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With Real Racing 3’s stateside release right around the corner, we figured it might be fun to take a look at the game’s extensive lineup of vehicles and pick out a few of our favorites. When a game has over 40 real-life vehicles to choose from, the competition is bound to come down to the wire. So in no particular order, we present to you the five hottest rides of Real Racing 3.
Porche 918 Spyder Concept
Planned for release in September of 2013, this beauty accelerates from 0-60 in a mere three seconds, can stop on a dime and starts out at a beefy 200mph. The most remarkable thing about this piece of motorized madness is that it in real life it burns up the track with Porche’s first ever hybrid, 580 horsepower engine, buoyed by the aid of two electric motors outputting a healthy 243 horses apiece. But be warned, this beast is going to set you back almost $850,000 in in-game cash, so start saving your pennies early and often.
Pagani Huayra
If there were ever a car that epitomized high speeds and sleek design, this bad boy would take the cake. Its twin V-12 engine manages to produce a staggering 730 horsepower that to start top out at 222mph, but when upgraded can exceed 230mph. The Italian produced dream machine is also highly touted by the good folks over at Top Gear, having crowned it the fastest street-legal vehicle in the program’s history, completing their coveted track in 1:13.8. As mind blowing as that may be, it also comes with a bit of sticker shock as well, because it will set you back 1.35 million big ones to park this in your in-game garage.
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
Though it may sound odd to say, the Aventador is a bargain relatively speaking, clocking in at only $597,700. Without question, it is one of the crown jewels of Real Racing 3’s S Class. Originally put into production back in 2011, the vehicle’s availability is extremely limited, with only 4,000 ever planned on being produced. The in-game model has a top speed of 217mph, and a 0-60 in an impressive 2.9 seconds, making it one of the highest performing cars under three quarters of a million dollars.
McLaren F1
Originally dubbed as, “…The finest driving machine, yet built for the public road,” this extremely specialized vehicle was one of the most beloved and coveted sports cars ever produced. Despite production on the model ceasing way back in 1998, it is still thought by some to be one of the most perfected pieces of machinery on the planet. The $1.25 million price tag not only reflects the car’s rarity, but also its performance as well. Starting out with a 234mph cap speed, you can only begin to guess how high it can go with the help of a few, albeit expensive, part enhancements.
Koenigsegg Agera R
Last, but most certainly not least, this Swedish supercar begins to blur the lines between vehicle and rocket. Don’t let its sleek exterior fool you, because this slice of heaven is just as much about performance as it is about perception. Holding an impressive six different land speed records, this is the type of finely tuned excellence that can accelerate to 300kmh in only 14.53 seconds. Needless to say, but a top speed of 273mph is not going to come cheap. In fact, it is so expensive that it can only be purchased using 800 in-game tokens, not even cash! To put that amount into perspective, it would cost $99.99 in real life money to purchase 1000 race tokens, so watch your wallet. Perfection comes at an extremely hefty price.
Don’t worry, this is just the tip of the gas-guzzling iceberg. There will be plenty more affordable hot rods awaiting you when Real Racing 3 launches later this week. Until then, keep those engines revving, gearheads!
This is it. Our favorite apps of 2012, the ones that took our devices to new levels of usefulness. Have your own picks? Tell us below in the comments!
 10. Fantastical: What makes the iOS version of this Mac calendar app so great? Jennifer Allen says that it’s because of its natural language features. “Adding an event is a matter of tapping the plus button, like with many other calendar apps. Usually, this is where things get slow and cumbersome with users having to slide through times and dates to find the right one. Fantastical makes it so much easier. Users just type what’s going on. Meeting Joe for lunch tomorrow at 1pm? Type that in and the app understands perfectly. … Excluding typos, it’s tough to fool Fantastical, it’s that accurate.”
$4.99  iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-11-29 :: Category: Productivity  9. 1Password: Remembering passwords, especially secure ones, is difficult. Thankfully, version 4 of this password app is extremely easy to use and also comes with extra features for easily filling out private information. As David Rabinowitz says: “The sheer number of different types of information 1Password can remember is extremely impressive and comprehensive. It can store all of the usual things, like identities, credit cards, login information and such. But, it can also remember driver’s licenses, social security numbers, software licenses, wireless routers, and even notes if there is something to store that doesn’t fit in one of the many included categories. The app also has some really impressive advanced features, like syncing to iCloud or Dropbox.”
$8.99 $17.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-12-13 :: Category: Productivity  8. Pocket: Read It Later underwent a stylish renovation with a new name, and the result was this dramatically-improved experience that’s now one of the best cross-platform reading list apps available. The app is perfect for keeping up with longform articles, and its integration with apps like Tweetbot means that it’s easy to save an article to Pocket from iPhone, and read it later on the iPad. It’s for more than just reading articles, videos work extremely well with it as well. Now, to just solve the problem of having too many saved things to get through.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-04-08 :: Category: News  7. Launch Center Pro: App Cubby expanded out their popular Launch Center application for easy access to actions on iOS with this new Pro version that brings new features and a much-improved interface. Angela LaFollette says “Launch Center Pro is ideal for users who like to save time and works perfectly sitting in the iPhone’s dock. Once you use it, you’ll never be able to stop. It’s packed with a lot of features, and its intuitive and sharp interface both make it attractive to all iOS users.”
$3.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-06-21 :: Category: Productivity  6. Adobe Photoshop Touch: While a stripped-down Photoshop experience has been available on iOS for a while, this expanded experience is the photography enthusiast’s best friend. David Rabinowitz says that “ Although it doesn’t offer as much as its full-featured older brother on the desktop, it’s the best photo editing experience available for iOS. Beginners who have never used Photoshop before won’t feel overwhelmed by the app. The desktop version is known for being extremely powerful and full featured, with an at times cluttered and confusing interface, but the tablet version really only includes the essentials.”
$9.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-02-27 :: Category: Photography  5. The Magazine: Marco Arment’s bi-weekly magazine, with several original articles from talented writers, is probably the best justification for keeping Newsstand around at this point. It has a fantastic minimalistic design as well, which is to be expected from the creator of Instapaper. The topics are varied and provocative, great for a short-but-satisfying read, and it’s only available on iOS.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-11 :: Category: Lifestyle  4. Sparrow: Apple rarely approves third-party mail clients, so the fact that this one made its way to the App Store is a blessing for users. Sparrow makes it easy to navigate one’s inbox, quickly seeing unread emails, easily going from one mail to the next, and getting to see just who’s emailing with Facebook integration. It was so good that Gmail acquired the dev team, and the Gmail app is already seeing the dividends of the acquisition. While new feature development has stopped, Sparrow isn’t going away, thankfully: it recently got an update for the iPhone 5 and remains perhaps the best independent mail client on the App Store.
