#38 - Dead Runner

TITLE: Dead Runner FREE
SCORE: 4 / 5


COST: LITE (Demo)

Dead Runner uses the tilt function of your iPhone/iPod to challenge you to an endurance run through a foggy, beautifully atmospheric forest. Tilt out of the way of oncoming obstacles as you gradually speed up!
RECOMMENDATION: It's a fun, addictive, fast paced game while retaining a zen-like appeal.

#37 - Closet Lite

TITLE: Closet Lite: Clothing Organizer
SCORE: 5 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

Wether you have an obsessive-compulsive desire for clothes or just simply too much in your closet to cope, this handy little calendar app organizes a full list of your wardrobe (helpfully arranged in categories and with option for images. Select your preferred outfit combinations and save them to the calendar. Fave clothes you wear often for easier accessibility.

RECOMMENDATION: The app does what it should and, if this is something you need you'll find it useful!

#36 - iAmGuitar Lite

TITLE: iAmGuitar Lite
SCORE: 4 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

The Lite version of this app will get you a 6-string Guitar in the Key of E, but it still makes for more than a bit of fun with this guitar simulator.  Strum the strings to play your digital guitar, which, for a Lite version, actually produces a very nice, controlled sound.  Fun, simple, and pleasing to the ear!

RECOMMENDATION: There's really no down side to this free app.  As mentioned, your fairly limited in the Lite version, but if you want more, the paid app will add several new guitars and keys!

#35 - Laundry Care

TITLE: Laundry Care
SCORE: 4 / 5

COST: FREE

Ever found yourself in the relatively unfamiliar grounds of a laundry room? For some of us (even the more seasoned laundry vets), all the strange symbols on the washer and dryer have a tendency of sending you to set and hope for the best. Maybe you can just never decipher those cryptic tags on the back of your t-shirts?  Never fear!  If you happen to have your iPhone/iPod handy, now all you have to do is launch this handy little app and your problems are over!  Simply arranged and easy to decipher, Laundry Care not only categorizes each symbol by machine type, but offers helpful explanations of what each symbol means, in an easy-to-navigate library of laundry!

RECOMMENDATION:  It's an app.  It's an app for your laundry.  How can you go wrong?

#34 - Lose It!

TITLE: Lose It! 
SCORE: 4 / 5 
NOTE: This app is ONLINE ONLY.

COST: FREE

There's many different ways you can go about losing weight.  If you're one of the lot that can't help but count those calories with every meal, then this app is about to make your lifestyle much easier.  Based on certain personal statistics (your age, weight, height, etc.) and your own dieting/fitness goals, Lose It! will set a healthy daily calorie limit for you, and, based on the food and amount consumed that you enter into this app, will advise you how much you can still eat to remain within that set goal.

RECOMMENDATION: I'm too lazy to count calories on any kind of regular basis, but if you really want to lose weight while maintaining a healthy diet, this is a good app!

#33 - Splice Video Editor

TITLE: Splice Video Editor
SCORE: 3 / 5
NOTE: There is a pay for version of this app available.  Aside from some new features and perks, if all you want to do is simple editing/cutting of your videos, you don't need the paid version.

 COST: FREE

Movie Maker in a can, with the essentials still there but none of the "glam".  Or, to simplify: import the videos you take with your iPod/iPhone, set an in/out point, and cut out anything you don't want.  Have a lengthy introduction or something you messed up right at the beginning? Cut out the awkward bits and save the new stuff to your iPod or export straight to YouTube or wherever you like.

  
RECOMMENDATION: A few minor problems present themselves, but none a straight out deal-breaker.  Depending on your settings/the size of your video, working on it may cause some lagging/crashes, and I wouldn't recommend having anything running in the background while you mess with this!

#32 - Free Translator

TITLE: Free Translator With Voice: More Than Just a Dictionary
SCORE: 4 / 5

 COST: FREE

I've run into a pretty good variety of translators on iTunes.  Some are text-only, some have voice features (most of a mechanical, hard to understand nature) and most are pay-only.  So it's nice to cut out the bells and whistles and find something free that just does what you need it to.

Any and every language (at least that I can think of), many with available voice-features to read aloud to any unsuspecting stranger the drunken slurs you just punched in.

RECOMMENDATION: If you need a translator, then this works.  The voice feature is also a nice touch, though not necessarily implemented for every language and, in some cases, not always very attractive (German will read to you in a nice, sultry lady-voice.  Czech will yell at you in robot-speak)

#31 - Free Voice Reminder

TITLE: Free Voice Reminder
SCORE: 4 / 5
NOTE: Full & Light version appear the same in functionality, with Lite version including ads.

