The oddest apps

Techies love to say that there is an app for everything, and these days they mean exactly that. Aside from browsers and photo filters and games, you now have apps that can go beyond the digital and change your life. Or claim to anyway.

Want to get rid of mosquitoes? There’s an app for that. Want to look better? Ditto. Do they work? Well. Some are obvious fakes, such as the solar charging apps that everyone was sharing on Twitter a few months ago.

Some of the apps did seem to be legit though, and looking at the user comments for the apps in the Play Market and on the App Store, there was positive feedback.

Now, you obviously don’t want to waste your money on these things. But you’re probably curious about whether they’re the real thing, right? We put their claims to the test over a week, and this is what we found:

Anti Mosquito—sonic repeller

If you are fed up of donating blood unwillingly to the mosquito hordes that descend when night falls, you might consider trying out this app. It claims to emit a sound at a pitch that would be barely detected by humans, but would literally drive mosquitoes away. And just to show that it means business, the app comes with the option of different repelling sounds for mosquitoes in different regions of the world.

Does it work? Our experiences of it were mixed. At times, the mosquitoes did seem to move away, but at other times they seemed unaffected.

Price: Free

Available from: iTunes App Store and Google Play

Hair Growth 1.0

If you are feeling short on top, fear not. All you need to do is download this app, run it and then hold your phone on top of your head. If the developers are to be believed, the app uses “a very specific 3 color and sound formula to help cleanse, oxygenate, and nurture the scalp, and finally repair the hair follicle”. We sniggered at the idea but a few people liked the notion and have even shelled out the $1.99 (around Rs110) needed to get the app.

Does it work? We used it for a while, and regrettably found no extra work for our combs. That said, some people believe it actually works.

Price: $2

Available from: www.pcworld.com/appguide/app.html?id=504133&expand=false

Alura Cognitive Therapy Full

This app claims to go the whole hog when it comes to personality development, saying it will help you achieve your true life potential. Different soundtracks played at different frequencies suited for specific circumstances (guided sleeping, awakening, healing, etc.) help you feel better and achieve mental peace. It even comes with “subliminal texts” that you can repeat to help “empower your life” and lets you send out blessings to those you know. Top these off with special brainwaves that improve your day-to-day life and you have a pretty potent package for a bargain price of Rs279. User reviews have been mixed, but there are those who believe it works.

Does it work? This one certainly sounds like it would help people who are willing to believe in it—cynical selves like us were less affected.

Price: Rs279.20

Available from: Google Play

Lose Weight with Andrew Johnson

Weight got you down? All you need to do is download this app, slap on your headphones and hear Dr Johnson, a clinical hypnotherapist from Scotland, speak to you and attempt to transform the way you thinkn about food and weight loss. You are told about visualizing losing weight and about bad food habits. The doctor sounds convincing and very relaxing, so much so that we fell asleep even before he started talking about weight.

Does it work? Sadly, no weight loss was recorded. But if you’re looking for an app to help you sleep, we can definitely recommend this one!

Price: Rs166.96 (Android Market)/$2.99 (on iTunes)

Available from: Google Play, iTunes App Store

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