The iPhone App Review : iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad App Reviews

The iPhone App Review : iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad App Reviews

Use Your Brain to Save the Grains in Sand Slides

December 7th, 2010

A. Papachristos

Price: $.99 Score: 8/10 By A. Papachristos

Often times, new concepts can be challenging. When you’re used to certain methods, gaming can become quite dull. But when you stumble upon something new and different, the simple task of trying to master this new set of skills can become quite addictive and entertaining. With Sand Slides by Logik State, users must guide various colored piles of sand from their chutes to their specific collector before the timer runs out and drops sand all over.

Sounds simple, right? Think again. Despite the guise of easiness, Sand Slides presents a tricky game of thought that requires you to plan ahead quickly, keeping you on your toes until you simply cannot keep up with the pace any longer.

On the main menu, users will see an array of buttons: Start Game, Play Tutorial, HiScores, and Options, as well as two buttons at the button that allow you to connect to Facebook and Twitter. The HiScores button will display the highest scores for easy, medium and hard level separately. The Options button allows you to adjust the music and sound effects volume, visit their website and view the long list of achievements, which connect to Game Center.

The Tutorial, which I highly recommend, provides a step-by-step run through of all the info one needs to know in order to successfully play Sand Slides. As I mentioned before, the sand chutes each contain different colored sand that will drop during the game. Each filling up at various intervals, you must learn to direct the sand into the proper colored collector just by dragging your finger to create a slide. The more you collect, the more points you accumulate. In fact, if you collect multiple colors in their proper collectors at once, you earn extra points. If you collect the wrong color, the Grains Counter at the top of the screen will begin to decrease. Once it hits zero, your game is over. You may also tap the counter to pause the game. And, if you must exit while playing, don’t worry – your game will always be saved right where you left off.

Slides help sand land in the proper collector, while buckets contain sand that’s about to fall temporarily until you can drop the sand without interfering with the previous drop. Simply draw these aids with your finger. Tap any slide or bucket to highlight it, then tap again if you’d like it erased. Considering there may only be three markings on the screen at one time, the moment you make a fourth, the oldest marking will automatically be erased.

Sand Slides presents an entertainingly different concept that increases in pace as you proceed, testing your logic skills as you try to figure out how to juggle all that sand. Though you spend half the game expecting to fail miserably, you’ll be surprised just how quick a thinker you can be. We all know sand can be quick, but your mind shall surely be quicker.

Sand Slides [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 3.1.2 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

Carry All Your Crucial Information with My Wallet Cards

December 6th, 2010

A. Papachristos

Price: $3.99 Score: 6/10 By A. Papachristos

Cards have become rather essential in today’s world. From credit cards, to those tiny shopper discount cards designed to dangle off your keychain, all things plastic help the world go ‘round. However, with My Wallet Cards by Giuseppe Dominoni, users can convert their physical wallet into a virtual notecase that holds all their important information, identification and documentation.

With My Wallet Cards, users can file their credit, loyalty, fidelity, visit and business cards, as well as identification documents, all within a single application on a device they already carry with them constantly. When you begin, a guide that will walk you through each component of My Wallet Cards will greet you. However, you will quickly find out that, if you wish to adjust any of this application’s settings, you must exit the application and alter them under the device’s basic Settings application. Here, you will be able to create a login password, reset the database, turn the guide on or off, adjust the sound effects, save images, and choose your wallet’s background texture (black, gray, beige or orange leather; striped; crocodile; leopard; rock; python; grass; jeans and snow).

Though some of the directions are written in slightly confusing, broken English, users will find that there are five pages of card slots, allowing the wallet to hold up to 20 cards. (The App Store description claims there are 24 spots, but that appears to be incorrect.) Simply tap the slot to see your card and tap a second time to modify the entry. With the Internal Bar Code Generator, My Wallet Cards will create a barcode for each car for easy reading by the recognition devices for cell phones and portable devices. As a cute touch, users may even add a favorite photo to their wallet as if it were the true, physical object.

