Neat iPhone apps

[Peregrine]

I know a good many of us have iPhones - what interesting or fun apps have you found on the app store? There's a ton of good ones, but right now I'm fascinated by Distant Shore, by the group that made last year's popular Koi Pond. It's really simple, you walk around on a beach, picking up shells. When you get 5 of them, you get a bottle. Then you can write any note you want, and throw the bottle into the water, where it washes up on some other person's shore who has the app. They discover the bottle while walking, read your note, and can reply to you.

It's so basic but so neat - I just find the message in a bottle theme very interesting, and I've already building some neat pen pal relationships with a couple people. It's so old-fashioned but I'm hooked. 99 cents on the app store.

[samifan24]

I actually review iPhone apps and have come across quite a few very neat ones. I actually reviewed Distant Shore a few months ago. It's quite the interesting and fun app.

-If you play Yahoo fantasy sports, check out MyFantasyTeams (formerly called Y! Fan).
-Emergency Radio turns your iPhone into a police/fire/EMS scanner for the whole country.
-Phone Flix lets you access Netflix and your account on the go.
-The X-Plane series are iPhone versions of the popular Mac and Windows flight simulation software. Pretty cool but very difficult.
-ComicZeal lets your read comic books right on your iPhone.

[RainMaker]

Fieldrunners is my favorite game right now. It's really addictive.
Pandora is a must if you're into music.

[Peregrine]

Wow, I am messing around with the Emergency Radio app - that is very cool.

[PadresFan104]

Thanks for the pointer to Emergency Radio, that's pretty cool!! My top apps are:


MLB.com - Great for following the days action and each day you can watch 2 games live. Best part is being able to listen to the home or away radio broadcast for every game. Must have app for any baseball fan.
Baseball Slugger Homerun Race 3D - Best game on the iPhone right now IMO. Play live HR Derby games against other people over the Internet. Great fun. The more you play, the better gear you earn for your player.
DrawRace - Fun "light" racing game where you draw the path for your car with your finger and compete with other people for the best time on one of about 20 tracks.

[MacroGuru]

For golf, It's not free but ViewTI is amazing and I use it when I am on the course.

[Daimyo]

I use the following regularly:

NYTimes
Buster (Chicago city bus tracking)
Yelp
Facebook
Linkedin
Textfree Lite (to text freely with my wife)

The Apple Remote app is pretty sweet and I'm considering getting an Apple TV and moving all my media into that model largely because of how nice it is.

As far as games go, I really liked Tiki Towers ($2). SimCity ($5) is really well done, but it gets old pretty quick if you're experienced with the PC version.

[cartman]

I picked up iTopoMaps before our camping trip, and I was very impressed.

[INDalltheway]

Things I use on a regular basis:

MLB At Bat
Facebook
Shazam
Flight Control (verrrrry addicting)
Sol Free (solitaire)

I also use MxTube a lot to download youtube videos but your phone has to be jailbroken.

[terpkristin]

Resurrecting this thread as with my thumb messed up, I've been searching for something to kill time I usually spend playing video games, so I recycled my old 3g Nano and got an 8 GB Touch.

I picked up the Canabalt app (CANABALT (http://www.adamatomic.com/canabalt/)) which has good music and is dead simple and entertaining.

Also bought Homerun Battle 3D which I think is like the game mentioned above. Between this and the Canabalt game, I have plenty of time-killers for when I'm in the doctor's (or physical therapist's) office.

Got the Kindle app. I love my Kindle, it's a nice extension of it especially for when killing time in grocery lines, etc.

Using Twitterific for Twitter and the Facebook app.

Any other suggestions, especially for games/productivity? Any good free tower defense games?

/tk

[terpkristin]

Dola,
Also got an app called White Noise which I like for when I'm trying to sleep (ocean sounds or chirping sounds) or work (heavy rain sounds, usually). It's got a ton of different sounds and can be set to run for a specific period of time or go indefinitely.

/tk

[k0ruptr]

Homerun Battle 3D is the game mentioned above (Baseball Slugger 3D). they renamed it in one of the updates for some reason.

[terpkristin]

Homerun Battle 3D is the game mentioned above (Baseball Slugger 3D). they renamed it in one of the updates for some reason.

Ah. Well, it's hella addictive. I was sitting at PT getting ice on my ankle and the therapist just told me to hang out for as long as I needed/wanted. 15 minutes later, I looked up from the game and realized that I had to be back to work in 15 minutes for a meeting. I'm quite enjoying it.

/tk

[k0ruptr]

Absolutely, I love that damn game, and even after fully upgrading my home run hitter I still play it, online is so much fun also to battle people. great great game.

[Pyser]

dragon dictation lets you just speak an email or text, then copy it into the program you want to send it in. even facebook. very useful, pretty accurate

[Raiders Army]

Although the AI is really poor, the Monopoly game isn't a bad re-creation. I held out for the "full" version of Monopoly and I didn't try out that other one.

1Password is a highly useful app. I have two different passwords to get on a classified computer and they both have to be 15 characters: letters, numbers, symbols, etc.

iTrade is a free stock market game where you start with $100k at the beginning of the month and try to make as much money as you can. The best I've done is $124k at the end of the month.

[Icy]

At my new job i have been given a 32Gb Iphone 3GS and i'm starting to learn why it has been hyped as much.

I'm also playing a lot of Monopoly, it's exactly like the boardgame and the only thing you miss are other humans in the negotiations, but the AI is good enough.

I have also downloaded a few MORPG games like Vapires and iMob that look more or less like omerta, but not sure how fun they will be in the iphone.

[cartman]

I'll second the Pandora recommendation.

I got a wild hair today, and tried something with Pandora, Bluetooth, and my car stereo. I was able to connect to Pandora with my iPhone, then make an A2DP bluetooth connection to my car receiver, and stream the Pandora stations to my stereo. It was pretty sweet!

[Edward64]

My kids and I play Bubble Wrap quite a bit. I use the 12C emulator also. Not quite as good as using the real buttons on the 12C but it saves me the need to carry the real thing.

[Lathum]

I love the Pandora on as well.

I am intrigued about the MLB app in regards to the streaming audio. Is there an additional charge, etc...

[Antmeister]

Here's the ones that I find I use the most:

For recipes:
Epicurious and AllRecipes

For find a good place to eat or for finding entertainment:
Yelp
Local Books
Movies Now

For home entertainment:
instantwatcher (to find the newest and hottest movies/shows on Netflix and add it to your instant watch queue)
Scrabble (to defeat the spouse)
Trivia Wars (to defeat the spouse again)

And when I have trouble relaxing and/or sleeping:
BrainBaths
Pzizz relax and Pzizz sleep (I swear by these two)

For getting through the day at work:
ooTunes (AM/FM radio)
Slacker (Customized Music)
RSS Player (for listening to podcasts)
RSS Feed (for catching up on any blogs/sites I am subscribed to)
Facebook
TWIT (Tech shows)

And for trying to get into better shape:
Nutrition (I like this one a lot. It shows you the calorie count of the foods you eat at most Fast Food places if you didn't make your meals.)
iFitness (not using it much now since I am in the middle of the 6 week course for EA Sports Active, but will use again when it is over.)
PushupFu and CrunchFu (bought at the beginning of the year and same deal as above).

[k0ruptr]

I love the Pandora on as well.

I am intrigued about the MLB app in regards to the streaming audio. Is there an additional charge, etc...

I used the MLB app this past season, and it is excellent, there is no additional charge and you have every home and away feed for every single game. You can also watch usually 2 games for free every day, and have the option to buy single games for 99c (I think thats the price) The quality on that and the audio is excellent over wifi, and decent enough over 3g.

IMO probably the best single app experience there is on the app store.

FWIW I'd pay up to 40 or 50 bucks for it, but instead its 10 bucks!

[samifan24]

I used the MLB app this past season, and it is excellent, there is no additional charge and you have every home and away feed for every single game. You can also watch usually 2 games for free every day, and have the option to buy single games for 99c (I think thats the price) The quality on that and the audio is excellent over wifi, and decent enough over 3g.

IMO probably the best single app experience there is on the app store.

FWIW I'd pay up to 40 or 50 bucks for it, but instead its 10 bucks!

It's also worth noting that if you're a MLB.tv subscriber (you pay to watch out of market games on your computer) then you can also watch all games for free on your iPhone as well. They started with just one or two games a night and then made all games available to MLB.tv subscribers and gave everyone else two free games per night. Yes, the MLB app costs an extra $10 but it's worth it to be able to watch a game whenever or wherever you are.

[tarcone]

MLB app is free. I just added to my phone.

[Sublime 2]

I just got the touch a couple days ago, and have spent about 3-4 hours just playing TapDefense, a basic Tower Defense game. Highly addictive, like most tower games.

[k0ruptr]

MLB app is free. I just added to my phone.

yea they made it free since the season is over, they will release a 2010 version for 10 dollars :D the free one you have now , you won't be able to listen or watch anything on, sorry !

