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Monday, August 29, 2011

Call, Text and More, Virtually Hands-Free, With Voice Actions

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Voice-commands for a mobile phone seem like a silly idea, all things considered. I mean, everything is already kind of just there: a GPS, internet browser, email, texting and so on. There are certainly some situations that it would be handy in, though. Driving and walking down the street (no more inadvertently walking into traffic while typing, yay!) come to mind. Voice Actions is intended to be some kind of all-encompassing voice-command app that does all that and more.

Want to call the parents? Just tell the phone. Need to know where that restaurant is? Ask. The software recognizes a shocking amount of spoken dialog accurately. It can translate words and phrases into several different languages, find locations on the GPS, search the device’s library for requested songs and more.

A good many of the questions users might ask will be answered in-app via a computerized Australian woman’s voice, while anything that isn’t readily-available calls up a search in the web browser. It can also access other apps such as the GPS I keep talking about, contacts, YouTube and more. It can certainly be useful in a situation that requires one’s eyes to be somewhere other than the screen, but it can also be a faster way to find information depending on the situation.

For example, it’s possible to open up the weather app, mess around with some menus and figure out what the weather is like in West Haven, Connecticut. Or there’s the option to simply ask Voice Actions and have it tell me. The same goes for finding locations on a map or videos. Then, of course, there’s the translation. The app seems to be able to accurately translate a whole heck of a lot into a whole heck of a lot of different languages, and it provides computerized pronunciations.

Voice Actions is available in the App Store right now for $9.99.

Voice Actions

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $9.99
Released: 2011-06-08 :: Category: Productivity

Apps mentioned in this post: Voice Actions

About: Call, Text and More, Virtually Hands-Free, With Voice Actions is a post from 148Apps

Rob Rich 30 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/call-text-virtually-handsfree-voice-actions/
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Free Food Based Warfare With FvV: Fruits Vs Veggies

at 12:39 PM

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Got bored of pitting plants against zombies? How about testing out the physical abilities of fruit and vegetable instead? That’s exactly what Fruits vs Veggies offers for all interested in what has been referred to as the ‘ultimate food fight’.

A card based system offering nearly 50 different cards provides the main focus of strategy in the battle between the Fruit Clan and the Veggies Family. Real time action keeps things fast paced and exciting as players get to summon the likes of the Coconut Bowler and use Jalapeno Grenades to defend themselves. Play is simple via a drag and drop system and there’s a few in-app purchases available to make things easier.

There’s a 40 level campaign mode for single players while a 2 player versus mode is also available for social gamers.

As a free app for iPad users, FvV: Fruits vs Veggies is set to be an ideal new game to give a shot for strategy fans.

FvV: Fruits vs Veggies

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-08-21 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: FvV: Fruits vs Veggies

About: Free Food Based Warfare With FvV: Fruits Vs Veggies is a post from 148Apps

Jennifer Allen 30 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/free-food-based-warfare-fvv-fruits-veggies/
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Square&Ball HD Review

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Square&Ball HD Review

By Jordan Minor on August 29th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: CLEVER&FUN
iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad

Arrange squares to lead balls into holes in this physics-based puzzle game.

Developer: Ran Elmaliach Games
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.2
Device Reviewed On: iPad 2

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

True to its name, Square&Ball HD is a game with nothing but squares and balls, but no one needs a review to tell them that. What they need to know is whether or not this iPad update of one-man development house Ran Elmaliach Games' physics-based iPhone puzzle game is any good or not. The answer is yes, mostly. There is a lot of depth underneath the handful of simple mechanics but while that is great the majority of the time, it makes the frustrating moments all the more noticeable.

At the beginning of each stage, the player is presented with a group of blocks, some moveable and some not, and is tasked with turning them into a contraption that will lead the ball to the hole. The ball always spawns in the same position. As one progresses, new pieces are added like rotatable blocks, warp holes and little gadgets that cause the ball to speed up in a particular direction.

However, what gives the game its true challenge is how sensitive the physics are. Square&Ball is a game that encourages experimentation and there is the sense that each puzzle can have multiple solutions if one messes with their blocks just enough. For example, depending on where blocks are placed, they will fall once the level starts. With that in mind, the player can create a situation where a skinny block will fall underneath the ball onto a square block causing it to fling the ball into the hole once they make contact. Watching crazy, theoretical ideas like that one succeed in practice is quite satisfying.

Unfortunately, that system wherein a small adjustment can make a huge impact can also create scenarios where a player will have a set-up that technically will work but since one block is placed just slightly off, the whole thing falls apart. When that happens it really sucks. However, for each time that does happen, they'll be a case where a broken system works out due to patience, perseverance and sheer dumb luck. Plus, making quick and tiny adjustments is very easy and if a stage ever stage gets too aggravating there is always an option to skip it.

The art style is uncomplicated but features a nice look reminiscent of a Leonardo Da Vinci sketch and the one song, “Bach's Prelude in C,” is slow, calm and classical, the exact kind of music a ponderous game like this one needs. The initial 47 stages fly by but the game itself promises more content is on the way. Square&Ball HD's free-form nature may sometimes work against it but for $0.99 players could do far, far worse.

Square&Ball HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Buy Now: $0.99

Our Rating:

:: CLEVER&FUN
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-08-05 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: square&ball, Square&Ball HD

About: Square&Ball HD Review is a post from 148Apps

Rob Rich 30 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/squareball-hd-review/
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Cubes vs. Spheres Review

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Cubes vs. Spheres Review

By Rob Rich on August 29th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: BLOCK-BUSTER
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Keep those uppity cubes in check in the most direct and efficient manner: through violence!

