Price: $2.99   Score: 9/10    By A. Papachristos

Whether you frequent your local supermarket, the small corner store down the street, or your favorite stand at the Farmer’s Market, picking the proper produce can cause quite the predicament.  Everyone has his or her own methods of picking out the ripest melon or the freshest lettuce, but are they truly the right way to find fruits and vegetables that will taste great and stay fresh until they make it to your table?

With Produce Pal by Silton Solutions LLC constantly at hand, shoppers need not fear this conundrum ever again.  Produce Pal features a database of over 70 different types of fruits and vegetables, each with its own set of criteria for what makes the product ideal.  Plus, users are not only provided with instructions on how to pick their produce, but also on how to store their items once they get home.

When starting up Produce Pal, simply choose the category you are interested by using the ‘Fruits’ and ‘Vegetables’ tabs in the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.  Each category is alphabetized, from Apple to Watermelon and Artichoke to Zucchini, making it easy to find the correct item quickly.  For each product, Produce Pal offers a description of what to look for when buying the item, how to store the item at home, the product’s nutritional value, and a few fun facts that may impress your friends and guests.

Though Produce Pal presents a simple, useful concept with an equally simple and useful application, users truly need nothing more than what this minimalist application offers.  All the necessary information is laid out right in front of you in a clear, concise manner, making it an easily accessible tool that will in fact help you save money in the long run simply by providing tips on how to keep your produce fresher longer.

Plus, if you happen to discover a fruit or vegetable that is not already part of the database, simply contact Silton Solutions LLC and they will add the item in their next update.  You can access their website right within the application itself, on the second page as you swipe through their ‘About’ tab.  Here, users can also peruse a list of other apps by Silton Solutions LLC as they continue to swipe through the pages of the ‘About’ tab., including Silly Stories, After Shock, and Chalk A Lot.

So get ready to start munching because for anyone who loves fruits and vegetables, loves eating healthy, and loves saving money (and who doesn’t?), Produce Pal will surely become your new grocery-shopping buddy.

Produce Pal requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developers of this app to speed up the publication of this review.

Price: $1.99   Score: 9/10    By Steve Beaudry

This is an app about which I sometimes wonder why it wasn’t included out of the box. The Video Manual for iPhone by Train Simple is just that: a simple video manual. Open it up and it shows you a list of things you can do on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPhone 3G S. It’s as simple as tapping on what you want to do and the app runs through a video showing you exactly how to do it with video taken directly from the iPhone’s screen so it looks like it’s actually running through the actions.  The actions are separated by category, you can select favorites in case you ever need to come back and learn again. It’s really just that simple.

The videos are high quality. There is a voice that brings you along the actions that is soothing and helpful. The only hiccup I found is that sometimes the video controls don’t move out of the way and you have to tap on the video to make them move. Other than that, it’s the easiest way to learn all you need to know about your iPhone.

This app is so easy, there’s really not much else I can say without sounding redundant! It’s fully worth the $1.99 for those who need to know more about their phone, and it’s perfect for someone who is just starting out.

The Video Manual for iPhone requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. A small fee was paid by the developer to expedite the publication of this review.

Price: $9.99    Score:  9/10    By Lara Vukelich

As the descendant of women with green thumbs, it is much to my chagrin that I seem to kill every flower or houseplant that has the misfortune of crossing my path. That being said, I will never stop trying to maintain a balcony garden, and Landscaper’s Companion is one tool that might just help me succeed.

The app, by Stevenson Software, LLC, includes a catalog of plants and flowers with various details about their care. If you want information about a specific plant, the search engine will come in handy. If you’re unsure of exactly what you’re looking for, you can browse categories that include:

• Annuals
• Bulbs
• Herbs
• Roses
• Shrubs

Plants are listed by their common name, but the scientific name is also listed. When you tap on the name and picture of a particular plant, an overview will open that often includes a general description. Other information in the “overview” tab includes how to cultivate the plant, as well as any common problems, such as climates that prohibit the plant from blooming.