[tarcone]

yea they made it free since the season is over, they will release a 2010 version for 10 dollars :D the free one you have now , you won't be able to listen or watch anything on, sorry !

Bah, I knew it was too good to be true.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Thought I'd bump to stir up some interest. I had my Blackberry go kaput and the iPhone was a cheap option to upgrade, so I got one. Really liking these apps.

Baseball Superstars 2010 - It's a big-head baseball game with RPG elements. They have a career mode similar to RTTS on MLB 10: The Show. It's somewhat limited in comparison, but you can finish games very quickly and it keeps your career stats. Got a ton of play out of this one for $4.99.

3D Sun - This is a free app for the astronomy geeks. Provides a current view of the sun in addition to updates when there are any large flare events, explosions, new sunspots, pictures of auroras caused by sun events, or even a comet heading for a demise in the sun. Both pictures and videos.

Planets - Another free app for amateur astronomers. Provides a real-time 3D view of the sky that allows you to quickly pinpoint exactly where the planets/stars/constellations are located currently in the sky. Also has a great little chart that tells you when you can view any given planet that night (if visible). I've taken this little app outside on a clear night and been really surprised how easy it is to spot the planets and stars. I'm thinking about getting a basic telescope now to use with this app.

[terpkristin]

Stuff I've been playing with lately:

Plants vs. Zombies (PopCap game, well done on iPod Touch/iPhone)

Sailboat Championship (free game racing sailboats, using finger to control sail direction--there's also Sailboat Championship Pro which has more courses that are also tougher, but it's not free)

Wild West Pinball (99 cent pinball game that's surprisingly fun)

And the old standbys, Homerun Battle 3D and Canabalt.

Non-games include the Kindle app (reading Infinite Jest now), White Noise (which has many different types of noise, not just white), Errands (a free task manager that is really useful for grocery lists and such), 1Password (password manager).

/tk

[Lathum]

The planets one look cool MBBF

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The planets one look cool MBBF

I'd add that Saturn is about to enter a three month period where it has some of the best naked-eye viewing it will have in quite awhile. Should be able to easily spot it with this app.

[Raiders Army]

1Password (password manager).

/tk

I find 1Password very useful as well. I'd highly recommend that one.

I seem to buy some apps every couple of weeks and here are a couple of quick reviews:

1. AllRecipes - meh, but the wife likes it.
2. iFitness - I like this one. I especially like the graphs from your workouts and weight.
3. West Point - Free app. Not too bad for the alma mater. I wish my son's prospective colleges had an app.
4. LogicPuzzle - Good game, just wish they had more puzzles for free. I'm not a fan of the micropurchases.
5. Zombiefarm - Free app, but you're really forced to buy things if you want to play. I deleted it after about a week.
6. Tilt to Live - Not a bad game. I got pretty good at work today.
7. SnoCross - On my 3G iPhone, it's a little choppy. I'd recommend a newer iTouch or iPhone.

The games I play most frequently are Lux Deluxe (Risk game), BJ Run (Blackjack game), and Word Warp (essentially TextTwist).

[Lathum]

I'd add that Saturn is about to enter a three month period where it has some of the best naked-eye viewing it will have in quite awhile. Should be able to easily spot it with this app.

I'm curious to use it outside at night. Of course, I live in the cloudiest city in America, so we'll see.

[Groundhog]

If any of ya'll are into Rogue-like games, RogueTouch is a good buy. I'm yet to get past level 18, it's a tough little game.

[Marmel]

Here are a few apps I have installed that I have not seen mentioned:

1) Espn Scorecenter
2) Bump - hold your phone, bump fists with another iphone user and automatically trade contact info.
3) Swords & Poker - Just buy this game and thank me later.
4) Cribbage Premium - If you like cribbage. Even on expert it is a bit earier than I hoped, but still a fair game.
5) Jewel Quest - sort of like Where's Waldo crossed with bejeweled. Sounds weak, but I had fun for a week with this addictive little game.
6) In general, if you like slot machine games, you can't go wrong with any of about 10 slots that are made by Pokie Magic.

[Chief Rum]

Awesome, just bought an IPhone about a month ago. This thread will make for good reading later tonight.

[sposfan]

All the following are free apps. Great website to check for daily free apps is FreeAppAlert - Free iPhone apps that were paid iPhone apps yesterday (http://freeappalert.com/)


Appbox lite: date calculator, level, tip calc, conversion
USA Today
NY Times
RotoWire, ESPN, Scoremobile, Fanball Fantasy news, Sporting news (can you tell i use this for my sports fix?:) )
MLB at Bat (not free, but best app I've ever bought by far)
Directv
Remote (can control itunes on computer from iphone through wifi)
google earth
Dictionary

Games:
Papertoss
WSOP Poker free
iBomber
Boxed in
TapDefense

[Raiders Army]

Okay, after playing Tilt to Live at work today it's my new favorite game.

[PadresFan104]

Okay, after playing Tilt to Live at work today it's my new favorite game.

+1

It's a great game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Price is Right game is marked down to 99 cents.

[Landshark44]

Can someone recommend an app for.....

Video- I have a 3G S, but when i take videos of soccer games it would be nice to have some sort of zoom. is that possible? i don't care much about price, willing to pay for something good....

GPS- Should I get AT&T Navigator for $9.95 a month, Tom-Tom for $59.99, or something else? I am constantly in need of something like this, but currently don't have anything.....

thanks, people....

[SegRat]

Can someone recommend an app for.....

Video- I have a 3G S, but when i take videos of soccer games it would be nice to have some sort of zoom. is that possible? i don't care much about price, willing to pay for something good....

GPS- Should I get AT&T Navigator for $9.95 a month, Tom-Tom for $59.99, or something else? I am constantly in need of something like this, but currently don't have anything.....

thanks, people....

Navigon is supposed to be real good.


Navigon yesterday rolled out a series of three regional U.S. GPS turn-by-turn navigation applications for the iPhone at an introductory price of $24.99 each, significantly cheaper than its more comprehensive MobileNavigator North America currently priced at $79.99. The three regional applications divide the continental United States into three overlapping segments, permitting customers to purchase discounted versions covering their area of the country. Additional regions are available through in-app purchasing currently priced at $12.99.

[DanGarion]

If you are into outdoor adventure and fun, the Geocache.com app is cool, especially if you don't already have a GPS.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I don't know if anyone else has seen this over the last couple of days, but several of my iPhone apps have received upgrades recently with the notes saying that the update is to allow iPad compatibility.

[PadresFan104]

Keep an eye out for a new iPhone top-down racing game called "Deliverance" due to be released this month. Looks great. Here's the trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffNtjKnd8ic&feature=player_embedded

[Glengoyne]

Tilt to Live

My two minute review after reading about the game here and buying it.

Damn it's hard. Too twitchy for me with my turn based strategy game tastes.

It is fun though.

[Fidatelo]

Swords & Poker is a blast.

Babo Crash is a fun twist on the bejeweled formula, but not if you don't like to be rushed into decisions.

Reiner Knizia's Money is an interesting little card game that I've wasted a lot of hours on.

[Raiders Army]

Tilt to Live

My two minute review after reading about the game here and buying it.

Damn it's hard. Too twitchy for me with my turn based strategy game tastes.

It is fun though.

I'm not much of a tilt game person and I'm not much of a twitcher either. That being said, the controls are very responsive (I've heard there are issues with the sleepy and custom positions of holding the phone/touch so I play in the regular position) and it takes a little bit to get the hang of it. Once you get the shields, black hole, buzz-saw, and electro-thing it's a lot more fun.

I'd probably rate this game as the best one I've ever played on the iPhone.

[Glengoyne]

I just saw this list of recommendations on another forum, and thought I'd share. The post was essentially great iPhone apps that aren't Plants v Zombies.

Space Miner: Space Ore Bust
Rock Band
Hive
OMG! Pirates!
Angry Birds
geoDefense
Tilt to Live
Galcon
Sword of Fargoal
Alive4Ever
Dark Nebula
HookChamp
Soosiz
Sword&Poker

Some of these have been talked up here in this thread. I'm going to be doing some research on those with intriguing names.

[Fidatelo]

The Marvel Comics app that came out recently makes me happy in my pants. That thing is awesome.

[Groundhog]

Tilt to Live is far-and-away the best game I've played on the iPhone.

[Glengoyne]

I just happened across Battle of Wesnoth. There are a number of Wesnoth fans around these parts. I haven't even played yet, just downloaded.

[Antmeister]

I just happened across Battle of Wesnoth. There are a number of Wesnoth fans around these parts. I haven't even played yet, just downloaded.

Got that one when it was on sale for 99 cents. It's pretty much the same as the same as the desktop version (which is good). In the last update, they finally made it more user friendly because the buttons were way too small for a portable device. Very good strategy/RPG.

