Archive for the ‘Free app reviews’ Category

Apps “ILike” – Decision making apps – Part II

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Continued…. from Part I….

Second app I would like to mention is good for yes/no, go/or not to go, to be(er)/or not to be style of decisions. Yeah those kind of decisions we have made using a simplest of techniques such as flipping the coin. So there is an app that just does that, “flip the coin”. It is called “Coin free”. It allows you to flip a coin. There several different coins to choose from (different countries). The sound of flipping is that of flipping a coin and falling on a glass table.

The options in the game allow you to set which gestures will cause a coin flip, which coin to use, and sound on/off.
The development feature of this app I like is the way that paid app is advertised. The paid version allows much larger choice of coins. So in the options when you are choosing coins the developer has ability to see other coins that you can get which is appreciated. It is a simple way and effective way of promoting the paid version of the app.

Screen shoots: Coin Flip

Splash screen
Splash screen

One final note, for those who have not heard it – The Clash – “Should I Stay or Should I Go”:

Watch the famous Levi’s commercial that used this song:

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Apps “ILike” – Decision making apps – Part I

Monday, September 14th, 2009
Splash screen

Splash screen

Did you ever listen to the song by group The Clash “Should I stay or should I go”? Well I have on number of occassions had a urge of singing that particular song because I did not know what to do at that particular moment. An honestly there were many times where I needed to make decisions…

So I have decided to write this particular post to point out few free apps that will help you make random choice.
First I would like to mention bar hoping game: Spin the bottle! I have used it on many occassions to decide which bar is next to visit. I do have to mention that before you try this in real life you have to have a bottle! No glasses, no pitchers, no pint glasses, etc. So back to the app I would like to mention, as you probably expect the name of the app is, “Spin the bottle”. And it is made by none other than Coca Cola company. So it as expected that surroundig theme of the app is Coke bottle. The app allows you to spin the bottle. The sounds do truly represent sounds you would hear while spinning a bottle. One can also choose different backgrounds as well as different Coke bottles. But most important thing is that in times of indecision you can spin the bottle and decide what do based on result…
Second app I would like to mention is good for yes/no, go/or not to go, to be(er)/or not to be style of decisions. Yeah those kind of decisions we have made using a simplest of techniques such as flipping the coin. So there is an app that just does that, “flip the coin”. It is called “Coin free”. It allows you to flip a coin. There several different coins to choose from (different countries). The sound of flipping is that of flipping a coin and falling on a glass table. The options in the game allow you to set which gestures will cause a coin flip, which coin to use, and sound on/off. The development feature of this app I like is the way that paid app is advertised. The paid version allows much larger choice of coins. So in the options when you are choosing coins the developer has ability to see other coins that you can get which is appreciated. It is a simple way and effective way of promoting the paid version of the app.

Did you ever listen to the song by group The Clash “Should I stay or should I go”? Well I have on number of occassions had a urge of singing that particular song because I did not know what to do at that particular moment. An honestly there were many times where I needed to make decisions…

So I have decided to write this particular post to point out few free apps that will help you make random choice.

First I would like to mention bar hoping game: Spin the bottle! I have used it on many occassions to decide which bar to visit next. I do have to mention that before you try this in real life you have to have a bottle! No glasses, no pitchers, no pint glasses, etc. So back to the app I would like to mention, and as you probably expect the name of the app is, “Spin the Coke”. And it is made by none other than Coca Cola company. So it as expected that surroundig theme of the app is Coke bottle. The app simply allows you to spin the bottle. I really liked the sounds since they do truly represent sounds you would hear while spinning a bottle. One can also choose different backgrounds as well as different Coke bottles. But most important thing is that in times of indecision you can spin the bottle and decide what do based on result…

Screen shoots: Spin the Coke

Splash screen
Splash screen

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Apps “ILike” – TicATac Poker Lite

