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Here is the review of Sefer Tehilim (Book of Psalms) Apps. Woe to Android users who want to actually use a Tehillim app for regular recital! While there are many to choose from, none currently stand out as really acceptable. Most have issues displaying nekudot (vowels) and/or dageshim (dots in the middle of certain letters), while some are based on poor-quality scans, and others on higher-quality scans. Nonethless, we reviewed the apps that follow. Some are well-designed and suffer only from the nekudos issue, which is a major issue if one actually plans to recite. If one just wants sefer Tehllim for reference purposes, there are many good apps here.

We have now added the app from ZigZag, which appears first below(Tehillim (Psalms) which is the only Tehillim app with clear text and nekudos (vowels).  Please see the review. (Added 9/3/12)

                                                                                                     

Tehillim (Psalms) (v. 1.1.2) by ZigZag, Inc.

Type: Application
Cost: $0.99
Overview: This app is close to winning our Top Pick.  Perfectly clear text-based Sefer Tehillim with nekudot is the only app here that won't have you pulling out your hair after an extended (or attempt at an extended) read.

+Perfectly clear text and vowels
+Includes the yehi ratzons (the prayers before and after Tehillim reading)
+Text size adjustments
+Easy to jump right to whichever chapter you want
+Tested with ICS (Android 4.0)
-Jumping to next perek (chapter) requires either going back to main screen or two keypresses (menu access and then menu selection) (kind of clunky).
-No built-in divisions of the sefer (i.e. no by day of month, day of week, or which of the five Books of Psalms)

Recommendations: Add the above features and add a bookmarking feature, or just remember where one left off, and this will be the best Tehillim app out there without any competition.  Currently, it works well enough for a daily Tehillim reader if one knows where each day begins and ends by heart. Also, a silent mode option would be a good idea (common among siddur apps).

                                   


The Easy Tehilim (v. 1.7) by Karri Apps

Type: Application
Cost: $0.99
Overview:
Formerly, the most worthwhile Tehillim app here. Text-based, adjustable fonts and sizes. Allows you to choose which day of the week/month you are saying, but has default for today. Starts up with choice of Hebrew or English. Silent mode options, screen left on option, and many other well-thought-out features. Nekudot (vowels) are very close to on-target.

+Author is receptive to recommendations and already made some changes based on this upcoming review
+Includes all the yehi ratzons and they are implemented in a very integrated fashion
+Option to turn on trop/te'amim (cantillation)
-Dageishim slightly off in all fonts and font sizes, to varying degrees -- annoying for extended reads.

Recommendation: Would like to remember exactly where one left off.
                                   

Tehillim Ohel Yosef Yitzchak (V 2.3) by Avraham Makovetsky

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
Well designed app marred by scans that can be hard to read at times.

+Many nice features including silent and airplane mode operations.
+Touch zooms
-Relatively poor quality scans make it hard to use for recital

                                   

Tehillim Project (v 1.1) by tehilim dude

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
Text-based app with nice white-on-black display.


+Arguably the best-quality looking text-based display here, when taking into account vowels and dageishim.
-All of the menus are in Hebrew, with no English option.
-Some nekudos missing in some places.
-In most places, the pasuk marker is as large as the text and therefore makes serious reading confusing.
-Reading by the seven-day-of-week cycle is setup incorrectly.
-If one leaves one perek and goes on to the next, they have to scroll up to get to the beginning of that perek.
-Author unresponsive via e-mail.

                                   



Psalms - Tehilim (v 1.0) by YourApps


Type: Application
Cost: Free    
Overview:
All of the Hebrew comes out backwards on our test handset. Perhaps requires unit to be in Hebrew mode for default language to correct this problem. Other American users report this problem. Otherwise, it's a simple app that allows one to either scroll through all 150 perakim or choose a perek by number. Entire app in Hebrew. Currently of no value for probably anyone with English as their phone's language.

