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Friday, October 7, 2011

Five for Friday: Week of October 7

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There were fewer new games released this week than we’ve seen, with the usual suspects putting out few if any new titles. There were some apps released worth noting that you don’t want to miss. Many are free, and there’s something for every age. If we missed your favorite from the past week, let us know in the comments below.

NHL Game Center 2011-2012

Put out by the NHL in time for the first frosts in the North East, and featured by Apple as App of the Week. NHL Game Center allows hockey fans to access scores, stats, game photos, schedules, news, standings and a "3D Ice Tracker" on any iOS device. Users can upgrade in-app to a Premium service for $19.99 which adds in-game video highlights, live radio and other perks and for a full $159.99 die-hard puck-a-holics can subscribe to NHL Game Center Live (or use an existing account) and never miss a moment of the action. The premium version can also be purchased separately.






AMEX for iPad

This optimized-for-iPad app from the credit card giant lets cardholders manage all their account activity from scheduling payments to checking out membership rewards program points. The app supports most of the most popular AMEX card products. Check the app description to see the complete list.



Tweet Speaker – Listen to Twitter

Since Twitter and Apple are getting cosy in soon-to-be-released iOS 5, this app might well be renamed tweetPod even if neither giant is behind it. Tweet Speaker is Twitter out loud, ideal for times when not only hands, but eyes, are occupied. The app reads feeds, has Tweet Marker support, Airplay and a really nice interface reminiscent of an older dial radio.



Toca Store

Turn an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a virtual playset with the newest Toca Boca digital toy for children. Kids learn basic cooperation skills along with a little math and even resource management playing with 28 saleable objects. Kids set the prices and the rules – it's a free play creative app that's extremely imagination friendly. It’s also universal and on iPad lends itself well to device sharing.



AT&T Upgrader

The name says it all. AT&T rushed out an app to make sure its customers could pre-order their sparkly new iPhone 4S right from their likely still sparkly iPhone 4 – or any other model of course. Account holders can check if they are due for an upgrade, and find out which version and plan will fit their budget.



Apps mentioned in this post: Amex for iPad®, AT&T Upgrader, NHL GameCenter 2011-2012, NHL GameCenter 2011-2012 Premium, Toca Store, Tweet Speaker - Listen to Twitter


About: Five for Friday: Week of October 7 is a post from 148Apps

Lisa Caplan 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/friday-week-october-7/
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Whale Trail: A Hands-On Look at What Goes Into ustwo’s Upcoming Endless Game

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British design studio ustwo is making their first iOS game, Whale Trail. This is a charming endless high score game where players control a whale who is flying through the sky. The goal is to collect bubbles that extend the eponymous whale trail that powers this flying whale, which also extend the points multiplier. Evil dark clouds line the sky as well, and these must be avoided in order to keep the multiplier and whale trail up. Holding down on the screen causes the whale to fly upward, eventually performing loop-de-loops.

This is a game centered around its visual and artistic design. The theme is key here; the visuals are bright and colorful, representing a rainbow of colors with a whimsical style, contrasting the dark, evil clouds. The music, created by Gruff Rhys, continues that whimsical style with the lyric version of the Whale Trail theme that plays on the title screen, along with the instrumental version that plays in the game itself. Everything in the game is meant to be friendly, fun, and inviting.

One part of the game design that becomes apparent is that sessions last longer than the average endless/high score game. Failure is not an imminent threat like in other games like Jetpack Joyride; bumping into a cloud is not a death sentence, and refilling the whale trail bar is easy, though the bubbles do become more sparse over time. This was an intentional design decision.

As according to ustwo’s co-founder and “Chief Wonka,” a man who goes by the single name of Mills, “Whale Trail is about creating a longer gameplay experience – it’s about manifesting an almost endless/neverending gaming experience. You can’t appreciate this wonder if the game ends quick…you can’t rush beauty.” However, he adds that the game is meant to also appeal to a wider audience, including those who want to go for high scores: “It’s there to be enjoyed on the most simple and subtle of levels if you’re that way inclined, or to be enjoyed on a more serious and competitive level, for those who really want to push it to the limit and just focus on achieving the highest scores possible.” However, he reiterates the ultimate goal of the game: “This game is all about the joys of flying.”

Whale Trail will set sail on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on October 20th. Those looking to get their hands on this game right away can visit ustwo’s Whale Trail Facebook page and become eligible to test out the game for themselves before the game’s final release.

Apps mentioned in this post: Jetpack Joyride


About: Whale Trail: A Hands-On Look at What Goes Into ustwo’s Upcoming Endless Game is a post from 148Apps

Carter Dotson 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/whale-trail-handson-ustwos-upcoming-endless-game/
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TweetSpeaker Speaks Tweets. Say That Three Times Fast.

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Check this out – TweetSpeaker, a new app from App Cubby, allows users to listen to their tweet stream. Picture listening to twitter on a walk, in the car, during a commute on the bus, wherever reading them isn’t an option. Individuals with disabilities that cannot read text for whatever reason (visual or motoric disability, for example) can finally use a well-designed Twitter client made specifically for listening instead of reading the social media service. Folks without a disability can also revel in the well designed, pretty interface that allows us all to access our Twitter stream in just about every environment we have network access in.

TweetSpeaker also features Tweet Marker support, a web service for setting and getting the “last read” tweet for a given Twitter user. It can be used to sync where a user was last across multiple Twitter clients and platforms – a helpful thing if switching between a standard Twitter client like Twitterific or Tweetbot and TweetSpeaker.

TweetSpeaker is available now in the iTunes App Store for $2.99.




Apps mentioned in this post: Tweet Speaker - Listen to Twitter, Twitterrific for Twitter


About: TweetSpeaker Speaks Tweets. Say That Three Times Fast. is a post from 148Apps

Rob LeFebvre 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/tweetspeaker-speaks-tweets-times-fast/
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Curvebot Evolved Review

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Curvebot Evolved Review

By
on October 7th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★★☆
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Curvebot is a delightful puzzler that channels the spirit of the classic game Qix

 

Developer: Elpixo
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.2.2
App Reviewed on: iPhone 4

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I think I lost a fair amount of childhood to Qix on the BBC Micro. In Qix I controlled a little diamond which I could navigate in straight lines across a rectangle. When I completed a closed shape by moving from side of the rectangle to another the shape got cut off. The idea was cut off a certain percentage of the rectangle to progress to the next level. Sounds simple and plain, but in practice it was fiendishly addictive and always very challenging.

Curvebot isn’t quite the 3D spiritual successor to Qix, but it is certainly as addictive and challenging. In Qix the aim is to cut the 3D planes of each level until only 20% of the original flat surface is left. Taking control of a dinky little robot, I’m able to traverse around these planes by pressing touch screen buttons to move left and right. Pressing both buttons at the same time, however, sends the robot onto the plane itself, and as with Qix the portion left by the line he makes from one edge to another is cut off. Simple simple, up until energy-zapping robots, obstacles, and very awkwardly shaped planes get in the way and mix things up.

If it sounds a little complicated to describe, then in practice it’s actually a simple premise to understand and learn how to excel at. The controls are straightforward and graceful, and Curvebot also does a great job at steadily introducing the new elements mentioned to keep things interesting throughout the 72 levels. Enemies steadily get better at noticing the lines you’re creating and trying to cut across them and into you to stop your progress, meanwhile the increasingly awkward shapes of later levels make that simple enough premise a tough thing to apply in the latter stages. Also, Curvebot has been designed with a lot of care and attention, and this clearly comes across in the classy interface, high fidelity, and little touches of humor dotted across the game – including an absolutely excellent nod to another classic game, Pac-Man.

It’s difficult to note criticisms of Curvebot, I’ll admit, but it just feels like it’s lacking that special something to transform it into a 5-star game. A few more of those Pac-Man moments, maybe, or a few more risks taken to stretch the cutting mechanic as far as possible might have taken the game to another level. This is nitpicking, though, and it doesn’t really matter when the game is so easy to pick up, play, and enjoy, and it certainly stands out as something quite unique amongst the crowded iOS market. As such, Curvebot comes thoroughly recommended.



Apps mentioned in this post: Curvebot Evolved


About: Curvebot Evolved Review is a post from 148Apps

Sinan Kubba 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/curvebot-evolved-review/
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FrEEday Vol 61

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My Country: Build Your Dream City:
Players that grow bored with old-school city building games that lack any sort of real action may finally have something worth playing. While building a marvelous city, players face the standard chores like developing transportation systems, constructing powerful industries, and controlling energy usage. The game is not limited to simple building chores, as there are hundreds of tasks to take on that will benefit the growth of the city. Who knows, maybe Godzilla will come and visit and boost that tourism rating.





Lost Monkey:
It always sucks when teleporters go on the fritz and blast monkeys across time and space to some tropical island. Will anyone help this lost monkey get home by leveling up through fast-paced mini-games? Players willing to aid in this task are with gold to spend on toys, new games and decorations to help spruce up that new island home. Come for the mini-games but stay for the cute story and entertaining gameplay.


Bloxus:
How good are those stacking skills, because they are about to be put to the test. This game contains 60 challenging levels that will have players tilting, swiping, and shaking a floating platform to balance blocks as they fall onto the playing field. The game will take players across three gorgeous worlds while trying to pile a variety of blocks of all shapes and sizes onto the platform. Who will rule the top of the leader board?





Crystal Soul:
This game blends an unique puzzle mechanic with deep strategy game play and sprinkles it with a bit of role-playing elements. Players will need to choose one of three classes, each with their own unique skills, to take on a variety of quests. It will become imperative to fully know the character and their abilities as the strategy aspect will put that knowledge to the test, especially with limited energy and skill usage. With two modes of play, this game is sure to keep players occupied for several lunch break sessions.