Be aware, though, for once you create a password to protect your information, do not forget it, for passwords cannot be recovered under any circumstance. And though this protection makes life seem much safer, the hassle seems rather unnecessary in the long run. If you lose your phone, thieves will not be able to use your crucial information to steal your identity, but if you lose your wallet, all will be available for the taking. In that respect, My Wallet Cards seems wonderful. Unfortunately, though, you will most likely end up doing double duty, for many stores and businesses probably do not recognize such digital formats as legitimate representation, meaning you will have to carry both your device and actual wallet to be on the safe side. I have yet to ever see anyone use their phone to present a license or credit card, namely because they do not have physical proof. Inputting your information simply seems like a redundant waste of time, no matter how appealing their safety procedures may be.

My Wallet Cards [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 3.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

Rainbow RSS Reader Gathers All Your News Information in One Place

December 6th, 2010

A. Papachristos

Price: Free Score: 8/10 By A. Papachristos

The Internet provides a continuous flow of information. The moment you think you’ve caught up on all the top news of the day, you suddenly find yourself buried under an avalanche of new stories and information that you cannot help but dig your way out by sifting through and reading these latest developments. But now, with Rainbow RSS Reader by Netycom Srl, users can organize all their RSS feeds into a single list, color coding them by subject matter so you can find just the news you were looking for at a moment’s notice.

Startup the application and begin entering all your RSS feeds immediately. Use the book icon in the top right corner of the screen to start entering specific URLs or login to Google Reader so you may connect with your current feeds all at once. Each feed added will then appear on your main page, meaning you need only peruse a single feed each time you wish to read the news.

Though a single feed may initially seem daunting, this unified system allows users to group their feeds into given colors. Whether you break your feeds into groups because of their topic, source or language, this color-coding system allows you to know exactly what you’re looking for and direct you right to the news you need. And, if this truly doesn’t help, simply use the Search bar at the top of the screen to look for anything that pertains to your keyword.

Also, Rainbow RSS Reader offers a Shake capability, which allows users to simply shake their device for the next new article. Users can even update manually by using the arrow icon at the top left corner of the main screen. Getting your news and staying up-to-date shouldn’t be a time consuming chore. Use Rainbow RSS Reader to simplify your life because we could all use a few less complications during our day, and this truly may be the pot of gold at the end of a giant news rainbow.

Rainbow RSS Reader [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 4.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

The Gentle Alarm Gets You Going with a God-Awful Start

December 5th, 2010

A. Papachristos

Price: $3.99 Score: 5/10 By A. Papachristos

Waking up can be one of the biggest struggles of the day, for it seems you become the most comfortable right before the alarm is set to go off. However, The Gentle Alarm by Craft AG seems to promise users a seamless way to move from REM sleep to a lighter phase of sleep, waking you up when you are most receptive. With said function, users will supposedly wake up more refreshed and alert, reducing your cortisol levels by waking you more smoothly and naturally. And though this concept sounds ever so attractive and promising, the jolting sounds may have you waking up perplexed (and vexed) instead of gently.

The Gentle Alarm begins by presenting a checklist, which actually closely resembles a list of do’s and don’ts. The application warns you that it must be running in the foreground for it to work properly. If you exit the application, the alarm will not go off, though you can turn off the display like normal and still have the alarm function as it should. You should also be sure not to mute your device. Instead, pump the volume up to 100 percent (and be sure to turn off those email and text message alerts, for if you get any during the middle of the night, you will surely be awoken prematurely). You must also be sure to keep your phone in the same place every night so you will “adapt” to the process effectively. You just better hope there’s an outlet nearby, for you should also connect your device to a power source so you don’t drain the battery and have it shut off in the middle of the night.

Once you finally reach the main page, you will see a string of icons strewn across the bottom of the screen. The first, a gear icon, is where you will go to edit your settings. Here, you can turn the alarm on and off, set the alarm time, reset your adaptation status, review the checklist and send friends a recommendation email. No matter how many times I try to decipher the App Store description, I will never comprehend this “adaptation” business, and you will rarely (if ever) use the recommendation button. That is, unless you’re out for revenge.

