AppShopper: Find Apps for your iPhone/iPod Touch

AppShopper.com is my favorite website for finding new and interesting apps. It’s updated frequently as new apps are added/update in the iTunes App Store. And now they just made it really easy for me to share my list of favorite iPhone apps! I’ll be updating this list as I find some cool apps to play with. You can sign up for an account and make your own list as well. I also have a wishlist of iPhone apps that I may purchase in the future once their price drops a bit. Yes.. all I want for Christmas are iTunes gift certificates. :)

Here are some tips on how to use the website:

• There are many ways to sort apps on the website. Use them all! :)
• If you’re looking for free bargains, select “Free” and “Price Changes”. This way, you will get see all the free apps that recently reduced their prices.
• See an app you like but don’t want to pay full price for it yet? Add it to your wishlist and select “Notify me of price drops by e-mail.
• There are a ton of apps in the iTunes App store. Create a list and share the apps you think are worth using. This will help you and others discover new apps as you contribute to the community.

If you have an AppShopper iPhone apps list, please share them in the comment box below!

Blackberry App: TweetCaster

I wish I had a Blackberry to try out TweetCaster! I know Blackberry users didn’t have many choices for Twitter apps, so this one looks very promising. The funny thing is, @RichDocekal brought it to my attention because Blackberry Cool.com took a screenshot with my tweet in it. :) It was a nice surprise, thanks Rich and BBCool!

So if you’re using a Blackberry, try it out and let me know how it is!

Here’s more information about the app from Blackberry Cool.com:

A new Twitter client has hit the BlackBerry world, this one by Handmark. TweetCaster, is a free* Twitter app that is available exclusively for BlackBerry.

The user interface looks fairly clean, and it comes with all the basic Twitter functionality. Some of the features you’ll find with this client include:

• Ability to toggle between multiple accounts
• URL shortening
• Picture sharing
• One-step @reply and retweet capabilities
• GPS locator to find Twitter friends near you
• Real-time trending topics list

TweetCaster is currently the only Twitter application for BlackBerry smartphones offering the ability to toggle between multiple accounts.

Download TweetCaster by Handmark for your BlackBerry from tinyurl.com/TweetCaster. (*They’re asking for a Tweet in exchange)

-Blackberry Cool.com

iPhone App Review: Kindle for iPhone

Name: Kindle for iPhone (iTunes Link)
Written By: Amazon.com
Category: Books
Price: Free
Size: 3.9 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch
Version: 1.1
Rate: 4.5 Stars

Do you enjoy reading books? Well now you can on your iPhone! If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, download and install the Kindle iPhone app. Once it’s installed, click on the little (i) on the lower right, then click on “Register this device.” Log in with your Amazon account, then click “Register.”

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iPhone App Review: Chop Sushi

Name: Chop Sushi (iTunes Link)
Written By: THQ Wireless Inc.
Category: Games
Price: $2.99
Size: 9.4 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch
Version: 1.0.16
Rate: 4.5 Stars

There are many match-three games in the App Store, but “Chop Sushi” stands out in this genre. This game proves to be a tasty treat! The object of the game is to match at least 3 types of sushi. The more sushi you match, the more turns you get.

The unique part about “Chop Sushi” is the role-playing twist. You venture into the game as the character, Master Chef. His main goal is to serve the freshest sushi and to make everyone happy. Unfortunately, everyone he runs into has a personal demon that needs to be dealt with. As he challenges them to a match-three sushi battle, he also levels up, gains health, adds new weapons, and defeat the customer’s demons.

The game starts out simple with very helpful tutorials. Tapping on a sushi piece or stone will signal the chopsticks to pick it up. Move the piece by swaying the chopsticks up, down, left, or right. Matching pieces will disappear and more will appear in their place. If you match more than four pieces, you will get another turn. You take turns with your opponent and the battle ends when you or your opponent have 0% health. Match wasabi pieces to damage your opponent’s health. When no moves are available on the board, all the stones crack to reveal what’s underneath them.

