Readers’ App Reviews – May 2013
Check out some great app reviews of apps made by readers of raywenderlich.com – including an app to disguise yourself, a great github client, and more! By Ryan Poolos.
Bounce It Up!
Bounce It Up captured my attention for a long time. It has successfully taken a very simple, played out idea, and added challenging unique levels.
Bounce It Up is just a simple tap to juggle style game. However it spices it up by adding simple goals to meet and stars to collect with each level. Then it begins introducting obstacles you can bounce the ball off. These obstacles can be a blessing or a curse depending on your tapping accuracy.
In this case, playing on tap to juggle game, does not mean you’ve played them on. Give this one a try! :]
- Author: Luis Antonioli @Bounce_It_Up
- Most useful tutorial: How To Create a Simple Breakout Game with Box2D and Cocos2D Tutorial: Part 2/2
- App Store Link: Check it out!
HushBox
HushBox helps you keep track of everything you want in one easy to manage wishlist.
Simply snap a picture of what you want, enter a bit of meta data like a title and maybe some sizes for clothing, and its added to your wishlist.
As your wishlist grows you can share it, or portions of it, with select people. A great way to make sure you don’t end up with tube socks for Christmas from the relatives who don’t know you really want an awesome book. ;]
- Author: Adam Chin @chinjazz
- Most useful tutorial: How To Synchronize Core Data with a Web Service – Part 1
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Breach Racer
Breach Racer is a classic sidescrolling race-against-the-clock game with some crazy ragdoll physics.
Breach Racer is one of my favorite types of games. So when I play one, I’m often taken back to the many I’ve tried over the years. Breach Racer did not dissappoint.
Breach Racer features some cool ragdoll physics as you jet from start to finish racing against the clock. There are quite a few tracks to try out, each with some unique obstacles.
Controls are simple and out of the way. Tilt to pop wheelies, tap right to go forward, left to go backward. Couldn’t be simpler, now go give it a try. ;]
- Author: Nikita Divers @Breachracer
- Most useful tutorial: How to Make a Game Like Jetpack Joyride using LevelHelper and SpriteHelper [Cocos2D Edition] – Part 1
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Tipiiz
Need a quick and easy tip calculator? Tipiiz is it.
Tipiiz makes tip caluclation very easy. Just input an amount, and then you can select any of the three spinners. Spinners include tip percentage, amount, and total. If you adjust any of the three spinners the other spinners will follow. This is great for rounding tips to the next whole dollar.
There is even a cool tax deduction feature, so you can type in the total of your receipt and not worry about tipping on tax. And Tipiiz will even let you split the bill and pay the tip only on your portion.
- Author: Shahzeb Khan
- Most useful tutorial: How To Create a Simple iPhone App on iOS 5 Tutorial: 1/3
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Goalies
Goalies is an original game that reminds me of classic arcades.
Its simple, a hockey player takes a shot that you have to block. Its front on, so the shot comes straight at you. Just drag your finger to block the shot. It takes reflexes, and finger-eye coodination haha.
Its very addicting, yet extremely simple. I made it to 27 goals, Beat that >:]
- Author: Scott Pardo
- Most useful tutorial: Beginning Turn-Based Gaming with iOS 5 Part 2
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Photo Calendar & Drawings for iPad
Photo Calendar & Drawings for iPad is a great app for a coffee table iPad shared by your family.
This app is definitely one of those, “I wish I thought of that” apps. Its so simple, yet such a fantastic idea. It simple features a calendar, when each day gets a blank canvas to draw on. You can draw/write whatever you like in a variety of pen types and colors. You can even add photos from the camera or photo library.
This app is just like those whiteboards with permenant calendars in the background. Its perfect for quick notes and appointment tracking. A family could even use it with each member using a different color. Or you could color code your own lists for work and play.
- Author: Roman Safronov
- Most useful tutorial: How To Make A Simple Drawing App with UIKit
- App Store Link: Check it out!
iFunnyFaces HD
Have you often wanted to hide in plain sight with a good ole set of moustache glasses? What about a tuxedo?
Well this app can help you spruce up your digital life with some easy to apply clipart for all your photos. Simply choose a photo, and get to work. There is a large library of different types of stamps ranging from faceware to full suits. I personally think I look pretty good with a nice leather jacket.
After you’re done, its easy to share with friends or save it for later.
- Author: Mayuir Sidhpara @MayuirSidhpara
- Most useful tutorial: UIGestureRecognizer Tutorial in iOS 5: Pinches, Pans, and More!
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Honorable Mentions
Here are the apps that didn’t get reviewed. Remember it wasn’t a popularity contest or even a rating contest. Forum members got priority among other factors. Your apps were great and I’m sorry we didn’t have time to review them all!
Colorado DOT Traveller and Traffic All-In-1
Draw & Paint – Drawing and Coloring for Kids, Games for Boys and Girls
Gangnam Style Or Harlem Shake? – Addicting Game Which Tests Your Reflexes!
NUMEROLOGY – The Pocket Numerologist – Name and Birthday Meaning with Predictions