COST: LITE (Demo)

It's a fact that iTunes comes with a multitude of choices for all your note-taking/reminder app needs.  However, as far as free, easy-to-use apps go, Voice Reminder gave me everything I needed without any additional bells & whistles.

Record a reminder for whatever you choose in your own voice, set the date & time of the event, the reminder date, the corresponding ringtone for that particular event, whether or not it repeats, and, additionally, view all your present & past events in a simple calendar.

RECOMMENDATION: If you intend to use this for business purposes, there are probably apps available with more complex functions and options.  However, if you just want something simple, easy to use, and effective, then you want Voice Reminder.

#30 - FreeAppADay

TITLE: The FreeAppADay Official App
SCORE: 5 / 5
NOTE:  Please be aware that this is NOT a review for the paid, FreeAppaDay also available on iTunes, but a free alternative. Also, not sure why it's categorized as a "Game", more appropriately, it's a Utility. Also, this app is obviously ONLINE ONLY!

COST: FREE

For those of you already familiar with the pay-for FreeAppaDay app, this is basically the free version of the same thing.  I own both apps and can attest that both apps display the same daily deals.  For those unfamiliar, FreeAppaDay brings you news and updates on daily "freebie" offers of normally pay-for apps.  Best part is you can add your favorite pay-for app to their wishlist and it may become available!

RECOMMENDATION: Well, you could pay 0.99...or you could just download this.

#29 - Sacred Odyssey: ROA

TITLE: Sacred Odyssey: Rise of Ayden
SCORE: 5 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

As fun as iTunes apps can be, if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, chances are that the range of graphic quality can be a bit limiting in your game apps.  In Sacred Odyssey, however, this is definitely not the case.  With beautiful graphics, a sprawling game world, fun game-play, and an immersive atmosphere rare to handhelds, it certainly has a lot going for it!

RECOMMENDATION: I recommend this pretty highly, yes.  If you own an i-anything, you owe it to yourself to check out one of the prettiest games available for it.

#28 - Informant!

TITLE: Informant!
SCORE: 4 / 5

COST: FREE

A tad on the tech side? Maybe you just like to know exactly what you're working with when it comes to your devices? Look no further than Informant.  This little app will give you detailed specifications on the iOS device of your choice, whether you're looking for basic information, memory details, device capabilities, and much more.

RECOMMENDATION:  The only drawback (minimal though it is) is that it seems to have been tailored more toward the iPhone, with certain specifications included that may not apply to your particular device.  Otherwise, it works great!

#27 - Kung Fu Master Pig

TITLE: Kung Fu Master Pig
SCORE: 5 / 5
NOTE: While a lot of the in-app presented text is not in English, just enough is translated to make the app/game perfectly understandable, so no worries!

COST: FREE

While I do try to keep a balance of what kind of apps I review, I love gaming apps to death.  So today, I bring you another gaming app for your pleasure: Kung Fu Master.  In actual fact a multiple-game app, KFM features several different games in one app.  Hop from barrel to barrel to avoiding drowning, scale a steep cliff-side to freedom, race through a challenging obstacle course, and more.

RECOMMENDATION: For a free app, you're certainly getting the best bang for your buck.  The graphics are very nice, the gameplay enjoyable (and addictive) and the variety of games is a nice boredom-breaker.  Frankly, I was a bit surprised that a game app of this caliber comes free, so grab it while you can!

#26 - Finger Physics

TITLE: Finger Physics
SCORE: 5 / 5

COST: FREE

As a lover of physics games and puzzles, the iPod has been a great handheld for me.  Finger Physics is another fantastic, touch-sensor based physics game released on iTunes.  With a variety of interesting levels and puzzles, use your mind to solve a collection of different physics/construction based levels and challenges.

RECOMMENDATION: The game functions well, hasn't crashed yet (seems to be a staple with many apps in the iTunes store) and is fun and challenging.  So what I'm basically saying is...yes, it comes recommended!

#25 - 3D Converter

TITLE: 3D Converter
SCORE: 3 / 5
NOTE: You will need a pair of classical, red/green filter 3D glasses.

 

COST: FREE

Do you remember those old, paper 3-D Glasses you used to get with comic books? Where you had one green and one red filter to help an image "pop" from the rest of a picture? This is the same concept, except you get to choose what photograph/image you want to apply those effects to! Import or take a photograph, then use your finger (adjusting brush width) to "color" over the part of the image you would like to convert.  In settings, then choose the depth you would like the image to pop and what kind of 3-D effect you want to achieve.