I guess I better update my apps of ones I have been making a lot of use of lately:

Instantwatcher (yes I know I recommended this before, but I guess I need to elobarate on what this is/does): Highly recommend this app if you are always trying to find stuff to watch on Netflix Instant Watch. It shows you new movies/shows that came out, which are the most popular, which are highly rated and which are about to expire. Plus you can filter out results by their rating, if they are family friendly and if you want to see only movies or TV shows. Once you find the show you like, just add it to your queue for later viewing.

Dropbox: Very, very, cool app. You can install this program on your PC and a variety of other mobile devices and sync all the files you place in the drop box. It works by sending your files online to an account that you sign up for. There is basically a 2 gigabyte limit for free. Lorena uses it to send me and my family members the latest photos. I use it primarily to share links, files and software that I have to install on other computers. You can set up folders to share with specific people. And it is free.

WootWatch: Well you pretty much have to be a fan of Woot to like this app. Simple and clean interface that displays all the woot related sites.

[k0ruptr]

Zenonia 2 is out and fricken awesome, best action rpg and it works well. check it out.

[Daimyo]

Did you ever play Inotia 2? If so, how does it compare? If you haven't played it, you should try it too.

[terpkristin]

Crush the Castle for iPhone/iPod Touch is free today (5/5/10). It's a fun catapult game where you destroy formations of people/castles. :) I had the Lite version for awhile, but free for the full version was good enough for me to upgrade.

Still playing way too much Sword and Poker, though I wish I could listen to my own music while playing that one. That's the only drawback to it in my opinion.

/tk

[Marmel]

Crush the Castle for iPhone/iPod Touch is free today (5/5/10). It's a fun catapult game where you destroy formations of people/castles. :) I had the Lite version for awhile, but free for the full version was good enough for me to upgrade.

/tk

Well, thanks for wasting half of my evening. :D

[Raiders Army]

Still playing way too much Sword and Poker, though I wish I could listen to my own music while playing that one. That's the only drawback to it in my opinion.

/tk
Picked up Sword and Poker 2. It's an interesting fun game. Thanks!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Picked up Sword and Poker 2. It's an interesting fun game. Thanks!

Any difference from the first one from a gameplay perspective?

[Ramzavail]

grr i just bought SaP 1, and now theres a 2?

[Raiders Army]

Any difference from the first one from a gameplay perspective?

I don't know. I just got 2 instead of 1.

[Marc Vaughan]

Hopefully you've all noticed Football Manager Handheld by now, if not apologies I should have posted here when it came out (second update for this will be out in the relatively near future also - its in QA now).

Aside from that if you haven't tried Angry Birds obviously please do so - great time waster and the 'Battle for Wesnoth' iPad app rocks also ...

[terpkristin]

Haven't played it yet but Sword and Poker 2 is $1.99 right now, so I bought it. I started it up to try something, one definite improvement is it lets you play your own music in the background. That was a big pet peeve of mine with the original.

/tk

[DanGarion]

Hopefully you've all noticed Football Manager Handheld by now, if not apologies I should have posted here when it came out (second update for this will be out in the relatively near future also - its in QA now).

Aside from that if you haven't tried Angry Birds obviously please do so - great time waster and the 'Battle for Wesnoth' iPad app rocks also ...

Thanks for making an update that finally told me why I couldn't play my game.

[Marc Vaughan]

Thanks for making an update that finally told me why I couldn't play my game.

Hopefully this means you're now playing? -- if you ever have any issues with a product I've made please PM or email me ([email protected]) and I'll do my utmost to get you up and running asap.

[DanGarion]

Hopefully this means you're now playing? -- if you ever have any issues with a product I've made please PM or email me ([email protected]) and I'll do my utmost to get you up and running asap.

I figured it was just a glitch with the initial release. That's why I waited till the update to see if it continued. Thank Marc! :)

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm looking for an app that I'll be able to use Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet. Anyone have this app (http://iphone.tmcnet.com/topics/iphone/articles/41269-softalk-releases-spreadsheet-application-iphone.htm) or any other app that is compatible with Excel?

[lordscarlet]

I'm looking for an app that I'll be able to use Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet. Anyone have this app (http://iphone.tmcnet.com/topics/iphone/articles/41269-softalk-releases-spreadsheet-application-iphone.htm) or any other app that is compatible with Excel?

How much do you need it to do? I just use Google Spreadsheets.

[CleBrownsfan]

My work uses excel and I will only need to be able to bring up spreadsheets on the iPhone from my computer. Not to familiar with Google spreadsheets. Can I take a ss from excel and transfer it to Google ss?

[Alan T]

My work uses excel and I will only need to be able to bring up spreadsheets on the iPhone from my computer. Not to familiar with Google spreadsheets. Can I take a ss from excel and transfer it to Google ss?


You can import an excel spreadsheet to good spreadsheets and as long as it does not have too much fancy, it will open just fine there for you. If this is work related though, you probably should verify that you legally are allowed to do so however. I am not legally allowed to put work proprietary information (such as spreadsheets) on an internet site myself.

[samifan24]

FYI the iPhone and iPad game maker Gameloft is in the midst of a promotion in which they give away one of their games for free during a two hour window every day. Yesterday's game was Real Tennis (http://j.mp/cyc2Ad). It was still free this morning so check it out.

You only have the single two hour window to grab the free game each day so I recommend following Gameloft on Twitter (http://twitter.com/gameloft).

[Landshark44]

Tap Fish- Free game where you manage some fishtanks. Buying Fish, Breeding Them, Selling them.......

And then buying better ones.... Sounds dumb, but is quite addicting.....

[CleBrownsfan]

How do you guys transfer photo/video from your Iphone to your PC?

[dolfin]

Either email them or sync with iTunes.

[DanGarion]

Anyone here a iPhone App developer. I'm really interested in getting 4.0 installed on my iPhone early to see if it resolves some glaring issues with my Ford Sync on the truck I just purchased.

[terpkristin]

Stupid question, but I know somebody here will have the answer.
I subscribe to MLB.com audio only. If I want to listen to games via iPod Touch instead of my computer, I have to also buy their $15 app?

/tk

[Poli]

Is there a "Don't get lost in the ocean" app?

[lordscarlet]

Stupid question, but I know somebody here will have the answer.
I subscribe to MLB.com audio only. If I want to listen to games via iPod Touch instead of my computer, I have to also buy their $15 app?

/tk

Yes.

[JediKooter]

Is there a "Don't get lost in the ocean" app?

Not sure, but, I can think of at least one person that could use it though.

[Glengoyne]

Is there a "Don't get lost in the ocean" app?

Absolutely. It won't be of much help, if your mast falls down though.

[cody8200]

Anyone here a iPhone App developer. I'm really interested in getting 4.0 installed on my iPhone early to see if it resolves some glaring issues with my Ford Sync on the truck I just purchased.

Only about another week until the real deal launches. Supposedly it includes a bunch of bug fixes. I am definitely ready to get my hands on it.

BTW, if you guys are looking for some good games - Bird Strike is pretty great. I had a lot of fun with Bowmaster as well.

[McSweeny]

So I finally got around to getting Angry Birds and I've been loving it. Very addicting.

[ColtCrazy]

FIFA 2010 (world cup 2010 I mean) is .99 this weekend. Got it and it seems like a decent game.

I'll have to check out Wesnoth and Football Manager. After that, I should be set for the summer.

[ColtCrazy]

What is the best Tower Defense game for the Iphone?

I really enjoy:

Plants vs. Zombies
Bloons

and I just downloaded TapDefense. Seems good (it's free) but prefer the others I mentioned above (which aren't free).

[Groundhog]

Oh dear. Vuvuzela apps showing up on the iPhone now. :D

[INDalltheway]

Oh dear. Vuvuzela apps showing up on the iPhone now. :D
I know what I'm doing at the bar tonight... :D

[samifan24]

A word to anyone upgrading their iPhone 3G or 3GS to the iOS 4 today. I'd recommend doing the required backup and OS install overnight. The backup of my 3G is taking hours and a quick search on Twitter reveals that I'm not alone.

[DanGarion]

A word to anyone upgrading their iPhone 3G or 3GS to the iOS 4 today. I'd recommend doing the required backup and OS install overnight. The backup of my 3G is taking hours and a quick search on Twitter reveals that I'm not alone.

Weird, I do backups almost every time I sync my phone. Is iOS4 out today?

[samifan24]

Weird, I do backups almost every time I sync my phone. Is iOS4 out today?

Yup

[k0ruptr]

I'm sure you already know this, but if you have a jailbreaked iphone you may wanna wait a few days and make sure there is no problems with the jailbreak and iOS 4.0

[Vince, Pt. II]

Didn't see it mentioned, but Carcassone is available for the iPhone, and my roommate and I have been playing a bunch lately. I think it's $5.99.