There are three modes to choose from — Adventure, Quick Battle, and Challenges. In Challenges, you have to match items in a specific number of moves. In Quick Battle, you can select which land and demon to battle with. But the game is mostly centered around the Adventure mode, where Master Chef can wander around, talk to people, and swim to new lands.

As the game progress, you start to earn new recipes that can help you with your battles. New weapons and healing recipes will have you thinking about your next move as well as your opponent’s. This adds another level of gameplay to keep the game fun and challenging.

Sometimes selecting a sushi piece to move is difficult. The pieces are small, so you’ll find yourself picking up the wrong piece. However, you are not penalized and there is no time limit in the game. This is nice because you never feel rushed.

If you would like to try out this game, download “Chop Sushi Lite” (iTunes Link) for free and give it a test drive. You’ll be able to play one level and battle three different opponents. The full version is only $2.99 and is worth every penny!

This article was featured in iProng Magazine.

Video Game Trailer

iPhone App Review: Rolando

Name: Rolando (iTunes Link)
Written By: ngmcoc, Inc.
Category: Games
Price: $4.99
Size: 25.1 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Enter the storybook kingdom of Rolandoland and meet the cute little Rolandos. Each one has its own unique personality that you’re sure to love. Rolandos come in three types — royalty, spikey, and regular. Royalty Rolandos need a lot help and protection. Spikey ones can stick and roll onto any surface, including walls and ceilings! Regular Rolandos are hard-working critters who have the ability to roll and jump.

This fairytale land has been invaded by pesky enemies and your help is needed to save them! Tilt, tap, use multi-touch controls, and the laws of physics to solve various puzzles and guide each Rolando to safety!

Within each level, there are also three different types of bonuses: save all the Rolandos, collect all the gems, and beat the challenge time. Beating the challenge time proves to be the most difficult.

Rolando also has a nice feature called iSave. When you press the home button to turn the game off, it saves your place, not matter where you are in the level. This comes in quite handy when you take a call or need a short break.

The graphics are beautifully done. The 3D display of the Rolandoland map is quite impressive. Even selecting a level to play is fun in itself. The music is quite catchy, but you can turn it off and listen to your own music instead.

With 36 levels to play, the challenges and puzzles will prove to have plenty of replay value. If you’re interested in trying the game, download Rolando Lite (iTunes link) for free. You can purchase the full version for $4.99.

This article was originally published on page 27 of iProng Magazine’s 35th issue and was a featured article.

Rolando Video Trailer

iPhone App Review – Travelo Mini – SF ’09

Name: Travelo mini – San Francisco ’09 featuring SOMA (iTunes Link)
Written By: Tambourine Producers Inc.
Category: Travel
Price: Free
Size: 27.8 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Are you MacWorld bound and not from the San Francisco area? Then you might want to download “Travelo mini – SF” before you head out! It’s a wonderful little travel guide app of the San Francisco area, near the Moscone Convention Center. Some of the highlights of the app includes a list of recommended sight-seeing spots, locals’ favorite restaurants, recommended places to visit, and landmarks. The best part of this app is that it’s all static, so no internet is needed to use the app, besides the link to Google Maps. Enjoy!

iPhone App Review: Topple

Name: Topple (iTunes Link)
Written By: Ngmoco, Inc.
Category: Games
Price: $0.99 (Now Free)
Size: 8.9 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

This new game is described as:

“Stack and balance a family of mischievous and dysfunctional shapes using multi-touch controls to slide and rotate them into position. Build your way to victory but remember to keep your balance by tilting the screen to prevent your teetering tower of blocks from Toppling to their doom.”

It’s a simple game concept that can turn out to be very addicting! It’s kind of like Tetris. You have shapes that fall down and you have to rearrange it in stable way. You can rotate the image using multi-touch controls. Use one finger to hold the shape, use another to rotate. When you’re ready, drop the shape down. The object of the game is to stack the blocks as high as you can, without toppling them over. The most shapes you can drop is 4 per level. Any more, and the game is over. Tile the iPhone/iPod touch to help balance out the shapes and reach your goal! Keep an eye on your blocks’ facial expressions to plan your next move.

