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The Ultimate Dictionary App Gets an Update
When we downloaded the newly updated TheFreeDictionary app, we expected to see one thing done well: the dictionary. After all, the app is powered by TheFreeDicionary.com, a trusty site we reference often when our spelling-bee days fail us.
We didn’t think that this app from Farlex would house so many additional features, though. Before we knew it, we had wasted 30 minutes playing games such as Hangman, Words Within Words and Match Up. Further, we were taking our sweet time browsing through our daily horoscopes, Word of the Day and This Day in History factoids.
Naturally, we wanted to meet the folks behind Farlex and ask them what it took to create this dictionary-made-fun app for Android and iPhone. Here, we ask Farlex developer Steve Boymel about TheFreeDictionary app’s newest update.
- How does TheFreeDictionary app stand out from the rest of dictionary and reference apps out there?
Our goal was to build the world’s most comprehensive dictionary. The app is powered by TheFreeDictionary.com—it contains over 100 sources with translations in about 50 languages.
- What’s your favorite thing about the app, and why?
I love getting the feedback from our users telling us how much they love the app! My favorite feature is the ability to find information about any word or topic within the app.
- You just released a major update. How did you decide on which new features to incorporate into the latest version? From user feedback or personal opinion?
Both! Specifically, the users asked us to add more word games to the latest version of the app. Overall, the development for this update took a year.
- TheFreeDictionary app is available for Android and iOS devices. Was it difficult to develop your app for two operating systems?
Yes. We wanted to keep the UI native to each OS, while making it consistent for both systems. It was challenging at times, because we’re a small team and there are simply not enough hours in the day to do everything. We tried to make the app as small and quick as possible, while making it user-friendly.
- Besides TheFreeDictionary, what is another one of your favorite apps right now, and why?
I am a huge fan of TripAdvisor for when I’m looking for a place to eat!
Apps I Love
Hollywood’s Heartthrob Turns App Investor
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Leonardo DiCaprio has been one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs since his performance in Titanic, and he has preserved his reputation as a worthy actor with other hit films such as Inception, The Departed and Catch Me If You Can. But DiCaprio is switching gears from show business—whether it be for a side gig or a change in career—by investing $4 million in the app Mobli.
Going off of the tagline, "See the world through other people’s eyes," Mobli is a social network where users can share photos and videos, and the app automatically tags each post with a location or major event in the surrounding area. Users can also follow channels that display photos about a particular topic, such as Leo himself.
Mobli CEO Moshe Hogeg told The Huffington Post in October 2011 that Leo’s not much of a tech guy, but he is very excited to be involved in the marketing aspect of the app. “He believes in the vision of the company and thinks that this is the future of media. He wanted to get on board in the beginning, influence it, and give his input into the company.”
Have You Talked About It?
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