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
From time to time I run into an app that I find original or that adds an original twist to the apps that I have used. I run into one of those kind off apps recently: Tic tac toe poker. Yeah from the name one cAn guess that the game has something to do with two very famous games: tic tax toe and poker. To be more exact it is poker game with tic toe twist: Cards are placed in a 3 cells by 3 cells square grid (as in TTT). The goal is to generate as much possible points

From time to time I run into an app that I find original or that adds an original twist to the apps that I have used. I run into one of those kind off apps recently: Tic tac toe poker. Yeah from the name one can guess that the game has something to do with two very famous games: tic tax toe and poker. To be more exact it is poker game with tic toe twist: Cards are placed in a 3 cells by 3 cells square grid (as in TTT).

The game is played by placing cards that are drawn to one of the cells. The goal is to generate as much possible points with three card combinations at any diagonal or vertical or horizontal combination of three cards.  So, effectively you have 8 possible combinations that you can have (3 horizontal, 3 vertical and 3 diagonal).  Therefore you have to think hard where to place the card on the board since placing card in one spot may preclude of you making a given combination. Game settings allow you to specify how many cards you can discard that are drawn (some cards might not fit in your concept) but at penalty of having to earn more points.  One can choose between 6, 4, 2, and 0 discards.  By playing for a bit you will see which option suits you best (I play generally with 2 discards).

If you like to play poker this is nice game to try out. No knowledge of Tic-Tac-Toe is required but it is definitely recommended. :)

Features I like:

  • It is great twist on the game of poker
  • There is several levels you can play (paid version has more options of course)
  • Graphics are nicely done
Splash screen

Splash screen

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Apps “ILike” – Flood-It!

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Few aspects of game development have been in forefront last decade, namely graphics, audio, advertising. Increases in budgets (and revenue) have brought more of the same at higher quality and quantity. What iPhone and Wii have brought to world of games is ability to be creative again, and again, and again… Wii with its motion sensing technology and iPhone with its touch and sensing technologies have allowed creation of new generation of interesting and fun games. So as result we have one of these interesting games and very fun games: Flood-it.

It is definitely game that I consider to be in fun range of old classics such as Tetris and Pac-Man. The game itself is fairly simple and addictive. The game is played in rectangle that is divided in colored squares (6 different colors). The goal of the game is to color a whole rectangle in a same color. How do you accomplish this? You start with one colored square in top right corner. To increase size of colored area you press the colored balls located on the bottom of the screen. Depending what color of the balls you press the already colored area will change to that color and add all neighboring squares of that color to that area. Sounds a bit confusing? Well, you really have to see it and you will understand that concept of game play is very simple. While it is simple to play it is not so easy.  It requires a whole a lot of thinking especially if board you are playing is complex.  Well, I’ll stop right here…. Go and Play it! And you will see why this particular game made it to “ILike” it list….

Features I like:

  • It is addictive
  • It is simple to learn
  • There are options to play several different levels (Small, medium, large board)

Splash screen

Splash screen

Few aspects of game development have been in forefront last decade, namely graphics, audio, advertising. Increases in budgets (and revenue)    have brought more of the same at higher quality and quantity. What iPhone and Wii have brought to world of games is ability to be creative again, and again, and again… Wii with its motion sensing technology and iPhone with its touch and sensing technologies have allowed creation of new generation of interesting and fun games. So as result we have one of these interesting games and very fun games: Flood-It! . It is definitely game that I consider to be in fun range of old classics such as Tetris and Pac-Man. The game itself is fairly simple and addictive. The game is played in rectangle that is divided in colored squares (6 different colors). The goal of the game is to color a whole rectangle in a same color. How do you accomplish this? You start with one colored square in top right corner. To increase size of colored area you press the colored balls located on the bottom of the screen. Depending what color of the balls you press the already colored area will change to that color and add all neighboring squares of that color to that area. Sounds a bit confusing? Well, you really have to see it and you will understand that concept of game play is very simple. While it is simple to play it is not so easy. Few aspects of game development have been in forefront last decade, namely graphics, audio, advertising. Increases in budgets (and revenue)    have brought more of the same at higher quality and quantity. What iPhone and Wii have brought to world of games is ability to be creative again, and again, and again… Wii with its motion sensing technology and iPhone with its touch and sensing technologies have allowed creation of new generation of interesting and fun games. So as result we have one of these interesting games and very fun games: Flood-it. It is definitely game that I consider to be in fun range of old classics such as Tetris and Pac-Mac. The game itself is fairly simple and addictive. The game is played in rectangle that is divided in colored squares (6 different colors). The goal of the game is to color a whole rectangle in a same color. How do you accomplish this? You start with one colored square in top right corner. To increase size of colored area you press the colored balls located on the bottom of the screen. Depending what color of the balls you press the already colored area will change to that color and add all neighboring squares of that color to that area. Sounds a bit confusing? Well, you really have to see it and you will understand that concept of game play is very simple. While it is simple to play it is not so easy. A