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-03-15 :: Category: Utilities  3. Google Maps: You never know what you have until it’s gone, and such is the story of Google Maps. Ever since Apple’s mapping solution replaced the default Maps app in iOS, which was powered by Google, suddenly people missed Google’s solution. Well, splitting the app away into a third-party release proved to be a great move: while it is yet to see iPad support, the transit directions are a huge help, turn-by-turn navigation has been added to the app, and it’s just generally a better experience than it was before.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-12-12 :: Category: Navigation  2. Tweetbot for iPad: Tapbots brought their Twitter client from iPhone to iPad this year, and while the iPad experience is great enough on its own, the synchronization is the app’s real strength. Being able to easily sync unread position between iPhone, iPad, and even the later Mac version is just an amazing experience that works exactly as it says on paper. It’s the best Twitter experience available, period. Enjoy it while it lasts, thanks to Twitter limiting the number of users that an app can have using Twitter.
$2.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Social Networking  1. Paper by FiftyThree: This drawing app is incredibly beautiful, allowing for pieces that look incredibly realistic to be brought to life in the app’s virtual pages. But it may be the fact that it’s actually so easy to use, even for non-artists, that it is extremely compelling. Jennifer Allen says “Paper by FiftyThree does for sketching and artistry as iA Writer does for the writer. It’s simple and unsullied by menu bars and buttons. Instead it’s all about expressing creativity.”
FREE! iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-03-29 :: Category: Productivity
These are it. The cream of the crop of 2012. The best games that ought to be played. We’re sure you have opinions on this – tell us in the comments below!
 10. The World Ends With You: Solo Remix: This DS role-playing game was brought to the next big touchscreen gaming system. Spoiler alert: its unique art style, soundtrack, and gameplay, re-fitted for one screen, fit well enough to let the experience still shine. It is expensive but worth it, writes Jennifer Allen: “I’ve played many JRPGs in the past and there’s nothing quite like it. The iOS conversion is pretty good, even despite the screen restrictions, and it’s all forgiven when you’re wrapped up in the storyline so much. It’s an expensive purchase but one that will offer you dozens of hours of memorable gameplay. When you think of it like that, it really doesn’t sound so bad.”
$17.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-08-27 :: Category: Games $19.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-08-27 :: Category: Games  9. Outwitters: One Man Left’s long-awaited turn-based strategy game proved to well worth the long-awaiting. Move units in such a way to avoid detection or be out of the range of the enemy. Imagine their horror as they realize that their opponent has set themselves up to win no matter what they do, and hitting submit is their doom. Such is the joy of Outwitters. Just hope that opponents don’t consider the phrase “The only winning move is not to play” a valid strategy.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games  8. Super Hexagon: Where Terry Cavanagh’s frantic survival game is in its relentless simplicity. It’s all just spinning left and right no matter what, but then it becomes about learning the patterns of the different difficulty levels, and figuring out the approach. But yet, the hardest part is the execution, and not messing up. Spinning left and right has never been so difficult, and yet so ultimately rewarding.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-08-31 :: Category: Games  7. Letterpress: Who saw Loren Brichter, most known for legendary Twitter app Tweetie, reinventing the multiplayer word game? This stylish asynchronous multiplayer affair was compelling because the goal was so different: each player was on relatively equal footing with the same 5×5 grid, but new strategies, and competing for territory formed from words played out. Just don’t cheat.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-24 :: Category: Games  6. Rayman Jungle Run: Why was this Rayman auto-runner so good? Perhaps it was the absolutely stunning 2D animation. Perhaps it was the charming music that set the mood of the game perfectly. Perhaps it was the ingenious level design. Perhaps it was the perfectly-honed progression curve, introducing new abilities steadily throughout the game. But maybe it’s the fact that all of it came together so well in one game. Oh, and the game has used few in-app purchases, a shocking development considering they were all over the place in 2012.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-09-18 :: Category: Games  5. 10000000: There’s no reason why, just looking at this game on the surface, why is should be on a top games list. It’s got a pixel art style, but it’s hardly polished or detailed. It has the ugliest icon on the App Store. That anyone noticed it at all is really a miracle. But those who did notice it also noticed that they had no free time left. The way that different matches can affect the board means that each move has an impact, and often an unintended one. It’s just way too easy to keep coming back and giving this one another shot to try and get to the eponymous ten million points total.
$1.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-25 :: Category: Games  4. Angry Birds Star Wars: The franchise got a major boost in 2012. While there’s only so many ways to tackle launching birds at pigs, the fact that Angry Birds Space mixed in so many new ways to tackle this eternal conflict was refreshing. But even better was that Rovio took an opportunity with what could have easily been a licensed cash-in and made it something that not only was nostalgic and just reverent enough to the source material along with its inherent irreverent characters and theme, but made it truly a Star Wars-inspired Angry Birds game. It sounded ridiculous, and at some level, still is ridiculous, but it rises above that.
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-11-07 :: Category: Games $2.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-11-07 :: Category: Games  3. Hero Academy: While exchanging words has been a staple of turn-based multiplayer games on iOS, Hero Academy was probably the first game that really mastered a combat-based gameplay on iOS. There was plenty of raw strategization, but there’s also the poker aspect of not knowing what units your opponent has up their sleeve, exactly. Watching your team dance around after winning is extremely satisfying, after that other team’s archer had taken so many with them. Dance little soldiers, dance indeed.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-10 :: Category: Games  2. Punch Quest: Rocketcat Games and Madgarden made a game that clearly was meant to take refuge in its audacity: the idea of an endless puncher where skeletons, bats and orcs get punched in between rounds of riding laser-firing dinosaurs and gnome transformations could easily just be ludicrous. Making it fun and addictive is another challenge: the fact that the game is so perfectly controlled with just two fingers helps. That it contains a deep customization and skill-based system helps propel return sessions, along with the ability to see friends’ customizations on the leaderboard. But the fact that the game just remains so simple and fun to play at its very core makes it one of the best games of the year.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-25 :: Category: Games  1. Walking Dead: The Game: When compiling this list, there were many titles named as some of the best of the year by our staffers. Yet, one game kept popping up, and it was Telltale’s take on the popular zombie franchise. It’s easy to see why: the game presents players with ways to interact with their world, and define their character and fate in ways that other games do not. It’s powerful and memorable, as Jennifer Allen explains: “I love games that offer an emotional experience which is exactly what The Walking Dead has offered. The fact that every decision has a repercussion, whether big or small, makes it all the more fascinating. It might not be a game designed for replaying, but that sole experience from start to finish is quite gripping if upsetting at times.”
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-26 :: Category: Games
We’re at the middle part of our rundown of 2012′s best apps. Agree or disagree with our choices? Let us know in the comments below!
 20. DocuSign Ink: Getting signatures on important documents becomes a lot easier with this extremely handy app, allowing users to sign with their fingers or a stylus to be added to PDF documents or ones captured with the iOS camera. Angela LaFollette says its security and convenience are unparalleled: “What makes DocuSign Ink stand out from other apps similar to it is that documents are secured and protected from being copied, documents can be stored on cloud services like Box, Dropbox and Google Drive and the app converts PDF fields so users can fill them out with ease.”
