Ocean Animals HD

Ocean Animals HD is a beautifully photographed iPad application that teaches letters and the names of various ocean animals. Recently, a few animal sounds have also been added to this app as well.

This application is very simple, yet includes very beautiful images of sea life so vivid they look as though they can be touched through the iPad screen. Twenty-six animals are introduced here, one for each letter of the alphabet. Tap each letter to hear its name as well as the name of each animal. Tap anywhere else to move on to the next page. I like the ease of use in terms of hearing the narration, but I think the youngest of players will advance pages without meaning to, and there is no way to turn back a letter if one wishes. Because of these issues, I think a future addition of triangles or arrows in the bottom corners of the screen in the interest of turning pages would be helpful.

I do like the addition of the four animals sounds to this app. Kids will enjoy hearing the the noises dolphins and walruses make, as well as both humpback and killer whales, as each of these creatures make their own very distinctive sounds.

What makes this app stand out from other apps like it is the quality of its photographs. They are professional, wonderful, and many times exceptionally colorful. I was taken aback by the glowing green color of the eel, the texture of the walrus, and the translucence of the jellyfish.

I would recommend this app based in these High Definition photos, as they will appeal not only to the youngest children, but also to their parents and anyone else who may be intrigued by very detailed and colorful oceanic photography.