A lot of people enjoy Scrabble. Like a lot. But while the current official iOS rendition is doing okay, it’s been in need of a little tweaking for a while. Well the time for tweaking is nigh.

The list of changes includes a much-improved user interface that not only looks nice but makes setting up matches and finding friends a lot easier. In fact, it makes the act of setting up a game into about as painless a process as I’ve seen yet. The chat features have also been updated, and even include some pretty wacky emoticons. There’s also a rather handy new feature that will allow players to see what other words they might have made with their letters after (emphasis on after) their turn is submitted, which should help to even out the playing field a little for the less spell-savvy while still keeping things fair during multiplayer matches.

However, the most exciting change by far has got to be the cross-platform integration. The Facebook rendition is already available, but once the iOS and Android updates are ready to roll out players will be able to get their spell on across all three platforms. This means PC/Mac users can play against iOS/Android users, and that one user’s account can span multiple devices. So one could play a few rounds on their mobile device, then come home and continue the game on the computer via Facebook. Effectively, just about anyone will be able to play Scrabble with just about anyone else just about anywhere.

Scrabble is already available and is free, but these changes won’t hit until sometime this summer. Do any of these changes have you current players excited? Then chime in below!

FREE!

SCRABBLE Free

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-12-15 :: Category: Games

Are iPads the future of education?

Well, maybe not. But there’s no denying that “abc PocketPhonics” is an amazing app. A universal app—it works with both iPhone and iPad—PocketPhonics teaches the basics of reading and writing to young kids. Most surprising? It seems to work.

With reading, the app uses the “synthetic phonics” method supported by US, UK, and Australian governments. Kids are first taught letter sounds (instead of the names of the letters), including hybrid sounds such as “ch” and “sh.” US and UK pronunciations are both included, so you don’t have to worry about your kid picking up the “wrong” accent. (Darn!)

And for writing, the app demonstrates how to draw the letters, instead of just presenting pictures. Kids can then trace the letters’ outlines on the iPad or iPhone using their finger. If you chose, the app will then grade their accuracy. I can see this being very useful for young learners especially—tracing with a finger is infinitely easier than using a pencil. Cursive and print alphabets are both included.

Finally, PocketPhonics rounds out its offering with a sound-based word “spelling game,” which includes over 170 words with accompanying pictures. There’s also a “ParentZone” area where parents can tweak the app’s settings.

Oh, and it’s only $0.99.

While I doubt that a single app will ever be able to replace real-life teaching, abc PocketPhonics certainly looks like a competent, comprehensive app. It won’t teach letter names, but it can get pre-readers “hooked on phonics.”

You do remember those old commercials, right? Don’t you?

$2.99

abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2008-12-07 :: Category: Education