Kicking off this week’s must-have apps roundup is an incredible word processor called UX Write, which makes working with large, complex documents on the go a breeze. You’ll also find Simpsons Comics, the latest app from comiXology that brings Bongo’s Simpsons library to iOS; a wonderful app from NASA that allows you to get up close and personal with the spacecraft used to explore our solar system, and more.
UX Write — Universal ($14.99)
UX Write is a terrific word processor for the iPad that’s “designed for working with large, complex documents such as reports, research papers, theses, technical documentation, and books.” It has support for styles so that you can separate content from presentation and create incredible documents; an outline editor that allows you to quickly and easily navigate and rearrange the sections of your piece; automatic numbering for cross reference for all headings, figures, and tables; PDF export, and lots more.
But UX Write also boasts a special feature that makes text editing super snappy. Its extended keyboard has dedicated keys not only for punctuation and formatting, but also for some really nifty swipe gestures that make cursor movement and text selection a breeze — very similar to SlideWriter for the iPad, which I wrote about a few weeks ago.
It’s not the cheapest word processor there is on iOS, but if you’re dealing with complex documents on the go, then UX Write is the best solution there is.
Simpsons Comics — Universal (Free)
Bongo Comics Group has teamed up with comiXology to bring you the official Simpsons Comics catalog to your iOS devices. The app brings you digital versions of Bongo’s latest Simpsons issues, in addition to a selection of classics from nearly twenty years of hilarious Simpsons comics. Each one is just $1.99.
Spacecraft 3D — Universal (Free)
Spacecraft 3D from NASA aims to teach you all about the spacecraft that are used to explore our solar system. It uses augmented reality to present each machine right in front of you, so that you can get up close and personal to see how they move, and learn how they work. The app currently features animation for two missions — the Curiosity, a robot that will be used to explore Mars next month, and the GRAIL, a “washing machine-sized satellite” that orbits the Moon.
To use the app, you’ll need to print off a special marker (available within the app) that you then place on the ground. Spacecraft 3D then uses augmented reality to turn that market into one of the spacecraft mentioned above, and this is where the magic really happens. You can walk around each spacecraft as if they were parked up in your living room, inspecting each one from all angles, and seeing exactly how they function when they’re in space. The closer you get, the more detailed they become.
Transmission RPC — Universal ($1.99)
I wrote about Transmission RPC, a BitTorrent remote for iOS, last week, and I had expected it to be pulled by now. But it’s still in the App Store, and it’s already received its first update, so I’m advising you again to get it while you can. It’s not a fully-fledged BitTorrent client, but Transmission RPC allows you to remotely manage all of the torrent files you’re downloading in Transmission on your Mac.
It’s super useful; when you’re out and about, it allows you to begin downloads that will be ready for you by the time you get home. It can also be used to pause downloads, check the status of each of your downloads, delete torrents from the Transmission server, and more. Essentially, then, it’s no different to the Transmission web client, which can be accessed via mobile Safari on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. But if you prefer a native experience, then Transmission RPC can help.
Next Issue — iPad (Free)
Next Issue has been described as a Netflix for magazines. For just $10 a month (with a 30-day free trial), it provides you with unlimited access to a catalog of magazines from the likes of Esquire, Fortune, GQ, People, Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, The New Yorker, TIME, Wired, and lots, lots more. Every issue has been optimized for tablets to provide a unique experience that includes videos, bonus photography, and other interactive features.
$10 a month gives you unlimited access to all monthly and bi-weekly magazines. For $15 a month, you get all that, plus unlimited access to tabloids and weeklies, too.
What’s Your Favorite?
So that concludes our list of this week’s must-have iOS apps. If you’ve picked up something that you think we should have included, be sure to let us know about it in the comments.
