I love weather apps.  Even going back to my Palm and Pocket PC days I was a sucker for a good weather app.  Today, a new weather app called Weather Neue by Switch Soft Technologies was released in the Apple App Store. It's clean, extremely simple to use, and does not bombard you with tons of information and maps that other, more complex apps provide.  

Upon launching the app, you are presented with a slight animation of the weather UI "sliding" into place.  The app uses location based services to obtain your current location.  I prefer this type of GPS use as opposed to some of the other apps that force you to select given locations as part of a set-up process.  Those type of weather apps definately have a purpose, allowing you to select locations other than your current to see what's going on in a particular location.  However, Weather Neue is a "right here" type of app which I prefer to use as a quick look at what the weather is like.  

There's not much to the UI.  The main screen is a simple current conditions with the today, and 3 additional day forecast at the bottom of the screen.  The app uses the very clean Helvetica motif and I must say works really nicely.  The weather can be refreshed at any time by shaking the device.


A simple settings screen transitions in nicely by tapping the location at the top of the screen. Temperature measurements (fahrenheit and celcius) are toggled by an on/off switch.  I did find a bit of an annoying bug of the setting being reset each time the app is launched from scratch.  The app developer tweeted that the next update submitted to Apple will correct this problem.

The app currently only works on the iPhone and is not universal.  Attempting to install it on the iPad gives a message that "The App is Incompatible with the iPad - This app requires GPS".  From what I have heard from the dev, the next update should also address at least being able to install on an iPad.  

Overall, I am really enjoying Weather Neue  and I think it will make a fine addition to my primary iPhone home screen.  Oh, did I mention?  This app is FREE.  What are you waiting for?  Go Download.

App Store Link

One of the things I love about the iPhone ecosystem is the multitude of choices in the marketplace for cases, skins, and other items to change the look of the device.  The iPhone accessory market is no doubt one of the largest for any device.  A couple of months ago, I changed my phone to match a white look with skins from Lucky Labs, iCarbons, and the SGP Ultra Thin Air case.  

Today, I am going back to black with a new combination.   This time, it's (once again) a nice case from SGP called the Linear EX in silver and red.  The Linear EX has been on the market for the iPhone 4 and 4s for some time now.  It's basically a take on the Apple bumper but with more options.  I chose the Mix-and-Match series which allows you pair different color top and bottom pieces to create the look you want.  The satin silver and red appealed to me so I went with that combo.  The Linear EX is also offered in styles with a back plate cover as well.  Speaking of the back plate, I chose to go with a skin.  My buddy Darren showed me the Ghost Armor matte black skin on his iPhone and I instantly knew I wanted it on my phone.  The matte back is great for resisting fingerprints and gives a classy sheen to the back of the phone.  I combined the Ghost Armor with the Linear EX and the results are below.  

Once again, I keep thinking, "is this the last color/case combo that I will have until the release of the next iPhone?"  Hmmm, maybe.  Or maybe not.  With that being said, I really like this look and feel and as always when I change the look of my phone, it always feels a little like a new device. Until the next time, that is. 

SGP Linear EX Mix and Match Case - $19.99

Ghost Armor Matte Skin for iPhone 4/4S - $19.99