Developer: ShockPanda Games
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS
Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.56 out of 5 stars

Tensions have been high between the proud spheres and the barbaric cubes for centuries. It was only a matter of time before an all-out war. Now the cubes are on the attack, attempting to overwhelm the spheres with sheer numbers. The spheres have no choice but to fight back, by tossing themselves directly into their aggressors. It’s almost certain death, but their sacrifice can help to ensure a future for the rest of their people.

Okay, so there isn’t quite so much subtext to the story behind Cubes vs. Spheres, but the idea is still to take out hordes of encroaching boxes by flinging balls at them. Players have only to tap on the icon for their desired spherical ordinance, then flick a finger in the desired direction. Angle and strength affect trajectories, naturally, and points earned through completing a level can be used to purchase new spheres or upgrades.

Cubes vs. Spheres starts out a little slow (and hard), but everything picks up quite a bit once the ability to split the default blue orbs into three in mid-air is unlocked. Then things get incredibly hectic and fun (and hard). From there, it becomes an almost endless gauntlet of cube carnage with exploding bits flying every which way. Special spheres, such as the one that explodes or the heavy one that plows through multiple targets, have to be purchased individually (they have finite ammo) but can be invaluable assets when things get dicey. And dicey things will get once the cubes start introducing new forms, such as the giant one that breaks apart into several smaller ones or those crafty semi-invisibles.

The only problem I’ve really encountered with Cubes vs. Spheres, aside from a bit of game lag after returning to the app after a call/text/whatever, is an occasionally unresponsive touch screen. Sometimes tapping the button to call a sphere won’t register and I find myself high-and-dry with a whole lot of incoming cubes, sometimes a sphere will launch when what I really wanted to do was turn the camera, but these occurrences are fairly infrequent and they don’t detract from the sheer fun of it all.

I feel it’s important to restate this: Cubes vs. Spheres is a lot of fun. Don’t be discouraged by the semi-slow start, because it gets much, much better. It looks gorgeous in its simplicity, it’s addicting with all its unlockables and randomized cube behavior, and just keeps giving players more. It’s a great way to spend a dollar.

Cubes vs. Spheres

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $0.99

Our Rating:

:: BLOCK-BUSTER
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-08-18 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: Cubes vs. Spheres

About: Cubes vs. Spheres Review is a post from 148Apps

Rob Rich 30 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/cubes-spheres-review/
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Listen To Tweets With Tweets Aloud

at 11:32 AM

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There are a lot of Twitter clients out there all vying for everyone’s attention. Tweets Aloud does something a little special compared to the rest though: it allows users to stream their Twitter feed via text-to-speech voice technology thus allowing them to listen to their Twitter feed rather than read it.

A few advantages come about from this. Users can listen to their tweets much like a radio station while they’re exercising or doing other things while at the PC or at work. Other users can use it to save effort such as if they’re suffering from either a short term or long term disability that affects their mobility and they’d rather listen than navigate through the app. Those with visual impairments could also benefit.

Each tweet is read in an easy to understand young woman’s voice and users can quickly play, pause or skip forward or backwards just like when using an iPod. Even common jargon such as smiley faces or texting abbreviations can be converted appropriately so it still all makes sense.

Two versions of Tweets Aloud are available. A free/lite version allows users to read/listen to the latest 10 tweets alongside an ad-supported interface while the full version offers readings of up to 100 of the latest tweets. It’s priced at $1.99.

Tweets Aloud

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $1.99
Released: 2011-08-26 :: Category: Social Networking

Tweets Aloud Lite

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-08-26 :: Category: Social Networking

Apps mentioned in this post: Tweets Aloud, Tweets Aloud Lite

About: Listen To Tweets With Tweets Aloud is a post from 148Apps

Jennifer Allen 30 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/listen-tweets-tweets-aloud/
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Cado Review

at 11:05 AM

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Cado Review

By Rob Rich on August 29th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: ROLLIN' RORSCHACH
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Cado is certainly a fun tilt-happy physics platformer, but it could benefit from more control options.

Developer: ClearCut Games
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS
Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.19 out of 5 stars

Cado is a little eyeball blob-thing that always seems to get itself into tough situations. Since it’s also seemingly incapable of getting itself out of said tough spots, it falls on the player’s shoulders to get it through each level. How? By rotating the stage itself and rolling the lazy little ball to the exit. It’s not quite as easy as it sounds.

The first few levels of Cado are pretty simple, with very little in the way of hazards and hardly any need to restart. Soon, though, things get much more complex. Some levels start the little ball on the outside of a spiral, and players have to ever-so-delicately spin the world around it so it doesn’t fall off into oblivion. Then the stages get even more hazardous, using broken-up platforms and throwing spikes into the mix.

Cado is a good deal of fun, although attempting to snag a level’s star can get frustrating. Still, it gets plenty addicting and I blew through almost 30 of the game’s 40 levels before I knew it. If that sounds like cause for concern, don’t worry; the developer plans to release another 20 levels in a future update, free of charge. Something I’m rather interested in seeing when it comes out, because the levels thus far have been both devious and crazy. In a good way.

My solitary gripe with Cado is that it almost feels like it should use accelerometer controls rather than the on-screen virtual buttons. Which feels weird to say because I typically avoid tilt-based control methods but a game like this practically begs for it. That’s not to say that it needs them, but sometimes things spin just a tad too slow and I feel like more direct control through tilting would make a difference.

Cado is certainly one fun and hard to put down game. The 40 levels (soon to be 60, total) are somewhat of a mixed-bag as far as challenge goes, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying this addicting casual physics puzzle-platformer. Or inventing their own string of adjectives to use when they tell their friends about it.