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Brad Hilderbrand

Senior Writer | 148Apps

Brad is a freelance writer specializing in the gaming, mobile and tablet industries. He is the founder of BradtheBrokeGamer.com, and would greatly appreciate it if you'd poke your head in and say hi.

Connect with Brad:
Twitter: @aubradley84

CompleteTax App Makes Finishing Your Taxes Unavoidable

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 23rd, 2012
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

We're only a few weeks away from federal taxes being due but I can bet there are a whole lot of people out there who haven't even looked at their W2s yet. If you're in the procrastination boat then don't panic, as a new mobile version of CompleteTax is here to help you fill out all your paperwork and get your taxes filed before the IRS decides to take notice and pay special attention to you.

The app allows anyone who's filing a 1040EZ form to fill out all their info on their phone and send it in without hassle. The program asks basic information, as well as pertinent financial info and then puts all the numbers in the right boxes. It's fast, it's simple and you can go on with your life.

Just take note that the app is only built for those file a 1040EZ, if you have a more complex tax situation or plan to itemize your deductions then you'd best find a more thorough solution. No matter what your method you'd better get on it, you really should be finishing your taxes instead of reading this article. Get to work!

Explore the World's Most Famous Ship in Titanic: Unsolved Mystery

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 23rd, 2012

Though you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who's still alive from the day the Titanic sank, the public's fascination with the doomed ocean liner has only grown over the years. The Titanic has been the subject of countless books, movies, TV specials and documentaries, and now you can add a new iOS game to the mix. National Geographic and PlayWay have officially announced Titanic: Unsolved Mystery, which will provide the most interactive experience with the famed ship yet.

The game is divided between present and past as heroine Lillian explores the wreckage of the Titanic, which is now an underwater museum. Lillian's quest is a bit of a tragic one, as her great-grandmother died when the boat sank and she would like to know more about the woman she never knew. The hidden-object gameplay is set in historically accurate recreations of the ship's interior just as it appeared 100 years ago.

Titanic: Unsolved Mystery is slated to launch sometime in the second quarter of 2012.

Refresh Your Music Library with MyTunes Pro

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 22nd, 2012
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

One of the most common laments of audiophiles is how badly iTunes compresses music files. While the average listener may not notice the drop in quality, to those who appreciate music in its most pristine form it's like listening to nails on a chalkboard. The good news is that now not only can fidelity be restored, but users can make their music sound even better thanks to the newly-launched MyTunes Pro.

The app comes from the crew at SRS Labs and builds on the company's already-existant MyTunes app. Not only does MyTunes Pro clean up audio and restore it to near-studio quality, but those with a true ear for sound can further tinker with tracks, adjusting the balance, bass, tone and more until they get their music sounding just right. There are other bells and whistles as well, including Party Mode and Workout Mode, each of which adjust the tempo of your music without warping the audio.

The app is free to download for the basic version, with in-app purchases available for users who want to try out the more advanced features. Why listen to music at an inferior quality ever again?

Baseball Bullpen Updated with Multiple Pitcher Support and More

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 21st, 2012
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

As baseball season begins to ramp up it's critical for coaches to keep a close eye on their pitchers. Practice sessions need to be tightly controlled in order to prevent overuse injuries and make the most of the allotted time, and it can be hard to keep things straight with so many guys in the rotation. Thankfully, Baseball Bullpen has received a new update that will make life a bit easier on coaches.

The newest version of the app supports stats for up to five pitchers, making it as simple as a swipe to jump from one to the next. It also now includes support for various types of pitches, letting coaches keep tabs on fastballs, curveballs, sliders and more. This is all in addition to the app's original features, which included a pitch count, location tracking, and the ability to estimate pitch speeds based on the pitcher's height and his distance from the plate. It's truly a coach's dream come true.

The app is also handy for enthusiasts or even scouts, as they can easily keep tabs on a pitcher's tendencies and location with the app. There's likely to be no more convenient way to keep careful track of one of the game's most important positions.

Show Kids the World with the Barefoot World Atlas

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 21st, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

The world may be a great big place, but technology continues to make it smaller and smaller. Now, it can fit on your iPad thanks to the release of the Barefoot World Atlas. This fun app is a great way to teach kids all about the world in which they live, and may even provide a few fun facts for grownups as well.

Navigating the atlas is as simple as dragging a finger across the screen and using the pinch zoom to get a close look at places of interest. As you fly down into the countries and regions you can tap on icons that teach you all about the people, places and animals that make up the area, and get a better sense of what's beyond your front door.