Let me know if you enjoy this. I really enjoy games that make use of the accelerometer! Go buy it now. (iTunes Link)

Many thanks to Natali Del Conte for interviewing Christi Wilkerson (Apple, iPod marketing) on CNET’s Loaded. That gave me a first glimpse of the game in action!

This article was published in iProng Magazine: Issue #31.

Topple Screenshots

Topple Space Mode Video Trailer

iPhone App Review: Google Earth

Name: Google Earth
Written By: Google
Category: Travel
Price: Free
Size: 8.9 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Google Earth (iTunes Link) for the iPhone/iPod touch is amazing. You literally have the whole world in your hands!

When you first start up the app, you will see the earth. Tap on it a few times to zoom in. Keep tapping to zoom in even further.

Tilt your phone to adjust your view. This is great if you want to see mountainsides.

You can also search for a location on the top left. Or you can let Google Earth find your exact location by tapping at the icon in the lower left.

There’s just so much more to explore. Have fun playing with it!

iPhone App Review: Micro Surface

Name: Micro Surface
Written By: Karzy
Category: Entertainment
Price: Free (For a limited time)
Size: .8 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Have you heard of the Microsoft Surface? I’ve been waiting to play with one ever since I heard Cali Lewis announced this. They can be found at AT&T, Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, MSNBC, Rio in Las Vegas, and Sheraton Hotels. I’ve been to some of those places, but didn’t happen to run into one.

But if you have iPhone or iPod touch, you’re in luck! There’s a new app called Micro Surface (iTunes Link) which lets you have the Microsoft Surface experience, but on a smaller scale.

When you first load the program, it’s a blank screen. Don’t worry, tap the screen and a circle with icons on it appears. Click on the + icon and you can select images from your photo library to appear on you “micros surface.” Drag and move them around. Tap on them to zoom in. If you have too many images on your surface, hold down on an image, and click on the X to remove.

If you want to stack up your images, click on the icon that looks like photos stacked on top of each other. If you like what’s on your surface screen, click on the camera icon and it’ll take a photo of your screen and save it to your photo library.

You can also use it as a drawing tool by clicking on the pencil icon. Draw something with one of the 5 different colors. To erase, simply shake your iphone/ipod touch.

Download it now while it’s free!

iPhone App Review: SuperPoke! Pets

Name: SuperPoke! Pets
Written By: Slide Inc.
Category: Entertainment
Price: FREE
Size: 3.2 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

How cute! My favorite Facebook characters now have their very own iphone app! In SuperPoke! Pets, you’re given 3 virtual pets to choose from — a sheep, panda, or a penguin. Choose wisely though. You could only adopt one pet. I haven’t found a way to change my pet yet. (If you know how to, please let me know.)

There are options to feed, clean, tickle, buy toys, and change the habitat for your pet. You can even go shopping for more toys and habitats as well. Earn money by keeping your pet happy. Make sure to check on your pet every few hours. Adopt a virtual pet today! (iTunes Link)

iPhone App Review: PAC-Man Lite

Name: PAC-MAN Lite
Written By: Electronic Arts
Category: Games
Price: Free
Size: 1.7 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Ahh, the classic Pac-Man game is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. There are two modes — accelerometer, swipe, d-pad. Accelerometer mode allows you to move Pac-Man by leaning and rotating the iPhone. In swipe mode, you can swipe across the screen to move PAC-MAN in that direction. And last, D-Pad is a directional pad at the bottom of the screen, similar to a game controller.

I tested all three modes and I think Swipe is the easiest to maneuver, but the accelerometer is the most fun mode. It sure brings back childhood memories for me. Try it out for yourself! (iTunes Link)

Note: People mentioned in the reviews that this app does not work on the iPod Touch 1st gen, but it seems to be working perfectly fine for me. Please let me know me if you experience anything different.

iPhone App Review: Spore Origins LE

Name: Spore^TM Orgins LE
Written By: Electronic Arts
Category: Games
Price: Free
Size: 40.6 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

I’ve been hearing so much about Spore since this summer, but didn’t get a chance to try it out yet. Lucky me, a lite version of the game (iTunes link) showed up in the App store!

