iPhone App Reviews

Q&F: Ad Hoc Helper

Tony Mei | Jul 1, 2010 Quick & Free, Uncategorized, Utilities

User rating: (9 votes, average: 2.89 out of 5)

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For the low, low price of free, this can all be yours!

Being too lazy to find my iPod Touch’s UDID* by manually plugging it into iTunes, I stumbled upon Ad Hoc Helper, by Erica Sadun. This no-frills utility basically snatches up some info about your device, such as your device name, model, system version, memory, free space and UDID and automatically pops open Mail so you can get that info where it needs to be.  While this not be necessary for everybody, Ad Hoc Helper an awesome way for you to quickly get info about your device, and I recommend you scoop this app in case you’re ever in a pinch.

*A 40 digit serial code unique to your iDevice. Useful for app developers who are beta testing, debugging or adjusting their app. More info here, at TUAW.

iTunes Link – Ad Hoc Helper

Tags: free, Utilities

Q&F: HippoRemote LITE

Tony Mei | Apr 12, 2010 Quick & Free, Utilities

User rating: (7 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

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Have you ever wanted to use your iPod Touch or iPhone (or iPad, I should add) as a wireless multi-purpose combination mouse and keyboard gizmo? The thought never really occurred to be. However, HippoRemote LITE by RoboHippo LLC offers some pretty neat functionality in a simple and easy to use utility.

Setting up the application for a Windows  OS involves downloading and installing a VNC client as opposed to a shorter route for Macs and computers running Linux. Thankfully, following the step by step guide in the app makes it very simple. Soon, I was able to surf the web and type on my computer using only my iTouch. Pretty neat. I’m sure everyone will have different results with this app, but I found the mouse and keyboard to be pretty responsive and easy to use, but in no way a replacement for my actual keyboard and mouse sitting on my desk about half a foot away.

The LITE version only offers up the mouse and keyboard function, but that’s basically the bulk of the app. Paid versions are ad-free, and contain some more intricate stuff like browser plugins, an arrow pad and macros.

All in all, HippoRemote LITE gives some pretty neat features and definitely warrants a download just to experiment with and play around with its features.

iTunes Link – HippoRemote LITE

Tags: free, Utility

Q&F: QRANK

Brad H | Apr 7, 2010 Quick & Free

User rating: (11 votes, average: 3.64 out of 5)

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Are you smarter than your friends? Here is your chance to prove just that. Ricochet Labs gives us QRANK the daily trivia challenge game where you try to beat no only your friends but the rest of the world.

Every day you are given 20 questions of which you must answer 15. The questions are divided by difficulty, eight questions worth 100 points, eight questions worth 200 points, and four questions worth 500 points. Three of the questions have multipliers to spice things up.

Each day has four separate categories of questions ranging from entertainment to government.
When you play you will notice some questions have a leaf on the tile , this means it is a current event question.

If all that isn’t enough slap on a huge list of achievements to get you jonesing for your next QRANK fix.

My only complaint is the game uses it’s own system for achievements and friending people, I wish they had gone with a system like open feint or the plus+ network.
If you would like to test your wits against mine, and I’m not about to put out my personal email, post a comment saying add me and make sure you put your email where it asks for it and I will add you.

iTunes Link – QRANK

Version 1.0.0

Reviewed on iPhone 3G OS 3.1.3

Tags: Entertainment, free, fun, Games

Q&F: Hologram 3D Ultimate

Michael (Admin) | Apr 1, 2010 Entertainment, Quick & Free

User rating: (26 votes, average: 3.15 out of 5)

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Legions of Star Wars nerds have been waiting for this technology since 1977 when a sassy little droid first played a holographic recording of a soon-to-be-homeless princess! You know exactly what I’m talking about… something that creates a real, live holographic projection. I honestly never thought it was possible but in this case seeing IS definitely believing.

Hologram 3D Ultimate is pretty minimalistic in its design… basically all you have to do is select an image from your camera roll and press the “BEGIN TRANSMISSION” button and, voila, there’s your pic hovering over your damn iPhone!! Yes, I said it.