The bell icon indicates whether the alarm is active or not. If you have turned the alarm on, it shall appear dark blue. If the alarm is off, it will blink red. The plug icon works in a similar way, blinking red if your device is not connected to an outside power source, while the speaker icon will blink red if your volume is not up to 100 percent. (Though it might be worth the incessant blinking once you get an earful of those “gentle” wake up sounds.)

Though The Gentle Alarm supposedly starts out softly, gradually easing you out of your deep sleep and into a waking state, there is a point when the application begins emanating gong-like sounds that jolt you (and anyone who shares your sleeping space). Sharing a room with two other people, each were woken up by my experiment with the alarm, one by the gong-like sounds, the other, by the sound that follows the actual sounding of your alarm — a sound that closely resembles a slew of emergency vehicles zooming through your room. Considering each was at a different level of sleep, these light sleepers shared in my distaste for the abrupt wake up. Perhaps 100 percent volume should not be a requirement, but a suggestion, for our walls are thin and I can only imagine the neighbors weren’t too thrilled with my alarm that day as well.

The Gentle Alarm [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

Watch Petey and Jaydee on Your iPhone

December 5th, 2010

michelleschusterman

Price: FREE Score: 9/10 By Michelle Schusterman

When you’re looking to kill a little time, a funny, animated short can fit the bill perfectly. Petey and Jaydee is that sort of app – a series about two little aliens who are “small, green and a little bit mean.”

The cartoon and app are created by Green Tshirts Interactive, who have an episode up on their website so you can get a feel for what you’ll get. Tap “My Movies” at the bottom to see the clips you can install (each episode running about 45 seconds). Tap “Install” for a one-time installation, and you’ll have the clip to watch whenever you want.

There are six movies ready for you to install for free in “My Movies.” The rest of the series can be collected at $0.99 per episode by tapping “Store” at the bottom of the screen. All of the episodes can be divided into three categories which feature adventures in the kitchen, a music store or the soccer field.

The quality of the graphics and sound are both excellent, and the concept is cute – two mischievous aliens exploring everyday items and causing trouble. And spoiler alert; one (I’m thinking Jaydee) always dies in a rather gruesome way at the end.

The app itself is very simple and easy to navigate, and downloading each episode generally takes less than a minute. If you enjoyed any episodes of Petey and Jaydee you may have seen on TV or on the web, this app is sure to keep you entertained.

Petey and Jaydee Collection [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 3.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

Helicopter Pays Homage to Famous Computer Flying Games

December 4th, 2010

A. Papachristos

Price: $.99 Score: 7/10 By A. Papachristos

For those who have ever played games such as Jetman or The Helicopter Game on their computer, you know how fun and frustrating things can be when trying to fly in a virtual world. Now, with Helicopter by Ashu Desai, users can experience this challenging flight path right on their Apple device as they navigate through obstacles while attempting to master the necessary movements for success.

When you begin, the first prompt will alert you to the fact that tapping the Instructions button will teach you how to play and tapping the helicopter will allow you to change your character. What you will discover, however, is that these new characters will unlock as you progress, a new one becoming available each time you reach a given milestone. You may also wish to connect to your Game Center account so you can submit your scores online to compare your skills with those of friends and gamers worldwide.

Tap to start exploring the cave, but be careful not to hit any of the walls or pillars, for collisions will end your flying streak. Observe your current game score in the bottom left corner, while your highest score ever sits in the bottom right corner. At the end of each game, the View Scores button appears so you can check out how your competitors are fairing.

To maneuver, users must touch the screen to lift the helicopter upward and release their touch to make the helicopter drop. However, it may take quite a number of tries before you begin to get the hang of maneuvering your helicopter without overcompensating and hitting the walls. Just like the computer version, the more you play, the more you begin to realize how aggravating this game truly is, but that actually contributes to the joys of such a challenge.

Helicopter [iTunes Link] requires iPhone OS 4.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.