You and Improved: 30 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Life

27. Play Smarter

You can zone out with another round of Angry Birds—or kill time with these apps that work your brain.

Unblock Me
A frustrating yet addictive puzzle game in which you manipulate rectangles to free one from its blockade.
iTunes, free; full version 99 cents. Android, free.


7 Little Words
Each puzzle consists of seven clues that lead to seven mystery words made from 20-letter groups—let the brain racking begin!
iTunes; free.

Simple Physics
Design sturdy structures—a skyscraper buffeted by hurricanes, a roof bearing a mountain of snow—without breaking your project budget.
iTunes; 99 cents.

Trixel
You have a limited number of moves to navigate this visual puzzle, flipping tiles to match a set pattern.
iTunes; 99 cents.