I found the “details”  tab to be the most useful. It includes information about how much water a plant requires, and the amount of sun that is needed for the best growth. You can also learn how fast to expect a certain plant to grow, and how tall and wide it will be.

Other tabs include “notes,” where you can add any comments or reminders for yourself to review later, and “pictures.” In all, the Landscaper’s Companion has information on over 1,400 plants, and there are nearly 6,000 photos. You can add plants to a “favorites” section for future reference.

In addition to searching for plants by name, the app also allows you to search by the amount of shade or sun a plant requires and how much water it needs. Lastly, you can search by zone. There are 15 zones, and from the thermometer icon next to the zone information in the plant profiles, I gather that the zones pertain to climate zones. For those of us with non-green thumbs, the app might be better if it included more information about the different zones, namely which temperatures fall into which zones.

Overall, I found this app to be very helpful, especially for people who are not experts in the arena of gardening. While it is a little pricey, Landscaper’s Companion may help reduce the time you spend wandering aimlessly through a greenhouse, so if you see a lot of gardening in your future it may be worth it.

Landscaper’s Companion is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch and requires iPhone OS 3.1.2 or later.

Price: $2.99    Score: 10/10     By Aricka Flowers

It’s a well-known, but embarrassing, fact that most Americans are in need of a serious crash course in national history. Thanks to a new app, iPhone users can make good use of their time waiting in lines, at bus stops or anywhere else that they have a few free minutes.

The American Dreams – Speeches and Documents in US History app gives you access to the full text of 480 of the most important documents and speeches in American history. The MultiEducator app lets you voyage back to the inaugurations of any American president you please with its library of every address to date. American Dreams users can also peruse through the summaries of 90 Supreme Court decisions that also explain the Constitutional implications of those judgments.

You can search the app for specific historical documents or use its table of contents, which organizes them by type, time period and year. One of the coolest sections is called Explorers. There, you have a choice to learn about and even read a first-hand account of the voyages made by relevant explorers like Magellan, Cartier, Balboa and, of course, Christopher Columbus.

If you’re hearing-inclined, you can also listen to some of the nation’s most historical moments like the moon landing, an inaugural address, an FDR Fireside Chat or President Nixon’s goodbye speech to staffers after his resignation. The app’s audio recordings feature lets you mark your favorite speeches and recordings; making it easily accessible. The app also allows you to email the audio recordings or documents to friends and colleagues via your iPhone.

With so much important historical documentation readily available, American Dreams is the perfect app for journalists, teachers, attorneys, students and history buffs alike. I know I’ll be sure to use the app next time I find myself arguing the factual validity of someone’s answer in the middle of a trivia game or reading a questionable article. It has a great wealth of knowledge and could easily be used as a tool to help boost American’s knowledge of their national history.

American Dreams – Speeches and Documents in US History is available for iPhone as well as the second generation iPod Touch 2.2 or later versions.

Price: $0.99    Score: 9/10    By Sarah Parker

Do you need a little scriptural guidance during hectic days? We can all use an encouraging word now and then, but for many people, it is simply not practical to carry a Bible everywhere. For a quick dose of cheer during your busiest days, check out the iTalk to God application for the iPhone. The iTalk to God app was created by WorldLink, Inc. to conveniently bring Biblical inspiration to everyday situations.

iTalk to God (NIV) is a database of scripture verses (from the New International Version – NIV) with accompanying commentary categorized by how you are feeling that day. There are over 70 different categories and subcategories that include everyday emotions such as anger, worry, doubt, and fear. Each feeling is accompanied by a scripture and an accompanying commentary note. There are numerous scripture references for each category, and users can move from one scripture/commentary set to another through the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. If you find some valuable scriptures, simply create a list of favorites so you have a quick list of the best scriptures. Did a particular Bible verse brighten your day? Share the encouragement with others by e-mailing the scripture to friends and family.