Heads up, since I didn't realize it - if you do a "Play Now" internet game with a random person, you've got to sit and play the whole thing, or it gives you a loss. Games that you invite others to or are invited to will hang between turns so you don't have to stay there the whole time.

[Marmel]

Here is an odd question.

How do you un-jailbreak your iphone?

[Raiders Army]

Didn't see it mentioned, but Carcassone is available for the iPhone, and my roommate and I have been playing a bunch lately. I think it's $5.99.

Heads up, since I didn't realize it - if you do a "Play Now" internet game with a random person, you've got to sit and play the whole thing, or it gives you a loss. Games that you invite others to or are invited to will hang between turns so you don't have to stay there the whole time.

Got it, but also got Sudoku 2 at the same time. I play Sudoku 2 a lot more. Maybe it's because I don't get Carcassone.

[terpkristin]

Does Carcassone have a good AI system? I don't have too many friends that are nerdy enough to play Carcassone (and those that are don't have iPhones, they have Android devices). And, really, I'm probably not smart enough to play, but I'd like to try...

/tk

[Vince, Pt. II]

Carcassone has no AI - it's strictly PvP in the traditional sense. They have a solitaire version where you get a tileset in a specific order, and try to score as many points as possible. I'm not too thrilled with the Solitaire, but then again I tend to enjoy playing someone else more naturally. If you aren't going to be able to play versus others much, I'd probably pass if I were you.

[Mantle2600]

It only took me about fifteen minutes to upgrade on my 3gs

[PadresFan104]

Carcassone has no AI - it's strictly PvP in the traditional sense. They have a solitaire version where you get a tileset in a specific order, and try to score as many points as possible. I'm not too thrilled with the Solitaire, but then again I tend to enjoy playing someone else more naturally. If you aren't going to be able to play versus others much, I'd probably pass if I were you.

Whoa what? That's not right, Carcassone has a really strong AI opponent. Normal Game / Local / New Game then add some computer players... Great, great game!!

[Vince, Pt. II]

Whoa what? That's not right, Carcassone has a really strong AI opponent. Normal Game / Local / New Game then add some computer players... Great, great game!!

You are amazing! I need to play around with my apps some more before I go making broad statements like that.

[k0ruptr]

Here is an odd question.

How do you un-jailbreak your iphone?

Just do a restore to an iOS , and then choose the option set up as new phone. you should be fine. I've gone back and forth for a few diff people, even a couple who had to take it back to apple and get it replaced and it was no problem.

PS you don't have to set it up as new phone if your not taking it back to apple, if you are just un jailbreak to un jail break then just a restore should be fine.

[lordscarlet]

Too bad I don't get iOS 4 :(

[DanGarion]

Here is an odd question.

How do you un-jailbreak your iphone?

Just update it or restore it, that does the trick.

[samifan24]

It took all night but I've finally got iOS 4 running on my 3G.

[Ksyrup]

Not sure this qualifies as an "app," but...

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/157/iphone407p.jpg

[Doug5984]

I had ordered the iphone 4, it wasn't shipping until July 20th, I canceled my order until I learn more about the holding it "wrong" (I'm left handed, every call I make I hold the phone like that.)

[MJ4H]

Someone challenge me in Words with Friends. My name is pwatts14. Make sure and tell me who the hell you are if you do, too.

[MJ4H]

By the way, Team Viewer freaking rules. Don't know if it was mentioned anywhere else in this thread, but it lets you view and control your computer from your iphone/touch.

(and it's free)

[Neuqua]

I love Words With Friends.

[Neuqua]

Btw, MJ, I can't find a user with that name. Find me instead, "Neuqua".

[MJ4H]

Done.

[JS19]

I had ordered the iphone 4, it wasn't shipping until July 20th, I canceled my order until I learn more about the holding it "wrong" (I'm left handed, every call I make I hold the phone like that.)

For what it's worth, I haven't had any sort of problem with mine. I'm a righty, though.

[MJ4H]

How about Chess with Friends? Anyone play that? Start a game with me. I'm MJ4H. If not, get it. I haven't played chess seriously in a few years, but I used to be pretty stout.

[MJ4H]

By the way, I am MJ4H on both words with friends and chess with friends.

[kingfc22]

kingfc22 in words with friends if anybody wants to play

[dervack]

mdvorak on words with friends, but I'm not very smart.

[Peregrine]

I just picked up my iPad this weekend and have really been enjoying trying out various apps for it - Civilization Revolution is probably my favorite, but I also like Tap Tap Radiation and the Marvel and DC Comics apps. Looking forward to seeing more stuff rolled out for this platform - maybe one day a text sim?

[samifan24]

I just picked up my iPad this weekend and have really been enjoying trying out various apps for it - Civilization Revolution is probably my favorite, but I also like Tap Tap Radiation and the Marvel and DC Comics apps. Looking forward to seeing more stuff rolled out for this platform - maybe one day a text sim?

FM and Championship Manager are both available for the iPhone although neither have been optimized for the iPad yet and I'm not sure what the text would look like at 2x normal size. Still, you download the FM Handheld demo and see what it looks like on the iPad.

[Maple Leafs]

Anyone know if any old-school computer or coin-op games that are available as cheap/free apps?

Seems like it would be a good market for those sort of games, but I can't find many. I did see Arkanoid, which works pretty well, but there must be others.

[Marmel]

I picked up a free app this weekend called "Coin Dozer"
It is pretty much one of those games at an arcade or at Dave & Buster's where you drop tokens in and the little levers push them forward and for every token that drops in the bin you win tickets.

Strangely, I am addicted to dropping those little tokens now, and the price can't be beat! There is no point to the game really, other than collect little prizes that give you extra boosts.

[DanGarion]

My #1 iPhone App was getting this new program called Android. Maybe you have heard of it, it's so awesome.

[Doug5984]

I picked up a free app this weekend called "Coin Dozer"
It is pretty much one of those games at an arcade or at Dave & Buster's where you drop tokens in and the little levers push them forward and for every token that drops in the bin you win tickets.

Strangely, I am addicted to dropping those little tokens now, and the price can't be beat! There is no point to the game really, other than collect little prizes that give you extra boosts.

My girlfriend plays that all the time- and has been for well over a month now. I played for a while, but I just don't get it?

[Marmel]

My girlfriend plays that all the time- and has been for well over a month now. I played for a while, but I just don't get it?

I know, there is nothing to get. It is just mindless entertainment. I have to get that next bonus coin to fall though! I am sure I will be bored in a week or two, but in the meantime...

[Maple Leafs]

I think I posted this somewhere before, but if you're an old-time sports game geek (like me) you should know that there's an Earl Weaver Baseball app that includes several new downloadable rosters. Search for EWB.

[terpkristin]

Anyone know if any old-school computer or coin-op games that are available as cheap/free apps?

Seems like it would be a good market for those sort of games, but I can't find many. I did see Arkanoid, which works pretty well, but there must be others.

May not fit the bill but Wild West Pinball is pretty fun, it's 99 cents. Then again, I like pinball.

/tk

[Marc Vaughan]

FM and Championship Manager are both available for the iPhone although neither have been optimized for the iPad yet and I'm not sure what the text would look like at 2x normal size. Still, you download the FM Handheld demo and see what it looks like on the iPad.

FMH was tested on the iPad and works fine, resized it still looks clear and readable without any issues at all (tbh I do a lot of my dev and testing on my iPad these days simply because its easier to 'stab' while idly placed beside my mac when developing new pages).

There's a 'photo' of the game running on my iPad somewhere in the depths of the SI forums but tbh it'd be easier for you to download the 'Lite' version and try it out and see what you think to it.

(I haven't tried CM iPhone on my iPad- but I'd expect it probably works also, most apps do)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I think I posted this somewhere before, but if you're an old-time sports game geek (like me) you should know that there's an Earl Weaver Baseball app that includes several new downloadable rosters. Search for EWB.

Some mixed feedback on that app. Are the bugs cleared up?

[Maple Leafs]

Some mixed feedback on that app. Are the bugs cleared up?
Not sure what bug they're referring to, but I haven't seen anything major. Some occasional crashes, but I get that with every app.

[Marc Vaughan]

Not sure what bug they're referring to, but I haven't seen anything major. Some occasional crashes, but I get that with every app.

In case you aren't aware - the main cause of crashes is people not rebooting their devices (pretty much ever) or in the case of iOS4 never closing application.

Many people think that pressing the 'off' button turns the device off, it doesn't it just suspends it - to reboot it fully hold down the 'off' button for a couple of seconds until the 'swipe to power off' message appear. If you do that and then swipe it will fully power off the device which also resets any fragmented memory (which is the cause of most crashes).

For iOS4 closing apps fully please refer to:
iOS4 - How to close applications fully (http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/215663-iOS4-How-to-close-applications-fully)

PS - Sorry if I'm teaching grandma to suck eggs (ie. pointing out the obvious) - but I've been surprised at how many iDevice users aren't aware of these ...

