iPhone app reviews

IM+ Lite – iPhone App Review

Davidh — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:30:23 +0000

IM+ Lite (Free)

Version – 3.6

REVIEW – “A great way to stay connected for free!”

Since Apple released push notifications there have been all kinds of social networking apps for messaging. Some of them have been developed for individual interfaces, and some of them are able to use several different networks at the same time. Obviously just having one app to handle all of your services is a nice idea, but most of the good apps are expensive. SHAPE Services is looking to fix that with their newly released ad-supported version of the popular IM+ application!

When you open the app for the first time you’ll see list of different social interfaces. Setting them up is as easy as selecting the interface you want and entering in your username and password. Once you have all your networks set up the main screen will show all your friends that are currently online.

At the bottom of the screen is a simple menu that allows you to quickly view your incoming messages, keep a list of people that you contact regularly and set your status. The status setter is nice because it allows you to quickly set a “global” status over all your accounts. The app also includes push notifications which is very nice considering the app is free.

The app is supported by ads, which is understandable when you consider the expense that they have to go through to run a push notification service. Thankfully the ads are not intrusive. There is just a small ad bar at the top of the screen that changesperiodically. Other than that this app functions in a very similar manner to the full version app that is available for $9.99 in the App Store.

If you are just a lite user of messaging services and want to stay connected then this free app could be just the app you’ve been looking for! Unlike most free apps you don’t have to sign up for an additional account, and you get pretty much the same great feature set of a lot of the paid apps with just a few small ads.

If nothing else you should at least give this app a try. You can’t beat free, and if you think the ads are too annoying you can pay for the full app and remove them! There are a few minor differences between the apps , but the main one is the ads. So if you’re still reading this review, what are you waiting for? You should head to the app store right now and download your copy for free today!

- David H.

Download FREE VERSION Now!

Download FULL VERSION Now! ($1.99)

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Developer – SHAPE Services

URL: http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=im&platform=iphone

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Twitch Origins – iPhone App Review

StephanieS — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:00:49 +0000

Twitch Origins (Free)

Version 1.03

REVIEW-” A fun multi-player game that requires only 1 iPhone, fast thinking and faster reflexes!”

Personally I am always skeptical of iPhone games that are multi-player and especially if they only require 1 iPhone but this game breaks out of the mold. Twitch Origins is not only multi-player but it allows for up to four players with only one phone, if this doesn’t keep all the kids busy and happy, nothing will.

The game play is remarkably simple (and it would have to be to allow four players on one phone). All you have to do is place your finger on the designated spot on the phone. Each player uses only one finger, and each player has their own side. The area where you touch will highlight slightly so that you can tell that it acknowledges your touch.

The game will then begin by giving you a category such as Things that are Soft, or Things that are Man-made. You will then be shown different pictures. The trick is to be the first one to lift your finger off the iPhone when something matching that category is shown. You have to be quick to both lift your finger and put it back down because you might miss out on the next round if the iPhone does not register the return of your finger.

It is incredibly simple in theory but in practice it starts to get crazy. Playing this game it seemed like my brain turned to Jello as suddenly a double decker bus was something that belonged in my kitchen and Cows can fly. I was always in a rush to not only beat my husband but to also get the right answer, so many times I would lift my finger if I saw him doing the same. So it usually happened that if one of us messed up, both of us would end up messing up.

I was surprised as how much fun we actually has as we called out each other for wrong answers and for missing things that actually did belong in the category. Not to mention fighting over whether the phone was actually right about who lifted first (always make sure that your finger is highlighted, otherwise even if you are the first to lift it won’t count).

The basic game consists of five rounds, but this can be changed in custom game mode.

The game also has a single player feature in which you compete to get faster and faster reaction times and earn stars for doing so.

The game is bright, colorful and simple enough for just about any age to play. Adults and children will quickly fall for this game and will be using it fill up those empty minutes together instead of playing separate games.

The game play works better than you might expect and the sounds and graphics just complement a truly well-thought out and put together game. It’s probably the most fun I’ve had with my iPhone in a long time, and right now it’s Free!

Stephanie S.

Download Now!

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Developer – Atomic Antelope

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TeamViewer – iPhone App Review

Davidh — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:30:58 +0000

TeamViewer (Free)

Version – 5.0.7939

REVIEW – “A professional remote management tool for the masses!”

How often have you been at work and needed to get a file off your computer at home? Or maybe you’re tired of trying to help people fix their computers over the phone? I have used a variety of remote desktop software over the years, both free and paid and TeamViewer is both packed with features and extremely easy to set up and use. Best of all it’s free as long as you’re not using it for commercial purposes!

When you open TeamViewer for the first time you’ll see a simple login screen. All you have to do is set up some simple software on the computer that you’re going to access, enter in the login/password from it here and touch “Connect to Partner.” It’s that simple! The host software is cross-platform, so you’ll be able to connect to any PC or Mac that has the correct software installed.

One of my favorite things about this app is that if you need to quickly connect to someone’s computer to help them fix something they don’t even have to actually install any software. All they have to do is go to the TeamViewer website and download the “QuickSupport” application and run it. Nothing will be installed and it will run some software that will allow you to remotely connect to their computer!

From the main screen of the app you’ll also notice a tab called “Partner List.” What this area of the app allows you to do is keep a list of computers that you commonly connect to. To use it you will have to go to the TeamViewer website and create an account, but that process is very simple. The great thing about this account is that it will let you create a list of computers and then be able to pull up that same list of computers from any device that you log into your account from!

