App reviews: SwiftKey, Sleep Cycle

SWIFTKEY

This app is nothing new to Android users. But one of the best updates to the latest version of Apple's operating system is the ability to use third-party keyboards such as SwiftKey, which gives users different options for typing on the iPhone. This free app, for example, lets you type by swiping from key to key rather than tapping out each letter. It also supports multiple languages - including Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese - and two color themes.

Users will get the most benefit from the app by allowing it full access to their typing data, which lets it learn from how you write - you can even give it access to your social media accounts to give it a larger data set to draw from. (Free, for iOS and Android)

SLEEP CYCLE

Are you waking up tired? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed when your alarm goes off? You may want to try attacking the problem with data. Sleep Cycle is one of a category of apps that lets you use your smartphone to record your sleep patterns. Place the phone next to you at night, and it will record your movements to determine sleep quality. You can take notes on your sleep the next morning to help figure out what improves your rest and what doesn't. It also registers tossing and turning to determine a window of time that's best for waking you up - eliminating that feeling of being pulled out of deep water by your alarm clock.

You can link your RunKeeper or Facebook accounts to offer the app more data to analyze. (99 cents, for iOS and Android.)