Consumers have been lining up worldwide to buy Apple's new iPhones, even braving a typhoon in Japan. The new phones are also running on new software, the iOS 7 operating system. If you are among the nine million people who bought a new iPhone 5S or 5C during the first weekend of sales, or have just updated your old device's software, you will want to try some new apps that make the most of the new capabilities.
One of the best tests for the new iPhones is the graphically intensive game Infinity Blade III. It's a 3D fantasy-battle game in which you fight your way through a mystical world, slashing with a sword controlled by finger swipes.
The game is exciting, and the graphics are its most impressive feature. They are highly detailed and are about the same quality as graphics on a gaming PC a few years ago. Infinity Blade III's battles are a little repetitive, but the game is remarkable enough to warrant its $7 price.
Testing the new phones' camera is also a must. But no matter how good the camera is, there's always room for improvement. For editing photos or adding special effects like filters, try Aviary's Photo Editor app. This app is one of my favourites for photo-tweaking thanks to its straight-forward interface and powerful effects, like blurring of images or adjusting their contrast.
The app's interface has been improved to align with iOS 7's clean, simple look. A few improvements have made it easier to use, like putting the special filters, photo frames and customizable stickers in one location — the new "Supply Shop." Best of all, the app is free, although many effects add-ons are not.
It's around $2 for a pack of filters.A different but cool photo-effects app is TiltShiftGen 2, which adds a special distortion to a photograph so it looks like an image of a miniature or model, instead of a photo of the real world. The app looks great on iOS 7, and the controls are all simple, with intuitive gestures.