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-10-31 :: Category: Productivity  19. Hueless: While we now have the ability to take photos with realistic color depth, there’s still something about black-and-white photography and the special composition that it requires that makes it stand out even today. Hueless makes this easy by providing real-time capture in black-and-white, as opposed to post-processing. There’s the ability to adjust color filters, exposure, and contrast while shooting, so that perfect shot is attainable the first time. While it may take old-timey photos, it still provides modern features like sharing to social networks, including Instagram. There’s no filter more hip than to have no color whatsoever.
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-05-21 :: Category: Photography  18. Next Issue: This app and service combines the all-you-can-consume subscription model of Netflix with magazines, providing the latest issues of many publications available at a flat rate. Monica Stevens loved it: “I don’t have to pick through every stand of the supermarket endcap while my groceries get loaded onto the moving black belt. Next Issue’s mags don’t pile up on my nightstand, either. Next Issue’s offerings are also far more wide-ranging and enjoyable than Apple’s Newstand. Finding viable options for light flight eye-fare is tiresome when the choices are so few.”
FREE! iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-07-09 :: Category: News  17. Byword: The Mac text editor jumped to iOS in 2012, bringing with it a fantastic experience for quickly writing in plain text and Markdown. The latter is especially possible with its great keyboard toolbar for quick access to common formatting. The iCloud and Dropbox support means that writing can be taken anywhere, no matter its starting point. I personally type up everything I write in this app’s various permutations, even on the iPhone 5 sometimes.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-03-09 :: Category: Productivity  16. Clear: This to-do list app eschews complexity, preferring a simple and stylish experience. Superior to writing things down on paper, for those who just wanted a very easy way to list what they needed to do and mark it off when they were done, Clear is the solution. Later updates provided additional themes and iCloud sync to the Mac version to free up those lists. As well, the app had a decided influence on other productivity apps that tried to mimic its minimalist design.
$1.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-15 :: Category: Productivity  15. Bankr Personal Finance: This finance app makes the list thanks to it being not just handy for tracking expenses and monitoring budgets, but for its steady improvements through updates. For example, an update in October, which won our Editor’s Choice award, added Siri and Reminders integration to the app. Angela LaFollette says “There’s not much that this app can’t do. Honestly, I couldn’t find anything to not like about Bankr Personal Finance. … All in all, it’s powerful, well-designed, refreshing and it just made my life a lot easier. Keep tabs on your money by keeping this app around on the home screen.”
$1.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-06-28 :: Category: Finance  14. Creatorverse: The creators of Second Life jumped on to iOS with a physics sandbox app that impressed our Lisa Caplan: “Creatorverse‘s unique sandbox style may mean it’s more fun for kids (or kids at heart), it’s the creative possibility that makes it so engaging. Whether uses wish to make a simple pinball-style game or a short animation, it’s a neat concept that lets users explore their artistic side.”
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-11-01 :: Category: Games  13. Readability: While it has existed as a web service for some time, the app is a fantastically engrossing experience for quickly and easily reading some of the internet’s best writing. Lisa Caplan praised it in her review: “It’s a pure, simple, and beautiful reading experience, particularly for longer articles and in-depth reports. Yes, Readability’s app was worth the wait. It’s also completely free, so download it.”
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-03-01 :: Category: News  12. Things 2.0: A free update to the existing Things app, the new Things Cloud feature freed to-do lists from an individual device and made them available anywhere a user used the app. Ruairi O’Gallochoir says “…my love for Things was only reaffirmed with the 2.0 update. Users are sure to appreciate the Cloud Sync features, its amazing interface and its powerful task management tools. Although some may be deterred by its fairly expensive price tag, once you see past it and realise you are paying for an extremely well designed app you might be able to justify the decision with yourself.”
$19.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Productivity  11. Jasmine: iOS 6 stripping out Google services entirely made for a great entry point for third-party developers to jump in with apps that improve on the official experience. Jasmine would be notable if only thanks to its sleek interface, but for two killer features: one, it can play videos that are otherwise made unavailable on mobile. Two, it can play the audio from videos after the app is minimized. The app’s core features are available for free in a universal app. It’s the best way to check out YouTube on iOS.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-09-20 :: Category: News
We enter the middle portion of our rundown of 2012′s best games, covering numbers 20-11 of our favorite games. Have an opinion of your own? Let us know in the comments!
 20. Girls Like Robots: Based on quality, Adult Swim Games probably had the best 2012 of any mobile publisher, with a succession of high-quality games with absurd premises. The silliness made it a great fit on a surface level for the publisher. The high quality of the game, which transcends its silly people-organization concept by just continuously iterating and evolving on it throughout the game, made it something special.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-11 :: Category: Games  19. Polara: This endless runner mixes in the color-switching of classic shmup Ikaruga with endless runner gameplay. But it shines because it is never content to keep throwing the same tricks at players, as Eli Cymet explains: “Polara boasts tight and varied gameplay, and consummately constructed stages. Rather than rest on the laurels of novelty and squander the core mechanic, developer Hope This Works Games offers a new way to think about color matching in almost every level.”
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-11 :: Category: Games  18. Polymer: Play the “One Polymer” mode in this unique sliding puzzle game from indie-musician-turned-developer Whitaker Trebella to see its genius: it encourages long-term strategizing and planning to make a high-scoring match, not just quick reactions like in other puzzle games. Sure, there’s modes that require quick thinking as well that are plenty of fun, but the premise of One Polymer is what kept me coming back.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-04-26 :: Category: Games  17. Pocket Planes: Nimblebit hates our free time. Last year’s Tiny Tower was addictive. So was Pocket Planes, thanks in no small part to the fact that there was more surface strategy to employ, and the ability for players to have a say in their fate as they expand their airline’s reach into a globe-traversing empire. Plus, what other game has people in frog suits flying planes? It’s the only game on this list, for sure…
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-06-14 :: Category: Games  16. Need For Speed Most Wanted: If one game was to define how far iOS gaming came this year, EA and Criterion’s racer, adapted to iOS by Firemonkeys, might be it. From being packed full of features, and looking absolutely amazing to boot, it’s showing that the difference between consoles and mobile, at least on a technical level, is a rapidly-shrinking gulf. Yet despite the good looks, it is definitely a keeper for its gameplay according to Blake Grundman: “Even with the most critical of eyes, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is still easily one of the best racers on the platform to date. You would have to be crazy not to take this hot rod out for a nice long joy ride.”
