App Reviews: 1+2=3, Producteev

1+2=3

Arithmetic has never been so infuriating. "1+2=3" is a math puzzle game that limits itself to asking players to solve equations that only involve those three numbers, against the clock. That may sound easy enough, and it is when you're zipping through "1+1=?" and "3-2=?". But even adding a couple of links to the chain - "3-1+2-3=?" for example - can give you just enough pause to run down the timer. (Or flummox you enough to tap on the wrong answer.)

The simplicity of the math itself makes errors all the more facepalm-worthy. And the app is happy to tease you about your failures, by way of a dog mascot that pulls sarcastic faces in response to your simple mistakes. (If you're thin-skinned about losing, this may not be your game. You will inevitably lose. A lot.) But the app is fun, and a nice way to do a little mental gymnastics during the day. Free, for iOS devices.

Producteev

Managing groups is never easy, and there's a ton of software out there aimed at helping you do it better. One that rises from the pack is Producteev, a mobile and desktop program that lets you easily assign tasks, coordinate work and keep a top-level view of what's going on with your project. The app is surprisingly full-featured and easy to use for a free product. Users can assign tasks to different team members, get notifications when something is due or has been done, and tag tasks by category.

To use the mobile app, you'll need to sign up for an account through your desktop browser. The service has partnerships with other apps - calendar app Sunrise, time-tracking app Toggl and automation service Zapier - for those who have downloaded those programs. Producteev also has a premium $99 per month version that integrates with Outlook. Free for the Web and iOS and Android devices.