This week at 148Apps.com, we pondered life after the change from Google Maps to Apple Maps. Carter Dotson took a look at his Favorite Four alternatives to Apple’s built-in guidance system: “So, there’s a bit of a brouhaha over iOS 6 switching its maps provider from Google Maps to TomTom and other Apple sources. Yes, the 3D flybys in the maps are pretty, but the lack of details once had in Google Maps and loss of transit directions is a backbreaker for some. Sure, Google Maps has a mobile website that can be added as a web app, but maybe it’s time for something all new. Unless or until a separate Google Maps application is released, here’s four fine alternatives for mapping and directions.”

Take a look at Carter’s choices on 148Apps.

FREE!

MapQuest: Maps, GPS, Voice Navigation & Traffic

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-06-11 :: Category: Navigation

GiggleApps writer Amy Solomon got cooking with a kids’ game called Dr. Panda’s Restaurant: “My son and I are thoroughly enjoying Dr. Panda’s Restaurant as this app has so much to offer in cooking fun for children of all ages. This app consists of a two-story restaurant, each containing a two-person table to be filled with the animals who get welcomed by Dr. Panda, now the chef of this restaurant as well as the one who greets these animals before they are sent to their table. Eight animals are included, as are ten recipes to cook.”

Read more of what’s on the menu at GiggleApps.com.

$1.99

Dr. Panda's Restaurant

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-09-01 :: Category: Games

And finally, AndroidRundown.com featured a KickStarter Spotlight on Lifx. Joseph Bertolini writes, “Lifx is an LED light that connects to any home wireless network and is controlled by a smartphone. It would have been easy for the developers to just simply stop at changing the color, and I, frankly, would have been satisfied. But seeing as this is a KickStarter project, it is a safe bet that these developers did not become complacent. Some simple additions, such as dimming and batch operation are included, but the one that I am most impressed by is the ability for the light to deliver phone notifications. Imagine every time a text message comes in the room blinks green or blue for Facebook notifications. There is also an option to program lights onto specific actions and cycles, such as dimming over a period of time or turning on every day at 8 am.”

Read more about this potential product at AndroidRundown.

And that about covers it for the week that was. Joins us every day for the latest news, reviews and contests – and keep track of it all by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook. See you in 7.

Julia Child lived an interesting life. After working for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) in World War II, she then became well-known as a chef who helped introduce French cuisine to Americans. In order to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday this August 15th, Random House has launched an iPad app based on her famous cookbook series: Mastering the Art of French Cooking. This app features 32 recipes from the first volume of her French cookbooks. With the advent of modern technology, there’s color photographs of all the finished dishes to see how they should look. Don’t know how to pronounce the names of some of the French dishes? The app provides a handy pronunciation guide. There are handy grocery lists of ingredients given to make shopping easier. As well, video clips of Julia Child’s 80’s TV series The Way to Cook are provided that show her cooking techniques hands-on, along with audio notes from her long-time editor, Judith Jones.

$4.99

Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Selected Recipes

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-07-17 :: Category:

Who likes cake and other baked goods? Nearly everyone, right? 50 Easiest ever baking recipes from olive magazine provides exactly what it says: 50 easy to bake recipes.

Every skill level is catered for here and, in reality, over 50 recipes from easy cupcakes to cookies and New York-style baked cheesecakes.

Tantalizing photos of every dessert is included along with a clear-to-read ingredients list and step-by-step instructions. Six different categories make it easy to browse through the collection comprising of Celebration cakes, big cakes, little cakes, cookies and biscuits, tarts, pies and pastries, as well as sweet bread and muffins. 50 Easiest ever baking recipes from olive magazine even comes with some handy to know cookery tips and shopping recommendations.

There should be something within the collection to keep everyone with a sweet tooth happy.

50 Easiest ever baking recipes from olive magazine is out now for the iPad and priced at $4.99.

$4.99

50 best-ever baking recipes from olive Magazine

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-05-18 :: Category:

It is an unquestionable truth that bacon is the world’s most delicious food. Really, it tastes so good with everything that the only question is how exactly should you prepare it? The sheer number of options is overwhelming, so why not let The Better Bacon Book show you how to whip up some delicious, artery-clogging concoctions?