                                   



Tehilim (v 6.0) by Moy Amiga

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
Simple scan-based app allows you to scroll through all perakim by number. Shows clear scans of each perek independently. Does not allow one to automatically move to next perek.
+Cute touches of Igeres HaRamban and Tefilas Haderech, Tefilas HaShla'H.
+May work well on tablets
-To use this practically, one must hold the unit in landscape mode.
-Missing yehi ratzon from before and after reading Tehillim.
-On our test unit, requires SD card to function

                                                                       

tehilim4u-2 (v.1.1) by eran322

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
App is all in Hebrew. Contains many unique features but the actual text of the pasukim comes out backwards on our device.




                                   

iSiddur Jewish Siddur Lite (v. 1.2) and Jewish Siddur Pocket iSiddur by iTechDefelopers.info

Type: Application
Cost: Free (Lite) and $0.99 (Jewish...)
Overview:
This app is more than Tehillim but a full siddur in multiple nusachim as well. Tehillim app subsection almost featureless but does have unique English translation for the Hebrew on a chapter-by-chapter basis

+Good for reference purposes
+Pretty interface
-Dealbreaker: nekudas not aligned well. Cannot read functionally.
-"Tefillin Mirror" uses back facing camera?
Ad-supported (Lite) with nags or regular available.

                                   

תהילים עבור חולה

(version 1.4) by Israel Noked

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
Application contains specific perakim for choleh. Nukudos not aligned properly.

+Has easy font size change adjustment
-Limited over-all use as only contains perakim for choleh

                                                                      
OKtm Tehillim (v.2.1.0.4) by OKtm Websites

Type: Application
Cost: $3.99
Overview:
Text-based Tehillim app with few features and non-aligned nekudos. Default Hebrew menus -- can switch to English.

+Has bookmark feature (but not down to pasuk).
+Does allow one to remove nekudot if they desire.
+Has clear text
-Limited: Either must scroll through all chapters one by one or choose day of month or day of week options.
-Cannot change the day of the week off of the current day (In other words, you can't catch up).
nekudos are not aligned -- even on the app screenshots.
-Quite misaligned nekudos

For the zmanim and Luach Applications and Widgets review, we chose mostly apps that focus on giving that day's zmanim and perhaps a calendar feature.

Our methodology: We looked at how easily these applications were "location-aware" (if at all) and how accurate their zmanim were. The benchmark used for comparing zmanim was http://myzmanim.com with all the zmanim displayed for comparison. Each app is rated form 0 to 10 in accuracy, with 10 out of 10 being +-1 minute on almost all zmanim being calculated when compared to myznanim.com and 0 being numbers so far off as to be useless.

Note: Those looking for more than what time Shabbos (Shabbat) starts should not bother looking past the first four of the following entries. Our favorite is first:
                                                                                                  

Zmanim (version 3.4.114.367) by Jay Gindin

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview:
Simple, location-aware, elegant no-nonsense design. Displays all the necessary zmanim and who's shita is followed.

+Touch upon a particular zman and you'll see a number of shitas and interpretations with the corresponding time right next to each shita. Touch again and make that the default shita for that zman
+Can automatically take elevation into account when calculating zmainm
+Allows minute rounding or second-specific zmanim.
+Always checks to make sure that the location is updated when program is started, alleviating errors.
- Missing ability to jump to future date. Must swipe and scroll through future and past dates.

Recommendations: Would be nice to be able to constantly show two zmanim for key events such as sof zman shema, tefila, and tzait Hacochavim without requiring any additional keypresses.

Utility: All in all, it's the best all-round zmanim app here.

                                                                              
Hebrew Calendar Widget (version 3.4)
by Guy Tavor

Type: Widget
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview: 
Has two Widget options (1x1 and 1x2) to show current Hebrew date (and parsha an description of day on larger widget). While it works only in Widget mode, it puts an unnecessary (and useless) icon in your Apps folder. Larger Widget shows day of Omer but in English mode can all but disappear depending on your wallpaper.
+Allows for English or Hebrew display and custom candle-lighting time.
+Daily Zmanim include daf Yomi and Both Magen Avraham and Gra for important zmanim.
+Touch shows upcoming holidays.
+Allows you to scroll through future and past
-Unnecessary scrolling on my screen to see all of today's times
-Touch repeats information already found on the widget and requires a second press for settings or to show the zmanim for that day.
-Order of today's times is messed up (for instance, Sof zman tefilla shows after sunset) even though the times are all correct

Recommendations: Would like to see touch bring up the zmanim and an options button be used for the settings to make program more efficient and practical.