The atlas was created and narrated by BBC Presenter Nick Crane, in conjunction with Touch Press and England's Royal Geographic Society. It's a beautiful, entertaining way to start teaching kids how to think globally and learn all they can in an increasingly interconnected world.

Sing Along with the Little Fox Music Box

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 21st, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

It seems like all kids, regardless of gender, nationality or temperament, love to sing. I remember spending hours singing along to songs and TV shows as a youngster, and my nieces never seemed to tire of "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider," "Ring Around the Rosie," and others. Now you can turn your iPad into a children's carol factory with The Little Fox Music Box.

The app features three different sing-along songs; "London Bridge," "Old McDonald Had a Farm," and "Evening Song," each of which has a ton of interactive elements. Kids can tap the screen to hear animal sounds, change the seasons, even set off fireworks. There's also a studio mode where kids can compose music of their own, but in reality it almost always turns into a cacophony of animal sounds and general silliness.

The Litte Fox Music Box is available now and, while it's off to a good start, we do hope there will be some more music added in future updates. As any parent can tell you, there is a finite amount of times before you can listen to a song about a bridge in England before something inside you snaps.

Save an Alien Species in the Upcoming Tentacle Wars

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 19th, 2012

Sometimes it's not the external threat of invasion that is dangerous, but rather what's happening inside one's own body. That's the premise of the upcoming Tentacle Wars, a real-time strategy game in which players dive inside the body of an alien and take control of its last antibody cell in the hopes of fighting off the infection that will kill the creature.

As the trailer shows, gameplay revolves around utilizing uninfected antibody cells to send out "tentacles" to purify the contaminated cells. The infection won't just sit back and let you kill it though, as it will send out tentacles of its own to try and weaken and convert the few healthy cells you have left. This push/pull mechanic should make for some intense battles, and in many ways reminds of us Eufloria on a cellular scale.

Tentacle Wars will be out on the iPad in April, with an iPhone version planned to launch later in the year. If you can't wait another minute then feel free to try out the Flash version of the game to tide you over.

Defy the Gods Themselves with Call of Gods EX

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 19th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Life was rough for the Ancient Greeks; when they weren't being attacked by enemies or beset by plagues and famines the ancient gods saw fit to make the mortals their playthings and absolutely wreck their day. Now it's time to fight back in Call of Gods EX , where players take the field to battle Zeus himself.

Call of Gods EX puts players in control of the heroes of Pompeii as they square off against Zeus' forces for humanity's freedom. The game spans 15 unique levels and along the way players will fight alongside nearly a dozen famous figures from Greek history. The game also features a staggering amount of gear to collect and equip, so those who love customization and obsessive loot collection will feel right at home.

Call of Gods EX is available now for $1.99. The developer has mentioned to us that the game will go free for a limited time after its launch but we're still waiting for the sale to take effect. Whether you grab it now or decide to wait for the sale, enjoy rewriting history and putting those smarmy Greek gods in their place.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies Updated with New Level, Enemies and Weapons

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 19th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: BRAINS! :: Read Review »

No matter how many times you put them down, zombies just won't stay dead. Activision has launched their latest update for Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies and this one is a doozy. The team has ported over the popular "Ascension" map from consoles and added enough goodies to keep you blasting away at the undead hordes for hours.

The new map is set in a Cold War-era cosmodrome overrun with zombies and teeming with traps. Even more dangerous than the typical enemies are zombie monkeys which can swoop in and steal your perks as they maul your face off. Just remember that these monkeys are evil and you should have no trouble pulling the trigger.

The good news is your arsenal is getting an upgrade, too, and now you can deal death with the Thunder Gun, Matroyshka dolls, and Gersh Device. Players who like to really get up close and personal will also enjoy the inclusion of the Sickle. It's the most fun you'll ever have defending Mother Russia from reanimated rotting corpses.

Relive the Highs of Austin City Limits with ACL Archive

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 19th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Austin City Limits (ACL) is one of the country's biggest music television programs, drawing some major star power every episode. Now fans of the show can rewatch their favorite performances, as well as gain appreciation for some new ones, with the ACL Archive app for the iPad.

The ACL Archive comes packed with three full episodes of performances for free, featuring HD performance videos, artist interviews and more. Those who like what they see can gain access to the full archive with a monthly membership for $2.99, or go whole hog and buy an annual pass for $29.99. Those who opt to pay for a subscription gain access to 40 HD videos, 25 of which are brand new and have never been seen before.

