:: ESSENTIAL
:: COFFEE JUNKIES UNITE
I have to admit that before I saw this app, I had no idea that latte art existed. I took a look at the app and wondered who was creatively strange enough to think of an app where players make art out of coffee. A few YouTube videos later and I’m entranced by how cool some people (latte artists?) can make a latte look.
HB Latteland starts a player in “Latte Art School” where the choose a mentor from the Holly Brown team of baristas to lead them through school. When users “graduate” from the art school, they’re faced with challengers from around the world in the Challenge stage. Featured in the challenge modes are World Latte Art Champion Scottie Callaghan and Taiwan Champion Van Lin. In addition, there’s an etching mode where players can basically draw and etch on a cup of latte.
Holly Brown is a Hong Kong-based coffee and gelato company with coffee from Italian master roaster Domenic Spadaccini and made-to-order gelato for customers.
[caption id="attachment_15938" align="alignright" width="208" caption="Quick, easy to read Aha Mobile"]
Aha has launched a rather nice traffic monitoring app for the iPhone. Finally an app with a well thought out user interface for distracted drivers. Large, clear buttons, easy to read and understand.
Aha allows you to see at a glance the travel times for your usual routes allowing you to quickly pick the best option. In addition, if you are in need of a quick caffeine hit, you can see nearby coffee shops and gas stations as you travel.
Aha also includes some interesting voice features. You can report on traffic incidents near you and listen to reports from other users and from a robot reading all of the traffic reports. There's also a room you can listen and publish voice messages bitching about traffic and bad drivers. A welcome vent when stuck in traffic. Bitching about bad drivers, now there's an app for that.
Aha is available now and it's free. It currently covers the San Francisco, LA, and San Diego areas.