$6.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-30 :: Category: Games  15. Organ Trail: Director’s Cut: Often times, pixel art is used just as an art style, and not to convey an actual retro feel. Not so here. By combining the look and feel of an 80′s PC Oregon Trail game, and combining its mechanics with a modern-day zombie apocalypse, the elements brilliantly wind up informing each other and forming a sublime take on a classic. Rob Rich feels the same way: “Virtually every aspect of Organ Trail: Director’s Cut oozes style and cleverness. Also pus. It’s a game that’s likely to please zombie fans as well as anyone who remembers the one without the green-skinned shamblers fondly. And it’s with no hesitation or trepidation that I suggest that everyone reading this should buy it. If they haven’t already, of course.”
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-08-09 :: Category: Games  14. Ski Safari: There are endless runners, and then there’s Ski Safari. I’ll let Rob Rich explain why it made our list: “Penguins, snowmobiles, eagles, and yeti can all be used to put some real distance between the accident prone man and the avalanche. Not only are they useful, they’re also pretty funny. Watching the yeti run wildly or slide along on its stomach never gets old. The same can be said for seeing a penguin ride along on the fuzzy mythological beast.” If a man and a penguin riding a yeti while outrunning an avalanche ever gets old, I will weep bitterly. An easy choice for this list.
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-04-26 :: Category: Games  13. Super Crate Box: It would be easy to forget that this was actually a 2012 title, since it came out in the first week of January. I don’t forget sitting for hours on end, either on touchscreen or at my iCade, trying to last just a little bit longer, cursing out that disc gun, the giant walking green skulls, or the stupid fire pit at the bottom. Yet, after those countless hours, no game revealed itself to give the players the control over their fate, to be about pure skill far more than randomness, quite like this one did.
$1.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-04 :: Category: Games  12. Fieldrunners 2: Remember 2008? That’s when the first Fieldrunners came out. 2012 is like an eternity since then, but Fieldrunners is still a ton of fun. As Rob LeFebvre writes: “Fieldrunners 2 HD is a brilliant combination of action and strategy with a depth of gameplay that’s hard to ignore. I find myself thinking of solutions to particularly difficult maps while I’m driving, or showering, or making dinner for the kids.” Just don’t burn the food while protecting your base.
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-07-19 :: Category: Games $4.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-09-13 :: Category: Games  11. Mikey Shorts: The laser precision of the controls is a significant part of what made this so good: trying to shave fractions of seconds off one’s time in order to beat a friend on the leaderboards could be nigh-impossible with virtual controls, nay it should be. But instead, it’s about as perfect as it could be. Not bad for a first-time effort, and challenging friends to try and one up their times added a ton of value to this one. Plus, there’s silly hats.
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-08-23 :: Category: Games
Another year on the App Store, and another year full of apps that made our life simpler and expanded what our iOS devices could do were released. We’re running down on our 30 favorites of the year. Have one that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
 30. KitCam: This camera app makes the list simply by doing everything right. It’s got iPhone 5 support. It’s got all the features that should be expected of a camera app. It’s got filters. It’s got photo-altering lenses. It has the ability to upload not just to Twitter and Facebook, but to Dropbox and even FTP as well. David Rabinowitz sums it up: “KitCam is a really comprehensive photo capture and editing app. Any photo junky should consider adding it to his/her collection of photo apps. This is one of the best photo apps out there. Many of the features are not new or innovative, but KitCam packs so much into it that it’s hard not to be impressed.”
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-11-29 :: Category: Photography  29. Track 8: This music player, inspired by the Windows 8 design formerly known as “Metro”, improves on the iOS music player app with its sleek interface. Kevin Stout has good things to say about it: “With the new iPad’s Retina display, this app looks absolutely gorgeous. The text is crystal clear, the album covers look great, and the app fetches artist images from Last.FM for the background of the app when that artist is playing. It’s an incredible visual experience that rivals even the new Spotify interface for the iPad.”
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-03 :: Category: Music  28. Simplife: Daily Journal: Note taking on iPhone should be simple, right? Nothing to get in the way between the note-taker and the note. This app, formerly known as Note.s Daily Journal, declutters the experience, by providing a simple interface along with handy additional features. Angela LaFollette says “Not only can users write down their thoughts, but the app also lets them attach locations and photos to each entry which can be viewed later by scrolling left or right. Just tap on the small paperclip at the bottom of the screen and you’ll be able to add either a map or picture in just a few seconds. This is a nice feature when pictures can do more justice than words.”
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-08-27 :: Category: Lifestyle  27. Cloud DJ: The internet is full of great music that’s just waiting to be discovered from independent musicians, and this app is designed to let aspiring DJs mix and scratch tracks available for free from SoundCloud. The premise is nifty enough, but Angela LaFollette says the execution is even better: “With an intuitive interface that’s packed with tons of features, it’s safe to say that Cloud DJ is one innovative app well-worth the $1.99 price tag.”
$0.99 $1.99
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-07-07 :: Category: Music  26. The Transit App: While there was a dark time for iPhone owners who also used public transit between when iOS 6 was released with the transit-free Apple Maps and the Google Maps release, third-party apps like this helped lead the way. The Transit App gets merit for not only providing excellent routing, from any address to a location that can be supplied based on the Foursquare API, but also for making it very easy when subscribed to see nearby buses and trains along with their arrival times, and then seeing on the map their exact stopping points. It’s the best public transit routing solution on mobile to date.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-06-21 :: Category: Navigation  25. Seamless for iPad: This app turns the iPad into the world’s best takeout menu. Sure, that folded up mailer may show all the food options for one restaurant, but this app shows the options for hundreds of them, and makes it possible to easily order and pay without calling anyone. This app is downright dangerous, considering how much easier it is than say, actually cooking. And it saves payment information and locations to make future ordering easy. The future is here and it is delicious.
FREE! iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-02-28 :: Category:  24. Borderlands Granular: Not to be confused with the series of games, this “grain synth” allows uers to make music by editing small fragments of music. Angela LaFollette says “I’ve played around with other grain synths, and this one takes the cake in many areas. It does have a few downsides, but the positives easily outweigh the shortcomings. … For now, Borderlands Granular is easily recommendable for everyone from enthusiasts to musicians thanks to its intuitive, musical and beautiful interface.”
$3.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-10-16 :: Category: Music  23. 30/30: This timer app serves as a great way to get stuff done. When there’s an external motivator compelling you to get on with what you’re doing, or to serve as a reminder to get up for a bit and do something else, this versatile and sleek app becomes extremely useful. It works easily, making the creation of multiple labeled and color-coded timers a cinch. It’s a completely free app as well.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-06-07 :: Category: Productivity  22. At Bat 2012: MLB’s apps continue to be excellent experiences for baseball fans. Checking scores is extremely handy, and the iPad’s expanded and improved Gameday functionality including live Pitch F/x tracking was excellent. Plus, for baseball fans outside their favorite team’s market, the app was a lifesaver, and the Postseason.tv functionality was a great way to get a new look on a game with multiple camera angles to view.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-29 :: Category: Sports  21. CaptureNotes 2: The iPad has dramatically changed education and the way that students take notes, and this is one of the best ways for students, or anyone in need of a note-taking app, to take advantage of it. Angela LaFollette details that “The new features are what really make CaptureNotes 2 shine. The flag elements let users mark important points in the notebook. It’s a clever way to access notes quickly and easily without having to flip through hundreds of pages. … There’s also a new PIN based securing locking system, improved PDF importing, binder sharing and better file organization.”
