Across Lite Crosswords 4+

Gold standard for solvers

Literate Software

    • 4.5 • 5K Ratings
    • Free
    • Offers In-App Purchases

iPad Screenshots

Description

TL;DR: The app for unlimited solving of crosswords published online for Across Lite by major publishers and renowned authors.

Across Lite is hand-crafted with an eye for detail that only people who love both software and crosswords can create. Version 4 is state-of-the-art in features and aesthetics.

Since 1995, more crosswords are published for Across Lite than any other format. Loyal users have enjoyed our software for decades. Whether you are a beginner or a fanatical expert, you will be able to enjoy the best in crosswords daily.

If you find published puzzles difficult, you can purchase our highly acclaimed trainer crossword series inside the app.

INTRODUCTION: Across Lite is the de facto standard for publishing crosswords on the web - from newspapers such as The New York Times to independent authors - free or with subscription. The app includes a set of bookmarks to some of the well-known sources crosswords published for Across Lite. Downloading crosswords into Across Lite is easy. Puzzles can be downloaded and available to solve even when offline.

HIGHLIGHTS: People who have used Across Lite on any platform know there is nothing Lite about it. It has more user-friendly and advanced features than any other software out there.

In addition to Across Lite signature features that has set the standard such as pen and pencil modes, extensive check and reveal commands, or ink saver for printing, there are ground-breaking features that are much copied but never equaled:

- For the traditionalists, the unique Page View mode allows you to view and solve the crossword just like a printed crossword, the closest you can come to solving on paper. The List View provides the conventional computer-like interface for the gamers. But here is the best part - with single taps you can instantaneously switch back and forth between them allowing a type of solving never before possible. Once you get used to solving like this, nothing less will do.

- The app contains our original invention - SmartMove™ - which captures a method experts instinctively use to solve in a criss-cross manner leveraging previously entered letters. Use it for a while and you will develop that habit for fast and effective solving.

- Because no two solvers are alike, the app provides the most flexible and customizable interfaces. Both left-handed and right-handed people can find a layout that caters to them.

UPGRADE: We request serious solvers and those who appreciate our efforts to consider purchasing an upgrade from inside the app. The upgrade enables the following:

- An embedded web browser for easy downloading of puzzles

- A timer for those who wish to measure themselves.

- Ability to enter multiple characters for rebus puzzles.

- A unique color and contrast setting feature designed to reduce eye strain from looking at the traditional white background (perhaps because we, at Litsoft, are getting older!). It can be customized to personal tastes and to light conditions, so for example, solving in the dark does not turn you into a lighthouse for your spouse.

Just try it out and we are certain that over time you will discover and come to appreciate all the small touches we have embedded in the app.

Enjoy!

NOTE about availability of crosswords:

- This app is a solver for independent crosswords published online in Across Lite format. Other than any crosswords for sale inside the app, it is NOT a supplier of crosswords.

- To respect a publishing site's terms of service and to avoid copyright infringement, it does NOT automatically fetch crosswords for you without visiting the site. Doing so is a violation of publisher copyrights and reputable software will not do this.

- It does NOT guarantee availability of crosswords from publishers who make their own decisions on availability and access including charging for them on their web sites.

If there are any problems with the access to crosswords on any site, please contact the site directly.

What’s New

Version 4.1.3

Minimum iOS required raised to 11.x, since new updates to the App Store will not run on older (32-bit) iPads with iOS 10 or earlier.

People with older iPads should see the last known running version v 4.1 available to them for install.

Ratings and Reviews

4.5 out of 5
5K Ratings

5K Ratings

mary-w ,

Very good!

I like this, and I've done a number of puzzles since downloading the app.

It took me a while to find the keyboard option because I was looking at my iPad in landscape and the keyboard is only available in portrait. If you're in landscape, it appears that you have to enter letters by tapping the letters arranged on the two sides of the screen, which is awkward.

I like the convenience of online links to many puzzle sources. (I've been doing ones from the Chronicle of High Ed.)

I did a crossword that included several special clues. One square would represent an element, with the abbreviation one way and the name the other. E.g.,Na down clue was ESAU, with "Au" in one square. Across was The Mongol dynasty! With GOLD in that same square. There's no way to type that sort of thing. Maybe the app could give you a special way to mark a square that you know is not a regular letter and you could just remember that it's special. (I've seen other puzzles whe a square is supposed to essential something else -- a shape, a color, or whatever.)

ParisRat ,

Puzzles are even more fun with Across Lite!

I always look forward to the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. A good puzzle and a cup of coffee are a great way to start the day. Since I started using Across Lite, I seem to finish puzzles even faster than before. I like that I can fill in the few letters of a word that I may know, just like I used to in the Times Magazine. I like that the app has different levels of difficulty where you can choose to see your correct letters as you go or not. The app could use some help with rebus puzzles, which are my favorite (besides the cryptic crosswords). Right now, each cell only accepts one letter per square which makes solving a rebus a bit harder since you need to remember what's really in those rebus squares. But even with that, I'd recommend the app. It also makes finding puzzles online easy as pie!

Just installed the update, and haven't seen a rebus to solve yet, so I'm not sure if the programmers have found a way to make rebus puzzles easier to read/solve yet. Still loving the app,

Mts0987654 ,

Latest version seals the deal (UPDATE: Can no longer recommend)

I’ve tried them all. This is the one to get. I used to be a devoted Across Lite user on the PC. In the past few years I’ve switched over to doing puzzles on the iPad, and Across Lite just wasn’t fully there. I needed robust support for external keyboards and landscape orientation, so I tried every other app I could find. None felt right to me. They all felt clunky. (The NYT app feels good, but you can only do NYT puzzles.) With the latest release, Across Lite has nailed it. I’m fully onboard now. This is the one to get. Well worth the money if you are at all serious about puzzles.

UPDATE: In the past few months, a serious bug has cropped up that I suspect is some sort of compatibility issue with the latest iOS update. I have reached out to the developer for support multiple times, without any response. The bug makes any puzzle solving a frustrating experience. Due to this, I can no longer recommend this app. It is extremely disappointing. I loved this app.

App Privacy

The developer, Literate Software, has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

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