[terpkristin]

In case you aren't aware - the main cause of crashes is people not rebooting their devices (pretty much ever)

Never knew about this. Thanks for the tip.

/tk

[Maple Leafs]

If you do that and then swipe it will fully power off the device which also resets any fragmented memory (which is the cause of most crashes).
Yeah, but then I have to wait like nine seconds for it to boot back up. I gew up in the 80s, I don't have that sort of attention span.

[samifan24]

Random question but hopefully someone can help me.

I am running iOS4 on my iPhone 3G. I know I can't do multitasking BUT since upgrading to iOS4 I can't do anything while on a call except be on a call. I can't check email, I can't send a text, I can't do anything.

Simply put, when on a call and I hit the home button, the phone simply doesn't respond. The on-screen buttons allow me to use speakerphone and so forth but the home button is unresponsive. I searched Google and was unable to find an explanation. This issue must be related to iOS4 because I never saw it in two years of owning the phone until I "upgraded" to iOS4.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any ideas on how to fix this aside from downgrading to iOS3?

[DanGarion]

Yeah, but then I have to wait like nine seconds for it to boot back up. I gew up in the 80s, I don't have that sort of attention span.

An iPhone take 9 seconds to boot up, please, mine took about 2 minutes. Glad I never had an emergency or I would have been dead.

[DanGarion]

Random question but hopefully someone can help me.

I am running iOS4 on my iPhone 3G. I know I can't do multitasking BUT since upgrading to iOS4 I can't do anything while on a call except be on a call. I can't check email, I can't send a text, I can't do anything.

Simply put, when on a call and I hit the home button, the phone simply doesn't respond. The on-screen buttons allow me to use speakerphone and so forth but the home button is unresponsive. I searched Google and was unable to find an explanation. This issue must be related to iOS4 because I never saw it in two years of owning the phone until I "upgraded" to iOS4.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any ideas on how to fix this aside from downgrading to iOS3?
Sounds like the problems I ran into with iOS4.

[Groundhog]

I'm probably going to revert my iphone 3G back to pre-iOS4. Someone e-mailed me instructions a few weeks ago. Seriously, my phone runs twice as slow now. I never had to reboot my iphone before I installed this bloated OS.

[Peregrine]

I've really gotten hooked on the Carcassone app recently - I can't wait till they come out with the iPad version because right now it looks a bit grainy played at 2 times the iPhone size, but still a very good game.

[Doug5984]

I'm probably going to revert my iphone 3G back to pre-iOS4. Someone e-mailed me instructions a few weeks ago. Seriously, my phone runs twice as slow now. I never had to reboot my iphone before I installed this bloated OS.

Can you send me that email, I'll need to do the same... It's horribly slow.

[Peregrine]

Two friends at work reported the same thing with their 3Gs being horribly slow after the iOS4 "upgrade." I have the 3GS which hasn't had any problems, luckily.

[INDalltheway]

TeamViewer for the iPhone is pretty sick. It's a FREE remote desktop app that works incredibly well.

[MJ4H]

By the way, Team Viewer freaking rules. Don't know if it was mentioned anywhere else in this thread, but it lets you view and control your computer from your iphone/touch.

(and it's free)

I know right!

:)

Seriously though, it is sweet.

[mtolson]

Hey Neuqua and MJ4H, just started a Words with Friends game with each of you. I'm RaiderFan85.

[Peregrine]

My Words with Friends username is Peregrine Falcon - sent an invite to you mtolson.

[terpkristin]

I just joined Words with Friends. Only caveat is that during work hours, I can't usually play since I rarely have wireless internet access. User name is terpkristin (I know, SHOCKING). Expect moves before 7 a.m. ET or after 6 p.m. ET. :)

/tk

[Vince, Pt. II]

Two friends at work reported the same thing with their 3Gs being horribly slow after the iOS4 "upgrade." I have the 3GS which hasn't had any problems, luckily.

To the people that are running slow - have you gotten used to the "multitasking" interface yet? Now whenever you hit the home button to stop using a program, it leaves it running in the background. If you double-tap the home button, it'll give you a list of what's running, and you can shut things down from there. I've found that as long as I manage which apps are open at what time, I keep the slowdown to a minimum.

[Doug5984]

To the people that are running slow - have you gotten used to the "multitasking" interface yet? Now whenever you hit the home button to stop using a program, it leaves it running in the background. If you double-tap the home button, it'll give you a list of what's running, and you can shut things down from there. I've found that as long as I manage which apps are open at what time, I keep the slowdown to a minimum.

Mine is a 3g, so no multitasking for me.

[bhlloy]

Yeah once I learned that it's been just about OK, although still slower than pre OS4. At least now I can get more than an 8 hour day out of my battery

[Pyser]

who posted about the hr derby game?

you are ruining my life

[terpkristin]

who posted about the hr derby game?

you are ruining my life

I think a fair few of us mentioned it. :) Yeah, that's a dangerous game. :D

/tk

[samifan24]

Good news, 3G owners: the WSJ reports that Apple is now "looking into" the reports about iOS 4 grinding the 3G to a halt.

[Lathum]

Just discovered Angry Birds

[Lathum]

dola- Has anyone tried the Risk game? Any good?

[terpkristin]

dola- Has anyone tried the Risk game? Any good?

Haven't tried it but read a review recently either on The Unofficial Apple Weblog or Touch Arcade that basically said that there are free/cheaper alternatives out there that are better. Will see if I can find the review.

/tk

[terpkristin]

Dola, it was Touch Arcade: 'Risk: The Official Game' Released – Here Are Some Better Unofficial Games | Touch Arcade (http://toucharcade.com/2010/07/23/risk-the-official-game-released-here-are-some-better-unofficial-games/)

Also, TUAW has some "Risternatives": Riskternatives: Conquist and Strategery (http://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/26/riskternatives-conquist-and-strategery/)

/tk

[Lathum]

cool, thanks TK!

[Peregrine]

Lathum, I am partial to the Lux series of games - they are basically Risk clones, and depending on the version you get - there are free version and others, you can play a wide variety of maps. They are also available as PC games - Lux:Ancient Empires is my favorite.

[Lathum]

Thanks, will check it out

[terpkristin]

cool, thanks TK!

You seem to be up early, BTW...

/tk

[Lathum]

lol, I'm in New Jersey visiting family. Not that it would be out of the question for my son to have my up this early in Seattle.

[Peregrine]

I've started playing this app on the iPad called Shrek Karting or something like that - basically it's MarioKart style play only using the characters from Shrek. It's actually a surprisingly solid game, nice graphics, nice driving, and you have a variety of powerups to shoot at your enemies, and multiple characters and cars to choose from. I especially like how you can either steer by turning the whole device left or right, or use the option where you just tap the left or right side of the screen to turn - nice variety for people who like different control options.

[terpkristin]

Good news, 3G owners: the WSJ reports that Apple is now "looking into" the reports about iOS 4 grinding the 3G to a halt.

Lifehacker (via Gizmodo) had a tip that has apparently helped some iPhone 3G owners: Disable Spotlight Searches to Improve iPhone 3G Performance on iOS 4 (http://lifehacker.com/5599406/disable-spotlight-searches-to-improve-iphone-3g-performance-on-ios-4)

/tk

[Raiders Army]

Also, TUAW has some "Risternatives": Riskternatives: Conquist and Strategery (http://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/26/riskternatives-conquist-and-strategery/)

/tk
I've had Lux Deluxe 2 for a while, and prior to iOS4.0 coming out, it was great. I really like the Texas map. Post-iOS4.0, the computer is so slow it's not worth opening up. They may have fixed it in an update to the game (downloaded an update this week), but I haven't played it.

I've been playing Sudoku 2 a lot lately after beating the Sword & Poker 2 game.

[terpkristin]

Nobody wants to play words with friends with me? :(

/tk

[Edward64]

Civilization Revolution (not lite) is free, not sure for how long. But looks pretty old as of Nov, 2009.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/civilization-revolution/id324563544?mt=8

[MJ4H]

Awesome thanks for the heads-up.

[INDalltheway]

Great looking out Edward! Can't beat a free full-featured game.

[k0ruptr]

its a pretty solid decent game too.

[Edward64]

No problem. Glad to support the Civ community here. Eagerly waiting for Sep 21.

[Peregrine]

Have you guys tried the turn based strategy game Highborn? It just came out in iPad edition and I am loving it - fun combat and pretty amusing dialogue to boot. It's out for the iPhone and iPod Touch as well

[Edward64]

WSOP free today, not sure how long.

World Series of Poker Hold’em Legend for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/world-series-poker-holdem/id336677885?cjid=10492644-1225267-u0t2167708f9fp0c0s5814)

I downloaded it free about a week ago, think it went back up, but free again. I play at the free table and it's fun and challenging for me.