It’s really cute. First you create your character. Click on the dice to get a random look. You can change its colors, pattern, add a tail, etc. Some items may be locked and only available in the full version.

Once you are finished customizing your creature, it’s dropped into the ocean and you must eat, or be eaten! You can eat all the creatures that aren’t evolved. They’re a lot smaller than you. And you want to stay away from the bigger creatures with sharp mouths. ;) You move your creature around by tilting your iphone/ipod touch.

I thought the game was cute, fun, and has great music. The demo version is quite limited though. You can only play one level, and your creature is not saved. Try it out. If you like it, you can buy the full version for $7.99 (iTunes link).

Preview of iPhone App BrightKite

BrightKite is one of my favorite social networks. I’ve been using it mainly as a photolog of the different places I visit. And I’m excited to see that it’s coming to the iPhone and iPod Touch! Watch the demo below:

Brightkite for the iPhone from Brightkite on Vimeo.

BrightKite Video Demo, BrightKite Official Blog, Brightkite iPhone app preview, invites, video in action By David Chartier

iPhone App Review: iKoto

Name: iKoto
Written By: GClue, Inc
Category: Music
Price: $.99
Size: 2.1 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

You can now play the Koto (Japanese musical instrument) on your iPhone/iPod Touch! It sounds really pretty and is simple to play. Just run your fingers across the screen over the strings.

At the bottom right are extra function buttons. The first plays a demo song called “Rokudan no shireable.” The second will play your last saved song. The third will record. And fourth stops the recording and saves it.

The sound of the Koto is so pretty, I thought I’d try out this app.

iPhone App Review: PHP Ref

Name: PHP Ref
Written By: Joseph Frizalone
Category: Utilities
Price: $.99
Size: 1.3 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

This is a great app for any PHP developer. It’s a quick reference to all 5149 standard PHP functions. You can search for a function or scroll through a list of them. Tap on the function and a description of its purpose and parameters will be displayed. The only improvement I would like is an example of how the function can be used. Other than that, it’s pretty nice.

iPhone App Review: Easy Relax

Name: Easy Relax
Written By: RockiFone
Category: Healthcare and Fitness
Price: FREE (time-limited sales promotion)
Size: 19.5 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

I usually have trouble clearing my mind at night. But I started using this iphone app right before bedtime and found myself falling asleep much faster. It’s very similar to those Sharper Image sound makers, except it fits right in your iphone/ipod touch!

The app plays 7 preset themes. With these themes, you can add more ambient sounds. For example, the “Hawaii Vacation” theme plays the sound of the ocean. But if you tap the arrow on the right, you can add the sounds of birds, beach waves, bubbles, etc. Customize it however you want!

My favorite themes are: Fishing, Hawaiian Vacation, Blossoms of India
Hurry, it’s only free for a limited time. Download it now. (iTunes Link)

iPhone App Review: Crazy Pumpkin

Name: Crazy Pumpkin
Written By: Ezone
Category: Entertainment
Price: FREE
Size: 2.9 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

What a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit! Swipe the eyes, nose, and mouth and you get a totally different pumpkin. Shake it up and the flickering backlight changes. It’s a very simple to use app but can liven up any Halloween party! Download it now. (iTunes Link)

Copy and Paste for iPhone

Breaking News! Finally, a way to copy and paste between apps on the iPhone/ipod Touch! This was reported by GeekBrief.Tv!

Cut and Paste for iPhone from Cali Lewis on Vimeo.

Sources: GeekBrief.TV, OpenClip.

iPhone App: Crazy Eyes

I bought the Crazy Eye app! Just a silly app to display different eyes!

Crazy Mouth Daynah!

I had so much fun playing with the Crazy Mouth (Lite) iPhone app that I bought the full version for only 99 cents! It’s very simple to use and has great entertainment value!

The requirements say it’s only compatible with the iPhone, but it also works on the iPod Touch. However, you can only hear the sounds when you have the headphones plugged in.

Sample photo of what you can do is above.. video to come. ;)

Do you have the app? Post a photo of you using it in the comments!!

More photos..
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