Feb. 02--iWatermark+
(free and $3.99 for iOS and Android)
What it is: An app that lets you create custom watermarks or tags to protect your copyright to photos and videos you shoot. This new version of Plum Amazing's popular iWatermark app takes advantage of updates to iOS. Although the Android app works well, I prefer the layout in the iOS version. Free and paid versions are identical, except that the freebie adds a small iWatermark tag to your photos and videos.
How it works: After launching the app, you design or choose watermarks. You can create nine kinds of watermarks including two invisible ones, a Metadata and a StegoMark that can include a password. Options include embossing, framing and adding your signature or the signatures of John Hancock, Da Vinci and the like.
Why it's great: Even amateur photographers should declare ownership when they capture an iconic image. Once watermarked, if a vacation photo or video happens to go viral on social media, the compliments and compensation can flow to you. The iWatermark+ app lets you mark photos individually or in a batch. Sizing, color, opacity, fonts and position are easily adjusted.
Blek
($2.99 for iOS or Android)
What it is: An app that turns doodling into a game with the premise of capturing colored circles and avoiding black holes. It's a fun way to kill time at the airport.
How it works: Like most games, it starts out easy and grows more complex as you reach higher levels. The goal is to draw a line that gathers colored circles as it swirls around without falling into a black hole, which isn't easy.
Why it's great: The game board resembles modern art and makes the most of your touch screen. Until I played Blek, it never occurred to me to doodle on my touch screen with my finger. And as much as I enjoy winning and advancing to the next level, the goofy sounds made by the black holes when I fail make losing fun.
Chimani Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(free for iOS and Android)
What it is: An app to plan and enjoy a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 100 scenic photos are onboard, along with details about viewpoints, birds and all kinds of trails.
How it works: From the landing page, you can scroll through all topics, including the downloadable map, points of interest and the National Parks' Zero Landfill goal.
Why it's great: This app is one of Chimani's best national parks apps because it's loaded with content for a variety of appetites, whether your passion is bicycling, fishing, hiking, seeing wildlife or car touring. The downloadable map uses your smartphone's GPS to guide you when no Internet connection is available. The Augmented Reality Viewport works inside the park by using your phone's camera to identify points of interest. In-app links and phone numbers help you do a variety of things, from reserving a campsite to booking a horseback ride. Chimani has anticipated almost every question with info about safety, ranger events, campsites and sunrise and sunset times.
Terry Gardner is a freelance reporter.
