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Greg Dawson

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Entrenched in iOS gaming and productivity and a mobile office conformist, Greg Dawson offers a unique take on app reviews from the angle of an independent consultant as well as a daddy, husband and professional photographer.

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Imperium Galactica 2 Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Greg Dawson on April 13th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: EMPIRE SPACE
Packed with an almost limitless amount of game time, Imperium Galctica 2 ports its popular MS-DOS RTS to the iPad.
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Red Bull Kart Fighter World Tour Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on April 13th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: START ENGINES
Red Bull Kart Fighter World Tour is a very addictive app with a lot of gaming time and is definitely recommended at its low price of free.
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Guitar Vision Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on April 11th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: FREE TABS
With the potential to save guitar enthusiasts a few bucks from having to buy tab sheets, Guitar Vision employs a polyphonic pitch detection technology to display chords in realtime.
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Sky Settlers Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on March 27th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: LOOK UP
Its unique sim-style gameplay and interesting robots have potential, but slow gameplay will frustrate most.
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Diggin' Dogs Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Greg Dawson on March 27th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: HAPPY PUPS
Packed with poisonous mushrooms and stinging bees, Diggin' Dogs is an intriguingly awesome puzzle that introduces three little unsuspecting heros as they search for the golden boot.
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SmartPlans Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on March 23rd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: PRODUCTIVE
The SmartPlans project management app goes beyond the basic check list and allows users to get things done in an intuitive and simple to setup dashboard.
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Sky Defenders Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on March 19th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: KA-POW
The best part about Sky Defenders is its foray into offering gamers a unique style of top-down gaming with power-ups fit for a superhero.
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USA TODAY for iPhone Review

+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
By Greg Dawson on March 15th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: TOP NEWS NOW
Featuring award-winning writers, up-to-date news and some of the best photography around, the USA TODAY for iPhone app offers something for all.
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Zombie Purge Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on March 12th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: ZOMBIE GOD
Offering zombie game fans fun ways to kill the dead, Zombie Purge has a lot of potential. Most will enjoy the ability to summon Mother Nature's powers to take on the hordes of brain eaters.
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iMob 2 Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Greg Dawson on February 29th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: THE DON
While it is much the same as other mob RPGs, iMob 2 still gets a pat on the back for creating another reason to become a Boss.
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SlotZ Racer Caterham Special Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Greg Dawson on February 14th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: START ENGINES
For any type of race fan carrying around an iOS device, SlotZ Racer Caterham Special offers a lot of track action for a very cheap price.
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Interval Trainer GO CALORIE Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Greg Dawson on February 14th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: INTERVALS
Packed with dual playlists and useful interval ratio training options, Interval Trainer GO CALORIE is a solid add to anyone's workout schedule.
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Champions League Appzine Offers Inside Look at Upcoming Matches

Posted by Greg Dawson on February 13th, 2012

In preparation for the 2012 UEFA Champions League matches hitting this week, Ringier Studios' recently launched its Champions League app to ensure fans have all the excitement at their fingertips. Marked down from $4.99 to $1.99 just in time for the games, the interactive appzine is aimed at true soccer fans wanting to dive deep into every facet of the tournament. The app will feature the 10 best goals in 3D animation, including ones by Charles-Edouard Coridon, Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi as well as saves by 10 goalkeepers such as Oliver Kahn, Victor Valdes and even Jerzy Dudek.

Fans who think they have what it takes to win the coveted trophy can build their very own dream team directly from previous Champions League heros. This team can be shared via Facebook and Twitter to show friends just how great their team is. The appzine also takes fans where the magic happens via 360 degree panoramic stadium photos taken during matches played by FC Barcelona and AC Milan. As for video content, fans have access to exclusive interviews with legends such as Steve McManaman, Stéphane Chapuisat, Ottmar Hitzfeld and even referee Urs Meier. They app also tracks top earners, gives an insider look at the ball and athletic shoe and offers historic timelines for some of the greatest moments of the finals.

Alawar Launches Robber Rabbits, Offers Valentine's Day Discounts

Posted by Greg Dawson on February 13th, 2012
iPad App - Designed for iPad

Even though Alwar's latest creation features some of the cutest tiny white bunnies in history, Robber Rabbits is anything but cuddly. These are masked thieves who the player must help shoplift delicious carrot flavored ice cream. The physics-based puzzle is set in Valentine's Day garb and is full of shooting experiments that puts the player in a tough position to obtain high-hanging carrot ice cream.

However, they have obstacles in their way such as swaying platforms that have to be hit to knock off the loot. The big problem is that the platforms are in the way of each other, which creates the puzzle portion. And the obstacles don't stop there. Broken light bulbs, blowing fans, and other interactive objects make sure that the game will be challenging. Available for both iPhone and iPad, Robber Rabbits features 96 unique puzzles, 3 unique weapons such as a popcap gun as well as the shooting physics to go along with the shot. The game is full of cuter than cute characters and graphics, original music and sound effects inspired by Valentine's Day and supports OpenFeint and Game Center. Alawar's other games are all on sell until the evening of Valentine's Day.

Margaritaville Online Review

Posted by Greg Dawson on February 8th, 2012
iPad App - Designed for iPad

Developer: THQ
Price: Free
Version: 1.03
App Reviewed on: iPad

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Playtime Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

[rating:overall]

Margaritaville Online for iPad is a social online game based on the lifestyle of author and singer-songwriter, Jimmy Buffett. Yes, the Cheeseburger In Paradise fellow. The game features a virtual tropical paradise with beautifully designed 3D graphics and comes complete with adventure, tunes and the all-mighty margarita. A few minutes in and one may never leave the beach because it's not just a game, it's a lifestyle.

One aspect of the game that players will notice right from the start is the enormity of the world that they can explore. It's vast, but not too big that they'll get lost. It's also full of shades of blues and greens that mix well with the sunbaked sandy beaches and truly gives the gamer a taste of paradise from the comfort of their own home.

As for gameplay, players are tasked with resurrecting a bar situated on a pier on the tropical island. To make life a bit more interesting, there are also mini-games available to play such as Hammock Time where players need to match like icons to fill the yard glass, collect 5,000 points and finish before time runs out.

These mini-games as well as tasks such as constructing a hammock, opening a treasure chest or going fishing use up important energy points. When the player runs out of them they cannot finish these tasks or games and cannot collect coins or XP points, which are vital to progressing through the various stages of the game. However, the player can get a lot of gameplay in before having to wait for more energy or having to buy beach bucks to replenish their. These are available via in-app purchases ranging from $1.99 for 20 to $49.99 for 500. There are also other ways to add energy such as uncovering foods such as mangos.

Margaritaville Online seems like it was built specifically for Parrotheads as players can not only build up their beachside bar to serve up a few frozen concotions for their friends, but can also explore the tropical world around them, sail the open sea as well as dress their character with various Hawaiian style clothing and gear. Of course, the game's fun and visually stunning world make it a great experience for anyone wanting to cast their cares away and search for their salt shaker.