$5.99 iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-10-27 :: Category: Productivity
All this week, we’ll be sharing our 30 best games of the year, compiled with input from the 148Apps writing staff and editors. Agree or disagree with our choices? Read on and let us know in the comments.
 30. Curiosity – what’s inside the cube: A year-end list wouldn’t feel complete without mentioning Peter Molyneux’s strangely mysterious title. What is this game? Is it even a game? Is there actually something at the end of the cube? Whatever it is, the unique massively-multiplayer gameplay that has spurred player creativity and interaction while they try to crack open the game’s secrets is certainly original. And odds are that you were intrigued enough to download it and see what was going on.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-11-06 :: Category: Entertainment  29. God of Blades: No game this year was perhaps as thematically comprehensive as White Whale Games’ homage to 70′s pulp fantasy and sci-fi novels and the artwork that graced their covers. The visual style, the way-over-the-top dialogue and character names, and the combat, trading blows to knock opponents back, all contributed to a game that made a firm statement as what it wanted to be. And boy did it ever stand out.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-09-27 :: Category: Games  28. Bad Piggies: Rovio finally let players play as those porcine opponents from their Angry Birds games, and decided to focus on their building ingenuity. Best of all, the game’s various goals and different parts that were made available really encouraged player creativity, along with timing-based elements, in a well-rounded package. As Dale Culp explains: “Sometimes, this is as simple as putting together a cart and rolling it down a hill. However, other stars require a lot more thought… and some rockets, wings, engines, shaken-up soda bottles and, well, it gets pretty crazy. As players try to collect items, beat timers and fulfill other requirements, vehicles just get more and more elaborate.”
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-09-26 :: Category: Games  27. Bastion: Why does this isometric action game make the cut? Well, while it may still be a ton of fun after its initial XBLA release, it stands out thanks in large part to the amazing dynamic narrator. As Chris Kirby explained in our review: “This omniscient voice tells the story of The Kid and the world of Bastion, but he also narrates the various actions the character makes in the game. Stand around too long and the narrator will add that to the story. Go on a destructive frenzy with the Cael Hammer, and that becomes a part of the narrative as well. The narrator never feels intrusive, and actually makes the atmosphere of the game unique.”
$4.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-08-30 :: Category: Games  26. Slingshot Racing: This racing game used the physics of grappling hooks to make it stand out: the one-touch controls are extremely easy to pick up on, but mastering the physics takes time. Getting to race on the tracks forward and backward brings new challenges. Plus, it boasts both single-device multiplayer for up to 4 people on iPad, and an asynchronous multiplayer mode added in post-release. It all really hooked players in! It’s a lot better than that pun, we swear.
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-24 :: Category: Games  25. Duckers and 24. Super Mole Escape: Weeks within each other, two games about burrowing through the ground came out and both were really good. Where Super Mole Escape boasts frantic burrowing gameplay, with plenty of powerups and hazards to quickly react to, Duckers was a more cerebral take on the same concept. Their casts were equally great: felonious moles in one, Mother Duckers in the other. Leaving one game off the list in favor of the other seems downright criminal when both were top-notch examples of how to approach a similar concept, yet in different ways.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-31 :: Category: Games FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-08-09 :: Category: Games  23. Juggernaut Revenge of Sovering: Considering Infinity Blade‘s success in the past two years, it’s no surprise that other studios would try to ape its format. This game does have a one-on-one combat base, but outside of that, it goes in its own satisfying directions. It’s a great iteration on a tried-and-true concept, as Kevin Stout explains: “The difference between Juggernaut and Infinity Blade is that there’s significantly more to do in between fights in this game as well as tons of different mini-games for players to play.”
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-10 :: Category: Games  22. Nihilumbra: Its storyline and dialogue could be overwrought and melodramatic, but its platforming gameplay mixed in puzzle elements that made fantastic use of the touch screen, and often forces players to think and react. It definitely shone through the darkness, and proved to be surprisingly compelling, becoming easy to just go and complete in one sitting. The ending winds up being a great payoff for the melodrama as well.
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-06-28 :: Category: Games  Penny Arcade’s On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3: Zeboyd teamed up with influential gaming web comic Penny Arcade to make the third entry in their series a 16-bit RPG homage. The gameplay is delightfully reminiscent of retro titles, and the dialogue is superbly original. This and the port of Cthulhu Saves The World are both must-plays. Rob Rich says that “It’s really been growing on me the more I play. The story is fantastically weird and humorous, the combat is actually fun, and it screws around with typical RPG mechanics something fierce.”
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-10-24 :: Category: Games
Fridays are the perfect time for reflecting on the past week…and Fridays at 148apps are no exception. Here are five interesting apps released in the past week for your perusal!
 Inkstrumental
ustwo seems to enjoy creating unique apps, such as the masterfully titled “…“. Inkstrumental is their newest app, and it’s a funky one. The point is to create your own weird music videos and strange soundtracks, using the 31 creatures included. See, each character will emit a musical sound when you tap it. A “VIP character” allows you to record your own sounds, too. By mixing them together against different backdrops you create a unique mash-up of noise and your very own music video. It might not be as complex as other sound-mixing apps, but Inkstrumental is intuitive and packs a ton of character. Who couldn’t love these fuzzy creatures? As an added bonus, you can share your masterpieces by in-app uploading to YouTube.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-05-07 :: Category: Entertainment  Nirvana Revenge
By now it’s an established fact that the Tap Tap Revenge series reigns supreme when it comes to iPhone rhythm games, at least in terms of popularity. Nirvana Revenge is the latest spin-off, featuring—you guessed it—hits from Nirvana. Fourteen songs are bundled with the app, including songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit, Breed, Heart Shaped Box, and Lithium. (Note that the fourteen includes three live versions.) The songs give you a good sampling of the band’s work, and you get to tap along to the fourteen tracks for far less than they would cost on iTunes. This being a Tap Tap game, you also have a few neat features like four difficulty levels and four boss tracks thrown in. If you’re a Nirvana Fan looking for a gaming fix, you’d better check out Nirvana Revenge.
$4.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-12 :: Category: Games  Komenten
To quote Komenten’s description: “A comet has been born, please take good care of it!” Komenten is a colorful space exploration game in which you zip around the galaxy like an intergalactic tourist. There’s no real objective, but the vivid watercolor graphics coupled with the soundtrack make a relaxing, beautiful ride. Even if you don’t usually enjoy non-traditional games, I’m willing to wager that anyone in touch with their inner child could easily get lost in Komenten’s vibrant, bizarre world. The universe is such an exciting place—why not explore it?