[Lathum]

Question about the Championship Manager App. Is it the one that costs 2.99 and is it the full game? I have never player the PC version of the game, is this comparable? I am flying cross country tomorrow and looking for some new apps

[samifan24]

Question about the Championship Manager App. Is it the one that costs 2.99 and is it the full game? I have never player the PC version of the game, is this comparable? I am flying cross country tomorrow and looking for some new apps

Yes, it's the full game but it isn't as good as FM Handheld for the iPhone.

[stevew]

Is there any site that tracks sales on games/apps for the App Store? I almost bought PacMan for the iPad for $5, but the next day it was on sale for .99 cents. So i bought that and a half dozen other namco games that were the same price. Obviously the resolution kind of sucks if you buy an iPhone game, but for classic stuff it's no biggie.

I was also going to get Pages the other day, but noticed it went up from $7 to $10.

So, anyways, any good site that tracks movement on prices.

[Marc Vaughan]

Yes, it's the full game but it isn't as good as FM Handheld for the iPhone.

Your checks in the post ;)

(more seriously - FMH iPhone is on sale at the moment reduced in all stores if anyones been procrastinating about getting it ..)

[Glengoyne]

My wife is having a good time with an app called iAssociate. You get to associate words alla six degrees of Kevin Bacon. I get to help in some things like when she was linking "Lightning" and "world war 2". It's a ten letter word that starts with a "B".

[samifan24]

Is there any site that tracks sales on games/apps for the App Store? I almost bought PacMan for the iPad for $5, but the next day it was on sale for .99 cents. So i bought that and a half dozen other namco games that were the same price. Obviously the resolution kind of sucks if you buy an iPhone game, but for classic stuff it's no biggie.

I was also going to get Pages the other day, but noticed it went up from $7 to $10.

So, anyways, any good site that tracks movement on prices.

Appshopper.com does this exact thing

[MikeVic]

So I just got my first iPhone (first ever smart phone actually)... I'll be going through this thread, but any cool apps that people can think of from the start? I'm thinking some of the earlier ones mentioned may not be valid anymore.

[Lathum]

So I just got my first iPhone (first ever smart phone actually)... I'll be going through this thread, but any cool apps that people can think of from the start? I'm thinking some of the earlier ones mentioned may not be valid anymore.

Yahoo Fantasy Football- If you have any leagues with them
Scrabble
Angry Birds
ESPN Radio App- If you listen to sports talk radio
Epicurious
Urbanspoon
Facebook
Pandora
Bump
The Weather Channel
Lightsaber

[samifan24]

So I just got my first iPhone (first ever smart phone actually)... I'll be going through this thread, but any cool apps that people can think of from the start? I'm thinking some of the earlier ones mentioned may not be valid anymore.

I review iPhone apps. What kind of apps are you looking for? PM me if you'd like.

[FrogMan]

I review iPhone apps. What kind of apps are you looking for? PM me if you'd like.


Where can we read your reviews?

I've been lobbying to my wife to get an iPod Touch for my 40th birthday that's coming up. She's not very tech savvy but I,ve got some money saved up so if she doesn't get me one, I will almost certainly go and splurge and get myself one, so I've been reading on apps and games and such. I think it's even your recommendation of appshopper.com that made me start checking them out.

FM

[terpkristin]

Apps I like:
Non-games
Facebook
Twitter
Kindle
Errands (a free to-do list type app, I use it to make grocery lists)
1Password
Epicurious
WhiteNoise
Pandora
NPR News
MLB At Bat 2010 (if you like listening to baseball)

Games
Words With Friends (if you have friends that play Scrabble...I'm terpkristin)
Angry Birds
Homerun Battle 3D
Sword & Poker (and Sword & Poker 2)
Plants vs. Zombies
Wild West Pinball
Canabalt

/tk

[Landshark44]

I like-
Weatherbug
Iphlix (netflix manager)
Flixter (movies, showtimes, trailers)
1password
Calengoo (imports google calender from desktop)
Sunday Ticket (Use DirecTV subscription to watch NFL while at my sons soccer games..)
Pandora
RSS Player (Manages Podcasts)
ESPN Radio
CBS Fantasy Sports
CivRev
Risk
Tapdefense
Sword and POker

[PadresFan104]

"Game Dev Story" doesn't look like much, but it's a terribly addictive business sim game. Can't recommend it enough...

[lordscarlet]

Calengoo (imports google calender from desktop)


You can connect google calendar straight to your calendar on the phone.

Set Up Your Apple Device for Google Sync : Google Sync - Google Mobile Help (http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138740&topic=14252)

[Marc Vaughan]

Have you guys tried the turn based strategy game Highborn? It just came out in iPad edition and I am loving it - fun combat and pretty amusing dialogue to boot. It's out for the iPhone and iPod Touch as well

I got it and its a quite fun little game imho ... fairly 'easy' though.

[Landshark44]

You can connect google calendar straight to your calendar on the phone.

Set Up Your Apple Device for Google Sync : Google Sync - Google Mobile Help (http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138740&topic=14252)

cool, thanks,,,,,

[terpkristin]

Have you guys tried the turn based strategy game Highborn? It just came out in iPad edition and I am loving it - fun combat and pretty amusing dialogue to boot. It's out for the iPhone and iPod Touch as well

Good to know. It's been on my list to get/consider (I ended up doing Coinstar for an iTunes card and had a lot more money in change than I thought I did so ended up with a TON of iTunes credit). Once I'm done with S&P2, maybe it'll be my next game..

/tk

[k0ruptr]

"Game Dev Story" doesn't look like much, but it's a terribly addictive business sim game. Can't recommend it enough...

bah. you got me. I picked this up, and while pretty simplistic its addictive like crack. been playing this one for hours over the last few days.

[MikeVic]

Thanks, I've picked up some of the free apps listed. Unfortunately, Pandora is not available in Canada, but it does seem cool.

[SegRat]

"Game Dev Story" doesn't look like much, but it's a terribly addictive business sim game. Can't recommend it enough...

Wow, what an awesome little game. I bought it last night and I bet I have close to 6 hours on it already. Thanks for recommending a great little game. I have been working on the front office baseball series.

[kingfc22]

I like-
...Sword and POker

okay I'm hooked

[INDalltheway]

"Game Dev Story" doesn't look like much, but it's a terribly addictive business sim game. Can't recommend it enough...
+10000000000

[Landshark44]

bah. you got me. I picked this up, and while pretty simplistic its addictive like crack. been playing this one for hours over the last few days.

me too....

i created 50 video games in one day...

[Raiders Army]

"Game Dev Story" doesn't look like much, but it's a terribly addictive business sim game. Can't recommend it enough...

This game is up there with Sword and Poker as the best game I've played on the iPhone/iTouch.

Poker Smash is good too.

[Neuqua]

Cut the Rope is taking up all my free time nowadays.

[moriarty]

You guys sucked me into Game Dev Story. Not sure I understand what I'm doing yet, but it sure does suck the time away.

BTW: Football Manager is currently on sale for $2.99 - that's a lot of game for that price.

[FrogMan]

BTW: Football Manager is currently on sale for $2.99 - that's a lot of game for that price.

yeah, saw that. Might be because FMHi 2011 is coming up? speaking of, maybe Marc can say, is 2011 coming out at the same time as the PC version?

Other notable app on sale is Plants vs Zombies, in what is apparently its first price drop ever, to $0.99.

FM

[FrogMan]

anybody ever heard about or tried Zombie Outbreak (http://www.148apps.com/reviews/zombie-outbreak-review/)? I'm intrigued by it as it looks more like a simulation of how you manage a zombie infection than a simple zombie shooter. Could probably be something that the crowd of FOFC might like too...

It came to the app store only two weeks ago and is now on sale for $0.99.

FM

[MikeVic]

Now I'm addicted to Game Dev Story... almost done my first 20-year game. Seems like it was hard at the beginning, but now I can make money like crazy and always have the #1 selling game.

[Raiders Army]

anybody ever heard about or tried Zombie Outbreak (http://www.148apps.com/reviews/zombie-outbreak-review/)? I'm intrigued by it as it looks more like a simulation of how you manage a zombie infection than a simple zombie shooter. Could probably be something that the crowd of FOFC might like too...

It came to the app store only two weeks ago and is now on sale for $0.99.

FM

Downloaded and played for about 3 minutes. Maybe it's better than I initially think, but I'm not sure I'll play it again.

[Raiders Army]

Okay, so the only way to get a hardware engineer is to get someone at level 5 in all categories? Has anyone here done this yet?

Also, here are my tips for matching genres:

The first category is Genre and the second is Type.
Shooter+War=Not Bad
Life+Dating=Amazing!
Puzzle+Reversi=Amazing!
Simulation+Historical=Not Bad
Simulation+Train=Amazing!
Adventure+Detective=Amazing!
Adventure+Mystery=Amazing!
Racing+Motorsport=Amazing!
Audio Novel+Romance=Amazing!