RECOMMENDATION: While the classical 3-D was never really my cup of tea, you can definitely have some fun with your photographs.  Take a picture of your friend, make them "pop" out of the scene, then export to Facebook or another social network of choice to share! There are some drawbacks to this app.  The act of coloring over your image can be a bit laggy and conversion takes a few seconds, but if you have the patience, this could be fun!

#24 - Steampunk Solitaire

TITLE: Steampunk Solitaire
SCORE: 4 / 5
NOTE: Although the app is titled as 'Free', this is only the Lite version.

COST: LITE (Demo)

Ah, the favored game of time-wasting office-workers worldwide.  Here we have the beloved game of Solitaire with a slightly more Steampunk design for gamers that enjoy that kind of thing.

RECOMMENDATION: It's Solitaire.  Also, it's Steampunk.  If you like Solitaire and/or Steampunk, chances are your going to like this.

#23 - Death!

TITLE: Death!
SCORE: 3 / 5

COST: FREE

Nothing really spectacular here, but great if you have some time to kill and like to read strange or interesting factoids.  Specifically, this app will detail the strangest, most bizarre deaths throughout history.  Definitely some nifty stuff there if your interests lean toward the macabre.

RECOMMENDATION: If you like your entertainment touch on the creepy side, you could do worst.

#22 - Myst

TITLE: Myst
SCORE: 4.5 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

I normally like to concentrate on reviewing original iTunes games, but I just couldn't pass up a chance to gush about Myst.  Having played all of the Myst games on the PC, it was a real trip to play the original classic on my iPod.  The graphics look great, the transitions between the scenes and as you navigate are smooth and the game certainly holds its own against anyone even remotely looking to challenge their minds.

RECOMMENDATION: If you're a fan of the Myst games, you know what this is.  If you'd like to play it on your iPod/iPhone, well, now you can! If you're looking for something fast-paced, action-packed, and blood-stained...well, looking far elsewhere.

#21 - Cam Card Lite

TITLE: Cam Card Lite (Business Card Reader)
SCORE: 1 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

Maybe it's just me.  Certainly the in-store iTunes reviews for this particular app make it sounds pretty good.  At the very least, these reviewers managed to get the thing operational, which was more than I could manage on my limited super-powers.

So it sounded good, in theory. Use your iPod/iPhone to "scan" (take photographs) of business cards while you're on the go and have the app automatically add all the relevant information from the card to your contacts.  Sounds very useful under some circumstances.  However, considering I could not get the thing working right, I can't really say.  Took a good bunch of card snaps and the "scan" failed every single time.  The app claims poor lighting conditions (tried it under several, if there is some ideal light condition for this app, it is not of this world), unfocused snaps (could be, considering the poor, poor quality of the iPod Touch camera), and complexity of card (again, tried with a variety--no dice) on its failures, but I call bananas.

RECOMMENDATION: The issues with this app could be limited to the iPod Touch.  Since the app depends on taking focused, clear shots of your card, then the crummy iPod camera would definitely put a wrench in things.  If you own an iPhone and want to give this app a try, let me know in the comments if it worked any better for you.

#20 - Pocket Frogs

TITLE: Pocket Frogs
SCORE: 3.5 / 5

COST: FREE

I blame my recent obsession with catching, racing, and breeding tiny digital frogs entirely on a friend of mine for recommended this particular game.  Simple, relaxing, and oddly addictive, Pocket Frogs is your own little backyard froggy mill, as you collect, catalog, race, and sell a variety of differently colored frogs, breeding them to create new and interesting combinations of colors. Customize the tank to boost the stats of your frogs and play games to keep them happy!

RECOMMENDATION: Essentially...it's Pokemon.  It's Pokemon with shiny, pretty frogs.  So if you like to collect shiny, pretty things (I know I do), then check it out!

#19 - Instagram

TITLE: Instagram
SCORE: 5 / 5 
NOTE:  THIS APP IS ONLINE ONLY!

COST: FREE

Okay, okay.  Instagram may be a free app, but I suppose it's less "unknown" then some of the other stuff I've reviewed.  However, it's such a fun little treat if you're into sharing any kind of photography at all that I just had to put it up here.

What is Instagram? Essentially a picture sharing feed between members, of which there are many, and ten times as many photographs to peruse.  Comment, like, or follow other users as they are free to do the same.  Uploading is very simple: You can either take the shot and upload it immediately, or you can choose to grab a photo from your iPod/iPhone albums.  Additional filtering give you some really attractive options for your photos as well!  When you're done uploading, add tags to your photographs in your comments so that users may search for your photo according to subject matter!

