All For You

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Portable Podcast, Episode 109

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Now with gnomes!

On This Episode:

Host Carter Dotson and this week’s guest, Mage Gauntlet developer Kepa Auwae of Rocketcat Games, discuss Mage Gauntlet. They discuss the current state of the game, along with the trials and tribulations it took to get to its current point, along with plans for future installments, including an upcoming rougelike free-to-play installment. As well, they discuss various issues in the iOS world, including price points, getting games noticed, free-to-play ethics, and more.

Who We Are:

Host: Carter Dotson

Guest: Kepa Auwae, Rocketcat Games

Music:

“Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:

“Nanocarp” by The Eternal

How to Listen:

Click Here to Subscribe in iTunes:

Click Here to Subscribe via RSS.

Listen Here:

Apps Mentioned on This Episode:

Mage Gauntlet

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $2.99

Our Rating:

:: IT'S MAGIC
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-10-20 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: Mage Gauntlet

About: The Portable Podcast, Episode 109 is a post from 148Apps

Lisa Caplan 02 Nov, 2011
enclosure: audio/mpeg

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/portable-podcast-episode-109/
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Upload Multiple Photos to the Batch App on Facebook

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Tonight is Halloween, so like most moms, I will have a bunch of new photos of my son trick or treating on my iPhone later. And, before he has time to count his loot, (and give me my tithe) I will be uploading those pics to Facebook. But, it's going to be a bit of a pain. If I use the Facebook app I will have to upload all 116 snaps one at a time. Otherwise, I have to export them all to iPhoto and upload them from there. Enter Batch, a new free Facebook photo uploader that, as the name implies, allows users to upload photos to Facebook in groups or, well, batches. Well, that’s actually a bit misleading. The app doesn't realy upload to the Facebook photo albums – friends and family will have to use to the Batch app on Facebook to see them since they are hosted by Batch off the Facebook site.

If users can live with that, then instead of tagging each picture one at a time, Batch allows them to tag the whole group, set sharing options and remarkably quickly there is a link on the wall inviting folks to check out what’s been shared. Batch allows users to pick photos from any album, the camera roll or photostream, or users can open the camera from inside the app and shoot directly into new or existing batches. Users whose Facebook friends use Batch too can view photos from within the app as well. Email, iMessage and Twitter sharing are also incorporated.

Batch

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-10-25 :: Category: Photography

Apps mentioned in this post: Batch

About: Upload Multiple Photos to the Batch App on Facebook is a post from 148Apps

Lisa Caplan 02 Nov, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/upload-multiple-photos-batch-app-facebook/
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Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal)

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Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal)

By Danyel Rios on November 1st, 2011
Our Rating:

:: ANATOMICALLY SPECTACULAR
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

With gorgeous graphics, intuitive controls and constant updates Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) is a slick and comprehensive way to study for that next Anatomy and Physiology exam or effectively communicate with a patient using a visual aid.

Developer: Pocket Anatomy
Price: $29.99
Version Reviewed: 2.2
Device Reviewed On: iPad2

iPad Integration Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Re-use Value Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.67 out of 5 stars

Back in my day we used good old fashioned grave robbing to study Anatomy and Physiology. Not these new-fangled digital bodies that have zoom functions, built-in quizzes and 30,000 words of detailed anatomical data. Lazy, these kids today, lazy. Actually, I had used books and coloring sheets that were sloppily organized in old binders. Thanks to Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal), when I grow up and decide to finish my PhD that nonsense will be a thing of the past! Well, I may still use the color sheets; the coloring makes my soul happy.

Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal), by Pocket Anatomy, exemplifies how diverse, useful and downright beautiful apps on the iPad can be. Originally created to help A&P students study, this app has turned into a tool for helping health care professionals explain diagnoses, conditions and treatments to patients and for educators to interactively discuss lessons. This is app technology at its best.

Navigate from the skin layer to the superficial to deep musculature and on to ligaments and the skeleton using a handy “zoom” bar at the bottom. The user also has the ability to view each layer from the Anterior, Posterior, Lateral and Plantar viewpoint. Anatomical structures are identified with pins. Touch the pin and up pops information about that structure including clinical notes. Speaking of notes, the user can take their own notes inside the app and drop their own pins though out the body! There is even comprehensive content available on demand through wi-fi & 3G. Swoon.

It would be great if the user could add content to the quizzes e.g., the user generated pins in the “Locate Pins Quiz,” an option for the user to create multiple choice questions and add flash cards. An advanced review section would also be excellent: after taking a quiz the app analyzes the areas the user is weak in and offers either a quiz specifically targeted at that weak area or in the regular quizzes the questions in the weak area appear more often. Also, a male and female view, including a pregnant female would be most helpful in study, teaching and practical application.

At $29.99, Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) is not cheap, but for some it may be a worthwhile investment. If the lovelies at Pocket Anatomy could make it happen, a student discount would be spectacular. $30 is a month and a half’s worth of ramen and we all know that good ramen equals good science.

With gorgeous graphics, intuitive controls and constant updates, Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) is a slick and comprehensive way to study for that next exam or effectively communicate with a patient a visual aid. It is the next best thing to having a fresh specimen in a side pocket.

By the way, don’t do that. It is unsanitary and slightly frowned upon.

Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) by Pocket Anatomy

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Buy Now: $29.99

Our Rating:

:: ANATOMICALLY SPECTACULAR
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-09-01 :: Category: Medical

Apps mentioned in this post: Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) by Pocket Anatomy

About: Pocket Body (Musculoskeletal) is a post from 148Apps

Danyel Rios 02 Nov, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/pocket-body-musculoskeletal/
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ION Piano Apprentice Turns iOS Into a Baby Grand

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Music is a passion that parents have been forcing on their children since the creation of instruments. Sure, they will love it when they are older, but when they are kids many rebel against it like the plague. But what if there were a way to combine the benefits of music instruction with their favorite tablet or phone? The new ION Piano Apprentice peripheral addresses that question brilliantly, while offering up an interesting new educational tool to boot.

Using only ION’s free iOS software and this intriguing new contraption, musical perfection may only be a few practice sessions away. On the keyboard peripheral itself buttons will light up to correspond to those being demonstrated within the application, helping to further bridge the gap between the instructional software and the actual playing of the instrument. In no time at all users can be well on the way to learning their first concerto.

For more details on the peripheral check out the ION Piano Apprentice’s official site for more information. Check out the video below to see this new tool in action.

Piano Apprentice

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-08-22 :: Category: Music

Apps mentioned in this post: Piano Apprentice

About: ION Piano Apprentice Turns iOS Into a Baby Grand is a post from 148Apps

Blake Grundman 02 Nov, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/ion-piano-apprentice-turns-ios-baby-grand/
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Newstream Review

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Newstream Review

By Jennifer Allen on November 1st, 2011
Our Rating:

:: SIMPLE YET SHALLOW
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Newstream offers the personalized newspaper experience but with some strange feature omissions.

Developer: Amazing Softworks
Price: $2.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4

iPhone Integration Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Re-use Value Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.33 out of 5 stars

I’m not entirely sure how I managed to survive without my Google Reader account keeping track of the many RSS feeds that interest me. Previously, I was too lazy to set anything up like that as it always meant keeping track of awkward RSS Feed links. Newstream, interestingly, has dispensed with the Google Reader sync method that’s favored by the likes of Feedly and Reeder. Instead, users are back to using RSS URLs or they can always search via keywords, also.

It’s a little strange to see an app omit such important functionality and unfortunate too. Newstream provides all the simplicity an user who just wants to read could want. Everything is simple and fast to use with swipe actions forming much of the basis of the controls behind the app. RSS Feed updates are extremely fast to load so users can get right into reading all the latest news.

However, there’s always that return to the functionality of the app, or should I say the lack of it. Each story is displayed in a newspaper style interface akin to The Early Edition 2 that’s easy to browse. Such a clean interface is ideal for those who just want to focus on reading, veering away from all the fancy frivolity that could have been included. It comes at a price though, with no bylines viewable from within the app. Also, while there is a form of reading articles later, there’s no Instapaper support which would have been convenient.