While I have used a couple of services that were as easy to set up as this one, none of those services were both this easy and also had the same high level of performance. What do I mean by that? A lot of services introduced large amounts of lag and/or did not have the same “live” feel as this app. When you move the mouse cursor around in this app it actually moves in real time on the computer you are controlling. This makes it much easier to navigate the desktop that it would be from many of the VNC and Remote Desktop software that is available on the market.

If you’d like to see it action I took some video of the app being used. With that said, this really is a must have app. Whether you are a serious “techie” or you just would like to be able to grab some stuff from your home computer while you’re away, this app just has superior performance and features. So what are you waiting for? Download TeamViewer from the App Store today!

- David H.

Download FREE VERSION Now!

Download FULL VERSION Now! ($99.99)

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Developer – TeamViewer GmbH

URL: http://teamviewer.com/download/iphone.aspx

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Dark Shrine – iPhone App Review

StephanieS — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Dark Shrine ($4.99)

Version 1.0

REVIEW – “A fun RPG that will keep you on your toes!”

The iPhone has truly become a unique and expansive gaming platform. Dark Shrine is simply one of many in a long line of RPGs but while it has some great things to offer, there are a few short-comings as well.

The game starts off with a unique story about the main character Leinhart being pursued by assassins. Leinhart is accompanied by a strange eyeball creature for a companion and the two at times have an amusing dialogue. But this is also one of my biggest pet peeves of the game, the dialogue is hard to read at time because words wrap from one line to the next. It looks really strange and just really takes me out of the story when I am trying to read though, a simple problem and a simple fix, definitely hope it gets taken care of.

But as far as game play it is relatively smooth. to move the character you simply tap and hold the direction you want to go. This can take a little getting used to and sometimes in the first few levels you can be stuck trying to move around a corner and completely lose sight of your character and instead be staring at a brick wall.

One of the things I enjoyed was the use of attack combos and the fact that it was a game where you could level up and get better gear and spells as you went through the game. In order to attack you simply swipe your finger either from left to right or up and down. If you do these motions in a certain order it will lead to attack combos which can really do some damage and get you out of a tight space.

The spells are even easier, they simply appear as icons in the bottom center of the play screen (above the HP and SP bar) and you tap to use them. The game never goes through this though and I found myself dying a number of times on a level because I was not aware that I could use spells yet. (At the beginning of one level you are completely mobbed and surrounded if you do not use the spell I have no idea how you survive )

The graphics and sound were not the best that we’ve seen for the iPhone but they were still rather impressive. The game play is what you should really be looking to in this game and as the updates start coming this game should become a great deal of fun.

The game is fun and considering that it is the work of Indie developers it should be appreciated as a great start to a game that focuses more on fun than on graphics and it brings back the old school feel of RPGs. What is interesting is that this game gets right the things that many games fail on, namely smooth game play and controls.

The game even has replay value as there are missions and sub missions for each level. Missions are required to progress to the next level and sub missions are optional and will net you special items. Each level is also graded so perfectionists might want to keep trying the levels in order to get straight A’s.

In short this game is fun and a good start. Since it is made from a group of dedicated developers this game will definitely continue to improve so give it a shot, you will probably end up having too much fun to really notice any of the short comings.

Stephanie S.

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Developer – Devsisters

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SessionTalk SIP Client – iPhone App Review

Davidh — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:30:01 +0000

SessionTalk SIP Client ($0.99)

Version – 1.0

REVIEW – “Save minutes on your phone plan with SIP!”

If you are a fan of Voice over IP technology and have not tried it on your mobile device yet this could be the next must-have app you’ve been looking for! SessionTalk SIP Client will allow you to connect your iPhone to your favorite VOIP service and use an interface that works and feels extremely similar to the iPhone’s built in phone functions.

When you open this app up the first thing you’ll need to do is set up your VOIP service. If you don’t already have a service set up you’ll need to go and sign up for an account. You’ll see a list of VOIP services that have pre-configured settings if you choose to use those. I was able to easily find each of them using Google and choose one. With that said there is also a “Generic SIP” button that will leave all the settings pretty much untouched and ready for you to customize with any other VOIP serves that supports SIP phones.

Once you get everything setup you’re ready to start using the app. At the bottom of the screen you’ll find a menu bar where you can pull up a keypad to make a quick call, browse through your phone’s contact list or view recent calls that you’ve made/received. You can also keep a “Favorites” list of numbers that you call regularly if you like.

The big difference between this app and a lot of apps that have been released like this is that it will actually allow you to make VOIP calls over your phone’s 3G connection! The call quality was descent with the services that I tested. Obviously not quite as good as a solid WiFi connection, but the app can easily switch between 3G and WiFi connections and stay connected to your call!

This app does a great job of including features where other clients similar to it sometimes drop the ball. For example, I have tested several VOIP clients that have a different phone interface that does not include the ability to put a call on speakerphone. This app not only includes that but also has the ability to use a Bluetooth headset built into it as well!

The one thing that I would criticize is that while there are some VOIP services that have their settings already built into this app, if your service is not one of those it can be a little confusing to get it set up. Another downer is that you’ll find that some VOIP services will support SIP devices will not, so shop carefully! Besides these small things that are really out of the control of the developers this app does what it says and does it well. Whether you have already been using VOIP as a part of your home communications or you are looking to save money by harnessing this technology, this app is a great cheap way to access it from your mobile device. So what are you waiting for? Check it out in the App Store today!

- David H.

Download Now!

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Developer – F-Route Ltd.

URL: http://www.froute.ltd.uk/

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