RECOMMENDATION: If you like to share and comment on photography and hope to get some feedback of your own, this is a very hassle free way to do it!

#18 - Pro HDR Free

TITLE: Pro HDR Free
SCORE: 5 / 5
NOTE:  This app is not technically the full, free version, so I am categorizing it  under 'Demo/Lite'.  Paid HDR will net you full resolution HDR photographs of up to 5 megapixels with no watermark.

COST: LITE (Demo)

If you own an iPod Touch, you already know the still camera included is a bag of sadness.  The resolution is terrible, and as great as the HD video recording capabilities are, I would personally rather have a good picture camera attached.

So along comes Pro HDR in your hour of need. Take pictures at a resolution of 640 x 480, with a very tiny watermark at the bottom (this being the free version and all).  Automatically take the best shot available (using a method of taking several snapshots of your image and putting them together to get the most pleasing result), manually adjust the settings before taking the photograph, or apply the settings to existing photographs.

RECOMMENDATION: This is by no means true high definition.  But as far as the iPod Touch goes, apps like this one are the best chance you have for the closest alternative.  It certainly made my pictures a lot better!

#17 - Period Tracker

TITLE: Period Tracker
SCORE: 4 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

Now, I realize this may cause some amount of behind-hand giggling, but yes, women do, in fact, get periods.  If you're on the move; whether for business or pleasure, there's nothing quite as annoying as debilitating cramps on the day of.  If you want to come at the world a little more prepared, this app will help to organize your cycles (not only for your time of the month, but for pregnancy-related scheduling as well).  And, should you decide that you desperately need to look at your period in graph form (Oh, EXCITING!) you can upgrade to the Deluxe version, which will transfer all existing Lite data to your new deluxe app.

RECOMMENDATION: If you're a woman that wants to keep better track of her cycle, this is for you.  If you are a man...maybe you want to know when your wife or girlfriend will be at her crankiest. (Ooh, period joke, zing.)

#16 - PopSci

TITLE: PopSci
SCORE: 5 / 5
NOTE: THIS APP IS ONLINE ONLY!

COST: FREE

If you're even remotely inclined toward the geeky, this app will be your bread and butter.  For anyone with an interest in science, technology or gadgets, Popular Science have an app available to read all the latest news on the go.  A story catches your eye but don't have time to read it? No problem, save the story for later reading, no WiFi required!

RECOMMENDATION: As someone with even a minimal interest in science and progress, this app is a great and entertaining resource.  The only downside so far are the popup ads.  However, considering the app is free and the articles great, who cares!

#15 - Dark Mists No.1

TITLE: Dark Mists No. 1
SCORE: 3.5 / 5
NOTE: This is the first issue of a collection of graphic novels.  The rest are priced for 0.99.

COST: FREE

Using the Ave!Comic reader to animate this comic is one of the best, enjoyable things about reading it.  Nothing wrong with settling down with a comic on your iPod or iPhone and scrolling through, but to watch each individual scene gradually unfold builds a better sense of involvement in the story.  As for the story (which is pretty awesome), I'll let Dark Mists speak for itself:

Kyoto, Japan. 1936. While a shroud of impending unrest hangs over Europe, in Japan the number of Yakuza members is close to outnumbering the Japanese army. In a government experiment, a group of geisha ladies are recruited to inform on the conversations they observe between the murderers and politicians. However, as untrained spies the geisha’s actions result in one of their member’s brutal and bloody murder.

RECOMMENDATION: As a means of rousing your interest in the series as a whole, this first issue certainly does the trick.  The artwork is attractive, the story strong, and the ending is sure to leave you wanting for Issue #2.

#14 - FlipBook Lite

TITLE: FlipBook Lite 
SCORE:  3.5 / 5

COST: LITE (Demo)

For anyone that has ever used Flash for animation (or really any frame-by-frame animator), then you've worked with this.  Start a new project on a fresh layer, draw in whatever you intend to animate (good control of brushes/sizes/colors, etc.), select the next layer, and your original frame will remain on screen (albeit transparent) to make animating the next frame even easier.  Then when you are finished, view your animation before exporting it wherever you choose.

RECOMMENDATION: While I might compare the two, Flipbooks is not Flash, so expecting the same diverse utilities would be a mistake. The Lite version is also capped at 50 frames, not great if you want to create some epic animations but not bad if you're just wanting to create something cute and simple for a website.