|
|
 By no means are we musicians nor pretend to be. So, when requested by miniMusic to eval their app (check out video here) for possible review, we weren’t sure how to approach it. On a whim, I launched the app thinking it could help me choose someone for the assignment. The problem was I couldn’t put the damn thing down. First, there are 88 keys like a real piano when sliding effortlessly from side to side. Next, there are 80 presets, which can be customized in a variety of ways. But the most addictive features are bending the pitch and changing the modulation. Do I even know what I am talking about? Well no, not really. But it’s a lot of fun, impeccably made (zero hiccups or lag) and a steal for the price. Price: $1.99.
 Aren’t you getting sick of all the movie remakes? First, it was Psycho with Vince Vaughn (stick to comedies, buddy) and most recently, Star Trek… Well, that was actually pretty good. But now, Paramount just started casting Footloose… Freakin’ Footloose, man?! Really? The same can be said about most game remakes, but fortunately, this ain’t one of them. Based off the original Curve Ball at AddictingGames.com, play what is essentially 3D Pong against an AI opponent that constantly adjusts to your skill level keeping each experience uniquely competitive. With 20 different arenas (including the original), a variety of thumpin’ techno tracks, online global leaderboard, and an option to receive free 3D glasses, you have no excuses not to get 3D Spinball… Including the price! Price: 99¢.
 I used to collect comic books. You have no idea how hard that is to say, but it’s true. I just can’t hang around the local comic shop every week anymore. So now, I just buy complications in trade paperback. But even that tends to be problematic since I’ve gotten into more indie comics, which have less reliable ship dates than Marvel and DC Comics. So it’s been a blessing to find this app, comiXology, that provides a list of new releases in detail with covers, previews, and news. Also, create ‘pull’ lists, filter down to desirable publishers, and have access to a weekly podcast. A must-have for comic book fans. Price: $1.99.
 Recommended by new reader, Tom R., through Facebook (follow us also on Twitter), we checked out DrinkBuddy by comparing it to others and we were pretty impressed. Granted, some of us on staff aren’t big drinkers, but we were impressed with the quick interface, including preloaded popular drinks and beers, that had us already imbibing rather than tinkering around with the app. Customizable (add/delete/edit drinks) and supports multiple profiles (gender/weight/time), this is a useful way to estimate your blood-alcohol content (BAC). However, this should NOT be used for legal purposes, i.e. DUI, by any means. Purely for reference. Price: $3.99.
 Protect yourself and your family from registered sex offenders in your area using StaySafe. Whether by manually entering your info or just using your current location, be aware of who has been convicted of a sex crime in your immediate vicinity. Get details of the committed crimes, a picture of the offender, their vital stats, and even a risk assessment. Updated daily for the best accuracy possible. Highly recommended for family travel in unfamiliar areas, but also useful for house/apartment hunting and outdoor activities like jogging. While the price may be high, there is nothing expensive about the safety of your family. Price: $14.99.
 Whether you are traveling outside your country of origin, playing international markets, or just have relatives abroad like I do, knowing the current exchange rate comes in very handy. ezCurrency provides exactly that with real-time updated feeds until the market closes. Plus, there is a way to customize which currencies you want supported or left unsupported. Lastly, as a nice playful bonus, shake your iPhone to clear all values for a new search. It’s a very clean and easy-to-use app. Highly recommended, especially for the current sale price available only for a limited time. Price: Free.
 Before Robert Downey, Jr. appears in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes in December and destroys any interest you may have had of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, watch Jeremy Brett in the UK TV version and Basil Rathbone in the old 20th Century Fox films before its too late. However, to get a real feel for the character, you gotta read the books. This app has most of them for a very low price with auto-scrolling and bookmarks. Receive a deep appreciation for why Holmes has been the inspiration for other fictional characters like DC Comics’ Batman and NBC/Universal’s House. Price: 99¢.
 It’s amazing how I have a History minor, but don’t know a damn thing about U.S. history outside of an African American Experience course, which was awesome by the way. Ask me about the Magna Carta? Nothing. The Federalist Papers? Nada. The Declaration of Independence? I know I have a right to kick ass, which I fulfill by my wife forcing me to watch American Idol, blogging, and eating Popeye’s Chicken. Ugh. To improve my understanding, I downloaded U.S. Historical Documents, which has over 150 docs that have formed the basis of our country’s past, present and future. A good read for all. Price: 99¢.
 Has it been a long time between visits to your local fishing hole? Besides the increased costs for a fishing license, a permit, and launching/renting a boat, you may also realize (like I recently had) that you need a refresher on how to tie a knot and not just any knot, but the various kinds necessary for fishing, such as the Figure 8, Surgeon’s Loop, and Trilene Knot. All these and more are found in this app, Knot Time, with concise detail and supported by video. Other covered categories include Boating, Mountaineering, and Lashings. Useful and cheap. Price: 99¢.
 I’m a newbie dad always thinking about my toddler son’s future. Remembering how hard it was to fulfill the secondary language requirement for college, I recently learned that sign language is a viable substitute for a majority of schools. As my son is now beginning to communicate with both words and gestures, Signing Time ASL – Sign Language fits perfectly for the present and the future. The interface is easy to understand and the production value is high, especially the videos. Plus, the fun, catchy songs are a nice respite between lessons and makes learning infectious. Worth it. Price: $4.99.
|
Recent Comments