The app is packed with 31 different recipes, including mouthwatering fare like Maple Bacon Sticky Buns and Bacon Creme Brulee. There are also 20 HD videos and 150 photos that are all but guaranteed to make your stomach growl just by looking at them. Like doing things yourself? The Better Bacon Book also showcases expert butchering, smoking, and curing tips from expert chef, Tom Mylan.

Ok, that tears it, I have to stop writing and go make a BLT, and a bacon burger, and a bacon pizza. And once all that is done I’ll be checking myself into the emergency room, but it’ll be totally worth it.

$2.99

$9.99

Better Bacon: Chef Recipes & How to Make Your Own

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-03-08 :: Category:

Fans of enjoyable time management game Cooking Dash will have noticed, in recent times, the addition of the ‘HSN Cooks with Emeril’ venue, incorporating celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and HSN, the Home Shopping Network. Such an addition gave players special discounts on real-life Emeril kitchenware.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, such a promotion has gone one step further. By signing up from within the game, players can receive a free bread pudding recipe by Emeril Lagasse, as well as a coupon for 15% off their entire next purchase at HSN.com. Players can find the recipe inside the aforementioned ‘HSN Cooks with Emeril’ restaurant venue.

Cooking Dash, and its Deluxe sibling, is already a fantastic example of the time management genre, easily bringing countless hours of entertainment. The romantic touch makes it all the more worthwhile to give a play. It’s an ideal inclusion for such a cookery focused title.

Why not check it out now?

FREE!

Cooking Dash

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-09-15 :: Category: Games

$1.99

Cooking Dash Deluxe

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-08-06 :: Category: Games

Cooking a roast is quite a skill to master. Getting the timing is just right. How long does the beef need to be beautifully rare? Or how about that huge turkey? How long does that need to be cooked safely and deliciously? Thanksgiving may be behind us but Christmas and its delightful food is just ahead. Why not use an app like Is It Ready Yet? to help keep an eye on when things are cooked.

Is It Ready Yet? is simple to use. Choose from a selection of 23 different meat choices encompassing beef, pork and poultry then select the weight of the food. Is It Ready Yet? then suggests what temperature to cook it at plus how long it’ll take. Both of these figures are viewable in either Imperial or Metric units.

With a built in cooking timer that runs in the background, Is It Ready Yet? keeps things running smoothly. Just what anyone needs at this busy cooking time of the year!

It’s out now priced at $0.99.

$0.99

Is It Ready Yet?

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-11-22 :: Category:

We loved iCookbook when it was covered here earlier this year. With plenty of visually appealing recipes on offer, comprehensive search functions and great overviews, it’s not surprising why it’s such a great app. Users can even add their own recipes to the app!

Developers, Publications International, clearly didn’t want to stop there though with the latest version update 2.0 providing a huge wealth of new features.

Most importantly, iCookbook is now an universal app and can be used by iPhone users as well as iPad. It doesn’t stop there, though.

How-To videos are now included which show the proper techniques required to complete some of the more complex kitchen skills. Airplay support means that these videos as well as recipes can be put on the big screen via an Apple TV, making it simpler for the Apple fan who also loves to cook.

iOS5 based features continue with iCloud sync support which means that recipes and shopping lists can be shared between iOS devices. Perfect for those browsing for recipe ideas on their iPad who then want to access their shopping list with their iPhone. iPhone 4S users will appreciate the Siri support iCookbook now provides. When the app is in prepare mode, which makes the instructions big to read for counter side use, voice commands can be used to turn pages, check notes or start and stop timers. No need to worry about getting that shiny new iPhone 4S dirty mid way through cooking!

Rounding off the update is the ability to rate recipes out of 5 stars plus users can now add photos to their own recipes. Other subtle UI changes have been made to make the app even easier to use, too.

It’s a great implementation of all the best that iOS5 offers and is bound to make iCookbook even more useful than it was before.

The iCookbook update is available now for free for existing users. For everyone else, it’s available priced at $4.99.

$4.99

iCookbook – thousands of name-brand recipes with easy Voice Control prep

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-03-16 :: Category: