Birdhouse review

Birdhouse by Sandwich Dynamics

Current Price: $3.99

Reviewed at v1.0.1

Birdhouse is a notepad for Twitter. What it does is "houses" your tweets for later publication. In other words, with Birdhouse, you can draft your tweets, save them for later, and publish them when ready.

Birdhouse has a clean interface yielding high ease-of-use. You can use the application for multiple Twitter accounts if you have more than one, and unpublish tweets that you posted from Birdhouse through the app. You can also "rate" your tweets according to how much you like it at that moment, until you reach the 5-star rank. You can also view created and modified times for the tweet as well as delete tweets on the main tweeting page.

Should you want to backup your tweets, you can do through email. You may set up a default email address to which your tweets will be sent, or email an entire list of tweets from your drafts and history pages. Additionally, the history page tells you the time and date you published a certain tweet and from there, you can unpublish as well.

With Birdhouse, you can draft as many tweets as you want and save as many tweets as you want. While you can publish tweets however, be aware that this app is meant to complement your current Twitter client on your iPhone or iPod Touch. It doesn't intend to replace your main Twitter client, only add to it with a particular function.

This app is very easy to use, but one thing I would like to see is yfrog or twitpic support. For example, if you're at a Bon Jovi concert, you draft a tweet saying "I'm at the Bon Jovi concert" but in actuality you're just heading there. When you are at the concert, you snap a pic, but can't add it to your Birdhouse draft. What a shame!

...........But in all seriousness, picture support is something I would like to see in future updates.

This app costs $3.99 and is very well-executed. It's not an essential function for every Twitter user, but for those who do need the functionality of this app, Birdhouse is well worth the price.

Interface: 5/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Overall Value: 4/5

More Cowbell! review

More Cowbell! by Maverick Software
Current Price: $0.99
Category: Music
Reviewed at v1.4
More Cowbell! was the first cowbell application that made its way to the App Store.
In this simple music app, play five instruments to your heart's content: the cowbell (of course), maracas, triangle, tambourine, and sleigh bells. When you start up the cowbell, you'll hear the favorite SNL phrase, "I gotta have more cowbell" and then you start playing from there. You can tap to play any instrument, or shake to play if enabled. All instruments have clear, good quality sound effects, making this app, perhaps, useful at weddings when you'd like to make a speech, Christmas, when singing your favorite holiday tune, or dinner time, when you need the family to come on down and eat.
This app has a simple to use format. Yyou'll press the info button at the bottom right to adjust settings and change instruments. View scoring, settings, and other Maverick Software apps when you hit that info button.
With this app, your "Cowbellometer" is measured. Keep on playing to get a higher score, so that you can enter the World Cowbell Rankings and Cowbell Hall of Fame in time. You can also tune your instrument pitch, shake sensitivity, and set voice warnings and cowbellometer. These settings allows users to customize their Cowbell experience.
Overall, More Cowbell! is a fun, simple music application that offers no more & no less than what it intends to do. Check out More Cowbell! today and experience the App Store's first cowbell application yourself.
Interface: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Replay Value: 3/5
Value: 4/5

Liquid review

Liquid by Robert Casperson

Current Price: $0.99

LE Available

Reviewed at v2.2

Liquid is a relaxing, easy to use entertainment app & fluid simulator. Choose from a dozen water colors and background tetures, adjust the speed and sound of the liquid, and even apply custom photos to the background.

Similar to Koi Pond, Liquid allows you to interact with the fluid surface. Tilt your device and the water will flow in that direction. Tap the water to make it move, or simply lay the device flat for stagnant motion. The sounds make this app even more realistic and riveting.

It's fun to choose a colored water and watch it flow beneath the background, whether it be stone or wood or a personal photo. There isn't much to the app besides being a fluid simulator, but I feel as if that's the point.

If the sound of water relaxes you, Liquid might be what you need. It offers a lot of customization options, is easy to use and a pleasure to look at.

Visit www.robertcasperson.com for more info on Liquid.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 3/5

Overall Value: 4/5

Delicious Memory review

Delicious Memory by mSprocket

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.0

Delicious Memory is a simple, no-nonsense matching game that is totally sweet.

The game is straightforward: set up your game board dimensions, them match up the desserts. There are 20 delicious desserts presented in the app, and your moves are counted. Complete your matches and see your high score.

There is also a two player mode. You need to share the device, because it plays in P1, P2 order. It makes the game a bit more challenging.

This app is very easy to play and is sure to please the little ones as well.

While Delicious Memory isn't unlike any other matching game for the iPhone, it IS deliciously illustrated, making it fun to test your memory. You're also able to change the dimensions of the game, making Delicious Memory shorter or longer to play. It's evident that the developers put effort into making this app simple yet fun at the same time.

Among the delicious memories art red velvet cake, pecan pie, banana splits, pastires, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Yum!

Visit www.msprocket.com for more info on Delicious Memory.

Graphics/Interface: 4/5

Sound: N/A

Repay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Thumb Wars review

Thumb Wars by appsNminded
Current price: $0.99
Reviewed at v1.0
One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war!
Thumbs Wars for the iPhone and iPod Touch lets you relive those intense childhood matches of Thumb War.
This app provides three levels of difficultly for you test your thumb: captain, major, lieutenant. The game is presented in Lichtenstein-pop-art style graphics, making for fun and attractive animations.
While this game does allow flexibility in offering three levels (captain being the hardest) it is quite challenging, even for me. I had my nieces & cousins try out the app and they all had difficulty pinning down the elusive thumb. It moves quickly, of course, but instructions aren't clear on when exactly to pin it down.
The game should probably feature clearer instructions, especially if the game is trying to be kid-friendly. I'd also like to hear some cool sound effects, which would further enhance the game.
This game has lots of promise, but if it doesn't get easier it won't be such an approachable application for the different age groups.
The gameplay is really the main aspect that needs polishing. The premise of a thumb war is simple, but I feel the gameplay should be more direct and easier to approach.
For more information on Thumb Wars, visit the iTunes Store or appsnminded.com.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: N/A
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall Value: 3/5

Pinball Destruction review

Pinball Destruction by Martin Reddy

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.0

Pinball Destruction is a fun, straightforward pinball app that's actually quite fun and refreshing. The boards are simple yet colorful and you control the game by tapping the bottom left and right corners.

The goal is to hit the different pins and clear them off the board. From there, after you "destroyed" the table, you move onto the next level. This adds a twist to the normal pinball game that makes Pinball Destruction all the move fun and enjoyable.

The game provides a similar experience at every play yet with different outcomes. You never know how long you'll last and it's fun to see how far you can go. There's a leaderboard that appears after you've ended your run to see how you rank up.

There are few games that are this simple yet provide enough levels of gameplay to keep people going. Pinball Destruction is a fun game and great value at 99 cents. Check it out today.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Overall Value: 4/5

iChalky review

iChalky by Eric Metois

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.2

Meet your new friend, Chalky, in iChalky! He's a stick figure and his moves only by your hand. Control his movement through the accelerometer and watch him rumble and roll about. 

His movement is unpredictable! Adjust spring constants, spring damping, and floor/wall friction to see what moves him. You're able to make him a custom face with photos from your camera roll or a newly taken photo. He can just be about anything or anyone in that case!

Once you've got him in a good spot, tack him down using the thumbtack icon at the bottom (see above picture).

iChalky is one of those apps that let's your see just what your iPhone/iPod Touch can do. This isn't a fancy application with dazzling graphics or gameplay, but rather, a simple entertainment app and utilizes the features of the iPhone to make something entertaining. 

Since I don't have a set of headphones with a mic for my 1g iPod Touch, I wasn't able to see Chalky dance, but again, it's a feature that plays on the abilities of your device to make something entertaining. 

As far as replay value, it'll be fun see Chalky's movements for the first few rounds. It can be repetitive, however so not everyone will enjoy iChalky. But, if you take the time to appreciate the abilities of iChalky, you could come out with a new experience each time.

Despite that, if you're looking for a well-polished, simple entertainment app, try out iChalky today.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: N/A 

Replay value: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Art review

Art by ADS Software Group

Current Price: $0.99

LE: NO

Reviewed at v3.4

Art, an education apps, features short bios and photography of art work on dozens of renowned, seminal artists. In Art, you'll impressionist masters including Monet and Van Gogh, as well as Dadaist Salvador Dali, among others. This app is extremely informative and you'll learn about each artist you look up. The articles are from Wikipedia, by the way.

There are over 400 works loaded in Art. Some artists have as little as three pieces, while others have over 30 in their profiles. This of course will vary depending on the illustriousness of the artist. The works are well detailed, and you can zoom in & out, as well as save works in your photo library and use them as wallpaper. 

A HUGE update is coming up, and will bring to app to feature 81 artists and 5,000 works. Whew! For what the app is worth right now, it's great for art enthusiasts, students, and people just started to get interested in art. It features lots of artists right now, and is easy to use and learn from. Check out blogs.ads-sg.com for more information on Art.

Interface: 4/5

Sound: N/A

Repay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Ruben & Lullaby review

Ruben & Lullaby by Erik Loyer

Current Price: $2.99

LE: NO

Reviewed at v1.0

A top contender in International Games festivals, Ruben & Lullaby is a unique cross between the graphic novel and the game.  

Ruben & Lullaby have been dating for five months, and at the start of the game, is their first quarrel. From then on, their fate as a couple is in your hands. Tilt your device left and right to progress their argument, shake and hold a finger down to madden someone, or run your finger across the screen to calm them down. Gameplay is unique and may take people some getting used to; the learning curve isn't steep, but provides a different angle of direction than typical games.

The art work, by Ezra Claytan Daniels, is stunning. The subdued colors keep the character's emotions intact, while helping gamers distinguish frustration from disbelief. The emotions of the character's come alive, even though there are no animations. It's a definite achievement of the artist. 

There are 5 outcomes of this game, although I've only ended up with 2 so far. There is no 'direct' way to come out with these different outcomes, forcing the player to uniquely imagine the scenario. 

Listen to the music as you play--it seems to mimic the emotions of the scene. This adds another layer of gameplay and helps build up the emotions in the scene. 

I have never played a game from the App Store quite like Ruben and Lullaby. Graphic novels, I've read, games, I've played--but never before have I encountered a bridging of the two in an application. This game provides a new texture to gaming, and shows just what the iPhone/iPod Touch can do. 

As far as gameplay, I know it will not appeal to everyone. Others may feel its too boring, or feel the actions available are limited. As far as replay value, certain players may feel frustrated because they end up with the same outcome, even though there are 5.  Perhaps in the future, more scenario's will be developed?

However, this is a unique game, and doesn't play out the same way for everyone. Gamers are in control of the scenario, and the combination of artwork, music, and player actions help develop the gameplay. 

Ruben & Lullaby takes only a few minutes to play until you reach a the end of the scene, but it is interesting to see how the scene plays out each time. This is a unique game that combines elements many have never seen before, like myself. At $2.99, purchasing this app is an investment in something unique, and deserving of attention. The art work, music, and unique gameplay help create Ruben & Lullaby, but ultimately, it's the gamers who are control. 

Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Replay Value: 3/5

Value: 4/5 

Pet First Aid review

Pet First Aid by Jive Media LLC

Current Price: $4.99

Reviewed at v1.0.0

Pet First Aid is your comprehensive source for medical emergency care for your pet(s).

This app has 14 categories of articles available:

• Emergency situations
• Heart & Breathing
• Fundamentals
• What's Normal
• Disaster Preparedness
• Bites & Stings
• Bloat & Torsion
• Burns 
• Eyes, Ears & Nose
• Fractures & Sprains
• Head & Spinal Injuries
• Heat & Cold Injuries
• Poisoning
• Wounds

Each category features detailed articles, linking readers to related terms definitions, videos (which are clear and have excellent audio), and illustrations, all of which are available without connection to the web, making this app perfect for on the go emergencies. 

