NEW Release: Blurb Mobile for iPhone (Quick Review)

Blurb Mobile

FREE

iPhone/iPod Touch Only

Version: 1.0

Tested on: iPod Touch 4G (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5

I always like to take candid photographs. Sometimes they can tell stories by themselves. But, most of the times, you want to stitch multiple of them to make the stories even better. Or maybe, add a short video clip highlighting certain unforgettable moments. Well now we have a new iPhone app that would help us doing so. Blurb Mobile is a very easy to use iPhone app that will help you create stories and share them with the ones you care most.

The app starts with asking you to sign up to their site. Signing up would allow you to upload your stories later into their site and share it with the whole world from there. Next up, you can immediately create your story by selecting a series of photographs and videos you want to be included in your story. No need to worry about the sequence because you can always rearrange them within the app.

Blurb Mobile does a very good job in zooming in pictures, rotating them, and changing their size. As the following screenshots illustrate, it's very easy to convert a picture from its original landscape format to a square format, and then to portrait format. The app automatically resizes the boundaries of the photograph. 

A story would not be a complete story until it can tell the story by itself. This app allows you to add text caption to each photographs. This helps the readers to understand the context of the photographs and the story they're trying to tell. The apps also allows you to add audio captions too. 

If you're thinking, can I change the theme too? Of course yes! The app comes with several themes that you can choose from. This feature would give more you more flexibility and customization. Now, if only the app allows you to stitch more than 8 photographs. Maybe you're gonna need to upgrade to the Pro version for that. For me, I believe constraints help you be more creative. Come on guys, be creative and share your stories!

SPOILER: Yes, I'm thinking of using Instagram and various cool image filter apps combined with Viddy to make a real awesome story. I definitely dig this!

Check out my other iPhone app reviews here.

NEW Release: Threadless for iPhone (Quick Review)

Threadless

FREE

iPhone/iPod Touch Only

Version: 0.9

Tested on: iPod Touch 4G (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5

I've always been a fan of Threadless since years ago. Threadless is a great way to find great tees designs which are created by awesome individuals. Now, it's coming to the iPhone. All of a sudden, it's much easier to get involved again in the great Threadless community.

The iPhone app allows you to score designs very easily. This week, there's a design challenge for a Griffin iPhone case. You can give your score to the designs submitted, and your score will automatically submitted to the site. You can also tweet about it or post it on your Facebook wall for your friends to see. To allow you to score unlimited designs, you can choose to sign in with your existing Threadless account.

Now, what makes Threadless so good is the fact that it allows you to easily browse through a great collection of user submitted designs. This iPhone app is no different. You can swipe through them and purchase any one you like. 

To make things interesting, the Threadless app also has the Wacky Stuff section to entertain you. It has cool mini activities like Doodle Pad where you can doodle an iPhone case or a T-Shirt template, and a wacky camera mini-app which will allow you to take wacky photographs. 

Overall I consider this app to be a very good move by Threadless. Not only they can reach their users better, but they would bring a more active community. If you have only a minute or two to spare, now you can give your scores for a few Threadless designs. I think this is a truly innovative way of using an iPhone app to engage your community. I can't wait what they'll bring to maximize the iPad experience.


Check out my other iPhone app reviews here.

iPad App Review: TypeDrawing

TypeDrawing for iPad

$2.99

iPad Only

Version: 1.3.1

Tested on: iPad 2 (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5
Reviewer: Evan

I am not an artist but that is why I love my iPad. It has tons of tools/apps that make the process of art creation so much fun! One iPad app called TypeDrawing has captured my interest and is now on my personal favorite list. This app is pure entertainment and art, it is not a production tool. If you get a gift card for iTunes, I highly recommend spending $2.99 on TypeDrawing.

To start making an art, you type or paste the desired text into the text box. Then, you can select the font, speed, color and the background. The background can be white, black or a picture from your photo album. After that, it's nothing but fun. As you drag your finger(s) across the screen in any direction (even upside down) the text prints out in an animated sort of way that makes your fingers become magical. If it gets boring, change the color and make a second layer over the first blending the colors.

After you have made your awesome and original art, you are ready to share it with the entire world. You can save it to your photo album, send it to iTunes or as a PDF (I do not recommend using a PDF). You can also replay your art making in action with the re-play button within the share menu.

This app is amazing and it even has small invisible features like the more a word is used, the bigger it gets. Not only that, you can use it to create a unique watermark over your photographs. If you love typography, then this app is a must-have for you.


Check out my previous review here.

