safe apply digestion cycle

//be sure to inject $scope and $location somewhere before this
var changeLocation = function(url, force) {
  //this will mark the URL change
  $location.path(url); //use $location.path(url).replace() if you want to replace the location instead

  $scope = $scope || angular.element(document).scope();
  if(force || !$scope.$$phase) {
    //this will kickstart angular if to notice the change
    $scope.$apply();
  }
};