Cons:
-Limited features
-only displays a photo a day

$0.99 [iTunes Link]

The application only allows you to view photos from the current day or the previous days. In other words… no cheating.

While the application has a nice and easy to use interface, we do not see much use for it. Many of these photos are widely available online with a simple Google search. But if you’re not much into searching, then you might enjoy the nice photos.

Mobile Version

True or Lie is an application that acts as a Lie Detector.

Ths app uses a method that I haven’t seen in the app store. You begin by placing the microphone of the iPod earbuds headset on the artery on your throat so that the app can “hear” your pulse. Once the app picks up your pulse, you can then ask questions to the person you took the pulse of and watch the meter to see whether they “Lie” or are telling the “Truth.”

Layout:
The layout of the application is relatively simple- you have the meter on the main part of the screen, a switch near the bottom to switch between the lie detector or to measure a person’s heart rate. Then you have 3 buttons at the very bottom to tell you – how to use, to measure, and to reset.

When using the Lie detector, I was unable to follow the directions, as I do not have the special earbuds, so I replicated my heart rate approximately by tapping the mic on the iPhone, I then spoke a few truthful statement and a few false statements, is was a bit disturbing to see that is was uniquely correct about 80% of the time. Much better than some of the other applications that I have seen in the appstore. So does it work? Well I can;t say for sure, as I am not quite following the directions. I will eventually try it like the instructions say. Regrading the instructions, the text is awful in that the grammar is WAY off. The developer is obviously not a native English speaker.

The other part of this application, is the Heart Rate monitor, I again had to tap on the mic for my approximate heart rate – it was close, but it could have been off due to the way I was tapping the mic. Also I am not quite sure how well the mic will work on the Apple iPhone headset – whether it is sensitive or not to pick up your heart rate.

Graphics:
I really like the graphics in the application as they look very realistic for both the lie detector and the heart rate monitor,

Overall:
This is one of those unique applications that can sometimes work and sometimes not so much. Again, as I said before, I really didn’t follow the direction like I should have, but it ended up being about 80% correct, so that in itself , to me, is impressive. At $2.99 for an “entertainment” app I think is a little on the high side. For $1.99, I think would be just right.

Pros:
-Great graphics
-bette accuracy than other “lie detector” apps
-Lie detector and heart rate monitor

Cons:
-Instructions have bad English grammar
-Isn’t always accurate
-Must have special headphones to use (Apple’s headphone/mic combo)

Pros:
-Looks like a chalkboard
-Has a pretty good sound

Cons:
-Half of the sound loops making it more annoying than cringing.
-Only one sound clip
-Screen is like one big button

Layout:
Simple one-screen – blackboard

Sound:
While I cringed as I heard the sound, I then realized that as I kept my finger down on the screen, half of the sound clip began to loop and did so up to 4 times. After that, the sound clip loops.

Overall
This application is really only for people that want to make other cringe, but the problem her is the sound is so short in length. I’d like to see a longer sound clip and possibly more than one sound clip that randomly plays when you touch the screen. Also the possibility on having to keep you finger in motion to make the sound rather than having it just stay static.

In the end I would like to see what updates come of this. I’d like to see Amy’s brain a bit more extensive on topics. Like the ability to ask questions that you would normally look up in an encyclopedia or something to that affect. Have the ability to make her mad,, (making her end the session/app). Amy seems to “nice.” The A.I. never seems to fluctuate moods.

4/5

When I first learned about this application in the forums, it sparked my interest, until it said in the description “firework.” Then I was like ‘o great, not another ‘firework’ app. However soon after downloading this app, I soon found myself bedazzled by the app.

In the past I’ve purchased PyroMania, which was a fun little application and I was excited to try out 3D Fireworks, however, I was greatly let down. Straight up, I wouldn’t recommend it right now. Here’s why:

The initial screen begins on describing you how to navigate within the application

When I first navigated the screen, it was a bit disorienting. The screen seemed to pan and move about as I tapped the screen in order to “set-off” the fireworks. I then thought about the initial screen and “locked” the camera. I started tapping the screen once again and I heard the bursts, but did not see hem, or half of the bursts would come into to screen, as if it had bursts just off screen. I unlocked the camera and moved about, I found it quite easy (and very annoying) that you could look directly up and begin spiraling. Also it has tilt controls on it, which I found a bit confusing , When you are looking down at the screen, you can see the horizon, with the fireworks bursting near the top of the screen. When you move it above your head, it’s like your watching it from directly underneath. Knowing this it seems a bit odd, I mean in physical reality that doesn’t happen…if you look up, you see nothing. If you hove your finger around the screen, it pans around the firework burst. This is a neat idea, if everything else worked out equally it would be a very nice app.

I found that you can only set off one firework at a time (no multi-touch). However by tapping multiple times you can set off several.

