Borsch, Space Marshals 2, and other awesome apps of the week

If you’re looking to unwind this fine Sunday by sampling the latest delectables the App Store has to offer, have no fear: Cult of Mac is here to help.

From smart AI tools to a great strategic shooter, here are the apps we were busy checking out over the past week.

Prisma

Since debuting in July, Prisma’s AI-driven photo app has changed our perception of what a photo filter should do — by using machine learning technology to transform our run-of-the-mill snaps into gorgeous mini masterpieces.

If you’ve still not used Prisma, this week might be a good time to jump on the bandwagon, since it just got a significant update: adding the ability to use its filters offline for the first time.

It’s an impressive feat from a computer science perspective — since the task Prisma is carrying out per photo is much more complex than just slapping a 1960s Polaroid filter on top of existing pictures — but it also makes the app more efficient and usable than ever.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Borsch

From an AI-powered app you’ve probably heard of to one you might not have, Borsch is built around the same kinds of neural network as Prisma but uses them for something else. Essentially the idea is to help you find the best food in your area, tailored to your own specific tastes.

Right now, it’s only available in select locations (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Houston and Phoenix, Germany and Russia), but it will no doubt expand to cover more over time. The app’s idea is to search for food based on images, with the image recognition system then suggesting nearby places which serve up food that appears “just like that.”

It’s definitely a neat concept, and worth checking out if you’d describe yourself as a “foodie” of any measure.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Fancy a wild west game set in outer space, but feeling too overwhelmed with options to know which one to download? Okay, so this probably isn’t a scenario you’ve experienced — but if the idea of a sci-fi wild west tactical top-down shooter sounds fun, then you should consider playing the excellent Space Marshals 2.

Rather than just running and gunning, this tremendous game focuses on tactical combat, strategy and stealth, meaning that your brain will be tested as well as your trigger finger. There are 20 missions in all, a good selection of weapons and other gear, multiplayer factions, and much more. It’s well worth your time.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: $4.99
Get it from: App Store

Pixinote

I’m constantly fascinated by the blurring of lines between new form of communication and their old, pre-digital counterparts. One app hoping to bridge this divide is Pixinote, an app which lets you mail a printed photo message straight from your iPhone.

Pixinotes costs $2.50 each and are real, attractively printed messages you can design yourself, and then send to one or more recipients. As nice it is to receive an iMessage from a friend, I’d argue that it’s even better to get a message by mail. If you agree, this app may be worth investigating.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

[Source:-Cut of Mac]