Update: The ad also seems to appear after about every 10 searches.

It has recently come to our attention that NapkingStudio’s What’s On? application has been updated to 2.01 . This version, while it does fix some bugs, it also integrates a fullscreen, 5 second ad upon starting the app. (Note: Others have have stated that there are other areas where this occurs; however, I cannot confirm it.) While the app is free, I have no issue with developers placing ads within the app itself; however, where I disagree with this action, is the fact that people have paid for the application previously (I originally paid $1.99) and are now being “penalized for it.”

Quite frankly, it infuriates me. If a developer wants to add ads to their app that’s free – fine. But don’t penalize others that have paid for the “premium” to help that developer. The developer should highly consider removing the ads from the current version and have people pay for it. Then create a free, “lite” version of the app with ads. If the app stays the way it is now, the rating for this application are going to plummet drastically.

Due to this decision, I drop its previous ranking of 5/5 to a now 2.5/5

I figure is can’t be hard to create a decent app icon and for some that make multiple apps, it’s nice to change up the icon; otherwise it gets thrown into my worst icon bin. So without further ado, here are the Worst Icon Runner ups:

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

I had several things I took into consideration upon awarding icons the Worst Icon awards:

1. Text on Icon – even worse, unreadable text
2. Generic graphics exe. dollar signs, hearts, etc.
3. Clip art as the icon image
   
4. one color
5. dark image
6. too small graphic to see
7. bad resolution of image within icon
8. bad placement of graphic (a ball sitting in the corner with a bunch of black around it)

So the third place goes to the less than good resolution icon:

Second place goes to this icon & whatever it says…:

And finally FIRST PLACE for Worst iPhone App icon goes to erm… this one… whatever it is:

So Congrats to those app icons. Your prize: an opinion telling you to make you icon better…

Okay so on a better note, lets switch over to the BEST icons of the year. So while doing the opposite of the things I listed above would make the icon creators get their app icon into the “good bin” the items I’ve listed below really help get the icon a “Best” icon award.

1. 3D graphics (use of the Z-axis)
2. Multiple colors used
3. No text or clearly defined text
4. iPhone themed colors, but not copy cat icons
5. Anything with a flame on it (personal favorite…ok this really doesn’t count…)
6. 3D logo of a company, etc.

Here are the runner ups:

(Click on image to enlarge)

Coming in at third place, is:

Convertbot
For is unique concept and creative take on the app. It also represents the app itself uniqely.

Second place, is:

Birdhouse
For is creative & 3D perspective on using Twitter’s bird icon and the z-axis for depth.

And finally the FIRST PLACE WINNER OF THE BEST IPHONE APP ICON goes to….:

Readdledocs
For clearly defining the app as well as using closely themed colors from the standard iPhone apps.
(Yes, I am making an exception to text in the icon – it’s readable)

Congrats to those icons that won the TiPAb BEST APP ICON AWARD, you receive praise by myself…and I’ve purchased the top 3.

If I have not mentioned some of the app names that these icons refer to feel free to tell me in the comments. Also what are some app icon (app names) that you hat or like? Any apps you’ve purchased just because the icon looked cool? or the other way around? Sound off in the comments!