$2.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-05-12 :: Category: Games  Zombie Infection
Gameloft just keeps rolling out games. Zombie Infection is one of their latest titles, and if it looks familiar, well, chances are that’s because it’s highly similar to Resident Evil. That doesn’t stop Zombie Infection from being a technically stunning title, however, and Gameloft’s new zombie game is sure to devour both your brains and your free time. Zombie Infection comes with a 12-level campaign mode in which you switch between ex-soldier Damien Sharpe and journalist Alex Rayne, as well as a Survivor Mode. There are tons of enemies, including mutated and infected animals, plenty of weapons, a sinister zombie-filled storyline, and top-notch 3D graphics. In short? Gameloft does it again…this time, with zombies!
$4.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-05-10 :: Category: Games  StreetSpark
StreetSpark is one of those apps that needs a large user base to function, which is probably why it’s free! StreetSpark is a location-based dating app that takes your location and searches for nearby users who match your profile (they call this a “Spark”). With an eye towards safety, StreetSpark doesn’t reveal your location or personal contact info. Instead, you can chat in-app or meet up in one of StreetSpark’s HotSpots, which give StreetSpark users discounts and offer users a place to congregate. Think FourSquare, but for dating. It’s a really interesting use of the location feature, and thankfully it looks like the app’s developers are aware of privacy concerns. Sadly, it’s currently limited to the UK, but the developers plan to expand to other countries (and, for that matter, handsets) in the future.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-10 :: Category: Social Networking
It’s Friday, and that means that it’s time for another Friday Five: five interesting apps released in the past week. Enjoy!
 Mikado Defenders
Mikado Defenders is a tower defense game, but with a feudal-era Japan theme. Mystical guardian spirits come to your aid, demons attack, samurai commanders can be recruited, and of course you can improve upon your castle. The traditional-style artwork provides a gorgeous backdrop. You can deploy samurai foot soldiers, archers, and other units. The result is an epic war between demons and Japanese warriors…a neat change from typical tower defense.
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-19 :: Category: Games  Slingshot Safari
Slingshot Safari is a cartoon-style game that tests your slingshot style against lions, tigers, cheetahs, and more. Animals react differently to your shots, but none of them will be too pleased when you try to shoot them—and you’re far from immortal! The graphics are funny, you can unlock eight levels, Plus+ is included, and the menagerie of ten different animals should keep your slingshot skills sharp.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-16 :: Category: Games  How to Cook Everything
This extremely useful new app is essentially an iPhone-optimized cookbook based on the real-life one from Mark Bittman. Of course, there are many perks to having a cookbook on your iPhone or iPad instead of a physical book, especially when said book normally weighs in at 1,000 pages. In addition to the 2,000 recipes and 400 illustrations, you get full search capabilities, built-in timers, and shopping lists…all in the palm of your hand, and for only $1.99. The interface is easy to use, and the sheer wealth of information is staggering. No wonder it’s become a bestseller.
$4.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-17 :: Category:  Field Agent
Like making money? Of course you do. Field Agent is a new app that aims to help you do just that. It lists simple, easy-to-do jobs—going to Wal-Mart and taking a picture of a product, filling out a survey, visiting a website—and then pays you for them. It’s not just pennies, either; all jobs pay at least $3, and some can dish out as much as $12. Money is transferred to you via PayPal. Who knew that your iPhone could do anything but suck your wallet dry? The only downside right now is the lack of jobs, but the app is free to use, so you might as well check what’s nearby!
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-17 :: Category: Business  Fruit Ninja
Fruit Ninja is the epitome of simple, easy-to-play, and addictive. Fruit is tossed onto the screen and you have to slice it before it falls back down. The graphics are bright, the touch controls are simple, and a few neat extras like dangerous bombs and Plus+ integration are included. The premise is certainly unusual, and intentionally silly. Looks like ninjas can make a mean fruit salad.
$0.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-20 :: Category: Games
It’s Friday again, and that means that we’re bringing you a sample of five apps released in the last week! Hopefully you’ll find this Friday Five interesting. This week, we’ve got a Glee app, some exciting games, and a to-do app to boost your productivity when you’re not playing all of these games!
 IMO: The World of Magic
We previewed IMO a while ago, and now the game has finally been released! IMO is a new MMORPG (massively multiplayer roleplaying game) featuring an open world with plenty of zones and a highly social atmosphere. Create your character, kill some monsters, level up and collect loot…what more could you want? There isn’t much direction, but the community is friendly and there’s plenty of space to explore. It’s based on the freemium model, so it won’t cost you a cent to try it out.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-15 :: Category: Games  Glee
The new Glee app is an awesome one. It allows you to record yourself singing the Glee hits, and then gives you a variety of options. You can post your recordings to Facebook, have the app correct your pitch or synthesize a harmony, or even join other Glee app users to create a “virtual” Glee club by mixing your recordings. If you’re a so-called Gleek, this app is for you.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-15 :: Category: Music  Ozone
Ozone is a mixture of an action and puzzle game that places you in control of an inflatable ball. You have to navigate it through the labyrinthine levels using touch controls, collecting yellow orbs while avoiding obstacles. The developers ask “Can a game be a work of art?”, and the audiovisual experience is certainly a great one. Be sure to check out this vibrant new puzzler!
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-09 :: Category: Games  TapDo
TapDo is a to-do app meant to focus you on doing your tasks, not writing about them. Its QuickEntry system allows you to speed up task-entering, and also supports recurring tasks. Granted, we’ve seen plenty of to-do apps before, but simple is always nice and TapDo has a fairly robust set of features to go with its simplicity.
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-12 :: Category: Productivity  Warpgate
Warpgate is a universal space-based game from Freeverse in which you can engage in combat, trade, and empire expansion. The game also features an immense star system for you to explore, so even after you finish the main storyline, there should be plenty to do. Acquiring ships and weapons and completing missions will keep you occupied for some time, too. And who doesn’t love space?
$4.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-13 :: Category: Games
This week was packed with iPad releases, but the iPhone side of the store still has tons of stuff to offer! This week’s Friday Five comes with the usual variety of five interesting new releases. It’s a good thing that Apple announced folders along with iPhone OS 4.0 yesterday…at the rate of awesome new apps, I know that I at least will be exceeding the current limit.
Pocket Legends
With Apple’s announcement of an upcoming “Game Center” (aka, Xbox Live for the iPhone), it’s clear that they’re focused on the iPhone as a gaming device. But while we’ve got plenty of shooters, physics puzzles, racing games, and so on, there’s one genre that has yet to take off…massively multiplayer online games. Pocket Legends aims to change that with a game that could almost be dubbed “World of Warcraft for the iPhone.” Sporting dungeon crawls, oodles of enemies and loot, character customization, strategic skills, and three classes, Pocket Legends has all the trappings of a typical MMORPG. If you’re into MMO’s at all, download it. You’ve got nothing to lose, after all—this one is free!