                                    

                                     

HebrewCal (version 1.0) by Vario Mobile Ltd.

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview: This application can show you today's zmanim and allows you to jump to any day. While location aware, it defaults to Jerusalem.
+Has unique and very cool date conversion feature that easily allows you to convert any Gregorian date to the Hebrew date or vice-versa
+Allows easy date selection
-Requires manual intervention to setup location
-Uses some arguably non-standard shitos for some zmanim and does not allow any changes
-After restarting app, can forget

Utility: Worth having for the date conversion feature alone. If they fix up the fact that you have to reselect your city so often, it would be a great all-around app.

ZmanMinder Widget (v.1.4.0) and ZmanMinder Pro (v.2.3.0) by Jake Colman

Type: Widget
Cost: Free (Widget) and $.99 (Pro)
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview:
These are an interesting and unique set of zman applications. The program installs as a widget. The free version puts a 1x2 widget on your home screen showing you the (location aware) time for Shkia (sunset) for today. During the day it is green. Within 30 minutes of sunset it turns yellow and an alarm sounds and at shkia it turns red, sounds an alarm and stays red the rest of the evening. A single touch on the widget opens up a nicely selected accurate set of zmanim. Pro version allows the ability to control widget size down to 1x1 and select zmanim besides shkia and even add custom alarms, etc.

+Unique notification feature
+Simple tap to get list of zmanim
+Pro Version is a worthy upgrade: Includes ability to set notifications or simply display any zman of your choice right on the home screen; Adds quick date selection by tapping English date, and shows Daf Yomi, etc.
-Even with the auto-location update set to 1 hour, can still show stale zmanim from where you traveled during the day. (Must pay attention to city name at top and possibly manually refresh.)
- Free version has no flexibility for which zman is displayed on home screen (Shkia only)

[Updated PM 4/16/12]
                                                                            

Tefila Times + Widget (2.96) & Tefila Times No Ads (v.1.53) by Beno Bro

Type: Widget
Cost: Free with Air Push Ads or $2.13 for No Ads version
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview:
This location aware Widget is apparently geared towards those living in the land of Israel. Available for display in English or Hebrew. Shows parsha for next Shabbat.

+Good explanation of each zman when touched
-No flexibility as to which zman is displayed.
-Air Push ads show up in the drop-down notifications on phone, besides for ads in the app itself, an $2.13 is more than the others are charging for full versions.
-Next Shabbat shows wrong parshiot for diaspora, yet it is aware of my location.
-Times come out reversed in Hebrew mode
                                                                            

Zmanim Clock v1.02 by David Ashkenazi

Application and Review Updated 04/17/12
Type Widget
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy 10 of 10
Overview:
This is a very unique zmanim application. After installing the (large 2x3) Widget on your home screen, you are faced with two clocks. The left clock shows analog and digital military time. The right clock shows the time in "Sha'ot Zmaniot." Status screen shows sunrise and sunset for today.

+Unique feature good for those who know or are learning the halachot of zmanim. For instance, if one knows that sof zman kriat shema is at the third hour of the day or "9:00 am" on a perfect day (sunrise and sunset 6:00 am and 6:00 pm respectively) then all they have to do is look at the clock on the right and if it's past 9:00, it's after sof zman kriat shema.
-Original version took long time to update with my location.
-[Cosmetic] Status screen background does not fill my screen
Utility: Conversation piece and of practical use for those that know the halachot of zmanim well

Thanks to the author for working with us to make the program more practical.
                                                                           

Shabbat Shalom (Version 1.3.7) by RustyBrick

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy: 9 of 10
Overview:
This location aware Application shows the upcoming parsha, candle lighting time, havdalah times (set to your specifications).

+Does everything it says it does, and does it well

Utility: Of limited practical use for those who need full halachic zmanim

                                                                            

Shabbat Shalom (Version 1.1) by Plaza Jewish Community Chapel(On unit known as: Shabbat Times or Shabbat Candle Lighting Times)Type: Application

Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy 10 of 10
Overview:
This application requires that you enter a zipcode and how many minutes you want havadala (past sundown) upon every startup..Then shows you the candle lighting and havdalah times.