NEW Release: VH1 Co-Star for iPad (Quick Review)

VH1 Co-Star

FREE

iPad Only

Version: 1.0

Tested on: iPad 2 (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5

Over the past few months, there have been a lot of apps made by big TV networks specifically for the iPad. VH1 Co-Star is the latest addition to such apps which offers a fresh approach to viewers interactivity. This app does not provide you with full-length episodes of the TV series, rather it provides you a way to interact with other viewers while you're watching the show. 

The main feature of VH1 Co-Star is the Watch With feature. This feature highlights the VH1 community who are actively tweeting or posting on their Facebook accounts with comments related to the series that's currently showing on VH1. With this app (and an iPad, of course), you'll get the best sidekick to actively involve in this community. By setting up your Twitter and Facebook accounts beforehand, you'll be all set to join in the conversation.

Now, VH1 Co-Star does not leave you after the show. You can playback all the conversation that has been recorded throughout various shows, even the ones you missed. You can also browse through a good selection of photos and videos on most episodes. And, the best part of this app is its Gamification feature. Yes, this app allows you to unlock up to 34 achievements (they may add more achievements in future updates) by actively involved and using the app. 

Overall I think this app is very good, a must-have if you're a fan of VH1. When the other TV networks are writing down the Twitter hash tag on the screen, VH1 has gone one step ahead using an iPad app. This allows VH1 to filter the viewer comments and to forward the best comments to other viewers using the Watch With feature. With this little bit of control, I think VH1 has successfully implemented a good model for viewers interactivity. I'm looking forward for future updates of this app and how viewers use this app to its fullest potential.

I'm going to leave you with the schedule for the upcoming VH1 shows included in the app. I haven't tested this, but I have a feeling the episodes will be automatically refreshed on daily basis with shows that are scheduled that day. You can also modify the settings within the app so that you'll be notified when your favorite series are showing on VH1. So, if you're a VH1 fan, get this app to become the VH1 Co-Star!

Check out my other iPad app reviews here.

Universal App Review: IM+ Pro

IM+ Pro

$9.99

Universal (iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad)

Version: 2.8

Tested on: iPad 2 (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5
Reviewer: Evan

IM+ Pro is a great app by SHAPE Services that is, in my personal opinion, one of the best app for in its area. Instead of having multiple tabs opened with various IM accounts, you can bundle them together in a single app and have a better experience. With IM+ Pro, you can access your GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo!, Skype, AIM, Facebook, Myspace accounts, and plenty more. You can also send voice messages and pictures easily. The app will also send you notifications on new messages while it's running in the background and let you know who goes online and offline.

If you decide to get this full version, you will have to pay for up to $9.99. Is it worth it? Yes, I think the full version is worth it without the inclusion of ads. Although, I think they should give us the speech recognition feature without asking us to commit in the monthly in-app purchase. You can opt to start with the free version and see if you like it enough to upgrade.

This app also has advanced options which allow you to customize the app according to your preferences. For example, you can change your avatar to any photos from your library. One of my favorite features is the ability to have the app notifying you (even when the app is running in the background) when a contact you selected is online. This way, you don't have to check whether your friends are online every 5 minutes and let your device does all the work.


Check out my previous review here.

Universal Game Review: Dash Race, Plus A Chance to Win A Copy

Dash Race

$1.99

Universal (iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad)

Version: 2.1.0

Tested on: iPad 2 and iPod Touch 4G (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5

10 years ago I was introduced to German Board Games by a German colleague. The board game was Carcassonne. I was mesmerized by the creativity displayed by the game design. Ever since, I fell in love with German/Euro Board Games because of how they are creatively designed to include a variety of theme, unique gameplay, strategy-heavy mechanics, the multiplayer aspect of the game, and of course the classic rules design that are simple to learn but difficult to master. One of my favorite Euro Board Games is a multiplayer racing game entitled Formula D which can support up to 8 players racing in Formula One tracks.

Dash Race reminds me a lot of Formula D, except that it's not based on dice and luck, rather it's entirely based on strategies and tactics. Different tracks require different strategies, and different turns and conditions require different tactics. This game is so good and so promising for future updates that you can easily spend hours playing the game. Dash Race is a turn-based game where each player takes turn to draw his/her move. Using a simple projection rule, you can only move in certain direction and speed.

Everyone starts with one step, but every step that you'll take after that allows you to speed up, speed down or keep the current speed. The same is true with the direction. You start with a direction, and you can keep the direction or change it slightly to the left or slightly to the right. Remember that you can only change the direction slightly not radically. You need to keep this simple rule in mind. It's so simple, yet it's quite difficult to master in your first few games.