Once you begin messing around with the application, by tapping the screen I believed you that you could set off a firework and it would explode at that height, but it doesn’t, it seems to burst at a preset height (or randomized preset height). The main thing I was impressed with, was the assortment of colors and types of breaks, it however (as with other firework apps) lack willow-style fireworks (bursts that break and then slowly fall toward the ground) and it also doesn’t have and multi-break explosions.

There are however, a multitude of colors and different burst types compared to other firework applications. You might even come across a bursting-smiley.

If you stop touching the screen for a few seconds, the app will, on its own, begin to “shoot” off fireworks

In the application, you have the ability to pause what is currently on screen and move around it (hence 3D). You also have the ability to change the time of day – sunset (orange in sky & stars), after-sunset (blue in sky & stars) and night (black with stars). Truthfully, I felt this was an un-needed feature.

I am still flabbergasted as to why the firework applications don’t utilize the mic input (like Ocarina). It would be really cool to see the fireworks explode to music.

Overall I would not recommend this application even for $0.99. I however wouldn’t mind paying $1.99 if they ironed out the viewing issues and added some of the features I mentioned.

Pros:
-Simple UI
-items listed by Name & by Type.
-has photo of each item.Cons:
-Takes to long to get info (even it is just that one extra swiping motion).
-Larger database would be nice
-Lack of description

…you then flip over the tile with a swipe of your finger and it reads:

Toxic! “O sheesh”, you think to yourself, “good thing I didn’t get that…”

You realize Sushi Time might have just saved your life…

Sushi Time is a simple app. Its used to look up terms that may be used in a sushi restaurant, and it you are daring enough to try a random dish, you might want to check to see what you are actually getting.

Terms are sorted in alphabetical order or you can view them by type.

Within the list view, navigation is simple, it’s like scrolling through your contacts. Upon clicking on a term a tile will appear with the name and a picture. You can swipe over the tile to reveal information about the term by using the swiping motion. Besides the description you also gave the option of adding to your favorites.

Therefore you can pull up those terms next time you want to order them in a resturant and impress the waitress…

Overall I was expecting more. I thought it would geve me a little more information about each item. I also don’t like the – see picture then swipe to see description. I am not quizing myself over terms, I just want the facts, so It would be nice if they made it just one page instead of a flip screen. $1.99 is asking too much for this app at the moment.

$1.99

2.5/5

Pros:
-Nice particle graphics.
-Nice realistic smoke graphics.

Cons:
-Fireworks bursts are the same 2 burst types.
-Firework colors are either in the pale side or over saturated, lot so much realistic.

It would be nice to see more firework bursts. Also sound active would
also be pretty cool and I think the particle graphics could be greatly
improved.

$1.99

4.5/5

When you tap the screen a firework burst is created, if you touch the screen for about 2 seconds a larger burst is created (and the sound is larger as well.) If you move your finger across the screen a streamer
follows the path of your finger and a small burst appears where ever your finger stopped. Is also accompanied by a streamer-like effect.

The particle graphics in this app is fairly good. Depending on
the direction of the iPhone, the particle will fall downward. If
creating a lot of bursts, a realistic smoke/haze will appear and it
looks cool when the bursts light it up. However, I wish the smoke would
last longer – it would be more realistic.

So far I have been able to create up to 5 effects at a time (using 5 fingers).

Overall this is quite a neat app. It should give you a fair amount of entertainment and some replay ability.

NOTE: See the News tab above to see recent update about this app.

What’s On is a TV program look up for your TV cable or satellite in your area.

Pros:
-Simple & easy to use Interface
-Accurate
-Wide range of coverage (I think they are about to include Canada in their listings as well)
-Color Coding Channels
-Nice UI
-Ability to edit the channels that show up in your listing (add/remove)
-When loading browse window it automatically load to your current date & time.

Cons
-Ad Supported
-Every other launch includes a full length ad, without getting past until timer ends.
-While NOW it’s FREE, it did not start out that way. For some that paid for the program, are now stuck with ads in-app.

Was $1.99 , Now FREE

3/5

After you have entered your zip code, the app lists different broadcasting services in your area, like- DirectTV, Grande Telecom., Suddenlink Comm., etc. They have now a “locate me” feature for quicker lookup.

The Browse window shows all the channels for the service you selected.

I like the new interface, it looks better and has a nice channel color coding feature:

Purple – Movie

Orange – News

Green – Sports

In the browse window you can scroll through the channels just like you would with your contacts.
If you swipe your finger (like flipping through pictures), you move through time, in 30 minute intervals. The buttons in the top left and right corners when tapped move forward or backward by a day. If you can
navigate through you contacts with ease, then you should have no trouble navigating this app.

If you click on a title, it will give you details if any. You can also send the listing by e-mail to   whomever you want as a reminder.

If you have a show that you want to look up often, you can create a favorites list, that way all your  favorite shows and their next show times are in one view, or you can view them in Alphabetical order, or customize the order.

And finally this handy dandy app allows you to search for a show. So far I have found this app to work the best for what it does. The UI that they have updated is really really nice, especially the channel color coding.