There was a vast profusion of cool stuff happening across the 148Apps network this week, but the top of the top was the culmination of our 2011 Best App Ever awards. Head honcho Jeff Scott writes, “It was an amazing year. With over 1.5 million votes cast (over three times the number cast last year) and a record number of nominations, we now have the winners of the 2011 Best App Ever Awards. Thanks to all that voted, nominated, and made these fantastic apps!”
Kid-friendly GiggleApps featured a review of Fun Clock-Learn to Tell Time. Reviewer Amy Solomon writes, “Few apps actually tackle explaining the true concept of telling time they way this app does. After watching the included video in Fun Clock – Learn to Tell Time, children will be will well on their way to understanding how to read a analogue clock. As a parent, I don’t think I could have explained this better myself, also wishing that this video had been around when I was a child.”
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-09-22 :: Category: Education
Finally, over at Android Rundown, Carter Dotson took a closer look at Apple’s recent iBooks education initiative and evaluated it for what it could mean for the Android platform. Dotson writes, “It may not have been the sexiest announcement, but Android supporters – manufacturers and users alike – should not underestimate Apple’s education gambit. Their big push into education with iBooks 2 being optimized for textbooks (both the reading and selling thereof) and iTunes U offering deeper integration with college courses could be the necessary roots they have to lay down for long-term success at the expense of Android.”
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-02 :: Category: Books
And that’s the week that was. Don’t forget to read a full list of Best App Ever winners at www.bestappever.com, and keep following us on Twitter and Facebook for all the contests, news and reviews you can eat. I’ll be playing Jetpack Joyride non-stop until next week, but I’ll see you back here then.
Pro adventure game developers Telltale Games have released the newest chapter of their popular Sam & Max games on iOS. These classically styled adventure games that follow the zany exploits of the sleuthing dog and rabbit duo are generally split up into shorter, episodic titles, and the same is true for this release. Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space – Episode 1 ‘Ice Station Santa’ is the first of five episodes in this new adventure and in this episode, Sam and Max take on none other than the big jolly man himself.
This game will include a core story mode as well as a “Whack da Ratz” mini-game and a soundboard where players can craft their own quotes using character voices from the game. Sam & Max: Beyond Space and Time: Episode 1 is currently available in the iOS app store for $6.99, and is a universal app that can be played on iPhone, iPod, or iPad.
Ever sit in a coffee shop or at work and wonder if there’s a good movie showing at the local cinema? Need a good way of checking? Sure there’s always looking it up on the internet but how about an app like Showings that is focused purely on cinema related things.
The app allows users to find nearby cinemas and then favorite the ones they regularly go to. It’s then just a simple matter of flicking around the app for more information. Users can take a look at the movie poster, cast, a synopsis of the story, Rotten Tomatoes score and in some cases, also a trailer too.
Of course, there’s also the all important film showing times too which are clearly laid out for all days of the week.
Showings is a simple app but that’s exactly what anyone could want. It gives out the facts quickly and concisely so that users can plan their evening ahead fast.
I remember being thrilled at the prospect of iPad magazines even before the device itself was announced. Sports Illustrated has showcased a great teaser video of their application, and Bonnier’s Mag+ platform also appeared to have potential. The arrival of the iPad shows unrealized potential. Reading apps, like iBooks and Stanza, have shown great ability at translating the book reading experience for a tablet.
PDFs for iPad?
Many publishers have simply translated their magazines to the iPad by making them into PDFs of the print version. Some, like Wired, have added custom UI layers and slight multimedia additions to spruce up their publications. The vertical and horizontal reading interface present in magazines like Wired show that publishers are trying to think out of the box, but they haven’t quite succeeded yet. Unfortunately, the current workflow may not work. A series by Ad Age this week shows that magazine publishers are taking the content from their print editions and dropping them into templates for the iPad. What would happen if magazines were custom designed for the iPad? If the content was specifically designed to take advantage of the iPad’s features? I hope we’ll be able to find out in the coming months.
A Roundup
I’ve reviewed six iPad magazine apps so far, each with their own set of pros and cons:
Wired: An interesting first attempt that falls short due to download size, quirky navigation, and its underlying architecture. Time: Interesting effort tying live content (News Feed) with magazine content but this is essentially just a PDFed magazine. Newsweek: The iPad-only edition it includes makes boastful claims, but the app itself can’t compete with the others listed here. GQ: The men’s interest magazine’s first iPad edition includes a bizarre navigation system but some useful innovations. Zinio for iPad: The popular and experienced magazine digitizers bring their platform to the iPad and make it one of the few viable options for those interested in magazines. Popular Science+: Like Wired’s app, bizarre navigation makes Pop Sci difficult to enjoy on Bonnier’s Mag+ platform.
Conclusion
So far, it appears that even lackluster efforts are producing success for publishers. There is clearly more potential for the medium and I’m sure content producers aren’t resting. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Posted July 24th, 2009 by Christine Morris Our Rating: :: AWESOME FUN
This is a pick up and play that you won't be able to put down. I liked it, then I liked it even more! The game starts fantastic and gets better the more you play it! Thanks Origin8!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Posted July 22nd, 2009 by Bonnie Eisenman Our Rating: :: DECENT
Battery Go! is a mildly useful utility that determines your remaining battery life and translates it into time remaining for different activities. If it didn't rely on Apple's specs, it could actually be amazing; as it is, this one is a bit of a simplified app.
iTreadmill is a fully-equipped pedometer with extra features that make it a great companion for any exercise routine. Whether you're taking a brisk walk around the block or a vigorus run around the track, iTreadmill keeps up with you and your lifestyle.
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.
This week at 148Apps, Tweetbot was on a roll, a new storybook app joined the fold, and - oops - apps broke the Super Bowl. There's more to read, so get to it!
There was a vast profusion of cool stuff happening across the 148Apps network this week, but the top of the top was the culmination of our 2011 Best App Ever awards. Head honcho Jeff Scott writes, “It was an amazing year. With over 1.5 million votes cast (over three times the number cast last year) and a record number of nominations, we now have the winners of the 2011 Best App Ever Awards. Thanks to all that voted, nominated, and made these fantastic apps!”
Pro adventure game developers Telltale Games have released the newest chapter of their popular Sam & Max games on iOS. These classically styled adventure games that follow the zany exploits of the sleuthing dog and rabbit duo are generally split up into shorter, episodic titles, and the same is true for this release. Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space – Episode 1 ‘Ice Station Santa’ is the first of five episodes in this new adventure and in this episode, Sam and Max take on none other than the big jolly man himself.
:: TRIPPED UP
Ever sit in a coffee shop or at work and wonder if there’s a good movie showing at the local cinema? Need a good way of checking? Sure there’s always looking it up on the internet but how about an app like Showings that is focused purely on cinema related things.
I remember being thrilled at the prospect of iPad magazines even before the device itself was announced. 
]