The same iTalk to God app is available in seven common English Bible versions, including King James Version (KJV), The Message, and English Standard Version (ESV). Also available are Chinese, Spanish, and Korean translations. If you just want to try the app before buying, you can choose between 3 free versions of the app (one each for NIV, Chinese, and Spanish).

iTalk to God is a wonderful application that uses Bible verses to bring perspective into life’s everyday situations. WorldLink, Inc. has designed a simple and easy to navigate application that can bring hope and comfort anywhere you go.

iTalk To God is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch; requires OS 2.0 or later

Price: FREE    Score: 10/10    By Michelle Schusterman

I love apps that make me say “It does what? And it costs how much? Awesome.”

DIY Democracy, designed by The Prometheus Institute, does nothing short of put you in control of the world around you. You can become an active and concerned citizen who makes changes that matter, all from your iPhone.

When you open the app, it automatically detects your location, displaying city, state and zip code. You can change the zip to any location. When it’s set to the location you want, just tap the green arrow.

And hello there – a massive menu with options ranging from “Challenge State Law” to “Report Vandalism.” You can easily filter by federal, state, and local options. What did I choose first? “Run for State Senate,” of course. That’s right, run for senator. There’s an app for that. (And clearly those guys need me.)

I was brought to a page detailing the rules for running for senator – age restrictions, residency, etc.  (As of right now, the app is only for California residents, although future versions include access for all 50 states.)

This page also contained information on what one needs to do to establish candidacy, including which forms to fill out, filing fees, dates, and nomination documents. If you scroll all the way down, you can tap Take Action. Which I did.

Here you can upload or take a media snapshot (nice), enter your address, and other notes. Tap and send the info straight to the appropriate clerk for that district, town, whatever you’re running for.

Joking aside, I would hate to see someone use this app to clutter up these clerks’ inboxes. But even if you’re not planning on running for senator, governor, or even president (yes, it’s on there), the information on requirements is a fantastic resource.

On to the stuff citizens will find the most useful. You can contact your mayor. You can report a pothole – the app finds your location and actually writes the letter with all the information for you. No typing and driving, folks.

You can protest local taxes. Again, DIY Democracy generates a professional letter – you just fill in the details. You can report a signal malfunction or sign problem, snap a picture right there, and email it with your complaint to your local public works department. Fire hazards, red tape, repeals – it’s really pretty incredible what you can do with this app.

And all that was just from the Take Action section. Choose Representatives to get a full list of government officials (remember, California only for now). Choose Rights & Laws to get an easy-to-understand explanation of terms like due process, free association, and no unreasonable searches. Join a public forum to see what others have to say on issues that matter to you.

Many of us are not in the habit of being such active citizens, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be. Even something as small as reporting a fallen stop sign may prevent an accident, even save a life. DIY Democracy makes it easy – and it’s completely free. When it’s out for my state, I’ll be all over it.

DIY Democracy is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch and requires iPhone OS 3.1.2 or later.

Price: $1.99    Score: 8/10    By Anna Papachristos

*update 15/10/09: Pokedex’s commercialized use of Bulbapedia’s servers may in fact be illegal – refer to comments

Back in the day, there were only 151 Pokémon, Ash, Misty and Brock were best pals and Team Rocket was a force to be reckoned with.  But the times change, Pokémon evolve and well… they also seem to multiply.  Now, thanks to Studio Bebop, Pokémon enthusiasts can access the stats to all 493 creatures in an instant with the Pokedex App 2.1.

Connected to Bulbapedia, Pokedex App 2.1 allows users to access all the information they could possibly need to know about their favorite Pokémon.  Pokedex App 2.1’s main menu provides links to browse Pokémon, access your recently viewed Pokémon and visit Studio Bebop’s web site.

By tapping on browse, users can then search through the entire list of Pokémon alphabetically by name, numerically, or by type (i.e. Bug, Electric, Fire).  Users can also type in the name of the specific Pokémon they are looking for.

Once you’ve picked a Pokémon, you are directed to a page that shows you a picture of the creature, as well as their type, species, ability, exp. at 100, EV yield, egg groups and egg cycles, as well as their evolved forms.  The tabs at the bottom allow users to view the Pokémon’s base stats, their strengths and weaknesses against other Pokémon types, and the various moves they can learn as they gain experience.