ACL is a very cool show that draws a great variety of music and bands so it's awesome to see the past and present encapsulated in one app. Live music fans would be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend their money.

Bungie's Marathon Franchise Lovingly Recreated for iOS

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 19th, 2012

A lot of gamers don't know that before there was Halo, there was Marathon. The series, which Bungie created for the Mac almost 20 years ago, has finally made its way over to iOS, but not in exactly the manner you would expect. This is the tale of a labor of love, and a major studio being really cool with one of their properties.

Daniel Blezek was one fan of Marathon who really wanted to see the game come to iOS. Bungie couldn't take time out of their busy schedule to port such an old game to a new device, so Daniel asked if he could do it himself. Bungie gave its blessing and in his free time, between raising 5 kids and working full time as programmer, Daniel managed to recreate not only all 27 levels of the original Marathon, but also port over the entirety of Marathon 2. He even built in a super-special "Master Chief Mode," because he's just that swell of a guy.

Daniel may also be crazy, because he's giving away both Marathon games for free. Just hop on the App Store and download them and they're yours for absolutely nada. So why not grab a copy and support a passionate fan who just wants to share the thing he loves with the rest of us?


CW App Arrives on iOS

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 16th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

The CW is the latest network to fully embrace the mobile space as they have announced the launch of their new app on iOS. Now fans can watch shows like The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, 90210, America’s Next Top Model, and more whenever they want. The CW is promising that their full episodes of their entire prime time slate of shows will be available, so fans can easily catch up on shows they missed or just relive favorite episodes.

The app is also packed with extra goodies including interviews, a peek behind the scenes of your favorite shows, exclusive previews, and other content. You can also set reminders for shows you want to watch and dreamily gaze at photos of the cast from various CW programming.

This is a great option for those who can't get enough CW or maybe folks who don't watch much TV but still want to check this programming out. Why pay for TV when you can watch it for free and it's officially sanctioned by the network?

Hulk Smashes iOS with Origin Comic

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 16th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

The other day we told you about how Disney was reviving Peter Pan for the iPad, and now it seems the company is poised to do the same for The Incredible Hulk. The company just launched Avengers Origins: Hulk for the iPad, and it looks to be a fun romp for fans of one of Marvel's greenest and most volatile heroes.

The app allows readers to learn the origin story of The Hulk on their own, or have it read to them by none other than Stan Lee. Along the way are interactive sections where users can let out Hulk roars, toss cars and do all sorts of other fun stuff that only those exposed to specific amounts of Gamma radiation can do.

The app looks like a great way to get kids into comic books, and we hope that Disney and Marvel will be teaming up for more of these in the future. Let's just stay away from the darker stuff, no one needs the interactive scene where they forcibly coat Wolverine's bones in Adamantium.

Quickoffice Launches ProSelect HD

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 16th, 2012

Most businesses are struggling with the concept of enterprise mobility, or rather, how to keep track of data and keep it secure when your workforce is scattered and working from phones and tablets rather than office computers. Quickoffice is offering a whole suite of solutions with their new ProSelect HD app.

This new app support WiFi file sharing, cloud storage services, cut/copy/paste, ‘Open In’ support and SaveBack™, Quickoffice’s patent-pending API. One of the most useful features of ProSelect HD is its ability lock files in their original location, preventing users from saving files and documents in unsecured locations and potentially causing loss or leakage of data. The app also supports native iOS file encryption and email, which makes it very easy to integrate onto an iPhone or iPad.

The app is available via Apple's Store Volume Purchasing for Business and costs $29.99. Anyone interested should get in touch with Quickoffice via email and send along their Apple Program ID.

Predict Race Winners and Get Prizes with Williams F1 App

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on March 16th, 2012
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

Top-tier auto racing can already be quite an exhilarating sport, but now Williams is trying to make it even more exciting with their F1 iPredictor app. The new app will test users' knowledge of F1 as well as their clairvoyant skills as they try and guess who will win each Grand Prix race.

The challenge, which starts right now and runs through November 25, tasks players with predicting the top six finishers in each race, with the ultimate winner receiving the opportunity to hang out with the Williams F1 team during a practice day at the British Grand Prix in 2013. The top finishers each week will also receive a goody bag stuffed with Williams merchandise.

F1 racing has never really caught on in America, but when you throw in the chance to win prizes it's possible you may see a few ears prick up. In any case this is a cool new app for fans of the sport who also want to try their luck at winning some swag. And the social aspect means you can always brag to your friends when you pick more winners than they do.