HOVERING. OVER. YOUR. iPHONE.

This isn’t some crappy holographic joke app, it’s the real deal. First I tried it with a photo of Darth Vader just for kicks, and when I saw it work I tried it again with a pic of my dog because Sith Lords are just so cliché.

The original source image for my holographic adventure

"You must go to the Dagobah System and get me some beef jerky"

Read the rest of this entry »

Q&F: Quizarium

Michael E. | Mar 28, 2010 Games, Quick & Free

User rating: (5 votes, average: 3.40 out of 5)

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Are you a fan of trivia games?  If so, here’s a freebie you might want to pick up.  Quizarium is a Plus+ game specializing in all things trivia.  It allows the user to customize the game to their liking- everything from determining color options so that your ID stands out from other users to creating your own game rooms with characteristics you set. What I enjoyed about the game is the fact that you can match wits with other players in a variety of game settings and topical areas.

You can share your results on Twitter and Facebook, rack up awards, invite friends into your game rooms, and challenge your intellectual ability in one of three difficulty levels.

There’s also a Quizarium Pro version available for .99.  The Pro version is free of banner ads and offers 9 different skins.

One note, however.  Since it’s an online multiplayer game, the quality of your data connection is critical.  Spotty connections can lead to lag and lag is never a good thing where every split second counts.

iTunes Link – Quizarium

Version 1.1

Tested on an iPod Touch 3.1.3

Tags: free

Q&F: IMDb

Brad H | Jan 26, 2010 Entertainment, Quick & Free

User rating: (7 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)

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“Remember that one movie with that one guy?” This actually came out of my mouth once. I like movies as much as the next guy but I just can’t remember important things like names and titles. Then there is the whole “He looks familiar what movie do I recognize him from?” No longer will these questions haunt me now that there is an IMDb app. Not only can you search IMDb you can check local show times, find out what movies are coming out soon, box office results, top 250 movies, a TV guide,  recaps of TV shows spoilers included, what stars were born that day, and more. So if your like me and your not a movie encyclopedia, do yourself a favor and get the IMDb app.

iTunes Link – IMDb

Version 1.0

Reiviewd on iPhone 3G OS3.1.2

Tags: Entertainment, free

Q&F: Cause World

Sara | Jan 18, 2010 Lifestyle, Quick & Free

User rating: (5 votes, average: 3.60 out of 5)

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As I sat in an Italian restaurant eating some fettuccine alfredo, I silently tapped on my iPhone. Within seconds, I had donated help to the Red Cross for the Haiti relief. How did I do it? I was using the ShopKick app called Cause World.

Cause World is similar to apps like My Town and Four Square where you “check-in” to various places around your town to gain points called karma. You get 10 karma per check-in. There are some differences between Cause World and My Town or Four Square. One is the time rules. You can’t just check into a place and check into another place; you have to wait five minutes between each check-in. Also, you can only check-in 10 times per day.

Now you are probably wondering what these karma points can be used for. Well, when you click the donate button, you get a list of everything your karma points can get you. You can donate your points to things ranging from offsetting your carbon footpring to feeding a chimp! Plus, you can also donate your karma to help the Red Cross help with the Haiti Relief.

 So if you want a cool app where you can help a charity without using your time/money/resources, check out Cause World.

iTunes Link – CauseWorld
Reviewed on iPhone 3GS OS 3.1.2
Version 1.01

Tags: free, interesting, Lifestyle

Q&F: Zlider

Sara | Jan 17, 2010 Games, Quick & Free

User rating: (3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)

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This game by Moyo Studios is out of this world! You are trying to get the meteor to the black hole at the end of the level, but there are red and blue barriers in your way. On each side of the screen is an arrow that you slide up and down to move the opening of the barrier so that the meteor can go through.

You also try to collect the gems for bonus points. In some levels, your meteor splits into two meteors, and you have to get both through the holes.