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Apps “ILike” – Paper Toss

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Definitely a game I found to be fun.  A total fun.  First time I played it had that tetris/like feeling: too simple yet too addictive.  I will not argue with people who may not like this game but I do.  It is simple,has nice graphics, and it is something you can give to most people and they will enjoy it.  But before I go any further… Let’s talk about the game itself….

So what is the game about: It is about the two words in the title of the game “Paper toss”.  It is a common place action that we do in our day to day work.  Most popular office real life office/college  game is folding peace of paper (that contained something we did not like) and then using various “complex” techniques try to throw that piece of paper in the waste basket.  I have done it at least a thousand time, what about you?  Well, this app is about paper tossing.  And ILike it.  It is simple to use, yet still challenging.  What you have to do: By moving your finger from the bottom of the screen towards the top direct a paper towards waste basket.  There is (sometimes very annoying) a fan that is blowing the air and trying to disrupt your perfectly timed paper toss.  O well there would be no point to the game if there were no obstacles.  So you have to adjust your trow depending on the fan’s strength (as indicated on the screen).  The sounds are excellent (and funny).  So…. Play it.

Features I like:

  • it is simple and addictive
  • Graphics are solid (my dictionary “solid” = would not change them, but would not complain about improvements)
  • Sounds are great (they are perfect for this game)
Main menu

Main menu

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Apps “ILike” – Solitaire City Lite

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

I made up a title of this post on purpose using a word “ILike”.  I am kind of fed up with hearing everything named “I”-something.  I, and I, and I, and I.  Why I?  Well all in all I want to say before I continue posting further:  When I say ILike I want to hear comments from you also.  So please share you comments.  Do not be shy.  What these “ILike” posts are meant for is for me/you to share experiences about things we find to be good and useful and interesting and …. Positive things.  So let’s go on to the post…..

Solitaire City Lite is….. an example of what makes iPhone great….  But to truly understand and appreciate this game you had to have spent numerous hours at your home, job, school playing Windows version of Solitaire.  For those of us who have spent numerous hours playing it we know how addictive Solitaire can be.  But that was done with mouse, keyboard, …. old school stuff….  New age of touch screens has arrived.  Large portable touch-screens.  That you can carry in your pocket…  Wow.  It is step better than Solitaire I played on my Motorola V3 several years ago (Motorola had a nice screen but not touch screen).

Features I like:

  • Cards are moved by dragging them on the screen (Could not do that on Windows – much more fun than the mouse)
  • You can play it in portrait or landscape mode (I prefer landscape but it has its disadvantages)
  • Graphics are solid (my dictionary “solid” = would not change them, but would not complain about improvements)
  • Sounds are solid (the winning sound is funny)
Splash screen

Splash screen

Check it out.  Solitaire City Lite is free….

Note: There is a paid version (I did not get a chance to play it) that promises a lot of versions of Solitaire (which is your favorite one?).  Price last time I checked: 7.99 $

You can check out more about Solitaire City at:

http://www.solitairecity.com/iPhone.shtml

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