I would've thought the Simulation+Historical would be amazing (Civ) and the Shooter+War would be as well (Call of Duty, Medal of Honor).

[law90026]

I did get a hardware engineer.

I had a hacker who had hardware engineer listed as a career. I then levelled up all his available careers to level 5 and that unlocked it. I'm not sure if the person needs to have hardware engineer listed in his career list though.

I'm not sure it's totally worth it. I spent a ton developing a game system but it just didn't really take off. Maybe I missed something along the way.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I noticed that Pandora was listed on one of the first posts in this thread. I'm not sure how it took me so long to download it. I dock it to our stereo at the winery while working for music. I put MC Hammer in yesterday. The 19 year old kids working with me were laughing when 2 Legit 2 Quit came on.

[MikeVic]

Stop teasing me with Pandora!

[FrogMan]

Stop teasing me with Pandora!

what he said :rant:

Meanwhile, it's now official, I'm the new owner of a 32 Gb 4th gen iPod Touch.
:party:

Got is as a gift for my 40th birthday. My wife did the classics box in a box in a box kind of thing and had me work for it, but I got it now. Was a big day with Halloween and all and I just finished watching the Pats game I had recorded so I'll be sitting down with this baby to fill it with the ton and a half of free (or deeply discounted) apps I've preloaded in iTunes over the last month. :)

FM

[DaddyTorgo]

I washed my new 6th Gen IPod Nano that I got for my birthday from my parents earlier this month last night. Now it's dead, and I'll need to shell out for a new one for myself.

[lordscarlet]

Now I'm addicted to Game Dev Story... almost done my first 20-year game. Seems like it was hard at the beginning, but now I can make money like crazy and always have the #1 selling game.

I hate you all. This game has taken over my life. ;)

Getting #1 seems fairly easy -- getting the top spot at the award ceremony? not so much.

[lordscarlet]

I did get a hardware engineer.

I had a hacker who had hardware engineer listed as a career. I then levelled up all his available careers to level 5 and that unlocked it. I'm not sure if the person needs to have hardware engineer listed in his career list though.

I'm not sure it's totally worth it. I spent a ton developing a game system but it just didn't really take off. Maybe I missed something along the way.

You have to do every job before you get hardware engineer as a job. However, if you hired someone already at a Hacker, they must have already had all of the other jobs under their belt. Director, Hacker, and a couple others don't show up until you have done some of the base jobs.

[FrogMan]

There's some big hoopla about a video player called VLC (http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/10/vlc-ios-app-store/) where the app developper has asked Apple to remove the free app form the App Store because they say that since it's open license, users shouldn't be restricted to the max of sharing with five others, or something like that. In other words, if you want this free video player that can handle just about anything, download now while it's still in the App Store. I have been using the portable version of VLC, running it from my USB key and it can indeed play just about anything, with just about all codecs in it, including flash movies.

In other news, iLounge just released the 2011 version of their iPod/iPhone/iPad Buyers’ Guide (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ilounge-releases-the-2011-ipod-iphone-ipad-buyers-guide/). For a newbie like me (and there might be others out there) I found their 2010 version well written and very informative. It sure answered many little questions I had, being all new to this iDevice thing when I read it only a couple weeks ago and I'm sure their 2011 version will have more of the same. Probably not necessary for people who've been had their iDevice for a while though.

I have decided to pass on the discounted FMHi 2010 in the hope that the 2011 version will come soon. Got plenty to tinker with for now anyway and I'll be more than happy to pay SI full price for the new version. :)

FM

[MikeVic]

I hate you all. This game has taken over my life. ;)

Getting #1 seems fairly easy -- getting the top spot at the award ceremony? not so much.

Yeah, I've won every award for the last 3 or 4 years (well, not the worst game award) and have gotten games to be 37/40... but still no grand prize.

[MikeVic]

There's some big hoopla about a video player called VLC (http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/10/vlc-ios-app-store/) where the app developper has asked Apple to remove the free app form the App Store because they say that since it's open license, users shouldn't be restricted to the max of sharing with five others, or something like that. In other words, if you want this free video player that can handle just about anything, download now while it's still in the App Store. I have been using the portable version of VLC, running it from my USB key and it can indeed play just about anything, with just about all codecs in it, including flash movies.

In other news, iLounge just released the 2011 version of their iPod/iPhone/iPad Buyers’ Guide (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ilounge-releases-the-2011-ipod-iphone-ipad-buyers-guide/). For a newbie like me (and there might be others out there) I found their 2010 version well written and very informative. It sure answered many little questions I had, being all new to this iDevice thing when I read it only a couple weeks ago and I'm sure their 2011 version will have more of the same. Probably not necessary for people who've been had their iDevice for a while though.

I have decided to pass on the discounted FMHi 2010 in the hope that the 2011 version will come soon. Got plenty to tinker with for now anyway and I'll be more than happy to pay SI full price for the new version. :)

FM

I've been using VLC, and highly recommend it.

[Alan T]

There's some big hoopla about a video player called VLC (http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/10/vlc-ios-app-store/) where the app developper has asked Apple to remove the free app form the App Store because they say that since it's open license, users shouldn't be restricted to the max of sharing with five others, or something like that. In other words, if you want this free video player that can handle just about anything, download now while it's still in the App Store. I have been using the portable version of VLC, running it from my USB key and it can indeed play just about anything, with just about all codecs in it, including flash movies.

In other news, iLounge just released the 2011 version of their iPod/iPhone/iPad Buyers’ Guide (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ilounge-releases-the-2011-ipod-iphone-ipad-buyers-guide/). For a newbie like me (and there might be others out there) I found their 2010 version well written and very informative. It sure answered many little questions I had, being all new to this iDevice thing when I read it only a couple weeks ago and I'm sure their 2011 version will have more of the same. Probably not necessary for people who've been had their iDevice for a while though.

I have decided to pass on the discounted FMHi 2010 in the hope that the 2011 version will come soon. Got plenty to tinker with for now anyway and I'll be more than happy to pay SI full price for the new version. :)

FM



I don't have an iphone so can't comment on the VLC on an iphone, but it is the best media player I've ever used on computers.

[digamma]

Free app called "Strip Club or Hair Salon." Simple little app where you guess if the name of an establishment is a strip club or hair salon. Great party/dinner group game.

[FrogMan]

the first timewaster I've tried is iSlash, anybody playing that one?

for anybody not in the know, it's a simple puzzle type game where you need to slash with a finger swipe some wooden boards on which some shuriken are bouncing. Goal is to reduce in size the wooden board to a certain percentage. Shurikens need to stay together and if one touches you, you fail the level and have to start over. Got it for free a couple weeks ago but it sells for $0.99 right now. Good Japanese theme behind it.

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, anybody got a recommendation for a solid time management (calendar/tasks/todo) type apps? I got a list of a few but I'm trying to separate them in terms of usefulness...

FM

[terpkristin]

dola, anybody got a recommendation for a solid time management (calendar/tasks/todo) type apps? I got a list of a few but I'm trying to separate them in terms of usefulness...

FM

For todo's with schedule, etc, I like Errands. Though I admit, I don't use any apps for traditional "getting things done" type stuff (I know people like Don't Forget the Milk, but it's not free and doesn't mesh well for my style of time/task management).

/tk

[samifan24]

It's Remember the Milk, tk, and I use it more than any other app on my iPhone but yes, you're right that you need a $25/annual pro subscription to get the most out of the iPhone app.

[FrogMan]

For todo's with schedule, etc, I like Errands. Though I admit, I don't use any apps for traditional "getting things done" type stuff (I know people like Don't Forget the Milk, but it's not free and doesn't mesh well for my style of time/task management).

/tk

That wasn't so clear in my first post but I'm not so much into the "getting things done" thing, well a bit, but especially something that'd allow me to see mutliple calendars at once. I've had Google Calendars set for everyone in our family (wife, sons, myself and then some to be more specific) for a while now and would like to be able to see what everyone will be doing on a specific day in weekly/monthly/daily view and that I can use offline, since I'm using it on a Touch. The basic calendar.app is not giving me that ease of view. Right now, I'm looking at CalenGoo ($7), Pocket Informant ($13) and SmartTime ($8). Saisoku ($10) is another I just came upon but have not read much about...

I don't carry a dayplanner but I intend on my Touch to become it.

FM

[DaddyTorgo]

Pocket Informant is great...I used it on my windows mobile phones for years. high powered shit.

[FrogMan]

Pocket Informant is great...I used it on my windows mobile phones for years. high powered shit.

looks indeed very powerful...

FM

[MikeVic]

I'm using Errands based on recommendations in this thread, and it does what I need. I just use it as a way to track my TODOs, and use the default Calendar for scheduling. It's just me, so I don't need syncing or anything.