-Annoying that it forgets your location every time you exit the application and it's not location aware

Utility: Of very limited usefulness

                                    

Shabbat (Version 1.0) by Rus Wizards LLC

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Zman Accuracy: 10 of 10
Overview:
This application is apparently running nearly the same code as Shabbat Shalom above, though with a less classy interface.

-Annoying that it forgets your location every time you exit the application and it's not location aware
-Defaults to 2 minutes after sunset for havdalah!(?)

Utility: Of very limited usefulness

  
                                                  

JTools (Version 1.0.0.3) by OKtm Websites IL

Type: Application
Cost: $1.99
Zman Accuracy: 0 of 10
Overview:
This application tries to be more than a simple zman tool. However, it's uselessly inaccurate zmanim and limited usefulness of the other tools included make it not worth the cost.

+Pretty interface includes more than just the non-working zmanim: Things such as compass, upcoming Jewish holidays, person events, etc.
-Biggest problem was that some of the zmanim had completely messed up times (such as 80:5:12 for tzait hakochavim). I couldn't make sense of that in any direction!
                                        

Hebrew calendar & widget -Lite (V. 1.0.6) and Hebrew calendar & widget (v. 1.0.5) by P.D.A.C. Technologies LTD.

Type: Application & Widget
Cost: Free 14 Day Trial (Lite) and $6.99 after that
Zman Accuracy: 0 of 10
Overview:
This application features a nice widget and full month's calendar with zmanim and easy date adjustments. Cannot get this app to show the correct zmanim for my location.

-Received Response from authors: Somehow one is supposed to go into the settings and change the minutes from the current disply for each zman +- to reach the zman in their locale. This, of course doesn't work in practicality, since they don't say where they are basing their zmanim and times can fluctuate plus or minus depending on factors including time of year and long/lat.

Utility: Cannot recommend this application until the calculation of location issue is resolved as the zmanim are useless in the current state.
[Updated PM 04/16/12]

This category only brought us two contenders. These are apps one can use to look up various birchos hane'inen (blessings to say for beneficial purposes). Let's take a look and compare:

Brochos - Jewish Blessings (version 0.9.1/second Beta) by Yossie

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This app users the brochos.com database to look up (currently) 910 different food and other items.


+Well thought-out app shows items by category or searchable alphabetical list.
+Shows the actual Hebrew text for each blessing (no nekudos/vowels), although in most cases contains a transliteration (Sefardi).
+Contains sources and sometimes further instructions and explanations for each brocha, and even links to the sefarim (books) that serve as the source.
+Great search feature, and contains some non-food items (besamim) and events (such as weather).

-As stated, this is still a work-in-progress.
-The text for some blessings (especially brochos achronos (or after-blessings) are currently links to an external website, but the author plans to incorporate internal text in the future.

GHA Brachot (version 1.03) by Sue Loubser

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This app allows one to select a food from an alphabetical list and see its blessing in both English transliteration and English translation. Optionally plays the blessing auditorily.

+Unique "say for me" feature.
+Unique custom-save allows one to input their own items and associate a particular bracha with that item.

-Does not fill our screen.
-"Say for me" feature does not play with Hashem's name pronounced, so for one who actually needs this feature, it could have limited use.
-Must scroll -- no search of alphabet based look-up.
-Limited to food and drink, and many unlisted items.
-No sources or mention of differing opinions, or of how certain food items can have different blessings if made in different ways.

Today's review is of three kosher restaurant and food establishment finders

----

Kosher Near Me by KosherNear.Me (version 1.8)

(updated 05/16/12)
Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:
This application shows a listing of local restaurants and other food establishments that are kosher based on GPS location or you entering the ZIP code. Shows phone number, address, restaurant type on main list, and upon selecting an entry shows reviews, options for interactive map, calling directly and for seeing supervision (hashgacho).

Pros: This app has a nice interface. Latest version can show local establishments directly on a map and. Click on the + for simple "Add a listing" feature. Allows you to see hashgacho in advance of calling restaurant. Excellent response when alerting author of stale entries or new entries to be added. Convenient "Add to Contacts feature" (that now works).