Ideal for children and children-at-heart, Pokedex App 2.1 is the comprehensive go-to guide for all the vital information Pokémon trainers need to become a successful Pokémon master!

Pokedex 2.1 requires iPhone OS 2.0 or later and is compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Price: $4.99    Score: 8/10    By José Ralat Maldonado

This audio-enabled dictionary could give free reference applications a run for their money, though at a cost. WordWeb Software’s Audio dictionary – WebWord American English offers 285,000 entries, including phrases and derived forms as well as 225,000 word-sense definitions. It also gives users homonyms, synonyms and words often confused with the search in question. Furthermore, no Internet connection is required to access the audio.

Via the X-Ref button at the bottom of the screen of entries, users can obtain entrée to complementary online material, such as Wikipedia, both mobile and full, and Google, as well as other reference apps, such as New Oxford American Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary of English (the latter must be downloaded for access).

Other WordWeb dictionary features include:

• 70,000 usage examples and audio pronunciations
• 90,000 text pronunciations
• Fast pattern-matching search (*, ?, vowel and consonant)
• Customizable search options (case, derived forms, etc.)
• American, British and international vocabulary
• Shake for random word search
• Dictionary updates
• Full coverage of American, British, Canadian, Australasian and Asian English
• Bookmarks, recent and random words

One pitfall is that Audio dictionary – WebWord American English is painfully slow to download, a common problem with reference apps. For those not interested in the audio component, a free non-audio version is available on iTunes.

Audio dictionary – WebWord American English offers users not only another reference option, but also the advantage of supplemental resources and is a welcome and useful addition to my app library.

Audio dictionary – WebWord American English requires iPhone OS 2.0 or later and is compatible with both the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Price: $0.99    Score: 8/10    By Shaun Campbell

Whether you work in politics or just take a keen interest in what happens on Capitol Hill – Congress from the Cohen Research Group literally puts Congress in your pocket. Congress is an iPhone app that gives you all the information you need to keep up-to-date with your Congressman or Congresswoman.

Congress has a wealth of data on all the members of both the House and the Senate with names and photos, office addresses, contact numbers, website links, campaign news, an official biography and more. It’s essentially a trimmed-down Congressional Yellow book on the iPhone – but at a fraction of the cost, and a fraction of the size.

You can search by name, or scroll through an alphabetized list or state-breakdown of all the members of the 111th Congress of the United States.  Tapping on a name brings up their details and provides a list of direct links to the vital information.  The address links straight into Google Maps, the website takes you to Safari, and tapping the phone number will start dialing their office.

There is also two extended versions of Congress – Congress+ and Congress Pro, which meet the needs of activists, lobbyists and political professionals. Congress+ includes staff lists and email contacts, committee and subcomittee assignments plus updates in 2010 and also updates with each new version. Congress Pro provides you with all of the features of Congress+ as well as automatic updates for the next 2 years. Congress Pro is available on the App Store for $29.99.

Congress requires the 2.2 iPhone software update and is compatible with both the iPhone & iPod Touch.

Price: Free    Score: 10/10    By Shaun Campbell

Dictionary.com has long been a trusted go-to resource for a lot of people – myself included. It is arguably the fastest, and most efficient way of looking up a reliable definition on the internet.

Now  you can access this world-class content – over 275,000 definitions and 80,000 synonyms – all with no internet connection required. It’s like having an instantly searchable phonebook-size dictionary in your pocket. What’s better, the Dictionary.com Dictionary and Thesaurus for iPhone is free. Nada. Nothing. Zero. It really is a no-brainer – this is a must have app.

In addition to definitions & thesaurus functions, this app features:

• Similarly spelled words
• Audio pronunciation
• Example Sentences
• Non-standard uses
• Word origin and history

An internet connection is however required for word of the day, audio pronunciation and similarly spelled words.

Bottom line: A comprehensive dictionary that is straightforward and easy to use (and free!).

Dictionary.com Dictionary & Thesaurus requires the 2.2 software update and is compatible with both the iPhone & iPod Touch.