Tips & Life Hacks

Language tutors: flashcards + Tetris + oral exam

Memorizing word lists gets old fast. PicTris turns flashcards into a game: while you play Tetris, your card images scroll in the background. Works for self-study and lessons with a tutor — free, offline, no ads.

Vocab cards as the game background — swipe through words while you play Tetris.

Generate cards with Telegram bot

Skip screenshots — make ready-to-use 1080×1920 PNG flashcards in Telegram:

@Pictris_vocab_cards_bot

1. Open the bot and send a word list (one per line or comma-separated).
2. Optionally add AI illustrations (paid credits via Telegram Stars). Free tier: daily credits without AI images.
3. Download the PNG deck (or ZIP), save the cards to Photos.
4. Open them in PicTris Photo Gallery as below.

Each card shows the word, pronunciation, an example sentence, and an illustration area — sized for vertical play.

Review cards in Photo Gallery

1. Save bot-generated PNGs (or your own card screenshots) to Photos on iPhone or iPad.
2. Open PicTris → Photo Gallery.
3. When iOS asks for library access, tap Limit Access… and pick only your flashcard images — not your whole library.
4. Play Tetris: each move shows the next card. Swipe left/right to browse; swipe down to hard-drop and jump to the next card.

For tutors: generate a set in the bot, then send 10–30 card images before the lesson (AirDrop, Telegram, shared album). Homework: “3 rounds of PicTris with the ‘Irregular verbs’ set.”

Record an oral exam in Blogger Mode

1. Write questions in a .txt file and save to Files, for example:

Say the translation of “reluctant”.
Use “allocate” in a sentence about work.
What’s the difference between “affect” and “effect”?

2. Open Blogger Mode → load the script into the teleprompter (auto scroll or manual swipe).
3. Front camera shows the learner’s face; optionally hide the grid and score for a cleaner frame.
4. After game over: preview → Save to Photos, or upload to cloud or social (YouTube Unlisted, Google Drive, iCloud) and send the link to your tutor.

Free plan: one Blogger Mode recording per day. PicTris Pro unlocks unlimited recordings, full teleprompter, and no watermark.

Async HR screening on your own terms

Corporate one-way interview platforms store your video on their servers — often with AI scoring and unclear retention policies. PicTris Blogger Mode offers a candidate-controlled alternative: you record, you host, you decide who sees the link.

Why candidates use it

• You own the video — upload to YouTube Unlisted, Google Drive, or iCloud; revoke access anytime.
• No AI scoring your face — a human recruiter watches your answers.
• Built-in teleprompter — stay on structure without reading a hidden script off-screen.
• Tetris during answers — hands and attention stay engaged; harder to cheat with a second screen.

Step-by-step

1. Install PicTris from the App Store. Allow Camera and Microphone for Blogger Mode.
2. Create a .txt file with HR questions (one block per question with blank lines between).
3. Open Blogger Mode → load the script into the teleprompter.
4. Optionally hide the grid and score panel for a clean interview frame.
5. Record your answers on the front camera while playing. Aim for 1.5–3 minutes per question.
6. After game over: save to Photos, upload as Unlisted on YouTube or share via cloud link.
7. Email the link to the recruiter with the question list and total duration.

Not every employer accepts an alternative format — but many appreciate a ready-made async video with transparent data handling. PicTris is not an ATS and does not integrate with corporate HR systems.

Life hack: comment on vacation photos without face-cam

Want to tell a story about a trip, birthday, or any event — with your photos on screen and your voice on the recording — but without showing your face? PicTris can do that. Blogger Mode normally uses the front camera as a live background. If camera access is off, the game falls back to your selected gallery photos instead. You play, comment, and export a video recap.

What you get

• A vertical video with your event photos as the backdrop
• Tetris gameplay on top — or hide the grid for a cleaner look
• Your voice commentary via the microphone
• Swipe down to hard-drop a block and jump to the next photo while recording

Step 1 — Curate photos for the story

1. Open PicTris and go to Photo Gallery mode (or grant photo access when prompted).
2. When iOS asks for photo library access, tap Limit Access… (or Select Photos… on older iOS versions).
3. Pick only the photos you want in your story — e.g. all shots from one vacation, party, or weekend.
4. Confirm selection. PicTris will cycle through this curated set during gameplay.

To add or remove photos later: Settings → PicTris → Photos → Edit Selected Photos…

Step 2 — Turn off camera access

1. Open the iOS Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap PicTris.
3. Tap Camera and choose None (or disable camera access).

Keep Microphone enabled — you need it for voice commentary. Photo library access should stay on for your selected images.

Step 3 — Record in Blogger Mode

1. Open PicTris and start Blogger Mode.
2. Your curated photos appear as the live background instead of the camera feed.
3. Optional: open the teleprompter and load a .txt script so you do not forget what to say.
4. Optional: hide the grid or score panel for a cleaner recording.
5. Play and narrate — swipe down to move to the next photo when you are ready.
6. After game over: preview the recording, then save to Photos or share.

Tips for a better recap video

• Order your selected photos chronologically in the library before recording, or plan which swipes advance the story.
• Write a short script in Notes, save it as .txt, and use the teleprompter while you play.
• Use a quiet room so your voice is clear over the game sounds.
• Free plan: one Blogger Mode recording per day. PicTris Pro unlocks unlimited recordings and removes the watermark.

When you are done, you can turn camera access back on in Settings → PicTris → Camera if you want face-cam recordings again.