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-08 :: Category: Games FREE! iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-02 :: Category: Games :: Adventure 
Sketch Nation Shooter
Doodle games are all the rage thanks to Doodle Jump, but Sketch Nation Shooter takes it a step further by allowing you to use your own doodles! At its most basic level, this is a simple shooter. But what makes it great is that you can create your own levels, using either artwork from the game’s library or your own photos. You can then upload your own levels and download tons more that other users have created. You’ll need a Facebook account, but that seems like a small price to pay for a potential treasure trove of extra levels.
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-06 :: Category: Games 
Orion Racer
Orion Racer is a futuristic 3D racing game featuring hyper-paced action on 10 unique tracks in outer space. We’ve seen racing games before, but, hey, who doesn’t like outer space? Orion’s tracks come packed with loops, powerslides, and high speeds, and you can race in four different modes and with four different “futuristic” vehicles. One of those four game modes is actually a 2-Player option, allowing you to race a friend. And isn’t competition what games are for?
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-08 :: Category: Games 
Sonic Wire Sculptor
In an inventive twist, the Sonic Wire Sculptor turns your 3D drawing into sound. As you draw in the 3D space, the app transforms your lines into musical notes. The result encourages experimentation and, when handled correctly, can produce some truly cool stuff. Focus on the music or the visual art; either way, you’ll end up with something unique. Oh, and don’t worry about being the next Mozart or Picasso. The interface is simple, and “creativity” is easy to come by. Think of it like an audiovisual sandbox.
$3.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Music 
ABOVE
Getting tired of Doodle Jump? ABOVE is another climbing game, but with vastly different graphics and a completely different theme. A bunch of mysterious platforms have appeared, and it’s your duty to explore as high as possible without falling. The graphics are bright and gorgeous, and the game comes packed with achievements. It’s simple, sure, but ABOVE looks airy and fun. The iPhone is the platform where games must be both hardcore (aka crazily addictive) and casual (in this case, easy to learn). ABOVE is certainly hoping to nail that sweet spot.
$1.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-02 :: Category: Games
It’s finally here. The moment we’ve been waiting for since that emotion filled day back on January 27, 2010 when the iPad became an official announcement, instead of a mythical object of speculation. The iPad is available today!
We at 148Apps have a few app and game suggestions to help make the first day with your iPad a day of happiness and celebration. Here is a list of 20 of apps and games we plan to be checking out today:
Apps
 Marvel Comics
Introducing the MARVEL COMICS app, a revolutionary new way to experience the Marvel Universe on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, featuring the world’s most popular super heroes! Download hundreds of comic books featuring your favorite characters -— including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more — on your mobile device with the touch of a button. [ App Store ]
 Analytics HD
The premier app for Google Analytics, Analytics App, now debuts on the iPad as Analytics HD! See charts and reports like you’ve never seen them before, and share them in a meeting! Analytics HD brings all your important stats in a simple and efficient interface, faster and easier than checking Google Analytics from your browser! [ App Store ]
 Brushes – iPad Edition
This updated iPhone and iPod Touch classic makes great use of the enhanced iPad features, making it a great opening day seller. Featuring an advanced color picker, high quality brushes, layers, extreme zooming, and a simple yet deep interface, it is a powerful tool for creating original artwork on your mobile device. [ App Store ]
Continue reading Must Have Apps and Games for the iPad – Release Day Special »
Phew! It’s been a busy week. We’ve had two good sequels to two amazing games, as well as quite a few peculiar titles that piqued my interests. To top things off, we even have an iPhone app that’s meant to work alongside its new iPad brother! Here’s a quick sampling from this week’s new releases. As always, our Friday Five doesn’t represent all of the fantastic new apps that have hit the App Store in the past few days, so feel free to chime in with your own suggestions.
Bounce On 2
 The sequel to one of the App Store’s first great platformers, Bounce On 2 is another fun romp through a 2D land populated by enemies, obstacles, platforms, and power-ups. Taking on the role of a red rubber ball, you have to roll and jump through the levels, many of which contain creative twists. You’ll find tons of new features: Plus+ integration, gravity switches, brand-new power-ups, and even the option to use touch controls. If you’re a fan of old-school platformers, be sure to check out Bounce On 2.
$3.99 + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-03-29 :: Category: Games Zenonia 2
 Zenonia, Zenonia…I think it’s safe to say that Zenonia was also a “first-of” title, though this time I’d call it the first good RPG in the App Store. Zenonia 2 improves upon the original in almost every way, and features a similarly epic storyline, fun real-time battles, and tons of quests and abilities. Plus, it now features four different characters, each with their own storyline and character class, and the new Hard and Hell modes are also slated to come in a future update. The resulting game is fast-paced and deeply satisfying. Zenonia 2 is a great RPG, and once again raises the bar in the App Store.
$0.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-29 :: Category: Games Poetry Everywhere
 In celebration of National Poetry Month, Poetry Everywhere with Garrison Keillor (pbs.org/poetry) is bringing its free poetry performances back to TV, the Internet, and now the iPhone. On TV, the project airs short poetry performances during unexpected moments in public television—personally, I think it’s a really cool idea. Now, you can download the free app and have access to numerous poetry readings. Poetry probably isn’t something that most of us think about every day, which makes the opportunity to carry around a bit of poetry in your pocket all the more valuable.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Education Babo Crash
 We’ve all seen match-3 games before—you know, Bejeweled and its ilk—but Babo Crash brings some fresh new twists to the table. It’s fast-paced, frantic, and features tons of crazy power-ups, which in turn create ridiculous chains of multipliers. It doesn’t hurt that graphics are awesome, either. If you think you’re tired of match-3′s, don’t let that deter you. Babo Crash is incredibly high-tempo, which makes it a great departure from the ordinary lethargy of Bejeweled.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-03-29 :: Category: Games :: Action Scrabble Tile Rack
 I had to include this one, even though it won’t be of use for most of us, just because it’s a fantastic idea. Meant to work alongside the iPad’s Scrabble app, the tile rack app allows you to play a true multiplayer game on the iPad without revealing your letters to your opponent. You use the iPad as your game board, and then your letters appear on your iPhone, safe from others’ prying eyes. You can then “flick” them onto the board to have them appear on the iPad’s screen. I know, I know—hardly anyone has an iPad yet, right? Still, it’s a really cool idea, and I’m dying to see how close to the “real game” this will bring Scrabble’s app. Can you tell that I’m a Scrabble fanatic?
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Games
 I can remember when I was handed my first business card. I always thought they were used as a means of saying: “Hey, look at me! I’m sooooo important, I have a special card to handout to people, showing how important I am!”
Yesterday As I grew up and entered the professional world, I realized that these cards were actually useful, but were a total pain in the expletive. Currently, my organizer has a section devoted to storing/displaying business cards and I’ve amassed quite a few, but I don’t know who’s where, offering what at whatever phone number/email address. I might as well just use them for kindle; at least I would know where they’re not.