I'd like to hear what people do for budgeting. For the last three years, I've been using spreadsheets (Google Docs' spreadsheet to have access from anywhere). I saw some Google Docs apps, but it seemed like the spreadsheet stuff cost extra. I don't know how much I'd like using spreadsheets on the iPhone, so I wanted to try it out first and am not in a hurry to buy one then.

[Landshark44]

I use Calengoo, and I like it a lot......

[samifan24]

I'd like to hear what people do for budgeting. For the last three years, I've been using spreadsheets (Google Docs' spreadsheet to have access from anywhere). I saw some Google Docs apps, but it seemed like the spreadsheet stuff cost extra. I don't know how much I'd like using spreadsheets on the iPhone, so I wanted to try it out first and am not in a hurry to buy one then.

Unfortunately Google Docs are all read only on the iPhone so there goes that option.

[lordscarlet]

Unfortunately Google Docs are all read only on the iPhone so there goes that option.

You can edit google spreadsheets on the iphone. Just click in a cell.

[samifan24]

You can edit google spreadsheets on the iphone. Just click in a cell.

Nice. I never knew that. I guess I'd only tried playing with Google docs and not spreadsheets.

[QuikSand]

There's a snappy port of the Cheapass game Button Men available for, I think, $.99.

Link here: Button Men - Beat People Up (http://www.thrustinteractive.com/buttonmen/)

For those not familiar, it's a very cleverly conceived fight-themed skin over an alarmingly simple abstract strategy game played with D&D style dice. Seems they have expanded the game a good deal, but for your dollar you get a lot of different setups and a decent-enough AI, it appears. Dollar well spent, I'd say.

[FrogMan]

Virus Strike (http://www.virusstrike.com/about.html) is an interesting free game that I'd describe as a mix between line drawing and match-3. You can watch a gameplay video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogLXZN8GznM).

They're saying it's free for a limited time so go and grab it. :)

FM

[FrogMan]

There's a snappy port of the Cheapass game Button Men available for, I think, $.99.

Link here: Button Men - Beat People Up (http://www.thrustinteractive.com/buttonmen/)

For those not familiar, it's a very cleverly conceived fight-themed skin over an alarmingly simple abstract strategy game played with D&D style dice. Seems they have expanded the game a good deal, but for your dollar you get a lot of different setups and a decent-enough AI, it appears. Dollar well spent, I'd say.

bought it, will try it out in the coming days... :)

FM

[Izulde]

I took the plunge on Game Dev Story thanks to this thread.

[FrogMan]

I took the plunge on Game Dev Story thanks to this thread.

oh, I know I will get it in a few days whenever that iTunes gift card I exchanged for some airmiles shows up in the mail. :)

FM

[Izulde]

Okay, Game Dev Story is a lot of fun, even both my games were flops and I got so disgusted, I fired my programmer for making stupid suggestions and now I can't find a new one after my first attempt. :D

My third game isn't looking so great now without a lead coder, although all three of my games have been lauded for their pretty graphics. :D

[Landshark44]

i've got several "game of the year" awards, developed my own console, and made lots of money.....

[MikeVic]

I like when one of your employees is on fire and types like nuts. The sound that plays is funny and the visual is funny.

[FrogMan]

what do you guys do to manage your podcasts? Do you simply download them via iTunes or do you use a separate app for that?

I've discovered that listening to the Pats' podcast on my 25 minutes commute is pretty dang cool, especially when there's no sports news of that genre in the area... :)

FM

[MJ4H]

Just use itunes.

[Glengoyne]

Button men is intriguing. I'm playing quite a bit. There seems to be more to it each round I play.

[Izulde]

Holy shit. It's 2:38 am and I'm still up. No wonder I had to quit playing Game Dev Story... My eyes were burning.

[Izulde]

dola,

I think GDS's success is that it replicates the simplicity and addicting fun of something cool like the early Hollywood Moguls used to do, yet it has surprising depth for an iPod game IMO.

Now if I could just get a hardware engineer and houserule myself into not naming games as sequels unless it's a game that deserves the sequel status...

[Landshark44]

what do you guys do to manage your podcasts? Do you simply download them via iTunes or do you use a separate app for that?

I've discovered that listening to the Pats' podcast on my 25 minutes commute is pretty dang cool, especially when there's no sports news of that genre in the area... :)

FM

Use- RSS Player

way easier. just set your favorite podcasts, when you open the app, they download automatically....

[lordscarlet]

Holy shit. It's 2:38 am and I'm still up. No wonder I had to quit playing Game Dev Story... My eyes were burning.

So much for the music tournament. :)

[MJ4H]

Use- RSS Player

way easier. just set your favorite podcasts, when you open the app, they download automatically....


Just curious, how is that easier than itunes?

[FrogMan]

Use- RSS Player

way easier. just set your favorite podcasts, when you open the app, they download automatically....

interesting, coming up with two version of an app called "RSS Player" on appshopper:
App Shopper: RSS Player Podcast Client (Entertainment) (http://appshopper.com/entertainment/rss-player) (iOS 3)
App Shopper: Podcaster (Formerly RSS Player Podcast Client) (News) (http://appshopper.com/news/podcaster-formerly-rss-player-podcast-client) (iOS4)

would those be it? Looks interesting in that it seems you can queue many podcasts to listen back to back. Given that I listen to those while driving, it could be a plus for me.

Incidentally, I installed the free version of a podcast manager called Bookmark Podcasts Lite (http://appshopper.com/news/bookmark-podcasts-lite). Have not tried it much yet but it looks interesting.

FM

[lordscarlet]

Just curious, how is that easier than itunes?

+1

I'm not clear on what itunes is missing -- unless the problem is that you don't want to have to connect to your computer to download the latest podcasts automatically.

[terpkristin]

+1

I'm not clear on what itunes is missing -- unless the problem is that you don't want to have to connect to your computer to download the latest podcasts automatically.

I was wondering the same thing.

/tk

[Izulde]

So much for the music tournament. :)

Oh, I'll be back on it later today.

[terpkristin]

I just beat Sword and Poker 2. Got all the special weapons, got the crowns on all the floors. I'm not sure if I'm pleased or embarrassed. Probably both. :)

/tk

[Izulde]

Got my first Game of the Year finally in Game Dev Story. Considering the # of hours I got out of it now that I've pretty much done everything I wanted to, $4 wasn't bad.

[FrogMan]

Stop teasing me with Pandora!

what he said :rant:


while it really is not the same, I had been using Jango as a replacement for Pandora in Canada. The web version used to give me some good mix of songs based what I'd say I liked or disliked. Just found this App from the Jango people: Top 100 by Jango (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/top-100-by-jango/id391126767?mt=8).

While yeah, they are talking about playing top 100 songs and mention a bunch of artists that might not be among favorites of the crowd here, there are many other preset station within the app: hip-hop, rock, metal, or by decade (70's, 80's or 90's). They say they refresh the stations once a week. For what little I've tried it (installed the app around dinner time), I'm impressed with the selection of songs...

When I visited Jango - Free Music -- Listen to Music Online - Internet Radio (www.jango.com) via safari on my Touch, I was redirected to a page where they said a mobile version was in the works and I left my email addy to be alerted when it'd be available...

It's not like having Pandora, but it's something. At least makes for some decent streaming...

FM

[MikeVic]

Thanks I'll give it a shot.

[Passacaglia]

You might also try grooveshark.com in Canada.

[FrogMan]

You might also try grooveshark.com in Canada.

looks very interesting, thanks for sharing.

This is not really an app per se, more a wallpaper, a home page wallpaper. It's fairly easy to find some cool lock page wallpaper, but home page wallpapers need to mesh well with your icons and all. I found that this one looks pretty cool on the retina display...

FM

[Antmeister]

Lately I have really been into MOG (http://mog.com/). They are a subscription service, but what is cool is that it that you have an option to download songs when you are offline to listen to at your pleasure. And their library is extensive. What is extra nice is that I can play it on the computer, my Roku and my iPod Touch, but of course you can only have one device used at a time. They have a 14 day free trial as well. Sweet app and sweet service.

[FrogMan]

I use Calengoo, and I like it a lot......

After much pondering between Pocket Informant and Calengoo, I ended up going with Calengoo. Does everything I want it to do, handles many different Google calendars with their respective colors, online and offline. Looks absolutely gorgeous on the retina display.

As far as other interesting non-gaming apps I'm using, I have started using errands for, well, my errands. Very well done little app.

I had been tracking my car's mileage and MPG for the last year or so on an excel spreadsheet and I knew I would like to switch that over to my touch once I got it. After looking at many different apps that do that, I ended up buying the Road Trip one. Well put together with great stats reporting.

Thinking about picking up Money Book to do some very simple expense tracking since it's for sale at $0.99 for the day. Don't really want something too powerful and after looking at the developper's website, I was impressed with his development of it. Same could be said for Road Trip's website...

Another one I think is nice is the Freedom app. It tracks apps that go free, even if for only a couple hours. Found many nice ones to try that way...

FM