App reviews: Google Calendar, 1Password

Google Calendar

It took a little while, but Google has finally released a version of its Calendar application for iOS devices. For Android users, the app will look familiar - it takes its design cues from the latest Android system, with a simpler, color-coded design to help you keep all of your events straight. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking here; you get Google's solid but basic calendar features. The app works best if you use other Google services as well, with integration of Gmail and Google Maps.

Calendar also supports iCloud, Yahoo and Exchange calendars. There are other, more robust calendar apps out there if you really want to make your digital planner work for you. But if you want something simple and familiar that gets the job done, you could definitely do worse. Free; new on iOS devices, available for Android devices.

1Password

Remembering passwords is awful. That's something nearly everyone can agree on, whether you're a technophile or someone who barely uses the Internet. 1Password is one of many options to keep all those pesky passwords in one secure place without having to resort to reusing easy passwords that leave you vulnerable to hacking. With this mobile devices app, you can store passwords in a secure locker, which can be synced across devices through Dropbox and iCloud to access them as you browse. You can generate new passwords in the app - though it's not the most convenient process. The app features its own browser, which makes it even easier to access your credentials.

Overall, this is a useful app that can give you peace of mind. That said, many aspects of the service - particularly in its setup process - could be more intuitive. Free, for iOS and Android devices.