Cons: Many stale entries and missing new entries. Missing most restaurants in some towns. Very few reviews actually written. Includes more non-restaurant kosher establishments than the competition. "Add to contacts" feature does not work on my phone. [Author has been alerted to this problem but no fix has been forthcoming.] Strangely missing ZIP codes from entry display.

-----------------------------

Kosher Restaurants GPS by Kosher Restaurants GPS (version 1.4.25)

Type: Application
Cost: Free (Has ads in app)
Overview:
This application quickly lists local establishments upon startup. Contains instant phone link. Shows full address and restaurant type right on the list screen. Also has one-button access to map, website or phone. Holding down an entry also brings the option to e-mail about that entry or add to your contact list (and it works). Includes Discounts for some restaurants. Also has minyan and mikveh database.

Pros: Discounts at restaurants! Speedy interface fully works. Contains great filter and sorting options (e.g. Meat, Dairy; Distance, Name).

Cons: Requires (free) registration. Minyan and Mikveh database are clearly more of an afterthought -- limited to contact and location info (no hours of minyanim or hours of operation). Some stale and missing entries but better than the competition. Not many non-restaurant food establishments. No hashgacho listings. [Author says this will be addressed with a separate list, as they are afraid that hashgacho information can get out-of-date too quickly to be relied upon.]
Update 04-26-12: Author fixed previous crashing issues, now rated Top Pick
-----------------------------

Kosher Food Locator by 802Apps (version 1.0)

Type: Application
Cost: $1.99
Overview:
This paid app works by showing you a satellite map with kosher restaurant names superimposed. A click of the restaurant name should bring up Google's local info from the "Places" tab in the Google mobile browser.

Pros: Can see the Google customer reviews for each establishment after clicking.

Cons: This app does nothing more than look at Google's very limited "Places" database of kosher restaurants -- and it doesn't even show all of those! It is a complete waste of money and time to install and uninstall. Either of the two previous apps show far more locations. If one wants to read the Google reviews, just go to the google search app, hit the "Places" tab and type "kosher" in the search. To add insult to injury they are using the "OK Labs" trademarked symbol.

This is an eclectic category.  We have everything here from apps that explain various kosher laws, to kosher supervision listings, and even an app that tells you how long to wait for dairy after eating meat.  One thing they all have in common is that they have something to do with "kosher."  How much so and how reliable they are will be seen in the individual reviews below.  We hope we've saved you time and money figuring out which of these apps are worthwhile.

Enjoy!

                                                                                    

CRC Kosher Guide (v. 1.0.7) by Rocketouch, LLC

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: There was really no difficulty choosing the Top Pick for this category.  This app does more than many of the other listed here -- combined.  (And it's free.) It's a must-have for any kosher consumer with an Android device. (Even so, there are some improvements that can be made.)

+Recommended kosher symbols list shows symbols and name in one list simultaneously
+Includes detail about each organization including address, tell, and rav hamachshir (rabbi in charge) upon touch
+Search feature is comprehensive throughout application
+Includes direct links to YouTube videos by the CRC on kashering kitchens and checking lettuce for bugs
+Not in any way limited to Chicago
+Even includes a Starbucks category, which tells you which products are alright at full service vs. kiosk locations and in some cases how to order a particular product so that it's not contaminated
+Has instructions for checking various vegetables
+Has liquor list, and even an OTC medications list

-Some reliable local kosher hashgachos may be missing from recommended kosher supervision list
-Share feature only shows what's literally on that very screen, which may not include enough information about that item
-Formatting errors in text are annoying (Q and A not separated properly; Hi-ASCII text appears where there should be "quotes" or apostrophes. 
-When looking up an item that appears in more than one category, one is often referred to the main category for that item. However, there is no hyperlink, and one must manually back out and find the item again a different way
-No listing of general brand-named foods under national hasghachos

                                     

 OK Kosher Food Guide (v. 1.0) by OK Kosher

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This app allows one to look up products supervised by OK (Organized Kashrus) Labs, one of the largest kosher supervisors in the world.  You can see what kosher products that company sells and what their status is (pareve, kitniyos, pas yisroel, etc.)

