Gary Lucero Archive » 148Apps » iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch App Reviews and News

Rogue Touch

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

Anyone who likes a good dungeon hack will probably enjoy Rogue Touch. Be sure to set your expectations for graphical splendor appropriately low, though, as this old school RPG uses simple 2D sprites in its randomly generated dungeons. While the graphics are decidedly low-tech they are quite appropriate considering this is a port of one of the oldest RPGs in existence.

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PCalc RPN Calculator

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted March 3rd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

PCalc RPN Calculator has an optional RPN mode and a plethora of conversions built-in, a two-line display, undo and redo, and just about everything else one would expect from a scientific or engineering calculator. Its display is fully customizable and includes themes, various color options, landscape/portrait mode, and more. It's an expensive calculator but it has an exhaustive set of features.

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Notespark

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

If you aren't satisfied with the iPhone's built-in note pad, and you are connected to the Internet most of the time, you can really benefit from Notespark's constant syncing. There are a myriad of apps to consider though, and many are far better than this one. This app doesn't do that much wrong, but it has a slim feature set and though what it offers works well, it's best for iPhone users who want something simple.

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Papers

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 27th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

I'm not a scientist or medical professional so I can't attest to all of Papers' merits, but I can tell you that it appears to be a robust app that comes with a fine pedigree: The OS X version of Papers won a 2007 Apple Design Award for best scientific application for the Mac. Since Papers for the iPhone syncs with the OS X version, it allows you to leverage scientific research already in hand and also includes several search engines so you can not only take your research library with you on the go, but also add to it.

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Harvest Time Tracker

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 26th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

Harvest Time Tracker for iPhone is just one piece of the puzzle. It is used in conjunction with Harvest, the online subscription-based time tracking and invoicing system. While this app allows you to track time for the projects you are working on, management, invoicing, and expense tracking of those projects are handled by the online system.

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Trunk

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 25th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

In a nutshell Trunk is a personal wiki. It gives you the tools to create interconnected web pages using the simple Markdown language as well as the more complex HTML tags. Anyone can create these pages using WikiWords, and pages can store links to other pages or external web sites, as well as formatted text. This simplicity belies the power of Trunk, though, as it represents a unique way for users of the iPhone to manage information.

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iDracula

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 23rd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

iDracula is a survival horror game that places more emphasis on "survival" than "horror." While the atmosphere is quite creepy, and the graphics and animation are top notch, the game play consists of moving around just one area and killing monsters, collecting weapons and power-ups, and doing this for as long as you can hold out. It's well done but ultimately monotonous and shallow.

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Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 21st, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Yard Sale Hidden Treasures: Sunnyville is a hidden item puzzle game. It takes you from yard sale to yard sale, hunting for new items for your home so you can ready it for the big home contest. While the beautifully animated yard sales are the real stand out, the whole game oozes charm. Even the simplest, most inane aspects of game play contribute to make it a fun and engaging game.

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TextGuru

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 19th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

TextGuru is a full fledged text editor for the iPhone. It let's you organize files in nested folders, offers cut, copy and paste, can share files via wifi, and can import files via FTP and the Internet. It also serves as a viewer of common file formats such as PDF, MS Office, and more. It's a jack of all trades utility for those serious about their documents.

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Gemmed

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 16th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

Yet another match three game, Gemmed differentiates itself by including little colored monsters which you're charged with getting to the exit. The game is fun but it's hard to say that it will appeal to everyone. Hard core match three gamers may find the extras as gimmicky, and others may find the game a bit too busy and lacking of real challenge.

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PicTricks

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 10th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

When given exactly the right starting photograph, PicTricks can create funny or interesting pictures. Like any image manipulation app, though, it requires time and effort to master, and will just as often frustrate as satisfy. It's definitely worthwhile, although you can't expect it to magically create great photographs regardless of what the author claims.

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Note Pad

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 10th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: AVERAGE

Note Pad is a text editor that lets you store notes into standard folders or in smart folders that automatically populate with notes that match the list of keywords associated with them or with notes whose location is within a certain distance of your current location. The author's web site makes available synchronization software for Windows and Mac OS X that allows you to sync the notes via wifi with your PC.

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Chordica

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 9th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

Chordica is a fun and easy to use music app. It's innovative design lets you memorize songs using numbers instead of notes, which allows you to play a song in any key using the exact same screen taps. The app has a good sounding piano sample and enough adjustments to allow flexibility without being overwhelming.

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Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 7th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams is a remake of a classic Amiga game from the early 1990s. Updated graphics add to the sound effects, music, and game play, and all combine to make this not only a great recreation of the original but also a fun diversion.

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Sudoku

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 6th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

Sudoku is a very attractive and polished app that provides solid game play. Its help and hint systems make it approachable for casual players but it also has unlockable difficulty levels for those who prefer a good dose of punishment.

