. We didn’t experience any lag in gameplay and the focus stays true throughout the races. Moving a finger around the screen can be a bit cumbersome at first, but after some game play was a non-issue. Touch Racing Nitro is stable, however we did experience a complete game crash after extended usage. There were no ill effects to the phones themselves. File size is a bit high at just over 18.5MB, but if you have the space it’s worth the megabytes. Touch Racing Nitro is available for Android devices for under $2 via Android Market or through the Amazon Appstore. Touch Racing (non-Nitro) available for iOS devices for free.

Download Touch Racing Nitro for Android

Download Touch Racing for iOS

Find other great apps in the App Roundup.

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The post Touch Racing Nitro: Surefire Fun And Laughs first appeared on GeekITDown Computer Services & Technology Solutions.

Today we’re looking at 3D Mini Golf Challenge from Digital Chocolate Inc. With so many games on mobile app markets it’s hard to determine which are worth the time and which are duds. 3D Mini Golf is a fun challenging game that embraces the smaller portability of mobile devices.

Challenges

3D Mini Golf presents players with several types of challenges across altering hole layouts. Each challenge utilizes a variety of holes and obstacles all coordinated around a course theme. Par challenge, time competition and versus are a few of the challenges available for play. As players progress through each course and master the holes, new courses and challenges are unlocked. In total there are six courses with a combined 29 challenges.

Players

Competition is limited to in-game competition, whether it be solo or against the AI, which means no online challenges at the moment. There is very limited choice on character with either male or female and no customizations. Players putt by dragging their finger back away from the ball and releasing after it’s properly aligned. Players achieve trophies as they unlock courses and are viewable through a Trophies menu.

Graphics

Visually, 3D Mini Golf is well above average. The animation is colorful, pleasant and consistent with zero choppiness. The game mimics what you’d expect from mini golf, a relaxing, fun, time-killer with race against the clock holes and pitfalls for those who like a challenge.

Storage & Stability

The app itself takes roughly 1MB of space and is transferable to SD cards. The app ran stable for the most part with one freeze after extended play. 3D Mini Golf Challenge is available on the Amazon Appstore for $1.99.

Download 3D Mini Golf Challenge from Amazon Appstore

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