Cool Lock Screens 1.0

Everyone knows that iOS 7, or any iOS before it, doesn’t allow the modification of the actual lock screen. Whatever you do you’re stuck with the slide-to-unlock animation just the way Apple intended it. Same goes for the time and date, and so on, and so forth.

Some developers capitalize on these shortcomings, such as Appic Fun, the company behind the Cool Lock Screens app which advertises itself as enabling you to “Be creative and make your own Lock Screen backgrounds that can't be found anywhere else.”

False marketing

Late in the description the developer admits that “the app doesn’t change the Lock Screen elements. It gives you the best way to quickly create custom wallpapers to look great on your Lock Screen.” Hey, the developer’s got to make a living, right?

What’s not very cool is the claim that you can add a calendar overlay to your Lock Screen wallpaper and quickly check the day and date. First of all, that image doesn’t change, so you’re just stuck with a view of the number of days in that particular month (no indicator regarding what day it is). Second, you have the date and time right there on the lock screen courtesy of Apple.

Neat imagery

Don’t get the wrong idea, though. Cool Lock Screens isn’t useless. It slaps some pretty decent overlays on your lock screen, some featuring broken glass, others bubbles and city lights, all transparent and giving the impression that indeed the lock screen has changed. But it’s really just an illusion.

However, the wallpapers are a different story altogether. If you don’t mind a few ads and nag screens, this app can hook you up with some pretty decent wallpapers that you can use to make your iPhone or iPod touch really stand out. There are in-app purchases for more images and overlays, but the default package is enough to get you going.

Good design

Despite displaying countless ads, including links to Appic Fun’s other apps on iTunes, Cool Lock Screens has a nice, streamlined design. It’s inspired by Apple’s own iOS and complements iPhones and iPod touches greatly. The Help & FAQs section is very handy and seems more truthful about the purpose of the app. Granted, you don’t have to pay a dime to use it, so there’s really not much to lose here.

Add to watchlist:

WallpaperDownloader

• Photowall 1.1
• Blurred Wallpapers Free 1.5
• 500px 2.9.2
• iStock by Getty Images 1.6.1
• Wallpapers for iOS 7 3.1