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Touchmaster Volume 1

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 5th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: AVERAGE

The Touchmaster series is generally quite good on the Nintendo DS platform, and while the games here are also good, there isn't as much variety present. Furthermore, while the games Midway has included aren't all that exciting, if you are a puzzle fan you'll definitely find something here to like.

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Multipad

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 4th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: AVERAGE

Although Multipad bills itself as a "stylish program that is always at your hand," it's actually a clunky little app that does little more than hold a limited number of hand written notes. While most note taking apps give you an unlimited number of pages to work with, here you have 72 scratch pads separated into 8 different pad sets. What does one do when he or she runs out of space?

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MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 3rd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition includes updated properties which are far more expensive than those in the classic game. It takes some getting used to not having Boardwalk and Ventura, for example, but Instanbul and London serve as suitable substitues. The game loads quickly, looks great, and generally plays great. Includes modes for one player, multiple players by passing the iPhone around, as well as wifi multi-play (on the same router).

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Ki-Ri-e

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted February 2nd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

The word Kirie speaks of traditional Japanese cut art work, where paper is folded and then cuts are made so when it is opened again, geometric patterns emerge. The app Ki-Ri-e serves the same purpose. Choose from a number of folds, styles of origami paper, as well as backgrounds and then use you finger to make cuts. Finally, open the paper to view your creation.

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ABContacts

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 31st, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

Although its user interface is a bit quirky, ABContacts continues to evolve. The current version works well and provides a relatively streamlined experience. It provides far more functionality than the Contacts app built into the iPhone, and is definitely worth considering.

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Crayon Physics Deluxe

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 29th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

Crayon Physics Deluxe presents you with 50 levels of crayon and paper filled puzzling. You draw lines, boxes, and other shapes in your quest to cause a red circle to travel from its starting point to the ending point, which is always a yellow star. As the levels progress this requires more and more ingenuity, but the game is simple enough for anyone to pick up and enjoy. The included level editor adds a little longevity to the game.

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SimCity

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 28th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

SimCity for the iPhone is a full featured version of the venerable series. That EA has packed such an immense amount of content, including advisors, help, reports, and all of the zones, utilities, and disasters of the original, is amazing. While the game generally chugs along and could look better, the game play is rewarding and production values are generally top-notch.

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Jetset: A Game For Airports

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 28th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

With Jetset: A Game For Airports, the author's intention was to create a game that air travelers could pick up and play while waiting at the airport for their flights. It makes good on its intentions by using location services that allow you to unlock location specific souvenirs, which can then be shared with friends via Facebook. The game definitely has broader appeal than just for travelers though, with fast paced game play that is humorous and interesting.

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i Love Katamari

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 27th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

i Love Katamari is a well done port of a game series that premiered on home consoles and was very successful there. The iPhone version doesn't seem to make very many compromises and looks and controls superbly. It offers numerous levels of challenging and rewarding game play.

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Plus

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 26th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

Plus is definitely a worthwhile spreadsheet app. With it you can easily transfer Excel spreadsheets back and forth and edit and open them on both the PC/Mac and the iPhone. While it appears to be well worth its asking price, you still have to ask yourself if its limited support of Excel's XML file format will be enough for you. If you need full MS Office compatibility, this will disappoint.

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Dreams & Lotto

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 24th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: AVOID

Dreams & Lotto claims that you can "Write in your dream and the corresponding numbers will appear," but instead gives you a small list of words to choose from. You search for words and select them, which then adds numbers that correspond to the words to your "My lucky numbers" list. You can e-mail this list to others. And that's about it.

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Appigo Notebook

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 22nd, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Appigo Notebook differentiates itself from the competition by offering tight integration with Todo, a task management app also by Appigo. It also offers numerous formatting options, the ability to sync notes with a free online service, full text searching, the ability to create multiple notebooks, and more.

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Appigo Todo

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 21st, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Appigo Todo is a task management app with a streamlined user interface. It includes ways to tag and otherwise set todo items apart, robust search and filtering, and is augmented by several synchronization options as well as tight integration with Appigo Notebook, a note taking app available from the same author.

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Paper Pilot

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 21st, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: AVERAGE

Paper Pilot is a racing game for the iPhone. You navigate a paper airplane through eight courses, from the inside of an office building to a sewer, attempting to set the fastest time. Environments look great and the controls aren't bad, but the overall action is repetitive and ultimately unsatisfying.

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Wikipedia Mobile

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Posted January 20th, 2009 by Gary Lucero
Our Rating: :: RECOMMENDED

When connected to the Internet you can use Wikipedia Mobile to search Wikipedia for articles, which can then be saved to you're iPhone for offline viewing. Pages retain their original formatting and can be searched for words or phrases, but the app has no built-in zoom, nor does it offer bookmarking or annotation capabilities. Regardless, it's a great way to create a library of articles conventiently available whether you have connectivity or not.

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