Tiny Invaders:
While the world has had to fight off countless alien invasions, this game brings a new spin for the invader. Space germs are here and they want to rule over this world. But instead of taking on the role of the defender, players will be playing as the alien microbes. It is up to the player to control these invaders as the move from host to host, enslaving the minds of millions. This action-puzzle game spans 60 levels, each with a unique challenge and plenty of bodily defense systems to hide from. It is only a matter of time before the planet bows down to their alien overlords.


Apps mentioned in this post: Bloxus, Bloxus HD, Crystal Soul, Lost Monkey, My Country: build your dream city, My Country: build your dream city HD, Tiny Invaders


About: FrEEday Vol 61 is a post from 148Apps

Chris Nitz 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/freeday-vol-61/
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Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint Review

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Developer: The Pickford Bros.
Price: Free
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPad 1, iPod touch 4

Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Playtime: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The first time I played Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint, not quite understanding how it all works, I just shot a ball wildly into a crowd of other balls, figuring the goal was to take as few shots as possible. As my astoundingly low score and miserable grade indicated, I clearly did not know how to play the game. The goal is actually to take as many shots as possible, bouncing balls off of walls and near other colored balls to increase the multiplier value of each shot. Each shot taken adds points to the tarriff, which is the base value of each shot. In short, the more shots used, the higher the potential points value, and the higher score that becomes possible. Extra points are also given for creating shapes with the clusters of balls that get mashed together; in fact, these are the keys to getting S grades on the set pieces that compromise the game’s levels.

While the game might not seem like billiards just based on its own take on the rules, the similarity lies in it becoming about strategic planning, playing smart shots that will leave the next shot open for higher scoring, rather than just living in the moment with just one shot. Later levels start to up the complexity to a point where this becomes not just a physics-based game of angles, it requires the kind of long-term strategy that a game like chess has. The aiming interface showing where the ball will go (to a certain distance) is an amazing help in making all this happen. The app is currently free to play and offers 20 levels. 20 additional levels along with 3 endless modes can be purchased for different prices, with a Skeleton Key for $3.99 that unlocks all current and future content.

The game’s point can be very difficult to figure out at first, and a lot of the learning in this game happens after level attempts are made. Getting an A or S on some of the levels by forming advanced shapes feels almost impossible due to the amount of entroypy in having to knock balls into other balls to clear paths to form the larger shapes. The controls generally work well, but a lot of the narrower angles are very, very difficult to hit. The ability to set and lock angle and power without having to hold down on the screen would help out a lot.

Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint is one of the smartest games I’ve played on iOS, and it demands a kind of precision and planning that other games just don’t have. The game works well no matter which platform it’s played on, but iPad owners will definitely want to check this out on the larger screen.



Buy Now:
FREE
Released: 0000-00-00 :: Category:



About: Magnetic Billiards: Blueprint Review is a post from 148Apps

Carter Dotson 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/magnetic-billiards-blueprint-review/
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MagicalPad Review

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MagicalPad Review

By
on October 7th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: GET THINGS DONE
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

MagicalPad is an essential iPad app for taking freeform notes as well as creating outlines and checklists.

 

Developer: MagicalPad
Price: $.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPad
iPhone Integration Rating: 4.35 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4.35 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.35 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.35 out of 5 stars

I run my business out of my home and find myself searching for get things done, task management and organizational apps a lot. Beyond the daily to-dos, I also find myself writing down random notes on different pieces of paper in my office, on my kitchen table and just about anywhere I find paper and a pen.

While I’m a big fan of Orchestra for its ability to assign tasks as an individual or within a group, MagicalPad has given me a platform to create the necessary to-do lists as well as organize my thoughts, outlines and go beyond single tasks. And it only costs $.99 for this feature rich app that helps manage my business and personal life.

When downloaded, any number of individuals can create a fully structured outline of tasks, ideas, meeting notes or class notes. For instance, since I work from home I use MagicalPad to organize my meeting agendas for the two or three client calls I have each week. With the app I can list items, break out by importance and check off as we go through the agenda. If a change or new item comes up during the meeting I can easily add directly onto the workspace.

While it’s very functional, it is also visually laid out intuitively so structuring or quickly capturing thoughts and ideas is quick and easy. From experience, most GTD apps take too much time to input information and that time could have been used to simply finish the task.

The user interface reacts to simple commands such as tap to select a box, double tap to create a box as well as to type, and use a two-finger swipe to move the workspace around. However, the double tap caused some confusion early on due to that move normally being reserved for zooming in and out on the iPad. It takes a few sessions to get used to it. To zoom, there is a specific zoom tool on the bottom toolbar.

Another useful feature is the virtual joystick in the bottom right corner that allows the user to maneuver around the workspace as well.

In addition to all the workspace tools, the MagicalPad workspace can be saved on Google docs, Evernote, Dropbox as well as emailed. The share features combined with the app’s intuitive design and workflow makes it an essential app for freeform notes, outlines and checklists.


MagicalPad


iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Buy Now:
$0.99 $1.99
Released: 2011-09-14 :: Category: Productivity

Apps mentioned in this post: MagicalPad


About: MagicalPad Review is a post from 148Apps

Greg Dawson 08 Oct, 2011


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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/magicalpad-review/
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