The game becomes more interesting with more players joining the game. Not only because this is a racing game, but because the other players (or robots) can block your next move, thus forcing you to speed down, speed up or change your route. The more players involved in the game, the more challenging the race is. I really love this game. Yes, it may be difficult to master during your first few races, but after that the game becomes more and more interesting.

It's a good idea to start with one robot until you get the hang of it. But once you do, you'll start looking for more challenging races, by including all three robots and trying out different tracks. Fortunately this game also includes the option to play with other players. Racing games always work best when you play with other players. Using the Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth connection, you can easily find other players in your local network. Once you start playing with other players, the gaming experience would never be the same again.

To keep you challenged, the game includes nine different tracks which has different difficulty levels. But if you love this game like I do, you'll always want to try new tracks. Fortunately the game offers add-on tracks which you can purchase within the game. These tracks are amazing. And since this game also works beautifully on an iPad, I will leave you with screenshots from the add-on tracks taken from the gameplay on the iPad. 

Overall, I really recommend this game to anyone who loves racing or turn-based strategy games. The multiplayer feature is just awesome. And, you can always brag your achievements on your Facebook status. Hopefully, that'll challenge your friends to race you in this game. 

Now, for a very limited period of time, you have a chance to actually win one of the ten promo codes for this great racing game. And, here are the steps you need to take to get a chance to win the promo codes:

1. Follow @appenthusiast on Twitter
2. Tweet this: "Race with your friends in #Dash Race for iPhone. Get a chance to win a copy! http://bit.ly/lD6VuX via @appenthusiast" or just click the small blue Twitter share button on the bottom right of this post.
3. The contest ends on Saturday, Apr 30, 2011, 08:59 PST
4. I will choose randomly the ten winners

Make sure that you join now and get your chance to win this great product, because a new update is coming next month with Game Center achievements and leaderboards!


Check out my other iPhone app reviews here.

iPad App Review: Timo and the Magical Picture Book, Plus A Chance to Win A Copy

Timo and the Magical Picture Book

$4.99

iPad Only

Version: 1.6

Tested on: iPad 2 (iOS 4.3.2)

Rating: 4 of 5

Timo and the Magical Picture Book is an interactive storybook for your children. The story is written by Rian Visser, author of more than 50 children books. In this book, Rian works with Belgian illustrator Klaas Verplancke, winner of many prestigious illustration awards. And, the result is a unique story with detailed illustrations and some level of user interactivity.

The story started with Timo receiving a parcel from his Uncle Nick. As what most children would do when they receive a parcel, they couldn't help their excitement from shaking it around and listen to the parcel contents movement, then trying to guess what could be inside the parcel. But, little did Timo know about the parcel. It contained a magical picture book which was not supposed to be shaken.

The reason behind it was that this is a magical book. When you open the book, everything surrounding you in the real life will be sucked into the book, including yourself. In no time, Timo, his parents and his baby brother were stucked inside the shaken book, which caused everything to be mixed up. 

Now, this is where the book as an iPad app really shines. You (and your children) can shake or tilt your iPad in a way that would change the objects shown within the book. Plates and many other stuffs would be moving around if you choose to shake or tilt your iPad. As what commonly found within an interactive book for the iPad, there are also areas within each image where you and your children can tap it to see how the book would respond to it. 

The book comes with two modes, i.e. read it yourself or listen the audio narrative. It also comes with two languages, i.e. English and Dutch. A lot of features are also available for you (and your children) to explore, e.g. swipe and blow. You can swipe certain objects and screens, and there is one particular page where you can blow the microphone of your iPad to make changes to the object in the screen.

Now, for a very limited period of time, you have a chance to actually win one of the five promo codes for this great interactive storybook. And, here are the steps you need to take to get a chance to win the promo codes:

1. Follow @appenthusiast on Twitter
2. Tweet this: "Explore the story of #Timo and his magical picture book on your iPad. Get a chance to win a copy! http://bit.ly/jpIjlq via @appenthusiast" or just click the small blue Twitter share button on the top right of this post.
3. The contest ends on Saturday, Apr 30, 2011, 23:59 PST
4. I will choose randomly the five winners

Join now and get your chance to win this great product!


UPDATE: If you miss out the chance to win this interactive storybook, you now have the chance to visit the developer's website and follow the instructions there to get your promo code.


Check out my other iPad app reviews here.