You're also able to add Pet Info on your pet, with veterinarian details, identifications, allergies & conditions, and more. This creates a profile for your pet and helps you better understand their needs. 

I would say that this app is lacking in this category and that category--but it's not. It's so thoroughly detailed and loaded with pages and pages of articles and useful content. This is an easy-to-use, informative application perfect for any pet owner. 

Interface: 5/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Find an Apartment review

Find an Apartment by Alexander Mobile, LLC

Current Price: $0.99

Reviewed at v1.0.1

Find an Apartment is an app that aids you in your housing search. Browse apartments through Apartments, HotPads, and more.  Narrow down your search criteria by adding number of bedrooms, bathrooms, distance, and more. These specifics helps make your search more precise.

Once you've searched, view the listings and easily scroll through the plain-text results. View pictures, price, add listings to favorites, and share listings. 

This app is easy to use, but the interface could be more attractive. It's plain, and while that doesn't matter much in terms of usability, sometimes it can making searching more entertaining. 

I received adequate results for my searches in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some users have listed issues with having no results in their city, but I know the developer is working on this.

In short, Find an Apartment is an app that does what it says--find you an apartment. It's easy to use, and will come in handy for those looking at locations on the go.

Interface: 4/5

Sound: N/A

Replay Value: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Toy Raid review

Toy Raid by Flying Tiger Entertainment Inc.

Current Price: $0.99

LE?: NO

Reviewed at v1.0

Toy Raid by Flying Tiger Entertainment is a newly-released shooting game with relics of childhood toy battles and Parachute from early-gen iPods. With colorful visuals and fast-paced gameplay, Toy Raid is one of the hottest apps to release this summer. 

In Toy Raid, you're shooting anything and everything that comes after you in the air: helicopters, paratroppers, UFO's and more. Everything is coming after you to destroy your base. Don't worry, though, because along with these enemies from the sky are also plenty of special weapons/bullets to help you stay alive. Shake your device to active the nuke's!

You can play this game with either touch or tilt contols, but I prefer the latter. However, with both control mechanisms, I'd like to see smoother movements. Sometimes I feel the controls could be smoother and less clunky, especially with touch. Also, at times when playing on touch controls, I would activate a nuke. This may be due to the position I played it in, and it's not a huge deal--but worth mentioning.

Controls aside the graphics are eye-catching and keeps your attention throughout the game. The sound effects are clear and make Toy Raid even more fun and intense. The animations are fast, keeping gameplay exciting and fresh at each wave, of which there are over 50! 

Gameplay is intense yet incredibly fun. It's a simple shooter that doesn't require you to do much in order to be successful. The arcade-style gameplay is sure to appeal to a wide variety of gamers, especially those who looking for something simple yet fun and action packed.

There are no difficulty options; the game increases in difficulty in each wave, so there's really no need for it. Other options include sound off, English/Spanish language selection, control type, and a personal high-scores chart.

Truth be told, I've only reached Wave 11-barely 1/5th of the game! But, with that said, Toy Raid is worth every penny. Hopefully, the 50+ levels will last gamers of all skill level a long enough time to enjoy the arcade style fun of this app. 

The app is currently just $0.99--a bargain considering its replay value. Kudos to game designers John Brandsetter, Jeremy Klein, and Flying Tiger Entertainment for creating a great app! Grab Toy Raid now before the price goes up. 

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 4/5

Replay Value: 5/5

Value: 5/5

My Make Up review

My Make Up by AppsNMinded

Current Price: $0.99

LE: NO

Reviewed at v1.3

My Make Up is a great, kid-friendly make up application that's currently at the top of the Kids leaderboard in the App Store.

In this app, you have four different characters to doll up: Blake, Tia, Tessa, & Brooke. They say simple phrases like "Toodles" all in a British accent; very entertaining! 

There's s a good variety of make up to use; my niece enjoyed putting more formal colors and wacky ones on characters. Great fun for the little ones!

This application is geared towards kids, so it's easy to play and simple to use. It's a great app for children, and I'm sure there are updates to come to make this app even more fun.

Graphics: 4/5

Sound: 3/5

Replay Value: 4/5

Value: 4/5