+Allows one to look up any OK supervised food item by company name (through index or search)

-The links that do work from the "info" button take you to non mobile-friendly websites and even links to iOS apps instead of their Android equivalents!
-Search feature does not allow product look-up, only company or category look-up
-App limited specifically to OK supervised companies and provides no additional information of any kind. 
-Does not include OK certified establishments (such as restaurants)
-Does not fill screen on our test phone

                                     

 OU Kosher (v. 1.32) by Orthodox Union Digital Media

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This limited app does one thing and does it pretty well.  You can look up any OU certified product by company name in either the "All" or "Passover" subcategories.  It will list any supervised items and their status (dairy/pareve) and also its passover status.

+OU's "Kosher Alerts" available from app
+Newly certified feature
+Cosmetically appealing app overall

-Problems with apostrophes displayed in text as a Hi-ASCII character.
-Link to "oukosher.org" is a not a mobile-friendly site
-Kosher Alerts does not alert you unless you go and manually check.  Should have option to receive the KosherAlerts as a notification for those that desire. 
-Does not include OU certified establishments (such as restaurants)
                                     

Kosher Recipe Feed (v. 2.2) by GizmoPress

Type: Application
Cost: Free (Ad Supported)
Overview: This unique app aggregates recipes and general "food-talk" from assorted kosher blogs and websites.

Overall: Could be good in a pinch, can be somewhat impractical on small devices for regular use

                                     

MK Kosher (v. 1.0) by Jewish Community Council of Montreal

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: Contains index of products and establishments under the supervision of Montreal-based "MK Kosher"

+Useful Passover list shows which items require special passover supervision in one color-coded list

-Contrary to claims that the "MK Kosher Guide" has long been a reference for consumers across Canada and the US, the app is almost entirely focused on Montreal
-"Snap it!" feature unexplained.  A response from the organization stated that it takes a photo of  an  item so you can send it to them as an e-mail attachment.  This was tested, but doesn't allow phone's built-in focusing or other photo-features to work.
                                     

Kosher Simbols [SIC] (v. 1.0) by Vielmassociates Ltd

 

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: Kosher Simbols [SIC], is a simple app that shows a text list of just a handful (15 to be exact) of the 1500 or so kosher supervision agencies.

-Does not fill our screen
-Does not show symbols until one already knows the name of the supervising agency. 
-Offers no additional information besides the name of the Rav Hamachshir and the symbol of most (but not all) organizations in the list after a touch.
-Its stated mission is to show trustworthy hashgachos, but some key ones are missing
                                     

Kosher Spirit  (v. 1.0) by OK Kosher

 

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This is the Android app for the Kosher Spirit magazine, put out by the OK Labs, one of the largest kosher supervising agencies in the world. 

+The app is well designed for excellent magazine reading on the device
+Includes easy zoom features and nice page-turning and page jumping features

-Shows only an out-of-date issue.  This product is not kept up-to-date
-App frequently has a minor crash upon exit
                                     

OK Vegetable Checking Guide (v. 1.0) by OK Kosher


Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This app shows, in written form, how to check most vegetables for tolaim (bugs, worms and other forbidden creepy things)

+From a trusted source, the OK Labs, one of the largest kosher supervisors in the world
+Contains pictures and, in some cases, diagrams of how to check the item
-No search feature -- index only
-Does not fill screen
-Text of actual instructions is somewhat fuzzy, as if it's a scan from a book
-Does not allow for zooming in to make text bigger

Final thought: This is one of those apps that really could be much better, but one needs to have in their arsenal in any event.
                                     

OKF (v. 2.85) by OrderingApps

 Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This store-specific app allows one to order food from two different establishments in Oakland, California


+App uses "OrderingApps™" a solid platform used by many other establishments
+Solid design and well-thought-out ordering options (all sorts of sandwich toppings are each chosen as an option)

Disclaimer: We didn't actually order anything to fully test the product, due to the great distance between the establishments and our test-site.
                                     

Fins & Scales (v. 2.0.0) by Anthony Angel


Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This unique app allows one to search for a fish type and see if it is a kosher species or not

+Shows fish in two categories as list and allows for search as well
+Excellent FAQ (written by Orthodox Union) sums up relevant kosher fish laws and how one should conduct oneself if they need to purchase fish in a place that doesn't sell exclusively kosher fish

-No source given for list of approved fish

Final thought: It's worth downloading this app for the OU FAQ alone. There one can see that finding out if a particular fish is kosher is not always as simple as knowing its name.  The laws are more complex and there are actual tests one can perform themselves (or watch being performed) to see if the the scales qualify as "kaskeses" according to Jewish law.  This is all described in some detail in the FAQ and is worth reading and having on one's phone in a pinch.

