PLANET OF THE APPS: 18TH OCTOBER 2011

Stuart Dredge esq returns for another week to flag up what's new for your smart phone.

Kurt Cobain: The Graphic Novel (iPad)

Nirvana frontman gets his life story turned into a graphic novel iPad app - itself based on a book from 2003 which did the same thing. He's not the only musician to get this treatment either: there's a Johnny Cash graphic novel for iPad. The main thing missing here, though, is the music - you'll have to set that playing in the background manually, which is an opportunity missed (e.g. the chance to sync certain songs with bits in the story).

Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination (iPhone / iPad)

The British Library has a new app out based on its Royal Manuscripts exhibition: 58 Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts with hi-res photos, videos of experts talking about them etc. Shows how museums are getting into apps as a way of widening their audience - but also getting more people to actually come along to their exhbitions too.

rad.io for Android (Android)

Not everyone wants to listen to streaming music on demand, choosing specific playlists and songs on their phones. Rad.io is one of a breed of apps (TuneIn is another popular one) that helps you listen to good old radio - either normal stations, internet streaming ones or podcasts. Brand new out for Android, joining the existing iPhone version.