Furthermore, I don’t carry my organizer with me everywhere I go:
Not Me: “Hey Jason, let’s go play a pick-up game of two-on-two!”
Me: “Okay, let me just grab my organizer in case anyone we play has a business card they want to show off/give me,”
OR
Not Me: “Hey Jason, let’s go graffiti the side of the tattoo shop!”
Me: “Okay, let me just grab my organizer, in case one of the cops wants to network with me.”
When I acquired my iPhone, however, all that changed. It replaced my organizer and is always with me. And if someone wants to give me a business card, regardless of the time, location, cell block, etc., there is now “an app for that.” Actually, there are several apps, but I’ll focus this review comparison on three:
| Application |
Version |
Price |
| ScanBizCards [App Store] |
2.60 |
$5.99 |
| Business Card Reader [App Store] |
1.2.1 |
$5.99 |
| WorldCard Mobile [App Store] |
1.2.4 |
$5.99 |
In reviewing these apps, I’m specifically looking for (in no particular order):
1. Menu interface/Aesthetics
2. Image quality
3. Scanning accuracy/data recognition technology capabilities using the app’s built-in camera features
4. Scanning accuracy/data recognition technology capabilities using a pre-selected image
5. iPhone Contacts integration
6. Storage features
7. Stand-out/Special features
Continue reading Business Card Readers: A Comparison of Three »
Opening day is just a couple of days away. In honor of that, I thought we would dedicate this Favorite 4 to apps for the baseball fan. In addition, there’s another important event happening on Saturday. So each of the baseball app we chose also have available now, or will soon have, an iPad version. Batter up!
MLB At Bat 2010
If there’s one app that the true baseball fan has to have, it’s MLB At Bat. This every thing for the baseball fan app not only includes all of the stats that you could ever want, but also includes live scores, live game streaming audio and video, and pitch by pitch display and much more. And if you are lucky enough to be getting an iPad this weekend, there’s a version for the iPad that looks even better than the iPhone version. FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-02 :: Category: Sports FREE! iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Sports Hit the jump for our other three app picks for the baseball fan.
Continue reading Favorite 4: Apps for Baseball Fans »
The App Store is a busy place, and every week brings a slew of new apps. Keeping up with all the new releases is almost impossible at this point. To that end, we’re going to be starting a weekly round-up of five new apps that have caught our interest for one reason or another. Hopefully, you’ll be interested in each member of the “Friday Five,” too. Please note that this list is not at all exhaustive, so feel free to chime in with your own suggestions!
 We Rule by ngmoco
There was no way that We Rule wasn’t going to make this list. ngmoco is the powerhouse behind popular games ranging from Rolando to Eliminate, and like most of their recent games, this one is freemium. We Rule is a kingdom-building game that bears something of a resemblance to the Facebook hit Farmville. The goal is to build up your kingdom as much as possible, which involves planting and harvesting crops among other things. There’s also a strong social aspect, as you can visit friends’ kingdoms and interact using ngmoco’s Plus+ network.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-03-19 :: Category: Games :: Adventure  Yahoo! Sketch-a-Search
Yahoo! Sketch-a-Search is a recent release from the well-known search engine. Instead of web search, however, this one’s for restaurants. The app narrows in on your location, and then you can “sketch” a boundary line with your finger. The app will return a list of restaurants within your sketch. Though it might seem gimmicky, this could actually be useful—all too often, a simple radius search won’t cut it. For most of the listings, the app also provides phone numbers, ratings, directions, photos, and menu pricing.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-23 :: Category: Travel  Flick Bowling 2
Freeverse is another studio that’s had a lot of strong hits on its hands: Skee-ball and Flick Fishing come to mind. Their latest title is a bowling game with a decidedly bizarre story mode that involves travel through time and space. If you can grin at the game’s spontaneous and nonsensical plot twists, you’ll also be able to appreciate the improved touch controls. Flicking the ball with your finger gives you a surprising amount of precise control. If you’ve tried the original Flick Bowling, be sure to check out this sequel!
$2.99 iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-23 :: Category: Games  Group Text
Group Text is a free app that does what you’d expect: it lets you text a bunch of people at once! Like many other texting apps, it gives you free, unlimited texts by using your data plan, but the main draw is that you can hold “chat” conversations via text even if your friends don’t have iPhones (or the app, for that matter). When one person replies, everyone receives a text with the update. Group Text certainly isn’t a new concept, but it’s free…so why not check it out?
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-19 :: Category: Social Networking Digg
And here I thought that Digg was getting old. Digg is a community where users can “digg” links that they deem to be awesome and worthy of promotion; the idea is that, theoretically, the best stuff rises to the top, whether it’s from a major news site or an obscure blog. If you’re still using the website, be sure to grab the recently-released free app. It actually does a lot of what the full-fledged service does: you can browse the usual popular categories, digg stories, save stories for later reading, and more. And besides…it’s free!
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-03-24 :: Category: News
The Academy Awards are Sunday and I can just feel your excitement. Whether you are a tech geek who is praying for Avatar to be the best picture or a softie who wants to see Precious get some awards, you have to be excited about knowing what to put in your Netflix queue next, and everyone wants to see all the winning movies. To get us fully ready for the show, I’ve come up with a list of some apps that will really get you into the Oscar loving spirit.
1. The Oscars – Sure, it may seem like an obvious selection, but sometimes the obvious is necessary. The Oscars app has lists with small descriptions of all the nominations, as well as a way to lock in the movie or actor you think will win… just to show off to others. Once you’ve submitted your picks, you can go to a results page to see what the rest of America thinks will win. According to the app, 51% of people voted for Avatar to win best picuter. Interesting. Well regardless, The Oscars is an inviting, well made, free app. Get it and make some guesses, it’ll be fun.
FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-10 :: Category: Entertainment
Continue reading Apps To Help You Watch The Academy Awards »
I’ve been hungry lately. Real hungry. Some hunger is conquered by Chipotle, but this hunger is only has one weakness, and it is good, local food. Fortunately for all of us in the same situation, there are plenty of apps for that. Here are the four best, brought to you by the never ending hunger of Chris Hall.
4. Yelp – I really like Yelp when I’m looking for a place to eat. Because of its vast user base, the Yelp app provides more restaurants per search than any other app I’ve found. There are also more customer review on Yelp than any other service, so if you believe that more is better, Yelp is for you. The problem with Yelp is the fact the reviews are all user based, and very rarely do people give mediocre reviews. When I search for restaurants, everything is right around 4 stars, leaving me to wonder what I should really eat that night. There is an occasional in-depth review, but for the most part people just write something like, “This is THE place to go” with an occasional, “my waiter didn’t bring my water fast enough, but I still go four days a week… 1 star!!!”.
FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2008-07-11 :: Category: Travel
Continue reading Best Apps For Finding A Place To Eat »
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