Sharing options are there, either via email or through Facebook or Twitter but that’s as complex as it gets for Newstream. It’s a double edged sword. I can see why some would like its simplistic interface, if they took the time to transfer all their RSS feed links manually to the app. However, it just doesn’t feel as feature rich and subsequently as good value for money as other apps.

Newstream

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $2.99

Our Rating:

:: SIMPLE YET SHALLOW
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-10-23 :: Category: News

Apps mentioned in this post: feedly, Newstream

About: Newstream Review is a post from 148Apps

Jennifer Allen 02 Nov, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/newstream-review/
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Keep Track Of Receipts With Lemon

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People who regularly go on business trips know the problems behind keeping track of the all too vital expense receipt. That tiny piece of paper makes all the difference between claiming back the gas or hotel bill with an employer, and having to pay for it out of a hard earned pay cheque. This is precisely how people end up with wallets and bags full of random pieces of paper, all in a muddle.

Lemon – Receipts Refreshed should solve all these problems. Users can simply scan their paper receipts in and the app turns these images into information that’s taggable and searchable, making it easy to consult at a later time. Individual items are listed along with the tax added upon payment. It’s an ideal way to keep everything organized and save users from having to keep a bundle of paper in their wallets. It’d even be useful for those who just need to curb their spending and keep an eye on where all the money is going!

Lemon – Receipts Refreshed is out now and it’s a free download.

Lemon - Receipts Refreshed

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-09-19 :: Category: Productivity

Apps mentioned in this post: Lemon - Receipts Refreshed

About: Keep Track Of Receipts With Lemon is a post from 148Apps

Jennifer Allen 01 Nov, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/track-receipts-lemon/
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Bring Me Down Review

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Bring Me Down Review

By Lisa Caplan on November 1st, 2011
Our Rating:

:: PUZZLING DEPTH
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Bring Me Down adds a new dimension to physics puzzlers.

Developer: Hany Malek
Price: $.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPad 2

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 stars

Bring Me Down was given the name because it describes the goal of the game. But, it might as easily have been called Bring Me Up because it has the compulsive replayablity that causes sleepless nights and really ups the ante when it comes to looks and physics puzzlers.

The object of the game is simple. A little critter and two bananas are perched atop a series of boxes and boards. Players must tap to select which of these to remove in order to bring the little guy and his snacks safely down to the landing pad. Getting him to safety requires some thought, as the game progresses through the 50 levels, but the basic mechanics are not unfamiliar. Or they would be familiar if developer Hany Malek had not rendered this game in stunning 3D. Because he has, players must take some time checking the puzzle out from all angles before carefully selecting which pieces to remove. Think Jenga but with round objects atop the tower.

Blocks can't be slid out slowly, but they can be tapped quickly in sequence or dropped one at a time. The physics feel true to both gravity and to the speed of the manoeuvres, as the little monster and his snacks fall onto, or more often, off of the landing pad. Players can turn the puzzle 360 degrees with simple intuitive gestures.

Saving the bananas is not necessary; to unlock successive levels all that needs doing is getting the monster down without harm. The bananas serve in the place of stars in similar puzzlers, adding replay value to the challenges for players who like perfect scores.

Aside from the added literal and figurative dimension the 3D offers to the gameplay, it also adds a real beauty and depth (yes that's two bad puns in one sentence) to the game. It's clear careful attention went into making this game look good from whatever angle the player views it from. And while they exist in their normal planes, the music and sound effects are appealing too. The levels often present a challenge, but restarting is quick and there is no one fixed solution to the puzzles, all of which makes for a game that is very hard to put down.

The only thing missing is any sort of social gaming network integration. This is a game that screams for achievements and leaderboards, and I hope to see some in an update soon. But, for a $.99 universal puzzler that both looks and reacts differently from the standard fare, Bring Me Down is definitely worth picking up.