 This free version has four levels that aren’t boring (they take some effort to figure out) and more can be purchased through in app purchases. You should check out this game today.

iTunes Link – Zlider

Reviewed on iPhone 3GS OS 3.1.2

Version 1.1

Tags: free, Games, interesting

Q&F: Downhill Fridge Challenge

Sara | Jan 17, 2010 Games, Quick & Free

User rating: (4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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This is probably the strangest and most random game I’ve seen. You try to get a fridge that’s on a skateboard down a hill.  You tilt your  iPhone to control you speed. If you tilt the iPhone forward, you will speed up; tilt backwards to slow it down. Why you want to get a fridge down a hill on a skateboard I don’t know, but obviously random games are fun. :D

I found myself trying to get down the hill several times. When I finally succeeded, I was disappointed to see that you have to pay to unlock more levels.

The good news is: the graphics are awesome! I loved the comic-book-like design as it added to the uniqueness of the app.

If you want a free game by OutOfTheBit, check this game out!

iTunes Link – Downhill Fridge Challenge

Reviewed on iPhone 3GS OS 3.1.2

Version 1.0.0

Tags: free, Games, interesting

Q&F: Kideos

Brad H | Jan 7, 2010 Entertainment, Quick & Free

User rating: (3 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)

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If you have little ones like I do then Kideos might be for you. Earlier Media brings the aggregation of kid videos to your device.

I don’t have the time to comb through YouTube for kid videos so I was hopeful for this app. The app does do just that, it just does it in a very poor way. The videos are supposed to be organized by age groups but every video seemed to have the tag for 0-2 and not every video was geared for a kid of that age. The categories tab has a large yet redundant list to choose from , and the Wiggles section has zero videos. So why have that as an option? To top it off I can’t ever seem to get through more than 3 videos without the app crashing.

Great concept, bad execution. I’ll keep the app until the next update in hope of some major bug fixes.

iTunes Link – Kideos

Version 1.0

Reviewed on iPhone 3G OS 3.1.2

Tags: free, good for kids

Q&F: My Attorney

Tony Mei | Jan 2, 2010 Quick & Free, Utilities

User rating: (2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

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Injured on your Caribbean vacation? Whip out that trusty iPhone if you don't remember what to do.

The My Attorney App supplies information and accident guideline checklists, all leading the wallets of prospective customers to the service of good lawyers.

I don’t have any immediate usage for this app (I don’t really hope I will need a lawyer any time soon), but the My Attorney App does provide a useful, everyday and free service. And, most importantly, the phone number of a lawyer (especially helpful after that long night at the bar).

My Attorney is on my cell phone – Is it on yours?

iTunes Link

Version 1.01

Reviewed on iPod Touch 3.1.2

Tags: free, law, lawyer, Utilities

Q&F: Emoji Free!

Michael (Admin) | Dec 9, 2009 Entertainment, Quick & Free

User rating: (No Ratings Yet)

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For a guy who runs an iPhone review site, you’d be surprised at how clueless I am on some things! Case in point: I’ve had my iPhone for nearly 18 months but I didn’t know what the hell an emoji was until about a month ago. If you’re still in the dark, emojis are just little icons that you insert into text the same way you’d use a smiley face, except there’s way more variety. They range from animal faces to transportation to flowers to food items and everything else, and they tend to be very cartoony with somewhat of an Asian bent to them.

When a friend posted something on Facebook about her love affair with emojis I finally decided to investigate and found Emoji Free by Awesomest Software. The app itself is kind of a one-and-done thing where you use it to install the icons and then you don’t need it anymore. Installation within this ad supported app is pretty idiot-proof, but after you’re done you’ll need to go to Settings > General > International > Keyboards > Japanese > Emoji On/Off to make hundreds of emoji icons magically accessible. Once you do that, though, you can go emoji crazy! Just push the globe icon on your iPhone keyboard to find your emoji sets.

There are other free emoji installation apps out there and they may be just as good as this one, but all I can say is this one definitely works and it’s free! If you wanna get cute  in your SMS and emails, this app will do the trick.

iTunes Link – Emoji Free!
Version 1.4
Reviewed on iPhone 3G OS3.1.2

Tags: emoji, free