                                     

Milk or Meat (v. 1.3) by Kwazi

Type: Application
Cost: Free (Ad supported)
Overview: We know we use the word "unique" very often, but this app definitely deserves that title.  A quick setup and a quick click and one has kept track of when they last ate fleishigs (meat or basar) for the purposes of waiting until milchigs (dairy or chalav).  A notification sounds when time is up.

+Shows a small icon in the notification area at the top of the screen with a red "meat" indicator the whole time one is waiting until they can eat "milk"
+Allows one to set custom waiting times for both meat to milk or milk to meat
+Easy to use and it works

-Milk to meat time, while customizable, defaults to 30 minutes.  We don't know a halachic source for actually waiting time from eating milk to meat, but there is a source for waiting from hard cheese (defined differently by various poskim, but generally held to be cheese that's aged for more than six months such as Parmesan).  In such cases, one must wait the full length of time they wait for meat, which is often six hours. This "30 minute" default could be confusing. 

Recommendation: Include a brief overview of laws of waiting from meat to milk and vice versa

                                     

chai pizza (v. 2.2) by appsbar adamk


Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview:  Store-specific app doesn't work and frequently crashes


                                     

E Number Knowledge v. 1.0 by Happy Caffeine

 

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This interesting app is designed to decode the "E" numbers typically found on the ingredients panels of European-produced processed foods.  This app decodes those numbers and tells you what that ingredient is

+Has links to Wickipedia to further research what an ingredient is comprised of (on the chemical level) and what it's used for

-Shows symbols for each ingredient "Vegan, Kosher, Halal" but the Kosher indicator is extremely inaccurate.  Shows some items that are almost always non-kosher as "kosher" and also shows other items that are sometimes kosher (with proper supervision" as "kosher." 

Verdict:  As a way to find out if an ingredient is kosher, this app is useless. One who is just curious what certain ingredients are, can find this app quite interesting
                                     

   מאגר תרופות כשרות לפסח

(v. 1.0) by נצר חברה לסחר בע"מ

Type: Application
Cost: Free
Overview: This application shows what medications are kosher for Pesach (Passover).  It is primarily in Hebrew, but it does show results with English and allow English input as well.

+Nice design has index and allows search as well

-Missing medications commonly found in the diaspora

Note:  It would appear that this list is meant for the Israel market and it is not known that the medications listed as acceptable in Israel will necessarily be acceptable in the U.S. or other countries
                                      

Jewish Recipes (v. 1.0) by A N G Soft

Type: Application
Cost: $0.99
Overview: This paid app includes over 100 Jewish-style recipes. 

+Customizable colors, font size, other options; includes day/night feature
+Very easy (and really cool) page-turning software
+Screen stays on feature

-Author's website does not respond

Final analysis:  Recipes are simple and to the point.  There are no pictures or any distractions.  App was a keeper at the end of the day.
Disclaimer: The actual recipes were not tested by us! (yet)
                                     

Kosherquest Approved Symbols (v. 2) by BroadScaler Labs

Type: Application
Cost: $4.99
Overview: This relatively expensive app shows recommended hashgachos (kosher supervising agencies) from many states in the U.S. (approx 85).

+Allows click to call or clikc to show address of hashgacha on map (of dubious usefulness)
+Shows the symbol side-by-side next to the name of the hashgacho

-Missing all hashgachot (reliable or otherwise) from outside the U.S.
-Missing the graphic symbols of many supervising agencies
-One must know the state that the hashgacha originates in in order to look it up.  This is not something a consumer will necessarily know.  (Many -- perhaps a majority -- of hasghachos operate out of their home state)

Final analysis:  There is little here that isn't available for free in the cRc app above -- and they even have international hashgachos as well.  It would have been better to show everything in one long list like the cRc app